2023 NFL Draft: A Mock Guide
Introduction
The NFL Draft is one of the most exciting times of the year for football fans. It is a time when hope springs eternal for all 32 teams, as they look to add the missing piece or pieces to their puzzle that will help lead them to a Lombardi Trophy. For some teams, the draft is about adding talent to a roster that is already loaded with Pro Bowlers and Super Bowl aspirations.
For other teams, it is about finding that one player who can be a franchise cornerstone and help turn around a struggling franchise. No matter what a team’s draft strategy is, there is no denying that the NFL Draft is one of the most important events on the offseason calendar. This mock guide will take a look at some of the top prospects in this year’s draft, as well as some sleeper prospects that could make an impact at the next level. We will also take a look at some of the teams that could be active on draft day, as they look to improve their rosters.
Overview of the NFL Draft
The NFL Draft is an annual event in which the 32 teams in the National Football League (NFL) select players from colleges across the United States. The draft order is determined by each team’s record during the previous season, with the worst team picking first and the best team picking last. The draft consists of seven rounds, with each team having one pick in each round. In recent years, there has been an increasing trend of players declaring early for the draft, foregoing their remaining eligibility in college football. These players are known as “underclassmen”. The draft is typically held in late April or early May. This year’s draft will be held from April 29-May 1.
Top Prospects in the NFL Draft
The NFL draft is always full of surprises, but there are always a few prospects who stand out above the rest. These are the top prospects in the upcoming NFL draft. 1. QB Trevor Lawrence, Clemson The consensus number one overall pick, Trevor Lawrence is the most polished quarterback prospect to come out of college in recent memory. He has all the tools to be a successful NFL quarterback and should be the first pick in the draft. 2.
QB Justin Fields, Ohio State Justin Fields is another quarterback with a lot of potential. He has good size and arm strength and is a dual threat quarterback who can make plays with his feet. He needs to work on his decision making, but he has the potential to be a very good NFL quarterback. 3. RB Najee Harris, Alabama Najee Harris is a big, physical running back who can run between the tackles and catch the ball out of the backfield. He’s not the fastest running back in the draft, but he has good vision and can make people miss in the open field. Harris should be a first round pick in the NFL draft. 4.
WR Ja’Marr Chase, LSU Ja’Marr Chase was arguably the best receiver in college football last season. He has good size and speed and is a great route runner with good hands. He should be a first round pick in the NFL draft and will be an immediate impact player for whichever team drafts him. 5. DE Micah Parsons, Penn State Micah Parsons is an athletic edge rusher with a lot of upside. He’s still raw and needs to develop his technique, but he has all the tools to be a very good edge rusher
Sleeper Prospects in the NFL Draft
In every NFL Draft, there are always a few prospects that fly under the radar and end up being steals for the teams that draft them. These are the so-called “sleeper” prospects. In the 2023 NFL Draft, there are a few sleeper prospects that teams should keep an eye on. One sleeper prospect is wide receiver DaeSean Hamilton from Penn State. Hamilton is a big receiver at 6’1″, 206 pounds and has good speed, running a 4.47 40-yard dash. He also has good hands, catching 62 passes for 857 yards and nine touchdowns last season.
Hamilton could be a good value pick in the later rounds of the draft. Another sleeper prospect is defensive end Jalyn Holmes from Ohio State. Holmes is 6’5″, 283 pounds and is a good athlete, running a 4.78 40-yard dash. He had 5.5 sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss last season. Holmes could be a good value pick in the middle rounds of the draft. Finally, another sleeper prospect is quarterback Kyle Lauletta from Richmond. Lauletta is 6’3″, 222 pounds and ran a 4.81 40-yard dash at his pro day. He completed 64 percent of his passes for 3,737 yards with 28 touchdowns and 12 interceptions last season. Lauletta could be a good value pick in the later rounds of the draft as a backup quarterback or potential starter down the road.
Teams to Watch in the NFL Draft
The NFL Draft is an exciting time for fans of all 32 teams. Each team has a chance to improve their roster and add young talent that can help them compete for a championship. There are a few teams that will be especially interesting to watch in the draft. The first team to watch is the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Buccaneers have a number of needs on their roster, but they also have some key players that are nearing the end of their careers.
They will need to decide if they want to rebuild or try to win another championship with their current core group of players. Another team to watch is the Green Bay Packers. The Packers are coming off a disappointing season and they have a number of needs on their roster. They will be looking to add young talent that can help them get back to the playoffs. The last team to watch is the New England Patriots. The Patriots have been one of the most successful teams in recent years, but they are getting older and they have some holes on their roster. They will be looking to add young talent that can help them maintain their success for years to come.
Conclusion
The NFL Draft is one of the most exciting times of the year for football fans. It is a time when hope springs eternal and every team has a chance to improve their roster. The draft is also a time when unknown players can become household names.
The past few drafts have been very exciting and the 2021 NFL Draft should be no different. There are a number of talented prospects that will be available and there are sure to be some surprises on draft night. I hope you enjoyed this mock guide to the NFL Draft. I wish you all the best in your quest to find the next great NFL player.
