BACKGROUND

Siaki Ika is a defensive tackle prospect out of Utah. He had a dominant senior season with 89 tackles and 14 sacks. He was invited to big games such as the All-American Bowl and the Polynesian Bowl. Rivals listed him as the top player from Utah and was a four-star prospect. He committed to play for the LSU Tigers.

COLLEGE CAREER

Siaki had a fast start to his college career as he was part of LSU’s 2020 National Championship Team. In 13 games, he had 18 total tackles. In his second season, he only played for three games before he decided to transfer to the Baylor Bears. In these three games, he recorded five tackles and his first sack. His first season at Baylor was arguably his best as he had 24 total tackles and four sacks in 2021. He was announced as the Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year and first-team All-Big 12.

2022-2023 COLLEGE CAREER

He returned for his senior year last season. Siaki had 23 total tackles and forced 18 total pressures. For the second year in a row, he was a first-team All-Big 12. After another steady season at Baylor, he decided to enter the NFL Draft.

STRENGTHS: Prototype Size

At 6’4″, he is the prototypical nose tackle in the NFL. He uses his size to cause chaos in the backfield. For his size, he has good agility and quickness. The use of his hands is overrated as he can use them on his opponents because of their weight and can swat balls down from the line of scrimmage.

WEAKNESSES: Plays Too High

The usual complaint is he plays too high. Because of this, he looks unbalanced at times and misses some tackles. Blockers can get under his pads and stop him from making moves. There is a concern that he wasn’t able to get any sacks in his final season.

PLAYER COMPARISON: Danny Shelton

TEAMS WHO COULD DRAFT HIM

Now many sites grade him as a Day 2 pick. However, given the lack of people in his position, teams may draft him early to fill a position of need. He could potentially be drafted in the second or maybe even the first round.

The post 2023 NFL Draft Focus: Siaki Ika appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

BACKGROUND

Devon Witherspoon is a cornerback prospect out of Florida. He had a peculiar high school career as he only played for two years. He only started football as a junior and it turned out to be the right move. In his second year of playing football, he recorded 74 tackles, seven interceptions, and a couple of TDs. Rivals didn’t list him as any star prospect, but he took the chance and committed to play for the University of Illinois.

COLLEGE CAREER

Devon was able to play in all 13 games for Illinois as he racked up 33 total tackles. His second season was even better as he collected 33 total tackles and two interceptions in seven games. After a shortened season, he put up career highs in multiple stats in his junior season. He had 52 total tackles and a sack in 10 starts.

2022-2023 COLLEGE CAREER

In his final year, Devon was one of the best defensive backs in all of college football. In 738 snaps, he had 42 total tackles and three interceptions. The best stat in my opinion is that when being targeted, the QBR was just 24.6. He earned numerous All-American awards and was praised often for his unique route to his NFL dream.

STRENGTHS: Intelligence

He has good anticipation on passes and he can read receivers’ routes very well. He also has the ability to read the quarterbacks’ eyes and can make quick decisions when the ball is thrown. Man coverage is where he shines as he believes he can handle any wide receiver that lines up against him.

WEAKNESSES: Too Aggressive At Times

The problem with his intelligence is that he often targets the big plays. By being overaggressive, he sometimes gets penalized for it a bit too much and needs to catch up for the tackle. This will be a possible problem once he faces the bigger WRs in the NFL. He needs to improve also in press coverage.

PLAYER COMPARISON: Levi Wallace

TEAMS WHO COULD DRAFT HIM

A team will be lucky to have their hands on Devon Witherspoon. He is consistently ranked as a top-three cornerback in this draft. Some have him before the top 10 while others have him in the later first half of the draft. A sneaky team could be the Raiders at seven who need to shore up on defense.

The post 2023 NFL Draft Focus: Devon Witherspoon appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

BACKGROUND

Broderick Jones is an offensive tackle prospect out of Georgia. Early on, he was known as a potential pro prospect as he got offers as early as ninth grade from elite colleges. As a senior, he was selected to the Under Armour All-American Game. Rivals listed him as a five-star recruit and he chose to play for the Georgia Bulldogs.

