• No surprises at quarterback: Caleb Williams is an incredibly talented player with natural gifts even other previous QB1s do not have. His issues are more from a lack of consistency than ability in any area. This is a QB with franchise-changing talent that is worthy of a No. 1 overall selection.
• Joe Alt is OT1: The NFL draft is all about finding players with size, speed and strength who have the IQ to use those traits optimally. That's Joe Alt, and that should spell a top-10 selection as a future long-term tackle.
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QUARTERBACK
1. QB CALEB WILLIAMS, USC
2. QB DRAKE MAYE, NORTH CAROLINA
3. QB JAYDEN DANIELS, LSU
4. QB J.J. MCCARTHY, MICHIGAN
5. QB BO NIX, OREGON
Williams is an incredibly talented player with natural gifts even other previous QB1s do not have. His issues are more from a lack of consistency than ability in any area. This is a QB with franchise-changing talent that is worthy of a No. 1 overall selection.
Maye's arm talent alone puts him in the first-round and top-10 conversation. Though his ball placement and decision-making (including sacks taken) need improvement, he has all the talent tools you want to bet on as a franchise QB.
Daniels' rushing ability and fundamentals give him a high floor as a player who can put a ton of stress on a defense. His arm talent is good enough to give him a decently high ceiling and makes him a worthy first-round bet to make.
Three-year grades and scouting reports: Available in the PFF big board
RUNNING BACK
1. HB JONATHON BROOKS, TEXAS
2. HB JAYLEN WRIGHT, TENNESSEE
3. HB BLAKE CORUM, MICHIGAN
4. HB BUCKY IRVING, OREGON
5. HB TREY BENSON, FLORIDA STATE
Brooks is an ideal blend of size, speed, strength and agility. Though limited in snap totals, he has good vision in both gap and zone run schemes. If he can get back to form following his torn ACL, he has all the goods to be a starting running back in the NFL.
Wright is an NFL-caliber athlete for the running back position. His youth is both a positive (lack of mileage) and a negative (lack of consistent RB vision), but he has succeeded in both gap and zone-blocking concepts and has top-tier pass protection ability for three-down potential in the NFL.
Corum was not as efficient in the individual metrics of running back play after his meniscus tear, but the traits of an effective back were present in 2023, specifically toward the end of the season. He lacks elite overall athleticism but is precise, sees the field well, has good contact balance and brings good third-down abilities, which should yield a contributing role in the NFL.
Three-year grades and scouting reports: Available in the PFF big board
WIDE RECEIVER
1. WR MARVIN HARRISON JR., OHIO STATE
2. WR MALIK NABERS, LSU
3. WR ROME ODUNZE, WASHINGTON
4. WR BRIAN THOMAS JR., LSU
5. WR ADONAI MITCHELL, TEXAS
Harrison comes from Hall of Fame bloodlines, and you can see that in his tape without even knowing his last name. He has a truly rare blend of size, speed, strength and football IQ for such a young player. He will be a WR1-caliber player the day he is drafted, and one in the mold of a Tier 1 NFL wideout.
Nabers' movement skills are rare, even at the NFL level. His ability to change direction yet continue to accelerate makes him an open-target specialist in the slot and on the outside. He has the kind of athleticism that demands a defense to know where he is at all times as a future WR1.
In an offense filled with future NFL players at the skill positions, Odunze was the best of the bunch. If he weren't in a class with Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers, we would be talking about him as an easy WR1 and a player worthy of a top-10 pick, although the latter is still true for 2024.
Three-year grades and scouting reports: Available in the PFF big board
TIGHT END
1. TE BROCK BOWERS, GEORGIA
2. TE JA'TAVION SANDERS, TEXAS
3. TE ERICK ALL, IOWA
4. TE CADE STOVER, OHIO STATE
5. TE BEN SINNOTT, KANSAS STATE
Outside of being on the smaller side, Bowers is a dream tight end prospect who can be an impact player in the slot, out wide and inline. Add in his reliable blocking ability on the line and in space, and you have an ultimate chess piece offensive weapon with All-Pro potential.
Sanders is a Tier 1 athlete for the tight end position. He is still mastering the nuances of tight end play, and he needs more of a mean streak consistently as a blocker. However, even with those concerns, what he brings to the table as a vertical threat is worth a top-50 pick.
Three-year grades and scouting reports: Available in the PFF big board
OFFENSIVE TACKLE
1. T JOE ALT, NOTRE DAME
2. T TALIESE FUAGA, OREGON STATE
3. T TROY FAUTANU, WASHINGTON
4. T OLUMUYIWA FASHANU, PENN STATE
5. T JC LATHAM, ALABAMA
The NFL draft is all about finding players with size, speed and strength who have the IQ to use those traits optimally. That's Joe Alt, and that should spell a top-10 selection as a future long-term tackle.
Ultimately, Fuaga's tape is that of a starting NFL offensive lineman, whether that is at tackle or guard. He brings the powerful mentality needed to stand out in the trenches. I believe he has the adequate length and foot speed, good offensive line IQ and elite strength to succeed at tackle and get a shot there as a first-round pick.
Fautanu is a true athlete of an offensive lineman with starting-caliber traits for center or guard. His movement skills would be a big plus in a zone-blocking scheme.
Three-year grades and scouting reports: Available in the PFF big board
INTERIOR OFFENSIVE LINE
1. C JACKSON POWERS-JOHNSON, OREGON
2. C ZACH FRAZIER, WEST VIRGINIA
3. G CHRISTIAN MAHOGANY, BOSTON COLLEGE
4. C SEDRICK VAN PRAN, GEORGIA
5. G MASON MCCORMICK, SOUTH DAKOTA STATE
Powers-Johnson possesses starting-caliber power and finesse traits at center or guard for both zone or man/gap-blocking concepts. He is dominant enough at his position to be considered a top-20 talent.
Frazier's background and build give him a high floor as a scheme-versatile center who is worthy of an early Day 2 pick and a starting role.
Mahogany is a guard only and a powerful run blocker with inconsistencies in the passing game. He projects into a rotational and potential starting role for a team that is heavier in the run game in mostly man/gap concepts.
Three-year grades and scouting reports: Available in the PFF big board
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