The NFL Draft prospects on offense are packed with intrigue. The Quarterback group is vastly improved over 2022, but there still remains a consensus on the best one. This debate will rage far beyond Draft night in Kansas City. The crop of Running Backs is clearly led by Texas Longhorn Bijan Robinson. The depth at wide receiver is deep, but I doubt its 3 best prospects match the triple threat of Wilson, Olave, and Williams in last years Draft. The Tight End class might be the best group in decades and as many as 4 could go in the 1st Round. The Offensive Line is critical to the success of any NFL Franchise. The depth at Offensive Tackle is very deep in 2023, but there are limited quality interior lineman.
The NFL Draft is roughly a month away in Kansas City. A lot of movement will occur between now and then, thusly changing needs and opinions of the teams waiting to acquire their next franchise foundation.
TOP 6 QUARTERBACKS:
As every draft comes and goes, the pundits fall in love with combine and pro day premeditated workouts. These players practice these drills for weeks, running around in shorts without an opponent providing any deterrence. This is very evident when it comes to the Quarterbacks. I have seen coaches, media, front office personnel and network “experts” drool over JaMarcus Russell, Johnny Football, Zach Wilson, Mitch Trubisky, Paxton Lynch and Trey Lance among others. As a group, this collection is a major bust on the field. In some cases, they were terrible Quarterbacks with great public relations teams. A few others were amazing in college and built a hype train that couldn’t be stopped in time. This class has 2 proven QB’s, an athlete with raw ability, and a less than spectacular QB who is riding the hype train of some. If you want a great evaluation of Anthony Richardson, check out my Irrational Confidence Podcast co-host’s article on Spinnable Sports.
1.). BRYCE YOUNG. (ALABAMA)
2.). CJ STROUD. (OHIO STATE)
3.). ANTHONY RICHARDSON (FLORIDA)
4.). WILL LEVIS. (KENTUCKY)
5.). TANNER McKEE (STANFORD)
6.). HENDON HOOKER. (TENNESSEE)
TOP 8 RUNNING BACKS:
The Running Back position has changed over the years. In the past, the single lead back was the focal point of every offense. Recently the position has bounced between secondary and by committees. This is due in part to modern offenses being more pass centric and the wear n’tear the running backs take equates to shorter service time. This class has a modern twist to the position and the majority have grown up adapting their skills to a spread/ pass focused offense. I think Bijan is a 1st Round talent, with the rest in contention for Day 2.
1.). BIJAN ROBINSON (TEXAS)
2.). JAHMYR GIBBS. (ALABAMA)
3.). DEVON ACHANE. (TEXAS A&M)
4.). ZACH CHARBONNET. (UCLA)
5.). DEWAYNE McBRIDE (UAB)
6.). KENNY McINTOSH. (GEORGIA)
7.). TYJAE SPEARS. (TULANE)
8.). KENDRE MILLER. (TCU)
TOP 15 WIDE RECEIVERS:
This crew of athletes has a lot to live up to based on the success of the 2022 group. I believe that JSN is ready to join the ranks of Buckeye wideouts in the NFL. The depth of this position group is promising and as we continue to see; modern offenses are focused on athletes in space. A few to keep your eyes on as Day 2 unfolds are Marvin Mims, Trey Palmer and Xavier Hutchinson.
1.). JAXON SMITH-NJIGBA. (OHIO STATE)
2.). QUENTIN JOHNSTON. (TCU)
3.). JORDAN ADDISON (USC)
4.). ZAY FLOWERS. (BOSTON COLLEGE)
5.). JOSH DOWNS. (UNC)
6.). JALIN HYATT. (TENNESSEE)
7.). KAYSHON BOUTTE. (LSU)
8.). NATHANIEL DELL. (HOUSTON)
9.). MARVIN MIMS. (OKLAHOMA)
10.). PARKER WASHINGTON. (PENN STATE)
11.). TREY PALMER. (NEBRASKA)
12.). CEDRIC TILLMAN. (TENNESSEE)
13.). XAVIER HUTCHINSON (IOWA STATE)
14.). RASHEE RICE. (SMU)
15.). A.T. PERRY. (WAKE FOREST)
TOP 6 TIGHT ENDS:
This group has a chance to be very special. Darnell is a very large human with freakish athletic ability. He is a QB’s dream and run blocks like a lineman. Mayer has been the primary Notre Dame offensive threat for 2 years and reminds me of 49ers TE George Kittle. Dalton Kincaid was a 1 Man Wrecking Crew at Utah the last 2 years. He reminds me of Travis Kelce based on him be aligned all over the offense. This group could see 4 selected in the Top 40 selections.
1.). DARNELL WASHINGTON. (GEORGIA)
2.). MICHAEL MAYER. (NOTRE DAME)
3.). DALTON KINCAID. (UTAH)
4.). LUKE MUSGRAVE. (OREGON STATE)
5.). SAM LaPORTA. (IOWA)
6.). TUCKER KRAFT. (SOUTH DAKOTA STATE)
TOP 9 OFFENSIVE TACKLES:
This group is the strongest of any offensive position group. I could easily see 6 of them going in the first round of the Draft. Skoronski is an elite player with position flexibility, but I like him at LT. Paris Johnson and Broderick Jones will join Skoronski as Top 20 selections. Darnell Wright had a great 2022, showing real growth in pass protection. If your team has a franchise left tackle, it allows the quarterback and offense to thrive.
1.). PETER SKORONSKI. (NORTHWESTERN)
2.). PARIS JOHNSON. (OHIO STATE)
3.). BRODERICK JONES. (GEORGIA)
4.). DARNELL WRIGHT. (TENNESSEE)
5.). DAWAND JONES. (OHIO STATE)
6.). ANTON HARRISON (OKLAHOMA)
7.). BLAKE FREELAND. (BYU)
8.). WARREN MCCLENDON. (GEORGIA)
9.). CODY MAUCH. (NORTH DAKOTA STATE)
TOP 9 INTERIOR OFFENSIVE LINEMEN:
This position lacks the elite, can’t miss prospect, but it has sufficient depth. Offensive Line isn’t sexy, but it is critical to the success of any team. Torrence is a better run blocker than pass blocker, but clearly graded out as the best interior lineman. John Michael Schmitz is naturally a Center, but he can play guard without issue. 2 intriguing prospects are Jarrett Patterson and Andrew Voorhees.
1.). O’CYRUS TORRENCE. (FLORIDA)
2.). JOHN MICHAEL SCHMITZ. (MINNESOTA)
3.). STEVE AVILA. (TCU)
4.). LUKE WYPLER. (OHIO STATE)
5.). JOE TIPPMAN. (WISCONSIN)
6.). JARRETT PATTERSON. (NOTRE DAME)
7.). OLUSEGUN OLUWATIMI. (MICHIGAN)
8.). RICKY STROMBERG. (ARKANSAS)
9.). ANDREW VOORHEES. (USC)
The NFL Draft is dramatic theater at every turn. The evaluations and subsequent selections are the most analyzed decisions in the sporting world. Stay tuned to Spinnable Sports for my ranking of defensive players in the NFL Draft as well my Top 105 overall players in the draft. In the coming days, my 3 Round Mock Draft will also be released. The Irrational Confidence Podcast (@IRConfidencePod on Twitter) position previews and Live Mock Draft are dropping on any podcast platform plus the Spinnable Sports YouTube Channel very soon!
