- Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas*
- Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Alabama*
- Bryce Young, QB, Alabama*
- Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon*
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State*
- Jalen Carter, IDL, Georgia*
- Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia*
- Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia
- Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech
- Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern*
- Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame*
- Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
- C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
- Jordan Addison, WR, Southern California
- Bryan Bresee, IDL, Clemson
- Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State
- Keion White, EDGE, Georgia Tech
- DJ Turner, CB, Michigan
- Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
- Tuli Tuipulotu, EDGE, Southern California
- Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama
- Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
- Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
- Quentin Johnson, WR, TCU
- Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson
- Brian Branch, S, Alabama*
- John Michael Schmitz, IOL, Minnesota*
- Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
- Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
- Calijah Kancey, IDL, Pittsburgh
- Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma
- Julius Brents, CB, Kansas State
- Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland
- Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson
- Lukas Van Ness, EDGE, Iowa
- Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State
- Joe Tippmann, IOL, Wisconsin
- Jordan Battle, Safety, Alabama
- Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State
- Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee
- Derrick Hall, EDGE, Auburn
- Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
- Henry To’oTo’o, LB, Alabama
- Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
- Mazi Smith, IDL, Michigan
- Adetomiwa Adebawore, EDGE, Northwestern
- Jack Campbell, LB, Iowa
- Drew Sanders, LB, Arkansas
- Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
- Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee
*=top player at their position
Top 50 by position
CB, EDGE: 9
OT: 6
WR: 5
IDL, LB, QB: 4
TE: 3
IOL, RB, S: 2
Top 50 by School
Alabama: 6
Georgia: 5
Ohio State: 4
Clemson, Tennessee: 3
Iowa, Michigan, Northwestern, Southern California: 2
Arkansas, Auburn, Boston College, Florida, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Kansas State, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi State, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon, Penn State, Pittsburgh, South Carolina, Texas, Texas Christian, Texas Tech, Utah, Wisconsin: 1
Top 50 by Conference
SEC: 19
Big Ten: 15
ACC: 6
Big 12: 5
Pac-12: 4
IA Independent: 1
All-NFL Draft 1st team Offense
QB: Bryce Young
RB: Bijan Robinson
TE: Michael Mayer
WR: Quentin Johnston (X), Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Y), Jordan Addison (Z)
OT: Peter Skoronski (LEFT), Broderick Jones (RIGHT)
IOL: Steve Avila (LEFT GUARD), John Michael Schmitz (CENTER), Joel Tippmann (RIGHT GUARD)
All-NFL Draft 1st team Defense
IDL: Jalen Carter (CLOSE/STRONG 3 TECH.), Bryan Bresee (NOSE), Calijah Kancey (OPEN/WEAK 3 TECH.)
EDGE: Will Anderson Jr. (RUSH), Nolan Smith (SAM)
LB: Jack Campbell (MIKE), Henry To’oTo’o (WILL)
CB: Christian Gonzalez (FIELD), Joey Porter Jr. (BOUNDARY), DJ Turner (NICKEL)
S: Brian Branch (FREE), Jordan Battle (STRONG)
Analysis
After many months of anticipation and speculation, the 2023 NFL Draft is nearly here. It’s so close.
If you’re like me, within days of this draft concluding, you’ll be on to 2024 (insert Caleb Williams vs. Marvin Harrison Jr. debate). I know, I can’t help myself.
Until then, let’s dig in, one last time, to the class of 2023.
About five years ago, I received some great advice from The NFL Network’s Charles Davis on how to compile your own list of top prospects:
No. 1—Trust your gut. It’s your list, so make sure it reflect your evaluation, first and foremost.
No. 2—Review a small number of evaluations from those you trust. This is meant to be a guide only.
No. 3—Keep a running list throughout the year so that you’re able to track player progress and you don’t have to cram analysis in at the end of the season.
No. 4—Revise your composite list, and before finalizing, refer back to No. 1.
When evaluating collegiate players through the lens of what makes a successful pro, you must be consistent. Any evaluation that sways with the wind is a flawed one. The best teams are the ones that stick to their principles and trust their process.
There are two main ways to assess a player’s traits: which ones make a successful player overall, and which makes a successful player at that position.
