As the 2023 NFL Draft rolls in, it’s time for our official draft kit. I did this kit last year for our friends at Lions Wire wanted to bring it back for another year.
I typically start official draft preparation in the New Year and spend a few months diving into players on film and re-watching full games for situational awareness. I do watch college football games year-round. So I have a general sense of the players that popped. This is just a deeper dive that is started in January.
I like to spend all my focus on one player at a time before giving out my grade, essentially filling out my top 10 at each position then organizing the top-50 big board. This helps form the kit right in time for the draft so that any fans reading it can get a general sense of the player, their skills, where they went and how they fit.
I also take a look at the big boards across multiple different sources and different mediums to understand the general consensus of players eligible and where people rank them. This is usually done as quality control for my own work once my evaluations are completed.
The big board is just a starting point in a vacuum.
As the draft rolls on, positional value, team needs and fit all come into play. So sometimes, player No. 10 might go first overall, and that’s simply because players 1-9 do not make sense for them to grab. I would recommend filling for need and fit regardless of the big board, unless that player was a can’t miss, Hall of Fame-level talent right out of the gate.
Before we jump right into the kit, here’s a little background of the grading system I use:
Grading system
Grades are an overall player rating and take into account speed, strength, agility, awareness, positional key attributes, measurable, strength of competition, age, durability and any other key factors many NFL organizations use to scout. The closer to 10, the better and more generational a player seems.
I won’t get into the details on each player, but I have standardized my raw film review, grades, and evaluation notes into a simple format.
The round evaluations below serve as guidelines for where I think a prospect at this time sits. There is always a chance any of these players can contribute more than these evaluations. This is more of a guide to have on the side as you follow along the draft or want to build a wish list of players for the Patriots.
8.0-9.9 – First round evaluation
- Usually an elite prospect
- Impact players
7.0-7.9 – Second and third-round evaluation
- Overall, there are some questions that keep them out of the first round
- Usually has some things to work on, but the talent is there to become impactful
- Day 1 starter on worse teams. Most teams will use them in rotation in Year 1 and eventually will start them when developed.
6.0-6.9 – Fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh-round evaluation
- These players are often depth pieces, utility/special team players, project players, or practice squad depth
- Measurables are there, needs heavy development and coaching to become difference-makers
- Usually, these players are hard to narrow down as they have skills that could make them elite or better, as we have seen in the past with some great players. But they have inconsistency issues or other concerns that cause them to be less complete of a prospect.
0-5.9 – Undrafted Evaluation
- Majority is unknown of what they will be
- Will likely be undrafted and developed on practice squad, but given the chance to compete in training camp.
- In the right system, even as a low-graded prospect, they can shine. These ratings are more of a commentary on where they are at draft time.
- I rarely have low grades this low on this kit due to me only looking at 130 players, and unless a position group is very weak, we will most likely go through players who will go through about the fourth or fifth round.
Positional outlooks/classifications
I typically view interior defenders as those who pressure the QB with their hand in the dirt and over either guard or the center. The reason is simple, with the NFL having varying schemes and players becoming more versatile, it’s easier to lump them into the whole defensive tackle or interior defensive line grouping.
EDGE rushers are simply anyone who primarily rushes the QB, while playing outside the offensive tackles. LBs are those who aren’t in the edge category for me, and typically are in the middle of the defense, sometimes at OLB in coverage. Although this is a very vague and basic description, I use it to help solidify these rankings and keep them as simple to follow as possible.
Top 50 Big Board
No. 50: Josh Downs, WR (7.6/10)
No. 49: Tuli Tuipulotu, EDGE (7.7/10)
No. 48: Julius Brents, CB (7.7/10)
No. 47: Mazi Smith, DT (7.7/10)
No. 46: Olusegun Oluwatimi, C (7.7/10)
No. 45: Dawand Jones, OT (7.7/10)
No. 44: Jammie Robinson, S (7.7/10)
No. 43: Derick Hall, EDGE (7.8/10)
No. 42: Blake Freeland, OT (7.8/10)
No. 41: Gervon Dexter Sr., DT (7.8/10)
No. 40: Tyrique Stevenson, CB (7.8/10)
No. 39: Drew Sanders, LB (7.9/10)
No. 38: Hendon Hooker, QB (7.9/10)
No. 37: Luke Musgrave, TE (7.9/10)
No. 36: Kelee Ringo, CB (7.9/10)
No. 35: Anton Harrison, OT (7.9/10)
No. 34: Jordan Addison, WR (7.9/10)
No. 33: Will Levis, QB (8.3/10)
No. 32: Quentin Johnston, WR (8.4/10)
No. 31: Deonte Banks, CB (8.4/10)
No. 30: Anthony Richardson, QB (8.4/10)
No. 29: Cam Smith, CB (8.5/10)
No. 28: Zay Flowers, WR (8.6/10)
No. 27: Felix Anudike-Uzomah, EDGE (8.6/10)
No. 26: Darnell Wright, OT (8.6/10)
No. 25: Joey Porter Jr., CB (8.6/10)
No. 24: CJ Stroud, QB (8.6/10)
No. 23: Jack Campbell, LB (8.7/10)
No. 22: Devon Witherspoon, CB (8.7/10)
No. 21: Peter Skoronski,OL (8.7/10)
No. 20: Bryce Young, QB (8.7/10)
No. 19: Brian Branch, S (8.8/10)
No. 18: Broderick Jones, OT (8.8/10)
No. 17: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB (8.9/10)
No. 16: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR (8.9/10)
No. 15: Myles Murphy, EDGE (8.9/10)
No. 14: Bryan Bresee, DL (8.9/10)
No. 13: Calijah Kancey, DL (9.0/10)
No. 12: Lukas Van Ness, EDGE (9.0/10)
No. 11: Christian Gonzalez, CB (9.0/10)
No. 10: Dalton Kincaid, TE (9.1/10)
No. 9: Nolan Smith, EDGE (9.1/10)
No. 8: Darnell Washington, TE (9.2/10)
No. 7: O’Cyrus Torrence, OG (9.2/10)
No. 6: Paris Johnson Jr., OT (9.2/10)
No. 5: Tyree Wilson, EDGE (9.2/10)
No. 4: Bijan Robinson, RB (9.3/10)
No. 3: Michael Mayer, TE (9.4/10)
No. 2: Will Anderson Jr., EDGE (9.4/10)
No. 1: Jalen Carter, DL (9.5/10)
Quarterback
1. Bryce Young, Alabama – 8.7
Height: 5’10
Weight: 204 lbs
Age: 21
Pros:
- Accurate
- Makes solid reads
- Improviser prototype, will excel at getting out of the pocket and making something out of nothing
- Straight-line speed is high-end, but will not be a run-first QB for most teams
- Arm talent is there, but nothing to write home about in terms of power
- Productive in college
- Manages to have good sense of the pocket to avoid unnecessary sacks.
- Good football IQ
Cons:
- Size will make it hard at next level to read over offensive line
- Has had some lingering injury concerns
Looking at Bryce Young, an easy comparison is a Russell Wilson or a Deshaun Watson. He possesses elite ability to maneuver in the pocket, extending plays to make the accurate throw while moving. He has good straight-line speed but likely wants to be a thrower first. He’s not a true dual-threat QB but has the ability to make teams pay if the situation allows.
Young is the best QB in the class, but the size could scare a few teams early. He should be the first overall pick and has a high floor that could be perfect for a QB-desperate team. Even if they fail to develop him to his potential, he can be serviceable enough to win games for many teams and have a long career in this league.
2. CJ Stroud, Ohio State – 8.6
Height: 6’3
Weight: 218lbs
Age: 21
Pros:
- Good size and fits the mold many teams would like at the QB position
- Accuracy is through the roof, and can drop it into the bucket like no one in this class
- Extremely smart, decision-making pops up on film, which is rare
- Traditional pocket passer with sneaky legs—think a 100 percent healthy Jimmy G with better arm talent
- Has a good feel for the pocket, and often has great footwork to overcome pressure and maintain eyes downfield.
- Will definitely translate to the next level, most NFL-ready QB in this class.
Cons:
- Although he is good in the pocket, sending disguised pressure or heavy pressure often makes it difficult for the QB to make the right decision.
- He is sneaky athletic enough to move in the pocket but won’t scare EDGE rushers, allowing them to pin their ears back.
- There are some concerns with how Stroud will fair in a less than ideal situation. Benefitted from elite line play and talent across the board, and there are concerns with a QB taken early struggling in a lackluster offense.
- Will need to fit into the right system and be surrounded with enough talent early to be developed properly
Stroud is a good, dynamic pocket passer with a good knack for basic pressure, accuracy to fit into tight windows, with great placement. He has ideal size for an NFL QB with sneaky athletic ability that will allow him to adjust to NFL pressure. Stroud is an intelligent QB, but will need to be in the perfect system as he won’t outright win games alone early in his career.
3. Anthony Richardson, Florida – 8.4
Height: 6’4
Weight: 244 lbs
Age: 22
Pros:
- Athletic freak, scored a perfect RAS score and set the record for best QB vertical. Also, ran a 4.43 40 time, with elite explosiveness scores at the combine.
- Has a cannon for an arm with solid placement on deeper concepts
- Has a knack with the ball in his hands to be a pure playmaker
- Size, speed and contact balance make him a dangerous weapon on offense alone, but his arm talent can take him to new heights
- Extremely high ceiling—think Josh Allen, Cam Newton, Lamar Jackson.
Cons:
- Low floor as well, with poor spatial awareness in the pocket, average accuracy, and limited experience as a passer.
- May scare teams due to how raw of a talent he is as a passer, and could limit his progression and growth.
- Ultimately his technique is unconventional and will need to be heavily coached up.
- lack of experience as a passer could lead to forced throws and could see a ton of turnovers early.
Anthony Richardson should go No. 1 overall. Watching his tape, there is a true weapon on the field at all times, as his strengths alone as a runner can reach Lamar Jackson levels, but Lamar Jackson was a much better passing prospect than Richardson. There is a valid concern if teams think his raw passing ability and lack of experience could make him a one-dimensional player at the next level, a strictly running, gadget QB.
That could shy some teams early, but Richardson has the makeup, if he lands in the right situation to wind up being the best player in this class.
4. Will Levis, Kentucky – 8.3
Height: 6’4
Weight: 229 lbs
Age: 23
Pros:
- Intelligence is through the roof
- QB prototypical size
- Played great with less around him than others
- Elite arm that zips out of his hand, really fun to watch him make deep and intermediate throws
- Surprisingly accurate outside the pocket, without losing anything from his throws
- Good instincts in the pocket, and overall good football player that will make defenses pay for treating him like a regular QB.
