With plenty of football left, this is the Way Too Early 2024 Rookie Mock Draft.
With five weeks left of college football, there is still plenty of time for rankings to be adjusted. Performances during conference championships, bowl games, and the College Football Playoffs can increase or decrease an athlete’s draft stock. Plus, we still have the NFL combine and Pro Days to look forward to! The point is there is still a lot of time to study these athletes to figure out where you feel comfortable drafting them. Here is a four-round Way Too Early 2024 Rookie Mock Draft!
*Side note – All these prospects are eligible to enter the 2024 NFL Draft. Some may not declare, choosing to come back for another year at the college level.*
2024 Rookie Mock Draft
Round 1
1.01 – QB – Caleb Williams – USC
Even after back-to-back losses, Caleb Williams is still the unquestioned 1.01. His game is still above all others. The only concern I have about him is his off-the-field attitude. Be a lion, I want that. But there is a difference between cocky and confidence. I am not sure which one he is.
1.02 – WR – Marvin Harrison Jr – Ohio St
The legacy prospect. Marvin Harrison Jr is currently averaging six receptions per game with 109.4 yards. His dad is one of the best to ever play the position. Harrison Jr has the potential to be even better than that. He can be an all-time great at the next level.
1.03 – WR – Malik Nabers – LSU
In a Superflex league, I still think it is possible to have two wide receivers go in the top 3. There is Marvin Harrison Jr, Malik Nabers then everybody else. They both dominate in different areas of the game. Nabers is strong and physical at the catch but can gain separation too. He will see playing time immediately making an impact.
1.04 – QB – Quinn Ewers – Texas
Yes, even after a huge loss to Oklahoma, I have Quinn Ewers going 1.04. Ewers could have a shot at redemption by leading Texas to the BIG12 championship and beating Oklahoma. That could potentially be a path to the College Football Playoffs. I like what I have seen in Ewers this season. I believe NFL scouts will have an interest in him possibly making him a top-15 pick. He is smart and throws with precision.
1.05 – QB – Michael Penix Jr – Washington
The quarterback that can surprise us all. Michael Penix Jr has dominated college football all season. Penix Jr leads an explosive air raid offense in Washington. It helps that he has two of the best wide receivers in the country. If Washington gets into the playoffs and makes any sort of noise then it is possible he sneaks into the first round.
1.06 – TE – Brock Bowers – Georgia
Part of me feels like we got shammed with last season’s electrifying tight-end group. Nonetheless, Brock Bowers is Him. Just an absolute magician at the position. He can line up anywhere on the field becoming an all-around threat.
1.07 – QB – Drake Maye – UNC
This one will get under some people’s skin. To many, Drake Maye is the QB2 of the class. I have even seen mock drafts of him going third overall in the NFL draft. He has talent without question. This season I have seen some avoidable mistakes by him. Part of me thinks that he will need a true alpha at wide receiver to sustain longevity at the next level.
1.08 – WR – Emeka Egbuka – Ohio St
That “everybody else” after Harrison Jr & Nabers starts with Emeka Egbuka. Add him to the group of ready-to-go, next-level talent from the Ohio State wide receiver room. He is an agile runner with precision in route running. Egbuka is slightly faster than Harrison Jr using his fluid movements to create space.
1.09 – WR – Troy Franklin – Oregon
Troy Franklin is one of the better yards after the catch wide receivers in this group. He runs at a high velocity using strength to win the contested catch. He creates the separation even in tight spaces allowing him to be a threat anywhere on the field.
1.10 – QB – Shedeur Sanders – Colorado (Steal of the Round)
My current QB4 in this 2024 Rookie Mock Draft. Shedeur Sanders is likely a first-round draft pick in the NFL. The question is how far down in the first will he slide? Regardless, he is a steal at 1.10 in rookie drafts. He is a natural leader who plays almost flawlessly. I think he has the IQ of a next-level quarterback. Under the right coaching, Sanders can flourish into an all-time great.
