60 PROSPECT 2024 NFL Draft Big Board; Hayden Shapiro’s Big Board 2.0
By: Hayden Shapiro
Here we go! I am so pumped to release my first offseason big board. It includes 60, YES, SIXTY, 2024 NFL Draft prospects. Everything from analysis to where they fit best, it’s all here. Grab a soda, maybe some popcorn, and join me for the wild ride we call draft season. I watch tape and read many other opinions while making these giant lists, so a lot of it is opinion. If you do happen to disagree, or even agree with me, leave it down in the comment section below because I am always happy to chat. With that being said, if you like what you read give me a follow because I post stuff like this all the time. As always, much love, stay cool, and enjoy. 60 Player BIG BOARD starts now.
1 Caleb Williams, QB USC
Williams is a generational talent. His ability to throw from many different arm slots, he can extend plays with the best of them, and excels at throwing on the run/off balance. He is the closest thing we’ve seen to Patrick Mahomes since, well, Patrick Mahomes. Williams is far and away the best player in this class and will make an impact from day one in the NFL.
2 Marvin Harrison Jr, WR Ohio St
Harrison Jr possesses the body control of a seasoned veteran and the sticky hands of an all-pro. He is the most pro-ready skill position player in this class and will be one of the best wideouts in the game as soon as he steps onto the field. His route running is impeccable, and he can line up all over the field.
3 Drake Maye, QB UNC
Maye has great arm strength, and his pocket presence is reminiscent of Big Ben. he steps up in the pocket no matter what, taking hits and throwing darts while doing so. He doesn't turn the ball over and is very accurate over the middle. Maye is also a very underrated athlete; many people forget how big he is. Plays very much like Justin Herbert, but a little more mobile.
4 Malik Nabers, WR LSU
The explosiveness of Nabers off the line of scrimmage is much like AJ Brown and DK Metcalf. He uses his strong frame to shrug defenders off of him in press coverage and is very dangerous after the catch. The LSU product is a great red-zone threat and creates tons of separation out routes outside the numbers, but don’t let this take away from what he can do on drags and slants.
5 Rome Odunze, WR Washington
The complex skill set of Rome Odunze is jaw dropping. At 6’4, he can go up and grab jump balls, but his ability to make plays after the catch is uncanny. He has tremendous vision with the ball in his hands and can be used on screens or short passes designed for him to do some damage after he gains possession of the rock. His play style is much like Rams star wideout Cooper Kupp. Odunze isn’t the fastest player on the field, but he see’s blocks so well and has hands like glue. That’s why I had to include him in my top five.
6 Olu Fashanu, OT Penn St
Fashanu is a polished run and pass blocker who uses his strong, heavy frame to his advantage. He consistently paves paths for his backs and has very heavy hands which allow him to be a secure blind side blocker. I can see him being a great starting tackle in the league for many years to come. There are simply no glaring weaknesses like there are with the other tackles in this class.
7 Jayden Daniels, QB LSU
As one of the most unique prospects in this class, Daniels has one thing the top two QB’s in the draft don’t: he can run like a wide receiver. Daniels is so unbelievably dangerous in the run game, but you shouldn’t let that take away from his accuracy on deep passes or his arm strength. He throws such a pretty deep ball, and places passes inside the numbers right in the breadbasket. Daniels’ Heisman campaign is one that shouldn’t be overlooked because he is an NFL talent and has all the skills to succeed in the league. He did always have phenomenal WR play but I think he possesses the ability to make those around him better which is something rookie QB’s struggle with more often than not.
8 Brock Bowers, TE Georgia
Bowers is just an amazing athlete. He can line up outside, in the slot, and on the line. He is a great blocker in the run game and very dangerous with the ball in his hands. His play is very reminiscent of George Kittle; a guy who does it all extremely well. There are no holes in Bowers’ game and if he can put on some weight, he is going to be a force in the NFL. I also think he is going to test out extremely well during the combine process.
9 Jer’Zhan Newton, DL Illinois
Watching Newton’s film led to him becoming my favorite player in this class. He splits double teams with ease and can eat up blocks on the inside. Where he really excels is rushing the passer, using his strong hands and unreal speed + size combo to get into the backfield. He is not the prototypical DT, so I could see him being utilized all over the line. He plays like his hair is on fire, so reckless and intensely, things that will translate to the next level. In my opinion, he is the best defensive player in this year’s offensively heavy class.
10 Terrion Arnold, CB Alabama
The long, lanky frame of Terrion Arnold just makes it seem like he was made in a cornerback lab. He has great instincts and has the speed to get back in on the play even if he gets beat, which doesn’t happen often. He takes very calculated risks and plays with a nastiness that will serve him well in the league. I’ve watched a lot of Alabama this season and it was obvious that teams were hesitant to throw the ball on him.
