2024 NFL Draft: League insider ranks strongest, weakest position groups
We’ve all heard about the quarterbacks in the NFL Draft. They dominate the conversation, So do the receivers. But neither position is the deepest this year.
Lance Zierlein, a draft analyst for NFL Network, decided to rate the depth of each position, then rank them 1−11. It’s the way a true scout would view the draft. They don’t get caught up in upper layer of the first round.
Zierlein wrote, “in assessing each position, I identified star-caliber players, future starters and overall depth. Generally speaking, I concentrated on prospects who are most likely to be drafted in Rounds 1 through 5. I weighed star players and future starters twice as heavily as overall depth and my ranking scale ranged from 10 to 30 points. Here is how I stack the position groups, from strongest to weakest.”
1. Offensive tackle
In Zierlein’s latest mock draft, his top three tackles are first-round candidates J.C. Latham of Alabama, Joe Alt of Notre Dame and Taliese Fuaga of Oregon State. Those three are among the top ten players projected to go in the opening of the NFL Draft. Overall, Zierlein has seven tackles in his mock.
As for the position, he writes that tackles “will likely be over-drafted due to demand, but this season’s crop of tackles is strong both in high-end talent and depth when it comes to future quality starters. Teams’ draft boards will vary, as there are several flavors of tackle to choose from, but we should see at least seven tackles picked in the first round with starters still to be found on Day 2 and quality depth lasting into the fifth round.”
2. Wide Receiver
Wide receiver is a sexy position for the NFL Draft. Marvin Harrison of Ohio State is the hands-down favorite to be the first wideout off the board. Then after that, expect Malik Nabers of LSU and Rome Odunze of Washington to be selected.
But Zierlein thinks the best come on day two. He writes, “many teams are excited about the impressive collection of future starters that could still be available on Day 2, including Ladd McConkey, Roman Wilson, Malachi Corley, Xavier Legette, Troy Franklin and Ricky Pearsall. Day 3 will feature some prospects that still need polishing, but the starting-caliber players’ teams can choose from inside the top 100 picks are driving this hype train.”
3. Quarterback
It is a near certainty that Caleb Williams will be the top pick of the NFL Draft. And three more quarterbacks could be off the board over the next three picks. Zierlein lists his top four as Williams, Jayden Daniels of LSU, Drake Maye of North Carolina, then J.J. McCarthy of Michigan. He calls Bo Nix (Oregon) and Michael Penix (Washington) future starters.
However, the position may be top-heavy. Zierlein writes, “while there will be good depth within the first 50 picks, the pickings should get fairly slim for teams looking for a quality backup or developmental talent beyond the second round.”
4. Edge Rusher
Yes, there will be defensive players in the NFL Draft. They are not being mentioned as much as the offensive guys. Zierlein names his top guys as Dallas Turner of Alabama, Jared Verse of Florida State, Laiatu Latu of UCLA and Chop Robinson of Penn State.
Zierlein offers more names. “I’m a fan of Austin Booker as an inexperienced wild card, while other draft analysts might favor Marshawn Kneeland or Adisa Isaac. All three could be picked on Day 2, and the drop-off in quality on Day 3 will be steep.”
T-5. Cornerback
Alabama’s Terrion Arnold could be the top corner in the NFL Draft. Or maybe it will be Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell or Clemson’s Nate Wiggins. Those are the best three in Zierlein’s mock.
Zierlein wrote, “the interesting development here is that this is an unusually light cornerback class from a weight perspective. There will be talented corners getting looks inside the top 100 picks with weights in the 170s and low 180s, which are typically outliers for consideration in the first three rounds. Still, the coverage group is solid.”
T-5. Interior Defensive Line
Zierlein gives the big dudes in the middle lots of love. And although they don’t draw the same attention as the skill guys, they are still coveted in the NFL Draft. When I look at this position, I see Byron Murphy atop the class and then there’s a gap before we get to the next-best player. Jer’Zhan Newton is a potential first-rounder.
Then there are the second-rounders. Zierlein wrote, “I believe the relentless motor of Braden Fiske, the dominant run-stopping of T’Vondre Sweat and the wicked rush quickness of Michael Hall Jr. will all be compelling in the second round.”
Best of the rest of NFL Draft positions
7. Interior Offensive Line
8 (tie) Running back
8 (tie) Tight end
10. Safety
11. Linebacker
Remember that the draft is April 25 through the 27th. You can check out the full Zierlein rankings here, and his mock draft can be found here.