The College Football Season is officially underway with some of the best talents in the Nation set to take the field this weekend, while The NFL Season is just a few days away from Kickoff, which means it’s time for the Big Boards and Mock Drafts to heat up. Like every other Draft Class prior to 2023, this one has what are perceived to be its positions of strength/weakness for sure, and there is no shortage of talented signal-callers in this group in comparison to the 2022 Class, which didn’t see its first QB selected until 20th Overall (Kenny Pickett/Pittsburgh), and did not see another come off the board until the 3rd round (Desmond Ridder/Atlanta 74th Overall).
Collapsing the Pocket has become objective #2 for teams right after finding a franchise guy under center, and this class of players along the defensive front is loaded with athletic 320lb and under IDL who can stop the run, push the pocket, take on double teams, and most importantly finish plays. Georgia’s Jalen Carter is the consensus Top IDL in this group at the moment on most boards you will find, with Clemson’s Bryan Bresee, LSU’s Jaquelin Roy, Baylor’s Siaki Ika, and Florida’s Gervon Dexter Sr. all mixed into a variety of contrasting rankings with Ika being the one true Nose Tackle out of the bunch tipping the scales at 357lbs.
While QB and IDL both appear to be major strengths at this time, WR and LB are both experiencing a dropoff currently from the high-end talent we witnessed selected in the first round of 2022. The case could be made that Olave/London/Wilson/Williams/Pickens would all be the first receivers taken in this class, while Nolan Smith of Georgia currently is the only LB I view as a high 1st round pick. The landscape of things between now and April is guaranteed to shift multiple times with every passing Saturday, and positions of weakness will evolve into positions of depth. After watching snap after snap, game after game, and forming competitive comparisons between the field, let’s take a look at my first Top 25 Big Board of the NFL Draft Season.
1. Bryce Young, QB/Alabama 6-0 192 lbs – JR
High Caliber arm talent, very quick release with an uncanny feel for pressure within the pocket. Plays at his own pace, never seems rushed, and rarely puts Alabama in bad situations. Can make any necessary NFL throw you need, but his lack of stature, durability concerns, and the fact that he lost 4 of his biggest contributors on offense from a year ago which could stifle his production are legit concerns for the reigning Heisman Trophy winner.
2. Jalen Carter, DT/Georgia 6-3 300 lbs – JR
The most highly heralded defender on the Georgia Bulldogs Defense over the past 2 seasons, and with solid reasoning. Carter’s statistics don’t tell the full story of just how often he disrupts the timing of plays and causes complete mayhem in the backfield for opposing offenses. His ability to rush the passer from 2,3, or 4 techs, while still having the patience and IQ to diagnose run plays and be in the right place at the right time makes him a very special talent at DT that we haven’t seen in a very long time.
3. Will Anderson Jr., EDGE/Alabama 6-3 243 lbs – JR
The most disruptive defender in the country in 2021 to the tune of (15) Sacks, (11) QB Hits, and (56) Hurries. Last season Anderson was used primarily as an outside tackle blitzer and he completely flourished. Over the past 2 seasons, we’ve seen big-named Alabama linebackers go into their final seasons in Tuscaloosa with high first-round expectations only to inexplicably struggle and see their draft stock plummet. Anderson however has two obvious sawed-after traits, Finding the QB and Putting him down.
4. CJ Stroud, QB/Ohio State 6-3 218 lbs – JR
Prototypical size, arm strength, and pocket precision! More of a rhythm passer but once he’s hot he looks unstoppable. Had an inconsistent start to the 2021 season, but once he settled in, he took off with only a couple of hiccups along the way. He has the pocket passing, advantage over Bryce Young plus size; if Stroud can become more consistent with his downfield ball placement and evolve more as a playmaker when protections break down then he has every chance to potentially be the first QB off the board in April.
5. Myles Murphy, DE/Clemson 6-5 275 lbs – JR
Already a dominant run defender with imposing size, and outstanding length. Murphy racked up (9) Sacks in 2021 and nearly tripled his QB Hurries from 2020 lining up mainly at the 4-tech. We witnessed Georgia’s Trayvon Walker go from a projected mid-late first-round pick in January to the #1 Overall Pick by late April. It’s an Edge Rushers league and Myles definitely has everything in the toolbox to have a similar rise to the top as Walker in 2023.
