DRAFT TRACKER 2023

Scott’s size and explosiveness will immediately jump out to NFL teams. The traits are nice, but the agility and fluidity are major concerns as it pertains to staying connected to routes as a man defender. Scott seeks out playmaking opportunities and has the attributes needed to win 50/50 challenges, but he needs to play in zone-heavy looks and become a more well-rounded run defender.

The inclination to shrug off Brooks’ production based on level of competition -- or because of questions about his positional fit -- might be a mistake. Brooks’ snap quickness, footwork, hand usage and motor are all translatable play qualities. His movement and counters are intuitive, allowing for quick access into the backfield. Against the pass, he frequently beat tackles as a bull rusher off the edge. Brooks has the size of a three-technique but the versatility and athleticism to move around a defensive front. He flashes disruptive, three-down talent as a future starter in a one-gap scheme.

Clark is small but fast. He plays with twitchy feet and a competitive demeanor when challenging the throw. He’s capable of stalking short and intermediate routes with a feel for the passing lane, but his lack of size and length shows up down the field. While the ball skills and athletic traits work in his favor, trouble with run support and big slot targets could be difficult obstacles to overcome in the NFL.

Hayes has adequate physical and athletic measurables to play slot cornerback, but he might need to bulk up to play safety. He is active against the run and the pass, but his inconsistency as a tackler could make it challenging for him to stick on a roster.

Hodges-Tomlinson possesses the athletic profile and ball production to become a starting nickel back. He uses aggression and explosiveness to help overcome his size deficiency. He’s twitchy and sudden to press and hound receivers underneath. However, he needs to trust his technique instead of defaulting to excessive crowding and hand-fighting that turns into penalties. He’s fully accepting of his run-support responsibilities and is generally solid in that area. Hodges-Tomlinson will face occasional size mismatches, but he’s more than capable of holding his own over the course of a season.

Interchangeable safety with above average run support talent and the versatility for multiple coverages. Skinner plays with good awareness to routes with eyes for short zone and the instincts to play over the top. He can line up over pass-catching tight ends and has the ball skills to make quarterbacks pay for off-target throws. He has good feet but hips that can be a little sticky when flipping to run with vertical routes. His agility and range help him as a tackle collector in the open field. Skinner should become an above average starter within a couple of seasons.

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.

It’s easy to see that Washington has worked hard on all aspects of his craft. He’s not the most athletically gifted player, but he uses all of his talent to maximize his on-field production. Washington plays with well-developed ball skills and the toughness needed to make challenging catches, but finding open windows against man coverage will be difficult, due to his lack of shake and separation. His size and run-after-catch ability help his cause as a backup and possession slot receiver.

Highly athletic four-year starter at left tackle who might have the best chance to stick in the league as a zone-scheme guard. It’s easy to love the athletic flashes, but it’s challenging to love the complete body of work when studying the game tape. Duncan rarely plays with enough finish and his man is frequently near the final action because of it. He has the foot speed to protect as a left tackle, but his ability to anchor is a major concern. His lateral quickness should work to his advantage as a move blocker, but he’ll need to unearth enough grit to stand up to NFL bullies at the point of attack to make it.

Boutte’s size, speed and flashes over his first two seasons could be enough to override a very uneven 2022. He has inside/outside value and can be just as adept at uncovering underneath as he can at stretching the field. He ran simple routes at LSU but has the athletic ability to expand on that with more attention to detail. The ball skills are a little disappointing, with too many drops showing up on tape. He’s talented with the ball in his hands and has playmaking potential if he reverts to his previous form. Boutte could work his way into an eventual WR2/3 role barring any further issues with his right ankle.

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.

Mathis’ 2020 season put him on the map as an edge defender to look out for in the future, but he’s failed to hit those production markers since then. He has good size and outstanding length but needs more time in the weight room. He struggles against downhill running attacks but is a slippery tackler who can cast a wide net near his gaps. Mathis’ pressure and sack counts aren’t as high as they should be with his athletic ability and traits. If a team can get him to become a more skilled and attack-oriented rusher, it might find a prospect who outplays his draft slotting as a 3-4 rush linebacker.

