Official 2023 NFL Draft Thread

[Deputy Nutz]

DE = EDGE
3-4 OLB = EDGE
4-3 OLB = LB

Glad to clear it up for you all

[Deputy Nutz]

Have a feeling we will take the ND TE if we have the shot. Tonyan is gone, and so is Marcedes. So, we really desperate for a good solid piece there.

Can't ever say for sure who the Packers are going to take, it's going to be someone with above average measurables and tested athleticism for their size though. Think AJ Dillon, Dillion's size and tests numbers said he was an elite athlete, but the reality is that he is a decent football player that doesn't have the balance or aggressiveness to make him an actually elite football player. Gute doesn't trust his eyes and his scout's eyes when it comes to truly evaluating football players. Quay Walker - Super athletic, but can he actually read his keys and trust his instincts?

I think based on need the TE from ND would fit a need, not a huge fan of drafting a TE with the 16th pick, odds are he won't be any better or worse than a TE taken in the 3rd round. Same goes for running back, offensive line, and linebackers. I would even throw safety in there but teams are doing much more with the safety position than ever before so getting a safety that can do it all would be a game changer like Derwin James, or a hall of famer like LeRoy Butler.

Some would say, "Nutz, what about left tackle?"
Valuable point, but you better be a damn good evaluator thinking you can spend a pick in the top half of the first round on a left tackle and hope he is going to pan out. If I ran a war room, I would always draft 2-3 offensive lineman every year after day 1 in the draft. Baktari was 4th round pick and started at LT as a rookie, Bryan Bulaga was 1st round pick and was nothing more than a solid RT in the league. There is no need to reach on offensive lineman, especially if you don't trust your eyes and what you see on film.

[bobblehead]

DE = EDGE
3-4 OLB = EDGE
4-3 OLB = LB

Glad to clear it up for you all

Most of us knew that, but it still doesn't clear up the point one poster made about WHICH edge they are referencing. The 2 are not often interchangeable. Gary could probably play either one, but its unlikely Micah parsons could.

[Joemailman]

It's doubtful Mike Mayer will have the athleticism Gute looks for in a 1st round pick. Every 1st round pick with the exception of Jordan Love has had a RAS score of 9.5 or higher. And Love was pretty good at 8.46.

[run pMc]

It's doubtful Mike Mayer will have the athleticism Gute looks for in a 1st round pick. Every 1st round pick with the exception of Jordan Love has had a RAS score of 9.5 or higher. And Love was pretty good at 8.46.

He's a good player but not what I'd call an elite athlete. Is he better than Hockenson was coming out? Not sure. I think he's been ND's leading receiver for two years?
Mayer is an interesting player but taking a TE in R1 is too rich for me. I think it's a decent TE class and they can (and should) find one later in the draft.

If there's a decent pass rusher or a difference maker at safety I'd take them over Mayer. Amos is gone, Savage is concerning, Ford is a backup. Preston Smith is old and Gary won't be back until October. They need help at TE but I wouldn't overprioritize it. BPA

[Deputy Nutz]

Most of us knew that, but it still doesn't clear up the point one poster made about WHICH edge they are referencing. The 2 are not often interchangeable. Gary could probably play either one, but its unlikely Micah parsons could.

Does he line up in a 5 technique? a 9 technique with a TE? if he does he is an EDGE. Don't care if his hand is in the ground or he is in a two point stance. The Packers would use Parsons and Watt the same exact way. Show me film of TJ Watt consistently dropping into coverage? Pass Rushers = EDGE, Droppers = OLBs. LOS player = Edge, Off Ball = OLB

[Joemailman]

Nflmockdraftdatabase has Michael Mayer as the favorite for the Packers pick. https://www.nflmockdraftdatabase.com...ock-draft-2023

[bobblehead]

Does he line up in a 5 technique? a 9 technique with a TE? if he does he is an EDGE. Don't care if his hand is in the ground or he is in a two point stance. The Packers would use Parsons and Watt the same exact way. Show me film of TJ Watt consistently dropping into coverage? Pass Rushers = EDGE, Droppers = OLBs. LOS player = Edge, Off Ball = OLB

I understand, but the packers won't use a small edge. Not in a base anyway. If a team tried to line up Micah at edge on first down consistently a smart coach would run him over. Of course after watching the NFL for 4 decades I'm becoming more and more of the opinion that smart coach is an oxymoron.

[run pMc]

Any thoughts on Elijah Higgins as a Lazard replacement?
Barring becoming a combine darling, probably could be had late Day 3 or UDFA. Big dude, decent athlete.

Do we think they move from using a big WR to a TE instead for big-slot receiver who sometimes blocks? I would think there are plenty of 6-4+ TE's who are better receivers than blockers that could at least approximate what Lazard does as a WR.

[Joemailman]

Any thoughts on Elijah Higgins as a Lazard replacement?
Barring becoming a combine darling, probably could be had late Day 3 or UDFA. Big dude, decent athlete.

Do we think they move from using a big WR to a TE instead for big-slot receiver who sometimes blocks? I would think there are plenty of 6-4+ TE's who are better receivers than blockers that could at least approximate what Lazard does as a WR.

