NFL Overreactions: First Round of the 2024 NFL Draft
Mackenzie Salmon breaks down some of the biggest shocks (and expected picks) of the NFL Draft on night one.
Sports Seriously
The marquee names in the 2024 NFL draft have already found their landing spots, but there’s no shortage of top talent still available after the first round.
A historic run on quarterbacks helped push down several players who had been considered solid bets to make the Day 1 cut. And while this class’ depth might be hurt by having just 58 early entrants – the lowest total since 2011 – there still are several prospects who figure to be potential quality starters in short order.
USA TODAY Sports will provide live updates as picks are made throughout the second and third rounds on the best players still available. Here’s a look at the top options left on the board.
2024 NFL draft: Best players available
32. Payton Wilson, LB, North Carolina State
It’s impossible to discuss Wilson’s draft fate without acknowledging an extensive injury history that includes twice tearing the same ACL and surgery on both shoulders. But when healthy, the 6-4, 233-pounder can be a force in space, as the Bednarik Award winner demonstrated last season.
35. Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon
Any team looking to open up its offense might gravitate toward Franklin, who will make his living picking up yardage in chunks on deep shots. The 6-2, 176-pounder can mix in some quick hits for run-after-catch opportunities, but he likely will be more of a complementary piece in a passing attack rather than a focal point.
41. Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas
The 6-4, 245-pounder looks bound to follow many other college tight ends in essentially becoming a supersized receiver who is most often split wide and asked to do little as a blocker. That role should still leave him plenty of opportunities to make his mark, however, as Sanders can create mismatches all over the field in the passing game.
42. Roman Wilson, WR, Michigan
Limited looks in Michigan’s offense didn’t obscure his big-play ability, which keyed his 16.4 yards per catch and 12 touchdowns on 48 catches. The 5-11, 185-pound target should continue to tax defenses with his acceleration and a toughness typically not seen from receivers of his build.
43. Jermaine Burton, WR, Alabama
Even though he led the Crimson Tide in receiving yards the last two seasons, the Georgia transfer’s production never seemed to measure up to his potential. That shouldn’t dissuade teams from taking a look long at a target with an impressive blend of quickness, toughness and polish.
45. Junior Colson, LB, Michigan
Comfortable both in plugging the run game and dropping back in coverage, Colson can stay on the field in a variety of scenarios. The 6-2, 238-pounder depends more on functionality than flash, so speeding up his diagnosing skills will be key to his pro success.
48. T.J. Tampa, CB, Iowa State
At 6-1 and 189 pounds, Tampa has the tools and mentality to drape himself around receivers at the line of scrimmage and catch point. His long speed could leave him vulnerable in some matchups, but he could thrive as a playmaker in zone coverage.
58. Christian Haynes, G, UConn
63. Kris Jenkins, DT, Michigan
64. Brandon Dorlus, DT, Oregon
68. Jaden Hicks, S, Washington State
70. Dominick Puni, G, Kansas
74. Christian Jones, OT, Texas
75. Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina
76. Andru Phillips, CB, Kentucky
78. Cooper Beebe, G, BYU
79. Bralen Trice, DE, Washington
80. Javon Baker, WR, UCF
81. Adisa Isaac, DE, Penn State
82. MarShawn Lloyd, RB, USC
84. Jaylen Wright, RB, Tennessee
86. Jalyx Hunt, DE, Houston Christian
87. Austin Booker, DE, Kansas
88. Cedric Gray, LB, North Carolina
89. Calen Bullock, S, USC
90. Theo Johnson, TE, Penn State
91. Mekhi Wingo, DT, LSU
92. Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, S, Texas Tech
93. DeWayne Carter, DT, Duke
94. Kris Abrams-Draine, CB, Missouri
95. Malik Wasington, WR, Virginia
96. Kiran Amegadjie, OT, Yale
97. Jonah Elliss, DE/OLB, Utah
98. Mohamed Kamara, DE/OLB, Colorado State
100. Trevin Wallace, LB, Kentucky
101. Jalen McMillan, WR, Washington
102. D.J. James, CB, Auburn
103. Khyree Jackson, CB, Oregon
104. Jeremiah Trotter Jr., LB, Clemson
105. Brenden Rice, WR, USC
106. Audric Estime, RB, Notre Dame
107. Christian Mahogany, G, Boston College
108. Isaac Guerendo, RB, Louisville
109. Devontez Walker, WR, North Carolina
110. Tanner McLachlan, TE, Arizona
111. Brandon Coleman, G/T, TCU
112. Caelen Carson, CB, Wake Forest
113. Luke McCaffrey, WR, Rice
114. Jared Wiley, TE, TCU
115. Blake Corum, RB, Michigan
116. Jarvis Brownlee Jr., CB, Louisville
117. Malik Mustapha, S, Wake Forest
118. Brennan Jackson, DE, Washington State
119. Kamren Kinchens, S, Miami (Fla.)
120. Jacob Cowing, WR, Arizona
121. Tykee Smith, S, Georgia
122. Cam Hart, CB, Notre Dame
123. Cade Stover, TE, Ohio State
124. Mason McCormick, G, South Dakota State
125. Decamerion Richardson, CB, Mississippi State
2024-04-27 01:07:30
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