Some of the elite prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft could be picked lower than their talent warrants.
Whether that’s Bijan Robinson because of the devaluation of the running back, or defensive tackle Jalen Carter because of character concerns, or others in the first round because quarterbacks such as Anthony Richardson, Will Levis and even Hendon Hooker get pushed up the board by needy teams, Thursday’s first round could look out of whack when draft slots are compared to a big board based on skill alone.
The scouting consensus that it is not a great draft class compared to recent years is reflected in The Post’s annual top 100 rankings — based off of observations and insight gathered in conversations with NFL personnel — because of the philosophy, “When in doubt, go with linemen on both sides of the ball.”
The top 100 includes 16 offensive linemen, 15 edge rushers, 15 cornerbacks, 14 wide receivers, nine defensive tackles, seven tight ends, six quarterbacks, six running backs, six linebackers and six safeties. Here it is:
1. QB Bryce Young, Alabama, 5-10, 204 pounds
The game looks slow to Young, who goes through reads, looks defenders off with his eyes and relies on a quick release and pocket presence. Durability is a concern because his slim frame is a historical outlier.
2. EDGE Will Anderson, Alabama, 6-3, 253 pounds
Consensus No. 1 non-quarterback. Totaled 34.5 sacks and 58.5 tackles for loss in 41 games. Can win as a pass rusher with speed or power, and has a high motor to chase down rushers from the backside. No character concerns.
3. RB Bijan Robinson, Texas, 5-11, 215 pounds
Best prospect at the position since Saquon Barkley in 2018. Three-down back who can cut on a dime in open space, break tackles in the box and finish dirty runs with authority. Soft-handed receiver and capable pass-protector.
4. DT Jalen Carter, Georgia, 6-3, 314 pounds
Takes quickest route to pressuring quarterback but only six career sacks. Fights off double teams and finishes plays with a flourish. Position versatility. Questions about commitment and character even before arrest for reckless driving and racing in connection to a deadly accident.
5. QB C.J. Stroud, Ohio State, 6-3, 214 pounds
Attacks downfield, including with touch along the sidelines, but had four all-world receivers in college. Needs to improve decisiveness when plays break down, possibly by scrambling more frequently, as he did in his final game.
6. CB Devon Witherspoon, Illinois, 5-11, 181 pounds
Allowed a mind-boggling 3.3 yards per target last season, per Pro Football Focus. At his best sagging off in coverage and using his instincts to drive on the ball (14 pass break-ups). Feisty tackler close to line of scrimmage.
7. EDGE Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech, 6-6, 271 pounds
Freakish wingspan and quickness. Recorded 14 sacks and 27.5 tackles for loss over the past two seasons, but there are questions about his play-to-play consistency between flashes of dominance. Willing to do dirty work against the run. Recovering from a broken foot.
8. OT/OG Peter Skoronski, Northwestern, 6-4, 313 pounds
Popular annual debate with broad-chested, short-armed blockers: Do you want a good tackle or an All-Pro guard? Still improving after 33 starts at left tackle. Fundamentally sound hand usage and footwork to combat speed and power rushers.
9. OT Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio State, 6-6, 313 pounds
One season at guard, one at left tackle added up to one quarterback hit allowed on 925 pass-blocking snaps, per Pro Football Focus. Awareness serves him better against twists and stunts than against pure power. Needs to build strength.
10. QB Will Levis, Kentucky, 6-4, 229 pounds
His 2021 tape includes some of the best quarterback play in the class. His 2022 tape – different scheme, less talent around him and injuries – not so much. Big size, bigger arm, biggest swagger. Physical short-yardage runner.
11. WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State, 6-1, 196 pounds
Totaled 95 catches for 1,606 yards in 2021, playing with Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave (top NFL rookies in 2022). Smooth route-runner from slot or perimeter. Not a burner, and only played three games last season due to injuries.
12. CB Christian Gonzalez, Oregon, 6-1, 197 pounds
Takes some chances (four interceptions) because of his recovery speed (4.38-second 40-yard dash). Well-suited physically to play press coverage and could run blitz with commitment to tackling. Former track star still developing finer points of technique.
