Kiper’s new Big Board rankings for the 2023 NFL draft: Top 25 prospects

Welcome to NFL combine — and new mock draft — week, which means I need to update my rankings for the 2023 NFL draft. There were a few movers off the Senior Bowl in early February, but this week is when I’ll really start to solidify my board. That’s because we’ll get official measurements and numbers from athletic testing, and we’ll also hear more about private interviews with prospects by coaches and front-office executives. Those are extremely important.

Below are updated rankings of the top 25 prospects in this class, along with the top 10 prospects at every position. This is not a mock draft — these are my personal rankings, not where I’d slot each prospect in Round 1. You can also check out the combined 2023 rankings of my fellow analysts Todd McShay, Jordan Reid and Matt Miller.

These aren’t detailed scouting reports, as we still need to get actual heights and weights — what we have now is based on information from each school — and official testing numbers at the combine in Indianapolis.

Let’s get into it (rankings updated Feb. 28):

Jump to: Position rankings

HT: 6-foot-3 | WT: 310 pounds | Previously: 1

I moved Carter to No. 1 in my December Big Board update, and he finished the season playing the best ball of his career. He had 12 quarterback pressures in his final three games for the back-to-back national champs, showing that he can wreck games from the interior. He was fantastic after he returned in late October from missing two games because of a knee issue. Check out this show of force in the SEC title game against LSU. Georgia had five defenders picked in Round 1 last April, and Carter arguably was more disruptive than all of them in 2021. He’s explosive at the snap and finishes well around the ball, even though he had just six career sacks. Carter is in the conversation for the top pick — if the Bears keep it.

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HT: 6-4 | WT: 243 | Previously: 2

Anderson’s sack numbers were down (10) from his historic 2021 season (17.5), but he ranked sixth in the country with 19.5 tackles for loss after being No. 1 (34.5) last season. He had a stunning 130 pressures over the past two seasons, which is 45 more than the second-best defender (San Jose State’s Viliami Fehoko). He is a dominant and complete edge rusher who might have been the No. 1 pick last April if he had been eligible for the draft. Anderson doesn’t take plays off, is versatile and plays the run well. He’s explosive off the line of scrimmage. Nick Saban & Co. used him as a stand-up outside linebacker, as a down defensive end and even at tackle, where he can blow up guards and centers at the snap.

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HT: 6-3 | WT: 232 | Previously: 3

Levis’ stats won’t blow anyone away, but he didn’t have a great supporting cast of playmakers around him. He had 19 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions last season, and his 60.9 QBR ranked 59th in the country. But when I went through and watched all of his starts at Kentucky, I was really impressed with his game. Levis has a rocket launcher for an arm and makes some “wow” throws. That has gotten the Penn State transfer into trouble at times, but it’s clear watching him that he believes he can fit the ball into any window. My comparison for him is Matthew Stafford.

Levis played in a pro-style offense at Kentucky, and he’s not going to need much time to adjust to the NFL. He can maneuver the pocket and throw on the run. Many of Levis’ turnovers came when he tried to use his arm to force throws, and he’s going to be punished for mistakes at the next level. He is the real deal, though, and there are lots of Levis fans in the NFL.

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HT: 6-0 | WT: 194 | Previously: 4

The 2021 Heisman Trophy winner has an incredibly quick release. He’s accurate and is an anticipatory thrower who knows how to hit receivers where they need the ball to run after the catch. He doesn’t make many mistakes. He’s one of the best “processors” I’ve scouted over the past decade, meaning he goes through read progressions to find his target or knows exactly the right time to escape the pocket.

The knock on Young is size; he doesn’t have a huge frame, which NFL scouts will have a close eye on as the draft nears. I don’t think he’s quite 6 feet, and he’s likely never going to be much more than 200 pounds. Still, his arm is more than good enough for him to be a great signal-caller at the next level. After a 47-touchdown, seven-interception season in 2021, Young had 32 touchdown passes and five picks this season, and his 86.2 QBR ranked sixth among all signal-callers in the FBS.

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HT: 6-3 | WT: 215 | Previously: 5

Stroud had 85 touchdown passes and just 12 interceptions over the past two seasons. He ranked first in the country in yards per dropback (8.9), second in QBR (88.9) and third in yards per attempt (9.5). He is quite simply a fantastic thrower of the football. He has smooth mechanics, good (not great) arm strength and can throw with touch to all levels of the field.

