’23 Draft Class: Players to Watch

Written By: Dat Boi Fuzz

With the playoff picture coming into focus and the trade deadline in the rear view, many of us are mentally and emotionally checking out of this league until draft day. Rather than succumb to despair, I encourage you other poor souls to get excited about your rookie picks!

There is a lot of fluidity in the consensus rankings for the players in this class. Rankings will vary quite a bit from scout to scout, so draft capital will be more important than ever. Rather than try to rank the players across positions, this article will simply highlight the guys that will likely be taken in the first two rounds of our upcoming rookie drafts.  PFF ranks are from their Big Board posted on 11/22/22, and NFL positional value is taken into account for their rankings. Player comps refer to playing style, body type, and ceiling. Some of these guys will certainly bust. As always, these lists are not final and do not necessarily reflect my personal opinions.

Quarterbacks

Bryce Young – Alabama
6’0 195lbs PFF Rank: 1
Shades of: Russell Wilson, Baker Mayfield
Pros: Clutch gene, pocket presence
Cons: Size, should probably run more

C.J. Stroud – The Ohio State University
6’3 215 PFF Rank: 4
Shades of: Jared Goff, eunuch Joe Burrow
Pros: Accuracy, progressions / decision making
Cons: Lack of rushing upside, unclear if he can carry a team that isn’t stacked at WR/OL

Will Levis – Kentucky
6’3 230 PFF Rank: 3
Shades of: Josh Allen (the prospect), Sam Darnold
Pros: Size, arm talent
Cons: College production, accuracy / consistency

Hendon Hooker – Tennessee
6’4 215 PFF Rank: 49
Shades of: Deshaun Watson, Jacoby Brissett
Pros: Arm talent, plus runner
Cons: Age (25 at draft), consistency

Bo Nix – Oregon
6’2 215 PFF Rank: 100+
Shades of: Daniel Jones, Ryan Tannehill
Pros: Likes to run, generally accurate
Cons: Mechanics in the pocket, deep throws

Anthony Richardson – Florida
6’4 230 PFF Rank: 100+
Shades of: Cam Newton, Justin Fields
Pros: Athleticism, size
Cons: Consistency, mechanically raw

Running Backs

Bijan Robinson – Texas
6’0 220 PFF Rank: 22
Shades of: Saquon Barkley, Jesus
Pros: Vision, elusiveness
Cons: Lack of elite speed, ???

Jahmyr Gibbs – Alabama
5’11 200 PFF Rank: 75
Shades of: Alvin Kamara, Christian McCaffrey
Pros: Receiving, elusiveness
Cons: Size, durability

Zach Evans – Mississippi
6’0 215 PFF Rank: 100+
Shades of: Todd Gurley, Joe Mixon
Pros: Athleticism, all-around game
Cons: Injury History, YAC

Zach Charbonnet – UCLA
6’1 220 PFF Rank: 100+
Shades of: Kareem Hunt, Josh Jacobs
Pros: Physical runner, great athlete with size
Cons: pass blocking, elusiveness

Tank Bigsby – Auburn
6’0 215 PFF Rank: 79
Shades of: Najee Harris, Rhamondre Stevenson
Pros: Yards after contact, three down profile
Cons: Speed, okay reciever

Sean Tucker – Syracuse
5’10 205 PFF Rank: 70
Shades of: Ray Rice, Aaron Jones
Pros: Speed, contact balance
Cons: Power through contact, size may limit his snaps

Blake Corrum – Michigan
5’8 210 PFF Rank: 55
Shades of: Mike Hart, Devin Singletary
Pros: All around game, solid athlete
Cons: No elite traits, size may limit his snaps

Kendre Miller – Texas Christian
6’0 220 PFF Rank: 100+
Shades of: Cam Akers, Dameon Pierce
Pros: Running between the tackles, speed
Cons: Plays smaller than his size, receiving

Devon Archane – Texas A&M
5’9 185 PFF Rank: 77
Shades of: Chris Johnson, Jahvid Best
Pros: Olympic speed, vision
Cons: Size, running between the tackles

Deuce Vaughn – Kansas State
5’6 175 PFF Rank: 100+
Shades of: Darren Sproles, Austin Ekeler
Pros: Athleticism, recieving
Cons: Size, NFL usage

Mohamed Ibrahim – Minnesota
5’10 210 PFF Rank: 100+
Shades of: 2022 Ezekiel Elliot, Dameon Pierce
Pros: Contact balance, pass blocking
Cons: Age, recieving

Wide Receivers

Jordan Addison – USC
6’0 175 PFF Rank: 14
Shades of: Chris Olave, Marquise Brown
Pros: Route running, athleticism
Cons: Size, hands

Quentin Johnston – Texas Christian
6’4 215 PFF Rank: 9
Shades of: Tee Higgins, Courtland Sutton
Pros: Deep threat, athleticism
Cons: Route running, sub-par run blocking may anger coaches

Jaxson Smith-Njigba – The Ohio State University
6’1 200 PFF Rank: 24
Shades of: Juju, Chris Godwin
Pros: Hands, positional versatility
Cons: Average athlete, regression from previous season due to hamstring injury

Kayshon Boutte – LSU
6’0 205 PFF Rank: 46
Shades of: Antonio Brown, Ja’Marr Chase
Pros: Athleticism, YAC
Cons: Regression from previous season after major leg injury, potential head case

Josh Downs – North Carolina
5’10 175 PFF Rank: 31
Shades of: Desean Jackson, Jaylen Waddle
Pros: Speed, contested catching
Cons: Size

Jalin Hyatt – Tennessee
6’0 180 PFF Rank: 78
Shades of: Jameson Williams, DeVonta Smith
Pros: Speed, contested catching
Cons: one year of elite production, may be best in the slot

Marvin Mims – Oklahoma
5’11 185 PFF Rank: 100+
Shades of: Tyler Lockett, Jahan Dotson
Pros: YAC, hands
Cons: Size, lack of elite speed

Zay Flowers – Boston College
5’10 170 PFF Rank: 96
Shades of: Tyler Lockett, Elijah Moore
Pros: YAC, athleticism
Cons: Size, hands

Rakim Jarrett
6’0 190 PFF Rank: 100+
Shades of: Curtis Samuel, Jarvis Landry
Pros: YAC, athleticism
Cons: Catch radius, lack of production against man coverage

Tight Ends

Michael Mayer – Notre Dame
6’4 265 PFF Rank: 13
Shades of: Will Dissy, Mo-Allie Cox
Pros: College production, contested catching
Cons: Speed, not a strong deep threat

Darnell Washington – Georgia
6’7 270 PFF Rank: 80
Shades of: Donald Parham, Jimmy Graham
Pros: Contested catching, athleticism relative to his size
Cons: Separation, college production

Dalton Kincaid – Utah
6’4 240 PFF Rank: 43
Shades of: Greg Dulcich, Irv Smith
Pros: Hands, route running
Cons: Lack of college production, blocking

Jahiem Bell – South Carolina
6’3 230 PFF Rank: 100+
Shades of: Deebo Samuel, Evan Engram
Pros: Versatility, YAC
Cons: Blocking, hands

Arik Gilbert – Georgia
6’5 255 PFF Rank: 100+
Shades of: David Njoku, Noah Fant
Pros: Hands, athleticism
Cons: Potential head case, hasn’t lived up to 5-star hype