The Best-Kept Secrets of the 2024 NFL Draft

The 2024 NFL draft class is chock full of potential stars in the league. With several quarterbacks who could go in the first round and electrifying pass-catchers toward the top of the board, this is a year where expectations are going to be sky-high for the top-rated players.

It also creates a large shadow over the lesser-known talents in the draft class. Every year there are productive players selected in each round and that doesn't even factor in the undrafted free agents that can go on to become stars.

This year's class is no different. With so much star power at the top of the draft there are bound to be players who go unnoticed due to coming from a smaller school, having a collegiate teammate who took the spotlight or a lack of production.

However, these eight players are still names worth knowing as we finally head toward the 2024 NFL draft.

If this draft class of wide receivers lives up to the hype, we'll look back on it as an absolutely loaded group. Marvin Harrison Jr., Rome Odunze and Malik Nabers are all anticipated top 10 picks.

UCF receiver Javon Baker is a great example of why the class isn't just about the biggest stars though. There are potential difference-makers to be found down the draft board too.

Baker comes in at No. 126 on our scouting department's big board.

Even so, B/R scout Derrik Klassen acknowledged that Baker has the, "ball-tracking ability and route-running skills to blossom into an NFL starter."

Baker's athletic testing didn't do anything to build hype. He ran a modest 4.54 40 at 6'1", 202 pounds. He doesn't have elite size or speed.

What he does have is the ability to track deep balls and utilize his 37" vertical to go high-point the ball over defensive backs. He was also one of the most successful receiver prospects against press coverage.

Those are all things that bode well for Baker moving to the next level. Top-end speed can be an overrated trait for receivers. The fact that he can beat press coverage, track the ball in the air and win on vertical routes make up for a lack of elite athleticism.

B/R scout Cory Giddings predicted that Baker will eventually be a 1,000-yard receiver in the league.

In other words, he could wind up being one of the best value picks in a class littered with talented wideouts.

Potential Fits: Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers

Akeem Dent is a deep cut, but there's a lot to like about the Florida State safety.

He's an older prospect with five years of experience in Tallahassee. While that will probably take him off some team's boards, it also means that he brings a ton of experience to the table. He played over 2,000 snaps, getting significant time in the box, slot and even outside corner.

But the majority of his experience is as a deep safety. According to PFF, he only surrendered 27 yards on 235 coverage snaps in his final season with the Seminoles.

Dent doesn't have the ball production that you'd like to see, but those are solid coverage numbers. He also answered a big question about whether he can play at the next level with his Pro Day testing.

He ripped off a 4.45 40-yard dash with a 2.53 20-yard split and a strong showing in the three-cone with a 6.78, earning an 8.65 relative athletic score, per Kent Lee Platte of Pro Football Network.

There isn't a lot of star power in this year's safety class. It's a good year to target a potential sleeper in the later rounds of the draft. NFL Mock Draft Database currently projects him as an undrafted free agent, but the Packers used a top 30 visit on the Seminoles defender.

His ability to play special teams and fill in at multiple secondary spots makes him an intriguing Day 3 target.

Potential Fits: Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers, Jacksonville Jaguars

This year's class of running backs has been widely panned. There's a good chance that none are even taken with the first 50 picks. Audric Estimé is the only one that cracks the top 50 of our big board with Trey Benson just outside at No. 53.

Louisville's Isaac Guerendo didn't make our top 250 big board, but it isn't uncommon for running backs to come out of nowhere to wind up being NFL contributors.

Guerendo was not a star back in college. He was stuck behind Braelon Allen in Wisconsin's backfield before transferring to Louisville for the 2023 season, but still had to share the backfield with Jawhar Jordan. He took advantage of his carries averaging 6.1 yards per attempt and finishing with 810 yards on the ground while also showing the ability to catch out of the backfield with 22 receptiosn and 234 yards.

He also handled kick return duties for the Cardinals.

Guerendo showed off at the combine with one of the best workouts for the position. He ran a blazing fast 4.33 40 at 6'0", 221 pounds giving him a 9.9 relative athletic score, ranking 20th among all running backs with a score since 1987.

That's size and speed that just doesn't come around all the time. He has the power to run through arm tackles and the home run speed for breakaway runs.

That's talent worth taking a gamble on.

Potential Fits: Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Chargers

Jalyx Hunt has definitely taken an unorthodox path to the NFL draft.

Houston Christian (formerly known as Houston Baptist) only has two players who have played in the league. Bailey Zappe, who transferred to Western Kentucky, is the only one who was drafted.

Hunt spent the first three years of his collegiate career as a safety at Cornell before transferring to FCS Houston Christian and transforming himself into a pass-rusher. At 6'4", 252 pounds, he has the look of an NFL outside linebacker.

The pre-draft process was kind to Hunt too. He showed he has big league athleticism with a 9.22 relative athletic score including a 4.64 40 yard dash and a 10'8" broad jump.

The drawbacks to Hunt's game are unsurprising for a guy who was a safety two years ago. He needs to put on a little more size, struggles to defend the run and has an unrefined approach to rushing the passer.

Those are all things that can be addressed with NFL coaching and experience. Anyone looking for a high-ceiling prospect on the edge should have Hunt on their radar.

His experience as a safety could make him a valuable project at outside linebacker for a team with a 3-4 base and a solid coaching staff to develop him.