13. OT Broderick Jones, Georgia, 6-5, 311 pounds
Former basketball player displays lateral quickness and body control when jumping to the edge. Will finish run blocks into the dirt. Aggressiveness can be used against him. Nineteen starts (15 without a sack allowed or holding penalty last season) at left tackle.
14. QB Anthony Richardson, Florida, 6-4, 244 pounds
What he lacks in polish he makes up for in explosiveness. Self-named hybrid of Lamar Jackson and Cam Newton isn’t crazy comparison. Throws into tight windows. Five touchdown runs of 45-plus yards in past 20 games (13 starts).
15. TE Dalton Kincaid, Utah, 6-4, 246 pounds
Big slot receiver who is an adequate blocker. Drawing comparisons to three-time Pro Bowler Zach Ertz. Five-year college player could quickly blossom into a No. 1 target because his route-running creates separation and his sticky hands win 50/50 balls.
16. CB Joey Porter Jr., Penn State, 6-2, 193 pounds
Namesake son of former Pro Bowl linebacker possesses enough of his father’s physicality to reroute receivers. Long-striding speed to cover deep (only one catch of 15-plus yards allowed). Curiously only one career interception because he mostly knocks down passes.
17. EDGE Nolan Smith, Georgia, 6-2, 238 pounds
No. 1 recruit in the 2019 class surprisingly took until junior year to crack starting lineup. Wowed at the combine with 4.39-second 40-yard dash and 41.5-inch vertical leap. Stand-up edge rusher against the pass, inside gaps-shooter against the run.
18. WR Jordan Addison, USC, 5-11, 173 pounds
Played with elite QBs at Pittsburgh (Kenny Pickett) and USC (Caleb Williams), and caught 29 touchdowns in 35 games. Accelerates away from corners when tracking the ball. Elusive after the catch, as expected from a punt returner.
19. TE Michael Mayer, Notre Dame, 6-4, 249 pounds
More complete prospect than Kincaid, but not a four-wide game-changer. Old-school ability to put his hand in the dirt as a sixth run-blocking pseudo-offensive lineman, but that isn’t to discount his 18 career touchdowns boxing out defenders.
20. EDGE Myles Murphy, Clemson, 6-5, 268 pounds
Seen as a work in progress with big upside once he expands repertoire of moves (18.5 sacks, 36 tackles for loss in 35 career games). Quick off the ball whether standing up or with hand in dirt. Three-down ability.
21. EDGE Lukas Van Ness, Iowa, 6-5, 272 pounds
Why didn’t he start a game in college? Not because of a lack of production (13 sacks and 19 tackles for loss in 26 career games) or inside/outside versatility. Teammates started nickname “Hercules.” Strength and long arms to bull rush.
22. WR Quentin Johnston, TCU, 6-3, 208 pounds
Size plus speed equals 17.9 yards per touch from scrimmage in his career. Drops were a recurring issue because he is a body-catcher. Long-strider and leaper has excellent catch radius if he trusts his hands more.
23. OT Darnell Wright, Tennessee, 6-5, 333 pounds
Swallows up rushers who get too close to his chest. Played with an edge at right tackle. Ability to eliminate top defensive prospect, Alabama’s Will Anderson, in one-on-one matchup left scouts drooling. Can look too stiff bending his knees.
24. CB Deonte Banks, Maryland, 6-0, 197 pounds
Stock rising after a 4.35-second 40-yard dash and 42-inch vertical leap at the combine. Ideal for press coverage, but seems to lose track of the ball — a formula for penalties — when running downfield with his head turned. Willing tackler and special-teamer.
25. WR Zay Flowers, Boston College, 5-9, 182 pounds
An undersized receiver better be fast — and Flowers is speed personified. Slips into holes in zones, flies past press coverage and weaponizes jet sweeps and screens. Understands leverage, but could struggle with contested catches.
26. S Brian Branch, Alabama, 6-0, 190 pounds
Hybrid slot cornerback and physical safety, a la Minkah Fitzpatrick. Should be in a scheme that capitalizes on blitz ability and puts him in the swarm of bodies. Sure tackler. Could be a high-volume snaps player with special-teams coverage ability.
