The good folks who organize the Senior Bowl every year are fond of proclaiming the "Draft Starts in Mobile."
It's certainly the first time we see coaches involved in the process as 30 of the NFL's 32 teams are officially in their offseason.
Of course, I've been watching these players since high school for the most part. What I've seen on the field makes up the bulk of my analysis, but with the Senior Bowl and East-West Shrine Bowl festivities in our rear view, the shoulder pads, helmets and uniforms will be packed up and we will move on to the workout, interview and medical evaluation portion of draft season.
Key dates going forward before we get to the draft in Kansas City, Mo. (April 27-29):
— Feb. 12: Super Bowl LVII in Glendale, Ariz.
— Feb. 21-March 7: Franchise/transition player designation period
— Feb. 28-March 6: NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis
— March 7: Colleges can begin hosting pro days
— March 15: New league year begins at 1 p.m. (i.e. free agency)
Part of my weekly mock draft preamble explains it is an attempt at figuring out the best players available in this season's draft class, and which teams they'd match up well with considering the draft order. The closer we get to draft day, the more I attempt to match what teams will actually do with their draft picks as opposed to what I believe they should do.
Last season, I tied for the most accurate NFL draft prognosticator in print, according to The Huddle Report. I was also tied for ninth overall (out of 158) for 2022. I'm fourth overall (out of 159) over the past five years.
My big board is an attempt to discern who the best players in this draft class actually are.
Here's my updated 2023 NFL draft Big Board:
— 1. Will Anderson Jr., Edge, Alabama, Jr.
Some scouts will say Anderson is a bit undersized for an NFL edge rusher, but there are shades of Hall of Famer Derrick Thomas and future Hall of Famer Von Miller in his pass-rush approach — 34.5 sacks in three seasons with the Crimson Tide. Plus, he is equally adept at defending the run. I'd have no qualms with him going first overall.
— 2. Jalen Carter, DL, Georgia, Jr.
What if I told you the most talented player on a historically-great Bulldogs defense that saw five prospects selected in the first round wasn't even eligible for the draft after last season? Carter is a scheme-wrecker and forces an offensive attack to focus its attention on him, enabling his teammates to produce the gaudy statistics.
— 3. CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio St., Jr.
Despite dealing with several injuries at wide receiver, Stroud didn't miss a beat this season — he was second in touchdown passes (41) and QBR (88.9) in 2022 — and nearly beat the defending national champions with 348 yards and four TDs, while showcasing his scrambling ability (he's a traditional pocket passer).
— 4. Bryce Young, QB, Alabama, Jr.
Young has showcased an elite level skill set for two straight seasons — featuring special athleticism and intangibles with a dash of improv — this year with fewer playmakers surrounding him. Of course, Young's size (6-foot, 195 pounds) will be debated, and that will determine where he lands in the NFL.
— 5. Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas, Jr.
Few things are certain at this point, but I'm fairly positive the Doak Walker Award-winning Robinson will be the first running back selected in late April (positional bias will likely keep him from going inside the top-10). He's an all-around threat who is light on his feet considering his size (6-foot, 215 pounds) and features home-run ability.
— 6. Peter Skoronski, OL, Northwestern, Jr.
Skoronski took over for Rashawn Slater as a true freshman in 2020 and the offense didn't miss a beat. Some scouts may say his size better suits him to play guard, but they also said that about Slater.
— 7. Myles Murphy, Edge, Clemson, Jr.
Murphy features very similar dimensions/traits to 2022 No. 1 overall draft pick Travon Walker. Just sayin'.
— 8. Bryan Bresee, DL, Clemson, So.
Bresee was the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2020 recruiting class. He showed flashes of dominance as a true freshman in 2020, but only played 152 snaps in 2021 before tearing his ACL. It appears he regained his explosiveness and remains one of the most versatile defensive lineman in this class, but his injury history has teams divided.
— 9. Tyree Wilson, Edge, Texas Tech, Sr.
Wilson was one of nine players in the FBS to produce 60 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and six sacks before suffering a season-ending broken foot against Kansas. He's a physically gifted, ascending pass rusher who is explosive off the ball and powerful enough to make an immediate impact at the next level.
