2023 NFL Draft Rankings: Offense (FULL)
Josh Frey
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The college football season is rapidly approaching its conclusion, and over the course of the past few weeks, PurplePTSD has been compiling 2023 NFL Draft rankings for each position on the offensive side of the ball. Now that we’ve officially reached the end of those rankings, we have put each of the rankings all in one place for you to easily find them. Happy reading!
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Quarterbacks
1. Bryce Young (Alabama)
Bryce Young has the charisma around him of being a winner, and that certainly helps his draft stock. However, his skillset is certainly the most NFL ready in 2023. He’s a smaller player at 6’0 and under 200 pounds, but guys like Russell Wilson and Kyler Murray seem to have broken the stigma that used to surround smaller QBs.
The production in 2022 may have taken a step back from his Heisman season of 2021, and part of that is due to the shoulder injury he suffered early in the year. That being said, putting up over 3000 yards and 27 TDs through the air in 11 games is still incredible numbers, The fact that this is a “down year” for Young goes to show why he should be the favorite to be QB1 next April.
2. C.J. Stroud (Ohio State)
In 2003, and maybe even in 2013, CJ Stroud would be the top QB prospect in this draft. However, this is the day and age of the mobile QB, and Stroud simply isn’t that. He can have all the accuracy and arm strength in the world, but if he can’t find ways to move inside and outside the pocket to avoid the ever-growing athleticism of today’s pass rushers, his value is limited.
Now, this doesn’t mean Stroud won’t be a successful QB in the NFL. He’ll likely be drafted in the top five because of his combination of accuracy, arm strength, and size. He’s the prototypical pocket passer that has impeccable touch on his passes.
Either way, he’ll be long off the board by the time the Vikings are picking unless something drastic happens. Fans in Minnesota shouldn’t hold out too much hope for either of the top two suiting up in purple any time soon.
3. Hendon Hooker (Tennessee)
An ACL tear likely drops Hendon Hooker to the lower end of the first round, or perhaps even into the second or third rounds of April’s Draft. However, the way he’s shown out this year for Tennessee in his second season with the program is outstanding.
Over the two years with the Volunteers, he’s put up 6080 yards passing, 58 TDs, and just 5 INTs. That’s absurd production in just 24 games, especially against SEC opponents.
Of course, Hooker’s final collegiate season ended on a sour note with the injury and loss to South Carolina, but overall, the body of work speaks for itself. Hooker is an accurate thrower, and he is always a threat to take off and run as well. He may be best suited to sit out his rookie year and make sure his knee fully heals, but he’ll find success in the NFL.
4. Anthony Richardson (Florida)
The Florida Gators QB and his draft stock may be the most hot-button topic in the NFL Draft world right now. Is he worthy of a first-round pick now? Should he go back to school for another year to develop? Would Will Levis be a better NFL fit right now?
The physical traits are all there, which gives me hope for his potential as an NFL QB. The arm strength is there as well as size and speed that will make him a burden for defenses as a scrambler.
However, the accuracy as a passer is a constant concern right now. He doesn’t complete throws at a regular rate, and while his receivers haven’t helped him, Richardson needs to improve this accuracy once he gets to the NFL level.
Because of this need to develop, I’d hesitate to take him in the first-round, especially for a team that needs a QB to step in as the immediate starter. However, if he’s given time to sit behind a starter for a year or even two, the traits are there to become a starter. If the Vikings take a chance on a QB this spring, it should be either Richardson or Hendon Hooker.
5. Michael Penix Jr. (Washington)
When Washington has needed a big performance from their senior QB this year, Michael Penix Jr. has always delivered. He put up over 400 yards and a pair of touchdowns against Oregon when they were ranked #6 in the country.
The transfer from Indiana has lit up box scores for the Huskies all season long, and he helped Washington reach the AP Top 10 for the first time since 2018 after the Huskies went 4-8 in 2021. Penix’s arm strength is adequate for an NFL prospect, and he brings terrific mobility like most of the QBs in this class.
