AFC South 2023 NFL Draft recap
8 min read
Former Oklahoma tackle Anton Harrison was selected 27th overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2023 NFL Draft.
The AFC South started off the draft’s proceedings picking second and the Houston Texans picked former Ohio State signal-caller CJ Stroud right out of the gate. An aggressive trade back from the Texans up into the third overall spot netted them Alabama’s Will Anderson, Jr. Those two picks should define their organization over the next several years.
The Titans came away with a starting caliber talent in Northwestern’s Peter Skoronski and then selected a quarterback with similar potential in Kentucky’s Will Levis. That began a series of picks that led Tennessee down a positive pathway to finding a starting-caliber tackle in Maryland’s Jaelyn Duncan. But there are reasons he lasted deep into Day 3.
| 2023 NFL Draft Recap, AFC South | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Titans | ||||||
| Selection | Player Selection | Position- School | DN Big Board Rank/ Grade | Notes | Value (1-5) | |
| 1 (11) | Peter Skoronski 6’4 315 | OT-Northwestern | 22/2nd Round | This is an immediate starter for the Titans and it could be at the tackle spot. | 4.75 | |
| 2 (33) trade from Cardinals | Will Levis 6’4 230 | QB-Kentucky, Penn State | 72/2nd Round | Levis should grow by leaps-and-bounds learning from a veteran signal-caller in Ryan Tannehill. He has all of the tools to become a mainstay at the position. | 4.5 | |
| 3 (81) | Tyjae Spears 5’10 204 | RB-Tulane | 55/2nd Round | Spears’ ability to change speeds is aided by sound decision-making down-to-down. He will be lethal if employed in the screen game due to his skill at setting up blockers. | 5 | |
| 5 (147) | Josh Whyle 6’6 260 | TE-Cincinnati | 124/3rd Round | Whyle’s length may have been a question mark, but he plays fast, stretched the seams and was effective as a move H-back and tight end within the team’s schemes at Cincinnati. The first-team All-AAC tight end caught 15 touchdowns in school. | 5 | |
| 6 (186) | Jaelyn Duncan 6’5 309 | OT-Maryland | 60/2nd Round | Due to his hands often shuffling down by his sides, the chest exposure leaves him vulnerable for too much hand combativeness. Correcting this issue should be a focus moving forward. Duncan’s talent level, however, is undeniable. | 5 | |
| 7 (228) | Colton Dowell 6’3 203 | WR-UT-Martin | N/A | Dowell runs the box fade from the No. 2 slot position. As an X-WR, he uses his frame to win through CBs who struggle to locate the ball down the field (4th down TD, 1st QTR/4:25, Boise St '22). He drags his front foot (inside leg up) when taking off the line (uncovered) as an X-WR on the left side of the formation. After running in the 4.4-range on his Pro Day, his draft stock soared. | 4 | |
| No. 1 UDFA signing: | Caleb Murphy 6’3 254 | DE-OLB-Ferris State | 195/4th Round | Murphy didn’t blow up the postseason testing circuit and was only okay during the 2023 East-West Shrine Bowl. With that said, the Gene Upshaw Award finished 2022 with 25.5 quarterback sacks. | 5 | |
| Draft Grade: | 4.71 | |||||
| Houston Texans | ||||||
| Selection | Player Selection | Position- School | DN Big Board Rank/ Grade | Notes | Value (1-5) | |
| 1 (2) | CJ Stroud 6’3 214 | QB-Houston | 6/1st Round | The draft’s best pure passer has size and deep ball prowess that should translate perfectly working indoors. | 5 | |
| 1 (3) | Will Anderson, Jr. 6’3 253 | OLB-Alabama | 1/1st Round | Anderson’s body of work had no match in this year’s class and -in what was considered his down year- contributed 17 tackles for loss. He’ll stay in his two-point stance at times for the Texans. | 5 | Traded the 12th overall pick in the first round, 2022 second-round pick (33rd overall), a 2024 first-round pick and a 2024 third-round pick to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for the third overall pick and a 2023 fourth-round pick (105th overall) |
| 2 (62) from Philadelphia | Juice Scruggs 6’3 301 | OC-Penn State | 145/3rd Round | The two-year starter at center projects into zone blocking run schemes very well and much of Penn State's run game was based on split zone concepts. | 3.5 | |
| 3 (69) From LA Rams | Nathaniel Dell 5’8 165 | WR-Houston, Alabama A&M | 129/3rd Round | There were a number of small receivers in this year’s draft, but it was Dell who led the nation in touchdown receptions and scored the game-winning touchdown in his final career game. | 4 | |
| 4 (109) | Dylan Horton 6’4 257 | DE-TCU, New Mexico | 230/4th Round | The honorable mention All-Big 12 performer projects as a either a left defensive end or 30-front outside linebacker. And he runs in the 4.55-range. | 4 | |
