2024 NFL Draft: Top 50 Big Board
Thu Apr 18 12:24pm ET
Field Level Media
Quarterbacks could be drafted 1-2-3-4 for the first time in history.
But the 2024 NFL Draft is rich at multiple positions with depth for days at wide receiver and offensive tackle.
Teams that covet a lockdown cornerback or stud safety might be out of luck, and the popular discussion around value at the interior offensive line and running back spots will play out in a big way starting in the second round.
If it's Michigan men you want, this is your year. Starting with quarterback J.J. McCarthy, 10 former Wolverines graded out as top-125 prospects.
Field Level Media assembled a final Big Board, ranking the top 50 prospects regardless of position and without consideration to their potential draft-day destination or any specific system operated by their future employers.
1. QB Caleb Williams, Southern California
Talent is enough to roll the dice that Williams consistently delivers the goods in the NFL if a franchise leaves space for him to be an individual without dropping traditional expectations for a QB1 and No. 1 pick.
2. QB Jayden Daniels, LSU
Daniels played like a much different man last season, entering the year with a fourth-round grade and ending it with a Heisman Trophy and squarely in the conversation for the No. 1 overall pick. He has elite speed, an elusive running style and exhibited incredible growth as a passer. No QB in the class performed better against pressure looks and blitzes. He has high-end accuracy and decision-making to overcome growing pains if he lands with a team with modest talent.
3. QB Drake Maye, North Carolina
Maye checks all necessary boxes to be a long-term starter. He has impressive touch and control as a passer regardless of the situation and enough quickness and presence to handle pressure and create throwing lanes under duress. His ceiling isn't as high as some of the other quarterbacks on this list but has better mobility than expected and enough arm talent.
4. WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
Granted he was all but guaranteed attention based on his Hall of Fame dad, but Harrison himself is on the path to being GOATed and building his own legacy. He has looked like a future star since he stepped on the field at Ohio State and stood above the last three first-round receivers to come out of Columbus thanks to his route-running prowess, body control and ability to win at every level of the field. It'd be a surprise if he isn't a decade-long starter.
5. WR Malik Nabers, LSU
Such a smooth athlete he will be knocked for looking like he's rolling on cruise control, the truth is Nabers is a graceful open-field mover with instant change-of-direction agility and the build-up speed to pull away from defenders. He may need time to adjust to the physicality of NFL press coverage, but his traits suggest he gets there.
6. WR Rome Odunze, Washington
Odunze slots closely to Nabers and Harrison depending on what you're looking for at the position. He's incredibly strong playing through contact along his routes, tracks the ball naturally and doesn't lose when fighting for the ball in a crowd. He's not the craftsman or overall athlete Nabers and Harrison are at this stage, but some evaluators wrote the same knocks on Larry Fitzgerald's Pitt scouting report.
7. OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame
Big, long and steady in pass protection, Alt is an adequate athlete but his game really shines when shutting down power rushers or using his length to seal off pressure off the corner. He's not a nasty blocker who will push people around and elite athletes will test his game, but he has the skill set to lock up almost anyone in the league.
8. TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
A unique height-weight-speed matchup who has the ball skills and speed to threaten any linebacker or safety, Bowers is more of a supersized receiver than a tight end. He won't be a factor in the run game early in his career, but his ability to make plays after the catch and create separation against man coverage imply he can be a Pro Bowl impact player very soon.
9. EDGE Dallas Turner, Alabama
Teammate Will Anderson Jr. (No. 3 pick in 2023 to the Houston Texans) was more refined, but Turner was just as productive in his final year with the Crimson Tide, relying on his ability to consistently attack the corner and get around it. He'll be a work in progress for his first season and perhaps more, but there's an All-Pro ceiling to unveil should he maximize his full potential.
10. OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Penn State
Fashanu presents an overall body of work that separates him from a pack of offensive tackles in the first round. He's not an elite athlete. But he plays with discipline and accurate hands, refined footwork and his well-rounded style of play blocks all paths to success for defensive linemen.
