By Rob Rang
FOX Sports activities NFL Draft Analyst
The mud has barely settled on the 2022 NFL Draft, but scouts are already looking forward to the incoming crop of expertise, one boasting a way more inspiring class of quarterbacks and the newest wave of pro-ready pass-catchers and fearsome front-seven defenders.
Whereas the quarterbacks will definitely be the story of the 2023 draft, Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. and Georgia defensive sort out Jalen Carter sit atop my preliminary Massive Board, with reigning Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Younger getting the nod over Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud as the highest signal-caller. Whereas I see a slight drop-off from Younger and Stroud to the following tier of passers, two others on the place make the lower beneath, which signifies that QBs make up a full fifth of the 20 gamers listed.
One may think that the stellar current crops of edge rushers and pass-catchers left the cabinet naked in 2023, however that's actually not the case. Anderson and Carter may need been the primary gamers chosen at their positions had both been eligible in 2022. And even after the wideout buffet referred to as the 2022 NFL Draft, receiver is wealthy as soon as once more, with three pass-catchers among the many prime 10.
At this level in previous years, nobody would have forecasted Travon Walker or Joe Burrow to be the No. 1 total alternatives of their respective drafts. So don’t take this as a mock draft a lot as an early summer time watch checklist. With your entire 2022 season but to be performed, prospect shares will clearly rise and fall.
But when the 2023 draft had been to be held in the present day, the draft-eligible gamers listed beneath could be my recommendations for the primary picks off the board.
1. Will Anderson Jr., Edge Rusher, Alabama, 6-foot-3, 243 kilos
Statistics could be bent in all kinds of how, however there isn't a denying Anderson’s dominance final season. He was the uncommon defender invited to New York Metropolis for the Heisman Trophy presentation and took residence the Bronko Nagurski Award because the nation’s prime defender after gathering a staggering 17.5 sacks as a part of 31 tackles for loss and 101 stops total. As a go rusher, Anderson incorporates a lightning-quick first-step, lateral agility to elude and highly effective, energetic palms to tear himself freed from would-be blockers.
His distinctive bodily traits are complemented by a high-revving motor and surprisingly polished method, provided that he’s coming into his third yr on the school degree. Ideally suited to dashing off the sting out of the two-point stance, Anderson has the look of a top-three draft lock and future NFL All-Professional.
2. Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia, 6-3, 310
One of many scariest ideas for Georgia opponents this yr is that even after the Bulldogs set an NFL file with 15 draft picks this spring — two of them defensive tackles taken within the first spherical — one of the best one in Athens is returning for the 2022 season. Carter doesn’t but have the identify recognition of former teammates Jordan Davis and Devonte Wyatt, however he may wind up being chosen larger than both of them subsequent spring.
Shockingly fast off the ball for his body and place, Carter routinely surprises opponents together with his twitch and suppleness, batting previous blockers to wreak havoc within the backfield. He has began simply 5 mixed video games in two seasons at Georgia, but he has 51 tackles, together with 11.5 for loss, already on his résumé, in addition to 3.5 sacks and three blocked kicks. He earned second-team All-SEC honors final season.
3. Bryce Younger, QB, Alabama, 6-0, 194
Regardless of a slight body that can all the time invite questions on sturdiness, Younger will get a slight nod over Stroud as QB1 coming into the 2022 season just because his lack of dimension is the solely purple flag on his tape. It's straightforward to enterprise into hyperbole when discussing the success Younger loved final yr, together with profitable the Heisman Trophy and guiding Alabama again to a nationwide title berth in his first yr as beginning quarterback. The statistics converse for themselves, as he accomplished slightly below 67% of his passes for an eye-popping 4,872 yards and 47 touchdowns in comparison with simply seven interceptions.
Regardless of his dimension, Younger exhibits sensible imaginative and prescient and accuracy to all ranges of the sector, in addition to the boldness and clutch capacity to try and full high-pressure throws. He's already shockingly technically sound, and he brings a inventive and improvisational aspect that makes him all of the tougher to defend.