- Josh Allen-like threat in the redzone, although not as polished yet. With the proper situation, he could ultimately turn into that.
Cons:
- Raw, sometimes questionable mechanics on throws. Excels at being unconventional, but will need to rein that in at the next level.
- Sometimes gets antsy, resulting in forced throws or running when not necessary if he waited one more second. Part of this is due to a poor Kentucky offensive line, but this may worry teams
- Will be the benefit of a perfect system. Anything less and Levis will keep piling up some bad habits and making improper reads
There is a lot to love about Will Levis, but he is as raw as Anthony Richardson, except maybe Richardson would still translate his running skills no problem in the NFL. Levis, like Richardson, needs an almost perfect situation to develop into the true dual-threat athletic freak he can be.
He is extremely moldable and has plenty of good quality traits as a thrower and runner. So naturally, he has a high ceiling and low floor. There’s a lot to mold, but the right person will need to do the molding, otherwise they’ll ruin him.
5. Hendon Hooker, Texas – 7.9
Height: 6’3
Weight: 217lbs
Age: 25
Pros:
- Great reads moving side-to-side, and moving in the pocket
- Good short and intermediate accuracy, with good release time on throws, gets the ball out quickly.
- Good character, natural leader
- Has ability to throw the ball deep and can work the sidelines effectively to pick up first downs
- Has sneaky good running ability for some read option usage at the next level.
Cons:
- Good NFL Size, but is a work in progress physically
- Older prospect, will be the same age as some QBs taken in 2021 that are in the league now, and will be one year younger than Lamar Jackson.
- Some injury concerns matched with age could steer away teams that think his running ability has too much tread. With less time to develop, it pressures them into getting it right from the jump.
The age of 25 is not old, but for the NFL, when you take a QB early, which Hooker certainly is a late-round one to mid-round two talent, otherwise, you hope they have time to gain experience before hitting their prime. Hooker would ultimately go in the top-50 picks if he was 22.
But the argument can be flipped. If he was 22, he wouldn’t be as experienced, which is what teams are getting, a savvy pocket-passing QB with running upside that is extremely accurate and a natural leader.
Hooker will likely fall to round three due to his combination of injury history and age, but the talent is there on tape and in the stat sheet to be a above average starter in the NFL.
6. Tanner McKee, Stanford – 6.9
Height: 6’6
Weight: 231 lbs
Age: 22
Pros:
- Good size and build of a typical pocket passer
- Strong arm
- Quick release at different arm angles
Cons:
- Accuracy inconsistency
- Slow footwork
- unable to extend plays outside of what’s designed
McKee is what many view as a system QB, and with a class full of high-upside guys, he has a chance to be a sneaky riser towards the backend of the first round. Teams will likely value him as a pure pocket-passer with a good arm, but he doesn’t outright excel in any other categories other than in the pocket. There are some accuracy concerns, but in the right system, McKee could be an exciting Day 2 developmental starter for a team that isn’t desperate for a quarterback in round one but is already contemplating the next guy.
7. Aidan O’Connell, Purdue – 6.8
Height: 6’3
Weight: 210lbs
Age: 24
Pros:
- Comfortable in the pocket under pressure
- Competitive, late game poise
- Footwork allows him to have good pocket agility
Cons:
- Trigger happy, causing unnecessary turnovers
- Accuracy and arm strength are average
- Low mobility outside of the pocket
O’Connell is an experienced college QB who is a leader and competitor that won’t quit. The intangibles are through the roof with him, but what concerns me, and likely other teams, is the lack of any tangible skills. His arm talent and mobility are average, and he has some accuracy issues. However, in the right situation, there is a future for him in the league as a solid NFL backup.
8. Jake Haener, Fresno State – 6.7
Height: 6’0
Weight: 207lbs
Age: 24
Pros:
- Processes what’s happening fast, and has good situational football skills
- Great touch and accuracy to his throws
- Has good pocket awareness, and is sneaky agile in short areas.
Cons:
- On the smaller side
- Issues with overall arm strength
The size is not a cheap knock on a player. I’m a believer that if you have the arm strength and some mobility to your game, you should have no problems translating. Haener has good intangibles and ball placement, but lacks in arm strength. A good supporting cast in a west coast offense would be ideal at the next level as he would benefit from his best weapons being playmakers in space.
9. Jaren Hall, BYU – 6.6
Height: 6’0
Weight: 207lbs
Age: 25
Pros:
- Arm Talent, even off platform throws look easy
- Smart, competitive, and has great instincts
Cons:
- Needs technical work at the position
- Older prospect
Hall has a great arm, can throw it from unique arm spots, off platform and backfoot. It really is such a fun watch. With Mahomes, we saw the same skill set, but there was a more technical and methodical approach to the position. Hall needs a lot of work and will need a good coaching staff to bring out his best. His age is the biggest determent. If you’re talking a 21-year-old with a similar skill set and makeup, including his elite intangibles, you would make him a first-round pick, no doubt.
Hall will likely fall to round five or later as a lot of teams will view a 25-year-old quarterback that’s a project as not good value. Even still, there is potential here, and in the right system, he could eventually break out as a starter some day. But the clock is ticking at 25.
10. Clayton Tune, Houston – 6.5
Height: 6’3
Weight: 215 lbs
Age: 24
Pros:
- Mobility in and out of the pocket at a good size
- Short and intermediate accuracy
- Experienced starter
Cons:
- Lacks arm strength to push ball down field, sometimes offers floaters
- Deep ball accuracy is not there
- Pocket presence needs work
Tune has a prototypical build, with good accuracy and mobility in and out of the pocket. He needs to work on his deep ball placement and strength overall, but he is a solid experienced starter and only 24-years-old. Teammates respected him as a leader at Houston and that’ll translate at the next level.
Cornerback
1. Christian Gonzalez, Oregon – 9.0
Height: 6’1
Weight: 197lbs
Age: 21
Pros:
- Fast with a quick twitch
- Good length, prototypical boundary corner
- Great explosion and hip fluidity to react
Cons:
- Sometimes can get caught relying on his speed
- Tendency to bite on double moves
Gonzalez has CB1 written all over him. He has excellent speed, good footwork and hip fluidity to react and go, but he has issues with things like double moves and some bad habits relying on his speed instead of instincts. Gonzalez will be high-end corner, and teams can set it and forget it with him on an island confidently.
2. Devon Witherspoon, Illinois – 8.7
Height: 5’11
Weight: 181
Age: 22
Pros:
- Fast first step with great instincts and speed
- Great ball hawk instincts
- Good at mirroring receivers
- Great run supporter
Cons:
- Not a great zone corner
- Struggles as a press corner
- tendency to be overly aggressive
Although Witherspoon is on the lighter side, he has a knack for finding the football and assisting in the run game. A knock on his game is his fit as a true man corner, which would scare zone teams away as it isn’t his proficiency. He can get overly aggressive at times. However, he has the raw treats to be an elite corner at the next level and will easily improve a defense on Day 1.
3. Joey Porter Jr., Penn State – 8.6
Height: 6’2
Weight: 193 lbs
Age: 22
Pros:
- Excellent arm length allows for high success as a press man corner
- Versatile to line up anywhere in the secondary
- Good fluidity and footwork to cover a lot of ground
Cons:
- Tends to have issues flipping hips at times
- Screens and pick plays get the best of him due to aggressive nature
There are some concerns with his aggressiveness, but he has prototypical size for a true shutdown corner, with athleticism to match. His versatility in the secondary should allow the right team to utilize him to his strengths and keep teams from picking on him in the screen game. He’s the No. 3 corner in this class, but he has the traits to be one of the better corners in the league at the next level.
4. Cam Smith, South Carolina – 8.5
Height: 6’1
Weight: 180lbs
Age: 23
Pros:
- Experienced starter with great instincts
- Great athlete with quick feet and smooth transitions out of back pedal
Cons:
- Average tackler
- Can hesitate and be unsure of himself in route recognition
Although he is a solid athlete with good traits, he will likely slip into round two with the rest of the tackles as there is a few years of development needed at the NFL level. Coaches will need to help with play recognition and improve tackling and coming off of blocks by adding some strength to his game. A good overall prospect with a bright future, but he isn’t a sure thing.
5. Deonte Banks, Maryland – 8.4
Height: 6’0
Weight: 197lbs
Age: 22
Pros:
- Speedy corner can keep up with anyone in the NFL
- Great at tracking the ball deep and over the top with good ball skills
- Press skills are above average, doesn’t shy away from contact or tight ends
Cons:
- Not great in zone, just average
- Easily fooled by double moves
- Rarely a ball hawk
Banks needs some coaching at the next level to help with his susceptibility to double moves and lack of ball hawk traits. His speed is great as a straight line runner, but he has issues with balance with some more agile receivers. Sliding to round two is likely where he will end up, but Banks is one of the most athletic players in the draft. In the right system, he will become a very good NFL corner.
6. Kelee Ringo, Georgia – 7.9
Height: 6’2
Weight: 207lbs
Age: 20
Pros:
- Can guard tight ends, bigger receivers and running backs with elite play athleticism.
- great tackler, and willing to assist in the run game
- great press-man corner with upside to truly shutdown one side of the field
Cons:
- Lots of playing loose, will have issues with penalties and overly aggressive behaviors if not coached up
- Only two seasons of college football
Although there is a lack of experience, Ringo has all the traits necessary to become one of the game’s elite outside corners. With the right team, he could flourish, as he is an extremely raw prospect with tons of upside. He will likely fall due to being a project, but with the SEC pedigree, he shouldn’t have to wait long.
7. Tyrique Stevenson, Miami – 7.8
Height: 6’0
Weight: 198lbs
Age: 22
Pros:
- Physical and fast press outside corner
- Great ball tracking skills downfield
- Can reroute receivers and often feels in control
Cons:
- Short area quickness is a concern, so he won’t play much against the slot
- Lacks zone coverage awareness
- Can sometimes rely on arm tackling
A deep outside corner, Stevenson offers some good, elite long speed with good size, physicality and ball tracking. There are some concerns with short area quickness and awareness in zone which will really limit him to a specific outside corner role. If he can improve awareness with the right coaching and improve his tendency to arm tackle, he can be a steal for many teams.
8. Julius Brents, Kansas State – 7.7
Height: 6’3
Weight: 198lbs
Age: 23
Pros:
- Size, speed, explosiveness and play strength are at elite levels as he has tested well all throughout the pre-draft process.
