NFL Draft 2023 Steals - Who Will Shock The League?
As training camp approaches, the results of the NFL draft feel like old news, but as important as this period is for the whole NFL, no group has as much at stake as the rookies. There are the obvious names, of course, but here are the biggest steals of each round, players who can make larger impacts than their pick suggests from day one.
Round One: Christian Gonzalez (Oregon) - CB, Patriots
Gonzalez has all of the latent traits one would want in a corner. He's extremely quick (one of the best 40-yard times in the draft), has great ball skills, has good size, and has excellent field vision. He's shown the ability to hit well and complete tackles. While early in his career he struggled with his ability to actually maintain contact with the ball, his final year rectified that, with four interceptions and seven pass breakups in 2022.
The Patriots needed size in their cornerback room, and in Gonzalez, they got it, with a bonus influx of many, many other strong traits. They've shown the ability to develop corners as unheralded as undrafted players into elite guys, so with a prospect as strong as Gonzalez, who many predicted to go top-10, the potential is limitless.
Round Two: O'Cyrus Torrence (Florida) - G, Bills
There were a few contenders here - Tyrique Stevenson, Joey Porter Jr, Cam Smith - who were very close to making this list. However, Torrence is a first-round offensive line talent who went 59 in the draft. He's strong, powerful, and has size - and uses it very well. He's quite adept at blocking with leverage and creating an infallible stance. He has quick hands, and more importantly, he uses that quickness to get to defenders early.
His footwork, both as far as technique and general athleticism/quickness of feet is probably what dropped him so far. However, if he can improve on that, he can become an even more fearsome prospect, especially as a run blocker. He has experience with dynamic QBs under center with Richardson at Florida, and the Bills' offense is an excellent fit for him. Look for Buffalo to make good use of him in 2023.
Round Three: Jalin Hyatt (Tennessee) - WR, Giants
Hyatt may have been projected to be drafted where he was - a third-round pick, but that projection was an underestimate the way I see it. He was simply a beast last year in Tennessee, with 67 receptions for 1267 yards and 15 touchdowns. Even in an offensive system as good as Heupel's in Tennessee, those numbers are unreal.
Hyatt's fast, and on the field, his vision amplifies that speed. He's a versatile route runner who can make plays down the field as well as in short-middle-length situations. His quickness shows itself before and after the catch, and he's very difficult to catch up to in space. He'll need to become more consistent in 50:50 situations because he won't have the space he has now, but he'll be an excellent addition to an already strong offensive unit - with a mentor in Brian Daboll who knows how to bring out the best in players.
Round Four: Dawand Jones (Ohio St) - RT, Browns
At the latest, I saw Dawand Jones going in the middle of the second round. Instead, the Browns stole him in the fourth. His power and size are near the top of the tackle group, and he has the capability of using his burst to take immediate command of a matchup. He has fairly good technique with his hands and is able to place them well, use them well, and hang on for longer than most.
Particularly impressive is his ability to hold strong in matchups where he starts on the back foot, being able to stop a defender even when initially pushed back. In the NFL, where the speed and power of front sevens will increase drastically, that ability is important. His lack of quickness and inconsistent footwork do need some work, but he's shown the ability to match up against the best.
His lasting final impression was the game against Georgia, where due to him, in large part, CJ Stroud had the freedom to play at his best against that iconic UGA defensive line. Jones joins an offensive line group in need of help (yet, an offense with multiple strong playmakers) and could be a day-one starter.
Round Five: Eric Gray (Oklahoma) - RB, Giants
With all of the uncertainty around Saquon Barkley and his future with the team, Gray could find himself playing more meaningful snaps than he initially imagined. His 40-yard time of 4.63 doesn't imply much as far as speed is concerned, but when he's on the field it's a completely different equation. His field vision allows him to find and exploit gaps patiently, his agility and ability to change direction throw defenses off, and his ability to reach his top speed quickly make him a threat every time he touches the ball.
At Tennesse, he was solid, but it was as a Sooner that his threat really expanded, and he rushed for a whopping 1366 rushing yards (1595 total) with 11 TDs, averaging a potent 6.4 yards per carry. His abilities as a pass catcher make his potential contributions even stronger, and his hands, route running, and ability to run in space will make him a versatile threat at this level.
Round Six: Andre Iosivas (Princeton) - WR, Bengals
Demario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte, among others, made it difficult to find the steal of the round. However, Iosivas has, the way I see it, one of the highest ceilings of anyone in the class.
Simply put, Iosivas is a pure athlete - a really well-rounded one. In addition to college football, Andrei was also a track-and-field athlete at Princeton and finished fourth in all of division one in the heptathlon, impressing with his speed, stamina, and jumping power alike – all of which are important traits for receivers. At 6’3″, 200 lbs, his size is also quite intimidating for someone with his speed.
That athleticism carried over to the CFB field and should hold up in the NFL as well. Catching him, whether it's before or after the catch, is a tough proposition. His physicality lends itself well to 50:50 balls and matchups against corners with size and speed. While he could improve as a blocker, and by changing direction/adding variety to his routes, he will add important depth to an already stacked Benglas receiving core.
Round Seven: Andrew Vorhees (USC) - G, Ravens
Vorhees was developed into the player he is by a group of mentors that prioritized the trenches a lot more than the current era at USC. Last year, he served as one of the major locker room leaders for the Trojans and was a major reason that USC's otherwise mediocre offensive line was able to still put up decent outings.
Vorhees has obvious size and power, but even more impressive is his motor. He drives his legs well while maintaining leverage, to take command of his matchups. He has large hands and uses them well and quickly to aid this, and his punches are powerful and consistent. Likely the only reason he was drafted as low as he was is the fact that he injured his ACL at the NFL Combine. However, the first-team All-American can make a real imprint when he is able to come back.
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