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 faced tough passing conditions against Northwestern, which limited the Ohio State offense, but pro sources say they have been impressed with Stroud’s development and the improvement he has shown on tape from last season to this season. They feel Stroud is more polished and is showing advancement as a passer. Considering he has good size while Alabama’s Bryce Young is very small, Stroud is emerging as the safest quarterback prospect for the 2023 NFL Draft.
Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia Carter is the top consensus interior defensive line prospect for the 2023 NFL Draft, and he proved why against Tennessee. Previously, Carter was out for a few games with a strained MCL suffered against Missouri. He returned versus Florida, but he played very limited snaps against the Gators. The Bulldogs seemed to be getting Carter ready for Tennessee, as he played more and made two huge forced fumbles to help lead the Bulldogs to their win.
In the first quarter, Carter fought off his block and strip-sacked Volunteeers quarterback Hendon Hooker in the end zone. Carter notched another second forced fumble in the third quarter when he darted behind the line and punched the ball out from behind the running back. Aside from those big plays, Carter held his ground in run defense and created a push as a a rusher.
For the NFL, Carter is a fast and athletic interior lineman with the strength to shed blocks. He could be a versatile tackle with the power to play nose tackle and the speed to be a three-technique. Team sources feel Carter is a better prospect than Jordan Davis or Devante Wyatt, and Carter’s performance against the Volunteers only reinforced that. Carter could end up as an early selection in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Sam LaPorta, TE, Iowa LaPorta just scored his first touchdown of year last Saturday against Purdue, but despite his lack of scoring, NFL team sources have been impressed with his balanced play. The 6-foot-4, 249-pounder has been an effective receiver and a good blocker. Versus the Boilermakers, LaPorta flashed his receiving skills with three receptions for 71 yards and a score. This season, he has 44 catches for 458 yards and a touchdown. LaPorta could be a good second-day value in the 2023 NFL Draft who turns into a solid NFL starter.
Tyree Wilson, DE, Texas Tech Wilson and the Texas Tech defensive line were the big reason why the Red Raiders were able to hold TCU to just 13 points before the fourth quarter. TCU eventually pulled away with 21 fourth-quarter points and is now a top-5 team.
In the first quarter against the Horned Frogs, Wilson shed his offensive tackle and flew into the backfield to pick up a tackle for a loss on a third-and-short. That forced a punt and got his defense off the field. Later in the second quarter, the Horned Frogs used Wilson’s aggressiveness against him, allowing him to fire up field while the running back darted through the open gap. On the next play, Wilson blew by the offensive tackle and met a teammate at the quarterback to get in on a sack. Late in the third quarter, Wilson had a sack that was called for a facemask on the play. It was really just bad luck, as Wilson had defeated the block from the left tackle to get free and the quarterback ducked his head into Wilson’s hand.
Wilson’s performance against TCU will should help his draft stock, as he showed the strength to shed blocks, the quickness to close, and an ability to set the edge in the ground game. Wilson displayed a steady motor and played hard on a down-by-down basis. With how he is playing this season, he could end up getting selected on the opening night of the 2023 NFL Draft.
T’Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas Multiple NFL sources from a number of teams have shared with WalterFootball.com that they see early-round potential with Sweat. “Sweat could be one of the more talented guys in this entire draft,” said an AFC director of player personnel. “He’s not a bad kid, but a little lazy and likes to party. He’s a monster at the point of attack in the run game and pretty damn athletic for as big as he is. If he kills his workout, he could blow up like Jordan Davis.”
Sweat is listed at 6-foot-4, 340 pounds, and is on pace to have his best statistical year in run support. Sweat has 18 tackles thus far in 2022 after recording 22 stops total in each of his previous two seasons. He does not have a sack this year, but he has three sacks over his collegiate career.
“He’s talented,” said an area scout. “It will come down to his background and team culture. Character stuff may knock him down, but he is a big, powerful, strong man who can absolutely be disruptive. He’s a base nose tackle that can get some push. I don’t see a Shaun Rogers, Kris Jenkins, Al Haynesworth, John Henderson or Dontari Poe. They were more dominant and concerning in the pass rush.”
Devon Achane, RB, Texas A&M Versus Florida, Achane kept the Aggies in the game, leading them to all of their points in the first half. On the first play of the game for the Texas A&M offense, Achane reversed field and exploded down the field for a 65-yard gain. Achane finished the drive by cutting back and walking into the end zone with an easy touchdown. Later in the first quarter, Achane added his second touchdown on an outlet pass when he was wide open in the flat. Just before halftime, he scored his third touchdown on a two-yard dive into the end zone.
Achane finished running for 122 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries. He had the receiving touchdown as well. For the NFL, Achane (5-9, 185) is a small, but fast, runner who can rip off big yards on any carry. He could lack the size to be a three-down starter in the NFL, but he should at least be a good platoon back who is a weapon in the passing game.
2023 NFL Draft Stock Down
Brenton Cox Jr., DE, Florida Cox was playing well for the Gators this season and helping himself for the NFL, but his draft stock was dealt a crippling blow by head coach Billy Napier kicking him off the team. It was said to be a culmination of issues that led to the Gators moving on from Cox. After this occurrence, Cox is going to have to answer a lot of questions from NFL teams about his character, and they will seriously ponder if they want to add him to their locker room. If teams have serious character concerns with Cox, he could slide into the mid-rounds or even undrafted ranks, depending on the severity.
Erick All, TE, Michigan All is out for the year after having undergone successful “life-changing surgery” at the BioSpine Institute in Florida. Some pro team sources thought All was a top candidate to be the best tight end prospect for the 2023 NFL Draft prior to him going out for the season. With this medical issue, All should return to Michigan for 2023 to have healthy season before departing for the NFL.
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