Is the 2023 NFL Draft about to get very defensive? The top of the 2022 draft was a defensive affair, as the initial five picks were from the non-scoring side of the football, and all but one of those selections came from the ranks of the underclassmen.
Could the same thing happen in 2023? It all depends on which underclassmen enter the draft. Here are the latest NFL draft rumors I’m hearing.
Will Anderson Jr. Expected To Declare for 2023 NFL Draft
The bar was set high for Will Anderson Jr. after his enormous campaign in 2021. Anderson entered the 2022 season with talk of a Heisman Trophy candidacy. That fell by the wayside, as the junior could not match his performance from a year ago, as few would.
MORE: 2023 NFL Draft Big Board
And though he fell below expectations, he still played pretty darn well, totaling 10 sacks and 17 tackles for loss, as well as recording the first interception of his college career.
Sources tell me Anderson will enter the 2023 NFL Draft, which should surprise no one. The question is, will he be the first Alabama player selected next April?
Clemson Stars Bresee, Murphy, and Simpson All Expected To Enter Draft
Dabo Swinney has had great success getting his star players to return for another season at Clemson. Several years ago, I broke the story that Clelin Ferrell, Christian Wilkins, and Dexter Lawrence were bypassing the 2018 draft and returning to Clemson for another season.
It worked out for everyone, as the Tigers won the national title that season, and all three were selected in the top half of the 2019 NFL Draft. Swinney was even able to retain C.J. Spiller when everyone thought the running back would enter the 2009 draft.
It looks like the head coach is going to have his work cut out for him this year. Word in league circles is that defensive tackle Bryan Bresee, edge rusher Myles Murphy and linebacker Trenton Simpson all have chosen representation and are expected to enter the draft. Bresee and Murphy grade as top-10 selections on my board.
Georgia’s Jalen Carter Also Expected To Declare for 2023 NFL Draft
What will Jalen Carter do after the Georgia Bulldogs make a run at another FBS crown? Sources familiar with the situation tell me Carter is entering the draft. As one source told me, “One million percent Carter is entering.” Carter, like Bresee and Murphy, grades as a top-10 pick.
MORE: 2023 NFL Draft Underclassmen Tracker
And while I did not get such certainty on Kelee Ringo, several people tell me the cornerback will follow suit and enter the draft.