That said, it remains to be seen exactly how translatable this success is to the NFL, especially as a passer. Washington has a terrific o-line which gives him plenty of time to throw on just about every snap. They also have the advantage of playing in the PAC-12 with a spread-out offense, and that style of play isn’t necessarily conducive to how offenses work in the NFL.
Running Backs
1. Bijan Robinson (Texas)
Simply put, Bijan Robinson is the most NFL ready running back since Jonathan Taylor. Given the decreasing value put on the position by NFL teams over recent years, we may not see Robinson go in the top 10 picks, but he is undoubtedly a first-round pick when April rolls around.
The Texas RB is a weapon regardless of where he lines up on the field. He can be a typical runner between the tackles, but the Longhorns have also used him in a receiving role where he’s found success as well. As a 6-foot, 215-pound RB his agility and size will translate to the NFL level very well.
2. Jahmyr Gibbs (Alabama)
After a couple of seasons at Georgia Tech, RB Jahmyr Gibbs transferred to Alabama in order to prove himself against the best defenses in college football. The junior has done just that, rushing for 850 yards and 7 TDs in 11 games for the Crimson Tide.
Gibbs also brings a tantalizing combination of skills as both a runner and receiver. He’s explosive and finds ways to maneuver around defenders with ease. In a normal year, he’d be a very strong choice for RB1, but his smaller frame and lack of pass blocking ability puts him below Robinson.
3. Mohamed Ibrahim (Minnesota)
Mo Ibrahim has been a dominant runner in the Big 10 ever since he got to Minnesota. He’s rushed for over 4500 yards over his five seasons with the Gophers despite missing almost all of the 2021 season due to injury.
The biggest question mark surrounding Ibrahim was whether he’d be able to bounce back to his old self from his torn Achilles. He did that and more this season, and through 11 games, he’s put together career highs in carries (304), rushing yards (1597), and rushing touchdowns (19).
Ibrahim is much more of your prototypical back power running back. He has a sturdy frame and the ability to bounce off tacklers to create yards after contact. The one knock on him, similar to Jonathan Taylor when he was entering the NFL Draft, is the fact that he has shown virtually nothing as a receiver. Throughout his collegiate career, Ibrahim has recorded just 22 receptions.
4. Blake Corum (Michigan)
The Michigan Wolverine may be one of the shorter running backs in the country at 5’8, but he packs a punch in Michigan’s offense. Blake Corum has been one of the biggest reasons why Michigan is on track to get into the College Football Playoff once again.
Corum is a very instinctive runner and is capable of making quick decisions when he sees an opening. The thing that pops out most about Corum is his agility and ability to move laterally as he weaves through defenses. Then, once he decides on a hole, he bursts through with incredible speed.
However, his small stature gets the better of him when it comes to blocking as well as breaking through tackles. This could force him to fall into the middle rounds of the draft, but he certainly has the skills to be an NFL back.
5. Zach Charbonnet (UCLA)
Zach Charbonnet might be the most physically overpowering rusher in the 2023 Draft class. At 6’1 and 220 pounds, the UCLA power back has been running through PAC-12 defenses all season long to the tune of 1359 yards and 14 touchdowns at 7.0 yards per carry.
The numbers are gaudy, and the physique is exactly what you want from an NFL running back. However, Charbonnet needs to get better at evading defenders rather than trying to run through them.
Derrick Henry has gotten away with plowing through defenses throughout his NFL career, but he has 30 pounds on the UCLA product. Charbonnet quickly loses momentum when he’s met by defenses at the line of scrimmage, and it could be a problem at the NFL level.
Regardless, he should be reliable ball carrier at the next level. Seeing as the Vikings will likely lose Alexander Mattison this offseason, this could be a player to keep an eye on as his replacement.
