Joel Klatt
School Soccer Analyst
The 2024 NFL Draft is quick approaching.
In current weeks, I’ve regarded on the upcoming draft from all types of angles. I’ve ranked the highest prospects at a number of positions, I’ve performed a number of mock drafts and I’ve shared which gamers I am “planting my flag on” forward of their perspective NFL careers.
As we’re simply over two weeks from the primary spherical, it is time for me to share my high 50 prospects on this 12 months’s class. That is as deep of a draft that I can keep in mind masking. It will mark my tenth 12 months masking the NFL Draft as I will be on the NFL Community for the primary two nights of this 12 months’s occasion. I have been enthusiastic about this draft due to its depth. There are numerous good gamers, and this record displays that.
Listed below are my high 50 prospects within the 2024 NFL Draft.
Rob Rang’s high 100 prospect rankings | Prime 10 QB prospects | Prime 10 RB prospects | Prime 10 WR prospects | Prime 10 TE prospects | Prime 10 OT prospects | Prime 10 IOL prospects | Prime 10 Edge prospects | Prime 10 DT prospects | Joel Klatt’s mock draft
1. QB Caleb Williams, USC
I’ve not lined a greater school quarterback than Williams. He is elite in each class that I can consider on the sphere. You’ll be able to query a few of his off-field antics, however I do know his coaches and have spoken along with his teammates. They cherished Williams. In numerous methods, he was navigating waters that no participant has needed to navigate within the historical past of faculty soccer. No participant has needed to play school soccer because the incumbent Heisman winner with $12 million within the financial institution or no matter it was. He is an anomaly, in numerous methods.
He needed to do issues that there was no blueprint for, and he did it as a younger man. I am not involved about him due to his tape — he is elite on the run, threatening along with his legs, his soccer IQ and acumen and his capacity to threaten the protection along with his arm expertise. He is an elite participant.
2. WR Marvin Harrison, Ohio State
Much like Williams, I’ve by no means lined a greater receiver in my profession than Harrison. He will be a No. 1 extensive receiver instantly. You’ll be able to recreation plan round him as a rookie as a result of he can get open and can make the catch, notably on third down, which is uncommon. While you get to the postseason, he’ll make receptions when he has to combat by means of contested and bodily areas. He will be the catalyst to your offense.
Marvin Harrison Jr. Highlights
3. QB Drake Maye, UNC
Lots of people are going to knock Maye over the following few weeks for causes I am undecided of. He falls within the C.J. Stroud class for me of “Why is everybody knocking him?” Do not give me this bullcrap of, “Properly, his toes aren’t that good.” Watch the tape! Watch the throws he makes! He makes throws that nobody apart from Williams could make on this draft. From a top-end perspective, he has a gear that the non-Williams QBs within the class do not have. Nitpick all you need, nevertheless it simply does not sound correct. If he is not the No. 2 decide, I feel it is a mistake. That is how a lot I consider in Maye. Certain, he could make some boneheaded errors, however he makes throws the remainder of us dream of creating. These varieties of guys do not come round on a regular basis.
Marvin Harrison Jr. & Drake Maye amongst Klatt’s high 50 gamers in 2024 NFL Draft
4. WR Rome Odunze, Washington
There’s not so much to not like with Odunze. He is usually a No. 1 who can win on the surface. He is going to achieve success instantly. There have been numerous routes in Washington’s offense that required post-snap changes. So, you understand he is actually good and may get on the identical web page because the quarterback.
5. TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
I am a giant believer in tight ends, and I am an enormous believer in Brock Bowers. He is improbable. He is the proper fashion of participant for an offense to construct round, at the very least from a ability place perspective. He will be a playoff participant and can in all probability be the point of interest of an offense that may go and win a Tremendous Bowl in some unspecified time in the future. Each Tremendous Bowl winner within the final eight years had a receiver who may personal the middle of the sphere. Bowers does that. His worth shouldn’t be questioned since you see the letters “TE” subsequent to his identify. I like Bowers; do not overthink this.
Brock Bowers & Michael Penix Jr. in Joel Klatt’s ‘plant the flag’ gamers
6. WR Malik Nabers, LSU
Nabers is an absolute rocket ship. His capacity to show non-descript offensive performs, when the play suggests the quarterback ought to throw the ball to the slot receiver, into a house run is exclusive. Not many receivers can do this. That is why he is a top-10 participant.
7. QB Jayden Daniels, LSU
Daniels is an exceptional soccer participant. Plenty of groups may have Daniels up there at two or three, and it would not shock me if he is chosen with the second decide within the draft. I feel that is probably at this level. He is safer, has performed a ton of soccer, is athletic and makes nice throws. There’s nothing to knock about Daniels. My one query is that if he can keep wholesome, contemplating the way in which he performs. When Daniels runs, he exposes himself to additional hits.
