We’re now solidly in the NFL’s offseason and the dust stirred up by the chaos surrounding the 2024 NFL Draft is finally dying down.
We spend months getting ready for the draft every year, but we spend most of that time concentrating on the first-round prospects. There’s a good reason for that, as picks in the first round tend to be the most valuable and have the most immediate impact on their respective teams.
But what about the other 225 players drafted this year?
It’s impossible to say that it doesn’t matter how a player comes into the NFL, but it’s also true that every draftee is an NFL player now, and there’s an opportunity before all of them.
Which players who are currently flying under the radar have the best chance to not only make their team’s final roster, but make an impact? Which sleepers landed in the best situations to flex their talent?
Zak Zinter (G, Cleveland Browns)
Drafted 85 overall (round 3, pick 25)
Zinter was one of the top interior offensive linemen in the nation and on track for a potential selection in the first two rounds. Then he suffered a gruesome leg injury, fracturing tibia and fibula, late in the season. Zinter promptly fell off the national radar, though he was ultimately selected a bit higher than some expected.
He started 42 games on one of the best offensive lines in college football, and was often used as a weapon in the Michigan blocking schemes. Zinter has the play strength to displace defenders when blocking downhill, as well as stay in phase and get defenders flowing in zone runs. He’s also a very reliable pass protector who gave up just 3 sacks and 5 QB hits in 3 years at Michigan.
We probably shouldn’t expect Zinter to make an impact right away — the Browns still have a very good offensive line that should be set for 2024. However, the Browns have two guards with cap hits over $21.9 million in 2025 and are projected to be very far over the cap.
Brandon Dorlus (DL, Atlanta Falcons)
Drafted 109 overall (round 4, pick 9)
There are a couple factors that can contribute to defenders finding success.
The first is, obviously, fit within the overall scheme. Another is playing on a team with an offense that forces their opponents out of their game plan and into having to throw in order to keep up. Having an offense that can make opponents be one-dimensional and predictable is an incredible advantage for a defense. The addition of Kirk Cousins could accomplish that for the Falcons.
Brandon Dorlus will have to fight for playing time and he doesn’t quite have a clear path to the field, at least not right away. He’s currently behind veteran Grady Jarrett, 2023 third-round pick Zach Harrison, and 2024 second-round pick Ruke Orhorhoro at defensive end in the Falcons’ 3-4 defense. But the Falcons were in pretty dire need of pass rush help. Arnold Ebiketie is their best returning pass rusher with six sacks.
Dorlus has a very versatile frame and skill set, which allowed him to play all over the Oregon defensive front, from 2-technique defensive tackle to rush linebacker. He’s an experienced player who comes to the NFL with a good understanding of hand usage, pass rush moves and countermoves, as well as leverage. Dorlus is more of a power player than a speed rusher, but finding a path to the field on running downs could lead coaches to give him opportunities in more situations.
It’s also notable that new head coach Raheem Morris was the Rams’ defensive coordinator last year. Rams’ rookie edge Byron Young emerged from the third round with 8 sacks, 8 tackles for a loss, 19 QB hits, and 2 forced fumbles. One of Morris’ strengths is maximizing his players’ potential, and he won’t be beholden to veterans from the previous regime.
Troy Franklin (WR, Denver Broncos)
Drafted 102 overall (round 4, pick 2)
I need to state my bias right up front: I was a fan of Troy Franklin throughout the draft process and had a fringe 1st/2nd round grade on him.
Franklin is obviously an electric athlete, but he’s also a very versatile, savvy, and subtle receiver. He was used to attack every area of the field by Oregon’s offense. He’s not only able to create big plays in catch-and-run situations, but also stretch defenses vertically. Franklin understands how to use every part of his route as a weapon and is able to use his quickness and speed to uncover at will.
His upside showed up in stats too, with a box score that was comparable to the best receivers in the class, as well as the third-best yards per route run and EPA per snap in the draft class.
What’s more, he landed in an offense with plenty of opportunities for a receiver to step forward. Courtland Sutton is the clear top dog with the rest of the receiving chart filled out by Marvin Mims, Josh Reynolds, and Tim Patrick (who’s coming back from injury). None of them are poor receivers, but Franklin could leapfrog them if he plays at the level he did in college.
