7 2024 NFL Draft Prospects Who Are Safest Bets to Succeed at Next Level
The NFL draft, by its very nature, doesn't include surefire bets. But some prospects are more bust-proof than others based purely on their skill sets.
Unsurprisingly, the majority of these options are counted among the class' elite prospects. They're the smartest investments when it comes to downside.
But downside always exists.
For example, Andrew Luck may have been the closest prospect ever to reach "can't miss" status. While he proved to be an excellent NFL quarterback, poor roster decisions by management and injuries derailed a promising career, which ultimately ended much sooner than expected.
Keep the Luck example in mind since no one can ever look at a prospect and think he's bulletproof. None of them are. Nitpicks and concerns can be found with every option.
However, the following seven prospects from the 2024 class represent the least amount of concern and the highest likelihood of becoming All-Pro performers.
WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
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Don't let the recent discourse of wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. not participating in workouts at the NFL Scouting Combine or Ohio State pro day fool anybody. He's the most talented prospect in this year's class.
Some may lean toward LSU's Malik Nabers as a better pass-catching threat (more on him in a bit). But Harrison has looked like an elite target over the last two seasons, with the size and footwork of A.J. Green as well as route running learned from his Hall of Fame father.
Harrison has held the No. 1 spot on Bleacher Report's draft board since the beginning of the season and it's not expected to change simply because he chose not to work out for teams prior to the draft. Everything that needs to be seen already has, as B/R's Derrik Klassen noted in his scouting report:
"Marvin Harrison Jr. makes wide receiver play look like an art form.
"Harrison is an exceptional mover for 6'4" and 205 pounds. While he can play a little high at times, Harrison plays with rare foot speed and agility for a player his size. He can throttle route speeds with ease and snaps off all of his routes in an instant. He's a smart, controlled route-runner with the perfect athletic tools to maximize those traits.
"Harrison has real-deal speed, too. He's at his best on vertical routes. Harrison flies off the line of scrimmage and threatens DBs right away, often using his hands and movement skills to effortlessly stack them down the sideline. Go balls, comebacks, deep stop routes and digs are some of Harrison's best routes because they let him use his speed as a threat.
"Above all, Harrison has truly exceptional ball skills. It's as if time slows down for Harrison when the ball is on its way. Harrison has a way of seeing the ball in cleanly every time and extending his long arms to pluck it from the air as soon as he can. He generally has the strength to hang onto passes through contact, too."
Quarterbacks are set to hear their names called with this year's top three selections. But Harrison should be the first player off the board at any other position.
Potential Landing Spots: Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Chargers
WR Malik Nabers, LSU
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Malik Nabers leaves the LSU Tigers program as its all-time leading receiver. Over the last two seasons, he caught 161 passes for 2,586 yards and 17 touchdowns. He's an explosive option working outside the numbers or from the slot. Basically, he is the equivalent of an espresso, because he'll provide an instant jolt to any offense.
Any other year and the conversation around Nabers being WR1 would be moot. But he happens to be in the same class as Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr. The latter is bigger, as smooth in his routes and has tremendous spatial awareness.
What Nabers brings to the table can be just as effective, though. B/R's Derrik Klassen detailed where the unanimous All-American wins, and it's just about everywhere:
"A 6'0", 200-pound receiver, Nabers plays all over the place for LSU. He plays both as the X and as the Z, as well as in the slot at times. His average build and well-rounded athletic profile let him thrive from anywhere.
"Regardless of alignment, Nabers is at his best when stretching the field. He can go from 0-60 in a heartbeat, and there aren't many defensive backs who can go step for step with him once he's at top speed. Nabers is a menace on go routes, slot fades, posts, etc.
"You also see Nabers consistently dominate on curl routes, dig routes, and hinge routes—all routes that allow him to threaten the DB vertically before breaking. Nabers can snap off routes with quick, snappy footwork and fly out of his breaks with ease.
"Once he has the ball, Nabers is dangerous. The instant burst when he becomes a ball-carrier is terrifying. On top of that, Nabers plays with natural vision in the open field and above-average contact balance for a receiver."
Washington's Rome Odunze can be added to this discussion as another bigger-bodied target with immense ball skills. The top of this year's wide receiver class is unreal.
But the contrast between Harrison and Nabers provides teams with options when it comes to their preference at the wide receiver position. It's not an either/or situation. Rather, it's an embarrassment of riches.
