The 2024 NFL Draft is ripe with quality players flying under the radar, or at least at a lower altitude than they should. With exactly three weeks until the Bears officially kick off the draft, here are 10 underrated prospects in this year's class you need to know.
QUARTERBACK: Michael Pratt, Tulane
The four-year Green Wave starter has an arm strong enough to make throws at all levels of the field. He's also sneaky-good as a runner, with 1,147 rushing yards and 28 rushing touchdowns in 46 career games.
Michael Pratt highlights on this Easter Sunday.
— Logan Graffia️ (@thesoulman57) March 31, 2024
Crucify me if you must, but I do think Pratt is a good QB prospect. He’s projected to go in between Rounds 3 or 4.
(Feel like stirring the pot) pic.twitter.com/dhop17JDzL
RUNNING BACK: Marshawn Lloyd, USC
Lloyd averaged 7.1 yards per carry last season and is strong at the point of contact. Per Pro Football Focus, he forced 47 missed tackles in 2023 and averaged 3.97 yards after contact, the 18th-most among running backs with at least 100 rushing attempts.
WIDE RECEIVER: Jamari Thrash, Louisville
Despite being undersized, Thrash plays a big game. The 5-foot-11, 188-pounder is a skilled route-runner and even more dangerous once he gets the ball in his hands.
The 2024 NFL Draft WR class is truly insane
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) January 16, 2024
Moment of appreciation for Louisville’s Jamari Thrash (bottom of screen WR in this clip)
This dude can run routes and pile up serious YAC pic.twitter.com/QLdk3ZncwQ
73-yard reception
— Louisville Football (@LouisvilleFB) September 8, 2023
Jack Plummer finds Jamari Thrash for another touchdown!
: @accnetwork #GoCards pic.twitter.com/gnpe6Bg5G8
TIGHT END: Ben Sinnott, Kansas State
Sinnott is a player every team could use. He's a talented receiver who is sharp in his route-running and capable of making contested catches.
Ben Sinnott pic.twitter.com/FXktYmBiIM
— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) March 28, 2024
But he shines as a run-blocker. On the following play against Texas Tech, he made two blocks to spring his quarterback into the end zone for six.
Ben Sinnott pic.twitter.com/SW4fjvXBvj
— Matt (@CoachMinich) February 23, 2024
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN: Matt Goncalves, Pittsburgh
A season-ending 2023 toe injury may have altered Goncalves' draft trajectory, but the 6-foot-6, 327-pound lineman has the size to make it in the NFL. He also proved to be an excellent pass-blocker in 2022, when PFF credited him with not allowing a sack in 379 pass-rush opportunities.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE: DeWayne Carter, Duke
The fifth-year senior had a quiet 2023 compared to his sophomore and junior seasons but managed to have his best game against a strong Fighting Irish offensive line.
DeWayne Carter bull rushing the life out of ND's center pic.twitter.com/IL0Q47fcAl
— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) March 30, 2024
At the NFL combine, he graded exceptionally well in drills measuring explosiveness and speed, per his Relative Athletic Score.
EDGE: Mohamed Kamara, Colorado State
The 2023 Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year had 13 sacks last season and 33 tackles for loss in his final two years combined. The following chart shows his pash-rush win-rate sitting comfortably next to 2017 No. 1 overall pick Myles Garrett and 2022 No. 2's Aidan Hutchinson.
Notable EDGE prospects overall pass rush win rates vs just in true pass sets. Laiatu Latu splits the Bosa’s pic.twitter.com/nlwvbBBoM0
— Football Insights (@fball_insights) April 2, 2024
LINEBACKER: Tommy Eichenberg, Ohio State
The five-year Buckeye linebacker is quick at processing information but even faster in pursuit.
Here he is in the 2022 opener identifying a hole in Notre Dame's offensive line and quickly getting to the quarterback for a sack.
ILB Tommy Eichenberg’s contact speed of 11+ mph on this sack is impressive. #ReelSpeed pic.twitter.com/44vNZAYqxY
— Reel Analytics (@RAanalytics) April 2, 2024
On the following play, he simply sees where the quarterback is going with the football, turns on the jets and tackles the receiver for a two-yard gain.
Tommy Eichenberg's athleticism often goes unnoticed by traditional metrics, yet his in-game athleticism reveals impressive traits, such as remarkable closing speed in open space.#ReelSpeed pic.twitter.com/xkzZUI5Mcw
— Reel Analytics (@RAanalytics) April 2, 2024
CORNERBACK: Kalen King, Penn State
Per Reel Analytics, King grades as one of this year's top corners in in-game athleticism and career production.
Top 10 Most Athletic CB Draft Prospects based on in-game athleticism
— Reel Analytics (@RAanalytics) April 3, 2024
Cam Hart
TJ Tampa
Kamari Lassiter
Quinyon Mitchell
Josh Newton
Johnny Dixon
Mike Sainristil
Nate Wiggins
Kalen King
Renardo Green
About us: https://t.co/eQpG3v2547 pic.twitter.com/mAJbztNtKH
Most Productive CB Draft Prospects based on career production ️
— Reel Analytics (@RAanalytics) April 3, 2024
Renardo Green
Dwight McGlothern
Mike Sainristil
Sebastian Castro
Kamal Hadden
Quinyon Mitchell
Cam Hart
Jarrian Jones
Kalen King
Johnny Dixon
About us: https://t.co/eQpG3v2547 pic.twitter.com/UNIdzQjQuB
However, he ranks outside the top 100 in big boards for PFF (No. 149 overall) and ESPN (No. 248 overall). Per data from PFF, he allowed a reception on fewer than half of his targets in three collegiate seasons and didn't allow a touchdown in 2023.
SAFETY: Sione Vaki, Utah
During his junior year, Vaki emerged as a dual-threat star, finishing the season with two more offensive touches (53) than tackles (51).
Vaki averaged 7.5 yards on 42 carries and added 203 yards on 11 receptions. Utah deployed him as a Wildcat quarterback on this 72-yard touchdown against California.
We tried to tell you he's nice with it.
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) October 14, 2023
@Pac12Network #GoUtes pic.twitter.com/r6YEz5yM4l
With the NFL's revised kickoff, who knows, he could become a special teams ace on both ends.
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