11. CB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo
As one scout put it, no player in this class has a bigger appetite to be great. The self-titled "best player to come out of the MAC," we need to see a bit more before taking his measurements against Randy Moss and Ben Roethlisberger. But Mitchell is the best Group of 5 player in this class by a considerable margin. He aced every pre-draft test to back up insane production on the ball and proved elite speed at the Scouting Combine. He's a long, fluid corner with great speed and gets an A+ for competitive endurance.
12. OT Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State
A two-year starter at right tackle, Fuaga is a near carbon copy of Bears 2023 first-round pick Darnell Wright. He has adequate length and a steady approach to his pass sets that will allow him to stay outside as a pro. What teams covet in his game: beastly power in the run game and a reputation as a no-mercy finisher.
13. EDGE Jared Verse, Florida State
Verse looked spindly in 2022 while playing at 248 pounds, then added good weight in 2023 while maintaining his patented first step and subtle speed to power transition. His ability to set up blockers with his quickness and hand usage is hard to handle even for the most technical and athletic tackles. The extra year of development has paid off and should allow him to start as a rookie.
14. CB Terrion Arnold, Alabama
An easy moving corner with the size, speed and agility to match up against receivers with varied traits, Arnold deals with some lapses in judgment when playing the ball in the air or working from zone. His tools are there, and it might not be long before he is one of the best corners in the league by ironing out those flaws. He's the top athlete - and one of the youngest -- at the position in 2024, which will boost his final draft grade for most teams.
15. OT Troy Fautanu, Washington
Superb athlete with defensive line and offensive line chops, he could play any position on the line and moves like a tight end.
16. OT J.C. Latham, Alabama
Latham went from 325 pounds to 360 for his final season. The results were mixed on the field and he checked in at 343 at his March Pro Day. He is extraordinarily athletic for a man of his size. He wasn't quite as fluid or nimble in pass protection or space in 2023, so he may need to drop weight as a pro to get back to looking like a future high-end starter.
17. DT Byron Murphy II, Texas
Overshadowed when the 2023 season began by high-profile teammates Alfred Collins and T'Vondre Sweat, Murphy's incredible first step and lightning fast hands turn him into the best pro of the group. The boxy-framed defender lacks the length desired for the position but has great feel for attacking and creating ways to get off blocks.
18. WR Brian Thomas Jr., LSU
A height-weight-speed prospect whose emergence coincides with the rise of Heisman-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels. Not as developed as the receivers higher on this list, Thomas has immense potential while his game evolves. He has solid ball skills, can win reliably down the field when targeted against man coverage and could be in the unguardable category with route refinement.
19. EDGE Laiatu Latu, UCLA
Latu is a crisp athlete with the hands to always have the answers to the blocking test. He can rush the passer just easily standing up or with his hand down, and his feel for finding angles and capitalizing on the mistakes of blockers. His medical will be a major question mark for teams, but a clean bill of health should land him in the top 20.
20. QB J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
All-in character helped lift McCarthy into the early first-round conversation but he's a clear No. 4 on the QB board as the least rehearsed in terms of direct NFL skillsets. But the tools clearly are all here, including the arm talent not flexed as frequently in Michigan's pro-style, power-based, run-first offense.
21. OL Graham Barton, Duke
Draft him and plug him in at any of the three interior OL spots or trial Barton at left tackle in a quick-set passing attack and he's ready to anchor the line for a decade.
22. CB Nate Wiggins, Clemson
Size (6-foot-2), speed (4.28 40 time) and traits for days. Wiggins would be one of the first players picked in a best-athlete-available draft. NFL teams aren't all convinced he'll bite if he can get the job done by showing his teeth, especially supporting against the run.
23. CB Cooper DeJean, Iowa
There are more sudden cover cornerbacks in the class but playmaking is DeJean's game, and his straight-line speed should equate to top-level range if he's moved to safety.
24. OT Amarius Mims, Georgia
Sample size is the only time "tiny" could be applied to the 6-8, 345-pound Mims. Raw with only eight career starts, Mims is a mountainous right tackle with the upside to make it at left tackle. But he'll require patience and technique work to cover still-developing football instincts to maximize his natural ability and reach his significant ceiling.
