Search Results
556 results found with an empty search
- 2023 NFL Mock Draft 1.0 (No Trades), Team Needs, Pending Free Agents
Our first mock draft ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft will focus on the first round, and there will be no trades. I will add a quick analysis for every team that might suggest a trade could be possible based on available draft capital and team need. 2023 NFL Draft Overview Which QB Will Be Drafted First? The 2023 NFL Draft is one of the more anticipated QB drafts in the last three years after 2022 did not offer an elite-level instant impact player. In 2023, the question is which QB goes number one overall, Alabama's Bryce Young or Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud? As I wrote this at 4:54 am EST on 1/14, Stroud has not declared, so he could throw a wrench into the entire process. Is C.J. Stroud Worthy Of The Top Pick? First off, C.J. Stroud has elite-level accuracy. The question mark to start the 2022 season centered on his mobility. He is not an elite-level athlete, but he does have similar mobility to Joe Burrow in that he can move around and extend plays. We wanted to see Stroud doing more out of the structure of the offense while on the move to keep a play alive and make big-time throws down the field. He did it earlier in the 2022 season vs. Notre Dame, but against Michigan, that creativity disappeared. A month later, in the College Football Playoff vs. Georgia, the creativity we know he is capable of was at its peak. The Georgia game provided enough definitive evidence that Stroud is worthy of a top 5 pick. Is Will Levis For Real? The third player of note that will be an NFL Combine darling is Kentucky QB, WIll Levis. Levis is the third-rated QB on our board as of today, behind Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud. Levis is a guy to keep your eyes on in this draft. His athleticism and big arm give everyone Josh Allen vibes. What About Anthony Richardson? Richardson is a developmental talent who flashes all of the traits you want from the QB position combined with elite athleticism. Richardson could jump into the top 10 of the 2023 NFL Draft and will be an NFL Combine darling. The Twitter machine will buzz when Richardson launches 70-yard bombs vs. air. It will suit Richardson to land on a team with a bridge QB. He needs a year of development in the right offense. Many scouts will say the same about Will Levis, but the difference is that Levis played in back-to-back pro-style offenses at Kentucky. EDGE Rushers and Interior Players Will Be Plentiful The Edge rusher and IDL positions will be plentiful in the 2023 NFL Draft. Five of the top ten ranked players on the Football Scout 365 Big Board are either an Edge or an IDL. The Edge rushers are led by Alabama's Will Anderson Jr, while the IDL is led by our number one overall prospect Georgia's Jalen Carter. The WR Group Is Talented Many scouts are not optimistic about the 2023 WR class compared to the last three classes. But the group has some top-tier talent led by TCU's Quentin Johnston and USC's Jordan Addison. We might see at least 4, potentially 5 WR's drafted in the first round. Keep an eye on BC WR Zay Flowers, and the explosive Jalin Hyatt from Tennessee. Today, we know who the first 18 picks will be ahead of the NFL Playoffs. Chicago is on the clock! The 2023 NFL Draft RB Class could rival the 2017 NFL Draft RB Class. The depth of the 2023 RB class starts with Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs at the top. We have 9 RB's listed in our top 100. We had ten until Blake Corun decided to stay at Michigan in 2023. Non-Playoff Teams 1). Chicago Bears Select: Georgia IDL Jalen Carter Pending Free Agents: RB David Montgomery, C Sam Mustipher, WR N'Keal Harry, WR Dante Pettis Team Needs: Edge, DL, OL Draft Capital: 1, 56, 65, 103, 134, 136, 149, 221 Draft Capital RK: 4th Possible Picks: Trade The Pick, IDL Jalen Carter, ED Will Anderson, QB Bryce Young, QB C.J. Stroud Quick Analysis: The Bears landed in a prime position to trade back for more draft capital. The idea is to build around an ascending Justin Fields, or is it? 2). Houston Texans Select: Alabama QB Bryce Young Pending Free Agents: TE O.J. Howard, EDGE Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, DL Rasheem Green, TE Jordan Akins Team Needs: QB, OL, DL Draft Capital: 2, 12, 34, 66, 74, 104, 137, 188, 200, 205, 206, 240 Draft Capital RK: 1st Possible Picks: QB Bryce Young, QB C.J. Stroud, Trade Back, Trade For A Veteran QB? Quick Analysis: It is a no-brainer that the Texans will draft a QB, or is it? The Texans have the highest-rated draft capital in the 2023 NFL Draft. They could gain even more by moving back, and who knows, they could trade for David Carr's little brother. The Texans need help on the offensive line and IDL. WR is also a notable need. 3). Arizona Cardinals Select: Alabama Edge Will Anderson Jr. Pending Free Agents: EDGE J.J. Watt, WR A.J. Green, OT Kelvin Beachum, CB Byron Murphy, C Rodney Hudson Team Needs: OL, Edge, CB Draft Capital: 3, 35, 67, 97, 105, 169, 180, 215 Draft Capital RK: 5th Possible Picks: ED Will Anderson Jr, CB Christian Gonzalez, IDL Jalen Carter Quick Analysis: The Cardinals fill a massive void left by the retiring J.J. Watt and pending free agent Zach Allen who is 2nd on the team in total sacks with 5.5. They have needs on the OL and the defensive secondary. 4). Indianapolis Colts Select: Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud Pending Free Agents: EDGE Yannick Ngakoue, WR Parris Campbell, OG Matt Pryor, LB Bobby Okereke, E.J. Speed Team Needs: QB, OL, WR Draft Capital: 4, 36, 80, 106, 139, 207, 224, 239 Draft Capital RK: 9th Possible Picks: Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, Will Levis, Trade up Quick Analysis: The Colts are the popular trade-up candidate among the draft community. They could work something out with the Bears to get in a prime position to take their favorite QB in the draft, or they can stay here and hope they get the guy they want. 5). Seattle Seahawks (via DEN) Select: Kentucky QB Will Levis Pending Free Agents: QB Geno Smith, RB Rashaad Penny, DL Poona Ford, OG Phil Haynes, QB Drew Lock Team Needs: Edge, DL, QB Draft Capital: 5, 20, 38, 54, 85, 122, 152, 157, 198 Draft Capital RK: 2nd Possible Picks: QB Bryce Young, QB C.J. Stroud, Trade Back, Trade Up Quick Analysis: The Seahawks are in a prime position to sign Geno Smith as a bridge QB and draft their future QB. This is the perfect spot for Will Levis or Anthony Richardson. They could fill their IDL need with Clemson IDL Bryan Bresee or get the best available edge, Myles Murphy or Tyree Wilson. 6). Detroit Lions (via LAR) Select: Clemson Edge Myles Murphy Pending Free Agents: WR DJ Chark, RB Jamaal Williams, LB Alex Anzalone, OG Evan Brown, CB Mike Hughes Team Needs: DB, DL, LB Draft Capital: 6, 18, 49, 60, 82, 153, 183, 194 Draft Capital RK: 3rd Possible Picks: Edge Myles Murphy, IDL Bryan Bresee, Edge Tyree Wilson, CB Christian Gonzalez, QB Bryce Young, QB C.J. Stroud, Trade Back, Trade Up Quick Analysis: The Lions can go in a lot of different directions. If you asked anyone six months ago who they would draft in the top 10, the majority would say the best available QB. They are in the best position to go with the top CB or best available edge rusher, but if they are bold, they use Goff as a bridge to the future by drafting the best available QB. The logical pick at 6 is the best available CB, and get the best available edge at pick 18. 7). Las Vegas Raiders Select: Clemson IDL Bryan Bresee Pending Free Agents: RB Josh Jacobs, CB Rock Ya-Sin, LB Denzel Perryman, WR Mack Hollins, EDGE Clelin Ferrell Team Needs: QB, OL, Edge Draft Capital: 7, 39, 71, 109, 142, 145, 175, 203, 216, 223, 234 Draft Capital RK: 6th Possible Picks: QB Bryce Young, QB C.J. Stroud, QB Will Levis, QB Anthony Richardson, OT Peter Skoronski Trade Back, Trade Up Quick Analysis: The Raiders need a QB; they might land Tom Brady in free agency. If not, there is always Baker Mayfield. On a serious note, if C.J. Stroud or Bryce Young fall, it is a no-brainer. I do not like Levis or Richardson here without a bridge QB. Could they trade up, or will they stick with Jarett Stidham and tank for Caleb? If they don't go QB here, they should go best available Edge, IDL or OL. 8). Atlanta Falcons Select: Texas Tech Edge Tyree Wilson Pending Free Agents: OT Kaleb McGary, WR Olamide Zaccheaus, EDGE Lorenzo Carter, LB Rashaan Evans Team Needs: Edge, QB, WR Draft Capital: 8, 45, 76, 110, 113, 155, 227, 250 Draft Capital RK: 11th Possible Picks: IDL Bryan Bresee, Edge Tyree Wilson, Edge Myles Murphy, OT Peter Skoronski, OT Paris Johnson Jr, OT Broderick Jones, QB Will Levis, QB C.J. Stroud, QB Bryce Young, QB Anthony Richarson Quick Analysis: The consensus on many mock drafts is that the Falcons should target a pass rusher since they ranked 2nd to last in pass run win rate in 2022. If a QB like Anthony Richardson or Will Levis falls into their lap, they should swing for the fences until they get it right. Desmond Ridder does not look like the future, so unless the Falcons are hoping to get a big win in free agency, why not try to use Ridder as a bridge to the future? If QB is not available, you go best available pass rusher. 9). Carolina Panthers Select: Florida QB Anthony Richardson Pending Free Agents: QB Sam Darnold, DL Matthew Ioannidis, C Bradley Bozeman, LB Cory Littleton Team Needs: QB, CB, TE Draft Capital: 9, 40, 61, 93, 114, 131, 146 Draft Capital RK: 8th Possible Picks: QB Will Levis, QB C.J. Stroud, QB Bryce Young, QB Anthony Richarson, CB Christian Gonzalez, CB Kelee Ringo, CB Cam Smith Quick Analysis: Many mock drafts show the Panthers going with Florida QB Anthony Richardson and I cannot help but point to the fact that Carolina had a shot to Draft Justin Fields a few years back and passed on Fields because they had Sam Darnold. They need to consider selling the farm to get into the top 3. If they do not find a way to trade into position to draft C.J. Stroud, Bryce Young, or Will Levis, maybe Richardson falls into their lap. They can go with a CB to complement Jaycee Horn if they miss on QB. 10). Philadelphia Eagles (via NO) Select: Oregon CB Christian Gonzalez Pending Free Agents: DL Javon Hargrave, CB James Bradberry, RB Miles Sanders, C Jason Kelce, DL Fletcher Cox Team Needs: DB, Edge, DL Draft Capital: 10, 32, 64, 96, 222, 252 Draft Capital RK: 15th Possible Picks: CB Kelee Ringo, CB Cam Smith, Christian Gonzalez, S Brian Branch, IDL Brian Bresee, Edge Tyree Wilson Quick Analysis: The Eagles will lose defenders to free agency ahead of the 2023 season. They have big holes on the interior defensive line and at DB. Drafting the best available DB at ten overall is the right move considering Slay and Bradberry are aging quickly, and Bradberry is a pending free agent. They can also draft the best available IDL in this spot. 11). Tennessee Titans Select: Northwestern OT Peter Skoronski Pending Free Agents: TE Austin Hooper, OG Nate Davis, TE Geoff Swaim, LB David Long, DL Teair Tart Team Needs: OL, WR, TE Draft Capital: 11, 42, 73, 148, 186, 231 Draft Capital RK: 21st Possible Picks: OT Paris Johnson Jr., OT Peter Skoronski, OT Broderick Jones, O'Cyrus Torrence, OT Dawand Jones, WR Quentin Johnston, WR Jordan Addison, TE Michael Mayer Quick Analysis: The Titans must continue rebuilding their offensive line ahead of 2023. They appear to have their RT of the future in Nicholas Petit-Frere. With the future of LT Taylor Lewan in question, the Titans can draft the best available OT in this spot. If Skoronski falls this far (big if), you get a guy with positional versatility that you can flip inside if Lewan returns. 