- Great in 50/50 ball situations, making him an ideal outside corner situationally for many teams
- Great as a press corner, and has improved every year in college
Cons
- Needs better control in coverage, can get a little too aggressive and loose
- Not as polished, which is a concern for his age
Although he is an elite athlete with traits of becoming an anchor for a team’s defense, he has concerns that most would be okay with taking in a 20-year-old. The problem is he is 23 years old with a lot of developing to do. His raw skill is enough for outside corner needy teams to take a chance on Day 2.
9. Emmanuel Forbes, Mississippi State – 7.6
Height: 6’1
Weight: 166lbs
Age: 22
Pros:
- Ball hawk with incredible instincts and great hands
- Great hip fluidity, can switch on a dime and react
- Great overall speed and agility
Cons:
- Bigger receivers will likely bully him at the next level due to hit extremely light frame.
- Needs to improve tackling
- Vision needs improvement, as he could be targeted on catch and run plays.
Adding some strength is one of the first things teams will likely task Forbes with doing. He is an excellent athlete, good in coverage (both zone and man) and has good ball hawk skills, but his play strength may limit him from being a true shutdown outside corner. He will still be very good at the next level and would make defenses better, but it will be hard to take him early for some teams lacking size on the outside.
10. DJ Turner, Michigan – 7.4
Height: 5’11
Weight: 178lbs
Age: 22
Pros:
- Electric athlete with good fluidity and footwork
- Above average tackler
- Good change of direction
- Great instincts and football IQ
Cons:
- Not a great ball hawk
- Smaller arm length limits his outside coverage availability
Turner will probably be the best slot corner in the draft class. His speed and agility will allow him to mirror some of the game’s best with ease. The NFL is moving towards majority of the elite receivers taking snaps inside, so Turner may never be a true outside corner. But he can be an elite inside corner with great IQ, tackling, and athleticism. Turner is an intriguing piece for a team looking to add talent to their secondary. He might even have some upside in blitz packages for some teams.
Offensive Tackle
1. Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio State – 9.2
Height: 6’6
Weight: 313lbs
Age: 21
Pros:
- Excellent frame built to play LT at the next level
- Position versatility to kick inside in a pinch
- Elite balance and power transfer at the hips
- Quick out of stance with upside as an elite pass protector at the next level
- Disciplined, typically avoids penalties
Cons:
- Limited snaps at LT
- Needs to work on play strength in power run schemes
- Hands could use some coaching up at next level
Paris Johnson has a ton of raw upside to be a premier left tackle at the next level. His power game can use some work, but he has the frame to be able to add some strength and be coached up at the next level. Paris Johnson played a lot of snaps at guard for the Buckeyes and has limited reps at tackle, splitting his collegiate snaps between LT and RG, so majority of his LT evaluation is pure projection.
Johnson, in my books, has all the makings—size, agility, awareness, and good tape. He tested well and should make a team looking for a franchise tackle very happy.
2. Broderick Jones, Georgia – 8.8
Height: 6’5
Weight: 311 lbs
Age: 21
Pros:
- Strong hands, with a powerful base that will make it impossible for opposing defenders to shake him in the run game
- Very instinctual player with a good feel for stunts
- Athlete and super strong
Cons:
- Raw pass blocker, has been SEC battle-tested but tends to stop his feet
- Relies on brute strength and traits instead of technique and leverage.
Jones has the potential to be the best tackle in the entire class, but he is extremely raw and will likely need a ton of coaching to reach that potential. However, his athletic ability is crazy good, and he has great football intelligence. The issue is he defaults to using his raw athletic traits, and less of technique, which at the next level will need to be worked on if he wants to be a true anchor for a team.
3. Peter Skoronski, Northwestern – 8.7
Height: 6’4
Weight: 313lbs
Age: 21
Pros:
- Extremely athletic and has good anticipation
- Most technically sound OL in the draft; High floor
- Scheme agnostic, plug and play day one
Cons:
- Size and arm length may limit him as a tackle prospect
- Has issues keeping EDGE talent close due to shorter arms, tendency to allow them to slip
He will likely be selected as a tackle for teams who desperately need one. If he can put it together by compensating for smaller arms through footwork to keep rushers close, then he could be an elite tackle.
Skoronski will likely be an All-Pro guard, hence his high floor, but he wants to enter as a tackle. With the upside he possess as the classes best tactician, Skoronski has a chance to develop into a franchise tackle, similar to Rashawn Slater who had similar concerns.
4. Darnell Wright, Tennessee – 8.6
Height: 6’5
Weight: 333lbs
Age: 21
Pros:
- Experienced tackle that has played both left and right at high volume
- Mean punishing blocker that will be a mover at the next level
- Great in space with a powerful anchor
- Exceptional bend/balance
- Good footwork should translate well into pass protection
Cons:
- Will have trouble with quicker rushers
- needs to work on balance against speed
Wright is an elite tackle prospect that will plug and play Day 1 for a team that selects him in the first round. He will fit exceptionally well in zone or power schemes and will likely become a right tackle with upside to be a cornerstone left tackle.
5. Anton Harrison, Oklahoma – 7.9
Height: 6’4
Weight: 315lbs
Age: 21
Pros:
- Although he is on the shorter side, good arm length will translate well
- Great footwork and slide, elite pass protector
- Good natural smoothness to his game
Cons:
- Needs to work on true power blocking in run heavy situations
- Has issues with interior pressures, will need to work on awareness of stunts
- Lacks true mean streak in the run game
Harrison is a pure left tackle and should immediately improve teams needing better pass protection. If a team has good interior line play, Harrison can take on the best of the best EDGE rushers in the NFL with his pure smoothness and footwork that will make it difficult to get past him. He has the power to become a great overall well-rounded tackle, but he will need to find that mean streak.
6. Blake Freeland, BYU – 7.8
Height: 6’8
Weight: 302lbs
Age: 21
Pros:
- Athletic tackle with great power, and agility
- Great in space with good explosion off the line
- Strength to truly move opponents in pure power situations
Cons:
- Needs to improve pass blocking instincts and techniques
- Speed rushers have a tendency to slip by, needs to improve pass blocking awareness
- Can be stiff against bendable rushers
He has great size and strength and the foundation to be a franchise tackle in the NFL. There are concerns with his balance and bend to handle elite rushers, but footwork and short area agility is there to help negate that. He will need to be coached up and be thrown into the fire as a pass protector. So a team with a mobile QB or otherwise elite offensive line to bring him along while he figures it out would help.
7. Dawand Jones, Ohio State – 7.7
Height: 6’8
Weight: 374lbs
Age: 21
Pros:
- A stonewall that will never be moved.
- Exceptionally powerful blocker
- Surprisingly good in the open for his size
- Good against bull rush and interior pressures
Cons:
- Uses hands too much, which can cause him to reach
- Slow footwork that will cause issues against some speed rushers
- Hard time getting good bend at his height and size
An elite RT prospect, Jones can really impact a team’s run game immediately. Where he will need to catch up is as a pass protector. He has the tools necessary to get there, but there will be some growing pains early as a pass protector. He may benefit as the sixth lineman for a year while pass technique improves.
8. Cody Mauch, North Dakota State University – 7.5
Height: 6’5
Weight: 302lbs
Age: 24
Pros:
- Great athlete with good footwork
- Explosive out of his stance, former tight end has some good traits that stuck
- Great in space, pure athlete that has upside at right and left tackle for a number of teams
- Experienced starter and can play tight end in a pinch, teams may get creative with that.
Cons:
- Shorter arms may hinder his leverage
- Sometimes slips off blocks, and will have issues with bull rush.
- Drops head often, which with coaching needs to be corrected immediately
Mauch was a former tight end who added some weight to shift to left tackle. He is an older prospect at age 24, but he has elite athleticism for an offensive lineman and should translate well for west coast offenses. He won’t be a mover, but he will have upside as a guard if tackle doesn’t work out.
9. Matthew Bergeron, Syracuse – 7.4
Height: 6’5
Weight: 318lbs
Age: 23
Pros:
- Four-year starter
- Good flexibility and hip fluidity to kick out defenders on the inside
- Floor of an above average guard
Cons:
- Has issues with power
- Concerns with Hip bending and head dropping
- Decent athleticism, will struggle in run blocking on the outside
Bergeron is a unique prospect who will likely transition to guard, but his upside screams right tackle. If it doesn’t work out, he’ll kick inside, but teams will love his agility and quick hip fluidity. Although he has some issues with some bad habits, he’ll go on late Day 2 or early Day 3 and have a chance to compete in camp.
10. Jaelyn Duncan, Maryland – 6.7
Height: 6’6
Weight: 306lbs
Age: 22
Pros:
- Good hand strength and footwork to be a prototypical tackle
- Explosive off the line, good athlete
- Experienced starter
Cons:
- Not overly elite as a pass protector or a run blocker
- Sometimes comes up too high off the line, and loses leverage at point of attack.
Duncan is an explosive athlete but has a ton of bad habits he’ll need to fix at the next level, like coming up too high and losing leverage. While he is athletic, the pass protection technique is a little raw. But it’s there for him to be an above average pass protector. Teams may value the athletic trades as a moldable ball of clay for their offensive line. He would fit in a more west coast, zone run scheme utilizing his best traits.
Interior Defensive Line
1. Jalen Carter, Georgia – 9.5
Height: 6’3
Weight: 314lbs
Age: 22
Pros:
- Elite agility and quickness
- Raw power and excellent leverage
- Can play all along the line
- Excellent run-stuffer and premiere pass-rusher
Cons:
- Can take sloppy angles to the ball carrier, resulting in getting blocked out of plays without having a chance to impact
- Concerns with injuries, MCL sprain in 2022
- Will need to bulk up base to add more power to his game
He has some potential legal concerns and a lingering injury which will need a medical deep dive. With all that being said, he is the best player in this class, and should make any defensive front one of the best in the game as a rookie.
2. Calijah Kancey, Pitt – 9.0
Height: 6’1
Weight: 281lbs
Age: 22
Pros:
- Elite explosiveness, speed and short area quickness
- Strong lower body with excellent body control
- Quick first step
- Deep pass rush “bag” ability to win in many ways.
Cons:
- Lack of size
- Ability to be a true run-stuffer
It’s easy to compare him to another former Pittsburgh DT, Aaron Donald, but he offers a similar build. He is less of a run defender as Donald, but the talent is there, an elite interior defender that will create a lot of pressure with a quick first step and pass-rush moves galore.
