No quarterbacks were taken on Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft, which means South Carolina’s Spencer Rattler leads the list of best available players heading into Saturday’s final rounds. The former five-star signee at Oklahoma who transferred to the Gamecocks for his final two seasons reportedly slid due to questions about his size and work ethic, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
Some of the players still on the board include all-conference standouts, productive pass rushers and a three-year starter at Georgia who was a focal point of consecutive national championships during his time under Kirby Smart in Athens. There’s going to be difference-makers picked on Day 3 — there always are.
As the draft nears its end this weekend, players often would prefer not being picked over the last few selections so that they’re able to choose their own destinations as undrafted free agents. The likelihood of making an NFL roster as a rookie diminishes substantially, however.
Get the latest football and basketball transfer portal news from 247Sports.
Here’s a look at the best available players heading into the 2024 NFL Draft’s final day:
Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina
No quarterbacks were taken in the second of third rounds, a bit of a surprise considering six of the first 12 picks this week were signal callers. Spencer Rattler is the best available signal-caller still on the board for a team in need of assistance. The former five-star signee at Oklahoma who lost his job to eventual No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams spent his final two seasons at South Carolina where he was the Gamecocks’ best player. He led the program to wins over nationally-ranked Tennessee and Clemson in 2022 and put up good numbers last fall despite playing behind the SEC’s worst offensive line.
Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas
Via Horns247, Ja’Tavion Sanders caught six passes for 75 yards in Texas’ 37-31 loss to Washington in a Sugar Bowl semifinal of the College Football Playoff, giving the star tight end 99 career receptions as a Longhorn, breaking the previous record of 98 held by David Thomas (2002-05). Sanders’ 1,295 career receiving yards places him second all-time behind Thomas (1,367). He’s one of several high-end playmakers still available at the tight end spot heading into Day 3 of the NFL Draft.
Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon
Per Duck Territory, Troy Franklin finished the 2023 season with an 84.9 PFF grade, hauling in 81 receptions for 1,131 yards and 14 touchdowns. Franklin’s grade increased in all three of his seasons, beginning with a 65.1 in 2021 before jumping up to a 75.0 in 2022. Franklin’s breakout season helped Oregon move to 11-2 in the regular season before opting out of the Fiesta Bowl. Once touted as a potential first-rounder during the middle of his final season with the Ducks, Franklin’s draft stock suffered a hit in the pre-draft lead up despite a 40-yard dash time of 4.41 seconds while hitting 39.5 inches on his vertical jump.
Johnny Wilson, WR, Florida State
Johnny Wilson arrived in Tallahassee following his first two seasons at Arizona State and was an immediate impact player in the ACC. The 6-foot-7 wideout totaled just 20 receptions for 243 yards and one touchdown as a Sun Devil before putting up 43 receptions for 897 yards and 5 touchdowns in his first season as a Seminole in 2022. Last season, Wilson hauled in 41 more passes for 617 yards and two touchdowns.
Jeremiah Trotter Jr., LB, Clemson
Barrett Carter decided to stay for another year at Clemson, but Jeremiah Trotter Jr. declared as an underclassman and hasn’t yet heard his name called this cycle. The son of a Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Famer, Trotter was a second-team All-American linebacker the last two years with the Tigers, finishing his collegiate career with nearly 200 tackles, 29.5 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, four interceptions and three forced fumbles.
Nathaniel Watson, LB, Mississippi State
Per Gene’s Page, Nathaniel Watson was one of the SEC’s tackle leaders each of the past two seasons and in sacks in 2023. He was named an All-SEC first team player by the coaches, and was a breakout player during this year’s Reese’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. As a likely Day 3 draft pick, Watson will have a chance to use a Starkville-sized chip on his shoulder to prove his value to the teams who passed on him for other linebackers.
Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, OL, Georgia
It’s often hard to find quality offensive linemen on Day 3, but Georgia’s Sedrick Van-Pran Granger checks most of the boxes. Writes Usayd Kosuhl, Van Pran-Granger was a three-year starter at center for the Bulldogs and can potential stabilize the center position for a franchise for years to come. Starting 44 games from 2021-23, experience won’t be an issue for the 22-year old New Orleans native.
Michael Pratt, QB, Tulane
One of the Group of Five’s top signal callers each of the past two seasons, Michael Pratt is looking for an NFL home like Rattler on Day 3. He helped Tulane upset USC in the Cotton Bowl two years ago against Heisman winner and future No. 1 pick Caleb Williams. Pratt will get a chance as a late-round selection to make his dream come true as a potential starter down the road if his development continues.
