Rating 8 rookies picked after Day 1 who've an opportunity to be NFL stars

Whereas the prospects deemed to be the very best and possessing essentially the most upside getting into the NFL in any given 12 months are first-round picks, the very high of the draft shouldn’t be the one place the place golf equipment can discover top-end expertise.

Lots of the league’s greatest gamers — previous and current — have ranged from the second spherical to undrafted. Present stars chosen after Day 1 embrace the likes of Derrick Henry (second spherical), Travis Kelce (third spherical), Maxx Crosby (fourth spherical) and Puka Nacua (fifth spherical), amongst others.

Listed below are eight gamers chosen after the primary spherical of this 12 months’s draft who’ve an opportunity to be stars, ranked in descending order by their breakout potential:

Draft slot: No. 68 total (third spherical)Measurables: 6-foot-3, 195 pounds2024 stats (12 video games): 3 INTs, 2 PBUs, 18 tackles

In six seasons at Iowa State, Porter was only a one-year starter. He’s been a cornerback for simply three years, too. However his elite measurement and size on the place make him the right venture for Raiders coach Pete Carroll, who has helped to show different former receivers into star corners, together with Legion of Increase legend Richard Sherman and 2023 Professional Bowler Riq Woolen. Porter’s excellent particular groups potential ought to hold him round lengthy sufficient to show that potential into actuality as a cornerback.

Draft slot: No. 67 total (third spherical)Measurables: 6-foot-3, 241 pounds2024 stats (13 video games): 117 catches for 1,555 yards and 10 TDs

Fannin had a historic 2024 marketing campaign at Bowling Inexperienced, breaking the FBS information for tight ends in receiving yards, receptions, receiving yards per recreation and receptions per recreation. A gifted receiver, Fanning has nice run-after-the-catch potential that ought to translate to the NFL degree, even supposing he’s not essentially the most swish athlete. At simply 20 years outdated, his greatest soccer seems to be forward of him.

Draft slot: No. 96 total (third spherical)Measurables: 6-foot, 204 kilos 2024 stats (16 video games): 6 INTs, 10 PBUs, 82 tackles, FF

Watts makes up for his lack of measurement and top-end athleticism along with his elite manufacturing. He registered 13 interceptions and 27 go breakups in his final two seasons at Notre Dame, displaying a playmaking potential that ought to translate to the professionals.

Draft slot: No. 144 total (fifth spherical) Measurables: 6-foot-1, 212 pounds2024 stats (13 video games): 74.0% completion fee for 4,134 yards and 37 touchdowns with 10 INTs

Broadly thought of one of many high two quarterbacks on this 12 months’s rookie class at the beginning of the pre-draft course of, Sanders has the expertise to do greater than merely outplay his draft slot. Regardless of an absence of elite traits and an inclination to carry the ball a bit too lengthy at instances, the previous Colorado star is a cultured, correct passer with supreme confidence and a confirmed observe document of delivering in late-game conditions.

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Draft slot: No. 133 total (fourth spherical) Measurables: 6-foot, 205 pounds2024 stats (7 video games): 55 receptions for 834 yards and 6 TDs

Royals is a clean athlete with the monitoring abilities to be an incredible NFL receiver in time, a course of which could possibly be accelerated by enjoying with a quarterback like Patrick Mahomes. Earlier than lacking Utah State’s remaining 5 video games final season as a result of a foot harm, Royals ranked fourth within the FBS with 119.1 receiving yards per recreation. His 10 catches of a minimum of 50 yards because the begin of 2023 additionally led the FBS.

Draft slot: No. 47 total (second spherical) Measurables: 6-foot-2, 194 kilos 2024 stats (6 video games): 2 INTs, 3 PBUs, 14 tackles

If it weren’t for medical considerations, Johnson might need gone within the high half of the primary spherical. The previous Michigan standout has the dimensions, size, instincts and protection IQ to be a star cornerback within the NFL. The defensive MVP of the 2023 nationwide title recreation, Johnson was a second-team All-American final season regardless of enjoying simply six video games as a result of toe and hamstring accidents.

Draft slot: No. 59 total (second spherical) Measurables: 6-foot-3, 251 pounds2024 stats (13 video games): 17 sacks, 84 tackles (22.5 for loss), 3 FF

Inexperienced enters the NFL with character considerations, as sexual assault allegations in his previous performed a job in his slide out of the primary spherical. From a soccer standpoint, he’s an explosive go rusher with an arsenal of strikes that offers him an opportunity to be a plus edge defender in the long run, regardless of missing splendid measurement. His 17 sacks at Marshall final season led the FBS.

Draft slot: No. 38 total (second spherical)Measurables: 5-foot-10, 202 pounds2024 stats (16 video games): 144 carries for 1,016 yards and 10 TDs

Exterior of Ashton Jeanty, Henderson is arguably essentially the most full working again on this class. He might not be essentially the most swish rusher, however he will get the job accomplished between the tackles and has home-run velocity in his again pocket. He can catch out of the backfield and is seen as elite in go safety, too. Colts common supervisor Chris Ballard stated he’s nearly as good of a pass-protecting working again as he’s ever scouted. Henderson could possibly be a high-upside, three-down again from Day 1.

Ben Arthur is an NFL reporter for FOX Sports activities. He beforehand labored for The Tennessean/USA TODAY Community, the place he was the Titans beat author for a 12 months and a half. He lined the Seattle Seahawks for SeattlePI.com for 3 seasons (2018-20) previous to shifting to Tennessee. You possibly can comply with Ben on Twitter at @benyarthur.

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