DRAFT TRACKER 2023

Johnson is as tough as it gets at the point of attack, where he was able to consistently battle and fend off blockers who were much bigger than him. He plays with excellent contact balance and is almost never on the ground. His arms are short for the position at the NFL level and his overall mass is below average for an interior player, but he rarely looks overwhelmed by his opponent’s power or double teams. Johnson is a consistently productive interior prospect, but his lack of physical traits is likely to limit his draft slotting and will potentially force teams to see if he can continue adding weight to his frame without slowing down.

Compact center/guard prospect with adequate run-blocking talent but athletic limitations that create concerns in protection. Patterson’s short arms are mitigated by efficient, accurate hand strikes and an ability to stay connected to his run blocks. He might not shine individually, but he works effectively with teammates on double teams. He has good contact balance and rarely gets cheated with the firmness of his first contact. Patterson’s feet aren’t as quick as his eyes, which is apparent when he’s forced to deal with redirecting against athletic rushers. He’s scheme-dependent and needs to prove he has the functional athleticism to win more than he loses.

True Michigan Man, displaying the competitive spirit and work ethic expected inside the program. Bell made it back in 2022 after sustaining an ACL tear in 2021, but he still looked a little passive getting in and out of breaks at times. His surprisingly low contested catch total is a bit deceiving, as the tape shows some incredible near-catches at challenging angles. So, his ball skills are a strength. He can catch what is thrown to him but might need to do it against zone or with help from scheme, as he potentially lacks the separation traits to get open consistently on the next level.

Green’s size and deep-ball success make him a more intriguing Day 3 prospect than the overall production and skill set might suggest. Like most vertical specialists, he’s not going to shake man coverage on intermediate routes, but he has decent hands and consistently finds himself overtaking deep coverage with his build-up speed. He might find himself fighting for a spot on a practice squad or the back end of a roster.

Gwyn is a solid football player, but his lack of size and length is a major hindrance relative to staying at guard. He’ll likely need to prove he can snap and play center, where he will still be considered undersized. He’s a tenacious run blocker who can operate in multiple schemes but might not be able to shine in any of them. Gwyn plays with a firm base and good body control in protection but lacks the length and range to consistently protect gaps. Gwyn will be a one-position player, but he has enough talent and technique to compete for a roster spot at center.

Bell ran well, jumped high and showed his strength at his pro day. His leverage and power as an interior defender help to dislodge blockers, but he would need substantially more weight to play inside as a pro. Bell’s lack of length will also be problematic if he’s utilized as a 3-4 outside linebacker. His traits and toughness should get him a look, but the best fit might end up being as a fullback with core special-teams ability.

Interior plugger set for duties as a nose tackle in a 4-3 front. Silvera is fairly nimble and can get into blockers quickly. He plays with knockback power and can hold his ground against single blockers. He struggles to feel and respond to down blocks. Also, he has trouble reading and reacting to lateral steps looking to seal him behind the play. Silvera has talent and is very active. He could make noise in camp as a late-round pick or priority free agent.

Jones is a long cornerback with average speed but a natural feel for making plays on the football. He’s more confident and consistent at maintaining his feel for the route from press than from off-man. Jones plays with a lane-jumping mentality in off coverage when flat-footed but could succumb to double moves in the pros. Shoddy tackling will work against him, but teams will appreciate his ability to challenge punts and kicks off the edge. Jones might find work as a backup in a press-heavy scheme if he tests well.

Fant should be viewed as an NFL H-back capable of competing for a roster spot with teams willing to think outside the box. He’s too small to play tight end and isn’t a classic lead-blocking fullback, but he’s intriguing, nonetheless. Fant’s athleticism could enable him to create headaches as a route runner for linebackers, and he’s a tough runner after the catch. His hands are subpar, and his blocking can be hit-or-miss, which are obvious hindrances at this time. Keep an eye on his ability as a short-yardage option, as he flashed natural talent in that area in very limited carries for the Vols.

