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Early 2024 NFL Mock Draft: Predictions one year away

With the 2024 NFL Draft now a year away, we do our best to project all 32 first-round picks.

CLEVELAND — The 2023 NFL Draft is in the books, but it's never too early to start looking ahead to next year.

RELATED: More NFL coverage from WKYC

With that in mind, let's take make some early projections for all 32 picks in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

(Draft order determined by Super Bowl betting odds via Bet MGM)

1. Arizona Cardinals (via Texans) - Caleb Williams, QB, USC

The Cardinals enter 2023 in an obvious rebuild and it remains unclear how much -- if at all -- Kyler Murray will play as he continues to recover from a torn ACL and meniscus injury. Getting out of Murray's five-year, $230.5 million contract extension would be tricky. But Caleb Williams is the type of prospect few teams -- including Arizona -- are in a position to pass on.

2. Arizona Cardinals - Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State

Thanks to their 2023 draft day trade with the Houston Texans, it's conceivable the Cardinals could lay claim to the top two overall picks in next year's draft. That would put them in a position to not only draft Williams, but also a blue chip talent such as Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr.

3. Indianapolis Colts - Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame

The Colts got their franchise quarterback of the future in Anthony Richardson. Now they grab a left tackle to protect him.

4. Tennessee Titans - 

Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State

The Titans' decision to trade up to No. 33 and select Will Levis indicates that they're doing more than just taking a flyer on the Kentucky quarterback. Here, they get him some protection and continue to rebuild their offensive line with one of the draft's top offensive tackle prospects in Penn State's Olumuyiwa Fashanu.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

Neither Baker Mayfield nor Kyle Trask are likely to be long-term replacements for Tom Brady. The second-rated quarterback in the 2024 class, North Carolina's Drake Maye could fill that void.

6. Washington Commanders - J.T. Tuimoloau, Edge, Ohio State

The Commanders declined Chase Young's fifth-year option and didn't select an edge defender until the fifth round in the 2023 draft. While he may not currently be the highest-rated pass-rusher in the 2024 class, Ohio State's J.T. Tuimoloau appears poised for a breakout season.

7. New England Patriots - Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas

If the Patriots have the No. 7 pick in next year's draft, it's hard to imagine Mac Jones making it to a fourth season as New England's starting quarterback. A former No. 1 overall recruit, Quinn Ewers could catapult to the top of the first round with a strong junior season at Texas.

8. Los Angeles Rams - Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State

The Rams selected three edge defenders in the 2023 draft, as their need at the position is obvious. With what would be its first first-round pick since 2016, Los Angeles could grab a blue chip player at the position, such as Florida State's Jared Verse.

9. Atlanta Falcons - Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington

Barring a breakout season, there's no reason to believe the Falcons are committed to Desmond Ridder for the long haul. With six years of experience at the college level, Michael Penix Jr. should be able to step right into an offense that features three former first-round picks Kyle Pitts, Drake London and Bijan Robinson.

10. Pittsburgh Steelers - JC Latham, OL, Alabama

It's clear that the Steelers are going to continue to invest in their offensive line in order to give Kenny Pickett the best chance to succeed. JC Latham has the versatility to play multiple positions and the talent to be taken in the top-half of the first round.

11. Seattle Seahawks - Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

Noah Fant is entering the final season of his contract and Tyler Lockett could be a cap casualty next offseason. Georgia's Brock Bowers has the talent to be a top-five pick, but could slide due to his position.

12. Green Bay Packers - Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

The Packers didn't select a cornerback until the seventh round in the 2023 draft. Here, they grab 2024's top player at the position to pair with Jaire Alexander.

13. Chicago Bears - Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama

The Bears tallied the fewest sacks in the NFL in 2022 and didn't select a single edge defender in the 2023 draft -- although they did take two defensive tackles. Here, they add a high-upside pass-rusher in Alabama's Dallas Turner, who tallied 8.5 sacks as a freshman in 2021.

14. Chicago Bears (via Panthers) - Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

After focusing on its defense, Chicago turns its attention to its offense. While Harrison Jr. gets all the headlines, Ohio State's Emeka Egbuka is a first-round caliber prospect in his own right.

15. New York Giants - Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas

The Giants have plenty of pieces at wide receiver, but lack a true No. 1. Having already caught 21 touchdowns in his first two seasons at Texas, Xavier Worthy could fill that void.