— 10. Broderick Jones, OL, Georgia, So.
Jones doesn't have the experience other prospects possess in this class — he's only started 19 games for the Bulldogs — but his athleticism, intelligence and footwork pops when you watch him.
— 11. Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU, Jr.
Johnston has drawn comparisons to Cincy's Tee Higgins and the Chargers' Mike Williams, but he does Deebo Samuel-like things, forcing missed tackles when he has the ball in his hands — he's 6-foot-4, 215 pounds (Samuel is four inches shorter).
— 12. Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame, Jr.
The Irish pipeline at tight end to the NFL continues to flourish. Mayer isn't as explosive as Kyle Pitts, but his receiving acumen, size (6-foot-4, 265 pounds) and toughness put him just a tick below Pitts as a prospect.
— 13. Brian Branch, S, Alabama, Jr.
Branch isn't a "freakish" athlete, but can play anywhere in the secondary and is one of the surest tacklers you will find in a defensive backfield. Searching for a weakness here is a little like trying to find Waldo.
— 14. Jordan Addison, WR, USC, Jr.
The 2021 Biletnikoff Award winner (with Pittsburgh) wasn't as dominant for the Trojans last season, but he's a silky smooth route runner with enough speed to challenge a defense at every level and features inside/outside versatility.
— 15. Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois, Sr.
Witherspoon finished with the highest coverage grade (92.5) in the FBS, according to Pro Football Focus. He used his size (6-1, 180) and ball skills — three interceptions and 14 passes defensed (tied-for-8th in FBS) — to dominate in man coverage this season.
— 16. Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio St., Jr.
Johnson could very well end up in the top 10 depending on how the draft order shakes out. He was the nation's top-ranked offensive tackle prospect in the 2020 recruiting class and has thrived at both left tackle and right guard for the Buckeyes.
— 17. Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn St., Jr.
The son of former All-Pro linebacker Joey Porter checks the size (6-2, 198) and physicality boxes. Plus, Junior's athleticism and talent pops when you watch him, but he'll need to refine his technique and develop more consistency to pay off his potential — his aggressive nature is a gift and a curse.
— 18. O'Cyrus Torrence, OL, Florida, Sr.
Torrence was an elite prospect at Louisiana, and he didn't miss a beat after transferring into the SEC, becoming a consensus All-American.
— 19. Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon, So.
Gonzalez has the size (6-2, 200) and physical traits that make most scouts salivate, and the Colorado transfer answered all questions regarding his ball production (four interceptions) in his only season in Eugene.
— 20. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio St., Jr.
The Buckeyes had two receivers drafted in the first 11 picks last April and Smith-Njigba out-produced both as a sophomore. An injury-riddled season has dampened his draft stock, but if he checks out during the draft process, he likely won't have to wait too long to hear his name called.
— 21. Will Levis, QB, Kentucky, Sr.
Levis' senior season was a mixed bag compared to his impressive 2021 campaign — he lost his top receiver (Wan'Dale Robinson) and offensive coordinator to the NFL — but he features the combination of arm talent, size (6-foot-3, 232 pounds) and mobility that usually sparks the imagination of an offensive coordinator.
— 22. Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah, So.
Phillips features a smaller frame, but his ability to mirror and match routes, plus his explosive athleticism and ball skills (nine career interceptions with four pick-sixes) more than make up for it.
— 23. Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College, Sr.
Flowers won't be for everyone with his smallish frame (5-10, 172), but he checks most boxes for a No. 1 receiver at the next level. He's a good route runner with excellent hands who is extremely dangerous in the open field thanks to elite speed, agility and vision.
— 24. Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama, Jr.
There's bell-cow, dual-threat potential with Gibbs. He features electric speed with pass-catching ability and an advanced route tree. All of these skills will be on display as one of a nation-best 13 Crimson Tide players invited to the 2023 NFL combine.
— 25. Nolan Smith, Edge, Georgia, Sr.
Smith, a former five-star recruit, is athletic enough to make plays from sideline to sideline. A refined approach to rushing the passer is needed to unlock his unlimited potential. It remains to be seen how his season-ending pectoral tear will affect his draft stock.
— 26. Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida, So.
