2023 NFL Draft Top 50 Big Board
After diving deep into the tape of this draft class, I am releasing my penultimate top 50 rankings before the 2023 NFL Draft. For each prospect, I have a brief summary of why they are ranked where they are, and a link to my raw original scouting reports (for all except quarterbacks and offensive linemen). You will notice that some of their given ranks and grades within the reports do not line up exactly where they fall within the top 50. This is mostly because the initial scouting reports are based solely on what I saw on tape. The off-season process has altered how I view some of the prospects.
At the end of the board, I have the reasoning behind why a
few select players typically seen inside the top 50 are excluded from this list.
As of now, I am confident that these top 50 will not alter too significantly leading
up to the 2023 NFL Draft.
Top 50 Big Board
1.
Bryce Young – QB
Young is small. I get it. He also has incredible anticipation, poise, and plays well under pressure. He understands defenses on the fly unlike anyone in this class. While his stature draws comparisons to Kyler Murray, he plays much more like Joe Burrow. He is excellent inside the pocket and still accurate when extending the play. While injury may be more of a concern at his size, his complete skill set is deserved of being number one on this board
2.
C.J. Stroud
The current favorite to be selected first overall comes in at number two. After a lot of back and forth between number two and three on this board, Stroud barely beats out Anthony Richardson. While the narrative is that everything needs to go right for Stroud to succeed, he showed in his last couple of games this past season that he can still work outside of structure. The Georgia game everyone loves talking about cemented his spot as the number two quarterback in this class because it gave a glimpse of what he could become. If he learns to play consistently like he did at the end of the season, then he could end up as the best player in this draft. That said, I believe that his bust percentage is higher than people care to admit. Without taking a step forward in play under pressure, he could have a very similar career trajectory to many other quarterbacks selected in the top two that did not come to fruition.
3.
Anthony Richardson – QB
“I can fix him.” He has arguably the best traits of all time at the position, and is not as far behind as a passer as people seem to think. He at least understands progressions, and most of his weaknesses are coachable. The 21-year-old only had one season as a starter, so his raw gameplay is to be expected. Short area accuracy has been corrected by many quarterbacks in the past, and experience should help with many of his inconsistencies. His rushing baseline actually gives him a relatively high floor as a day one starter, but sitting for a year at his age and level of experience could be beneficial as well. If all goes well for the top three quarterbacks in this draft class, then Richardson should end up as the best of the three.
Carter has had one of the worst off-seasons imaginable, yet is still the top ranked non-quarterback. His tape puts him in the running to be considered the best defensive tackle prospect in the last decade. By definition, that would make him a generational prospect. While his availability to play could impact his draft stock, this board is based more on on-field talent and promise than extenuating circumstances. There is no one else in this class aside from Bijan Robinson who comes close to being considered truly generational, and therefore Carter must remain at the top.
Will Anderson does just about everything well. His work ethic, mentality, athleticism, technique, and just overall tape set him apart from the rest of this edge class. His Von Miller comps are not too far misplaced, although Miller was a significantly better run defender. He is quick, lean, and strong for his size, and his edge versatility and playstyle should translate well to the NFL. He is still a tier below Chase Young, Nick Bosa, Myles Garrett, and Jadeveon Clowney as a prospect over the last decade in my opinion, but Anderson may just come in as number five in that span.
He may not be on the level of Sauce Gardener or Patrick Surtain II coming out, but he is pretty darn close. He is a freak athlete, one of the most skilled man corners in this draft class, scheme versatile, and only 20-years-old. His combine only helped his stock with a 41.5” vertical, 4.38 40, and 11’1” broad jump. He may not be the most aggressive corner out there, but he is in the ‘blue chip’ conversation.
Wilson is a high floor / high ceiling defensive end. He is already great in the run game, and has ridiculous tools with a 7’2” wingspan. He is an absolute bully, and coaches are going to fall in love with what he brings to the table. This is the first player on the board I would not include in the ‘blue chip’ conversation simply because of his technique inconsistencies and lack of lateral agility. He could end up as the best defensive end in class when all is said and done, which is why he is still ranked inside the top 10.
