2024 NFL Draft: The five best remaining players at every position ahead of Day 2 | NFL Draft | PFF
• Cooper DeJean is still on the board: The talk of DeJean playing outside cornerback or safety or slot cornerback at the next level is not due to lack of a home position; it’s because he could truly be an impact player anywhere. His footwork, ball skills and explosive athleticism make him an impactful outside cornerback — one with All-Pro potential.
• Spencer Rattler is the top-ranked available quarterback: Rattler has a mature game, with sound fundamentals and pocket presence, as well as good accuracy in and out of structure. His arm is adequate, but he needs to improve when it comes to seeing additional coverage defenders post-snap. He projects as a Day 2 quarterback with starting potential.
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Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft came and went. We had our share of reaches, and we saw some steals. Some units got immediate upgrades, while others will be hoping for a fruitful Day 2. As always, PFF was grading each and every pick of the first round and keeping tabs on the best remaining draft prospects.
Here are the five best remaining players at every position.
1. QB SPENCER RATTLER, SOUTH CAROLINA
Rattler has a mature game, with sound fundamentals and pocket presence, as well as good accuracy in and out of structure. His arm is adequate, but he needs to improve when it comes to seeing additional coverage defenders post-snap. He projects as a Day 2 quarterback with starting potential.
2. QB MICHAEL PRATT, TULANE
Pratt’s clean fundamentals and impressive touch throws make him an intriguing quarterback, even though he has smaller measurables. His arm strength limits his ability to push the ball vertically, but he has a good enough feel for the game to garner a potential starter label.
3. QB JORDAN TRAVIS, FLORIDA STATE
Travis is a good athlete, a tough competitor and a QB with great intangibles for out-of-structure plays. His follow-through fundamentals are a mess, likely due to him needing more power on most throws, which leads to inconsistencies. He is a developmental quarterback who will be a fan favorite no matter where he goes (likely on Day 3).
4. QB JOE MILTON III, TENNESSEE
Milton has NFL-level tools but lacks the processing, instincts and accuracy to be considered a potential starter.
5. QB CARTER BRADLEY, SOUTH ALABAMA
Bradley is an intriguing prospect with a decent arm, an encouraging playstyle and good mechanics. How quickly he can learn to read NFL defenses and how much he can improve on touch throws is his key to locking down a preferred backup spot.
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1. HB JONATHON BROOKS, TEXAS
Brooks is an ideal blend of size, speed, strength and agility. Though limited in snap totals, he has good vision in both gap and zone run schemes. If he can get back to form following his torn ACL, he has all the goods to be a starting running back in the NFL.
2. HB BLAKE CORUM, MICHIGAN
Corum was not as efficient in the individual metrics of running back play after his meniscus tear, but the traits of an effective back were present in 2023, specifically toward the end of the season. He lacks elite overall athleticism but is precise, sees the field well, has good contact balance and brings good third-down abilities, which should yield a contributing role in the NFL.
3. HB JAYLEN WRIGHT, TENNESSEE
Wright is an NFL-caliber athlete for the running back position. His youth is both a positive (lack of mileage) and a negative (lack of consistent RB vision), but he has succeeded in both gap and zone-blocking concepts and has top-tier pass protection ability for three-down potential in the NFL.
4. HB TREY BENSON, FLORIDA STATE
Benson brings NFL build and athleticism to the table in all categories of explosiveness, but he is too focused on his athletic abilities and needs more patience in order to maximize his athletic gifts and be more than a committee running back.
5. HB BUCKY IRVING, OREGON
Irving might not have the look of a running back that teams will automatically covet on draft weekend, but his tape shows an incredibly efficient player in both the run and pass games.
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1. WR ADONAI MITCHELL, TEXAS
Mitchell’s fluidity and size make him a tough matchup for anyone, especially in the red zone. The biggest area of concern is that I wish he attacked the ball more when it was in the air. If he improves in that category, he has fringe WR1/WR2 abilities.
2. WR TROY FRANKLIN, OREGON
Franklin might get lost in the shuffle of a loaded wide receiver class, but he shouldn’t. His smoothness comes from his athletic profile and his confidence in knowing how to win at the position. He needs to continue to get stronger, but he is a competitive player who can be a good WR2 for a vertical NFL offense.
3. WR LADD MCCONKEY, GEORGIA
McConkey won’t be an “X” jump-ball receiver, but it’s still hard to imagine him failing in the NFL. His game is reminiscent of Eddie Royal’s. He has devastating quickness and provides a spark in the return game. He is also a strong blocker for a player of his size.
4. WR KEON COLEMAN, FLORIDA STATE
Coleman is a top-tier receiver from an explosiveness standpoint. His burst, top speed and leaping ability are All-Pro caliber. However, the lack of agility in his game limits his route tree and ability to separate from defensive backs. Those who love those alpha-type receivers will be big fans, but his inability to consistently separate means he won’t be for everyone.
5. WR ROMAN WILSON, MICHIGAN
If this were a different receiver class, Wilson would be much higher on these rankings. He not only brings NFL-level speed but also NFL-level determination at the catch point and as a blocker. His tape shows a player coaches would love to have.
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1. TE JA’TAVION SANDERS, TEXAS
Sanders is a Tier 1 athlete for the tight end position. He is still mastering the nuances of tight end play, and he needs more of a consistent mean streak as a blocker. But even with those concerns, what he brings to the table as a vertical threat is worth a top-50 pick.
2. TE ERICK ALL, IOWA
Although his game could use a bit more nastiness, this is a player with a versatile, contributing skill set who projects as a TE2 at the next level if he can stay healthy.
3. TE CADE STOVER, OHIO STATE
Stover is a well-rounded, well-versed football player whose natural athletic ability and fundamentally sound approach to the position should make him a high-floor role player with TE1 potential.
4. TE BEN SINNOTT, KANSAS STATE
Sinnott is a true jack-of-all-trades tight end who can line up in the backfield, on the line of scrimmage and at receiver. His game lacks a true trump card, but he’s the type of versatile role player every NFL team wants in their tight end room.
5. TE JARED WILEY, TCU
Wiley has an ideal size/athleticism combination to be a contributing TE2/3 at the next level.
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1. T KIRAN AMEGADJIE, YALE
It’s tricky to project a player’s transition from the FCS level, but Amegadjie is a starting-caliber lineman who has the tools and the tape to be a worthwhile investment in the top 50.
2. T KINGSLEY SUAMATAIA, BYU
Suamataia is a dream Day 2 prospect for a team to draft and develop. I worry about him being baptized by fire if he is drafted in the first round and called upon to start right away.
3. T BRANDON COLEMAN, TCU
Coleman is the ideal developmental offensive line prospect. He has high-percentile athleticism and measurables, which give him the ceiling of an NFL starter if he can improve his fundamentals.
4. T BLAKE FISHER, NOTRE DAME
Fisher has the power to play at the NFL level but needs to get quicker to his landmarks. He also needs to be more patient and balanced in his strikes to avoid being susceptible to NFL-level speed rushers. At an ideal age, he has starter potential.
5. T ROGER ROSENGARTEN, WASHINGTON
Rosengarten is worth a Day 3 flier as a developmental, athletic offensive tackle. He lacks the power necessary to survive at the NFL level in his current state.
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1. C JACKSON POWERS-JOHNSON, OREGON
Powers-Johnson possesses starting-caliber power and finesse traits at center or guard for both zone or man/gap-blocking concepts. He is dominant enough at his position to be considered a top-20 talent.
2. C ZACH FRAZIER, WEST VIRGINIA
Frazier’s background and build give him a high floor as a scheme-versatile center who is worthy of an early Day 2 pick and a starting role.
3. G CHRISTIAN HAYNES, UCONN
Haynes showed in his tape and at the Senior Bowl that he has starting-potential measurables and traits for an NFL guard. His best work comes on the move, which would bode well for a zone-blocking scheme and as a puller for man/gap schemes.
4. G COOPER BEEBE, KANSAS STATE
Beebe’s high football IQ should lead to a long NFL career. Unfortunately, his athletic limitations will likely limit that career to that of a backup swing lineman.
5. G MASON MCCORMICK, SOUTH DAKOTA STATE
McCormick pairs a mauling mentality with explosive athleticism. His hips are a tad stiff, which limits his flexibility, but he has the potential to be a starter in a zone-blocking scheme.
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1. DI JER’ZHAN NEWTON, ILLINOIS
Newton has some physical limitations due to his size and lack of natural flexibility, but his hand usage, pass-rush tools and block-shedding ability allow him to be very productive in any alignment from 3-tech to 5-tech.
2. DI BRADEN FISKE, FLORIDA STATE
Fiske’s measurements are not ideal, but he has an NFL-level football IQ and pass-rush quickness to be a potential impact player as a 4-3 defensive tackle.
3. DI KRIS JENKINS, MICHIGAN
Jenkins is one of the strongest players in the entire draft class, but his arm-length limitations and lack of pass-rush profile will likely limit his draft stock to a mid-to-late Day 2 selection. However, his high floor gives him the potential to start in a 4-3 scheme.
4. DI BRANDON DORLUS, OREGON
Though a bit of a tweener, Dorlus has 3-4 and 4-3 versatility with a strong power profile to be a rotational player and potential spot starter.
5. DI RUKE ORHORHORO, CLEMSON
Orhorhoro is a versatile defensive lineman who can be a high-floor player at defensive end or defensive tackle. However, he needs to develop technical pass-rush moves to be more than a rotational player.
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1. ED ADISA ISAAC, PENN STATE
If he can pack on some extra pounds for added strength and anchor ability while remaining adequately explosive, he has the handwork and pass-rush profile of an NFL starter.
