2023 NFL Draft

[beachcomber]

Bijan Robinson | RB | Texas | 6’0”, 220 lbs

Bijan Robinson is a known commodity in NFL Draft circles, but on Saturday, he reaffirmed his workhorse upside in the NFL, rushing the ball 30 times for 209 yards and a touchdown against Big 12 foe Kansas State. He also added 34 receiving yards on two catches. Robinson is a well-built running back who displays the explosiveness and durability to become one of the NFL’s best backs in short order. If he finishes out the season strong, he could still end out as a first-round pick.

Calijah Kancey | DL | Pittsburgh | 4 TCKL, 2 TFL, 1 SCK, 1 QB HUR
Drake Thomas | LB | NC State | 9 TCKL, 3 TFL, 2 SCK, 4 QB HUR

[beachcomber]

Josh Downs, WR, UNC - Class of 2023

Though he was slowed early on by an injury, Downs (5'11/175) has hit his stride over the last three weeks collecting 35 receptions on 43 targets for 394 yards and three touchdowns. He lines up in the slot 80% of the time where he will remain in the NFL due to his light frame and fast twitch ability to disguise his breaks and create separation in the open field. Drake Maye's favorite target, Downs has the fifth-highest catch rate in the nation at 85% while also ranking fourth overall with an 88.3 PFF receiving grade. He wreaked havoc on the Virginia secondary last Saturday, catching 15-of-16 targets while running an array of routes from which he created separation all game long:

As an added bonus, Downs' elusiveness also makes him a dangerous return man in leagues that count return yards, of which I'm in a few for CFF purposes:

This catch is from last year, but I couldn't resist throwing it in. Awe inspiring, full layout corner end zone touchdown reception:

The 2023 receiver group features some talented slot-type wideouts at the top end of the class with JSN, Jordan Addison, Kayshon Boutte and Downs leading the way for 6'1 and under technicians alongside the towering Quentin Johnston at the top of the rankings. I love Downs' quickness and soft hands, as his 90% (9-of-10) contested target catch rate is the best in the Power Five this season. The biggest question mark for me is can his 175-pound frame hold up at the NFL level, as the list of impact fantasy wide receivers in his weight/BMI range in the NFL is notably thin. That aside, Downs has the tools and athleticism to be a consistently productive NFL wideout if he can hold up to the rigors of the professional game.

[beachcomber]

Rashee Rice, WR, SMU - Class of 2023

The nation's leading receiver and lone member of the 1,000-yard receiving club, Rice has emerged from the shadow of 2022 NFL Draftee Danny Gray to become one of the hottest Group of Five 2023 NFL Draft prospects in the country. Heading into October, Rice was barely on NFL Mock Draft radars, with the 6'3/211 wideout drawing a UDFA grade according to the Internet Mock Database entering the season. However since then Rice has been a workhorse, receiving the second-highest target load in the country while breaking 12 tackles and securing 12-of-27 contested targets. His game film against Houston reveals some of Rice's talent that has scouts strapping a rocket to his draft stock.

Rice's first touchdown catch is a deftly run route where he maintains outside leverage, pushing the corner inside before darting to the front pylon for the score. He shows unusual 3-Cone-like burst out of his break for a player his size and also makes a nice adjustment on a second-half hands-catch he had to reach back for. However the almost-touchdown catch in the back-right corner was the most exciting play he made against the Cougars.

Here's a nice cutup of some highlight reel receptions from games against North Texas and Lamar:

Rice is now being selected in recent mocks at the 63rd overall selection on average, placing the Mustangs' star in the late-second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. If you picked up Rice in the offseason and stashed him on your Devy roster, you are sporting a healthy ROI right now on that savvy investment.

[Leslie Grossman]

Really like Downs as a potential Keenan replacement if he's there in the 2nd.

[Leslie Grossman]

Way too early Mock. Version 1. With only 2 defensive players drafted the bulk of the free agency money goes to the defense.