1.11 – RB – Braelon Allen – Wisconsin
This is the year of the wide receiver, but the RB1 of the class sneaks into the first round of fantasy football rookie drafts. Allen is a complete back. He can run through the middle with strength and catch out of the backfield showing his agility. Allen can pick up the blitz gifting the quarterback a few extra seconds. He has everything you see in a workhorse back.
1.12 – WR – Xavier Worthy – Texas
Xavier Worthy is what we wanted Jerry Jeudy to be – great speed with the ability to find separation. If locked on by a defender, he has the strength to win the contested catch. I would love to see him in a Chiefs uniform becoming Patrick Mahomes‘ go-to as he lines up all over the field.
Round 2
2.01 – WR – Rome Odunze – Washington
Rome Odunze is a smart player who runs his routes flawlessly. He wins with agility and awareness.
2.02 – WR – Keon Coleman – Florida St
Between Egbuka, Franklin, Worthy, Odunze, & Keon Coleman, it becomes a pick your favorite. They all have next-level talent. Coleman has speed and strength with a great catching radius.
2.03 – QB – Bo Nix – Oregon
Bo Nix is the quarterback that could sneak into the first round or drop to the end of the third. To me, his floor is Ryan Tannehill with a ceiling of Kirk Cousins. I am not sure how much of a difference that is. Although one has over 4,000 passing yards in seven seasons, the other has over 4,000 yards twice in the last eight years played. I think he has the tangibles you want in a franchise quarterback. He can also just be an A-graded backup.
2.04 – RB – Raheim Sanders – Arkansas
Injuries have sidelined Raheim Sanders, allowing Braelon Allen to take the reins of RB1. Sanders is still an explosive back. Hopefully, him being sidelined means he will be healthy enough to participate at the NFL Combine and Pro Days. He will need those just to show those who forgot why he is the best in the class.
2.05 – WR – Jalen McMillan – Washington
Jalen McMillan can win deep or identify the zone to find the open area. He has great hands and ball awareness. He begins the next tier of wide receivers.
2.06 – RB – Trey Benson – Florida St
Trey Benson has shot up my 2024 Rookie Mock Draft board all season. The more work Benson gets, the more I am impressed. A step-and-go type of back, he has the strength to go between the tackles. He has the agility to bounce outside for big gains.
2.07 – QB – Joe Milton – Tennessee
Joe Milton has one of, if not the, strongest arm in this class. He just has a cannon. The issue this season is none of his wide receivers have truly stepped up. This will hurt his draft stock. Do not let it hurt your draft boards.
2.08 – RB – Jonathan Brooks – Texas
Jonathan Brooks is not the fastest on the field, but he does have the speed to break outside for big gains. His feet stay moving forward sometimes moving a pile of defenders. Brooks could take away goal-line work from the most current running back.
2.09 – WR – Brian Thomas Jr – LSU (Steal of the Round)
There is a world where Brian Thomas Jr ends up being the more dominant of the two LSU wide receivers at the next level. He is what we all wanted Mike Williams to be but more. A stretch-the-field type of wide receiver that can also run routes with great prowess.
2.10 – WR – Brenden Rice – USC
Another legacy prospect that has emerged as one of Caleb Williams’s favorite targets. Brenden Rice is a receiver that can win deep. His knockdown will be his weakness at route running.
2.11 – WR – Johnny Wilson – Florida St
Another deep threat receiver, Johnny Wilson is probably the most agile out of this bunch. He runs smoothly for his size. He is quick and effective in his route running.
2.12 – RB – Tre’Veyon Henderson – Ohio St
Tre’Veyon Henderson is a star talent that has taken a small step back from what I saw last year. I feel he is slightly less explosive than I originally thought. Still, he is a talented runner, arguably top-three of the class. As said, this is the class of Wide Receivers. If he drops here, take him.
Round 3
3.01 – WR – Adonai Mitchell – Texas
Adonai Mitchell is an underrated receiver with a solid WR2 upside for any team. On the right team, he could become a low-end WR1 – think Amari Cooper. He is good, but we do not say his name often when we think great.
3.02 – QB – JJ McCarthy – Michigan
A quarterback possibly finding a way into the first round affects where JJ McCarthy could go in rookie drafts. He has the arm strength to make the throws at the next level.
