Making NFL Draft big boards is always challenging because of how many different considerations must be weighed against each other – physical and athletic traits, production, pro-readiness, upside and potential scheme fits, to name a few – but this year seems particularly difficult.
I realize that the big board below might look considerably different from some others and even from my own recent and upcoming mock drafts. Yet, I decided to trust my tape evaluations more than pre-Draft workouts. There are a lot of similarly-ranked players in the 20-30 range and the 30-40 range, so several likely or potential first-round picks didn’t make the cut.
As always, feedback is appreciated, and I can be reached on Twitter @draftexaminer.
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2023 NFL Draft Big Board & Prospect Rankings (4/17)
1. Will Anderson Jr. (DE – Alabama)
I believe Will Anderson Jr. is clearly the best player available in this year’s Draft class and also plays a premium position. His college production was preposterous at the highest level, and he has the explosiveness, motor and physicality to turn into a foundational piece for whichever defense drafts him.
2. C.J. Stroud (QB – Ohio State)
I have C.J. Stroud just a hair ahead of Bryce Young, but both look like some of the safer high-end quarterback prospects in recent memory. Stroud can go through progressions, throw with anticipation and facilitate yards after the catch with strong ball placement to all field levels.
3. Bryce Young (QB – Alabama)
Bryce Young may not be quite as safe a prospect as Stroud because of his smaller frame and junior-year shoulder injury, but he has all of Stroud’s other strengths, plus superior pocket movement to buy time and create opportunities. He may be slightly less disciplined than Stroud but could be a better playmaker.
4. Bijan Robinson (RB – Texas)
The total package at running back, Bijan Robinson has shown that he can serve as a team’s workhorse, with the vision, patience, footwork, agility, physicality and impressive receiving skills to give a team a new identity offensively as soon as he enters the league. He’s gotten better every year.
5. Paris Johnson Jr. (OT – Ohio State)
Paris Johnson Jr. started his collegiate career as a right guard and seamlessly transitioned to left tackle this past year. His excellent size, arms which measured over 36″ at the Combine, ability to fire out low and win in a phone booth and advanced footwork/technique give him massive upside.
6. Christian Gonzalez (CB – Oregon)
There are several excellent cornerback prospects in this year’s class, but Christian Gonzalez might have the most well-rounded game, combining excellent size and length with positional and schematic versatility, strong footwork, excellent anticipation and the awareness to locate the ball when targeted.
7. Tyree Wilson (DE – Texas Tech)
With two seasons of solid production under his belt since arriving at Texas Tech, the hulking Tyree Wilson can use his excellent length and functional strength to hold the point of attack and two-gap in the run game or to walk back opponents with his bull rush and collapse the pocket, with underrated flexibility.
8. Peter Skoronski (OT – Northwestern)
I believe Peter Skoronski can still play left tackle if needed, but he’s generally considered to be more of a high-end guard conversion candidate, with the toughness, consistency, short-area athleticism, anchor strength and technique to provide a long-term solution for a team in need of blocking help.
9. Bryan Bresee (DL – Clemson)
I realize that many have Bryan Bresee dropping into the teens, 20s or even out of the first round altogether. However, his ability to play different techniques, fire out with explosiveness, read keys, flow toward the play direction and ragdoll opponents to make plays are rare traits. He could succeed in any scheme.
10. Jalen Carter (DL – Georgia)
Many have Jalen Carter as one of the top prospects in this year’s class. The former five-star recruit plays the game with aggression, explosiveness, quickness, physicality and excellent activity in his hands. I see him as best playing three-technique, where he may be more temperamentally suited.
11. Myles Murphy (DE – Clemson)
Like Bresee, Myles Murphy is another Clemson product whose stock appears to be slipping for reasons that remain unclear. His size allows him to play various techniques, and he can set the edge with power and discipline in the run game and win with power or speed on passing downs.
12. Broderick Jones ( OT – Georgia)
Broderick Jones started all 15 games this past season, his first as a full-time starter, and showed a better understanding of the position than some of the more experienced tackles in the class. His combination of length, quickness, balance and grip strength should allow him to play in any type of scheme.
13. Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR – Ohio State)
Jaxon Smith-Njigba sat out virtually all of last season with a hamstring injury, but he’s probably the savviest of the high-end receiver prospects in this year’s class. Typically playing out of the slot and showing an impressive release package, he has the awareness to adjust to zone coverage and a reliable pair of hands.
14. Joey Porter Jr. (CB – Penn State)
One of the prospects who most improved their Draft stock as a junior, Joey Porter Jr.’s rare size and length are his main calling cards. He knows how to use them to disrupt routes, pin opponents to the sidelines, play off of blocks and break up throws when targeted. He cut down his penalties significantly last season.
15. Calijah Kancey (DL – Pittsburgh)
Lining up all over the defensive line and playing the game with excellent intensity, explosiveness and leverage, Calijah Kancey has better functional strength than his size would indicate. This allows him to play the run, using an impressive repertoire of rush moves and counters to generate pressure.
