5 Most Under-The-Radar 2024 NFL Draft Prospects

Pro scouts, coaches, and executives spend unmeasurable amounts of time and resources toward identifying the best players available in the NFL Draft every year. And they often get it wrong anyway.

No matter where prospects are drafted, they could end up elevating their teams immediately. And good draft picks, especially in the later rounds, can even impact NFL odds as teams can put together even better rosters when their best players are on cheap rookie deals.

There are plenty of draft diamonds that will inevitably emerge this year. Here are some of the best under-the-radar prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft.

QB Michael Pratt, Tulane

Pratt has been a starter at Tulane since 2020 and has done plenty to earn NFL Draft consideration, but he might be overlooked after playing for a Group of Five program.

As a freshman, he threw for 1,806 yards and 20 touchdowns, the most by any true freshman in the country in 2020, and eight interceptions. The following year, he totaled 2,390 passing yards, 2,544 all-purpose yards, 26 touchdowns, and eight picks — putting together seven straight games with a touchdown pass — en route to making the All-AAC honorable mention list.

In 2022, he threw for 2,684 yards, 25 touchdowns — all in the top five at Tulane for a single season — and five interceptions. He added 494 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground.

And in 2023, he continued to thrive, becoming the AAC Player of the Year. He threw for 2,406 yards, 22 touchdowns, and five picks on a career-best 65% completion rate.

Quarterbacks are naturally drafted high by NFL teams, and Pratt is the best Group of Five signal-caller on the board this year.

EDGE Mohamed Kamara, Colorado State

Kamara continued to improve during his career at Colorado State until he became one of the premier pass rushers in the country in 2023.

In 2021, Kamara totaled 36 tackles, 9.5 for loss, and 7.5 sacks while starting multiple games. He then tallied 44 tackles and 16 TFLs, ranking second in the Mountain West with 1.33 TFLs per game, to go with 8.5 sacks, which was third in the conference.

And in 2023, the 6-1, 250-pound defender was top five in the country with 13 sacks and 64 pressures while chalking up 56 tackles and 17 TFLs. Pro Football Focus ranked him 15th among all EDGE players.

If a team can overlook that Kamara played for a Mountain West team, he could end up being a key contributor.

“There’s a few guys who are from a Group of Five (conference) here,” Kamara said, “and they can rock with the best of them.”

EDGE Jalyx Hunt, Houston Christian

Hunt is a long EDGE prospect quickly rising up NFL Draft boards. He began his career as a safety at Cornell before transferring to HCU and making the position switch as a pass rusher, a unique switch that makes him an intriguing prospect.

The 6-4, 240-pounder racked up 133 combined tackles in 2022 and 2023 with 20.5 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks. Hunt looks to parlay an impressive showing at the Senior Bowl into showing off his athleticism at the NFL Combine.

“This is huge,” Hunt said at the combine. “This is a level playing field and it’s not about the resources you have or the level of publicity you get. We all get the same publicity here and we’re all working hard. This is huge for me to stack up against all of these amazing athletes. It’s an opportunity for me to explode.”

RB George Holani, Boise State

Despite being one of Boise State’s all-time leading rushers, Holani was a bit of an afterthought in 2023 after dealing with injuries and fellow Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty was the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year.

However, Holani has the skill set to flourish at the pro level. The 5-11, 210-pound former Mountain West Freshman of the Year was third in the conference with 1,157 rushing yards, averaging 5.2 yards per attempt, and was tied for fifth with 10 touchdowns in 2022. He’s fifth all time in Boise State’s record books with 3,596 yards on the ground.

If given the opportunity, Holani could soon shine in the NFL.

RB Frank Gore Jr., Southern Miss

Gore might not truly be “under the radar” considering he’s the son of NFL legend Frank Gore, but he’s also coming from a Group of Five team that has struggled recently.

Gore ran for 1,131 yards and 10 touchdowns while catching 27 passes for 221 yards and three touchdowns this past season, but his resume was loaded with accomplishments prior to that. He’s been an all-conference honoree each of the past four years.

Gore can do it all, which is why he deserves consideration as one of the best running backs who might not end up going in the first two days of the NFL Draft.