The 2024 NFL Draft is set to be one of the most exciting in recent memory. With some of the best classes in recent memory at extremely important positions like quarterback, wide receiver, and offensive tackle, we could see several future Hall of Famers come out of this draft. We’ve got some desperate teams in the mix as well, looking to turn their franchises around. Here are some future NFL players who will boom and some who will bust.
Which college stars will become stars in the NFL, and which ones will be busts?
Rock: OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA – OCTOBER 14: Joe Alt #76 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looks on prior to the game against the USC Trojans at Notre Dame Stadium on October 14, 2023 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Joe Alt is one of the best tackle prospects of the century. He’s a locked top-10 pick that will make an immediate impact for whatever team selects him. A stone wall of a left tackle is one of the best things a team can add, even better for one like the Jets or Titans that have QBs that need some help on the line. A 6’9”, 300+ pounder who did a ~5 second 40 time. Notre Dame linemen typically pan out in the NFL as well. That’s the kind of guy you need.
Bust: DE Chop Robinson, Penn State
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 28: Chop Robinson #DL45 of the Penn State Nittany Lions speaks to the media during the 2024 NFL Draft Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)Robinson showed up at the combine with a 4.48 40-yard dash and a 34.5” vertical. However, those ridiculous athletic stats do not reflect what he did on the field. In the past two seasons, Robinson combined for fewer than ten sacks. Even worse, the number went down from 2022 to 2023, from 5.5 to 4. Combine numbers are all well and good, but without football numbers to back them up, it’s hard to see the player becoming an NFL star and he’s leaning towards a bust trajectory.
Rock: WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 29: Marvin Harrison Jr. #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts prior to a game against the Missouri Tigers during the Goodyear Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
This one is obvious. Son of the legendary Colts WR, Harrison Jr. has been one of the best wide-outs in College Football since his 3-TD performance in the Rose Bowl at the end of the 2021-22 season. The Biletnikoff Award Winner should be a high-impact starter from the day he enters the league. An elite route runner and pass catcher, Harrison will instantly improve any offense he joins.
Bust: WR Keon Coleman, Florida State
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 02: Keon Coleman #WO04 of Florida State participates in a drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 02, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Coleman came out of the gates on fire in 2023, cooking LSU and Clemson in the first few games. However, his production fell off in the second half of the season, where he didn’t record a 100-yard game in any of the last six he played. His Combine didn’t do him any favors either with a 40 time north of 4.6. Coleman has great ability to make catches in traffic and to bring his hands to the ball wherever it’s thrown, but in the NFL those are secondary abilities, not ones that make a great starter, therefore, the bust label. As it stands, he may end up as a player like Chase Claypool, who flashes great ability but can’t put it all together.
Rock: QB Caleb Williams, USC
Williams is the consensus #1 overall pick. He is an insanely talented quarterback prospect, with an arm that could make Jamarcus Russel blush and evasiveness in the category of Favre, Rodgers, Mahomes, et al. It’s hard to undersell just how good he could be. The Bears have set up their team to lead him to the most success they can. It’s now just up to Williams to make it happen.
Bust: WR Xavier Worthy, Texas
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 01: Xavier Worthy #WO40 of the Texas Longhorns speaks to the media during the 2024 NFL Draft Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 01, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
Worthy made huge waves with the fastest Combine 40-yard time in the event’s history. A staggering 4.21 second time. However, despite this insane speed, Worthy was not even in the top 150 in CFB yards per reception. This seems legitimately impossible for a player of his speed and does not bode well for his actual ability to get open. Worthy is also small, 6’1” and isn’t too short to play in the NFL, but 172 pounds puts him about 20 pounds under what even the small and thin WRs are playing at. If he can’t fill in and more importantly improve his route running, he has Mecole Hardman more than Tyreek Hill potential and could be a potential NFL bust.
Rock: WR Malik Nabers, LSU
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA – NOVEMBER 25: Malik Nabers #8 of the LSU Tigers celebrates a touchdown during the first half against the Texas A&M Aggies at Tiger Stadium on November 25, 2023 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
Nabers is another player on the top of an absolutely loaded list. Arguably the best route runner in the draft, Nabers is probably every bit as good as Harrison. Adam Schefter even said he had some teams claiming that they’ll take Nabers over Harrison should both be available. Jayden Daniels’ favorite target will be able to play everywhere in the WR position, from the outside to the slot. There have been some rumors that he is high maintenance and will not adjust to a large market well, but they don’t seem to be impacting his draft slot.
Bust: QB Drake Maye, North Carolina
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 28: Drake Maye #10 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts after passing for a touchdown against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the second quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium on October 28, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Maye is largely considered the second-best quarterback prospect in the draft. He has the size and arm to make the team think about spending a high draft pick on him. However, his decision-making ability is a bit lacking. He takes bad sacks and forces balls into untenable situations. We get some serious Zach Wilson vibes off of Maye, and any Jets fan could tell you that is a big issue as the former is perceived as an NFL bust.
Rock: CB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 01: Quinyon Mitchell #DB27 of Toledo participates in a drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 01, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Mitchell is the complete package when it comes to cornerbacks. He’s big, fast and has ridiculous instincts. His 4.33 40-yard time at the combine means he’ll be able to run with anyone at the NFL level. In 2023, offenses knew better than to throw his way, but in 2022 he had 5 INTs including two pick-sixes and 19 passes broken up. Mitchell is also an excellent and aggressive tackler, never giving up on a play. A lack of serious competition in the MAC is the only real concern, but CBs have come out of second tier conferences and found success in the NFL before.
Bust: QB J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
HOUSTON, TEXAS – JANUARY 08: J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts after defeating the Washington Huskies during the 2024 CFP National Championship game at NRG Stadium on January 08, 2024 in Houston, Texas. Michigan defeated Washington 34-13. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
JJ McCarthy, the National Champion has gained some buzz as the draft approaches, poising himself for an early-round selection. However, we’re not totally sold on a guy who never threw for 3,000 yards in college. In a run-first offense, it’s hard to think that the QB who threw never was relied on to stretch the field or to do the work needed to carry the offense will be an NFL star. McCarthy hasn’t really shown anything that makes him look like a starting NFL QB, hence the bust label. He didn’t even account for a single TD in the National Championship game.