4. C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State, 6-2, 218
In most draft courses, Stroud would simply qualify because the No. 1 quarterback prospect, and I can’t argue too strongly towards those that rank him larger than Younger, particularly given Stroud's extra prototypical body. As with Younger, Stroud’s emergence as an absolute celebrity in his first season as a starter was a staggering accomplishment, with the Ohio State signal-caller finishing slightly below 72% of his passes for 4,435 yards and a 44-6 landing to interception ratio.
A pure pocket passer with exceptional accuracy on tough deep and intermediate throws, Stroud capped his sophomore season in high quality kind, setting a Rose Bowl file with six landing tosses in an exciting, come-from-behind 48-45 win over Utah.
5. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State, 6-0, 198
The pipeline of first-round NFL receivers from Columbus continues to be going sturdy, even after Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave and Jameson Williams (who performed at Alabama in 2021 after initially signing with the Buckeyes) made up 1 / 4 of the highest 12 picks within the 2022 draft. With all due respect to his former teammates, Smith-Njigba is likely to be probably the most polished of the bunch.
Whereas maybe missing straight-line velocity, Smith-Njigba is a artful route-runner with shocking energy and physique management, projecting equally to the Chargers’ barely bigger Keenan Allen.
6. Nolan Smith, OLB, Georgia, 6-2, 235
The pipeline of outstanding defensive prospects out of Athens is operating full drive with Smith — a consensus five-star recruit whom some seen because the No. 1 total prep expertise in 2020 — returning to the Bulldogs for one more chunk at a nationwide championship. Whereas smaller, Smith profiles equally to Kayvon Thibodeaux, who was drafted No. 5 by the Giants, and presents larger energy and dedication towards the run than his body may counsel.
When he instances the snap accurately, Smith possesses the quickness to wreak havoc as an edge rusher as properly, however he’s no one-trick pony, demonstrating distinctive total athleticism that enables him to play in house towards the run and in protection and can assist him shine throughout exercises. He's Georgia’s main returning tackler (56), together with behind the road of scrimmage (9), and people numbers ought to bounce considerably in 2022.
7. Jordan Addison, WR, Southern California, 5-11, 175
Addison gained the Biletnikoff Award final season as Kenny Pickett’s major goal at Pitt, main the nation with 17 receiving touchdowns and ending fourth total with 1,593 yards on a cool 100 receptions. As unimaginable because it sounds, Addison may truly enhance upon these numbers in 2022, after he took benefit of the NCAA’s switch portal to signal with USC. He'll be the featured goal in Lincoln Riley’s explosive offense.
Addison lacks the body scouts would like, however the former Panther is cat-quick off the road of scrimmage and might shake his personal shadow downfield, creating the type of constant separation that can endear him to his new quarterback, Caleb Williams, who adopted Riley from Oklahoma. Together with distinctive nimbleness, Addison boasts terrific physique management, hand-eye coordination and sticky fingers, making him a digital vacuum with the ball within the air.
8. Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson, 6-5, 300
Provided that he missed most of final season resulting from a torn ACL and has performed in simply 15 school video games, itemizing Bresee (bruh-ZEE) this excessive this early is fairly daring. However the flashes are ultra-bright with Bresee, who signed with Clemson because the top-rated total prep prospect, based on some recruiting websites.
A giant man, Bresee is blessed with a uncommon mixture of explosive energy and suppleness to each strong-arm and slither his manner by means of the road of scrimmage.
9. Noah Sewell, LB, Oregon, 6-2, 251
Provided that groups not often make investments premium picks in off-ball linebackers, Sewell isn’t more likely to be part of his older brother, Penei — the Detroit Lions’ decide at No. 7 total in 2021 — as a top-10 choice, however his dimension, energy and shutting velocity are spectacular.
