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Mike Fanelli looks at seven sleeper prospects who could sneak their way into the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
The 2024 NFL Draft is nearly here. While everyone wants to talk about the top-five quarterbacks and all the quarterbacks that will get drafted that high, there will be 252 picks made outside the top five.
Every year, at least one player gets drafted in the first round that no one saw coming. There were two surprise first-round draft picks last year. The Detroit Lions selected Jack Campbell at 18th overall, while the Dallas Cowboys took Mazi Smith with the 26th pick.
Let’s look at seven sleeper prospects who could sneak their way into the first round this year.
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Michael Penix Jr. (QB – Washington)
After suffering a season-ending injury all four years at Indiana, Penix had back-to-back outstanding seasons at Washington. He had 9,544 passing yards, 67 touchdowns, and only 19 interceptions in 28 games the past two years, showing off outstanding deep-ball touch. While Penix isn’t a top-three quarterback in the draft class, he could be a first-round pick.
There is no shortage of teams that need a quarterback this year. If the Minnesota Vikings don’t trade up into the top five for J.J. McCarthy, they could select Penix with one of their two first-round picks. Several teams could draft him as their guy of the future. The Los Angeles Rams have done their homework on the draft class, with Matthew Stafford nearing the end of his career.
Michael Penix Jr. could draw major attention in the first round 🎯
per @MySportsUpdate https://t.co/qGmDM04zg0 pic.twitter.com/vy7lewvxpI
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) April 16, 2024
Trey Benson (RB – Florida State)
Last year, there were two first-round running backs -- Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs. While the 2024 running back draft class lacks an elite prospect, there are several talented players. Many believe Trey Benson will be the first running back drafted on Day 2 after totaling over 900 rushing yards and nine touchdowns in back-to-back seasons at Florida State.
However, could a team pull the trigger on Benson late in the first round? It’s unlikely, but not impossible. The Dallas Cowboys have the 24th overall pick and a massive need at the running back position. After losing Tony Pollard in free agency, the Cowboys have Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn, and Royce Freeman in the backfield. Would anyone be surprised if Jerry Jones pulled the trigger on Benson in the first round?
Ladd McConkey (WR – Georgia)
No one will argue that Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, and Rome Odunze are the top-three wide receivers in the draft class. However, opinions vary after the top-three guys. Some believe McConkey is the next-best receiver in the draft class despite putting up limited numbers in Georgia's run-heavy offense.
There are several wide receiver-needy teams picking in the second half of the first round. McConkey could come off the board as early as 15th overall to the Indianapolis Colts. The Cincinnati Bengals (18th), Pittsburgh Steelers (20th), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (26th), Buffalo Bills (28th), San Francisco 49ers (31st), and Kansas City Chiefs (32nd) could also draft the Bulldog. After dominating at the Senior Bowl, no one should be surprised to see McConkey hear his name called on Day 1.
Ben Sinnott (TE – Kansas State)
Brock Bowers is the clear-cut No. 1 tight end in the draft class and a potential top-10 pick. However, who will be the second tight end off the board? Ja'Tavion Sanders was the heavy favorite in early February, but many in the NFL loved Sinnott and his versatility. He is an underrated receiver who could become a Swiss Army knife weapon for a creative offensive coordinator.
PUT MORE RESPECT on Ben Sinnott's name.
In 2023 (per PFF)
9th in rec grade & YPRR
4th in MTFThe ceiling stats that we REALLY should care about
Among all TEs with at least 10 man coverage tgs
14th in rec grade
15th in YPRROH & he is a SAVAGE with blocking. He arguably is… pic.twitter.com/D4HdtmC5lT
— Derek Brown (@DBro_FFB) April 10, 2024
Several teams in the NFL use multiple tight ends, including the Buffalo Bills, who took Dalton Kincaid in the first round last year despite having Dawson Knox signed to a long-term deal. Therefore, don’t be surprised if Sinnott lands with the San Francisco 49ers or Kansas City Chiefs at the end of the first round. Both teams use multiple tight end sets and have an aging veteran.
Jordan Morgan (OL – Arizona)
Most mock drafts have a run on offensive tackles in the teens, with as many as six coming off the board in the top-20 picks. Therefore, we could see up to 10 offensive tackles get drafted in the first round, including Morgan. He played offensive tackle at Arizona, but many draft evaluators believe Morgan will have to slide inside to guard in the NFL because of his shorter-than-ideal arm length.
Yet, that shouldn’t impact his chances of going in the first round. Several guards earned record-breaking contracts this offseason. More importantly, multiple teams at the end of the first round need offensive line help. The Dallas Cowboys (24th), Green Bay Packers (25th), Arizona Cardinals (27th), and Baltimore Ravens (30th) all have a need at guard. Morgan is a first-round lock if the offensive tackle run happens early enough.
Zach Frazier (C – West Virginia)
The last time a center went in the first round of an NFL Draft was in 2022. Tyler Linderbaum was the 25th overall pick by the Baltimore Ravens. However, two centers could get drafted in the first round this year -- Jackson Powers-Johnson and Frazier. The West Virginia star is the one more likely to get drafted on Day 1 despite coming off a broken fibula.
Frazier could come off the board as early as 21st overall to the Miami Dolphins. However, his more likely first-round draft range is between the Dallas Cowboys at 24th overall and the Kansas City Chiefs at 32nd overall. The Cowboys lost Tyler Biadasz to the Washington Commanders in free agency. Meanwhile, Creed Humphrey is entering the final year of his rookie deal and might not return in 2025, creating a need for the Chiefs.
Braden Fiske (DL – Florida State)
Many believe Byron Murphy II and Jer’Zhan Newton will be the first two defensive linemen drafted this year and first-round picks. However, Fiske could join them as Day 1 selections. The Florida State star is slightly undersized but is an athletic freak. Furthermore, he was productive in college, totaling 21 tackles for a loss and 12 sacks over the past two seasons.
Best 40, Vert, and Broad Jump of the day among DTs. Braden Fiske just unleashed his inner combine beast and might’ve Hulk-smashed his way into the first round. pic.twitter.com/HiR10TqL1M
— Kyle Lindemann (@LuckIsMadeFF) February 29, 2024
While Fiske won’t sneak into the top-20 picks, multiple teams in the 20s could draft the athletic defensive lineman. The Arizona Cardinals spent significant money in free agency improving their defensive line. However, they could take Fiske with the 27th overall pick to add some athleticism up front. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills (28th) and San Francisco 49ers (31st) lost multiple defensive linemen in free agency.
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