Author Archives: Stephen D'Alesio

Stephen D’Alesio’s Early 2023 NFL Draft Top 50 Big Board

photo credit: athlonsports.com

 

The 2023 NFL Draft is shaping up to be a great one, not just because there’s a good possibility that more than one quarterback might get selected in the first round, but because of the sheer talent that it’s set to have available. Elite defensive stars, playmaking wide receivers, solid talent on the offensive line, and game-changing quarterbacks to name a few positions. But who are the best players as of now heading into next years NFL Draft? Well, I believe this Top 50 Big Board should help you get to know some these guys better heading into the 2023 NFL Draft. Without further adieu, here is my early Top 50 Big Board for the 2023 NFL Draft.

 

  1. Will Anderson, EDGE, Alabama
  2. Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
  3. CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State
  4. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
  5. Jalen Carter, DL, Georgia
  6. Jordan Addison, WR, USC
  7. Keele Ringo, CB, Georgia
  8. Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson
  9. Paris Johnson, OT, Ohio State
  10. Eli Ricks, CB, Alabama
  11. Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
  12. Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson
  13. Noah Sewell, LB, Oregon
  14. Kayshon Boutte, WR, LSU
  15. Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
  16. Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
  17. Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
  18. Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson
  19. Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia
  20. BJ Ojulari, EDGE, LSU
  21. Tyler Van Dyke, QB, Miami
  22. Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern
  23. Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina
  24. Isaiah Foskey, EDGE, Notre Dame
  25. Malachi Moore, CB/S, Alabama
  26. Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
  27. Marvin Mims, WR, Oklahoma
  28. Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
  29. Jordan Battle, S, Alabama
  30. Brandon Joseph, S, Notre Dame
  31. Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
  32. Zion Nelson, OT, Miami
  33. Jarrett Patterson, OL, Notre Dame
  34. Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama
  35. Henry To’oTo’o, LB, Alabama
  36. Derick Hall, EDGE, Auburn
  37. Jalen Catalon, S, Arkansas
  38. Arik Gilbert, TE, Georgia
  39. Tony Grimes, CB, North Carolina
  40. Ryan Hayes, OT, Michigan
  41. Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah
  42. Dontay Demus, WR, Maryland
  43. Antonio Johnson, S, Texas A&M
  44. Gervon Dexter, DL, Florida
  45. Phil Jurkovec, QB, Boston College
  46. Zach Evans, RB, Ole Miss
  47. Byron Young, DL, Alabama
  48. Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma
  49. Rakim Jarrett, WR, Maryland
  50. Broderick Jones, OT Georgia

Stephen D’Alesio’s Early 2023 NFL Mock Draft

photo credit: bostonglobe.com

 

With many rookies from the 2022 NFL Draft signing deals and participating in offseason workouts, it has us wondering about what the 2023 NFL Draft will look like. This is an early take, but it’s never too early to start realizing who the stars of tomorrow could be. With that said, here’s an early 2023 mock draft to get you realizing about some of these stars.

 