Though his prototypical body means that Sewell is a standard two-down battering ram towards the run, he’s additionally fairly agile and possesses lengthy arms, which assist him shed would-be blockers rapidly, lasso ball carriers seemingly outdoors of his attain and break up passes.
10. Kayshon Boutte, WR, LSU, 6-0, 190
Scouts have saved their eyes on Boutte (rhymes with "bouquet") since he emerged as a real freshman star for the talent-rich Tigers two years in the past. He took his recreation to a different degree this previous season, hauling in 9 touchdowns on simply 38 grabs.
Shifty with explosive velocity, physique management and the monitoring expertise of an MLB middle fielder, Boutte is an plain expertise. He's dealing with a tough adjustment, although, provided that LSU will use a distinct offense beneath new coach Brian Kelly and provided that Boutte missed a lot of the spring in a strolling boot following two proper ankle surgical procedures.
11. Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina, 6-1, 187
After lacking video games every of the previous two seasons, Smith must persuade the NFL that he has the sturdiness to warrant an early decide, however there isn't a query that he possesses the expertise. Smith allowed 15 receptions all season in 2021 and recorded almost as many go breakups, main the Gamecocks with 14 (11 deflections and three interceptions).
He's a sleek, bounding athlete who does a terrific job finding and making a play on the soccer, exhibiting wonderful hand-eye coordination to punch it out — or decide it off as evidenced by his 5 interceptions in simply 19 video games the previous two seasons.
12. Will Levis, QB, Kentucky, 6-3, 232
Scouts can examine an terrible lot of packing containers with Levis, who's a proficient, quick-triggered passer and hard runner with an NFL-ready body and recreation. A grad switch who began two video games in three years at Penn State, Levis exploded onto the SEC scene final yr, scoring 33 touchdowns total.
Scouts need to see if he can construct upon his debut, as there isn't a doubt that he was aided a yr in the past by an all-star solid round him in Lexington. 4 crucial members of the offense Levis excelled in final yr at the moment are within the NFL, together with offensive coordinator Liam Coen, now in the identical position for the Tremendous Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams, in addition to offensive linemen Luke Fortner (Jaguars) and Darian Kinnard (Chiefs) and receiver Wan’Dale Robinson (Giants).
13. Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas, 6-0, 214
For the primary time in eight years, a operating again was not chosen within the first spherical of the NFL Draft, however Robinson will possible begin a brand new run in 2023. Going towards the grain is nothing new for Robinson, whose wonderful mix of imaginative and prescient, stutter-step stability and roller-skates for ft have helped him glide for a staggering 7.2 yards per contact, with 21 touchdowns in 19 video games thus far on the school degree.
14. Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State, 6-6, 315
A former blue-chip recruit who earned second-team All-Massive Ten honors final yr at proper guard, Johnson has the unenviable (however probably profitable) job of defending the blindside of a Heisman candidate, guaranteeing that he can be one of the crucial scrutinized blockers within the nation this season. Even caught inside final season, Johnson’s preliminary and redirective quickness had been obvious. That mobility, in addition to his lengthy arms and stability, challenge properly outdoors … and to the NFL.
15. Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia, 6-2, 205
One more Bulldog and former five-star recruit, Ringo assured that he'll all the time be revered at Georgia by sealing the nationwide championship recreation victory over Alabama with a fourth-quarter interception and 79-yard return for a landing. His placement right here, nonetheless, is extra a mirrored image of a stellar first season as a starter and his thrilling upside than acknowledgement of 1 crucial play.
Ringo boasts uncommon dimension for cornerback but is a sleek mover, accelerating easily and altering instructions fluidly. He performs as much as his dimension as a run defender, exhibiting physicality, dependable open-field tackling expertise and good hand-eye coordination as he broke up eight passes final season.
16. Isaiah Foskey, Edge, Notre Dame, 6-5, 260
With a body and recreation that draw comparisons to longtime NFL star Chandler Jones, Foskey is a practical candidate to hitch his former Notre Dame teammate Kyle Hamilton because the Irish protection’s second consecutive first-round choice. That has not been achieved in South Bend since Bryant Younger (49ers) and defensive backs Jeff Burris (Payments) and Tom Carter (Washington) had been chosen within the 1993 and '94 drafts, respectively.