When trying to scout Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson last year, one other guy kept grabbing my attention. Not only did Jaxon Smith-Njigba have over 500 yards more than either of them that season, but his down-to-down consistency was superior as well. He was always open, his body movements were elite across the board, and to top it all off, he ran a 6.57 3-cone and 3.93 20-yard shuttle at the combine. His route tempos, short area separation, and even his blocking make him a reliable slot receiver with the ability to stay on the field in two wide receiver sets. The only reason the 21-year-old would fall outside of the top 10 picks is that he did not put up much tape with his injuries this last fall.
People are souring on Johnston because of his ball skills and some route running inconsistencies, but their concerns are almost entirely unwarranted. Johnston may be the most unique prospect to come out in a long time with an ability to stop on a dime and incredible open-field RAC skills at 6’4” 216lbs. His movement skills and ability to make quick acute cuts should translate to his route running with a small amount of coaching. Duggan's lack of touch on the ball also may have led to Johnston playing it safe and developing the habit of catching with his body, although he is certainly not void of blame. He does not go up for contested catches and is less aggressive than expected for someone of his size, but that is no reason for someone with his unique athletic gifts to fall too far outside of the top 10 picks.
One total yard allowed on 113 press coverage snaps. That is one of the most absurd stats out there. Witherspoon may be as or even more talented than some prospects listed ahead of him, but his size of 181lbs at 5’11” brings him down a few pegs. That said, he is still a top 10 player in this draft class and should fit well into any NFL scheme as the number one guy.
11.
Will Levis – QB
While ranked a tier below the top three quarterbacks, Levis is still a first round talent who could certainly become the face of a franchise. He has great tools and his supporting cast was abysmal last year, but there is still much to fix. The primary issue is timing as he often seems a tad late over the middle. He also does not have as many big time throws as expected for someone with his arm. He has a great release and can rocket the ball into a tight window, but he also thinks that his arm can always get him out of trouble. Levis can become elite with proper development, but the risk is too high to draft him over some of the studs in this class without a desperate need at quarterback.
Bijan Robinson and Jalen Carter are easily the two best pure talents in this draft class. Robinson might even be the best running back prospect in the last decade. The draft community is typically putting him in the 20s right now with the supposed lack of positional value, but do not be surprised if he ends up going towards the top of the draft. While running back is considered less valuable than most other positions on the field, Robinson is the type of player who can legitimately have an offense built around him. He is without a doubt the biggest “can’t miss” player in the draft.
13.
Paris Johnson Jr. – OL
While Paris Johnson Jr. may be the second best offensive tackle in this class on day one, he has the build to become something truly special. He possesses positional versatility having played full seasons at both right guard and left tackle, so he does not necessarily need to start at left tackle in his rookie season. With arms over 36” long and great movement skills, Johnson Jr. could become an absolute stud with some technique improvements and experience.
14.
Peter Skoronski – OL
Skoronski is currently the best offensive tackle in this draft. His mirroring is elite, and his hand usage is outstanding. The only issue is that he is built more like a guard with 32.25” arms. He may be a serviceable left tackle off the bat, but could become an exceptional guard in the NFL. Skoronski feels like one of the safest prospects in this draft class who can be plugged in anywhere across the offensive line and succeed on day one.
15.
Brian Branch – S
Branch is one of the most reliable players in the draft. He plays mostly in the slot, but could easily play strong safety if needed, is an excellent tackler, great in coverage, and effective when blitzing. There are not a whole lot of knocks to his game aside from size and athleticism. He is a fine enough athlete, and not small enough to be a liability by any means at 6’0” 190lbs. He just is not the high caliber athlete expected from safety prospects with first round projections. Branch should be able to go to any team, play where they ask him to play, and instantly improve almost any defense in the NFL.