8. OT Olu Fashanu, Penn State
It might’ve been simpler and safer to place Joe Alt as the highest offensive deal with, however Fashanu’s top-end potential supersedes that. I feel Fashanu has the potential to be one of many two or three finest offensive tackles in all of soccer within the subsequent 5 years. That is the trajectory he is on. He is very good, extremely pushed, has nice toes and is extremely athletic for as large of a body as he has.
9. CB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo
Mitchell is my high defender within the draft. He jogs my memory numerous the trajectory of Sauce Gardner, however we knew extra about Gardner as a result of his school staff was higher. Guys can succeed within the NFL after taking part in in a Group of 5 convention, which Gardner has proven, as he is perhaps the most effective nook in soccer. Mitchell, along with his power, size and pace, could possibly be on the same path. I do know that is distinctive, however I simply have a hunch that he’ll be phenomenal.
10. OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame
Alt is improbable. I feel he is probably the most well-rounded and pro-ready deal with within the draft.
11. OT Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State
Not many individuals probably learn about Fuaga’s recreation, however he is a strong run blocker. If Jim Harbaugh will get his arms on him, look out. They’re going to run the ball throughout everybody.
12. Edge rusher Dallas Turner, Alabama
The highest of my draft is loaded with offensive gamers. Lots of people may have Turner as their finest defensive participant within the draft. I am on board with that take, I similar to Mitchell a bit extra. Turner goes to discover a dwelling, and he’ll be productive. He is a three-down participant who can cease the run and has a motor that by no means stops. He can get to the quarterback, and he’ll have a improbable NFL profession.
13. CB Terrion Arnold, Alabama
Arnold was recruited as a security and simply acquired higher and higher. He was a multi-time All-American and I feel he is acquired a vivid future.
14. QB JJ McCarthy, Michigan
I am greater on McCarthy than most. I’ve seen him since he was getting spot obligation as a freshman, earlier than he grew to become the rationale why Michigan received a nationwide championship as a junior. Michigan has had different groups just like this 12 months’s staff previously, however they have been lacking a quarterback who may ship in large moments. McCarthy raised the extent of the staff in these moments this 12 months, notably towards Ohio State and Alabama. While you watch the cutup of his performs from third-and-7 or longer from this previous season, you start to surprise, why is not he a top-five participant? Possibly I am too low on McCarthy. He made these performs on third downs as a result of he was in a position to prolong performs or make performs on the run. That is why he’ll be nice on the subsequent stage. He is additionally completely unselfish and does not get credit score. Who does not need that of their locker room?
J.J. McCarthy & Bo Nix in Klatt’s high 50 gamers in 2024 draft
15. OT JC Latham, Alabama
Latham continues the run of sturdy depth at offensive deal with on this draft class.
16. Edge rusher Jared Verse, Florida State
17. Edge rusher Chop Robinson, Penn State
I gave Verse a slight edge over Robinson as a result of I feel he is higher holistically and towards the run. Not that Robinson cannot cease the run, however there are occasions when he would take possibilities. While you take possibilities and depart your hole with pace, you will get beat. That occurred towards Michigan this season. On a optimistic be aware, Robinson modified Michigan’s recreation plan in that matchup, beating the Wolverines’ proper deal with badly twice on the primary two possessions that they opted to name 32 straight runs. Michigan was taking part in away from Robinson in that recreation.
18. DT Byron Murphy, Texas
Murphy was a giant motive why Texas was so good in 2023. I feel he is the most effective defensive deal with within the draft. He is a pacesetter, sturdy, a playmaker, and will be an anchor for an NFL protection for years to come back.
19. WR Brian Thomas Jr., LSU
In every other draft, Thomas is definitely a top-three receiver. However this draft has a number of elite guys forward of him. He will be in my high 20 regardless that he will not have the accolades or acclaim that the opposite receivers have gotten as a result of they’re generational.
20. OL Troy Fautanu, Washington
Fautanu was a giant motive why the following man on my record wasn’t hit a lot for the higher a part of two seasons.
21. QB Michael Penix Jr., Washington
I have been excessive on Penix since he was at Indiana, when he almost beat Ohio State in the course of the 2020 season. Everybody desires to take pictures at him due to his damage historical past. I get it, it is there. He had a tough time staying on the sphere at Indiana. However he simply stayed on the sphere for 2 full seasons at Washington and there was no one in school soccer who threw the ball higher than he did down the sphere. It was uncanny. I’ve spoken about his capacity to go with leverage at size. I can not get the Miami Dolphins out of my head as a attainable match for him.
