The 2024 NFL draft is getting closer and closer. We've seen top prospects at pro days over the past month, and while those events are just part of the puzzle, they do result in some shuffling in rankings. So, fresh off trips to the Oregon and Washington pro days, I updated my top 50 list.
There's still opportunity for each player to continue shaping his draft stock before April's draft, but let's take a look at how the best of the best stack up right now. Here are my top 50 players in this year's class, along with my top five prospects at every position.
Jump to positional rankings
1. Caleb Williams, QB, USC
Height: 6-foot-1 | Weight: 214 pounds
Williams is dynamic, creative and accurate, with the ceiling to become a 10-plus-year starter in the NFL. His ability to dodge pressure, extend and throw accurately on second-reaction plays is exceptional. He accounted for a total of 93 touchdowns over the past two seasons and won the Heisman Trophy in 2022 after throwing 42 touchdown passes that year.
2. Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 210
The best player in college football last season can put your defense in a bind with his ability to both carve up a secondary as a thrower and scramble past any defender as a runner. Daniels picked apart zone coverage in 2023 (21 TD passes, 0 INTs) and thrived when blitzed (17 TD passes, 0 INTs). And he is surgical as a downfield passer.
3. Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 209
Harrison checks every box and is the most pro-ready prospect in the entire class. There's no hole in his game, and Harrison showed that he is a QB-proof player this past season after C.J. Stroud left for the NFL. His 14 touchdowns tied for third most in FBS, and I love his combination of size, speed, catch radius and run-after-catch skills.
4. Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 199
The gap between Harrison and Nabers isn't very large in my eyes, as Nabers is the most explosive player in the class. He forced 27 missed tackles this past season (and unofficially broke about that many ankles, as well). He's an outstanding route runner and shows excellent awareness to find space against zone coverage, and his run-after-catch ability is equally as impressive. Nabers posted 1,569 yards in 2023, second in the FBS.
5. Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 223
Maye has a flamethrower arm, ideal size and very good mobility -- he led UNC in rushing in 2022 (698 yards) and scored 16 rushing TDs over the past two seasons. And he threw 22 go-ahead touchdown passes over the past two seasons, tied with Michael Penix Jr. for the most among my top six quarterbacks.
6. Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 212
Odunze does everything well, as he is a polished route runner and run-after-catch player. He is always open, even when covered -- his 24 contested catches were tied for the most in the FBS last season. While many top prospects opted out of on-field work at the combine, Odunze went through it all, including a 4.47-second run in the 40-yard dash.
7. Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
Height: 6-9 | Weight: 321
Alt has immense stature paired with light feet and composure well beyond his experience, as he has been a full-time tackle for only two seasons. He never plays off-balance, showing good body control and marrying his feet to his upper body. He spent some time at tight end as a freshman in 2021, and you can see that mobility in his game.
8. Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 243
Bowers is a nightmare matchup for any defense, as his elite route running and run-after-catch traits make him an offensive mismatch. He is the only two-time John Mackey Award winner, given annually to the best tight end in college football. And over three seasons at Georgia, he averaged 14.5 yards per catch and scored 31 total TDs (26 receiving, five rushing).
9. Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 189
In a class that could feature a handful of first-round cornerbacks, Arnold's physicality, instincts and on-ball production give him a real shot to be the first one taken. He finished his final college season with five interceptions and 12 pass breakups. He plays through the ball in coverage, consistently making receivers earn their catches.
10. Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 247
Turner was a star at the combine, posting the fastest 40-yard dash time (4.46) and top vertical jump (40.5 inches) among edge rushers. The SEC Defensive Player of the Year season will make his money as a pass-rusher in the NFL (10 sacks in 2023), but he also logged 84 coverage snaps -- he's that fluid in space. Turner has unique burst, length and power.
11. Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 195
Mitchell keeps stacking reasons to believe he'll be a top-15 pick. After finishing second in the FBS with 18 pass breakups in 2023, he stood out at both the Senior Bowl and combine (4.33-second 40-yard dash). Back in 2022, Mitchell had four interceptions in one game, two of which were returned for a touchdown. He can trigger out of back pedal and drive on the football.
