Abstract light and shade creative background. Vector illustration.
The college football season has already begun, and with the NFL season about to start, knowing which draft prospects to look out for would benefit general football fans. Knowing which draft prospects will likely perform well and inevitably get drafted high is important, so I bring you ten prospects to watch. These aren’t the best prospects, but rather underrated ones or guys I think will surprise people. The list isn’t made in any particular order, and I include some big and smaller names. Please use code TREYSCHNEIDER on Underdog Fantasy to match your deposit up to $100. Gamble responsibly and leave your feedback on Twitter @FBIntellect.
Trey Benson is built differently, and he isn’t getting much hype. At 6’1, 223 lbs, he has terrifying explosiveness and a strong and well-compact body. He put up excellent production and also passed the eye test. In 2022, Benson had 994 yards on just 154 carries and had 142 receiving yards. I’d imagine he tests like a freak athlete at the combine, as his long speed is also legit. He doesn’t move the best laterally, but that’s simply not his game. His vision, contact balance, and speed allow him to break out big runs. Benson’s skillset would work well in either a wide-zone or gap scheme. He likely breaks onto the scene with all the traits needed to dominate college football.
The best defensive draft prospect is still unclear, but I’d bet Kool-Aid McKinstry emerges as the best. Kool-Aid’s combination of length and athleticism is rare and gives him superstar potential. The production backs up his film, as he allowed just 352 yards and only 46% of his targets to be completed. Turn on his film, and his burst and fluidity pop off the screen, considering he’s 6’1″. Alabama likes to run press-man coverage, and this is where he thrived. He has long arms and gets physical in press coverage. Additionally, his hand timing is top-notch for a prospect. Kool-Aid is still susceptible to double moves and is overly aggressive, leading to penalties. However, you have to love his demeanor, and he’s expected to improve upon his flaws.
Rod Moore was the heart of Michigan’s defense in 2022, and I expect big things this year. He has plenty of speed and range to play single high and was a tremendous help in run defense last year. When you have high-end athleticism paired with instincts, it’s hard to fail as a Safety. He is instinctive in zone coverage and in the run game. While he plays practically everywhere, you most often see him playing deep. He showed promise when asked to man up against Tight Ends and Slots. One of Moore’s best traits is his tackling – he is physical and only missed five tackles in 2022. His impact makes every bit of difference in Michigan’s defense, and his skillset will be highly coveted in the NFL.
Johnny Wilson is easily the most unique prospect I’ve looked into so far. At 6’7, 235 lbs, Wilson projects more as a receiving Tight End than anything else. He’s surprisingly athletic for his size and brings a unique RAC ability to the table. While his burst off the line isn’t the best, he gets threatening top-end speed at the second level. In addition, he has a little bit of shiftiness to his game. Considering he can block exceptionally well as a Receiver, he could easily transition to Tight End. His ball skills are still coming along, but he has the traits to improve. As Dalton Kincaid was a first-round player, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Wilson fall there, too.
Tommy Eichenberg has not received much attention but has the traits you look for in a modern Linebacker. With proper size, he possesses rare burst and fluidity. His top speed and range aren’t anything special, but it’s plenty good enough. He is still raw in coverage but played effectively in man coverage. It’s just he lacks proper awareness and instincts in zone coverage. That said, he is heading into his third season as a starter, and I’m expecting more development. While he doesn’t take on blocks well in run defense, he is highly instinctive in the run game. His trigger is as quick as they come, leading to countless run stops at Ohio State. Any modern defense could make great use of his skills.
Braelon Allen is one of the most intriguing prospects this year and has been unrightfully slept on. He has breakaway speed at 6’2, 245 lbs, and gets to top speed quickly. While a bit stiff, he still flashed good elusiveness at moments. His vision allows him to find easy lanes, and he has the power to churn out tough yards. Because he’s so big and explosive, he is the ideal short-yardage back. He’s had back-to-back years of 1,200 yards, and I could see him having even more yards this year. The only big knock on his game is his third-down ability. He isn’t a great receiving back and struggles in pass-pro. His role in the NFL will be a complement to a good third down back. Allen’s upside as a runner, though, is elite and worth gambling on in the draft.
There are a lot of exciting Tackles in this draft, and Joe Alt seems like the best one. The physical traits are clearly there, and he graded out at an elite level for PFF. His size, athleticism, and raw power give him an elite upside at Tackle. He demonstrates elite get-off and kick-slide and has the agility to help him recover. Most Tackle prospects are very raw, but Alt isn’t. His game is very refined, and he has no significant weaknesses. He gets excellent leverage for his size and has the processing skills to find work in space. So far, he hasn’t given up a pressure in 2023, and I expect more dominance from him this season.
I had to include a pass rusher in this, and Jer’Zhan Newton is the best interior one this year. He’s a slightly undersized but freakish athlete. At 6’2″, 295 lbs, he has rare raw power for his size. He gets off the ball extraordinarily quickly and has the closing speed to get home. Newton pops off the film in run defense. He’ll easily anchor down and has the length to stack and shed. As a pass rusher, he pulled off some awe-inspiring moves. You’ll see him rip and pull off swim moves effectively. Illinois had an incredible defense in 2022, and he was a significant reason why.
This is easily the most underrated player on this list. Ja’Corey Brooks brings an intriguing blend of size and athleticism to the table. He’s 6’2 and has legitimate top speed to go along with terrific quickness. His quickness aids him as an RAC threat, as he had 252 RAC yards on just 39 receptions. Only 674 yards isn’t the best production, but the traits are clearly there. He should be more of a focal point in Alabma’s offense this year. The ball skills are lacking, but he has the size to improve upon that. He should be in for a massive year if he develops, and I think his potential is being slept on.
As much as I love Rod Moore, Kamren Kitchens might be the best Safety in the class. What I love about Kitchens is that he can play single high while being a versatile coverage player. He has the needed range, impressive instincts, and reaction time in coverage. His ball skills are fantastic, as he had six picks and four breakups last year. He also only gave up 221 yards in coverage. With his top-end speed and size, his ceiling is through the roof. His tackling is a bit of a concern, but that’s something easy to improve. There’s a good reason he’s considered a first-round talent and will surely be one if he continues his excellent play.
We've seen Receivers of all different shapes and sizes over the past years, but few…
The casual football fan generally doesn't have any clue which NFL rookies to expect to…
No one can argue that QB is by far the most crucial position on the…
No one can argue that QB is by far the most crucial position on the…
No one can argue that QB is by far the most crucial position on the…
This NFL mock draft is based on what I would do personally if I were…
This website uses cookies.