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With Super Bowl LVIII in the rearview and the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine on the horizon, it’s time to look toward the next group of talent to hit the pro ranks.
Below is my first snapshot of the top five prospects at each major position in the 2024 NFL Draft class.
Tune in for live coverage of the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine beginning Feb. 29 on NFL Network and NFL+.
Position Groups
OFFENSE: Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Wide Receivers | Tight Ends | Tackles | Interior Blockers
DEFENSE: Edge | Defensive Tackles | Linebackers | Cornerbacks | Safeties
QUARTERBACKS
The QB class features several intriguing prospects with franchise-player potential. Williams is the crown jewel of the class as an athletic gunslinger with elite playmaking skills. Although his 2023 season was a letdown after the high of his 2022 Heisman run, the USC standout has All-Pro-caliber talent. Daniels’ slender frame might give some teams pause, but interested squads are smitten with his dynamic playmaking potential. The LSU standout dazzles on the perimeter as a dual-threat quarterback with elite talents as a runner and passer. Maye is coming off a disappointing final campaign in Chapel Hill, but he commands plenty of attention in scouting circles due to his prototypical dimensions and exceptional arm talent. Penix will have to answer questions about his injury history at Indiana, but there are no doubts about his toughness and arm talent. While McCarthy hasn’t matched Penix in production, he has the athletic tools and winning pedigree to succeed at the next level.
Keep an eye on …
RUNNING BACKS
This year’s class of running backs lacks star power, but astute scouts could find a hidden gem outside of the first round. Brooks is the headliner of the class as a new-school RB1 with explosive potential as a runner-receiver out of the backfield. The Texas standout displays grind-it-out ability with a hint of explosiveness. Corum is a rock-solid runner with a gritty style that suits downhill schemes. As a prolific point-scorer with a nose for the goal line, the Michigan star’s toughness and physicality could set the tone for an offense that features old-school runs. Irving is a big-play weapon with outstanding stop-start quickness and burst. The Oregon standout is an explosive playmaker with the speed to take it the distance when he reaches the perimeter.
Keep an eye on …
WIDE RECEIVERS
The 2024 class of pass-catchers is loaded with playmakers. Harrison is a plug-and-play No. 1 receiver with solid hands and polished route-running skills. The Ohio State star is a Larry Fitzgerald clone with game-changing potential in a pass-centric offense. Odunze is a get-open specialist with a crafty game built on size, strength and physicality. The Washington star is a 50-50 ball winner with solid hands and spectacular ball skills. Coleman is an acrobatic pass-catching specialist with the length and leaping ability to develop into a dominant third-down and red-zone weapon.
Keep an eye on …
TIGHT ENDS
As tight ends become essential for elite passing games, this year’s crop features a star and a handful of intriguing prospects with Day 1 starting potential. Bowers is an athletic Y tight end with the size, strength and athleticism to create and exploit mismatches on the perimeter. The Georgia star displays immediate all-star potential. Sanders is a Flex tight end with soft hands and electric running skills. The Texas product excels as a pass-catching specialist who can win from a tight alignment, the slot or out wide as a designated playmaker in a wide-open offense. Barner is an intriguing option as a versatile tight end who can play Y or Flex in a multiple-tight end offense. As a scrappy blocker with sticky hands and crafty route-running ability, the Michigan standout could make his mark as a rotational player in Year 1.
Keep an eye on …
OFFENSIVE TACKLES
The depth and talent of the 2024 offensive tackle class could lead to an early run on edge blockers once the draft begins. Alt is a polished technician with outstanding balance, body control and lateral quickness. He deftly shadowboxes defenders on the edge, exhibiting nearly flawless technique while pitching shutouts in pass protection. Fashanu is a natural blindside protector with the length, athleticism and pop to stymie elite pass rushers. Though his technique remains a work in progress, the Penn State product possesses rare tools as a franchise-caliber tackle. Fuaga is a feisty brawler with heavy hands and elite knock-back power. The Oregon State standout is a rare find as a punishing run blocker who displays ballerina-like footwork in pass protection.
Keep an eye on …
INTERIOR BLOCKERS
This year’s group features a collection of interior blockers with positional flexibility. Barton is an experienced utility player with 2,500-plus snaps under his belt. Despite spending most of his time on the edges, the Duke product projects as an elite interior player with the potential to register starts at center or guard early in his career. Powers-Johnson is a center with a combination of strength, power and agility that enables him to own the point of attack. Though his lack of elite length leaves him vulnerable against super-sized power players, the Oregon standout’s high-revving motor and relentless approach make life miserable for opponents. Haynes specializes in mashing defenders at the line of scrimmage in the run game. As a road grader with superior length and explosive strength, the UConn alum is a plug-and-play prospect.