16. New Orleans Saints - TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State

Alvin Kamara could be a cap casualty for the Saints next offseason. Injuries hampered TreVeyon Henderson in 2022 following a freshman season in which he was one of the country's best running backs.

17. Minnesota Vikings - Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn State

The Vikings didn't take a single edge defender in the 2023 draft. That likely won't be the norm under general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, who it's easy to envision being attracted to a prospect with the tools that Chop Robinson possesses.

18. Las Vegas Raiders - Denzel Burke, CB, Ohio State

The Raiders entered the 2023 draft with cornerback as an apparent need and only used one pick -- a fourth-rounder -- on the position. Despite suffering a sophomore slump last season, Ohio State's Denzel Burke is a first-round talent.

19. Denver Broncos - Bralen Trice, Edge, Washington

Randy Gregory turns 31 this season and the Broncos need depth at pass-rusher. Washington's Bralen Trice would make for an intriguing fit in Denver's 3-4 scheme.

20. Houston Texans (via Browns) - Michael Hall Jr., DT, Ohio State

After trading up to take pass-rusher Will Anderson Jr., the Texans would be wise to stock up on defensive linemen capable of taking advantage of the attention he'll command. As he showed last season at Ohio State, Michael Hall Jr. can do just that.

21. Jacksonville Jaguars - Jack Sawyer, Edge, Ohio State

Josh Allen is entering the final season of his contract and Jacksonville didn't do much to address its pass rush in this year's draft. Jack Sawyer hasn't lived up to his 5-star billing just yet, but could be poised for a breakout season on a loaded Buckeyes defense.

22. Baltimore Ravens - Kalen King, CB, Penn State

It was that the Ravens didn't do more to address their secondary in this year's draft. Penn State's Kalen King possesses the potential to be one of the top cornerbacks in next year's class.

23. Miami Dolphins - Cooper Bebee, OL, Kansas State

The Dolphins would be wise to continue to invest in their offensive line. Cooper Bebee is a dominant run blocker who would thrive in Mike McDaniel's system.

24. Los Angeles Chargers - Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas

Gerald Everett is entering the final year of his contract and the Chargers haven't been shy about supplying Justin Herbert with weapons. Texas' Ja’Tavion Sanders has top-20 talent, but could slide due to his position and Bowers being in the same class.

25. Detroit Lions - Maason Smith, DL, LSU

If the Lions aren't picking until this late, it's a safe bet that Dan Campbell will have made it another year as the team's head coach. Maason Smith is the type of big-bodied defensive lineman (6-foot-6, 310 pounds) that Detroit covets.

26. Dallas Cowboys - Raheim Sanders, RB, Arkansas

Even if they sign Tony Pollard to a long-term deal, the Cowboys prefer a running back-by-committee approach. Here, they turn to Jerry Jones' alma mater to take a bruising runner in the 6-foot-2, 237-pound Raheim Sanders.

27. Green Bay Packers (via Jets) - Javon Bullard, S, Georgia

If the Jets are picking this late, it's a safe bet their conditional draft pick from the Aaron Rodgers trade will be conveyed to Green Bay. Here, the Packers use the selection on the draft's top safety in Georgia's Javon Bullard.

28. Cincinnati Bengals - Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase being up for extensions will likely require Cincinnati to make difficult roster construction decisions. Taking Washington's Rome Odunze would ensure Burrow still has plenty of big play options at his disposal.

29. San Francisco 49ers - Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State

The 49ers are always looking to reinvest in their defensive line. How good should Ohio State's defensive line be next season? It's not crazy to think all four starters could be picked in the first round.

30. Buffalo Bills - Johnny Wilson, WR, Florida State

Gabe Davis is entering the final year of his contract and Stefon Diggs is about to turn 30. At 6-foot-7, Johnny Wilson would make for an intriguing target for Josh Allen.

31. Philadelphia Eagles - Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia

The Eagles need to add some more youth to their secondary. For the third straight season, they turn to Georgia with their first-round pick, this time taking the Bulldogs' top cornerback, Kamari Lassiter.

32. Kansas City Chiefs - Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU

You can never have too much protection for the best player in football. Kingsley Suamataia could pair with Jawaan Taylor to give Patrick Mahomes two long-term offensive tackles.

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