2023 NFL Draft: Zay Flowers, Jaxon Smith-Njigba Earn Day 1 Grades in Latest WR Rankings

WR6: Andrei Iosivas (Princeton)

The man, the myth, the legend… Andrei Iosivas out of Princeton. Okay, so maybe he’s not a myth, or a legend (yet), but he is a MAN! It is not often you see a talent like this come out of the Ivy League, so a shout-out to the Tigers is required.

Iosivas was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, on the opposite side of the country. As a high school athlete, he earned letters in football, basketball, and track & field, highlighting his all-around talent.

Iosivas, also a brilliant mind off the field, enrolled at Princeton, becoming a member of the junior varsity football team and the school’s track & field squad. Iosivas took some time to make his presence felt on the gridiron, but he was a star for the track team from the moment he arrived.

Iosivas first saw true varsity playing time in 2021 before blowing up and becoming the best player on the team in 2022. He earned team captain honors and became a first-team All-American for the football and track teams. In 2022, Iosivas dominated the heptathlon, setting an all-time record in the 60m (6.71).

Once Iosivas’ wrapped up his playing career, he earned invites to the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine. There, the Princeton star showcased everything scouts saw on tape. He proved that the jump in competition wasn’t too much for him to handle and steadily improved his stock during one-on-one drills.

Iosivas beat defenders from more prestigious programs regularly, either shaking them off the line of scrimmage or using his long strides and track speed to break free further downfield. His hands also stood out as a positive, as Iosivas did well going up and getting it when called upon. He flexed the athleticism that earned him the No. 15 spot on Bruce Feldman’s Freak List.

The concerns about Iosivas’ lack of tape vs. top-end talent still exist. Although he held his own at the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine, those are different than a true game-setting. Iosivas must continue to prove his talent is the real deal, and I believe a team should give him the chance to do so early on day two.

I tabbed Andrei Iosivas as my “Christian Watson” of the draft back in January. I am not backing off that bold claim now.

NFL Draft Grade: Early-to-Mid Day 2

WR5: Jalin Hyatt (Tennessee)

Jalin Hyatt and I have an interesting history. No, we don’t know each other, but I have had a love-hate relationship as an evaluator. A blind man could see how electrifying Hyatt is on the field. He may have run in the 4.4s at the NFL Combine, but I promise his tape plays 4.2.

Because of the way Tennessee’s offense is set up, Hyatt was gifted separation on virtually every snap. This is where it gets difficult to project. Hyatt’s speed, slippery hips, and impressive footwork show up time and time again, but what happens when an NFL defensive back presses him off the line?

Hyatt’s frame is average, and his lanky arms help with his catch radius downfield but could be a detriment vs. press coverage. On top of this concern, Hyatt also never got to utilize a full route tree for the Volunteers. There were instances where Hyatt didn’t even have to run a route to be open — that is where the “fake offense” narrative for Tennessee comes into play.

So, how do you decide on a grade for such a polarizing prospect? While his shortcomings are noted, and valid, I’m going to bet on the traits of Hyatt. He didn’t run many routes in college, but his fluid movement, exceptional body control, and otherworldly acceleration lead me to believe he can develop this part of his game — and quickly.

Hyatt gets comparisons to DeSean Jackson and Will Fuller. I see him as a clear blend of each guy, with the potential to carve out an even bigger role in the NFL than either of them did. Hyatt isn’t a day-one prospect, but he should come off the board early on day two.

NFL Draft Grade: Early Day 2