3. Bryan Bresee, Clemson – 8.9
Height: 6’6
Weight: 298lb
Age: 21
Pros:
- Elite strength and balance
- versatile across the line
- Good twitch and motor
Cons:
- Issues with play strength
- Injury (ACL) concerns
- Can play upright off the ball and lose leverage
Possessing elite strength, balance and versatility, Bresee will immediately impact a defense Day 1 and will be one of the better interior defenders in the class. The only concerns is some technique, which can get cleaned up, and if his explosiveness is the same after his ACL injury.
4. Gervon Dexter Sr, Florida – 7.8
Height: 6’6
Weight: 310lbs
Age: 21
Pros:
- Scheme versatile as he can play in a 3-4 or 4-3 and have production on the interior
- Freak athlete that is extremely agile for his size
- Heavy hands will allow him to control most situations
- Powerful base, with good short area quickness
Cons:
- Not an explosive pass rusher, lacks good instincts as a rusher
- First step isn’t ideal, limiting his prowess as a pass rusher
- Has issues tracking the ball
Dexter is a project player that should go Day 2, but his raw athletic ability is extremely enticing. He is NFL-ready and will immediately require double teams, even from some of the game’s best lineman. He has violent hands and is able to squeeze through gaps to disrupt plays. There are concerns with him molding as a pass-rusher due to lack of pass-rush moves and slow first step, but with his scheme versatility, he could fit well in a 4-3 defense to eat up interior blockers and push the pocket.
5. Mazi Smith , Michigan – 7.7
Height: 6’3
Weight: 323lbs
Age: 21
Pros:
- Great athlete that clogs up gaps extremely well
- Quick first step will beat most interior lineman to the punch
- Has some good primary pass rush moves that will allow him to be versatile as a true nose, or defensive tackle.
Cons:
- Although he is a gap closer, he has issues tracking the ball, making him more of a stuffer than a stopper
- Pass-rush moves are limited. Once his first move fails, he has a tough time changing it up
- Can sometimes get caught giving up leverage by standing upright to locate the ball.
A good athlete that can move people, Smith is an excellent early second-rounder that could flourish as a space-eater and pocket-mover at the next level in the right system. There are some discipline concerns that teams will need to dig into, but overall, Smith is a good project for teams in need of a versatile interior defender.
6. Siaki Ika, Baylor – 7.6
Height: 6’3
Weight: 335lbs
Age: 22
Pros:
- True nose tackle with good footwork and lower body agility
- high motor that should frustrate offensive lineman
- great run-stopper in the middle with bear hug tackling and awareness to disengage and track up the middle
Cons:
- Not an advanced pass-rusher, more of a NT
- Tendency to get knocked off feet, needs better balance
- Has issues playing too high at times, missing tackles.
If you’re looking for a traditional true NT, Ika is your guy. Ika has a lot to love out of a pure run-stopper and gap-stuffer but is limited as a pass-rusher at the next level. Early in his career, he will likely play on early downs, but there is a good framework to build off of in the right system to potentially get him to play on each down.
7. Keeanu Benton, Wisconsin – 7.5
Height: 6’4
Weight: 309lbs
Age: 21
Pros:
- Four-year starter with position versatility
- Raw power that pops on tape
- Good pass-rush package that allows him to generate pressure across numerous positions across the line
Cons:
- Not a speed-rusher, lacks quick twitch
- Lacks initial burst off the line
- A little stiff at times
Benton is an experienced player at a young enough age that should entice some teams who are looking for a 3-tech defensive lineman. He has plenty of flexibility to play along the line if needed, but there is a lack of burst off the line that would warrant any outside end play. Benton still is a powerful mauler with a high motor that rarely gets tired.
8. Zacch Pickens, South Carolina – 7.4
Height: 6’4
Weight: 291lbs
Age: 23
Pros:
- Balanced and coordinated mixed with good lower-body strength, will always move forward and hardly be moved
- Good anchor in the run game, often makes plays in the backfield
Cons:
- Doesn’t move well laterally
- Hands need to have more pop and violence to them
Pickens has a good strong base that will allow him to hold ground, and make plays in the run game. He has issues moving laterally and lacks explosiveness to truly add more than on the first two downs, but a stout run defender who can make plays in the backfield is worth a look on Day 3 or late Day 2.
9. Moro Ojomo, Texas – 7.2
Height: 6’3
Weight: 292lbs
Age: 21
Pros:
- Hardly gets held up, and has a high motor that runs to the whistle
- Violent hands that allow him to truly move smaller lineman and shut down plays
- Great ball sensing with good football instincts
Cons:
- lacks high-end speed, more of an interior rusher with limited upside on the outside
- Has tendency to not be aggressive allowing blockers to get into his chest
Ojomo is as NFL-ready as they come, has a high floor, but an otherwise average ceiling. He will likely go in the third or fourth-round due to positional value and lack of positional versatility, but he will add a stout two-way interior defender for a team that selects him.
10. Kobie Turner, Wake Forest – 6.9
Height: 6’3
Weight: 288lbs
Age: 23
Pros:
- Strong core and good build paired with a high motor
- Powerful hands
- Great reaction time and football instincts to track the ball
Cons:
- Smaller frame, with short arms often allowing blockers to keep him close
- Not as explosive for his size as you would like, he will have limitations as a pass rusher
Turner was productive and brings intensity and a high motor to the team that selects him, but there are concerns with his lack of explosiveness and his short arms that should give him trouble as a pass-rush prospect.
Interior Offensive Line
1. O’Cyrus Torrence, Florida – 9.2
Height: 6’5
Weight: 330lbs
Age: 23
Pros:
- Strong base, with great leg drive and power
- Sneaky good in space for his size, will be an excellent pulling guard
- Mauler of a run blocker, but never gave up a sack in his 4 year career.
Cons:
- Has issues getting beat inside to speed rushers if he oversets to the outside
- Pass protection needs work with coordination of his upper and lower body, film shows some issues with surrendering his power due to this.
Torrence is an elite interior offensive line prospect and will immediately make a team’s offensive line infinitely better in the run game. He is a stout plug and play guard that should go in the first round. His pass protection needs some work with coordinating his upper and lower body to not lose power, but in more than 3,000 snaps as a four-year starter, not one sack was surrendered. ELITE.
2. Olusegun Oluwatimi, Michigan – 7.7
Height: 6’2
Weight: 309lbs
Age: 23
Pros:
- Great in space, with a quick first step
- quick active hands, strong base against bull rush
Cons:
- Tendency to get off balance
- Needs to keep feet moving to keep leverage
Oluwatimi has some flaws, but they’re coachable and teachable. His raw athleticism is mixed well with his powerful base allowing him to be stout in all areas. His quick first step matched with his fast hands allow him to beat most defenders at the point of attack, winning the majority of his assignments. His agility also sets him up to be elite in space.
3. Joe Tippmann, Wisconsin – 7.6
Height: 6’6
Weight: 313lbs
Age: 22
Pros:
- Extremely great athlete with high motor and good reach
- Has a rare combination of pure brute strength and agility
- great in space and has powerful grip strength
Cons:
- Height can be a factor, especially with QB sight lines
- Prone to holding calls
- Plays high and can get stood up
Tippmann will need to go to a situation with a taller signal caller or someone who gets outside the pocket. His height is really a factor for me as a center. His size screams tackle, but he is extremely thin for a tackle, so he is a natural fit at center.
He has a good balance of power and agility that if he can work on playing a little lower and keeping leverage (while fixing sightlines). He could be an above average center and the second best one in this class behind Oluwatimi. Even with this, Tippmann could stand to add some mass and could eventually kick outside or to guard for a team as his raw traits give him a spot in this league on most rosters.
4. Luke Wypler, Ohio State – 7.5
Height: 6’3
Weight: 303lbs
Age: 21
Pros:
- Great blocker in space
- High awareness and IQ at the second level.
- Prototypical frame
- Excellent pass blocker
Cons:
- Lacks true power to his game, will need to add strength
- More of a mauler than a mover in the run game
- Shorter arms
Wypler will likely remain as a center, but he has good awareness and IQ at the second level to clear out linebackers and create space. He has an issue with throwing hands and being more of a mauler than a true mover, but as a pass protector and zone lineman, he is above average and will thrive in a scheme tailored to the zone run scheme.
5. John Michael Schmitz, Minnesota – 7.4
Height: 6’3
Weight: 320 lbs
Age: 24
Pros:
- Great athletic traits and overall ideal size for a center
- Good at second level and impressive on reach blocks with long arms and violent hands
- Explosive first step
Cons:
- Average pass blocker
- Footwork is limited, which will effect lateral movement
- Will be limited to just center, lacks experience as a guard.
John Michael Schmitz has excellent reach and ability to be an effective center at the next level with good technique and an explosive first step, but he will struggle in power situations and moving laterally. This limits his upside as a guard and will likely keep him in the middle. He’s an average pass blocker, so teams will need to utilize double teams or have an athletic QB to escape interior pressure.
6. Steve Avila, TCU – 6.8
Height: 6’4
Weight: 332lbs
Age: 23
Pros:
- Elite power and size
- quick first step to get to the second level in a blink of an eye
- Positional versatility, has the frame and traits to continue as a center or guard in the NFL
Cons:
- Little frantic when it comes to reach blocks, there is a tendency to be grabby which will lead to penalties
- Will need help laterally as he struggles against stunts
- Speed rush gives him struggles, lacks hip fluidity to be an effective side to side lateral blocker or mover
Avila has great power and a ton of versatility to be intriguing to many teams as the draft rolls around. He has issues moving laterally, especially on reach blocks. Stunts could trip him up, but his value as a center or guard matched with his truly elite straight line power speed combo make him an ideal fit for a power scheme.
7. Juice Scruggs, Penn State – 6.7
Height: 6’3
Weight: 301lbs
Age: 23
Pros:
- Quick first step
- Technically sound with great pad level and good hand usage
- Can fit in most offenses, will have a long career as guard, but has flexibility and experience as a center
Cons:
- Does not overwhelm with strength
- Jack of all, master of none. He is a very good player in pass protection, against power and against finesse, but is not elite in any category.
Not elite in any category, but Scruggs is technically sound and a safe player for a mid-round selection. He will have a long career as an NFL interior lineman, and he hardly makes mistakes. He may not dominate, but he is a good enough to be a swing interior lineman as depth for years to come with high-end starter upside if he adds power to his game.