16.
Broderick Jones – OL
Like Paris Johnson Jr., Jones has the tools to become an elite NFL left tackle. He just is not there yet. If he can either play guard or sit for a year to gain comfort moving with his frame and learn better hand technique, then he could be great by year two. Despite not necessarily being ready for the NFL as a left tackle, his physicality and explosiveness alone make him deserved of a first round pick.
This is the first player that deviates significantly from consensus, aside from maybe Quentin Johnston. FAU is my third ranked edge prospect in this class because I believe that he is a high floor / high ceiling prospect. He is a smart player who knows how to test his opponents, as he has discussed in interviews, and is already a stout run defender. 33.5” arms are excellent for the position, and he uses his length well in both the pass rush and run defense. Kansas State ran a 3-3-5, which is not conducive to success for a hand-in-the-dirt lineman who only weighs 255lbs. When he did have one-on-one reps, he seemed to win almost every time. The Kansas State defensive line was completely different when he wasn’t on the field, and I think that he will have the same every-down impact in the NFL. Get him in a 4-3 scheme as a base end to get more one-on-one opportunities with offensive tackles, and with a bit more mass from an NFL weight room that his frame should easily be able to hold, FAU could legitimately become one of the better defensive ends in the NFL.
While Felix Anudike-Uzomah is high in my rankings for his nuance and versatility at the position, Van Ness is only one step behind him because his closest comp is a literal bulldozer. Nicknamed Hercules by his teammates, all of his reps look nearly identical. If he opposes a weaker offensive lineman, then he will drill them back into the pocket on every rep. While his power rush may be the best in this class barring maybe Tyree Wilson, he really only has a bull rush. His bull rush is absolutely beautiful with excellent contact, pad level, and power, but stronger tackles just will not let him through. He has to learn more finesse and implement his push-pull more frequently if he is to be as dominant in the NFL.
Addison is the smoothest receiver in the draft. His route running is spectacular, and he is clearly an athlete on the field regardless of measurables and testing numbers. He can play both inside and outside, and win at all levels of the field. If nothing else, he will be a good chain mover who understands how to separate and help a quarterback.
If Smith weighed 10-15 pounds more, he would be a top ten pick. The combine superstar ran a 4.39 40-yard-dash, and clearly lives and breathes football. The former number one recruit in the nation was having a fantastic year before his pectoral injury. Although he is small, Smith is a fan favorite who is easy to route for and should become an impact player sooner rather than later. He is the fifth ranked edge in my current rankings, and as high as I could possibly have him given his size and where the other edge players fall within this board.
My initial scouting report had Porter Jr. as an early second round pick. Even so, he may be the safest cornerback prospect in this draft class. The guarantee of a lockdown CB2 is worth a lot in today’s NFL, and that is exactly how I see Porter Jr. His build and understanding of the position leave him at pick 21 on this board, putting him ahead of some higher-end athletes.
A former number one overall recruit out of high school himself, Bresee certainly has not lived up to expectations. Many unfortunate mishaps over the last few years have derailed his development, but he is still a freaky athlete at the position. He could line up either as a penetrating 3-tech or a base 3-4 defensive end and find success in the NFL. While his bust likelihood may be less than ideal for a first round pick, his potential for stardom is worth the risk in the mid-to-late first round.
“Baby Kelce” was my second ranked tight end during scouting season, but his ability as a pass catcher is unparalleled. He has the surest hands of any player in this draft class at any position, and is an incredible route runner. He could become any quarterback’s best friend over the middle, and may even become the focal point of a west coast offense. He also is a fine gap blocker, and will not be limited to a receiving role in an offense despite the current narrative suggesting otherwise. After the first three receivers are off the board, Kincaid may just be the next best pass catcher in class.
24.
