Walt Stringer’s Top 50 Prospects, 1-25: 2023 NFL DRAFT

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Walter Stringer
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It is the week after Thanksgiving and after another weekend of “survival” football for many teams, and less-than-stellar performances from some highly touted prospects, we are now at what many may consider a standstill. While teams like Alabama and Clemson have not reached their normal expectations team-wise, there are about 4-5 prospects between those two programs that have done nothing short of maintaining their top 20 respect. On the flip side to that, preseason top 15 prospects such as Antonio Johnson (Texas A&M), Tyler Van Dyke (Miami, FL), Jordan Addison (USC), and Will Levis (Kentucky) have seen each of their respective draft stocks take big hits.

Tennessee Junior WR Jalin Hyatt, and Texas Tech Senior Edge Rusher Tyree Wilson have risen up draft boards at lightspeed due to their unique athleticism and skill sets, paired with monster seasons on the field. It’s a playmaker league, and two of the biggest playmaking positions are WR and edge. They’ve also both been in high demand the past two NFL Drafts (early). Over the past two drafts, we have seen a total of 11 WRs and 11 edge rushers selected in the first rounds combined. 2023 could be much of the same for the guys who hunt the QB, as there could be a run on the position after the first few potential underclassmen come off the board. Senior names to watch for include Andre Carter (Army), Nolan Smith (Georgia), and Isaiah Foskey (Notre Dame).

2022 Heisman Trophy watch list: Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud headline top 10 candidates for award
Will Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud (right) keep Alabama’s Bryce Young (left) from becoming the first player to win the Heisman Trophy in consecutive years since Archie Griffin in 1975? (Associated Press)

The most important position is, and always will be, the Quarterback position. And this class is expected to outshine last year’s by miles, with possibly four underclassmen going in Round 1. That class is led by former 2021 Heisman Trophy Winner Bryce Young (Alabama) and this year’s current frontrunner in CJ Stroud (Ohio State). Stanford’s towering signal-caller Tanner McKee may be the biggest wildcard when it comes to the Juniors. And Clemson’s DJ Uiagalelei undoubtedly has the arm strength/arm talent to intrigue GMs into investing on Day 2.

The prospect landscape has shifted tremendously since my initial Top 25 Big board back in the first week of September. But my top-6 prospects have remained the same (just in a different order), and the top 25 overall has some new entries as well as old exits. Let’s take a brand-new look into my top 50 prospects starting with slots 1-25 in this first article.

 

1) Bryce Young, QB/Alabama 6-0 192 lbs – Jr.

Despite having a disappointing season by The Crimson Tide’s standard of excellence (9-2), QB Bryce Young has still managed to perform at a very high level and keep the Tide competitive in every game. Young’s full skill set remained on display, and therefore he stays put as the top player on my board.

 

2) Will Anderson, Edge/Alabama 6-4 243 lbs – Jr.

Anderson is another Alabama player who saw his statistics decrease from an incredible 2021 campaign mainly due to the insane amount of attention opposing offenses decided to give him this season. It’s not the Heisman-worthy 2021 stat line, but Anderson has tallied eight sacks, nine QB hits, and 29 hurries in just 11 games so far this season.

 

3) Myles Murphy, Edge/Clemson 6-5 276 lbs – Jr.

He’s drawn comparisons to last year’s No. 1 Overall Selection Trayvon Walker in size and athleticism but Murphy, while still very rough around the edges as a pass rusher, is further along in that area than Walker was and is just as dominant against the run.

 

4) Jalen Carter, DT/Georgia 6-3 310 lbs – Jr.

Carter has shown that nagging injuries are the only thing that can slow him down on the interior. A legit playmaker that has the ability to affect the passing game and running game equally from multiple alignments. The most dominant interior game wrecker to come out of college since Chris Jones.

 

5) CJ Stroud, QB/Ohio State 6-3 218 lbs – Jr.

Depending on who you ask either Stroud or Young could potentially be the first QB taken, but Stroud is no less than the N0. 2 QB in this class. He’s a pure pocket passer with prototypical size, a good arm, and downfield accuracy and anticipation.

 

6) Kelee Ringo, CB/Georgia 6-2 215 lbs – Jr.

Ringo may not be the most polished or technically sound CB prospect in this class, but he has the CB1 “Elite Physical Traits” that are so highly coveted and sought out in a boundary corner in today’s NFL. Between Kelee’s unique size and frame, ball skills, and track background it isn’t hard to tell why he will probably be the first corner selected.

 

7) Quentin Johnston, WR/TCU 6-4 214 lbs – Jr.

Johnston came into the 2022 season regarded as a potential late-1st/early-2nd round selection with questions on his abilities to separate, and his speed. Well through this season he has done nothing but answer and destroy those questions with excellent size, range, arm length, ball skills, and run-after-catch ability, Johnston has all the physical tools to be a solid WR1 at the next level.

 

8) Tyree Wilson, Edge/Texas Tech 6-6 275 lbs – Sr.

After opting out of a crowded 2022 Class where he could’ve been an early/late second, Wilson chose to bet on himself for 2023 and it has paid off overall for the most part. He’s surpassed his 2021 totals in sacks, QB hits, hurries, tackles, and tackles for loss playing in three fewer games. After suffering a broken foot back on November 12th in a win over Kansas Wilson has since declared for the 2023 NFL Draft.

 

9) Bryan Bresee, DT/Clemson 6-5 300 lbs – So.

Gets from Point A to Point B quicker than any other interior defensive lineman in this class. The scale says 300 but he moves like a 265 lb. edge, with active hands and a nose for collapsing pockets. Depending on the scheme, he could be valued higher than some of the previously mentioned defensive linemen.

