2024 NFL Draft Big Board: Eddie Brown's Top 100 Prospects

Part of my weekly mock draft preamble explains it is an attempt at figuring out the best players available in this season's draft class, and which teams they'd match up well with considering the draft order. The closer we get to draft day, the more I attempt to match what teams will actually do with their draft picks as opposed to what I believe they should do.

Last season, I was the third-most accurate NFL draft prognosticator in print, according to The Huddle Report. I'm tied for first overall (out of 172) over the past five years.

My big board is an attempt to discern who the best players in this draft class actually are.

Here's my final 2024 NFL Draft Big Board:

— 1. Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio St., Jr., 6-3, 209

The Biletnikoff Award winner was a Heisman finalist and the first two-time unanimous All-American in Columbus since former No. 1 overall pick and NFL Hall of Famer Orlando Pace in 1995-96. In a program known for producing wide receivers, Harrison became the first Buckeyes receiver with multiple 1,000-yard receiving seasons and set the school-record with 15 100-yard receiving games. He's a route tactician who features prototypical size, strong hands and premium athleticism with Hall of Fame NFL lineage and tutelage (he's the son of Colts legend Marvin Harrison). He's the best player in this draft and the third best wide receiver prospect of the 21st century. My top-5: 1. Calvin Johnson, 2. Larry Fitzgerald, 3. Harrison Jr., 4. Julio Jones, 5 (tie). A.J. Green and Ja'Marr Chase. I actually believe he'll be even better in the pros.

— 2. Caleb Williams, QB, USC, Jr., 6-1, 214

Williams was the No. 2 quarterback in the 2021 recruiting class (behind Texas' Quinn Ewers) and won the Heisman Trophy in his sophomore season with the Trojans after transferring from Oklahoma. He's special off-platform and produced more plays of 20-plus yards (134) and 50-plus yards (20) than any other college player over the last two seasons. He scoffs at check-downs while searching for his next highlight, which makes him partially responsible for being sacked 84 times in his collegiate career, including 35 times last season. Regardless, he's a finisher in the red zone. He's produced a TD-to-interception ratio of 46-to-1 his last two seasons. He's also led USC in rushing TDs both years. Williams is fearless and will force the issue for the sake of making a big play, but he balances the mistakes with magic few other signal-callers can conjure.

— 3. Joe Alt, T, Notre Dame, Jr., 6-8, 321

The massive Irish tackle amassed several All-American honors after another successful season in South Bend. Alt only allowed a single sack in 774 pass-block snaps the last two years and he's a true finisher in the run game. There were a few technical areas that needed polish after his sophomore season, but those are all gone now. Alt is a prototypical blindside protector, and his smooth athleticism is indicative of a former tight end. The junior captain turned 21 in February, but has an advanced understanding of pass pro dynamics, and almost never gets fooled by stunts or blitzes. He would be the first overall pick if this draft were lacking premium QB prospects. Alt's father (John) was drafted in the first round (No. 21) by the Kansas City Chiefs in 1984 and played 13 seasons, earning All-Pro honors in 1990 and two Pro Bowl selections.

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