12. JC Latham, OT, Alabama
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 342
Perhaps the most powerful player in the entire draft, Latham is a ready-made right tackle who had some guard experience during his freshman year. He's good enough to change the way a team can run the football. Latham has extremely nimble feet and elite size, and he allowed two sacks over 41 games at Alabama (27 starts).
13. Troy Fautanu, OT/G, Washington
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 317
Fautanu spent the past two seasons as the frontside protector for Penix, though he might wind up settling in as a guard in the NFL. (I would play him at left tackle, though.) Wherever he plays, his footwork and competitive spirit give him a chance to be a star. Concerns about length (which prompted the chatter of moving to guard) were assuaged at the combine when he measured in with 34.5-inch arms.
14. Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 312
Fashanu has the length, strength and foot quickness to become a left tackle fixture after a consensus All-American season at Penn State. And I thought he was even better in 2022. Fashanu, who played high school football alongside Caleb Williams, is still just 21 years old despite playing four seasons of college ball. He blends outstanding power and tenacity with great flexibility, and he generates real pop in the running game.
15. Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 297
Murphy is a full-tilt player whose relentless nature is matched by unique explosion for a player of his size. He has torque and raw strength against the run, as well as disruption skills as a pass-rusher. Murphy posted 35 tackles, five sacks and 11 run stops in 2023.
16. Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 259
Latu has the pass rush savvy of a five-year NFL veteran, showcasing nuance and great technique that helped him to the most pressures (112) and sacks (23.5) in the FBS over the past two seasons. He was forced to medically retire during his time at Washington in 2020, but if his health checks out now, there's little doubt to me that he can become a star. His hand combat skills, his ability to work leverage and the way he disconnects from blockers are top-notch.
17. Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 324
If you're a team that wants to get tougher and more physical at the point of attack, Fuaga is your man. And when he doesn't bowl over defenders, he has the length and handwork to redirect pass-rushers. He's an impressive dude who has multi-position utility. While I contend he should be dropped in at his natural home of right tackle and stay there, he could move inside if a team already has a right tackle.
18. Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 254
Robinson will generate varying opinions, as he had just 11.5 sacks over 35 career college games. But his first-step quickness and explosion off the edge give him a chance to become the best NFL pass-rusher in this class. Robinson ran a 4.48 in the 40 at the combine, but even more importantly, he had a 1.54-second 10-yard split, showcasing just how sudden he is off the ball.
19. Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 209
Thomas' speed is sensational -- he ran 4.33 in the 40 at the combine, second fastest among wideouts -- and he led the FBS with 17 touchdowns in 2023. His ability to separate at the second level is the best in the class, and he'll change the dimensions of a passing game for any offense.
20. Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 205
Mitchell was a showstopper at the combine, running a 4.35-second 40-yard dash and dominating the jumps (39.5 inches in the vertical and 11-foot-4 in the broad). He had a career year at Texas in 2023 that included just one drop. And he shows up in big games. Mitchell played in five College Football Playoff games over his career (Texas and Georgia) and scored a touchdown in all five of them.
21. J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 219
I think McCarthy could get drafted earlier than expected. His passing sample size is quite a bit smaller than those of the other top quarterbacks in this class, but his indisputable traits certainly have teams excited. I see very good ball placement -- he completed 72.3% of his throws last season -- and mobility on tape. And he bulked up from 202 pounds to an impressive 219 for the combine.
22. Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 254
Verse has suddenness and burst off the ball, and we saw his immense raw power at the combine -- he posted 31 reps on the bench press at the combine. He's a menace to block and compiled 4.5 of his nine sacks in his final two games, but Verse is a slightly older prospect (turning 24 during his rookie year).
23. Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 203
A confident player in man coverage, DeJean has excellent speed, explosion and ball skills. I view him as a standout NFL corner, but the ability to move around on defense and become a top-notch punt returner doesn't hurt his stock, either. DeJean was unable to take part in on-field work at the combine after suffering a leg injury in mid-November, though it is not expected to impact his rookie availability.
24. Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
Height: 6-8 | Weight: 322
Guyton is oozing with upside, as he carries his frame extremely well and has incredible feet. He is green with just one full season as a starter, but the chance to eventually become a high-level left tackle is in play. Guyton spent time at TCU playing H-back before transferring to Oklahoma and moving full-time to offensive tackle.
25. Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 173
Wiggins ran the second-fastest 40-yard dash of any player at this year's combine (4.28), as he can absolutely fly. He checked in at only 173 pounds, but he can hold up in man coverage. Plus, the competitiveness and wheels are too good to ignore. Wiggins finished 2023 with two picks and six pass breakups.
26. Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
Height: 6-8 | Weight: 340
Mims' skill set is enticing. He has a massive 86¾-inch wingspan, and his feet are almost hard to believe for a player of his size. But with just eight career starts and a little over 800 career snaps, he's a work in progress and a projection for tackle-needy teams.
27. Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 221
Legette is a big play waiting to happen, showing excellent explosion and run-after-catch skills. He was one of the biggest risers during the 2023 season and flew at the combine, turning in a 4.39-second run in the 40. After just 42 catches in the first four seasons of his college career, Legette hauled in 71 for 1,255 yards and seven touchdowns in 2023.
28. Graham Barton, C, Duke
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 313
While Barton played left tackle the past three seasons, he projects as an interior lineman -- he started his college career at center -- at the NFL level. He's terrific in the running game, blowing just two run blocks in 2023. And by the way, he allowed just one sack and four pressures in 2023.
29. Darius Robinson, EDGE, Missouri
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 285
Robinson brings positional versatility after playing at both defensive tackle and edge rusher for Missouri during his college career, and his ability to rush the passer from any alignment will pay major dividends. He plays with impressive intensity, too, and he picked up 8.5 sacks in 2023.
30. Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB, Missouri
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 183
One of my favorite players to watch in this class, Rakestraw plays with an unmistakable edge. On top of his man coverage skills, he is a legitimate difference-maker as a tackler. He's the kind of player who sets the tone for a defense from the start. He's the best run defender of any corner in the draft, but he also shows the traits to be a very good man-to-man coverage player, breaking up 20 passes over four seasons at Mizzou.
31. Zach Frazier, C, West Virginia
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 313
On the short list for toughest players in the entire class, Frazier profiles as an anchor for an NFL offensive line for a long time. His high-school wrestling background shows up on tape with his ability to leverage defenders. Frazier suffered a broken leg on the final drive of his last regular-season college game, yet he still managed to take part in some on-field drills at the combine.
32. Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 328
Few players had a more rapid ascent up the board than Powers-Johnson, who became the first player to ever win the Rimington Trophy (nation's best center) from the Pac-12. His name is fitting, as he's incredibly powerful and strong at the point of attack, with elite size for a center. Powers-Johnson is incredible in pass protection, as well; Oregon QB Bo Nix was sacked a total of five times all last season, with zero attributed to JPJ. He also allowed just two pressures in 469 pass-blocking snaps last season.
33. Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 311
Morgan returned from an ACL tear late in the 2022 season and showed no ill effects in 2023 -- he allowed just two sacks on 454 pass-block snaps. He's a left tackle who loves to get out in space, but he can kick inside to guard if needed. Morgan was an immediate contributor in college, starting games as a true freshman, and he now has 37 starts of experience.
34. Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&M
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 230
Cooper surged this past season with eight sacks after posting just 0.5 for his career before then. But he is also the best stand-up inside linebacker in this class. His game against Alabama last season (11 tackles, three sacks, one forced fumble) was among the best performances I watched for any defender in the draft.