12). Houston Texans (via CLE) Select: TCU WR Quentin Johnston Pending Free Agents: TE O.J. Howard, EDGE Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, DL Rasheem Green, TE Jordan Akins Team Needs: QB, OL, DL Draft Capital: 2, 12, 34, 66, 74, 104, 137, 188, 200, 205, 206, 240 Draft Capital RK: 1st Possible Picks: WR Quentin Johnston, WR Jordan Addison, Edge Tyree Wilson, OT Bryan Bresee, OT Paris Johnson Jr., OT Broderick Jones Quick Analysis: After mocking a QB at number two overall, the Texans need to consider a potential elite number one WR with Instant Impact Potential. We have two ranked in our top 15, Quentin Johnston and Jordan Addison. Johnston feels like the perfect fit if he falls to them. Johnston feels like a faster version of Nuk Hopkins. At 6-4 215 lbs, Johnston is what you want in a WR to help a young NFL QB. If they shy away from WR here, they can fill needs on their OL and DL in this spot with high-quality players who can make an immediate impact. 13). New York Jets Select: OT Paris Johnson Jr. Pending Free Agents: RB James Robinson, C Connor McGovern, QB Joe Flacco, DL Sheldon Rankins, OT George Fant Team Needs: OL, S, QB Draft Capital: 13, 44, 75, 112, 144, 179 Draft Capital RK: 19th Possible Picks: T Paris Johnson Jr., OT Peter Skoronski, OT Broderick Jones, O'Cyrus Torrence, OT Dawand Jones, S Brian Branch, S Christopher Smith Quick Analysis: The Jets need to figure out the QB position in the offseason. They should target OL in this spot. Center Connor McGovern will be a free agent, and it seems unlikely that the OT trio of Duane Brown, George Fant, and Mekhi Becton will all return in 2023. 14). New England Patriots Select: Georgia OT Broderick Jones Pending Free Agents: OT Isaiah Wynn, RB Damien Harris, CB Myles Bryant, CB Jonathan Jones, WR Jakobi Meyers Team Needs: OT, WR, DB Draft Capital: 14, 47, 77, 107, 117, 135, 184, 187, 192, 210, 259 Draft Capital RK: 7th Possible Picks: WR Quentin Johnston, WR Jordan Addison, S Brian Branch, OT Paris Johnson Jr., OT O'Cyrus Torrence, OT Broderick Jones Quick Analysis: The Patriots need to draft a WR, and if Jordan Addison is available, Bill will find a way to pass on him for the best available DB or OL, and then he will shock the world and draft Stetson Bennett with pick 47. On a serious note, we choose Georgia OT Broderick Jones as a potential Isaiah Wynn replacement at RT. 15). Green Bay Packers Select: USC WR Jordan Addison Pending Free Agents: WR Allen Lazard, TE Robert Tonyan Jr., OT Elgton Jenkins, S Adrian Amos, DL Dean Lowry Team Needs: S, TE, Edge Draft Capital: 15, 46, 79, 116, 150, 171, 220, 235, 238, 241 Draft Capital RK: 12th Possible Picks: WR Quentin Johnston, WR Jordan Addison, Michael Mayer, S Brian Branch, OT Paris Johnson Jr., OT O'Cyrus Torrence, OT Broderick Jones, S Christopher Smith Quick Analysis: If I am the Packers, with or without Aaron Rodgers, I need to add more talent at WR and potentially replace Elgton Jenkins. If Jordan Addison is available, it is a no-brainer in this spot. Pair Addison with Christan Watson and Romeo Doubs. If Aaron Rodgers moves on, you at least do your best to surround Love with as much firepower as possible. Another option is TE, and if Michael Mayer is available, why not? 16). Washington Commanders Select: Florida IOL O'Cyrus Torrence Pending Free Agents: DL Daron Payne, QB Taylor Heinicke, OG Wes Schweitzer, LB Cole Holcomb, OG Trai Turner Team Needs: QB, CB, OL Draft Capital: 16, 48, 98, 118, 151, 193, 217, 236 Draft Capital RK: 17th Possible Picks: IDL Bryan Bresee, IOL O'Cyrus Torrence, CB Joey Porter Jr. Quick Analysis: The Commanders finished the 2022 season with one top 80 CB, according to PFF. With Daron Payne potentially leaving in free agency, the Commanders appear poised to take the best defensive line value in this position. They can also draft the best available IOL, which is another need. 17). Pittsburgh Steelers Select: Georgia CB Kelee Ringo Pending Free Agents: DL Larry Ogunjobi, LB Devin Bush, DL Chris Wormley, CB Cam Sutton, QB Mason Rudolph Team Needs: OL, CB, DL Draft Capital: 17, 33, 50, 81, 120, 237 Draft Capital RK: 14th Possible Picks: CB Joey Porter Jr., IDL Bryan Bresee, IOL O'Cyrus Torrence, OT Anton Harrison, CB Devon Witherspoon Quick Analysis: The Steelers should try to improve the offensive line here or go with the best available DB. 18). Detroit Lions Select: South Carolina CB Cam Smith Pending Free Agents: WR DJ Chark, RB Jamaal Williams, LB Alex Anzalone, OG Evan Brown, CB Mike Hughes Team Needs: DB, DL, LB Draft Capital: 6, 18, 49, 60, 82, 153, 183, 194 Draft Capital RK: 3rd Possible Picks: Edge Tyree Wilson, Edge Nolan Smith, LB Trenton Simpson, CB Joey Porter Jr., IDL Bryan Bresee, IOL O'Cyrus Torrence, OT Anton Harrison, CB Devon Witherspoon, S/NB Brian Branch Quick Analysis: The big question is, do you go CB or grab an Edge rushing LB like Nolan Smith to place opposite Aidan Hutchinson? Or do you target a high motor versatile edge rusher like Tyree Wilson if he falls? They can go off-ball inside LB in this spot, but I'd skip off-ball LB in round one and snag one in round two or later. Playoff Teams PL). Tampa Bay Buccaneers Select: Georgia Edge/LB Nolan Smith Pending Free Agents: QB Tom Brady, LB Lavonte David, DL Akiem Hicks, WR Julio Jones, CB Sean Bunting, S Mike Edwards Team Needs: QB, DB, OL Draft Capital: 19, 51, 83, 154, 176, 181, 196, 233, 254 Draft Capital RK: 20th Possible Picks: Edge Nolan Smith, CB Kelee Ringo, CB Joey Porter Jr., IOL O'Cyrus Torrence, OT Anton Harrison, IOL Cooper Beebe Quick Analysis: Whoever is under center in 2023 will need to be better protected than Brady was in 2022. Drafting an OL here makes sense, but you must start rebuilding the defense. PL). Seattle Seahawks Select: USC Edge Tuli Tuipulotu Pending Free Agents: QB Geno Smith, RB Rashaad Penny, DL Poona Ford, OG Phil Haynes, QB Drew Lock Team Needs: Edge, DL, QB Draft Capital: 5, 20, 38, 54, 85, 122, 152, 157, 198 Draft Capital RK: 2nd Possible Picks: RB Bijan Robinson, WR Zay Jones, WR Jalin Hyatt, Edge Nolan Smith, Edge Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Edge Isaiah Foskey, Edge Tuli Tuipulotu, TE Michael Mayer Quick Analysis: The Seahawks are in a prime position to sign Geno Smith as a bridge QB and draft their future QB. This is the perfect spot for Will Levis or Anthony Richardson. They could fill their IDL need with Clemson IDL Bryan Bresee or get the best available edge, Myles Murphy or Tyree Wilson. PL). Baltimore Ravens Select: Tennessee WR Jalin Hyatt Pending Free Agents: LB Roquan Smith, CB Marcus Peters, QB Lamar Jackson, OT Ja'Wuan James, CB Kyle Fuller Team Needs: CB, WR, Edge Draft Capital: 24, 88, 126, 159, 201 Draft Capital RK: 30th Possible Picks: RB Bijan Robinson, OT Anton Harrison, OT Dawand Jones, WR Zay Jones, WR Jalin Hyatt Edge Nolan Smith, Edge Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Edge Isaiah Foskey, Edge Tuli Tuipulotu, TE Michael Mayer, Darnell Washington Quick Analysis: If the Ravens can retain Lamar Jackson, they need to add deep speed to the WR position to lineup opposite Rashod Bateman. With or without Lamar, the Ravens need to add legit weapons at WR, or this offense will remain stale. PL). Miami Dolphins Select: Forfeited Pending Free Agents: TE Mike Gesicki, QB Teddy Bridgewater, RB Raheem Mostert, RB Jeff Wilson, EDGE Trey Flowers Team Needs: OL, CB, TE Draft Capital: 53, 78, 84, 178, 242 Draft Capital RK: 32nd PL). New York Giants Select: Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba Pending Free Agents: QB Daniel Jones, RB Saquon Barkley, DL Dalvin Tomlinson, WR Sterling Shepard, WR Darius Slayton Team Needs: WR, IOL, DB Draft Capital: 23, 55, 87, 125, 158, 173, 208, 243, 244, 256 Draft Capital RK: 16th Possible Picks: RB Bijan Robinson, IOL Andrew Vorhees, IOL John Michael Schmitz IOL Cooper Beebe, WR Zay Jones, WR Jalin Hyatt, TE Michael Mayer, WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR Kayshon Boutte Quick Analysis: The Giant's offense needs a go-to WR ahead of the 2023 season to help Daniel Jones. If they do not sign Barkley to a second contract, they could land Bijan Robinson or Jahmyr Gibbs. PL). Jacksonville Jaguars Select: LSU WR Kayshon Boutte Pending Free Agents: TE Evan Engram, OT Jawaan Taylor, EDGE Arden Key, EDGE Dawuane Smoot, CB Tre Herndon Team Needs: DL, OT, CB Draft Capital: 21, 52, 86, 121, 123, 185, 199, 209, 229 Draft Capital RK: 13th Possible Picks: RB Bijan Robinson, OT Anton Harrison, OT Dawand Jones, WR Zay Jones, WR Jalin Hyatt, TE Michael Mayer, LB Trenton Simpson, LB Noah Sewell, LB Drew Sanders, WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR Kayshon Boutte, IDL Quick Analysis: The Jaguars need to build around their franchise QB. Going with the best available WR is a great start. PL). Los Angeles Chargers Select: Clemson LB Trenton Simpson Pending Free Agents: DL Jerry Tillery, S Nasir Adderley, RB Sony Michel, LB Drue Tranquill, TE Donald Parham Team Needs: DB, OL, WR Draft Capital: 25, 57, 89, 127, 160, 202, 245 Draft Capital RK: 23rd Possible Picks: RB Bijan Robinson, OT Anton Harrison, OT Dawand Jones, WR Zay Jones, WR Jalin Hyatt, TE Michael Mayer, LB Trenton Simpson, LB Noah Sewell, LB Drew Sanders, WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR Kayshon Boutte, S Antonio Johnson, S Christopher Smith, S Brian Branch Quick Analysis: The Chargers can go with a WR here, but it might be better to continue building the OL. They also need help at LB, and with the potential that Drue Tranquill could move on, they can go with a top LB in the draft. PL). Dallas Cowboys Select: Oklahoma OT Anton Harrison Pending Free Agents: TE Dalton Schultz, RB Tony Pollard, OT Terence Steele, WR Noah Brown, LB Leighton Vander Esch Team Needs: DB, WR, OL Draft Capital: 26, 58, 90, 128, 161, 170, 177, 213, 246 Draft Capital RK: 18th Possible Picks: RB Bijan Robinson, OT Anton Harrison, OT Dawand Jones, WR Zay Jones, WR Jalin Hyatt, TE Michael Mayer, LB Trenton Simpson, LB Noah Sewell, LB Drew Sanders, WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR Kayshon Boutte Quick Analysis: The Cowboys might have to replace Dalton Schultz and Tony Pollard. The OL could use some youth, and an upgrade at LB might be in the cards. PL). Cincinnati Bengals Select: Alabama S/NB Brian Branch Pending Free Agents: S Jessie Bates III, TE Hayden Hurst, CB Eli Apple, S Vonn Bell, RB Samaje Perine Team Needs: DB, OT, TE Draft Capital: 27, 59, 91, 129, 162, 204, 247 Draft Capital RK: 24th Possible Picks: RB Bijan Robinson, OT Anton Harrison, OT Dawand Jones, TE Michael Mayer, TE Darnell Washington, TE Dalton Kincaid, LB Trenton Simpson, LB Noah Sewell, LB Drew Sanders, S Antonio Johnson, S Christopher Smith, S Brian Branch Quick Analysis: The Jesse Bates pending free agency might leave a huge hole in the Bengal's defense. They will be in a good spot to find his replacement in the late first round if necessary. PL). Minnesota Vikings Select: Penn State CB Joey Porter Jr. Pending Free Agents: TE Irv Smith Jr., RB Alexander Mattison, CB Patrick Peterson, C Garrett Bradbury, WR Olabisi Johnson Team Needs: DB, DL, WR Draft Capital: 28, 92, 119, 163, 211, 214 Draft Capital RK: 29th Possible Picks: CB Joey Porter Jr., RB Bijan Robinson, TE Michael Mayer, TE Darnell Washington, TE Dalton Kincaid, CB Emmanuel Forbes, CB Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson Quick Analysis: With needs on the OL, the secondary, and at WR, you must go with the best available at a position of need. PL). Denver Broncos (from SF, via MIA) Select: Texas RB Bijan Robinson Pending Free Agents: RB Melvin Gordon, OG Dalton Risner, OT Cameron Fleming, S Kareem Jackson, DL Dre'Mont Jones Team Needs: OL, WR, DL Draft Capital: 29, 68, 69, 108, 140, 195, 248 Draft Capital RK: 22nd Possible Picks: RB Bijan Robinson, IOL Andrew Vorhees, IOL John Michael Schmitz IOL Cooper Beebe, WR Zay Jones, WR Jalin Hyatt, TE Michael Mayer, LB Trenton Simpson, LB Noah Sewell, LB Drew Sanders, WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR Kayshon Boutte, S Antonio Johnson, S Christopher Smith, S Brian Branch Quick Analysis: The Broncos have a lot of needs, but finding a replacement for Melvin Gordon and the possibility for an elite one-two punch at RB might be too good to pass up. PL). Buffalo Bills Select: USC IOL Andrew Voorhees Pending Free Agents: S Jordan Poyer, LB Tremaine Edmunds, QB Case Keenum, C Mitch Morse, OG Rodger Saffold Team Needs: OL, WR, LB Draft Capital: 30, 62, 94, 132, 138, 165 Draft Capital RK: 25th Possible Picks: RB Bijan Robinson, IOL Andrew Vorhees, IOL John Michael Schmitz, IOL Cooper Beebe, WR Zay Jones, WR Jalin Hyatt, TE Michael Mayer, LB Trenton Simpson, LB Noah Sewell, LB Drew Sanders, WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR Kayshon Boutte Quick Analysis: The Bills can go best available or rebuild their IOL. They have needs at WR and LB that need to be addressed. PL). Kansas City Chiefs Select: Notre Dame TE Michael Mayer Pending Free Agents: OT Orlando Brown Jr., WR Mecole Hardman, WR Juju Smith-Schuster, S Juan Thornhill Team Needs: OT, Edge, DB Draft Capital: 31, 63, 95, 101, 124, 133, 166, 197, 218, 228, 251, 253, 258 Draft Capital RK: 10th Possible Picks: RB Bijan Robinson, OT Anton Harrison, OT Dawand Jones , WR Zay Jones, WR Jalin Hyatt, TE Michael Mayer, LB Trenton Simpson, LB Noah Sewell, LB Drew Sanders, WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR Kayshon Boutte, S Antonio Johnson, S Christopher Smith, S Brian Branch Quick Analysis: The Chiefs could be in the market to find a replacement for an aging Travis Kelce. They also have needs at safety pending the Juan Thornhill free agency. They could also go after the best available OT. PL). Philadelphia Eagles Select: Baylor IDL Siaki Ika Pending Free Agents: DL Javon Hargrave, CB James Bradberry, RB Miles Sanders, C Jason Kelce, DL Fletcher Cox Team Needs: DB, Edge, DL Draft Capital: 10, 32, 64, 96, 222, 252 Draft Capital RK: 15th Possible Picks: RB Bijan Robinson, Edge Nolan Smith, Edge Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Edge Isaiah Foskey, Edge Tuli Tuipulotu, TE Michael Mayer, CB Jaylon Jones, CB Clark Phillips, RB Jahmyr Gibbs, IDL Mazi Smith, IDL Gervon Dexter Quick Analysis: The Eagles will lose defenders to free agency ahead of the 2023 season. They have big holes on the interior defensive line and at DB. Drafting the best available DB at ten overall is the right move considering Slay and Bradberry are aging quickly, and Bradberry is a pending free agent. They can also draft the best available IDL in this spot. Teams Without A 2023 First-Round Pick 37). Los Angeles Rams Pending Free Agents: S Taylor Rapp, DL A'Shawn Robinson, CB Troy Hill, RB Darrell Henderson, DL Greg Gaines Team Needs: Edge, OL, DB Draft Capital: 37, 70, 168, 172, 182, 189, 191, 212, 226, 255 Draft Capital RK: 27th 41). New Orleans Saints Pending Free Agents: DL David Onyemata, EDGE Marcus Davenport, WR Jarvis Landry, RB Mark Ingram, QB Andy Dalton Team Needs: QB, DL, IOL Draft Capital: 41, 72, 115, 147, 167, 230, 260 Draft Capital RK: 28th 43). Cleveland Browns Pending Free Agents: OT Jack Conklin, RB Kareem Hunt, EDGE Jadeveon Clowney, LB Deion Jones, QB Jacoby Brissett Team Needs: DT, WR, TE Draft Capital: 43, 99, 111, 130, 141, 143, 190, 232 Draft Capital RK: 26th 53). Miami Dolphins Pending Free Agents: TE Mike Gesicki, QB Teddy Bridgewater, RB Raheem Mostert, RB Jeff Wilson, EDGE Trey Flowers Team Needs: OL, CB, TE Draft Capital: 53, 78, 84, 178, 242 Draft Capital RK: 32nd 100). San Francisco 49ers Pending Free Agents: QB Jimmy Garoppolo, OT Mike McGlinchey, CB Emmanuel Moseley, EDGE Charles Omenihu Team Needs: OL, DL, DB Draft Capital: 100, 102, 156, 164, 174, 219, 225, 249, 257 Draft Capital RK: 31st
- The 2022 NFL Offseason All in One Place
All of the Football Scout 365 NFL offseason content is in one place. Below, you will find all of our offseason NFL analyses covering various topics from the free agency, the NFL Draft, fantasy football, and more. Post-NFL Draft Content 2022 NFL Draft Composite Grades For All 32 NFL Teams Introducing the Football Scout 365 NFL Draft composite grade. We combined five of the industry's top NFL Draft sites, including ESPN/Mel Kiper, PFF, the Ringer/Chad Kelly, CBS/Chad Prisco, and NFL.com, to develop a consensus final grade for this year's NFL Draft. Click Here Offseason Fantasy Football Analysis Fantasy QB Rankings, Will Russ Cook In Denver? Trevor Lawrence Year Two Leap, and More Click Here Can Christian McCaffrey and Saquon Barkley Bounce Back? 2022 NFL RB Projections. Click Here Ranking The Top 2022 NFL WR's, Are The Chiefs and Packers Playing Moneyball At WR? Click Here Offseason NFL Analysis Storylines And Narratives To Watch Ahead Of The Start Of 2022 NFL Training Camp Click Here 2017 NFL Draft RB Class Remains The Best Of The Last Decade Led by Alvin Kamara, Christian McCaffrey Click Here NFL Podcast: Top 10 NFL QB Debate, We Debate ESPN's Current Top Ten QB Rankings Click Here Top 10 2022 NFL WR's Debate, Ja'Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, Davante Adams, And More Click Here
- The Offensive All-2023 NFL Draft Team Features Bryce Young, Bijan Robinson, and Quentin Johnston
The 2022 college football season has concluded, and it is now that time of the year when everyone drops their All-American team lists. Since we are a scouting and NFL Draft-focused entity, I am presenting the first annual Football Scout 365 All-NFL Draft team. The all-NFL Draft team will consist of 2023 NFL Draft-eligible players from both the offensive and defensive sides of the football. Every 2023 All-NFL Draft first-team prospect will be a player we graded as an Instant Impact Player. What is an Instant Impact Player? An Instant Impact Player grade indicates a prospect's projected ceiling once the NFL player has entered the NFL and has become an established commodity. The standard is to give a player a two to three-year window to reach their ceiling; some will achieve it much quicker, and some will show signs of their ceiling in years one and two before taking full flight. Instant Impact Player Examples Some examples are Josh Allen, who took a few years to develop with the Buffalo Bills. We had Allen as a Developmental prospect entering the NFL with an Instant Impact Ceiling. Tua Tagovailoa is another example in 2022 with the Dolphins. Tua finally hit his stride after we graded him equally to Joe Burrow before the 2020 NFL Draft. Tua was on his way to becoming a bust, but after being paired with the right coach and elite WR's, Tua is achieving his expected pre-draft potential. You can learn more about our player grades and the metrics used to measure each prospect we grade. Click here to learn more. 2023 All-NFL Draft Team Offense The Quarterbacks (QB1) Bryce Young, QB Alabama (Top 10 Projection) Big Board Final Analysis Bryce Young is a solid athlete with a better-than-average arm. He wins with his decision-making and his ability to work through his progressions. Based on our assumptions that Bryce Young will likely declare for the 2023 NFL Draft after one more year of seasoning, he already has shown enough on his tape to have been considered the top QB in this past draft ahead of Kenny Pickett, Malik Willis, and Desmond Ridder. (QB2) C.J. Stroud, QB Ohio State (Top 10 Projection) (QB3) Will Levis, QB Kentucky (Top 15 Projection) The Running Backs (RB1) Bijan Robinson, RB Texas (Top 20 Projection) If our bar at the college level is Saquon Barkley, Bijan checks many of the same boxes as Barkley. Bijan is less fluid an athlete than Barkley, but he can make a defender miss in a small area or run behind his pads to turn a small gain into an explosive play (arm tacklers need not apply). Bijan is a do-it-all back who excels as a pass catcher in and out of the backfield. (RB2) Blake Corum, RB Michigan (2nd-5th Round Projection) (RB3) Zach