Richardson is the wild-card in this QB class. His range is anywhere from first overall pick — I expect scouts and coaches/coordinators to fall in love with his traits (i.e. ceiling) — to a Day 2 selection.
— 27. Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina, Jr.
Smith was Jaycee Horn's successor and maintained Horn's excellence for the Gamecocks. So much so, quarterbacks essentially avoided him in 2022.
— 28. Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson, Jr.
Simpson is everything you are looking for in a modern coverage linebacker.
— 29. Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee, Sr.
Wright's a four-year starter who has improved every season in Knoxville. Wright only allowed one pressure when he faced off against Alabama's Anderson in a 52-49 Volunteers' victory and was consistently dominant throughout Senior Bowl practices.
— 30. Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia, So.
As a red-shirt sophomore, Ringo's size/speed combination is still developing, but the former five-star recruit will compete to be the first cornerback selected solely based on his talent and potential.
— 31. Antonio Johnson, S, Texas A&M, Jr.
Johnson is a rangy, versatile impact tackler whose size (6-3,195) and athleticism will allow defensive coordinators to get creative.
— 32. Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio St., Sr.
Jones is a massive (6-8, 375) man with nimble feet who dominated at right tackle for the Buckeyes his senior season — he allowed only five QB hurries, no hits and zero sacks in almost 800 snaps. He measured in with the longest wingspan (89 1/2 inches) in Senior Bowl history.
— 33. Will McDonald IV, Edge, Iowa St., Sr.
McDonald has been highly productive for the Cyclones — he has at least five sacks in four straight seasons and double-digit sacks in two of the last three — despite playing out of position for most of his collegiate career. He's an explosive, instinctive pass rusher, who I anticipate will see a boost in his draft stock after his impressive performance during Senior Bowl week.
— 34. Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee, Jr.
Hyatt emerged as the premier deep threat in college football after exploding for 207 yards and five TDs (!) against Alabama in October. The 2022 Biletnikoff Award winner is track and field fast. I only have two questions. Why didn't he produce at this level his previous two seasons with the Volunteers? Can he produce on the perimeter — where he will face press coverage much more often — since he's primarily ran most of his routes out of the slot?
— 35. Drew Sanders, LB, Arkansas, Jr.
This Alabama transfer has hybrid potential with the closing speed to get to the quarterback, the intensity to roam the middle of the field and athleticism to develop in coverage.
— 36. John Michael Schmitz, OL, Minnesota, Sr.
Michael Schmitz has been one of the best offensive lineman in the nation since he became a starter way back in 2019. According to Pro Football Focus, he earned a 92.4 overall grade to lead the country this season. The other centers who have played at that level have seen their talent translate well to the NFL (Frank Ragnow and Tyler Linderbaum).
— 37. Isaiah Foskey, Edge, Notre Dame, Jr.
Foskey's versatile skill set, size and power would have likely made him a Day 2 selection had he entered the draft last season. A successful draft process will likely land him in the first round a couple months from now.
— 38. Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma, Jr.
Harrison features the prototypical size and movement skills of starting left tackle in the NFL. He'll need to polish his technique (but he's already very good in pass protection) and buy-in to an NFL strength program in order to unlock the next level.
— 39. Andre Carter, Edge, Army, Sr.
Carter is a relentless, athletic pass rusher with prototypical size (6-7, 260) who was highly productive as a junior (15.5 sacks), and found himself being triple-teamed for most of his senior year at West Point.
— 40. Noah Sewell, LB, Oregon, So.
The younger brother of Penei — the No. 7 pick overall in 2021 — has a knack for finding the ball, and the ability to punish a ball-carrier at the point of attack.
— 41. Darius Rush, CB, South Carolina, Sr.
Rush likely made himself a lot of money in Mobile. He was impressive in all three practices, often running better routes than the wide receivers, disrupting them all week long. He features an impressive size/speed combo, measuring in at 6-foot-2, 196 pounds while the on-field radar clocked him at 21.65 miles per hour — the only corners who were faster in the last five years were Tariq Woolen and Joshua Williams.
— 42. Siaki Ika, DL, Baylor, Jr.
Any team struggling to stop the run will be in on the 6-foot-4, 358 pound Ika. Of course, he plugs up the middle of the field, but he's also athletic enough to pressure the quarterback.