He definitely fits the bill. If he runs like Lazard did at the Combine, he'll probably go undrafted. If he runs well though, there will be quite a bit of interest in him on draft day 3.

https://www.nflmockdraftdatabase.com...elijah-higgins

[ThunderDan]

15: R1 P15 EDGE Myles Murphy - Clemson
46: R2 P15 S Brian Branch - Alabama
78: R3 P15 TE Dalton Kincaid - Utah
117: R4 P15 LB Nick Herbig - Wisconsin
150: R5 P15 CB Tyrique Stevenson - Miami
169: R5 P34 WR Malik Knowles - Kansas State
230: R7 P15 C Ricky Stromberg - Arkansas
233: R7 P18 OT Mike Edwards - Campbell
240: R7 P25 QB Stetson Bennett IV - Georgia

[run pMc]

15: R1 P15 EDGE Myles Murphy - Clemson
46: R2 P15 S Brian Branch - Alabama
78: R3 P15 TE Dalton Kincaid - Utah
117: R4 P15 LB Nick Herbig - Wisconsin
150: R5 P15 CB Tyrique Stevenson - Miami
169: R5 P34 WR Malik Knowles - Kansas State
230: R7 P15 C Ricky Stromberg - Arkansas
233: R7 P18 OT Mike Edwards - Campbell
240: R7 P25 QB Stetson Bennett IV - Georgia

Really early to mess with any of the mock simulators, based on having done so myself. A lot of early boards have Branch gone around P15 in R1, likewise with Kincaid gone by P15 in R2. From what little I've seen of Murphy, he looks like a stud...like him better than Breese.

Not sure about the rest of your draft but if they got Murphy, Branch and Kincaid the draftniks are going to love that draft.

I think the boards will start to look more similar after the combine. Right now the player rankings are all over the place. I've seen Lukas Van Ness go from a R3 guy to a top 20 guy for example.

[call_me_ishmael]

Is Jaxon Smith-Njigba Great Jennings?

Looks silky smooth.

https://twitter.com/TheOGfantasy/status/1615691098608771073

[run pMc]

I like him.
He had a remarkable season the previous year, although a chunk of it was underneath stuff and he had Wilson and Olave on the team. It's worth noting he outproduced both of them.
Seems like he's good at most things but not great at any one thing. His size isn't prohibitively small either at about 6-0 195. There are a lot smaller receivers in this draft class. I can understand the Greg Jennings comps.

I've seen him mocked to MIN a lot, and GB once or twice. Could be a very good slot receiver. Easily a top 50 pick, a likely R1 pick.

I don't think this WR class is as good as the last few have been. TE class is looking very good though.

[jklowan]

My 1st way way to early Mock draft

15 - Brian Branch S | Alabama
Branch is a versatile defensive back prospect who has the ability to make plus-level plays at every alignment. But teams who draft him are also getting a player who plays with intensity and a passion for the game that can help him become an influential team leader.
Top Reasons to Buy In:
* Versatile defender
* High-level run defender
* High football IQ

45 - Dalton Kincaid TE | Utah
Kincaid is as an in-line blocker but he lacks mass and functional strength, which makes him inconsistent in college and likely ineffective in the NFL. Opponents have no issues powering and playing through him. Ideally, Kincaid would be another inch taller with a touch more mass and a tick more explosive but it’s hardly limiting to what he does best and that is being a factor in the passing game.
Kincaid has the makeup of a quality No. 2 tight end early in his career with the upside to develop into a quality starter by year two or three.
Top Reasons to Buy In:
* Outstanding ball skills and hands
* Body control and competitive toughness
* How he was used in college and translatability to the NFL

78 - Adetomiwa Adebawore EDGE | Northwestern
Adebawore is likely at his best as an interior pass-rusher, where his aggressiveness and quickness can pair with his condensed frame to offer a small strike zone and low leverage against interior, heavy-footed blockers. What he does on early downs will vary from team to team and is likely to be the ultimate variable in how highly he is drafted. Teams unafraid of condensing their edge players inside on obvious passing situations will be most drawn to Adebawore, as that opens him up to playing a higher percentage of snaps and living up to a more lofty valuation and investment.
Top Reasons to Buy In:
* Versatility to align in a slew of positions on the front
* Interior penetration quickness is a winning passing-down trait
* High-motor player with tireless pursuit skills
* Natural leverage at the point of attack with his condensed frame

115 - Wanya Morris OT | Oklahoma
Morris needs to find consistency with his performance. He is a streaky player that has too many lapses in technique that stem from a lack of patience. Those moments lead to folding at the waist in pass protection with too much lunging. As a run blocker, he can be too reliant on momentum and not use the ground for leverage, which takes away from his ability to sustain blocks for long enough. There’s no questioning the tools that Morris offers, he just needs consistency in deploying them and executing with more consistent technique and control.
Morris has room to develop and maximize his skill set with the makeup of an NFL starter that potentially has appeal at four positions. The biggest question is if he can find consistency to maximize his potential.
Top Reasons to Buy In:
* Physical upside
* Versatility
* Functional strength

149 - Dontay Demus Jr. WR | Maryland
Dontay Demus is a big-bodied receiver that has the frame to fit the traditional X receiver role. In press coverage, Demus has good strength to power through press and immediately get into his route. In off coverage, Demus has the speed to condense a defender’s cushion quickly and can force them to bail out or he can run right past them. With the ball in the air, Demus does a good job attacking the ball at its highest point and securing the pass. Demus can be utilized as a true red-zone target on back-pylon fade routes or jump balls because he can win 50/50 balls consistently.

