2024 Top Five Positional Rankings: Pre Combine Edition!

Wassup everyone! AskQuestionsLater here and today we shall be looking at the Top Five Positional Rankings of the 2024 Season. Each NFL Draft Season comes and goes with each season giving us the five best players at their respective positions. This season is no different but there are some intriguing shakeups to this list in comparison to years past. In addition, I will have something brand new at the end! More of this will be detailed later but for now, let us get on with the list.


These written statements by the author do not reflect nor are shared opinions of members of TheSteelersFans Message Board, Staff Members and/or Site Administrator.



Quarterbacks:




1.) Caleb Williams

2.) Drake Maye

3.) Jayden Daniels

4.) Michael Penix Jr.

5.) J.J. McCarthy


Not gonna bore many of you with the whole "Caleb Williams: The Generationally Prodigious Talent" spiel. I personally don't believe he is anywhere near the rankings of Trevor Lawrence or even Andrew Luck. That said, I do see why he is so coveted. That said though and, for the rest of the class?! Two Franchise QB Talents in Maye and Daniels and two players who's capabilities are wildcards in Penix Jr. and McCarthy.



Best Arm Talent: Caleb Williams

Best Accuracy: Michael Penix Jr.

Best Pocket Poise: Drake Maye

Best Pocket Presence: Drake Maye

Best Improv. Skills: Caleb Williams

Best Runner: Jayden Daniels/J.J. McCarthy

Biggest Boom/Bust: Caleb Williams (Hero Ball cranked to 11)/Michael Penix Jr. (Injury History)

Most Pro Ready: Drake Maye

AQL's Favorite: Drake Maye




Running Backs:



1.) Johnathon Brooks

2.) Blake Corum

3.) Trey Benson

4.) Braelon Allen

5.) Audric Estimé


So.... not too much I can say about this incoming class. Underwhelming though given how Bijan Robinson may have been the final hoorah for this position for a while, cannot say I am surprised. In addition, this also marks the first time I do not have any Running Back within my Top 75; Johnathon Brooks just missing the cut at 76 and losing out to Cole Bishop. There is value here... but not too much. The continual devaluation of the Running Back position continues...



Best Speed: Trey Benson

Best Power: Braelon Allen

Best Vision: Blake Corum

Best BCA (Ball Carrying Ability): Blake Corum

Most Versatile: Johnathon Brooks

Biggest Boom/Bust: Trey Benson

Most Pro Ready: Blake Corum/Braelon Allen




AQL's Favorite: None



Wide Receivers:



1.) Marvin Harrison Jr.

2.) Malik Nabers

3.) Romeo Odunze

4.) Brian Thomas Jr.

5.) Keon Coleman




If an NFL Team is in desperate need for a WR 1, boy oh boy does this draft have you covered! Scheme dependent or otherwise, say hello to the deepest Wide Receiver Class since 2014. As for the top five, MH Jr doesn't really need an intro; highlights of his exploits being the best way to know him. As for the rest?! An absolute deadlock for the number two spot. While I have each ranked 2 to 5, these rankings combined are by only the thinnest of margins; Malik Nabers and Romeo Odunze being near inseparable. A lot more like Adonai Mitchell or Xaiver Lagette who just missed this cut but plenty of options for teams to choose from.


Best Speed: Malik Nabers

Best Hands: Marvin Harrison Jr.

Best Route Running: Marvin Harrison Jr

Best Blocking: Keon Coleman

Best CIT (Catch In Traffic): Romeo Odunze

Best YAC: Malik Nabers

Biggest Boom/Bust: Brian Thomas Jr.

Most Versatile: Romeo Odunze

Most Pro Ready: Marvin Harrison Jr.


AQL's Favorite: Brian Thomas Jr.



Tight Ends:




1.) Brock Bowers

2.) Ja'Tavion Sanders

3.) Cade Stover

4.) Jaheim Bell

5.) Ben Sinnot



...... All I can say is OUCH to this class. Sure, sure, Ja'Tavion's athletic gifts and Cade Stover's blocking do have some seriously good talking points but unfortunately... this is truly the "Brock Bowers Sweepstakes." If anything, whomever nabs Brock Bowers shall do one of two things;


1.) Complete their array of weapons within their Offensive Unit.

or

2.) Add another dimension with an already loaded Offensive Unit.