25. EDGE Chop Robinson, Penn State
Much like recent late first-round pick Nolan Smith (Eagles), Robinson's size isn't ideal for setting the edge or holding up in the run game. There's no dismissing his burst and bend to threaten almost any offensive tackle around the corner. He's unseasoned but the bet from NFL teams will be he can be a 10-sack contributor during his first contract.
26. DT Jer'Zhan Newton, Illinois
A maxed-out frame and limited length worries some teams with Newton when it comes to defending the run. On the flip side, he's a pro-ready pass rusher with great agility, hand speed and a knack for creating with counter moves.
27. DT/DE Darius Robinson, Missouri
Experience and winning tape across the defensive line, Robinson sheds blockers without a fight. Because of his measurables and raw tools, teams are enticed by his ceiling and versatility to fit virtually any defense.
28. CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama
The preliminary favorite to be the top cornerback in this class, McKinstry was overshadowed at times by teammate Terrion Arnold this year but still figures to be a longtime starter with return game skills to boot. While he is better in man than zone he has ball skills and athleticism that transfer easily to the NFL.
29. C Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon
Brick wall of a center at 328 pounds, Powers-Johnson could find his way to guard and wins on brute strength to hold off even the biggest nose tackles in the NFL.
30. OT Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma
Tools galore, Guyton needs polish but brings ideal size, length and quickness to be a franchise left tackle. His hand usage and footwork are essential pieces to develop, making him a long-term project. With the right coaching he could end up being one of the best linemen in the class.
31. WR Adonai Mitchell, Texas
Buzz continues to grow around Mitchell on a boost from his elite athleticism and testing at 6-2, 205. He ran a 4.34 40-yard dash and showed off his 39.5-inch vertical in Indianapolis, sending teams back to study his 18 touchdowns in three seasons split between Georgia (2021, 2022) and Texas.
32. WR Ladd McConkey, Georgia
Speaking of scorers, McConkey had 19 career touchdowns with the Bulldogs and his skill set and body type bear some resemblance to Cooper Kupp, the kind of relative comparisons pushing his draft stock into the first round since an injury-plagued junior season ended.
Best of the rest:
33. WR Xavier Worthy, Texas
34. OG Jordan Morgan, Arizona
35. QB Bo Nix, Oregon
36. OT Kingsley Suamataia, BYU
37. LB Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M
38. WR Troy Franklin, Oregon
39. DT Kris Jenkins, Michigan
40. WR Roman Wilson, Michigan
41. C Zach Frazier, West Virginia
42. LB Junior Colson, Michigan
43. CB Mike Sainristil, Michigan
44. EDGE Marshawn Kneeland, Western Michigan
45. WR Ricky Pearsall, Florida
46. WR Malachi Corley, Western Kentucky
47. CB Max Melton, Rutgers
48. DT Maason Smith, LSU
49. S Tyler Nubin, Minnesota
50. EDGE Chris Braswell, Alabama
- Browns S Rodney McLeod to retire after 2024 season
- Commanders release QB Jake Fromm
- Bills, Dolphins to meet in first 2024 Amazon Prime Video game
- 49ers sign OT Chris Hubbard
- Bills sign WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling to 1-year contract
- Oh, snap: Jets, Aaron Rodgers open on MNF again
- Cowboys, Browns and Brady featured in Week 1 matchup
- Lions award Jared Goff four-year, $212M extension
- Bucs S Antoine Winfield gets record 4-year, $84.1M extension
- Saints reach deal with veteran G Lucas Patrick
- Chiefs to open 2024 season vs. Ravens
- Former Chargers GM A.J. Smith dies at 75
- Pats coach Jerod Mayo says QB Drake Maye will 'put the work in'
- Patriots name Eliot Wolf executive VP of player personnel
- Bill Belichick gets weekly spot on ESPN's 'ManningCast'
- Broncos first-round QB Bo Nix signs rookie contract
- Cardinals, WR Zay Jones agree on one-year deal
- Aidan O'Connell is early leader in Raiders' QB competition
- It's official: Bears rookie Caleb Williams to start at QB
- Giants sign first-round pick Malik Nabers to reported $29.2M deal
