DRAFT TRACKER 2023

Vann has played inside and outside; he could end up doing the same as a pro. He ran well at his pro day, but his play speed can be inconsistent on tape. He has average size and strength. Also, he relies on athletic ability over positioning savvy to battle for contested catches. The production was fairly average at South Carolina, but his testing and 2021 tape could play to his favor.

The former four-star recruit has the size and length to receive consideration from NFL teams, but he still needs technique work and must improve his hand efficiency. Telfort is an adequate athlete, but his body control might always be below average. There are enough positives as both a run and pass blocker that a team might be willing to buy in and give him a chance as a Day 3 selection.

Smallish speedster who will need to prove to NFL evaluators that he is more than just a gadget option. Despite his explosiveness, Allen scored just 11 touchdowns on offense during his UCLA career, as his primary duties were of the catch-and-run variety underneath. He’s not a very effective route-runner, but his acceleration and agility could help change that if he keeps working on technique. His speed and open-field potential could create an opportunity for him.

Productive tight end who has posted solid numbers for four consecutive years. Ford is lacking functional size and strength for the position, so he might need a highly specific role that allows him to primarily act as a pass-catcher. He’s a willing run blocker with decent technique and might have the ability to expand his role as a move blocker in space. Ford has good speed to separate on intermediate routes. He displays good toughness and focus on contested catches. He has Day 3 potential on tape, but size concerns could force him to earn his way as an undrafted free agent.

As a safety turned linebacker, Ayers has a legitimate chance of competing for a spot on a practice squad or maybe even a roster. He needs to get stronger and fails to stand out with his speed, but he offers versatility thanks to his coverage background and ability to rush the passer. Provided he improves his strength and proves he can handle special teams assignments, Ayers could have a future as a backup 4-3 outside linebacker.

Like a home run hitter in baseball, Turk has tremendous power but is lacking ball control to plant opposing teams against their end zone instead of kicking for touchbacks. He has improved his hang-time and outkicked his coverage a little less frequently, which will matter for NFL evaluators. The pure power and talent could get him a Day 3 look.

It would be easy to write off Anderson due to his stature, but he’s compact, strong and has the skill set to play the linebacker position. He plays with instincts and discipline. He can tackle what is in front of him and can compete for third down and special teams reps. Anderson might have a limited ceiling but he’s a productive football player.

Nacua is an athletic wideout lacking the twitch or speed to attack NFL man coverage at a successful rate. However, the ball skills and competitive nature he brings to the field give him a fighting chance to make a roster. He might need to be used as a possession receiver operating from the slot, where his ball-winning and size can work in his favor. He’s sneaky talented with the ball in his hands, so jet-sweep work in the pros could be an option. He has a shot to be picked on Day 3. There are make-it elements in the way he plays the game.

A full-time snapper for four years, Soderholm is a high-energy teammate. He’s short for the position but strong and has the athleticism to make tackles in space. His size could hurt him in the eyes of some teams, but his accuracy and consistency give him a chance to make an NFL roster.

Miller is an intriguing prospect who needs to prove he can uncover in the slot against substantially better competition. He’s quick accelerating into routes but needs to become more elusive from the break point. He’s tough on contested catches, but he struggles with focus drops and bringing in off-frame tosses. Miller doesn’t have much of a special teams background and needs to get tougher as a run blocker to stand out at his position, but he might have enough talent to eventually earn a roster spot.

Sow has played a high number of snaps during his time at Eastern Michigan. Despite the starting experience, he struggles to find proper angles in the running game and respond to blitzes/twists in pass protection. While he could continue to improve and has some physical traits to work with, making a roster will be an uphill climb.

Dennis is willing to take chances, which can lead to feast or famine results. He’s a smart player with outstanding play recognition and instincts that help him play faster than his timed speed. He’ll beat blockers to the spot on plays flowing over the offensive tackle, but he’s unable to withstand a downhill challenge from climbing blocks on a consistent enough basis. Dennis’ special teams potential aids his chances of becoming an NFL backup, but he doesn’t have size or athleticism that stands out and needs to put together a solid pre-draft workout.

Squatty and strong, Thomas will need to prove he can slide inside to the slot after a career of playing outside. He’s both fast and quick. He plays with a good feel for route development, which explains his on-ball production. Thomas will lean and lunge at times, diminishing his balance in coverage, and he misses interception opportunities because of a lack of eye balance between the receiver and quarterback. He can phase and crowd routes, and is physical through the catch try. Thomas needs to play tougher in run support to make the transition to nickel, but he’s talented enough to earn a roster spot.