  1. Seattle Seahawks: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama: Trading away star QB Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos and bringing in Drew Lock isn’t an ideal scenario for Seattle’s QB situation. Getting the first pick and drafting Bryce Young wouldn’t be a bad idea for a team looking to get back to the postseason.
  2. Houston Texans: Will Anderson, EDGE, Alabama: Could Davis Mills be a solution to the Texans QB situation? If so, the Texans could go with Will Anderson here, giving them an edge rusher it hasn’t had since JJ Watt and Jadeveon Clowney.
  3. Detroit Lions: CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State: Similar to the situation the Seahawks have, trading away their star QB for a decent stopgap isn’t the best thing for any team long-term. Ohio State QBs haven’t had the best success in the NFL. Stroud could change that narrative here.
  4. Carolina Panthers: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State: No matter who the QB of the Panthers is going forward, they need some recievers to bring the ball down field. Smith-Njigba won’t solve all their problems, but he will help out a lot with the Panthers WR group.
  5. Atlanta Falcons: Jalen Carter, DL, Georgia: The Falcons look nothing like the team that brought them to the Super Bowl, so help on either side of the ball will be welcomed. With the graduation of numerous Georgia defenders in the 2022 NFL Draft, Carter has the chance to carry on the strong Georgia tradition of defensive studs, and he could find himself going with a high pick next year.
  6. Chicago Bears: Paris Johnson, OT, Ohio State: Protecting Justin Fields and improving his development should be a top priority for the Bears. Getting Jackson would address that need tremendously for the Bears.
  7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jordan Addison, WR, USC : Helping out Trevor Lawrence means getting him guys who can catch the ball. Jordan Addison can be the guy who helps Trevor Lawrence become elite, plus it wouldn’t be a bad WR group with him and Christian Kirk receiving the ball.
  8. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia: The departure of Joe Haden will leave a hole at secondary to be filled. Kelee Ringo has a lot of potential to become the next biggest star to come from Georgia, and the Steelers should take him if he is available.
  9. New York Jets: Bryan Breesee, DT, Clemson: Drafting Jermaine Johnson for the edge was a major victory for the Jets, but the interior defensive line is still facing question marks. Enter Bryan Breese, who should make the defensive line more of a strength than a liability.
  10. New York Giants: Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State: The questions will remain at QB for the Giants, but the departure of James Bradberry should have the Giants looking for a solid replacement. Porter Jr. should put the secondary concerns to a halt for the Giants.
  11. Las Vegas Raiders: Noah Sewell, LB, Oregon: The Raiders linebacking core needs a run stopper and defender it can rely on. Sewell fits the Raiders with his ability to be a difference maker on defense, something that the Raiders have needed for a while.
  12. Washington Commanders: Eli Ricks, CB, Alabama: Another team with questions regarding their secondary unit, the Commanders will be looking for an upgrade. Eli Ricks had a great season for Alabama, and another great season should have the Commanders looking to Ricks to improve the secondary.
  13. Miami Dolphins: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas: Robinson could be the first running back selected in this class, and the Dolphins would be an ideal fit for him. Mostert and Edmonds have injury concerns, and the Dolphins should look at Robinson if they want a first-string running back.
  14. Indianapolis Colts: Tyler Van Dyke, QB, Miami: The QB carousel that the Colts have dealt with since Andrew Luck retired needs to stop. The Colts need a long-term solution at quarterback, and Van Dyke could be the answer to their QB situation.
  15. Minnesota Vikings: Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson: Having Danielle Hunter and Za’Darius Smith already gives the Vikings a solid edge rushing pair. But long-term, it may not happen. Murphy adresses the concerns of the edge rusher for the Vikings, and gives them a solid player to build with.
  16. Philadelphia Eagles (via New Orleans Saints): Will Levis, QB, Kentucky: The Jalen Hurts project may be finished if he doesn’t produce for the Eagles this season. Should the Eagles move on from Hurts, Levis could step in Day 1 for them.
  17. Houston Texans (via Cleveland Browns): Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern: Davis Mills is going to need some protection, and Skoronski can provide that to him and the Texans offense. A physically imposing guy on the offensive line, he could help the Texans put points on the board.
  18. New England Patriots: Kayshon Boutte, WR, LSU: Getting Mac Jones some help at wide reciever would be an ideal situation for the Patriots to explore. Boutte has proven to score touchdowns at LSU, and the Patriots would love to have him catch passes from Jones for touchdowns.
  19. Miami Dolphins (via San Francisco 49ers): Malachi Moore, CB/S, Alabama: Simply put, Moore is versatile in the secondary, and putting him against some up-and-comers in the competitive AFC East should help the Dolphins on defense.
  20. Dallas Cowboys: Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia: The Cowboys defensive line is getting older and they could use some youth to keep their defense elite. Smith has the tools to help out the Cowboys for the long-term.
  21. Tennessee Titans: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame: The Titans have needed a tight end for quite some time, and Michael Mayer is a guy the Titans should want. He has improved since his freshman year at Notre Dame, and will be a name to watch during the draft.
  22. Arizona Cardinals: Derick Hall, EDGE, Auburn: JJ Watt and Markus Golden are great for the Cardinals, but don’t expect them to be there long-term. A strong season from Hall could see him finding a new home in Arizona should the Cardinals want to add youth to their defense.
  23. Baltimore Ravens: Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina: Trading “Hollywood” Brown at the draft this year has left Lamar Jackson looking for a new wide reciever to work with. Getting Downs would surely help out Jackson with a new wide reciever to work with, whether on short or deep passes.
  24. Seattle Seahawks (via Denver Broncos): BJ Ojulari, EDGE, LSU: The Seahawks filled up their first need with the first pick, so don’t be surprised if they fill in another major need on the defensive line with this pick. Ojulari would help out the Seahawks with his decisiveness and speed on defense.
  25. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida: If Kyle Trask isn’t ready to start for the Buccaneers when Tom Brady retires, the Buccaneers could go with the local QB star from Florida. He’s got a similar build to Cam Newton when he was drafted, and plays identical to him. This should entice Tampa Bay to get him.
  26. Cincinnati Bengals: Arik Gilbert, TE, Georgia: CJ Uzomah leaving the Bengals leaves a hole that Joe Burrow wants to have filled. Gilbert has the size and the hands to be Burrows next favorite offensive weapon.
  27. Philadelphia Eagles: Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina: James Bradberry could be in Philadelphia for only one year, so having someone at cornerback for the long haul would be beneficial. Cam Smith can be a long-term solution to the Eagles secondary concerns.
  28. Los Angeles Chargers: Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson: The addition of Khalil Mack is a major improvement to the Chargers defense, but he’s getting old and the defense could use some youth. Getting Simpson wouldn’t be a bad idea, and having Mack mentor him would be a major win all around for the Chargers.
  29. Green Bay Packers: Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU: The departure of Davante Adams leaves a major hole to be filled, but Johnston can fill that need. He’s got the size and he can find the endzone, two things that made Devante Adams great in Green Bay.
  30. Kansas City Chiefs: Marvin Mims, WR, Oklahoma: Patrick Mahomes needs a wide reciever to throw too now that Tyreek Hill is on the Dolphins. Mims is fast, and can put up big numbers, which should be a great fit if the Chiefs want to give Patrick Mahomes another option on offense.
  31. Detroit Lions (via Los Angeles Rams): Jordan Battle, S, Alabama: If the Lions want to revitalize their secondary, Battle would be a good place to start for them. He can tackle, create turnovers, and defend passes like a pro. The Lions should get him if he’s available.
  32. Buffalo Bills: Henry To’oTo’o, LB, Alabama: The Bills need depth and a playmaker at linebacker. Enter To’oTo’o, a proven defender who can sack the QB, stop the run, and make things easier with him on defense.