NFL Analysis
1/5/24
10 min read
2024 NFL Draft: Hidden Gem Prospects You Need To Know
Believe it or not, NFL Draft season is just around the corner. The regular season wraps up this weekend, meaning 18 teams will start getting ready for the offseason on Monday. And with the Senior Bowl and the East-West Shrine Game happening later this month, it’s time to start digging into some draft prospects.
You probably know the top names in the 2024 class. Caleb Williams (USC), Drake Maye (North Carolina) and Marvin Harrison Jr. (Ohio State) are household names who should all be picked in the top five selections.
But who are the players to watch in the mid-rounds in the next few months? Here are six hidden gems from the 2024 class you need to know.
Hidden Gem Prospects
Braelon Allen, RB, Wisconsin
It’s hard to call a Wisconsin running back who rushed for nearly 3,500 yards and 35 touchdowns in three seasons a hidden gem, but that's the case with Braelon Allen.
On most early draft boards, Allen isn’t even ranked inside the top five running backs for the 2024 class. And the early consensus is that we won't have a running back picked in the top 40. However, Allen has all the makings of a multiyear starter and a value on draft day.
Allen is a unique prospect in so many ways. The first is regarding his age. Allen doesn't turn 20 years old until January 20 — and played his entire college career before then. He's the youngest player in the 2024 class, which means a ton at the running back position.
Most teams hesitate to pay running backs once they reach age 27 and start to wear down. That wouldn't be the case for Allen, who will be just 23 at the end of his rookie contract.
Another reason why Allen is such an interesting prospect is his size. He is expected to measure in at 6-foot-2, 245 pounds at the NFL Combine. Since 2014, only three running backs who have weighed 240 or more pounds have been selected. Here are those running backs:
- Derrick Henry, 247
- A.J. Dillon, 247
- Leonard Fournette, 240
Fournette ran the fastest 40-yard dash time of those three backs at 4.51. The expectation around the league is that Allen will run a sub-4.50 40-yard dash, which would be incredible for a player of his size.
Allen isn’t the quickest or shiftiest runner, but his size and speed combo is unmatched. In the right system, he could be a 1,000-yard back right away. His physical playing style, combined with his long speed, make him one of the most exciting running backs in this class.
Where he gets drafted is anyone's guess, but there is no doubt that talent-wise, he is at least on the A.J. Dillon tier. And it's not hard to envision him having similar success in the NFL at a much cheaper price.
Malachi Corley, WR, Western Kentucky
The 2024 wide receiver class is absolutely loaded. Harrison Jr. is among the best wide receiver prospects to enter the NFL in the last decade. We could also see four other receivers selected inside the top 20, making this one of the strongest wide receiver groups in several years.
But one mid-round receiver to watch is Western Kentucky’s Malachi Corley. In the last two seasons, you’d be hard-pressed to find a receiver more productive than Corley. During those 26 games, Corley totaled 2,377 yards and 22 touchdowns from scrimmage.
During the 2022 season, Corley led Conference USA in receptions (101), receiving yards (1,295) and touchdowns (11). He finished second in the conference in yards from scrimmage — he was one of the most explosive offensive players in the country.
Corley followed that up with another incredible season in 2023 and has since declared for the NFL Draft. He also accepted his invitation to the Senior Bowl, where he should have a chance to shine.
But as good as the raw counting stats are for Corley, that’s not why he’s on this list. Corley makes it because of just how good he is after the catch.
Malachi Corley had 648 yards after the catch during the 2023 season, which ranked 5th overall. pic.twitter.com/MAQXz62CD4
— Nick Penticoff (@NickPenticoff) December 27, 2023
During the 2022 season, Corley led the nation in YAC (975) and averaged a whopping 9.7 YAC/reception. That was No. 1 in the nation among receivers with at least 80 targets. In 2023, that number dipped slightly (8.6), which was still good for fourth in the country.
One of the skills that translates best to the NFL is winning after the catch. With so many teams searching for the next Deebo Samuel, Corley should find his way into Day 2. Much like Samuel, Corley plays a physical brand of football and is nearly impossible to bring down in the open field. He has a chance to be one of the biggest risers in the next two months.
Graham Barton, OL, Duke
There wasn’t an interior offensive lineman selected in Round 1 last season. NFL teams believe you can find solid guards and centers on Day 2 and Day 3. That could be the case in 2024 because the interior offensive line class is weak as a whole.
