Round 1 of the 2023 NFL Draft is complete, but as fun as it was to watch the dreams of Bryce Young, CJ Stroud and others come true, it's also never too early to look ahead either.
As a matter of fact, it's never too early to look WAY ahead to the 2024 NFL Draft.
And if you thought the last three days in Kansas City were fun, you haven't seen anything yet.
Caleb Williams, QB, USC
Caleb Williams is college football’s version of Patrick Mahomes, only more refined than Mahomes was at the same age. He’s 6-foot-1 and 215 pounds and already has the makings of an NFL quarterback after the year he had where he won the Heisman Trophy, throwing for a staggering 42 touchdowns and just five interceptions, while tossing for over 4,700 yards.
The only question remaining on Williams: What does he have in store for an encore at 'SC this season? And can anyone topple him as the top pick in the 2024 draft.
Our hunch on the second question is no.
Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
Marvin Harrison Jr. was the best wide receiver in college football last year and he will be again this year. It helps being the son of a Hall of Famer because he looks like he’s been able to handle every test thrown at him.
He stands at 6’4” and weighs 205 pounds as well, finishing last season with 77 catches and 14 touchdowns He averaged a staggering 16 yards per catch.
His size, speed, and catch skills are unmatched and borderline unguardable.
Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
Maye is another quarterback that looks ready for the NFL right now. He’s 6’4” 220 pounds and can make all sorts of throws, finishing last year with 38 touchdowns and seven interceptions this past season.
He’s elusive for his size and is only going to get better too. He’s a playmaker and should be a very good NFL quarterback, and it helps that his game tape is very good already too.
Like Williams, there is talk that had he been in this 2023 NFL Draft, he would've gone No. 1 overall.
Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Bowers was arguably the best tight end in college football last season, and he still comes back next season to dominate once again. He had 1,824 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns across his first two seasons.
He’s got a lot of speed for a tight end as well as having great power and balance that is crazy to have for a tight end. Those traits will easily translate to the NFL.
Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State:
Fashanu is a physical monster at the tackle position, standing at 6-foot-6, and weighing 309 pounds. He’s a great combination of power, strength, and athleticism for the offensive tackle position. His footwork is also second to none in college football too.
What's cool about Fashanu's story is that he could've been a Top 10 pick this year, but decided to come back and play another season for the Nittany Lions.
Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
Jared Verse burst onto the scene this season at Florida State as an Edge rusher. He had everything you want in a great rusher off the edge from quickness, length, power, and a great burst off the line, finishing this year with a staggering 17 tackles for loss and nine sacks.
Like Fashanu, Verse is another player who could've entered the draft this year and been selected high. Instead, he decided to return for another year, where he'll be an elite edge rusher and try to help Florida State to its first ACC title since 2014.
J.T. Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State
Tuimoloau has a chance to be the highest drafted edge rusher from Ohio State since Chase Young. He’s 6-foot-4 and 277 pounds and is also a great playmaker for his size too.
He’s very athletic, but also has a ton of power for his size too. Last season, he had 10.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, two interceptions, four pass breakups, and a forced fumble.
Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
What stands out about Alt, is the sheer amount of size he brings to the offensive line. He’s 6-foot-8 and 315 pounds. He has great athleticism for his size too because he used to play tight end. He’s also very quick out of his stance and very well-leveraged too. He’s a huge pickup for anyone next year.
Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
McKinstry is a monster of a cornerback athletically. Last season alone, he had 15 pass deflections. He’s 6’1” and 188 pounds but has a lot of athleticism and has great technique, especially in man coverage. He’s going to be great wherever he goes because of that size.
Barrett Carter, LB, Clemson
Carter is a little under-sized at 6-foot-1 and 225 pounds. However, he’s an all-around linebacker that can go into coverage or rush the passer very well. The biggest thing is Carter’s athleticism and speed, which separates him as a linebacker in this class. He’s an athletic freak and should get drafted high.
Follow Jake Faigus on Twitter - @Jake_Faigus
For our list of "10 Best Players Available on Day 2 of the NFL Draft" - click here
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