| 5 (167) | Henry To’oTo’o 6’0 227 | LB-Alabama, Tennessee | 171/3rd Round | As long as To’oTo’o is protected adequately by defensive linemen, his skills show up game-to-game. To’oTo’o is advanced for his age in zone coverage matching routes and only needs to improve taking an extra step when tackling. | 5 | |
| 6 (201) | Jarrett Patterson 6’5 305 | OC-OG-Notre Dame | 308/4th Round | Patterson returned from some durability issues to earn second team All-American honors as a guard, but he has significant experience at the center spot. He is much better blocking on angles than in man situations. | 4 | |
| 6 (205) | Xavier Hutchinson 6’2 208 | WR-Iowa State | 197/4th Round | The Florida native combines savvy and quickness into a 205-pound frame. He has worked in both the slot and outside lanes with effectiveness. His double move capability stood out in school, but there were drops in the film viewed. | 5 | |
| 7 (248) | Brandon Hill 5’10 193 | S-Pittsburgh | 125/3rd Round | Hill didn’t play quite as well this year as he had previously, and did not match tight ends with the same level of effectiveness. Will he violent, aggressive style hold up in the NFL at under 200 pounds? | 5 | |
| No. 1 UDFA signing: | Jared Wayne 6’3 208 | WR-Pittsburgh | 233/4th Round | Wayne finally broke the 1,000-yard barrier in school this past season and did so in an efficient manner. Where is he going to play on special teams? | 5 | |
| Draft Grade: | 4.56 | |||||
| Indianapolis Colts | ||||||
| Selection | Player Selection | Position- School | DN Big Board Rank/ Grade | Notes | Value (1-5) | |
| 1 (4) | Anthony Richardson 6’4 244 | QB-Florida | 23/2nd Round | Richardson’s overall passing acumen to attack all parts of the field is complemented by running back capability at 244 pounds. | 4 | |
| 2 (44) | Julius Brents 6’3 203 | CB-Kansas State | 47/2nd Round | The transition is excellent for a 6-foot-3-inch corner with an 83-inch wingspan. Arguably one of the best all-around athletes at the position, durability concerns are present. | 5 | Traded the 38th overall pick in this year’s draft to the Atlanta Falcons for the 44th overall and a fourth-round pick (110th overall) in this year’s draft |
| 3 (79) | Josh Downs 5’9 171 | All-Purpose/WR-Ret-North Carolina | 59/2nd Round | Much like UNC, the Colts need a clear plan for his skill-set. Bunch sets, stacked looks, z-in motion and jet motion all accentuate the qualities of Downs' game. He will also have to make a living as a punt returner. | 5 | |
| 4 (106) | Blake Freeland 6’7 302 | OT-BYU | 166/3rd Round | Freeland has a tendency to get caught leaning when defenders use secondary counters, but he impresses with his footwork as a run blocker. Can he push starter Bernard Raimann at any point during camp? | 4.5 | |
| 4 (110) | Adetomiwa Adebawore 6’2 282 | DE-DT-Northwestern | 83/2nd Round | Adebawore may have contained some rigidity, but his suddenness will play well for the defensive front as a Cam Sample-type (Bengals). | 5 | |
| 5 (138) | Darius Rush 6’2 198 | CB-South Carolina | 121/4th Round | Rush used an impressive postseason to move up draft boards as a tall, long cornerback with upside. His special teams work as gunner helped his value. | 5 | |
| 5 (158) | Daniel Scott 6’0 210 | S-California | 144/3rd Round | Scott’s speed, size and versatility may offer assistance as a Dime linebacker or H linebacker in nickel situations. He is strong, excels on special teams and contains underrated ball skills. | 5 | |
| 5 (162) | Will Mallory 6’4 240 | TE-Miami (Fla.) | 184/3rd Round | Mallory is an H-back type hoping to continue the tradition of Miami (Fla.) tight ends in the NFL. Uneven as a blocker, his value lies in what he brings to the table in the passing game. He has potential on crossing routes, attacks the seams of defense and is an option finding openings in zone coverage. | 4 | |
| 5 (176) | Evan Hull 5’10 207 | RB-Northwestern | 130/3rd Round | Hull -a former high school wrestler- contains enough burst to reach the wide side of the field when bouncing runs. His fumbling issues in 2022 came as a surprise after having just two over a three-year period, but he catches the ball well. | 5 | |
| 6 (211) | Titus Leo 6’3 243 | DE-OLB-Wagner | 446/5th Round | Leo aligns outside shade or head-up over the offensive tackle at DE or in a two-point rush outside linebacker. He wheels his arm to get over the top of offensive tackles and demonstrates an ability to stack-and-shed on the edge. | 4 | |
| 7 (221) | Jaylon Jones 6’2 200 | CB-Texas A&M | 119/3rd Round | Jones was a solid zone corner in school who handled back-shoulder fades effectively in man coverage. He does not close on routes that break away from him instantly, but the size works in the Colts scheme. How will he perform on special teams? | 5 | |
