The 2023 NFL Draft in Kansas City is eight months away, but you have to start somewhere. Even so, creating a draft board this early can be a challenge because most prospect evaluations are incomplete.
Alabama’s Will Anderson Jr. at No. 1 is easy — he is one of the best players I have ever evaluated and doesn’t need to play another college snap to warrant the top spot.
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However, the picture isn’t as clear for most prospects. Florida’s Anthony Richardson is a perfect example. A freak show at quarterback, he has the size of a linebacker, the speed of a wide receiver, and the ball explodes off his hand as a passer. But he has just 66 career pass attempts and remains unproven in several areas of playing the position. Will he make the necessary strides this season to become a top prospect?
We’ll learn plenty about him, and the rest of the ’23 draft class, as the college football season unfolds. For now, the top 50 prospects:
(Note: Asterisk represents draft-eligible underclassmen. Heights and weights are what NFL teams have on file for each player and may differ from school rosters.)
1. *Will Anderson Jr., edge, Alabama (6-4, 245)
On paper, Anderson is a remarkable prospect. His tape is even more extraordinary. With his lower-body twitch and explosive upper half, he has the physical makeup that NFL teams covet. But what sets him apart as a prospect are his intelligence, competitive fire and astute understanding of how to apply coaching. With his high level of play rushing the passer and stopping the run, Anderson is one of the best prospects I’ve ever studied and compares very favorably to Von Miller.
2. *Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia (6-3, 310)
A dynamic lineman, Carter is naturally explosive to win laterally or upfield, wrapping blockers and closing on the football. His movements skills and suddenness are rare for a 310-pounder and his body twitch allows him to unleash various swipe or arm-over moves. Carter also shows the shock in his hands to efficiently counter or defeat single blockers. Not only will he be the first interior defensive lineman drafted in the 2023 class, but he’ll be in the discussion with Anderson to be the first non-quarterback off the board.
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3. *C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State (6-3, 220)
Stroud certainly benefits from Ryan Day’s offense and the elite talent around him, including a pair of first-round receivers in the 2022 class and a few more coming through the pipeline. But isolating the quarterback and his traits, Stroud’s passing anticipation and even-keeled focus on each play are remarkable. Stroud is a steady and generous facilitator — he trusts that his receivers are going to be where they need to be, and he delivers a catchable ball so receivers don’t have to work too hard for it. I’ll bet on those traits every day.
4. *Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia (6-2, 210)
Acing the eye test with flying colors, Ringo is a physical, good-sized athlete with coordinated movement skills and elite speed. His impressive stopwatch speed (10.43-second 100 meters) shows on the tape, as do his fluid footwork and sudden change of direction to stay connected to routes. Although still young in areas, Ringo has the talent to warrant this high of a ranking — it’s up to his 2022 film to back it up.
5. *Bryce Young, QB, Alabama (5-11, 197)
The size concerns will follow Young throughout the draft process and his NFL career, but his list of strengths as a quarterback is extensive. And at the top are the two P’s: poise and processing. He is patient, yet assertive and composed, and he routinely is able to make a spontaneous decision. Young does a great job keeping his feet connected with his eyes to alter his platforms, eliminate things quickly and find the vulnerable matchup downfield.
6. *Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson (6-3, 230)
Simpson is a physically impressive athlete with the fluidity and closing speed that sets him apart from most linebackers. He is an explosive tackler and plays extremely well through contact, using his physical hands to work off blockers. With another season of development at the college level, Simpson has the traits to be a difference-maker in the NFL.
7. *Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson (6-5, 300)
To fully unlock his gifted skill set, Bresee needs to continue developing his hand usage and efficiency. But his big-man explosiveness and brute strength were as advertised on tape. With a fully healthy 2022 season and another step in his development, Bresee has all the talent to warrant a draft pick in the top half of Round 1.
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8. Nolan Smith, edge, Georgia (6-3, 237)
On a loaded Georgia defense last season, Smith finished fifth in tackles (56), second in tackles for loss (9.0) and first in forced fumbles (three). He plays with explosive athleticism, functional length and the instincts to always be around the football. In addition to his on-field impact, several Georgia players I spoke with identified Smith as the proverbial heart and soul of the locker room. His exact positional fit might look different from scheme to scheme, which will lead to varying draft grades. But as an edge defender who can stand up in space, Smith displays the explosive qualities and intangibles to be an NFL difference-maker.