27. DT Calijah Kancey, Pitt, 6-1, 281 pounds
Second-fastest 40-yard dash time (4.67 seconds) by a defensive tackle since 2003. Ideal in a 4-3 scheme where he wreaks havoc on the backfield (27.5 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks in 2021-22 combined). Battles through the whistle.
28. RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama, 5-9, 199 pounds
Averaged 5.9 yards per touch with 23 touchdowns from scrimmage across three years at Georgia Tech and Alabama. Matchup nightmare as a receiver because of route running and sudden burst. Doesn’t always battle for extra yards.
29. OG O’Cyrus Torrence, Florida, 6-5, 330 pounds
People-mover in the run game due to explosive power. Played a penalty-free 2022 season and didn’t allow a sack on 1,500 career pass-blocking snaps, per Pro Football Focus. Quicker interior rushers could get him off balance.
30. CB Emmanuel Forbes, Mississippi State, 6-1, 166 pounds
Set FBS record with six (of his 14 career) interceptions returned for touchdowns, including three last season. High-points jump balls. Fits zone or man schemes, but could struggle against physical receivers until his lanky frame fills out.
31. DT Bryan Bresee, Clemson, 6-5, 298 pounds
Inconsistency between the flash plays speaks to unfulfilled potential. Three-down lineman who can slide into different alignments in different packages. Should bat down more passes. Kidney infection, ACL repair and shoulder surgery earlier in his career.
32. WR Jalin Hyatt, Tennessee, 6-0, 176 pounds
Slot receiver who finds another gear after the catch. A nightmare on a deep route even against bump-and-run press coverage. If he is a one-trick pony, it’s worth it. Five of 15 touchdowns last season against Alabama.
33. EDGE Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Kansas State, 6-3, 255 pounds
Much-improved prospect from one year ago — upping career totals to 20.5 sacks (four in one game in 2021) and eight forced fumbles — and still rising. Plays with savvy and energy more than explosion. Hunts the ball until the whistle.
34. TE Luke Musgrave, Oregon State, 6-6, 253 pounds
Natural pass-catcher when flexed off the line of scrimmage. Most linebackers won’t keep up with his vertical speed, assuming it’s the same after two knee injuries in three years. Most defensive backs will get out-jumped or out-wrestled for possession.
35. LB Drew Sanders, Arkansas, 6-4, 235 pounds
True middle linebacker with edge-rushing capability (9.5 sacks last season) in sub packages. Sideline-to-sideline range and block-shedder against the run. Only one season as a starter after transfer from Alabama. Upside, but needs to sharpen recognition of play-action fakes.
36. EDGE Keion White, Georgia Tech, 6-5, 285 pounds
Scouts love “twitch,” and White oozes it with every movement, making him hard to block. Motored 80 yards to throw a block on a fumble return. Was at his best late in the season, when injuries wear on big bodies.
37. DT Mazi Smith, Michigan, 6-3, 323 pounds
Space-eating nose tackle worthy of drawing double teams. Tracks the run laterally, but tries to overpower to push the pocket. Pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor gun charge. Conditioning is a concern. Only six career tackles for loss.
38. TE Darnell Washington, Georgia, 6-7, 264 pounds
Unique set of skills in that he is a plus run-blocker and a can’t-overthrow-him receiving target with yards-after-catch potential. Forget press coverage because he will power through it. Quarterbacks must trust that he will make tight-window catches.
39. LB Trenton Simpson, Clemson, 6-2, 235 pounds
Fits a position-less defense, lining up on the weak side or the strong side. Covers tight ends better than most safeties, but can blitz or spy a mobile quarterback because of speed. Missed tackles are a result of bad angles.
40. EDGE Will McDonald IV, Iowa State, 6-4, 239 pounds
Case in point that strong showing in drills at Senior Bowl and high-end testing at Combine can elevate a mid-rounder. Changing positions from a 3-4 end to outside linebacker will help run defense. Highly regarded pass-rush spin move.
41. CB Cam Smith, South Carolina, 6-1, 180 pounds
Good news: 20 passes defended, including four interceptions, over past two seasons. Bad news: 10 penalties in 2022, per Pro Football Focus. Not easily fooled by complex route combinations. Not a big help against the run.
