The 2023 NFL Scouting Combine is in the books, and a few players made themselves some money ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft after they put on a clinic. But, not everyone made this list
The 2023 NFL Draft Combine has concluded, and NFL Draft media and teams are preparing for Pro Days while finalizing their big boards. Many players made money with their performances. Bryce Young’s fans breathed a sigh of relief as he did not measure historically low, and although he did not throw at the combine, he was a winner. Another winner was Will Levis, who came in at 6’4″ and 230 pounds, showing off his cannon of an arm. He jumped 34 inches and will likely run his 40 at his pro day.
A pair of linemen did their thing, showing off their athleticism. Broderick Jones from Georgia, a redshirt sophomore, ran a 4.97 and locked himself into first-round contention. Joining him is Darnell Wright, OT from Tennessee, who weighed in at 333 pounds but managed a sub-5.1 40, locking himself into the first round.
Which 2023 NFL Draft prospects made the most money at the Combine?
As for the tight ends, they were excellent. No, they didn’t run great 40s, but Michael Mayer of Notre Dame, Tucker Kraft of South Dakota State, and Dalton Kincaid of Utah made themselves some money. As for the running backs, Bijan Robinson solidified himself as a first-round lock. Alabama’s Jahmyr Gibbs locked himself into early Day 2 contention with the potential to go around one thanks to his versatility.
The wide receivers didn’t wow as much, which speaks to the lackluster group coming out this year, but Trey Palmer, TCU’s Derius Davis, and Oklahoma’s Marvin Mims did exactly what they were supposed to do, show off their speed. The same goes for Tennessee’s Jalin Hyatt, who will hear his name called late Day 1 or early Day 2, but a bad hammy had him bounce early.
Meanwhile, Jalen Redmond, a defensive tackle out of Oklahoma, was impressive. He’s a 6’1″, 290-pound powerful defensive tackle who performed well in drills, and he ran a sub-4.9 40-yard dash. He was just one of a few defensive linemen who dominated the combine. However, no group compared to the linebackers and edge rushers. Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson is worthy of a top 5 pick and did not disappoint, but his 4.65 40 paled in comparison.
20 linebackers and edge rushers ran a sub-4.55 40, 11 of them ran a sub-4.50, and two ran a 4.39, but only one of them made this list. The defensive backs made some noise, especially the corners which measured in as one of the biggest crops of corners in recent memory. Devon Witherspoon (Illinois) did not participate, which left room for Christian Gonzalez (Oregon) and Maryland’s Deonte Banks to dominate the combine, but neither made this list.
6. Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
Let’s talk about Darnell Washington’s performance at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. This guy blew everyone away with his athletic testing performance. He ran a 4.64-second 40-yard dash at 6’7” and 264 pounds! That’s insane! And his vertical jump and broad jump are no joke either.
Sure, he had a couple of drops, but with those 11-inch hands, he’s bound to be a little inconsistent. But he didn’t let that bring him down. He took some advice from the coaches and in one of the final reps, he contorted his body mid-air and snagged the ball with only one hand! It was a thing of beauty and earned him a roar from his fellow tight ends.
This guy is an absolute beast on the field and one of the most physically imposing players in college football. When he steps off the bus, the other team knows they’re in for a tough game.
Not only was he a basketball superstar in high school, but he’s also a rotational starter for the Georgia Bulldogs’ offense. And when it comes to blocking, Washington is a monster. He can drive defenders off the ball and wash them down the line of scrimmage like it’s nobody’s business. He’s a split-flow blocker on split-zone concepts and makes it easy for his team to get those easy-access passes.
But don’t think for a second that Washington can’t catch a ball. He’s a zone-beater that can find soft spots to settle into and he’s a hassle to bring down one on one in space. The UGA Bulldog can power through with a stiff-arm, and even leap over defenders. He’s a threat to generate big plays in the passing attack off of play-action.
5. Jack Campbell, LB, Iowa
Don’t let the 4.65 40-yard dash fool you. Campbell made himself some money at the 2023 NFL Draft. His 6.74 3-cone was the third-best of all the Combine participants. In fact, he tested in the 95 percentile. Campbell’s size and physicality are some of his most valuable assets, as he stands at 6’4″ and weighs 250 pounds. He is a downhill thumper who excels at dissecting and shedding blockers, much like Tremaine Edmunds, Zach Cunningham, and Leighton Vander Esch. His ability to leverage gaps and fit the run, as well as his physicality when playing into the line of scrimmage, make him a valuable addition to any defense.
Campbell also has excellent processing ability, which allows him to navigate congested areas and locate the ball carrier with ease. His coverage skills have significantly improved, and he has a strong understanding of spacing, squeezing routes, and eye discipline.
Furthermore, Campbell’s leadership qualities and intangibles make him a highly desirable prospect for NFL teams. He has a highly productive career for Iowa and is the 2022 Butkus Award winner, a consensus All-American, and a permanent team captain. He also has experience in all phases of special teams, making him a versatile player.
However, there are some concerns about Campbell’s ability to perform consistently in man coverage due to his modest range and tight lower half. Additionally, Iowa often lacked a plan to beat blocks when he was tasked with blitzing and shooting gaps.
Despite these minor limitations, Campbell’s overall skill set and intangibles make him a highly desirable prospect, and he is likely to be drafted early on Day 2. Teams like the Miami Dolphins, Houston Texans, Minnesota Vikings, and Pittsburgh Steelers could all be interested in his services.
