The NFL regular season hasn't even ended, but front offices are undoubtedly beginning to look ahead to April. All 32 teams will have a chance to add an influx of talent to their roster during the 2024 NFL Draft, which will be defined by a handful of promising quarterbacks but includes plenty of talent across the board.
The first step in the process takes place on Jan. 5, when underclassmen have a "soft" deadline to declare for the draft. The soft deadline simply allows players to start the process earlier and, in some cases, earn an invitation to the Senior Bowl and other events.
The hard deadline for underclassmen to declare is just 10 days later, on Jan. 15, when NFL teams will receive a full list of eligible players.
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A few significant names have already announced their intention to enter the NFL Draft. Here's a closer look at the notable players headed to the next level.
Underclassmen declaring for 2024 NFL Draft
Here is a list of the notable prospects who have already declared for the NFL Draft:
- Braelon Allen, RB, Wisconsin
- Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
- Trey Benson, RB, Florida State
- Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
- Javon Bullard, S, Georgia
- Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
- Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
- Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon
- Kamren Kinchens, S, Miami
- Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia
- Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
- Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia
- Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
- Jer'Zhan Newton, DL, Illinois
- Michael Pratt, QB, Tulane
- Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina
- Brenden Rice, WR, USC
- Ben Sinnott, TE, Kansas State
- Jeremiah Trotter Jr., LB, Clemson
- Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
- Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
- Tez Walker, WR, North Carolina
- Cameron Ward, QB Washington State
- Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
- Johnny Wilson, WR, Florida State
- Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
Joe Alt is considered one of the top offensive linemen in the 2024 draft class. The Notre Dame standout was a unanimous All-American in 2023 and is a projected top-15 pick in April.
Keon Coleman didn't light up the stat sheet with only 658 yards in 2023, but the Florida State WR still scored 11 touchdowns and made highlight-reel catch after highlight-reel catch. The Michigan State transfer posted 18 touchdowns over his two full collegiate seasons and is a projected first-round pick.
If Alt is 1A among offensive tackles, Olu Fashanu is 1B. The Penn State standout stands 6-6 and 313 pounds, and he's a contender to become the first offensive lineman off the board even ahead of Alt for a team looking to protect its quarterback.
Troy Franklin put together a huge junior season with Bo Nix as his quarterback, erupting for 1,383 yards and 14 touchdowns as a downfield threat for the Ducks. While he might be a tier below the top receivers in the draft, Franklin's speed could be enticing for any team that misses out on an elite WR prospect.
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Drake Maye was one of the earliest draft declarations, and it came as no surprise. The North Carolina star is a contender for the No. 1 overall pick after throwing for 62 touchdowns across two full seasons as the Tar Heels' starter, and his raw tools along with his size have made him a lock to be one of the first players off the board in April.
Jer'Zhan Newton is the top interior defensive lineman in a draft a bit light on elite defensive prospects. A redshirt junior, the Illinois star recorded 7.5 sacks, 52 tackles and a forced fumble in 2023 after posting 14 tackles for loss in 2022.
Dallas Turner has a chance to be the first defensive player off the board after earning SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2023. He recorded 10 sacks, 14.5 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles as Alabama's top pass-rusher this past season.
Jared Verse is right there with Turner among the top pass-rushers in this draft class. A transfer from FCS Albany, Verse produced nine sacks in each of his two seasons at Florida State and racked up 29.5 tackles for loss between 2022 and 2023.