That's the main thing. Strengths: Deep threat with extra gear, instant acceleration, explodes after the catch, tracks ball well, Weaknesses: Poor play-strength, will get beat up a bit, not adept at fighting for ball in traffic, marginal route-runner. As a redshirt junior at Nevada, the 6'1", 225-pound defender amassed a team-high 103 tackles and four interceptions. Interestingly, Smith spent last spring working as the Gamecocks' nickel before bumping back out to outside corner. Otherwise, the rest of Ojulari's skill set is up to snuff. Davante Adams is the game's premier route-runner, but he's not a burner. In a wide receiver class generally considered weak compared to recent years and full of undersized targets, Ole Miss' Jonathan Mingo is a unique option because of body type, skill set and overall athleticism. With their first pick of the 2023 NFL draft, the Los Angeles Rams selected the versatile blocker to start rebuilding a crumbling roster. The Browns are now far more than Amari Cooper in the passing game. Strengths: Great frame, flies to the football, excellent change-of-direction movement, Weaknesses: Slow reaction, lack of bulk hurts when taking on blocks, doesn't add much in pressure packages. Nonetheless, it's hard not to love the tape, where Vaughn routinely clowned good defenders with his quickness and toughness. Both tacklesLaremy Tunsil and Tytus Howardare former first-round picks, as is left guard Kenyon Green. Jones has unusual length and some interesting qualities as a player, but he remains a bit undeveloped in some respects and will need to flash in camp to rise above the practice squad. His top three wide receivers left. After Saint seemingly distracted her from the game, she grabbed his face and spoke to him up close Credit: Splash. That's what the defense wants. This past season, the 6'6", 253-pound target played in only two games because of a knee injury. You can't go wrong with a fade route or a post route.". Jones was a college corner who could be tried at safety at the next level. After being recruited as an athlete/wide receiver, Henley moved to defensive back, where he ultimately won the starting nickel spot, only to be asked by the coaching staff to move to linebacker. Tennessee's Jalin Hyatt emerged as the nation's best wide receiver and captured the Biletnikoff Award after his breakout campaign, in which the unanimous All-American led the SEC with 1,267 receiving yards and 15 touchdown grabs. Strengths: Gumby-like lower body with loose hips and ankles, instant acceleration off jump-cuts, big-play threat, fights for extra yards, Weaknesses: Lacks power, tough ACL injury during 2020 season. The team needs to make sure Josh Allen is properly protected, and Torrence immediately solidifies the interior. We felt like we could match up with anybody. TAMPA, Fla. (AP) The Tampa Bay Buccaneers placed an emphasis on the pass rush in this year's draft as they move deeper into the post-Tom Brady era. In some ways, it's overly simplified in its approach, hence why Hyatt isn't viewed as a complete target. Greg McElroy breaks down repercussions of quarterback Tyler Buchner transferring to Alabama. Even so, he still isn't considered an elite athlete at the position. In this case, they landed a top-three linebacker in this year's class after Simpson slid to a degree. Gregg Rosenthal identifies who's up and who's down after the conclusion of the 2023 NFL Draft. For the Carolina Panthers, Johnson gives the team's defense another option opposite Brian Brians, alongside Yetur Gross-Matos and Marquis Haynes Jr. He won't start anytime soon but could contribute down the road. As a result, the organization signed Jamaal Williams in free agency. A secondary coach can't teach his cornerbacks to be 6'3" with 34-inch arms, a 41.5-inch vertical and a 4.05-second short shuttle. Nobody tell Foskey that it's a big deal, though. I'm a good athlete. 2020 season Sort of a tight end in a receiver's body, Higgins moves pretty well for his size and could be a mismatch piece out of the slot. Illinois' Jartavius Martin didn't receive as much recognition as his teammate, Sydney Brown, but his game should translate well to the NFL. I've been a big Bell fans for a few years now and am surprised, even with his small frame, that he lasted so long. 122 Joe Gaines II, OG, UCLA Round 5: No. Jawaan Taylor signed in free agency to man the blind side, so Morris should compete with Lucas Niang to start at right tackle. He led the Razorbacks with 103 total tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. His 2022 average of 18.9 yards per reception led all receivers with 55 or more catches. Strengths: Outstanding first-step quickness and lateral agility, good pad level, actively tries to rip football away, consistent motor, Weaknesses: Lacks girth and length, will be pushed around by double-teams, overall inconsistency. Though he set a career high with 4.5 last season, the 6'4", 309-pound defender was mostly viewed as a pure nose tackle. He displays excellent first-step quickness, the bend to shorten the edge and the class' most varied pass-rushing repertoire. You can't find a much more stark comparison, style-wise, from the statuesque, 6-foot-6 McKee and the Eagles' franchise QB, Jalen Hurts. North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye discusses why he feels less pressure this