6. Kelee Ringo, CB/Georgia 6-2 210 lbs – RS SO
Elite Athlete that plays every bit to his size! Physical in run support and has the top-end speed to protect himself deep on the perimeter. Last season Ringo took (516) snaps in coverage giving up just (24) catches for 346 yds and a passer rating of (63.2). Simply put he has all the makings of an NFL CB-1.
7. Jaxson Smith-Njigba, WR/Ohio State 6-0 200 lbs – JR
Not the fastest, not the quickest, and not the most prototypical framed receiver, but he makes up for it with outstanding hands, route running, top-tier ball skills, and becoming an RB after the catch in the open field. It’s hard seeing a WR that isn’t a great athlete or possessing great size being taken in the Top 10 today, but Njigba is arguably the most dangerous WR in the country and is expected to have an impressive statistical season on the way with fellow top prospect CJ Stroud tossing him the football
8. Felix Anudike-Uzomah, EDGE/Kansas State 6-4 255 lbs – JR
One of the most intriguing prospects of this draft class regardless of position. Violent pass rusher with long arms, powerful hands, a constant engine, and an elite ability to get small and bend the corner. Could be the best pure pass rusher in this class and is still learning the position with the body type to add 7-10 lbs and play traditional 4-3 DE at the next level.
9. Pete Skoronski, T/Northwestern 6-4 315 lbs – JR
One of the cleanest most dependable offensive line prospects in this class. Isn’t the most impressive athlete and his eventual long-term position possibly lies inside at Guard, but for a team that is looking for an offensive line upgrade and versatility Skoronski would be a welcomed addition.
10. Nolan Smith, LB/Georgia 6-3 235 lbs – SR
Former 5 Star recruit with as much talent as the rest of his Georgia teammates, but for one reason or another hasn’t quite lived up to the expectations production-wise in his first few seasons. With a lot of the bigger names in front of him now gone it appears that the time is now for Smith to reestablish himself as one of the biggest LB talents of 2023.
11. Andre Carter II, EDGE/Army 6-7 260 lbs – SR
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The overall level of competition isn’t impressive, but Carter’s height, length, tackling, and sideline-to-sideline pursuit make him a scary prospect. Extremely rangy and aggressive to the football with a frame to add more muscle. Very raw technique-wise and has a tendency to over-pursue himself completely out of plays, but he has the size and athletic ability to be a sure-fire game wrecker.
12. Bryan Bresee, DT/Clemson 6-5 300 lbs – SO
Bresee is the 2nd ranked interior defensive lineman on my board with a lot still to prove heading into 2022. He had a huge impact in the pass rush department as a true freshman then suffered a torn ACL at the beginning of 2022. If Bresee is fully recovered you can expect to see the short-area quickness and burst off of the line that had him projected as a Top 10 pick after just his freshman season.
13. Quentin Johnston, WR/TCU 6-4 215 lbs – JR
Tall big play receiver with the ability to win vertically downfield. Long arms and a very physical runner after the catch. Top-end speed isn’t one of his traits, but his hands, catch radius, ball skills, YAC, and tendency to consistently win one-on-one matchups on the perimeter bears a striking resemblance to Brandon Marshall.
14. Cam Smith, CB/South Carolina 6-0 188 lbs – RS JR
Tough and takes the initiative in run support, loves physical play. He’s an “Island Corner” meaning he’s at his best in man coverage. Highly competitive with a nose for the football and will get extra handsy at times flowing downfield. Smith has the physical skillset to excel in either man-heavy or zone schemes, and only surrendered (1) TD on just (15) Catches while grabbing (3) Ints in 2021.
15. Tanner McKee, QB/Stanford 6-6 230 lbs – JR
Traditional pocket passer with towering size, and a live arm! Isn’t a threat to take off and run, but has a sound ability to manipulate the pocket, buy time, stand in there, and drive the football. So far in his time under center at Stanford, McKee and his statistics have been plagued by drops, no separation, no run game, and rough O-line play. If the Cardinals can upgrade the help surrounding Tanner, this Fall, then we could see a 3 headed Monster battling for QB1 next April.