What makes a successful player
- Toughness
- Resilience
- Mental focus
- Hunger
- Selflessness
What makes a successful position player
Quarterback
- Cerebral processing speed
- Consistent footwork
- Accurate ball placement
- Low turnover rate
- Anticipation
Running back
- Contact balance
- Vision
- Leg drive
- Reliable pass protection
- 3rd and 4th down and short conversions
Wide receivers
- Excellent hands
- Disguised route running
- Varied releases
- Win 50/50 balls
- Persistent blocking
Tight ends
- Agility
- Mobility
- Attention to detail
- Uncovering
- Tenacious blocking
Offensive tackles
- Quick feet
- Powerful punch
- Anchor
- Perimeter, 2nd level blocking efficiency
- Attentive eyes to pick up stunts
Interior offensive linemen
- Power
- Drive
- Mobility in tight spaces
- Excellent communication
- Dominating mindset
Interior defensive linemen
- Leverage
- Violent hands
- Power at the strike point
- Quick hands
- Shed blocks
- Hold ground at point of attack
Edge defenders
- Burst
- Get offensive linemen on their heels
- Varied pass rush moves
- Set powerful edge on run plays
- Bend
- Agility
- Speed to power (and vice versa)
Linebackers
- Leadership
- Communication
- Alpha mentality
- Lateral speed
- Elite play recognition
- Sure tackler
- Effective blitzer
Cornerbacks
- Quick feet
- Calm mind
- Sure hips
- Precise hand placement on jams/re-routes
- Balance
- Competitive fire
- Short memory
Safeties
- Captain mindset
- Exceptional communication
- Insatiable appetite for film study
- 360 degree range
- Fluid hips
- Powerful tackler
When you sift through all the individual components, you must project whether or not the player will be a good fit in your team and organization. That part is much harder to predict but is equally as important as the player’s on-field performance.
All that said, here are a few of my favorite prospects.
Bijan Robinson
The Texas running back is everything you want a running back to me. Strong, fast, balanced, determined, and productive. Robinson projects to be a Day 1 starter after excelling at a blue blood program. He also seems to be a strong fit for teams which could potentially draft him (Giants, Cowboys, Eagles).
Will Anderson Jr.
The most dominant defensive player in this draft. Anderson plays a premium position and does so with fierce determination. He has an incredible motor and get-off. Another Day 1 starter with captain potential.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba
“JSN” is a terrific prospect. He played elite-level high school football in Texas, burst onto the scene at Ohio State early, and despite injury, still looks to be a Pro Bowl caliber player. His hands, route-running, accel/decel are all impressive, but perhaps the most impressive part of his game is his ability to turn good plays into great plays. Smith-Njigba possesses the field awareness and burst to navigate any kind of defense and make game-changing plays every week.
Bryan Bresee
The former Damascus High School star didn’t waste any time making an impact at Clemson. As a nose tackle, Bresee’s impact might not be apparent, but rest assured he’s a problem for the offense every time he steps on the field. He’s a persistent force in the middle of the defensive line, that not only makes plays but frees up those around him to do the same. He’s a leader and one who any coach would be happy to build their defense around.
Final projection for the Ravens
Whoever the Ravens pick will depend largely on where they pick. They currently hold the 22nd selection, but I’d say there’s a 65-70 percent chance they trade down from there. However, I do think they will stay in the first round and will pick somewhere between 28-31.
If that’s the case, and given everything we’ve learned over recent months, my final projection for who the Ravens will take is: Kelee Ringo, Cornerback, Georgia. He has the premier size, speed, and pedigree the Ravens covet from their defensive backs, and he fits a need. Draft him to take the place of free agent departure Marcus Peters, and all of a sudden, the Ravens have the best defensive backfield in football.
Born in Baltimore, Mike had long been drawn to sports of all kinds. Growing up watching Cal Ripken play ever day gave him a great example for which to attack every endeavor he undertakes.
When the Ravens came to town, though, that’s when Mike found his passion. Since that time, he’s tried to gain every bit of knowledge he could. Now as a high school coach, Mike is able to take his film study and appreciation of the game to a new level.
To engage with Mike on social media, follow him on Twitter @MikeFastNFL.