The 2024 NFL Draft is getting closer by the day, and Fans First Sports Network is here to give you the best draft analysis anywhere! Between now and the NFL Draft, we will reveal our NFL Draft big board, one position at a time. Today, we will continue with the defensive backs.

Those of you who know us from Behind the Steel Curtain may remember our BTSC Big Board we did the past three years, and we are excited to have a good portion of the crew back to do it here at FFSN. The board will be my comprised of my personal rankings, player stats, and scouting reports for all early-round prospects. Stats are compiled by community member SNW, and scouting reports come from a collaborative effort of myself, Jeremy Betz, Shannon White, Adam Curry, Noah_E., Nolan Keck, skyfire322, and Necksnation.

For each position, we will give a positional ranking, my overall round ranking, previous season stats, and an in-depth scouting report for each early and mid-round round prospect. We hope this will be a helpful resource for you as you become familiarized with draft prospects that your team may be looking at.

In case you have missed any of our previous positional big board rankings, you can check them out by clicking on the links below.

2024 FFSN NFL Draft Big Board: QB Rankings and Analysis

2024 FFSN NFL Draft Big Board: Inside Linebacker Rankings

2024 FFSN NFL Draft Big Board: Interior Offensive Line Rankings

FFSN 2024 NFL Draft Big Board: Tight End Rankings and Analysis

2024 FFSN NFL Draft Big Board: EDGE Rankings and Scouting Reports

2024 FFSN NFL Draft Big Board: Running Back Rankings and Analysis

2024 FFSN NFL Draft Big Board: Wide Receiver Rankings

Note: All stats and analysis are unedited from what the original contributor submitted.

1. Joe Alt | Notre Dame | 6’ 8”, 315 lbs.
Wilbar’s Overall Grade: Top 5
2023 Stats: GP 12
Andrew Wilbar: Alt is one of the cleanest, most complete tackle prospects I have ever evaluated. Penei Sewell is easily the highest-graded lineman I have ever evaluated, but Alt may be the next-highest. For a tackle with his height, he does a surprisingly good job lowering his pad level as a run blocker and pushing defenders off the ball. His mobility is fantastic, and his first-step quickness is elite for a prospect of his size. He is mechanically sound as well, displaying great footwork, landing accurate punches, and possessing outstanding awareness. Alt was one of the leaders of the Notre Dame offense and the heart and soul of the offensive line. There are no red flags off the field, and he always brings his A game. While I believe he is capable of playing right tackle, why ruin a good thing on the left side? Personally, I would let him be on the left side and not mess with anything. With the bloodlines, athleticism, and consistency Alt possesses, he is a Day 1 starter at left tackle with All-Pro potential. It is hard to imagine a scenario in which Alt does not carve out a long NFL career.

2. Taliese Fuaga | Oregon State | 6’ 5”, 324 lbs.
Wilbar’s Overall Grade: Top 12
2023 Stats: GP 12
Andrew Wilbar: Fuaga is one of my favorite prospects in this draft, as he shows no fear of anything. Figuratively speaking, he hits defenders in the mouth, and they feel it for days to come. One of the nastiest blockers in this draft, Fuaga uses his exceptional core strength to push defenders off the ball in the run game on a regular basis, and his sound instincts and awareness assist him in picking up delayed blitzes and stunts that come from the inside to the outside. There are three main reasons why he will likely be taken outside the top ten selections: 1) His arm length isn’t elite, 2) His feet can be the slightest bit slow coming out of his stance, and 3) He is almost exclusively a right tackle. While I believe he is a good enough athlete to play on the left side, his physical traits and play style fit better on the right side. Moving to the left side would also make more prevalent the concerns about arm length and foot quickness, which are very minor concerns when profiling him as a right tackle. I see him as a prospect almost to the level of Darnell Wright, who was my highest-rated tackle in last year’s class.

