Final 2024 NFL Draft Big Board Explained: #1-10
** #11 - #20 Explained Tomorrow @NFLDraftDome **
Tier 1
1 - Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State, 6'4, 205
Phoenix, Arizona realtors are firing up the Mercedes in anticipation. Does QB4 entice a team (cough Minnesota, cough) enough to make GM Monti Ossenfort say no to Aston Marvin, Maserati Marv’s weekend vehicle?
Don’t fall victim to prospect fatigue. MHJ is the best WR prospect since Ja'Marr Chase. We can admire that without having to trek to Julio, Calvin Johnson, A.J. Green, etc. Lengthy body control of this caliber with this level of athletic pedigree doesn’t deserve to fall past #4.
2 - Caleb Williams, QB, Southern Cal, 6'1, 215
Chicago deserves to move on from Justin Fields. Justin Fields deserves to move on from Chicago. Caleb Williams and Chicago deserve each other moving forward. It’s time... a Franchise QB. I didn’t say fan favorite, I said franchise QB.
What a transition: Los Angeles to Chicago. I imagine Matt Eberflus and Lincoln Riley have little in common, either.
Keenan Allen, D.J. Moore, Cole Kmet, D’Andre Swift, Darnell Wright, etc…..Williams has as much arm talent, play extension, and as good of a situation to walk into as any QB1 in recent memory.
Tier 2
3 - Malik Nabers, WR, LSU, 6'0, 200
Outside of QB, Nabers is a Top 3 Wins Above Replacement addition for any team needing an immediate offensive splash and the best acceleration in this Draft.
No one is crazy to have Nabers > MHJ, he’s that good and the burst is that elite at the right time in a Shanahan/McVay 11 personnel wide NFL requiring separatory speed.
No discredit to MHJ, but tip your cap to Nabers for laying down a 42-inch vert and a 4.35u in progressive efforts to go WR1. Consensus projects Nabers in the 5th - 9th pick range, someone is about to get a value. H/T @MathBomb.
4 - Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame, 6'8, 322
Pedigree kids Alt & MHJ battle for the highest floor in this class and “You can’t screw this pick up.” Check this deep dive into a Jake Matthews comp. The tape matches the testing.
Show me what Legendary Offensive Line Coach Bill Callahan can do with Alt’s already-tuned technical skills, elite length, run-blocking ability, and pass-blocking development alongside a Year 2 quarterback.
Tier 3
5 - Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU, 6'4, 210
Daniels' ceiling in the modern NFL as a dual threat is the razor, razor-thin ticker for QB2 for me, even if he has less arm strength and needs a bit more throwing development than Maye early. Understanding that Daniels has been informed of his perceived floor at this point, it is a shame he did not run the 40. 4.3s would have come calling. Now, teach him not to leave his feet and get his backside rocked.
6 - Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina, 6'4, 230
Check out the passing charts (1st is Drake Maye, 2nd is Justin Herbert) below if the tape isn’t enough. 19/32, 727 yards, 6 TDs, and 2 INTs. Between the Numbers, 20+ yards downfield…..that’ll do, brother.
Concerning Mack Brown’s Tar Heels program, there is some dog water offensive line personnel on the tape, and no Tez Walker or Josh Downs left, no bueno. Maye’s been carrying that team like Howell did…..I’m microscopically close on Daniels & Maye. H/T @RaptorsHarris.
Tier 4
7 - Rome Odunze, WR, Washington, 6'3, 212
Seeing Odunze mocked to Chicago blows my mind, as I think of him as a WR3. On the flip, seeing him on teams such as the Giants, where he’d be WR1, you know he’s ready. The league may be even higher than the media. I understand taking Odunze over Nabers, particularly if some extra size is desired (take the Giants' receiver room, for example).
8 - Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia, 6'3, 243
The GOAT CFB TE. Take away positional value, I would have Bowers no less than #3. Finding a mock draft spot for Bowers might be the toughest right now.
Dream realistic fits: Jets, Colts, and Bengals. Sam LaPorta, Dalton Kincaid, Kyle Pitts, Travis Kelce, George Kittle, Mark Andrews, T.J. Hockenson, etc…..BB is the next one coming.
One of the laziest, incorrect, box score takes of 2024 is questioning Bowers’ blocking. It’s a strength.
Tier 5
9 - Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington, 6'4, 317
We can all agree that Fautanu has the best mobility and feet of the offensive line class. He answered the anticipated length questions compared to his height with 34.5-inch arms (longer than Joe Alt, Olu Fashanu, Taliese Fuaga, and Tyler Guyton). The floor is so, so high. The ceiling is All-Pro.
10 - Johnny Newton, DT, Illinois, 6'2, 295
Some teams will have Early 2nds on Newton. I see so many critics talking about Newton being sub-300 but never a word about Byron Murphy II’s sub-300. I see pass-rush production and penetrating the LOS in the run game that I can’t keep out.
Others can keep underselling first-round Defensive Tackle hit rate because of "pOsItIonAl VaLuE," I won't, particularly those who can rush the passer from the interior (Newton & Murphy II).
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