2023 NFL Draft: All-Offensive NFL Combine Team
Prime 47 won’t be packed tonight. The downtown Indianapolis steakhouse that turns into a nightlife hub of who’s who under the NFL umbrella in one way or another will be empty. The NFL Combine has come and gone and taking everyone associated in the NFL world with it.
For the most part, the NFL citizenry will now be dispersed across the country as Pro Days near prior to the 2023 NFL Draft in Kansas City taking center stage from April 27-29. Until those Pro Day dates arrive, the reflection back on the recent NFL Combine will remain the sole focus of NFL Draft coverage.
This year’s combine, like those that have come before it, witnessed several prospects become household names blistering down the Lucas Oil Stadium carpet. Below is a list of prospects who helped improve their draft stock. The individual results certainly played a factor in the nomination of the players listed.
It wasn’t based on the player who simply ran the fastest or jumped the farthest. However, those numbers were taken into consideration with other factors regarding each player’s value prior to and leaving the NFL Combine.
All-Offensive NFL Combine Team
Quarterback
Bryce Young, Alabama
In my opinion, Young placed himself firmly at the top of the NFL Draft by not participating in a single drill at the combine but showing up at 5-foot-10 1/8 and 204 pounds. The most scrutinized topic about the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner was if he would eclipse 200 pounds when he weighed in. He succeeded like most of the other things revolving around the game of football. According to sources I spoke to at the combine. His above the shoulders brilliance is abundantly impressive and now he has the weight to soften the biggest concern – Size.
Running Back
Devon Achane, Texas A&M
No one questions this pint-sized powerhouse from College Station. He showed countless times with the Aggies his fearless nature carrying the football in between the tackles. Achane is 5-foot-8 1//2 at 188 pounds. These are not exactly the ideal measurements for a running back to attract the NFL’s attention. Their attention now is squarely focused on Achane after his 4.32 40-yard dash. His size was going to limit his interest, but his exceptional timed speed now keeps him relevant on draft day. A gritty make you missed prospect with elite speed.
Tackle
Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio State
Despite not running the 40, Johnson Jr. demonstrated his athletic ability should exist in the body of an elite linebacker and not his 6-foot-6 and 313-pound frame. Originally playing guard for the Buckeyes in 2021, his move to tackle in 2022 has proved his worth at the next level. Seriously, Johnson Jr. is so fluid and light on his feet. He made a strong case to be the first tackle off the board. His next audition is his Ohio State Pro Day, where he plans on doing the combine drills.
Tackle
Braeden Daniels, Utah
Starting 43 games for the Utes, the question of durability never was in question. The 6-foot-4 and 294-pound All-Pac 12 first-team selection this past season ran an impressive 4.99 forty at the combine. During his time at Utah, Daniels was asked to fill a variety of positions along the offensive line. The sub 5.0 forty validates his speed and quickness to handle zone-blocking schemes. His 1.71 10-yard split ranked second amongst all linemen at the combine. Those numbers should bolster his outlook as one of the more athletic offensive linemen available in the draft.
Guard
Sidy Sow, Eastern Michigan
Sow engulfs his defender at the second level and engages quickly. Those were a few notes on Sow during one of the two games I scouted on him this past season. His 5.07 forty at 6-foot-5 and 323 pounds put this Canadian-born prospect firmly in the good graces of the NFL. His aggressiveness and power are his two biggest assets. His 1.80 10-yard split coveys his short area burst, another accolade to worth mentioning. Oh, one more. His 32.00” vertical jump ranked tied for fifth. The big man possesses some real athletic abilities.
Guard
Jon Gaines II, UCLA
Going into the combine, Gaines II was considered one of the more athletic players in his position. The technical side of his game creates some question marks. However, without solidifying his athleticism with an above-average combine performance, he could have been toast. Gaines II showed up big. He ran a 5.01 forty at 6-foot-4 and 303 pounds, which ranked sixth overall in his grouping. He tied for second in the 10-yard split with an impressive 1.73 and tied for third with a 32.50” vertical jump. Gaines II capitalized on his invite to Indy.
Center
Ricky Stromberg, Arkansas
The winner of the prestigious 2022 SEC Jacobs Blocking Trophy (given to the conference’s most outstanding blocker), Stromberg did not allow a sack or quarterback hit during his final season in Fayetteville. The Tulsa, Oklahoma native was measured at 6-foot-3 and 306 pounds at the combine. A modest 5.26 forty wasn’t the talk of the day, but finishing tied for third in the vertical jump (32.5) and tied for sixth in the broad jump (9’3) should help minister his athletic ability in the eyes of NFL teams. Firing off the ball and using his leverage are strong suits. Stromberg quieted any concerns about athleticism with his combine results.
Tight End
Zack Kuntz, Old Dominion
Considered much of a fringe day three type prospect Kuntz is going to have teams digging through their notes and watching more film as he put on one of the top performances at the tight end position. He measured in at a whopping 6-foot-7 and 255 pounds and ran the second fastest forty (4.55) among tight ends. His 10-yard split of 1.57 tied him for third. He was an inch and a half better than all other tight ends with a 40.00” vertical jump, and his 10’8” broad jump also topped the group. Kuntz was the only tight end to come in under a sub 6.9 three-cone time with a 6.87 in the drill. This type of performance should now guarantee he hears his name called on draft day. It was possible he did not hear it all prior to his amazing performance in Indy.
Wide Receiver
Zay Flowers, Boston College
Flowers should be the first players selected who participated in the East West Shrine Bowl. A shifty receiver, his 4.42 was enough to validate his status among the top day two receivers coming off the board. Flowers possesses a smaller frame at 5-foot-9 and 182 pounds. It was significantly important to run in the low 4’s anything higher would have clouded his value in NFL minds. Doubt he sneaks into day one of the NFL Draft but he should be a steal on day two.
Wide Receiver
Trey Palmer, Nebraska
The former LSU Tigers’ wideout recorded the fastest 40 time among all receivers invited to the combine. His blazing 4.33 ranked fourth overall and immediately changed his draft trajectory. Standing at 6-foot-0 and 192 pounds, Palmer is no lightweight. He set the Cornhuskers' single-season record with 237 receiving yards against Purdue, which adds another wrinkle to the potential Palmer can provide at the next level.
Wide Receiver
Ronnie Bell, Michigan
The Wolverines receiver ran a modest 4.54 forty at the combine. His 1.52 10-yard split tied him for sixth in time and 12th overall. Bell’s 38.50” vertical jump also ranked near the top tier of receivers at the combine, tying him for eleventh best in the receiver group. Those are good signs that his recovery after an ACL tear in 2021 is progressing positively. The 6-foot-1- and 191-pound wideout is ultra-competitive and the numbers he posted at the combine will go a long way in advancing his draft stock.