Charbonnet, RB UCLA (2nd-5th Round Projection) The Wide Receivers (WR1) Quentin Johnston, WR TCU (Top 15 Projection) At 6-4 212lbs, Johnston is a unique prospect compared to the other top WR's we have evaluated. Johnston is a lengthy player who has natural outside X WR ability. Johnston combines his length with speed and quick twitch ability that he uses to stack defenders over the top for explosive gains. He is not just a deep field threat; he can attack a defense at all three levels, defeating coverage with his elite-level short area quickness. (WR2) Jordan Addison, WR USC (Top 20 Projection) (WR3) Jalin Hyatt, WR Tennessee (Pick 20-32 Projection) (WR4) Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR Ohio State (Top 20-32 Projection) The Tight Ends (TE1) Michael Mayer, TE Notre Dame (Top 20 Projection) (TE2) Dalton Kincaid, TE Utah (2nd-4th Round Projection) The Offensive Line (OT1) Peter Skoronski, OT Northwestern (Top 15 Projection) His quickness is what stands out. He gets into his pass sets fast. He did struggle to match speed and length with Michigan Edge David Ojabo in 2021. Length is a concern for Skoronski and might affect his draft stock if NFL teams consider him an IOL instead of an OT prospect. So far in 2022, he is the highest-graded OT in pass protection and the third-highest OT overall, according to PFF, through 7 weeks. (OT2) Broderick Jones, OT Georgia (Top 20 Projection) (IOL1) O'Cyrus Torrence, OG Florida (Late 1st, Early 2nd Projection) (IOL2) Cooper Beebe, OG Kansas State (Early 2nd Projection) (OC1) Olusegun Oluwatimi, OC Michigan (Late 1st, early 2nd Projection)
- The Defensive All-2023 NFL Draft Team Features Jalen Carter, Will Anderson, and Bryan Bresee
The 2022 college football season has concluded, and it is now that time of the year when everyone drops their All-American team lists. Since we are a scouting and NFL Draft-focused entity, I am presenting the first annual Football Scout 365 All-NFL Draft team. Click here to check out the All Offensive 2023 NFL Draft Team The all-NFL Draft team will consist of 2023 NFL Draft-eligible players from both the offensive and defensive sides of the football. Every 2023 All-NFL Draft first-team prospect will be a player we graded as an Instant Impact Player. What is an Instant Impact Player? An Instant Impact Player grade indicates a prospect's projected ceiling once the NFL player has entered the NFL and has become an established commodity. The standard is to give a player a two to three-year window to reach their ceiling; some will achieve it much quicker, and some will show signs of their ceiling in years one and two before taking full flight. Instant Impact Player Examples Some examples are Josh Allen, who took a few years to develop with the Buffalo Bills. We had Allen as a Developmental prospect entering the NFL with an Instant Impact Ceiling. Tua Tagovailoa is another example in 2022 with the Dolphins. Tua finally hit his stride after we graded him equally to Joe Burrow before the 2020 NFL Draft. Tua was on his way to becoming a bust, but after being paired with the right coach and elite WR's, Tua is achieving his expected pre-draft potential. You can learn more about our player grades and the metrics used to measure each prospect we grade. Click here to learn more. 2023 All-NFL Draft Team Defense Edge Rushers (ED1) Will Anderson, Edge Alabama (Top 10 Projection) Anderson is an explosive edge player that combines size, speed, and power to win off the edge. Anderson can play standing up or with his hand in the dirt. He provides three-down versatility as a pass rusher and a run defender. Anderson does not get a lot of pass coverage reps; this is an area he can improve in with more opportunities. Anderson has the athleticism to be a decent pass defender when needed. (ED2) Myles Murphy, Edge Clemson (Top 10 Projection) (ED3) Nolan Smith, Edge Georgia (Top 10 Projection) Interior Defensive Lineman (IDL1) Jalen Carter, IDL Georgia (Top 10 Projection) Carter is a disruptive physical force. Carter combines a quick first step and feet like a running back to shoot into gaps. At 6-3 310lbs, Carter is a densely proportioned twitchy player with quick hips and elite lateral ability. Carter wins with strength from his dense lower half, his elite positional athleticism, and quick hands. Carter will need to improve his ability to handle and move off of double teams at the next level. (IDL2) Bryan Bresee, IDL Clemson (Top 10 Projection) (IDL3) Gervon Dexter, IDL Florida (Late 1st-Early 2nd Projection) Off Ball Linebackers (LB1) Trenton Simpson, LB Clemson (Late 1st-Early to Mid 2nd Projection) (LB2) Noah Sewell, LB Oregon (2nd-3rd Round Projection) (LB3) Drew Sanders, LB Arkansas (2nd-4th Round Projection) Cornerbacks (CB1) Kelee Ringo, CB Georgia (Top 20 Projection) Ringo is another Georgia Bulldog with top-ten NFL Draft potential. Ringo is a lengthy press man corner at 6-2 205lbs; he plays aggressively. Ringo uses his strength and long arms to attack the catch point with good body control muscling the football away from the receiver. The former 10.43sec 100M track star can run with the fastest receivers on the field. In addition, he possesses the twitchiness and fluidity needed to play at a high level in the NFL. (CB2) Cam Smith, CB South Carolina (Top 20 Projection) (CB3) Joey Porter Jr., CB Penn State (Mid to Late 1st-Early 2nd Projection) Safeties (S1) Antonio Johnson, S Texas A&M (Late 1st-Early to Mid 2nd Projection) (S2) Brian Branch, S Alabama (Early to Mid 2nd-3rd Round Projection) (S3) Jordan Battle, S Alabama (2nd-4th Round Projection)
- December 2023 NFL Draft Top 50 Big Board Player Rankings, UGA IDL Jalen Carter Takes The Top Spot
The December edition of our 2023 NFL Draft player rankings features Georgia IDL Jalen Carter and Alabama Edge Will Anderson at the top. In recent editions, we had Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson at the top in all of our previous editions, but Jalen Carter is such a dominant presence on the interior, showing up in big moments for the Bulldogs in 2022, we had to give him the bump, and he has a chance to hold firm the rest of the way. Will Anderson slides to number two, with Bryce Young at three. C.J. Stroud Drops To Number 9 Overall After Second Loss To Michigan The big dropper is Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud after his last performance against Michigan (at home). Michigan plays an NFL-style defense that was able to confuse Stroud two years in a row with different looks, taking away his first read and forcing him to check it down. I promised I would not overreact to his last performance vs. Michigan, but in back-to-back seasons, Stroud has not won or at least played well in the biggest game vs. the best opponent on the schedule. C.J. Stroud is still a safe bet to be drafted top five, and he still has a shot to go number one overall. The top 10 of the 2023 NFL Draft will be full of QB-needy teams picking in the top five or trying to get into the top five. Stroud is no slouch. Being ranked number nine is also not an indictment of his overall potential. We still have him graded out as an Instant Impact Player at the next level. Stroud can put some of this to rest vs. Georgia. I chronicle some of this in the video below. TCU WR Quentin Johnston Has Moved Into The Top 10 Our new WR1, you can read the scouting report below. In short, he is not short. He is a giant WR who moves like the smaller, more agile WR's the NFL has been inundated with in recent years, so there is a need for a bigger-bodied player who can move like Johnston. Click here to view the entire top 50 big board. Full Scouting reports, player comparisons, and more. Here is the updated top 50 1). IDL Jalen Carter, Georgia, 6-3, 310lbs Carter is a disruptive physical force. Carter combines a quick first step and feet like a running back to shoot into gaps. At 6-3, 310lbs, Carter is a densely proportioned twitchy player with quick hips and elite lateral ability. Carter wins with strength from his dense lower half, his elite positional athleticism, and quick hands. Carter is a problematic defender to block. Carter will need to improve his ability to handle and move off of double teams at the next level. 2). Edge Will Anderson, Alabama, 6-4, 235lbs Anderson is an explosive edge player that combines size, speed, and power to win off the edge. Anderson can play standing up or with his hand in the dirt. He provides three-down versatility as a pass rusher and a run defender. As a sophomore, Will Anderson achieved 1st team All-American Status, All-SEC 1st team, and won the Nagurski Award in 2021. If eligible to be drafted in the 2022 NFL Draft, Anderson would have been considered the top prospect on our draft board. 3). QB Bryce Young, Alabama, 6-0, 194lbs Bryce Young is a solid athlete with a better-than-average arm. He wins with his decision-making and his ability to work through his progressions. Based on our assumptions that Bryce Young will likely declare for the 2023 NFL Draft after one more year of seasoning, he already has shown enough on his tape to have been considered the top QB in this past draft ahead of Kenny Pickett, Malik Willis, and Desmond Ridder. 4). IDL Bryan Bresee, Clemson, 6-5, 300lbs Bresee possesses elite instant impact upside, and he is a player who has top-ten NFL Draft potential even after missing 2/3 of the 2021 college football season. At 6-5, 300lbs, Bresee possesses elite length. On tape, Bresee has an explosive first step combined with the elite positional strength needed to succeed at the NFL level. He also possesses elite lateral quickness and twitchiness for an interior defender. He can shoot through a gap in a hurry on one play to force a bad throw, and on the next play, he can shoot through a hole to close off a run lane. Bresee can play different techniques along the line, but he projects as a 3-tech in the NFL. 5). Edge Myles Murphy, Clemson, 6-5, 275lbs In terms of ceiling grades, Murphy possesses one of the highest grades in the 2023 class. He has the athletic and physical tools you want in today's NFL edge rusher. At 6-5, 275lbs, Murphy possesses the elite length needed to go one-on-one with today's top NFL tackles. On tape, Murphy exhibits an elite first step combined with elite-level lateral quickness for his position. His athleticism allows him to accelerate into a gap or execute stunts using his high-level agility. His assets do not end with quickness; he can win with speed or power at the point of attack. Using his dense frame and elite strength, Murphy can anchor and hold the edge in the run game or bull through a blocker on his way to the QB. 6). ED Nolan Smith, Georgia, 6-3, 235lbs Smith is an edge player with excellent athleticism for his position. in high school, he reportedly ran a 4.5 40 and posted a near 40in vertical, which correlates to his elite first step and downhill explosiveness. Smith also possesses elite lateral quickness for his position. He has good power for an edge defender his size at 6-3, 235lbs. Smith likes to place a blocker in conflict. He can bend a tackle wide with speed, use his quick twitch ability to freeze the blocker, and then attack his weakest leverage on his way to the QB. Smith's athleticism allows him to play in coverage as needed. 