42. WR Josh Downs, North Carolina, 5-9, 171 pounds
Another undersized dynamo, but this one had high-volume production (195 catches in last 24 games). Polished footwork in and out of routes create separation, but plays with fearlessness to sacrifice his body when asked to leave his feet
43. QB Hendon Hooker, Tennessee, 6-3, 217 pounds
Two strikes: Torn ACL in November and already 25 years old. Two signs of accuracy: Receivers catching and running on film and five interceptions (compared to 58 touchdowns) on last 631 attempts. Two 600-yard rushing seasons, too.
44. C John Michael Schmitz, Minnesota, 6-3, 301 pounds
How early is too early to draft a center? Made all the calls at line of scrimmage and anchors so that he is rarely knocked out of position. Plug-and-play starter, especially in a zone-scheme, run-heavy offense.
45. CB DJ Turner, Michigan, 5-11, 178 pounds
A 4.26-second 40-yard dash will cover up a lot of warts in scouting. Easy movements when forced to flip hips and run with shifty receivers on restart or a double move. Misses tackles, which is a concern in the slot.
46. LB Jack Campbell, Iowa, 6-5, 247 pounds
Campbell Trophy (academic Heisman, no relation) and Butkus Award (nation’s top linebacker) winner. Reliable tackler whose instincts put him where the ball is going, especially on screen passes. Lacks some burst, so not much production behind the line of scrimmage.
47. OT/OG Cody Mauch, North Dakota State, 6-5, 302 pounds
Former walk-on tight end plays with the ruggedness that oozes through his missing two front teeth. Searches out second-level blocks and drives linebackers out of gaps. Short arms leave him susceptible to holding penalties when beat.
48. EDGE BJ Ojulari, LSU, 6-2, 248 pounds
Efficient speed pass-rusher with great bend who could struggle to set edge against the run, like a carbon copy of his brother (2021 Giants second-round pick Azeez Ojulari). Coaches and teammates sing his work-ethic praises. Best tape was in 2021.
49. CB Kelee Ringo, Georgia, 6-1, 207 pounds
Stock slipped last season as he was targeted frequently in two playoff games. Elite speed as seen on pick-6 to clinch 2021 national title. Jars the football loose even when boxed out. Could have to switch to free safety for a man coverage defense, a scout told ESPN.
50. WR Cedric Tillman, Tennessee, 6-3, 213 pounds
Just eight catches over first three seasons before imposing his size and ball skills en route to 1,081 yards in 2021. Toughness to play through injury and make catches in traffic. Won’t take the top off defense.
51. OT Matthew Bergeron, Syracuse, 6-5, 318 pounds
Quebec native was a four-year starter on both ends of the line, but is gaining steam pre-draft as teams consider a move to guard because he opens up running lanes. Showed scheme versatility. Technician with his hands.
52. OG Steve Avila, TCU, 6-3, 332 pounds
Experienced guard and center was a boulder even against the best interior pass-rushers faced in college. Zero sacks allowed last season. Senior Bowl standout establishes a nasty tone by looking for block after block until the whistle.
53. DT Adetomiwa Adebawore, Northwestern, 6-1, 282 pounds
‘Tweener whose weight is on the rise, so he can play inside. Fastest 40-yard dash time (4.49 seconds) by a 280-pounder in Combine history. Slips past blockers in a blink. Motor runs hot, and could get undisciplined penalties.
54. WR Tyler Scott, Cincinnati, 5-10, 177 pounds
Former national-level sprinter who scored 10 touchdowns covering 30-plus yards. Can put cornerbacks in a blender with his quick movements and change of direction. Needs to fight through physical coverage to avoid undercut routes.
55. CB Clark Phillips, Utah, 5-9, 184 pounds
Potential steal. Short slot corners supposedly need to run faster than a 4.51-second 40-yard dash. But the tape is good — and not just on his six interceptions last season. Will be a coach’s favorite because of study habits.
56. TE Sam LaPorta, Iowa, 6-3, 245 pounds
As is often the case, look deeper than the numbers with Iowa tight ends (five career touchdowns). Under-utilized pass-catcher who is comfortable selling fakes to set up quick screens or working the middle of the field.