11 Joe Alt, OT Notre Dame
Alt has the size and speed to be the first tackle selected off the board, but he struggles in the run game mightily. He is a tremendous pass blocker. Rarely allowing pressures and giving great protection to the QB’s blind side. He uses his big frame to shield off stronger edge rushers, but the smaller/quicker one’s can get around him. He needs to improve his footwork, with that being said, he has all the tools to be a starter in the NFL. He just needs some time to fine tune some of his quirks.
12 Laiatu Latu, EDGE UCLA
Being the most technically sound EDGE in this class, Latu brings versatility and strength on the line. He can line up with his hand in the dirt or standing. He also has so many moves in his arsenal that he switches up to give opposing OT’s different looks. The injury concerns are there, but if he can pass a physical and test out well at the combine, the dude has legit top five upside.
13 Taliese Fuaga, OT Oregon St
Fuaga is probably the biggest winner from the senior bowl. He showed off his uncanny ability to block in the run game. Where he excels is pushing defenders out of their stance because of how quick Fuaga reacts to the snap. His speed and size combo is quite simply remarkable and I could see him going as early as top seven/eight picks. Fuaga is a prototypical RT. One who clears huge gaps for his running backs and can shrug off edge rushers with ease.
14 Dallas Turner, EDGE Alabama
I mean it when I say that Turner has the highest motor in the class. He just doesn’t stop. He’s in on every tackle and makes his way into the backfield on what seems like every pass play. The Bama product has the speed to chase down runners but also possesses the power to beat tackles off the line and get to the QB. Will Anderson Jr even said that Turner, his former teammate in Tuscaloosa, is more ready for the pros than he was at this time in the process. That says something coming from the reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year.
15 Jared Verse, EDGE Florida St
Verse and Tuner are interchangeable to me. Jared Verse has a great story. From JUCO to a SUNY school, and then Florida St. He just has a nose for the football, meaning he is simply involved on every single play. He is a monster in the run game, racking up TFL’s like it’s nothing. He sets the edge like a seasoned veteran and rushes the passer with his deep toolbox. He is going to be one of the best players from this draft in a short time because all of his skills are already so polished. The injury concerns are there and his age definitely plays a factor, but I love Verse so much and I think he is going to be dynamic in the league. His speed and power combo is so unique from just a draft prospect.
16 Brian Thomas Jr, WR LSU
If Thomas was on his own team, one without a top wideout, he could very well be a top five pick. Him and Malik Nabers were the best WR duo in all of college football last season and there is good reason that they will both end up being first round picks. Thomas Jr is so dangerous in the red zone. He has a great first step and uses his leverage to get just behind the corner, making the catch easier and giving him the opportunity to do some damage after the catch. His long strides allow him to stretch the field and his lanky frame gives the QB a big window where he can play the ball. I think Thomas Jr’s skills will translate very well into the NFL.
17 Quinyon Mitchell, CB Toledo
Mitchell put on a SHOW at the senior bowl. He is so sticky in man coverage and has great instincts that allow him to almost feel where the QB is going with the ball. Mitchell is going to rack up INTs like it’s nothing at the next level. He can play the slot because of his lateral quickness but also the outside given his great press skills. I love seeing these small school players shoot themselves up the board after bowl games or the combine.
18 Jackson Powers-Johnson, IOL Oregon
Powers-Johnson has shot up boards lately and for good reason. He is a monster in the run game and has provided Oregon with great interior protection throughout his years as a starter. He is ready to start from day one and will be an impact player at guard or center, as his lack of speed kind of pushes him inside a bit.
19 Byron Murphy II, DL Texas
Murphy II is a pure game wrecker. His arms are so unbelievably strong that he can just swipe down and get into the backfield. It seems like he just does everything in flash which is so awesome to watch. Murphy has been climbing up everyone’s boards after his great performance in the CFP, and for good reason. He can eat up blocks, take on double teams, and stuff the run.
20 Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB Alabama
Look, if you were to tell me three months ago that I would have Kool-Aid below Terrion Arnold, I would have called you crazy. The thing is, McKinstry just didn’t look great against NFL talent this year. He was beaten consistently against Xavier Worthy, Adonai Mitchell and Texas, and also struggled against Roman Wilson in the CFP. McKinstry has all the intangibles: long arms, great ball skills, and tremendous agility, but he needs to show that he can shut down top weapons. I think he’ll adjust well to the league, but I don’t think he’s as pro-ready as his teammate, Terrion Arnold, who is in fact my CB1.