Michael Penix Jr. Highlights
22. OT Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma
23. OT Amarius Mims, Georgia
I just like the video games of each Guyton and Mims. We have got nice depth at offensive deal with on this draft. That is mirrored with one other pair of offensive tackles being ranked this excessive.
24. CB Cooper Dejean, Iowa
Dejean is extra beneficial than anybody goes to offer him credit score for due to his all-around capacity. He is harmful with the soccer in his arms. It will not shock me in any respect if he is a returner within the NFL. He can cowl within the slot or the surface. In the event you put him in a major zone protection, he is acquired such a very good really feel for route construction and mixture, which is why he is had good interception numbers.
25. Edge rusher Laiatu Latu, UCLA
The neck damage is fascinating. He began his profession at Washington earlier than the varsity informed him that he had a career-ending neck damage. He acquired a second opinion that allowed him to maintain taking part in. He was wonderful at UCLA. He is productive. You place him on the sphere, and all my former teammates will roll their eyes at this, however he is a football-playing Jesse. Put him on the sphere and he is simply going to supply. He is a heck of a participant.
26. QB Bo Nix, Oregon
I am greater on these quarterbacks than everybody. I like all of those quarterbacks. I will not enable anybody to say I dislike any of those six quarterbacks primarily based on the place I ranked them compared to the others. I like Nix. That is my least favourite a part of the draft course of. Anyway, I like Nix’s toes, schematic acumen, intelligence, management and accuracy. The ball goes to the fitting spot, on time and on a regular basis. Oregon was so laborious to cease due to that. If he goes to the fitting staff, just like the Denver Broncos, he’ll succeed. He is NFL-ready.
27. DT Jer’Zhan Newton, Illinois
Certainly one of my “plant the flag” gamers, Newton’s productiveness as an inside defensive participant is excellent. I feel his energy and fast twitch capacity are the explanations for that. That does not occur so much for defensive tackles. Most win with brute power. Gamers like Newton are unicorns.
Jer’Zhan Newton & Byron Murphy in Joel Klatt’s ‘plant the flag’ gamers
28. CB Nate Wiggins, Clemson
I like his size and he is athletic. You all the time know that groups are on the lookout for corners as they could have to put as many as they will on the sphere at sure instances, so Wiggins will discover the sphere fairly early.
29. Edge rusher Darius Robinson, Missouri
While you begin to consider these gamers, you are like, “Oh yeah, I get it. I do know why Missouri was such a very good staff.” He and Ennis Rakestraw are NFL gamers. That’s the lifeblood of success in school soccer.
30. OL Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon
Powers-Johnson can play heart or guard. He is extremely beneficial. He is in all probability one of many higher offensive linemen on this draft, at the very least so far as versatility goes. He can play throughout on the within.
31. CB Kool-Support McKinstry, Alabama
We have been speaking about McKinstry for a extremely very long time, and he is nonetheless a extremely good participant.
32. WR Keon Coleman, Florida State
Coleman’s capacity to make contested catches is particular. I spoke with Daniel Jeremiah about this fairly a bit on a current episode of my podcast, however there’s an excellent significance on receivers to make contested catches within the playoffs. It’s a must to make them, and it isn’t simply 50/50 balls both. You can be contacted. Nothing’s simple. So, the fellows who will be bodily prepared for that may have extra success earlier of their careers.
33. CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr, Missouri
Rakestraw’s a very good participant. He has the requisite size and protection capacity that makes a nook beneficial.
34. WR Adonai Mitchell, Texas
Mitchell’s the kind of participant who flies beneath the radar a bit within the draft course of as a result of we’re going by means of so many various receivers. It isn’t going to shock me if in 4 or 5 years, Mitchell is a No. 1 receiver for a staff. He is acquired the dimensions, ability, pace and athleticism mixture.
35. OL Graham Barton, Duke
36. WR Troy Franklin, Oregon
I feel Franklin is usually a No. 1 receiver. His capacity to get open after which make adjusted catches is uncanny.
Troy Franklin & Chop Robinson in Joel Klatt’s 2024 mock draft 2.0
37. OT Jordan Morgan, Arizona
Arizona had an unimaginable 2023 season. Whereas Noah Fifita and Tetairoa McMillan have been unimaginable, they have been in a position to do this due to the safety up entrance. The 12 months that the Wildcats had rested within the arms of Morgan, in a giant respect, and he was sensational. When he did not play within the bowl recreation, you noticed them wrestle offensively for a bit of bit.
