2024 NFL Draft: ESPN shakes up Top-50 player rankings following NFL Scouting Combine

ESPN shook up its last Top 50 player rankings for the 2024 NFL Draft after this year’s scouting combine in Indianapolis.

There were some interesting names vaulting higher and higher. The top 10 features the elite of the elite in this draft class as well.

Let’s dive into ESPN’s latest top 50 player rankings, courtesy of Field Yates.

1. Caleb Williams, QB – USC

Williams has been the best prospect in this draft since there were projections. The former Heisman Trophy winner should be the top pick by the Chicago Bears, unless someone else trades up.

He has all the tools and makes “Patrick Mahomes-like” plays all over the field. Basically, he’s a can’t miss prospect.

2. Jayden Daniels, QB – LSU

Daniels was the best player in col;lege football last season, leading to his own Heisman Trophy win. The dual threat quarterback rose up draft boards throughout the season after being just a solid option.

Heck, ESPN’s own programming debates if Daniels would be a better selection than Williams! Right now, he’s a franchise quarterback for whoever picks him.

3. Marvin Harrison Jr., WR – Ohio State

The best receiver in the class and one of the best pass catching prospects in recent memory. Not only is his father a Hall of Famer, Harrison Jr. might have the tools to be that good too.

Nearly impossible to cover one on one, good luck dealing with this man. The former Buckeye will not get out of the top five picks and might not last past No. 3.

4. Malik Nabers, WR – LSU

Nabers is the next best pass catcher of the bunch. He has true explosiveness that could be game changing for whoever drafts him in April.

Nabers logged nearly 1,600 yards last season, so he is no joke. The former LSU Tiger has an innate ability to find space within zone coverage as well.

5. Drake Maye, QB – North Carolina

The third quarterback on the list and Maye should go within the top five when the draft rolls around. The former UNC signal caller was once QB2.

Not now though, due to the emergence of Daniels this past season. Still, Maye has a cannon for an arm and is pretty mobile. Don’t miss on the Tar Heel.

6. Rome Odunze, WR – Washington

Odunze is such a great route runner, he could very well be the second wide receiver instead of Nabers. Somehow, some way, Odunze is always open.

It was good to see the former Husky go to the scouting combine. He ran a 4.47 40-yard dash, showing off his blazing speed.

7. Joe Alt, OT – Notre Dame

Alt is the best tackle in the class and the only one to make the top 10 in this ranking. The former Notre Dame lineman is pretty light on his feet, making him more agile than most.

Upon evaluation from ESPN, Alt has great body control and is seemingly never off balance. A franchise left tackle right here.

8. Brock Bowers, TE – Georgia

One of the best tight end prospects we’ve ever seen! After three years at Georgia, it’s finally time to see Bowers light up NFL defenses.

He’s always open, can fight through traffic, can block and heck, he can run the football. He had 31 total touchdowns in three seasons in Athens.

9. Laiatu Latu, EDGE – UCLA

Tough to block Latu when he’s coming off the edge. He was one of the best overall players on UCLA over the last few years, in fact, you can make the argument he was.

Latu had 112 pressures and 23.5 sacks over the last two years. He had a health scare in 2020, but returned to football and could end up being a top 10 pick.

10. Terrion Arnold, CB – Alabama

Arnold could very well be one of several cornerbacks in the first round this year. But, he’s the top ranked guy at his position in this set of rankings.

He had five interceptions and 12 pass breakups last year and constantly challenges wide receivers to make the tough catches. Top 10 pick? Certainly has a great shot.

Players No. 11 through 25

11. Byron Murphy II, DT – Texas
12. Dallas Turner, EDGE – Alabama
13. Quinyon Mitchell, CB – Toledo
14. JC Latham, OT – Alabama
15. Troy Fauntanu, OT – Washington
16. Olu Fashanu, OT – Penn State
17. Taliese Fuaga, OT – Oregon State
18. Brian Thomas Jr., WR – LSU
19. AD Mitchell, WR – Texas
20. Jared Verse, EDGE – Florida State
21. Chop Robinson, EDGE – Penn State
22. Jackson Powers-Johnson, C – Oregon
23. Cooper DeJean, CB – Iowa
24. Tyler Guyton, OT – Oklahoma
25. Nate Wiggins, CB – Clemson

Players No. 26 through 50

26. Amarius Mims, OT – Georgia
27. Kamari Lassiter, CB – Georgia
28. JJ McCarthy, QB – Michigan
29. Ladd McConkey, WR – Georgia
30. Darius Robinson, EDGE – Missouri
31. Xavier Legette, WR – South Carolina
32. Edgerrin Cooper, LB – Texas A&M
33. Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB – Missouri
34. Jordan Morgan, OT – Arizona
35. Jer’Zhan Newton, DT – Illinois
36. Graham Barton, C – Duke
37. Zach Frazier, C – West Virginia
38. Keon Coleman, WR – Florida State
39. Braden Fiske, DT – Florida State
40. Michael Penix Jr., QB – Washington
41. Xavier Worthy, WR – Texas
42. Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB – Alabama
43. Bo Nix, QB – Oregon
44. Junior Colson, LB – Michigan
45. Ja’Lynn Polk, WR – Washington
46. Max Melton, CB – Rutgers
47. Trey Benson, RB – Florida State
48. Adisa Isaac, EDGE – Penn State
49. Christian Haynes, G – UConn
50. Maason Smith, DT – LSU

The NFL Draft is scheduled for April 25th through 27 in Detroit. While these are the top 50 prospects as it stands, there are surely going to be more surprises along the way.