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
Sam LaPorta, TE, Iowa Last week in the Hot Press, I reached out to sources from around the league to see if there was a consensus that LaPorta had a shot at being a late first-round pick. Sources from four teams said yes, and sources from two teams said no. It only takes one team to fall in love, so LaPorta has first-round potential. “Yes, I think he has a shot at going late one,” said an area scout. “He has really good tape. This is a deep tight end class, so it’ll be ‘what’s your flavor,’ but he’s top-50 for sure.”
I have LaPorta going late in Round 1 of my 2023 NFL Mock Draft, and if he slips to the second round, he should not have a long wait.
Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah Over the past few months, Kincaid has overtaken Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer as the consensus top tight end prospect for the 2023 NFL Draft. Teams like Kincaid’s well-rounded skill set, and his mismatch potential as a receiving tight end. He looks like a plug-and-play three-down starter for the next level. In the 2023 NFL Draft, Kincaid has a real shot at being a first-round pick and is the favorite to be the first tight end drafted.
DeWayne McBride, RB, UAB McBride is a shifty runner who has quickness to go with a strong build. In 2022, he averaged 7.4 yards per carry for 1,713 yards and 19 touchdowns. He also ran well in 2021, averaging 6.7 yards per carry for 1,371 yards and 13 touchdowns. As a pro, McBride could use some development in the passing game. He could be a nice value pick on the second day of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Donny Navarro III, WR, Northwestern Team sources say Navarro had an excellent pro-day performance that has created buzz about him as a late-round sleeper. They said Navarro was impressive with his route-running and tremendous hands. While Navarro has gone under the radar, he could be a sneaky third-day pick who ends up being a steal.
Tyler Hoosman, RB, North Dakota Hoosman also participated at the Northwestern pro day, and sources told WalterFootball.com that Hoosman was more impressive than Wildcats running back Evan Hull. Hoosman looked smoother and more fluid in the bag drills than Hull. Similar to Navarro, Hoosman could be a late-round sleeper steal in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Emil Ekiyor, G, Alabama Ekiyor was a 3-year starter at guard for Alabama and a powerful force as a run blocker. He possesses a strong build with the ability to lock up defenders in the ground game. For the NFL, Ekiyor could start out as a backup who develops into a starter at guard or center. Teams liked how Ekiyor looked at center in the Senior Bowl. The 6-foot-3, 314-pounder could be a third- or fourth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft who ends up being a nice value pick.
2023 NFL Draft Stock Down
Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame During the leadup to the 2023 NFL Draft, Utah’s Dalton Kincaid has jumped Mayer as the consensus top tight end prospect, although some NFL sources prefer Iowa’s Sam LaPorta. Teams were impressed with LaPorta at the combine, while Mayer did not help himself there. Numerous evaluators say they feel Mayer’s skill set is not special and they don’t see a player with a dominant trait. In my 2023 NFL Mock Draft, I still have Mayer going in the first round. The lack of buzz, however, makes me think there is the possibility that Mayer will slip to Round 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft.
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