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
Mazi Smith, DT, Michigan Smith has collected 46 tackles and one sack thus far in 2022. He is a quality run defender, but he probably will get pulled out of NFL games in passing situations. Hence, Smith might be more of a rotational nose tackle. But he is a big-bodid defender who is tough and physical at the point of attack with some ability to cause disruption. Some sources think Smith might end up being a first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Mike Morris, DE, Michigan Morris (6-5, 292) is putting together a strong senior year for the Wolverines, displaying improved pass-rush ability. After recording only .5 sacks in 2021 and 2020 combined, he has put up seven sacks, 21 tackles, a forced fumble and two passes batted this season. Morris possesses good height and length, which could let him function as an inside/outside defensive lineman as a pro. NFL sources say they think Morris could go in the second or third round next April during the 2023 NFL Draft.
Henry To’oTo’o, LB, Alabama Team sources say To’oTo’o (6-0, 230) is a good athlete who is very instinctive. They have been impressed with the senior’s 2022 tape, saying he looks stronger, more physical, and better at taking on blocks. They feel while there are always going to be physical concerns with To’oTo’o, he is fast, athletic, instinctive and tough. To’oTo’o looks like a great fit for Will linebacker in the modern-day, passing-driven NFL. He has a shot to end up as a late first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Daiyan Henley, LB, Washington State Henley has gone under the radar, but team sources really like him. In 2022, he amassed 106 tackles, four sacks, three forced fumbles, a pass defended and an interception. Evaluators like Henley’s sideline-to-sideline speed and ability to function in the passing game. In 2021, he showed serious coverage skills with four interceptions and three passes defended while making 94 tackles. Henley could end up being a nice value on Day 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Charlie Jones, WR, Purdue Jones has moved around a lot in his career. Playing for Iowa in 2021, he did not produce much (21-323-3). He played special teams in 2020 for them after sitting out 2019. He spent 2018 with Buffalo, but didn’t produce much there either (18-395-3). Jones redshirted with the Bulls back in 2017. As a sixth-year senior, however, Jones broke out with Purdue, totaling 110 catches for 1,361 yards and 12 touchdowns. The 6-foot, 188-pounder is shifty route runner with solid hands. He could rise with a strong week at the Senior Bowl.
Trey Palmer, WR, Nebraska Palmer did not produce much in prior to this season, but he broke out for the Cornhuskers in 2022, recording 71 receptions for 1,043 yards and nine touchdowns. The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder will have opportunity to impress at the Senior Bowl.
2023 NFL Draft Stock Down
Antonio Johnson, S/CB, Texas A&M Team sources said that through no fault of his own, Johnson’s stock is done from where he entered the 2022 season. Johnson was injured and missed a good portion of the season, and when he did play, he was solid but he did not create the splash plays that he produced in 2021. As a result, Johnson is not viewed as a potential high first-rounder like he was a few months ago.
Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia As we reported in the Hot Press, while Carter looks destined to end up as a top-10 pick next April in the 2023 NFL Draft, team sources say they have makeup concerns with Carter. Sources note that scouts have heard around Georgia that Carter is not a hard worker, and they do not believe that he loves football. It is not uncommon for prospects who are supremely talented to not be hard workers. They are so physically gifted that things have come easy so far, and they have not had to work exceptionally hard to be elite at college level. However, that changes in the NFL, where teams want players who have a good work ethic and love to play football. Carter has developed a reputation of not being a worker or loving football, so that could rub some franchises picking high in the first round the wrong way.
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