21 Chop Robinson, EDGE Penn St
Chop has some of the coolest highlight plays you’ll see. He is so strong for his size, it’s really ridiculous what you see on film. The Nittany Lion has more than enough pass rush moves in his toolbox to succeed at the next level, and he plays a visibly rough game. He likes to get down in the trenches and is extremely physical. The one part of his game that is flawed is staying healthy. If he was able to stay healthy this past season, he could have ended up being the first defensive player off the board. I think he tests out well at the combine, so don’t be surprised if he moves up in the later versions of my mocks and big boards.
22 Cooper DeJean, CB Iowa
DeJean is so dynamic on defense. He can mark the fastest wideout on the field, or play the slot, and even in the box. He is a willing tackler and has great instincts in zone. The Iowa product is sticky in man but doesn’t rack up penalties like a lot of aggressive rookie CB’s. I love DeJean as a prospect and after the combine I could see him getting some buzz as corner number one.
23 JC Latham, OT Alabama
Latham is so powerful and the definition of consistent. You know what you’re getting with him; a rough and tough, hog mauler type of blocker. He fits best at RT but can also play the guard spot given how good his footwork is.
24 Kam Kinchens, S Miami (FLA)
I wish I could just say, “throw positional value out the window and rank Kinchens top 10,” but I can’t do that. This Hurricane is so dynamic lurking over the middle of the field it’s so much fun to watch. He can read the quarterback’s eyes from 15–20 yards downtown, jumping routes left and right. Kinchens is a ballhawk and will be a joy to watch on Sundays. It’s just a bonus that he is ready to start from day one.
25 Troy Fautanu, OL Washington
Very versatile lineman who ranked first in the entire FBS in pressures allowed. He simply doesn’t let rushers get around him. He can kick into guard, where I think he is suited best, and started from day one. He’s going to be a starter in this league for a long time if he can stay healthy.
26 Keon Coleman. WR Florida St
Coleman’s got lanky arms and long strides. His hands are as sticky as any of the top wideouts in the class, but he just lacks the explosiveness that the other dudes have. He is a pure possession WR, a guy who is going to get you chunks of yards without doing much after the catch. I mean that in the best way possible. He does his job, and he does it very well.
27 Amarious Mims, OT Georgia
Mims is massive. He moves very well for his size and can be kicked into guard in the league if need be. I like him a lot for teams who have a veteran heavy O-Line and need some freshness. He could really benefit from sitting a year and learning the ins and outs. He will be a starter in this league, it just depends on who is willing to be a little patient with his development.
28 Bo Nix, QB Oregon
Nix excels in two things most quarterbacks coming out of school struggle with. For one, he simply does not turn the ball over. Secondly, he is unbelievably accurate over the middle. Nix has a big frame and steps up in the pocket regardless of if he is going to be hit or not. He ends up being my QB4, but I could see him being a starter in the league down the road. He’s got all the tools to do some damage in the pre-season and maybe even earn a starting nod early on.
29 Ennis Rakestraw Jr, CB Missouri
Watching Rakestraw’s film really surprised me. He is so sticky in man coverage but doesn’t rack up penalties. His ability to jump routes as soon as the wideout breaks is special. He has the most fluid movement and hip turns out of any DB in this class. He is going to be a day one starter or whoever grabs him in the latter half of the first round or even early second.
30 Kamari Lassiter, CB Georgia
Lassiter plays like a 6’5 power forward in the paint, a bull in a China shop if you will. Meanwhile, he stands at only 6’0 and weighs just over 200 pounds. The Bulldog is a more than willing tackler, blowing up screens and outside runs are huge parts of his game. He can play in the slot and reminds me a lot of Devon Witherspoon. His feistiness and nasty attitude will serve him very well in the league. I could see Lassiter being a future all pro just because of how aggressive he plays combined with his very high football IQ.
31 Nate Wiggins, CB Clemson
Very long arms and a lanky frame. Wiggins is very technically sound but clearly lacks the speed and call skills that the other CB’s in this class possess. In my eyes, he’s a late first/early second round pick. I am prepared to see him become a pro-bowler just because I said that.
32 Xavier Worthy, WR Texas
Mr. Consistency is my nickname for this Longhorn. Worthy has never had a season under 900 yards at Texas and can be used all over the field. As a wideout, he brings an extremely fast first step and great body control. But he has adapted to lining up in the backfield and the slot. Texas really unlocked him, and I can’t wait to see some of the highlights he’s going to make in the league.
