Josh Frey’s 2024 NFL Draft Big Board
Josh Frey
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In less than one week, the 2024 NFL Draft will get underway.
In order to make some last-minute preparations for this spring’s draft, it’s time to unleash my big board for this spring, ranking prospects from 1-50. Last year, 39 of the prospects on my big board were selected in the top 50 (WR Tank Dell should have made it a clean 40, but alas), so here’s to hoping this year goes a little better.
Josh Frey’s 2024 NFL Draft Big Board: 1-50
1. QB Caleb Williams, USC
There is a very good reason that Caleb Williams has become the consensus to go No. 1 overall in this draft essentially since the 2022 season began. Williams can make every throw in the book while also being mobile enough to move around in the pocket. It will be stunning if we look back on this class in four to five years, and he hasn’t worked out.
2. WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
There is a case for Marvin Harrison to be at the top here, but the value of a QB prospect simply outweighs a WR. Still, Harrison runs a diverse route tree, utilizes his size to win jump-ball scenarios, and is dripping in confidence at the position.
3. QB Jayden Daniels, LSU
The concerns with Jayden Daniels largely lie in his durability at the NFL level because he simply took too many ridiculous hits at the collegiate level (2023 Florida State game). In terms of talent, though, Daniels has a wild amount of upside. He possesses a cannon of an arm, elite athletic ability, and saw major progression over his two years at LSU.
4. QB Drake Maye, North Carolina
If Drake Maye can limit some of the silly turnovers that we saw him have at North Carolina while continuing to improve his accuracy, the sky is the limit for him. Maye is built like Josh Allen/Justin Herbert at the position, and he has a similar level of athletic ability while showcasing an ability to make big time throws.
5. TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
I’m contradicting myself with positional value by putting a tight end this high, but Brock Bowers is too much of a sure thing as a prospect to have him fall out of the top five. He doesn’t have quite the level of explosive athletic ability as a Kyle Pitts, but he has everything else that you could ask for out of a receiving tight end. At the very least, he will be a wild mismatch as a pass catcher. He can out-athlete the majority of defenders his size, and he is way too big for smaller defensive backs to cover. Bowers has the potential to be an All-Pro tight end.
6. WR Malik Nabers, LSU
If an NFL team needs a burner at the wide receiver position, Malik Nabers is the guy. If the ball is going his way, defenses are in trouble. He not only has a knack for finding open space downfield, but he is a missed tackle machine after the catch. His smooth strides and elite ability to change directions on a dime should turn him into a star at the NFL level.
7. OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame
In a very deep offensive tackle class, Joe Alt stands out as the cream of the crop. He’s a massive player at 6’8″, and he arguably could still fill out his 322-pound frame a bit more once he hits the NFL. There certainly is reason to believe that can happen considering he just turned 21 years old on February 28th. Pair that with some explosive athleticism, and he is a plug and play prospect at the left tackle position.
8. WR Rome Odunze, Washington
Rome Odunze lives to make highlight plays as a wide receiver. He is an expert at coming down with jumpball throws, and he tested as an athletic freak at the combine. In a normal WR class, he would be at the top of the board at the position, but it just so happens that he is joining the league at the same time as two potential superstars.
9. OT Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State
Taliese Fuaga is a brick wall at the right tackle spot. He didn’t allow a single sack throughout his Oregon State career and has quick feet that allow him to get out of his stance in the blink of an eye. He spent his entire collegiate career on the right side of the offensive line but very feasibly could switch over to left tackle if necessary.
10. DT Byron Murphy, Texas
For all-around value, there isn’t a better defensive tackle in this class than Byron Murphy. He eats up space on the defensive line, and his improved pass rush production during the 2023 season solidifies a spot in the top 10.
11. EDGE Laiatu Latu, UCLA
After a serious neck injury nearly ended his football career, Laiatu Latu has come back with a vengeance over the past couple seasons at UCLA. He tested better than expected at the NFL Scouting Combine, and he easily has the best technique of any edge rusher in this class. As long as he stays healthy, Latu should have a long and productive career in the NFL.
12. OT Olu Fashanu, Penn State
Olu Fashanu just has the look of a left tackle who will be in the NFL for a long time. He has prototypical size with great arm length which allows him to absorb any bull rush coming his way. On top of that, he has quick feet and superb athletic ability off the snap.
13. EDGE Jared Verse, Florida State
Jared Verse brings plenty of force and power off the edge as a pass rusher. At 6’4″ and 260 pounds, Verse is built like a Greek god and should immediately step into a defense and start overwhelming opposing offensive tackles. He just needs to work on becoming more of a contributor in the running game.
14. DT Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Newton, Illinois
Johnny Newton lives in the backfield. Despite being a bit undersized at the DT spot, he constantly finds ways to maneuver his way around blockers and get after the quarterback. The sky is the limit for Newton if he continues to build out his frame.
15. EDGE Dallas Turner, Alabama
Some may knock Dallas Turner because of his height/weight, but the Alabama edge rusher has plenty of length to make up for it. Turner consistently found ways to win with leverage as a result, and his quick explosiveness off the line of scrimmage gives opponents very little time to react.