57. EDGE Isaiah Foskey, Notre Dame, 6-5, 264 pounds
Notre Dame’s career sacks leader (26.5). Constant pursuit leaves him always around the ball, including on four career blocked punts. Needs to work on hand technique to shed blocks quicker. Wants to lead by example.
58. S Antonio Johnson, Texas A&M, 6-2, 198 pounds
Reliable tackler willing to charge up to line of scrimmage. Can handle most tight ends or big receivers, but needs to leave big cushions to overcome deficiency in speed matchups. Brings a well-timed boom to force drops.
59. CB Julius Brents, Kansas State, 6-3, 198 pounds
Size is better used in run support than in press man coverage. Zone scheme fit who could make move to safety. Made 32 career starts for Iowa and Kansas State. Forced two takeaways in Big 12 title game.
60. OT Dawand Jones, Ohio State, 6-8, 374 pounds
Man or mountain? Forget about overpowering Jones, and getting around his long wingspan isn’t easy, either. Allowed pressure on 1.2 percent of his snaps as a 25-game starter at right tackle. Can get twisted around by athletic rushers.
61. TE Tucker Kraft, South Dakota State, 6-5, 254 pounds
Raw ability after growing up playing 9-man football in South Dakota. Untapped athleticism as he primarily was used as an in-line blocker. Broke 25 tackles on 92 catches over the last two seasons, per Pro Football Focus. Wide catch radius.
62 OG/C Joe Tippman, Wisconsin, 6-6, 313 pounds
Taller than the prototypical center, and could be moved to guard. Athleticism shows up when asked to pull. Thickness, strength and football IQ expected from Wisconsin-bred offensive linemen. Can get knocked off balance.
63. OT Anton Harrison, Oklahoma, 6-4, 315 pounds
Relies on instincts, long arms and pocket awareness to overcome some athletic limitations. Struggles to recover when beat with a first move, which is surprising after three years of experience on the left side. Could slip to second round.
64. RB Zach Charbonnet, UCLA, 6-0, 214 pounds
Patient downhill runner who averaged 7 yards per carry as a senior and ran for 39 touchdowns across 40 games, including two years at Michigan. Will drop his shoulder in the open field. One lost fumble since 2020.
65. CB Tyrique Stevenson, Miami, 6-0, 198 pounds
Senior Bowl standout showed an ability to jam receivers at the line of scrimmage. Doesn’t panic when he falls a step behind because he can rip a ball out of the breadbasket.
66. S Sydney Brown, Illinois, 5-10, 211 pounds
Six of 10 career interceptions came last season. Sets an intense tone with his downhill, physical style. Seeking hard hits sometimes leads to bounce-off missed tackles. Plays at top speed by trusting instincts. Good situational awareness.
67. EDGE Yaya Diaby, Louisville, 6-3, 263 pounds
Six years out of high school and only one disruptive season (14 tackles for loss, nine sacks in 2022). Late bloomer who needed time to adjust to college strength-program demands. Could use 10 ³/₈-inch hands as a weapon with proper coaching.
68. DT Keeanu Benton, Wisconsin, 6-4, 309 pounds
High-effort four-year starter. Uses his hands and brute strength to shed blocks. Impressed scouts with his one-on-one reps at the Senior Bowl. Will be a plus run defender replaced in passing situations early in his career.
69. S Jartavius Martin, Illinois, 5-11, 194 pounds
“Quan” is a sub-package weapon who could play high safety, slot or outside corner on a disguised look. His 44-inch vertical leap is one of top 10 all-time at NFL Combine. Smart quarterbacks exploit his aggressiveness. Potential steal.
70. WR A.T. Perry, Wake Forest, 6-3, 198 pounds
Looks even taller because of his long-armed stretch ability. Vertical threat who creates headaches for defenses (26 touchdowns over the last two seasons) and for his own offense with drops (17 during that span, per Pro Football Focus).
71. EDGE Derick Hall, Auburn, 6-3, 254 pounds
Physical rusher who draws penalties (and gets flagged for them) because it always looks like a collision happening. Sixteen sacks over past two seasons, and played in 44 straight games to end his career.