The Paur Report
The Minnesota Vikings released veteran cornerback Joejuan Williams on Tuesday, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero. The former Vanderbilt Commodore was a second-round pick by the New England Patriots in 2019 but has not found his footing in the NFL. Across 42 games with the Patriots, Vikings, and Bears, Williams has collected 46 tackles (32 solo), 10 pass deflections, and no interceptions. The 26-year-old signed a reserve/future contract on January 8 with the Vikings, but he is being let go after the team selected Oregon cornerback Khyree Jackson in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
From RotoBaller
The Cincinnati Bengals signed rookie third-round wide receiver Jermaine Burton and rookie fourth-round tight end Erick All to their rookie deals on Tuesday. With Joe Burrow at quarterback and Tee Higgins potentially playing his last season with the Bengals in 2024, both first-year pass-catchers are on the fantasy football radar in redraft and dynasty leagues. In Burton's final two collegiate seasons at Alabama, he caught 79 passes for 1,475 yards and 15 touchdowns. With 4.45 speed, he could act as a field stretcher and start in three-wide sets right away in Zac Taylor's offense. All, who caught 21 passes for 299 yards and three touchdowns in Iowa's lifeless offense last year, will look to push Mike Gesicki for the TE1 job in his rookie campaign.
From RotoBaller
The Washington Commanders released quarterback Jake Fromm on Tuesday, according to NFL.com. The former Georgia Bulldog was a fifth-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills and spent the last two seasons with Washington after a brief stint with the New York Giants. Despite being in the league for four seasons, he has thrown just 60 passes, completing 27 of them for 210 yards and one touchdown to go along with three interceptions. The Commanders signed Marcus Mariota this offseason and added rookies Jayden Daniels and Sam Hartman to their quarterback room, so Fromm became expendable. The 25-year-old is unlikely to earn playing time anytime soon barring a slew of injuries around the NFL.
From RotoBaller
Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett (knee) is not practicing on Tuesday, according to head coach Raheem Morris. The two-time Pro Bowl selection and one-time All-Pro suffered a torn ACL in the Week 8 loss to the Tennessee Titans last year, so he'll likely be eased into action this offseason and beyond. Jarrett has compiled three seasons of at least six sacks, but he only charted 1.5 sacks in eight games last season. Atlanta's pass rush has been an issue over the last few years, and the organization opted to draft quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 overall pick instead of a defender, so Jarrett's early-season availability and effectiveness will be key as the Falcons look to contend for a Super Bowl with Kirk Cousins under center.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | Jared Goff and the Lions have agreed on a four-year contract extension. Dynasty Analysis: A relative afterthought in the Matthew Stafford trade from years ago, Goff has had a career resurgence with the Lions. He'll get $170 million guaranteed and makes him the highest paid player in franchise history. Goff is coming off a season with more than 4,500 yards and 30 touchdowns, making him a reliable low-end QB1. While he offers little as a runner, Goff is about as stable as they come and makes for a solid veteran add for a dynasty team as a low-end starter or very solid QB2.
Dynasty | The Bills have signed free agent wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Dynasty Analysis: The Bills look like they're going to attack the post-Stefon Diggs era with a "WR by committee" approach that could feature the likes of Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, Curtis Samuel, Chase Claypool and now MVS. While Coleman remains the only blue chip player on that list, someone else is likely to emerge. Valdes-Scantling is likely no more than a roster clogger-level player moving forward but this development is enough to keep him on the dynasty radar.