16. QB J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
It’s tough to evaluate J.J. McCarthy as a prospect simply because there aren’t a lot of throws on his tape even after two years as a starter at Michigan. Still, what does exist is very good. McCarthy is a proven winner, possesses plenty of arm strength, and his mobility in the pocket adds another element to his game.
17. WR Brian Thomas, LSU
Brian Thomas can beat defenses in a number of different ways. He has outstanding length at 6’3″ to win 50/50 passes. However, the most intriguing part of his game comes with his 4.3 speed. He has the giddy-up to get downfield in a hurry and take the top off a defense. He will need to improve his strength to hang with more physical defensive backs, but that can come by continuing to pack on pounds.
18. CB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo
Nobody won the spring as much as Quinyon Mitchell. After a pair of outstanding seasons for Toledo, he proved that he belongs at the top of the cornerback class with an elite showing at the Senior Bowl before turning heads again at the combine.
19. OT J.C. Latham, Alabama
The technique of JC Latham needs some work yet, but that is to be expected of a young offensive tackle. Everything else is in place, though. He brings a sturdy frame to the table and has experience both at guard and right tackle for Alabama. Prior to that, he played left tackle in high school, so versatility shouldn’t be a problem.
20. CB Nate Wiggins, Clemson
At just 20 years old, it is remarkable how technically sound Nate Wiggins is at the cornerback position. His frame will be a concern (just 173 pounds), but with sound hip mobility and sudden speed, he is capable of keeping up with plenty of receivers in coverage.
21. WR Adonai Mitchell, Texas
Adonai Mitchell just makes everything look so easy at the wide receiver position. He moves fluidly throughout his routes and effortlessly leaps into the air to highpoint a pass. There just isn’t a ton of play strength to him, and he doesn’t consistently bring in contested catches.
22. CB Cooper DeJean, Iowa
There is a reasonable argument to be made that Cooper DeJean won’t be able to handle man coverage as a cornerback at the NFL level. Even if that is the case though, he easily has the awareness, speed, and ball skills to play centerfield as a safety while also immediately bringing a boost to special teams as a return man.
23. OT/G Troy Fautanu, Washington
A position change may be in store for Troy Fautanu at the NFL level. He is only 6’4″ without the length that will be required to play left tackle in the league. Still, he is a polished technician with smooth hip movement and powerful hands, so he should find a starting role on an offensive line.
24. CB Terrion Arnold, Alabama
Physicality on the boundary is probably the best part of Terrion Arnold’s game, but he does so much more than beat up on receivers at the line of scrimmage. He is a twitchy athlete who moves effortlessly and can be an immediate starter in an NFL defense.
25. C Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon
Jackson Powers-Johnson is such a wrecking ball in the trenches that he actually started a bowl game at defensive tackle for Oregon during the 2021 season. On the other side of the ball, though, he stands firm as a blocker and can slide into gaps to shut down any interior rush from the defense.
26. LB Payton Wilson, NC State
Versatility is the name of the game for linebackers in today’s NFL, and Payton Wilson’s tape is littered with it. He has the lateral athletic ability to hang in coverage, but he can be a force in the trenches as a blitzer with his 6’4″, 240-pound frame. He gets downhill in a hurry and racked up 30 tackles for loss over the past two seasons at NC State. Injuries are the concern as he suffered an ACL tear during the 2021 season.
27. EDGE/DL Darius Robinson, Missouri
Darius Robinson probably won’t be playing the majority of his NFL snaps off the edge. He doesn’t quite have the length nor the athletic ability to hold up there at the next level, but powerful hands make him an intriguing player at 3T. He put together a fantastic week at the Senior Bowl but followed it up with a lackluster combine.
28. OT Amarius Mims, Georgia
There are very few snaps under the belt of Amarius Mims, but he is about as compact a human that you will ever see at 340 pounds. He carries that weight ridiculously well, and it allows him to move very smoothly in the trenches. If he had more than eight collegiate starts on his resume, Mims would be in contention to be the top offensive tackle in this class. Instead, he could prove to be a steal later in the first round.
29. IOL Graham Barton, Duke
Graham Barton played much of his collegiate career at tackle, but he is another player destined to step inside due to a lack of NFL length. However, he began his Duke career as a center, so that could be a natural starting point for a very consistent blocker.
30. OT Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma
Tyler Guyton is another player who doesn’t have a ton of collegiate experience, so he might need to endure a few lumps before he reaches his true potential. Still, he was dominant at the Senior Bowl against many other top prospects and can fill in a need at either tackle spot.
31. EDGE Chop Robinson, Penn State
Chop Robinson is a frustrating prospect because every tool is there for him to be a very successful pass rusher, but the production simply doesn’t match at this point. He is a very twitched-up athlete, so this ranking largely lies in his potential.
32. WR Ladd McConkey, Georgia
Ladd McConkey is surgical as a route runner and consistently found open space in the short and intermediate portions of the field at Georgia. It’s tough to envision a world where he plays with too much strength at the NFL level, though, standing at 5’11” and 185 pounds.
