Currently, some names in the 2023 draft class are pretty obvious, know about the top 2022 NFL prospects
After successful seasons last year, stars like Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud are already big shots. Nonetheless, a lot can happen, and NFL draft status changes throughout the college football season. Every year, new names emerge and quickly become top prospects. So, who could get 2023 NFL draft attention this season?
Top Prospects Players In 2022 List That Will Make It Next Year In The NFL 2023 Season
Kelee Ringo
Over the last two seasons, the Bulldogs have produced three top defensive backs in Tyson Campbell, Eric Stokes, and Lewis Cine. Ringo has all of the necessary tools to outperform them. He looks the part, has exceptional coverage, and is only scraping the surface of his potential. Ringo shut down everybody he encountered last season and should be able to do so again in 2023. Ringo winning The Jim Thorpe Award and becoming one of the most sought-after cornerbacks in recent memory would not be surprising.
Will Anderson Jr
It’s too early to guarantee that Alabama’s Will Anderson will be the first non-quarterback off the board next spring. However, edge-rushers tend to go early, and Anderson is shaping to be great.
The 6’4″, 243-pound sack artist had a phenomenal campaign with the Crimson Tide in 2021. He finished with 101 total tackles, 17.5 sacks, 33.5 tackles for loss, and three passes defended. Anderson is a complete player who can disrupt the opposition’s running and passing plans.
With another strong season, Anderson’s value could rocket past those of the top quarterbacks and force even a quarterback-needy team to target him at No. 1—similar to Myles Garrett in the 2017 draft. Some executives already believe that Anderson is the top guy.
Sauce Gardner
Gardner is a tall cornerback with exceptional mobility and tenacity. In press coverage, he successfully re-routes wideouts because of his height. He moves very well for such a big cornerback (6-foot-3, 190 pounds). He may open his hips entirely to mirror and match beneath. He seldom gets out of position, but when he does, he recovers quickly.
He is fluid, blasts out of his plant, and drives off coverage. He possesses natural ball abilities; he can find and play the ball. His general awareness is outstanding. He’s a willing run defender and middle linebacker. Although he occasionally misses a tackle, his aggression and desire are apparent.
C.J. Stroud, QB
There will undoubtedly be a lot of discussion about whether Young or Stroud is the better quarterback moving into the 2023 draft. Recency bias might propel Stroud ahead of Young in the upcoming year. Young has already won the Heisman Trophy and had an outstanding collegiate season. He is no longer the new kid on the block. With top receiving threat Jaxon Smith-Njigba and three offensive line starters coming back, Stroud should be able to improve on his 2021 stats.
Young’s prospects of bagging another Heisman are slim—Archie Griffin is the only two-time winner—and if Stroud wins, he’ll have all the momentum moving into the draft process. He ended with 4,435 yards throwing, 44 touchdowns, and six interceptions last season.
Ronnie Hickman
Hickman’s game has relatively few vulnerabilities. He is an excellent tackling machine and a versatile all-around star. Hickman was the finest player on Ohio State’s defense in his debut season as a starter. With Kyle Hamilton not available in the draft next year, Hickman might be the first safety taken since he has pro bowl potential and you can click here if you want to bet on it.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba
He burst onto the scene as a sophomore at Ohio State in 2021, with most of his output coming in the second half. He accumulated 958 yards and six touchdowns in the Buckeyes’ last five games, surpassing the 100-yard mark in each matchup.
Smith Njigba‘s best effort came in Ohio State’s Rose Bowl victory over Utah. With renowned receivers Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson opting not to play to prepare for the NFL draft in 2022, Smith-Njigba took advantage of the extra opportunities, catching 15 passes for 347 yards and three scores.
Smith-Njigba is unlikely to put up those kinds of statistics during the 2023 season, but it’s evident what he’s capable of when he’s Stroud’s No. 1 receiving weapon in the Buckeyes’ system. So it should be fascinating to see these two connect for great plays regularly this season.
As a result, Smith-Njigba may establish himself as the top receiver in the 2023 NFL draft class. And he can continue rising in the rankings, even earning himself a top-five choice next year.
Bijan Robinson
Robinson, one of several former five-star prospects here, ran for 1,127 yards and 11 touchdowns in 10 games last season before suffering a season-ending elbow injury. His combination of speed and power, as well as his receiving ability, makes him one of the few running backs with first-round potential.