The Biggest Game-Changers in the 2023 NFL Draft Class
Football might be the ultimate team sport, but NFL teams are constantly seeking individuals who can change the course of a game all by themselves. Defensive disruptors like Nick Bosa, big-play receivers like Justin Jefferson and home-run hitters like Derrick Henry all have this ability.
These are the players who keep opposing coordinators up at night.
Teams that employ game-changing players have a big advantage. Not only can they flip the script on a single play, but they also command enough attention to open up opportunities for their teammates.
While many of the 2023 draft's top prospects are valued because of their positional value, high floor or consistency, others will be coveted for their game-breaking ability. We'll examine the latter group here.
We'll examine what exactly makes these prospects special and what their ceilings could look like at the NFL level. Players are listed in alphabetical order.
Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Alabama
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Elite edge-rushers like Nick Bosa, T.J. Watt and Myles Garrett are rare. Teams are always on the lookout for players like them, and Alabama's Will Anderson Jr. has the potential to be a similar defensive game-wrecker.
Anderson is the top-ranked overall prospect on the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's draft board because of his game-changing ability.
"The best way to describe Will Anderson Jr.'s college tape is that everything just looked easy for him," Matt Holder of the B/R Scouting Department wrote. "From his movement skills to how effortlessly he took on blocks, it almost looked like he was getting bored out there. That's part of the reason why he's been considered the top player in this year's draft class since last January."
As a prospect, Anderson combines an enticing combination of size (6'3", 253 lbs) and quickness (4.6-second 40-yard dash) with a penchant for the big play. He recorded 27.5 sacks, 48 tackles for loss and an interception over the past two seasons. This package of traits and proven production make Anderson an extremely high-ceiling prospect.
However, Anderson has a high floor, too. He's strong against the run (204 tackles in three seasons) and will immediately upgrade any defense in which he lands. He'll be a big-time contributor from Day 1 and has the upside of a perennial All-Pro.
Jalen Carter, DL, Georgia
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Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter is the second-ranked prospect on the B/R board, and he might end up being the most highly regarded defender in the 2023 class.
While elite edge-rushers are rare, truly dominant interior defenders are just as valuable. Every team wants its version of future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald, and defensive linemen like Daron Payne—who signed a four-year, $90 million deal this offseason—are cashing in on that demand.
Carter might not be on Donald's level—few are—but he has the tools to quickly become one of the league's most prolific interior defenders. The 6'3", 314-pound prospect is an active defender who can swallow ball-carriers and attack plays in the backfield.
Over the past two seasons, Carter recorded 69 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss and six sacks—impressive numbers for a big-bodied tackle. Opposing coaches had to have a plan for slowing Carter in college, and the same will be true in the NFL.
Carter's pre-draft journey has been complicated. He pleaded no contest to two charges connected to a January car crash that killed teammate Devin Willock and Georgia staff member Chandler LeCroy. He also struggled at his pro day. However, his upside is high enough that he isn't expected to fall far on the draft's opening night.
In the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's latest mock draft, Carter landed with the Chicago Bears at No. 9.
Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
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Ohio State's Jaxon Smith-Njigba is the top-ranked receiver on the B/R board because of his size (6'1", 196 lbs), savvy route-running and dependability. Boston College's Zay Flowers is a different prospect entirely.
Flowers is only the fourth-ranked receiver on the B/R board because he doesn't possess the archetypal size of a No. 1 NFL receiver. Even at 5'9" and 182 pounds, though, Flowers has the ability to break games open before or after the catch.
"Flowers is about as fast as they come and can take the top off a defense with even one misstep from the defensive back," Derrik Klassen of the B/R Scouting Department wrote. "He's not just a one-trick pony, though. Flowers is also very explosive and effortless in his change of direction, which shines when paired with his careful, controlled route-running skills."
At the combine, Flowers ran a 4.42-second 40-yard dash, but he isn't purely a deep threat. He's elusive in the open field and has enough route awareness to be exactly where he's supposed to be on timing patterns.
Flowers, who logged 1,077 yards and 12 touchdowns last season, is a fit for virtually any passing scheme. He might not take over games like Justin Jefferson or Ja'Marr Chase can, but he can instantly change them with his ability to score from anywhere on the field.
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Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State
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This year's cornerback class is both deep and talented. Prospects such as Illinois' Devon Witherspoon and Oregon's Christian Gonzalez will vie to be the first off the board and could follow in the footsteps of reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year Sauce Gardner.
However, if any incoming defensive back is going to be an instant game-changer, it's Mississippi State's Emmanuel Forbes.