Miller is patient but ready when keying the action and uses his anticipatory skills to help him stay cleaner than most undersized inside ‘backers. He aims to punish as a striker and is a capable open-field tackler when plays head outside the tackle box. He’s nothing special in coverage but displays the potential to become a plus special-teamer.

Joseph has adequate size and a good football IQ, but he must prove he can become a more technically sound tackler for consideration as an interchangeable safety. He sees the field fairly clearly as a free safety. He has the ball skills and instincts to help coral and challenge action in front of him. While he can be a punishing hitter when running the alley, tackling inconsistencies in the open field could be hard for teams to overlook. Joseph's traits and special teams talent give him the opportunity to battle for a backup safety spot as a Day 3 selection.

Dowell’s blend of size, speed and ball skills creates an opportunity for him to compete for a roster spot within two years. While his route tree was a little limited, he can get off of press coverage with good wiggle and burst, has the deep speed to get past cornerbacks and is an above-average ball-tracker when bringing throws in. He’s tough during contested catches, but he might need to play more physically through route contact on the next level. Dowell’s value as a gunner on punt teams will give him a leg up on the competition for a WR5/6 spot early on.

Smallish slot receiver with adequate speed and quickness but inconsistent route running and ball skills. Douglas has the ability to slip press and can be a tough route-runner for defenses to read, but he needs to get better at the finer points of the craft to separate from NFL coverage. He won’t be a plus ball-winner on contested catches, but he can make challenging grabs. Douglas has late-round potential but his lack of size and history of muffed punts could work against him.

Undersized tight end whose speed and fluidity in space basically make him a big slot receiver. Hebert had an excellent pro day, which should put him on the map as a priority free agent. Evaluators could grow to appreciate his mismatch potential and run-after-catch talent the more tape they consume. He needs to play with better effort as a blocker, but his athleticism, explosiveness and speed could make him a developmental project for a team.

Explosive athlete with NFL size and traits but lacking an NFL skill set at the position. Copeland clearly has the athletic profile of an NFL wideout and that will make him worthy of attention. His production has been average, though, and his tape does not always inspire. Copeland is missing the instincts and route acumen to set up his breaks and elude coverage. The physical profile gives him a shot, but he will need to impress in camp to garner a roster opportunity.

High-cut cornerback who is more of a catch-challenger than an instinctive ballhawk. The high passes defensed total is an example of how aggressive Bennett is at the catch point, and he’s clearly effective at tilting the 50/50 ball in his favor. However, his coverage tends to lack the needed anticipation and discipline to stay connected to NFL route runners. He has good size, but his coverage strength is a mix and match of man and zone with both featuring inconsistencies that will likely follow him into an NFL camp.

Slashing runner who relies on his burst, wiggle and speed to stack up yardage and touchdowns. McLaughlin looks to run to daylight, but he has a hard time trusting the play development if he doesn’t see a clear point of entry. He has a plus burst and the speed to get past the second level or make a dash for it wide. He won’t be able to handle pass protection on third downs but does have talent as a receiver out of the backfield. McLaughlin can compete for a role as a change-of-pace option for teams looking to add a dual-threat back.

Aggressive man-cover cornerback whose physical play brings both passes defensed and penalties. Blackmon gives receivers a rough ride over the first five yards, but his extended grabbing will be less tolerated by NFL officials. He’s capable of phasing routes when matching from press, but he doesn’t have the hips to transition smoothly when playing off-man coverage. He’s talented at squeezing the catch space and timing his challenges, but Blackmon’s lack of size and fluidity could limit his pro chances.

Durham possesses the measurables of a Y tight end, with the ability to compete as a blocker both in-line and on the move. He still needs to add play strength as a run blocker, though. Durham lacks the speed to threaten the seam and the functional agility to beat coverage underneath. He’s been fairly involved in the Purdue passing game and has a chance to make a team as a run-blocking tight end with the potential to make tough catches.