7). OT Peter Skoronski, Northwestern, 6-4, 315lbs His quickness is what stands out. He gets into his pass sets fast. He did struggle to match speed and length with Michigan Edge David Ojabo in 2021. Length is a concern for Skoronski and might affect his draft stock if NFL teams consider him an IOL instead of an OT prospect. So far in 2022, he is the highest-graded OT in pass protection and the third-highest OT overall, according to PFF, through 7 weeks. 8). CB Kelee Ringo, Georgia, 6-2, 205lbs Ringo is another Georgia Bulldog with top-ten NFL Draft potential. Ringo is a lengthy press man corner at 6-2 205lbs; he plays aggressively. Ringo uses his strength and long arms to attack the catch point with good body control muscling the football away from the receiver. The former 10.43sec 100M track star can run with the fastest receivers on the field. In addition, he possesses the twitchiness and fluidity needed to play at a high level in the NFL. Ringo does not allow receivers to gain a step very often; when they do, he has the explosiveness to close fast. Ringo must learn to use his aggression as needed at the NFL level. His physicality in the NFL might be deemed too aggressive and lead to penalties in coverage. He will need to improve eye discipline; he can get caught by play action, pump fakes, and double moves by receivers. 9). QB C.J. Stroud, Ohio State, 6-3, 218lbs Stroud is accurate with a strong arm. He can fit the football into tight windows, especially on layered throws between LB's and safeties down the middle. His ability to throw outside the numbers beating coverage, and placing the football only where his receiver has the best chance stands out on tape. C.J. Stroud possesses arm talent in critical areas of the measure. He can throw with touch at all levels, get the ball out quickly when needed, and fire a laser down the seam. Stroud does a good job feeling and handling pressure, but there are moments where you would like to see him use his legs a bit more to keep a play alive. 10). WR Quentin Johnston, TCU, 6-4, 212lbs At 6-4 212lbs, Johnston is a unique prospect compared to the other top WR's we have evaluated. Johnston is a lengthy player who has natural outside X WR ability. Johnston combines his length with speed and quick twitch ability that he uses to stack defenders over the top for explosive gains. He is not just a deep field threat; he can attack a defense at all three levels, defeating coverage with his elite-level short area quickness. 11. Jordan Addison, USC WR 12. Will Levis, Kentucky QB 13. Bijan Robinson, Texas RB 14. Isaiah Foskey, Notre Dame ED 15. Broderick Jones, Georgia OT 16. Cam Smith, South Carolina CB 17. Michael Mayer, Notre Dame TE 18. Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio State OT 19. Trenton Simpson Clemson LB 20. Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Kansas State ED 21. Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech ED 22. Kayshon Boutte, LSU WR 23. Joey Porter Jr., Penn State CB 24. Antonio Johnson, Texas A&M S 25. Andre Carter II, Army ED 26. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State WR 27. Anton Harrison, Oklahoma OT 28. Garrett Williams, Syracuse CB 29. Jalin Hyatt, Tennessee WR 30. Jared Verse, Florida State ED 31. O'Cyrus Torrence, Florida IOL 32. Rashee Rice, SMU WR 33. Derick Hall, Auburn ED 34. Blake Corum, Michigan RB 35. Devon Witherspoon, Illinois CB 36. Zach Charbonnet, UCLA RB 37. Anthony Richardson, Florida QB 38.Josh Downs, UNC WR 39. Hendon Hooker, Tennessee QB 40. Cooper Beebe, Kansas State IOL 41. Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama RB 42. Noah Sewell, Oregon LB 43. Brian Branch, Alabama S 44. Tanner McKee, Stanford QB 45. Ryan Hayes, Michigan OT 46. Dalton Kincaid, Utah TE 47. Clark Phillips III, Utah CB 48. Andrew Vorhees, USC IOL 49. Olusegun Oluwatimi, Michigan IOL 50. Zay Flowers, Boston College WR
- November 2023 NFL Draft Top 50 Big Board Player Rankings
The November edition of our 2023 NFL Draft player rankings features Alabama Edge Will Anderson remaining at the top, followed by Alabama QB Bryce Young and Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud. QB is projected to go one overall; Will Anderson is a winning lotto ticket Anderson, Young, or Stroud will be the number one overall draft pick, depending on who you ask. Based on team needs, Bryce Young is our favorite to go number one overall, followed by C.J. Stroud. Will Someone will win the lottery, with Will Anderson projected to fall because of an influx of QB-needy teams at the top of the draft order. I would not be surprised to see Will Levis drafted top 5. Levis has risen on our board significantly, he will be a popular name come draft season among pundits, and many will argue he should go one overall. Hendon Hooker will be 25 years old when drafted Hendon Hooker is our 4th rated QB; we have him ranked 36th overall. His age will be a significant factor when drafted, but the talent is undeniable and could allow him to ascend into a top 20 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Hooker could be the steal of the draft for a QB-needy team in the middle of round one. Interior DL is deep and talented We expect a heavy dose of defensive linemen starting with our top ten, which includes the ultra-talented Jalen Carter from Georgia. Teams in need of bolstering their interior defensive line will have some solid options. We have 4 in the top 50 of our rankings, and we project 10 in the top 100. If a team does not get one early, they will have options in the later rounds. The RB's, could be the deepest class ever The RB position is deep and talented; this could be the most talented group since 2017. Texas RB Bijon Robinson leads the way, ranked 12th in our top 50, followed by Alabama's Jahmyr Gibbs and Michigan's Blake Corum. We have 4 RB's in the top 50. We could have as many as 7-10 in the top 100. The WR's, watch out for Tennessee WR Jalin Hyatt The WR position might have a bit of a down year in terms of top-tier options, but it is deep. USC's Jordan Addison, TCU's Quentin Johnston, and LSU's Kayshon Boutte lead the way. Watch out for Tennessee WR Jalin Hyatt, who we have ranked as the 4th best WR and 20th overall in the top 50. Hyatt could ascend to a top-15 overall pick before the year ends. Click here to view the entire top 50 big board. After Further Review NFL Draft Player Evaluations Don't forget to check out After Further Review on our Youtube Channel. We evaluate individual prospects at a deeper level. We discuss play style and scheme fit, player comparisons, and do a film review of the top NFL Draft prospects. So whether you are looking for an edge in your dynasty fantasy football league or want to learn more about NFL draft prospects, After Further Review has you covered. 1). Edge Will Anderson, Alabama, 6-4, 235lbs Anderson is an explosive edge player that combines size, speed, and power to win off the edge. Anderson can play standing up or with his hand in the dirt. He provides three-down versatility as a pass rusher and a run defender. As a sophomore, Will Anderson achieved 1st team All-American Status, All-SEC 1st team, and won the Nagurski Award in 2021. If eligible to be drafted in the 2022 NFL Draft, Anderson would have been considered the top prospect on our draft board. 2). QB Bryce Young, Alabama, 6-0, 194lbs Bryce Young is a solid athlete with a better-than-average arm. He wins with his decision-making and his ability to work through his progressions. Based on our assumptions that Bryce Young will likely declare for the 2023 NFL Draft after one more year of seasoning, he already has shown enough on his tape to have been considered the top QB in this past draft ahead of Kenny Pickett, Malik Willis, and Desmond Ridder. 3). QB C.J. Stroud, Ohio State, 6-3, 218lbs Stroud is accurate with a strong arm. He can fit the football into tight windows, especially on layered throws between LB's and safeties down the middle. His ability to throw outside the numbers beating coverage, and placing the football only where his receiver has the best chance stands out on tape. C.J. Stroud possesses arm talent in critical areas of the measure. He can throw with touch at all levels, get the ball out quickly when needed, and fire a laser down the seam. Stroud does a good job feeling and handling pressure, but there are moments where you would like to see him use his legs a bit more to keep a play alive. 4). IDL Jalen Carter, Georgia, 6-3, 310lbs Carter is a disruptive physical force. Carter combines a quick first step and feet like a running back to shoot into gaps. At 6-3, 310lbs, Carter is a densely proportioned twitchy player with quick hips and elite lateral ability. Carter wins with strength generated from his dense lower half; combined with his elite positional athleticism and quick hands, Carter is a problematic defender to block. Carter will need to improve his ability to handle and move off of double teams at the next level. 