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
Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas As we reported in the Hot Press, sources from a number of teams have Robinson graded higher than other recent top five running back prospects of Saquon Barkley, Leonard Fournette and Ezekiel Elliott. Here is the quote from one area scout:
“It’s rare that the best pure runner is also the best pure receiver; that’s what makes Bijan unique,” said an area scout. “He can legitimately go run routes like a true receiver. His skill set is more Marshall Faulk than any of those guys. Saquon can obviously win in the passing game, but he’s not out running routes like Reggie Bush (Bijan does). His ball skills are as good as the top receivers in this class.
“There are other runners on his level or even a notch better, but you’re talking about the elite of every class, even on that alone. You can realistically run the offense thru him because he’s in on every situation as your RB1, 1-2nd Down, 2 minute, 4 minute. He’s more advanced all around than [Reggie] Bush, Joe Mixon, Saquon, Zeke. McCaffrey would have been like that had he been 215 pounds like Bijan. You have to go back to Faulk to find an elite runner and receiver like Bijan.”
A couple days after our report, Robinson had the best game of his collegiate career, running for 243 yards and four touchdowns on 25 carries versus Kansas. The last time a running back was selected as a top-20 pick in an NFL draft was Saquon Barkley in 2018, and given the immense love for Robinson as a prospect, he looks poised to be a top-10 pick next April in the 2023 NFL Draft. He could even crack the top five like Barkley, Fournette and Elliott did.
Chase Brown, RB, Illinois Brown could be a mid-round pick next April in the 2023 NFL Draft bceause he is a power runner with a strong build and toughness. Taking on Michigan, Brown had a hard time finding running lanes in the early going, but in the second half, he helped put the Illini in position to potentially pull off an upset; his defense just couldn’t hold the lead.
In the third quarter, Brown went up the middle and broke some tackles near the line of scrimmage before powering into the end zone from eight yards out. Shortly later, Brown gave the Illini the lead midway through the second half with a 37-yard touchdown run. It was a superbly blocked play on which Brown went around the left side and weaved through traffic to dart downfield for the score. Brown totaled 140 yards and two touchdowns over 29 carries. He also caught three passes for 24 yards.
For the NFL, Brown looks like a solid No. 2 back who might develop into being a starter. He is a tough downhill runner with quickness to hit the hole, and the strength to run through contact. Brown has impressive knee bend to run behind his pads and contact balance to keep his feet. As a pro, Brown could be a Jamaal Williams-style back.
Mekhi Garner, CB, LSU Garner has enjoyed a solid senior year to help his draft hopes even though he has not recorded an interception and only has three passes broken up. However, NFL teams like that Garner (6-2, 217) is big and a pretty good mover for his size. Garner is physical, has decent instincts, and runs well for his size. Like many big cornerbacks, Garner is not overly sudden or explosive, but he could be an outside starter in the NFL. Garner has the potential to be a second-day pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Jarrick Bernard-Converse, CB, LSU Like Garner, Bernard-Converse has impressed pro evaluators this season. The 6-foot-1, 205-pounder has good size to go along some quickness and athleticism. While Bernard-Converse has not produced a lot of interceptions over his college career – three over five seasons -, he recorded 11 passes broken up in 2021. Bernard-Converse could be a second-day pick in the 2023 NFL Draft who ends up becoming a pro starter.
Max Duggan, QB, TCU Team sources say Duggan is exceptionally smart and tough. He also possesses a better arm than people credit him for, advanced processing speed, quality athleticism and surprising speed as a runner. Scouts believe Duggan could run a sub-4.6-second 40, which is a fast time for a quarterback. In the red zone, Duggan is very dangerous with his legs. Sources, however, feel Duggan lacks an elite trait as a thrower or runner other than his toughness. Still, he is a good teammate who should impress in the pre-draft meetings. Some sources feel Duggan could become a starter in the NFL.
Tuli Tuipulotu, DE, USC Tuipulotu has been one of the most productive pass rushers in the nation this year, very consistently getting after the quarterback. So far this season, Tuipulotu has 38 tackless, 11.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and three passes broken up.
Tuipulotu is an interesting player for the next level. He has some serious twitch and explosion as a rusher. Tuipulotu can fire his gap and create some disruption with his burst to get behind the line. The 290-pounder Tuipulotu is big and carries his weight well. Tuipulotu is listed at 6-foot-4, but he might be more like 6-3. Thus, Tuipulotu is a bit of a tweener in that he lacks the length of end but is a little underweight for tackle.
As a pro, Tuipulotu might be able to add some more weight to be an every-down defensive tackle, and he could potentially fit as a 4-3 defensive tackle and three-technique. Tuipulotu could end up as a first- or second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Jonathan Mingo, WR, Ole Miss Mingo put together modest production in 2021 and 2020, but as a senior, he has provided a lot of big plays for Ole Miss with 768 yards and five touchdowns over 37 receptions. The 6-foot-2, 225-pounder has a good build, and he has been a mismatch receiver for the Rebels. Mingo could rise with a strong week at the Senior Bowl.
YaYa Diaby, DE, Louisville The 6-foot-4, 270-pound Diaby has been a tough defender for the Cardinals this season. On the year, he has recorded 6.5 sacks, 31 tackles and one pass batted. Diaby has good size and has shown improved pass-rush ability as a senior. He accepted an invitation to the Senior Bowl.
2023 NFL Draft Stock Down
Clark Phillips, CB, Utah Evaluators still have Phillips as an early-round prospect for the NFL, but they have been disappointed with his film this year compared to 2021. They feel Phillips has missed some tackles, and missed some particularly badly in space. Phillips has shown some stiffness, and he does not look like the same player as in 2021. Perhaps Phillips is protecting himself and trying to avoid injury, but being a 5-foot-9 cornerback presents limitations, and teams are only projecting him to serve as a slot cornerback.
Storm Duck, CB, North Carolina Team sources say they have not been impressed with Duck on tape this season. They say while Duck has some size and instincts, he lacks explosiveness and twitch. They see Duck as struggling to mirror routes and lacking speed. They think he should possibly move to safety at the next level.
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