Predicting the First Overall Pick in the 2024 NFL Draft
What a wild ride the last three days have been. Lives have been changed forever, general managers believe their teams have gotten better, and fans all over the world voiced their displeasure or relief on social media. With the 2023 NFL draft all wrapped up, we now look ahead to the 2024 NFL draft. It’s likely to be one of two men, but we will look at five total players who could be selected first overall.
Caleb Williams (QB, USC)
The early odds-on favorite to be the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft is the Oklahoma transfer and USC star, Caleb Williams. He has all the tools you are looking for, and he plays at an elite program at USC that will be in the national spotlight every week all year long. Williams should also be a Heisman favorite this fall. He would become just the third No. 1 overall pick in program history.
Drake Maye (QB, UNC)
The presumed No. 2 pick behind Williams is UNC’s Drake Maye. With another stellar year, he could find himself in New York for the Heisman ceremony, which could land him the first overall pick. Maye skyrocketed up big boards last year and should cement his status as one of the best quarterbacks in the country. I’ve seen Maye play in person, he is going to be a stud.
Joe Alt (T, Notre Dame)
According to Pro Football Focus, Notre Dame’s Joe Alt ranked second among tackles with a 91.4 blocking grade last season, not allowing a single sack and just six hurries over 887 snaps. The last time a tackle went first overall was Eric Fisher in 2013. Alt will be protecting transfer Sam Hartman, and if he keeps him protected, he should find himself high up on draft boards in the 2024 NFL draft.
Olu Fashanu (T, Penn State)
Olu Fashanu is the best tackle in the country, calling it now. Fashanu was likely to be the first tackle off the board had he declared this year, but he chose to go back to Penn State and play with a stacked team. Fashanu had his two best games against Ohio State and Michigan, and if he plays like that all year, he could find himself as the first tackle in the 2024 NFL draft.
Michael Penix Jr. (QB, Washington)
One of my favorite prospects in college football, Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. was a massive riser late in the year last season. Penix was second in the country in passing yards last season with 4,641 and finished with 31 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He led the Huskies to their third-best season in school history, finishing 11-2 and winning the Alamo Bowl over Texas. He won MVP in Washington’s bowl game, and with another stellar year, he could find himself in the running to be picked first overall.
Honorable Mention: Jared Verse (EDGE, Florida State), Brock Bowers (TE, Georgia) Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR, Ohio State)
My super sleeper? Jack Sawyer (EDGE, Ohio State)
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SHOP!
