2023 NFL Draft

[beachcomber]

Brian Branch - DB, Alabama

If the Saints are able to land a higher spot in the second round, Branch could be an excellent addition to the defense. He’s incredibly versatile, moving from cornerback to safety and even linebacker around Nick Saban’s defense. With the departure of Gardner-Johnson and the unpredictability of Marcus Maye and Tyrann Mathieu, the Saints could use another versatile athlete at safety. He’s currently expected to be an early second round pick, and Alabama’s game against Austin Peay should be a feast for a hungry Crimson Tide.

[beachcomber]

Noah Sewell, Sophomore, Linebacker — He’s one of the harder prospects to evaluate in recent years.

Prior to the season, he seemed like a shoo-in to be gone at the end of the season after another great year.

The truth is he hasn’t had the best season and has major questions defending passing offenses so I don’t know where he is projected. I still think he declares though.

If he goes: 3rd-4th Round

Luke Musgrave, Junior, Tight End — It sounds like Musgrave already plans on playing in the Senior Bowl so I think he has basically already declared.

That’s unfortunate because he missed so much due to injury and Oregon State barely got to use his amazing talent.

If he goes: 3rd-4th Round

Rome Odunze, Sophomore, Wide Receiver

— Another one of the Conference’s best receivers. He has great size and is ultra smooth.

His size and production has been enough that it’s probably time for him to declare.

If he goes: 2nd or 3rd Round

[TexanBeerlover]

Was not impressed with Sewell this year. position that disappoints unless the prospect has elite length, which Sewell does not. Really depends on team needs, but more like late 2nd to mid 3rd. Charger specific, better selection in 3rd than Palmer (avg.) McKittens (looking like a flat out bust) JT Woods (unknown but disappointing to say the least).

Musgrave would be huge upgrade over McKittens but would Chargers spend another 3rd on TE after McKittens?

[beachcomber]

Was not impressed with Sewell this year. position that disappoints unless the prospect has elite length, which Sewell does not. Really depends on team needs, but more like late 2nd to mid 3rd. Charger specific, better selection in 3rd than Palmer (avg.) McKittens (looking like a flat out bust) JT Woods (unknown but disappointing to say the least).

Musgrave would be huge upgrade over McKittens but would Chargers spend another 3rd on TE after McKittens?

hadn't heard of the "elite length" angle when it comes to LB, and in particular can recall a prospect or coupla few that busted, that had pretty good length ??

if true, then your man is Jack Campbell, no ??

and unlike some others here, don't really see much @TE in FA, and much prefer the day two talent, which me thinx is a near must get, as we def need a TE2.

Musgrave has the wheels/speed, and.... wondering how he stacks up against Kincaid ?? ....Musgrave def looks the part/passes the eye test.

[beachcomber]

Then you have other elite prospects like Bijan Robinson and Deuce Vaughn; both players have mind-boggling skill sets. Robinson's mix of power and speed is extremely rare, which is why despite an up-and-down season, he is still the top prospect.

Two Tight Ends:

This isn’t the second day of Christmas; it’s just two of the top pure tight-end prospects we have seen in a long time. Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer and Utah’s Dalton Kincaid are two of the best all-around tight-end prospects that there can be. These prospects are not only great route runners and receivers but also outstanding blockers.

Since his freshman season Meyer has had us drooling at his abilities as a pass catcher, but what goes unspoken much of the time is just how important he is to the Irish run game. His ability as a blocker was a major key to Notre Dame’s success during his career, then you add his receiving skill, and it’s easy to see why he got the nickname “Baby Gronk.”

On the other hand, Kincaid took some time to develop, but he has a very comparable skill set to Mayer and took advantage of his final season and made it his arrival on to the scene. After transferring from the University of San Diego, Kincaid has flourished as a top tight-end prospect who can do anything asked of him, single-handedly winning games for the Utes. Turn on the USC tape to see Kincaid dominate the Trojans and keep them from an undefeated season.

[beachcomber]

This Michigan offensive line moves bodies and it starts right down the damn middle with their center Olusegun Oluwatimi.

Donovan Edwards (not draft eligible but more explosive and just better than Corum) ripped off 216 rushing yards on 22 attempts. The video above shows his two long touchdown runs. I also want you to watch which hole he runs through as he scoots for the score. For the record, I think the right guard Zak Zinter is pretty good too. He’s going to be a middle round guard for someone.

The point still stands. I think a lot of backs could be successful behind that line and I’m not going to blow my load on Corum only to go watch him run a 4.6 at the combine. Can’t do it. Won’t do it. The best overall player on that Michigan offense is that dude right in the middle anchoring everything.

[beachcomber]

Hey, can we talk about this corner Christian Gonzalez? Had a really nice interception in this one.

Not only that but looks big too. 6-foot-2? Thick too. Excuse me but do we actually have something here? I’ve liked Oregon secondary guys in the past (most notably Jevon Holland, a big win on my call). I think we may have something. I don’t exactly know what it is yet but looks dangerous. That’s his 4th pick of the year, by the way.

[beachcomber]

2023 NFL Draft Stock Down

Jaylon Jones, CB, Texas A&M
Team sources say they were not impressed with Jones on tape this season, although it was not been all his fault. He missed three games with an injury and had to sit out some more time due to a targeting penalty early in the game versus Florida. Entering the 2022 regular-season finale, Jones had only been targeted 19 times this year. That small sample size is not helpful for NFL evaluators, who were trying to gauge if Jones improved on some of the inconsistencies he displayed in 2021. As a result, Jones is more of a second-day pick for the 2023 NFL Draft rather than a first-round prospect.

[TexanBeerlover]

Gonzales has been my favorite Charger 1st. rd. target for awhile. There is that elite length thingy, talked about w/lb’s earlier, he is technically real sound, plays with anticipation, competitive and has NFL CB written all over him. He compares to Surtain/Horn when they came out, so he is possibly a top 10 pick, depending on team needs. Value pick @ #15 and steal #20.

[Leslie Grossman]

Stats don't tell the whole story, but Sewell's teammate Jeff Bassa had more total tackles than Sewell and Flowe. 1.5 sacks for Sewell, none for Flowe.
Guessing neither will test well at the combine and Gonzalez will.
Safety Bennett Williams led the team in tackles. For Roo and others who follow the Ducks, is he a prospect?

[TexanBeerlover]

Stats don't tell the whole story, but Sewell's teammate Jeff Bassa had more total tackles than Sewell and Flowe. 1.5 sacks for Sewell, none for Flowe.
Guessing neither will test well at the combine and Gonzalez will.
Safety Bennett Williams led the team in tackles. For Roo and others who follow the Ducks, is he a prospect?

agreed. Gonzales is the only blue chip duck coming out this year.

[beachcomber]

Rome Odunze- WR, Washington

• Height- 6’3
• Weight- 201 lbs
• Draft Eligible- 2023
• Dynasty Nerds Ranking: Not Currently Ranked

Rome Odunze’s first year was during the COVID-shortened season, and in 2021, he had modest numbers due to poor quarterback play. With a new coach and quarterback this year, he has broken out with over 1,000 yards and 7 touchdowns. He has six games of over 100 yards receiving and is a big reason for the success of the Washington offense. Washington will have a new starting quarterback next year, so it will be interesting if Odunze returns or moves onto the NFL.