From a size perspective, Forbes is an extreme outlier. He measured in at 6'1" but only 166 pounds in Indianapolis. His 4.35-second speed is undeniable though, as is his proven ability to generate big plays.
Last season alone, Forbes had 10 passes defended, six interceptions and three defensive touchdowns. His tendency to see the ball, get the ball and score isn't something that can necessarily be coached. This is precisely why Forbes could be a first-round pick despite any warranted size concerns.
"Forbes is the imperfect candidate in a wholly imperfect draft, and I think he's going in the first round," ProFootballTalk's Peter King wrote on Monday. "There is so much to like with the 6-0 ¾, 168-pound corner, the most productive defensive back in this draft."
Teams that favor bigger and more physical corners may be out on Forbes on Day 1. Whichever team is willing to accept his thin frame, however, is going to add takeaways and perhaps points to its defensive stat sheet sooner than later.
Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
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Ohio State's C.J. Stroud is the top-ranked quarterback on the B/R board because of his past production, accuracy and processing skills. He's the epitome of a high-floor quarterback prospect.
Florida's Anthony Richardson is exactly the opposite. He may need to work on his mechanics and accuracy to become a consistent quarterback at the next level, but when it comes to creating game-changing plays, no quarterback in this draft class is better.
Richardson is a 6'4", 244-pound prospect with a cannon of an arm and legitimate 4.43-second speed. He was a full-time starter for only one season, but in that season, he threw for 2,549 yards and 17 touchdowns while rushing for 654 yards and nine scores.
Dual-threat quarterbacks like Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts and Josh Allen have changed the NFL game in a broader sense by altering the ways they must be defended. Richardson can be a similar pro, and perhaps sooner than many realize.
From Klassen:
"Richardson offers exceptional scrambling ability, pocket management and the know-how to avoid sacks, not to mention he's a decent processor for a one-year starter. Richardson's issues mostly boil down to timing and accuracy, which can be fixed with a couple of seasons of sharp coaching."
As Justin Fields did this past season, Richardson can be an early difference-maker as a scrambler while developing into a more complete quarterback.
Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
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Running back has become a devalued position in the modern NFL, though a few game-changers at the position do exist. These are either physical backs who can also rip off long runs—like Derrick Henry and Nick Chubb—or elite dual-threats like Josh Jacobs, Saquon Barkley and Christian McCaffrey.
Texas' Bijan Robinson has the potential to fit into both categories. He has plenty of physicality packed into his 5'11", 215-pound frame, but he's also quick (4.46-second 40), elusive and a tremendous receiver.
"He's the best running back in the draft and has the rare ability to segue into receiver mode with great hands and strong slot capabilities," King wrote.
This past season, Robinson racked up 1,580 rushing yards, 314 receiving yards and 20 combined touchdowns. He isn't likely to see a dip in production at the next level because of his generational talent. In fact, his elusiveness and receiving ability might make him more productive than he was in college.
"I thought Saquon Barkley was sensational coming out of Penn State. I'll make this argument ... I think Bijan Robinson is more talented coming out of Texas," ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay said on First Draft. "More complete, has more explosiveness, creates more missed tackles than Saquon Barkley did."
Several teams will be reluctant to take a running back early in what is a deep draft at the position. However, Robinson is the sort of game-altering talent that justifies a phone call on Day 1.
Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
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Alabama quarterback Bryce Young is a shining example of how game-changers come in all sizes. He doesn't possess the imposing physical presence of Richardson, and, in fact, he's an outlier on the other end of the size spectrum.
At only 5'10" and 204 pounds, Young is extremely small for the quarterback position. However, he makes up for this with accuracy, anticipation and an uncanny ability to make big plays inside and outside of the pocket.
"Once Young decides a play is broken, either because of pressure or sticky coverage, he is quick to find an answer," Klassen wrote. "Sometimes that is a timely checkdown, but more frequently it means a play outside the pocket, where his blend of athleticism, creativity and flexible mechanics creates magic."
Young isn't going to run over and through defenses like Richardson can, but he's mobile enough to buy time to find the big-hitting pass and to pick up the occasional first down or touchdown with his legs.
Over the past two seasons at Alabama, Young passed for 8,200 yards and 79 touchdowns while rushing for 185 yards and seven scores.
Young has many of the same game-changing traits that Patrick Mahomes possesses, albeit in a smaller frame. This is why many believe Young will go to the Carolina Panthers first overall on Thursday—just as he did in the B/R Scouting Department's latest mock.
*College statistics from Sports Reference. Contract information via Spotrac.
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