3. Olu Fashanu | Penn State | 6’ 6”, 319 lbs.
Wilbar’s Overall Grade: Mid 1st
2023 Stats: GP 12, OS 722, RBS 340, PBS 382, Sacks 0, Hits 0, Hurries 10
Nolan Keck: 2023 Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year, Team Captain Olumuyiwa Fashanu started all 12 games at Left Tackle for the Nittany Lions in 2023, showing natural instincts and precise footwork for pass protection. He plays with plenty of range and balance to disrupt a rusher with his hands and absorb the contact. Shows good timing and quickness to adjust to different schemes in the Nittany Lions’ balanced, zone-based offense. However, he needs to improve his footwork as a run blocker and show more aggressiveness as a finisher. Overall, he’s a high-end, toolsy Left Tackle with refinement in pass protection but languishes at times as a blocker in the run game. Regardless, his physical tools will be an asset for the NFL Team that selects him in the 1st Round, especially one that employs zone-based schemes, like the Steelers. If the Steelers take him at 20 overall, then he will have his work cut out for him to advance his run blocking to match his pass protection skills.

4. JC Latham | Alabama | 6’ 6”, 360 lbs.
Wilbar’s Overall Grade: Mid 1st
2023 Stats: GP 14
Andrew Wilbar: Latham is a former five-star prospect who was recruited heavily by many blue-blood college football programs after dominating his competition at the high-school level. At 6’6”, 340 pounds, Latham displays surprisingly nimble feet and good awareness, consistently recognizing stunts and delayed blitzes and reacting to them in perfect time. He is an absolute mauler in the run game, effectively using his long arms to win the battle for leverage and displaying dominant lower-body strength and leg drive to push defenders the opposite direction. I like the suddenness he displays out of his stance, but at that size, his ability to change direction is going to be somewhat limited. While his solid first step has definitely allowed him to better mirror speed to the outside, he often overreacts to speed rushers and makes himself liable to the inside shoulder. When faced against pass rushers who can change direction quickly, Latham struggles to redirect his body, allowing the defender to beat him to the inside. If this issue continues in the NFL, he does have the build to move inside to guard effortlessly, where it would be much less of an issue. The CFP semifinal game against Michigan has been critiqued by scouts and pundits, and it definitely was not his best game, but for a good portion of the game, Latham played well. There were just a couple big plays in key moments that he did not live up to his billing, which ended up costing Alabama big time. If you throw that game out, however, it is difficult to find tape on him that has a significant amount of blatantly bad reps. Latham projects almost exclusively on the right side of the offensive line, but the upside is still tremendous.

5. Amarius Mims | Georgia | 6’ 8”, 340 lbs.
Wilbar’s Overall Grade: Mid 1st
2023 Stats: GP 7
Andrew Wilbar: Mims has only started in eight collegiate games, but in the games he played, we saw flashes of complete dominance. Likely a right tackle in the NFL, Mims is an absolute mountain of a man whose power and athleticism combine for a daunting force no defensive lineman or pass rusher will want to be faced against. For someone who plays at 340 pounds, Mims displays a rare amount of mobility, agility, and bend. He played over his feet on occasion this past season, and his pad level was also inconsistent at times, but more experience and NFL coaching should easily fix both of those issues. I would say the greatest concern with Mims is that he suffered a high ankle sprain this past season, which required him to have tightrope surgery. Injuries to the lower extremities have historically had a greater impact on bigger athletes, which could definitely cause concern moving forward. As a player on the field, however, he looks the part of a future superstar. His development will be exciting to watch over his first few seasons.

6. Tyler Guyton | Oklahoma | 6’ 7”, 327 lbs.
Wilbar’s Overall Grade: Early 2nd
2023 Stats: GP 10
Jeremy Betz: Guyton is a daunting physical specimen, towering over teammates and opponents alike. He plays to his size well, often overpowering defenders based on sheer size and strength alone. Unfortunately, he won’t be able to rely on just his size to win consistently in the NFL and his technique will need serious refinement for him to reach his high ceiling. He has a natural athleticism that coaches will love, and should be a fun project for a team willing to put in the time to teach him the technical aspects of playing Tackle. At his best, Guyton is a powerful RT with elite foot quickness for his size and impressive length. He outleverages defenders with powerful hands and a strong base. Speed rushers can give him trouble around the outside with his inconsistent footwork, and his inability to recover can let defenders in for a quick pressure. If Guyton lands with a team willing to coach him up, he has elite upside. If he’s rushed into a starting role too quickly, it could be a long season for his QB.

7. Kingsley Suamataia | BYU | 6’ 6”, 325 lbs.
Wilbar’s Overall Grade: Early 2nd
2023 Stats: GP 10
Jeremy Betz: Suamataia’s tape is a fun watch, especially in the run game where his athleticism is on full display. The BYU OT is quick, feisty, and plays with good leverage, but he struggles with poor hand usage which can throw off his anchor and allow him to get beat quickly in pass pro. Teams will love getting him out in space in the run game, and he’s a fantastic puller on counters and sweeps. Despite his stature, he sinks his hips well and sets a good base when he gets to his spot. Can play either Tackle spot, and probably projects as a swing tackle early in his career while he refines his technique.