Take your pick. That is, more or less, the story of the 2024 Tight End Class; As Defined By Brock Bowers.


Best Speed: Brock Bowers

Best Hands: Brock Bowers

Best Route Running: Brock Bowers

Best Blocking: Cade Stover

Best CIT (Catch In Traffic): Brock Bowers

Best YAC: Brock Bowers

Biggest Boom/Bust: Ja'Tavoin Sanders

Most Versatile: Brock Bowers

Most Pro Ready: Brock Bowers




AQL's Favorite: Brock Bowers



Offensive Tackles:


1.) Joe Alt

2.) Olumuyiwa Fashanu

3.) JC Latham

4.) Taliese Fuaga

5.) Amarius Mims



Much like Wide Receivers, this Offensive Tackle class is rocking some serious star power. Unlike the Wide Receiving Class, a potentially historic one (a term I don't like to use lightly mind you), this one's talent pool tapers off after the top 100 picks. Still a lot to be excited about nevertheless. Unlike last years OT Class, this year is rocking two Franchise Caliber Tackle Players in Alt and Fashanu. Harken these two circa 2016 via Laremy Tunsil (Joe Alt) vs. Ronnie Stanley (Olu Fashanu)... with a twist. Alt is more Jake Matthews whereas Fashanu is more Trent Williams but both more athletic and more raw. Even not including these two, JC Latham just may be the most powerful of the bunch; a nigh immovable object. Tailese brings the disposition one would want in an OT but the best may be the last in Amarius Mims. His experience is extremely limited but his overall talents and potential is immeasurable. Should he land in the right spot?!... Mims has HOF potential... but again.. massive if.


Best Pass Blocker: Olumuyiwa Fashanu

Best Run Blocker: Joe Alt

Best Zone Blocker: Joe Alt

Best Man Gap Blocker: J.C. Latham

Most Versatile: None

Biggest Boom/Bust: Amarius Mims

Most Pro Ready: Joe Alt


AQL's Favorite: Taliese Fuaga





Interior Offensive Lineman:



1.) Jackson Powers Johnson

2.) Troy Fautanu

3.) Graham Barton

4.) Cooper Bebe

5.) Jordan Morgan


A relatively deep class but mainly top heavy. That said, of the five listed, only the Receiver Position possesses more plug 'n' play starters than this one. Jackson Powers Johnson is truly the rare Center that doesn't come around very often. Yes, his overall lack of experience (12 starts at Center) will scare some but being both the Rimington Award Winner and a First Team All American should quell some of those fears. Graham Barton is Tackle by trade but there is too much All Pro Potential for him on the Inside. That said, his overall lack of experience is more concerning than JPJs is. Troy Fautanu is much of the same though not as bad but Cooper Bebe has all of them beat... minus the face he will be 24.


Best Pass Blocker: Graham Barton

Best Run Blocker: Jackson Powers Johnson

Best Zone Blocker: Jackson Powers Johnson

Best Man Gap Blocker: Troy Fautanu

Biggest Boom/Bust: Graham Barton (Little IOL experience)

Most Versatile: Jordan Morgan

Most Pro Ready: Cooper Bebe


AQL's Favorite: Jackson Powers Johnson





Interior Defensive Lineman:



1.) Jer'Zahn Newton

2.) Byron Murphy

3.) Darius Robinson

4.) T'Vondre Sweat

5.) Kris Jenkins


I intially thought that, beyond Jer'Zahn Newton and Byron Murphy... this class was toast. Then Darius Robinson, someone whom I did have a Late Day Two grade on, dominated the Senior Bowl, my confidence in the group went back up... though not nearly as much as I would have liked. Again, some good players to nab here but Jer'Zahn, Byron and Darius are essentially the big three. However, underestimate the likes of T'Vondre Sweat at your peril. Should he land onto a team with the structure and support needed to guide him, say hello to arguably the best Zero Tech in the game since Dontari Poe.