72. RB Israel Abanikanda, Pitt, 5-10, 216 pounds
New York State Gatorade Player of the Year out of Abraham Lincoln High School. Led the nation (excluding kickers) with 128 points scored last season. Breakaway speed after making first tackler miss with sharp cuts. Struggles in pass protection.
73. WR Tank Dell, Houston, 5-8, 165 pounds
Unique slot receiver in that he has 23 red-zone touchdowns over the past two seasons, per CBSSports. Flip side: 21 drops in same span. Blows past tight coverage and separates laterally underneath. Yards-after-catch and punt-return threat.
74. OT Tyler Steen, Alabama, 6-6, 321 pounds
Former defensive lineman started three seasons at Vanderbilt before one-year transfer elevated his profile. No shaking free from his paws. Wants backs to follow his lead. Mistakes come from overextension and lunging, losing balance.
75. RB Tyjae Spears, Tulane, 5-10, 201 pounds
Tied Abanikanda for the national lead with 21 touchdowns in 2022, and averaged 6.8 yards per carry over four seasons. Sees whole field to set up his blocks. History of knee injuries is risky for a dynamic cutter.
76. WR Jayden Reed, Michigan State, 5-10, 187 pounds
Thirteen touchdowns (10 receiving, two punt returns and one rushing) in 2021 before disappointing, injury-plagued 2022. Creates separation with vertical speed and sharp-breaking routes. Looks to run before securing catch too often, leading to drops or fumbles.
77. CB Corey Trice Jr., Purdue, 6-3, 206 pounds
You won’t find many taller, lankier corners. Uses body to his advantage, especially to jam at the snap. Long-striding clean footwork to track deep balls or close on in-front routes. Moved from safety because run support was an issue.
78. DT Siaki Ika, Baylor, 6-3, 335 pounds
Linebackers are going to love playing behind Ika, a dirty-working nose tackle who frees them up for clean hits. Sneaky athleticism — as long as he manages his weight. Strikes first and then disengages. Not much pocket pressure.
79. EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu, USC, 6-3, 266 pounds
Led FBS with 13.5 sacks and was No. 2 with 22 tackles for loss last season. Could play in 3-4 or 4-3 front, but best as stand-up rusher. Inconsistent against the run. Won’t turn 21 years old until September.
80. WR Jonathan Mingo, Mississippi, 6-2, 220 pounds
Better feet than expected at his size. As good a blocker as expected at his size. A favorite of NFL receivers coaches, per Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy. Only one season with 400-plus receiving yards.
81. RB Devon Achane, Texas A&M, 5-8, 188 pounds
Even with more gadget roles for small backs nowadays, Achane pushes the threshold size-wise. Tantalizing speed (4.32-second 40-yard dash) and willingness to play bigger than his size balanced out by durability concerns. Could line up in the slot.
82. LB Henry To’oTo’o, Alabama, 6-1, 227 pounds
Good coverage linebacker on the weak side. Might not make dynamic plays, but won’t allow big plays by blowing an assignment, either. Played more physically in the box last season than earlier in his career. Coach on the field.
83. S Ji’Ayir Brown, Penn State, 5-11, 203 pounds
Versatile playmaker lined up in the box, deep middle and slot. Ten interceptions in two seasons as a starter, taking away tight ends. Quick to the ball against the run, but sometimes over-pursues and becomes susceptible to cutbacks.
84. TE Luke Schoonmaker, Michigan, 6-5, 251 pounds
Seized opportunity to move up an injury-plagued depth chart. Known for opening running lanes, but flashed ability as a receiver with a knack for finding holes in zones. Needs physicality to translate more to fighting off man coverage.
85. DT Zacch Pickens, South Carolina, 6-4, 291 pounds
Quick off the snap no matter which gap he lines up in. More of a speed rusher than a bull rusher. Won just about every program award voted on by teammates and coaches. Cleans up a mess at line of scrimmage.
