Caleb Williams headlines the 2024 NFL Draft class, but many other blue-chip athletes will hear their names called Thursday night in Detroit.
The headliners of this class are, of course, the quarterbacks. There are six signal callers projected by many to go in the first round alone, all led by USC’s Caleb Williams. The former Sooner-turned-Trojan showcases arm talent like no other in this class, garnering comparisons to Patrick Mahomes. Behind him, however, there are still five other elite prospects at the position: Heisman winner Jayden Daniels from LSU, boom-or-bust prospect Drake Maye of UNC, Pac-12 standouts Bo Nix and Michael Penix, Jr. from Oregon and Washington respectively, and national champion J.J. McCarthy of Michigan. Williams is a shoo-in to go first overall to the Chicago Bears, but with at least five other “quarterback hungry” teams in the top 13 picks (Commanders, Patriots, Vikings, Broncos, and Raiders), there will certainly be a fight at the top as teams look to potentially trade up for their chance at locking up a franchise QB.
Perfectly complimenting the throwers, the next two deepest positions this draft are the wide receivers and the offensive linemen.
There are pass catchers-galore up for grabs this year, but it is safe to say we have a clear-cut top four. Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison, Jr. has been labeled by many as one of the best receiver prospects in recent history. The big body Biletnikoff winner has the “highest floor” of any receiver in the draft based on size, pedigree, and play style, but his unwillingness to run a 40-yard dash at the combine or his Pro Day along with lack of separation on film has many scouts holding their breath on how high his ceiling truly is at the next level.
Opposite of this is LSU’s pair of Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas, Jr. Nabers is viewed by some as the best receiver this draft; he certainly comes with more risk but more reward. His 4.35 40-yard dash is visible on film pre- and post-catch, but will a team be willing to take a chance and take him over Harrison, Jr.? Brian Thomas, Jr. is this season’s “specimen” at the position. His 6’3” and 205 pound-size becomes much more impressive when you pair it with a blistering 4.33 40-yard dash, and the speed translates to the field along with his imposing frame. Washington’s Rome Odunze rounds out the studs as the classic “do it all” wide out. A true X-receiver that can win off the line with a repertoire of releases and get himself open one-on-one. However, we could still see some other receivers make a splash late in the first round. Keep an eye out for Texas’ Adonai Mitchell and Xavier Worthy, as well as FSU’s Keon Coleman.
The O-Line class is absolutely stacked this year. It features true offensive tackles like Notre Dame’s Joe Alt and Penn State’s Olu Fashanu; man-eater interior guys like Duke’s Graham Barton and Oregon’s Jackson Powers-Johnson; and in-betweeners like Oregon State’s Taliese Fuaga and Washington’s Troy Fautanu. However, this just scratches the surface of this class, as some have projected up to 10 offensive linemen to go in the first round alone.
Defensively, the class is not as deep, but there are still some blue-chip players at the top. Alabama’s Dallas Turner is the headliner at edge. The Crimson Tide also sent some names at cornerback with Terrion Arnold and Kool-Aid McKinstry, but Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell could steal the show as the first corner taken this year. On the interior, Texas’ Byron Murphy II will likely be the first defensive tackle taken, but he could go anywhere from top 10 to as late as 20 depending on how the other picks fall.
Round one of the NFL Draft is set to kick off Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. in Detroit with the following rounds slated for Friday and Saturday.