5). IDL Bryan Bresee, Clemson, 6-5, 300lbs Bresee possesses elite instant impact upside, and he is a player who has top-ten NFL Draft potential even after missing 2/3 of the 2021 college football season. At 6-5, 300lbs, Bresee possesses elite length. On tape, Bresee has an explosive first step combined with the elite positional strength needed to succeed at the NFL level. He also possesses elite lateral quickness and twitchiness for an interior defender. He can shoot through a gap in a hurry on one play to force a bad throw, and on the next play, he can shoot through a hole to close off a run lane. Bresee can play different techniques along the line, but he projects as a 3-tech in the NFL. 6). Edge Myles Murphy, Clemson, 6-5, 275lbs In terms of ceiling grades, Murphy possesses one of the highest grades in the 2023 class. He has the athletic and physical tools you want in today's NFL edge rusher. At 6-5, 275lbs, Murphy possesses the elite length needed to go one-on-one with today's top NFL tackles. On tape, Murphy exhibits an elite first step combined with elite-level lateral quickness for his position. His athleticism allows him to accelerate into a gap or execute stunts using his high-level agility. His assets do not end with quickness; he can win with speed or power at the point of attack. Using his dense frame and elite strength, Murphy can anchor and hold the edge in the run game or bull through a blocker on his way to the QB. 7). ED Nolan Smith, Georgia, 6-3, 235lbs Smith is an edge player with excellent athleticism for his position. in high school, he reportedly ran a 4.5 40 and posted a near 40in vertical, which correlates to his elite first step and downhill explosiveness. Smith also possesses elite lateral quickness for his position. He has good power for an edge defender his size at 6-3, 235lbs. Smith likes to place a blocker in conflict. He can bend a tackle wide with speed, use his quick twitch ability to freeze the blocker, and then attack his weakest leverage on his way to the QB. Smith's athleticism allows him to play in coverage as needed. 8). QB WIll Levis, Kentucky, 6-3, 232lbs Levis might be the most creative of the top-rated QB's in the 2023 class. His ability to keep a play alive with his legs is an area that NFL scouts and GM's will fall in love with as he possesses the toolsy style of play of today's top young NFL QB's. He has a big arm; he can throw off platform and from different arm slots. An area where he is noticeably ahead of a guy like Josh Allen while he was in college is his ability to change his throw pace as needed. Levis can hit a throw at any field level with good accuracy. Levis will need to work on his anticipatory throws in 2022. Will Levis will start the 2022 season with a Developmental grade while possessing an Instant Impact ceiling grade. 9). WR Jordan Addison, USC, 6-0 185lbs Jordan Addison is an elite separator who can vary his route speed, lulling a DB to sleep before exploding into the top of his route. He possesses elite agility putting defenders on skates in space with bad angles after the catch. Addison is an elite-level hands catcher; he snags the ball out of the air and handles the fastball on short and intermediate throws with ease, which goes hand in hand with his ability to track the football on deep routes. Addison will likely be limited to the slot at the NFL level due to his lean frame and short stature. He has the three-level route running ability to be an elite-level go-to WR at the next level. 10). CB Kelee Ringo, Georgia, 6-2, 205lbs Ringo is another Georgia Bulldog with top-ten NFL Draft potential. Ringo is a lengthy press man corner at 6-2 205lbs; he plays aggressively. Ringo uses his strength and long arms to attack the catch point with good body control muscling the football away from the receiver. The former 10.43sec 100M track star can run with the fastest receivers on the field. In addition, he possesses the twitchiness and fluidity needed to play at a high level in the NFL. Ringo does not allow receivers to gain a step very often; when they do, he has the explosiveness to close fast. Ringo must learn to use his aggression as needed at the NFL level. His physicality in the NFL might be deemed too aggressive and lead to penalties in coverage. He will need to improve eye discipline; he can get caught by play action, pump fakes, and double moves by receivers. 11). OT Peter Skoronski, Northwestern, 6-4, 315 12). RB Bijan Robinson, Texas, 6-3, 220 13). WR Quentin Johnston, TCU, 6-4, 212 14). WR Kayshon Boutte, LSU, 6-3, 200 15). ED Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech, 6-6, 275 16). OT Broderick Jones, Georgia, 6-4, 315 17). CB Cam Smith, South Carolina, 6-0, 185 18). TE Michael Mayer, Notre Dame, 6-5, 251 19). OT Paris Johnson Jr, Ohio State, 6-6, 315 20). WR Jalin Hyatt, Tennessee, 6-0, 185 21). LB Trenton Simpson, Clemson, 6-3, 230 22). WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State, 6-0, 198 23). ED Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Kansas State, 6-4, 255 24). RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama, 5-11, 200 25). ED Isaiah Foskey, Notre Dame, 6-5, 257 26). CB Joey Porter Jr, Penn State, 6-3, 195 27). S Antonio Johnson, Texas A&M, 6-3, 200 28). ED Andre Carter II, Army, 6-7, 265 29). OT Anton Harrison, Oklahoma, 6-6, 309 30). CB Garrett Williams, Syracuse, 6-0, 190 31). WR Josh Downs, UNC, 5-11, 171 32). ED Jared Verse, Florida State, 6-3, 246 33). CB Clark Phillips III, Utah, 5-10, 184 34). RB Blake Corum, Michigan, 5-8, 212 35). WR Parker Washington, Penn State, 5-10, 212 36). QB Hendon Hooker, Tennessee, 6-4, 218 37). IOL Cooper Beebe, Kansas State, 6-4, 322 38). LB Noah Sewell, Oregon, 6-3, 249 39). S Jordan Battle, Alabama, 6-3, 210 40). TE Dalton Kincaid, Utah, 6-4, 242 41). CB Devon Witherspoon, Illinois, 6-0, 180 42). OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Penn State, 6-6, 308 43). CB Kris Abrams-Draine, Missouri, 5-11, 178 44). IOL Andrew Vorhees, USC, 6-6, 325 45). ED B.J. Ojulari, LSU, 6-3, 245 46). IDL Gervon Dexter, Florida, 6-5, 318 47). ED Zach Harrison, Ohio State, 6-6, 265 48). ED Will McDonald IV, Iowa State 6-4, 245 49). IDL Jaquelin Roy, LSU, 6-4, 302 50). RB Sean Tucker, Syracuse, 5-10, 210
- Preseason 2023 NFL Draft Top 10 Big Board Player Rankings
Our top ten big board rankings consist of three Georgia bulldogs, two Alabama Crimson Tide, and two Ohio State Buckeyes to start the 2022 college football season. Our top prospect is Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson who would have been the top prospect in the 2022 NFL Draft. The 2023 class looks like a very strong interior defender class with two names in the top ten of our top 50 big board and 4 in the top 20. We have eight defensive linemen in our initial top 20 rankings if you combine edge defenders with interior defenders. Click here to view the entire top 50 big board. After Further Review NFL Draft Player Evaluations Don't forget to check out After Further Review on our Youtube Channel. We evaluate individual prospects at a deeper level. We discuss play style and scheme fit, player comparisons, and do a film review of the top NFL Draft prospects. So whether you are looking for an edge in your dynasty fantasy football league or just want to learn more about NFL draft prospects, After Further Review has, you covered. 1). Edge Will Anderson, Alabama, 6-4, 235lbs Anderson is an explosive edge player that combines size, speed, and power to win off the edge. Anderson can play standing up or with his hand in the dirt. He provides three-down versatility as a pass rusher and a run defender. As a sophomore, Will Anderson achieved 1st team All-American Status, All-SEC 1st team, and won the Nagurski Award in 2021. If eligible to be drafted in the 2022 NFL Draft, Anderson would have been considered the top prospect on our draft board. 2). IDL Jalen Carter, Georgia, 6-3, 310lbs Carter is a disruptive physical force. Carter combines a quick first step and feet like a running back to shoot into gaps. At 6-3, 310lbs, Carter is a densely proportioned twitchy player with quick hips and elite lateral ability. Carter wins with strength generated from his dense lower half; combined with his elite positional athleticism and quick hands, Carter is a problematic defender to block. Carter will need to improve his ability to handle and move off of double teams at the next level. 3). Edge Myles Murphy, Clemson, 6-5, 275lbs In terms of ceiling grades, Murphy possesses one of the highest grades in the 2023 class. He has the athletic and physical tools you want in today's NFL edge rusher. At 6-5, 275lbs, Murphy possesses the elite length needed to go one-on-one with today's top NFL tackles. On tape, Murphy exhibits an elite first step combined with elite-level lateral quickness for his position. His athleticism allows him to accelerate into a gap, or he can execute stunts using his high-level agility. His assets do not end with quickness; he can win with speed or power at the point of attack. Using his dense frame and elite strength, Murphy can anchor and hold the edge in the run game or bull through a blocker on his way to the QB. 4). QB Bryce Young, Alabama, 6-0, 194lbs Bryce Young is a solid athlete with a better-than-average arm. He wins with his decision-making and his ability to work through his progressions. Based on our assumptions that Bryce Young will likely declare for the 2023 NFL Draft after one more year of seasoning, he already has shown enough on his tape to have been considered the top QB in this past draft ahead of Kenny Pickett, Malik Willis, and Desmond Ridder. 5). CB Kelee Ringo, Georgia, 6-2, 205lbs Ringo is another Georgia Bulldog with top-ten NFL Draft potential. Ringo is a lengthy press man corner at 6-2, 205lbs; he plays with aggression. Ringo uses his strength and long arms to attack the catch point with good body control muscling the football away from the receiver. The former 10.43sec 100M track star can run with the fastest receivers on the field. In addition, he possesses the twitchiness and fluidity needed to play at a high level in the NFL. Ringo does not allow receivers to gain a step very often; when they do, he has the explosiveness to close fast. Ringo must learn to use his aggression as needed at the NFL level. His physicality in the NFL might be deemed too aggressive and lead to penalties in coverage. He will need to improve eye discipline; he can get caught by play action, pump fakes, and double moves by receivers. 6). QB C.J. Stroud, Ohio State, 6-3, 218lbs Stroud is accurate with a strong arm. He can fit the football into tight windows, especially on layered throws between LB's and safeties down the middle. His ability to throw outside the numbers beating coverage, and placing the football only where his receiver has the best chance stands out on tape. C.J. Stroud possesses arm talent in critical areas of the measure. He can throw with touch at all levels, get the ball out quickly when needed, and fire a laser down the seam. Stroud does a good job feeling and handling pressure, but there are moments where you would like to see him use his legs a bit more to keep a play alive. 