Long, tall pocket passer with better arm strength than arm talent as a passer. McKee throws with an unorthodox delivery that becomes even more irregular when he feels rushed. He can make all the NFL throws and delivers a tight spiral with good velocity on intermediate and deep throws to the field side. However, his heavy feet and a lack of agility limit his effectiveness outside of the pocket and make him a magnet for pass rushers when protection becomes spotty. McKee clearly improved his throwing process in 2022, but he might lack the decision-making and functional mobility to make it in today’s NFL.

Ivy League standout and team captain who brings measurables and athletic attributes to the table. Jones has the size and power to set a firm edge. He plays with savvy to take on blocks and get in on plays. He appears to rush the quarterback with inconsistent play speed and tempo, though. He isn’t as skilled with his hands as he needs to be, but he plays with the bend and agility to become much better in that area with more work. The step up in competition will be a challenge for him, but he appears to have the traits to compete for an edge rusher spot in camp.

Move tight end with good build-up speed and adequate athleticism as a route runner. Mallory’s production was often set up by play-action and rub routes, but he has the potential to find catches on his own. He needs to play with better aggression and strength to not only own the catch space but handle run-blocking duties when called upon. Mallory has an opportunity to fight for a TE3 roster spot but competition could be tight.

Slot receiver whose best work comes after the ball is in his hands as both a pass-catcher and punt returner. Gipson possesses average size but good speed and demonstrates the vision and early acceleration to create explosive plays in the open field. He’s not a very accomplished route runner and takes the worst of it on 50/50 balls. His ability to make it as a pro could be tied directly to his ability to uncover as a catch-and-run option and to thrive as a return man.

Ali has limited size and length, but he plays with good consistency and the fortitude to give himself a chance in the league. Very quickly, the tape shows off his body control and core strength, which help him stay connected to blocks through adversity. A lack of length will put him in a hole against long-armed tackles, and he will need help handling odd front nose tackles. The pass protection is inconsistent and could stay that way due to a lack of physical traits. He might not get drafted, but he could surprise in a camp.

Long-limbed edge defender with an angular frame and a willingness to take on all comers. Jones’ production might not jump off the page, but he’s athletic and uses his length to put himself in position to make tackles. Jones could use more strength in his lower half both as a run defender and pass rusher. While they aren’t sustained, there are flashes of rush potential that might create a roster opportunity after a year on a practice squad.

Ajiake lacks ideal size but he’s fast, explosive and agile. He’s often too passive in attacking the play, but when he’s proactive, good things often happen. He’s never going to be great at taking on blocks, so learning to flow downhill and slip blockers will be critical. He’s better suited in a chase-and-hit role as an outside linebacker in a 4-3 defense, but his pathway to a pro roster could be centered on his athletic profile and history as a productive special teams contributor.

Willis’ size and athletic profile leaves him lacking as both an in-line blocker and as a pass-catching option. He lacks in-line power and plays with low-burn intensity getting into blocks at times, but body control and hand strength help increase his sustain effectiveness when blocking on the move. He’s tough working into traffic, but a high percentage of his catches came with nobody around him in space. He will need to prove he can separate against man coverage outside of the Oklahoma scheme.

An edge defender with adequate size and skill, Murphy will need to prove his gaudy production can translate into an opportunity to make plays on the professional level. He dominated Division II competition with stat lines that are inconceivable. However, his rush appeared to lack power and unpredictability when matched against better opponents during his week at the East-West Shrine Bowl. He plays with average explosiveness but a quality motor and could create buzz in the future if he can become a more diverse and skilled rusher.

Well-schooled zone-scheme back with good size but ordinary skills at the position. It’s commendable that he keeps runs on track and is willing to trust his line, but the game film shows a lack of creativity and escapability. With little production as a pass-catcher, Peoples will need to run with better bend and become a more aggressive run finisher to compete for a roster spot as a pro.

Sims is an undersized tight end who will give it a go as a blocker but is not strong enough or technically sound enough to handle in-line or lead-blocking duties. He’s a talented athlete who has the acceleration to uncover versus man coverage, the speed to threaten the over the top of linebackers and the talent to create after the catch. The lack of a clean positional fit limits his opportunities, but there is clearly talent to mold.

Durden is an older draft prospect (will turn 25 in December) who possesses explosive athleticism and good speed. He has decent ball skills and good toughness, so he has a chance to become a big slot receiver with vertical talent in the NFL. His ability as a gunner and punt returner on special teams gives him a chance to compete for a roster spot.

Gibbons is a slightly heavy-footed guard-only prospect with two years of starting experience at Florida State after transferring from Notre Dame. While he doesn’t play with ideal lateral quickness or movement in space, he does a nice job of maximizing his size and strength. His technique is solid in pass protection, but athletic limitations will make it challenging for him to keep sub-package rushers occupied. Gibbons might not be the total package, but he could still find his way onto an NFL roster.

