Daniel Jeremiah releases Top 50: 2024 NFL Draft prospect rankings 1.0

With the Super Bowl the lone football game remaining, it’s time for the hardcore fans to begin concentrating on the NFL Draft. So let’s get our initial scorecards ready.

We’ve gotten a glimpse of Mel Kiper’s rankings. Now, it’s time for Daniel Jeremiah, the draft guru for NFL Network. And Jeremiah’s initial list follows the consensus, at least at the top of the rankings. Everybody still projects former USC quarterback Caleb Williams as the top prospect available.

And you’ll get no new No. 1 for Jeremiah’s top prospect.

1. Caleb Williams, QB, USC

Here’s why Williams should be the first to step on the NFL Draft stage on April 25, in Detroit. Jeremiah says the former Heisman winner only has “average height.” But it’s his arm that’s so impressive.

“He is a natural thrower and delivers the ball with accuracy/velocity from a variety of platforms and arm angles. He can power the ball into tight windows while stationary or on the move. (And) he can also finesse the ball when needed. He has lightning-quick hands in the RPO game. He’s a dynamic runner and makes defenders look silly in space.”

2. Marvin Harrison Jr, WR, Ohio State

Here’s Jeremiah’s take on the former Buckeyes playmaker: “Built like a power forward, he plays with a blend of physicality and explosiveness. He uses his upper-body strength to power through press coverage. He’s a smooth/fluid route runner and closes the cushion quickly.” Jeremiah added: “Overall, Harrison is a prototypical No. 1 receiver and should enjoy immediate NFL success.”

Now, can Harrison possibly go No. 1? NFL history says that’s a likely no. Keyshawn Johnson was the last receiver to earn top NFL Draft honors. That was back in 1996.

3. Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

If a team has its heart set on a game-breaking receiver, there is an alternative once Harrison is off the board. Jeremiah ranks Washington’s Rome Odunze as the third-best prospect available. As Jeremiah notes, Odunze can play either the slot or line up outside. And he added this nugget: “He is refined and polished in everything he does on the field.”

The NFL Draft analyst likened Odunze to former NFL star Larry Fitzgerald.

4. Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

Jeremiah lists Maye, the former Tar Heel, as the second-best quarterback behind Williams. He’s also No. 4 on Jeremiah’s top 50. But some team’s need for a franchise quarterback could push Maye ahead of the receivers. This year’s draft could look a lot like last year’s, which featured Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud as the top two picks.

Jeremiah noted that North Carolina didn’t give Maye adequate pass protection last fall. But he added: “Maye has some things to clean up, but he has every ingredient to be a top-tier starter at the game’s most important position.”

5. Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU

Reigning Heisman winner Jayden Daniels rounds out the Jeremiah top five. Jeremiah lauded Daniel’s quick release and his ability to “explode out of the pocket.” The NFL draft analyst described it as Daniels’ “elite suddenness.” He also improved his passing last fall, with Jeremiah lauding his “exceptional accuracy, decision-making and speed.”

Overall, “Daniels took a massive leap in 2023 and now offers both a high floor and ceiling.”

6. Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama

The top defensive prospect in the NFL Draft according to Jeremiah is Arnold, the former Bama safety-turned-cornerback. He can play any position in the secondary.

“Overall, I struggled to find much to criticize in Arnold’s play, despite his lack of experience at the position, having arrived at Alabama as a highly regarded safety prospect,” Jeremiah wrote. “He has all the tools and traits to be a Pro Bowl-caliber cornerback.”

7. Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

We’re sensing an early run on receivers. Jeremiah ranks Nabers as the third-best receiver in the NFL Draft. Yet he’s also ranked seventh overall. After studying Nabers’ game film, the Draft expert said that he does most of his defensive damage on slot fades. Jeremiah says that’s “where he uses his speed to win early, and he tracks the ball with ease.”

Then, Nabers continues to heap misery on the defense. “He explodes through tackles and also has a nasty stiff arm,” Jeremiah wrote. He likens his play to DJ Moore.

8. Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

Technically, you can’t place Bowers in the receiver category. That’s because he’s a tight end. But he’s another top NFL Draft prospect who excels at catching the ball. Jeremiah took note of Georgia’s use of the quick-hitting pass plays to Bowers. “He’s a maniac on screens,” the draft analyst wrote.

“He attacks the ball in the air and is quick to transition up the field,” Jeremiah added. Plus, Bowers’ “greatest asset is his tackle-breaking power. He runs through contact without gearing down. He is an effective run blocker when he can get his hands on opponents.”

9. Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame

In Alt, we have our first mention of a lineman of any kind. Jeremiah views the former Fighting Irish as the top offensive tackle in the draft, which means he’ll be a hot name during the long scouting process. And there’s reason to love everything about this three-year starter.

For one, he’s a true left tackle who is exceptional at pass protection and can dominate in the run game. Given he plays tackle, he could hear his name called earlier than ninth, where Jeremiah slots him in the overall rankings. “Alt isn’t a rare athlete, but his combination of size, instincts and youth (he’ll be 21 for his entire rookie season) is easy to bet on,” Jeremiah wrote.

10. Dallas Turner, edge rusher, Alabama

According to Jeremiah, Alabama produced the top two defensive prospects in the NFL Draft. Dallas Turner, an ace edge rusher, rounds out Jeremiah’s top 10. Why such a lofty ranking?

Jeremiah says “Turner has played a pivotal role on the ‘Bama defense for three years. And he’s ready to make an immediate impact at the next level.”

NFL Draft prospects 11-50

11. Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
12. Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State
13. JC Latham, OT, Alabama
14. Jared Verse, edge, Florida State
15. Brian Thomas, WR, LSU
16. Troy Fautanu OT, Washington
17. Tyler Guyton, OL, Oklahoma
18. Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
19. Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
20. Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&M
21. Laiatu Latu, edge, UCLA
22. Byron Murphy, DT, Texas
23. Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
24. Ennis Rakestraw, CB, Missouri
25. Chop Robinson, edge, Penn State
26. Devontez Walker, WR, North Carolina
27. J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
28. Jer’Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois
29. Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
30. Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
31. Jordan Morgan, OL, Arizona
32. Darius Robinson, DT, Missouri
33. Graham Barton, OL, Duke
34. Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
35. Jackson Powers-Johnson, OL, Oregon
36. Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
37. Zach Frazier, OL, West Virginia
38. Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
39. Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon
40. Michael Penix Jr, QB, Washington
41. Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas
42. Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia
43. Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
44. Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia
45. Junior Colson, LB, Michigan
46. Chris Braswell, edge, Alabama
47. Payton Wilson, LB, N.C. State
48. T’Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas
49. Marshawn Kneeland, edge, Western Michigan
50. Malachi Corley, WR, Western Kentucky

As you can see from Jeremiah’s rankings, this could be a terrific year if your team desires a top-flight receiver early in the NFL Draft. Quarterbacks are well-represented. There are three in the top 10, while Bo Nix and J.J. McCarthy are in the top 30.

The draft process is just starting, with the two main all-star games this week. The combine follows in late February. And it all culminates in late April in Detroit. You can check out Jeremiah’s complete 1.0 list by clicking here.