2023 NFL Draft: Top skill position players still available
QUARTERBACKS:
By John Mesenbrink
WILL LEVIS
Kentucky (SR), QB
As we inch closer to the NFL draft, there are increasingly louder murmurs that former Wildcat Will Levis could be the #2 QB taken off the board in the 2023 NFL Draft, and that only may be due to the fact that Houston may have their eye on him rather than the other options. In 11 games as a senior at Kentucky, Levis threw for 2416 yards, 19 TDs and a completion percentage of 65. He’s a willing runner, especially around the goal line. CHUBZBURGER sees Levis as a top 5 QB taken off the board, but he may find himself initially taking some time on an NFL bench learning the ropes. With NFL comps that vary in Josh Allen to Mitch Trubisky to Jay Cutler, it’ll be interesting to see how this former Wildcat’s NFL career pans out.
Pluses:
• Prototypical QB size (6’4”, 229 lbs.)
• Strong Arm
• Tough, plays through injuries
• Arm talent
• Quick release
• Experience
Concerns:
• Raw mechanics
• Feel in the pocket
• Decision making
• Staying on the field (health) at NFL level
• Read Progression
HENDON HOOKER
Tennessee (rSR) QB
The immediate red flag is that he is a 25-yr-old rookie coming off an ACL injury, but when the former Volunteer is healthy, he can be electric. As a junior in 2021, Hooker threw for 2,948 yards and 31 TDs with a completion percentage of 68. As a senior last year, Hooker played in 11 of 13 games, throwing for 3,135 yards, 27 TDs and a completion percentage of 69.2. His QBR was an impressive 123.9. His name has been mentioned in this year’s crop of QBs and we see him as QB 5–7 taken in this year’s NFL Draft. As long as Hooker isn’t rushed into QB 1 action to soon in the NFL, he could have a great career based on fit and scheme.
Pluses:
• Size (6’ 4”, 217 lbs.)
• Dual -threat, athletic QB
• Feels pressure well
• Quick release, strong arm
• Intelligence & character
• Good immediate to deep throw passer
Concerns:
• Torn ACL late 2022
• 25-year-old rookie
• Work-in-progress
• Hold ball too long
RUNNING BACKS:
By Brandon Lane
ZACH CHARBONNET
UCLA (SR), RB
A top recruit coming out of high school Charbonnet began his college career at Michigan where, in his first season, he ran for a team-high 726 yards and setting a school record with 11 TDs. After a down sophomore season he made the decision to transfer to UCLA in 2021. The decision payed off and he carried the rock 203 times for 1,137 yards and 13 TDs. That success continued into 2022 when he rushed 195 times for 1,359 yards (7.0 ypc) and 14 TDs (injury caused him to miss three games). He also showcased his abilities in the passing game catching 37 passes for 320 yards. Has the size and talent to be a starter in the NFL and is our number two ranked back in this years draft class.
Pluses:
• Tackle breaking big back
• Patient zone runner
• Maintains power after contact
• Good hand-eye coordination
Concerns:
• Room to refine pass catching skill-set
• Short yardage pad level needs work
• Takes time to get to speed
TYJAE SPEARS
TULANE (rJR), RB
Spears broke out in 2022 rushing 229 times for 1,581 yards and 19 touchdowns. He also excelled via the air hauling in 22 balls for 256 yards and two more scores. Those eye-popping stats earned Spears the American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year Award. He topped off his collegiate career going absolutely berserk at the 2022 Cotton Bowl rushing 17 times for 205 yards and four TDs, taking home the Cotton Bowl MVP. He continued his impressive ways at this year’s senior bowl where I got to see first hand what he could do and he absolutely dominated the practice sessions. While opportunity lacked during the actual Senior Bowl game the practice sessions left a burning impression in my head and skyrocketed him up the big board. Given the right landing spot this talented underdog could be an NFL star in the making.
Pluses:
• Instinctive runner who is elite in the open-field
• Excellent receiving skill-set, excels in space
• Good pad level and finishes runs with power
Concerns:
• Injury concerns (knee)
• Size may be better suited for a complementary back
• Needs to improve blocking technique
KENDRE MILLER
TCU (JR), RB
Making the transition from high school quarterback to running back at TCU Miller slotted in behind teammate Zach Evans. It wasn’t until Evans transferred to Ole Miss in 2022 that Miller took over as starter for the Horned Frogs rushing 224 times for 1399 yards and 17 touchdowns. His season was rewarded by taking home first-team All-Big 12 honors and being named a semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award. We expect Miller to be a top 5 back off the board in this year’s NFL Draft.