8. Chandler Zavala, NC State – 6.5
Height: 6’5
Weight: 325lbs
Age: 24
Pros:
- Powerful with strong hands at point of attack
- Excellent pass blocker
- Good mover at his size, will impress many teams during the process with sneaky athleticism
Cons:
- Lack of a mean streak, will need to find that to be successful at the next level
- older prospect, will need to develop parts of his game fast
- Although he has strong hands, he has issues with placement allowing defenders to slip off
Zavala has some sloppiness in his game that will need to get polished quickly, as he is an older prospect. He could benefit from reaching less, having better hand placement and adding meanness to his game. If those things occur, he’s a truly elite guard in the making. There is a ton to love about him as a pass blocker. He just needs to bring the run game to that level, and he has the frame to do it.
9. Andrew Vorhees, USC – 6.3
Height: 6’6
Weight: 310lbs
Age: 24
Pros:
- Has ability to play 4/5 positions on the line except center
- Highly experienced, with 6 years of experience to his name
- Wide base, raw power and great hands mixed with a quick first step
Cons:
- Injured during draft process
- Will be 25 when he finally takes his first NFL snap
- Foot speed needs work and will struggle against speed rush
Vorhees is only this low because of his injury and age. He won’t play in 2023, but he will be 25 when he finally sees the field. And that’s if he didn’t lose a step due to the injury. He is an exceptionally gifted athlete with the size to kick outside if needed and is experienced enough to potentially overcome missing his rookie season.
10. Jaxson Kirkland, Washington – 6.0
Height: 6’7
Weight: 321lbs
Age: 24
Pros:
- High motor, always finished blocks
- Position flexibility can play 4/5 positions on the line except center
- One of the best pass blockers in the class
Cons:
- Slow footed, not an elite athlete
- Will have issues with NFL Speed rushers
- Needs to add mass and strength to his frame to improve run blocking and leg drive
Kirkland is one of my favorites in the class with positional versatility and the ability to pass block most rushers. He struggles against speed rushers with low lateral agility, but if he adds some power and leg drive, he can become an elite offensive lineman. His pass blocking is that good. But name me a lineman that is extremely perfect in this class. There are things a lot can work on, and Kirkland will need to improve fast being age 25 at the start of the season, if he wants to be a long-term starter in this league.
EDGE
1. Will Anderson Jr, Alabama – 9.4
Height: 6’4
Weight: 253lbs
Age: 21
Pros:
- Rare combination of elite speed and size
- Stout run defender and pass rusher
- Good coverage skills that will keep him on the field
Cons:
- Needs to add some physicality when setting the edge, sometimes gets too round
- Needs to add pass rush moves to his current array
Anderson should go in the top-three, and he likely will unless teams get desperate for QB help and decide to move up. He will play all four downs and has versatility to set the edge, pin his ears back and rush, or simply drop back in coverage. He also has a good understanding of gap assignments as a run defender that makes him an above average inside blitzer. He is a true game changer for the defense that takes him.
2. Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech – 9.2
Height: 6’6
Weight: 271lbs
Age: 22
Pros:
- Two way edge, solid against run and pass
- Elite athlete with good length
- Inside outside versality
Cons:
- Needs to add some pass rush moves to his bag
- Not as explosive as a pass rusher as you would hope, will win with power
Wilson is a complete two way EDGE that can defend the run and pass rush with either a hand in the dirt, or standing up. He also can do so from a number of positions on the front, a value add for the team selecting him. He has the makings to be a true anchor for the team that selects him
3. Nolan Smith, Georgia – 9.1
Height: 6’3
Weight: 238lbs
Age: 22
Pros:
- Elite speed and agility, pops off the charts
- Solid run defender and covers good ground in coverage
- Great bend and flexibility to be a problem on the edge for the opposition
Cons:
- Lack of production due to multiple injuries causing him to miss time
- Needs to add more technicality to pass rush moves
Smith is a three-down linebacker who will remain on the field the entire time. There are concerns with lack of experience and production due to injuries, but he is an explosive enough athlete that many teams will salivate over.
4. Lukas Van Ness, Iowa – 9.0
Height: 6’5
Weight: 272lbs
Age: 21
Pros:
- Raw elite power
- Can play along the entire defensive line
- Good leverage and use of pass rush moves to overpower some smaller lineman at point of attack.
Cons:
- Plays too high occasionally, will lose ground because of this.
- Due to playing higher, and lack of lower base anchoring, he is often a victim of cut blocks
Van Ness is an extremely powerful and versatile EDGE that will make whatever team takes him happy. There are some concerns with bad habits like playing too high and giving up leverage, but he is another two-way EDGE who will stay on the field for the team that selects him, as he isn’t limited to just one skill set.
5. Myles Murphy, Clemson – 8.9
Height: 6’5
Weight: 258lbs
Age: 21
Pros:
- Good pass rush arsenal with speed to power conversation
- Will wreak havoc from inside and out as a pass rusher
- Great use of violent hands to swat away blockers
Cons:
- Little tight in hips when trying to shed blockers and dip under
- Has a tough time turning down his motor, it runs hot and often gives him struggles with pursuit and changing direction on slower offensive lineman
- Often plays high in stance and loses leverage
Murphy can play anywhere on the defensive line and pressure the QB. He will be a productive pass rusher immediately, but will need to start translating some of his freak athleticism into the run game. He has the tools necessary but will need to work on it to truly become an elite player.
6. Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Kansas State – 8.6
Height: 6’3
Weight: 255lbs
Age: 21
Pros:
- Good strength and length
- Good use of violent hands
- Excellent footwork paired with high end straight line speed for his size.
- Elite bend
Cons:
- Motor runs too hot, will often head up field letting QBs dip inside or losing ground on run assignments
- Strength and size limits him as a potential interior defender, he will be a pure EDGE
- Can get taken out of the play on double teams
Although Felix Anudike-Uzomah has issues in the run game due to his size, he is an exceptional wrap tackler who is capable enough to set the edge. He will be an elite speed rusher if he can add some to his bag.
7. Derick Hall, Auburn – 7.8
Height: 6’3
Weight: 254lbs
Age: 22
Pros:
- Freak athlete with rare combination of size, length, strength and speed
- Extremely productive in college as a pass rusher.
- Good run defense tracking and instincts, doesn’t give up on the play either
Cons:
- Raw pass rusher, won mostly off of athletic traits, but will need to develop a technical approach.
- Average bend and flexibility
- Lacks interior flexibility to squeeze through and disrupt.
- Has tendency to play upright and lose leverage
Hall is a freak athlete who is extremely productive. The only real knock is based off of his raw pass rush ability and the need to more tactical approaches to winning with those traits. Although not primarily a run defender, he has good tracking and agility to quickly react and chase down.
8. Tuli Tuipulotu, USC – 7.7
Height: 6’3
Weight: 266lbs
Age: 20
Pros:
- Extremely versatile, has played every technique across the defensive line
- Young, will have plenty of room to grow
- Good power in the run game with a excellent burst off the line
Cons:
- Average bend
- Not an excellent tackler on the inside
- Will need to add a good 15-25 pounds to play on the DL.
His speed is good, not great, but he has plenty of versatility and a knack for getting after whoever has the ball in his range. He will find some work at the next level and will need to get stronger if he wants to play on the inside, as his speed is not elite enough to be a pure edge. He will also have to attack gaps, which he can do at a high clip due to his elite first step and good instincts, but will lack the overall quickness to win one-on-one.
9. BJ Ojulari, LSU – 7.5
Height: 6’2
Weight: 248lbs
Age: 21
Pros:
- High football IQ and pursuit instincts
- Elite spin move and good array of pass rush moves in his bag
- Good counter and has excellent bend to dip below at first
Cons:
- Doesn’t have ideal length or strength to win in a tight window at point of attack
- Pure OLB, with limited reps as a run defender
Ojulari is the younger brother of Giants EDGE Azeez Ojulari, and is built to play OLB in the NFL. The issue with BJ is his ineffectiveness as a run defender due to lack of size could leave him being used as a pure pass rush specialist on third down only. Ojulari will fill the need and will be very productive at the next level. Just don’t expect an every-down player early in his career for most teams.
10. Will McDonald IV, Iowa State – 7.2
Height: 6’3
Weight: 239lbs
Age: 23
Pros:
- Freakish athlete with a high motor
- Sets the edge as a run defender
- Elite spin move paired with his quick first step allows him to be an elite speed rusher
Cons:
- Gets too far up field at times, often abandoning run responsibilities and allowing the QB room to step up.
- Older prospect
- Can set the edge, but often has poor ball tracking in the run game
- Lower body strength is not ideal, will lose to bigger blockers or double teams often.
McDonald is another pure pass rush specialist, and there is nothing wrong with any of them. In fact, they’re all really good. I’m high on the edge class as a whole thanks to the high-end number of two-way edge defenders who will be three-down players. But McDonald is at No. 10 due to age, and lack of prowess in the run game. There’s nothing wrong with selecting a pure pass rusher if you need it, but in a vacuum, when it comes to EDGE, I prefer someone who can hold their end up.
Tight end
1. Michael Mayer, Notre Dame – 9.4
Height: 6’4
Weight: 249lbs
Age: 21
Pros:
- Great at getting open against press coverage
- Attacks the seem at an elite level with great first step
- Blocks like an offensive lineman, will add flexibility to offenses
- Good sure hands with crisp route running
Cons:
- Good at running routes, but will need to expand his route tree
- Lacks breakaway speed for YAC ability or to burn defenders
- Although a good blocker, will need to add some strength for contested catches and red zone situations
Michael Mayer is an NFL-ready tight end that will be an elite chain mover and blocker right away. He should be the first tight end taken as he is a true inline tight end that will surely add some pass catching ability and the option to disguise the run.
2. Darnell Washington, Georgia – 9.2
Height: 6’7
Weight: 264lbs
Age: 21
Pros:
- Elite, freak athlete. Unicorn
- Elite run blocker, and great in space
- Sure hands, with great body control
- Elite speed for his size, ran a 4.64 40 at 264lbs
Cons:
- Limited experience and low target volume in college
- No high end deep threat speed, won’t take the top off the defense
- Will need to improve overall route running and tree at the next level
Washington is a freak athlete and the closest thing we have seen to Gronk ever. He has the size, blocking ability, and hands to be a unicorn. He is No. 2 on the board because these players do not grow on trees. Washington will need to work on his route running and route tree, but he was limited in college in that area as he was hardly targeted. So that area is still unknown.
3. Dalton Kincaid, Utah – 9.1
Height: 6’3
Weight: 246lbs
Age: 23
Pros:
- Super productive in college, and is more of a receiver than tight end.
