Dec 31, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Will Anderson Jr. (31) celebrates with teammates during the first half against the Cincinnati Bearcats in the 2021 Cotton Bowl college football CFP national semifinal game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
With college football set to kick off next week, it is time to look at the top prospects going into the season. This list is led by Will Anderson who is the highest-rated defensive player in the draft since Chase Young came out in 2020. The group also includes a true franchise-level running back in Bijan Robinson, and two quarterbacks rated in the top six. Along with taking a look at the first draft board of the season, this week’s NFL Draft Notebook also highlights the following:
1. Will Anderson Jr., OLB, Alabama Going into the 2022 season Will Anderson Jr. is the top-rated NFL Draft prospect. He is a feared pass rusher who recorded 17.5 sacks and also holds up extremely well vs. the run.
2. C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State Stroud is a pocket passer who shows the accuracy, intelligence, and arm strength to be a franchise quarterback in the NFL. Last season, he accounted for 44 touchdowns while tossing just six interceptions. This season he should have another strong showing.
3. Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas The best running back — by far — in the 2023 NFL Draft is Bijan Robinson of Texas. Robinson is a physical back who shows elite contact balance and surprising speed for a 221-pound back. While not many running backs are worth top ten picks, Robinson is as he shows the potential to become one of the top running backs in the NFL.
The Best Player In College Football – Bijan Robinson (Midseason Mixtape)@Bijan5Robinson pic.twitter.com/guYx0hkxGS
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) October 26, 2021
4. Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia Last season, Georgia saw five defenders drafted in the first round, yet their most promising player on last year’s team might be defensive tackle, Jalen Carter. Carter is an explosive defensive tackle who is capable of shooting a gap and also has the power to be a force vs the run.
5. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State Last season, Ohio State produced two wide receivers who went in the top 11 picks, and this year they should have another wide receiver who goes that high. Jaxon Smith-Njigba is a crisp route runner who has the strength to break tackles after the catch.
6. Bryce Young, QB, Alabama The second-best quarterback in the 2023 NFL Draft class is last season’s Heisman Trophy winner, Bryce Young of Alabama. Young is more mobile than Stroud but lacks his size and overall arm strength.
7. Nolan Smith, OLB, Georgia Yet another highly thought of player on Georgia’s defense is outside linebacker, Nolan Smith. Smith is an outstanding athlete who shows the speed to play sideline to sideline and the agility to get around the corner as a pass rusher.
Was asked this in recent interview: “When watching tape of the loaded Georgia defense for @seniorbowl did Travon Walker standout even though you weren’t watching him?”. The answer is, not as much as you’d expect from a No. 1 overall pick. But the prospect who did was Nolan Smith. pic.twitter.com/hZv4wlffuf
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) April 26, 2022
8. Eli Ricks, CB, Alabama One team who seems to always benefit from the transfer portal is the Alabama Crimson Tide, and this year’s top pickup is Eli Ricks who transferred from LSU. Ricks is a big corner who shows great ball skills.
9. Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia The battle for the No. 1 corner spot is between Eli Ricks and Kelee Ringo. Ringo is another bigger corner coming in at 6-foot-2. He also has impressive speed, as he posted a stunning 10.43 seconds in the 100-meter dash.
10. Myles Murphy, DE, Clemson Clemson’s Myles Murphy is a versatile defensive end who shows a great combination of power and quickness off the ball. He also has the versatility to play defensive end or move inside to defensive tackle.
11. Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame Last season, we didn’t see a tight end go in the first round but that should change next year. Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer is a complete tight end who has soft hands and good overall strength. He should be your classic in-line tight end and it would be a surprise if he didn’t become an All-Pro in a couple of years.
12. Paris Johnson Jr, OT, Ohio State This will be a big year for Paris Johnson Jr. as he makes the move from offensive guard to offensive tackle. If he can hold up at tackle he should be a first-round pick as scouts will love his strength and overall length.
After spending extra time working on his fundamentals this offseason, Paris Johnson Jr. has a new mindset in camp: He’s excited to go to work every day. And Ohio State’s new left tackle has impressed his coaches and teammates with all the work he’s put in:https://t.co/6dzQpyrVWF pic.twitter.com/gc3Qe4muUR
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) August 14, 2022
13. Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson One of the most powerful players in the 2023 NFL Draft is Clemson’s, Bryan Bresee. His strength allows him to be a force vs. the run and he is also a proven pass rusher recording three sacks in just four games last year. If he can fully recover from the torn ACL he suffered last year he should move up the draft board.
14. Isaiah Foskey, DE, Notre Dame Isaiah Foskey had a breakout season last year, posting 11 sacks and six forced fumbles for the Fighting Irish. If he can have a similar year this season, look for him to be a high first-round pick, especially after he posts strong testing numbers at the NFL Combine.
15. Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern Peter Skoronski has been a standout since day one at Northwestern and he should continue that trend this year. The biggest question with him is does he play offensive tackle in the NFL or does his 6-foot-4 size force him to shift inside to offensive guard?
16. B.J. Ojulari, DE, LSU LSU’s B.J. Ojulari is a proven pass rusher who shows elite speed off the edge. His best position might be as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense due to his lack of prototypical size with his hand in the dirt.
17. Trenton Simpson, OLB, Clemson One of the more impressive athletes in the 2023 NFL Draft is Clemson linebacker, Trenton Simpson. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound linebacker possesses an ideal combination of strength (bench pressing 375 pounds) and speed (running the 40-yard dash in 4.3 seconds).
18. Will McDonald, DE, Iowa State Anytime you can record 22 sacks over a two season stretch, you are going to catch scouts’ attention. That is what Iowa State’s Will McDonald has done and why he is considered a late first-round pick.
Just getting into tape on 2023 EDGE class but can’t be many rushers as instinctive, skilled, & productive (29.0 career sacks) as @CycloneFB DE Will McDonald IV. @WILL_JUN1OR consistently wins with shake & hands. Also has strip knack (5 FF last year).#TheDraftStartsInMOBILE™️ pic.twitter.com/yO6cEtLivt
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) May 14, 2022
19. Zion Nelson, OT, Miami Miami’s Zion Nelson has the potential to be the No. 1 offensive tackle in the class, but in order to do that, he will need to be a more consistent player this year. Some of the traits that stand out with Nelson are his quick feet, ideal size, and athletic ability to play left tackle.
20. Noah Sewell, MLB, Oregon The top middle linebacker in the 2023 NFL Draft is Noah Sewell of Oregon. Sewell is a physical linebacker who does an outstanding job of playing the run. He also moves very well for a 253-pound linebacker and can hold up in coverage better than most players his size.
21. Joey Porter Jr., Penn State A player who is just starting to come into his own is Joey Porter Jr. Last season, Porter recorded four pass breakups and one interception. With another year to refine his game, he should be even better this year.
22. Kayshon Boutte, WR, LSU LSU’s Kayshon Boutte looks like the ideal slot receiver. He is a quick receiver who does a good job finding space in zone coverage. One area he will need to work on this year, though, is catching the ball in traffic.
23. Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU Quentin Johnston is a big wide receiver who posts some strong numbers according to Bruce Feldman, including a 4.4 40-yard dash. This combination makes him a dangerous threat catching the ball down the field due to his ability to box out defenders or run away from them.
24. Tucker Kraft, South Dakota State South Dakota State’s Tucker Kraft is the top-FCS player in the 2023 NFL Draft. Kraft is an outstanding run blocker who does a great job sticking on his blocks. He is also a good receiver who does a terrific job of catching the contested ball.
Nope. @GoJacksFB TE Tucker Kraft is a stud.
One of the best tight ends in CFB (FBS or FCS). https://t.co/uWCVrh0zfQ pic.twitter.com/ESrnB6jvTk
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) July 28, 2022
25. Antonio Johnson, S, Texas A&M Johnson is a big safety who excels in coverage. According to Pro Football Focus, Johnson had a coverage grade of 87.4, which is impressive for a safety who is asked to cover wide receivers on a consistent basis. In addition to his ability to cover, he is strong vs. the run as well, having recorded 79 tackles last year.
George Karlaftis, DE, Kansas City Chiefs One of the more productive rookies this preseason has been defensive end George Karlaftis. In just 31 pass rushing reps, he has accounted for five pressures and two sacks according to Pro Football Focus. His last sack came against Washington, where he faced a double team and was held, yet was still able to get to quarterback Carson Wentz.
Back-to-back games with a sack for @TheGK3. 💯
📺: #WASvsKC on @NFLNetwork 📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/tpy3uNZRe7 pic.twitter.com/bbQKiEGZaN
Tariq Woolen, CB, Seattle Seahawks One player who has stood out for the Seattle Seahawks is cornerback Tariq Woolen. Woolen has impressed with his elite athletic ability which includes a 4.26 40-yard dash, 42-inch vertical jump, and 6-foot-4 size. In his game against the Chicago Bears last week, he was targeted three times and did not allow a single reception.
Brian Robinson, RB, Washington Commanders It looks like Washington running back Brian Robinson may have won the starting running back job for the Commanders. While his stats against Kansas City look average, having rushed for just 31 yards on eight carries, his play showed several positive signs. When watching his film, you see a hard-charging running back who hits the hole quickly. If Washington can see better play from its offensive line, look for Robinson’s production to significantly improve.
