A look at the college careers of the 2024 NFL Draft top five picks

NFL Draft
257 players
College careers
Caleb Williams (Chicago Bears)
2022 masterclass
Jayden Daniels (Washington Commanders)
2023
Drake Maye (New England Patriots)
Passing and rushing
Marvin Harrison Jr (Arizona Cardinals)
Best wide receiver
Joe Alt (Los Angeles Chargers)
Runs in the family
NFL Draft

The 89th edition of the NFL Draft took place from April 25th until April 27th, with America's best college players making their way to the pros.

257 players

This year's NFL Draft saw 257 players chosen in seven rounds, but the first five selected on April 25th are the players who are expected to make an instant impact when they join up with their teams for training camp.

College careers

Here is a look at the outstanding college careers of the first five NFL Draft picks in 2024! 

Want to see more like this? Follow us here for daily sports news, profiles and analysis!

Caleb Williams (Chicago Bears)

Former USC quarterback Caleb Williams was selected as the number one overall pick by the Chicago Bears after an unbelievable stretch with the Trojans in 2022, winning the Heisman Trophy and AP College Player of the Year.

2022 masterclass

ESPN reported that Williams threw for 4,537 yards and 42 touchdowns in 2022, leading the Trojans to a record of 11-3. His 2023 season wasn't as good, but the season before showed how effective Williams could be when he starts his NFL journey in September.

Jayden Daniels (Washington Commanders)

Louisiana State University graduate Jayden Daniels was selected number two by the Washington Commanders, coming in from one of the greatest quarterback stretches in college football history. 

2023

Like Williams, Daniels won multiple awards in 2023, securing the Heisman Trophy and AP College Player of the Year, scoring 40 passing touchdowns, and accumulating nearly 5000 yards of offense. He is the only college football player to record 12,000 passing yards and 3000 rushing yards.

Drake Maye (New England Patriots)

Drake Maye was the third quarterback to be selected in as many picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, joining the historic New England Patriots after playing for the North Carolina Tar Heels in college, winning the 2022 ACC Player and Offensive Player of the Year awards.

Want to see more like this? Follow us here for daily sports news, profiles and analysis!

Passing and rushing

Maye finished the 2022 season with a school-record 4,321 passing yards and 38 passing touchdowns, while also leading the team in rushing yards (698) with seven rushing touchdowns, according to the ACC website. He made Second Team All-ACC in 2023.

Marvin Harrison Jr (Arizona Cardinals)

The first wide receiver chosen in the NFL Draft was Marvin Harrison Jr of the Ohio State Buckeyes, where he was recognized as a two-time unanimous All-American, having scored 28 touchdowns in 25 games across the 2022 and 2023 seasons.

Best wide receiver

Sports Illustrated reported that Harrison Jr was widely considered the best wide receiver in college football and was recognized by winning the 2023 Fred Biletnikoff award after 14 touchdowns and recording 1,211 yards. 

Joe Alt (Los Angeles Chargers)

The Los Angeles Chargers selected 6ft8 giant Joe Alt as the fifth pick of the NFL Draft, who predominantly played as an offensive tackle for Notre Dame. In 2023, he was a finalist for the Outland Trophy, which awards the nation's best Offensive and Defensive Linemen.

Runs in the family

Alt was unanimously named to the 2023 College Football All-America Team and named as a First-Team All-American in 2022. His father, John Alt, played his entire NFL career for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1984 to 1996.

Want to see more like this? Follow us here for daily sports news, profiles and analysis!

More for you