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2023 NFL Draft: Previewing The 2023 NFL Scouting Combine

By Jacob Schyvinck

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 6: Kyle Hamilton #51 of Notre Dame runs the 40 yard dash during the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 6, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 6: Kyle Hamilton #51 of Notre Dame runs the 40 yard dash during the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 6, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images) /
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Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Kelee Ringo (5) returns the ball after picking off a pass from Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young (9) for a touchdown during the College Football Playoff National Championship against Alabama at Lucas Oil Stadium on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. Georgia won 33-18.News Joshua L Jones
Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Kelee Ringo (5) returns the ball after picking off a pass from Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young (9) for a touchdown during the College Football Playoff National Championship against Alabama at Lucas Oil Stadium on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. Georgia won 33-18.News Joshua L Jones /

The DBs Are The Headliners

As it pertains to the wider scope of the 2023 NFL Draft, the defensive backs are the headliners. The corner class is loaded, and the safety class has a few standouts. They’ll be center stage at the NFL Scouting Combine, especially in the 40.

Get Kelee Ringo back in the first round, mock drafters. Seriously. At his size (6’2″, 215, official numbers pending), he could clock around 4.3 flat. That speed at that size is a first-round pick.

Christian Gonzalez is another who will post a good 40 time, but his explosion numbers, the vertical and broad jump, will be the ones for him to shine. Gonzalez will likely be the number one corner in mocks after this week, after consistently contesting with Devon Witherspoon.

Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson isn’t the biggest player, but he’s another 4.3 guy with legit quicks and acceleration. His numbers will likely be elite everywhere except for stature. Louisville’s Kei’Trel Clark isn’t big (5102, 179) but his 40 will likely turn heads as well.

As for the safeties, it’s an important week for two guys. Brian Branch can cement himself as the first safety off the board with a strong week. For Christopher Smith, one of the more underrated players in the 2023 NFL Draft, running a good number in the 40 can ease some of the size concerns (5102, 188). Being a good athlete at safety is huge.

Sydney Brown and Ji’Ayir Brown could both have strong weeks. Sydney Brown could be a dominant performer in the 40 and in the vertical, and Ji’Ayir Brown is a Penn State guy. We know how they test.

Iowa corner Riley Moss has vertical jumped 42 inches and has posted a ludicrous 3.85 short shuttle, per Feldman, which would be the fastest since Kevin King in 2017.

Michigan corner D.J. Turner’s reported three cone time is 6.29, just a hundredth of a second off the combine record. If he does that, whew golly we’re cooking with gas. Not to mention, a likely 4.3 40 is on the way too.

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