2024 NFL Draft: 10 best available players after Rounds 1-3
Three rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft are in the books, and a big day awaits on Saturday. Rounds 4-7 will be on the docket, and ESPN has updated its best available players after rounds 1-3.
Some interesting names remain on the board, including Iowa State cornerback T.J. Tampa. He came in as a projected second-round pick by ESPN heading into Friday, but fell into the fourth round with Saturday’s final day of picks coming up. He’s not the only notable player waiting to hear his name called, though.
Here’s the updated top 10 of ESPN’s best available players entering the final rounds.
T.J. Tampa, CB, Iowa State
T.J. Tampa generated some second-round chatter, but wound up dropping farther down the board throughout Friday’s second and third rounds. Now, he’ll hope to go early Saturday as Day 4 gets underway as the best available player, according to ESPN.
Tampa is coming off two big seasons in Ames, including a career year in 2023. He had 44 tackles along with 3.0 tackles for loss and two interceptions to make his case as a Day 2 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Cedric Gray, LB, North Carolina
Cedric Gray ended his career at North Carolina on a high note with back-to-back standout seasons. His skillset will be a unique one in the NFL, although he’ll have to wait a little longer to hear his name called.
Gray put up career numbers in 2022 when he had 145 tackles, 12.0 TFLs and two interceptions, and he had another big year in 2023. As a senior, he totaled 121 tackles, 11 TFLs and 5.0 sacks to anchor the UNC defense.
Jaden Hicks, S, Washington State
Jaden Hicks garnered some second-round grades early in the pre-draft process, but fell farther down the board as the draft went along. Now, he’ll have to wait until Saturday to learn what’s next in his football career.
Hicks redshirted his first season at Washington State but put up solid numbers over the last two years. All told, he had 155 tackles, 8.0 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks as a key part of the Wazzu defense and will try to take a leap forward at the next level.
Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas
A key piece of the Texas offense this past year, Ja’Tavion Sanders will look to bring his unique skill set to the NFL. He fell out of the first three rounds, though, meaning he’ll have to wait until Day 4 of the 2024 NFL Draft to hear his name called in Detroit.
Sanders caught 45 passes for 682 yards and two touchdowns this past season while helping the Longhorns to the Big 12 title and College Football Playoff. That came after a breakout season in 2022 with 54 receptions for 613 yards and five touchdowns
Cade Stover, TE, Ohio State
Another intriguing tight end prospect, Cade Stover possesses the hard-nosed toughness that could make him a sleeper pick on Day 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft. The former Ohio State standout is one of the top players still available after the third round, according to ESPN.
Stover turned in a 4.65-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, which ranked seventh among tight ends. He’s coming off back-to-back impressive years in Columbus, including a career-best 576 yards and five touchdowns in 2023.
Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon
Considered a potential Day 2 pick, Troy Franklin will now have to wait until Saturday. The former Oregon standout is right in the middle of a loaded wide receiver class and could be a hidden gem on Day 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Franklin had a huge year in 2023 as Bo Nix’s top target in Oregon’s high-powered offense. He hauled in 81 passes for 1,383 yards and 14 touchdowns, which shows the production he’s capable of as a Round 4 or Round 5 pick.
Brandon Dorlus, DT, Oregon
While Oregon’s offense was a key part of its success in 2023, Brandon Dorlus was an important part of the defense. He wound up tumbling down the board, though, and will now wait until Saturday to hear his name called in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Dorlus had 25 tackles to go with 6.5 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks in 2023. All told, he had 108 tackles, 27 TFLs and 12 sacks during his career in Eugene and will now look to make a similar impact in the NFL.
Brenden Rice, WR, USC
The son of NFL legend Jerry Rice, Brenden Rice fell down the draft board and missed out on the first three rounds. That means he’ll hope to hear his name called on Saturday as the final rounds get underway.
Rice was a top target for Caleb Williams in each of the last two seasons at USC and had a career year in 2023. He totaled 791 yards and 12 touchdowns to help lead the Trojans and will look to follow in his father’s footsteps at the next level.
Cam Hart, CB, Notre Dame
An important part of the Notre Dame defense over the last few years, Cam Hart presents some impressive athleticism that could translate to the next level. He started his career as a wide receiver, but after suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in 2019, moved to cornerback ahead of the COVID-impacted 2020 campaign.
All told, during his four years at Notre Dame – three of which were in a starting role – Hart had 90 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions and 17 passes defended. He also had a team-high three forced fumbles as a senior in 2023.
Austin Booker, EDGE, Kansas
As Kansas took a leap forward under Lance Leipold the last two years, Austin Booker was a focal point of the defense. However, he now finds himself as a Day 3 pick after missing out on the first three rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Booker had a monster season in 2023 after transferring from Minnesota, totaling 56 tackles to go with 12 tackles for loss and 8.0 sacks. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. previously said he was getting “overlooked,” and he’ll now wait until Saturday to find out his NFL fate.