1 Quentin Johnson/Jackson Smith Njigba WR- replaces Keenan unless he takes a massive restructure
2 Blake Freeland T/Jared Voorhies G- moving on from Pipkins or Feiler. Will Salyer play RT or LG?
3 Byron Young DT- here is our Tillery replacement
4 Cam Hart CB- move on from or restructure Davis, Callahan Jr could be gone as well
5 Ricky Stromberg C- a need with zero depth behind Linsley
6 Cameron Latu TE- here is our Parham replacement and hopeful heir to Everett, McKitty so far not the answer
7 Kedon Slovis QB

[beachcomber]

Alabama S Brian Branch


Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports

Branch has been one of the best defenders in the secondary for the Alabama Crimson Tide this season. Listed at 6-foot and 193 pounds, he has the versatility to play two-high, play in the box or even align as a nickel corner. He’s fearless and a sure tackler, boasting the third-most tackles on the Alabama defense so far this season with only one missed tackle on the year.

With Juan Thornhill and Deon Bush scheduled to hit free agency, the Chiefs will likely turn to the draft to fill at least one vacancy at the position. Branch’s versatility makes him an interesting choice, given that he can also play nickel and special teams, including as a punt returner.

[beachcomber]

Texas DT Keondre Coburn


Aaron E. Martinez / American-Statesman

Coburn was going to going to declare early for the draft last season, but the coaching staff at Texas convinced him to stay. It feels like the 6-foot-2 and 340-pound nose guard made the right choice as he’s really developed as a pass-rusher in 2022. He has already trounced his career-high in sacks with three on the season and his 25 pressures rank fifth among draft-eligible interior defensive linemen according to PFF.

The interior defensive line could look very different for the Chiefs in 2023. Derrick Nnadi, Khalen Saunders and Taylor Stallworth are scheduled to become free agents. Chris Jones has a massive salary cap hit and will need to be extended if he’s to remain on the team. There’s also the issue of Tershawn Wharton tearing his ACL earlier this season. A player like Coburn will almost certainly be on Kansas City’s radar.

what is the diff between a nose guard and nose tackle ?? and.... if I didn't know any better, this guy is the Jamaree Salyer of IDL.... ?? !!

[ghost]

After last night, I'm dreaming of WRs that can get separation. Today, my priorities are WR,DT,TE,LB, + RB.

I'll likely come around to DT being the #1 priority by January, but it's nice to think that Addison could become another Justin Jefferson for Herbert.

[ghost]

Texas DT Keondre Coburn


Aaron E. Martinez / American-Statesman



what is the diff between a nose guard and nose tackle ?? and.... if I didn't know any better, this guy is the Jamaree Salyer of IDL.... ?? !!

Reminds me of Jamal 'The Wall' Williams in physicality at the point of attack. Stout as a 55-gallon drum, his stack technique is savage and brutal, and he can collapse the pocket as a zero technique. His con: foot speed, and a detriment to overall team speed. But he is a three-down player at the next level. The ONLY debate to Coburn is what body type the staff are looking for: Ed Oliver-type or Star Lotulelei-type at the tackle position, and what the staff's preference is. I really, really like him, but what I like + what the Charger defensive staff want, are two different things.

#DTKeondreCoburn

[ghost]

Calijah Kancey | DL | Pittsburgh | 4 TCKL, 2 TFL, 1 SCK, 1 QB HUR
Drake Thomas | LB | NC State | 9 TCKL, 3 TFL, 2 SCK, 4 QB HUR

Question on linebackers. Can the selection of a LB high make the same of impact that LB Devin Lloyd is making for the Jaguars in their 4-3 this season? I can't help but thinking that Roquan Smith might have helped last night, instead of wondering if Kenneth Murray II would make tackle last.

Troy Reeder got burned on a RB ISO route last night and our LB depth needs addressing.

[ghost]

Georgia DT Jalen Carter v Tennessee

:50 Sack and forced fumble of QB Hendon Hooker - Look at the power in his bull rush.


DT Jalen Carter

[beachcomber]

Question on linebackers. Can the selection of a LB high make the same of impact that LB Devin Lloyd is making for the Jaguars in their 4-3 this season? I can't help but thinking that Roquan Smith might have helped last night, instead of wondering if Kenneth Murray II would make tackle last.

Troy Reeder got burned on a RB ISO route last night and our LB depth needs addressing.

Sewell in the second works for me.... albeit the herd here is lookin' for a speed bug wideout, and they are there aplenty round two....

do you think there is any chance we can snare Roquan in FA.... ??