2024 NFL Draft: ESPN updates Top 25 prospect rankings ahead of NFL Combine
ESPN updated its top 25 prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft ahead of the scouting combine, this time from Matt Miller.
Some of the usual suspects are at the top of the list. But, there are others who moved up and should be weighed heavily when making picks early on.
Let’s dive into Miller’s top 25 prospects for ESPN ahead of the NFL Scouting Combine.
1. Caleb Williams, QB – USC
This one should surprise no one if you’ve been following the draft process leading into the upcoming spring. The former Heisman Trophy winner is expected to be the No. 1 overall pick, by someone. Perhaps the Chicago Bears at this point?
The USC star broke out as a freshman at Oklahoma before achieving superstardom with the Trojans as a sophomore. Sure, he wasn’t as good in 2023 but myriad factors sent USC packing early this year. Williams is surely the top prospect.
2. Marvin Harrison Jr., WR – Ohio State
Here’s a guy who has the argument to be the top selection over Williams though, if teams were so quarterback needy. Harrison Jr. is as good of a wide receiver prospect seen in recent memory.
He has the name recognition from his Hall of Fame father, but the younger Harrison certainly carved out his own path with the Buckeyes. Instant star it seems like once he gets to the NFL.
3. Malik Nabers, WR – LSU
Miller shook things up with his second best wide receiver in the class. He opted for Nabers out of LSU, who helped Jayden Daniels to a Heisman Trophy this past season.
He can run the entire route tree, can go up and get the football and blaze past defensive backs. Unsure if he’ll go in the top three picks, but he’s one of the top three overall per Miller.
4. Rome Odunze, WR – Washington
Odunze is the other wide receiver people need to talk about. He was a stud at Washington, helping the Huskies get to the national title game this season.
Odunze can run the entire route tree and he’s certainly NFL-ready for whoever selects him this spring. He was Michael Penix Jr.’s favorite target after all. Be careful trying to cover him, he’ll make you pay regularly.
5. Jayden Daniels, QB – LSU
Daniels might have the argument to pass Drake Maye in this year’s draft after his Heisman campaign. The LSU quarterback always had dual threat abilities, but they were on a different level this past season. Miller has him in the driver’s seat as QB2, which is a popular choice as of late.
Since the trend of a lot of these rookie quarterbacks to start right away, that might be the case for Daniels as well. It’ll remain to be seen how high he goes in the first round, but he might not last long. We’re talking possibly going No. 2 overall!
6. Drake Maye, QB – North Carolina
Maye has an argument to be the second best quarterback in this draft class. At least, that was the general consensus all season until the latter half where Daniels went on an absolute tear.
Maye has all of the tools and the prototypical size to succeed at the NFL. It’s a question of where he will go and how early he will be selected by a quarterback-needy team. Possibly within the first three or four picks
7. Terrion Arnold, CB – Alabama
This is a higher spot for Arnold than most rankings, but the Alabama defensive back is rated as one of the best in the class. The corner got better each season during his three years at Alabama and he didn’t even play in 2021!
He logged five interceptions last season, proving he could be a ball hawk. He’s not afraid of contact either and could very well move his way into the top 10 picks.,
8. Joe Alt, OT – Notre Dame
Alt is expected to continue a lineage of Notre Dame linemen going to the NFL. He’s not the same level of athlete as Olu Fashanu (more on him later) and a few years older, but he’s got as strong a track record as any tackle in the draft.
The rankings go back and forth with Alt when it comes to his standing as the top tackle in the class. For Miller, Alt is a top 10 prospect in 2024.
9. Dallas Turner, EDGE – Alabama
Turner is a demon off the edge and one of the best rushers we’ve seen in a few years. Miller has him in the top 10, receiving more recognition.
He starred for Alabama and helped the Crimson Tide get back to the playoff this season. Like a lot of guys before him, he’s a day one starter and likely to be a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks.
10. Brock Bowers, TE – Georgia
Bowers is the top tight end in the draft class and it’s not even close. Overall, he’s one of the best players regardless of which side of the ball. He’s been a popular mock selection to the Los Angeles Chargers, which might be unfair with Justin Herbert and Jim Harbaugh right?
He can do it all as a pass catcher, a blocker and heck, a ball carrier. Bowers is a day one starter for whomever selects him in a couple of months. Heck, we’ve seen the New York Jets taking him as well.
Rest of Top 25 prospects in NFL Draft
11. Olu Fashanu, OT – Penn State
12. Taliese Fuaga, OT – Oregon State
13. Byron Murphy II, DT – Texas
14. Jared Verse, EDGE – Florida State
15. Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB – Missouri
16. Brian Thomas Jr., WR – LSU
17. Quinyon Mitchell, CB – Toledo
18. JJ McCarthy, QB – Michigan
19. Laiatu Latu, EDGE – UCLA
20. Tyler Guyton, OT – Oklahoma
21. JC Latham, OT – Alabama
22. Cooper DeJean, CB – Iowa
23. Troy Fautanu, G – Washington
24. Amarius Mims, OT – Georgia
25. Darius Robinson, EDGE – Missouri
The 2024 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 25th through the 27th. It’ll take place in Detroit (Mich.) all three days.