✔️Mel Kiper Jr's 2024 NFL Draft Big Board Rankings

[Wagerallsports]

2024 NFL draft rankings: Mel Kiper's Big Board, best prospects​

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So long, college football season -- we're on to the 2024 NFL draft. I have an update to my prospect rankings for April's draft, just after I put out my first mock draft of this cycle.

I've been doing near-weekly updates to my rankings this fall, and I've had a great time watching prospects. As I mentioned during the preseason, I spent a looooong time over the summer going back through the 2022 tape, watching lots of cut-ups and dozens of entire games. I had a watchlist of rising seniors and juniors after last season ended, but I kept adding prospects to the list based on my calls with scouts and front office execs in the NFL.

Below is my list of the top 25 prospects overall for the Class of 2024, with the top 10 prospects at every position under that. It's still pretty early -- a lot will change between now and when I get on set in Detroit for the draft, which begins on April 25.

Two notes on these rankings before you dig in:

• There is a lot of projection involved here. I'm not yet writing up detailed scouting reports. I expect many of them to be stronger, faster and better as we get closer to the draft, so I'll adjust my rankings over the next few months.
• Heights and weights are based on what we have from schools; we don't get official numbers until the combine in March.

Rankings last updated: Friday, Jan. 26.

1. Caleb Williams, QB, USC​

6-foot-1, 215 pounds | Previously ranked: 1

The Trojans struggled at the end of the regular season, losing five of their last six games, but it wasn't Williams' fault. There's a reason why defensive coordinator Alex Grinch was fired. Williams threw 30 touchdown passes to just five interceptions. He had a really tough game against Notre Dame, when he threw three of those picks, but he bounced back and played really well. He also surpassed his rushing touchdowns total from last season, finishing with 11.

Just turn on the tape from any of the games from Williams' Heisman-winning 2022 season and you'll see why he's the top quarterback in this class. He had 52 total touchdowns -- 42 through the air -- with just five interceptions while completing 66.6% of his passes. He ranked in the top 10 in the FBS in QBR (87.6), passing yards (4,537), yards per attempt (9.1) and throws of 20-plus yards (69).

Williams is a fabulous playmaker, and there are "wow" throws all over his tape, even going back to his freshman season at Oklahoma. He's incredible escaping the pocket and making off-platform throws, excelling when plays break down. His improvisational skills are off the charts -- it's incredible how he can make the first defender miss and create first downs out of thin air. He has great field vision and throws dimes to receivers while under duress. He's incredibly creative, which is not something we can usually say of quarterbacks.

Now, Williams is not the prototypical passer in terms of size. At 6-1, he'd be below-average for a starting NFL quarterback. But as we saw with 2023 No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young, size matters less and less to the execs making decisions in front offices.

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2. Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State​

6-4, 205 pounds | Previously: 2

I have an elite grade on Harrison, whose name should be familiar. His dad is that Marvin Harrison, whom I scouted coming out of Syracuse in 1996 and is now in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The younger Harrison is on track to get my highest pre-draft grade for a wideout since Calvin Johnson (2007) and Larry Fitzgerald (2004). Harrison has everything, from outstanding size and stellar hands to incredible body control and blazing speed. His dad ran a 4.33-second 40-yard dash before the 1996 draft but was just under 6 feet when the Colts took him in Round 1. Harrison Jr. is four inches taller and could have similar speed.

He caught 77 passes for 1,263 yards with 14 touchdowns last season. He had 67 catches for 1,211 yards and 15 total touchdowns during 2023.

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3. Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU​

6-4, 210 pounds | Previously: 4

I went deep on Daniels' future ahead of him taking home the Heisman Trophy. In short, he was consistent enough over the final two months of the regular season that I now feel comfortable moving him into my Big Board. I have a first-round grade on him, and he could go as high as No. 2. Over two seasons at LSU -- after he transferred from Arizona State -- Daniels threw 57 touchdown passes with just seven interceptions and added 21 rushing scores. He ranked No. 1 in the country in Total QBR this season (95.6), completing 72.2% of his passes while averaging 11.7 yards per attempt. Those are spectacular numbers.

Daniels has rare ability as a dual-threat playmaker. He can evade, elude and blow by defenders, but he also impressed with the way he can run through contact. But it's his improvement as a passer that has him looking like a Round 1 selection. Yes, having blue chip wideouts Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. to throw to was a huge benefit, but they also were fortunate to have a passer like Daniels with a big-time skill set directing the offense.