7). ED Nolan Smith, Georgia, 6-3, 235lbs Smith is an edge player with excellent athleticism for his position. in high school, he reportedly ran a 4.5 40 and posted a near 40in vertical, which correlates to his elite first step and downhill explosiveness. Smith also possesses elite lateral quickness for his position. He has good power for an edge defender his size at 6-3, 235lbs. Smith likes to place a blocker in conflict. He can bend a tackle wide with speed, use his quick twitch ability to freeze the blocker, and then attack his weakest leverage on his way to the QB. Smith's athleticism allows him to play in coverage as needed. 8). WR Kayshon Boutte, LSU, 6-0, 200lbs Boutte took the reigns as LSU's next big-time WR in 2021 before succumbing to an ankle injury midway through the season. Boutte would miss seven games in 2021 but still led the Tigers in receiving yards and TD's. He is a mismatch for opposing DB's, and his after-the-catch ability is next level. We project Kayshon Boutte as a top ten overall talent in the 2023 NFL Draft. 9). IDL Bryan Bresee, Clemson, 6-5, 300lbs Bresee possesses elite instant impact upside, and he is a player who has top ten NFL Draft potential even after missing 2/3 of the 2021 college football season. At 6-5, 300lbs, Bresee possesses elite length. On tape, Bresee has an explosive first step combined with the elite positional strength needed to be a success at the NFL level. He also possesses elite lateral quickness and twitchiness for an interior defender. He can shoot through a gap in a hurry on one play to force a bad throw, and on the next play, he can shoot through a hole to close off a run lane. Bresee can play different techniques along the line, but he projects as a 3-tech in the NFL. 10). WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State, 6-0, 198lbs Smith-Njigba waited his turn at Ohio State, and when it was his time to shine, he stepped up in a big way a season ago. In the 2022 Rose Bowl game, Smith-Njigba became the Buckeye's number one receiver after Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson opted out. Njigba is not the flashiest receiver; he is a good route runner with excellent hands. He is also fearless and willing to pick up the tough yards over the middle—Smith-Njigba projects as a slot receiver at the next level. At 6-0, 198 lbs, he is a gritty player who can make defenders miss in space like a running back after the catch. He can stop on a dime and displays good lateral movement and loose hips. He attacks the catch point and can muscle the ball away from defenders in traffic.
- Top 50 2023 NFL Draft Big Board: 9 New Names Have Ascended Into The Top 50
We have updated the Football Scout top 50 Big board, and today I want to share some of the new entrants that have moved into the top 50 as we have moved past the halfway mark of the college football season. You can check out the top 50 on our site by clicking here. (16) ED Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech Starter-level developmental traits with instant impact player potential At 6-6, 275 LBS, Wilson is a versatile DL who can play on the interior or the edge. His versatility, combined with his length, is what stands out. At the NFL level, he projects as an edge-setting DE. He posted six sacks in 2021; he already has 7 in 2022. (29) CB Devon Witherspoon, Illinois Solid Level High Upside player with instant impact player potential Witherspoon is a 6-0, 180lb physical ball-hawking DB who leads the nation in PBU's (11) through 7 games in 2022. According to PFF, he boasts the top coverage grade, allowing 13 catches on 42 total targets for 131 yards and zero TD's. He plays 76% of his snaps in man coverage, where he has surrendered only 7 catches for 61 yards and -2 yds after the catch. (32) CB Garrett Williams, Syracuse Starter-level developmental traits with instant impact player potential Williams is a versatile physical DB that can play in a multiple-scheme defense. Playing 46% of his snaps in zone coverage, Williams has allowed only four catches on 5 total targets for 76 yards and no TD's while snagging two picks in zone coverage, according to PFF. (35) QB Hendon Hooker, Tennessee Developmental starter traits with instant impact player potential Hooker displayed what we wanted to see from him against Alabama posting 441 yards and 5 TD's, leading his team to an epic win in Knoxville. Hendon Hooker transferred to Tennessee from Virginia Tech in 2021. Hooker has proven to be an efficient player in an offense that doesn't ask him to do much as a passer beyond his predetermined read. Hooker's development will depend on where he lands in the NFL. (36) IOL Cooper Beebe, Kansas State He is a solid starter with high upside potential and might be at or near his ceiling. Beebe has experience playing LT at Kansas State but moved to LG due to his lack of length. Beebe is an experienced player who plays with a great base allowing him to anchor down and hold his ground. PFF has him graded in the top 15 in pass blocking. He is also a strong run blocker in zone or gap-based situations. (39) WR Jalin Hyatt, Tennessee Developmental starter traits with instant impact player potential Hyatt exploded onto the scene, Alabama scorching the Crimson Tide secondary with six catches for 207 yards. Hyatt is the beneficiary of former Vols number one WR Cedric Tillman, who succumbed to injury in week 3. Hyatt has recorded 92% of his snaps from the slot in a Tennessee offense that loves to spread teams out. He averages more than 14 yards per target while maintaining a 154.9 QBR when targeted. Hyatt has the field stretching speed that NFL scouts want at the position and will be a player to keep an eye on moving forward. (41) TE Dalton Kincaid, Utah He is a solid starter with high upside potential and might be at or near his ceiling. One could argue that Kincaid is the top TE in this class. Kincaid scorched the USC defense with 16 catches and 234 yards with a TD on Saturday, which is why his stock is on the rise. In 2022, Kincaid boasts the nation's 2nd highest receiving grade, according to PFF. He lines up 56% of his snaps in the slot and is known as a better route runner and pass catcher than an inline blocker. His game translates well at the next level. (49) Will McDonald IV, Iowa State He is a solid starter with high upside potential and might be at or near his ceiling. McDonald is a versatile player who many believed lacked consistency. We have been up and down on him, but in 2022, McDonald is proving the doubters wrong by posting a top 5 grade nationally in true pass set situations with a 48% win rate (4th). He has four sacks and 15 pressures through 7 games. (50) RB Chase Brown, Illinois He is a solid starter with high upside potential and might be at or near his ceiling. The 2022 RB class is deep and versatile because of backs like Chase Brown. He has already surpassed 1000 rush yards averaging 7.0 yds per run. Brown blends speed, power, and contact balance as well as any back in this class. Brown leads the nation in yards after contact through seven games and has improved as a pass catcher providing three-down versatility. He will need to prove he can hold up at the NFL level in pass pro, an area he has worked to improve in 2022.
- Fantasy Football League Winners YouTube Series Top 10 Through Week 6 Of The 2022 NFL Season
Over the last few months, the Football Scout 365 NFL podcast team has been hard at work trying to ID potential fantasy football league winners. Today, I wanted to rank the top ten from the 17 potential league winners we have discussed on the podcast since August using a basic grade scale. Grade Scale A= Player has the highest potential league-winning value B= Player is in a timeshare, not the number one at his position, or has been inconsistent, but has shown high-level league winner potential C= Player is a key piece but is not number one at his position. Will need to be more consistent or move up the depth chart. The player is a current flex play or stash D= Was once believed to carry league-winner potential but has yet to move up the depth chart or receive enough snaps. A low-level stash. 1). Deandre Hopkins (A) League Winning Grade: A Hopkins returns Week 7, and if early reports of Hollywood Brown being in a walking boot after wk6 are serious, Hopkins is just in time to retake his WR1 in the Cardinals offense. 2). Kenneth Walker III (A) Walker assumed the lead role in the Seattle backfield after Penny's injury. The last two weeks, Walker has posted 32 fantasy points in the previous two weeks and has shown his explosive playmaking ability if for real. 3). Breece Hall (A) Breece has been a fantasy darling since he was drafted, but his timeshare with Michael Carter early in the season limited his opportunities. Since wk4, Breece has taken the backfield over, posting 20 fantasy pts per game. 4). Rhamondre Stevenson (A) In week 5, Stevenson took over the backfield after Harris injured his hammy. Stevenson racked up 22.5 fantasy points while handling 90% of the backfield snaps. In wk6, Stevenson scored 23 fantasy pts vs. the Browns. 5). Josh Allen (A) Josh Alen, like Lamar, provides league-winning upside because of his big play ability as a passer and runner. He is the QB1. 6). Lamar Jackson (A) We did a combo video on who will be the league MVP in 2022. As of wk6 it is Josh Allen. But Lamar is still QB2, his rushing upside and improved passing allow him to remain one of the best fantasy options. 7). Brian Robinson (B) Robinson is in a favorable spot to receive a heavy workload down the line. In his return from being shot two times in a robbery attempt just over a month ago, it took Robinson two weeks to take over the backfield from Antonio Gibson. In wk6, Robinson broke out with a 47% snap share, 13.5 fantasy pts. 8). J.K. Dobbins (C) Dobbins returned wk3 vs. the Patriots and was on a pitch count. He Assumed 43% snap share in week 3. Wk4 vs. Buffalo, Dobbins scores 22 fantasy pts, returns to earth wk5 vs. Bengals. Wk6, Dobbins started the game before knee "tightness" occurred, rushed 7 times for 15 yds. 9). David Njoku (B) After 6 weeks, Njoku is TE 6. With Brissett at QB, Njoku has been inconsistent yet has posted a 24 pt and 15 pt fantasy performance. Once Watson returns, the bet is Njoku could become a favorite target of a QB who relied on his TE's in the past. 10). Romeo Doubs (C) Since wk3, Doubs has recorded a 90% snap rate with 30 targets in an offense in search of a playmaking WR. Wk3 and 4, Doubs scored 30+ combined fantasy pts against the Bills and Pats, scoring twice. Wk5 and 6, Doubs has fallen back to earth, recording 10 total fantasy pts, but he remains a highly targeted option with 14 targets.
