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
Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State Porter was one of the top cornerback prospects entering the season, and he has only built on his resume with his strong play this year. In coverage, Porter has steadily blanketed receivers while also willingly defending the run. He looks like a future No. 1 cornerback for the next level. There is no doubt he has excellent size, speed, athleticism and instincts. But a really rare aspect Porter possess is freakish length, which will help him matchup against NFL wide receivers. Some NFL sources have alluded to the aliens in the movie “Avatar” to represent how unusually long Porter’s arms are. Porter looks like a top-16 pick next April in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU Daniels has the potential to be a mid-round or late-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, and he put together a superb outing against Florida, leading LSU to a shootout win in the Swamp. He showed his speed on a few touchdown runs, threw the ball accurately to all levels, and was extremely efficient. Daniels finished completing 23-of-32 passes for 349 yards and three touchdowns. He also picked up 44 yards and another three touchdowns on the ground.
Daniels is a very interesting prospect for the NFL. While he still needs work as a pocket passer, he has a quality arm and can challenge defenses at all levels. Daniels is a dangerous runner who is a true dual-threat quarterback and is difficult to sack. His performance against the Gators could help him end up as a potential mid-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas Robinson is one of the most talented prospects for the 2023 NFL Draft, and he illustrated why against Iowa State. In the second quarter against the Cyclones, Robinson made a phenomenal catch, extending out in the middle of the field to bring in the leaping grab. He ran an excellent route to get open and showed tremendous ball adjust to haul in the pass. Very few running backs currently in the NFL could make a catch like that.
Robinson simply rolling over the Cyclones in the second half, ripping off yards in chunks and showing off his incredible elusiveness. He finished 28 carries for 135 yards and four catches for 36 yards.
Robinson had great outing against Iowa State that illustrated his phenomenal skill set of size, speed and versatility. He is a top-10 talent, but he might go lower in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft because of the downgrading of running backs by NFL teams.
K.J. Jefferson, QB, Arkansas Jefferson missed the previous game with an injury, but he destroyed BYU. Jefferson made some phenomenal plays and showed his toughness, his ability to shake tackles in the pocket, and his ability to throw an accurate deep ball. He finished completing 29-of-40 passes for 367 yards and five touchdowns. He also had 32 yards on the ground.
Jefferson’s performance against the Cougars will definitely help his draft grade. He threw the ball accurately, showed the ability to escape pressure, made good decisions, and was extremely efficient. For the NFL, Jefferson has the skill set of a starter. He possesses a quality arm, mobility and toughness while also presenting a running threat. However, Jefferson needs to work on his field vision for the next level. He has to get much better at working through his progressions and reading defensive coverage.
Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee Hyatt broke out against Alabama with one of the greatest receiving performances in Volunteers history to help them pull off one of the biggest wins in program history. He destroyed the Crimson Tide secondary. Hyatt had an insane day, catching six passes for 207 yards and five touchdowns.
Entering the game, Hyatt only had 27 catches on the season for 388 yards and five touchdowns. Most of that production game against Akron, and he was not particularly productive for the Volunteers in 2021 (21-226-2) or 2020 (20-276-2). Against the Crimson Tide over the weekend though, he was a man possessed, showing speed, route-running, hands, and an impressive ability to track the ball. If Hyatt plays like this in the weeks to come, he will put himself on the map for the NFL.
Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina Smith (6-0, 188) will keep South Carolina’s stream of cornerbacks for the next level alive in the 2023 NFL Draft after emerging as a potential No. 1 cover corner. Team sources say Smith is fast and moves well to run the route and prevent separation. While Smith’s size is adequate, scouts say he has very long arms for a corner who is around 6-foot. In 2022, Smith has 12 tackles, an interception and pass defended. He was one of the SEC’s best corners in 2021, recording 41 tackles, three interceptions and 11 passes defended.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson, QB, UCLA 
Malik Cunningham, QB, Louisville I’m putting Robinson and Cunningham together because they both are mid-round to third-day prospects who team sources have said they are intrigued with or have helped themselves as backup-quarterback options. A lot of teams in the NFL would like to have a No. 2 signal-caller like the Ravens have in Tyler Huntley. Teams are watching Robinson and Cunningham closely to see if perhaps either could be that kind of quarterback for them starting next season.
2023 NFL Draft Stock Down
Eli Ricks, CB, Alabama The LSU transfer was expected to be the next great cornerback from Alabama, but that hasn’t happened this season. Following some ugly moments early in the year, Ricks has not played. With 2022 half over, Ricks should definitely not enter the 2023 NFL Draft because he does not have good tape to make his case. Ricks should return to Alabama or transfer to another program to put together a good season before heading to the NFL.
Devin Leary, QB, N.C. State Leary was having a quality season, but it has ended early thanks to a torn pectoral muscle. The junior would have been a candidate to enter the 2023 NFL Draft, but due to this injury, it would make more sense for him to return to school to put together a healthy and productive season before going to the NFL.
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