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4. Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina​

6-4, 225 pounds | Previously: 3

Maye had a fantastic debut season as the starter at UNC, throwing for 4,321 yards with 38 touchdowns and seven picks in 2022. He looks the part of a big-time NFL signal-caller. He can make every throw with ease. He's accurate on the move and can pick up first downs with his legs. Maye varies his pass speeds really well -- he knows when to take a little off to make it easier for his receivers. He has outstanding touch on vertical throws.

The biggest question about Maye heading into the 2023 season was about who was catching his passes, as his top two receivers -- Josh Downs and Antoine Green -- are now in the NFL and transfer target Devontez Walker was finally made eligible. Breaking in new playmakers was part of the reason for predecessor Sam Howell's up-and-down 2021 season for the Tar Heels, and Maye has had to figure things out with a new group.

Maye completed 63.3% of his passes during the season, and his best performance came when he threw for 442 yards and three scores against Syracuse. Still, he has had a few sloppy interceptions, and I wanted to see him clean up those mistakes. He finished with 24 touchdown passes and nine picks.

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5. Rome Odunze, WR, Washington​

6-3, 215 pounds | Previously: 5

Odunze put up four straight 100-yard receiving games to begin the 2023 season, and I love his combination of size and speed. He's big, and he knows how to use his body to shield defenders. Watch him adjust on this touchdown catch against Boise State. Since 2020, Odunze put up 203 catches for 3,113 yards and 24 scores. He's used both inside and out. He can make defensive backs miss after the catch. He is going to test extremely well at the combine.

If Odunze had entered the 2023 draft, he likely would have been a Day 2 pick, but I have a top-15 grade on him now. He could be a No. 1 target in the NFL.

 

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6. Malik Nabers, WR, LSU​

6-0, 200 pounds | Previously: 6

I love watching Nabers, whose best trait is his speed. He can take the top off the defense. He was consistent in 2022, showing elite separation skills and the ability to high-point receptions. He also was balanced, catching 35 passes when lined up in the slot and 37 when lined up out wide. That versatility will matter at the next level. He finished with 72 catches for 1,017 yards and three touchdowns.

Nabors blew away those numbers in 2023, catching 89 passes for 1,569 yards with 14 scores. He has good hands and showed toughness in taking a shot while hauling in a catch over the middle of the field. He tracks the ball exceptionally well. He gets easy separation on cornerbacks. I've been impressed with his run-after-the-catch ability. He lit up Mississippi State with 13 catches for 239 yards and two scores early in the season.

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7. Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia​

6-4, 240 pounds | Previously: 8

Bowers was an instant difference-maker for the Bulldogs as a true freshman in 2021, catching 56 passes for 882 yards and 13 touchdowns. He followed up that season with 63 catches for 942 yards and seven scores as Stetson Bennett's No. 1 target, winning his second-straight national title. He's an advanced pass-catcher and should make an instant impact when he gets to the NFL.

Though he's not huge -- former teammate Darnell Washington made him look small at times -- he's a matchup nightmare for defenses. He has great hand-eye coordination and run-after-the-catch ability, and he can stretch the field down the seams. I also love the way he tracks the ball, high-pointing it above defenders. Bowers had 56 catches for 714 yards and six touchdowns during the season, his first with Carson Beck throwing him passes. He had surgery on his injured left ankle in October but was able to return a few weeks later.

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8. Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame​

6-8, 315 pounds | Previously: 7

Alt started 33 games at left tackle for the Fighting Irish, and I was most impressed by his technique on a snap-to-snap basis. He rarely gets caught out. He mirrors well in pass protection, adjusting easily to secondary moves from edge rushers. He does a great job keeping his huge frame between the defender and his quarterback. In his career, he allowed just 16 total pressures in more than 1,000 pass-block snaps.

Alt's father, John, was a first-round offensive tackle, too, going No. 21 overall to the Chiefs in 1984. He was 6-7, 275 pounds when he entered the NFL, which shows you how the game has changed since then.

