The NFL Draft is just around the corner, and the early prospects mostly speak for themselves. Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers would have been the WR1 in 2023 with a bullet. Brock Bowers might be the best tight end prospect of All-Time. Outside of the clear first-round studs, let’s take a look at some skill players that have the potential to contribute in the NFL.
Skill Players Outside Round One With The Most Potential
Trey Benson, Running Back Florida State
Benson is the number one running back in the 2024 class. It’s extremely unlikely (read, not going to happen) that he goes in the first round like Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs last year. But if there’s a player who can come in and be the workhorse back for an offense this year, it’s Benson. His athleticism is off the charts, and his missed tackles (MTF) forced from PFF cause extreme cause for excitement. He had 45 MTF in 2023, and 79 in 2022. For comparison, Jonathan Taylor had 154 total between his last two college seasons but on almost double the attempts.
He needs to improve his fluidity in the open field a little bit, and at times will miss open lanes because he’s just trying to outrun the defense. Benson should excite whichever team drafts him, and fantasy football folks should learn the name early.
Team Fits: Dallas Cowboys, Las Vegas Raiders, New York Giants
Ja’Lynn Polk, Wide Receiver Washington
Polk was buried as the third receiver in Washington in 2022, and didn’t truly breakout until his senior season. But he was also playing with Rome Odunze and Jalen McMillan who are talented receivers in their own rights. He has prototypical size at 6’1″ 203, and checks most boxes when it comes to speed and explosiveness. He’s not a burner by any means, but is capable of winning vertical with technique and strong hands at the catch point. He could slide in the draft to outside the top ten wide receivers, but could cement himself as a team’s number two receiver for years to come.
Team Fits: Carolina Panthers, Los Angeles Chargers, New Orleans Saints
Johnny Wilson, Wide Receiver Florida State
Maybe the reason Wilson and Benson didn’t get to shine is because they were playing on a team filled with NFL talent. Between a stout defense led by Jared Verse and an offense with clear NFL players at both receiver positions, tight end and running back, the ball didn’t end up in one player’s hands too often. Wilson out-produced Keon Coleman on a per game basis, but is being mocked to go later due to concerns over his fit in the NFL. He runs like a giraffe and can eat up space with long strides, but actually can drop his hips fairly well for a 6’6″ receiver. He’s still learning how to catch reliably with his pterodactyl wing span, but if he figures out how to use his frame more consistently the sky is the limit.
Team Fits: Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers
Watch: Johnny Wilson Film Study
Main Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
