B.S. Meter on the Biggest 2023 NFL Draft Rumors with Under a Month to Go
Less than a month away from the 2023 NFL draft, we're going to hear constant whispers about what teams may do with premium picks and how high or low prospects may go compared to our expectations.
As always, the first day of the draft will have several storylines.
This year, the Carolina Panthers hold the No. 1 overall pick with their eyes on a potential franchise quarterback, and they'll probably keep us in suspense until the evening of April 27.
After the Panthers, two or three other teams may select a quarterback in the top five. One NFL insider believes that a playoff team will make an aggressive move for a signal-caller with arguably the highest upside in the class.
Aside from the quarterback discussion, Jalen Carter's draft stock has become a hot topic, and one team might have decided they won't select him at its current first-round draft position. Which club is it?
We'll dive into the biggest draft rumors and assess each report on the B.S. meter using a 1-10 scale. One is closest to the truth and 10 leans toward B.S.
Panthers Believed to Be Taking C.J. Stroud at No. 1
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The Carolina Panthers made the bold move to trade up from No. 9 to the No. 1 spot. Who will they pick to be their franchise quarterback?
According to ESPN's David Newton, Carolina has narrowed its choices down to C.J. Stroud and Bryce Young. In most mock drafts, they're regarded as the top two quarterback prospects.
ESPN's Dan Graziano went a little further in his report on Thursday.
"The Carolina Panthers would have you believe they moved up from No. 9 to No. 1 in the draft without knowing which quarterback they're taking. As you'd expect, some people don't believe that, and a very unscientific poll of sources to whom I spoke at the meeting tells me most people believe they're taking Ohio State's C.J. Stroud."
On Tuesday, Panthers head coach Frank Reich shared some thoughts with reporters about Young and the discussion about his size.
"Reich made it clearer than he has at any point during the process that this is more about durability than height, and that durability is a concern with Young due to his stature, though he missed only one game at Alabama," Newton wrote.
At 5'10", 204 pounds, Young will play against bigger bodies in a longer season on the pro level, which may raise concerns in the Panthers building. If they're choosing between 1A and 1B, they may go with the quarterback who has the prototypical size. Stroud stands at a sturdy 6'3", 214 pounds.
Nonetheless, we must consider the possibility that the Panthers may change their mind multiple times as they dig into the background of the two quarterbacks. Perhaps they're leaning toward Stroud but need more time to confirm that decision.
B.S. Meter: 4
Seahawks Will Leapfrog Colts to Pick QB Anthony Richardson at No. 3 Overall
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The Seattle Seahawks signed quarterback Geno Smith to a three-year, $75 million extension with $40 million guaranteed after he threw for 4,282 yards, 30 touchdowns and 11 interceptions and won 2022 Comeback Player of the Year.
Despite Smith's standout season, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll has shown interest in the rookie quarterback class and says the veteran signal-caller is on board with the team's evaluation process.
"I told Geno we're doing it," Carroll said via NFL Total Access (h/t SI.com's Harrison Reno). "He knows what is going on; he's just trying to win; he knows we are trying to win. So this is how we compete."
While in attendance at Florida's pro day, Pro Football Network's Tony Pauline caught wind of an intriguing trade rumor that may shake up the top of the draft.
"Speculation from league insiders during Florida's pro day is the Seattle Seahawks could be the team that leapfrogs the Indianapolis Colts and trades up with the Arizona Cardinals to secure Richardson. Several reasons were given. The cost to move up won't be much for the Seahawks, who have another first-round pick — the 20th selection.
"Additionally, the general manager and coach who draft Richardson have to be on safe footing. Even Russell Wilson couldn't get Pete Carroll and John Schneider fired. Finally, Richardson is the type of .... athlete that the Seahawks have drafted in the past and had success with — think Tariq Woolen and DK Metcalf."
