Table of Contents

    The 2023 offensive class is loaded with weapons. Here’s who rose in Indy.

    QUARTERBACK

    C.J. Stroud OSU 6’3” 214 lbs.

    The 3rd ranked QB heading into Indy put on a show worthy of the #1 overall pick in 2023. Stroud’s throwing motion is easy and natural. He has the same motion on the whip as he does on the long out and his footwork is exceptional. This is the most NFL-ready QB in the draft. I think he deservedly goes #1 overall.

    Anthony Richardson FLA 6’4” 244 lbs.

    Ranked 4th coming in, Richardson wowed in every phase, easily placing first among QBs in the 40, vertical and broad jump. Richardson’s arm was live and easy in passing drills, showing he could throw with both accuracy and depth. Don’t be surprised if a QB-needy team falls in love and trades up to take him in the top 5. 

    Will Levis KTY 6’4” 229 lbs.

    The #5 ranked QB from Kentucky lived up to the hype in terms of arm talent. When Levis threw the ball, you could hear it. He has the ability to make any throw in the league but he also showed the mechanical inconsistency that has plagued him. Bad habits aside, the dude has a big arm. I like Levis to the Raiders at #7.

    WIDE RECEIVER

    Zay Flowers BOS 5’9” 182 lbs.

    Ranked just the #7 WR coming in, Flowers looked better overall than both Jordan Addison and Jalin Hyatt who were ranked above him. The easy comparison here is Tyler Lockett of SEA. Flowers’ smooth, balanced performance in Indy cemented him as a Day 1 guy for a team looking for an answer in the Slot.

    Andrei Iosivas PRI 6’3” 205 lbs.

    Entering the combine the #20 ranked WR, Iosivas showcased his world-class athleticism in Indy, finishing with a 4.43 40 and tied for 5th in the vertical. While a top-notch runner and leaper, the Princeton man needs to work on his route running and hands, and learn to run after the catch with physicality. He’s a mid to late-rounder as is.

    Bryce Ford-Wheaton WVU 6’4” 221 lbs.

    Ranked #22 heading in, BFW raised eyebrows with a 4.38 40 (tied #4) and a 41” vertical (tied #1). The big red zone target has legit ups but he needs to work on his route running and learn to use his size to create separation from defenders that crowd the catch radius. I like BFW to go late 3rd, or early 4th round.

    TIGHT END

    Darnell Washington GEO, 6’6” 264 lbs. 

    Ranked #2 coming in, the big man from Georgia ran the 40 in 4.64 seconds. Washington is not a great leaper with a 31” vertical but that’s more than offset by good hands and strength as an edge blocker. An NFL-ready TE that can block the DE and give safeties nightmares, this is a round one guy; book it.

    AP Photo/Darron Cummings

    Sam LaPorta IOW, 6’3” 245 lbs.

    The 5th ranked TE to start the combine ran a 4.59 40 while recording a decent 35” vertical. Laporta also stood out in on-field receiving drills, showing the same high-effort approach and strong footwork on routes that he did at Iowa. Laporta will hear his name called on Day 1 or 2 of the draft.

    Zack Kuntz DOM, 6’7” 255 lbs.

    Ranked 7th entering the combine, small schooler Kuntz put on an athletic show in testing. The massive TE ran a 4.55 40 while leaping an impressive 40 inches in the vertical and showing quickness in the 3-cone drill. As raw as they come, Kuntz will need to do a lot to justify the Day 3 pick someone will use on him in April.

    O-LINE

    Broderick Jones GEO, 6’5” 311 lbs.

    Ranked in a 3-way heat to be the first OL off the board, Jones came through big time in Indy, turning in an ideal 1.75 10-second split in the 40. He doesn’t have much of a vertical but that doesn’t matter. The incredibly wide base and control Jones plays with sets him apart from every other OL in this draft. He deserves to go Top 5.

    Blake Freeland BYU, 6’8” 302 lbs.

    Ranked just the #7 OT coming in. Freeland’s athleticism was on full display in Indy. He clocked the fastest 10-second split of the day (1.68), took first in the vertical (40”), and 4th in the 3-cone drill, a test of agility. Freeland pops up too fast from his stance and lets guys under his pads, but he can move. He assured himself a Day 2 call.

    Steve Avila TCU, 6’4” 332 lbs.

    Working out as a Guard, the Horned Frog ran a so-so 1.86 split but looked very good in on-field drills, demonstrating his ability to play up and down the line and turn the edge on pulls to the next level. It’s the on-field work and his versatility that will get Avila’s name called on Day 2 or early Day 3.

    Running Back

    Bijan Robinson TEX, 5’11 215 lbs.

    Ranked the #1 overall RB coming into the combine, Robinson did not disappoint. His 40 was just average at 4.46 but Robinson looked fast and fluid in the on-field drills, coming across as the best full-stack RB out there by a margin. He needs to work on pass pro and his one-cuts, but this is clearly RB1 in 2023.

    Devon Achane A&M, 5’9” 188 lbs.

    Entering the combine ranked #6, Achane lived up to the hype with a blistering 4.32 40 and demonstrated nimble footwork in field drills. A surprisingly tough inside runner, Achane is also very difficult to cover out of the backfield. Size is the only knock on the Texas A&M man, and I don’t buy it. Day 2 guy for sure.

    Keaton Mitchell ECU, 5’8” 179 lbs.

    Ranked just 17th entering the day, the East Carolina product put down a 4.37 40 and a 10’6” broad jump — both top 3 in the group. Mitchell is supremely quick, with instant acceleration, but he is not an interior runner. It will take a creative OC to utilize this kid as more than a gadget. I think they’ll find each other in round 3 or 4.

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