16. Broderick Jones, T/Georgia 6-4 310 lbs – RS SO
Jones is next up in a long line of talented Georgia offensive linemen prospects. He’s currently further along as a run blocker where his overall power, and ability to get to the second level are on constant display, but it has to be taken into account the offense he plays within at Georgia. Jones is more than athletic and cerebral enough to continue his improvement on his move to LT in 2021 and could solidify himself as a high 1st round pick.
17. Michael Mayer, TE/Notre Dame 6-4 265 lbs – JR
Very physical and solid all-around TE prospect with reliable hands, violent off the line, and fights for every extra yard. Mayer is the top prospect in his class, and possibly the safest, but not being much of a factor downfield, and only possessing marginal athleticism makes him a high-floor player that could see himself taken outside of the Top 20.
18. Garrett Williams, DB/Syracuse 6-0 190 lbs – RS SO
Press-man corner traits with Off press change of direction, and short area quickness. Consistent solid tackler in run support with fluid hips and good long speed. His 2021 tape wasn’t nearly as impressive as 2020, but with a healthy start to 2022 Williams hopes to break his way into the 1st round.
19. Siaki Ika, NT/Baylor 6-4 358 lbs – JR
Top pure Nose in this class at the moment, but he’s not just a stop gap in the middle of the defense. In 2021 Ika consistently found himself on the other side of the line of scrimmage along with (24) Hurries and (6) Sacks. Moves surprisingly well for his size and has become virtually impossible to block man on man.
20. Eli Ricks, CB/Alabama 6-2 190 – JR
Ricks is a tall press corner with tremendously long arms and good read and react skills. Does a sound job of stopping and redirecting receivers during routes and getting his head around to play the football. Isn’t gonna wow you with his recovery speed, but he can play the position and simply gets the job done.
21. Jaquelin Roy, DT/LSU 6-4 315 LBS – JR
Without the big hurries and sack totals, Roy’s impact on offensive game plans in the SEC was still felt in 2021. He’s powerful at the point of attack with violent hands and routinely requires a double team to contain. Stats don’t tell the whole story of how many bad plays by opposing offenses he was directly responsible for. It’s only icing on the cake that he can disrupt the pocket from gaps A, B, and C.
22. Clark Phillips III, CB/Utah 5-10 183 lbs – SO
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more technically sound and alert corner in this group. His lack of stature and arm-length concerns are the only things holding Phillips back from being a potential Top 20 Pick.
23. Tony Grimes, CB/North Carolina 6-1 190 lbs – JR
One of the biggest enigmas in the likely 2023 Class for a few reasons. One is that Grimes has every physical trait to be a shutdown #1 Corner but has been less than stellar and maddeningly inconsistent in his first 2 seasons at Carolina. He hasn’t been targeted a ton especially deep and seems to get bored at times out on the perimeter. Excellent length and aggressiveness at the line to disrupt receivers, and a very fast straight line player. Grimes is already willing and solid in run support and displays impressive hip fluidity in short space; Cleaning up his footwork and increasing his ball production this season could help skyrocket Grime’s stock.
24. Jordan Addison, WR/USC 5-11 175LBS – JR
He wins matchups! Very smooth route runner with skilled footwork that routinely gets open and finds the voids in coverages. Reliable hands and shows special concentration when tracking the ball downfield. The 2021 Biletnikoff Winner accumulated (100) Receptions on (144) Targets for (17) TDs as a Pitt Panther. He’s now at USC looking to deliver the same type of execution in Lincoln Reily’s Offense.
25. DJ Uiagalelei, QB/Clemson 6-4 236 lbs – JR
DJ came out of St. John Bosco HS in California with massive expectations in 2019 and ranked only behind the QB who is N0.1 on this Big board. The 2020 season at Clemson consisted of spot starts for Uiagalelei where he performed well in multiple opportunities and showed the Country why he was so highly touted. 2021 was a disaster on the other hand due to internal issues within the team concerning the talent and play calling on Clemson’s Offense, Bottomline is that DJ has unquestionably the strongest arm in this class, immense size, good athleticism, deep touch, and accuracy, and worked all offseason to get into better playing shape by dropping down nearly 30 lbs from 265 which was his playing weight in 2021. He’s a big-time “Raw” talent that may need to be completely rebuilt mechanics-wise IE. (Josh Allen/Aaron Rodgers) coming out of college, and needs to speed up his internal clock, but in the right hands, Uiagalelei has as much potential as any other QB in this Group.
