2024 Draft Preview

April 25-27

Detroit MI

Quarterbacks

Caleb Williams, QB, USC (6’1, 215, 4.57) Williams has the arm, athleticism and instincts to star in the NFL. Sometimes he tries to do too much that could lead to some turnovers. But that should get better as he matures. In the meantime, the Bears have been upgrading the offense by signing D’Andre Swift and acquiring Keenan Allen to team with D.J. Moore and Cole Kmet. The o-line is expected to be better than average counting on some improvement.

Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina (6’4, 230, 4.60) Maye has a strong arm, a quick release and can run hard downfield, like a lesser version of Josh Allen. He’s big a strong but needs to improve his mechanics or the turnovers could pile up. He might need to sit for a year to further develop as he mostly played out of the shotgun in college.

Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU (6’4, 210, 4.50) Daniels is a dangerous play-making runner with a quick release on touch throws and improved his decision-making last year. He has accuracy as well but needs to bulk up a bit if comparisons to Lamar Jackson are to hold true. He also needs to work on consistency.

J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan (6’3, 202, 4.48) McCarthy didn’t throw much in college (he didn’t have to) so some consider him a raw, but talented player. Scouts love his accuracy, leadership, athleticism and game management skills. He might have to sit a year but could ultimately succeed with the right coaching.

Bo Nix, QB, Oregon (6’2, 218, 4.61) Nix has a lot of starting experience with excellent accuracy and also runs well but has just average arm strength – more of a game manager. Some think he might need to improve his decision-making as well. He struggled with that at Auburn but improved after a transfer to Oregon. But the latter was a much better team and he wasn’t asked to do as much.

Michael Penix, QB, Washington (6’3, 212, 4.45) Penix is an excellent athlete with speed and a very strong lefty arm with deep ball accuracy. He has the arm talent and football IQ to succeed as a starter, but probably not in year 1. He suffered a pair of torn ACLs in college but appears healthy again. Looks good if he stays healthy.

Spencer Rattle, QB, South Carolina (6’0, 219)

Michael Pratt, QB, Tulane (6’2, 216)

Jordan Travis, Florida State, QB (6’1, 212)

Gavin Hardison, UTEP, QB (6’3, 215)

Spencer Sanders, Ole Miss, QB (6’1, 210)

Taulia Tagovailoa, Maryland, QB (5’11, 208)

Kedon Slovis, BYU, QB (6’3, 215)

Brennan Armstrong, NC State, QB (6’2, 212)

Devin Leary, Kentucky, QB (6’1, 217)

Sam Hartman, Notre Dame, QB (6’1, 212)

Joe Milton, Tennessee, QB (6’5, 235)

Carter Bradley, South Alabama, QB (6’3, 216)

Austin Reed, W. Kentucky, QB (6’2, 220)

Phil Jurkovec, Pittsburgh, QB (6’5, 235)

Running Backs

Jonathon Brooks, Texas Sophomore, RB (6’0, 207, 4.45) Brooks is quick with acceleration and elusiveness. He also runs with balance around the edge and in the open field. He’s also effective on screens and catching the ball downfield.

Trey Benson, Florida State, RB (6’1, 223, 4.39) Benson has good speed but scouts like his power, balance, patience, cutting ability and burst. He sometimes runs upright and lacks experience in the passing game. He needs to improve as a runner as he tends to bounce to the outside too quickly. He also needs to work on his open-field running.

Braelon Allen, Wisconsin, RB (6’2, 245) Allen has power between the tackles with good vision and enough acceleration to get outside but is not a burner. He can also be tough to tackle once he breaks through the line. But he lacks experience in the passing game. He didn’t run the 40-yard dash or agility drills at his Pro Day due to a high ankle sprain he suffered last season.

Blake Corum, Michigan, RB (5’8, 213, 4.53) Corum has the burst, cuts and vision to succeed in the pros. He runs low to the ground, which makes him tough to tackle including the open field. But he lacks experience in the passing game.

Ray Davis, Kentucky, RB (5’10, 216, 4.52) Davis is a decisive runner with balance and tackle-breaking ability. He also has cutting skills at the line of scrimmage and in the open field. But he is not a prototypical power back or a speedster. He's a decent pass-catcher downfield but his pass-protecting skills need honed. He does not have starting potential and could evolve into an effective three-down back.