86. LB Daiyan Henley, Washington State, 6-1, 225 pounds
Active box-score filler: 106 tackles, four sacks, three forced fumbles and an interception. Fearlessly crashes running lanes as a wrap-up tackler. Coverage ability is a question, but he’s still relatively new to the position (and to defense). Core special-teamer.
87. WR Marvin Mims, Oklahoma, 5-11, 183 pounds
Averaged 19.5 yards per catch in his career, inflated by seven 40-plus-yarders in 2022. Punt return experience, but muffed some catches. Relies on speed, not a tackle-breaker. Mostly played on the outside. Limited versatility.
88. CB Darius Rush, South Carolina, 6-2, 198 pounds
Slow three-year start to career, but turned it on in 2021-22. Senior Bowl standout fits a Cover 2 defense. Good at mirroring mid-level and deep routes (as expected of a former receiver). Late to spot on quick routes.
89. OG Chandler Zavala, North Carolina State, 6-3, 322 pounds
No FBS scholarship offers at first, so worked his way up from Fairmont State. Allowed zero sacks and eight pressures in 17 games at left guard for N.C. State, showing an ability to stifle stunts. Powerful zone-run blocker.
90. EDGE Zach Harrison, Ohio State, 6-5, 274 pounds
Length (36 ¼-inch arms) seen in forced fumbles (five) and passes defended (nine) over past two seasons. Two strip-sacks created touchdowns in 2021. Only 3.5 of 33 pressures in 2022 resulted in sacks. Oddity: Team captain in 2021, not 2022.
91. CB/S Riley Moss, Iowa, 6-1, 193 pounds
Eleven career interceptions, including four as 2021 Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year. Loads of special teams experience. Elite three-cone drill time (6.60 seconds) suggests short-area quickness for press coverage. Is he strong enough to be durable?
92. DT Gervon Dexter, Florida, 6-6, 310 pounds
Impressive physical specimen who could develop into a starter in a 3-4 front. Can corral a ball-carrier even when it seems he is blocked. Quarterbacks could have a hard time seeing the middle over him.
93. OT Blake Freeland, BYU, 6-8, 302 pounds
Multi-sport athlete background (basketball and shot put in track) translates into solid footwork and power on gridiron. Reportedly added 120 pounds over past six seasons. Zero sacks allowed in fourth season as starter. When he can’t smother, his technique suffers.
94. WR Rashee Rice, SMU, 6-0, 204 pounds
Wow: Led FBS with 18 catches of 20-plus air yards last season. Uh-oh: Nine drops (mainly a concentration issue) and three fumbles last season. High-points jump balls and makes the over-the-shoulder catch in stride. Willing run-blocker.
95. S Christopher Smith, Georgia, 5-11, 192 pounds
Finalist for Nagurski Award as nation’s top defender. Could slip through cracks due to scouts who are too committed to size. Receivers feel it when he lowers his shoulder. Breaks on the ball. Played his best in biggest games.
96. QB Jake Haener, Fresno State, 5-11, 207 pounds
Senior Bowl MVP plays with guts and doesn’t flinch after big hits despite being undersized. Rhythm passer throws with anticipation into tight windows, but can he fire it through adverse weather conditions?
97. C Luke Wypler, Ohio State, 6-3, 303 pounds
Recognized by teammates for his football IQ. High school offensive tackle who started all 26 games the past two seasons at center. Shines on combination blocks and when pulling around the edge. Could be victim of bull rushes.
98. EDGE Byron Young, Tennessee, 6-2, 250 pounds
Commitment to football seen in working his way back from commercial jobs to Georgia Military College to Tennessee. Already 25 years old. Twitchy, physical pass-usher, but can drop into disguised coverage. Limited against the run.
99. CB Garrett Williams, Syracuse, 5-10, 192 pounds
Three-year starter averaged about one pass defended per game (27 in 28). Recovering from torn ACL, so no pre-draft testing numbers to prove he has make-up speed if beat down sideline (important asset at his size). Plays the run.
100. LB Dorian Williams, Tulane, 6-1, 228 pounds
Dominant (302 tackles, 27 for loss, 9.5 sacks) as three-year starter against inferior schedule. Is he big enough to fight off blocks and show the same nose for the ball in NFL? Has coverage traits to play in big slot.
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