We saw Stroud’s flaws in his worst game of the season, a two-interception performance in the loss to Michigan to close the regular season. He has to get better when he’s off schedule and when plays break down. I’d also like to see him use his legs to scramble for first downs; he can be a little too rigid in the pocket. And then we saw him at his best as he threw for 348 yards and four touchdowns in the narrow loss to Georgia in the College Football Playoff semifinals. He actually did use his legs a few times in that one, and he was decisive and nearly flawless as a passer. All three of these passers have very similar grades on my board.

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HT: 6-0 | WT: 214 | Previously: 8

Robinson did absolutely everything for Texas. He ran inside and outside, caught passes and scored a bunch of touchdowns. I’m a big fan. Robinson’s 2021 season ended when he dislocated his left elbow, but he showed elite ability in those 10 games. He led the FBS in broken tackles forced per game (4.1) and averaged 112.7 rushing yards per game. He is a cut-and-go runner with outstanding vision and explosiveness. Another thing I like about Robinson’s game: He catches passes with his hands, not his body. He had 19 catches this season, averaging 16.5 yards per reception. I think NFL teams could use him even more in the passing game.

I don’t love drafting running backs in Round 1, but Robinson deserves this ranking; I grade based on ability, not my first-round philosophy. Now he just needs to find a team that values him because he’s a three-down back.

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HT: 6-4 | WT: 294 | Previously: 7

I feel good about making Skoronski my top-ranked tackle over Paris Johnson Jr. He is a technician who can bend. He shrugs off quick pass-rushers and can contain rushers who try to win with power. Skoronski started 33 games at left tackle for the Wildcats, and he just kept getting better. He allowed just nine pressures and one sack last season, even though his team struggled. He could be Northwestern’s second top-15 offensive tackle pick in three years (joining Rashawn Slater in 2021).

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HT: 6-1 | WT: 180 | Previously: 10

Witherspoon allowed 16 receptions on 54 targets as the primary defender this season, according to ESPN charting. He gave up just 3.3 yards per attempt and zero touchdowns while breaking up 14 passes and picking off three more. Impressed yet? He was extremely consistent all season. He doesn’t get handsy with receivers, so his game will translate well to the NFL. He also will tackle when needed. I really want to see what Witherspoon will run in the 40-yard dash at the combine this week.

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HT: 6-2 | WT: 201 | Previously: 16

Gonzalez started 18 games at Colorado — including six as a true freshman in 2020 — before transferring to Oregon before the 2022 season. After an inconsistent game in the season-opening loss to Georgia, he was a lockdown corner the rest of the way. He picked off four passes in 2022; he has the hands of a receiver. Gonzalez has excellent length and has the recovery speed to make up for mistakes in his technique. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him rise even higher.

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HT: 6-3 | WT: 241 | Previously: NR

McDonald is a big riser in these rankings, thanks to a dominant performance at the Senior Bowl. He was unblockable. There was some concern over his frame, but he weighed in at 241 pounds in Mobile, Alabama, which assuaged some concerns about whether he could hold up at the next level. McDonald is a speed rusher who is super explosive. He had five sacks last season, but he put up 11.5 in 2021 and 10.5 in 2020, so he has a history of production. He’s going to be coveted by teams that run a 3-4 because such teams always have a need for high-end edge rushers.

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HT: 6-2 | WT: 200 | Previously: 14

This cornerback class is going to be in a tight race all the way until April’s draft. I’m a fan of Porter, a lanky and physical defender who can reroute receivers with the best of them. He is aggressive, although he had just one career interception in 30 career starts. With all corners, the testing numbers at the combine will really matter, but I like what I see from Porter on tape.

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HT: 6-4 | WT: 232 | Previously: 21

I wrote before the season that I was putting Richardson in my Big Board because of his potential. You can’t coach his talent and physical ability, and NFL coaches will see the tools and try to develop him. He had an up-and-down season, throwing 17 touchdown passes and nine interceptions while running for nine scores. His 71.2 QBR ranked 30th in the country.

Richardson is still very raw — his mechanics and footwork need a lot of work. He has accuracy issues on shorter throws that should be easier. And yet, the arm strength and the dual-threat ability are so intriguing that a team near the end of Round 1 absolutely could take him and let him develop. What I say about the draft is that we’re trying to project who a prospect could be, not evaluate exactly what he is right now. Richardson hasn’t come close to his ceiling. He’s a polarizing prospect within the league.

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13. Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College

HT: 5-10 | WT: 172 | Previously: 19

Flowers, who had 200 catches and 31 touchdowns in his college career, is one of my favorite prospects in this entire class. He’s so elusive, so quick in and out of his breaks. He can play out of the slot or lined up outside. He can take a jet sweep to the house. He just gets open and makes plays. He forced 25 missed tackles this season, the third most in the country for a wideout. Flowers’ size won’t “wow” teams, but if they just put on the tape, they’ll see why I think he’s a first-round talent.