9. *Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon (6-2, 200)
Although Gonzalez is not a well-known name now, that will soon change. A member of Bruce Feldman’s Freaks List, Gonzalez has outstanding length to go with his coordinated footwork and roadrunner speed. Regardless of whether he is covering a big tight end or speedy slot, he consistently keeps receivers within arm’s length and squeezes the route to shrink the passing window. Bottom line: Cornerbacks with length, speed and athleticism are always highly valued in the NFL, and Gonzalez checks all those boxes.
10. *Myles Murphy, edge, Clemson (6-5, 275)
Murphy is an interesting prospect because he has an NFL body with the play strength to be a true force player, but he isn’t a freak athlete like Travon Walker and lacks the polish of Aidan Hutchinson. However, it is easy to appreciate what Murphy brings each snap as he creates movement with his powerful attack or handles double teams on the edge. With improved efficiency as a junior, Murphy has the potential to be a top-10 draft pick.
11. Will Levis, QB, Kentucky (6-4, 230)
In most physical categories, Levis is the prototype. He is well-built with impressive play strength and athleticism for his size. As a passer, Levis has a lightning-quick release with a whip for an arm and above-average velocity to make every necessary throw. He has the talent to deliver from whatever platform necessary and is just as comfortable outside the pocket as he is driving throws from a 3-yard drop. In terms of recognition and consistency, Levis isn’t a finished product, but the talent and intangibles are why he warrants this lofty ranking.
12. *Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas (6-0, 220)
Over the last four NFL Drafts, no running back has been selected in the top-23 picks, but Robinson has a great chance to break that streak in April. He is a special back for several reasons — most of all, his ability to force missed tackles due to his unique mix of elusiveness and power. He is a one-cut maestro with the twitchy reflexes in his lower body to start-stop in a blink and leave broken tackles all over the field. Robinson’s burst allows him to accelerate rapidly, and he runs with the physicality to keep his balance through contact.
13. *Siaki Ika, DT, Baylor (6-4, 354)
For a 350-plus-pounder, Ika has rare short-area quickness and disruptive traits. He stays nimble on his feet, with the length, hand strength and body flexibility to press blockers from his frame and redirect his momentum. Ika’s power and anchor were expected, but the explosiveness and fluidity for a player that size were a pleasant surprise. He isn’t quite on the Vita Vea level as a prospect, but he is in the same mold with his rare blend of traits.
14. *Kayshon Boutte, WR, LSU (6-0, 205)
LSU has produced a first-round wide receiver in two of the last three NFL drafts, and Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase have quickly established themselves as two of the best young pass-catchers in the league. Can Boutte follow in their footsteps? He has three-level explosiveness with outstanding acceleration mid-route and after the catch.
15. *Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame (6-5, 251)
Notre Dame has been a tight end factory with eight players drafted at the position since 2011, including five in the top 100 picks. Mayer is next in the pipeline and projects as a longtime NFL starter. Because he doesn’t have top-tier athleticism, Mayer isn’t a lock to go in the top half of Round 1. But he is an outstanding pass catcher and functional blocker, and his elite competitiveness will be an easy sell in draft rooms.
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16. *Peter Skoronski, G/T, Northwestern (6-4, 310)
Though not on Rashawn Slater’s level as a prospect, Skoronski is smooth in his setup, with the mirroring skills to ride outside speed or redirect his weight to cut off inside rush lanes. Thanks to his quick processor and controlled feet, he consistently wins with quality positioning while also flashing the hand strength and punch timing to stymie pass rushers. Skoronski has the skills of a longtime NFL starter.
17. *Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State (6-0, 200)
Last season, Smith-Njigba shared a wide receiver depth chart with the 10th (Garrett Wilson) and 11th (Chris Olave) selections in this past NFL Draft, along with several other future draft picks at the position. However, it was Smith-Njigba who led the Buckeyes in receptions (95) and receiving yards (1,606). Stroud called him “the best route runner I’ve ever played with in my life.” With only average size and speed, Smith-Njigba isn’t a lock to be drafted as high as Wilson or Olave, but he is a natural hands catcher with the crafty routes and seasoned instincts to be a productive NFL starter.