James Cook, RB, Buffalo Bills Another running back who looked impressive last weekend is James Cook of the Buffalo Bills. He finished the day rushing for 38 yards on just four carries and also caught one pass for 12 yards. What stood out the most with Cook in his game against the Denver Broncos was his explosiveness. He showed the speed to easily turn a small running lane into a big gain. He has also impressed the team with his ability to be a receiver out of the backfield, and he should see plenty of passes thrown his way this season.
Jermaine Johnson, DE, New York Jets While New York Jets defensive end Jermaine Johnson has had his moments in practice, he likely won’t make much of an impact this season. One of the biggest issues he has had this season is being a complete defensive end who can win with power and speed. Look for Johnson to be a backup this season who sees time as a rotational defensive lineman.
Evan Neal, OT, New York Giants Another first-round pick who has had his struggles so far this year is New York Giants offensive tackle, Evan Neal. Neal has struggled in pass protection grading out 37.4 in pass blocking against New England in the preseason opener according to Pro Football Focus. On the positive side, though, he did look better against Cinncinati last week.
Matt Corral, QB, Carolina Panthers This is the second week in a row Matt Corral has made this list. In the preseason opener against Washington Commanders, he completed just one of nine passes for 11 yards. Things got even worse last week against New England when he went down with a Lisfranc ligament tear. This injury will likely cost him the season. Hopefully, he will use this time away from the practice field to get a better grasp of the Panther’s offense and we will see a much more comfortable Corral in 2023.
Logan Bruss, OG, Los Angeles Rams Another rookie who will miss the 2022 season due to injury is offensive guard Logan Bruss. Bruss who went to Los Angeles Rams in the third round and was the team’s first draft pick. Bruss was competing for the starting right guard position
Atlanta Falcons While his preseason action might be limited to a knee injury, don’t be surprised if Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London is this year’s Rookie of the Year. This is due to the fact that when healthy, he has been dominant in training camp and should be one of the top targets in the Falcons’ passing game.
Carolina Panthers One of the most impressive athletes in the 2022 NFL Draft was Virginia Tech defensive end Amare’ Barno, who posted a 4.36 40-yard dash. This speed has been on full display during training camp when it comes to getting after the passer. If he continues to impress like he has so far, look for Barno to earn time as a situational pass rusher, which is pretty good value for a 6th-round pick.
New Orleans Saints A player who could give Drake London a challenge for Rookie of the Year this season is Ohio State wide receiver Chris Olave. Olave has made numerous tough catches in training camp so far and is also one of the more polished rookies in the 2022 class.
The first-rounder @chrisolave_ is in for 6.@Saints fans can get used to this. 🙌
📱: Stream #NOvsGB on NFL+ https://t.co/TG8NNQM32C pic.twitter.com/zSwkMxYP0a
Tampa Bay Buccaneers The rookie who might make the biggest impact for this year is running back Rachaad White. In preseason action he has been a triple threat showing good instincts as a runner, soft hands as a receiver, and the versatility to help out on special teams as a kick returner. While White won’t win the starting job this season, look for him to get plenty of carries behind Leonard Fournette.
— A player who is being overrated is Ohio State offensive tackle Dawand Jones. While his 6-foot-8, 350-pound size is sure to catch your attention, he does have some concerning areas of his game. The first concern is his lack of flexibility, which causes him to play with a high pad level. He also is just an average athlete who has trouble blocking in space. These concerns earn him a sixth-round draft grade on NFL Draft Notebook’s board while he is getting more of a second-round grade from other people like Luke Easterling of Draft Wire.
— While Dawand Jones might be a little overrated, Georgia’s Broderick Jones is a sleeper going into the 2022 season. Broderick Jones is being overlooked mainly due to the fact he has only started four games during his college career. While he has limited playing time, he has shown the traits to make him an early second-round prospect. One of the traits that really stands out with him is his strength. He routinely overpowers his defender at the point of attack, which is one of the reasons he is such a strong run blocker. He also is a very good athlete who can easily get to the second level when run blocking. Two concerns scouts have on him, besides his lack of playing time, is that he comes in at only 6-foot-4, which makes him shorter than they want in a starting tackle. He will also lower his head when blocking at times, which causes him to fall off his blocks.
2023 NFL Draft: The Most Intriguing Prospect on Each Top 25 Team in the Preseason AP Poll
— A Pac-12 quarterback to keep an eye on this year is Washington State’s, Cameron Ward. Ward is a transfer from Incarnate Word, where he put up some pretty impressive numbers. He finished the 2021 season throwing for 4,648 yards and 47 touchdowns, while tossing just ten interceptions. If he can put up similar numbers for the Cougars, and works on his throwing motion, he could be a late-round prospect for the 2023 NFL Draft.
“I think Amare’ has a really nice future. I think Amare’s getting better and better.”
-Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule on rookie Amare’ Barno
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