The 2023 NFL Draft is officially in the books and after covering the first two days of the Draft highlighting winners and losers, now it’s time to dive into some of the most interesting picks that got turned in on Saturday.
4th Round
#105 pick: Kelee Ringo (CB, Georgia) to the Philadelphia Eagles
Ringo, a sure-fire first-rounder prior to the 2023 College Football season, ended up as a fourth-round pick, joining his former teammates Jordan Davis, Nakobe Dean, Jalen Carter, and Nolan Smith in Philadelphia. Ringo is a boom-or-bust prospect with amazing raw tools and rare athleticism, who needs to improve his eyes, technique, and instincts. He’s a low-floor but high-ceiling gamble that the Eagles can easily take and start a development process in one of the most efficient organizations in football, alongside his former teammates could help him get near his ceiling, which would be quite high.
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#110 pick: Adetomiwa Adebawore (EDGE, Northwestern) to the Indianapolis Colts
Many, including myself, were expecting Adebawore to go much higher, but he was still on the board when the Colts picked in the fourth round. Adebawore is an athletic freak who can count on an exciting blend of explosiveness, power, and speed but he still needs development from a pass-rush plan and hand usage standpoint. He’s definitely a high-upside prospect who can easily become a starter at the NFL level. He’ll now have the chance to develop in a talented group of defensive linemen and could truly become a gem.
#113 pick: Clark Phillips III (CB, Utah) to the Atlanta Falcons
His size (5’9”, 184 pounds) definitely worried most teams, who let him slide into the fourth round. Phillips III though has everything needed in order to become an excellent NFL starting nickel, able to defend the slot well while also displaying fantastic ball skills, ball production, and instincts. The Falcons may have found a starter in the fourth round as Phillips III comes out of the Draft as an extremely underrated player.
#132 pick: Nick Herbig (EDGE/LB, Wisconsin) to the Pittsburgh Steelers
I don’t think there was a better fit on the table for Nick Herbig than the Pittsburgh Steelers. He’s got experience playing both as an outside linebacker and true edge rusher and his power, athleticism gives him a quite high ceiling. Herbig is an underrated prospect who, with some development, could truly become a solid NFL starter. The Steelers are a gold mine at developing players with his traits. He becomes the fifth Wisconsin Badger on the Steelers defense (including 2023 2nd rounder Keeanu Benton) and joins his brother as well in the Steel city.
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5th Round
#148 pick: Noah Sewell (LB, Oregon) to the Chicago Bears
Sewell may not be the best athlete, but he’s got a tremendous natural feel for the position while playing with fantastic instincts, eyes, and power. Getting him in the fifth round is a cheap investment for the Bears who easily have in their hands a concrete contributor down the stretch. While his lack of athleticism lowers his upside as a player, Sewell has everything needed in order to become a reliable NFL linebacker.
#167 pick, Henry To’o To’o (LB, Alabama) to the Houston Texans
Similar to Noah Sewell, To’o To’o is another linebacker prospect with limited athleticism, but great experience, natural feel for the position, and reliable eyes and instincts. While he may not become a well-above-average NFL player, To’o To’o has the tools to become a solid NFL contributor. Ending up with a defensive guru like DeMeco Ryans could help take the next step.
#170 pick, Christopher Smith II (S, Georgia) to the Las Vegas Raiders
Smith II was a solid contributor for the Championship bound Georgia Bulldogs in 2022 and he brings to the table versatility, great instincts, and a promising blend of range and athleticism that could make him a starter at the NFL level. Getting him in the fifth round was a solid move by the Raiders who can now put their hands on a prospect with quite a solid ceiling that is also mature enough to have a rather quick impact on the secondary.
6th Round
#187 pick, Kayshon Boutte (WR, LSU) to the New England Patriots
A former 5-star recruit, Boutte would’ve been a surefire first-rounder prior to an ankle injury that took away his trademark explosiveness for a large part of the 2022 campaign. There may be some character concerns about him or teams may have been worried about him not going back to his pre-injury form. Boutte though is an immensely talented player who’s technically refined, he’s creative with the ball in his hands, and has the speed to score big plays. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he becomes a primary receiver in the future.
https://twitter.com/SartiranaLuca/status/1599165657719115776
#215 pick: Zach Evans (RB, Ole Miss) to the Los Angeles Rams
Evans may have some character concerns, but he’s another former 5-star recruit who’s a fantastic talent overall. A ball carrier with the traits to carry the load and the explosiveness and long speed to turn every touch into a big play. Evans will have to compete with Cam Akers and Kyren Williams, but he’s got all the talent in the world in order to carve out a prominent role sooner rather than later. Potentially a massive steal.
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