season than he did last year. For Joey Porter Jr., the transition isn't exactly the same. According to Pro Football Focus, Tillman generated the second-highest passer rating among SEC targets on intermediate throws during that campaign. On top of his defined skill set, he clearly has the potential to be an every-down defensive tackle who doesn't need to be replaced in sub-packages, as long as his development continues. Schoonmaker is the team's choice to do so. That helped solidify him as one of the most skilled tight ends in this year's draft class. Ultimately, the talented cover corner still declared for the draft with a season of eligibility remaining. The Sporting News' latest NFL mock draft for 2022 spans a complete seven rounds, covering all 262 picks from projected No. His preference seems obvious. Porter's lengthhe's 6'2" with 34-inch arms and an 80-inch wingspanallows him to get his hands on wide receivers early in the route and control them. 2023 NFL Draft grades, by team Arizona Cardinals: A Round 1: No. Strengths: Extremely physical, advanced run blocker, point man at the line of scrimmage, identifies blitzes and line stunts, Weaknesses: Overextends at times, aiming points with hands, can be rocked by powerful nose tackles. The Pittsburgh Steelers are systematically going about their business by filling areas of need with excellent values. WR Marvin Harrison Jr. No. Tight ends are a quarterback's best friend, and multiple tight end sets can certainly help Love with protection. Team Round "I feel like I just can't be stopped," Mingo told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine. Notre Dame's Michael Mayer veers closer to Pitts than McBride but falls somewhere between those two points as the highest-rated tight end among this year's draft cycle. Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard worked phone lines, traded down twice in the second round, picked up an extra pair of Day 3 picks and still landed one of the top corners that were available when the team owned the 35th selection. NFL and the NFL shield design are registered trademarks of the National Football League.The team names, logos and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated. Brenton Strange wasn't as much of a threat in the passing game as his Penn State predecessors, Pat Freiermuth and Mike Gesicki. Being able to go out there and work at it, I feel like it enhances my game in the long run. But that expected level of play never fully materialized. If you can get past his small frame, Braswell is a surprisingly explosive athlete who made a number of plays on the ball last season for Greg Schiano's team. A changing NFL climate may explain the volume of Packers' Day 3 picks. The fifth-year senior sells and runs crisp routes to create separation, even against cornerbacks with better top-end speed. He's 6'5" and 337 pounds with long arms (35 inches). The first-team All-Big Ten performer is undersized at 6'3" and 245 pounds, but he posted elite athletic metrics across the board. He's an instant security blanket with fluidity in his route running to provide a reliable target and toughness to work the middle of the field. I want to do the same thing and just be better. He recorded 25 tackles, 10 assists, while adding 24 stops. The junior also forced 63 missed tackles. He's older (will turn 24 before the start of the 2023 campaign). Nichols lit up the MAC in 2021 with 1,848 rush yards but fell off precipitously last season, slowed by a toe injury. Levis' completion percentage, passing yardage and passing touchdowns all decreased. Tank Dell is the snappiest route-runner in this year's draft class. The 6'2", 288-pound defensive tackle walked on to the FCS-level Richmond Spiders roster. Strengths: Instinctive ballhawk, quick trigger, versatility, high energy, no problem filling against run, Weaknesses: Marginal athlete who lacks top-end speed, lacks explosive traits, overaggressive at times. RB Lew Nichols III, Central Michigan. Strengths: Powerful and violent run-blocker with strong hands, smart with understanding of line calls and defensive movement, anchors well, Weaknesses: Can improve angles to second level and in space; overaggressive at times, which causes him to fall off blocks. All teams employ both, though they're often more reliant on one more than the other. I don't take plays off. From Major Media Outlets to NFL Team Personnel. Orlando Brown Jr. and Andrew Wylie both departed in the offseason. Zacch Pickens' story throughout the predraft process is one of the incredible shrinking man. The Green Bay Packers are taking an interesting approach to this year's draft class. Approaching 1.8 Million in Cross Link Click Capabilities & Organization, the Draft Scout Database is a CPC and Search Engine Magnet for All things College Football Player Related Content Past, Present & Future! His approach has changed with the free-agent signing of Dalvin Tomlinson and Ika's selection. Just to have the opportunity because I was so close to not playing college football is big for me.". After years of the Packers seemingly avoiding the addition of multiple assets among the skill positions, the team already drafted a tight end and wide receiver to start Day 2 of their 2023 class. But Douglas wasn't deterred and landed Tippmann in the second round. Then, he can take a similar approach