Best Pass Rusher: Byron Murphy

Best Run Stopper: T'Vondre Sweat

Best 3 Tech: Jer'Zahn Newton

Best 5 Tech: Darius Robinson

Best 0/1 Tech: T'Vondre Sweat

Most Versatile: Darius Robinson

Biggest Boom/Bust: T'Vondre Sweat (Weight Management)

Most Pro Ready: Jer'Zahn Newton


AQL Favorite: T'Vondre Sweat





EDGE:



1.) Dallas Turner

2.) Chop Robinson

3.) Laiatu Latu

4.) Jared Verse

5.) Bralen Trice



While this class doesn't possess the true number one EDGE overall, that really doesn't matter too much to me. For me, this classes depth is very good even in a schematically limited sense. Realistically speaking, any one of these EDGE players have a case to be the best overall; Turner's consistency, Robinson's boundless energy mixed with his tremendous instincts (some of the best in the class), Laiatu's near bottomless toolbox, Verse's near limitless athleticism or even Trice's flexibility. Granted, rankings do need to have a number one so Turner gets the nod here. That said, don't be surprised if this list changes over time.


Best Speed Rusher: Dallas Turner

Best Power Rusher: Jared Verse

Most Versatile Rusher: Laiatu Latu

Best Run Stopping: Chop Robinson

Best Coverage: Dallas Turner

Best HID (Hand in Dirt): Jared Verse

Best 3-4 OLB: Dallas Turner

Biggest Boom/Bust: Jared Verse (very inconsistent motor)

Most Versatile: Bralen Trice

Most Pro Ready: Dallas Turner


AQL's Favorite: Chop Robinson




Off-Ball Linebackers:



1.) Edgerrin Cooper

2.) Jerimiah Trotter Jr.

3.) Cedric Gray

4.) Junior Colson

5.) Payton Wilson


So..... from one of the best Off Ball Classes in 2023 the League has seen since 2018 to one of its worst!!.. Oof. I have been on record before and will do so again; Edgerrin Cooper and Jerimiah Trotter Jr. This is, more or less... what the 2024 Class has to offer in terms of wanting a potential Three Down ILB/MLB. Heck, Trotter Jr.'s success will largely depend on where he goes as his athleticism is going to be in serious question until further notice. Gray is the classic thumping machine while Colson and Wilson give you tremendous leadership capability or superb versatility throughout.


Best Pass Coverage: Jerimiah Trotter Jr.

Best Run Support: Cedric Gray

Best Pass Rusher: Edgerrin Cooper

Best Instincts: Jerimiah Trotter Jr.

Best Leadership: Junior Colson

Biggest Boom/Bust Potential: Jerimiah Trotter Jr. (very scheme dependent)

Most Versatile: Payton Wilson

Most Pro Ready: Edgerrin Cooper


AQLs Favorite: Cedric Gray



Cornerbacks:


1.) *** Cooper DeJean ***

2.) Nate Wiggins

3.) Terrion Arnold

4.) Quinyon Mitchell

5.) Kool Aid McKinstry



Had it not been for a number of prospects cratering faster than a meteor this 2023 CFB Season, the Cornerback Class would have been the fourth best overall instead of EDGE. However, here we are. Now, for Cooper DeJean's asterisk, he technically doesn't count as a Corner for he is scheme transcendent overall. However, his major hang up comes in the form of finding the right Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Minded Coach to maximize his skillset. If not for Kool Aid, Cooper DeJean represents the biggest boom/bust player among CBs for it will be where he lands which will decide his fate. Nate Wiggins is essentially what everyone loved and didn't love about Joey Porter Jr but cranked to 11. Double the prowess in coverage in trade for double the serious concerns for tackling. Arnold and Mitchell are near mirror reflections of one another but while Mitchell possess the production, athleticism and tenacity over Arnold, Arnold has superior versatility, fundamentals and discipline. Kool Aid techincally is the most technically gifted corner among Corners but boy oh boy his athleticism is a massive concern; arguably among all players listed. His combine performance is going to be paramount for certain.