COLLEGE CAREER

As a freshman, Broderick redshirted for Georgia with all the depth they had at offensive line. In his second season, he started four games. His production from this stint was able to net him on the 2021 SEC All-Freshman Team.

2022-2023 COLLEGE CAREER

Broderick Jones was one of the elite tackles in this game and it has boosted his draft stock after an incredible season. In 13 games, he only allowed just one QB hit and allowed no sacks. This performance awarded him the 2022 Associated Press All-SEC First-Team Selection.

STRENGTHS: Explosiveness

Broderick’s explosiveness is something else as he is one of the most physically-gifted players in the draft. This is seen especially in his run-blocking where he can dominate his matchup. His hand grip strength is special which is why he only allowed one QB hit and no sacks in his last season in Georgia. He’s at his best in the run game, but he can be as special in the pass game.

WEAKNESSES: Not As Polished

His stances on offense aren’t polished and it’s mostly because of his feet. He sometimes forgets to move his feet and it causes unbalance. The reliance on his length can be seen especially against tougher opponents. The lack of appearances could be a reason why as he only started in 22 games in college.

PLAYER COMPARISON: D.J. Humphries

TEAMS WHO COULD DRAFT HIM

One of the top offensive linemen in this draft, Broderick Jones is expected to be drafted in the middle of the first round. Teams like the Titans, Jets, or Green Bay would love to have him in order to shore up their offensive line and protect their young or new quarterback.

The post 2023 NFL Draft Focus: Broderick Jones appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

BACKGROUND

Joey Porter Jr is a cornerback prospect out of Pennsylvania. His name is probably familiar as he is the son of former NFL player and Superbowl Champion, Joey Porter. In high school, he played both cornerback and wide receiver. This got him noticed as Rivals listed him as a three-star prospect. For college, he decided to stay home and play for Penn State.

COLLEGE CAREER

As a freshman, Joey Porter Jr played in only four games and had a limited role on the team. In his second year, he was able to start in all the games for Penn State. He amassed 33 tackles for the team. Everything started to come together in his third year. He recorded 50 tackles and an interception for the Nittany Lions. He surprised people by returning for his redshirt junior season. Many believed that he could have been drafted had he applied that season. He was a recipient of the Third-team All-Big Ten in 2020 and 2021.

2022-2023 COLLEGE CAREER

Porter Jr showcased more of his talent in his last season in college football. Through 10 games, he had nine pass breakups and QBs had a QBR of 63.6 when targeting him. It was a great season overall for him as he won multiple awards such as the Jim Thorpe Award and the Chuck Bednarik Award. It looks like that extra year in college paid off for him.

STRENGTHS: Length

Seeing him on the field, he looks super long and intimidating. He moves very fluidly and can close out fast on receivers. The ball skills he has is very good as he can track them very well and punch out the ball of the WRs hands. The length and versatility make him a defensive coordinator’s dream. He can be placed anywhere and be disruptive.

WEAKNESSES: Too Aggressive At Times

Because of his physical size, he sometimes overuses it on the field. This leads to penalties such as being too handsy. He should learn to focus on his technique more in order to avoid this from becoming frequent in the NFL. Wide receivers in the NFL are bigger so he won’t be able to use his physicality as much.

PLAYER COMPARISON: Dre Kirkpatrick

TEAMS WHO COULD DRAFT HIM

Joey Porter Jr is seen as a mid-1st round talent and this would be an ideal place for him. Teams like New England and Pittsburgh are playoff-potential teams and need help in their secondary. Being drafted to those teams can push Joey to be the top cornerback in this class when we look back at this draft.

The post 2023 NFL Draft Focus: Joey Porter Jr appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

BACKGROUND

Jaxon Smith-Njigba is a wide receiver prospect out of Texas. He had a legendary career out of high school, earning him buzz from almost all colleges in the country. In his senior season, he had 104 catches for 2094 yards and 35 TDs. This performance was rewarded with the Landry Award and Texas Gatorade Football Player of the Year Award. Rivals listed him as a five-star prospect and the fourth-best WR in the class. He committed to play for Ohio State.