as Baron Browning by playing off the edge, though Sanders is a more accomplished edge-defender coming into the league. Despite the lack of film from this past year, intrigue surrounding him remains high because Musgrave is an outstanding athlete at the position and has the potential to be a dynamic passing-game weapon. Hooker suffered a torn ACL during a November contest against the South Carolina Gamecocks. The previous coaching staff recruited him as a tackle but abruptly shifted him over the ball prior to the 2021 campaign. "I would say how we work is different," Steen said, per Bama Online's Charlie Potter. His feisty, competitive style, big-play knack and nice quickness should have taken him off the board a few rounds ago. As the importance of holding the point of attack becomes a priority again thanks to greater usage of gap-blocking schemes, a big-bodied tackle in the middle of the defense can make a difference. The Iowa transfer improved each year, and he had a career-high four interceptions and eight defended passes last season. Strengths: Perfect build for nose tackle, nearly immovable, gets extension and sheds blocks, some pass-rush potential and awareness to knock passes down, Weaknesses: Not an explosive or nimble athlete, tends to stand up a big when he wears down, still developing a pass-rush plan. He must now step up as a true WR1 in his second campaign, whereas Reed can serve as a complementary open and stretch the field for quarterback Jordan Love. Day 3 of the 2023 NFL Draft is officially in the books. At best, Latu can be a solid backup for George Kittle. Strengths: Absolutely relentless, elite get-off, uses long arms well, sets the edge, Weaknesses: Stiff hips and subpar ankle flexion, plays high at times, tries to shoot backside instead of squeezing blocks. I let my presence be known. Good thing Young distributes the ball like a point guard on grass. But a player starting for Vanderbilt is significantly different from one who overtakes a plethora of highly recruited athletes at Alabama. Brents is an ideal fit in Gus Bradley's system. It's often said that a team can't have too many pass-rushers, and the Seahawks are testing that theory. Yet the organization traded up in the second round to acquire Mims. While the Falcons still aren't entirely settled at quarterbackswith hopes of Desmond Ridder emerging as the franchise's long-term solutionthere won't be an excuse for the sophomore signal-caller if he fails. The consensus FCS All-American started games at left and right tackle. You're going to feel me every single play. Because he's almost an unknown quantity relative to other highly regarded tight ends. The 24-year-old is a ready-made pivot who likely would have been in the first- or second-round conversation had he chosen to declare for the 2022 draft. His group needs numerous pass-rushers. Today's safeties need to do more than simply serving as a traditional free or strong defender. The 6'2", 235-pounder posted an elite relative athletic score with a 4.43-second 40-yard dash, 40.5-inch vertical and 4.24-second short shuttle. While his injury history (including foot surgery in 2021) knocked the corner slightly, Smith remains an extremely talented defensive back with the capability of playing in heavy man or zone schemes, plus the versatility to line up outside the numbers or over the slot. The team already traded for Shaq Mason this offseason. Leighton Vander Esch returned to the Dallas Cowboys again. The Northern Michigan product is a wild story, starting his college career as a hoops player at Michigan Tech, sitting out his first year at Northern Michigan and then losing the next year to COVID cancellations. While those hits didn't lead to quite as many sacksOjulari finished with 5.5he was a constant nuisance in opposing backfields. Despite a top-four pass defense last season, Washington understood it could still upgrade portions of the roster. You're the closest one and everything just happens sooner at the center spot. Typically, Mayer will be used in the slot or detached from the line of scrimmage. As such, Friday's Day 2 will be integral to how franchises build their draft classes. Check out some of Payton Thorne's highlights at Michigan State as he enters the transfer portal. Strengths: Outstanding ball skills, bigger target with vertical ability, creates after the catch, adds to run game as outside blocker, Weaknesses: One year of top-notch production, limited route tree, coming off season-ending injury. During the previous season, he led all returning defenders with 26 total third-down pressures (just ahead of Alabama's Will Anderson Jr.), per PFF. Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce are tall, linear athletes. That makes prospects like Miami cornerback Tyrique Stevenson more valuable thanks to his size (6'0", 209 lbs), length (32 5/8-inch arms) and man-coverage skills. However, the New York Giants needed help in their wide receiver corps, and Hyatt is a legitimate field-stretcher. According to Pro Football Focus' Mike Renner, the sixth-year senior registered 23 quarterback pressures during his final season on campus. Overall Rating: 65.7 / 100. Podcasts Home; NFL Pick Six . He's a throwback, an old-school kind of guy, somebody who truly, truly loves the game.". The Falcons certainly kept true to their . Brents added, "I also understand how to use my length to my advantage. Texas A&M's Devon Achane brings two elements that every offense wants: speed and big-play ability. A downhill, hard-hitting safety, Williamson tested well but doesn't always arrive at the ball on time. He's an experienced, gritty pivot who could enter a lineup soon. Quarterbacks feel his presence.". The Tennessee Titans didn't waste much time Friday to trade up for Levis' services, and they did the right thing. "You are with a bunch of big-time players," Schoonmaker said, per the San Francisco Gate's Jeff Jacobs. The 335-pound Siaki Ika is heading into the NFL at the right time. In 28 career games, the early entrant defended 27 passes and snagged four interceptions. The Packers selected Auburn kicker Anders Carlson, brother of Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson, with the No. However, Tristan da Silva could end up leaving for the NBA, as he entered his name and is testing out the waters. Strengths: Good anchor and fits, finishes blocks, interior flexibility. Peter Skoronski is the type of lineman the team needed to control the line of scrimmage. In only two seasons, he racked up 23.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks. Achane's smallish stature may be worrisome, but his performance in that role with the Aggies shows he's more than capable of being more than a change-of-pace back. Now, Benton is exactly the type of nose tackle the Steelers' vaunted defense has lacked for years. The post-pandemic salary cap and rising UDFA guarantees are the reason for Green Bay's pivot. He breaks defenders off at the stem and leaves them in the dust. Some of the bigger, more physical corners in this year's draft class are lacking with regard to their lateral movement, and Stevenson is no exception. Iowa's Riley Moss emerged as one of the nation's top cornerbacks during his collegiate career. According to The Athletic's Bruce Feldman, Dexter benched 425 pounds and squatted 655 pounds going into his final season on campus. Athletes like Florida's Gevon Dexter Sr. typically aren't found playing nose tackle. The Princeton track star and deep-ball threat profiles as a less-explosive version of Christian Watson. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. Offensive line positional designations are often blurred because interior blockers tend to cross-train. Todd McShay ranked 350 prospects in his final 2023 NFL draft rankings and broke down the top names at every position. The Los Angeles Rams desperately needed help on the edge after releasing Leonard Floyd. Poor angles and missed tackles can be a problem. First, the team added left tackle Broderick Jones to complete their offensive line after offseason additions of Isaac Seumalo and Nate Herbig. Tradeable picks in the Mock Draft Machine Access to exclusive Premium Events Exclusive premium content Ad-free site experience Access to TDN Expert Discord Entering the 2023 NFL draft, the general consensus floated somewhere between 15 to 20 legitimate first-round talents, while the depth and overall quality of the class could be found among the second tier of prospects. While every team craves speed, Turner's game extends beyond straight-line velocity. He still finished third on the team with 348 receiving yards. Aultman Logo. "I feel like I'm only scratching the surface," Washington told reporters at the NFL Scouting, Combine. . A front five of Jake Matthews, Bergeron, Drew Dalman, Chris Lindstrom and Kaleb McGary is an excellent group to serve as tone-setter for Atlanta's run-first approach. From that standpoint the pick is curious at best, but McKee does possess nice feel and touch as a passer and could be a Nick Foles type of backup. The 22-year-old can play all three receiver spots and double as a dynamic returner. 10h ago Cincinnati's Tre Tucker adds something the Las Vegas Raiders' wide receiver corps previously lacked: He's a legitimate vertical threat. The early entrant is also a good athlete with untapped upside, particularly if used to create after the catch. As a three-year starter in one of the nation's best conferences, Moss was a two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection and earned the Tatum-Woodson Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year award in 2021. Even so, he may find a home covering the slot in the NFL because of his quick feet and his ability to stick with receivers from the onset of their routes. This year's Senior Bowl shed a different light on Wisconsin's Keeanu Benton as a prospect. Strengths: Center/guard versatility, strong at point of attack and stout in pass protection, performs well in zone or gap schemes, Weaknesses: Marginal lateral agility and change-of-direction movement, pad level is sometimes questionable. USC's Mekhi Blackmon joins the position group after posting the second-highest grade among cornerbacks last season, according to Pro Football Focus. More FCS Prospects To Know in the 2023 NFL Draft Tristan Nichols' path to the NFL is in the homestretch. Cleveland secures another value pick here, albeit to a one-position prospect with a somewhat stubby frame. In three seasons with the Bulldogs, Washington caught 45 total passes for 774 yards and three touchdowns. Engram is far more effective as a detached option. After transferring to Knoxville, Hooker became the starter, completed 68.8 