- Great ball tracking, will high point it over most defenders
- Catch radius is absurd, with high end route running
Cons:
- Not a great blocker by any means
- Needs to add strength
- Lacks twitchiness to get open in a phone booth
Kincaid is an elite pass catcher, but he has his limitations when it comes to blocking, strength and short area quickness. He is more of a jumbo slot and reminds me a lot of Travis Kelce. He will likely be super productive and can fit into any scheme.
4. Luke Musgrave, Oregon State – 7.9
Height: 6’6
Weight: 253lbs
Age: 22
Pros:
- Freak athlete with great short area agility to get open in a phone booth. Will be a nice security blanket for some QBs
- Can truly separate from DBs and LBs alike
- Good balance out of his breaks, with good body control along sidelines
- Catch radius is above average
Cons:
- Blocking is currently non existent, get’s overpowered too easily, and often looks uncomfortable doing it.
- Lack of experience, 2020 (COVID) and 2022 (all but 2 games to an injury). Has yet to amass more than 350 snaps in a single season
Musgrave has the speed and route running ability to get open in tight spaces and challenge over the top with breakaway speed. His elite athleticism helps, but his poor blocking and lack of experience will likely see him slip into round two or three.
5. Sam LaPorta, Iowa – 7.5
Height: 6’3
Weight: 245lbs
Age: 22
Pros:
- Prototypical tight end build
- High football IQ, has an array of WR and TE routes in his route tree
- Great after the catch, with elite hands and awareness
Cons:
- Limited usage, small sample size
- Liability as a run blocker, often makes it worse when he is on the field as a blocker, will need to develop that portion and will benefit from being a TE2 or TE3 for a year or so while this improves
LaPorta is a protype tight end with good hands and can get open and run every route imaginable. But he is an extremely detrimental run blocker. All of this is based off a small sample size. So it’s worrisome for many teams looking to fill the need. Even with all of that, he has some of the best hands in the class and hardly ever drops a pass.
6. Tucker Kraft, SDSU – 7.3
Height: 6’5
Weight: 254lbs
Age: 22
Pros:
- Red zone threat with soft hands and good awareness to find sweet spots in zone coverage.
- Good run blocker and pass blocker
- Large catch radius
Cons:
- Limited route tree
- Not overly fast or agile, has good traits, but not great
- Suffers from concentration drops
Kraft is a great two-way tight end. He just doesn’t lack the elite traits out of a true offensive weapon to warrant being taken too high. He will still be productive and be in this league for a long time, but some of the others on this list have a chance at becoming top-five at the position, Kraft has a limited route tree and isn’t extremely fast to scare defenses.
7. Luke Schoonmaker, Michigan – 7.1
Height: 6’5
Weight: 251lbs
Age: 24
Pros:
- Athletic tight end with a good frame to add more strength
- Good footwork and short area quickness
- Soft hands with a good catch radius
- Good long speed to challenges LBs at next level
- Good blocker, but not overtly special here
Cons:
- 25 years old as a rookie
- Not as great in contested catch situations
- Average route runner
Schoonmaker is an average blocker with good hands and athletic ability to be an inline tight end. He will struggle to separate deep as he lacks a solid route tree and isn’t an elite route runner, but he will be effective in the YAC department and be a nice security blanket for his QB. He will be age 25 as a rookie. So whatever team picks him will have to throw him into the lineup immediately to develop.
8. Zack Kuntz, Old Dominion – 6.9
Height: 6’7
Weight: 255lbs
Age: 23
Pros:
- Good hand eye coordination
- Elite body control and hands
- Freak athlete with good burst off the LOS
- Will be dangerous after the catch
Cons:
- Release package is inconsistent
- Lacks short area twitch
- Blocking is average, needs more strength
Teams looking for a project with a ton of upside should look no further than Zack Kuntz. He is an elite freakish athlete with good size and great traits. He needs to work on some inconsistencies in his game and add some strength, but there is a lot to love about a moldable piece of clay that Kuntz can be for a team.
9. Payne Durham, Purdue – 6.8
Height: 6’6
Weight: 253lbs
Age: 22
Pros:
- Good overall hands
- Clean route running, but more of a security blanket/chain mover than elite deep threat
- Excellent blocker, will be a good inline tight end
Cons:
- Lacks high-end athletic upside
- Has issues tracking the ball downfield, will limit him to short and intermediate
Durham is an elite blocker with good hands and decent route running to be a reliable short area tight end for a team. He doesn’t blow you away with anything in terms of being an elite athlete, but he fits the bill of a traditional tight end and is a pretty good one at that.
10. Davis Allen, Clemson – 6.5
Height: 6’6
Weight: 245lbs
Age: 22
Pros:
- Good body control and ball tracking skills down field
- Creates good separation and has a feel for what the defense gives him
- Good blocker, not great, but better than most
Cons:
- Limited route tree
- Not overly fast, won’t scare defenses
Allen can attack the seam and has good body control to work the sidelines and short area. He will be a respectable blocker at the next level, but he ran a limited route tree to make him a dangerous weapon. He is more a complementary tight end, with the intelligence to grow into a starting caliber tight end.
Linebackers
1. Jack Campbell, Iowa – 8.7
Height: 6’5
Weight: 249lbs
Age: 22
Pros:
- Violent tackler with great NFL range
- Prototypical frame
- Can attack the edge in rush packages
- Great reaction and instincts
Cons:
- Has some injury concerns
- Concerned with covering of faster weapons
Jack Campbell is the best true linebacker in the country with excellent reaction time, good size, speed and tackling. Campbell will be a 100-plus per year tackler and has the IQ to anchor a defense.
2. Drew Sanders, Arkansas – 7.9
Height: 6’4
Weight: 235lbs
Age: 22
Pros:
- Pash rusher first, will be able to generate pressure from the interior
- Elite change of direction and quickness
- Versatile, can play interior or edge
- Good in zone coverage
Cons:
- Tendency to bite on play fakes
- tackling consistency issues
- Inexperienced, has only 1 year of starting under his belt.
Sanders is a versatile chess piece in the middle of the defense with pass rush ability mixed with good coverage and gap closure. He will likely split time between inside and the EDGE, but teams should covet his versatility.
3. Daiyan Henley, Washington State – 7.5
Height: 6’2
Weight: 225
Age: 23
Pros:
- Sideline-to-sideline agility is off the charts being a converted receiver
- Excellent coverage skills
- Hardly misses a tackle
Cons:
- Undersized for power run defense
- Older prospect (24 at season start) and is still developing
- Needs to add more mass and strength to help slip off blocks
Henley is a converted receiver that can cover a lot of ground, make plays in zone, and occasionally blitz. His athletic traits are through the roof, but his upside as a downhill run stopper is limited with his smaller frame. If teams are looking for a modern sideline-to-sideline inside linebacker, Henley is the guy. He will likely need to be in a situation parked next to a more traditional downhill backer, so that he can be shielded to make plays.
4. Trenton Simpson, Clemson – 7.3
Height: 6’2
Weight: 235lbs
Age: 21
Pros:
- Has upside as both pass rusher and inside linebacker with good burst, dip, and violent hands
- Change of direction and reaction time is elite.
- Elite open field tackler with fluid movements and quick feet
Cons:
- Will need to add some weight for the next level
- Needs to improve man to man coverage on backs and tight ends, whom he has the traits to handle, just needs more discipline in these areas.
Simpson is a battle-tested sideline-to-sideline undersized linebacker that has good instincts and has some pass rush upside. He should easily fit into most defenses as he has a knack for the football and is an excellent open field tackler. He does need to add some size and also improve on his man coverage technique, which are two things an NFL offseason program can help with.
5. Noah Sewell, Oregon – 7.2
Height: 6’2
Weight: 246lbs
Age: 21
Pros:
- High motor and hardly ever gives up on a play
- Has good awareness of where he is, and the proper angles to take
- Classic downhill mike linebacker with versatility to split out as an edge defender when needed.
Cons:
- Often has issues finishing, gets to the spot, but can miss tackles or be hesitant in the gap
- Coverage skills are only average
- Will need to tone down aggressiveness and not overreact to certain looks at the next level.
For teams looking for the traditional downhill, 4-3 mike linebacker, Sewell is a perfect option for this. He has good speed to attack downhill and is a smart, instinctual player. Sewell has issues finishing tackles, but he is a hard hitter and blows up blockers. There is a role for him as a traditional ILB but he could also shift outside occasionally.
6. DeMarvion Overshown, Texas – 6.9
Height: 6’3
Weight: 229lbs
Age: 22
Pros:
- Elite Speed that can cover most tight ends and running backs with ease
- Good length and quickness to challenge on the outside
- Fluid hips to flip and change direction in space
- Violent hands
Cons:
- Not great in coverage as he should be with athletic traits
- Lacks good instincts and play recognition, more of a reactionary backer
With the athletic traits that he has, you would expect a different story. But Overshown has issues with instincts in coverage and against RPO and play-action leaving him often out of position. The good news is there is room to add mass to his frame and to fix some of the pieces that an NFL film room will work out of his game. He’s a mid-round prospect with some of the highest upside in the entire class if he puts it together.
7. Dorian Williams, Tulane – 6.8
Height: 6’1
Weight: 228
Age: 21
Pros:
- Elite coverage skills and instincts
- Great awareness
- Overall good frame and athletic traits, should translate over to a playmaking sideline to sideline modern linebacker
Cons:
- Pursuit is lacking
- Balance issues
- Will have a tough time being on the field outside of passing situations
Williams is the best coverage LB in the entire class, but at the NFL level, there needs to be more consistency in other areas to be worth a high enough selection on. He will thrive as a 3-4 inside linebacker, but he has limited upside as the lone backer on the field or in pass rush situations.
8. Henry To’oTo’o, Alabama – 6.7
Height: 6’1
Weight: 227lbs
Age: 22
Pros:
- Versatility to drop into coverage and stop the run
- Hardly misses a tackle, and is always in good position
- Good change of direction paired with anticipation make up for some deficiencies athletically
Cons:
- Undersized and will need to add some muscle mass to compete with the NFL schedule, considering he is a down hill backer
- Lacks pass rush upside
- Needs to take better angles to the runner
To’oTo’o has the mental makeup to be a really cerebral leader for a defense. He hardly misses tackles and is always in assignment. Misdirection is an issue, as he has a tough time matching up physically to pursuit.
9. Ventrell Miller, Florida- 6.5
Height: 6’0
Weight: 232lbs
Age: 24
Pros:
- Good feel for working off blockers and understanding assignments
- Has ability to work downhill and on the edge with violent hands and decent frame, plays taller than listed.
- Good lateral movement to cover ground
Cons:
- Older prospect, will be 25 in his rookie year
- He will likely translate to a will linebacker in a 4-3 and lacks true take on skills to shed and tackle one-on-one.
