*Walt taking 2014 and 2018 |
Charlie Campbell, Senior Draft Analyst |
2023 NFL Draft Could be Weak Along OL
Updated July 20, 2022By Charlie Campbell. Follow Charlie on Twitter @draftcampbell.
The 2022 NFL Draft was a strong on the offensive line, featuring sufficient top-shelf talent that six linemen were selected as top-20 picks, and another three were taken during the rest of Round 1. A strong NFL draft class, however, can deplete the talent pool at that position for the next year, and that might be the case for offensive linemen in the 2023 NFL Draft. Preseason grades of NFL advance scouts have just one offensive lineman rated in the top 20, and he’s alone in Round 1. That player is TCU center Steve Avila, so the 2023 NFL Drat could be a down year for offensive tackle and offensive line talent.
After Avila, there were some players who with grades the 30s, such as Ole Miss offensive lineman Nick Broeker and Miami offensive tackle Zion Nelson. However, some other preseason lists from advance scouts with other teams have quality grades on Northwestern’s Peter Skoronski, as a guard; Notre Dame center Jarrett Patterson; and Oklahoma offensive tackle Anton Harrison. That list is also not high on many offensive linemen either.
A lot can and will change in the months to come, and of course, some unknown players will break out. Prior to the 2018 season, Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray and Alabama defensive tackle Quinnen Williams were not included on preseason watch lists yet they became the first- and third-overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. More players will rise and some players will slide, but entering fall training camp, the 2023 NFL Draft may not be a strong year for offensive line talent.