Despite requesting a trade this offseason, Cincinnati Bengals star pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson confirmed his desire to play for the team in 2024 after Tuesday's offseason workout. "That's a no-brainer," Hendrickson said. "I mean, I love this team. I'm in great shape. It's good to see the guys." The three-time Pro Bowler rejoined the team this week for the voluntary offseason workout program. The 29-year-old was second in the NFL in sacks in 2023 with 17.5 and initially asked to be traded when the Bengals didn't reward him with a long-term contract extension. Contract issues aside, Hendrickson has been one of the league's best edge rushers since he was signed by Cincy in 2021 on a four-year deal worth $60 million. He has 40.5 total sacks in that time, the fifth-highest total in the NFL.
From RotoBaller
The back-to-back Super Bowl-champion Kansas City Chiefs will begin their attempt for the first-ever three-peat in 2024 when they host the Baltimore Ravens in the league's annual prime-time season opener, which will be played on Thursday, Sept. 5. It will be a rematch of last year's AFC Championship, which the Chiefs won 17-10 before beating the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII. The Chiefs will then face the Cincinnati Bengals at Arrowhead in Week 2. The Week 1 matchup against Baltimore features two of the game's top QBs in Patrick Mahomes, the Super Bowl MVP the last two years, and Lamar Jackson, the reigning NFL MVP. Mahomes has gone 4-1 in the matchup against Jackson, including in the playoffs. KC has opened as a 2.5-point favorite and are 2-1 in the NFL kickoff game since it was introduced in 2002.
From RotoBaller
Atlanta Falcons running backs Bijan Robinson (ankle) and Jase McClellan (foot) were not at practice on Tuesday at organized team activities. It's notable, but shouldn't affect Robinson's 2024 fantasy draft stock. The 22-year-old former first-rounder is expected to be back on the field for the team's mandatory minicamp. As long as Robinson's ankle isn't bothering him once he returns to practice, it should be a non-factor by the time the 2024 regular season begins. Now that quarterback Kirk Cousins is in town, Robinson will be even more attractive as a high-end RB1 in fantasy. The former eighth overall pick in 2023 out of Texas is a do-it-all back that had 976 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 214 rushing attempts in his rookie season, adding 58 receptions for 487 yards and another four TDs in 17 games (16 starts) in 2023.
From RotoBaller
The Buffalo Bills signed veteran wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling to a one-year deal worth up to $4.5 million on Tuesday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. MVS is no stranger to playing with elite quarterbacks between his time with Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay and Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City, and he'll now be in line to catch passes from Josh Allen in Buffalo. The 2018 fifth-round pick out of South Florida has not posted monster fantasy football numbers, but he has spike-week upside thanks to his field-stretching speed. That said, he's likely going to be more useful in "real life" compared to fantasy football based on his production profile thus far. In six NFL seasons, the 29-year-old has not eclipsed 690 yards or six touchdowns in a single season. Last year, he caught just 21 passes for 315 yards and one touchdown in 16 games. He's an interesting late-round flyer in best ball formats, but he might be a wasted roster spot in traditional leagues. MVS will compete with Khalil Shakir and Curtis Samuel for snaps in 2024, as second-round rookie Keon Coleman should be a locked-in starter.
From RotoBaller
The Denver Broncos signed free-agent wide receiver Phillip Dorsett and cornerback Quinton Newsome to undisclosed deals on Monday, according to the team. In corresponding moves, the Broncos waived punter Nik Constantinou and receiver Lincoln Victor. Dorsett was released by Denver last Friday after initially signing with the team's practice squad before the 2023 season. The 31-year-old former 29th overall pick by the Indianapolis Colts in 2015 out of Miami was elevated just twice during the regular season last year and was unable to reel in any of his three targets. In his eight NFL seasons, Dorsett has a total of 151 catches for 2,001 yards and 12 touchdowns in 94 games (20 starts). He'll serve as receiver depth for the Broncos this summer behind Courtland Sutton, Josh Reynolds, Marvin Mims Jr., rookie Troy Franklin and Tim Patrick.
From RotoBaller
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, free-agent wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling made a stop in Buffalo on Monday night. The wideout had a recent visit with the Chargers, although it appears nothing came of it. MVS hasn't been productive in years, and he finished the 2023-24 campaign by recording career lows in catches (21), receiving yards (315), and touchdowns (one). However, the Bills moved on from Stefon Diggs this offseason, so Valdes-Scantling could work his way up the depth chart. Yet, he'll need to prove his value to fantasy managers no matter where he signs, which won't come until he has at least a few decent performances.
