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Sport
Tim Weaver

Ranking the top 200 players in the 2024 NFL draft

It’s time to unveil the big board!

After weeks of tinkering and some late binging on game film to round out the evaluations of several players, my grading of the top 200 prospects of the 2024 NFL draft is now ready. These are my rankings, not representing anyone else here at Draft Wire.

A few notes about the rankings:

–The players here are ranked in general. They are not specific to any one team, and I would rank players differently for each team if I had the time.

–These are not projections of expected draft order. That’s what mock drafts are for…

–In general, injuries negatively impact my personal rankings more than most evaluators

–Positional value is a tie-breaker

–Grades are based on NFL potential, not college football

1. Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State

Oct 21, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) makes a catch and then scores a touchdown on the run against Penn State Nittany Lions during the fourth quarter of their game at Ohio Stadium.

The complete package of a prospect, Harrison ranks in the top 10 overall prospects in my 20 years of evaluating players.

2. Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame

(Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)

Alt offers power, length, agility and technical prowess that blend together incredibly well, and he’s only getting better.

3. Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

Georgia tight end Brock Bowers (19) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second half of a NCAA college football game against Ole Miss in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. Georgia won 52-17.

Labeling the dynamic Bowers as “just” a tight end is a disservice to his high-end receiving and YAC abilities. Nightmarish matchup dictator in the right offense.

4. Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU

Nov 18, 2023; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Heisman Trophy candidate LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels (5): Matthew Dobbins-USA TODAY Sports

The Heisman winner grew his game, not to mention his body mass, with a stellar 2023 doing what NFL offenses want more from their quarterbacks than typical college offenses.

5. Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

A big target with great route-running skills and the ability to make outrageously difficult catches, Odunze would be the top wideout prospect in most recent draft classes.

6. Johnny Newton, DT, Illinois

Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

The man formerly known as Jer’Zhan is my highest-graded defensive player. Newton is a skilled wrecking ball on the defensive interior.

7. Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

It’s like Mitchell was built in a lab specifically to play man coverage as an outside cornerback, and he’s got the skills and swagger to make the jump from the MAC to the NFL.

8. Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Nabers is a big play waiting to happen at receiver, and he’s got the precision and hands to make it happen. The ludicrous open-field speed is a nice bonus.

9. Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington

(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Fautanu played left tackle at Washington and showed enough to be first-round worthy at that spot. But projecting him inside to guard and he becomes near-elite with his technical strength and short-area movement skills.

10. Caleb Williams, QB, USC

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Williams has the highest ceiling of any player at an impactful position in this draft. He’s proven capable of the spectacular. If he masters the mundane, which he’s struggled with at both USC and Oklahoma before that, he’ll make this No. 10 ranking look stupid.

11-20 overall

Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports

11. Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama: Smart, speedy and strong in man coverage

12. Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama: Betting on the freakish athletic upside

13. Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA: Master technician who has overcome serious health hurdles

14. Graham Barton, OL, Duke: Played LT and C at high levels, I like him best at LG

15. Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa: High-end athlete with positional versatility and playmaking panache

16. Jackson Powers-Johnson, IOL, Oregon: Top C prospect is a great fit for power-oriented schemes

17. Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State: Excellent finisher with length and a high football IQ

18. Cooper Beebe, OL, Kansas State: Elite blocking skills packaged in an odd but athletic body

19. J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan: Savvy passer and leader from a pro-ready offensive system

20. Taliese Fuaga, OL, Oregon State: Street brawler of an RT/RG with excellent pass pro technique

21-30 overall

(Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)

21. Brian Thomas, WR, LSU: Graded higher than WR1 in 2023

22. Mike Sainristil, CB, Michigan

23. Bo Nix, QB, Oregon

24. Byron Murphy, DT, Texas

25. Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina: YAC master has the game style of where the NFL is trending

26. Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama: The final grade that quantifies as a first-round mark

27. JC Latham, OL, Alabama

28. Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson

29. Roman Wilson, WR, Michigan

30. Jordan Morgan, OL, Arizona: Should stay at tackle until proven otherwise

31-50 overall

Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

31. Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

32. Malachi Corley, WR, Western Kentucky

33. Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State

34. Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia

35. Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia

36. Braden Fiske, DT, Florida State

37. Darius Robinson, DL, Missouri: I like him better inside than outside

38. Cole Bishop, S, Utah

39. Marshawn Kneeland, EDGE, Western Michigan

40. Christian Mahogany, IOL, Boston College

41. Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas

42. Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State

43. T.J. Tampa, CB, Iowa State

44. Trey Benson, RB, Florida State

45. Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia: The inexperience and injuries diminish the high-end potential