- Will need to add muscle mass.
Miller is an older prospect, but he has a relatively high floor as a weak side linebacker. He has good lateral movement with a good feel for avoiding blockers and filling gaps. Likely a late selection, but he’s worth the value initially, as he is SEC battle tested.
10. Ivan Pace Jr., Cincinnati – 6.2
Height: 5’10
Weight: 231lbs
Age: 22
Pros:
- Extremely good instincts and powerful lower base make him surprisingly stout against the run for his size
- Good balance between run game and coverage, but has high end pass rush upside as a stand up OLB
- Pass rush moves are above average, with an elite spin move.
- Great athletic traits and motor
Cons:
- Will need to add strength to his frame to compete with much larger offensive lineman
- Won’t be an anchor, and is extremely raw, will need to focus on adding strength.
Pace Jr. can rush the passer, cover and stop the run, but his size is enough to have him drop a little down the board. He will need to add strength to be able to give back a little in the run game. He will be facing more sturdy offensive lineman than he is used to, but the skills are there to be an above average linebacker
Wide Receivers
1. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State University – 8.9
Height: 6’0
Weight: 196lbs
Age: 21
Pros:
- Elite route running and hands combination
- Elite short area quickness
- Finds sweet spot in the zone, and sits
- Often comes back for the ball, trait of elite receivers
Cons:
- Positionally will only be used as a slot at the next level
- Has some injury concerns that will need to be checked out.
Smith-Njigba checks all of the boxes you want out of a top wide receiver option. He has great hands combined with the ability to separate in a phone booth. He has the upside to be a 100-catch guy year in, year out and a chain-mover that teams will also have to prepare for him in the YAC area. He is a super smart football player and is the best one in this class
2. Zay Flowers, Boston College – 8.6
Height: 5’9
Weight: 182lbs
Age: 22
Pros:
- Slippery in the open field
- Best true separator in the class, with elite ball tracking over the top
- Quick release
- Dangerous with the ball in his hands, will move all over the formation and be put into catch and run scenarios.
Cons:
- Undersized to challenge on contested catches
- Smaller catch radius
- Needs more patience in the zone
Zay Flowers is a playmaker that will improve whatever team selects him in the draft. He will be utilized all across the formation and is slippery and dangerous with the ball in his hands. He has already been working on it, but he will need to add some size to his frame to compete with larger press corners. But he has a great release package to be able to get himself some separation.
3. Quentin Johnston, TCU – 8.4
Height: 6’4
Weight: 215lbs
Age: 21
Pros:
- X receiver frame, only true 1st round X in the class
- Patient receiver that times routes perfectly off of release
- Elite catch radius with long arms, body control, and soft hands make him an elite deep threat
Cons:
- Limited route tree at TCU
- Not an impact blocker
- Needs to sit more in zone coverage, has tendency to run the route as is instead of adjusting
Johnston is an X receiver for teams that are looking for the prototypical No. 1 receiver frame. With good route timing off of release, excellent route running, and a huge catch radius, teams are getting an elite receiver. The knock on Johnston is the lack of exposure of his route tree. It was limited at TCU because he frankly didn’t need to change it up. He also needs to sit more in zone coverage rather than riding the route till the break.
4. Jordan Addison, USC – 7.9
Height: 5’11
Weight: 173lbs
Age: 21
Pros:
- Outstanding deep speed and cutting at top of routes, true deep threat receiver regardless of where he is lined up
- Highly-productive college receiver
- Can cut on a dime, and has excellent release
Cons:
- Needs to add mass to his frame, will struggle against press corners
- Relies too heavily on pads to control catches, rather than securing with the hands.
Addison can be moved all across the formation and will be an elite deep threat playmaker for a team that selects him. He’s highly-productive, but he will need to add mass and strength to his frame while controlling throws sooner by high-pointing rather than using pads to catch.
5. Josh Downs, UNC – 7.6
Height: 5’9
Weight: 171lbs
Age: 21
Pros:
- Elite speed and explosiveness
- Plays taller with elite vertical leap ability
- Advanced route tree, can be moved along the formation to get the best matchup possible.
- Excellent release and footwork technique
Cons:
- Slot only due to his smaller frame
- Terrible blocker
- Needs to utilize speed and footwork to get open, rather than trying to “ego” his defender. Has a tendency to think he is stronger than he is, almost as if it is prideful. Needs to rely on that elite speed and footwork to get open more
Downs is an electric speedster, but he will need to work on a few things. He needs to add mass to his frame, and he also has issues with catching over the top. He will likely be a slot receiver, but he’ll be a pretty freaking good one.
6. Tank Dell, Houston – 7.4
Height: 5’8
Weight: 165lbs
Age: 23
Pros:
- Highly-productive, led the nation in yards and TDs over the last two seasons
- Always runs crisp routes that hardly ever round
- Elite change of direction and lateral movement, will get open in a phone booth
- Best with the ball in his hands, will be a focal point of an offense
Cons:
- Limited size could hinder his effectiveness in the NFL, will need to add weight
- Small catch radius, elite corners can mirror him and shut him down with smaller radius.
- Hard to win on the outside with him
- Limited route tree coming from a spread offense
Dell is an explosive playmaker that excels with the ball in his hands. There are concerns with his overall size as he often gets outmuscled by press corners. So he’ll need to be schemed up touches. Regardless, when he has the ball, the offense will chug along.
7. Marvin Mims Jr. Oklahoma – 7.3
Height: 5’11
Weight: 183lbs
Age: 21
Pros:
- Knack for high-pointing, plays well outside
- Great with the ball in his hands
- Stacks corners easily downfield with elite speed and acceleration combo
- Punt returner upside
- Crisp routes and versatile tree to win inside and outside
Cons:
- Will need to add strength to not get bumped off vertical routes as much
- Needs to sit more against zone coverage
Highly-productive receiver that plays well above the rim on contested catches and can make a splash play with the ball in his hands. He is a versatile receiver, but he will need to add some mass and work on release packages to improve on his deep route running.
8. Jonathan Mingo, Ole Miss – 7.1
Height: 6’2
Weight: 220lbs
Age: 21
Pros:
- Smooth route runner with great balance and body control to win outside the numbers
- Prototypical outside receiver build, will win contested catches
- Explosive and agile with ball in his hands, dangerous as a runner
- Impressive blocker, willing and able to help make impact in run game
Cons:
- Needs to work on release packages
- Good but not great separator
- Has issues with consistency, and has had some injury issues throughout college
- Route running needs some cleanup
Mingo has the makings to be an elite receiver at the next level. He has a mix of size, speed and strength that makes it worth a Day 2 or Day 3 flier. He will win on the outside and in contested catch situations with great hands and body control.
9. Rashee Rice, SMU – 7.0
Height: 6’1
Weight: 204lbs
Age: 22
Pros:
- Elite body control and some of the best hands in the class
- Athletic profile is above average, with elite short area quickness, will be able to win on crossers and getting the ball in his hands to make plays
- Large catch radius to snag in a lot of throws over the middle
- Production has been consistent and improved year over year
Cons:
- Comes from spread system where he will need to show his route running, likely limited in that area
- Not a fantastic separator
Rice is one of my favorite receivers in the class with sure hands and a large catch radius that screams WR1. He also has excellent short area quickness and is electric with the ball in his hands. He will win on the outside in, rather than inside out which is a unique skill set. However, Rice will need to expand his route tree and develop his release package for the NFL game.
10. Trey Palmer, Nebraska – 6.8
Height: 6’0
Weight: 192lbs
Age: 22
Pros:
- Elite deep speed, ran a 4.33 at combine
- Great verticality winning most by high pointing
- Elite returner, will be a dual threat as a rookie
- Crisp route runner with good hands
Cons:
- Hands can be a little rough, will see some drops because of this
- Limited route tree
- Struggles against physicality
Palmer has elite top end speed that will open up the field, but there are concerns with a limited route tree and rough hands. He can surely separate, but he will need to work on those two things if he is to become a viable receiver. Regardless of that, he’s an elite returner and will provide upside in that category regardless. So it may be worth it to teams on Day 3.
Safety
1. Brian Branch, Alabama – 8.8
Height: 6’0
Weight: 190lbs
Age: 21
Pros:
- Versatility, as he as played every single defensive back position at a high level
- Great tackler, will be a force in the run game
- Zone coverage skills are elite
- Great athlete
Cons:
- Has issues being grabby along the line with faster receivers, could lead to penalties
- Not an amazing ball hawk, prefers to break up the pass than catch and run
Branch is the most versatile defensive back in the class. He has played all across the defense and has the skills to translate to any of them, if a team wishes to use him in one role. He also has the tools to be effective as a Swiss army knife, playing multiple roles. If a team is in need of a safety, or frankly any defensive back position, Branch should fill in nicely.
2. Jammie Robinson, Florida State – 7.7
Height: 5’11
Weight: 191lbs
Age: 22
Pros:
- Explosive sideline-to-sideline agility to cover anyone, and cover a lot of ground
- Lots of collegiate starting experience
- High level awareness, see’s the field well, translates to deep safety
Cons:
- Undersized
- Will bite on double moves and is overly aggressive, will need to be more methodical.
Robinson is a complete deep safety with great instincts, athleticism and awareness to make QBs pay for mistakes. He will be a good safety net for many defenses, but he has to work on his overly aggressive behavior if playing deep. He sometimes closes down before the ball is delivered and bites on double moves. He will need to learn to be more patient and sit home more.
3. Antonio Johnson, Texas A&M – 7.5
Height: 6’2
Weight: 198lbs
Age: 21
Pros:
- Great ball hawk skills
- Side-to-side quickness to mirror underneath
- Quick burst and hard hitter, will be an impactful force in the run game, blowing up blockers
Cons:
- Needs to improve tackling, will sometimes throw arms or shoulder when he should wrap up in open field, bigger players will bounce off and break tackles.
- Average long speed, will be a strong safety/box safety exclusively
Johnson has great size and lateral quickness to mirror running backs and tight ends. He is also a powerful run stopper with good twitch. He’s not a long speed guy, so his upside will be as a box safety with upside to cover the slot if needed.
4. Sydney Brown, Illinois – 7.2
Height: 5’10
Weight: 211lbs
Age: 23
Pros:
- Excellent athlete with great reaction time, often looks like he was shot out of a cannon
- Has good awareness in Zone to cover a lot of ground and break up passes
- Good in press coverage, adds versatility to be a slot corner or box safety
Cons:
- Not great in man coverage, has the physical gifts to do so, but often gets beat
- Bites on misdirection and play fakes
Brown offers positional versatility as a slot corner and box safety in zone coverage situations, but will struggle to cover man to man. His physical traits and awareness allow him to be an excellent tackler who looks like he already knew the play before it happened. For teams needing run support, Brown is your guy.