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HT: 6-1 | WT: 200 | Previously: 14

Smith-Njigba had a lost season, finishing with five catches because of a nagging hamstring injury. He announced that he would try to heal up before the combine in March. This injury shouldn’t affect his play in 2023, and I still think he could be a star at the next level.

This is the same wideout who led Ohio State in catches (95) and yards (1,606) in 2021, even on a team with two wide receivers drafted in Round 1 of the 2022 draft. He has stellar burst and explosiveness out of breaks. He’s a hands catcher who can run the entire route tree, and he can make defenders miss after the catch. Most of Smith-Njigba’s work came from the slot in 2021– all but eight of his catches came while aligned there. He led the FBS in receiving yards per route run (4.0). There’s a great chance he will remain the top receiver off the board in April.

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HT: 6-5 | WT: 232 | Previously: NR

Sanders, a rotational player on the Alabama defense in 2020 and 2021, transferred to Arkansas last year and had a breakout season. He put up 111 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception for the Razorbacks, and he was all over the field, showing his speed to chase down ball carriers. Plus, his upside as a pass-rusher and blitzer makes him more intriguing as a three-down linebacker. Sanders plays super hard and has great size for the position. He’s the clear No. 1 off-ball linebacker in this class.

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HT: 6-6 | WT: 315 | Previously: 9

After a season at guard, Johnson kicked outside to left tackle for the Buckeyes in 2022. He was impressive, allowing two sacks and just 10 pressures as C.J. Stroud‘s protector. The former five-star prospect has a great chance to be the top tackle in this class. He moves his feet well in pass sets and in the run game, and he has the quickness to keep up with speedy edge rushers. Johnson has everything NFL teams look for in a day one starter at left tackle.

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HT: 6-4 | WT: 251 | Previously: 20

Mayer had 67 catches for 809 yards and nine touchdowns in 2022, the latter of which led the country among tight ends. In three seasons at Notre Dame, he had 180 catches for 2,099 yards and 18 scores. NFL teams want tight ends who can stretch the deep middle of the field and block well enough to line up next to offensive tackles. That’s Mayer, who can be a force in the red zone. Linebackers simply can’t cover him (and safeties struggle with his size). He has a wide catch radius and could produce as a pass-catcher in the NFL. He’s a complete player.

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HT: 6-4 | WT: 240 | Previously: 23

A transfer from San Diego, where he had 20 touchdown catches in 2018 and ’19 combined, Kincaid had 16 scores for the Utes over the past two seasons. He has excellent hands — check out this touchdown grab — and will be among the fastest tight ends at the combine. Utah often used him out of the slot, and he torched safeties trying to cover him. Kincaid improved as a blocker this season. He fits the mold of what NFL teams want from their tight ends.

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HT: 6-6 | WT: 275 | Previously: 13

I wrote about Wilson in our draft notebook in November, and my guy Jordan Reid has been on him since he watched the 2021 tape. Wilson was a consistent menace off the edge for the Red Raiders. He had seven sacks and 15 total tackles for loss, showing explosion at the snap as a pass-rusher, taking on blockers and holding his ground in the run game. For edge rushers, it’s all about physical traits and tools, and the 6-foot-6 Wilson has everything teams want in that regard. Wilson broke his foot late in the season, so his medical reports at the combine will be critical to his draft stock.

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HT: 6-0 | WT: 280 | Previously: 11

Kancey is a penetrating tackle who is going to be compared to Pitt legend Aaron Donald even though they’re not the same type of player. Kancey is undersized like Donald, but he doesn’t have the same type of strength and explosion. He’s a tick below Donald. As I noted in my debut mock draft, though, Kancey put up 13.5 sacks when lined up as a defensive tackle over the past two seasons, most in the FBS. He has some upside as a pass-rusher. I really liked his 2022 tape. He’s likely a fit only for teams that play a 4-3, but he could be a star.

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HT: 6-5 | WT: 275 | Previously: 15

Murphy has a quick burst out of his stance and can close quickly off the corner. He also plays the run well and is physical at the point of attack. He had 11 sacks in his first two seasons at Clemson and had 6.5 in 2022. He moves inside to tackle at times, so that versatility will help his stock for NFL teams. I wrote in September that I wanted to see his sack production rise before moving him up, and he did that.

