The 2023 NFL draft was on headlines as soon as the 2022 NFL draft was over. Scouting for NFL prospects requires some professional guesswork, contrary to popular belief. With that said, let it also be known that the principle applies triple times more when it comes to guessing the following years’ draft prospects.
Preliminary to Heisman-caliber 2021, Kenny Pickett wasn’t even on the radar. What about Joe Burrow? The player was only a sixth-round projection before turning up his legendary 2019 at LSU. On the other hand, we have the quarterback from North Carolina, Sam Howell, who appeared to be the leading role, and then he wasn’t.
Compared to 2022, the following year promises to be a bigger deal with its star-studded lineup. Even though this year’s infrastructure and the linemen were excellent, the 2023 NFL Draft has the most promising top 10 prospects at every position between those who will be qualified – with three years out of high school.
1. Ali Gaye, LSU 6-6, 268
2. Byron Young, Alabama 6-3, 292
3. Colby Wooden, Auburn 6-5, 284
4. Deslin Alexandre, Pitt 6-4, 280
5. Isaiah Foskey, Notre Dame 6-5, 260
In addition to that list, we have Myles Murphy, a former top 5 national recruit who has made a quick impression by earning Freshman All-American honours from various and distinct outlets. He’s entered 2022 with 94 tackles, 11.0 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, and three pass breakups in 963 snaps over 25 games.
We also have Ochaun Mathis, who hails from Texas, Trejan Jeffcoat, who is the latest Missouri Tigers defensive lineman, Viliami Fehoko from the San Jose State, and the hard-working and tough Xavier Thomas from Clemson.
Linebackers
1. Bumper Pool, Arkansas 6-2, 232
2. Dorian Williams, Tulane 6-2, 225
3. Drake Thomas, NC State 6-0, 320
4. Edefuan Ulofoshio, Washington 6-1, 230
5. Henry To’oto’o, Alabama 6-2, 228
Nick Herbig from Hawaii is another hard-hitting, hot-stepper whose hard work might pay off, alongside Noah Sewell from Oregon, the very talented Trenton Simpson, and Ventral Miller from Florida. He may be the last to mention on this list, but he certainly isn’t the least to make it next season, not by any measure. Especially not after generating 20 sacks playing as a senior for Mallard Creek High School, where he was seen as the number 1 OLB recruit and the crown jewel of North Carolina in the 2020 class.
Edge-rushers
1. Andre Carter, Army 6-7, 250
2. BJ Ojulari, LSU 6-3, 245
3. Brenton Cox, Florida 6-4, 253
4. DeMarvion Overshown, Texas 6-4, 221
5. Derick Hall, Auburn 6-3, 256
Other Edge-rushers in the top 15 list include Payton Wilson, Richard Jibunor from Troy, and Will Anderson, awarded the Bronko Nagurski trophy in 2021 for leading the Alabama nation with 17.5 in sacks. Not forgetting Will Mc Donald, currently playing for the Iowa State Cyclones, and of course Zion Tuola-FetiAeti from Washington.
Quarterbacks
1. Brennon Armstrong, Virginia 6-2, 212
2. Bryce Young, Alabama 6-0, 194
3. Cameron Ward, Washington State 6-2, 223
4. CJ Stroud, Ohio State 6-3, 218
5. Devin Leary, NC State 6-1, 215
Clemson is one state that seems to pack more talent for the NFL season, with DJ Uiagalelei also making the 2023 prospects cut. Dillon Gabriel is joining the quarterback’s list, who’s from Hawaii and was transferred to Oklahoma in 2022 after playing at UCF since 2019.
Star player Hendon Hooker has made a name of himself outside of the fame he was born into by starting 15 of 25 games, finishing 197 of 312 passes for 2,894, has 22 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. Including the dexterous Jake Haener and Jayden Daniels, who started his football career at Arizona State back in 2019 before they transferred him to LSU in 2022.
Due to the limitations of the article and unconfirmed information at the time of writing, running backs, cornerbacks, wide receivers, tight ends, offensive tackles, offensive guards, centres, defensive tackles, and safeties could not make it into this article. Hopefully, the ones mentioned sufficiently express what the 2023 NFL Draft has in store. And meanwhile, having access to online betting apps certainly is handy when tracking draft prospects, as more and more bookmakers offer NFL draft markets with up-to-date odds and relevant information