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2023 NFL Draft Risers (2023)

2023 NFL Draft Risers (2023)

Over the past week or so, free agency and the trade market have taken over the NFL world. Yet, the 2023 NFL Draft is less than six weeks away. With the 2023 NFL Combine in the rearview mirrors, prospects have one last chance to make a massive impression on NFL teams at their pro days. Things can still change between now and the end of April. However, let’s look at which players have seen their draft stock recently rise or fall.

Dynasty Rookie Draft Kit

2023 NFL Draft Stock Up & Down

Stock Up

Darnell Washington (TE – Georgia)

During his three years at Georgia, Washington had a limited receiving role. The tight end had only 45 receptions for 774 receiving yards and three touchdowns in 27 career games. However, that doesn’t mean he can’t do more for an NFL team. The Bulldogs have an elite tight end in Brock Powers. Unfortunately, that limited what Georgia needed from Washington. However, he had an impressive performance at the NFL Combine.

Washington can block like an offensive tackle. His team will always have the advantage in the run game when he is on the field. Meanwhile, the former Georgia tight end ran a 4.64 40-yard dash at 264 pounds. Furthermore, he measured 6-foot-7 at his pro day. Now that NFL coaches are becoming more involved in the draft process, Washington’s raw physical talents will catch their eye. Don’t be surprised if the Georgia star is the first tight end drafted in April.

Darnell Wright (OT – Tennessee)

Quarterbacks always get pushed up draft boards the closer we get to the NFL Draft. However, so do offensive tackles. While the media has focused on Paris Johnson Jr., Peter Skoronski and Broderick Jones, Wright has quietly improved his draft stock. His performance at the NFL Combine was solid. Wright had a 1.80 10-yard split on his 40-yard dash. More importantly, the former Volunteer has experience on both sides of the offensive line.

Wright started his college career at right tackle before sliding over to the left side in 2021. However, Tennessee moved him back to the right side last season. Despite playing only one year at left tackle, Wright belongs on the left side in the NFL. Furthermore, some scouts believe the former Volunteer is arguably the best pass protector in this year’s draft. There are several offensive tackle-needy teams in the top 20 this year. We might see a mini-run of offensive tackles start as early as seventh overall with the Las Vegas Raiders. Some team will fall in love with Wright and make him a top-20 selection.

Julius Brents (CB – Kansas State)

Too often, we equate the 40-yard dash to success at cornerback. While speed is important, it is needed to succeed. Brents ran a 4.53 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine with a 1.57 10-yard split. However, he jumped out of the building. The former Kansas State star led all cornerbacks with a 138-inch broad jump. He also finished second among cornerbacks with a 41.5-inch vertical jump. Furthermore, his 138-inch broad jump was the second-highest over any cornerback in NFL Combine history, only behind Byron Jones in 2015.

Meanwhile, Brents also should excellent quickness and change of direction, running a 6.63 three-cone time. Not only did the former Kansas State star run the quickest three-cone time at cornerback this year, but he was a quarter of a second faster than any other cornerback. Furthermore, Brents did that at 6-foot-3. The former Kansas State star also has 34-inch arms. More importantly, he had four interceptions last season, a career-high. Brents will likely be a top 50 pick.


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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.

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