16. Jordan Addison (WR – USC)
A crafty prospect, Jordan Addison lined up both inside and outside as a receiver, with the quickness, agility and flexibility to create separation as a route-runner. Impressive after-the-catch competitiveness led the Trojans to try and scheme the ball into his hands as often as possible.
17. Lukas Van Ness (DE – Iowa)
Lukas Van Ness is a massive defender who can line up all over the defensive line or stand up and rush from the edge. He has a tough, physical temperament and impressive functional strength to anchor and discard blockers in the run game or grind down opponents with his bull rush when working as a pass-rusher.
18. Devon Witherspoon (CB – Illinois)
Devon Witherspoon flew all over the field last season with excellent competitiveness and anticipation. He has the swagger teams look for in a No. 1 corner. He closes aggressively and got his hands on many passes, probably appealing most to teams that favor playmaking over discipline.
19. Brian Branch (S – Alabama)
A combination slot and box defender, Brian Branch hasn’t taken too many snaps as a traditional high safety. Yet, he is a polished Alabama product with plug-and-play ability because of his technique, route processing, and positioning – traits which allow him to play both the pass and run effectively.
20. Cam Smith (CB – South Carolina)
One of the most physical and aggressive defenders in this year’s class, Cam Smith disrupts opposing releases with his length from press-man and stays connected at the stem with impressive twitchiness. He can be grabby and was penalized relatively often, but more discipline could make him a stud.
21. Will Levis (QB – Kentucky)
Will Levis is a relatively advanced prospect who played under two pro offensive coordinators in college. He offers high-end arm talent and a quick release which could make him a high-end starter if he improves his decision-making/feel and his ability to sense backside pressure.
22. Dawand Jones (OT – Ohio State)
A much smoother and more coordinated offensive tackle than his massive size would suggest, Dawand Jones played both tackle positions in college. He showed to be a dancing bear who could conceivably fit in either a zone or a gap scheme as long as he keeps his weight under control in the pros.
23. O’Cyrus Torrence (OG – Florida)
One of the most pro-ready players in this year’s class, O’Cyrus Torrence started for four years, the last of which came at Florida. He showed impressive consistency and positioning to complement his massive size and very good functional strength. Teams that rely on gap concepts can start him immediately.
24. Anthony Richardson (QB – Florida)
Anthony Richardson flashes the ability to do almost everything you’d want a quarterback to do. He sets up and gets the ball out fast in the quick game, can work through progressions and attack all three levels of the field. He has the velocity to fit things into tight windows, but mechanics/placement are real issues.
25. Kelee Ringo (CB – Georgia)
Coming from a premier program that asked him to play zone, press-man and shuffle techniques, Kelee Ringo shows better technique and consistency than is typical for a two-year starter, with solid discipline and patience. He also matches up well against both quicker and bigger receivers.
26. Nolan Smith (DE – Georgia)
He may be one of the smaller edge defenders in the class, but Nolan Smith plays bigger than his size, with relatively impressive lower-body strength and the ability to use his length to lock out defenders. His impressive speed, bend and burst should ultimately make him a better pro than a college athlete.
27. Deonte Banks (CB – Maryland)
Deonte Banks didn’t measure quite as tall as his listed size. However, he has excellent length and athleticism, showing the ability to play both press-man and zone coverages last season, doing a good job of using his speed and length to stay connected through the stem. Banks could develop into a true No. 1 corner.
28. Jahmyr Gibbs (RB – Alabama)
The hard-charging Jahmyr Gibbs has one of the sexiest games you’ll find in a running back prospect. He pairs excellent footwork, burst and elusiveness with more physicality than anticipated from a small back, fighting to finish his runs. He should at least be a dynamic change-of-pace/committee back at the next level.
29. Michael Mayer (TE – Notre Dame)
It’s almost impossible to miss on Notre Dame tight ends. So although Michael Mayer’s measurements and workouts weren’t the most impressive, teams can still know what they’re getting from him. With the ability to execute any type of assignment, Mayer could be a high-end run blocker with a more consistent technique.
30. Quentin Johnston (WR – TCU)
Quentin Johnston’s stock has dropped fairly significantly during the pre-Draft process. However, he remains the best big receiver in the class, and his ability to turn shorter throws into big plays by spinning away from contact and breaking tackles could help turn safer passing attacks into more explosive ones.
31. Antonio Johnson (S – Texas A&M)
Antonio Johnson is a big safety who, like Branch, didn’t play much free safety but has extensive experience playing in the slot and box. He has a smooth game, impressive pattern-recognition/diagnostic skills and the ability to help set the tone defensively. Johnson is an intriguing tools-based prospect who could start off as a nickel defender.
32. Tuli Tuipulotu (DL – USC)
Based on his tape, Tuli Tuipulotu looked like a solid bet to come off the board in the first round. But after showing up very light to the Combine, it’s hard to get a feel for his role at the pro level. Around 285-290 pounds, the ultra-productive lineman is a very good athlete with lateral quickness, solid lower-body strength and active hands.
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