2024 NFL Draft: Troy Franklin, Malik Nabers highlight biggest risers

Most football fans know about Caleb Williams and Marvin Harrison Jr. But guys like Troy Franklin and Malik Nabers are quickly making their case for Day 1 status at the 2024 NFL Draft.

By Hunter Haas | Oct 9, 2023

Oregon's Troy Franklin celebrates his second quarter touchdown against Colorado in Eugene Saturday, / Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard / USA

4 of 5

2024 NFL Draft Riser — No. 4: Patrick Paul, OT, Houston

Patrick Paul popped up on my radar while prepping for the 2023 NFL Draft. Ultimately, the Houston leader decided to return to campus for one final season. Paul looks brilliant right now, as he is sporting the best PFF grades of his five-year college career.

As a pass blocker, Paul’s length and impressive footwork allow him to stifle oncoming pass rushers with relative ease. His sparkling 94.8 PFF grade says as much. Four career sacks allowed in 1,548 pass-blocking sets stamps his case as one of the best in the 2024 NFL Draft.

One area of weakness is Paul’s balance and hand usage in the run-blocking phase. So far, his 2023 tape shows improvement, evidenced by a career-best 75.3 run-blocking grade. If an NFL coaching staff can smooth out the rest of his rough edges, Paul could sneak into the backend of Day 1 to a team like the Kansas City Chiefs.

Home/NFL Draft