NFL Draft 2024: It’s a family affair for league legends Jerry Rice, Frank Gore, Marvin Harrison, Ed McCaffrey and Terrell Owens as their sons prepare to meet their fate.

The sons of NFL legends like Jerry Rice and Marvin Harrison are preparing to hear their names called during Thursday’s draft in a year that promises to be a family affair.

Harrison’s son, Marvin Harrison Jr., is the biggest name in the former pro family and is expected to be a top-five pick after a stellar college career at Ohio State.

The wide receiver topped 1,200 yards and caught 14 touchdowns in each of his sophomore and junior seasons for the Buckeyes, and credited his 2016 Hall of Fame inductee father for setting “pure perfection” as a standard to achieve from an early age.

“The work ethic definitely comes from him,” Harrison said. “For always pushing myself to be the best player I can be.”

Harrison Jr. did not hire an agent and, according to the New York Post, his father helped him navigate his preliminary visits.

Harrison Jr.’s father, Marvin Sr., was inducted into the Hall of Fame after playing for the Colts.

Later in the first round, Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt — the son of former Chiefs offensive lineman John Alt — is also expected to hear his name called.

Michigan defensive lineman Kris Jenkins, the son of former Panthers and Jets defensive tackle Kris Jenkins, is another potential first-round pick. The elder Jenkins was a second-round pick in 2001 and a two-time All-Pro.

Harrison is far from the only former receiver with a draft-eligible son playing the same position.

Rice, widely considered the greatest receiver in NFL history, will be watching where his son Brenden ends up after he finishes his college career at USC.

The senior is expected to be a mid-round pick, while the same goes for Rice’s Luke McCaffrey, son of Super Bowl winner Ed McCaffrey and brother of 49ers star Christian McCaffrey.

Playing under presumptive No. 1 pick Caleb Williams, Rice had a productive 2023 as he totaled 791 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Trojans.

McCaffrey caught 71 balls for 13 scores and nearly 1,000 yards at Rice during his senior season.

Jerry Rice, seen in 1988 with the 49ers, is considered the greatest receiver in NFL history

Luke McCaffrey, Son of Super Bowl Winner Ed McCaffrey, Will Hear His Name Called This Year

Terique Owens, the son of another Hall of Famer in Terrell Owens, is more of a distant pick to pick in the later rounds of the draft.

Another name NFL fans will recognize is Frank Gore Jr., the son of longtime running back and five-time Pro Bowler Frank Gore, who is best known for his time with the 49ers.

His son is also a running back, and the Southern Miss product was named MVP at the Shrine Bowl, a showcase for top college players held after each season.

Gore Sr. is third all-time in the NFL with exactly 16,000 career rushing yards, ahead of Barry Sanders and behind Walter Payton and Emmitt Smith.

“It’s a blessing,” Gore Jr. said of following in his father’s footsteps.

Luke (second from left) is also the brother of 49ers star Christian McCaffrey (second from right)

Christian McCaffrey is a true NFL star, and he led the league in rushing yards last year

“I have a responsibility to go further.”

Other players with prominent former NFL fathers include Clemson linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and edge Ron Stone Jr., the son of three-time Pro Bowler Ron Stone.

Trotter Jr. is the son of former Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, a four-time Pro Bowl selection who played in the Super Bowl for Andy Reid in Philadelphia and also toured with Washington before returning to Philadelphia.

Micah Abraham, the son of longtime defensive back and former Pro Bowler Donnie Abraham, offensive tackle Javon Foster (son of former defensive lineman Jerome Foster), center Drake Nugent (son of former quarterback fullback Terry Nugent), edge rusher Jonah Elliss (son of two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle/end Luther Elliss), and edge Jaylen Harrel (son of former linebacker James Harrell) are also draft candidates.

Frank Gore Jr. (right) celebrates his LendingTree Bowl victory with his father Frank Sr. (left)

Terrell Owens and his son Terique are seen in an old photo. Terique is a possible late-round pick

49ers general manager John Lynch, a former player himself, maintains that the value of a player’s bloodline can be critical in the final draft grade and scouting report.

“I believe in bloodlines,” Lynch said. ‘I really do. I mean, I think there’s evidence that you should do it.

Then you have to step away from that and evaluate it. And that’s sometimes difficult to do and that’s why (it takes) a lot of different looks, a lot of different perspectives.

“There’s some inherent pressure on who their father is, but there’s also good genes and I think that’s important. … it’s a fun element of this year’s draft and I think that it will be interesting to watch to see how it plays out.