2024 NFL Draft: 10 best available players after Round 1
After months of workouts and meetings with teams, the 2024 NFL Draft officially opened Thursday night. The first round is now in the books, and ESPN has updated its best available players shortly thereafter.
The first round was highlighted by offense as the first 14 players off the board were on that side of the ball. Some defensive players eventually heard their names called, and some big-time talent is still available with Friday’s second and third rounds approaching.
Here’s who’s left on ESPN’s Best Available list after Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft:
Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
One of the top cornerback prospects heading into the draft, Cooper DeJean is coming off an injury during his final year at Iowa. He said he’s fully healthy, though, but will now have to wait until at least the second round to find out his NFL future.
DeJean had a huge year at Iowa this past season as both a cornerback and punt returner. He had five interceptions and three pick-sixes in 2022, and over the last two seasons, added 31 punt returns back for 406 yards and a touchdown.
Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Newton, DL, Illinois
A staple of the Illinois defensive line the last two seasons as part of the “law firm,” Jer’Zhan Newton possessed a unique skill set as he got ready for the NFL. A projected late-first or early-second round talent, he ended up having to wait until Friday to learn his fate.
Newton put up huge numbers at Illinois, totaling 187 tackles, 27.5 tackles for loss and 18 sacks with the Fighting Illini. He likely won’t have to wait around too long before hearing his name called in the NFL Draft.
Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
In a fairly deep cornerback class, Kool-Aid McKinstry found himself falling out of the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft and is one of the top available players as the second round comes around. He put together three solid years at Alabama, including a breakout season as a sophomore in 2022.
McKinstry totaled 93 tackles and two interceptions with the Crimson Tide, including career-best 35 stops to go with 2.0 TFLs, 1.0 sack and 15 passes defended in 2022. He entered the draft as ESPN’s No. 27 overall player in his best available rankings, and he could find himself going in the early part of the second round.
Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
Another interesting name in a deep wide receiver group, Adonai Mitchell put on a show at the NFL Scouting Combine. It wasn’t enough to get him into the first round, though, and he will now wait until Friday to learn where he will play next.
After two years at Georgia, Mitchell became a key target for Quinn Ewers in Texas’ high-powered offense. He put together a big season, hauling in 55 receptions for 845 yards and 11 touchdowns to generate some NFL hype.
Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia
One of the more intriguing wide receiver prospects on the board, Ladd McConkey found himself ranked in ESPN’s top 32 – perhaps as a first-round pick. But he dealt with injuries during his time at Georgia which limited his explosiveness in the latter half of his college career.
When healthy, McConkey was one of the most electric playmakers in the SEC. In 2022, he appeared in 15 games and totaled 762 yards along with seven touchdowns to help UGA to a second straight national championship and prove how valuable he could be in an NFL offense.
Ennis Rakestraw, CB, Missouri
One of the key pieces to Missouri’s impressive 2023 season, Ennis Rakestraw found himself as a projected second-round pick entering the NFL Draft. That projection appears to be trending toward reality after he fell out of the first round on Thursday.
Rakestraw is coming off two impressive seasons at Mizzou, totaling 35 tackles in 2022 and 2023. He also showed he can keep pace with some of the top receivers in the SEC, which bodes well for his chances of success at the NFL level, as well.
Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
Another interesting player on the board, Keon Coleman emerged as a focal point in Florida State’s high-powered offense this past season. Given the amount of receiver talent available, he found himself as a projected second-round pick and didn’t go in the first round.
Coleman totaled 658 yards and 11 touchdowns in his lone season at FSU after transferring from Michigan State, and he possesses the size and athleticism to succeed at the next level. He entered the draft at No. 37 on Mel Kiper Jr.’s best available list and will be one of the top talents on the board on Friday.
Braden Fiske, DT, Florida State
After transferring from Central Michigan, Braden Fiske was a centerpiece of the Florida State defense in 2023. He opened plenty of eyes during the year and in the pre-draft process, leading him to become a top player in this year’s NFL Draft.
Fiske turned in an All-American season for Florida State in 2023, totaling 43 tackles to go with 9.0 tackles for loss and 6.0 sacks across his 13 appearances. He was right behind Keon Coleman at No. 38 on Mel Kiper Jr.’s best available list and will wait to find out when his name will be called on Friday.
Marshawn Kneeland, EDGE, Western Michigan
Over the last three years at Western Michigan, Marshawn Kneeland put up huge numbers to improve his NFL Draft stock. He appeared to fly under the radar compared to other EDGE prospects, but Mel Kiper Jr. put him at No. 39 on his best available list entering Thursday.
Kneeland had a career-high 57 tackles this past season at WMU along with 7.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. All told, he had 28.0 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks to likely become a second-round pick when Friday comes around at the draft.
Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&M
Following a standout season at Texas A&M, Edgerrin Cooper was hoping to end up a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. But after such a run on offensive talent, he was one of the many defensive players to drop and ultimately missed out on becoming a Thursday selection.
Cooper put up huge numbers for the Aggies in 2023 with 84 tackles, 17.0 tackles for loss and 8.0 sacks. He had just 0.5 sack in his previous three years, which showed the leap he took as a senior in College Station.