MarShawn Lloyd, USC, RB (5’9, 210, 4.46) Lloyd is an explosive runner who accelerates quickly and hits the home run with great speed. He is also dangerous in the open field. He runs a bit upright and needs work on his vision and ball-security issues. He has shown effectiveness as a pass-catcher but was not used much in college. He lacks experience in pass protection as well.

Jaylen Wright, Tennessee, RB (5’11, 210, 4.38) Wright has excellent speed and explosiveness through the line and around the edge. He is dangerous in space as well. He is not effective between the tackles, partially because he waits too long for the lane to open and dances around a bit too much. He is not a power runner and runs a bit upright, not breaking many tackles. He is more of a change-of-pace back than a starter but has experience in pass protection.

Tyrone Tracy Jr., Purdue, RB (6’1, 210, 4.48) Tracy made the switch from wide receiver to running back, so he should be a valuable third down back in the pros. He also runs with balance, elusiveness and cutting ability to make defenders miss in space. He is also decent in pass protection. He needs to work on his vision and other nuances of the position. He fits best in a zone-scheme and has potential to be more of a third-down option in a couple of years.

Bucky Irving, Oregon, RB (5’10, 195, 4.55) Irving is a slasher with excellent short-area moves and balance – tough to tackle as a result. He’s strong and stocky but lacks consistent long speed. And he can catch the ball out of the backfield, up the sideline or over the middle. But he needs to rely on his blockers as he is not a power back. And he needs improvement in pass protection. More of a change-of-pace back than a starter.

Audric Estime, Notre Dame, RB (5’11, 227, 4.71) Estime is a power runner with little speed but has the balance to stay on his feet after a broken tackle. He had some ball security issues in college and lacks experience in the passing game.

Isaiah Davis, S. Dakota St., RB (6’1, 220, 4.57) Davis is a power runner with vision, patience and agility to be effective between the tackles. He is a one-cut runner who gains yardage after contact but is not a speedster. He can catch the ball out of the backfield, but is limited downfield. He also needs work on his pass protection skills.

Michael Wiley, Arizona, RB (6’0, 215, 4.51) Wiley is a patient, slashing runner who is more quick than fast. He is a decent receiver and can line up all over the field with some route-running ability. Has potential in pass protection as well. He runs a bit upright that affects his balance and ability to break tackles. He lacks burner speed as well. Probably will be a change-of-pace or perhaps a platoon option in the pros.

Miyan Williams, Ohio State, RB (5’8, 229, 4.52) Williams has power and quickness to be an early-down (and short-yardage) back. He has decent speed but is not a burner. He catches the ball well but needs to improve his route-running skills. He is decent in pass-protection.

Cody Schrader, Missouri, RB (5’9, 214, 4.61) Schrader is a power back who fights hard for extra yardage after contact. He also runs with balance and patience inside the tackles with some cutting skills at the line but not much in the open field. He catches the ball well but needs work on routes (with potential there).

Jase McClellan, Alabama, RB (5’11, 212, 4.50+) McClellan runs hard between the tackles with cutting ability. He’s tough and fights for extra yardage. Not a lot of speed or athleticism. Has decent hands but not a lot of experience in the passing game. Needs work in pass protection as well. Suffered an ACL injury in 2021.

Will Shipley, Clemson, RB (5’11, 210, 4.39) Shipley is a dangerous open-field runner with vision and cutting ability. He is also a fine pass-catcher and return man. He is a slashing runner, quick to through the hole and to the outside.  He is more of a change-of-pace back than a starter and had some ball security issues in college.

Isaac Guerendo, Louisville, RB (6’1, 225, 4.33) Guerendo has speed, size and athleticism with explosiveness in the open field and fights for extra yardage. He is a good receiver and route-runner routes with yards-after-the catch ability. He is also a decent pass protector. He runs a bit upright that affects his balance and needs to follow his blockers better. He probably fits best as a third down back.

Keilan Robinson, Texas (5’8, 191, 4.42) Robinson had good speed and vision and is dangerous in the open field. He is not a power runner and needs to add some weight strength. He can catch the ball on screens and is best suited as a change-of-pace option in the pros.

