This new section highlights which players have improved or worsened their 2023 NFL Draft stock as the draft approaches.
By Charlie Campbell.
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2023 NFL Draft Stock Up
Lukas Van Ness, DE, Iowa The vast majority of redshirt sophomores return to school, but Van Ness was a surprise early-entrant into the 2023 NFL Draft. In 2022. Van Ness recorded 36 tackles and 6.5 sacks. He made 33 stops and seven sacks in 2021.
Van Ness is quick off the ball and strong to shed blocks. The 6-foot-5, 275-pounder lined up as a defensive tackle often for the Hawkeyes in 2022. He doesn’t have the size to be an every-down tackle in the NFL, but he could play end in the base defense and move inside in the sub package. Van Ness could be a first-round pick this coming April in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Tyree Wilson, DE, Texas Tech As we reported in the Hot Press, some team evaluators prefer Wilson over Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson. The reason for that is Wilson has more size, length, and more athletic upside, while Anderson is viewed as not having a special skill set by team scouts. A year ago, similar feelings led to Georgia edge rusher Travon Walker rising throughout the leadup to the draft and overtaking Aidan Hutchinson and Kayvon Thibodeaux to be the first player taken. This year, Wilson is a candidate to mimic that result.
Drew Sanders, LB, Arkansas Sanders is in the running to be the top non-pass-rushing linebacker prospect for the 2023 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-5, 232-pounder has big size to go along with quality speed and athleticism. Sanders also showed serious pass-rush ability as a junior. In 2022, he recorded 103 tackles, 9.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and five passes defended. Sanders does not play downhill, but he has the speed and ability to become a three-down starter at the next level. He could be a first- or second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah Kincaid has received a lot of positive buzz lately, and even some projections of him being a first-round pick. In speaking with some team sources, they viewed Kincaid as more of an option for the second day of the 2023 NFL Draft, which is why I have Kincaid in the second round of my 2023 NFL Mock Draft.
Kincaid has starter size, runs good routes, and has the potential to be a three-down starter who contributes quickly as a pro. If he runs well in the pre-draft workouts, that could cause him to rise into contending for the top tight end prospect spot.
Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern Skoronski has established himself as the consensus top offensive line prospect for the 2023 NFL Draft. In his final season of college football, Skoronski showed improved power and physicality, giving pro teams proof that he is an option to be a starter at right tackle. Skoronski’s quickness and athleticism could let him fit at left tackle, and he has the ability to play guard. Skoronski has a shot at being a top-10 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, and he should not get out of the top-20.
2023 NFL Draft Stock Down
Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina While some in the media have been hyping up Downs as a first-rounder, team sources say they graded Downs on Day 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft. The 5-foot-10, 175-pounder is a speed and big-play threat, but he is very undersized for the NFL. Downs could be restricted in the type of plays he runs and could be more of a rotational backup at the next level.
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