The number of underclassmen declaring for the NFL Draft has been steadily declining since 2018, and this year's total (54) is the lowest (by far) in a long time.
Here's the complete breakdown of the underclassmen who are in the 2024 NFL Draft:
Longtime NFL draft fans and analysts are used to seeing closer to 100 underclassmen declaring for the draft, making this year's total a bit of a shock. But it really shouldn't be a surprise, considering how much has changed in college football.
The most obvious change is the injection of NIL money into the college game. Underclassmen who may be Day 2 or even Day 3 prospects are more likely to stay in school and get a nice payday rather than risk sliding into the later rounds of the NFL Draft.
The Chicago Bears shouldn't feel too much impact from the reduced number of underclassmen, especially not in the first round. The most important player for their 2024 NFL Draft interests -- QB Caleb Williams -- is in. Drake Maye (QB, UNC), tight end Brock Bowers, wide receiver Malik Nabers, and offensive tackle Joe Alt (among others) have declared, too, making the top 10 of this year's draft loaded with talent.
The 2024 NFL Draft kicks off on Thursday, April 25, and will run through Saturday, April 27, in Detroit, Michigan.
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