Deonte Banks– CB
Banks jumped from outside of my top 50 to spot 24 after the combine. This seems egregious, but my primary concern I had with him dealt with recovery. His elite vertical and excellent 40-time brought his stock up into the first round because it answered the specific questions I had about his burst and raw speed. I still believe that he is better suited either as a CB2 or as a shadow corner who pairs well against the leagues’ bigger alpha receivers, but he has the athletic profile to sure up any open field movement concerns and potentially become a CB1 in the NFL.
Ojulari shoots out of a cannon and always has a pass rush
plan. He may have the highest pass rush baseline of any 3-4 OLB in class barring
Will Anderson. Mocks have been souring on him lately and putting him in the 40s
according to consensus, but he remains the 25th player on my board.
Ojulari is more likely to earn a starting role as an impact edge player early
on in his career than he is to start his rookie campaign in a rotational role,
which helps his stock remain above some other less refined players with a higher theoretical “upside.”
Mayer was the consensus TE1 in this class during the season before Kincaid established his value as a receiver. Mayer is pretty much good at everything he needs to be at the position. He can block in any scheme, has reliable hands, and is a great red zone threat having led the position in contested catches over this last season. He very easily could end up as the top tight end in this class, but lacks the high-end athleticism to be considered too much earlier in the draft.
27.
Josh Downs – WR
Downs is the fourth wide receiver on this board. His consensus is currently as a mid-second round pick as the sixth wide receiver taken, but he is too good of a route runner to drop out of the first round if teams need a slot receiver. The issue is that he is exclusively an undersized slot receiver with limited RAC ability. He earns a spot here above offensive weapon Zay Flowers and deep threat Jalin Hyatt because he is such a polished as a route runner and should find himself in open space significantly more than those other two receivers. As a slot receiver in a quick timing offense, Downs is second to only JSN in this class.
28.
Darnell Wright – RT
Although he has full seasons at both left and right tackle, Wright played much better on the right side. He is a powerful young tackle who is getting mid-first round hype. While he could likely hold his own at both tackle and guard against NFL power rushers, his lack of balance against quick twitch pass rushers is what separates him from the tier one prospects. He can be a powerful run blocker in the right system, and become a plus pass blocking right tackle with a bit of coaching at the next level.
How the mighty have fallen. The potential top five pick heading into the 2022 season now barely grasps onto the first round. His absurd movement skills and athleticism at his size should keep him in the first round despite never really living up to expectations at Clemson. He still could become the best edge in this draft class, bar none. Unfortunately, he is more likely to be a legitimate liability as a full-time starter in his rookie season than he is to be a plus starter.
Kancey has quite a different problem than Murphy in that his tape is early to mid-first round caliber, while his size is more concerning. The combine winner is getting Aaron Donald comps left and right, but he is lacking in one crucial area. Although their burst and sizes are similar, Donald is significantly stronger than Kancey. I see Kancey as an excellent interior pass rusher who will never become an every down player. That is still valuable, but not enough so to be ranked much higher than 30 on this board.
31.
Anton Harrison – OT
Harrison would be in the same tier as the top three offensive tackles if it weren’t for some strength concerns. He is a consistent pass blocker as it stands, but his run blocking is not suited for some schemes in the NFL. Additionally, there is a concern that the elite power rushers of the NFL could collapse the pocket on every play against him. Harrison is still talented with a great build for the position, and is certainly in the first round conversation. If red shirting a year leads to him being a plus starting tackle in the NFL, then so be it.
McDonald, like Murphy, may not have a huge immediate impact. What he does have is twitch, quick hands, and excellent athleticism. He was not used properly at Iowa State, which hindered his production. If he can go into a 3-4 scheme as an outside linebacker and get some coaching on how to better convert his speed into success, then he could become a great every down player. After re-watching his tape from outside of the tackle only, his grade catapulted up the board from a borderline second round pick to a borderline first.
33.