18. *Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State (6-6, 315)
As a right guard last season, Johnson earned second-team All-Big Ten honors from the league coaches. Now, the rising junior will protect Stroud’s blindside in 2022. The Cincinnati native is currently a projection at left tackle, with questions about his timing and technique out in space. But with his size, strength and fluid movement skills, Johnson should be more natural at left tackle and could translate a breakout 2022 season into an early-round draft pick.
19. *Arik Gilbert, TE, Georgia (6-5, 250)
As much as I appreciate Mayer’s toughness and talent, Gilbert will be the clear-cut TE1 in next year’s draft class if he stays on the field and plays up to his potential. But that is a big “if” that might not come to fruition. A former five-star recruit, Gilbert looked like a future top-10 pick as a true freshman at LSU. He transferred to Georgia last year but missed the 2021 season, due to personal reasons. NFL teams will be watching Gilbert’s development very closely in 2022 because he has difference-making talent.
20. *Isaiah Foskey, edge, Notre Dame (6-5, 260)
An impressive athlete for his size, Foskey can line up across the front seven and win in a multitude of ways. As a pass rusher, he threatens the corner and forces blockers to respect his edge speed, which unlocks his go-to power moves — specifically, his long-arm techniques. Foskey has a crafty understanding of how to use his length to soften the edge and leverage the point of attack with one arm to bully blockers.
21. Tyree Wilson, edge, Texas Tech (6-6, 270)
In new defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter’s hybrid 3-4 scheme, Wilson is listed as an outside linebacker on the Tech roster. He’s expected to split his time between standing up and playing with his hand on the ground. Regardless, his main goal each snap will be to affect the quarterback. Does he lack refinement? Yes, but his length and raw power are terrific foundational traits.
22. *Noah Sewell, LB, Oregon (6-3, 250)
A powerfully built athlete and well-rounded defender, Sewell — younger brother of Lions OT Penei Sewell — offers a combination of play strength, movement skills and football IQ. With his lateral range and aggressive run fits, he does a great job scraping, working off contact and relying on his physicality to be productive versus the run.
23. *Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah (5-10, 185)
Similar in ways to Trent McDuffie (the No. 21 pick in April), Phillips is slightly undersized and isn’t expected to run a 4.3-second 40-yard dash. But he has the athletic twitch, ball skills and coverage feel that translates to any level of football. He led the Pac-12 in passes defended (15) last season.
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24. *Antonio Johnson, S, Texas A&M (6-3, 195)
The Texas A&M secondary is loaded with future NFL dudes, and Johnson might be the most intriguing of the bunch. With his impressive physical traits and budding instincts, versatility is the calling card for Johnson, who can play cornerback, nickel or safety. He is at his best when he can float underneath and match up against slot targets while also showing the range to be an enforcer versus the run.
25. *Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina (6-0, 190)
Smith won’t have the fastest 40-yard dash among the cornerbacks on this list. But his instincts, ball skills and competitive toughness are the types of traits that will endear him to NFL coaches. And he isn’t a subpar athlete, by any means, showing closing burst and fluid redirect skills in coverage. If he continues to build on what he put on his 2021 tape, Smith will be a solid NFL starter.
26. *Brian Branch, S, Alabama (6-0, 193)
Branch might not have elite size and bulk by NFL standards, but he has surprising functional strength to go along with his impressive play speed and short-area quickness. He understands play indicators and feels route combinations around him, which enables him to break on the ball with aggressive timing. Referred to as the “Swiss Army knife” of the Alabama defense by his teammates, Branch’s versatility and ascending skills make him a potential first-rounder.
27. *Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida (6-4, 238)
Based on sample size (66 career pass attempts), Richardson’s scouting report currently requires a great deal of projection. But there is no college quarterback with more raw talent. He is a well-built, twitchy athlete with the speed to gash defenses with his legs and the big body to power through tacklers. Richardson has a powerful arm (both velocity and distance) to put the ball anywhere on the field, and although his delivery is a little long, the ball explodes out of his hand.
28. *Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU (6-4, 215)
The list of TCU wide receivers drafted in the first round is short and discouraging: Josh Doctson (2016) and Jalen Reagor (2020). But Johnston has the talent to break from that ugly history. He reminds me a lot of Martavis Bryant on the field — a long athlete who plays with the twitch and flexibility of a smaller receiver but offers the catch radius and athletic ball skills that make him a size mismatch in coverage.