Best Man Coverage: Nate Wiggins

Best Zone Coverage: Cooper DeJean

Best Run Support: Terrion Arnold

Best Blitzer: Cooper DeJean

Best Speed: Quinyon Mitchell

Best COD (Change of Direction): Quinyon Mitchell

Best Instincts: Nate Wiggins

Best Technician: Kool Aid McKinstry

Best Tackler: Terrion Arnold

Best Slot: Cooper DeJean

Biggest Boom/Bust Potential: Kool Aid McKinstry (athleticism concerns)

Most Versatile: Cooper DeJean

Most Pro Ready: Terrion Arnold

AQL's Favorite: Cooper DeJean



Safeties:


1.) *** Cooper DeJean ***

2.) Tyler Nubin

3.) Kamren Kinchens

4.) Javon Bullard

5.) Jaden Hicks


Given how Brian Branch and Jatavius Martin were the only Safeties to remotely get excited about, I initially was ecstatic about the potential of the Safety Class heading into the 2023 CFB Season. What started as tremendous anticipation eventually lead to disappointment. Even so, this class does feature two to potentially three First Round Safeties in it. To start out, Cooper DeJean could be a permanent Safety.. though that is a massive waste of his talents. Cooper's greatest asset is his instincts and playmaking abilities. Placing him in situations where plays will have no choice but to go towards his zip code is how one can maximize his skills. Now, onto the actual Safeties, Nubin and Kinchens both can leap frog the other for these two come down two what one wants in a Safety; more athleticism or more versatility. Most will say Kinchens but Nubin's ball hawking skills keep this fight close. Bullard may not have the star power like the rest but say hello to the most consistent one of the bunch. He will not wow you but he will not disappoint either; a rock solid starter for any team. Jaden Hicks reminds me a lot of Jalen Pitre though more athletic with more injury risk. Big boom possibilities but big bust ones as well.



Best Man Coverage: Tyler Nubin

Best Zone Coverage: Kamren Kinchens

Best Speed: Jaden Hicks

Best Power: Tyler Nubin

Best Tackler: Javon Bullard

Best COD: Cooper DeJean

Best Instincts: Cooper DeJean

Best Slot: Jaden Hicks

Best Single High: Kamren Kinchens

Best Pure Safety (FS or SS): Kamren Kinchens

Best Strong Safety: Tyler Nubin

Biggest Boom/Bust Potential: Jaden Hicks (injury risk)

Most Versatile: Cooper DeJean

Most Pro Ready: Javon Bullard



AQL's Favorite: Jaden Hicks




2024 NFL Draft Rankings By Position:



1.) Wide Receivers: Take a pick of any round.. any WR Position, be it X, Y or Z will be found.

2.) Quarterbacks: Great Class but the "ubiquitous" one possess far more questions than answers in comparison to his previous predecessors.

3.) Offensive Tackles: Superb depth; spearheaded by two Franchise Caliber LTs and the "Right Tackle Revolution".

4.) EDGE: Very talented and deep. Just lacking that true "Hellraiser" of a consensus number one.

5.) Cornerbacks: Drop off after the top but the amount of Slot CBs available makes up for it.

6.) Interior Offensive Lineman: Top heavy but some decent depth overall. Very lean on Day Three.

7.) Safeties: After the Top 100?! Picking straws. Best to get players before mid Day Three.

8.) Interior Defensive Lineman: Very, very top heavy. That said, the cream of the crop is some of the best in the class.

9.) Off Ball Linebackers: A major fall off from 2023. Only a handful here. The rest are extremely dependent on scheme.

10.) Tight Ends: One scheme transcendent Tight End does not absolve the lack of depth here. Talented but role specific.

11.) Running Backs: The biggest 180 I think I have ever encountered since doing these. Then again... this position simply isn't what it used to be.




That will do it for this installment of the 2024 Top Five Positional Rankings! If you have any questions, comments or critiques, feel free to leave them down below for it always helps me out. Much like in year's prior, this list will be updated pending the conclusion of the 2024 NFL Combine; 21 Days from today!


Until next time, this is AskQuestionsLater saying so long, stay safe and have an awesome day!!


