Who will be first round picks in 2024 NFL draft? Scouts identify 20 names to know

With the 2023 NFL draft now over, one of the natural next questions will be: Who could be the next group of first-round picks a year from now?

Here are 20 players that NFL scouting sources mentioned to On3 as being on the early radar as first-round possibilities for the 2024 NFL draft (listed by position):

USC QB Caleb Williams

It’s fair to say the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner is the early favorite to be the 2024 No. 1 overall pick. “You watch some USC tape and he’s got some ‘Holy s—- to him,’” a scouting source said. “He makes some throws that nobody in this class makes outside of like (Anthony) Richardson.”

North Carolina QB Drake Maye

If Williams is the No. 1 QB prospect for next year’s draft, Maye is right there as No. 2 entering the season. “He knows how to win,” North Carolina head coach Mack Brown said this spring. “… He can run. So he’s got the good arm, but he is so fast. And modern day, as we watch it, it’s hard for defenses to stop quarterbacks that can run. … I see him being a guy who can really hurt you with his feet and with his arm.”

Oregon QB Bo Nix

Nix, who broke out as a Heisman Trophy candidate in his first season at Oregon, was mentioned by two scouting sources as being the top senior QB prospect for the 2024 draft.

Ohio State WRs Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka Egbuka

Harrison Jr. isn’t Ohio State’s only potential first-round wide receiver for the 2024 draft. Egbuka, who had 74 catches for 1,151 yards and 10 touchdowns last year, is also viewed by scouts as a potential 2024 first-round pick. In addition, people internally at Ohio State view another of the team’s wide receivers, Julian Fleming, as a legitimate 2024 NFL draft prospect as well. Fleming ranked third on the Buckeyes with 533 receiving yards and six touchdown catches last season.

Georgia TE Brock Bowers

Bowers will have a shot to be the third tight end since 2019 to be a top-10 pick. Texas’ Ja’Tavion Sanders was another tight end mentioned by a scouting source as being a first-round possibility for the 2024 draft.

Penn State OT Olu Fashanu

The All-American could’ve been an early pick in this year’s NFL draft but decided to return to Penn State for another year. “He’s not an elite athlete, but he’s 20 years old (as of December) and he’s really strong,” a scouting source said. “He can anchor. And he’s got a really strong grip.”

Notre Dame OT Joe Alt

The first-team All-American is one of two top 2024 draft prospects along the offensive line at Notre Dame along with Blake Fisher. “Joe Alt’s how you build an offensive tackle basically,” a scouting source said.

Georgia OT Amarius Mims

The former five-star recruit started Georgia’s two playoff games last year and is now in position to be a full-time starter. “Mims is really good,” a scouting source said. “He’s one of the best players at Georgia right now.”

Alabama OT JC Latham

The former five-star recruit is entering his second season as Alabama’s starting right tackle. “I think he’s got a real shot, but I’m not sold yet,” a scouting source said. “Right now, he looks like more of a second-round guy, but he’s got a chance to be a top guy.”

LSU DL Maason Smith

The 2021 Freshman All-American is back and expected to be dominant after missing most of last season due to a torn ACL he suffered during LSU’s season-opening loss to Florida State last year. “He didn’t play last year, but he’s so darn impressive,” a scouting source said.

Miami DL Leonard Taylor

Scouts are high on the talent and potential of Taylor, a Class of 2021 five-star recruit. He had 10.5 tackles for loss and three sacks last season.

Florida State EDGE Jared Verse

Verse is back at Florida State after finishing last year with 48 tackles, 17 tackles for loss and nine sacks. “He could’ve come out and been a high pick but decided to go back (to school),” a scouting source said.

Alabama EDGE Dallas Turner

One scouting source mentioned Turner as being, in his opinion, the top defensive draft prospect in the SEC heading into the season. The former five-star recruit recorded 37 tackles and four sacks last year.

Ohio State EDGE J.T. Tuimoloau

Tuimoloau is one of the top prospects at Ohio State for the 2024 draft. The former top-five overall recruit tallied 28 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks last season.

Michigan LB Junior Colson

People internally at Michigan love Colson, who led the team last year with 101 tackles. Scouts are high on him, too.

Clemson LB Barrett Carter

Carter is one of several Clemson front seven players who are early-round possibilities for the 2024 draft. He was a first-team All-ACC selection last year. “Barrett Carter, to me, is better than (teammate and fellow early-round 2024 linebacker prospect) Jeremiah Trotter Jr.,” a scouting source said.

Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry

McKinstry, who also adds value as a punt returner, is one of the top cornerback prospects for the 2024 draft. “I think he’s an elite guy,” a scouting source said. One scout, though, did express some skepticism that McKinstry will ultimately be a top pick. “He’s a good player, but I don’t think he’s going to run well enough to be a first-round guy,” the scout said.

Penn State CB Kalen King

King is Penn State’s latest top prospect in the secondary. He was a second-team All-American last season. “To be honest with you, very similar to who he’s been since he stepped on campus,” head coach James Franklin said this spring. “He’s a guy that did not play like a freshman as a true freshman. Obviously took a significant step as a sophomore. And he’s continuing to trend like that. He comes out, got the right mindset and competes like crazy every single day and I think he is trending to have another really good year for us.” EDGE Chop Robinson and fellow EDGE Adisa Isaac are among the other Nittany Lions defensive players viewed by scouts as possibilities to go in the first two rounds in 2024.

USC DB Calen Bullock

It’s fair to label the 2022 first-team All-American as the current top safety prospect for next year’s draft. There are others too, though, that scouts view as being intriguing prospects with first-round potential, including Miami safeties Kam Kinchens and James Williams.