From RotoBaller
Updating a previous report, Detroit Lions QB Jared Goff's four-year deal includes an option in the fourth year, per source on Monday, May 13.
From TheHuddle
Free-agent WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling (Chiefs) is meeting with the Buffalo Bills Monday, May 13, according to a source.
From TheHuddle
The Denver Broncos continued voluntary offseason workouts on Monday. However, the team remains without wide receiver Courtland Sutton, who continues to work out at his residence in Florida. The veteran has two years left on a four-year, $60 million extension, but has made it clear he wants a raise. He also requested a trade, although the team is apparently not looking to move him. Of course, there will be updates on the situation moving ahead. Yet, it won't be as much of a concern until the summer when Denver begins training camp. With that said, several teams will monitor things, especially with Sutton coming off a massive year, which included a career-high 10 touchdowns. But if he stays with the Broncos, his fantasy outlook is directly related to how Bo Nix and Zach Wilson look heading into the 2024-25 campaign.
From RotoBaller
Free-agent WR Phillip Dorsett (Broncos) signed with the Denver Broncos Monday, May 13. The team also signed undrafted free-agent CB Quinton Newsome (Nebraska). Terms of the contracts were not disclosed.
From TheHuddle
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff agreed to a four-year $212 million contract extension that includes $170 million guaranteed, according to NFL insider Ari Meirov. Lions general manager Brad Holmes said the two sides were working on an extension last week, and they evidently worked quickly and got the deal done. The 2016 No. 1 overall pick by the Los Angeles Rams has been fantastic since being dealt to Detroit along with draft picks for Matthew Stafford. He led Detroit to a playoff win for the first time since 1991 last year, and he's posted 12,258 yards, 78 touchdowns, and 27 interceptions through his first 48 games with the organization. He's now under contract through the 2028 season and will remain a fringe QB1 option in fantasy football as long as his offensive weapons remain on the roster. Given his job security and upside in Detroit's offense, he should be viewed as a strong dynasty QB2 in Superflex formats.
From RotoBaller
Detroit Lions QB Jared Goff agreed to terms on a four-year contract extension with the Lions Monday, May 13, worth $212 million, according to sources. The deal includes $170 million in guaranteed money.
Fantasy Spin: Goff will be the starting quarterback for the Lions for the foreseeable future and is coming off a terrific 2023 season. He could be a possible low-end No. 1 fantasy quarterback in deeper leagues but probably will be a No. 2 quarterback in most standard leagues that can also be a starting option against favorable matchups.
From TheHuddle
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson was spotted at voluntary offseason activities on Monday despite his recent request to be traded. It's a notable development considering the practices and workouts are entirely voluntary, but it's too early to assume it means he wants to remain with the team if he does not receive a new contract. The 2017 third-round pick by the New Orleans Saints had a monster season in 2023, racking up a Bengals' franchise record 17.5 sacks. He is the 11th-highest-paid edge rusher (average salary) and is entering the final year of his four-year, $60 million contract he signed as a free agent in 2021. The 29-year-old's situation will be worth monitoring this offseason, as there will likely be no shortage of interested suitors if the team is willing to listen to offers. With quarterback Joe Burrow already signed to a $275 million contract, and wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins seeking a new deals, Hendrickson may be expendable.
From RotoBaller
The Atlanta Falcons signed free-agent tight end Ross Dwelley on Monday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Dwelley was undrafted out of the University of San Diego in 2018, but he stuck around on the San Francisco 49ers' roster for six seasons and played in 84 games. Overall, the 29-year-old has 44 receptions for 518 yards and five receiving touchdowns to his name. He'll look to compete with Charlie Woerner and John FitzPatrick to see the field in multi-tight end sets and to be Kyle Pitts' direct backup in 2024. For now, he's nowhere near the fantasy football radar heading into his seventh NFL campaign.
From RotoBaller