Kelee Ringo – CB
Speed, size, and athleticism are what make Ringo special. Unfortunately for him, he is not alone in those physical categories. He is still a great sprinter, but allowed far too much production over this last season. He also had a disappointing combine with a 10’2” broad jump and 33.5” vertical despite running a 4.36 40-yard-dash. While supposedly a special athlete, Ringo has not done much to back that claim up within the last year. His reactive playstyle and 552 yards allowed in 2022 are scary, and the only thing holding up his draft stock now is his unique size. He has fallen from the mid-first round on my initial draft board, and I am afraid that he may fall a bit lower even as we approach the NFL Draft.
The first ranked linebacker in this class is an excellent athlete, but did not really prove his value at Clemson (along with the other two Clemson guys on this list). Simpson has incredible potential and should be a solid pass rusher and coverage linebacker at the next level. He can play sideline to sideline, and I would not be surprised if he still went in the first round of the NFL Draft. That said, much of his ability is still speculation with his role at Clemson, and there is no guarantee that he will become anything special. In a putrid linebacker class, his upside still leaves him ranked at number one.
Campbell was close to being ranked ahead of Simpson because of his reliability. He is great in coverage, has prototypical size, and is excellent in run defense. He just will never be a true sideline-to-sideline linebacker, which is totally fine. He is a very safe prospect who should be good off the bat as a plug-and-play middle linebacker. Most people will have similar analysis on Campbell, but the value of a safe middle linebacker prospect could vary significantly across boards.
Benton is this high for a similar reason to Jack Campbell. He is an excellent run defender who should make a positive impact day one as either a nose tackle or a 3-tech. He can two gap, and also understands how to penetrate zone blocks. What is often overlooked is his pass rush upside as well. He has a tremendous arm-over and excellent hand strength. An every down impact defensive tackle is easily worth an early second round pick, even if his odds of becoming a perennial Pro Bowler are lower than some other lesser-rated defensive tackles.
Gibbs is clearly the second best halfback in this draft class behind Bijan Robinson, but it is not because of his ability as a pure runner. He led Alabama in receptions last season as Bryce Young’s preferred target. While the talent later in this draft at the running back position is excellent, it’s the receiving threats and home run hitters that actually impact win percentage at the next level. Gibbs has both, and is ranked accordingly as an early day two pick.
38.
Dawand Jones – RT
The mammoth may not be in the top two tiers of offensive tackles, but he could certainly become a solid right tackle in the NFL. The strongest bull rushers on the outside are not going to get through him, and his movement skills are adequate enough to hold his own against some speed as well. There are certainly concerns with his stature and ability to mirror twitchier defenders at his size, but his chances of becoming a good starting right tackle are too high to drop much further than the early second. He may have to learn to play at a lower weight, which could take some time as well. It would still be unsurprising for him to get drafted in the first round, even if other boards have him categorized as a day two pick with him projected as the last startable offensive tackle in this draft class.
39.
Keion White – DE
Despite weighing in at 285lbs, White is firmly a defensive end. He has excellent speed to power, and can make an impact as both a pass rusher and run defender. While his skillset is more conducive to playing the strong side in an even front, he has the size to be a 3-4 end as well. With his ability to stay on the field and make a positive impact on every down regardless of scheme, he should be a high priority second round pick to any team who needs defensive line help.
40.
O’Cyrus Torrence – G
Torrence is the first pure guard on the board, and he will likely not line up anywhere else. Despite lacking positional versatility, having only ever played right guard aside from a brief stint at right tackle in his sophomore season, he still is my top-rated interior offensive lineman in this class. He is a behemoth run blocker who can bully at the line of scrimmage. The only area of concern is athleticism, but he has proven that he can certainly win on the field regardless of testing numbers. If a team needs a plug-and-play right guard, they could consider him as high as the first round. He is at 40 on this board because of his lack of positional versatility and the fact that there are playmakers at more valuable positions in front of him. When looking purely at what he brings to the table at right guard, he could easily be bumped up a few pegs.