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HT: 6-4 | WT: 215 | Previously: 12

I thought Johnston was going to have a massive season, but then he had 12 catches for 114 yards and no scores in his first four games. After that slow start, however, he was stellar. He finished the season with 60 catches for 1,069 yards and six scores. He towers over defenders and runs through them — he is tremendous after the catch. As I wrote in October, Johnston wins contested jump balls with ease and has a rare combination of length and speed. He torched Michigan in the College Football Playoff semifinals with six catches for 163 yards and this long touchdown.

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HT: 6-0 | WT: 175 | Previously: 18

We discussed Addison early in the 2022 season when he had seven catches for 172 yards and two scores. What stands out about him is his route-running ability. He just gets open, and he can do it in so many ways. He can make up ground with late bursts to track the ball. He explodes off the line of scrimmage. Addison had 100 catches for 1,592 yards and 17 touchdowns at Pitt in 2021. He struggled a little bit with an unspecified injury over the last two months in 2022, but he finished the season with 59 catches for 875 yards and eight scores. He was used out of the slot more at Pitt — he had 76 catches and 14 touchdowns when lined up there in 2021 — but could play anywhere at the next level.

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HT: 6-5 | WT: 270 | Previously: 17

What is most impressive about Van Ness is his versatility, as he lined up inside and outside for the Hawkeyes and played the run well. He was really productive in 2022, with 13.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. He has a quick burst at the snap, and he is powerful when he gets his hands on an offensive lineman. NFL teams always are looking for defenders who can create mismatches, and that’s Van Ness. I’m curious to see his testing numbers at the combine.

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HT: 6-0 | WT: 180 | Previously: NR

As I wrote in my new mock draft, Forbes is boom-or-bust corner. He has a knack for the incredible play — he had 14 picks over the past three seasons. He also can get beat deep at times. Some of that is because he’s asked to lock down the top receiver on every team and he didn’t get much help. On tape, though, I really like Forbes’ aggressiveness and fight. The question is his weight — he’s a slender 6-footer. He was listed at 180 pounds in college, but he played at a smaller weight. NFL scouts really want to see his measurements at the combine. If he’s over 180 pounds, he could be a lock for Round 1.

2023 NFL draft rankings at every position

Quarterbacks

1. Will Levis, Kentucky
2. Bryce Young, Alabama
3. C.J. Stroud, Ohio State
4. Anthony Richardson, Florida
5. Hendon Hooker, Tennessee
6. Jake Haener, Fresno State
7. Max Duggan, TCU
8. Clayton Tune, Houston
9. Stetson Bennett, Georgia
10. Aidan O’Connell, Purdue

Just missed: Tanner McKee, Stanford; Dorian Thompson-Robinson, UCLA; Jaren Hall, BYU; Malik Cunningham, Louisville

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Running backs

1. Bijan Robinson, Texas
2. Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama
3. DeWayne McBride, UAB
4. Devon Achane, Texas A&M
5. Kendre Miller, TCU
6. Israel Abanikanda, Pitt
7. Zach Charbonnet, UCLA
8. Tyjae Spears, Tulane
9. Zach Evans, Ole Miss
10. Kenny McIntosh, Georgia

Just missed: Sean Tucker, Syracuse; Chase Brown, Illinois; Eric Gray, Oklahoma

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Fullbacks/H-backs

1. Hunter Luepke, North Dakota State
2. Josh Whyle, Cincinnati
3. Brayden Willis, Oklahoma
4. Jack Colletto, Oregon State
5. Monte Pottebaum, Iowa
6. Derek Parish, Houston
7. Princeton Fant, Tennessee
8. Ryan Jones, East Carolina
9. Ryan Miller, Furman
10. Javon Williams Jr., Southern Illinois

Just missed: Tyrick James, Tulane

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Wide receivers

1. Zay Flowers, Boston College
2. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State
3. Quentin Johnston, TCU
4. Jordan Addison, USC
5. Jalin Hyatt, Tennessee
6. Jayden Reed, Michigan State
7. Josh Downs, North Carolina
8. Cedric Tillman, Tennessee
9. Kayshon Boutte, LSU
10. Jonathan Mingo, Ole Miss

Just missed: A.T. Perry, Wake Forest; Rashee Rice, SMU

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Tight ends

1. Michael Mayer, Notre Dame
2. Dalton Kincaid, Utah
3. Luke Musgrave, Oregon State
4. Darnell Washington, Georgia
5. Tucker Kraft, South Dakota State
6. Sam LaPorta, Iowa
7. Davis Allen, Clemson
8. Payne Durham, Purdue
9. Luke Schoonmaker, Michigan
10. Cameron Latu, Alabama

Just missed: Will Mallory, Miami (Fla.)

