2024 NFL Draft Offensive Prospects that Need More Notice

The 2024 NFL Draft is quickly approaching. The popular names are being discussed ad nauseam, so let’s highlight later-round names that could play key roles on an NFL roster.

Quarterback

Michael Pratt – Tulane

Pratt was a proven starter that helped bring Tulane atop of the non-Power five colleges the past two seasons.

NFL.com says “(Pratt is) highly experienced and a respected team leader, Pratt has shown consistent improvement from season to season. Pratt has done a nice job of making safe decisions instead of reckless ones and throws with touch over all three levels. He struggles to throw with consistent accuracy and placement on intermediate throws.

ESPN’s Matt Bowen had Pratt as the best quarterback with touch and timing of the QB draft class. “I like Pratt here because of his ability to layer throws over second-level defenders and put touch on the deep ball. He posted a career-best 65.6% completion percentage in 2023 and threw for 90 touchdowns over his four seasons at Tulane.”

Running Back

Bucky Irving – Oregon

Bucky was an impressive offensive weapon for Oregon the past two seasons. At times, he looked like the best player on the field for the Ducks. His impressive balance helps him elude defenders while accelerating after contact.

Bucky ran a 4.55 40-yard dash, which disappointed some. His 10-yard split was elite, which is what Bucky is known for – acceleration. Irving’s 10-yard split was 1.54, eighth among all running backs at this years combine.

Bucky has moved down the draft board slightly, but his ability to gain positive yards after contact and be an offensive receiving weapon makes him one of the top steals of the 2024 NFL draft.

Wide Receiver

Malachi Corley – Western Kentucky

Malachi Corley is a big, strong, and fast prototypical NFL wide receiver. He has an ability to get open, but what is even more impressive is his yards after the catch (YAC).

Not Sure Who Broke More Tackles Than Me, But Cudos To You🤨 https://t.co/1gLRo9CnFW

— Malachi Corley (@CorleyMalachi) April 9, 2024

His 101 catches for 1,295 yards and 11 scores led CUSA in each category, while seeing an expanded role in the offense, getting 13 carries for over 100 yards in the past two seasons for the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers.

Tight End

Erick All – Iowa

The Iowa tight end legacy may continue with Erick All. Not the deepest of sleepers, but not much mention of his name with Brock Bowers taking most headlines.

All missed the 2022 season with an ACL injury, but bounced back in 2023. When healthy, he has solid speed to run field-stretching routes, and he has the foot agility to snap off short-area routes with adequate quickness.

The fact that he is an Iowa tight end alone may be worth the risk in taking a chance at All.

Offensive Line

Patrick Paul – Offensive Tackle – Houston

Measuring at 6’7 and 331 lbs. Paul is a monster of a human that may be able to sneak into the starting offensive line of his future NFL home.

A first-generation Nigerian-American who lived in Nigeria for almost three years as a child, Paul has never shied away from an opportunity or a chance to hone his skills. Now, the NFL will be the ultimate test — for a mixed martial artist, a boxer, but most prominently, an offensive tackle.

Paul showcased his talent at the Reese’s Senior Bowl, and later, his physical skill set was displayed at the NFL Combine. At his size, he ran a 5.13 40-yard dash with a 1.77 10-yard split over the 80th percentile, and he also logged 30 bench reps with over 36″ arms.

Mason McCormick – Interior Offensive Line – South Dakota State

Three-year team captain who brings an incredible amount of starting experience and toughness to the table. He put on a show at the NFL combine scoring first overall in athleticism for offensive guards.

“His clear-eyed pass protection will attract offensive line coaches and his NFL Scouting Combine testing should have coaches believing there is still much more to bring out of him as a player.” (NFL.com)

Division 2 Player of 2024 NFL Draft

Casey Bauman – Quarterback – Augustana (South Dakota)

Bauman played 13 games in 2023 and had over 2,800 yards and 29 touchdowns for Augustana and led them to a NSIC championship as a graduate student.

Bauman is ranked 40th on the quarterback draft list for the upcoming draft, but is the highest ranked non-D1 quarterback. After the success of former D2 star Tyler Bagent for the Chicago Bears, someone might be looking at Bauman for a low-risk/high reward prospect.

Division 3 Player of the 2024 NFL Draft

DeAngelo Hardy – Wide Receiver – North Central College (Illinois)

ESPN’s Matt Bowen has Hardy as the most versatile pass-catcher of the 2024 Draft.

“Hardy had 25 total touchdowns this past season — 20 receiving, two rushing and three passing — and finished his college career with 58 receiving scores. With scheme and alignment versatility, he is the Deebo Samuel of Division III football.”

He offers a wide array of skills and is a talented player. Don’t overlook his ability to help a team just because he was in division three college football.

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