Now that the 2022 NFL season has ended, all 32 teams are on to the offseason. While free agency is exciting, the highlight of the offseason is the NFL Draft.
While the 2023 NFL Draft is still several weeks away, the draft events have already started. Earlier this month, we had the Senior Bowl. Several players had their draft stock impacted by the event.
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- Freedman’s NFL Draft Prop Bet Card
- 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Reports & Prospect Profiles
Expert Consensus 2023 Dynasty Superflex Rookie Draft Rankings: Top-50
2023 NFL Draft Risers & Fallers
Let’s look at a few players that are currently rising and falling on draft boards.
Risers
Evan Hull (RB – Northwestern) & Tyjae Spears (RB – Tulane)
This year’s draft class is loaded with NFL-level running backs. However, Hull and Spears saw their stock rise the most over the past few weeks. During the week of practice at the Senior Bowl, the duo continuously made plays. Furthermore, Spears had three solid receptions in the game on Saturday while Hull averaged over seven yards per rushing attempt.
Over his final two years at Northwestern, Hull had 1,922 rushing yards and over 800 receiving yards. Meanwhile, Spears had almost 1,900 scrimmage yards and 21 touchdowns last year. Both running backs could get drafted into the top 100 picks following their Senior Bowl performances.
Michael Wilson (WR – Stanford)
Last year’s Senior Bowl roster had six wide receivers drafted in the first three rounds, including first-rounder Jahan Dotson. This year the wide receiver group isn’t as full of talent.
Wilson had an outstanding week in Mobile and saw his draft stock skyrocket. During his time at Stanford, the receiver had only 11 touchdowns and 1,662 receiving yards. Yet, you wouldn’t believe that, given how Wilson performed during practice and in the game. Wilson repeatedly won in one-on-one situations in practice. Furthermore, he made the play of the game, pulling in a highlight reel touchdown catch.
O’Cyrus Torrence (OL – Florida) & Cody Mauch (OL – North Dakota State)
The offensive line play was outstanding throughout Senior Bowl week, but the two who stood out the most were Torrence and Mauch. Torrence was a likely first-round pick before the Senior Bowl. Yet, he went down to Mobile and put together an excellent performance. He now has a chance to get picked inside the top 15.
Mauch played left tackle at North Dakota State. However, he played almost every position on the offensive line during the week. Mauch will likely be a guard in the NFL. More importantly, he has put himself in the second-round conversation after his performance in Mobile.
Fallers
Michael Mayer (TE – Notre Dame)
Mayer is the only player on this list that didn’t partake in the Senior Bowl. Unfortunately, his stock has slipped without him doing anything. This year’s draft class is loaded at the tight-end position.
Mayer was the clear-cut No. 1 tight end before this past season. However, the Notre Dame star was the third tight end drafted in Daniel Jeremiah’s latest mock draft. Utah’s Dalton Kincaid and Georgia’s Darnell Washington went ahead of Mayer in the mock draft and are likely first-round picks this year.
Even Oregon State’s Luke Musgrave has earned some first-round consideration over the past few weeks. While he is still likely a first-round pick, Mayer is no longer the consensus No. 1 tight end.
Dawand Jones (OT – Ohio State)
This year’s Senior Bowl started with an eye-popping number from Jones. The Ohio State right tackle had a Senior Bowl record 89.5 wingspan. He then impressed the coaching staff during practice. Unfortunately, Jones suffered an undisclosed injury and had his Senior Bowl week ended prematurely.
The injury is the only reason the big Ohio State offensive tackle made the draft fallers list. Had he been able to finish the week, Jones might have had the best performance of anyone in Mobile. He still has a chance to be a first-round pick in April. It’s unfortunate that we couldn’t see Jones play in the game on Saturday.
The last time a player from Army got drafted was in 2008. Furthermore, the last Army player to get picked before the fifth round was in 1947. That will change this year with Carter.
Last year, the massive edge rusher struggled, totaling only 3.5 sacks. In 2021, Carter had 14.5 sacks, the second-most in the country only behind Alabama’s Will Anderson Jr. Unfortunately, NFL teams didn’t see the 2021 version of Carter at the Senior Bowl.
While his length and explosion were on display, Carter struggled against the run and didn’t show a consistent pass-rush plan. Hopefully, the Army star can improve his stock at the NFL Combine and work his way back into the second-round conversation.
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.