170 - Dylan Horton DL | TCU
As a pass rusher, Horton appears to have all of the physical tools necessary to be productive at the next level. Horton has a quick first step, which he uses to quickly gain leverage on offensive linemen when he wants to win with a speed rush around the edge to get to the quarterback. Horton also shows that he can use some development in his pass-rush repertoire. There were multiple instances where Hortons initial move didn’t work and he didn’t appear to have a counter move to continue his rush for the duration of the play.
TCU underwent a defensive scheme change from the 2021 to the 2022 season, which forced Horton to move into the inside shade of the tackle which at times eliminated his ability to use his speed to win as a pass rusher. Projecting Horton to the next level, I believe that his athleticism and frame would be best utilized as an outside edge rusher where he can incorporate his natural athleticism on the edges to become a more productive pass-rusher.
Top Reasons to Buy In:
* High athletic upside
* Motor
* Physical temperament

233 - Kaevon Merriweather S | Iowa
I think that Merriweather is a solid Big Ten safety overall, and has the athleticism, physicality, and body control to play on Sundays. He has shown a lot of promise in his consistency as a run defender. He’s a competitor and wins, but I’m not sure if he dominates enough to be an everyday starter in the league. I use the word solid so much when watching his tape because he’s good at most things and great and some others. However, I do not see enough of the “WOW” factor production from him to believe he is a day-one guy. I can see him being taken on day three in the fourth round with a ceiling of late third round. With his play style, he can be an effective special teamer in the league and a reserve safety to provide depth. I do believe that he can play safety at the next level, but preferably in a heavy zone scheme defense. He is best when he can sit back in a half-field Cover 2 or middle-of-the-field Cover 3.
Top Reasons to Buy In:
* Solid body control and physicality
* Good athlete with speed
* Sufficient downhill tackler

236 - Keytaon Thompson WR | Virginia
For quarterback turned tight end, turned wide receiver, turned Swiss army knife Keytaon Thompson
, his path has become an annual constant for playmakers across the football landscape. A former standout signal-caller that once called the pocket home, his evolution into one of the country’s premier pass-catching options has introduced a unique prospect to become familiar with as we approach the 2022 college football campaign.

243 - Chris Murray IOL | Oklahoma
Chris Murray is an experienced blocker that is entering his fourth season as a Power 5 college starter. While most of that time has come at right guard, Murray has logged nearly 200 snaps at center, which suggests he can offer some positional flexibility on the interior. Murray is a tenacious blocker that has an aggressive mindset in how he operates. He is a good athlete that has the movement skills needed to work laterally, slide his feet, and get into space with longer pulls and climbs to the second level.

255 - Joseph Ngata WR | Clemson
The ball skills are an area that, when blended with Joseph Ngata’s length and size, offer some high-level receptions in tight coverage. I have a great appreciation for how Ngata plucks the football effortlessly away from his frame and he is typically unbothered by contact at the catch point. His production is more in the way of chunk plays versus high volume to this point, but his 19.0 yards per reception in 2021 is a testament to his ability to win down the field—which he does on back-shoulder throws, targets above the rim, and in contested opportunities. Clemson wasn’t persistently targeting throws to the deeper portions of the field, but his ability to win here is an element that is a plus and he should find more targets in this area in 2022. The physicality of his play is an obvious hallmark feature and it shows up after the catch, at the catch point, and even in the run game, where Ngata is effective in pressing hard off the line of scrimmage and latching onto secondary players. His contributions do also include a year of work in the return game—he averaged 23.4 yards per return as a freshman in 2019.

258 - Jarrick Bernard-Converse CB | LSU
* Can get up under a receiver’s chin and has the speed to flip his hips and run downfield. Bernard-Converse has the quick and surprisingly powerful hands to jostle receivers early. But he’s at his best peeking into the backfield.
* He tracks the ball well and does a nice job of getting his head around in plenty of time to avoid flags.
* Has good awareness and quick feet. Fluid backpedal, aggressive attacking the receiver from the snap, and flashes spectacular ball skills.
* Tracks and plays the ball well, and has decent hands for the interception. Provides very tight man coverage with playmaking ability in zone.
* His ball skills are very good. Bernard-Converse tracks the ball well downfield and has the hands and coordination to come away with interceptions even when Bernard-Converse isn’t targeted often.
* He’ll line up in press at times, where he has a quick and powerful punch. His ball skills are good, and he plays with an extremely confident and competitive demeanor.
* Extremely aggressive to come up and put his body in traffic to make tackles.