Thanks for reading!!!

 

Good job, and thank you for taking the time to do this. My only qualm is I see center and guard as two separate positions. I would take Zach Frazier or Van Pran over #2-5 because we need a center, not someone who may be able to transition to center. Tried that, didn't work.

 

Any thoughts on Miami safety James Williams?

 

I do! Sorry for the late reply! Been busy readying up for more Draft items/Second Occupation research.


James Williams mainly trained at LB during the Senior Bowl. That said, I believe trams only did that to further see how versatile he could be used there. Easily one of the best Strong Safety prospects but more so as a LOS/DPW role. Having him drop his Wright to 220lbs. before the combine will allow him to access the best of both worlds of SS and LB imo.

Top 75 Pick for me though seeing him in late round two wouldn't shock me.

 

I understand your critique of having Guards and Centers as two separate positions. I agree. That said, mind you, when I make these rankings, I don't place specific positions together because they are the same. More often than not; these positions are grouped together for there simply isn't enough overall talent discrepancies to separate the two.


Truth be told, this upcoming class is an excellent example. Layden Robinson from Texas A&M, Sedrick Van Pran Granger as you mentioned, Beaux Limmer from Arkansas and even Zack Zinter from Michigan are all good to even rock solid players... with a catch. All these players I have detailed are either not nearly as athletic enough as their positions best, not nearly as technically sound as their positions best and most of all, not nearly schematically versatile as their positions best.


Same goes for the IDL (Interior Defensive Lineman) though this class is way too scheme specific here. So my next form of grading criteria comes down to the simplistic questions of the following; how better is IDL Player 1 in pass rushing than IDL 2. Should both be equivalent, I break it down further; run stopping ability, gap containment, situational awareness, leverage, discipline, strength to hold at the POA and so on. Once that is complete, I compare the two. If one player is graded out higher by another, even if by a little, that player wins.



Long story short?! Follow the talent level of the players. Don't just look for the positions.

 

Mistake on my part!!


Jaden Hicks was incorrectly listed for his size concerns! Correct size is 6'2! That said, injury risk!


Will update!!

 

Amarius Mims. His experience is extremely limited but his overall talents and potential is immeasurable. Should he land in the right spot?!... Mims has HOF potential... but again.. massive if.

Mims was only a starter for his last year, and in 2023 he was injured twice only allowing him to play in 6 games. First injury ,idway through the season, and then he made it back for the SEC championship game, only to get injured again and miss the Orange Bowl game. How can these injury problems in the only year where he was actually starting not be a huge Red-Flag?


Mims suffered a high-ankle sprain against South Carolina midway through the season and underwent tightrope surgery. Miims exited the SEC Championship Game against the Alabama Crimson Tide. He has made the trip to South Florida for the Orange Bowl after having missed the team plane on the way down originally.
Georgia Football HC Kirby Smart Provides an Update on Amarius Mims Injury - Sports Illustrated Georgia Bulldogs News, Analysis and More

 

Mind you that I did factor in his Injury History along with his inexperience. However, other players in the class have more injury risk concerns than he does.

 

Really good list, and well put together... although, I've seen a few publications that have Bo Nix ahead of McCarthy at QB

 

Nix has more arm to push than McCarthy without question. That said, I trust McCarthys judgement more than I do with Nixs.

 

Nicely done, AQL. I'd have minor quibbles here and there, but nothing major. On the whole I like your groupings.

 

Given the tendencies of the Steelers when it comes to DL, I would put in a list of:
1. Kris Jenkins Michigan
2. Maason Smith LSU
3. Darius Robinson Mizzou
4. DeWayne Carter Duke
5. Gabe Hall Baylor

At Safety I am looking for an in the box, zone cover middle, man cover TE/RB, NB type guy. I see that in James Williams out of Miami. 6'4"-230lbs and ran a sub 4.5/40. I think he's everything Jabrill Peppers, JOK, and Derwin James were supposed to be. I really like this player in the 3rd, LOVE him in the 4th.

 

NFL Combine next week!!





Expect some movement on the lower ranked positions!! More to come!!