Hall has incredible movement skills and great length, but an overwhelming amount of bad habits that need to be coached out of him. He could ultimately be a value in the second round, but will not provide much in his rookie season. With questionable technique, play strength, and run defense, Hall is a scary pick early in the draft. Regardless, his movement skills and explosiveness are to the point where he could develop into an excellent pass rushing on-ball linebacker.
For a short while, Forbes had worked his way up to CB3 in my rankings ahead of Joey Porter Jr., Deonte Banks, and Kelee Ringo. The way he plays the game is unique, and his ability to diagnose a play to create PBUs and turnovers can change the outcome of any given week. The only real area of concern was his straight-line speed. Well, he went to the combine and ran a 4.35. My initial reaction was to move him up well into the first round, that is until I saw his weigh-in. 166lbs is scary. Regardless of talent, there are legitimate concerns that he will get bullied by outside receivers. Can Forbes at 166lbs win at the catch point against a Tee Higgins, AJ Brown, or DK Metcalf? Playing at 180lbs as originally thought was mildly concerning, but manageable. Playing at 166lbs has taken him out of the first round conversation. Rank 42 is a good spot to reconcile his obvious talent with his play weight.
43.
Zay Flowers – WR
Flowers is in the top 20 on many draft boards, but there are some obvious concerns in his game. People tout his route running, but he frequently struggles to pull away from man coverage. His agility is unparalleled in this class, but he still projects best as a slot receiver coming in at 5’9” 182lbs. This is 10lbs above where he was listed at Boston College, but his combine numbers were unfortunately not as special as many thought that they would be. He is absolutely an offensive weapon who is electric in the open field, but still did not have as many missed tackles forced as Quentin Johnston despite having more receptions. Flowers overall projects more as a situational weapon and slot receiver as opposed to the surefire number one option that many analysts seem to think he will become.
This is another selection that deviates rather significantly from consensus. Brown is absolutely rocked up, and the intensity with which he plays the game is inspiring. He is a lot more versatile than he is credited, playing all over the field from the box to the slot to corner to lining up along the defensive line. He has reps deep, but will surely be a strong safety in the NFL. His tackling is atrocious, but he should be able to correct that area with his obvious strength and athleticism. If he goes to a team with a clever defensive coordinator, then he could become a real defensive weapon. I have him at rank 44 because I believe that he will correct his tackling issues, and can otherwise make an impact on a defense as a high-end athlete.
45.
Steve Avila – IOL
Avila can play guard or center and be an upgrade for most teams right off the bat. While similar in size to Torrence, Avila anchors better as pass blocker. Avila is ranked below Torrence because he is not quite as dominant on the line, but could easily be selected ahead of him if a team values his skillset on passing downs enough to take him over someone who may be a slightly better overall player in Torrence. Positional versatility across the offensive line is coveted, and Avila is a safe prospect who should be able to start anywhere along the interior.
46.
Cam Smith – CB
This rank may alter again before the draft as well. His 2021 tape is outstanding compared to his lesser 2022 tape, but he was by no means playing poorly in 2022. He can play both on the outside and in the slot, and some of the athletic profile concerns were answered at the combine. Cam Smith could become an excellent NFL cornerback. The truth is that I am not confident enough in my evaluation of him to select him too much higher, and will need to go back through his 2022 tape to reassess before the NFL Draft.
47.
John Michael Schmitz – C
JMS is the top pure center on the board. Very few people would disagree with that statement. The main concern is that his athleticism for the position is quite average. He did not play with nearly the dominance of Linderbaum, who lasted until pick 25 in a draft even worse at the top than this year’s in my opinion. Pick 47 seems like a solid spot for a center who should be a good starter throughout his career, but not necessarily dominate at the NFL level.
48.