Five-year starter with below-average size, above-average mobility and a recent history of improvement at the position. Thompson-Robinson played in a favorable scheme for quarterbacks, but he also improved as a field-reader over time. While he can extend plays and create opportunities for himself outside of the pocket, he’s at his best when he’s throwing on time and utilizing possession throws as his base. He has lapses in vision and judgment against zone and when pressured, so he must cut down on ill-advised throws. Thompson-Robinson has the potential to find a home as a QB3 with a QB2 ceiling.

Traits-based edge defender with the size, length and athletic ability to warrant consideration as a developmental prospect. Nchami played in just 32 college games and his inexperience shows up on tape. He relies on his physical gifts over technique and instincts, but he could see his play take a noticeable step forward if he can become a more skilled performer. Nchami could use a year on a practice squad, but he might have future value as a 3-4 outside linebacker with rush potential.

Historically, a player with Land’s lack of mass and length would face an uphill battle trying to make it as a 3-4 outside linebacker in the NFL, but his ability to threaten the pocket should generate interest from teams. Land is a very natural, instinctive rusher with the get-off, counters and fluidity to stress some tackles. He doesn’t have enough sand in his pants to hold up against the run and teams might try him as a 4-3 outside linebacker with sub-package rush ability off the edge. Land might need a year or two on a practice squad to continue to develop.

It’s hard to watch the tape and not love Moore’s game. He’s an inside linebacker with a throwback body type and intangibles that are off-the-charts. He plays with excellent instincts and recognition, showing little hesitation to run and hit. Unfortunately, a lack of functional speed limits his range and ability to handle coverage duties. He’s more than capable between the tackles as a 3-4 inside ‘backer but must prove he can hold up in a faster game at the next level.

Wayne has good size and ball skills. It’s easy to see his toughness when tasked with making the contested catch. The biggest challenge for him at the next level could be beating NFL press-man defenders who can slow his release and hound him around the field. He’s not a sudden separator over the first two levels. He will have to use his ball skills and body positioning on a regular basis to win. Wayne is a good football player, but he must become a more effective route-runner.

Lumpkin’s size and length will have some teams taking a close look to see if there is enough on tape to develop him as a heavy-handed Y tight end or even transition him inside to tackle. He is a decent blocker at the point of attack, with the traits and willingness to improve in that area. However, he’s unlikely to be much more than an occasional pass target sneaking out on play-action throws. His physical traits give him a chance to find a home on a practice squad while he continues to develop.

Howden is a football-savvy free safety with good instincts and play recognition but a lack of acceleration, which could create a plethora of problems for him on the pro level. He’s quick to diagnose the run, but will need to improve his tackle technique. A lack of recovery juice could get him mismatched on the pro game, but he sees route combinations well when allowed to play as a two-deep safety. Howden has played a lot of football and can help on special teams but needs to prove himself as a tester at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Hayes has long arms with good play strength and is much better suited to play close to his receiver early in the route. He lacks the short-area burst and instincts to play off the ball. His strength and length complement his long speed, which could allow him to utilize a press and trail technique where he can stay close to the wideout. The elite athletic testing will have teams searching for a way to get more out of him than what we see on tape, but there is a lot of work to do from a ball production standpoint.

Jefferson is a tall target with build-up speed and a receiving style that gets better the further he gets from the line. He doesn’t have the short-area quickness to elude NFL press effectively and could struggle to uncover against tight man coverage over the first two levels. He has decent ball skills and works into the zones effectively, but he will have a challenging time making an NFL roster.

Jensen is a well-schooled, highly experienced guard prospect with a broad frame and above-average toughness. He hasn’t faced much NFL-caliber competition, but he displays some of the same characteristics found in pro guards. He’s below average as an athlete, but good enough for schemes that don’t rely heavily on movement in space for interior blockers. He’s not going to uproot defenders as a drive blocker, but he can work with adequate success on double teams. Jensen’s pass protection is a little more consistent than his run blocking, but athletic rushers will be a challenge for him.

Slot receiver and return specialist who stands out more with the ball in his hands than as a natural separator on routes. Fresno State’s offense did a nice job of finding creative ways to get the ball in Remigio’s hands and he paid them back with a consistent ability to find yardage. He could struggle to uncover over the first two levels against NFL man coverage, but he has talent as a quick-game option who can handle return duties.

Gindorff has below average pass-catching and athletic traits for the tight end position, but plenty of potential as a blocker. His hand placement and footwork are both technically sound and he plays with some vinegar in his game as a sustain and finish blocker. Gindorff’s medicals will be critical for his opportunities moving forward. If those evaluations check out, teams might be deciding between playing him as a Y tight end or attempting to pack weight on his frame to try him as an offensive tackle.