46. Kris Abrams-Draine, CB, Missouri

47. Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota

48. Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas

49. Zack Frazier, IOL, West Virginia: Better at center than guard

50. Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&M

51-75 overall

Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports

51. Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State

52. Michael Penix Jr., QB Washington: If he were 22 and didn’t have 4 separate season-ending injuries, he’d be a top-20 player

53. Ricky Piersall, WR, Florida

54. Junior Colson, LB, Michigan

55. Michael Hall, DL, Ohio State

56. Ennis Rakestraw, CB, Missouri

57. Patrick Paul, OT, Houston: Upside to be a great starter but he’s got some work to do

58. Jonah Elliss, EDGE, Utah

59. Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma

60. Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon: Tough to project a vertical threat from an offense that didn’t throw vertically

61. Kris Jenkins, DT, Michigan

62. Jaden Hicks, S, Washington State

63. Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas

64. Ray Davis, RB, Kentucky: Great blend of speed changes and balance through contact, a la Kareem Hunt

65. Leonard Taylor, DT, Miami FL

66. Blake Fisher, OT, Notre Dame

67. Jonathon Brooks, RB, Texas

68. Zac Zinter, IOL, Michigan

69. Javon Bullard, S, Georgia

70. Jarvis Brownlee, CB, Louisville

71. Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU

72. Gabriel Murphy, EDGE, UCLA

73. Jalen McMillan, WR, Washington

74. Isaiah Adams, IOL, Illinois: Rising guard-only prospect in the NFL despite playing OT at Illinois in 2023

75. Chris Braswell, EDGE, Alabama

76-100 overall

(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

76. Bralen Trice, EDGE, Washington: Really good football player, questionable athlete

77. Mekhi Wingo, DT, LSU

78. Malik Washington, WR, Virginia: Added value as a major return specialist threat

79. Adisa Isaac, EDGE, Penn State

80. Christian Jones, OT, Texas

81. Trevin Wallace, LB, Kentucky

82. Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, IOL, Georgia

83. Theo Johnson, TE, Penn State

84. Calen Bullock, S, USC

85. Kiran Amegadjie, OT, Yale

86. Austin Booker, EDGE, Kansas

87. Christian Haynes, IOL, UConn

88. Luke McCaffrey, WR, Rice: Impressive routes and hands for someone new to the position

89. Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, S, Texas Tech

90. Renardo Green, CB, Florida State

91. Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina

92. Ja’Lynn Polk, WR, Washington

93. Audric Estime, RB, Notre Dame

94. Kamren Kinchens, S, Miami FL

95. Beaux Limmer, IOL, Arkansas

96. Payton Wilson, LB, North Carolina State: Top 25 player if he had a clean injury history

97. Isaac Guerendo, RB, Louisville

98. Max Melton, CB, Rutgers

99. Dominick Puni, OL, Kansas

100. Johnny Wilson, WR, Florida State

101-125 overall

Sep 16, 2023; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado State Rams defensive lineman Mohamed Kamara (8) reacts after sacking Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) in the second quarter at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