While most expect a quarterback-needy team without a clear-cut starter to make a strong move for the No. 3 spot, the Seahawks, who have their signal-caller, would be a bit of a surprise.
Seattle has two first-round picks, and it can use both to improve a playoff team for the 2023 season rather than trade up for a quarterback who will likely sit for at least a year. Because they're in a win-now window, the Seahawks may prefer to wait and see if Richardson is available at No. 5 than give up draft capital to acquire him.
B.S. Meter: 9
NFL Teams Are Concerned with Will Levis' Decision-Making
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Around the league, the quarterback draft buzz isn't all rosy. Will Levis hasn't been mentioned favorably over the past week.
On Thursday, Fox Sports' Colin Cowherd heavily criticized Levis for posting his body transformation photos online, calling it a "lack of self-awareness" because "There are no great quarterbacks in league history who look like bodybuilders."
On the same day, Yahoo Sports' Charles Robinson appeared on 102.5 The Game's Robby & Rexrode to share what he's heard about Levis from teams that have evaluated him (starts at 17:10):
"Here's what I can tell you about Levis: when you talk to teams, unquestionably they love his skill set. I think most everybody agrees that he has the best arm in the draft. But I think ultimately they're like, 'Look, there is a decision-making aspect of this that we can't get away from, and it's not like we're looking at film and he's playing with a team that is completely devoid of NFL talent…He's definitely playing against a lot of NFL talent, and he's making bad decisions pretty consistently.'"
In addition to Levis' questionable decisions, you have to look beyond his 66 and 65.4 percent completion rates over the previous two terms to note his accuracy issues. Bleacher Report's Derrik Klassen provided some context via film study in his scouting report.
"Accuracy is below average," Klassen wrote. "Regularly sprays quick game throws; can struggle to set up clean YAC opportunities. Even worse in 2022 than in 2021."
While we can debate whether Levis' body transformation photos will help or hurt his draft stock, he has much bigger issues with his tape, which explains why he's a notch below C.J. Stroud and Bryce Young.
B.S. Meter: 1
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Titans Are a "Sneaky Team" That's Doing Homework on Quarterbacks
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Over the past month, Tennessee Titans general manager Ran Carthon and head coach Mike Vrabel have voiced support for Ryan Tannehill.
In February, before the NFL Scouting Combine, Carthon said, "He is a Titan and he will be a Titan" when reporters asked him about the 34-year-old signal-caller's future.
When asked this week if the team expects Tannehill to start for the 2023 season, Vrabel said, "Of course we do."
For now, Carthon and Vrabel seem authentic in their statements, but that could change after the draft. The MMQB's Albert Breer thinks the Titans are a "sneaky team" to watch among clubs doing due diligence on quarterbacks.
"There's a sneaky team involved in the draft-quarterback derby. And that team is the Titans. GM Ran Carthon was on hand for the three big quarterback pro days last week in Columbus, Tuscaloosa and Lexington, and Mike Vrabel was there for two of the three (he was at the University of Cincinnati's pro day in between Ohio State and Kentucky, rather than going to Alabama)."
With the 11th overall pick, the Titans will probably miss out on the top quarterback prospects in the class, but if they move up to the Arizona Cardinals' No. 3 spot, they can take one of the top passers on their board.
Keep in mind that the Cardinals' new general manager, Monti Ossenfort, served as the Titans' director of player personnel between 2020 and 2022. Tennessee and Arizona may be able to establish a line of communication to facilitate a trade if the Titans want to make a big move for a quarterback.
B.S. Meter: 2
Raiders Have "Crossed Off" Jalen Carter as an Option at No. 7
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On March 16, Jalen Carter pleaded no contest to charges of racing and reckless driving in connection with a car crash that resulted in the death of his former teammate Devin Willock and Bulldogs recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy in January. He was sentenced to 12 months of probation, a $1,000 fine and 50 hours of community service. The 21-year-old must also take a state-approved defensive driving course.