Former five-star recruit who made a name for himself at Nebraska after leaving LSU. Palmer’s route running is raw, but coachable. He’s an athletic mover with good leaping ability and a quiet engine that can unleash a big second gear to chase the deep throw. Getting Palmer to play to his top speed and with a consistent competitiveness will be the challenge, as his ball skills are below average. The athleticism and speed will be tempting on Day 3, but his upside could be limited.

Parish is an active, full-steam-ahead edge defender, but his short arms will be detrimental in helping him get away from blockers, both as a run defender and pass rusher. His body type, toughness and knockback mentality make him a strong candidate to transition to the fullback position. Parish might not hear his name called during the draft, but his special teams potential gives him a solid chance to make a team.

TCU found ways to get the ball into Davis’ hands in an efficient manner, allowing him to make explosive plays with his speed. While he still carries that value on the pro level, his ability to slip press and cut with quickness could foreshadow a more robust opportunity as an NFL slot receiver. He is capable of running a more complex route tree in the future and should offer immediate competition as a punt returner.

It might be easy to discount Vandenburgh’s production as he lacks desired NFL mass, length and quickness off the edge, but his relentlessness and football instincts are worthy of deeper dives for evaluators. He’s more active than sudden, so he needs to get bigger and stronger to fit a bully role as a pro. He knows how to play the game and finds his way to the football on a consistent basis. Vandenburgh might have a limited ceiling, but he could find his way onto an NFL roster as a backup and special teams performer.

Perimeter receiver with adequate measurables and above-average value as a kick returner. Knowles is an angular route runner who is much more effective on longer-developing routes that allow him to win with tempo through turns. Lacking suddenness, he will struggle beating press and uncovering underneath. He requires a runway to find his speed on run-after-catch throws. Knowles is athletic and smooth as a pass-catcher but might be limited to a role as a potential WR5/6 with kick return value.

Garner is a big, long corner with a jarring press. However, he’s missing the footwork and body control to phase and match NFL routes that force him to change direction. He’s a handful when he’s in position to challenge the throw, but teams might need to plug him into a Cover 2 scheme or try him at safety, where he can help support the run and cover tight ends.

Thompson possesses several pieces of the puzzle, but they fail to create a consistent product on the field. He’s tough and strong, but he would benefit from a more aggressive approach. Indecisiveness and dancing will cost him yardage against faster, more talented fronts in the NFL. He’ll likely need to show he can get downhill and utilize his power to finish if he’s going to stick on an NFL roster. Thompson has limited special teams experience, but he has the demeanor to contribute via that phase of the game. If he can test well, the measurables and ability to play on multiple downs could give him an advantage in a battle for a roster spot.

Matlock might fit best as a 4i or five-technique, where he can avoid interior blockers a little more often while activating his motor and athleticism. He’s not going to be a consistent block-beater or take on double teams unless he’s able to get bigger and stronger, but he does show flashes as a rusher and as a penetrator against the run. He could have late-round value.

Incoom is a tight-hipped, short-stepping edge defender whose lack of ideal length could push him into a full-time role as a 3-4 outside linebacker. His upper-body strength and sturdy base allow him to neutralize bigger men across from him, but he’s unlikely to ever be a volume playmaker or tackler. His face-up rushing style is neither elusive nor particularly creative, and many of his sacks over the last two seasons have come thanks to his strong, secondary effort. Incoom was average against tackles from Oklahoma State and Penn State in 2022, but there are enough flashes on tape to warrant a look on Day 3 of the draft.

Harrison’s speed and athletic ability are NFL-caliber on tape. While he flashes ball skills at times, it’s hard not to notice his drops and below-average deep-ball tracking. His route running is unfocused, but he has the physical tools to tighten it up. Harrison’s easy movements around the field and top-end speed warrant a late-round pick as a developmental prospect.

Barnes has NFL size and athletic traits, along with experience playing inside and outside. He has the ability to cover man-to-man and is productive on special teams. He’s not a pure stack-and-shed linebacker and can be a little loose with his technique at times. Overall, Barnes has a legitimate shot to make a team as a late Day 3 selection.