Kimani Vidal, Troy, RB (5’8, 213, 4.46) Vidal runs with vision, cut-back moves and smarts with agility to make defenders miss. He also fights for extra yardage and is dangerous in the open field but can be caught from behind at times. He can also catch passes out of the backfield. In this offense, Vidal runs routes from the RB position and has shown the ability to consistently secure passes. He also tends to bounce outside at times rather pick up an inside block. He could be best suited as a change-of-pace option in the pros.

Dylan Laube, New Hampshire, RB (5’10, 206, 4.54) Laube runs with vision and agility but is not a burner or power guy. He runs decent routes that will make him a decent third down option and possibly change-of-pace runner in the pros. He needs work on his pass protection skills though.

Emani Bailey, TCU, RB (5’8, 207, 4.61) Bailey runs with vision, balance and quickness, and is dangerous in space, but size is a hindrance. He can catch the ball well but is not a pass blocker nor a patient runner. Some say he’s faster than his disappointing 40-time recorded at the Combine.

Frank Gore Jr., Southern Mississippi, RB (5’8, 201, 4.58) Gore has good vision, patience and balance but is more quick than fast and lacks breakaway speed. He can catch the ball but needs work in pass protection. He gains yardage after contact with cutting ability in the open field. He projects as a third down option and change-of-pace runner in the pros.

Blake Watson, Memphis, RB (5’9, 195, 4.50) Gore has quick feet and runs with patience and vision. As a former receiver, he can catch the ball out of the backfield and block. He is not a power back as size could be a detriment and he does not have breakaway speed.

Carson Steele, UCLA, RB (6’1, 225, 4.70) Steele is big and strong as a downhill runner with quickness, patience and some speed in the open field. He is also a capable receiver and blocker. He runs a bit upright that affects his balance and cut-back moves. He also does not have breakaway speed.

Jabari Small, Tennessee, RB (5’11, 213, 4.58) Small runs hard inside with vision and is effective in short yardage situations. He can be elusive in his cuts but is not a burner and can be caught from behind. He is a capable receiver and blocker but needs more experience in those areas.

Dillon Johnson, Washington, RB (6’0, 218, 4.68) Johnson runs hard inside and is effective in short yardage situations. He is also a capable receiver and blocker. He does not have breakaway speed nor elusiveness in the open field.

Austin Jones, USC, RB (5’10, 200, 4.58) Jones runs with quickness and cutting ability and is a capable receiver. Slight frame relegates him to backup status as does his lack of breakaway speed. Struggles in pass blocking.

Wide Receivers

Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State, WR (6’4, 205, 4.34) Harrison has excellent speed with above-average size and elite routes and separation skills that make him a #1 wideout right off the bat.

Malik Nabers, LSU, WR (6’0, 200, 4.35) Nabers is a tremendous athlete with blazing speed and leaping ability. His acceleration, ball skills and after-the-catch ability makes him a dangerous play-making threat in the pros. Should be a starter quickly.

Rome Odunze, Washington, WR (6’3, 215, 4.45) Odunze has the size/speed combo scouts love plus advanced ball skills, including making the contested catches, with a large catch radius. Great attitude. Should be a starter fairly quickly.

Brian Thomas Jr., LSU, WR (6’3, 205, 4.33) Thomas is an outstanding athlete with deep speed and leaping ability as he scored very high in those two categories at the Combine. He gets off the line quickly and makes for a dangerous red zone target (17 touchdowns last year). He has an expanded route tree and tracks the deep ball well.

Adonai Mitchell, Texas, WR (6’4, 196, 4.34) Mitchell is a blazing deep threat and big-bodied target but has had trouble with consistency (vertical routes, zone coverage, press coverage). He’s is a good route-runner with decent hands and separation skills and cuts well. But he struggles to gain yards after the catch and he is not a tackle-breaker nor a blocker. He needs to learn to run better with the ball in his hands.

Xavier Worthy, Texas, WR (6’1, 172, 4.21) Worth set a new Combine record with an ultra-blazing 40-time. He dropped a few in 2022 but improved a lot last year which could still be a concern. He has a small frame but is dangerous with the ball in his hands as a top playmaker off the line and downfield. He lined up outside and in the slot in college.

