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
Cam Mitchell, CB, Northwestern Mitchell went under the radar in 2022 because the Wildcats were utterly terrible, but NFL sources noticed that Mitchell played really well, collecting 52 tackles, one interception, seven passes batted, one forced fumble and one sack. The 6-foot, 195-pounder has good size to go along with instincts and physicality. He is sleeper who could be an early-round pick next April in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Quan Martin, DB, Illinois Martin is a sleeper who has created a buzz with scouts. The 6-foot, 195-pounder is a versatile defensive back who is a weapon on the back end. Martin can play safety, nickel corner, or outside corner. He is a smooth athlete with instincts. Team sources feel Martin could be a riser during the draft process because he has put together really good tape over the 2022 season. This year, Martin has 59 tackles, three interceptions, 11 passes defended, one sack and two forced fumbles.
Derius Davis, WR, TCU Teammate Quentin Johnston is in the running to be the first receiver taken in the 2023 NFL Draft, which has caused Davis to go under the radar. Still, Davis has played well enough as a slot receiver to have earned an invitation to the Senior Bowl. This year, Davis has 33 receptions for 393 yards and five touchdowns. The 5-foot-10, 175-pounder is undersized for the NFL, but if he has a good week in Mobile, that could help him to be a third-day pick for the 2023 NFL Draft.
Kendre Miller, RB, TCU Some area scouts told WalterFootball.com that Miller has excellent instincts as a runner and they are really impressed with his natural running ability. The 6-foot, 220-pound Miller is a downhill physical charger who has good contact balance, an ability to pick up yards after contact, and enters the NFL with fresh legs. While Miller has handled the lead-back role in 2022, over the previous two seasons he only totaled 137 carries whilespilting touches with Zach Evans, among others. Miller could be a second-day or mid-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and end up being a nice value selection.
Clayton Tune, QB, Houston Tune has enjoyed an excellent senior year, racking up a lot of production and putting up a lot of points for the Cougars. He has completed 67 percent of his passes this season for 3,845 yards, 37 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder has enough size and will enters the pros with a lot of starting experience thanks to breaking into the starting lineup back in 2019. Tune played well in 2021, completing 68 percent of his passes for 3,546 yards, 30 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. If Tune has a strong week at the Senior Bowl, his stock could rise for the 2023 NFL Draft.
Jalen Wayne, WR, South Alabama Wayne did not produce a big season of production in college, but he played well enough to earn a spot at the Senior Bowl. This year was his best season with 56 catches for 795 yards and nine touchdowns. The 6-foot-2, 207-pounder has good size and developed strength. The critical test for Wayne will be if he can generate separation from the all-star cornerbacks. If he does that, he could really rise.
Daniel Scott, S, California Scott finished up a long career at California with a strong senior year that really helped him for the NFL and has him headed to the Senior Bowl. Scott recorded 85 tackles, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and four raced fumbles in 2022. In 2021, he totaled 82 tackles, three interceptions and two passes batted. At 6-foot-2, 215-pounds, Scott has quality size for the NFL. A strong week in Mobile could cause his stock for the 2023 NFL Draft to rise.
Cornelius Johnson, WR, Michigan Johnson was having a quiet 2022 season until Michigan matched up against Ohio State. He entering the contest against the Buckeyes with 25 receptions for 300 yards and four touchdowns. Versus Ohio State, Johnson put on a show of big plays. First, he took a short comeback route before spinning away from a tackler to raced down the sideline for the 69-yard score. Shortly later, Johnson had one-on-one coverage with a safety and ran past him on a deep post to get wide open for the 75-yard score.
In the third quarter against the Buckeyes, Johnson had a step running a deep post, but he was interfered enough with by safety Lathan Ransom to draw a pass interference flag. If quarterback J.J. McCarthy had thrown the pass sooner, it could have gone for another touchdown of about 60 yards. Johnson totaled 160 yards and two touchdowns on just four receptions against Ohio State.
The 6-foot-3, 208-pound Johnson has excellent size, and he showed impressive speed versus the Buckeyes for a big receiver. On both of his long touchdowns, Johnson ran away from the defense and was not close to being caught from behind. While Johnson is not going to end up with a big statistical season, his skill set is intriguing, he has upside to rise, and he is a player to monitor in workouts leading up to the 2023 NFL Draft.
2023 NFL Draft Stock Down
Jaylon Jones, CB, Texas A&M Team sources say they were not impressed with Jones on tape this season, although it was not been all his fault. He missed three games with an injury and had to sit out some more time due to a targeting penalty early in the game versus Florida. Entering the 2022 regular-season finale, Jones had only been targeted 19 times this year. That small sample size is not helpful for NFL evaluators, who were trying to gauge if Jones improved on some of the inconsistencies he displayed in 2021. As a result, Jones is more of a second-day pick for the 2023 NFL Draft rather than a first-round prospect.
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