Finesse run blocker with agility, foot quickness and a feel for angles to carry his zone-scheme experience into the pros. Galvin is a scheme-specific blocker due to his lack of drive power and in-line block sustain. He might find that teams prefer him as an interior blocker due to his lack of desired arm length. He has plenty of body control and athleticism to pass protect against active pass rushers, but his lack of edge firmness and core strength will be a concern when he’s forced to match up against bull rushers. Galvin should offer both swing tackle and guard value, which should bolster his draft stock.

Alexandre is an edge defender who relies on his broad frame and natural power. He’s long and naturally heavy handed, but he will need to play with much better bend to improve his ability to hold the point against the run. While he’s a segmented mover at times, he does have quick feet and shows decent pursuit quickness and motor. He’s a face-up rusher who is unlikely to beat NFL opponents with crafty moves and counters, so fortifying his power rush will be critical as a Day 3 possibility for 4-3 defenses.

Raw receiving prospect with just two years of major college experience under his belt. DuBose possesses NFL size with an expansive catch radius. He’s talented at winning fade routes and jump balls, but he struggles to win in the early stages of the route against press and tight man coverage. DuBose is still in the learning stages but already displays some route talent. A lack of separation quickness could make his battle for a roster spot more challenging.

Wayne brings a noticeable level of maturity and football intelligence with him. He doesn’t have the boosters to rocket past pro coverage, but he runs routes with an excellent feel for leverage to open opportunities inside the route. He has outside receiver size but might offer enough footwork and manipulation to run routes as a big slot. Wayne didn’t win contested catches at the expected rate relative to his body control and traits, but his ball skills appear to meet NFL standards and should give him a shot at becoming a competent backup.

Gilmore possesses the short-area burst and route anticipation needed to consistently challenge throws directed his way. He plays a little bigger than his listed size, but he will need to make a full-time move to nickel back, where his smallish frame will be tested in run support. His instincts and ball skills give him a chance to overcome some size mismatches and fight for a backup role.

The punter at Rutgers for the last five seasons, Korsak produced consistent net yardage numbers and excellent touch to bury opponents near their own goal line. He’ll need to prove he can consistently hang the ball up with distance at the next level. He has a chance to be drafted but will be in an NFL camp regardless.

A steady center/guard option with good size and length, Forsyth plays with technique and consistency that offensive line coaches will appreciate. He wasn’t asked to play with much range from home base but gets into his block with pop and is consistent in his effort to sustain and finish the assignment. He has some issues protecting the A-gaps at times, and the pre-snap penalties are a concern. Forsyth’s poor explosiveness testing at the NFL Scouting Combine could cause concerns for teams looking at him late on Day 3 of the draft.

McGhee will have to prove he can make the big jump in competition, but he has a coverage background at cornerback and at nickel. His ball production will be viewed favorably by teams. He has NFL size, adequate speed and was an impressive tester at his pro day. He could be a late-round pick or a priority free agent, but his play on special teams helps his chances of getting a look as a backup safety.

Slot receiver whose background with option football and as a returner could increase his chances with teams seeking versatility. Jones is a fluid athlete with the footwork to handle short to intermediate routes. He has natural hands but is likely to struggle dealing with tight man coverage and contested-catch situations that will come with it. Jones profiles as a zone-beating slot with the potential to return kicks.

Teams won’t find tackle-for-loss production or disruption as a pass rusher when they watch tape of Avery, but they will find a wide-framed space-eater willing to battle for his gaps inside. Avery displayed an impressive combination of power and hip explosion at his pro day. He has some bully in him against single blocks but can be a little too straight-legged, which causes inconsistency in his anchor against edge pressure. He’s an early down, rotational nose tackle but could find NFL work even if he goes undrafted.

