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
C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State Stroud was phenomenal against Michigan State, completing 21-of-26 passes for 361 yards, six touchdowns and an interception. He threw the ball accurately with excellent placement to beat tight coverage. On top of his accuracy, he did a nice job of hitting his receivers on the run to lead them for yards after the catch. Stroud showed developed field vision to work through his progressions and read coverage. His peformance against the Spartnas was impressive because he threw into a lot of tight windows and made some brilliant passes. In other games, Stroud’s receivers were so wide open that he had easy passes, but versus the Spartans, Stroud burned the defense even when they had tight coverage. Stroud looked like a future high first-round pick for the 2023 NFL Draft against Michigan State.
Jayden Reed, WR, Michigan State While Reed (6-0, 185) is not the biggest of receivers, he is a shifty route runner with quickness. Reed also is a super competitor who wins on 50-50 balls that he shouldn’t. In that regard, he is similar to what Jahan Dotson could do for Penn State. On top of Reed’s receiving ability, he is a dangerous returner, so he offers added value on special teams. Reed could be a dangerous slot receiver in the NFL and might be a third- or fourth-round pick who ends up providing an excellent value from the 2023 NFL Draft.
Zach Charbonnet, TE, UCLA Charbonnet dominated Utah, turning 22 carries into 198 yards and a touchdown. The senior ran hard, powering through tacklers and using his 6-foot-1, 220-pound frame to pick up yards after contact. This season, Charbonnet has been superb and consistently putting up big yardage. He has exceeded 100 yards in four of five games while also showing the ability to contribute to the passing game. In the 2023 NFL Draft, Charbonnet could be a good value on Day 2.
Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame Mayer had a record-setting night versus BYU, surpassing Tyler Eifert for the most career receptions by a tight end in Fighting Irish history. Mayer played well against the Cougars and havinf his way with their defense. On Notre Dame’s first drive, he caught a few short passes to help move the chains into BYU territory. Early in the second quarter, Mayer went down the seam and made a leaping grab for a touchdown from about 25 yards out. He had a few other receptions to help move the chains and put Notre Dame in position for more points.
In the third quarter, Mayer got open on an out route to convert a third-and-long, and then to finish the drive, he ran a corner route across the field and hauled in an over-the-shoulder catch for a 20-yard touchdown. Shortly later, Mayer came up short while trying to make a catch on an out route as the ball bounced off his hands. It was a difficult catch and not a bad drop. Mayer ended up totaling 11 receptions for 118 yards and two touchdowns.
Mayer’s performance against BYU should help his draft grade, as he was a dynamic receiver who showed good route-running, athleticism, and natural feel as a receiver. Mayer needs to improve his blocking for the next level, but he looks like a future three-down starter who should go before the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Byron Young, DE, Tennessee Young has impressed some pro evaluators the season, and he continued his strong senior year with a good performance against LSU. Early in the second quarter, Young helped clean up a scrambling Jayden Daniels for a sack with a teammate. Young lined up at defensive tackle over the left guard and looped around the right guard on a stunt to get free for an effort sack. At the end of the second quarter, Young logged his second sack after the left tackle was slow to react off the snap, allowing Young to fire past him to get a big sack that gave the Volunteers the ball back just before halftime.
Early in the third quarter, Young notched his third sack of the game with a stunt up the middle before collapsing the pocket in a blur. While it was Young’s third sack, the official scorer may end up with him at two or 2.5 as teammates joined him at the quarterback.
Young is quick, agile and has active hands. He is fluid at the point of attack, showing the ability to dodge blockers with impressive closing speed. The 6-foot-3, 245-pounder faces some size limitations for the NFL, where he might best in a 3-4 as an outside linebacker. Young could get second-day consideration in the 2023 NFL Draft and should end up no lower than a mid-round pick.
2023 NFL Draft Stock Down
Will Mallory, TE, Miami Team sources say they have been really disappointed in Mallory this year. They note he has some speed as a receiver, but is very soft as a blocker and has inconsistent hands. After flashing as a backup to Brevin Jordan, Mallory has never grown into a playmaker. Sources are down on Mallory but think he will be on a NFL roster as a backup.
Arik Gilbert, TE, Georgia Gilbert has not seen the field this year, and it sounds like he is in the dog house of the Georgia coaching staff. Gilbert is known to be supremely talented, but troubled. NFL team sources say Gilbert has the best skill set and is the most physically gifted tight end in the 2023 draft class. However, he could be a big slider because of makeup concerns.
Dontay Demus Jr., WR, Maryland Entering the season, there was a lot of hype about Demus being a top receiver prospect for the 2023 NFL Draft, but Demus has really struggled in 2022, catching only 11 passes for 125 yards through six games. Coming off a torn ACL from last season, Demus has not regained the speed that previously made him a special player. Demus (6-3, 220) is now a big receiver who is not fast enough. His inconsistent route running and hands are now bigger issues given his lack of the speed that made him a special player in 2021.
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