percent of his passes, threw for 6,080 yards and 58 touchdowns and added 1,046 rushing yards and 10 more scores over a two-year span. A team doesn't need to invest in an elite running prospect to garner a primary back. Stills uses his gap-shooting quickness to routinely crash the backfield and make plays. Walking in the footsteps of a successful parent can be extremely difficult. The two-time first-team All-SEC selection started three full seasons. Evans is a big-framed punter and kickoff specialist who dominated at the D-II level. All Combine and Draft-Related Analysis, News, Video, and Biographical Information for Lew Nichols III An accomplished kick blocker, rotational D-lineman and even occasional tight end, Matlock has overcome family tragedy to make it and will do what it takes to crack the Chargers' roster. His game is predicated on standing tall in the pocket, staring down pressure and delivering ropes. Those are eye-popping numbers for the local product. Baringer was clearly the best punter prospect this year and is experienced in poor weather. Determining the NFL Draft Order. However, the Texans chose Scruggs over Ohio State's Luke Wypler, who's still available. Nichols lit up the MAC in 2021 with 1,848 rush yards but fell off . Brents posted the fourth-best relative athletic score for a cornerback of the last 36 years, according to Pro Football Network's Kent Lee Platte. Naturally, the spotlight then turned to those blocking for him. Turner posted the fastest 40-yard-dash at this year's NFL Scouting Combine with a 4.26-second effort. Bergeron can certainly put a defender on skates when engaging as a run defender, though. He's not as fast as his testing times indicate and he could be better suited not playing outside on an island. The 2019 247Sports 5-star recruit's career never developed as such. NFL Draft News & Analysis. The Cleveland Browns drafted Gonzalez in the seventh round of the 2017 NFL draft. In the second round, the Lions snag LaPorta over Notre Dame's Michael Mayer and Georgia's Darnell Washingtonboth of whom are still on the board despite being projected as first-round options. Aside from Adam Thielen, the Panthers' weapons at wide receiver are sparse since the team included D.J. He's smaller but a quality athlete for his size. Author and journalist Frank Cooney previews the 2022 NFL Draft. "Getting a sack is just normal," the edge-defender told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine. Interestingly, the Detroit Lions' board is far different than the general consensus. According to Pro Football Focus, Moss had the highest career grade among this year's draft-eligible cornerbacks. In coverage Moss notched up 2 pass breakups, 2 interceptions, and a QB rating when targetted of 111.2. The Nevada Wolf Pack have a host of NFL prospects in this year's draft class. With the selection of Emmanuel Forbes in the first round, the team went against the consensus for someone the organization thinks best fits the system. The fifth-year senior, who will turn 25 in September, didn't experience a breakout campaign until his final season on campus. We viewed him as a top-150 prospect. All Nevada Draft prospects. He pieced together a solid but arguably underwhelming career considering expectations upon arrival. On Thursday, the Seahawks wanted to relive their Legion of Boom days by selecting Devon Witherspoon to pair with Tariq Woolen. Gardner-Johnson left in free agency, a starting safety spot is available. The day opened with the Buccaneers drafting Houston defensive . Moody is an excellent talent, but the position is finicky. Apr 29, 2023. The order in which they came off the board turned into a fascinating practice, with teams clearly higher on certain players than others. The defensive line convert took over right tackle before flipping to the blind side for the last three seasons. I've done that, and I'm only feeling better every single week.". But the Chiefs always make sure to replenish Patrick Mahomes' weapons, and they're not leaving themselves open to the possibility of Moore and Toney not improving to expected levels. "It's not just about getting a sack, getting a negative play.". Finally, Talanoa Hufanga's previous injury history can't be completely overlooked. Round 1, Pick 13: Lukas Van Ness, EDGE, Iowa. The Atlanta Falcons' offensive line is now complete. Wilson showed well at the Senior Bowl and then posted an excellent relative athletic score, particularly with the explosive metrics. So much so that Benton shouldn't be viewed as just an option over the center. Meanwhile, Turner has been often projected as a nickel corner, but his raw speed will likely keep him on the outside for now. With Trevor Lawrence lifting Jacksonville, Houston (C.J. Maybe Tristan Wirfs flips from right to left tackle, and Mauch takes over at one of the guard spots, as he could easily start at left guard. Versatile defenders are often referred to as positionless, but Daiyan Henley truly was to start his collegiate career. The Bills keep upgrading their OL depth. That's always been my mindset.". He'll certainly work as a deep threat or underneath option to create after the catch. Bears get QB Justin Fields assistance on draft's last day. The Kansas City Chiefs have wrapped up the 2022 NFL draft, selecting a total of 10 players, but the festivities are not quite over.