The first thing a team will need to do is consider Martial’s lack of size and what it will mean for his fit on the roster. He’s very small but appears extremely tough and competitive. He plays the game with a nice balance of elusiveness and aggression when taking on blocks. He has the burst and instincts to rack up high tackle totals, but he lacks the tackle radius and size to ensure consistency and to play in the box full time. Martial will likely need to prove himself in coverage, as teams will pigeonhole him as a box safety with nickel/dime linebacker value.

Thomas is undersized but slippery with an ability to slink through crevices and get pads on ball-carriers. He has average instincts and struggles to fight off blocks. He’s not expected to be a burner when testing and doesn’t look to have great coverage quickness, but he seems to find a burst when racing laterally to get in on the tackle. His lack of functional size will be hard for teams to overlook on draft day, but Thomas’ production and feel for the game might override size concerns for some teams.

Filiaga isn’t a great athlete, but he was a capable blocker in Minnesota’s zone running game, which might end up being a natural scheme fit for him at the next level. He doesn’t play with much bend, and that leads to consistent leverage issues. He’s unlikely to drive opponents off the ball as an NFL base blocker. His pass protection is technically sound, but his athletic limitations will create concerns in the pros. Filiaga might go undrafted, but he could eventually make an NFL roster.

Wagner has rare size and length at the tackle position, with much better play strength than we typically see from tackles of his height. He uses his long arms to punch with independent hands, using well-timed strikes to keep rushers out of rhythm. A lack of foot agility leaves him susceptible to inside moves and counters both as a pass protector and run blocker. His overall ability in pass pro plays to his favor, but the run blocking is subpar. Wagner is a right tackle-only prospect but pass protection is very valuable in the league, which gives him a chance to make a roster.

Boundary safety with good size and adequate anticipation but a lack of quality make-up burst when beaten over the top. Hellams can cover tight ends and is comfortable in split zone looks but needs to do a much better job of staying deeper than the deepest target. He’s fairly consistent as a tackler but doesn’t always take the most efficient routes to the ball. He’s physical and can play high or low. Hellams has a chance to become a good backup and plus special teams player.

Compact, muscular runner with below-average explosiveness but decent downhill power. Hull’s lack of suddenness and foot quickness to quickly get in and out of cuts allows defenders to track him down. He needs to play with as much downhill movement as possible, so he will need a quality offensive line in front of him to succeed. He’s a very capable route-runner and pass-catcher but he needs to improve in pass protection for consideration as a third-down option. Hull might need the perfect team fit to stick around on a roster long-term.

Even-front defensive end with decent play strength, good lateral movement and an average motor in attacking the line of scrimmage. Baldonado has adequate power to brace and set edges but lacks urgency to get to the ball and make plays. Similarly, he flashes skill as a pass rusher but seems too content to go where the rush takes him rather than countering and recalibrating his attack of the pocket. He has the size and traits for the position but needs a motor than runs hotter to become a rotational player in the pros.

Team captain with below-average size and arm talent, but above-average football IQ. Haener plays with a pre-snap plan and does a nice job of getting the ball out quickly against the blitz. He senses edge pressure and slides to find a new location to throw from. He doesn’t have the drive velocity to successfully window shop and might require a timing-based scheme or spread attack where he can make quick throws in rhythm. Haener’s lack of traits, coupled with limited mobility outside the pocket, create a challenging road to NFL success.

Witt’s athletic testing was off the charts and it helps that teams recognize he is still filling out his long frame. The tight end convert has only been at the tackle position for one full season, so teams understand he’s going to be behind from an instinct and technique standpoint. He’ll need to make progress as a Year 1 practice squad candidate for teams to continue the investment. He’s nowhere near ready to play pro football, but he will be a coveted free agent if he goes undrafted given his traits and athleticism.

Cooper has extremely long arms for his height and he does a nice job of getting the most out of his physical ability. While his short-area athletic testing was average, he appears to be much quicker on tape and has the ability to make blocks on the move, although sustaining them is a problem for him. He’s solid in pass protection and plays with decisiveness that bolsters his consistency against gaming fronts. Cooper’s guard-only designation could hurt his chances, but he has the talent to compete for a spot on a roster.