ESPN ranks the Top 14 NFL Draft prospects with a first-round grade

ESPN ranked the top 14 NFL Draft prospects who have a first round grade and it’s interesting to see where the chips fell.

It’s still December and the draft is months away, so things could change. But for now, there is a clear tier of players who are above the rest in the upcoming draft class.

Let’s dive into ESPN’s top NFL Draft prospects who have a first-round grade for 2024.

1. Caleb Williams, QB – USC

This has been the de facto No. 1 prospect for the last year or two. The former Heisman Trophy winner didn’t play as well this year, but that’s more due to the team around him.

If it weren’t some defensive lapses, Williams could’ve been in the running for a second award winning season. Still, he’s the most polished quarterback and overall prospect in the coming draft.

2. Marvin Harrison Jr., WR – Ohio State

Harrison Jr. was a Heisman finalist and won the Biletnikoff Award this year. He’s the best in the business, pound for pound.

If the family name and genes are any insight, Harrison Jr. should be productive right away in the NFL. Whoever drafts him will be quite fortunate and he’s certainly a quarterback’s best friend.

3. Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT – Penn State

Fashanu is the top rated offensive lineman in this draft, based on expert opinion. He only allowed one sack this season, which is, well, pretty good.

Penn State can certainly produce elite offensive linemen and Fashanu is the latest in that long line. If it weren’t for two guys listed above, he could’ve been the top overall prospect.,

4. Joe Alt, OT – Notre Dame

Protection, protection and some more protection. Alt can do it all and some mock drafts even have him going to the New York Jets within the top 10.

Regardless of who he protects, Alt is one of the best lineman overall. Basically, it’s a pick ‘em between him and Fashanu when you break it down.

5. Dallas Turner, EDGE – Alabama

Turner is a dog and no that is not a Georgia reference. According to ESPN’s rankings, Turner is the top rated defender in the draft.

That sounds familiar doesn’t it? It was practically like having the next version of Will Anderson, who was drafted by the Texans last season. It seems like Turner is destined for the top 10, if not top five at this point.

6. Brock Bowers, TE – Georgia

Bowers can do it all as a tight end. Heck, just hand him the football and he can make a plethora of plays happen on the field.

He would’ve been a top pick last season if he was eligible. Going into 2024, Bowers will make one NFL team very happy with an instant starter.

7. Drake Maye, QB – North Carolina

Oh yeah, there’s another quarterback on the board here. It feels like the conversation surrounding Maye quieted down in recent months.

Still, Maye is extremely polished and has all of the tools to succeed as a pro. He has a cannon for an arm, he’s very mobile and can make all of the throws, as the analysts say.

8. Jayden Daniels, QB – LSU

Here’s a guy who truly broke out this season. Daniels was your 2023 Heisman Trophy winner after an insane season. Unfortunately LSU lost three games so we won’t see him in the playoff.

He’s a true dual threat and was always good. But this year, he truly clicked. Whoever drafts him, it’ll be a long term investment as Daniels proved he gets better with experience.

9. Rome Odunze, WR – Washington

Odunze is one of these dudes that can run every route. Now, he did play in a loaded offense with Washington. Heck, he’s still playing with the CFP on deck.

Is he better than Harrison Jr.? Well, it depends on who you ask and it could certainly depend upon the offense. Still, Odunze is nearly a lock for the top 10.

10. Malik Nabers, WR – LSU

Nabers had an argument to win the Biletnikoff Award over Harrison Jr. So this just goes to show you how deep the wide receiver class is in 2024.

Nabers was Daniels’ go-to target at LSU and made plays all over the field. He was simply electric every time he was on the field.

11. Keon Coleman, WR – Florida State

Coleman transferred to Florida State from Michigan State and it seems like the rest of the country realized how good he was in East Lansing. He was on full display down in Tallahassee.

So you know how we mentioned this wide receiver class is deep? Well, it’s four deep in the first round and maybe even top 10 picks overall.

12. Laiatu Latu, EDGE – UCLA

Latu was a menace this year for the Bruins and one of the bright spots on the defensive end of the football. He really broke out at UCLA after starting his college career at Washington.

This came after he didn’t play in 2020 or ‘21. He logged 23.5 sacks over the last two seasons at UCLA. Pretty, pretty, pretty good.

13. Jer’Zhan Newton, DT – Illinois

Newton, as an interior defensive lineman, can really rush the passer as well. He has 13 sacks over the last two seasons for Illinois.

He’s a versatile defensive lineman, primarily playing inside. However, he can be shifted outside as well. If a team can plug and play Newton pretty much anywhere, he’ll be a high pick.

14. Tyler Guyton, OT – Oklahoma

Guyton is getting Lane Johnson comparisons from ESPN and that’s not just because he’s an Oklahoma guy too. He stands at 6-foot-7 and 315 pounds, a mammoth of a human being.

He actually switched from the defensive side of the ability. He’s still developing, but he has a ton of potential.

So with that, will these be the first 14 picks in the draft in some sort of order? As of now, it’s a good possibility, but we still have months to go.