Malachi Corley, W. Kentucky, WR (5’11, 210, 4.47) Corley has strong hands and body, and excels after the catch. He is dangerous in the open field, breaking a lot of tackles, and could be used in the pros similar to Deebo Samuel on designed running plays. Probably needs work on his routes and catching the ball in traffic.

Roman Wilson, Michigan, WR (6’0, 192, 4.39) Wilson has good speed and burst with decent hands. He separates well during his routes and is a dangerous deep threat with explosiveness and cutting skills in the open field. Small frame could limit him to the slot in the pros. Lack of power limits after-the-catch ability (and possibly vs. more physical DBs) but he could be an effective starter in the right system. He is not a physical player nor a blocker.

Xavier Legette, South Carolina, WR (6’3, 227, 4.39) LeGette has good size, speed and athletic ability, and posted impressive vertical leap and broad jump numbers at the Combine. He can catch the ball in traffic, makes for a dangerous red zone threat, runs tough and can block. He could use some polish on his routes and needs to prove he can beat press coverage in the pros.

Jalen McMillan, Washington, WR (6’1, 192, 4.47) McMillan has good speed and hands and runs well after the catch with balance. He lacks breakaway speed and needs work as a blocker. Would probably fit best as a slot receiver in the pros for his route-running and tough catch abilities. He missed time with a knee injury in 2023.

Troy Franklin, Oregon, WR (6’3, 187, 4.41) Franklin is very quick off the line with vertical breakaway speed. He also runs decent deep routes but needs work on shorter routes and catching the ball in traffic. He could use some added strength as well.

Ja'Lynn Polk, Washington, Soph, WR (6’2, 204, 4.52) Polk has good hands, runs decent routes and makes the tough catch over the middle. He also blocks well. He lacks quickness and sometimes struggles vs. press coverage. He can play outside or in the slot and was usually the third option behind Odunze and McMillan for the Huskies.

Ricky Pearsall, Florida (6’1, 190, 4.41) Pearsall is a bigger slot receiver with reliable hands, versatility and excellent separation skills. He is effective in the open field but didn’t display consistent breakaway speed in college. He is not a physical player nor a blocker.

Jermaine Burton, Alabama, WR (6’0, 194, 4.45) Burton is an ultra-reliable receiver (hands, tracking, catch radius, contested catches) with acceleration and downfield skills. He needs to improve his routes and running after the catch. And one draft expert says there are concerns about his maturity and coachability (conduct penalties, lack of effort at times). He could become a reliable starter with more discipline on and off the field. Might be a boom-or-bust player.

Ladd McConkey, Georgia, WR (6’0, 185, 4.39) McConkey is a slot receiver with speed, quickness and smarts. And he can also line up on the outside. He’s is a good route-runner with separation skills and after-the-catch ability. He needs to add strength and to prove he can beat press coverage in the pros.

Javon Baker, UCF, WR (6’1, 208, 4.54) Baker is a decent receiver and route-runner and is effective in traffic and after the catch. He is very quick and tracks the ball well but is not a burner as he takes a while to get to top speed with below-average acceleration. Goes down too easy at times and needs to prove he can beat the press in the pros. But he is dangerous as a deep threat when he gets to top speed.

Ainias Smith, Texas A&M, WR (5’10, 200, 4.47) Smith is a smaller slot receiver, but strong and tough over the middle with deep speed and runs very well in the open field with explosiveness and vision. He needs play strength to prove he can beat the press and create separation in the pros. Dangerous return man. He had shin surgery over the winter.

Malik Washington, Virginia, WR (5’8, 194, 4.47) He can separate, fights for the ball in traffic and runs well after the catch. He has the acceleration to get off the line and beat the press but he might have trouble with bigger defenders. Size limits him to the slot. He is not a blocker and drops a few when he’s not focused.

Jacob Cowing, Arizona, WR (5’11, 175, 4.38) Cowing is a speedy slot receiver who can separate from less speedy defenders. Very quick and dangerous in space with his cutting and acceleration skills. Above-average route-runner. Small frame that lacks length giving him trouble in traffic. Drops a few.

