2024 NFL Draft Prospects: Jayden Daniels, JC Latham, Troy Fautanu, Kool-Aid McKinstry

We’re approaching the 50-day mark until the 2024 NFL Draft! Now that the Scouting Combine is in our rearview, it’s time to lay out the final grades for prospects.

This means that over the next few weeks, we will see some players cemented in certain spots on NFL Draft big boards while others will move around due to athletic testing and film grades being finalized.

For now, here are the top 50 players on my big board for the 2024 NFL Draft! Below we dive into a few notable names. And check out our consensus 2024 NFL Draft Big Board and overall prospect rankings.

2024 NFL Draft Prospects

6. Jayden Daniels (QB – LSU)

When Jayden Daniels became a starter at Arizona State, I was already a fan of his game. The ball jumped out of his hand then, and it still does today. Putting him in an offense with NFL caliber receivers led to plenty of success in college and the hope is that it continues in his transition to the NFL. With Daniels, he stands tall in the pocket and plays with good patience. However, there are times that his patience works against him and it leads to hesitation on some throws. That said, I think it’s fixable with NFL coaching. His mobility is desired at the next level, and it will continue to help him tuck it and run or extend plays outside of the pocket. Adding weight to his frame will be important with how he plays with reckless abandonment in the open field.

12. JC Latham (OT – ALA)

When watching JC Latham out of Alabama, he flashed with brilliance and dominating style. He’s got a flexible lower half for a player of his size, but he may have some of the strongest hands in the draft. He can steer and drive defenders away from the ball consistently due to his grip strength. Speed rushers could give him trouble at times in the NFL, and he’ll need to not lead with his head down as much. Still, teams will always covet a powerful right tackle that can fluctuate his weight and still play at such a high level.

19. Troy Fautanu (OT – UW)

The more you watch of Troy Fautanu, the more that you can see his skill-set become translatable to offensive tackle in the NFL. He’s got quick feet with quick hands and some of the strongest finishes of any tackle in the class. In pass protection, he will often use a snatch-trap technique to bury defenders into the ground. His athletic profile and frame suggest he could play guard in the NFL, but I’d have to think teams will try him at tackle to begin his career.

25. Kool-Aid McKinstry (CB – ALA)

Expectations were high for Kool-Aid McKinstry this season, and while his tape doesn’t necessarily meet those expectations, he’s still a good football player. He’s got a foot injury that’s worth monitoring, but he plays with good patience and physicality (i.e. the game vs. Tennessee). In addition, he’s a good athlete who consistently plays through the hands of receivers.