2024 NFL Draft sleepers who could make an instant impact as rookies (2024)

It’s hope season in the National Football League, when most everyone feels like a contender and those who don’t have firmly convinced themselves it’s all part of the plan.

The members of the 2024 NFL Draft class are roughly a month into their new lives. And with teams starting OTAs this week, coaches and GMs are beginning to get a glimpse at their latest investments. We generally know what to expect from the players selected in the top 100.

What about the Day 3 guys, though? Here’s a look at a bunch of under-the-radar prospects who either have paths to playing time or seem to be perfect fits with their new clubs:

Troy Franklin, WR, Denver Broncos

Round 4, Pick 102

While it’s fair to question whether or not Bo Nix’s talent was worth the No. 12 pick, I do like Nix and have for a while (more than Michael Penix Jr., actually). If the Broncos can surround Nix with dependable talent and keep him protected up front, he can win games. That strategy appears to be underway already, as the Broncos snagged a familiar target for their new QB last month.

There were stretches last season when some talent evaluators wondered if Franklin (6-foot-1, 183 pounds) might flirt with the first round, as he is all gas off the line of scrimmage and deep into the third level. Franklin ran a 4.41-second 40-yard dash at the combine and had a nearly 40-inch vertical leap. He’s skinny, but he’s also just 21 years old.

At a minimum, he’ll be a legit deep threat on Day 1. In time, he could be much more.

Devontez Walker, WR, Baltimore Ravens

Round 4, Pick 113

The conversation surrounding Walker during the pre-draft period wasn’t much different than with Franklin. On traits alone, Walker was a first-round prospect, even with all of the studs at wide receiver in the 2024 class. He’s 6-1 with 33-inch arms, 4.36 speed and a 40 1/2-inch vertical. He is a big-play receiver who can adjust in the air and get to off-target throws that others can’t.

Baltimore’s offense has to graduate beyond relying so heavily on Lamar Jackson’s legs and its tight ends. Adding Zay Flowers in 2023 was a good start, and though I’m not saying Walker will have a similar impact, he’ll have every opportunity to try.

Tanor Bortolini, C, Indianapolis Colts

Round 4, Pick 117

This one’s really interesting. A two-year starter at Wisconsin (but just a one-year starter at center), Bortolini was one of the most athletic offensive linemen in the 2024 class, regardless of position.

Jason Kelce set a combine record in 2011 with a 4.14 short shuttle, to go along with a terrific 7.22 three-cone time. The Eagles drafted Kelce in the sixth round that year, and he turned into the greatest pro center of the modern spread era. Bortolini didn’t match Kelce’s short shuttle (4.28), but he topped him in the three-cone (7.16) and had better jump numbers.

Colts coach Shane Steichen wasn’t in Philly when the Eagles drafted Kelce, but he was there long enough to see what an agile, explosive center can do for that offense. Bortolini will have growing pains, but the Colts have plans for him.

Jaylen Wright, RB, Miami Dolphins

Round 4, Pick 120

Every year, there are multiple “how did that happen?” selections. As in, how did the league allow a certain team, with a certain style, to get a player who fits so well on Day 3? That was the case this year with Wright and the Dolphins.

The best home-run hitter in this draft, Wright averaged better than seven yards per carry last season (1,013 yards) at Tennessee and added 22 catches. Moreover, he finished at an average of 4.35 yards after contact.

There were workload questions about all the backs this year, Wright included, but the Dolphins don’t need to overload him. Wright and Devon Achane in Mike McDaniel’s offense are basically perfect fits.

T.J. Tampa, CB, Baltimore Ravens

Round 4, Pick 130

Another potential snag by the Ravens here, at a position of need. Tampa has the size (6-0, 194 with 32-inch arms) and foot speed to be a physical, dependable outside corner in the NFL who can come downhill and help in the run game. There are questions about his speed and consistency, which explains why he was available in Round 4.

However, on talent alone, Tampa probably was closer to a second-round prospect in this year’s corner group. Whether or not he earns a starting job immediately will depend on how consistent he is with his run support — but his talent should be enough to get him on the field.

Jaden Hicks, S, Kansas City Chiefs

Round 4, Pick 133

We’ll see which position he winds up playing, and maybe that uncertainty is why Hicks fell into the fourth round. He’ll be on the field somewhere for the Chiefs next season, though, even if it’s as a special-teams ace. The 6-2, 215-pound Hicks is a fast, explosive and physical tweener who can play either safety spot. He was a good man-coverage player in college (and is a former high school CB), and he made 155 combined tackles over the last two years as a see-ball, hit-ball rover.

Hicks is still young (21) and needs to get better at the little things defensively. But this is an impressive athlete who should help the defending Super Bowl champs next season (and beyond).

Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, C, Buffalo Bills

Round 5, Pick 141

I was probably higher on this center class than some, but even those who weren’t feeling the group as a whole could agree Van Pran-Granger was a great value in Round 5. A three-year starter, two-time national champion and two-time captain, Van Pran-Granger was the backbone of Georgia’s powerful and nasty rush attack after earning the starting job in 2021. He’s probably only a center in the NFL, which is likely why he fell as far as he did.

However, the Bills needed center help and Van Pran-Granger is powerful enough to earn reps as an NFL starting offensive lineman right now. If he’s healthy, watch for him to turn heads early in fall camp once the pads come on.

Another center pick I liked on Day 3: NC State’s Dylan McMahon to Philadelphia in the sixth round. Don’t be surprised if he outperforms his draft slot.

D.J. James, CB, Seattle Seahawks

Round 6, Pick 192

This was a bit of a “meh” draft for cornerbacks. Frankly, after the first two (Quinyon Mitchell and Terrion Arnold), it was basically a team-preference situation with regard to how the stack unfolded. So, it’s sort of easy to see why a slightly undersized and older prospect like James slid.

However, James (5-11, 175) was a really good college defensive back in two Power 5 leagues (Pac-12, SEC) as a press player. He’s a nickel, which is fine for a team like Seattle. He’s exactly the type of versatile, smart and competitive defensive back who will fit well in new coach Mike Macdonald’s scheme.

Tanner McLachlan, TE, Cincinnati

Round 6, Pick 194

A few more tight ends could’ve been on this list — Theo Johnson (Giants), AJ Barner (Seahawks), Cade Stover (Texans), Jared Wiley (Chiefs) and Jaheim Bell (Patriots) are all good enough to make something happen next year. But McLachlan might be my favorite.

The Bengals double dipped at TE on Day 3, also grabbing Iowa’s Erick All, an athletic and versatile player, in the fourth before getting McLachlan in the sixth. I actually liked McLachlan better but can see a situation where both guys make something happen. A former basketball player with reliable hands, McLachlan is really good off the ball and in the middle of the field after the catch.

Christian Mahogany, G, Detroit Lions

Round 6, Pick 210

It was an offseason of extension decisions for GM Brad Holmes and the Lions, who re-upped core players Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Penei Sewell. One guy Detroit parted with, though, was starting guard Jonah Jackson, a four-year starter for the Lions. Jackson received a three-year, $51 million contract from the Rams, and the Lions answered by drafting a guy who plays a lot like … Jonah Jackson.

Mahogany had a chance to go on Day 2, were it not for injury concerns. As was the case with Jackson coming out of college, he has the type of power (and nasty demeanor) that should immediately translate to the NFL game. Mahogany will compete with veteran Kevin Zeitler early, but he’ll be an easy plug-and-play backup if he starts the year as the sixth lineman.He’s a future starter in Detroit and a perfect culture fit.

Brenden Rice, WR, Los Angeles Chargers

Round 7, Pick 225

Jerry Rice’s son will play for Jim Harbaugh — part of this sounds like a checklist item from Harbaugh’s personal fantasy camp. And though there may be truth to that, this pick also represented great value at an area of need for the Chargers.

The 6-2, 208-pound Rice is a powerful outside receiver with great foot speed, strong hands and sound football IQ. He’s the son of the greatest WR to ever play the sport, and he works like he’s got something to prove. Rice might not turn into a superstar like his dad, but he has the tools to be a very steady NFL X receiver who might compare to someone like Josh Reynolds. He could be a great find this late.

Malik Washington and Tahj Washington, WRs, Miami Dolphins

Round 6, Pick 184 (Malik)
Round 7, Pick 241 (Tahj)

Two picks from the same team — the Dolphins are at it again — to close us out. Virginia’s Malik Washington (5-8, 191) was one of the best contested-catch players in college football last season and has a master’s degree in how to get himself open underneath.

Tahj Washington, meantime, was a hyper-productive receiver for Caleb Williams (combined 159 catches, 1,847 yards, 14 TDs last two years) who also ran down punts as a gunner and played generally fearless football at USC, despite his 5-9, 174-pound frame.

The Dolphins ranked No. 31 in draft capital entering the 2024 draft, but it’s hard to say too many teams had a better Day 3. That’s making the most of a tough spot.

Other notables: Mason McCormick, OL, Pittsburgh Steelers (Round 4, No. 119); Audric Estime, RB, Denver Broncos (Round 5, No. 147); Tommy Eichenberg, LB, Las Vegas Raiders (Round 5, No. 148), Jamari Thrash, WR, Cleveland Browns (Round 5, No. 156); Mekhi Wingo, DT, Detroit Lions (Round 6, No. 189); Khristian Boyd, DT, New Orleans Saints (Round 6, No. 199); Cornelius Johnson, WR, Los Angeles Chargers (Round 7, No. 253).

(Photo of Devontez Walker: Grant Halverson / Getty Images)