8. Roger Rosengarten | Washington | 6’ 6”, 300 lbs.
Wilbar’s Overall Grade: Early 2nd
2023 Stats: GP 15, OS 993, RBS 368, PBS 625, Sacks 0, Hits 3, Hurries 12
Nolan Keck: An indispensable piece of an offensive line that won the 2023 Joe Moore Award, Roger Rosengarten hasn’t given up a sack the past 2 years while anchoring the right side of the Washington Huskies’ offensive line. A stand out performance in the Senior Bowl has seen Roger’s draft stock shoot up the charts of late. He’s tall with a lengthy frame with tons of experience in zone blocking, and his measurables compare to those of 49er great Joe Staley, with whom he has worked out and received tips. Ed McCaffrey was his coach in high school. He has above average athleticism and footwork, but he’s a better pass blocker than a run blocker. He needs to bulk up to stand up to the rush. Although he has a lengthy frame, he has short arm length, and he can be overly aggressive. But his high football IQ, versatility and athleticism could, in time, make Roger a steal for a team that’s looking for the next Joe Staley in the 2nd round.

9. Jordan Morgan | Arizona | 6’ 5”, 325 lbs.
Wilbar’s Overall Grade: Mid 2nd
2023 Stats: GP 12
Andrew Wilbar: Morgan is a prospect I probably would have liked more if he had been fully healthy, but because he was playing at less than 100% this past season, his tape was not anything that would blow you away. He had not fully recovered from a torn ACL he suffered in 2022, and it will definitely be something the team that drafts him will want to monitor closely moving forward, considering the history of linemen with a history of soft-tissue injuries. As a player on the field, Morgan is a patient blocker who times his punches well while also putting impressive power into those punches. His footwork has improved since arriving at Arizona, and he possesses deceiving power as a run blocker. With arms just a hair shorter than the 33-inch threshold for offensive tackles, Morgan may provide more long-term upside by moving inside to guard. I definitely do not envision him on the left side in the NFL, but when he is at 100%, he has proven his ability to play at a high level.

10. Patrick Paul | Houston | 6’ 7”, 331 lbs.
Wilbar’s Overall Grade: Mid 2nd
2023 Stats: GP 12
Jeremy Betz: My favorite Day 2 OT in this class, Paul is an enormous blocker with high end athleticism. I think he’s a much cleaner prospect than some evaluators give him credit for, and he uses his mass extremely well, especially as a pass protector. I project him as an athletic, high-upside LT, where he played for every one of his 44 starts. He needs to become more consistent in his footwork. He can put himself in a bind when speed rushers beat him to the outside, but he has a great counterpunch against power and if he gets his hands on you, the rep is over. As a run blocker, he needs to improve his feel for spacing and be more patient to let the play develop. He can get ahead of the play at times, allowing backside defenders to work inside him and stop the ballcarrier in the backfield. Don’t get in his way, though. You won’t win that matchup. Overall, this towering Tackle has limitless upside and should be a highly valued player at the top of Day 2.

11. Kiran Amegadjie | Yale | 6’ 5”, 318 lbs.
Wilbar’s Overall Grade: Early 3rd
2023 Stats: GP 4, OS 234, RBS 106, PBS 128, Sacks 0, Hits 0, Hurries 5
Nolan Keck: If players in the NFL Draft were chosen based on measurables alone, then  First-team All-Ivy League Left Tackle Kiran Amegadjie would be a sure Top 10 pick. He has as high a ceiling as any offensive lineman due to his elite size, athleticism and length, with a lot of explosiveness and versatility on the offensive line. The past two years he played at Left Tackle after playing 2021 at Right Guard, but only played 4 games in 2023 due to a quad injury. He has elite arm length and the raw power and explosiveness to cave in his side of the line, but he needs to work on his hand usage as well as continue to improve his footwork. He will correct these things in the NFL and eventually be a solid starter. 