Devontez Walker, North Carolina, WR (6’2, 195, 4.36) Walker struggled at the Senior Bowl but he’s a big, physical receiver with excellent speed and good hands. Explosive acceleration makes him dangerous after the catch and as a deep threat. Needs to prove he can get off the line and beat press coverage in the pros. Inconsistent route-runner as well as catching the ball in traffic.

Johnny Wilson, Florida State, WR (6’6, 231, 4.52) Wilson is big with decent speed for his size and posted impressive vertical jump numbers at the Combine. He has soft hands and a wide catch radius but is built more like an H-back. Above-average route-runner and blocker. He does not have a lot of acceleration or cut-back moves in the open field and has trouble off the line at times.

Jha'Quan Jackson, Tulane, WR (5’11, 185, 4.42) – Jackson can get downfield with excellent speed and separation skills. He runs very well after the catch and can also return punts and kickoffs. Size limits him to the slot. Route tree is also limited. Struggles in traffic and goes down easy.

Keon Coleman, Florida State, WR (6’4, 215, 4.61) Coleman is strong with good size and agility for a big man (He scored well in the vertical leap and broad jump categories). He plays faster than his timed speed with strong hands but lacks explosion and elite speed.

Luke McCaffrey, Rice, WR (6’2, 200, 4.46) McCaffrey has soft hands out of the slot and displays toughness just like his brother Christian. He also posted very good speed and agility in his workouts and is dangerous in the open field. He is a good route-runner and can catch the ball in traffic. Needs to prove he can get off the line and beat press coverage in the pros.

Brenden Rice, USC, WR (6’3, 205, 4.50) Rice is big, tough, quick and physical with a large catch radius. He is also a good blocker and decent route-runner. He lacks elite speed and explosiveness that hinder his separation skills and yards after the catch. He is HOF WR Jerry Rice’s son.

Anthony Gould, Oregon State, WR (5’8, 172, 4.39) Gould has excellent speed and explosiveness and can blow by defenders with decent separation skills. He played outside in college but is probably better suited to the slot in the pros. Due to his size, he might have trouble getting off the line as well as fighting for the contested catch.

Tight Ends

Brock Bowers, Georgia, TE (6’4, 240, 4.53) Bowers is athletic, can line up anywhere, is dangerous in the shorter routes and runs well after the catch with speed. He has decent blocking skills but is a bit undersized for the in-line responsibilities. He is easily the best tight end prospect in this draft.

Ja'Tavion Sanders, Texas, TE (6’4, 243, 4.69) Sanders is an excellent receiver with the acceleration to get off the line and gain separation. Also runs well in the open field and catches the ball in traffic. He can pass-block but below-average size hinders his run-blocking skills.

Cade Stover, Ohio State, TE (6’4, 251)

Theo Johnson, Penn State, TE (6’6, 260) Johnson has soft hands, good size and speed and is a decent blocker. His play strength is ok but not dominating for his size (blocking, breaking tackles). He runs decent routes to gain separation with a wide catch radius and can line up at different positions.

Ben Sinnott, Kansas State, TE (6’4, 245) Sinnott is a natural pass catcher, explosive off the line and a good route runner. He’s better suited to a move tight-end or h-back due to his receiving chops, lack of size and blocking ability.

Jaheim Bell, Florida State, TE (6’3, 239)

Dallin Holker, Colorado St., TE (6’4, 235)

AJ Barner, Michigan, TE (6’6, 251)

Jared Wiley, TCU, TE (6’7, 260)

Tanner McLachlan, Arizona, TE (6’5, 245)

Isaac Rex, BYU, TE (6’6, 255)

Brevyn Spann-Ford, Minnesota, TE (6’7, 270)

Austin Stogner, Oklahoma, TE (6’6, 258)

Tip Reiman, Illinois, TE (6’5, 270)

Devin Culp, Washington, TE (6’4, 237)

Jack Westover, Washington, TE (6’3, 248)

Erick All, Iowa, TE (6’5, 250)

McCallan Castles, Tennessee, TE (6’5, 252)

Trey Knox, South Carolina, TE (6’5, 240)

Kickers