Jalin Hyatt – WR
Many would argue that the combine hurt his draft stock, but I am disregarding it completely. His 4.40 40-time is fine, but his on-field speed, as backed up by GPS metrics, is in a different ball park altogether. The one trick pony remains the best deep threat in this class, but cannot provide value doing much else. He struggles against press coverage, is not the cleanest intermediate route runner, and will likely only succeed from the slot. While guys with similar playstyles and skill sets usually become the fourth receiver in roster construction, Hyatt is such an elite weapon downfield that he deserves a spot in the top 50.
Adebawore was hands down the combine winner. A 4.49 40-yard-dash at 6’2” 282lbs is beyond absurd. His combination of speed and strength just backs up the elite explosiveness he has shown on film. Despite playing most of his snaps at defensive end and weighing 282lbs, his tape was much more impressive from the interior. While I do not particularly love undersized defensive tackles, especially those who are completely unpolished and lack technique, Ade Ade has the tools that could lead to him becoming something special. I would tag him with a higher percentage to bust than is optimal this early in the draft, but the “what if” is well worth a top 50 pick.
50.
Rashee Rice – WR
Rice is more likely a WR2 on any given team, slotting into the
second boundary role. He is a red zone weapon and contested catch guru, but has
undeniable route running concerns. He still is a good prototype at a valuable
position who has been pushed too far down many draft boards. His 4.51 40-yard-dash
and 41” vertical are indicative of exactly the type of threat he poses on the outside.
If a team needs a boundary receiver in this class, Rice is an excellent option
in the second round.
Notable Exclusions
These notable exclusions are not my next ranked players by any means. These are simply the prospects that many boards seem to include in the top 50, while I have them ranked outside in some capacity.
1. Luke Musgrave & Darnell Washington – TE
I
view Musgrave and Washington more as second contract guys. Tight ends are
typically late bloomers as it is, needing three seasons or so to make a
legitimate impact. Musgrave and Washington both have lower starting points than
Mayer in Kincaid in my eyes, and the value they could provide over the entirety
of their rookie contract is not worthy of a top 50 pick. Their skill sets are
still intriguing and I have even seen Washington mocked in the top half of the
first round on many occasions, but I see them becoming values closer to the end
of the second or early in the third round.
2. Andre Carter II – Edge
Carter
was billed as this athletic freak who was raw in every facet of the game. He
then shows up at the combine weighing 256lbs, and winds up with a 30” vertical,
9’1” broad jump, and 11 bench reps. These are pathetic numbers, and he should
have been instructed not to participate. His movement skills are still apparent
on tape and he still should bulk up quickly in an NFL weight room, but he lost
his spot in the top 50 and then some.
3. Drew Sanders – LB
If I
had to put money on one linebacker going in the first round, it would be Drew
Sanders. The blitzing superstar is coveted for his pass rush skill set as a
former Alabama edge rusher. He admittedly only has one season as an off-ball
linebacker, but lacks a lot of fundamentals essential for success in the NFL.
He is a poor tackler through and through, and not strong in coverage either.
While enticing as a young prospect who will be 21 years old throughout his entire
rookie season, he will likely allow too many big plays over the middle early on
in his career to be worthy of an early pick.
4. Mazi Smith & Siaki Ika – NT
The
big boys did not make the cut out of consistency. They both have the upside to
become great players, but have too many bone-headed reps throughout their tape
to be considered too early in the draft. They are not too far outside of the
top 50, but did not quite make the cut.
5. Tyrique Stevenson &
Antonio Johnson – DB
Stevenson is simply too raw to go
inside the top 50. I would not even start him day one based on his tape, and
will not take a developmental corner inside the top 50 with so many other
talented corners in this draft class. He lacks anticipation in zone and is not
as effective mirroring in man as he should be. While his size and measurables
are intriguing, his skill at this point in time is not worthy of an early pick.
Johnson
is closer to the top 50, and mostly got bumped because other players played
their way ahead of him. He also is not as strong or explosive of an athlete as
anticipated, which lowered him well below Sydney Brown in my positional
rankings. With a worse athletic profile than expected and rather poor ball
skills at a lower priority position, Johnson just could not find his way back
inside the top 50.
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