According to ESPN's Mark Schlabach, Carter also caused concern among teams after he gained nine pounds between the combine and his pro day, which contributed to a lackluster performance in front of team officials.
Per The Athletic's Vic Tafur, the Las Vegas Raiders have already ruled Carter out from being selected with their No. 7 overall pick.
"Carter is not an option for the Raiders at No. 7, having already been crossed off by the team, according to a league source.
"While the cases are not the same, the comparison is too close to home for the Raiders and their fans in the Las Vegas community following the 2021 arrest of former receiver Henry Ruggs. Ruggs is still awaiting trial on charges of DUI resulting in death, DUI resulting in substantial bodily harm and two counts of reckless driving in connection with the death of 23-year-old Tina Tintor and her dog."
Tafur predicted that the Raiders would refute his scoop. And within minutes, Las Vegas Review-Journal's Vincent Bonsignore contradicted the report after speaking with team head coach Josh McDaniels.
The Raiders don't gain any benefit from revealing their draft intentions. So, of course, they denied Tafur's report in the name of due diligence. With that said, general manager Dave Ziegler may avoid taking a risk on Carter with a premium pick.
B.S. Meter: 3
CB Devon Witherspoon Is "Destined" to Be a Top-10 Pick
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In several mock drafts, you'll see four quarterbacks, Will Anderson Jr., Tyree Wilson and Jalen Carter in top-10 draft slots, which leaves three spots up for up debate.
While we can make a case for a handful of prospects to round out the top 10 picks, ESPN's Matt Miller talked to talent evaluators who think Devon Witherspoon is a shoo-in for that draft range.
"There is some debate about his size (6-foot, 181 pounds) and scheme fit, but scouts love his coverage instincts, quick feet and toughness," Miller wrote. "And many of the scouts I spoke with believe he's destined to be a top-10 pick."
Teams in need of a lead cornerback may prefer Oregon's Christian Gonzalez (6'1", 197 lbs) or Joey Porter Jr. (6'2", 193 lbs) over Witherspoon because of their size, but the Illinois product boosted his draft stock with a breakout 2022 campaign, registering 14 pass breakups and three interceptions.
In terms of ball production on the collegiate level, Witherspoon (five interceptions and 24 pass breakups) has the edge over Porter (one interception and 20 pass breakups).
Even if Witherspoon is the second cornerback off the board after Gonzalez, he has a good chance to land with the Atlanta Falcons (No. 8) or Philadelphia Eagles (No. 10) as a top-10 selection. The Falcons need a young cornerback opposite of A.J. Terrell. The Eagles may look to add youth at the position behind Darius Slay (32 years old) and James Bradberry (29 years old).
B.S. Meter: 1
CB Kei'Trel Clark Could Be a Day 2 Prospect
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At this point in the evaluation process, draft analysts can get a handle on prospects who have significantly improved their draft stock over the past few months, starting with Shrine Bowl or Senior Bowl practices through pro days.
Pro Football Network's Tony Pauline has his eyes on Kei'Trel Clark, who has drawn interest from multiple teams.
"Cornerback Kei'Trel Clark continues his upward movement on draft boards," Pauline wrote.
"Clark is a natural slot corner, and while I have him graded as a fourth-round prospect, there's a feeling he may sneak into the back end of Round 3. The 49ers, Bengals, Steelers, and Cardinals are showing a lot of interest in Clark."
You won't hear Clark's name mentioned among the top cornerbacks in the 2023 class. At 5'10", 181 pounds, he has size limitations that will restrict him to slot and sub-package duties on the pro level, though the Louisville product has developed a knack for being around the ball.
In three seasons with the Cardinals, Clark registered 28 pass breakups and five interceptions. Athletically, he can match up with smaller, agile slot receivers, but his projection in a niche role may keep him out of the third round. Clark is a high-upside Day 3 pick.
B.S. Meter: 8
College statistics are provided by cfbstats.com.
Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.
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