Caleb Harris
The 2024 NFL Draft was loaded with offensive talent, but initial impressions of next year’s class suggest the group could be shallower. The first defensive prospect to be drafted won’t have to wait until 15th overall to hear his name called, as happened this year.
Here are 10 of the best prospects on the offensive side of the ball:
1. QB Carson Beck, Georgia
Georgia was one of the best teams in the college football during the first half of last season, but no one credited their success to Beck. As the season progressed, it became clear that Beck was becoming more comfortable on offense after Stetson Bennett and taking his game to another level. He could have moved into the first round of last month’s draft, but there is a higher ceiling for him to reach with another year of experience.
Beck (6-foot-4, 220) completed 72.4% of his passes for 3,941 yards, 24 touchdowns and six interceptions. The Florida native had the 10th-highest third-down conversion percentage on passes (46.2), per TruMedia. His running style is more survival instinct than dynamic ability.
2. OT Will Campbell, LSU
Campbell quarterback Jayden Daniels may have become the second overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, but his obligations to the program will continue for another season. The Bayou left tackle is patient in pass protection and has tremendous strength. He does a good job with his hand positioning. Campbell has struggled against the outside hand of the game’s best pass rushers like Jared Verse and Dallas Turner, but another season of experience will serve him well.
3. OT Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas
Banks has complete control of his body as he adjusts his hands and feet when he is involved in pass protection. The former 5-star recruit from Texas has good foot quickness to get out of position and get in front of running schemes. There are times when Banks opens his hips too much in pass protection and gives up the angle to the quarterback, but those moments were less frequent as the season progressed. TruMedia credits him with just one sack allowed in over 500 pass-blocking snaps.
4. QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
Sanders was committed a year ago, in his first season guiding the Buffaloes. The jump from Jackson State to Colorado didn’t seem too steep to him. The program got off to a quick start and Sanders was the catalyst for its success. As the season progressed and the schedule became more difficult, Colorado fell back to earth, but Sanders continued to play high-level football. If he were in this year’s draft, he would be in the conversation as a likely first-round pick.
5. WR Luther Burden, Missouri
Burden saw his production increase dramatically in a memorable season for the Tigers. After recording 375 receiving yards as a true freshman, Burden exploded to the tune of 1,212 receiving yards in an encore performance. Among receivers with at least 30 receptions, the St. Louis native ranked 14th in yards after the catch per reception (8.4), according to TruMedia. Three of the four eligible wide receivers ranked ahead of him (Tehjuan Palmer, Tahj Washington and Malachi Corley) were drafted.
6. OT Emery Jones Jr., LSU
Jones is difficult to beat due to his sheer strength. He has posture problems. There is a lot of forward lean in his passing sets, which often leads to loss of balance or leverage against the opponent. When he is positioned and balanced, Jones is one of the best in the draft. He has foot quickness to cut off counterattacks and redirect, as well as ankle flexion to break and recover from bull rushes. His presence will be important for quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, who will take Daniels’ place.
7. RB Damien Martinez, Miami (Florida)
When Oregon State coach Jonathan Smith left for Michigan State, he opened the door for an exodus of talent such as tight end Jack Velling, quarterback Aidan Chiles, quarterback DJ Uiagalelei, Martinez and others. Martinez transferred to Miami in the spring.
He is a bigger defender who does a good job breaking his feet in space to leverage defenders. He shows good acceleration when hitting the hole. On third down, he can improve pass protection, but he is an asset catching passes out of the backfield.
8. RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
Jeanty is easily one of the most complete running back prospects to this point in the evaluation process. He is no problem in pass protection and is highly effective as a pass catcher. Jeanty has a thick lower body that allows him to run through contact. He will break defenders in space to create an advantage and then have tremendous burst to get up the field quickly.
9. WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
Noah Fifita and McMillan are one of the most exciting quarterback-receiver duos in college football. McMillan is a tall, rangy receiver who made big plays for the Wildcats last fall. The Hawaii native compiled 90 receptions for 1,402 yards and 10 touchdowns. He made just two takedowns on 130 targets, according to PFF.
10. TE Colston Loveland, Michigan
Notre Dame’s Mitchell Evans and Loveland promise to be two of the most intriguing tight ends eligible for the 2025 NFL Draft. History suggests that Iowa will almost certainly have one as well.
Loveland caught 45 passes for 649 yards and four touchdowns for the defending national champions. At 6-foot-2 and 245 pounds, the Idaho native has ideal size for the position. A tight end was selected in the first round of each of the last two drafts.
