2023 NFL Draft Big Board
- Kyle Alexander
- Mar 16, 2023
- 5 min read
The 2023 NFL draft is soon approaching and it’s the perfect time for teams to look and draft young talent and franchise cornerstones. Some teams look to build for the future, while some try to find that hidden gem or missing piece to help them capture a Super Bowl. With that being said, let’s now take a look at the top 5 prospects at each position, including the top 5 overall players.
Note: This is a list of players based on skill, production, and expected translation to the league. This is not based on draft projections. This list will also change all the way up until the draft.
Top 5 players in the draft
1. Will Anderson, EDGE, Alabama
Will Anderson has been consistently within the top five pick conversation for the past two seasons. Although his sophomore campaign was better, as he recorded 101 tackles, 31 tackles for loss, and 17.5 sacks, scouts know he can reach this potential in the league. Even this past season, he recorded 51 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, and even caught an interception. The 6’3, 253-pound defender won back to back Bronco Nagurski awards for most outstanding defensive player, back to back SEC defensive Player of the Year, the Chuck Bednarik award for nation’s best defender, the Ronnie Lott trophy for most impactful defensive player, and the Vince Lombardi award for best lineman, along with being voted on back to back Consensus All-America teams. His twitchiness and quickness off the line is what makes him a dominant pass rusher who will be a guaranteed star from day one.
2. Bryce Young, QB, Alabama⬆️
Bryce Young is the best quarterback in this class and is mostly likely the first overall pick. After getting the starting job in 2021, Young never looked back as he etched his name in the record books. As a first time starter, he broke the school record for single season passing yards (4,872) and touchdowns (47), along with the single game passing yard record (559). This tremendous play by Young is what helped him make more history, as he became the first Alabama quarterback to win the Heisman Trophy. After following up his Heisman campaign with 3,328 yards and 32 touchdowns this past season, he became the first Alabama quarterback ever to throw for over 3,000 yards in multiple seasons. Young finished his Alabama career with both the second most career passing yards (8,356) and touchdowns (80) in school history. The main negative on the stud quarterback is his size as he measured in at 5’10, 204 pounds at the combine. Some scouts believe that his smaller frame could hinder him and his durability at the next level, but he’s played at an elite level in the hardest college conference, the SEC. Young is a smaller quarterback, but the league has seen players like Kyler Murray and Russell Wilson have success. His playmaking and improvising while keeping calm under pressure will give a team a franchise quarterback for years to come.
3. Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia⬇️
Jalen Carter is in line to be the next great Georgia defender to come into the league. The 6’3, 314-pound lineman racked up 32 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 3 pass deflections, and 2 forced fumbles, which earned him a spot on the Consensus All-America team. Carter’s rise is similar to his former teammate’s Trayvon Walker, as Carter started getting attention and stood out on the Georgia defense as the season went on. One of his biggest knocks, however, is how he essentially fizzled out in the playoffs, as he only recorded 3 tackles and a deflection in two games. Carter will be a force to be reckoned with at the next level as he’s explosive and powerful off the line and knows how to blow the run up. The Georgia lineman was recently charged with reckless driving and racing that is connected to the deaths of teammate Devin Willocks and staff member Chandler LeCroy. Carter was booked and released shortly after posting a bond worth $4,000. As of recent, Carter weighed in at 323 pounds, a 9 pound increase since the combine two weeks ago, and opted to only participate in position drills at his pro day. He was unable to finish the drills due to being out of breathe and having cramps. Some believe it could be a mental toll on him coming to fruition, as he was connected to his teammate’s death in the same time period as the pre-draft process. These negatives along with reports of maturity issues and how he gained has led to his stock slipping outside the top five, as most projections have him going towards the end of the top 10 or even outside of it. Which ever team lands him, he will be a great steal for them.
4. CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State
CJ Stroud is giving Bryce Young competition to be the first pick, as he’s put together an impressive resume at Ohio State. Stroud in his first season threw for 4,435 yards, 44 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions as he became a Heisman finalist that year. This was when scouts and fans knew that Young and Stroud would be the top two quarterbacks in this year’s class. Stroud was able to follow up with 3,688 yards, 41 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions while being a Heisman finalist once again. This time, he had a chance to win the title as Ohio State would become the 4th seed in the playoffs and take on the defending champion Georgia Bulldogs. Even as the underdog, he led Ohio State to a 28-24 halftime lead. Despite his heroics and even leading the team down field to set up a long field goal try, Georgia came back and won 42-41. Even in a heartbreaking loss, Stroud threw for 348 yards and 4 touchdowns, while completing 67.6% of his passes and without throwing a single interception. This performance made history as Stroud became the first quarterback in the last two seasons to throw 4 touchdowns against Georgia’s defense. Stroud is a good playmaker but not to the same degree as Young, as sometimes Stroud will look to force certain passes or doesn’t run when there’s not an open receiver. Outside of that, Stroud is a pro ready field general who will be a franchise star for any team.
5. Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas⬆️
Bijan Robinson has been rising up the board every week as a top talent. The 5’11 bellcow produced crazy numbers as he accumulated 2,707 yards and 29 touchdowns in two seasons as Texas’ main star. He also displayed his versatility as he recorded 609 receiving yards and 6 receiving touchdowns in the same span. Robinson is a bigger back with speed and knows how to make precise cuts to hit the hole and is a big play waiting to happen. Even with running backs becoming more replaceable, Robinson’s talent and upside is keeping him in the top 10 conversation. Robinson is a key missing piece for a contender out there and gives the offense an automatic boost. It was reported that he only met with the Eagles and Buccaneers before the draft, along with reports of the Cowboys and Chargers trying to draft him. The runningback has scouts drooling at his versatility and skill at the position. Robinson will be a cornerstone for any team that decides to take him.
Comments