Every year we see NFL teams take a chance on a draft prospect in the first round that no one was expecting to go that early.
This could happen for a multitude of reasons as teams could have a glaring need at the position or fall in love with a player due to certain traits they possess.
And with that, here are 10 NFL prospects that will shock everybody and go in the first round.
Adonai Mitchell
Adonai Mitchell’s college production was not really seen until his junior year at Texas. After two lackluster years with Georgia, the former 3-star recruit threw up 55 receptions for 845 yards and 11 touchdowns. He presents a wide catch radius along with good change of direction and quickness.
This production came with sharing targets with speedster Xavier Worthy and tight end Ja’tavion Sanders.
He further boosted his stock at the combine with a blazing 4.34 40, a 39.5” vertical and an 11’4” broad jump. NFL scouts could look at his traits and see him with the potential to become an explosive receiving option for a team.
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Teams near the back end of the first round such as the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills and the Dallas Cowboys could see a golden opportunity and take a chance on him. If he gets into the right system, he has the chance to make a wide receiver-needy team very happy.
Roger Rosengarden
Rosengarden played a role in the success of the Washington Huskies road to a national championship appearance this past season. He helped keep Michael Penix upright for the entirety of the season and gave him time to make clean throws to Washington’s elite receivers.
He doesn’t get as much love as he played with fellow offensive tackle Troy Fautanu who is projected to go in round one.
However, with his 6’5 308-pound frame and run-blocking skills, Rosengarden could be a dream fit for a run-heavy team near the end of round one.
Tyler Nubin
Nubin is a versatile player who does his best work roaming around waiting to make a play on the ball. He is a rangy safety who has a knack for the football as he recorded five picks in his final season with the Golden Gophers.
With this safety class being on the weaker side Nubin becomes more desirable for teams looking for a good safety to help bolster their secondary.
Teams such as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Buffalo Bills or Detroit Lions could use a player like Nubin to help shore up the back end of their defense.
T’Vondre Sweat
Sweat played along a Texas defensive line that also featured fellow star Byron Murphy II and this duo caused problems for many college football offenses this past season.
With his massive 6’4 366-pound body Sweat is a powerful nose tackle with the ability to stop the run at a high level along with the ability to to eat up blockers to free up other rushers on the d line.
While his stats don’t show the impact he brings on the field T’Vondre Sweat is an under-the-radar guy to go in round one.
Jonah Ellis
Jonah Ellis really broke out in a big way in his final season with the Utes as he finished with 12 sacks and a forced fumble after previously recording 1 sack in 2021 and 3 sacks in the 2022 campaign
Ellis can chase the QB at a high level along with being a psychical run defender. Teams could look at him as a well-rounded player who can provide some juice along the defensive line.
You can never have enough guys to get after the quarterback and Ellis could make it into the first round with his ability to get after the QB and stop the run at a high level.
Blake Corum
We know, the narrative is that running backs shouldn’t go in the first round, but Blake Corum is an exceptional back who had production out of this world, especially in his final years.
The Michigan product helped carry his team to the national championship as he tallied 3,737 yards and 58 touchdowns on the ground over his 4 seasons with the Wolverines. Corum is an explosive runner with impressive balance and footwork.
He also ran a 4.53 40 along with matching some offensive lineman in the bench press as he hit an impressive 27 reps for a running back.
A team could look at his ability and take a chance on him trying to reset the clock in their running back room.
Edgerrin Cooper
Cooper is a heat-seeking missile who plays with ferocity and speed. He attacks downhill to stop runners in their tracks and has good pursuit to make tackles all over the field.
He also is a very good blitzer as he used his 4.51 speed and athleticism to record 8 sacks in 2023.
Teams could see him as a versatile chess piece to put into the middle of their defense and let him go to work. Don’t be shocked if he goes earlier than expected and appears in the first round.
Kamari Lassiter
Lassiter is a psychical corner who excels in press man coverage and is not afraid to make a play against the run.
He was also a lockdown corner in 2023 as he allowed just 15 receptions on 39 targets.
With his skill set and improved play recognition over his time with the Bulldogs Lassiter could go to a Cornerback needy team in round one, say… The Green Bay Packers or Detroit Lions.
Braden Fiske
Fiske had a good final season with the Seminoles, as he tallied 6 sacks. He plays with a full motor and is an effective pass rusher and run defender.
However, his draft stock really shot up with his performance at the combine. He was top of all the defensive tackles in terms of the 40-yard dash, vertical jump and broad jump.
A mix of his production in college and his combine performance could help him land into the back of round one.
Ladd McConkey
Unlike most of the other receiver prospects in the 2024 NFL draft, McConkey never had a stellar year in his three years with the Bulldogs as he never posted more than 800 yards or 10 touchdowns. His best season came in 2022 as he hauled in 58 receptions for 762 yards and 7 touchdowns.
However, he is known for being a masterclass route technician who can create separation in a phone booth. He runs routes like an NFL vet, and this is something NFL teams will drool over.
His combine performance also raised his chances of sneaking into the back end of the first round as he ran a surprisingly fast 4.39 40.
Give him to I don’t know… Say Patrick Mahomes or one of the NFL’s premier quarterbacks and he has the chance to shine, he could slide right into a prominent role on any NFL offense with his special traits.
