Constructing Ideal Starting Roster from 2023 NFL Draft Prospects
The weeks leading up to the NFL draft are filled with both intrigue and fun endeavors. Mock drafts fall firmly into the latter category, as they are rarely accurate beyond a few picks. However, they can provide some valuable information about what teams may or should do during the draft.
We're going to dial up the fun factor and examine what a team composed entirely of 2023 draft prospects might look like. The object is to piece together a college all-star squad that could hold its own against an established NFL team—something that NFL fans actually enjoyed for more than 40 years.
Below, you'll find a list of 25 draft prospects who in a fantastical alternate reality might combine, Voltron-style, to form a competitive NFL squad. We'll fill 22 offensive and defensive positions, plus a kicker, a punter and a return specialist to round out the roster.
Selections are based primarily on the latest draft rankings from the Bleacher Report Scouting Department, though factors like pro-readiness and versatility will also be considered.
Quarterback: C.J. Stroud
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Picking among the class' top three quarterbacks for this exercise wasn't easy.
Though undersized (5'10", 204 lbs), Alabama's Bryce Young is a natural playmaker both inside and outside of the pocket, and it would be a joy to watch him work with some of the draft's top offensive skill players. Florida's Anthony Richardson is an athletic marvel who ran a 4.43-second 40-yard dash at 6'4" and 244 pounds at the NFL Scouting Combine.
The idea of using Richardson as a dual threat in a run-heavy offense is very appealing.
However, Ohio State's C.J. Stroud ultimately won out because of his accuracy and advanced pre-snap processing ability.
"Pre-snap, Stroud does well to identify potential blitzes, decipher man vs. zone tells and anticipate early weak spots in coverage," Derrik Klassen of the B/R Scouting Department wrote. "... There isn't a throw Stroud can't make when in rhythm, and his high-end flashes of touch placement are better than anyone else's in the class."
While Stroud might not have a higher ceiling than Young or Richardson, he's a clean passing prospect and the best-suited for an immediate start. He has archetypal size (6'3", 214 lbs), is athletic enough to move in the pocket and can be trusted not to make multiple mistakes.
In his last 25 games, Stroud threw for 8,123 yards with 85 touchdowns and only 12 interceptions.
Running Back: Bijan Robinson
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We're looking for efficient play at quarterback because Texas running back Bijan Robinson is slotting in as our running back.
The 5'11", 215-pound former Longhorn is a do-it-all player who is just as capable of carrying an offense like New York Giants star Saquon Barkley—and perhaps more so.
"I thought Saquon Barkley was sensational coming out of Penn State," ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay said of the 2018 No. 2 overall draft pick on First Draft. "I'll make this argument ... I think Bijan Robinson is more talented coming out of Texas—more complete, has more explosiveness, creates more missed tackles than Saquon Barkley did."
The 2023 draft is both talented and deep at the running back position—14 backs are ranked inside the Scouting Department's top 150 players—but Robinson is the clear-cut choice for our all-prospect squad.
The 21-year-old had 1,580 rushing yards, 314 receiving yards and 20 total touchdowns last season while averaging 6.1 yards per carry. It won't be a shock to see him post similar or better numbers as a rookie in the NFL.
Simply put, Robinson will be the centerpiece of our hypothetical offense. He can run, he can catch, and he can take over a game—even against NFL-level talent.
Wide Receivers: Quentin Johnston and Jaxon Smith-Njigba
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While the offense would largely run through Robinson, there has to be some level of balance. Pairing him with TCU's Quentin Johnston and Ohio State's Jaxon Smith-Njigba—the two top-ranked receivers on the B/R board—can help provide it.
What's interesting about this year's receiver class is that while there are a few first-round-worthy receiver prospects, they're very different players.
Johnston is a big (6'3", 208 lbs), physical perimeter target who can also separate deep at top speed.
"For offenses looking for a big-bodied No. 1 to center the passing game around, Johnston is the player for the job," Klassen wrote.
Smith-Njigba also has good size (6'1", 196 lbs), but he wins with crafty route-running and precision and may be well suited for a slot role at the next level.
By going with Johnston and Smith-Njigba, we're adding size to our receiver room. This can aid the offense's downfield blocking and provide Stroud with favorable one-on-one situations if either receiver is matched up with a smaller corner. Obviously, chemistry between Stroud and Smith-Njigba wouldn't hurt.
In their respective last complete seasons—last season for Johnston, 2021 for Smith-Njigba (who missed most of 2022 with a hamstring injury)—these two pass-catchers combined for 2,675 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns. That's a lot of proven production to add to any passing attack.
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Tight Ends: Michael Mayer and Darnell Washington
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While there are some good receivers in this year's class, the tight end crop is even better. The player pool is littered with future NFL starters, and multiple tight ends are likely to be drafted in the first round.
Because the top prospects are special, we're going with a two-tight-end base set for our offense instead of a three-receiver look.
