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Future First-Rounders from the Transfer Portal

Caleb Downs, Cayden Green, and other future top NFL draft picks from the 2024 transfer portal

Mike Farrell| February 2, 2024 (Updated: July 24, 2025)
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Jan 1
Jan 1

And if Kadyn Proctor is a future first-rounder from the portal, who else is from this cycle? Here are a few.

1. DB Caleb Downs

Ohio State

— Alabama fans may be hating on him, but part of it is because they know how talented he is and what potential he has. From tackling to ball skills, this kid has it all and has first-rounder written all over him.

Nov 25, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Caleb Downs (2) tackles Auburn Tigers quarterback Payton Thorne (1) during the second quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

2. OT Cayden Green

Missouri

— I love Green and his upside, and we saw some of that at Oklahoma, obviously. But the best is yet to come, and NFL scouts are already very enamored.

Oklahoma's Cayden Green (70) prepares to block in the first half of the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the University of Central Florida Knights at Gaylord Family Oklahoma-Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Oct., 21, 2023.

3. DT Walter Nolen

Ole Miss

— He’s a freak athlete who can’t be stopped when he puts it all together. He was my No. 1 player out of high school for a while, as I had him above Travis Hunter and others.

Oct 7, 2023; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Walter Nolen (0) reacts after a play during the second quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Kyle Field.

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4. QB Julian Sayin

Ohio State

— Hard to say, right? But as my No. 1 QB in this 2024 class, I have to project him to first-round status. That’s how it works. He has the ability he will just need to earn the chance.

2024 five-star quarterback Julian Saying from Carlsbad, CA (Carlsbad) - Committed to Alabama

5. DE Tyler Baron

Louisville

– Huh? Yep. It may be a longshot, as Baron isn’t on first-round radars, but what I saw last season at Tennessee could be just the start of his rise. He had 16 solo tackles last season, double-digit tackles for a loss, and six sacks and improved his get-off and ability to beat blockers one-on-one greatly. I love this get for Louisville.

Tennessee defensive lineman Tyler Baron (9) sacks Vanderbilt quarterback AJ Swann (5) during a football game between Tennessee and Vanderbilt at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023.
Category: College Football, Draft, News, PortalTag: Caleb Downs, Cayden Green, Julian Sayin, Louisville Cardinals, Mike Farrell, Missouri Tigers, Ohio State Buckeyes, Ole Miss Rebels, Tyler Baron, Walter Nolen
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