COLLEGE CAREER

Ohio State always has elite wide receiver talent, which was shown in Njigba’s first year. With all the talent, he was limited to just seven games as a freshman. He had 10 catches for 49 yards and a TD. His second year was when everything changed for him. In 13 games, he had 95 receptions, 1606 yards, and nine TDs. He broke multiple records that season such as an FBS Bowl Record of 347 yards in the Rose Bowl and 15 receptions in a win against Nebraska. He was awarded Third-team All-Big Ten and Third-team All-American for his performance that season.

2022-2023 COLLEGE CAREER

His junior season was met with disappointment as he only played in three games. He had an opportunity to play in the College Football Playoff but he decided to sit out. He decided to forego his final year at Ohio State for the upcoming NFL Draft.

STRENGTHS: Route-Running

Jaxon has a lot of talent as a slot receiver. He can read defenses, has smooth hips and can make quick adjustments. His focus is unmatched especially in the open field. What’s also impressive is that his co-WRs in the 2021 season are all in the NFL and he was still able to get all those numbers. His soft but strong hands will make him a coach and QB’s dream.

WEAKNESSES: Lack Of Explosion

He has been graded as a not-so-good athlete and lacks serious explosion. The injury with the hamstring can affect his limited athleticism so he has to prove it’s just a one-year thing. This may be a challenge, especially against elite cornerbacks. Another nitpick is that he drops the ball a little too much for a supposed elite WR coming out of college.

PLAYER COMPARISON: Adam Thielen

TEAMS WHO COULD DRAFT HIM

Jaxon Smith-Njigba is seen as either the top or second-best WR in this draft class. With how much offense is prioritized in the NFL, he will be an excellent asset for anyone that drafts him. Teams like Houston, Green Bay, and New England would greatly benefit from having Jaxon in their team to help their young QBs.

The post 2023 NFL Draft Focus: Jaxon Smith-Njigba appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

BACKGROUND

Tyree Wilson is an outside linebacker prospect out of Texas. He had a dominant senior season where he had 126 tackles and five forced fumbles. His commitment to colleges went through different routes. At first, he was committed to playing for Washington State but he decommitted before his final year. As a senior, Rivals listed him as a three-star weakside defensive end prospect. In the end, he committed to play for Texas A&M.

COLLEGE CAREER

In his first season at Texas A&M, he redshirted his true freshman season. In his redshirt freshman season, he played in 11 games but was able only able to get 12 tackles and a sack. After the season, he went to the transfer portal and ultimately went to Texas Tech. He was able to play immediately due to the NCAA giving him a waiver and he improved as the season progressed. He ended his first season with the Raiders with 38 tackles and seven sacks.

2022-2023 COLLEGE CAREER

He had a blazing start to his final season where he gathered 61 tackles and seven sacks in five games. However, he suffered a season-ending injury against Kansas in his sixth game of the season. Even with the injury, he was named to the First-team All-Big 12 and First-team All-American.

STRENGTHS: Physical Dominance

Standing at 6’6″ and 271 lbs, Tyree is one of the more impressive human beings in this draft. His mix of length and power makes it a difficult matchup for any offensive lineman. He has an explosive first step and he’ll be too athletic to face guards. His experience can put him as a 3-4 outside linebacker as well.

WEAKNESSES: Need To Add More Moves

As the game goes on, he needs to add more moves to make an impact. Sometimes, he becomes too stagnant and becomes a non-factor in the play. He’s not as fluid as people hoped and this shows when he cannot go through smaller gaps.

PLAYER COMPARISON: Matt Judon

TEAMS WHO COULD DRAFT HIM

Tyree Wilson has a lot of fans as he seems to be a lock to be in the Top 10. EDGE players have so much impact on the game that getting a premium prospect can be a cornerstone player for a decade. Teams like Atlanta and the Raiders are perfect fits for him as they need to improve their defense.