 

10) Peter Skoronski, OT/Northwestern 6-4 315 lbs – Jr.

Fundamentals, toughness, experience, and consistency! While Skoronski is still growing overall in his ability to handle speed rushers, he’s already top-tier in the run game and more than holds his own against power rushers. Offensive Line wise one of the cleanest and safest prospects.

 

11) Cam Smith, CB/South Carolina 6-0 188 lbs – RS Jr.

Cam Smith Named to Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List | WPDE
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Plays the ball well in the air and is a highly competitive ultra-confident man corner. Has all the traits physically and intangibly to be the No. 1 Corner in 2023. It’s a loaded class but Smith has been firmly on the NFL radar for two seasons now.

 

12) Michael Mayer, TE/Notre Dame, 6-4 265 lbs – Jr. 

Physical and aggressive with the ball in his hands in the open field and plays that same way off the line. He also plays that way when the ball is in the air, and plays that way as a run blocker. Not bad for a TE that is the focal point of an offense.

 

13) Andre Carter II, Edge/Army 6-7 260 lbs – Sr.

His 2022 season hasn’t been anywhere close to his junior campaign where he terrorized QBs to a total of 15 sacks and a whopping 36 hurries mainly because that type of performance attracts a lot more attention, but he has shown scouts his rare ability to get sideline to sideline, and consistently make plays in the backfield in the run game.

 

14) Cooper Bebee, G/Kansas State 6-4 322 lbs – Jr.

In 3 years as a Wildcat Bebee has multiple starts at every O-line position except Center and managed to be named All-Big 12 First Team at Left Tackle where he started 13 games and gave up zero sacks. While ultimately, I believe his mainstay will be at left guard, he does possess tremendous versatility along the O-line and provides a massive building block for teams in search of a big talent upgrade.

 

15) Broderick Jones, OT/Georgia 6-4 310 lbs – RS So.

Jones has been rock solid all season full-time at left tackle and has been even more impressive as an athlete against some of the best pass rushers in the SEC Conference. Jones had to wait his turn as Bulldog but he’s finally getting to display the talent that made him the No. 1 Tackle in the 2020 Class.

 

16) Jalin Hyatt, WR/Tennessee 6-0 185 lbs – Jr.

Offensively it seemed like the perfect storm for the Volunteers in 2022, but Hyatt is a talent that was waiting to emerge, and once Cedric Tillman became absent things began to unfold. (15) Tds on the season, a demolition of Alabama, and a 40-time expected anywhere from 4.29-4.34 have all pushed Hyatt firmly near the top of this class.

 

17) Nolan Smith, Edge-LB/Georgia 6-3 235 lbs – Sr.

Still waiting on the pass rush part of Smith’s game to come around, but he’s already elite against the run and plays with a routine level of tenacity and physicality despite only being 235. The unquestioned leader of that Georgia locker room, and an athletic high IQ LB that sniffs out the ball as well as any I’ve seen recently.

 

18) Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Edge/Kansas State 6-4 255 lbs – Jr.

Uzomah has quietly put together a good season but like other potential pass rushers in this class, he outperformed himself in 2021. It’s hard repeating double-digit sack seasons when opposing offenses understand keeping their QB upright is paramount, but Uzomah is the same long-armed, violent and flexible quarterback hunter who garners a double team.

 

19) Tanner Mckee, QB/Stanford 6-6 230 lbs – Jr.

Classic pocket passer with a good arm and all of the brains and intangibles to make it big. However, being plagued by a struggling offensive line and an overall deficiency of talent at the skill positions has made it virtually impossible to fairly evaluate and translate him to the NFL Level.

 

20) Paris Johnson Jr. OT/Ohio State 6-6 310 lbs – Jr.

Another fast riser once proved that he could hold up full-time at left tackle. Dominated at Guard before the move, and over three seasons Johnson has surrendered a mere one single sack and one hurry in 827 pass block snaps.

 

21) Bijan Robinson, RB/Texas 6-0 220 lbs – Jr.

Most pro-ready and complete back in this class when you factor in the size, vision, power, and ability in space. Robinson’s been highly productive and durable throughout his Longhorn career, and this season he is 4th in the NCAA in yards after contact 946 and 2nd in missed tackles forced 87.

 

22) Anton Harrison, OT/Oklahoma 6-5 315 lbs – Jr.

Special quickness and athleticism for 315 lbs and moves very fluidly when mirroring defenders. Harrison began this season as a projected top-15 pick, but has had some inconsistent performances along the way, and has some concerns about his power and attitude in the run game, but he’s overall one of the best pure pass protectors in the class.

 

23) Jared Verse, Edge/Florida State 6-4 248 lbs – RS Jr.

Transferred from Albany and has put together a very impressive season for FSU. One of the better pure edge rushers in this class when you take into account his speed-to-power ratio, and tendency to aggressively finish plays in the backfield period. Plays with a consistent edge and will also dominate in the run game. Expect to hear this name a lot more as the Draft process develops.

 

24) Joey Porter Jr., CB/Penn State 6-2 198 lbs – RS Jr.

Tall, long, fast, and competitive, built to play on the outside as a man press corner. Porter has had a very effective junior season and will give a strong push for CB 1 in 2023 should he decide to leave school early. 

 

25) Jaxson Smith-Njigba, Wr/Ohio State 6-0 200 lbs – Jr.

While Smith-Njigba isn’t the higher caliber athlete that Johnston and Hyatt are, he does provide excellent hands, ball skills, and physicality, and is a nightmare after the catch in the open field.  He’s been limited to just three games on the season due to a hamstring injury, but when healthy Jaxson is a solid top-20 prospect. 

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