29. *Gervon Dexter Sr., DT, Florida (6-6, 315)
As a pass rusher, Dexter uses his forward lean to uproot, drive his feet and create movement. And as a run defender, Dexter has the long arms to maintain separation and the body control to unwind from blockers. Watching Dexter’s sophomore film at Florida brought back flashbacks of Chris Jones at Mississippi State — a tall, physical athlete with flashes of big-time potential.
30. Will McDonald IV, edge, Iowa State (6-4, 226)
McDonald is a challenging evaluation because offenses aren’t shy in running at him and he lacks power as a pass rusher. But he does have length (34 5/8-inch arms), speed and body control to win off the edge and disrupt the backfield. NFL teams want athletes who can get to the quarterback; McDonald posted double-digit sacks each of the last two seasons.
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31. *Zach Evans, RB, Ole Miss (6-0, 215)
Lane Kiffin’s offensive philosophy is simple: Feed the football to your best player. As long as he is on the field, Evans is one of the best playmakers in the SEC and poised for a monster junior season with the Rebels. The TCU transfer is a joy to watch with the ball in his hands. His read-and-cut ability is why he averaged 7.3 yards per carry over his first two college seasons.
32. *Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State (6-2, 200)
Although he plays a different position and sports a different body type from his Pro Bowl father (linebacker Joey Porter Sr.), Porter likes to mix things up and play a physical brand of football. He needs to improve his route recognition and overall consistency in 2022 to cement himself as a top-50 prospect, but he has plenty of fans around the league due to his length and smooth movement skills.
33. Andre Carter II, edge, Army (6-6, 255)
Army hasn’t produced a top-100 draft pick since the Eisenhower administration, but that should change in April. Carter led the FBS in sacks per game (1.19) last season, and he offers the length and athletic traits that translate to the NFL game.
34. *Jordan Addison, WR, USC (6-0, 180)
A twitchy, loose athlete, Addison plays with outstanding quickness to make an impact at all three levels of the field. The Pitt transfer is a tough cover one-on-one, due to his fluidity as a route runner — especially on outs and digs. His elusive quickness also makes him a slippery target to tackle, meaning he can be dangerous in the quick-passing game. With Caleb Williams at quarterback and Lincoln Riley as his play caller, Addison should flourish in his new home.
35. *Tucker Kraft, TE, South Dakota State (6-5, 255)
NFL teams watched plenty of South Dakota State’s offense last season to check out running back Pierre Strong and quarterback Chris Oladokun — both of whom were drafted this past April. But most evaluators came away convinced that the best prospect from that offense was Kraft. Former Jackrabbit Dallas Goedert (drafted No. 49 in 2018) has been a role model for him since high school, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if Kraft is the higher draft pick.
36. *Colby Wooden, edge, Auburn (6-5, 285)
With the versatility to play up and down the line, Wooden is scheme-proof and brings tremendous energy. He can dispose of blocker’s wrists or get them moving in reverse with his power. Led by Wooden, the Auburn front seven will be appointment viewing for NFL scouts this fall.
37. JL Skinner, S, Boise State (6-4, 210)
My top-ranked senior safety to start the season, Skinner is a unique prospect because you can count the number of NFL safeties taller than 6-foot-4 on one hand. He plays with the speed and range of a smaller athlete but strikes with the power of a 240-pound linebacker. Similar in ways to Jayron Kearse, Skinner has some areas to clean up, but his athleticism and physicality give a defense options. He can play the post, roam underneath or be a matchup weapon against tight ends or big slots.
38. *Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama (5-11, 200)
Although undersized by NFL standards, Gibbs is a dynamic ball carrier and should thrive with the passing attack and blocking in Tuscaloosa. With his athletic gifts and soft hands, the Georgia Tech transfer is a terminator as a pass catcher — especially on angle routes, when he can cross the face of defenders and create a runway for himself.
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39. *Garrett Williams, CB, Syracuse (6-0, 190)
Williams put himself on the NFL map by leading the ACC in passes defended each of the last two seasons. He has the footwork to stay on top of routes and the awareness to find the football. Among Williams, running back Sean Tucker and linebacker Mikel Jones, NFL scouts will be busy when they travel to Syracuse.
