Wide Receiver Revolution: Marvin Harrison Jr. Aims to Break Early QB Trend in 2024 NFL Draft

In the 2024 NFL Draft, which begins on April 25, quarterbacks should go undrafted first because the NFL has no intention of ceasing to be a passing league. Though quarterback Caleb Williams, the likely first choice, leads Dane Brugler’s list of the top 100 prospects in The Beast, The Athletic’s annual draft guide, two wide receivers and an offensive tackle round out the top five.

The quarterbacks ranked highest by Brugler, after Williams, are No. 4 Drake Maye of North Carolina, No. 8 Jayden Daniels of LSU, and No. 21 J.J. McCarthy of Michigan. All of them have a reasonable chance of being chosen in the first five, but a few pass catchers might stop that run.

Brugler ranks wide receivers Malik Nabers (LSU) and Marvin Harrison Jr. (Ohio State) as his second and third best prospects, respectively. WR Rome Odunze of Washington is ranked sixth behind them, followed at No. 7 by Georgia tight end Brock Bowers, whose height and talent have drawn comparisons to San Francisco 49ers All-Pro tight end George Kittle, according to Brugler. But Harrison was the one most praised, except from Williams.

“Overall, Harrison has dominant receiving traits and can win from anywhere on the field, because of his athletic gifts, route savvy and adjustment/finishing skills at the catch point,” Brugler said about the top-ranked receiver. “He is among the best receiving prospects to enter the NFL in recent memory, and he has the dedication to his craft to be a playmaking No. 1 NFL receiver and future All-Pro.”

There may be a rush on offensive tackles in the middle of the first round, with No. 12 Olu Fashanu (Penn State), No. 13 JC Latham (Alabama), No. 17 Taliese Fuaga (Oregon State), No. 19 Amarius Mims (Georgia), and No. 24 Tyler Guyton (Oklahoma) grouped together after No. 5 prospect OT Joe Alt (Notre Dame) is selected early.

Troy Fautanu of Washington, ranked ninth, is the top interior offensive lineman according to Brugler’s rankings. Following Fautanu, a run of interior linemen may emerge by the conclusion of the first day, as Brugler’s top 32 includes No. 18 Graham Barton (Duke), No. 23 Jackson Powers-Johnson (Oregon), and No. 29 Jordan Morgan (Arizona).

Where are the defenders?

The best defensive prospects in Brugler’s rankings are positioned at Nos. 10 and 11, respectively, behind cornerbacks Terrion Arnold (Alabama) and Quinyon Mitchell (Toledo). Dallas Turner of Alabama is ranked #1 on the list of edge rushers, while Jared Verse of Florida State is placed #2 at No. 20.

The absence of top-ranked pass rushers may significantly alter the composition of this year’s top 10 when linebacker Will Anderson, who Brugler had rated as the No. 2 overall talent, was selected with the third overall choice in the 2023 draft. Defensive tackle Jalen Carter, edge rusher Tyree Wilson, and cornerback Devin Witherspoon were all selected in the top 10 for 2023, in addition to Anderson.

This year, Brugler only graded two defensive lineman prospects in the first round: No. 16 Byron Murphy (Florida) and No. 28 Johnny Newton (Illinois). Last year, four defensive tackles were chosen in the first round.

A second-round run on running backs?

Brugler’s rankings indicate that the 2024 draft may resemble the 2022 draft, in which no running backs were picked on the first round. In 2023, two running backs were selected in the top 12.

According to Brugler, No. 48 Jonathan Brooks (Texas) is the best back. Following him is No. 78 Blake Corum (Michigan), who has the potential to start a Day 2 offensive on running backs. Trey Benson (Florida State), Jaylen Wright (Tennessee), MarShawn Lloyd (USC), Braelon Allen (Wisconsin), and Audric Estime (Notre Dame) are all in close proximity to one other.

A Michigan run of its own

It makes sense that the reigning national champions would be sending a large influx of talent to the NFL; if Brugler’s rankings hold true, the Wolverines may see a run in this month’s draft.

At No. 41 is Roman Wilson, the eighth-ranked wide receiver. Behind Wilson is No. 42 Junior Colson, the top-ranked linebacker. And behind him is No. 43 Mike Sainristil, the sixth-ranked cornerback.

Apart from that possible Michigan run, McCarthy, Corum, and No. 36 Kris Jenkins Jr., the third-ranked defensive tackle, are the Wolverines’ only representatives in Brugler’s top 100.

All four College Football Playoff teams — Michigan, Washington, Alabama and Texas — have six prospects apiece represented in Brugler’s top 100. Additionally, 15 of Brugler’s top 50 prospects played in the semifinal round.

What is The Beast? And how do I read it?

Every year, Dane Brugler breaks down hundreds of NFL Draft prospects in The Beast, complete with in-depth scouting reports for each player. It includes everyone from high-profile first-round selections to underappreciated late-round talents.

324 pages of biographical information, film study notes, and the advantages and disadvantages of prospective NFL players from hundreds of colleges across the nation are contained within.