12. Blake Fisher | Notre Dame | 6’ 6”, 310 lbs.
Wilbar’s Overall Grade: Mid 3rd
2023 Stats: GP 12
Andrew Wilbar: Fisher will not be mistaken for Joe Alt as a prospect, but there is still massive upside long-term. Possessing ideal length, Fisher played right tackle for the Irish but has the body type to potentially play either tackle spot in the NFL. Despite not being a mauler with massive bulk, Fisher does a good job controlling defenders in the running game by timing his blocks well, but taking good blocking angles is an area he needs to show more consistency in. He makes a ton of sense for teams whose blocking schemes include a lot of combo blocks, thanks to his impressive nimbleness and agility. Numbers should never override the tape, but I was expecting a better 10-yard split time than the 1.82 he posted at the combine. The mobility in general is not bad, but when you go back to the tape, you’ll notice he does get out of his stance rather slowly. His first-step quickness is not that great, and that is honestly my biggest concern with him going forward. If he can fix that, he has the potential to become a Pro-Bowl caliber tackle.

13. Mason McCormick | OT/G/C | South Dakota State | 6’ 5”, 315 lbs.
Wilbar’s Overall Ranking: Early 4th
2023 Stats: GP 15
Andrew Wilbar: McCormick is one of the more versatile linemen in this class, and he has taken full advantage of the pre-draft process, boosting his draft stock significantly. Built in the mold of a center, McCormick likely moves to the inside at the NFL level, as he is a little too stiff in pass protection to fend off bendier pass rushers on the edge. Personally, I like him at guard to start off, as the learning curve will be less steep than it would be at center. Even if center is his best long-term fit, he will not be ready to play there in Year 1. On the flip side, he is an experienced player who played in 57 straight games and was made a team captain three years in a row. His awareness and recognition in pass protection has allowed him to enjoy consistency throughout that time frame, and that is something that will translate immediately to the NFL. If he can improve his leg drive and learn how to win the battle for leverage off the line, he has the upside of an above-average starting center.

14. Sataoa Laumea | Utah | 6’ 4”, 311 lbs.
Wilbar’s Overall Ranking: Early 4th
2023 Stats: GP 12
Jeremy Betz: A lot of evaluators, including myself, see the powerful Laumea as a better RG prospect than a RT, but he does have a lot of tape at both spots, and performed well at both, especially in the running game. He’s a power player up front and does a great job finding his assignment and getting push on initial contact. He shows a concerning lack of finishing his reps at times, though, and can let defenders impact the play on second efforts. While he’s not the most athletic prospect, he does have good enough agility and footwork to handle NFL defenders. Overall, the former Ute is a position-flexible OL prospect with good traits and enough plus tape for teams to take a swing on him as a solid blocker with a high floor and limited ceiling.

15. Matt Goncalves | Pittsburgh | 6’ 6”, 330 lbs.
Wilbar’s Overall Grade: Mid 4th
2023 Stats: GP 3, OS 165, RBS 83, PBS 82, Sacks 0, Hits 1, Hurries 3
Nolan Keck: A Team Captain from New York, competitive Pitt Left Tackle Matt Goncalves uses his elite hand instincts and ideal body mass to counter bullrushes effectively.  Recognized for his leadership, he is quick to assess threats to the pocket and can executive downfield and second level blocks. His high IQ and versatility allows him to contribute inside or at either tackle spot. However, he just has average footspeed and arm length, and he missed the rest of 2023 after suffering a lower body injury in the 3rd game. Still, his knack for manipulating defenders and ability to sustain blocks will help him carve out a role in the NFL, especially for a Team that values physical run blockers.

16. Delmar Glaze | OT | Maryland | 6’ 4”, 315 lbs.
Wilbar’s Overall Grade: Mid 4th
2023 Stats: GP 13
Jeremy Betz: Glaze is a versatile OL prospect with experience at both Tackle spots, but his best position at the next level might be at OG, where his limited athleticism could be hidden a little better and allow him to play to his strengths as a powerful people-mover up front. As is often the case for players at his position in this draft range, Glaze lacks refined footwork and elite movement skills, which cause him to overcorrect and overset on the outside, allowing pass rushers to cut back inside for quick pressures if he is unable to recover. Speedy pass rushers are his kryptonite, but he does counter power well with a strong anchor and choppy feet. A good puller in the run game, he does well in space taking on 2nd level blocks and finishing plays. Glaze’s poor habits stem more from a lack of athleticism than skill, which is why a move inside to OG might be the best move for him in the NFL. His versatility and experience will get him drafted and have his coaches excited to work with him.