Foskey is a long-levered edge rusher who generates spectacular velocity across the arc and takes full benefit of his lengthy arms and energetic palms to punch the ball out, forcing an NCAA-leading six fumbles final season to go together with 10 sacks and 9.5 extra tackles for loss.
17. Zion Tupuola-Fetui, Edge, Washington, 6-3, 260
The person affectionately referred to as "ZTF" is without doubt one of the actual wild playing cards of the 2022 school soccer season. Two seasons in the past, Tupuola-Fetui was a breakout celebrity, racking up a staggering seven sacks in simply three video games in Washington’s COVID-shortened season previous to a torn Achilles tendon that restricted him to 2 video games final season.
Whereas undeniably fast and highly effective, Tupuola-Fetui nonetheless has some "Tasmanian Satan" to his play, dashing upfield and wreaking havoc and not using a clear plan and too typically shedding sight of the ball. With some fine-tuning, nonetheless, he has an opportunity to return this season as one of the crucial dominant edge rushers in school soccer.
18. Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee, 6-3, 218
With Georgia and Alabama producing the majority of the eye inside and outdoors of SEC nation, Hooker didn't obtain as a lot buzz as his breakout senior season warranted. The grad switch from Virginia Tech tossed an eye-popping 31 touchdowns towards simply three interceptions in his debut season within the mighty convention.
Hooker was undeniably aided by head coach Josh Heupel’s up-tempo, unfold assault, however his accuracy, mobility and willingness to make throws to all ranges of the sector will translate properly to the NFL.
19. Kyu Blu Kelly, CB, Stanford, 6-1, 185
For the previous a number of years, finding the highest cornerback within the pass-happy Pac-12 was so simple as checking the Washington depth chart, however Kelly seems poised to steal the crown in 2022. He’s coming into his fourth season as a starter, having earned all-conference recognition every of the previous two years, together with after he led the league with 12 passes defensed (10 breakups, two interceptions) final season.
Kelly actually made a reputation for himself in a one-on-one showdown towards first-round decide Drake London and USC a yr in the past, serving to spark an upset over the Trojans with a career-high 4 go breakups, together with an interception that he returned 31 yards for a landing.
20. Jaxson Kirkland, OT, Washington, 6-6, 310
For simply the fourth time because the flip of the century, three offensive tackles (Ikem Ekwonu, Evan Neal and Charles Cross) had been chosen among the many prime 10 picks on this spring’s draft, leaving the cabinet a bit naked on the place for 2023. Thankfully for the OT-needy, Kirkland was granted an additional yr of eligibility by the NCAA following his resolution to again out of the 2022 draft (after initially declaring) to bear surgical procedure on his proper ankle.
Kirkland, nonetheless simply 23 years outdated, has began 38 video games for the Huskies, having begun his profession at proper guard earlier than incomes first-team All-Pac-12 honors at left sort out the previous two seasons. Though he's constructed extra like a giant tight finish than a sort out, Kirkland possesses the size, energy, athleticism and nastiness to stay on the blindside within the NFL.
10 who simply missed the lower: Zach Harrison, Edge, Ohio State; Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame; Tanner McKee, QB, Stanford; Tyler Van Dyke, QB, Miami; Ryan Hayes, OL, Michigan; Brenton Cox Jr., OLB, Florida; Zach Charbonnet, RB, UCLA; Ali Gaye, Edge, LSU; Joey Porter, CB, Penn State; Jammie Robinson, FS, Florida State
One of the crucial acknowledged names within the business, Rob Rang has been protecting the NFL Draft for greater than 20 years, with work at FOX, Sports activities Illustrated, CBSSports.com, USA As we speak, Yahoo, NFL.com and NFLDraftScout.com, amongst others.
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