NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah is one of the best draft analysts in the country, and his annual big boards are always of interest.
His first edition for the 2024 NFL Draft cycle had some expected placements (like USC’s Caleb Williams in the first spot).
However, there were some genuine surprises on his top 50, including a revelation on who he believes QB4 is in this draft cycle right now and a surprise pick as his third-overall prospect at the moment.
Let’s take a look at our five big takeaways from this initial big board to help us further wrap our minds around this year’s NFL Draft class.
WR Rome Odunze is Jeremiah's third-overall prospect
In a surprise, Jeremiah was so high on Washington wide receiver Rom Odunze that he ranked him as this draft class’ third-overall prospect on his first big board.
“Odunze is a complete player and reminds me of Larry Fitzgerald coming out of college,” he wrote about Odunze, which is incredibly high praise.
Bo Nix is his fourth-ranked QB
It’s fairly agreed upon that USC’s Caleb Williams, North Carolina’s Drake Maye and LSU’s Jayden Daniels are the three best quarterbacks in this draft class. However, who is on the outside looking in as the fourth-best prospect?
Jeremiah thinks it’s Oregon’s Bo Nix, who he says reminds him of a starting quarterback in the NFL.
“Nix’s combination of competitiveness, intelligence and experience reminds me of Jalen Hurts coming out of college,” Jeremiah wrote about Nix.
Terrion Arnold is Jeremiah's top cornerback
If you’re team is looking for secondary help, Jeremiah thinks Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold is the best talent available at the position right now.
Arnold is the sixth-overall prospect on his first big board.
“He has all the tools and traits to be a Pro Bowl-caliber cornerback,” Jeremiah wrote.
Joe Alt is the top offensive lineman
Notre Dame’s Joe Alt is Jeremiah’s top-ranked offensive lineman on his big board.
He describes the offensive tackle as not ” 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.”
Malachi Corley is the 50th player on the list
The last (but certainly not least) player in Jeremiah’s top 50 is Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley.
Jeremiah predicts that Corley can have “an immediate role as a starting slot receiver next fall.”