2. ED JONAH ELLISS, UTAH
Elliss will have to get stronger if he is to continue being the difference-maker he was in 2023. If he can add weight while remaining as quick and flexible, he can be an impactful pass-rusher.
3. ED CHRIS BRASWELL, ALABAMA
Even if he doesn’t become a pass-rush technician, Braswell’s power, speed and length give him the floor of a rotational pass-rusher and the ceiling of an impact starter.
4. ED MARSHAWN KNEELAND, WESTERN MICHIGAN
Kneeland’s competition wasn’t the best, but he absolutely dominated it, especially in 2023. NFL teams will love his passion for physicality. He has the body, explosiveness and mentality of an NFL contributor.
5. ED XAVIER THOMAS, CLEMSON
Thomas is a true low-floor, high-ceiling prospect. He is on the older side, but his natural athletic gifts are still worth taking a chance on, especially for teams in need of a 3/4 pass-rushing specialist.
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1. LB PAYTON WILSON, NC STATE
Wilson has the length, movement ability, IQ and tape of a first-round linebacker. What will likely keep him from being drafted on Day 1 is his injury history and age. If healthy, he can be a starting inside linebacker in any defense.
2. LB EDGERRIN COOPER, TEXAS A&M
Cooper has the length and athleticism to be a starting-caliber linebacker in the NFL in a downhill role. However, his lack of anticipation and instincts for deeper coverage work will likely keep him from being picked in the first round.
3. LB JUNIOR COLSON, MICHIGAN
Colson’s background and journey to this point are inspiring. He has the size and football IQ to play in the NFL. He is a good but not great athlete, which will likely make him a Day 2 pick as a rotational 4-3 linebacker with starting potential.
4. LB JEREMIAH TROTTER JR., CLEMSON
Trotter is an incredibly smart linebacker who consistently puts himself in the right positions. However, his lack of length, size and explosiveness limit his NFL potential.
5. LB TOMMY EICHENBERG, OHIO STATE
Eichenberg is a strong-side linebacker who can find work in an early-down role as a MIKE/SAM, specifically in a 4-3 defense. However, due to his lack of lateral mobility, you won’t want him operating in coverage in late-down, sub-package situations.
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1. CB COOPER DEJEAN, IOWA
The talk of DeJean playing outside cornerback or safety or slot cornerback at the next level is not due to lack of a home position; it’s because he could truly be an impact player anywhere. His footwork, ball skills and explosive athleticism make him an impactful outside cornerback — one with All-Pro potential.
2. CB KOOL-AID MCKINSTRY, ALABAMA
McKinstry plays one of the most difficult positions in the game with so much poise and production. He might not be an elite athlete, but he is one of the smartest cornerback prospects you’ll find. He can play in any defensive scheme and is the type of player you draft in the first round.
3. CB MIKE SAINRISTIL, MICHIGAN
Every NFL team would love to have a player like Sainristil. He brings the skill set and mentality of a starting slot cornerback, with safety and special teams versatility to boot. He should be viewed as one of the top “football players” in this draft, regardless of position.
4. CB ENNIS RAKESTRAW JR., MISSOURI
Rakestraw possesses a high football IQ and does great work in off-coverage when he can anticipate with space. He is a quick and controlled cornerback who will provide reliability as a run defender. His traits are worthy of a top-50 draft pick, but his lack of production might mean that he falls out of that range.
5. CB T.J. TAMPA, IOWA STATE
Tampa’s unique fluidity and size for a cornerback make him worthy of a top-75 pick. If he can clean up his footwork, he can be a starting outside cornerback with the potential to be an impact player.
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1. S TYLER NUBIN, MINNESOTA
Nubin possesses the athleticism, football IQ and run-defense potential to be a versatile and impactful safety in any scheme, though he would likely make the most plays in a system that consistently uses two-deep coverages, allowing him to play free, robber and box safety roles.
2. S JAVON BULLARD, GEORGIA
Bullard is a versatile secondary player with a fearless mentality. Though he isn’t an elite athlete, his competitiveness, quickness and tackling ability project him to a starting role as a nickel defender.
3. S JADEN HICKS, WASHINGTON STATE
Hicks is a well-built strong safety who can play at all three levels of the field. He is a tone-setting tackler and has starting potential in two-safety systems, especially as a strong safety/robber over the middle.
4. S CALEN BULLOCK, USC
Bullock’s lack of strength will limit how much an NFL team can trust him to play early in his career. But if he can get stronger, he possesses elite range as an impactful single-high safety for any defense, especially in Cover 3 and Cover 1.
5. S DADRION TAYLOR-DEMERSON, TEXAS TECH
Taylor-Demerson sees the back end of coverage with excellent vision and anticipation. However, his overall play speed must improve if he is to make plays at the NFL level.
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