For our starting lineup, we're going with Notre Dame's Michael Mayer, who has been tabbed by the B/R Scouting Department as this year's best receiving tight end, and Georgia's Darnell Washington.
Mayer caught 67 passes for 809 yards and nine touchdowns last season, and he can immediately become a focal point of any passing attack. He would fill the role of move tight end in our offense, seeing time both in-line and in the slot.
Washington, who the Scouting Department labeled as the best blocker, will spend more time on the line. He could help open holes for Robinson while also providing mismatches in the passing game.
"Washington would fit best in a run-heavy system that can prioritize his blocking skills and ability to roam in space on play action," Klassen wrote.
Mayer and Washington make for a great complementary tandem and would be perfectly suited for a run-oriented offense with a lot of timing patterns and play action in the passing game.
Offensive Line: Johnson, Skoronski, Schmitz, Avila, Wright
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To build our offensive line, we're looking for a combination of ability and pro-readiness—again, we're looking for a squad that can compete now, not in three years.
At tackle, we're pairing Ohio State's Paris Johnson Jr. and Tennessee's Darnell Wright, The Scouting Department named Johnson as the draft's best blocker at tackle, which will be a boon for Robinson, while Wright gets the "most pro-ready" label.
Wright, though, is fully capable of opening holes in the ground game.
"Wright is a physically imposing, tone-setting blocker with starter-level play strength, power and balance to absorb and dish out force to both anchor and uproot opponents on command," Brandon Thorn of the B/R Scouting Department wrote.
We'll slot in Northwestern's Peter Skoronski at guard, even though he played tackle in college. His lack of ideal arm length (32¼ inches) may prompt such a move in the real world, but we're also looking to field the best starting five, and Skoronski qualifies.
"There is no doubt that he has the physical traits, makeup and skill set to be an immediate starter at all five positions and an asset to any offensive line room in the NFL," Thorn wrote.
Skoronski is the top-ranked offensive lineman on the B/R board, while TCU's Steve Avila is right behind him among interior linemen. He'll come in as the second guard with John Michael Schmitz playing between Avila and Skoronski.
The former Minnesota center will be another fine piece to the run-blocking puzzle.
"His grip strength and hard-nosed playing style allow him to steer, displace and finish defenders at a high level," Thorn wrote.
This is a big, physical and skilled offensive line that wouldn't look out of place on an NFL playoff roster.
Defensive Line: Jalen Carter and Tyree Wilson
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Georgia's Jalen Carter and Clemson's Bryan Bresee are the two top-ranked defensive linemen on the B/R board. However, we're going with a tandem of Carter and Texas Tech's Tyree Wilson because of Wilson's versatility.
"Schematically, the Red Raider is pretty versatile," Matt Holder of the B/R Scouting Department wrote. "He'd be a good fit as a 5- to 4i-technique in even or odd fronts and can even slide a little further inside to a 3-tech on occasion with his impressive strength."
In order to maximize the interior talent on our defense, we're looking at a 4-3 base front, but Wilson's potential to play multiple roles along the line could provide schematic options.
Carter, meanwhile, is the most talented interior defender in this class. It's just hard to pin down where he'll actually be drafted.
ESPN's Mark Schlabach reported last month that Carter pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and racing in connection with a crash that killed Georgia teammate Devin Willock and recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy.
Carter also disappointed at Georgia's pro day, and according to Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, "at least a couple" of teams have taken Carter off their draft boards.
However, Carter is a defensive force who can disrupt both running and passing plays. He and Wilson combined for 10 sacks, 21 tackles for loss and 93 tackles last season. Together, they'd be a handful for any offensive line they might face.
Edge-Rushers: Will Anderson Jr. and Myles Murphy
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Alabama's Will Anderson Jr. is both the top-ranked edge-rusher and the top overall prospect on the B/R board. We couldn't move quickly enough to put him into our starting defensive lineup.
Anderson is a truly disruptive pass-rusher, but he's equally as effective at setting the edge and bringing down ball-carriers. He logged 27.5 sacks and 48 tackles for loss over the past two years, and he'd be an ideal fit at the end of our 4-3 front.
To complement Anderson, we're going with Clemson's Myles Murphy, the second-ranked edge-defender and the one labeled as the most versatile by our scouting department.
"Murphy might not be a great fit for a team looking for a standup outside linebacker type of pass-rusher, but the Georgia native is somewhat scheme-versatile for any club looking for a more traditional, hand-in-the-ground defensive end," Holder wrote.
Over the past two years, Murphy racked up 14 sacks, 25.5 tackles for loss and 79 total tackles. He and Anderson would form a tremendous power-rushing duo that can also hold up against a strong rushing attack.
Linebackers: Jack Campbell, Trenton Simpson and Drew Sanders
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With a strong defensive front and two potent pass-rushers on the line, we're looking for flexibility at the linebacker position.