- Prospect Watch: Florida State Edge Rusher Jared Verse Is An Ascending 2023 NFL Draft Prospect
There were a lot of questions among the Florida State faithful regarding the Jermaine Johnson replacement; those questions were provided emphatic answers last night in New Orleans when Jared Verse blocked a FG and picked up two sacks vs. the LSU Tigers. The transfer edge rusher from Albany University displayed his freakish athleticism on the big stage and proved that his move from FCS to FBS would be virtually seamless. 2021 Stats At Albany Jared Verse was dynamic a year ago while playing at Albany. He amassed 10.5 sacks and 20 run stops at or behind the line of scrimmage (11 for a loss). He forced two fumbles and pressured the QB 36 times. PFF graded him as the 23rd-best Edge in FCS a season ago among players with at least 500 snaps. His one weakness coming from FCS was tackling; he graded out terribly in 2021 with a 22% missed tackle rate, ranking 16th worst among edge defenders with at least 500 snaps. Scouting Report Jared Verse is a 6-4, 250lb athletic edge rusher who uses his explosive first step to defeat opposing blockers off the edge. Where he needed to improve the most after transferring from FCS Albany to LSU is his technique. Improving his hand usage, lateral quickness, and a counter move to go along with his explosive first step would be significant. Through the first few weeks of the 2022 CFB season, Verse appears to have improved his technique and looks like a player on the rise. Verse struggled as a tackler in 2021 at FCS Albany, amassing (10) missed tackles. So far, through two weeks, he has shown improved discipline as a tackler. His impact on special teams adds additional allure to his NFL Draft stock.
- Week One 3 For 3 Draft Eligible: We Evaluate C.J. Stroud, Anthony Richardson, And Jalen Carter
I wanted to start a new written series covering the top three performances that stood out in big moments among top NFL Draft prospects across the college football landscape. Week one of the 2022 college football season provided plus matchups for us to feast our football-deprived brains upon. To open the season, we chose to dive into the big matchups, Ohio State vs. Notre Dame at the top, followed by Florida vs. Utah and Oregon vs. Georgia. The prospects we chose to focus on in these three games were Florida QB Anthony Richardson, Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud, and Georgia IDL Jalen Carter. Florida QB Anthony Richardson (6-4, 240lbs) The Measurables As an NFL Draft prospect, Richardson possesses all the attributes you want in a QB. At 6-4, 240lbs, Richardson has the size to go with the big arm. He also possesses the athleticism we are consistently looking for in today's NFL QB. He can move to keep a play alive and take off and pick up explosive plays with his legs. He exhibited all these attributes last night vs. the #7 Utah Utes at home in the Swamp. The Performance Anthony Richardson shined last night against #7 Utah in the Swamp in front of the largest home-opening crowd in Florida football history. In only his second career start at QB for the Gators, Richardson posted 274 total yards and three TD's (all three on the ground). He scored on a two-point conversion throw that will be a surefire ESPN top 10 play late in the game to extend the Gator's lead by 3. Utah would not go away, and they would answer on their next drive, regaining the lead and placing the pressure squarely on the shoulders of Anthony Richardson. As the game progressed, the one thing I wanted to see from Richardson was his ability to put his team on his back, and he did just that by avoiding mistakes in a pressured situation. On the Gator's final offensive drive, Richardson rose to the occasion leading his team down the field on a 75-yard, 14-play drive that lasted 5 minutes. Richardson capped off the drive with a zone-read keeper for a one-yard TD. On the final drive, Richardson helped his team convert 3 of their total 3rd and 4th down plays. Two with his legs, one through the air. The Final Word I went into this game remembering how Ohio State shredded the Utah secondary in the Rose Bowl, and I kept that perspective at the front of my mind for a good reason. I knew that if the Gators could exploit the Utah defense, it would be through the air, but that was not the case. Richardson only attempted 21 throws, completing 17 (70%) for 174 yards. He did not throw a TD pass, but he did throw for a 2pt score on the move, escaping a defender's grasp in the backfield. From an advanced data perspective, Richardson committed one turnover-worthy throw, and his ADOT per pass attempt of 7.6 ranked 77th among all passers with at least 20 attempts. He finished the night with an average PFF passer grade, ranking 76th. He had (0) big-time throws on the night. I am impressed with Richardson, not just by the physical tools but by his patience and moxie. He did not make a critical mistake late; instead, he stepped up, stayed calm, and did exactly what you expect from a big-time player, finishing a tight game with a win. Richardson's first SEC challenge happens in one week when the Gators face off against the WIll Levis-led Kentucky Wildcats at home. Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud The Measurables C.J. Stroud entered the night as the 2nd rated QB on our NFL Draft Board behind Alabama's Bryce Young. The 6-3, 220lbs QB is considered by many to be a top 5 NFL Draft pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Stroud throws with great anticipation and does a great job putting his receivers in a position to be lucky after the catch. He is not the athlete Justin Fields presented while at Ohio State, but Stroud proved he could be every bit as good as a passer, and when needed, he can pick up a first down with his legs. Continued improvement with his footwork and timing will further elevate his top ten NFL draft status. The Performance Against Notre Dame at home in week one, C.J. Stroud stepped up and made the plays needed to help his team move past a tough and inspired Irish defense. Ohio State entered the game as a three-score favorite (16.5) but trailed by a score at halftime. Stroud spent most of the game taking what the Irish defense gave him, he did not force anything, and the Irish played a lot of two-high coverage. The word of the night for Stroud was patience. He exhibited tremendous patience throughout, just waiting for the right opportunity, and the Irish would present him with that opportunity late in the third Qtr down 10-7. The Irish decided to bring both safeties from a two-high look on a blitz, and Stroud made them pay with a TD pass to give the Buckeyes the 14-10 lead heading into the 4th Qtr. From an advanced data perspective, C.J. Stroud did not commit a single turnover-worthy play, and he completed (4) big-time throws, including the TD to put the Buckeyes ahead at the end of the 3rd QTR. Stroud finished with a 90.2 (Elite) PFF passing grade. The Final Word Stroud had to deal with a banged-up Smith-Njigba in this game; he made the most of it without his star WR and found a way without him on the field. Stroud also did a great job getting away from pressure several times, extending plays, and making a few big-time throws into small windows on the sideline in this game. We discussed C.J. Stroud's mobility on After Further Review a few weeks ago and that if he is going to leapfrog Bryce Young into the QB1 spot, he would need to show more as an athlete, keeping plays alive and making throws on the run, and he did that vs. Notre Dame to start the 2022 season. Georgia IDL Jalen Carter The Measurables Jalen Carter is the early #2 prospect on the Football Scout 365 NFL Draft board to start the 2022 CFB season behind Alabama Edge Will Anderson. Carter is a disruptive physical force. He combines a quick first step and feet like a running back to shoot into gaps. At 6-3, 310lbs, Carter is a densely proportioned twitchy player with quick hips and elite lateral ability for his position. Carter wins with strength generated from his dense lower half; combined with his elite positional athleticism and quick hands, Carter is a problematic defender to block. He will need to improve his ability to handle and move off of double teams at the next level. The Performance Carter dominated from his interior position in week one vs. the Oregon Ducks in ways not shown in a stat book. The Ducks could not block him at times, and you can see precisely why Carter is considered an elite prospect that NFL scouts and GM's are drooling over. His overwhelming presence in the middle of the defense makes life easier for the 2nd and 3rd level defenders behind him and creates problems as both a run stopper and a pass rusher. The Final Word Carter did not fill up a stat book. But that does not mean his presence was not felt in different ways. In the videos below, you will see exactly what I am talking about regarding his ability to affect a game. A clear holding penalty on this play. Carter is tackled in the backfield. If the holding is called, it's as good as a sack. Carter uses his strength to displace the blocker in his way so that he can get the TFL.
- 2023 NFL Draft TE Rankings: Notre Dame's Michael Mayer, Utah's Dalton Kincaid Lead The Way
The TE position in the NFL has evolved into a more versatile position. Today's TE's do much more as receivers lining up outside or in the slot instead of the more traditional inline role. The pioneers of today's more athletic TE movement are Rob Gronkowski and Travis Kelce, both of which will become first-ballot Hall Of Famers when that time comes. TE's still block as needed in the run game and pass pro, and one of the best at doing this in today's NFL is 49ers TE George Kittle. Kittle is more of a traditional TE that plays closer to the line of scrimmage and is an excellent blocker and receiver. Kittle is also a unicorn in today's NFL because he provides elite positional versatility. The 2022 NFL draft provided us with some solid TE talent. Colorado State's Trey McBride and Virginia TE Jelani Woods were the first TE's off the board. Mcbride is more of a traditional TE, he can line up inline and be a blocker as needed, and he is a good receiver and athlete with the ball in his hands. Woods is the unicorn with the high ceiling. Woods is a 6-7 former QB who converted to TE. He is a special athlete who needs some time to develop, and if he does improve as a route runner and can be an adequate blocker in the NFL, he will succeed. The 2023 TE class is deep. There are several plus athletes in this class, and it will be interesting to see how it all plays out during the 2022 season. We have Notre Dame TE Michael Mayer at the top, followed by UTAH's Dalton Kincaid. So what are we looking for when evaluating the WR position? The Key Positional Factors: Positional Versatility Blocking Receiver Ability The Grade Scale IIP (Instant Impact Potential) (9.0-7.0) High-End Starter HUP (High Upside Potential) (6.9-6.7) Solid Starter Level DP (Developmental Potential) (6.6-6.5) Lower Level Starter (6.4) Starter Level Traits (6.3) Limited Opportunity/Shows Starter Level Traits When Given the Opportunity 1). Michael Mayer Notre Dame JR 6-5 251 Current Grade: High-End Starter (Instant Impact Potential) Ceiling Grade: High-End Starter (Instant Impact Potential) 2). Dalton Kincaid SR Utah 6-4 242 Current Grade: High-End Starter (High Upside Potential) Ceiling Grade: High-End Starter (Instant Impact Potential) 3). Arik Gilbert Georgia RSO 6-5 248 Current Grade: High-End Starter (High Upside Potential) Ceiling Grade: High-End Starter (Instant Impact Potential) 4). Sam LaPorta Iowa SR 6-4 249 Current Grade: High-End Starter (High Upside Potential) Ceiling Grade: High-End Starter (Instant Impact Potential)