3.03 – RB – Jase McClellan – Alabama
Jase McClellan will bring speed to allow his versatility of running and catching the ball to excel at the next level.
3.04 – RB – Donovan Edwards – Michigan
Another versatile running back, Donovan Edwards might not be a three-down back to start his career. Even if he is a third-down change of pace back he has the skill set to flourish on minimum opportunity.
3.05 – WR – Xavier Legette – South Carolina
A potential second-round prospect. Xavier Legette is precise in his route running with the ability to catch at the high point.
3.06 – TE – Ja’Tavion Sanders – Texas
A strong stiff tight end. Ja’Tavion Sanders has great awareness allowing him to find the open zones.
3.07 – RB – Will Shipley – Clemson
A specialty back that could be used in different packages. When you see Will Shipley play it reminds of you of a player like James White.
3.08 – QB – Jordan Travis – Florida St
Jordan Travis throws with precision. He is agile enough to escape the pressure to extend the play.
3.09 – WR – Malachi Corley – Western Kentucky (Steal of the Round)
Malachi Corley is a talented WR with first-round potential. He has the size and speed you want. His school may have him drop down some NFL draft boards. Do not let him drop down yours.
3.10 – RB – Blake Corum – Michigan
Blake Corum has shown he can handle the work. His size is a concern for me at the next level.
3.11 – RB – Audric Estime – Notre Dame
Audric Estime brings pro size that could get a shot depending on what team drafts him on Day 3.
3.12 – RB – Bucky Irving – Oregon
A solid RB who I think will do well at the next level. The issue is I do not think Bucky Irving is more than a committee back.
Round 4
4.01 – QB – Jayden Daniels – LSU
A couple of early games had Jayden Daniels slide in my rankings. Luckily, he has had Nabers and Thomas Jr. to throw to. He will get drafted, but I’m not sure what he will be at the next level.
4.02 – RB – Devin Neal – Kansas
Devin Neal will be an underrated back with a strong IQ for the game with versatility.
4.03 – QB – Riley Leonard – Duke
Riley Leonard is a mobile QB who has good arm strength.
4.04 – WR – Jacob Cowing – Arizona
Jacob Cowing can track the ball well becoming a playmaker with the ball in his hands.
4.05 – QB – Cameron Ward – Washington St
Cameron Ward is an accurate QB with a pro arm to make the necessary throws.
4.06 – WR – Ali Jennings – Virginia Tech (Steal of the Round)
Ali Jennings is one of those route technicians you want to see at wide receiver. He will drop on boards due to an injury that occurred in Week 2.
4.07 – TE – RJ Maryland – SMU
RJ Maryland is an athletic TE that can line up anywhere. If he drops here in rookie drafts it would be great value.
4.08 – WR – Jamari Thrash – Louisville
Jamari Thrash can be a down-the-field threat that expands the field well.
4.09 – RB – Emani Bailey – TCU
Emani Bailey’s size worries me, but he is an agile RB who has good vision.
4.10 – QB – Spencer Rattler – South Carolina
Spencer Rattler can shine for bye-week fills, but is not an every-week type of starter.
4.11 – RB – Ja’Quavious Marks – Mississippi St
Ja’Quavious Marks can succeed with the right volume. He has not looked efficient with fewer opportunities as of late.
4.12 – TE – Jaheim Bell – Florida St
Jaheim Bell is an athletic TE with soft hands and strength to make the play after the catch.
As mentioned earlier, there is still plenty of time for players to rise or fall on NFL draft boards. Some of these players may even not declare. A lot can still change affecting how this year’s rookie drafts will play out. But as for now, this was the Way Too Early 2024 Rookie Mock Draft.
Thank you for reading, for more content follow me on X @ThePPRShow. Peace and love.
SC Romero
Hello, I'm SC Romero, a fantasy football enthusiast for more than a decade. I personally enjoy the IDP format and the devy world! You can find me on X @ThePPRShow sharing all my knowledge to help you win your leagues! I hope to bring new insight to you through League Winners expanding your knowledge on the devy community! Have a question? Just ask, I'm here for you.