Two-year starter at center for an explosive Ohio State offense. Wypler is undersized but highly athletic. His initial quickness gets him to the best angles, whether he’s cutting off linebackers or reaching and sealing outside zone blocks. He’s capable of pulling and leading the action in space, and is best suited for a move-based running attack. His lack of size and length will show up when working downhill, where struggles to sustain. He’s aware in pass protection but big bull rushers are a cause for concern. Wypler is a good technician and capable of becoming an average starter in the right scheme.

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.

Power punter able to flip the field with his great, big leg. He's currently more like a power pitcher who can hit a high number on the radar gun but is unable to control where it goes. He has the talent to kick on the next level but might need to dial it back and kick with better hang-time and short-field touch to truly impress NFL teams.

Rodriguez is a powerful runner, but he lacks the burst and creativity to become anything more than a downhill grinder. He has the size and mentality to do the dirty work between the tackles, but it could be a challenge for him to get to and through the hole quickly in the NFL. He’s a physical blitz protector, so teams might envision a role for him as a second-half battering ram and third-down quarterback protector.

A stout but athletic nose tackle with nimble feet, Coburn can sit down and muddy run lanes or create difficulties for pin-and-pull blocking schemes with his interior agility. While he’s not a three-down lineman, he does have the bull rush and activity level to cause issues as a rusher. He’s more than capable of pressing and separating from blocks as a two-gapping plugger but requires more consistent technique to improve his consistency in that area. Coburn’s blend of girth, power and agility could be coveted by teams looking for help along the interior.

Long wideout with quick feet and erratic hands who falls neatly into the category of higher-ceiling, lower-floor prospect. Perry has been highly targeted and highly productive over the last two seasons. He’s crafty but physical in the early stages of the route and flashes the ability to become a more dangerous route runner with additional work. He has the tools to work all three levels of the field, but his drops and ordinary ball skills sap some of the excitement surrounding his massive wingspan. Perry’s inconsistencies can be frustrating, but his talent and traits make him worthy of a Day 2 selection as a potential WR2/3.

Ramirez’s below-average run defense could make it difficult for him to see the field early in his career, but he blends a hot motor and natural rush talent that could entice teams willing to continue his development in both phases. He’s agile with the ability to gather and chase with quickness once he finds an advantage inside the pocket. He can add strength and technique to improve his block take-on, but he'll also need to show more grit. Ramirez has the potential to be drafted later on Day 3; natural pass rushers always have a shot to grow and become productive pros.

Draft grades for Higgins could vary depending on how teams envision using him in their offense. While teams might see him as a big possession receiver with limitations, he appears to have the necessary tools to become a dynamic F tight end with the ability to work all three levels of the field. Higgins has average ball skills but can run a more robust route tree than most tight ends. Also, he has the frame and technique to be an adequate run blocker in space. He might never be more than a backup at receiver but could blossom for an offense ready to plug him into two tight end sets.

A productive safety with above-average football smarts, Reed might need to make a permanent move to a nickel role with backup safety roster flexibility. He covers with good footwork and is patient not to commit his hips prematurely against fakes. He works to squeeze tight to his targets through the route but could have issues against leapers who can go over the top of him. He’s a willing run supporter but the stopping power falls a little below the mark. He will have some work to do to find a full-time home in the league.

Powerful lineman whose lack of instincts and technique could make him a candidate for the practice squad as the jump-off point for his career. Aumavae-Laulu has the physical traits teams look for but lacks consistency with his hands and body composure getting into blocks. His odds of roster success will be much higher at the guard position, where he has enough athletic ability and power to potentially fit a wide variety of run schemes while creating better matchups for him in protection.

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.

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.

There is a lot to like about Braswell’s game. He’s a little short for perimeter coverage and his lack of length makes recovery challenging when allowing separation at the break. However, he’s strong and twitchy. He plays with good make-up burst and reaction quickness to routes from off-man and zone. He’s not only a willing tackler on the flanks, but a difficult target to block for receivers. Braswell will likely be scheme-dependent as a nickel corner best suited for short zone coverage, but he has the tools to make a run at a backup role.

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.

