Pretty much anyone who is anyone in the NFL will begin gathering in Indianapolis tomorrow for the annual scouting combine which will run through March 5th. And THE big question at the combine this year is just how big is Alabama QB Bryce Young. Young appears to have emerged as the #1 QB prospect in this year’s draft; however, there are real questions about his size as he reportedly played at around 185 pounds this past season and NFL teams would really like for him to weigh at least in the 200 pound range to really cement that top grade. In fact, the buzz around the league is that it is very possible that QBs could go 1-2-3 in April’s opening round with both Chicago and Arizona, which have the 1st and 3rd picks respectively, very likely to trade down with a team looking for a QB.
Of course, Houston which currently sits on the 2nd pick, has long been expected to target a QB with that pick. And that was pretty much confirmed with reports this week that the Texans’ front office was telling candidates in interviews for their head coaching job that they plan on using the #2 pick on a QB. The only question remaining it appears is whether the Texans stay at #2 or trade up with the Bears to the top pick.
Meanwhile, the story that just won’t go away is that teams around the NFL still really like Florida QB Anthony Richardson, who is currently considered to be the #4 QB on most team’s board behind Young, C.J. Stroud of Ohio State and Kentucky’s Will Levis. Teams are aware of the warts in Richardson’s game – he’s never been all that accurate a passer and has had issues with pocket presence – but the feeling around the league is that he has the highest ceiling of any of the QBs available for the 2023 draft based on his unique combination of size, arm strength and athleticism and no one in the league will be surprised if he ultimately goes in the top ten.
At the same time, other players whose draft stock appears to be on the rise include Illinois CB Devon Weatherspoon, Georgia Tech DE Keion White, Utah TE Dalton Kincaid and North Dakota State G/T Cody Mauch. In fact, we have mentioned those guys in previous reports. A couple of names to add to that list heading into the combine are Alabama S Brian Branch, who brings CB speed and athleticism to the position, and Tennessee OT Darnell Wright.
There also appears to be an emerging consensus around the league that Georgia DT Jalen Carter is the top prospect in this year’s draft. That’s even ahead of Alabama DE Will Anderson, who has been considered the #1 prospect through much of the process. Its nothing against Anderson, although he is somewhat undersized for a hand-in-the-ground DE in the NFL. Its more that teams are seeing some really special athletic ability in Carter, who’s motor doesn’t always run full-out, but when he’s on his game he dominates.
And just in case anyone is counting, its now been almost 5 full days since Aaron Rodgers emerged from his Hobbitt-retreat, presumably having decided on his future. However, to date, there has been nary a peep from Rodgers, or anyone else for that matter, on what that decision will ultimately be; does he want to stay with the Packers, play elsewhere in 2023 or simply retire. And that has teams likely looking to sign a veteran QB including the Jets, Las Vegas, and New Orleans and maybe also Washington, Tennessee, and New England among others cooling their heels. Of course, it also has the other veteran free agents passers like Derek Carr and Jimmy Garoppolo in limbo waiting for the Rodgers shoe to fall.
One of the top story lines of the past couple of off-seasons has been the number of big-time receivers changing teams for big-time contracts. And that may continue to be a story line this year as there have been reports that a number of top receivers could ultimately be shopped or outright released this winter including DeAngelo Hopkins of Arizona, Buffalo’s Stephon Diggs, Mike Thomas of New Orleans, Tee Higgins of Cincinnati, Minnesota’s Adam Thielen, Mike Evans of Tampa Bay, D.J. Moore of Carolina and maybe Las Vegas’ Davante Adams for a second straight year. Meanwhile, the salary cap strapped LA Rams have confirmed that star CB Jalen Ramsey is available. At the same time, with the start of the new football year just over a couple of weeks away, teams have already started the painful process of getting under the salary. The one such transaction with implications for the upcoming draft could be Tennessee’s release of long-time starting LT Taylor Lewan; indeed, with no heir apparent on the roster, the Titans could very well look at one of this year’s top OTs such as Northwestern’s Peter Skoronski or Paris Johnson of Ohio State.