— 43. Luke Musgrave, TE, Oregon St., Jr.
Musgrave is a work-in-progress as a blocker and he only played two games this season, although we caught a glimpse of his potential with him making 11 receptions for 169 yards (15.4 yards per catch) and a TD. He's an elite athlete, who runs precise routes, has soft hands and can create separation with his speed.
— 44. Keeanu Benton, DL, Wisconsin, Sr.
Benton had two quarterback hits in the National team's 27-10 victory last Saturday in Mobile, but he was dominant throughout the week. The 6-4, 317-pounder was voted the defensive line practice player of the week by members of the American team's offensive line.
— 45. Zach Charbonnet, RB, UCLA, Sr.
Charbonnet features the size (6-1, 220), power, vision and instincts to thrive in a zone-based run scheme at the next level. He's progressed as a receiver out of the backfield since transferring from Michigan and will need to continue his development in pass protection.
— 46. Calijah Kancey, DL, Pittsburgh, Jr.
Something about Panthers' undersized defensive linemen who can get to the quarterback — Aaron Donald turned out alright, I guess. Kancey is almost a physical clone of Donald and led all interior defenders with a 92.4 pass-rushing grade this past fall, according to Pro Football Focus.
— 47. Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi St., Jr.
Forbes is a three-year starter in the SEC and has improved every season for the Bulldogs. He will need to bulk up (his tackling is suspect), but his instincts and ball production have been phenomenal with 14 interceptions in his collegiate career.
— 48. Adetomiwa Adebawore, DL, Northwestern, Sr.
Adebawore's natural power, speed and strength were on display in Mobile. He annihilated Notre Dame's Jarrett Patterson during one-on-one drills, knocking the second-team All-American a full 15 yards off the line of scrimmage. His versatility — he dominated from both the edge and inside — could make him a Day 2 selection.
— 49. Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah, Sr.
Kincaid has been highly productive at two levels (he previously played at the University of San Diego), with at least eight TDs in each of his four full seasons of play between two schools. He leaves a lot to be desired as a blocker, but he's a smooth route runner (something he's worked on) with good hands and is a clear and present danger in the red zone.
— 50. Lukas Van Ness, DL, Iowa, So.
The hype train is in full effect already for Van Ness. He reportedly received a first-round grade from the NFL Advisory Committee before declaring early for the draft despite not starting a single game for the Hawkeyes. He clearly has the functional strength needed at the next level and features a dominant bull rush with an NFL-caliber spin move.
— Also: Christopher Smith, S, Georgia, Sr.; BJ Ojulari, Edge, LSU, Jr.; Rashee Rice, WR, SMU, Sr.; Cody Mauch, OT, North Dakota St., Sr.; Kayshon Boutte, WR, LSU, Jr.; Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia, Jr.; Devon Achane, RB, Texas A&M, Jr.; Jack Campbell, LB, Iowa, Sr.; Tuli Tuipulotu, DT, USC, Jr.; Gervon Dexter, DL, Florida, So.; Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Edge, Kansas St., Jr.; Matthew Bergeron, OT, Syracuse, Jr.; Steve Avila, OL, TCU, Sr.; Karl Brooks, DL, Bowling Green, Sr.; Keion White, DL, Georgia Tech, Sr.; Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina, Jr.; Zach Harrison, Edge, Ohio St., Sr.; Jaelyn Duncan, OT, Maryland, Sr.; A.T. Perry, WR, Wake Forest, Jr.; Mazi Smith, DL, Michigan, Sr.; Tanner McKee, QB, Stanford, Jr.; Jarrett Patterson, OL, Notre Dame, Sr.; Tyrique Stevenson, CB, Miami, Jr.; Jordan Battle, S, Alabama, Sr.; Jammie Robinson, S, Florida St., Jr.; Tyjae Spears, RB, Tulane, Jr.; Brandon Joseph, S, Notre Dame, Jr.; Sydney Brown, S, Illinois, Sr.; Derick Hall, Edge, Auburn, Sr.; Joe Tippman, OL, Wisconsin, Jr.; Daiyon Henley, LB, Washington St., Sr.