The post 2023 NFL Draft Focus: Tyree Wilson appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

BACKGROUND

Lukas Van Ness is a defensive end prospect out of Illinois. In high school, he played multiple sports so this helped him develop different skills. 247 Sports listed him as a three-star recruit. He committed to joining the Iowa Hawkeyes for his college career.

COLLEGE CAREER

His college career was off to a slow start as he opted to redshirt his freshman year. His redshirt freshman year was impressive as he had 33 total tackles and seven sacks. He was awarded by the Football Writers Association of America with a Freshman All-American.

2022-2023 COLLEGE CAREER

Lukas continued his redshirt freshman career with a steady second year of playing. He ended the year with 36 total tackles and six and a half sacks for Iowa. His best game was against Nevada where he had eight total tackles and one and a half sacks. Against Iowa State, he blocked two kicks and was awarded the Big Ten Conference Special Teams Player of the Week. He was awarded the Second-team All-Big Ten for his efforts.

STRENGTHS: Strength

It’s something else if your nickname is “Hercules”. He can bull rush and collapse the pocket, making life difficult for the offensive line and the quarterback. His mix of strength, speed, and length makes him a viable weapon in every snap. He also has a spin move so it’s not all pure strength. He has been rising up draft boards ever since the start of the 2022-2023 season.

WEAKNESSES: Limited Experience

One of the more interesting facts about Van Ness is that he never started a game in his two years at Iowa. This is similar to a QB who only played one full season but is projected to be a first-round pick. Even if he still gets reps, he lacks experience and it sometimes is shown on the field. He will also need to improve on blocking schemes. Teams were using this on him to confuse him.

PLAYER COMPARISON: Trey Hendrickson

TEAMS WHO COULD DRAFT HIM

Lukas Van Ness is a popular prospect because of his versatility. He can play inside and out and teams will be drooling for him. Look for his name to be called most likely in the Top 10. Chicago at nine and Philly at ten are teams to watch out for as they could shore up on the defensive side.

The post 2023 NFL Draft Focus: Lukas Van Ness appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

BACKGROUND

Christian Gonzalez is a cornerback prospect from Texas. He attended The Colony High School in Texas and played multiple positions such as wide receiver and special teams. 247 Sports listed him as a four-star cornerback. After decommiting from Purdue, Christian decided to attend the University of Colorado.

COLLEGE CAREER

As a freshman, Gonzalez was getting reps and played as a full-time cornerback for the Buffaloes. He had 25 tackles and five pass deflections. He played in every game as well. He made an even bigger leap as a sophomore when he had 53 tackles and five pass breakups. After an amazing sophomore season, he decided to transfer to the University of Oregon.

2022-2023 COLLEGE CAREER

The move to Oregon worked for Christian as he showcased his talents to a national level. As a junior, he had 51 total tackles, seven passes deflected, and four interceptions. His best performance came against his former team, Colorado. He had two interceptions as Oregon won 49-10. His performance for the season gave him First-Team All-Pac 12.

STRENGTHS: Instincts

Christian is at his best in zone coverage. Here he can easily see the QB’s eyes and determine his move. He moves very smoothly and can catch up if his matchup takes a step on him. His long limbs then make it easy for him to make deflections on a pass. Having a 6’2″ cornerback is very helpful, especially with elite WRs who have everything working for them.

WEAKNESSES: Strength

His very lean frame can be a concern as bigger WRs can easily push him for separation. Strength can be easily worked on at the next level and hopefully, this problem will be addressed soon. Once he gains more mass, he’ll be a scary cornerback in the NFL.

PLAYER COMPARISON: Patrick Surtain

TEAMS WHO COULD DRAFT HIM

Christian Gonzalez has flown up draft boards and mock drafts have slated him to be at least in the Top 10. He seems to be the first or second non-EDGE defensive player expected to be taken. Look for teams that don’t need a QB to look at him. Detroit at 6th or Atlanta at 8th are ideal spots for him as they need a shutdown corner.

The post 2023 NFL Draft Focus: Christian Gonzalez appeared first on Pro Football Mania.