The inescapable march of time comes for us all, and what better time to remember our own mortality than the NFL Draft? With an ever-increasing number of NFL progeny entering the league we’re seeing the children of players who retired less than a decade ago trying to find a home in the NFL.
This 2024 NFL Draft class is headlined by three players who are the kids of former NFL players, with a few more later in the draft.
Marvin Harrison Jr., WR — Ohio State
Projected draft pick: Top 5
You’d have to be living under a rock to make it this far in the process without hearing about Marvin Harrison Jr. He’s been on the draft radar for the last three years as one of the most vaunted receiver prospects since Randy Moss or Calvin Johnson.
Harrison Jr. has his dad’s elite route-running skills, but he’s more athletic than Pops was. A unicorn of a player, MHJ has the ability to make a quarterback better purely by the mismatches he creates on the outside.
You’re going to be hearing his name for a long time to come.
Frank Gore Jr., RB — Southern Mississippi
Projected draft pick: Priority UDFA
A throwback three-down back, Frank Gore Jr. won in college with power rather than speed or finesse. In a lot of ways he’s a Jack of all trades, master of none, which hurts his draft position a lot.
Still, based on the name he’ll get a shot with a team and could find a home as a RB3.
Brenden Rice, WR — USC
Projected draft pick: 4th-5th round
Son of the legendary Jerry Rice, Brenden has a shot to be a solid mid-round pick for a team. Transferring from Colorado to USC in 2023, Brenden finished his final year as a reliable weapon for Caleb Williams — catching 45 passes for 791 yards.
A solid-sized possession receiver like his dad, where Brenden lacks is as a polished route runner. Still, he finds ways to make plays and was a touchdown machine for the Trojans. He’ll be a solid day three pick.
Luke McCaffrey, WR — Rice
Projected draft pick: 4th-5th round
Son of Broncos WR Ed McCaffrey and brother of Christian McCaffrey, Luke is a former QB-turned-WR who showed tremendous promise in a short period of time. There’s a lot of rough spots to his game as a receiver, but that could be a product of lack of reps at the position.
McCaffrey will likely be a Day 3 pick and he has more upside than most players selected in that range.
Kris Jenkins, DT — Michigan
Projected draft pick: 2nd round
Son of former All-Pro DT Kris Jenkins who played for the Panthers and Jets, his son of the same name was a integral part of the Wolverines National Championship defense. A plus-level starter in the NFL, Kris is a disruptive player with good technique — but he lacks the ideal frame that would push him into the first round.
Jeremiah Trotter Jr., LB — Clemson
Projected draft pick: 4th-5th round
Clemson linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr is the son of former Eagles linebacker who shares a name. He’s a solid tackling machine who has a natural knack for wrapping up players at the point of attack, and rarely takes bad angles in pursuit.
Trotter Jr. falls down the board a bit due to his lack of size, but there’s potential to become a reliable defensive player.