Bernard-Converse has spent a majority of his snaps as either an off-man or press-man cornerback, but he’ll likely have to make a switch to safety in order to compete for a roster spot in the future. He’s big and strong, but he needs to become more of a run-through finisher than drag-down tackler. Sticky hips in transitions are a major concern relative to coverage tasks in space, and he fails to show the desired level of instincts he might need to range over the top as a pro.

Perimeter wideout whose catch production has been bolstered by a heavy target rate and a variety of short, catch-and-run throws. Hutchinson has good size, but average speed and ball skills force him into a lot of contested catch situations. He has the track record of a late bloomer, showing improvement in his play from year to year and even month to month. He plays with a competitive demeanor and has the tools to keep improving as a route runner, but he needs to upgrade his hands and overall skill set in order to fight for more than a back-end roster spot.

Iosivas’ size, speed and athletic ability might not overwhelm NFL opponents, but those traits do give him a very real chance of battling for an NFL roster spot. He needs to work on his catch technique and level up his aggression when competing for catch space, but his ability to become a three-level route runner should work in his favor.

Carlson has made kicks in big moments and appeared to be tracking in a good direction back in 2020. However, he has struggled to establish consistency on mid-range kicks and has been poor on kicks from 50 yards and beyond. He’s had too many kicks blocked during his career and doesn’t sport a booming leg on kickoffs.

Hallett’s lack of length and his coverage instincts might push him toward a role as a big nickel back with the ability to line up over the slot. Hallett is well-built and possesses good play strength, but he can be inconsistent as a tackle-finisher. Finding the proper fit for him will be critical, but his aggression and ball skills give him a solid shot of competing for a place on the roster.

Hawkins will be a project for teams interested in press corners with above-average athletic traits. He’s given up a lot of touchdowns, but those issues were often due to a lack of awareness and ball skills at the finish line. He showed off speed, suddenness and explosive leaping ability at his pro day, but those elements don’t show up on tape often enough due to a lack of instincts as a playmaker. There are some tools to tinker with, but Hawkins will need to make significant strides in his development to make a team.

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.

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.

Vaughn’s playing style is similar to that of former NFL running back Jacquizz Rodgers, but Rodgers was much heavier than Vaughn at a similar height. Despite the versatility, production and durability, teams might focus on his lack of size. However, he sees the field clearly, is fearless between the tackles, possesses quality contact balance and finds his way into the end zone as a runner and receiver. Vaughn has an uphill climb ahead of him, but his history of consistent, high-end production makes the climb to success seem achievable.

Stills lacks the girth of a 4-3 three-technique, the get-off of a 4-3 end and the two-gapping take-on of a traditional odd-front end. However, he has physical/play attributes that have allowed him to play in all three spots. Finding a fit for him will be paramount, but his quickness and agility will be valued in schemes employing gaming, active fronts. He can be a handful as a twisting interior rusher, but he needs to develop go-to rush moves to help create additional value in that area. Stills could find rotational reps as an odd- or even-front end with the ability to rush from the interior.

Speed’s tape and production don’t stand out. However, his rare size and speed, along with his potential to star on special teams, could give him a chance to find an NFL home.

Evans’ career average of 6.9 yards per carry demonstrates his home run ability, but nagging injuries have limited him in the last two seasons. Teams will need to examine his injury history and determine whether it’s a concern for them or not. He has lead back size and impresses with his willingness to fight through contact for additional yardage on most runs. His vision and creativity are average at best, but the talent/traits should put him in contention for early carries as a very good complementary back with future RB1 upside.

A versatile linebacker with inside/outside experience, Winters needs to take on blockers with the same intensity he displays when he hits ball-carriers. He lacks ideal size, so he will need to win with play speed and aggression in attacking the play design. He’s adequate dropping into space and can get after the pocket as a blitzer. He might be best suited for a role as a run and strike Will linebacker, but he has the instincts and feel to play inside if he’s protected by the front. Winters has Day 3 draft value with an average ceiling.

Finesse punter who will be much better at pinning opponents near their own end zone than bailing his team out with power. He punts with much better hang-time than we are used to seeing from college punters and landed nearly half of his punts inside the 20-yard line in 2022.