Now that the college football season is winding down, it’s time to start thinking about the NFL Draft. We know the order of teams now, and the Chicago Bears are on the clock for the No. 1 overall pick.
It will be interesting to see what the Bears do considering they have quarterback Justin Fields. Along with the Bears, the Washington Commanders, New England Patriots, Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Chargers, and New York Giants are all looking for that one player who could change the trajectory of their franchise.
One of the players below just might be that guy.
Caleb Williams, quarterback
The No.1 overall draft choice according to most NFL Draft experts is Caleb Williams. Williams is the total package, a prolific passer who can also make plays with his legs. The only question about Williams is his leadership ability. No one questions Williams’s talent or arm strength, but will he be able to handle the pressure of being “The Guy” in a city like New York where the expectations would be sky-high? Williams’s attitude has many questioning if he is mentally tough enough to handle the bright lights of the NFL.
Marvin Harrison Jr., wide receiver
The first wide receiver expected to be taken in the draft is Marvin Harrison Jr. Harrison’s speed and spectacular catches have many NFL scouts drooling. Despite playing in a struggling offense at times this year, Harrison still managed to have over 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns. It also doesn’t hurt that Harrison stands at 6-4. If he lands with the right team, he can be a star just like his father.
Drake Maye, quarterback
Drake Maye is expected by many to be the second quarterback taken off the board. NFL scouts like Maye’s accuracy, size, and running ability. Maye joined former Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston as the only players in ACC history to win ACC Player of the Year, ACC Offensive Player of the Year, ACC Rookie of the Year, and ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year in the same season. He put up some pretty good numbers this past season, throwing for 3,600 yards and 24 touchdowns. One NFL scout even compared him to former Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer.
Olumuyiwa Fashanu, offensive tackle
With all the injuries to offensive linemen this NFL season, great O-linemen are going to be at a premium this upcoming draft. Olmuyiawa Fashanu is considered one of the best coming out of college this year. One NFL scout said that Olmuyiawa has “prototypical height, weight, and length with a muscular, well-rounded, and high-cut build. Has a special natural feel for the fundamentals and nuances of pass protection.” The Carolina Panthers would love to have a guy like Fashanu, who can protect Bryce Young. If only they had their 2024 first-round pick…
Joe Alt, offensive tackle
Joe Alt is considered by a lot of NFL scouts as the best O-lineman in the draft. Alt has the same or similar traits as Fashanu, including height and strength. He was a two-time All-American and Lombardi Award finalist as well.
Brock Bowers, tight end
It doesn’t happen too often but Brock Bowers is going to be a tight end selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. Bowers was already an NFL prospect when he was a freshman and he has only continued to get better. One of Georgia’s top receivers, he has deceptive speed. Bowers may be a tight end but his height and speed may put him on the level with some NFL wideouts. He was an All-American and an All-SEC performer who caught 56 passes for 714 yards and six touchdowns this season.
Dallas Turner, linebacker
Dallas Turner will continue the Alabama tradition of having a player drafted in the first round of the draft. According to most draft experts, he will be the first defensive player taken in the draft. One scout described Turner as the “best pure athlete in this year’s edge class.” He had 26 tackles and nine sacks this season and is the type of player that can take over games when needed.
Jayden Daniels, quarterback
Since winning the Heisman Trophy, Jayden Daniels‘s stock has gone up tremendously. Daniels wasn’t even in most NFL scouts’ top 10 but now he’s expected by many to be among the first few quarterbacks taken. The LSU product is a dual-threat quarterback who can hurt teams with his arm and his legs. Daniels threw for nearly 4,000 yards and 40 touchdowns while rushing for over 1,000 yards and 10 more scores. Hopefully, he will land with a team that knows how to use his skills and abilities.
Malik Nabers, wide receiver
Another LSU player expected to go in the first round is wide receiver Malik Nabers. Nabers was Daniels’s go-to guy, racking up 1,500 yards and 14 touchdowns. Nabers had more receiving yards than Marvin Harrison Jr. this season and it wouldn’t be a shock if he went pretty close after the OSU product. Like his quarterback, Nabers can make an immediate impact on the team that drafts him.
Rome Odunze, wide receiver
We haven’t heard much about Rome Odunze mainly because the star on that team was quarterback Michael Penix Jr. Like Nabers, Odunze would have been talked about as a Heisman candidate if it weren’t for the hype his QB was getting. Odunze had over 1,400 yards receiving and 13 touchdowns on the year. NFL scouts seem to be impressed with his route running and how easily he can separate himself from defenders.