35. Jer'Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 304
Not many players bring it on an every-snap basis like Newton, and no one causes more havoc as an interior pass-rusher. The Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year will live in opposing backfields after his 7.5-sack season in 2023. A foot injury prevented Newton from taking part in the combine, but teams know what they're getting on the field with him.
36. Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 186
McConkey is a sick route runner with the excellent speed (4.39 in the 40) to turn on the jets in the open field. He forces defensive backs onto their heels consistently and is always open. McConkey's modest production this past season (30 catches in nine games) is more reflective of a Georgia offense that ran the ball incredibly well and featured Brock Bowers catching passes.
37. Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 214
Nix is a precision passer, setting the single-season completion record at the FBS level in 2023 at 77.4%. He has developed impressively. Nix's arm strength is not going to wow you, and he averaged 6.3 air yards per attempt in 2023 (120th out of 125 qualifying QBs), but his accuracy and ability to maneuver in and out of the pocket is solid. He threw 45 touchdown passes last season, but tossed only three picks and took five sacks.
38. Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 189
Pearsall really stood out at the combine, running a 4.41 in the 40-yard dash. He has elite change-of-direction skills, making him an extremely tough cover for defenders. On top of it all, Pearsall has an incredible catch radius, and he authored the best catch of the 2023 college football season. He caught 65 passes for 965 yards and four TDs last season.
39. Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 165
Worthy's record-setting 40-yard dash time at the combine (4.21 seconds) was no major surprise after seeing him play at Texas. He's like a Lamborghini on the football field and has excellent deep-ball tracking, catching nine TD passes since 2021 on throws of at least 20 yards. The question for Worthy will be how much his body armor impacts him when defenders try (emphasis on try) to be physical with him at the line of scrimmage. He weighed in at just 165 pounds at the combine.
40. Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 186
Confident and tough, Lassiter is a sticky player in coverage who never shies away from top competition. He had just one career pick in college, as teams often threw away from him. But as the primary defender in coverage last season, Lassiter allowed a mere 27.3% completion percentage.
41. Braden Fiske, DT, Florida State
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 292
Fiske transferred to Florida State in 2023 and went on a tear down the stretch with six sacks in his final five games. He carried that into the Senior Bowl and combine, dominating at both events. Fiske was among the stars in the defensive line group in the jumps (33.5 inches in the vert, 9-foot-9 in the broad), while also running an incredible 4.78-second 40-yard dash. He's explosive.
42. Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 213
Coleman is a powerful, instinctive wideout who should excel in the red zone with his great catch radius. His deep speed and acceleration aren't areas of strength -- he ran a 4.61 in the 40-yard dash -- but he's simply too strong and large for most defensive backs to handle one-on-one. During the combine "gauntlet" drill for wide receivers, Coleman clocked in with the fastest GPS-timed speed over the past two years, per Next Gen Stats. He's still fast enough make a big impact, and 11 of his 50 catches went for touchdowns last season.
43. Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 216
Penix lit up college football during his two seasons at Washington and has a rocket for an arm. Some teams will be more comfortable with his medical history than others, as Penix has torn the same ACL twice and had two notable shoulder injuries. But he can flat out spin the football and threw for over 4,500 yards in each of the past two years, making him the first FBS quarterback to do that since Patrick Mahomes.
44. Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 199
McKinstry was certainly further up this board earlier in the process, as he has been one of the best college cornerbacks over the past two seasons with very loose hips and match-and-mirror cover skills. But scouts wanted to see how fast McKinstry would test at the combine, with questions surrounding his long-range speed, and a foot injury prevented that from happening. (He was around 4.5 in the 40-yard dash at his pro day.) McKinstry had 20 pass breakups over the past two seasons.
45. Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 326
Suamataia is one of the more intriguing players in the class; he is built like a tank at 326 pounds with huge hands (10 5/8 inches) and arms over 34 inches. He moves extremely well for a player of his stature and savors the chance to get out in space and overwhelm defenders. He will need a bit of time to develop, as he's just 21 years old and has less experience (23 starts) than some of the tackles ahead of him, but his upside is immense. It would not surprise me if he is taken in the first round.