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9. Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State​

6-6, 319 pounds | Previously: 9

Fashanu had been moving up my Big Board last fall, before he announced in November that he planned to return to school in 2023. He could have been a top-10 pick in that draft, challenging Paris Johnson Jr. to be the top tackle off the board. Fashanu has the size, footwork and physical traits teams want in a high-end left tackle. He moves effortlessly and with urgency, getting his hands on second-level defenders with ease. The exciting part? Fashanu is still developing. He has started just 21 career games and turned 21 years old in December.

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10. Dallas Turner, OLB, Alabama​

6-4, 242 pounds | Previously: 10

I struggled a bit with Turner's 2022 tape because of who was on the opposite side of him. He's not the caliber of pass-rusher as former teammate Will Anderson Jr., who went No. 3 overall in April. Turner had 60 quarterback pressures from 2021-22, while Anderson had ... 130. So, when Anderson was always getting to the passer first, it's tough to judge the other guy.

Still, when projecting what Turner could be, there's a lot to like. He shows flashes of stellar pass-rush moves, and he's good at shedding blocks in the run game. He always has the physical traits to chase down running backs. He had 10 sacks for the Crimson Tide in 2023. He also ranked eighth in the FBS with a 16.7% pressure rate.

 

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11. Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU​

6-4, 205 pounds | Previously: 11

Thomas is a fun player to watch, and he excelled catching passes from Daniels on the other side of Nabers. He has great length and a huge catch radius, which makes him a nightmare to match up with for smaller defensive backs. He can take the top off a defense -- he averaged 17.3 yards per catch this season. I really like the way he uses his acceleration ability to get late separation. Thomas finished the season with 68 catches for 1,177 yards and led the FBS with 17 touchdowns. The arrow is pointing up; Thomas needs a little bit more polish, but he's just scratching the surface of his talent.

12. Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa​

6-1, 207 pounds | Previously: 12

Iowa's defense produced two first-round picks (Lukas Van Ness and Jack Campbell) and a third-rounder (Riley Moss) in the 2023 draft, and yet it was DeJean who kept catching my eye when I went back through the 2022 film. He had five interceptions, including three that he returned for touchdowns. But it wasn't just the big plays -- I was impressed with his technique on a snap-to-snap basis. He played in the slot and out wide, showing off tremendous speed to stick to receivers. He's just silky as a cover man.

DeJean has the physical tools to be the top corner in this class, but unfortunately, his 2023 season ended early because of a lower-leg injury he suffered in practice in mid-November. He finished with two picks.

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13. Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson​

6-2, 185 pounds | Previously: 14

Clemson had a disappointing 2023 season, but Wiggins stood out all over the Tigers' defensive tape. He was impressive despite missing two games with a knee injury. He allowed 18 catches for 179 yards as the nearest defender in coverage, and two of those were turned into touchdowns.

He has the length and recovery speed to match up effectively with any wideout he goes up against. Wiggins shows a smooth turning motion, good instincts in coverage and can make up ground in a hurry while using his height and arm length as a major advantage.

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14. Jared Verse, DE, Florida State​

6-4, 253 pounds | Previously: 18

Verse is another prospect who could have gone in Round 1 this past April. He decided to return to school, however, in order to try to move into the top 10 picks. He had nine sacks in his first season at FSU after transferring in from Albany, where he had 10.5 sacks in 2021. He was a little inconsistent for the Seminoles -- a knee injury likely contributed -- but his combination of power and speed off the edge is impressive. Verse is super quick off the line of scrimmage and is tenacious as a pass-rusher. He is a perfect fit as an end in a 4-3 defense.

He had a two-sack performance against Wake Forest in late October and a dominant 2.5-sack game against Florida in late November, but he still has a tendency to disappear at times. He finished with nine sacks on the season.

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15. Laiatu Latu, OLB, UCLA​

6-5, 265 pounds | Previously: 16

NFL teams crave edge rushers, and there's a case to be made Latu was college football's best edge rusher in 2022. He ranked first in the FBS in total pressures (55) and pressure percentage (19.1%), and his 10.5 sacks ranked ninth. He was just as good in 2023. During the regular season, he ranked first in pressure percentage (20.1%) and pressures (56) and was fourth in sacks (13). He had a midseason stretch of 5.5 sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss over three games.

Latu is a polished pass-rusher who knows how to use his hands and has a knack for slipping by offensive tackles. What I like, too, is that he understands that a sack is great but a strip sack is even better; he had three of those in 2022 and one more this season. The Washington transfer consistently disrupts plays behind the line of scrimmage. Latu plays on his feet off the edge of UCLA's defense, and he could be an ideal 3-4 outside linebacker at the next level.

