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
Jonathan Mingo, WR, Ole Miss The 2023 NFL Draft is not loaded at the wide receiver position like many recent years, but Mingo is one sleeper who teams shared that they really like. The 6-foot-2, 220-pounder has good size and is a tough wideout. There were some evaluators who had speed concerns, but he looked good at the Senior Bowl and then put up an excellent combine 40 time of 4.46 seconds. I have Mingo in Round 2 of my 2023 NFL Mock Draft, and he looks likely to end up as a second-rounder due to his strong postseason and good tape from 2022.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson, QB, UCLA While C.J. Stroud and Anthony Richardson got all the attention at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, Thompson-Robinson also had an excellent performance in Indianapolis. Thompson-Robinson illustrated his athleticism and a powerful arm to really spin the ball. While Thompson-Robinson needs a lot of help reading defenses and working off his first read, his combine workout showed he possesses the skill-set upside and potential to be a Tyler Huntley-caliber backup at the next level.
Matt Landers, WR, Arkansas The 6-foot-4, 200-pound Landers is a big receiver who showed serious speed at the combine. He flashed somewhat in 2021 with 20 receptions for 514 yards and five touchdowns before producing his best season in 2022 with 47 catches for 901 yards with eight touchdowns. Landers has a good skill set with upside and could be a sleeper value pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Marvin Mims, WR, Oklahoma The 5-foot-11, 183-pound Mims had some decent seasons in 2020 (37-610-9) and 2021 (32-705-5) before producing his best season in his final year at Oklahoma, recording 54 catches for 1,083 yards with six touchdowns. Mims is a smaller slot receiver, but he has serious speed to challenge defenses vertically.
Bryce Ford-Wheaton, WR, West Virginia Ford-Wheaton had an excellent combine, showing off serious speed for a big receiver. The 6-foot-4, 221-pounder ran a scorching 4.38-second time in the 40-yard dash. In 2022, Ford-Wheaton totaled 62 catches for 675 yards and seven touchdowns. It was his best season of production after he did not have big seasons in 2021 (42-575-3) or 2020 (27-416-3).
Luke Schoonmaker, TE, Michigan Schoonmaker would have been the starter at most schools, but at Michigan, he was the second tight end because the program had a very good player in Erick All ahead of him. Schoonmaker played well during 2022, showing blocking ability and contributing as a receiver after All went out with an injury. On the year, Schoonmaker had 35 receptions for 418 yards and three touchdowns. He recorded 17 catches for 165 yards and three touchdowns in 2021. Schoonmaker helped himself with a fast 40 at the combine of 4.63 seconds.
2023 NFL Draft Stock Down
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State Smith-Njigba barely played in 2022 because of hamstring injury, even sitting out Ohio State’s playoff game versus Georgia. The expectations were that Smith-Njigba would be healthy and ready to run at the combine, but that was not the case and he he did not participate in the 40-yard dash. Team sources said they were disappointed and noted durability questions around him are growing. Smith-Njigba needs an impressive pro day and some good private workouts leading up to the 2023 NFL Draft.
Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee Team sources say they were disappointed in Hyatt’s workout at the combine. While Hyatt had a good 40 of 4.40 seconds, they did not like the rest of his combine performance. In my 2023 NFL Mock Draft I have Hyatt going in the second round, although the lack of wide receiver talent could him possibly sneak into Round 1 of the 2023 NFL Draft. However, sources from many teams have said they believe that Hyatt is a second-day talent.
2024 NFL Mock Draft - April 23
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Fantasy Football Rankings - Feb. 19
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