However, Graham Barton is someone to watch during the draft process. Barton played 2,178 snaps at left tackle for Duke, but he also has some experience at center. During the 2020 season, Barton started at center and fared exceptionally well. He doesn't have great length, so the expectation is he will move inside.
>>READ: 2024 Senior Bowl Invites
Barton accepted his Senior Bowl invite and has a chance to really improve his draft stock in the next three months. If Matthew Bergeron (Atlanta Falcons) and Steve Avila (Los Angeles Rams) can be picked inside the top 50, Barton has a chance to do that, too.
Dallin Holker, TE, Colorado State
Brock Bowers is the clear-cut No. 1 tight end in the class, and there's a significant drop-off after him. Last year, six tight ends were selected in the first two rounds. But there is a good chance only Bowers goes in the top 64.
One tight end worth monitoring in the middle rounds is Dallin Holker from Colorado State. After transferring from BYU, Holker had an excellent senior season, posting 767 yards and six touchdowns in 12 games.
He accepted his invitation to the East-West Shrine Game and has a chance to raise his stock with a good week. He makes this list because of his YAC prowess.
Colorado State scores again! What a catch! #colorado pic.twitter.com/O0Amme2LI6
— Tanner Phifer (@TannerPhiferNFL) September 17, 2023
Holker isn’t overly big (listed at 6-foot-3, 235 pounds), but his speed (4.64 40-yard dash) and movement skills make him an intriguing player.
He compares well to another former Colorado State tight end, Trey McBride, who is having a breakout season. Holker isn’t quite as dynamic as a receiver. Still, he is one of the more under-the-radar tight ends in this class.
Payton Wilson, LB, North Carolina State
Much like the running back position, the linebacker position is devalued in the NFL Draft. There was only one off-the-ball linebacker selected in the first two rounds last year (Jack Campbell). And there is an excellent chance no linebacker will be picked in the top 50 this year.
But one of the most intriguing linebackers in this class is Payton Wilson from North Carolina State. Wilson has the type of game that translates to the NFL. He’s a do-it-all linebacker who never has to come off the field. Wilson is a tackling machine, totaling 220 tackles in his last 23 games.
Tackles are great, but splash plays are where Wilson excels. Since 2022, Wilson has recorded 30 tackles for a loss and 10.5 sacks. But he isn’t just a downhill thumper, either. Wilson recorded seven interceptions and is excellent in coverage.
There isn’t a lot to dislike about Wilson. He can cover. He makes a bunch of tackles. And he is a pretty effective blitzer. Wilson might not test as a 99th-percentile athlete, but there are no questions about his sideline-to-sideline speed.
Despite the NFL devaluing linebackers, there aren't a lot of quality players at that position in the league. Wilson should be a plug-and-play starter for a team on Day 2.
Injuries will be a factor here because his medical history is extensive. However, Wilson might be the best linebacker in this class on the field. Expect him to fall somewhere between picks 70-120 but to be an immediate impact player.
Jonah Monheim, OL, USC
Jonah Monheim is the only name on this list who hasn't declared for the draft. Underclassmen have until Jan. 15 to decide. As of now, Monheim is one of this class's most underrated offensive linemen.
The key to success for mid-round offensive linemen is versatility. How many different positions can you play well? That determines who is active on game days and who will get on the field when injuries occur. Luckily for Monheim, he has plenty of experience across the offensive line.
Monheim started his career (2021) as a right tackle and performed well. In 2022, he played more than 700 snaps at right tackle before kicking inside to guard to finish the season. But in 2023, Monheim made the full-time switch to left tackle and performed exceptionally well.
Playing both tackle spots and right guard makes him one of this class's most intriguing mid-round offensive linemen.
Monheim needs to work on his ability to drive defenders off the line of scrimmage in the run game. But he will be drafted relatively high due to his pass-blocking skills. Monheim got plenty of pass-set opportunities in Lincoln Riley's pass-first offense. He has good feet, and his ability to mirror some of the top edge rushers in the country was a joy to watch.
Here is a clip of him (LT) against Washington EDGE Bralen Trice, one of the top pass rushers in the Pac-12 this season. Look at how well he can flip his hips and stay with his defender:
— Tuke Dobin (@NotDukeTobin) December 19, 2023
With the NFL desperately needing more quality offensive tackles, Monheim should see his value rise the closer we get to draft day. But right now, he is one of the biggest sleepers in the entire draft with his pass-blocking prowess and position flexibility.