33 Mohamed Kamara, EDGE Colorado St
Mo Kamara has very quickly risen up my board, and for good reason. He had the most QB pressures in all of college football last season. While leading the FBS in this stat, he also sets the edge very effectively on run plays and uses his smaller frame to create leverage on opposing tackles. Kamara could end up being the steal of the draft and is officially now my favorite day two guy. Do not let his size fool you. This dude is so strong. I am not allowed to put videos in here, but if you have the time, watch some of his tape. It’s incredible.
34 T’Vondre Sweat, NT Texas
Yet another Texas guy! Sweat brings a big presence on the interior of the line. He moves awkwardly well for his size and blows up inside runs like nothing. The dude can split double teams and take on multiple blockers at once…what more can you ask for your nose tackle?
35 Darius Robinson, DL Missouri
Robinson moves extremely well for his size and has the versatility to play on the interior in 4–3 or as an end in a 3–4. He has extremely strong arms and can tackle while engaged in blocks. He is quickly rising boards after the senior bowl, where he had an absolutely stunning week.
36 Ladd McConkey, WR Georgia
McConkey can really make people miss. He is so great after the catch and excels at finding the soft sports in zone coverage. He’s one of those guys that’ll quickly become a quarterback’s best friend.
37 JJ McCarthy, QB Michigan
The Champ has got all the bare bones to succeed. With some development, McCarthy could certainly be a starter in this league. I like his arm strength, but the decision making needs to improve.
38 Patrick Paul, OT Houston
Paul is really athletic and with some time learning the NFL game, Paul has all the tools to be a starting tackle. The way this tackle class is very top heavy, watch out for a team to reach on Paul given his big frame and freakish footwork.
39 Tyler Guyton OT, Oklahoma
Much like I said with Patrick Paul, the tackle class is so top heavy. Teams are going to like Guyton and his ability to play outside or kick into guard. He is a very powerful run blocker.
40 Tyler Nubin, S Minnesota
Intimidating safety who can step up and make tackles on runs, as well as hold down the fort over the top in coverage.
41 Adonai Mitchell, WR Texas
Mitchell uses his long strides to create separation down the field. He has a great release but lacks playmaking ability after the catch. Although he is very good in the rezone and usually comes down with the ball, he is a little bit handsy, meaning he gets called for some OPI’s and offensive holdings in the run game.
42 Graham Barton, OG Duke
I really like Barton for two reasons. For one, he plays with a chip on his shoulder. He is mean and strong in the run game. Secondly, he is a true guard. Many of these linemen are going to need to adjust moving inside, not Barton. He has played both OT and OG but will fit pretty much any NFL scheme as a guard.
43 TJ Tampa, CB Iowa St
Tampa is a long, strong corner who is very good in zone. He has great ball skills and instincts which lead to very calculated risks. Gets flagged a bit but it’s coachable.
44 Christian Haynes, IOL UConn
Good power/speed combo. I like the way he sets traps and moves quickly downhill.
45 Michael Penix Jr, QB Washington
One of the true wildcards of this class. Penix has looked like a first round pick at times, but his performance in CFP was extremely worrisome. He has impeccable arm strength and is very accurate throwing down the field, but he forces passes quite often and has always had a great WR room. There is also some injury concern after three season ending injuries.
46 JaTavion Sanders, TE Texas
Sanders is very deceptively fast for his big frame. He runs routes very well over the middle and can be a safety net for his quarterback. Lacks the blocking skills of someone like Bowers, but his playmaking ability with the ball in his hands makes up for it. I had to include him in this list…which is absolutely filled with Longhorns.
47 Payton Wilson, LB NC State
Wilson was the best linebacker in college football this year. He stands at a whopping 6’4 but plays so fast and with his head on a swivel. He can rush the passer and beats up on blocking TE’s. The NC State product reminds me of guys like Frankie Luvu and Quincy Williams. Dudes who just fly around the football but lack some coverage skills. He is best fit as an outside backer in a 4–3. He is going to succeed in the league, but positional value and the fact that he may not run the fastest 40 may lead to him slipping to the second or even third round.
48 Malik Washington, WR Virginia
Washington is one of those guys who is just going to be loved by his quarterback. He creates so much separation and is a threat down the field and over the middle on slants/drags. If you watched the Texans this year at all, Washington is simply a copy of Tank Dell. Great speed and footwork.
49 Jeremiah Trotter Jr, LB Clemson
Trotter Jr is very technically sound and is better in coverage than the other backers on this list. He lacks the “thump” you want from a mic LB but can be fine-tuned and ready to play from the get-go.
