Top 50 Remaining Players on Day 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft
By Hunter Haas
The 2023 NFL Draft offered a few surprising draft day tumbles, including my top cornerback, safety, tight end, AND offensive guard. With an astonishing amount of talent still available on Day 2, here is an updated list of the Top 50 remaining prospects.
1. Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
Joey Porter Jr. ranked in my top 10 overall, earning the title of CB1 on my Big Board. Surprisingly, the long-armed corner fell out of Day 1, but it shouldn’t take long to hear his name on Friday evening. Perhaps as early as No. 32 overall to his father’s former team, the Pittsburgh Steelers.
2. Brian Branch, DB, Alabama
Brian Branch is not the typical safety prospect, as he spent most of his time in college as a slot cornerback for Nick Saban. Still, Branch flexed plenty of range to serve as a deep safety in the right scheme, and I expect a team to pounce on the Alabama defender early on Day 2.
3. Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Michael Mayer sits at TE1 on my Big Board, and many others agree with this sentiment. Shockingly, the Notre Dame tight end did not come off the board on Day 1, leaving a plug-and-play starter at the position for any team needing a difference-maker at tight end.
4. Keion White, DL, Georgia Tech
Keion White was a surprise name added to the NFL Draft attendee list, but he ranks No. 22 overall on my Big Board. White earned a ‘fringe first-round grade’ for me, showcasing freaky traits as a pass rusher. The Georgia Tech lineman is older as a prospect (24), which likely cost him a Round 1 contract. He should go quickly on Day 2.
5. O’Cyrus Torrence, IOL, Florida
O’Cyrus Torrence is my top-rated interior lineman in the 2023 NFL Draft, but there was always a chance he would slide out of Day 1. The Florida star is a mauler in the run game and boasts remarkable strength as he anchors in as a pass protector. He is an immediate starter available on Day 2.
6. Adetomiwa Adebawore, DL, Northwestern
Adetomiwa Adebawore broke Twitter with his legendary performance at the NFL Combine. A player of his size should not move the way he does. But the Northwestern standout is still learning how to rush the passer efficiently. The traits are worth betting on at this point in the 2023 NFL Draft.
7. Kelee Ringo, DB, Georgia
Kelee Ringo was once firmly in first-round discussions, but with his ability to play cornerback in question, it’s not surprising to see the Georgia defensive back available. He is suited best as a safety, but on Day 2, the traits are too good to pass up, regardless of which position he ends up playing.
8. Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
Cam Smith is a fiery competitor who loves one-on-one situations. He can play multiple coverages and is a willing tackler in run support. Smith’s frame is not quite prototypical, but I have minimal concern about this hampering him in the NFL. He can start as a rookie.
9. Drew Sanders, LB, Arkansas
Drew Sanders is a former four-star recruit who began his career at Alabama as a pass rusher before transferring to Arkansas and playing more off-ball linebacker. Sanders uses his athleticism to stick with pass catchers in coverage, and his pass-rushing chops show up when pursuing the quarterback. He must improve as a tackler in space, but in the right spot, the Razorback defender is a potential diamond in the rough on Day 2.
10. Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
Will Levis surprisingly fell all the way out of Round 1 on Thursday night. While undoubtedly a disappointing outcome for the Kentucky signal-caller, it might be best for him in the long run. Without a first-round pedigree, Levis won’t feel as much pressure from his fan base as a rookie. He has the freedom to develop and hone his craft, offering a team a potential starting quarterback on Day 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft.
2023 NFL Draft: The Best Of The Rest
11. Darnell Washington, TE, Washington
12. Joe Tippmann, OL, Wisconsin
13. Derick Hall, EDGE, Auburn
14. Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson
15. Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State
16. Julius Brents, CB, Kansas State
17. BJ Ojulari, EDGE, LSU
18. Daiyan Henley, LB, Washington State
19. Sydney Brown, DB, Syracuse
20. Mekhi Blackmon, CB, USC
21. DJ Turner, CB, Michigan
22. Isaiah Foskey, EDGE, Notre Dame
23. John Michael-Schmitz, C, Minnesota
24. Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina
25. Tucker Kraft, TE, South Dakota State
26. Sam LaPorta, TE, Iowa
27. Gervon Dexter, DL, Florida
28. Byron Young, EDGE, Tennessee
29. Keeanu Benton, DT, Wisconsin
30. Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee
31. Marvin Mims, WR, Oklahoma
32. Cody Mauch, OL, North Dakota State
33. Darius Rush, CB, South Carolina
34. Matthew Bergeron, OL, Syracuse
35. Steve Avila, OL, TCU
36. Jartavius “Quan” Martin, DB, Illinois
37. Antonio Johnson, DB, Texas A&M
38. Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee
39. Tyjae Spears, RB, Tulane
40. Cory Trice Jr., CB, Purdue
41. Siaki Ika, DT, Baylor
42. Andrei Iosivas, WR, Princeton
43. Charlie Jones, WR, Purdue
44. Luke Musgrave, TE, Oregon State
45. Tyrique Stevenson, CB, Miami
46. Tank Bigsby, RB, Auburn
47. Zach Charbonnet, RB, UCLA
48. Chandler Zavala, IOL, NC State
49. YaYa Diaby, DL, Louisville
50. Tuli Tuipulotu, DL, USC