33. C Zach Frazier, West Virginia
At 6’3″, Zach Frazier is likely limited to being a center in the NFL. He is terrific in that spot, though. Frazier is an absolute mauler who rarely gets beaten either in run blocking or pass protection.
34. CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama
Outside of having the coolest name in this draft class, Kool-Aid McKinstry brings a lot to like as a CB2 with potential to eventually develop into a CB1. He isn’t quite elite in any category yet, but he is a solid prospect in terms of athleticism, size, and discipline in coverage.
35. G Cooper Beebe, Kansas State
While Cooper Beebe does have experience as a tackle, it makes the most sense for him to be a plug-and-play guy at left guard. He thrived in that role over the past two years at Kansas State, being a terrific pass protector while opening up lanes in the running game.
36. WR Roman Wilson, Michigan
There may be receivers with higher ceilings than Roman Wilson, but with the Michigan product, a team knows what they’re going to get from day one. He is a prototypical slot receiver who wins with speed, has a knack for finding open space, and creates plays when the ball is in his hands.
37. WR Ricky Pearsall, Florida
Few players in this class track the ball downfield as well as Ricky Pearsall, and he is a big-play machine downfield. Similarly to McConkey, though, his frame might be maxed out which could impact his ability to be a true WR1.
38. DT Kris Jenkins, Michigan
Kris Jenkins wins in the trenches with raw, unadulterated power after progressively filling out his frame at Michigan. He comes from an NFL bloodline (both his father and uncle played in the NFL) and can eat up blocks on a defensive line.
39. QB Michael Penix, Washington
As soon as Michael Penix takes his first NFL hit, breaths will be held across the league. He has a lengthy injury history which brings massive risk entering the NFL. From a pure talent standpoint, though, Penix is a capable pocket passer with plenty to like between arm strength and his ability to go through progressions.
40. WR Malachi Corley, Western Kentucky
Playing to every bit of strength that his 5’10” frame allows, Malachi Corley truly is a mighty mouse at the wide receiver position. He thrives in short passing schemes and fights for every yard he can muster after the catch. He isn’t going to be much of a downfield threat in the NFL, but he can certainly carve a role for himself at the next level.
41. DT Michael Hall, Ohio State
A boom-or-bust candidate at the NFL level, Michael Hall can feast because of his athletic ability on the interior. Still, he played much of his Ohio State career listed around 280 pounds, so it really remains to be seen if he can maintain that athletic ability while packing on some extra weight.
42. RB Jonathon Brooks, Texas
In a running back class that doesn’t have a truly elite prospect, Jonathon Brooks stands out for a couple reasons. He’s a shifty runner who bursts through holes in the trenches with great acceleration while also having soft hands as a receiver.
43. CB Ennis Rakestraw, Missouri
If you want a cornerback with elite measurements, don’t look Ennis Rakestraw’s way. However, despite a smaller frame, he plays with great physicality and can perform either in the slot or on the boundary. His run defense shines because of his love for contact.
44. DT T’Vondre Sweat, Texas
T’Vondre Sweat is a mammoth of a man. At 6’4″ and 366 pounds, he is about as imposing a player as you’ll find in the trenches. He doesn’t only win with power, though. Considering his size, there is a fair bit of scoot to Sweat as well (ran 5.27 in the 40). Conditioning will be a concern, but if he can put consistent reps together, there won’t be too many offensive linemen who can handle his frame.
45. LB Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M
Another very versatile player at the linebacker spot, Edgerrin Cooper has terrific closing speed when stepping back in coverage to make plays on the ball. His ability to wreak havoc as a pass rusher still needs some work, but there is a lot to work with here.
46. S Javon Bullard, Georgia
There is a tendency to get a bit handsy when Javon Bullard is in coverage, but if that part of his game can get sorted out, the Georgia safety could be a strong contributor in the NFL. He flies all over the field, delivers hard hits, and can create turnovers. Vikings fans inevitably will roll their eyes.
47. OT Kingsley Suamataia, BYU
BYU has pumped out a couple strong prospects at the offensive tackle spot over the past couple years, and Kingsley Suamataia is the latest in that line. He thrives in pass protection with nimble feet and strong hands, but the run blocking could use a bit of work.
48. RB Blake Corum, Michigan
Blake Corum won’t be an imposing physical presence as a running back, but he displays a ton of patience in the backfield, waiting for running lanes to develop in front of him. When they do, he attacks with intention, and as a result, he totaled 27 rushing TDs in 2023.
49. EDGE Austin Booker, Kansas
It’s going to take some time for Austin Booker to fully blossom as a pass rusher. He only had one full year of starting experience at Kansas after transferring from Minnesota. There is evidence of his inexperience in terms of his lanky body and erratic technique, but there is plenty of potential with his athletic profile.
50. WR Ja’Lynn Polk, Washington
Folks were wowed by Ja’Lynn Polk’s electric catches at the combine. While he doesn’t necessarily have explosive speed off the line of scrimmage, he can accelerate downfield and win in contested catch situations. He’s a very physical presence as a blocker too, which will be welcomed into an NFL offense.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Focus and Sports Reference CFB helped with this article.
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Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.