| 7 (236) | Jake Witt 6’7 300 | OT-Northern Michigan, Michigan Tech | 421/5th Round | The former college basketball hoops baller at Michigan Tech (6.4 PPG, 4.9 RPG) in 2018-19, stood out on the football field this past season. He blew up his Pro Day, but displayed mobility as a former starting tight end who made a successful transition to the left tackle spot in 2022. He can bend his knees in the chair, but has to improve his overall anchor. | 4 | |
| No. 1 UDFA signing: | Emil Ekiyor 6’2 317 | OG-Alabama | 104/3rd Round | A lack of size may have caused a slip in the draft, but he has the skills to compete for a backup spot an any of three interior line positions. | 5 | |
| Draft Grade: | 4.625 | |||||
| Jacksonville Jaguars | ||||||
| Selection | Player Selection | Position- School | DN Big Board Rank/ Grade | Notes | Value (1-5) | |
| 1 (27) Jacksonville Jaguars (from Buffalo Bills) | Anton Harrison 6’5 298 | OT/Oklahoma | 40/2nd Round | Harrison gives the Jaguars options after losing Jawaan Taylor and potentially Cam Robinson for a portion of the 2022 season. This pick represented need as much as anything else even late in the first round. | 4.5 | JAX trades No. 25 to BUF to No. 27 Date: April 27, 2023 The Jacksonville Jaguars continued to trade down, trading the No. 25 pick they had just received from the New York Giants to the Buffalo Bills for the Bills' first-round pick (No. 27) and fourth-round pick (No. 130). The Bills selected Utah tight end Dalton Kincaid with the No. 25 pick. The Jaguars selected Oklahoma offensive tackle Anton Harrison at No. 27. |
| 2 (61) | Brenton Strange 6’3 247 | TE-Penn State | 209/4th Round | The two-year starter at center projects into zone blocking run schemes very well and much of Penn State's run game was based on split zone concepts. | 3 | |
| 3 (88) | Tank Bigsby 6’0 210 | RB-Auburn | 225/4th Round | A violent runner with ankle flexibility, the biggest concern for Bigsby in school has been the ball security. | 4 | |
| 4 (121) | Ventrell Miller 6’0 232 | LB-Florida | 378/4th Round | If not for a leaky durability history, Miller would have gone a lot higher in this year’s process. Coaches have lauded his continued work ethic while in school. | 4 | |
| 5 (160) | Antonio Johnson 6’2 198 | S-Texas A&M | 45/2nd Round | Johnson did not make a lot of plays on the ball in school and ultimately experienced a brief slide. His length and movement skills could end up helping him if he can improve his down-to-down pad level. | 5 | |
| 6 (185) | Parker Washington 5’10 210 | WR-Penn State | 259/4th Round | With his sturdy frame, he may project as a slot wide receiver, running back in certain formations and occasional speed shovel option. | 4.5 | |
| 6 (202) | Christian Braswell 5’10 181 | CB-Rutgers, Temple | 316/4th Round | Braswell has defeated adversity in school and overcame multiple lower body injuries to have his best season as a five-game starter at Rutgers in 2022. He has matched receivers in two conferences dating back to 2018. | 4.5 | |
| 6 (208) | Erick Hallett 5’9 1/2” 191 | S-Nickel/Pittsburgh | 175/3rd Round | Hallett was given all of the tough assignments in school, serving as basically an extra nickel back in the team’s aggressive defenses even in some of the team’s base packages. His ball skills stood out during school. | 5 | |
| 7 (226) | Cooper Hodges 6’3 1/2” 309 | OT-Appalachian State | 419/5th Round | One of the better right tackles in the Sun Belt conference, we spotlighted Hodges’ impressive play back in 2020. He did 29 repetitions at 225 pounds on his Pro Day and that strength translates to games versus Power 5 opponents (see UNC ’22). | 4.5 | |
| 7 (227) | Raymond Vohasek | DT-North Carolina, College of DuPage | 498/5th Round | Vohasek’s leverage impressed as one of the better interior line defenders in the ACC….when healthy. He consistently gets his hands up to bat passes (7 career PBUs) and consistently gets his hips down to take on offensive linemen to keep his linebackers clean. | 4.5 | |
| 7 (240) | Derek Parish 6’1 244 | All-Purpose-FB-OLB-KO cover-hosuton | 244/4th Round | A fiery, tough outside linebacker who power cleans 425 pounds, Parish dominated out of the gate in 2022, posting 4.5 QB sacks against Texas Tech in 2022. But a torn biceps ended his season after he had already broken his hand previously. | 5 | |
| No. 1 UDFA signing: | Kaleb Hayes 5’11 196 | CB-BYU | 264/4th Round | Hayes may have missed sneaking into the draft, but he could stick if he impresses on special teams. Despite zero career interceptions, he posted 26 passes defensed in school. | 5 | |
| Draft Grade: | 4.77 |
About Author