5. Ji’Ayir Brown, Penn State- 6.9
Height: 5’11
Weight: 203lbs
Age: 23
Pros:
- Physical in run support, has great instincts
- Good coverage in Man and zone
- Has good pursuit, and often comes across the field to make plays
Cons:
- Often hesitates when playing deep, will need to work on confidence in deep zone concepts on when to bite
- Struggles getting off of blocks if playing in the box exclusively
A strong and reliable hybrid safety, Brown capitalizes on all-around traits that make him a versatile and reliable safety net for two safety systems. He will need to work on his hesitation when playing deep, as he lets receivers dictate.
6. Jordan Battle, Alabama – 6.8
Height: 6’1
Weight: 209lbs
Age: 22
Pros:
- Fluid cover corner with great ability to flip and chase
- Willing run stuffer, not afraid to stick his nose in a play
- Leader of the Alabama defense, good football IQ and understanding of the field as a whole.
Cons:
- Pursuit needs some tightening up, takes wide angles at times
- Tackling is a concern, will need to clean up some bad habits such as arm tackling.
Battle is an experienced leader of an NFL-level defense at Alabama and has versatility to play over the top or in the box. Teams should love his team-first mentality and overall athletic traits that allow him to quickly cover ground. Tackling and pursuit needs work, but those are things the next level can work on
7. Anthony Johnson Jr., Iowa State – 6.5
Height: 6’0
Weight: 205lbs
Age: 23
Pros:
- Long arms and good frame
- High end top speed, and good lateral movement
Cons:
- Slow back pedal, will likely be more of a deep safety than a slot or box safety, as his instincts are lacking in man coverage
- Route and play recognition needs work
Johnson Jr. has good athletic traits that are NFL-level with good length to compete with the best receivers. He is limited as a close quarters safety and will need to play deep. He’s likely a special teamer at this stage, but he has the room to develop into a role player, if he can clean up play recognition.
8. JL Skinner, Boise State – 6.2
Height: 6’4
Weight: 209lbs
Age: 22
Pros:
- Great box safety with burst an tackling ability to be a stout run defender
- Has good agility to be able to slip between blocks and blow it up.
- Plays a hybrid LB/S role that has been more common in the NFL as of late.
Cons:
- Coverage skills across the board are lacking
- Play recognition issues, can easily bite on play action
Skinner is a hard hitting-hybrid LB/S that will eat up blockers and punish running backs for choosing the wrong hole. He has some issues with his play recognition and coverage, making him an early-down safety at this stage and likely special teamer.
9. Ronnie Hickman, Ohio State – 6.1
Height: 6’0
Weight: 203lbs
Age: 21
Pros:
- Elite athlete with good fluidity
- Versatility, has shown flashes as a box safety, deep safety, slot corner, and even in pass rush situations
Cons:
- Hesitant in coverage and let’s the offense dictate at times
- Needs better tackling approach, tries to knock the ball out or the player off their feet rather than wrapping up
Hickman has the traits necessary to be a versatile piece, but he has concerns with hesitancy and tackling that teams will feel he will need to work on before he can crack a starting lineup. The potential is there, but he should be an early Day 3 pick with special teams upside in Year 1.
10. Christopher Smith, Georgia – 6.0
Height: 5’11
Weight: 192lbs
Age: 22
Pros:
- Elite in coverage, will likely transition to slot corner at next level
- Good ball skills, plays like a ball hawk
- Has upside to be a rangy deep safety
Cons:
- Undersized to truly make a difference in the run game, built like a traditional corner
- Average athlete and tested poorly at the combine
Smith is likely a slot corner as he is sticky in coverage, but he also has the ability to be a good deep safety with his anticipation. The true knock is on his measurables as he didn’t test well this draft process and is lacking in size.
Running Back
1. Bijan Robinson, Texas – 9.3
Height: 5’11
Weight: 215lbs
Age: 21
Pros:
- Perfect blend of size, speed, lateral quickness and strength
- Great vision
- Great balance and fights for extra yards, tough to tackle
- Excellent hands and solid route-runner
- Excellent pass-protector
Cons:
- Sometimes relies too much on pads to catch passes out of the backfield
- Often finds his pad level getting too high
Bijan Robinson is the best RB prospect since Saquon Barkley and is arguably one of the best players in this class. He has workhorse written all over him and is a great third-down option, who hardly comes off the field. With that versatility, it is hard for teams to try and determine run or pass when he’s out there.
2. Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama – 8.9
Height: 5’9
Weight: 199lbs
Age: 21
Pros:
- Electric elusive playmaking runner, will blow by defenders in a flash
- Excellent hands and route-running, receiver-level talent
- Great vision and has quick cuts to avoid tacklers on the inside
- Shifty with great contact balance
Cons:
- Needs to improve pass-blocking
- Needs to add some mass to his frame
Gibbs is an electric playmaker and complement to any power back. He is good enough to be a featured back. He was used as an offensive weapon all across the formation, and teams could covet that. He has shades of Alvin Kamara and would be a top-10 receiver in this class if he ditched running back all together.
3. Zach Charbonnet, UCLA – 7.6
Height: 6’0
Weight: 214lbs
Age: 22
Pros:
- Patient interior power rusher who fights for every yard
- Good vision and has great lateral movement to change direction
- Underrated receiving ability with sure hands
Cons:
- Lacks homerun speed, won’t blow by outside corners, but has enough speed to pick up chunk yardage.
- Not a great pass-blocker, will need to improve technique
Charbonnet is not getting enough credit due to how talented Bijan and Gibbs are in this class. He is a power back with great balance, decent hands to be a check-down, and good vision to cut inside. His relentlessness is through the roof, and he has the speed, although not elite, to get chunk plays as a feature back of an offense.
4. DeWayne McBride, UAB – 7.4
Height: 5’10
Weight: 209lbs
Age: 21
Pros:
- Classic downhill runner
- Patient, balanced runner
- Violent runner, will blow through arm tackles with ease
- Highly productive in college
Cons:
- Lack of experience in pro style offense
- Has issues with ball security
McBride was one of the more dominant running backs in college football during his career due to his natural smoothness to his game. He runs violently downhill with patience and maintains balance through contact. His pass-protection and receiving upside are limited because he doesn’t play in a pro style offense. So there’s a small sample size. He also has issues with ball security, but make no mistake, he’s dominant and productive for a reason.
5. Tyjae Spears, Tulane – 7.1
Height: 5’10
Weight: 201lbs
Age: 21
Pros:
- Elite receiving back upside with great hands, good feet and excellent route-running
- Patient runner with good balance to be an effective runner
- Good outside runner
Cons:
- Needs to work on pass-blocking, as he will likely be used as a pass-catching back at the next level, and will need to prove his worth.
- Struggles on interior designed routes, not as decisive as you’d hope between the tackles.
Spears will be the premiere receiving back in the class for teams that value that skill set in their offense. He has great hands and route-running, with above average speed and vision to become a decent three-down back in an emergency setting. Spears will make his mark as a receiver on third downs early, but he needs to get better at pass-blocking.
6. Tank Bigsby, Auburn – 6.7
Height: 6’0
Weight: 210lbs
Age: 21
Pros:
- Creative runner with good agility
- Soft hands and good awareness of zone to be an excellent check-down option
- Compact frame that absorbs contact
- Quick feet and good awareness to avoid arm tackles
Cons:
- Lacks high-end speed, ran a 4.56 at the combine
- Needs to refine route-running and pass-blocking to be more of a three-down back
Bigsby is a powerful runner and has creativity to avoid tackles in the hole. He may not have high-end speed, but he has a quick burst and lateral movement to make him a dangerous chain-mover for a team looking to add some depth.
7. Devon Achane, Texas A&M – 6.3
Height: 5’8
Weight: 188lbs
Age: 21
Pros:
- Electrifying runner with high-end speed and quick cuts that will make some lineman dizzy.
- Soft hands, makes him a potential dual-threat at the next level, although he wasn’t used as much in that role in college
- Has returner experience and upside as well
Cons:
- Will need to add mass to be able to keep legs turning for positive yards when holes get clogged
- Hardly ever runs between the tackles, will need to get better in that area to be more than a depth piece
Achane has good high-end speed and is an incredible playmaker. There are obvious concerns with his size and limitations on inside runs, but there is a chance an outside zone scheme would work wonders for him, as he is very decisive hitting a hole and flying by defenders.
8. Roschon Johnson, Texas – 6.2
Height: 6’0
Weight: 219lbs
Age: 22
Pros:
- Aggressive runner with good feet and good contact balance
- Agility to cut, stop and start is above average
- Patient runner with good balance of speed and power
Cons:
- Needs to be more technical in pass-blocking scenarios
- Sat behind Bijan Robinson, so less volume and sample size
Johnson is a good back and was overshadowed by Bijan Robinson. If he was at any other school, we are potentially talking about a second or third-round selection and the third back behind Robinson and Gibbs. He has the talent, frame and patience to be a very good workhorse back at the next level, and he should go around round four.
9. Kendre Miller, TCU – 6.1
Height: 5’11
Weight: 215lbs
Age: 20
Pros:
- Young prospect with room to grow
- Good pass-catcher who will be used as a weapon as opposed to a pure runner
- Good vision mixed with patience allows him to see the field extremely well, and often makes good decisions
Cons:
- Gets pad level too high and loses leverage.
- Not overly fast, just fast enough
Miller is a patient runner that has a great feel for the surroundings and good hands to challenge defenses in catch and run scenarios, and as a pure runner. Miller needs to work on his pad level, and pass-blocking, but he is a good find late in the draft for some developmental depth.
10. Chase Brown, Illinois – 6.0
Height: 5’9
Weight: 209lbs
Age: 23
Pros:
- Good initial explosiveness through the hole
- Soft hands with ability to swing out on a dime
- Excellent vision and footwork inside and out
Cons:
- Older prospect
- Needs to add strength and leg drive, will likely be a change of pace or a third-down back at the next level
- Has to improve his pass-protection technique if he is to see the field
Brown is an explosive runner when called and has excellent vision, but he is not physically imposing and needs to add strength if he wants to be seen as more than a receiving back. If a team needs a receiving back, he’s a very good one, but he will need to improve his route tree and his pass-blocking to be effective. Still, he is a very good receiving back that should get some mid-round love.