Potential Landing Spots: Los Angeles Chargers, New York Giants
TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
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In what could be a forgettable tight end class, a beacon shines brightly to lead the way.
On paper, Georgia's Brock Bowers is the greatest tight end prospect of all time. He's been a two-time national champion and John Mackey Award winner. He led the Bulldogs in receiving during all three seasons on campus. He leaves the program as its fifth-leading receiver despite A) being a tight end and B) leaving as a true junior prospect.
Bowers is Bleacher Report's second-highest-rated prospect regardless of position. He may not be as good of an athlete as Kyle Pitts entering the league or a dominant option as a blocker. Still, the three-time All-SEC selection is a potentially elite weapon.
B/R's Derrik Klassen explained how the top tight end prospect can completely change a team's scheme.
"... Bowers is a rare, explosive play threat from the tight end position. Anytime he touches the ball, he could go for a house call.
"Bowers has exceptional burst and speed. He tears away from most defenders once he gets the angle on them, and he rarely gets caught from behind. Being a little lighter at 240 pounds certainly helps, but he can explode even compared to other guys his size.
"It's not just speed, though. Bowers also has rare vision and balance for a tight end. He's a natural at weaving through the second and third level of the defense, and he's more than strong enough to bounce tacklers off. Bowers is a complete ball-carrier with rare potential to generate explosive plays.
"Bowers is excellent before the catch as well. Though he's a quality route-runner overall, Bowers is at his best on routes that exploit his athletic tools. Seam routes, slide routes in the flat, crossing routes; anything to get him moving across the field is a good bet."
Because of positional value, Bowers may fall down the first-round board further than expected. Whichever franchise ultimately lands this tight end will get its new top target.
Potential Landing Spots: Tennessee Titans, Denver Broncos, Indianapolis Colts
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OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame
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An argument can still be made in Olu Fashanu's favor as the top-rated offensive tackle prospect because he's such a smooth pass protector. But Notre Dame's Joe Alt appears to be the favorite to hear his named called first among offensive linemen for two significant factors.
First, Alt is the class' best technician. His near-6'9" frame isn't a hindrance, even as part of the ground game, where his pad level is extremely impressive. Second, the 21-year-old's athletic profile is astounding considering his size. According to Pro Football Network's Kent Lee Platte, Alt's relative athletic score ranked 12th among the 1,306 offensive tackle who predraft tested since 1987.
Alt's lineage as the son of a two-time Pro Bowl selection can be seen in his game, as B/R's Brandon Thorn noted in the offensive tackle's scouting report:
"Alt's father started Joe out at quarterback to broaden his understanding of the game before he moved to tight end in high school and eventually to left tackle at Notre Dame. Alt has a tall, towering frame with a well-proportioned, lean build, ideal arm length and excellent athletic ability.
"Alt wins as a pass-protector with light, coordinated feet and even weight distribution to reach his landmarks balanced, under control and on time. He maximizes his length and plays long with a flat back and head out of the block, keeping defenders at his fingertips with light, effective independent strikes, allowing him to protect the corner and fluidly redirect against inside moves. ...
"Alt is not the most powerful run-blocker, but he more than makes up for it with pristine technique on and through contact with excellent pad level, balance and body control to steer, sustain and finish blocks consistently. This shows up on both the front and back side of Notre Dame's inside/outside zone and pin-pull concepts, from the first to the second level of a defense."
Some organization is going to get a rock-solid foundational piece by adding Alt to its offensive line.
Potential Landing Spots: Los Angeles Chargers, Tennessee Titans
C Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon
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Now moving beyond the projected top-10 selections, the inclusion of Oregon's Jackson Powers-Johnson may be perplexing for some since he's only started one season at center. Positional value be damned because Powers-Johnson is a future All-Pro.
Very few center prospects have brought the same combination of size, movement skills and nastiness to the position. At 6'3" and 328 pounds, Powers-Johnson, who converted from defensive tackle, is a load in the middle of the line.
He weighs 15-30 pounds heavier than when Alex Mack, Maurkice Pouncey, Ryan Kelly, Frank Ragnow and Tyler Linderbaum entered the professional ranks as the best center prospect over the last 15 years.
But he's not a plodding snapper by any means. Instead, he's a tone-setter, according to B/R's Brandon Thorn:
"Powers-Johnson is a quick-twitch, explosive and powerful run-blocker who equally excels in gap or zone concepts. He does a very good job of covering up, lifting and securing defensive tackles in the post on double-teams with jarring power on feeds to bump them over as the drive man.