 

[Wagerallsports]

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16. Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama​

6-0, 196 pounds | Previously: NR

Arnold, who started 21 career games for the Crimson Tide, has developed into a shutdown defender. He picked off six passes passes and had 20 total breakups as quarterbacks completed just 43.7% of their passes when he was the nearest defender in coverage over the past two seasons. He allowed just four receptions of 20-plus yards in 2023. Arnold understands angles in press coverage and is aggressive in rerouting wide receivers at the line of scrimmage. He has great speed and acceleration when he turns his hips. He's going to be a great pro.

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17. Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State​

6-4, 215 pounds | Previously: 13

Coleman caught three touchdown passes in the Seminoles' season-opening win over LSU. He was dominant. In 2022, he had 58 catches for 798 yards and seven touchdowns at Michigan State. He left for Florida State in the spring and passed that touchdown total with 11. Coleman's body control impressed me when I went back this summer to watch his 2022 tape. He excels in contested-catch situations.

With a big frame, he can bully smaller defenders. He didn't play much out of the slot last season, but he caught four scores out of that alignment in 2023. His production was up and down during the season -- he finished with 50 catches for 658 yards -- but if we're projecting him forward, he has the talent to be a WR1 at the next level.

18. Troy Fautanu, G, Washington​

6-4, 317 pounds | Previously: 15

Fautanu really impressed me in 2023. He played 114 snaps at guard over the past three years, but the majority of his time has been at left tackle, where he has allowed just two sacks and 25 total pressures in 28 starts. That's on more than 1,100 pass-blocking snaps. He is a hard-nosed, intense tackle, but he plays under control and has excellent feet and strong hands. He kept the pocket clean for quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who was sacked just 11 times in 15 games.

I see Fautanu's future at guard as a way to best maximize his skill set, but I'm not ruling out that he'll end up at tackle. He reminds me a little bit of Alijah Vera-Tucker, who went No. 14 overall to the Jets in 2021. Fautanu's versatility will be a huge asset at the next level.

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19. Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State​

6-6, 334 pounds | Previously: 19

Fuaga is a physical right tackle who started 25 career games for the Beavers. He brings a defensive mentality to the position; the defender he's matching up with better be full prepared for a battle in the trenches. He is the ultimate finisher as a run blocker, getting easy movement, and he more than holds his own in pass protection. He allowed just one sack over the past two seasons. He has powerful hands and can handle secondary moves from edge rushers.

The more I watched Fuaga in 2023, the more excited I was about his future in the NFL. He is still a work in progress and has yet to reach his full potential.

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20. JC Latham, OT, Alabama​

6-6, 360 pounds | Previously: 20

Latham is a mountain of an offensive tackle who is light on his feet. I really like the way he explodes out of his stance. He's tough at the point of attack. He blows defenders off the line of scrimmage in the run game, driving and sustaining his blocks in space. Where Latham needs to improve is in his technique -- he can be sloppy. Latham started 27 games at right tackle, but he also has played guard. He'll likely be a right tackle at the next level.

 

[Wagerallsports]

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21. Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia​

6-7, 340 pounds | Previously: 22

I included Mims in my preseason Big Board, even after he had only started two college games, because of the talent I saw in his minimal playing time and because of how college coaches and NFL front office execs talked him up. They expected great things. Mims didn't disappoint, though he got off to a slow start because of ankle surgery that limited him to playing in seven games.

If you could draw up the perfect right tackle prospect, it would be Mims, who is light on his feet and can deliver a jolt in run-blocking situations. He was incredibly impressive against Georgia Tech, showing off his upside. Though he has started just eight career games, I feel good about putting him in the Round 1 discussion.

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22. Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma​

6-7, 327 pounds | Previously: 23

Physically, Guyton is exactly what NFL teams want in a future Pro Bowl-caliber right tackle. The progress he made over the past two seasons under the direction of highly regarded Oklahoma O-line coach Bill Bedenbaugh has allowed him to steadily move up my draft board. In addition to his natural talent, what I really like about Guyton is the attitude and rugged approach he brings on every snap. He has excellent feet and agility in pass protection, gets to the second level of the defense with ease and also can deliver a pop as a run blocker.