Wide Receivers
1. Quentin Johnston (TCU)
There’s at least a decent chance that there won’t be a single wide receiver taken inside the top 10 for the first time since 2020, but whenever that first receiver goes off the board, I expect it to be Quentin Johnston.
Johnston has had some inconsistent play at TCU throughout his career, but at 6’4, he has the size to be a dominant receiver at the NFL level. Combine that with vice-grip hands and some serious explosiveness, and you have the makings for a potential star at the NFL level.
2. Jordan Addison (USC)
Jordan Addison is one of the best route runners in college football, and he can play well anywhere whether it be outside or in the slot. After a couple years at Pitt, he transferred to USC this year to play with Caleb Williams and Lincoln Riley, and while his stats aren’t as ridiculous as they used to be, he’s showcased a variety of skills at wide receiver.
If he were being drafted a couple years ago, people may have scoffed at his size, but we’ve already seen Devonta Smith overcome those question marks. At 6’0 and 175 pounds, he won’t be overpowering defensive backs with his size, but consistent hands and elusive speed make him difficult to cover nonetheless.
3. Josh Downs (UNC)
If anyone has doubts about Kayshon Boutte, then Josh Downs is certainly a viable option to take the third spot on this list. The North Carolina receiver is once again a smaller player that won’t dominate with physicality, but his breakaway speed and explosiveness into his routes make him a handful.
He lulls defenders to sleep and then blows past them with a ridiculous burst of speed. Downs likely won’t be a first-round pick because of the lack of size, but he can be a big play machine at the next level.
4. Rashee Rice (SMU)
If production is important to you, Rashee Rice is the guy to pay attention to. The SMU receiver has produced the most receiving yards in the country with 1355, and he’s paired it with 10 touchdowns. He’s done this in an AAC conference that has produced a number of competitive teams as well.
Even more impressive, Rice has put up numbers with defenses knowing that he’s going to be the guy carrying the offense week in and week out. He has accounted for over a third of QB Tyler Mordecai’s completions and passing yards this year.
This production has come from a combination of size and speed that will undoubtedly be productive at the NFL level. Rice is 6’2 and 200 pounds, but he still has the speed that could translate to a 4.4 40-yard dash at the NFL combine.
5. Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Ohio State)
Jaxon Smith-Njigba is not one of the bigger wide receivers in this class, standing at just 6 feet tall. That being said, he’s an extremely crisp route runner, and he has the ability to shake defenders out of their cleats.
None of Smith-Njigba’s traits will necessarily “wow” anybody. He’s not the biggest, the fastest, nor the most technically sound. That said, he’s certainly above average in all the necessary traits to become an NFL receiver.
Tight Ends
1. Michael Mayer (Notre Dame)
Michael Mayer isn’t the other-worldly athlete that Kyle Pitts was coming out of college, but he brings the whole package at the tight end position. Throughout his collegiate career at Notre Dame, he’s carved out a major role in their offense over the past three years.
At 6’4, he can make catches above the rim on a consistent basis, making him difficult to cover in the middle of the field, and most importantly, in the red zone. Additionally, he can lay some impressive blocks on defenders in the running game, though he could use some improvements in that area. If a tight end will get picked in the first round, it will be Mayer.
2. Darnell Washington (Georgia)
Simply put, Darnell Washington is massive, even by tight end standards. The Georgia Bulldog is 6’7 and 267 pounds, making him closer to an EDGE in size rather than a tight end. Combine that with enough athleticism to hurdle tacklers, and you get a great prospect.
Washington won’t blow you away with speed, but he brings capable hands as a receiver. On top of that, his size gives him the ability to block like a legitimate offensive lineman. He hasn’t put up massive numbers over his career, but his fingerprints have been all over the Georgia offense during their run of success.
3. Dalton Kincaid (Utah)
Dalton Kincaid is a bit on the smaller side for NFL tight ends, but he brings terrific athleticism to the table and soft hands as a receiver. In each of the last two seasons for Utah, he’s caught 8 TD passes and displays some sharp ability as a route runner.
