Projecting The #1 Overall Pick In The 2023 NFL Draft
With the 2022 NFL Draft just hours away, I figure it is never too early to start looking forward to next year’s draft. You can never be too prepared. This year, it’s still a crapshoot on who is going to go #1 overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars, next year we could see a number of players go first overall. In this post, I take a look at 5 possible players who could earn the distinction of becoming the first overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft.
#1: Bryce Young (QB, Alabama)
It seems like Alabama stud quarterback Bryce Young is already the preemptive favorite to go number one overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, and with good reason. He is the Heisman favorite this year after winning the award last season. Young has everything you could want in a quarterback: great accuracy, moves well in the pocket, instincts are off the charts, and can hit every throw you want. Young just feels like a guy you want in your locker room, as well.
#2: CJ Stroud (QB, Ohio State)
While Young seems like the favorite, my number two in the clubhouse is CJ Stroud from Ohio State. My #2 QB in next year’s quarterback class, Stroud also offers a lot of things to like at the next level. Throwing 46 TDs last season was eye-opening, and he will look to continue that success into next year. Losing guys like Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave will hurt, but Ohio State always recruits receivers well anymore, and they will find guys who will step up. Stroud has a nice arm, can fit the ball in tight windows, and has the mobility to him as well.
#3: Will Anderson (DE/OLB, Alabama)
Will Anderson is a monster. Last year for Alabama, the Sophomore finished the year with 101 tackles and 17.5 sacks which led all of NCAA last season. Anderson has everything you want in a defensive player: fantastic instincts, plays fast and always downhill, the motor is always running hot, and just always seems to have a nose for the football. He had more TFL and sacks than this year’s projected top pick Aiden Hutchinson, and if you outproduce a guy like him, you deserve your own shot at going number one.
#4: Bryan Bresee (DT, Clemson)
There is not a lot of tape on Bryan Bresee from last season, as he suffered a torn ACL and missed most of the season. The former #1 prospect in the 2020 class has tons of upside and is an athletic freak of nature. Great size (6’5, 302 lbs) and he uses his frame incredibly well. His first step is out of this world. He reminds me of a guy like Ndamukong Suh (minus the stomping) and upside as a pass-rusher as well. His run defense is already great, and not if but when he learns the techniques to get after the quarterback, he will be a menace against offensive linemen for years to come.
#5: Paris Johnson (OT/G, Ohio State)
Gone are the days of taking offensive linemen first overall, some might say. I say not, with the exception being Paris Johnson. Plus, we need a little parity between just QBs and D-linemen going number one overall. Johnson has a case to climb up to the first pick of the 2023 NFL Draft. Johnson excels playing LT and inside at G which is proving to be a valuable commodity these days at the next level. He has experience playing against big-time talent, great punch, his feet are solid for a guy his size, and he will only be under more of a spotlight blocking for a perennial number one pick in Stroud. I expect big things from Johnson this year.
Honorable Mentions: DJ Uiagalelei (QB, Clemson), B.J. Ojulari (DE/OLB, LSU), Kelee Ringo (CB, Georgia)
My sleeper pick of all these guys? Anthony Richardson (QB, Florida).
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