101. Mohamed Kamara, EDGE, Colorado State

102. Ruke Orhorhoro, DT, Clemson

103. Blake Corum, RB, Michigan

104. T’Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas

105. Will Shipley, RB, Clemson

106. Andru Phillips, CB, Kentucky

107. Braelon Allen, RB, Wisconsin

108. Cam Hart, CB, Notre Dame: Great size and strength but carries injury concerns

109. Mason McCormick, IOL, South Dakota State

110. Cade Stover, TE, Ohio State

111. Brandon Dorlus, DL, Oregon

112. Caelen Carson, CB, Wake Forest

113. Jaylen Wright, RB, Tennessee

114. McKinnley Jackson, DT, Texas A&M

115. Jamari Thrash, WR, Louisville: Smooth, slick outside receiver was always open on tape

116. Cedric Gray, LB, North Carolina

117. Roger Rosengarten, OT, Washington

118. Jermaine Burton, WR, Alabama

119. Dewayne Carter, DT, Duke

120. Ben Sinnott, TE, Kansas State

121. Trey Taylor, S, Air Force: Big-time hitter is a high-end box safety prospect

122. Javon Foster, OT, Missouri

123. Jared Wiley, TE, TCU

124. D.J. James, CB, Auburn

125. Ainias Smith, WR, Texas A&M

126-150 overall

(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

126. JD Bertrand, LB, Notre Dame

127. Delmar Glaze, OT, Maryland

128. Jarrian Jones, CB, Florida State: Plucky slot corner with excellent run defense

129. Javon Baker, WR, UCF

130. Matt Goncalves, OL, Pittsburgh

131. Khyree Jackson, CB, Oregon

132. Gabe Hall, DL, Baylor

133. Jarius Monroe, CB, Tulane

134. Josh Proctor, S, Ohio State

135. Tip Reiman, TE, Illinois

136. Tykee Smith, S, Georgia

137. Jaylin Simpson, DB, Auburn

138. Jha’Quan Jackson, WR, Tulane

139. Beau Brade, S, Maryland

140. Elijah Jones, CB, Boston College

141. Dylan Laube, RB, New Hampshire: FCS standout has outstanding receiving and return skills

142. Javon Solomon, EDGE, Troy

143. Josh Newton, CB, TCU

144. Devontez Walker, WR, North Carolina

145. Kimani Vidal, RB, Troy: Short-not-small production machine between the tackles

146. Grayson Murphy, EDGE, UCLA

147. Nehemiah Pritchett, CB, Auburn

148. Kitan Oladapo, S, Oregon State:

149. Chau Smith-Wade, CB, Washington State

150. Mar’Shawn Lloyd, RB, USC

151-200 overall

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

151. Joshua Karty, K, Stanford

152. Nathan Thomas, OT, Louisiana

153. Zion Tupuola-Fetui, EDGE, Washington

154. James Williams, S/LB, Miami FL: Athletic positional tweener with high special teams upside

155. Jahdae Barron, S, Texas

*Barron returned to college

156. Nelson Ceasar, EDGE, Houston

157. Rasheen Ali, RB, Marshall

158. Malik Mustapha, S, Wake Forest: Rocked-up box safety

159. Tyler Davis, DT, Clemson

160. Jaylen Harrell, EDGE, Michigan

161. Tanor Bortolini, IOL, Wisconsin

162. Jordan Jefferson, DT, LSU: Sturdy NT with just enough pass-rushing juice

163. Bucky Irving, RB, Oregon

164. Zakhari Franklin, WR, Ole Miss

165. Jalyx Hunt, EDGE, Houston Christian

166. Jawhar Jordan, RB, Louisville

167. Dylan McMahon, IOL, North Carolina State

168. Brenden Rice, WR, USC: Jerry’s son brings a big man’s style to playing outside

169. Maason Smith, DT, LSU

170. Sione Vaki, S/RB, Utah: Better RB and RS prospect even with S as his primary position

171. Jalen Coker, WR, Holy Cross

172. Michael Pratt, QB, Tulane

173. Cedric Johnson, EDGE, Ole Miss

174. Jaheim Bell, TE, Florida State

175. Tyrice Knight, LB, UTEP: Hustle and flow off-ball LB with exceptional tackling production

176. Ryan Flournoy, WR, Southeast Missouri State

177. Brandon Coleman, OL, TCU

178. Myles Cole, DL, Texas Tech

179. Matt Lee, IOL, Miami FL

180. Jacob Cowing, WR, Arizona: Flyweight wideout with great hands and productivity

181. Jordan Travis, QB, Florida State

182. Ty’Ron Hopper, LB, Missouri

183. Dallin Holker, TE, Colorado State

184. Brennan Jackson, EDGE, Washington State

185. Kalen King, CB, Penn State: The 2022 version was a top-50 player, but the 2023 was undraftable

186. Layden Robinson, IOL, Texas A&M

187. Dillon Johnson, RB, Washington

188. Tommy Eichenberg, LB, Ohio State

189. Willie Drew, CB, Virginia State: Athletic D-II standout has the skills to make the jump

190. Isaiah Davis, RB, South Dakota State

191. MJ Devonshire, CB, Pittsburgh

192. A.J. Barner, TE, Michigan: Big target who improved his blocking every year

193. Frank Crum, OT, Wyoming

194. Anthony Gould, WR, Oregon State

195. Will Reichard, K, Alabama: Hyper-accurate mid-range kicker with clutch ability

196. Mark Perry, S, TCU

197. Jeremiah Trotter, LB, Clemson

198. Evan Anderson, DT, FAU

199. Erick All, TE, Iowa

200. Hunter Nourzad, IOL, Penn State

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