The biggest thing that Kincaid must improve upon is his strength, though. He doesn’t provide much in terms of blocking, and he won’t wow anyone with his ability to run through tacklers. Either way, expect him to be a Day Two or early Day Three selection for his receiving upside.
4. Cameron Latu (Alabama)
Coming out of high school, Cameron Latu actually was a successful high school pass rusher, but he quickly transitioned to the tight end position given the Crimson Tide depth at EDGE.
Success quickly found Latu at his new position, and now, he enters the 2023 NFL Draft as one of the top dogs at the tight end spot. Latu’s best trait is his explosive speed into his route. This combination of explosivity and size makes him a difficult cover for anyone on defense.
Similar to Kincaid, though, he could benefit from adding strength to his frame. He doesn’t offer much as a blocker right now, but that could change with dedication to building a few extra pounds of muscle.
5. Luke Schoonmaker (Michigan)
Luke Schoonmaker isn’t the most consistent blocker right now, but he certainly gives solid effort in that area of his game. With some further development, he could become a major asset in the running game.
Similarly, among the final three players in this top-five, Schoonmaker offers the least amount of immediate upside as a receiver. He’s not the most explosive player, and because of that, it takes some time for his routes to develop. However, he has sure hands, so when the ball goes his way, it will likely find its way into his grasp.
Offensive Tackles
1. Peter Skoronski (Northwestern)
The argument can be made that Peter Skoronski has a smaller frame and shorter arms than you would like from an NFL left tackle. That being said, the same argument was made against his former teammate, Rashawn Slater.
Despite his small stature, #77 is larger than life on the football field. It’s hard not to notice him blowing up pass rushers coming off the edge. Skoronski does a terrific job of using an explosive first step to meet defenders, and once engaged, his hands and feet are very active. Expect him to be off the board in the first 10 picks.
2. Paris Johnson (Ohio State)
Paris Johnson immediately stands out for his NFL-ready size. The Ohio State offensive lineman stands at 6’6 and 315 pounds, a true behemoth of a man. This size combined with terrific length allows him to dominate opponents with leverage. On top of that, don’t be surprised if he dominates the athleticism tests at the combine this spring.
Johnson brings the entire package as an offensive lineman in terms of physical skills. However, you can have all the physical gifts in the world, but without solid technique, it’s going to cause problems. A Ferrari without keys is just a hunk of metal taking up space in the garage.
Now, to be clear, Johnson isn’t just a “hunk of metal”. He has flashed the ability to use his powerful hands to throw opponents off-route, but he needs to do it consistently in order to overtake Skoronski for the top spot in this class.
3. Broderick Jones (Georgia)
Similar to Skoronski, Broderick Jones won’t wow anyone with size. His 6’4 frame may be considered problematic by some NFL teams this spring. However, it helps that he has vice grips for hands. Once he gets his mitts on a defender, there is a very small chance that they are going to find a way loose. Jones is extremely athletic and strong, making him an obvious fit in the NFL because of that.
That being said, like Paris Johnson at Ohio State, the young offensive tackle must improve his technique. This is unsurprising seeing as coming into the 2022 season, he had just four starts to his name. His blocks oftentimes end up too high, cutting off his ability to create leverage. There’s certainly a chance that a team takes a chance on him early in the draft because of his upside.
4. Jaelyn Duncan (Maryland)
If nothing else, Jaelyn Duncan looks the part for an NFL tackle. It may be strange to see a potential first round prospect coming out of Maryland, but the Terrapins’ left tackle is the real deal. Duncan is light on his feet, moving side-to-side with ease as he engages defenders. He absorbs pass rush like a pro, and his awareness in both run blocking and pass protection is elite.