4. Calijah Kancey, DT, Pittsburgh
Force is one word to describe Calijah Kancey. His historic 2023 NFL Combine performance, where he ran a 4.67, has made him an ideal three-technique and a hot commodity in the draft. He’ll see Aaron Donald comps, but he’s not in that vein, but Kancey’s explosive and physical playing style is driven by his quickness, urgency, and competitive toughness. He excels at gap penetration, which allows him to make plays behind the line of scrimmage against the run and pass.
Kancey’s contact balance is impressive given his size, and his style of play makes him a slippery and flexible defender, able to work off contact and string together moves to get off blocks. He’s a motor player, always around the football, and keeps his hands engaged to win battles.
However, his undersized and length-lacking frame presents a challenge for projecting his success at the next level. His lack of mass and length make him vulnerable to being pushed around by bigger blockers, and he cannot afford any technical lapses. Despite this, Kancey’s twitchy feet, leverage, and motor make him a nightmare for offenses as a pass rusher, and his top-flight closing kick gets him to quarterbacks with ease.
Kancey’s explosive and productive playing style and top-notch penetration skills make him a valuable asset for any up-the-field defense. His lack of size and length may limit his role, but his potential as a rotational run defender and full-time sub-package rusher is undeniable.
3. DJ Turner II, CB, Michigan
Speed, speed, and more speed. That was the takeaway from DJ Turner II’s Combine performance. The cornerback has been wowing scouts and coaches with his explosive athleticism and superb technique. Turner’s recording breaking 4.26 40-yard dash at the 2023 NFL Combine has only added to his already impressive resume. But what makes Turner truly stand out is his coverage ability.
In coverage, Turner is a nightmare for opposing wide receivers. His elite deep speed, fluid hips, and lightning-quick feet allow him to mirror and match his assignment with ease. Turner’s patience and instincts are particularly impressive, especially in man-to-man coverage. He has shown the ability to run with nearly every receiver he has faced this season, earning him the nickname “sticky.” On tape, Turner is routinely seen in the hip pocket of opposing receivers, making it difficult for them to get separation.
Turner’s football IQ is also evident in his zone coverage responsibilities. He uses proper drops and squeezes routes to eliminate options for the quarterback before making a play on anything threatening his zone. He has the athleticism and burst to close and drive on routes, making him a versatile cornerback. Turner is also a willing participant in the run game, tackling well for a cornerback.
While Turner may not have the longest arms and is not the tallest cornerback, his technique and coverage ability make up for it. Bigger receivers do pose a challenge for Turner, but his lack of arm length shows up on some contested-catch instances. Turner tackles well enough as a cornerback, but he lacks striking power. However, his blend of athleticism, competitiveness, instincts, and coverage flexibility gives him a high floor and ceiling heading into the NFL.
Turner’s strengths make him an attractive prospect for any team in need of a young cornerback that can step into the CB2 spot as a rookie. He is scheme-diverse with the ability to line up inside or outside in coverage, making him a valuable asset to any team’s defense. While there are some concerns about his height, weight, and length, Turner’s explosive athleticism and superb technique make him one of the best corners in the 2023 NFL Draft.
2. Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia
Day 1 of the 2023 NFL Combine didn’t disappoint. Nolan Smith shocked the NFL world with a 4.39 40, and 40-inch vertical jump set him apart from other prospects and has put him on the map. Smith’s play on the field demonstrates that he is a more dominant run defender than a pass rusher, but his athleticism makes him a dangerous weapon in either role.
Smith’s strength and physicality are evident in his game, making him difficult to block in the run game, especially for tight ends. His full-body strength and powerful base allow him to dig his feet into the turf and become immovable versus the run. Smith’s explosive downhill athleticism and first step propel him upfield and into action quickly. These attributes make him a potent threat on defense, and his leadership qualities make him a dynamic leader on and off the field.
Despite his impressive physical gifts, Smith is still developing as a pass rusher, with room for improvement in his hand-to-hand combat skills. He relies heavily on his first step, length, and power to overcome opponents, which can limit his ceiling at the next level. However, he has admirable flexibility and can bend around the edges or slice across the blocker to win the inside track.
Looking ahead, Smith has the potential to become a full-time edge defender and an impact player at the next level. A fully developed Smith would be a dangerous weapon to deploy off the edge against opposing offenses, with the ability to drop into coverage, stuff the run, and get after the passer. While there are concerns about his size and ability to translate his skills to the pros, his team-first mindset, and quality technique should help him succeed in the NFL.
1. Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
Before the season started, Anthony Richardson was a Day 3 prospect. By the end of the 2022 College Football season, he worked his way into the Day 2 conversation. However, the University of Florida Anthony Richardson came out of the 2023 NFL Combine as the biggest winner of all players. He’s playing the premium position and put on an on-field clinic. He measured at 6’4″ and 244 pounds and ran a 4.44 40-yard dash, which blew up the internet.
The former Gator did more on the field by showing off his cannon and impressing teams with his interviews. For the most part, NFL Draft media had Anthony Richardson as QB4 behind Bryce Young, CJ Stroud, and Will Levis. However, after the weekend where Richardson dominated in front of teams, coaches, and GMs, Richardson saw his stock rise to the point where rumors are swirling that he could be taken inside the Top 3 of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Given his timing and accuracy issues, Top 3 may be a bit much but he’s a lock for the first round. Still, there’s likely going to be a team who will fall in love with the traits. All it takes is one GM and Richardson could see him taken very early.