17. Brandon Coleman | TCU | 6’ 6“, 317 lbs.
Wilbar’s Overall Grade: Late 4th
2023 Stats: GP 11
Noah_E: Brandon Coleman was a pretty solid tackle during his time at TCU, but I think he fits best as a guard. He tested as a very good athlete and the tape backs it up. He gets off the line quickly and he has the power to win at the point of attack. His ability to climb to the next level is phenomenal and he does a great job anchoring against double teams. Coleman tends to play with a high pad level and often struggles with his hand placement. Overall his technique as a pass protector could use some work. He has the athleticism and he definitely has the power, but he isn’t polished. Despite his success in college, I’m not sure he has the frame to be a tackle in the NFL. However, I think he has the potential to be a very good guard. He’s somebody you should absolutely look out for on day 3.

18. Dominick Puni | OT/G | Kansas | 6’ 5”, 320 lbs.
Wilbar’s Overall Grade: Late 4th
2023 Stats: GP 12, OS 745, RBS 401, PBS 342, Sacks 0, Hits 0, Hurries 8
Nolan Keck: Dominick Puni is a wide-bodied All-Big 12 Left Tackle for the Jayhawks with a thick upper build and 41 career starts under his belt. He uses his impressive body control and heavy grip strength to be a powerful and mobile run blocker. A former volleyball and track and field competitor, he has the footwork to recover against inside moves in pass protection. However, this barrel of a human being has middling range and below average arm length (33 ⅜”) for a tackle, so he’ll have to use his heavy hands and footwork to complement his strength. An NFL Team with run-heavy RPO, zone-based schemes with gap principles could use Dominick’s experience and build on it, that’s for sure.

BEST OF THE REST

19. Travis Clayton | United Kingdom | 6’ 7”, 300 lbs.
Wilbar’s Overall Grade: 5th
2023 Stats: NA

20. Giovanni Manu | British Columbia | 6’ 8”, 350 lbs.
Wilbar’s Overall Grade: 5th
2023 Stats: GP 12

21. Theo Benedet | British Columbia | 6’ 7”, 305 lbs
Wilbar’s Overall Grade: 5th
2023 Stats: GP 12

22. Trente Jones | Michigan | 6’ 4”, 325 lbs.
Wilbar’s Overall Grade: 5th
2023 Stats: GP 15

23. Christian Jones | OT | Texas | 6’ 6”, 321 lbs.
Wilbar’s Overall Grade: 5th
2023 Stats: GP 13

24. Tylan Grable | UCF | 6’ 7”, 290 lbs.
Wilbar’s Overall Grade: 5th
2023 Stats: GP 12

25. Javon Foster | Missouri | 6’ 5”, 313 lbs.
Wilbar’s Overall Grade: 5th
2023 Stats: GP 13

26. Garret Greenfield | South Dakota State | 6’ 6”, 305 lbs.
Wilbar’s Overall Grade: 5th
2023 Stats: GP 15

27. Caedan Wallace | Penn State | 6’ 5”, 341 lbs.
Wilbar’s Overall Grade: 5th
2023 Stats: GP 13

28. Travis Glover | Georgia State | 6’ 6”, 323 lbs.
Wilbar’s Overall Grade: 6th
2023 Stats: GP 12

29. Michael Jarrell | Findlay | 6’ 5”, 294 lbs
Wilbar’s Overall Grade: 6th
2023 Stats: GP 11

30. Walter Rouse | Oklahoma | 6’ 6”, 322 lbs.
Wilbar’s Overall Grade: 6th
2023 Stats: GP 13

31. Donovan Jennings | USF | 6’ 5”, 333 lbs.
Wilbar’s Overall Grade: 6th
2023 Stats: GP 8

32. Jalen Sundell | North Dakota State | 6’ 5”, 300 lbs.
Wilbar’s Overall Grade: 6th
2023 Stats: GP 11

33. Julian Pearl | Illinois | 6’ 6”, 315 lbs.
Wilbar’s Overall Grade: 6th
2023 Stats: GP 12

34. Josiah Ezirim | Eastern Kentucky | 6’ 6”, 320 lbs.
Wilbar’s Overall Grade: 6th
2023 Stats: GP 12

35. Frank Crum | Wyoming | 6’ 7”, 315 lbs.
Wilbar’s Overall Grade: 6th
2023 Stats: GP 12