Potential Fits: Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos

Tight ends can be hard to scout and project because the position is so diverse. As today's college game becomes more and more spread out, the true in-line tight end is becoming a more rare find.

Instead, the majority of tight end prospects fall into the move tight end category or are really jumbo slot receivers. There's certainly a place for those types of players. Evan Engram and Isaiah Likely are doing just fine.

However, there's also still a need for a more traditional in-line tight end who also has some receiving potential.

That's where Theo Johnson could really shine. At 6'6", 259 he's massive for the position by today's standards. He breaks the mold of the F's and H's that permeate today's game but Penn State was still able to use him as a slot receiver for nearly half of his snaps in 2023, per PFF.

The nice thing about Johnson is that his blocking is going to give him a high floor as a prospect. B/R scout Derrik Klassen noted in his scouting report that Johnson is, "largely an excellent blocker" and "an active blocker no matter the assignment".

So many collegiate tight ends have a hard time adapting to the blocking aspect of the position. Johnson has the size and strength to excel there right away.

He also has the physical tools to become a better receiver. He only reeled in 34 passes for Penn State last season but scored seven touchdowns. His 9.93 relative athletic score is ninth among all tight ends since 1987.

At a position where athleticism and versatility are crucial, Johnson checks a lot of boxes.

Potential Fits: Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos, New York Giants

The Washington offense was the most electric in college football this season. There's a reason that Michael Penix Jr. and Rome Odunze are two of the most well-known names in this draft. Ja'Lynn Polk isn't too far behind.

The hype is well-deserved after Odunze and Polk each had well over 1,000 yards receiving and combined for 22 touchdowns.

But it has left wide receiver Jalen McMillan underappreciated.

According to NFL Mock Draft Database, McMillan is projected to be a third-rounder and ranks 82nd on their consensus big board.

Those rankings seem to be punishing McMillan for the knee injury that he dealt with throughout the 2023 season. He missed four games in his final collegiate season and was the third option in Washington's offense.

That wasn't the case when he was healthy in 2022, though. He was right there with Odunze in terms of production and a clear favorite over Polk. He had four more catches (79) and two more touchdowns (9) than Odunze while cracking 1,000 yards receiving.

B/R scout Derrik Klassen is higher than consensus on McMillan. His 7.5 grade for the receiver puts him at No. 40 on our big board which is actually ahead of Polk at No. 48.

He praised the receiver for his sharp route-running and consistent hands among other strengths. While he figures to primarily work as a slot receiver, he can also win on the outside with his routes.

The 6'1", 198-pound receiver isn't getting enough credit for his 2022 season. The team that targets him on Day 2 could wind up with a steal.

Potential Fits: Cincinnati Bengals, Chicago Bears, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Positional value is a key element in the NFL draft. Unless you're a Brock Bowers-level talent, it's hard to stand out when you're position isn't one of the most sought after in the draft.

That probably explains why Chau Smith-Wade, a slot corner prospect, isn't getting as much attention as other cornerback prospects.

Smith-Wade played almost exclusively on the outside at Washington State. He was skilled enough there to contain opposing passers to a passer rating of 68.2 in his first year as a full-time starter for the Cougars.

At 5'10", 184 pounds with 30¼" arms Smith-Wade doesn't have the size and length to play on the outside in the league. He's the 10th-ranked corner overall on our big board, but he was named the top slot corner.

It's true that outside corners are the ones who get paid the big bucks. It's also true that a team's best nickel corner is going to play way more than the fourth or fifth outside corner on the depth chart.

Smith-Wade's pre-draft testing wasn't going to generate any buzz. He scored a 5.97 relative athleticism score, but that's actually slightly above the average cornerback in the league.

Smith-Wade is viewed as a fifth-round pick and the 168th overall player on the consensus big board from NFL Mock Draft Database.

That stands in stark contrast from B/R scout Cory Giddings view on him. He's ranked 75th overall on our big board. He's one of those prospects who doesn't draw a ton of attention but could carve out a long career as a valuable NFL starter.

Potential Fits: Baltimore Ravens, Los Angeles Chargers, New Orleans Saints

One of the most fun aspects of the NFL draft are the stories that come with some of the prospects. If there's someone in this draft who already deserves their own 30 for 30-style documentary, it's Toronto Argonauts corner Qwan'tez Stiggers.

Stiggers dropped out of college after the death of his father. He wound up playing in the Fan Controlled Football League, an indoor 7-on-7 football league before playing his way into an opportunity with the Canadian Football League.

The young defensive back played well with the Toronto Argonauts, playing in 16 games, making 53 tackles and racking up five interceptions on his way to the CFL's Most Outstanding Rookie award.

Stiggers wasn't invited to the combine, but his Pro Day numbers suggest that he should have been. He registered a 9.31 relative athletic score that included a 4.45 40-yard dash at 5'11" and 204 pounds.

It's not surprising that Stiggers has gone under the radar. But his backstory shouldn't overshadow the fact that he has NFL measurables and solid production in another professional league.

Stiggers has the weaknesses you'd expect from a prospect with such an unusual path to the NFL. His technique and footwork are both rough around the edges, but he's a fluid athlete with a clear dedication to getting better.

Potential Fits: Seattle Seahawks, New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs