Daniels' Draft Top 5's: Offense

By Rory Daniels

The 2023 NFL Draft is around the corner and we have just enough time to squeeze in my top 5 rankings. I’m sure there will be plenty you disagree on but I have included some of my reasoning underneath. 

Quarterback

Photo Credit: CBS Sports
  1. Bryce Young, Alabama
  2. Anthony Richardson, Florida
  3. CJ Stroud, Ohio State
  4. Will Levis, Kentucky
  5. Hendon Hooker, Tennessee

I have been back and forth between Richardson and Young for the top spot. The Florida QB has the highest ceiling, the arm talent, physical traits and prototypical size.

However, Young can enter the league and hit the ground running. His accuracy and poise overcame the doubts I had around his size.

Stroud, for me, is a Goff/Cousins-like signal caller; therefore, I’d instead take the gamble on Richardson.

I don’t have much between Levis and Hooker. Both performed well when their offenses were tailored to them and poorly when they weren’t. Hooker’s recent injury history edges him down.

Running Back

Photo Credit: NBC Sports
  1. Bijan Robinson, Texas
  2. Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama
  3. Tank Bigsby, Auburn
  4. Zach Charbonnet, UCLA
  5. Kendre Miller, TCU

The top-2 in this group is self-explanatory. The rest of the top 5 comprises guys I believe can carry the workload as a primary back; that’s why you don’t see the likes of Devon Achane or Tyjae Spears.

I have a similar grade on Bigsby and Charbonnet, but I think the Auburn running back has a bit more wiggle and explosion.

Miller is one of my favourite guys in the whole draft. He can break tackles and has the home-run ability. He deserves more credit than the consensus is giving him.

Wide Receiver

Photo Credit: NBC Sports
  1. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State
  2. Zay Flowers, Boston College
  3. Jordan Addison, USC
  4. Quentin Johnston, TCU
  5. Cedric Tillman, Tennessee

Smith-Njigba deserves to be number 1 in this class. He is technically refined and knows how to get open. That’s why the 40-time shouldn’t put you off. It may stop him being a top-10 receiver in the league, but I expect him to be plenty productive enough.

Flowers is of a similar ilk, I love the smoothness of his route running; it allows him to create separation naturally.

Addison nods out the two big guys and if it wasn’t for the injury last year, Tillman might have landed ahead of Johnston.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Tillman is the second most productive guy of these five, just because there are a lot of question marks over the smaller receivers.

Tight End

Photo Credit: Pro Football Network
  1. Michael Mayer, Notre Dame
  2. Dalton Kincaid, Utah
  3. Darnell Washington, Georgia
  4. Luke Musgrave, Oregon State
  5. Sam LaPorta, Iowa

Michael Mayer may not be the next George Kittle or Travis Kelce, but he is a chain-mover who knows how to get production as a pass-catcher.

I like Kincaid’s ability to split out as a receiver, but his age and back injury concern me. Washington nearly overtook the Utah man. There is untapped potential in a tight end with his size and athletic ability.

Musgrave and LaPorta will be solid pass catchers and willing blockers. Musgrave’s athletic ability give him the edge in that battle.

Offensive Tackle

Photo Credit: bleacherreport.com
  1. Broderick Jones, Georgia
  2. Paris Johnson Jr, Ohio State
  3. Darnell Wright, Tennessee
  4. Anton Harrison, Oklahoma
  5. Dawand Jones, Ohio State

Maybe a bit of a curveball here, but Broderick Jones massively impressed me. I loved his length and speed. He was an excellent mover; of course, he could improve his functional strength, but his age suggests he can make further strides.

He had more dominant reps than Paris Johnson. The Ohio State tackle doesn’t do much wrong but goes in the solid-not-spectacular bucket.

Darnell Wright is super strong but only offers a solution on the right side.

Dawand Jones weight gives me Mekhi Becton flashbacks.

Interior Offensive Line

Photo Credit: Northwestern University
  1. Peter Skoronski, Northwestern
  2. O’Cyrus Torrence, Florida
  3. Steve Avila, TCU
  4. Joe Tippmann, Wisconsin
  5. John Michael Schmitz, Minnesota

Peter Skoronski can be an elite guard or very good offensive tackle. His lack of length doesn’t get exposed often, but you can see it. Bendier speed rushers can take advantage of his short arms. His footwork and power on the interior would be a challenge to overcome for interior defenders.

Steve Avila is a dark horse. He moves really well for his size and has the bite that the class lacks.

There wasn’t much between Tippmann and Schmitz, but the former had better strength and his extra size allowed him to battle back when he lost the initial battle.

Mock Draft

Rory-Joe Daniels

Cfb contributor

formerly writing for the inside zone, rory will be breaking down college tape and keeping you up-to-date with all things CFB for the touchdown. an avid bengals fan, you can also find some of rory’s work at stripehype.com

Twitter Envelope
5/5