While 32 hopefuls saw their dreams come true Thursday night, hundreds more are still waiting to be called up by an NFL team following the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
For many prospects, the first round was a bitter pill to swallow. Every year, several players projected as first-round picks don’t hear their names called on day one. Thursday night was no different, with several top prospects still available heading into the second day of the draft.
Here’s a look at the biggest first-round snubs who likely won’t have to wait too long until their names are called Friday night.
Many analysts thought McConkey would go to the Bills, 49ers or Chiefs late in the first round. The 49ers and Chiefs chose other wideouts, however, while Buffalo was eliminated from the first round twice. The Bills have the first pick in the second round and could take McConkey with the 33rd overall pick.
The former Georgia Bulldog played an integral role in the school’s winning back-to-back titles during his time on campus. He’s caught seven touchdowns in 2022 and threatens to score every time he touches the ball.
DeJean is an interesting prospect. He came to Iowa as a safety, but quickly moved to cornerback after injuries piled up at that position. DeJean became a Ballhawk cornerback who had a pair of pick sixes during the 2022 season.
Despite his success, some wonder if DeJean would be better suited to play safety in the NFL. To his credit, DeJean – a high-achieving multi-sport athlete who was a starting quarterback on two state championship teams in high school – is open to playing either position.
“Really, wherever the team needs me, wherever they see me, wherever they think I can have the most impact on the game,” DeJean said recently. in an interview with CBS Sports. “Whatever position I play, I’m ready to do it. Obviously I played corner for most of my college career, but I feel like there are multiple positions in a defense that I can play. I just want to trust the coaches that I’ve been doing it for a long time and try to make an impact wherever they put me.
Newton’s slide out of the first round was largely due to the fact that a record 14 offensive players were taken off the board before a single defensive player was chosen Thursday night. Newton shouldn’t have to wait too long Friday night, however. He stuffed the stat sheet in his final season at Illinois, racking up 52 tackles, 7.5 sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and four blocked kicks.
Few expected Mitchell to still be available at this point. Whichever team gets him will have a wideout who caught 11 touchdown passes in his lone season at Texas. He had six catches for 109 yards and a score in Texas’ victory in the Big 12 title game against Oklahoma State.
McKinstry is the fifth-best cornerback and 29th-best player in this year’s draft, according to CBS Sports’ prospect rankings. His strengths include his lateral agility, ability to play presser consistently, and tackling ability. There are some concerns regarding physical receiver coverage on and off breaks and his ability to track deep balls.