Keep an eye on …
OFFENSE: Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Wide Receivers | Tight Ends | Tackles | Interior Blockers
DEFENSE: Edge | Defensive Tackles | Linebackers | Cornerbacks | Safeties
EDGE DEFENDERS
With pass rushers coveted at a premium, the 2024 class should produce a handful of first-round picks with Pro Bowl potential. Turner possesses the burst and overall athleticism to wreak havoc off the edges as a disruptive force. The Alabama star is a natural pass rusher with the instincts, awareness and hand-to-hand skills to utilize multiple maneuvers to get to the quarterback. Latu is a high-energy pass rusher that every defensive coordinator covets in the DPR (designated pass rusher) role. He explodes off the ball with cat-like quickness but also displays the strength and power to win with force or finesse. Robinson is an athletic freak with the first-step quickness and bend-and-burst skills to create chaos as a sack artist at the next level. The Penn State phenom’s production (9.5 sacks in two seasons at Penn State) does not match his physical tools, but his upside makes him an intriguing option.
Keep an eye on …
DEFENSIVE TACKLES
The 2024 class is loaded with rugged interior defenders. Newton is the headliner as a heavy-handed run stuffer with outstanding technical skills. Although the Illinois product is more of a pocket pusher as a pass rusher, he disrupts the point of attack with energy and effort. Sweat is a massive run defender with exceptional power and strength. He controls the point as a space eater while dominating double-teams at the line of scrimmage. Jenkins’ bloodlines (he’s the son of two-time All-Pro DT Kris Jenkins) show up as a freak athlete with disruptive potential in his play. Though his production (4 career sacks, 8 tackles for loss) fails to match his athletic profile, the Michigan defender is an intriguing option as a height-weight-speed prospect with big-time potential. At 286 pounds, Robinson can play inside or outside, but I’m including him with the DTs here.
Keep an eye on …
LINEBACKERS
The devaluation of off-ball linebackers will make it hard for a class member to crack the first round, but the group features several prospects with Day 1 starting potential. Cooper is a sideline-to-sideline menace with impressive cover skills and emerging pass-rush ability. As a versatile defender with a loaded toolbox, the Texas A&M star could quickly outplay his draft-day status. Trotter is a competitor with a non-stop motor and exceptional football instincts. As a see-ball, get-ball defender with a knack for timely playmaking, the Clemson standout has the potential to create chaos between the tackles attacking the line of scrimmage. Wilson is a destructive force with a relentless approach. He patrols the middle of the field like a junkyard dog, exhibiting outstanding instincts and awareness as a tackling machine.
Keep an eye on …
CORNERBACKS
This year’s class lacks marquee names, but coaches and scouts love the overall talent and depth of the group. Arnold is a high-IQ defender with an expanded toolbox, making him a scheme-friendly fit for any squad. As a plug-and-play prospect with some positional flexibility, the Alabama standout is the utility player every defensive backfield could use. DeJean is another utility player with the athleticism, instincts and ball skills to produce splash plays on the perimeter. As a well-trained defender with polished technique, the Iowa product should step in immediately as a starter capable of playing multiple spots in the secondary. Mitchell is a dynamic prospect with impressive tools as a shutdown corner. After the Toledo standout created some buzz at the Senior Bowl with his impressive performance, teams are salivating over his potential as a CB1.
Keep an eye on …
SAFETIES
The safety class is loaded with big athletes for the position. Nubin is a sensational playmaker with the ball skills and tackling ability to control the middle of the field from numbers to numbers. As an interception machine (13 career INTs) with a knack for baiting quarterbacks into mistakes, the Minnesota product could thrive as the ornament atop the Christmas tree in a single-high safety defense. As a natural center fielder with sticky hands and limitless range, Kinchens is a big-play eraser in the back end. The Miami standout eliminates the deep ball and forces passers to think twice before attacking down the field. Bullock is a traffic cop with solid instincts and awareness. He is a natural ballhawk who collected nine interceptions in three seasons with the Trojans.
Keep an eye on …
OFFENSE: Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Wide Receivers | Tight Ends | Tackles | Interior Blockers
DEFENSE: Edge | Defensive Tackles | Linebackers | Cornerbacks | Safeties
