Mel Kiper updates Big Board Top-25 NFL Draft Player Rankings following underclassmen deadline

Mel Kiper Jr. has updated his Big Board Top-25 NFL Draft player rankings for ESPN, making some fascinating changes following the underclassmen deadline passing for the 2024 NFL Draft.

There’s a bevy of fascinating talents available for teams to choose from come April. From awe-inspiring quarterbacks to a class of wide receivers that can go up against any group from any draft, and a myriad of defenders who can change a game with one play. There’s no shortage of talent in the draft this year.

Check out Kiper’s latest 2024 NFL Draft Big Board below. Time will tell where they all end up and who can raise their stock even more, but here’s where they all stand at the moment.

1. QB Caleb Williams, USC

Alas, one thing is for sure about the 2024 NFL Draft, and the fact remains that Williams will remain QB1 and the No. 1 prospect barring something truly unexpected from Kiper.

And the evaluation from the NFL Draft analyst remains much the same. There are some size concerns, as Williams is just 6-foot-1, but Kiper doesn’t see that keeping him from going No. 1 overall.

2. WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State

Moving down the list, the same that’s true for Williams is true for Harrison. Perhaps the best overall player in the draft will be a projected Top 5 pick until that seems less-than-likely, if that ever happens. 

With size, speed, agility, toughness, route-running polish and mastery of the finer points of the position, Harrison is about as complete as prospects come. He’ll be a star in short order at the next level.

3. QB Jayden Daniels, LSU (+1)

Few, if any, players in America improved their draft outlook more than Daniels did in 2023. Playing well enough to win the Heisman on a three-loss team can do that.

Kiper has grown to love Daniels after watching him more and more, and finally moved him in the QB2 slot. The combination of downfield passing aggression and running left Kiper highly intrigued, with the potential through the roof.

4. QB Drake Maye, North Carolina (-1)

Things could be getting dicey for Maye, who’s now at No. 4 in Kiper’s rankings, behind Daniels.After an up-and-down campaign, Maye was fighting to hold on to QB2 after some thought he could challenge Williams for the top pick, and Kiper finally made the switch.

And while he still might due to the traits and arm talent, Maye didn’t have a stellar closing argument in college. Even still, he’s an enticing option for an quarterback needy team.

5. WR Rome Odunze, Washington

The top receiver in most any draft, Odunze has plenty of tools in his toolbox. Speed, size, winning at the catch point and effectiveness after the catch. 

The whole package has Kiper considering Odunze as a potential No. 1 receiver on an NFL team. He’ll keep being that for Washington in the College Football Playoff, for now.

6. WR Malik Nabers, LSU

Nabers isn’t quite as big as the two receivers ranked ahead of him, but he was more productive than either in 2023. And Nabers’ speed shows up first and foremost on his tape. 

His ability to play outside as well as in the slot will serve him well, Kiper wrote. And among a crowded field of receivers, Nabers could see his name called before Odunze if a team has a particularly preference.

7. TE Brock Bowers, Georgia

One of the best players in college football, Bowers was slowed by an ankle injury and tightrope surgery this season. That won’t change how NFL teams, or Kiper, view him. 

Big, fast and with high-level ball tracking and catch point skills for the position, Bowers is what most every offense wants and needs: A matchup problem. His position and lack of elite run blocking might stop him from being a Top 5 pick, but he’s still a Top 5 prospect for Kiper.

8. OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame (+1)

Kiper raved about Alt when noting on a recent podcast that the tackles No. 15 ranking in his previous Big Board wasn’t entirely reflective of his stature. The new rankings make that sentiment more than clear.

Alt is expected to continue a lineage of Notre Dame linemen going to the NFL. He’s not the same level of athlete as Fashanu and a few years older, but he’s got as strong a track record as any tackle in the draft, and currently his top choice.

9. OT Olu Fashanu, Penn State (-1)

One of Kiper’s top tackles remained one of his top tackles. Fashanu is big, can move and is young, all things NFL teams coveted that can’t be taught, either.

Fashanu was actually draft eligible for the 2023 NFL Draft, but chose to come back to school as he would’ve been just 20 at the time of the draft. A year later, he’s still as enticing of an NFL prospect, and he just turned 21 in early December.

10. OLB Dallas Turner, Alabama

Turner is a demon off the edge and one of the best rushers we’ve seen in a few years. Kiper has him in the top 10 now, receiving more recognition.

He starred for Alabama and helped the Crimson Tide get back to the playoff this season. Like a lot of guys before him, he’s a day one starter and likely to be a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks.

Kiper’s No. 11 through 25 prospects for the 2024 NFL Draft

11. WR Brian Thomas Jr., LSU 
12. CB Cooper DeJean, Iowa
13. CB Nate Wiggins, Clemson (+1)
14. EDGE Jared Verse, Florida State (+4)
15. EDGE Laiatu Latu, UCLA (+1)
16. CB Terrion Arnold, Alabama (NR)
17. WR Keon Coleman, Florida State (-4)
18. OL Troy Fautanu, Washington (-3)
19. OT Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State
20. OT JC Latham, Alabama
21. OT Amarius Mims, Georgia (+1)
22. OT Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma (+1)
23. QB JJ McCarthy, Michigan (NR)
24. OT Jordan Morgan, Arizona (+1)
25. DT T’Vondre Sweat, Texas (-4)

As you can see, Mel Kiper Jr.’s Top 25 has some fascinating new looks after the underclassmen deadline passing. We’ll see how much it changes with events like the NFL Scouting Combine and individual pro days taking place in the coming months, but the immense talents is more than exciting.