"Powers-Johnson can consistently line up his target on the move on back blocks, climbs and screens with very good speed and angles. He arrives on contact with jarring force and has the body control to stay attached to finish.
"Powers-Johnson brings an enforcing, tone-setting demeanor with impact block ability."
During the Senior Bowl, the Rimington Trophy winner dominated the competition until he reaggravated a lingering hamstring injury. The performance showed he's simply different than other center prospects, which bodes well for when he's in an NFL lineup.
Potential Landing Spots: Pittsburgh Steelers, Dallas Cowboys
DL Jer'Zhan Newton, Illinois
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Illinois' Jer'Zhan Newton has felt a little forgotten as the draft process has played itself out this cycle.
Newton entered the year as the class' clear DT1, though the Fighting Illini took a significant step back as a team in 2023, finishing with a losing record and not making a bowl game.
Their best player, meanwhile, continued to flash.
Big Ten coaches anointed Newton the league's Defensive Player of the Year and Defensive Lineman of the Year. At the NFL Scouting Combine, the defensive lineman revealed that he suffered a midseason foot injury. The interior defender still set a career high with 7.5 sacks.
A fully healthy Newton is highly disruptive and the type of presence that can redefine a defense. Bleacher Report's Matt Holder envisions an every-down player when watching the 6'2", 304-pound prospect:
"He's strong and stout at the point of attack against the run to stun offensive linemen and stay in his gap. He also has little to no issues getting off blocks and can make plays outside of his gap with his impressive blend of strength and athleticism.
"As a pass-rusher, Newton has very active hands to 'beat the hands, beat the man' and add to his pass-rush repertoire. He has a handful of moves he can win with around the edges and has impressive bend for a defensive tackle. He's also flashed some athleticism/agility to be an effective looper in line games and continues to grow as a rusher."
As things went south at Illinois, even though Newton continued to perform well, Texas' Byron Murphy II supplanted the two-time first-team All-Big Ten performer as the class' top defensive tackle prospect.
While Murphy is an outstanding prospect with the potential to be a big-time interior pass-rusher, Newton is a better all-around player, solid technician and more than capable of making plays behind the line of scrimmage against the run or pass.
Potential Landing Spots: Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins
DB Cooper DeJean, Iowa
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A fractured fibula during a November practice tempered any excitement regarding Cooper DeJean's draft status. So he's not been in the same conversations as the class' top defensive backs, specifically Toledo's Quinyon Mitchell and Alabama's Terrion Arnold. DeJean's profile projects just as well or better than the aforementioned cornerbacks.
Three specific attributes set DeJean's floor higher than anyone else among the back end.
First, the reigning Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year presents the positional flexibility and traits to start at cornerback or safety at the professional level, with B/R's Cory Giddings highlighting his coverage skills:
"DeJean excels in zone coverage, but he's versatile enough to play man as well. He shows a smooth backpedal and the ability to keep his leverage and quick footwork with few wasted steps. Although he transitions well, there are times where DeJean hops into his breaks; allowing a step of separation.
"When in zone, DeJean does a great job of reading and reacting to the quarterback's eyes. Pairing that skill set with his route recognition, he often puts himself in good position with leverage and positioning.
"While working downfield, DeJean has the strength necessary to hand-fight with tight ends and bigger receivers, as well as the speed necessary to carry twitchier receivers downfield. He also does a very good job of locating the ball and playing through the catch point."
Second, the high school track standout is an elite athlete who captured Iowa state titles in the long jump and 100-meter dash. Many expected him to blow the doors off Lucas Oil Stadium. Unfortunately, he wasn't ready to test in Indianapolis after being cleared a few weeks earlier.
"His acceleration is incredibly fluid and super powerful," NFL combine trainer Jordan Luallen told The Athletic's Bruce Feldman last summer. "He's the best athlete I've seen in person, pound for pound."
Finally, DeJean adds significant value as an elite collegiate returner. Big Ten coaches also awarded him Return Specialist of the Year this past season. DeJean averaged 13.1 yards per punt return over the last two seasons.
A top-notch contributor anywhere along the defensive backfield and on special teams will provide excellent value in the NFL.
Potential Landing Spots: Indianapolis Colts, Philadelphia Eagles
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