40. Zach Harrison, edge, Ohio State (6-6, 266)
With his impressive physical profile, Harrison looks like he was built in a lab. At 6-foot-6 and 266 pounds, he has almost 36-inch arms, a humongous wingspan (86 1/2 inches) and legit 4.5 speed. Harrison doesn’t play with a natural feel for the edge position and needs to show development as a senior to be drafted this high, but those rare traits will be enticing for NFL teams.
41. Zacch Pickens, DT, South Carolina (6-4, 305)
With his size, length (34-inch arms) and quickness, Pickens’ physical traits check a lot of boxes. His athleticism allows him to play up and down the Gamecocks’ defensive line, and he rushes with the aggressiveness to tear through blocks. But I was most impressed with Pickens’ effort to consistently finish plays, regardless of whether the ball was in the backfield, near the sideline or downfield.
42. Tyler Davis, DT, Clemson (6-2, 291)
The third Clemson defensive lineman to make this list, Davis is a tough guy to keep blocked. He squares up blockers and stays low while relying on his physical hands and backfield vision to find the football. Davis also shows outstanding chase effort on plays away from the line of scrimmage. With a healthy 2022 season, he should cement himself as a Day 2 prospect.
43. Derick Hall, edge, Auburn (6-3, 255)
Although a tad stiff, Hall is a hard-charging rusher who attacks with urgency. He forces holding calls due to his physical rush style, converting his speed to power and rocking blockers off balance. Hall led the Tigers in tackles for loss (12.5) and sacks (9.0) last season, which earned him All-SEC honors.
44. *Layden Robinson, OG, Texas A&M (6-4, 320)
For teams that prioritize long, physical blockers with natural power, Robinson will start the season at the top of their scouting list. Though not thought of on the same level as former teammate Kenyon Green, a first-round pick, Robinson has the talent and developmental upside to be a Day 2 pick and arguably the best interior blocker in the 2023 class.
45. Tyrique Stevenson, CB, Miami (Fla.) (6-1, 214)
My top-ranked senior cornerback entering the season, Stevenson is a good-sized athlete with plenty of ability. After two seasons at Georgia, he transferred closer to home and joined the Hurricanes last year, then earned All-ACC honors.
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46. O’Cyrus Torrence, OG, Florida (6-5, 347)
With maybe the biggest hands (11 1/8 inches) in the 2023 draft class, Torrence has the type of punch you can hear on tape. His hand exchange and striking technique aren’t always textbook, but he flashes violence at contact with the ability to steer or surge his man. After three seasons at Louisiana, Torrence followed coach Billy Napier to Florida this past offseason. Scouts are eager to see him face SEC competition each week.
47. Jaelyn Duncan, OT, Maryland (6-6, 288)
Duncan plays with outstanding lateral quickness off the ball and into his pass sets, thereby allowing himself to stay balanced as he sets up shop. Though he needs to improve his punch timing to offset his average length, he understands depth and timing to hit his landmarks, and he moves with the flow and recovery athleticism to mirror rush speed. Duncan also shows his balanced movements in the run game, executing pulls and pancaking defenders in space. He could project to guard or tackle in the NFL.
48. *Devon Achane, RB, Texas A&M (5-9, 185)
Achane, who ran a blazing 10.14 in the 100 meters this spring, is a nightmare for defenders in space. Last season, he posted 910 rushing yards on 130 carries — among FBS players with at least 10 carries per game, Achane was the only one to average 7.0-plus yards per attempt. With former Aggies back Isaiah Spiller now in the NFL, it will be interesting to see how Achane’s role evolves this season.
49. *Tanner McKee, QB, Stanford (6-6, 228)
McKee isn’t without flaws, but I was impressed by his ability to find his balance as a passer to show off his NFL-level arm and mind. He is a fantastic rhythm passer with the ball placement and vision to work through progressions, horizontally and vertically.
50. Jordan Battle, S, Alabama (6-1, 215)
Whether he is reading the eyes of the quarterback or triggering versus the run, Battle has the utmost trust in his vision to lead him to the football. A smart run defender, he stays assignment-sound and takes accurate pursuit angles. In coverage, Battle sniffs out routes and reacts without hesitation. He might not have a super-high ceiling, but I like his floor as a solid NFL starter.
(Illustration: John Bradford / The Athletic / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images; ISI Photos via Getty Images)