Jarrett is a slot receiver with an excellent build, plus speed and good athleticism, but he's missing necessary ingredients to succeed at the position. It doesn’t take long to see the physical gifts on tape, but Jarrett’s lack of route-running fundamentals and ball skills catch up with him too often. His tape is filled with slants, digs and quick-game throws; he struggles to manipulate defenders with his routes and comes out on the wrong end when throws are contested. He’s a better athlete than receiver as he enters the draft, but he does have athletic tools for cultivation if a team can get it done.

Heyward is a long-armed run-and-hit linebacker who will not be cheated as a wrap-up tackler. He’s eager to find the action but can be inconsistent recognizing play development and getting into proper positioning, whether he’s a run defender or in coverage. Teams will like the body type and physicality that are part of the package, and being a plus special teams performer can only help his cause.

A 3-4 stand-up linebacker with adequate upper-body strength, Rush showed athleticism at his pro day, but it doesn’t always translate to the tape. He will dive inside and lose contain at times, but he’s generally an instinctive defender who can get the jump on where the play is headed. He’s not a dynamic pass rusher and might not have the bend or juice to become one. He plays with good focus and intensity but has a modest ceiling as a run defender. There’s a chance Rush will hear his name called on Day 3 of the draft.

Edge defender prospect with long arms, an explosive first punch and room for improvement as a pass rusher. Leo goes hard into first contact and can separate from blocks fairly quickly, but he’s tight-hipped, lacking the bend and the base strength to hold up against power at the point of attack. He challenges the pocket with a variety of rush angles, but his get-off and hand work might not yet be good enough to impress NFL evaluators. Leo might need seasoning on a practice squad.

Low-cut back with a muscular frame and an unpolished running style. Evans is ready to charge ahead and find the action on every snap, but he needs to run with better tempo and patience to allow his blocks to develop. He has sudden feet and good burst as both an inside and outside runner. He also has the contact balance to keep runs alive. His vision and feel for setting up blocks isn’t great, though. Evans’ lack of third down value and special teams experience will make it more challenging for him to earn a RB3 spot.

Instinctive runner with modest size who finds ways to squeeze the most he can out of almost every run. Dye runs with the pace, vision and change-of-direction talent to dart through run lanes and he resets his travel plans according to the flow of the defense. He’s efficient but lacked functional speed and explosiveness in his pro-day testing. Dye's third-down value helps his chances, but he might have to fight for a spot as an undrafted free agent.

Big, long safety with good athleticism and toughness but a lack of top-end speed. He needs to play with better patience early in the rep and must become more aware of his assignment responsibilities. While he lacked speed in his NFL Scouting Combine testing, he did show the ability to run with downfield targets on tape. Dean can cover big tight ends and help support the run in the box but spotty angles to the tackle plague him at times. Dean will have to compete to make a team as a down safety who can shine on special teams.

Wheat, a three-year starter for Mississippi State, offers decent versatility and good play strength. He has the physicality to go toe-to-toe at the point of attack, but he is lacking football instincts to anticipate and make more plays. Wheat tends to play from Point A to Point B instead of consistently reading and engaging as the play develops. He might benefit from a clearly defined role in a defense with more structure than the one he played in for the Bulldogs. His ability to drop in space or play with power could help him earn a spot as a backup 3-4 strong-side linebacker with special teams value.

Slender speedster with the potential to be used as a gadget option and return man. Smith has the burst and vision to handle jet sweep looks. Also, he has the athleticism and separation potential to become a better route runner. Finishing contested catches could be an issue and he might not offer as much deep-throw value as expected due to average ball skills. Whether he is drafted or not, Smith’s return ability and speed will gain him entry into a camp and give him a chance to find a home on a roster.

Palczewski has played his fair share of football games. The experience shows with his poise and understanding of assignments on each snap. He’s quick out of his stance and does a nice job of making blocks in space, but lacks the functional power to sustain blocks against power on a consistent basis. He needs to get bigger and stronger to stick around in the league.

Burney is an aggressive linebacker with a well-built frame and good play speed, but he lacks the instincts to play with consistency. He’s plenty fast and can beat blockers to the spot or chase down runners in the open field. He needs to work on his block take-on and might fit best as a weakside linebacker in a 4-3 defense. His ability to run with skill-position players in man coverage and potentially handle special teams reps help his cause.

Thompson will garner attention with his outstanding athletic testing, but there is still a lot of physical and skill development that needs to take place. He doesn’t have enough strength to set firm edges and is unable to generate speed to power as a rusher. His long strides can be an effective weapon as a rusher and when in pursuit, but he needs to crank up his intensity and get bigger to play in the league.