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NY Post
New York Post
1 May 2023


NextImg:2024 NFL Draft: Way-too-early top 10 prospect rankings

It’s always NFL Draft season.

With the 2023 class in the books as of Saturday, here is The Post’s early lookahead to the top 10 prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft class, after conversations with a few NFL scouts.

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By all accounts, it is expected to be a much deeper first round than the one that just passed:

Like Trevor Lawrence before him, Williams almost can’t play himself out of the No. 1 overall pick unless he is seriously injured.

The 2022 Heisman Trophy winner has a quick and accurate release, passed for 42 touchdowns compared to five interceptions last season, and has the gift for the off-schedule plays that are all the rage in the NFL nowadays.

He is athletic enough to run the read-option or scramble when the pocket breaks down, but if he wants to be a dual-threat then people will question his 6-foot-1 frame’s durability.

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Quarterback Caleb Williams (13) during the USC spring game on April 15, 2023.
Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

A great athlete who happens to be a very good quarterback, Maye is an easy thrower with nice touch on the ball, especially downfield.

He can evade pass-rushers while keeping his eyes downfield looking to extend plays.

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Because he so often makes something out of nothing, he can slip into bad habits — like throwing off his back foot — that will bite him in the NFL.

Maye passed for 4,321 yards and 38 touchdowns and ran for another 698 yards and seven touchdowns.

Sons of Hall of Famers rarely turn out as well as their fathers, but Harrison Jr. could have a chance to follow his father’s footsteps if he finds his own Peyton Manning.

Of all the great Ohio State receivers of late, Harrison could be the best.

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He has the size (6-foot-4, 205 pounds) that his father lacked but the same innate ability to uncover through precise route-running and sticky hands (with a bigger catch radius).

He thrives on physicality, whether beating press coverage or run-blocking.

Wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. after Ohio State's spring game on April 15, 2023.

Wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. after Ohio State’s spring game on April 15, 2023.
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In a deep 2023 tight end class that included college teammate Darnell Washington, the 6-foot-4 Bowers likely would’ve been the first off the board if eligible.

The Mackey Award winner (nation’s top tight end) has 119 catches for 1,824 yards and 20 touchdowns through his first two seasons despite some concentration drops.

He will chip a pass-rusher before getting into his route — and then he’s hard to bring to the ground.

An “absolute freak show,” NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah said.

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The 6-foot-6, 323-pound former three-star recruit allowed zero sacks on 281 pass-blocking snaps in eight games as a first-year starter last season and was named his team’s Offensive Player of the Game against Purdue and Auburn.

There is talk he would’ve been a first-round pick if he entered the 2022 draft despite the lack of experience.

If he plays as consistently over the next 1,000 snaps as he did over the first 600, then he could be the first non-quarterback taken.

The first-team All-American has made 21 straight starts at left tackle.

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Alt allowed zero sacks on 406 pass-blocking snaps, paved the way for a 2,457-yard rushing attack and was the highest-graded offensive tackle in the country — just ahead of Peter Skoronski, whom the Titans just took at the No. 11 pick — according to Pro Football Focus.

Like Harrison Jr., the 6-foot-8, 315-pound Alt has good genes.

His father, John, was a two-time Pro Bowler who is in the Chiefs’ Hall of Fame after a 13-year career (1984-96).

Notre Dame tackle Joe Alt during a game against Cal on Sept. 17, 2022.

Notre Dame tackle Joe Alt during a game against Cal on Sept. 17, 2022.
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Is he the next Will Anderson?

Comparisons to the No. 3 pick in the 2022 draft will be automatic, but Turner isn’t there yet physically in terms of generating consistent knockback.

The lanky 6-foot-4, 245-pound Turner’s different skill set than Anderson’s include an ability to drop into coverage as an outside linebacker.

Regarded as a sure-tackler, Turner has 12.5 sacks across 28 career games (13 starts).

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He is missing spring practice due to offseason surgery.

“He’s going to be the next Alabama great,” Anderson told NFL.com.

    Oh yeah! Drink the Kool-Aid on this speedster out of the Defensive Back Factory.

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    McKinstry had 16 passes defended in his first year as a starter, showing an ability to high point the ball and recover when beaten.

    Any interception has a chance to be a touchdown given that McKinstry averaged 15.8 per punt return.

    McKinstry could line up in the slot or on the perimeter in zone coverage, but he gets away with handsiness that won’t fly with NFL officials.

    Alabama defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry after a game against Ole Miss on Nov. 12, 2022.

    Alabama defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry after a game against Ole Miss on Nov. 12, 2022.
    Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

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    The Albany transfer — who actually redshirted at the FCS level before becoming CAA Defensive Rookie of the Year — could’ve been a first-round pick in 2022 after his impressive ACC debut.

    He showed explosiveness, length and power in compiling nine sacks and 17 tackles for loss.

    Verse keeps offensive tackles guessing with a repertoire that includes speed around the edge and bull-rushes.

    But is he a specialist or an every-down player?

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    There will be a microscope on his run defense and backside chase effort this season.

    Talent? Tons of it.

    Uncertainty? Well, Smith missed almost all of last season after tearing his ACL in the first quarter of the season-opener.

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    If he returns at full strength, as expected, the former No. 1 defensive tackle recruit in the country is the up-the-gut pass-rusher that NFL teams covet, with the scheme versatility to come off the edge if needed.

    Smith had four sacks in nine games (four starts) as a freshman but was already fighting through double-teams with a high motor.