What Guyton needs to work on his maintaining more consistency; he started just 14 college games at right tackle, so he's not yet a finished product. Still, his skill set and upside could put him in the mid first-round discussion. He did not allow a sack in the 2023 season.

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23. J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan​

6-3, 202 pounds | Previously: NR

McCarthy has first-round arm talent and can beat defenses with his legs too. He ranked third in the country in Total QBR (89.2) and completion percentage (72.3%) in 2023. Since he took over as the Wolverines' starter in 2022, he threw 44 touchdown passes and nine interceptions. Five of those INTs have come in two games, however; he threw three against Bowling Green earlier in 2023, and he had two pick-sixes in the College Football Playoff semifinal loss to TCU last season. Outside of those two games, he has managed games effectively and made great decisions with the football.

I recently projected McCarthy in the middle of Round 1 in my debut mock draft, and I think he will put up great testing numbers at the combine. Sure, he averaged just 22.1 pass attempts per game in 2023 and only needed to complete 10 passes in the national title game, but his upside is immense.

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24. Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona​

6-5, 325 pounds | Previously: 25

I wrote about Morgan before the 2023 season, picking him as a prospect who could rise if he shows he's healthy. Well, he looked great during the regular season. After tearing the ACL in his right knee last November, he rehabbed in the spring to get ready and was able to return for Week 1. Morgan, who started 35 games in his career, is extremely consistent from snap to snap. His footwork is terrific in pass protection, and I love his ease of movement and ability to bend. He stays active with his hands, and he can get to the next level on combo blocks. He handles twists really well and can deal with inside and outside moves with ease.

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25. T'Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas​

6-4, 362 pounds | Previously: 21

I was impressed with Sweat's improvement in 2023, as he showed he's more than a plugger along the interior of the defensive line. He put some excellent pass-rush moves on tape, and he's a disruptive force in run and pass situations. He had three sacks, and he affects the pocket in so many ways. Sweat is very quick for his size. He dominates offensive linemen at the point of attack; it's impossible for one player to move him off his spot.

Some will question the value of a 360-pound defensive tackle in the first round, but I just really like the player and think he could help an NFL defense in any situation.

 

[djefferis]

MHJ is the most “surefire” can’t miss here - pair him with a decent QB and he will be a star.

Williams - I’d be shocked to see #1 to Bears / or anyone really. Short / Prima Donna attitude and not really that proven of a leader. No team SHOULD invest heavily in him - but one will. I mean at 5 or 6 - he’s worth a shot to the right team - but I’d go Daniel’s over him - same attitude but has physical skills to back it up.

A lot of offensive line help for teams - so good value there. Some decent RBs too in 2nd/3rd round and beyond.

A few teams traded out of 1st this year and don’t look so dumb for doing so. If you’re not in the top 5 - you might as well accumulate late 1st or 2/3 rounders as the guys you like in 10-15 will still probably be there at 20-25 - just very open with everyone tightly bunched.

 

[edawg]

Have a feeling Daniels and Maye will both jump Williams by the time the Draft comes around.

 

[BigJay]

I’d be shocked if Bears didn’t draft Williams. He’s so highly regarded and I even heard at one point he was rated as high as anyone in the draft Luck.

I think they can’t pass up the potential of a quarterback with his skill set. All quarterbacks, probably more than any other position, are hit or miss. But I think this is the guy they go with and they move on from Fields.

Just look at this recent list of the Bears 15 drafted ranked since 1982 when they took McMahon. They gave Jim Freaking Harbaugh (1987) the number one ranking. That pretty much sums up the Bears horrid quarterback history.

Ranking Chicago Bears drafted quarterbacks over the last 40 years

There’s 15 of them and the list isn’t pretty.

www.windycitygridiron.com

 

[RRsilver]

Surprised to see Mims on the list after just starting 2 games. He is a mountain of a man tho.

 

[BigJay]

Surprised to see Mims on the list after just starting 2 games. He is a mountain of a man tho.

Only 8 career starts. Seems like one of those crazy picks the Raiders sometimes make

 

[Wagerallsports]

Ra​

I’d be shocked if Bears didn’t draft Williams. He’s so highly regarded and I even heard at one point he was rated as high as anyone in the draft Luck.

I think it depends on how much the teams below them offer for in exchange the pick

They are only in position to draft him because of the way they raped Carolina last year

Another team will likely make an offer again Chicago can't refuse