Opinion: 2023 NFL Draft Projections For Florida and FSU

Article photo of quarterback Anthony Richardson from Floria; photo credit to Doug Engle / USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY NETWORK

If you’re like me, following the leads and scoops into the NFL Draft each year has been fun. 2023 has not been any different.

Just based on the information I’ve gathered, as well as what research I have done, here are my takes on some of the players that will be selected in this year’s NFL Draft for the Gators and Noles.

Keep in mind, these were players I was intrigued by and have studied to date, and nothing more. I’ll have more later this week including both of Miami’s NFL hopefuls, Tyrique Stevenson and Will Mallory.

Anthony Richardson, Quarterback, Florida Gators

If there’s a more difficult read for how a player will end up developing from this year’s Draft, I have not come across him.

Richardson both wowed and disappointed Florida fans many times during his time in Gainesville. Here’s my concern moving forward. The NFL can be described as the “Not For Long” because there’s just not much patience with coaching or players.

Will an NFL team allow Richardson to learn a NFL scheme, even if it takes two or three years, perhaps more?

Is Anthony Richardson the most intriguing QB in the 2023 Draft? @GVOaant

📺: 2023 #NFLDraft -- Starts Thursday, April 27 on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/tEzEZombWs
— NFL (@NFL) April 18, 2023

Remember, recent New York Jets quarterback acquisition Aaron Rodgers didn’t come in and tear it up at Green Bay either.

Rodgers sat behind Brett Favre from 2005 through 2007 before taking over in 2008 and throwing for 4,038 yards and 28 touchdowns. Of course he’s been great during the majority of his NFL career and helped the Packers win the Super Bowl one time.

While Favre was still good, the Packers were smart to take their time with Rodgers as a backup, and he learned the offense and wasn’t rushed while doing so.

But, how often does that happen with a young quarterback in today’s NFL? Hopefully it works out for Richardson, but time will tell.

Projection: Richardson will go in the first eight picks of the first round. Some NFL team will nab him because that organization has become enamored with Richardson’s speed and arm strength. It wouldn’t shock me if he went in the first four picks, despite my gut telling me this talented prospect probably fits best in the boom or bust category.

Richard Gouraige, Offensive Line, Florida Gators

There have been some projections for the 6-foot-5 and 306-pound offensive lineman going in the middle rounds. I could see that, and along with other people, it’s understandable if NFL teams take a pass on Gouraige. Here’s what’s good and bad.

He’s a brute. Go ahead and bull rush him. Further, he’s a load coming right at a linebacker in space and nimble enough to connect; that’s assuming he keeps his footwork consistent.

Like most college offensive linemen, Gouraige needs a lot of technical work. I still believe that’s more a matter of time than it being a situation where it won’t happen. He is a prospect that’s 24 now, so keep that in mind. He’s a bit more mature and ready for pro ball than many other offensive linemen heading into the 2023 NFL Draft.

Projection: Guessing sixth round here, but it’s not going to be shocking if he ends up going much higher. It only takes one team to truly want a player. Maybe that ends up being Gouraige in the fourth round?

Gervon Dexter, DT, Florida Gators

If you like sheer raw talent, Dexter has quite a bit of that. Despite his 6-foot-6 and 300-plus-pound frame, he has shown the ability to chase down running backs from behind, as well as walk an offensive lineman back towards the quarterback.

I remember meeting him at a Lake Wales (Fla.) High School game during his senior season. He was just coming into his own then, but it was still obvious that his physical skills were immense.

What’s also unique about Dexter would be his position flexibility. He can play nose guard or 3-technique (defensive tackle). That’s a big bonus and will likely help Dexter move up the board for at least a few NFL teams.

Any way they can find a player that essentially does the work of two players and saves a roster spot, that’s what NFL organizations desire.

Projection: Dexter will go in the middle of the second round.

Jammie Robinson, Safety, Florida State Seminoles

Consistency and packing a punch helped to define Robinson (picture above with the huge traps - photo credit to Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports). He was a player that played right away at South Carolina out of Leesburg (Ga.) High School, and that continued after his transfer to Florida State.

Most notably, Robinson stayed on the field. Whether against a traditional power package like 12 personnel (one running back and two tight ends) or going against an empty look with five receivers spread across the formation, the Noles would keep Robinson in the game most of the time.

He delivered tackles, too. Robinson accrued 99 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, an interception, and 5 pass breakups this past season alone.

So, where will the 5-foot-11 and 191-pound Robinson line up at the NFL level? Better yet, where will he not line up?

With his tackling and coverage skills, he could end up at strong safety, nickel, and even play some form of a hybrid linebacker during obvious passing downs.

I like Robinson’s versatility a lot. Maybe it’s just me, but I believe he’s a bit undervalued by many of the NFL Draft sites.

Projection: Late third round pick. However, I think he’s worthy of consideration for a late second round pick. No NFL team can ever have enough players that can cover and tackle in space.

Robert Cooper, Defensive Tackle, Florida State Seminoles

Similar to Dexter from UF, Cooper can play that nose guard spot that’s often hard to find the right blend of size and raw athleticism. While not as fast as Dexter, Cooper’s girth and frame make him the more traditional power player.

He’s listed at 6-1.5 and 307 pounds, but when Cooper was coming out of Snellville (Ga.) South Gwinnett, he was massive and overweight at roughly 340 pounds. Even so, his size and ability to push the pocket saw programs from across the country come after him before he selected the Seminoles.

As a Nole, I was surprised he never truly made it to big-time status. Hard to find more power than him when he truly wanted to “go” during a play. That stated, FSU sometimes struggled to slow down the run with Cooper in the lineup.

The FSU defense gave up 2,033 yards on the ground this past season, and Cooper did not help as much as he should have.

Will Cooper put it all together at the NFL level?

Projection: I believe some teams will be tempted to select him in the sixth or seventh round. In fact, I’m saying a team will take a shot on him and draft Cooper in the seventh round. That size can be hard to pass on. Most folks believe he will have to go the undrafted free agent route, however.

AllHurricanes.com is your home for all things Miami Hurricanes football, recruiting, basketball and other athletics, all the time. Follow along on social media at @AllHurricanes on Twitter and All Hurricanes on Facebook for round-the-clock news and analysis.