Every year there is a conversation about how deep a class is. This year, it seems like you can get starting-level players even in the middle of day three. This immense depth and value is likely attributed to the COVID-19 graduates. That being said, the Quarterback position will always be drafted higher than others, and it does look like outside of a few guys, there is not much for me, personally to fall in love with considering their current draft projections. On the contrary, their backfield mates, and running backs have plenty to offer after day one. The 2024 NFL draft, like the ones before it, will leave fans either in pure shock or excitement.
This list is curated as more of a favorites list; or a “my guys” list, not exactly the absolute best players from each position.
Moving on, let’s get into the list of 2024 NFL Draft prospects who are capable of changing a franchise or simply capable of being a very strong role player for their respective teams.
Quarterback
This one was surprisingly hard. There are not a lot of players at the top of the class that really screamed to me as a “my guy” type of player. J.J. McCarthy is the one quarterback who I liked the most out of the guys who are projected to be round-one selections. When it comes down to day three flyers, Kedon Slovis is my guy. A fun story, yes, but a potential long-time backup quarterback is well worth a flyer selection.
J.J. McCarthy
McCarthy has just turned 21 years old and played in a– what is– close to a pro-style offense. He brings very obvious athleticism to any team that decides to draft McCarthy. A great arm, strong running ability, the capability to throw over the middle, and experience that will translate to the NFL sounds like a very strong case for the Michigan Quarterback.
Many scouts argue that his lack of production and tape of top-level “NFL Throws” is his main concern as a prospect. Especially as someone who is projected to go in the top ten in 2024. One thing that is less brought up; is that he really was not asked to do much in the Jim Harbaugh run-heavy offense. Just because he did not do it in college does not mean he can not do it at all.
Kedon Slovis
In the 2024 NFL draft, a lengthy injury history is a pretty common theme amongst some of the top-end guys. The poster boy for this archetype is Michael Penix. Penix is a much better prospect than Kedon Slovis, but his injury history is as long as multiple QBs combined, yet he is still getting first-round hype.
So, to get to the point, why is Slovis’ injury history such a large factor in his draft status in comparison to someone like Penix? Slovis was once a phenom at USC, having a very strong freshman season. After such, he has declined. Slovis eventually transferred to BYU to see if he could revitalize his career, and it is hard to say he did so.
Why would someone with an injury history, a declining play, and someone who lacks a strong arm be a “my guys” candidate? Well, it’s pretty simple. When you are drafting a backup quarterback, you need someone who can simply run the offense.
Slovis has been a part of many different offenses, which is a great trait for a young quarterback. The variety of offenses and schools he has been at is a positive when considering him as a backup-only type of prospect. Furthermore, he has shown the ability to run with a blazing 4.55 40 time. Furthermore, Slovis has good size and ability to hold defenders with his eyes; leading to some really nice second-read throws. If you want a guy who can step up into an NFL offense after your starter goes down, Slovis seems to be a pretty strong choice.
Running Backs
There are plenty of good mid-round runners in this draft class. Guys like Trey Benson, Bucky Irving, and Kimani Vidal are all 2024 NFL draft prospects who just missed the cut for me. The two I have highlighted are big, bruising rushers who can really give an offense a much-needed physicality.
Braelon Allen
I genuinely do not understand why Braelon Allen is not getting more hype to be an early to mid-day two selection. A guy with plenty of college experience yet only just barely twenty years of age. The big bruising rusher from Wisconsin stands at 6’2 245 with impressive agility.
Allen has great top-end speed to match up with his power. This gave many scouts a Derrick Henry-like watch. Not to say Allen will be anywhere close to the future Hall of Famer, but the size-speed combination really does match up well.
So, why aren’t scouts all over the Wisconsin runner? The majority of his negatives stem from being a really young player still. Allen was not asked often to be a receiver out of the backfield. But was impressive when given the opportunity. He also has some trouble hitting the designed hole, leading to easy tackles for loss for the defense. These are very fixable things. Personally, would love to see him in the powder blues under Greg Roman and Jim Harbaugh.
Audric Estime
In a similar vein to Allen, Audric Estime is another 2024 NFL draft prospect who is very young and physical. Estime is 20 years old and is known to be a complete bruiser out of the backfield. It seems as though I have a type for rushers. Young, physical backs. Estime’s draft projection has dropped pretty massively after his 40 time, clocking in at a terrible 4.71. To me, a rusher who can finish runs is an added bonus. Estime shows a very obvious ability to create yards when there are not any. That, to me, is a much more valuable skill-set on a down-to-down basis.
Estime brings great physicality and yards-after-contact ability. This is due to his compact size at 5’11 220. He has great vision, finding holes whether they have developed late in the play, or early. He has shown plenty of ability to be a good third-down receiver. However, does need some refinement as a pass protector.
Estime is currently 104 on the 2024 NFL draft consensus board. I would argue he could drop even further due to his testing, and be a steal in the late fourth round.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