Iowa's Jack Campbell is the top-ranked linebacker on the B/R board and is well suited to man the middle in our lineup.
"The Hawkeye would be best as a middle linebacker in a system that uses a lot of one-high looks and Cover 3," Holder wrote. "That would give him some help over the top and keep him from having to carry wide receivers in Tampa 2 while still taking advantage of his ability to tighten throwing windows as an underneath defender."
Next to Campbell, we're going with Clemson's Trenton Simpson and Arkansas' Drew Sanders. While Campbell, Simpson and Sanders are the three top-ranked linebackers on the B/R board, their ability to complement one another is the real reason why they'd be getting the call.
Our Scouting Department tabbed Simpson as the draft's best coverage linebacker, while Sanders was named its most versatile.
"Sanders is excellent in coverage and has few flaws. He's athletic enough to cover running backs and tight ends in man coverage and has the instincts to be effective in zone, too," Holder wrote.
Campbell is a downhill thumper who can add a physical edge to our defense. Simpson and Sanders, meanwhile, can help cover the second level in what's shaping up to be a zone-heavy defense.
Cornerbacks: Joey Porter Jr. and Kelee Ringo
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Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon is the top-ranked cornerback on the B/R board. However, he's best suited for man coverage and isn't the most pro-ready defender in this draft.
"It will take a couple seasons for him to adjust before seeing if he is able to take the next step," Cory Giddings of the B/R Scouting Department wrote.
Instead, we'll go with a higher-floor prospect in Penn State's Joey Porter Jr. as our CB1. He's the Scouting Department's "most versatile" cornerback and the prospect most likely to make an immediate impact.
"Porter is the best cornerback in this draft class. He may not be as polished as some of the other top cornerbacks in previous classes, but with his length and physicality, he's comparable," Giddings wrote.
To complement Porter, we'll go with Georgia's Kelee Ringo. While Ringo is only the seventh-ranked corner on the B/R board, he's been labeled as its best zone-cover defender. He was a legitimate playmaker for the Bulldogs—he had 15 passes defended, four interceptions, a touchdown and three tackles for loss over the last two years—and can be a physical defender on the perimeter.
In our search for a hard-hitting secondary that can generate turnovers, Porter and Ringo fit the bill.
Safeties: Brian Branch and Christopher Smith
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Safety is one of the weakest positions in this year's draft class, and many of the top prospects are better suited to play in the box. This made finding a starting tandem a bit difficult, even with a single-high zone scheme in mind.
Georgia's Christopher Smith gets the nod as our free safety. Even if he isn't the sort of elite prospect we'd prefer at the position, he has the tools needed to play on the back end.
"Smith is versatile enough to play deep safety, underneath coverage and man coverage," Giddings wrote. "When in zone, he has the vision to see the field along with the instincts to make a play on the ball in the air."
Smith's top-end speed isn't ideal (4.62-second 40-yard dash), so we'd be looking to play him as a center fielder rather than using him in an over-the-top man-coverage role.
Alabama's Brian Branch, the top-ranked safety on the B/R board, gets the nod at strong safety. He can provide run support and has all the skills needed to help cover the middle of the field.
"He's quick, fast and strong with the ability to match up with shifty slots, bigger possession receivers and pass-catching tight ends. He's urgent and has a mind for the game," NFL Media's Lance Zierlein wrote.
In coverage, a trio of Branch, Simpson and Sanders should be able to take away just about anything over the middle of the field. If Porter and Ringo hold up on the edges, Smith could be free to make plays on the back end.
Specialists: Jake Moody, Bryce Baringer and Jordan Addison
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According to The Athletic's Matt Barrows, "most" kicking experts expect Michigan's Jake Moody to be the first kicker off the board come April 28 or 29. We're going with Moody for our squad because of his dependability from short range.
"Moody has just two seasons as a full-time kicker, but he was a consistent performer who could pull the team to wins when the offense sputtered," Zierlein wrote. "He's very reliable on kicks shorter than 40 yards but has been less consistent from longer distances."
While Moody's range could be a long-term issue for an NFL team, there's value in entering our hypothetical exhibition knowing that our kicker is pretty much money from inside the 40. Plus, Moody made all 148 of his point-after tries with the Wolverines.
At punter, we're going with Michigan State's Bryce Baringer, who averaged 49 yards per punt last season and 46 yards over four seasons.
USC wideout Jordan Addison gets the nod as our return specialist. While he only returned two kickoffs in college, he returned 18 punts and averaged a solid 12.2 yards per punt return.
Michigan's DJ Turner II and TCU's Derius Davis are more experienced returners; however, this was a way to sneak Addison onto the roster. The 21-year-old is the third-ranked receiver on the B/R board, and he'd be a tremendous addition next to Johnston and Smith-Njigba in the offensive rotation.
College statistics from Sports Reference.
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