38. OL Zach Frazier, West Virginia
Frazier’s a extremely good participant. Inside offensive linemen will be laborious to judge, but it is extremely vital. You have to have sturdy gamers alongside the offensive line, notably within the center so the pocket does not instantly collapse on the quarterback. Frazier goes to assist someone out.
39. LB Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M
For linebackers, together with working backs, it is actually laborious to generate top-end, first-round worth. However Cooper is without doubt one of the higher inside linebacker varieties. I feel he’ll discover himself a very good dwelling within the NFL.
40. WR Xavier Worthy, Texas
Worthy’s pace and skill to take the highest off the protection goes to be extremely beneficial. Everyone knows that. His capacity to make performs goes to be extremely beneficial. Everyone knows that. He will be an enormous risk early in his profession.
Quinn Ewers throws a 42-yard DOT to Xavier Worthy as Texas extends lead over Houston
41. DT T’Vondre Sweat, Texas
Sweat is big and a run stuffer. In numerous methods, he is precisely what the NFL is on the lookout for out of a defensive deal with. Keep in mind, it is a copycat sport, whether or not we’re speaking concerning the NFL or the school recreation. The Baltimore Ravens and Michigan had the most effective defenses at their respective ranges of soccer final season, so individuals are going to need a piece of these defenses. The crux of each defenses is constructing a run wall. You want depth at defensive deal with to do this. With that fashion of protection changing into extra prevalent, Sweat might be extra beneficial. He was a significant motive why Texas lastly acquired over the hump.
42. WR Ladd McConkey, Georgia
I am a giant fan of McConkey. His route-running capacity is underappreciated. He will get open and is dependable in catching the soccer. For me, these are two traits which might be extremely beneficial. In numerous methods, once they did not have Bowers, the passing offense went by means of McConkey.
Mike Sainristil & Ladd McConkey in Klatt’s high 50 gamers in 2024 NFL Draft
43. CB Kamari Lassiter, Georgia
44. LB Junior Colson, Michigan
Going again to when Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Maconald was Michigan’s defensive coordinator, he raved about Colson. When Colson was only a freshman in 2021, he mentioned the linebacker goes to be an excellent professional. I like his background, he works laborious. In numerous methods, he epitomized what it meant to be a Michigan Wolverine this previous season. His capacity to be a hybrid participant in the course of the protection goes to be extremely beneficial.
45. TE Ja’Tavion Sanders, Texas
Sanders is a extremely athletic participant. With Texas having so many weapons, there weren’t a ton of touches obtainable for its tight ends. But, Sanders produced and he is a heck of a participant. I like what he is in a position to do, notably as a flex/transfer H-style tight finish.
46. RB Jonathon Brooks, Texas
I actually consider in Brooks. I like his management and his capacity to do all the pieces on the sphere. He can run between the tackles or outdoors, hit dwelling runs or achieve robust yards, or catch the ball out of the backfield. He can do all of it. That versatility is the place worth is created for a working again.
47. WR Roman Wilson, Michigan
Wilson is an fascinating prospect. This draft is full of stable extensive receivers. Wilson’s one among them. His manufacturing may not match the opposite receiver prospects in my high 50, however that is due to Michigan’s system. The Wolverines’ philosophy to win a nationwide championship did not emphasize throwing the ball. Even then, Wilson made some unimaginable performs to assist Michigan final season, particularly within the Rose Bowl towards Alabama. He is quick; quicker than individuals consider. He will be a extremely good receiver on the subsequent stage.
Jonathon Brooks & Roman Wilson in Joel Klatt’s ‘plant the flag’ gamers
48. S Tyler Nubin, Minnesota
I like Nubin’s recreation. He was a very good chief for PJ Fleck at Minnesota. He will be a stable professional. He can stroll into any locker room within the NFL and match proper in. He is additionally one among my “plant my flag” guys.
49. CB Mike Sainristil, Michigan
Sainristil was one among my favourite gamers in school soccer final season, and actually for the previous few seasons. In the event you listened or learn the gamers I am “planting my flag” on, you’d know the way extremely I consider Sainristil. He was the most effective defender on the most effective protection in school soccer, and he is solely performed protection full-time for 2 years. His ceiling is ridiculously excessive as a result of he is a hybrid participant – he can play inside the inside of the passing recreation, and he will not be intimidated by matchups. He is continually across the ball.
50. WR Ricky Pearsall, Florida
Pearsall has been a little bit of a late riser within the course of. I like his recreation. I like his athleticism. He falls simply inside my high 50.
Joel Klatt is FOX Sports activities’ lead school soccer recreation analyst and the host of the podcast “The Joel Klatt Present.” Comply with him on X/Twitter at @joelklatt and subscribe to the “Joel Klatt Present” on YouTube.
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