Franklin also benefits from the fact that Bo Nix, his quarterback the last two years, was drafted by the Broncos at number 12 overall. The two obviously already have a rapport, and their mutual presence could help shorten the learning curve of both in their rookie year. We’ve seen college teammates Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase, Tua Tagovailoa and Jaylen Waddle, and Jalen Hurts and DeVonta Smith all create fireworks together in the NFL. The potential is there for Nix and Franklin to do the same.
Javon Solomon (EDGE, Buffalo Bills)
Drafted 169 overall (round 5, pick 33)
Solomon was a versatile, disruptive, and highly productive defender for Troy, racking up 18 tackles for a loss, 16 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles in 2023. He’s a compact player with great natural leverage and long arms, which allowed him to play defensive end, rush linebacker, and even off-ball linebacker depending on the down and distance.
He’s currently behind Von Miller, Gregory Rousseau, Dawuane Smoot, and A.J. Epenesa on the Buffalo depth chart. That’s a steep path to the field in 2024, but there’s also an extreme wealth of knowledge on the team from which Solomon can learn. Solomon already has solid hand usage, but learning the finer points of how to maximize his skillset from a player like Von Miller is invaluable. The venerable Miller likely only has one year left in Buffalo, while Smoot is nearing 30 and has never had more than 6.0 sacks in a season. It wouldn’t be shocking to see Solomon emerge as a rotational player in obvious passing situations, which would give him opportunities to make splash plays in high-leverage situations.
And as mentioned above, having an offense that can score points and force opponents to throw is important as well. The Bills happen to have one of the best offenses in the NFL, so a pass rush specialist could see a fair amount of work.
Javon Baker (WR, New England Patriots)
Drafted 110 overall (round 4, pick 10)
Staying in the AFC East, the UCF product has adequate size to play a variety of roles in an offense, but doesn’t have the standout size or speed boasted by some of the other receivers in this stacked draft class.
That said, he does have very quick feet, great body control, savvy route running, great hands, and a desire to dominate the catch point.
Baker wasn’t widely discussed after playing for two years at UCF, but it’s important to remember that he started his college career at Alabama. Before transferring, he was a part of the same receiving room as first-rounders DeVonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle, and Jameson Williams, as well as second-rounder John Metchie III. Baker transferred for more playing time, not because he couldn’t hang with the rest of the receiver room, and played very well at UCF. His 7 touchdowns and 21.9 yards per catch show why the coaches at Alabama recruited him in the first place.
Baker has landed on a team that’s starting over from scratch, and a receiver room that has far more questions than answers. Baker will have the opportunity to carve out a role for himself immediately and grow with rookie QB Drake Maye. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Baker and second-rounder Ja’Lynn Polk at the top of the Patriots’ depth chart.
Tyrone Tracy Jr. (RB, New York Giants)
Drafted 166 overall (round 5, pick 31)
The Giants are going through some changes on the offensive side of the ball, and with Daniel Jones likely remaining their starting quarterback, it’s unlikely that the overall philosophy and scheme will change much.
That is, except for the absence of now-departed Saquon Barkley. Barkley was a focus of the Giants’ offense since being drafted, and he wasn’t just a check-down option in the passing game. He led the team in receptions twice and was one of their top targets every year, save the one lost to a torn ACL.
The Giants have plenty of runners who could fill out their depth chart behind free-agent addition Devin Singletary, but it looks to be an open competition right now.
Tracy was drafted as a running back out of Purdue, but started his career as a receiver for Iowa. His background as a receiver, and explosiveness with the ball in his hands, could give him an edge over players like Eric Gray or Gary Brightwell in the Giants’ backfield. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Tracy emerge as the Giants’ second running back, which should afford him plenty of opportunities to see the field.
He should also fit well in the overall scheme. The Giants’ passing attack will likely still be built on one-man or two-man reads and quick passes in route concepts designed to create catch-and-run situations. Tracy’s skill set should fit well within that scheme and a role as the receiving back. He’s legitimately explosive with the ball in his hands, is good at navigating the the short-to-intermediate area of the field, and is always looking to create explosive plays.
Tracy might not become a Devin Achane or Kyren Williams-type sensation, however he could create highlight reels given the opportunity, and there isn’t much between him and the field right now.