Pluses:
• Explosive runner with good size
• Excellent acceleration
• Smooth
Concerns:
• Upright style and pad level could be an issue at the next level
• Wasn’t asked to catch passes but the ability is there
• Needs work on route running
• Needs to work on pass-protection
ZACH EVANS
OLE MISS (JR), RB
A five-star recruit Evans signed and played two season with TCU. In his sophomore year he rushing 92 times for 648 yards and 5 TDs (missing six games due to injury). In 2022 he transfered to Ole Miss where he rushed 144 times for 936 yards scoring nine touchdowns (missing games with a hip injury and concussion). While Evans isn’t a burner his vision and decisiveness allow him to consistently win. Off-field issues are a concern but with plenty of tread left on the tires (under 300 collegiate carries) some NFL franchise could end up with an elite talent in this year’s draft.
Pluses:
• Tackle breaker
• Excellent vision
• Good size to carry the load
Concerns:
• Fumbles
• Off-field issues
• Injury concern
TIGHT ENDS:
By Brandon Lane
MICHAEL MAYER
NOTRE DAME (JR), TE
In today’s NFL everyone is looking for the athletic freaks that jump off the page with their testing scores. That is not Mayer who falls into more of the old-school style of tight end along the line of Jason Witten. He does everything well enough to succeed and keep himself on the field as an every-down player in the NFL. He was successful all three of his seasons at Notre Dame but really popped his sophomore year with 71 receptions, 840 yards and 7 TDs. He continued that momentum in his final season (Junior year) hauling in 67 balls for 809 yards and 9 TDs. While he might not be the new-age athletic freak, he is the type of player coaches love and we expect him to be the 2nd tight end off the board selected somewhere in the middle-to-end of Round 1 in this year’s draft.
Pluses:
• Football IQ
• Wins in contested situations even without elite speed
• Hard to take down
• Functional blocker
• Works hard and gets the job done
Concerns:
• Lacks speed and burst
• Doesn’t always make adjustments quickly
• Not a YAC guy
LUKE MUSGRAVE
Oregon State (JR), TE
Musgrave’s 2020 season was limited to just two games after suffering a knee injury. During his 2021 season he started 9-of-13 games showing promise with flashes of athleticism and receiving prowess. In his final season Musgrave started hot, catching 11 passes for 169 yards and a TD in the first two games before suffering a season-ending knee injury. Limited to only 20 games over his college career he took the opportunity to attend the Senior Bowl and this is where I had the opportunity to see him consistently become a mismatch for the defense even with spotty QB play. He’s our #3 tight end in the 2022 class and if he can stay health we project him having success at the NFL level.
Pluses:
• Fluid route runner
• Athletic big frame and hands
• Proficient blocker
• Good speed
Concerns:
• Needs to add size and strength
• Injury issues
• Needs reps (only 13 starts, 47 catches)
DARNELL WASHINGTON
GEORGIA (JR), TE
A three year starter with a MASSIVE frame (6’7, 270lb) he is an in-line player who profiles as a legit red-zone threat. He lacked opportunities in college and will need time to develop, work on his ball handling and route running. His elite size and blocking chops make it an option to transition to offensive tackle. When in the game at tight end he gives the offense another full-sized lineman to help in blocking situations.
Pluses:
• Excellent run-blocker
• Red-zone threat
• Massive hands
• A mismatch for defenders
Concerns:
• Lacks consistency
• Doesn’t break tackles after the catch
• High drop-rate
• Needs to work on technique across the board
SAM LAPORTA
Iowa (JR), TE
LaPorta’s numbers might not jump off the page but that was due to lack of opportunity not talent. Over his final two seasons he lead the Hawkeyes in receiving. A H-back who can not only move the chains but also play outside showcasing excellent speed (4.54 40-yard dash), great hands, and shiftiness. In the right system he has the makings of a modern day move tight end.
Pluses:
• Great receiver
• Powerful and hard to take down
• Showcases shiftiness and after the catch ability
Concerns:
• Needs to sustain his blocks better
• Lacking physicality in contested catch situations
TUCKER KRAFT
South Dakota State (rJR), TE
Kraft made the transition from a oversized high school running back to tight end in college. After red-shirting his freshman year he became a target hog for the Jackrabbits in his 2021 season catching 65 balls for 773 yards and six TDs. In 2022 Kraft missed six games due to an ankle injury he suffered in the season-opener against the Iowa Hawkeyes. He went on to finish the season with 25 catches for 318 yards and three touchdowns. We predict Kraft to be one of the top 5 tight ends off the board in this years draft.
Pluses:
• Athleticism
• Reads the ball well
• Size/Big hands
• Takes contact and can punish a defender
Concerns:
• Has a tendency to clap catch
• Average speed
WIDE RECEIVERS:
Receivers of note that we are high on: Josh Downs, Marvin Mims, Jayden Reed, Jonathan Mingo, Puka Nacua