46. Payton Wilson, LB, NC State
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 233
Wilson's tape is the most impressive of any linebacker available, as he plays at warp speed (4.43 in the 40 at the combine). He is an outstanding pass-rusher for an off-ball linebacker, both as an occasional edge and as a blitzer. Wilson is a tackling machine (130 last season, including 18.5 for loss) and shows outstanding range, too. A lengthy injury history (knee and shoulder) will impact where Wilson winds up being drafted, but the tape screams top-50 player.
47. Max Melton, CB, Rutgers
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 187
Melton ran a 4.39-second 40 at the combine, no surprise based on how he plays on film. But what stood out to me on tape beyond the speed were his ball skills, acceleration back toward the ball and fearless nature to take on top opponents. Melton -- a four-year starter at Rutgers and the younger brother of current Packers wideout Bo Melton -- has great ball skills, picking off three passes in 2023.
48. Maason Smith, DT, LSU
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 306
Smith was on his way to a star career as a true freshman in 2021 (four sacks in nine games played), but an ACL injury just seven plays into the 2022 season ended his sophomore year. But he worked his way back into his old self throughout the 2023 season. The draft is an exercise in projection, and teams will be buying into the physical tools that Smith brings to the table. Consider that he ran a 5.01 in the 40 at 306 pounds.
49. Marshawn Kneeland, EDGE, Western Michigan
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 267
A large and powerful player off the edge, Kneeland is a good example of what you can find when you dig deeper than the raw stats. Despite just 13 career sacks to his record, it's easy to envision him being a constant disruptor at the next level. His raw power is NFL-ready, and the suddenness I see on tape was reaffirmed by his performance in the short shuttle and three-cone drills at the combine; he topped the entire edge group in both events.
50. Roman Wilson, WR, Michigan
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 185
There is so much to like about Wilson's game, but it is his speed that many consider his hallmark trait. He plays every bit as fast at his 4.39-second 40 would indicate, but there's more to his game than just straight-line speed. He's an adept route runner, he was a clutch player for the national champions, he has great hands (just one drop in 2023), and he's a ball of energy after the catch. Wilson caught 12 touchdowns last season, too.
Best at every position
Quarterbacks
1. Caleb Williams, USC
2. Jayden Daniels, LSU
3. Drake Maye, North Carolina
4. J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
5. Bo Nix, Oregon
Running backs
1. Trey Benson, Florida State
2. Jonathon Brooks, Texas
3. MarShawn Lloyd, USC
4. Braelon Allen, Wisconsin
5. Jaylen Wright, Tennessee
Fullbacks/H-backs
1. Ben Sinnott, Kansas State
2. Jaheim Bell, Florida State
3. Dallin Holker, Colorado State
Wide receivers
1. Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
2. Malik Nabers, LSU
3. Rome Odunze, Washington
4. Brian Thomas Jr., LSU
5. Adonai Mitchell, Texas
Tight ends
1. Brock Bowers, Georgia
2. Jared Wiley, TCU
3. Ja'Tavion Sanders, Texas
4. Theo Johnson, Penn State
5. Tanner McLachlan, Arizona
Offensive tackles
1. Joe Alt, Notre Dame
2. JC Latham, Alabama
3. Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Penn State
4. Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State
5. Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma
Guards
1. Troy Fautanu, Washington
2. Graham Barton, Duke
3. Christian Haynes, UConn
4. Cooper Beebe, Kansas State
5. Zak Zinter, Michigan
Centers
1. Zach Frazier, West Virginia
2. Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon
3. Tanor Bortolini, Wisconsin
4. Sedrick Van Pran, Georgia
5. Beaux Limmer, Arkansas
Edge rushers
1. Dallas Turner, Alabama
2. Laiatu Latu, UCLA
3. Chop Robinson, Penn State
4. Jared Verse, Florida State
5. Darius Robinson, Missouri
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