50 Renardo Green, CB Florida St
Green’s tape is really remarkable. He is so sticky in man, like seriously stays on his WR’s hip all the way through his route. He does lack the top end speed of guys like Quinyon Mitchell (Toledo) and Kool-Aid McKinstry (Bama), but his ball skills and physicality make up for it. I am quickly falling in love with Green’s game and can see a team taking a chance on him in the second round. He plays very much like Joey Porter Jr. takes calculated risks but has the awareness to get back if the jump goes wrong. He has a nose for the ball and phenomenal body control. Needs to work on his tackling, but I really do think this Seminole is ready to go from day one. He’s going to test out well at the combine. With that being said, and I know I rambled a bit there, do not be surprised to see him starting for an NFL team this season. Even if he is a late second round selection.
51 Troy Franklin, WR Oregon
Consistently gets open down the field and uses his speed to beat defenders. Not a great route runner but can be used in the return game and on special teams. I like this pick for a team who is willing to develop him and not throw him into the deep end. He needs some sanding around the edges, but Franklin has the speed and agility to make an impact on an NFL roster.
52 Roman Wilson, WR Michigan
Great route runner and very good hands. Wilson is not the fastest or strongest but is very technically sound and has obvious slot ability. I really like his game. (P.S. I think the Chiefs will like his game too).
53 Edgerrin Cooper, LB Texas A&M
Can line up anywhere on the defense. Lacks coverage skills but makes up for it with big hits and highlight plays. Forced fumbles a lot and can really lay the boom. I could even see him rushing the passer fairly often given his speed/power combo. I like Cooper a lot, but not as much as Trotter Jr and Wilson. This is because he has had some trouble staying on the field. I’m just not a fan of taking LB’s early, so take what I say about these backers, except my boy Payton Wilson, with a grain of salt because I am biased on waiting for LB’s. Look at the 49ers for example. They have the best LB duo in the league, and both were day two and three picks. It’s just a position that scheme fit is so important, and you don’t really know what you’re getting until you see it on your squad. Very hard position to scout in my opinion.
54 Chris Braswell, EDGE Alabama
He is a winner and a leader. He has the blueprint to really become a great edge. He is a great run stopper, maybe the best besides Verse (Florida St) at setting the edge, but struggles getting home on blitzes at times and lacks the top end speed that some of these other edges have.
55 Xavier Leggette, WR South Carolina
Very dangerous after the catch and extremely hard runner. Can line up all over the field and play special teams. Leggette is a gadget guy who is going to be undervalued in the draft process but will hold his own as a plug-and-play wideout and special teamer. I could see him returning punts given his great ball carrier vision and tremendous ability to read blocks. His hands need work, but he was the heart and soul of this Gamecock offense.
56 Bralen Trice, EDGE Washington
Huge edge who mainly uses bull rushes and push-pulls to get to the QB. Lacks top end speed but makes up for it with his power. He is going to test out well during the combine and I can see him quickly rising boards if he shows off the athleticism it looked like he had during his time as a Husky.
57 Kris Abrams-Draine, CB Missouri
With Rakestraw, his partner in crime at Mizzou, locking down one side of the field, KAD (Kris Abrams-Draine) was targeted a lot this season. He did not disappoint. Many viewed him as the best zone coverage guy in college football. He’s got very long arms and great closing speed, but just lacks the size and tackling ability that some of the other top CBs in this class have. With some work and fine tuning, I could see him moving to safety or primarily playing outside i n the league because his ball skills are remarkable, and he really times his jumps well.
58 Kalen King, CB Penn St
King’s 2022 tape was outstanding, but he really took a step back this year. He might be a candidate to move to FS because his ability to lurk over the middle is great, but he was pushed around by bigger wideouts. If he can put some weight on and surprise us with his combine performance, he could very well end up being an early second round pick. I just think he lacks the physicality and tackling ability to be selected as high as he once was being mocked at.
59 Tez Walker, WR UNC
Can’t tell if it was a result of great QB play or the fact that he is always open, Walker creates so much separation down the field. Doesn't have ideal size, but his speed and agility make up for it. I am lower on him than other writers + scouts, but this could change after I see what he does at the combine. If he runs a sub-4.4, he might be shifted above guys like Troy Franklin (Oregon) and Malik Washington (UVA).
60 Johnny Wilson, WR Florida St
Really just a freak of nature who is going to be a project but is so much fun to watch. Doesn’t have great speed or strength, and his route running needs work. But, given his size and strong hands, I want to see him go to the right system and become a dynamic outside receiver.
HM. Blake Corum, RB Michigan
Crazy to think this is the first RB on the board, but that’s how it shaped up. Corum is an extremely tough guy to stop. Runs with passion and power. He is a downhill, North/South back who wastes very little space. He is going to be a touchdown machine in short yardage situations.
Twitter/X — @HaydenShap49
