2023 NFL Draft Big Board: C.J. Stroud, Bryce Young, DLine Lead Top 50
11. Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern
Peter Skoronski is the first tackle to show up on the big board. There will be a lot of talk leading up to the 2023 NFL Draft discussing whether or not his arm length will be an issue. It shows up briefly as an issue, but otherwise, Skoronski handles that well. He’s a high football IQ tackle, working inside out, picking up stunts and late blitzers.
He’s got quick pass sets to get to his landmarks (especially 45 degree sets) and he has quick feet and a strong inside hand to control and mirror rushers. He’s a dominant people mover against the run as well, and displays great balance in both facets of his game.
12. Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson
Myles Murphy and Bresee should terror opposing offenses all season long. Murphy has heavy hands and can set a strong edge against the run, using his length to get tackles off-balance. He’s got a good arsenal of rush moves, from the bull rush to speed to power conversion and a long arm move that’s tough to handle.
13. Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
The top corner in the 2023 NFL Draft is Georgia’s Kelee Ringo. He’s got the size profile to be a boundary corner, and plays with impressive physicality and disruption in press coverage. He won’t get beat downfield often with his elite speed, and transition quickly to limit separation. More refined technique in pedal and in phase will only confirm his first round potential.
14. Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Michael Mayer is the prototype “Y” tight end at the next level. He has the size and power to be an inline tight end, but just needs to stay more composed and balanced at the point of attack to sustain blocks. He’s a savvy route runner and thrives when flexed out into the slot or the perimeter, using efficient breaks, deception, quickness, and hand usage to create space for himself. He attacks the catch point and is a dominant ball-winner as well.
15. Siaki Ika, DL, Baylor
Maybe the most shocking ranking on the 2023 NFL Draft board, Siaki Ika might not be a household draft name just yet. However, he’s borderline unblockable at nose tackle. His power is as advertised, pushing centers and guards back with ease. He can sit in double teams without giving up an inch, and has immense power to free up an arm to make tackles while leveraging in the gap. He’s got impressive club and arm over moves as a pass rusher and surprises with how nimble he can move horizontally.
16. Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State
Paris Johnson has all the pedigree to be a top pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. He gets to prove it as he shifts out from right guard to tackle. His athleticism, quickness, and footwork are all there to be a dominant pass protector, and he’s already shown the power to reset the line of scrimmage and the anchor in pass pro. OT1 is in his range of outcomes.
17. Gervon Dexter, DL, Florida
The defensive linemen keep piling up here. Gervon Dexter is a walking pressure. It’s rare to see him stunted at the point of attack or shut down when rushing the passer. He’s always pushing the pocket and making things uncomfortable for opposing quarterbacks, and despite his size, he handles double teams extremely well. He can quickly dispose of linemen against the run and can be a dominant interior rusher in the NFL.
18. Antonio Johnson, DB, Texas A&M
The ranking matches the hype with Antonio Johnson, who sits in a loaded Aggies secondary. Johnson does a bit of everything, from handling tight ends and receivers in man coverage to spot dropping, blitzing, and taking on linebacker duties. He has the speed and football IQ to handle the overhang spot, sit in a robber role, or play on the roof at safety. He also brings the boom as a tackler.
19. Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson
An undersized linebacker at Clemson? Better move him to safety. Not so fast my friend. Trenton Simpson can handle things at linebacker. He’s likely best in a WILL/overhang role, but he can get around or through blocks and makes impressive plays closing downhill and in coverage.
20. Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
Quentin Johnston, like Boutte, lacks the production so far in his collegiate career, but he’s one of the few that this writer believes can be a true “X” receiver in the 2023 NFL Draft class. Johnston is an explosive playmaker who excels on a vertical plane as a route runner. He can stack and win downfield as a vertical threat and sinks his hips well to get back downhill on hitch and comeback routes. He erases angles after the catch and is a basketball player at the catch point with phenomenal ball skills and vertical explosion.