Best remaining players after Day 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft

The first round of the 2024 NFL Draft has come and gone with a number of the top prospects finding their new homes. However, there are many talented players still available in what is viewed as a very deep draft class.

Standout players such as Steelers CB Joey Porter Jr. (No. 32), Titans QB Will Levis (No. 33), Lions TE Sam LaPorta (No. 34) and Packers WR Jayden Reed (No. 50) were among those still available heading into Day 2 last year.

Here are the best remaining players following Day 1 this year.

Defensive back Cooper DeJean, Iowa

DeJean is, by far, the best remaining player as he ranks as the top cornerback and No. 8 overall prospect on Pro Football Focus' big board.

His undefined position or his recent season-ending injury (fractured fibula) could be the cause for him falling outside of the first round. 

However, DeJean put his health concerns to rest by running 4.42-second 40-yard dash and testing well across the board at his pro day. One team will be very lucky to land the versatile defender on Day 2.

Over the past three seasons, DeJean has posted 120 tackles, seven interceptions, 13 passes defensed and three touchdowns. He also returned 31 punts, averaging 13.1 yards per return with one touchdown.

Defensive tackle Jer'Zhan Newton, Illinois 

Newton is the best interior defensive lineman still on the board. Over the past four seasons, he has registered 187 tackles, 18 sacks, two forced fumbles and five passes defensed.

Some believe Newton has "physical limitations due to his size" (6-foot-2, 295 pounds), but there's no arguing production and he certainly has that.

Wide receiver Adonai Mitchell, Texas

Many believed Mitchell would be a first-round pick following his impressive NFL Scouting Combine performance, which was highlighted by his 4.34-second 40-yard dash, but that is not how things played out.

Still, he shouldn't' have to wait too long to hear his name called on Friday given his dynamic 2023 tape. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound wide receiver posted 55 receptions for 845 yards (15.4 yards per catch) and 11 touchdowns.

Cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama

McKinstry likely dropped out of the first round due doctors finding a Jones fracture in his right foot during his medical evaluation at the NFL Scouting Combine.

That noted, the Alabama product is expected to be 100% before training camp and has been highly productive with 93 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions and 23 passes defensed from 2021-23.

Linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M

Cooper is viewed by many as the best inside linebacker in the draft class following a dominant 2023 campaign in which he posted 83 tackles, eight sacks and two forced fumbles.

It wasn't surprising he fell to the second round as inside linebackers are rarely taken in the first, but that doesn't mean he should be waiting around long on Friday night.

Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft kicks off at 7 p.m. ET on Friday and all five of these players should hear their names called sooner rather than later.