Three rounds and 100 picks have come and gone at the 2024 NFL Draft. While that’s snapped up most of this year’s top prospects, a handful of impact players are still waiting to hear their names called in Detroit.
They range from all-conference defensive backs to All-American wide receivers to the sons of All-Pro veterans. While the majority of the 166 picks made on Day 3 will go on to forgettable NFL careers, a handful will shine like diamonds and be just the kind of draft bargains their teams need to engineer a Super Bowl run.
Who are the best available players for Round 4 on Saturday? Here are the top 10. Rankings come from our pre-draft big board, where applicable.
Sep 16, 2023; Athens, Ohio, USA; Ohio Bobcats wide receiver Sam Wiglusz (12) takes a hit from Iowa State Cyclones defensive back T.J. Tampa (2) during the second quarter at Peden Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Lunsford-USA TODAY Sports
Big Board rank: 34
A rangy sideline cornerback who can turn and run with deep threats and swat away balls with excellent size and explosiveness. He could stand to clean up his footwork, but the talent is there.
Jan 1, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive end Brandon Dorlus (3) against the Liberty Flames during the 2024 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Big Board rank: 51
Dorlus has explosive power that allows him to shoot gaps and ruin the plans of opposing offenses. He’s sloppy but effective, with a solid motor and the ability to shrink pockets and swat down passes at the line of scrimmage.
Sep 23, 2023; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Colorado Buffaloes corner back Omarion Cooper (3) is called for pass interference on Oregon Ducks wide receiver Troy Franklin (11) during the second half at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Big Board rank: 59
Franklin had the greatest receiving season of any player in Oregon history in 2023 and is a certified burner with 4.41-second 40 speed at 6-foot-2. But he lacks muscle to consistently shrug off press coverage and drops too many passes.
Nov 3, 2023; Syracuse, New York, USA; Boston College Eagles quarterback Thomas Castellanos (1) celebrates his touchdown run with teammate offensive lineman Christian Mahogany (73) against the Syracuse Orange during the second half at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Big Board rank: 64
Mahogany is a rock solid guard who rarely gets pushed back in pass blocking. While his athleticism and footwork leave something to be desired, he can make an immediate impact as an NFL starter.
Dec 3, 2022; Charlotte, NC, USA; Clemson Tigers linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (54) warms up before the ACC Championship game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY NETWORK
Big Board rank: 68
Trotter can occasionally get beaten by faster running backs, but he’s a tackling machine who swarms to the ball. He’s a straight-up thumper and a fearsome presence in the middle of the field.
Oct 14, 2023; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Missouri Tigers defensive back Kris Abrams-Draine (7) celebrates after the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports
Big Board rank: 72
An uber-productive cornerback — 40 passes broken up in three seasons! — with fluid hips and good instincts. His relative lack of size may force him to the slot, where he can be a devastating deterrent.
Nov 9, 2023; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Virginia Cavaliers wide receiver Malik Washington (4) runs the ball against the Louisville Cardinals during the first quarter at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports
Big Board rank: Honorable mention (outside the top 77)
This wildly effective slot receiver has been washed out by a mighty crop of wideouts, but he can have an immediate impact on Sundays. He may never be a true WR1 thanks to his lack of height (5-foot-8), but he can be a devastating second option who turns short targets into big gains.
Dec 17, 2022; Inglewood, CA, USA; Washington State Cougars defensive back Jaden Hicks (25) breaks up a pass in the end zone intended for Fresno State Bulldogs wide receiver Nikko Remigio (1) at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Big Board rank: NR
At 6-foot-2, 215 pounds and 4.5-second 40 speed, Hicks has the hallmarks of a thumping box safety. But he’s fluid and rangy in coverage and a bit sloppy as a tackler, leaving him to languish in an uneven crop of safety talent in this year’s draft.
Nov 25, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Braelon Allen (0) runs for a first down against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via USA TODAY NETWORK ORG XMIT: IMAGN-712539 ORIG FILE ID: 20231125_gma_usa_0060.jpg
Big Board rank: Honorable mention (outside the top 77)
Just because Allen is a big, powerful running back doesn’t mean he runs like Derrick Henry. The Badger star can pick up tough yardage, but its his explosive first step and solid vision that lead to big gains more than his ability to truck linebackers.
Nov 18, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans wide receiver Brenden Rice (2) catches a touchdown against UCLA Bruins defensive back Jaylin Davies (24) during the second quarter at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: IMAGN-712492 ORIG FILE ID: 20231118_jhp_sp2_0309.JPG
Big Board rank: NR
Jerry’s son combines solid speed and size with steady improvement and a Hall of Fame bloodline. His separation skills need work, but he has tremendous hands and a nose for the end zone.