The problem with Duncan, though, remains his length. For someone that stands at 6’6, you’d expect that not to be a problem, but his arms simply are not very long. Because of this, he can find himself with some trouble against the faster EDGE rushers as they get around him, and his grip is not as strong as that of Jones above him.
5. Cody Mauch (North Dakota State)
If you’ve never heard of Cody Mauch prior to today, I can’t blame you. That being said, it’s time to learn about the redshirt senior left tackle for the North Dakota State Bison. It seems like a yearly occurrence where a player from NDSU bursts onto the NFL Draft scene (Trey Lance 2021 Draft, Christian Watson 2022 Draft).
This year, I believe that Bison player will be Mauch. The FCS product has all the makings for an NFL tackle: size, strength, athleticism, and a fierce competitive fire. However, Mauch can work on improving his technique, and level of competition will always be a topic of conversation surrounding FCS players. He’ll be an interesting prospect to watch as the draft gets closer.
Interior Offensive Linemen
1. Andrew Vorhees (USC)
The most intriguing part of Andrew Vorhees’ game is his versatility. He has experience at both tackle or guard, and he thrived at both spots for USC. He brings a ton of power regardless of where he plays, but especially at guard, he’s a true bull in terms of his ability to push defenders off the line of scrimmage.
If there’s anything that immediately pops up as a negative for Vorhees, it’s simply his consistency. He has a few reps that end up being uglier than his overall talent would suggest. Even still, his skills as a guard and the versatility to play pretty much anywhere on the offensive line lands him at the top of the list.
2. John Michael Schmitz (Minnesota)
There’s an argument to be made that John Michael Schmitz could have been drafted in the mid-to-late rounds of the 2022 NFL Draft had he declared, but the excitement around Daniel Faalele at tackle and other interior o-line prospects likely left the Gophers center overlooked and pushed him down draft boards.
The bet to return to school in 2022 paid off as he’s now the top center prospect in the class. Granted, he’s probably not the latest version of Tyler Linderbaum, who has immediately come into the NFL as a dominant anchor in the middle of the Ravens offensive line, but Schmitz still has the potential to be a quality starter in this league.
3. Cooper Beebe (Kansas State)
Gophers fans might remember Cooper’s older brother Colton Beebe from his time at Minnesota, but Cooper has found much more success as an offensive lineman at Kansas State. Like Vorhees, Beebe has experience at both tackle and guard, and he’s been one of the most reliable offensive linemen in all of college football throughout his career.
Beebe is a smooth lateral mover, allowing him to reset his blocking position with ease. In the running game, he is a bulldozer plowing through an opposing defensive front. Beebe is one of the more consistent guys in this class on the offensive line, and that could land him at a high draft pick.
4. O’Cyrus Torrence (Florida)
You won’t find a bigger presence on the offensive line than O’Cyrus Torrence. The Florida Gator and consensus All-American stands at 6’5 and approaches 350 pounds. Torrence also brings outstanding length to the table. Whether defenders want to or not, they’re going to run into Torrence when they try to penetrate the interior of his offensive line.
However, occasionally this size becomes a disadvantage for Torrence. He can get too high on his blocks, throwing off his leverage at times. Overall, he has all the looks of an NFL guard. If he can clean up a few of thing technical things, there’s a chance he becomes one of the best in the league.
5. Emil Ekiyor Jr. (Alabama)
Unlike the guys prior to him on this list, Emil Ekiyor Jr. is not the biggest guy on the offensive line. He is only 6’2, making him one of the shortest players on the o-line in this draft class. That said, Ekiyor is extremely dense, and at 320 pounds, that might be more important than height.
Defenders can’t go over Ekiyor; they have to go through him. His strength and terrific grip neutralize defenders’ attacking ability, and his technique is some of the purest in this class. He may have a lower potential than others because of his smaller stature, but he should still be a solid offensive lineman.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing. He also earned minors in History, Human Biology, and Journalism. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys marathon training, playing video games, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. For more of his opinions, check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.