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Offensive tackles

1. Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio State
2. Darnell Wright, Tennessee
3. Broderick Jones, Georgia
4. Anton Harrison, Oklahoma
5. Matthew Bergeron, Syracuse
6. Dawand Jones, Ohio State
7. Tyler Steen, Alabama
8. Jaelyn Duncan, Maryland
9. Blake Freeland, BYU
10. Colby Sorsdal, William & Mary

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Guards

1. Peter Skoronski, Northwestern
2. O’Cyrus Torrence, Florida
3. Cody Mauch, North Dakota State
4. Steve Avila, TCU
5. McClendon Curtis, UT-Chattanooga
6. Warren McClendon, Georgia
7. Braeden Daniels, Utah
8. Andrew Vorhees, USC
9. Atonio Mafi, UCLA
10. Emil Ekiyor Jr., Alabama

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Centers

1. John Michael Schmitz, Minnesota
2. Olusegun Oluwatimi, Michigan
3. Joe Tippmann, Wisconsin
4. Luke Wypler, Ohio State
5. Jarrett Patterson, Notre Dame
6. Ricky Stromberg, Arkansas
7. Alex Forsyth, Oregon
8. Jake Andrews, Troy
9. Nick Broeker, Ole Miss
10. Alan Ali, TCU

Just missed: Juice Scruggs, Penn State

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Defensive ends

1. Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech
2. Myles Murphy, Clemson
3. Lukas Van Ness, Iowa
4. Keion White, Georgia Tech
5. BJ Ojulari, LSU
6. Dylan Horton, TCU
7. Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Kansas State
8. Isaiah Foskey, Notre Dame
9. Zach Harrison, Ohio State
10. Tavius Robinson, Ole Miss

Just missed: Adetomiwa Adebawore, Northwestern

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Defensive tackles

1. Jalen Carter, Georgia
2. Calijah Kancey, Pitt
3. Bryan Bresee, Clemson
4. Mazi Smith, Michigan
5. Tuli Tuipulotu, USC
6. Keeanu Benton, Wisconsin
7. Siaki Ika, Baylor
8. Colby Wooden, Auburn
9. Karl Brooks, Bowling Green
10. Byron Young, Alabama

Just missed: Keondre Coburn, Texas; Gervon Dexter Sr., Florida

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Inside linebackers

1. Drew Sanders, Arkansas
2. Trenton Simpson, Clemson
3. Jack Campbell, Iowa
4. Daiyan Henley, Washington State
5. Dorian Williams, Tulane
6. Dee Winters, TCU
7. Noah Sewell, Oregon
8. Ivan Pace Jr., Cincinnati
9. Henry To’oTo’o, Alabama
10. DeMarvion Overshown, Texas

Just missed: Nick Herbig, Wisconsin; Isaiah Moore, NC State; Owen Pappoe, Auburn; Drake Thomas, NC State

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Outside linebackers

1. Will Anderson Jr., Alabama
2. Will McDonald IV, Iowa State
3. Nolan Smith, Georgia
4. Mike Morris, Michigan
5. Derick Hall, Auburn
6. Byron Young, Tennessee
7. Andre Carter II, Army
8. Thomas Incoom, Central Michigan
9. Caleb Murphy, Ferris State
10. Jalen Graham, Purdue

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Cornerbacks

1. Devon Witherspoon, Illinois
2. Christian Gonzalez, Oregon
3. Joey Porter Jr., Penn State
4. Emmanuel Forbes, Mississippi State
5. Deonte Banks, Maryland
6. Cam Smith, South Carolina
7. Kelee Ringo, Georgia
8. Riley Moss, Iowa
9. Garrett Williams, Syracuse
10. Tyrique Stevenson, Miami (Fla.)

Just missed: Darius Rush, South Carolina; Clark Phillips III, Utah; Kyu Blu Kelly, Stanford; Carrington Valentine, Kentucky; Julius Brents, Kansas State; Alex Austin, Oregon State; Cory Trice, Purdue

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Safeties

1. Brian Branch, Alabama
2. Jammie Robinson, Florida State
3. Sydney Brown, Illinois
4. Antonio Johnson, Texas A&M
5. Ji’Ayir Brown, Penn State
6. Ronnie Hickman, Ohio State
7. Jartavius Martin, Illinois
8. Kaevon Merriweather, Iowa
9. Christopher Smith, Georgia
10. Jordan Battle, Alabama

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Kickers and Punters

1. Chad Ryland, Maryland (K)
2. Bryce Baringer, Michigan State (P)
3. Jake Moody, Michigan (K)
4. Adam Korsak, Rutgers (P)
5. Jack Podlesny, Georgia (K)
6. Brad Robbins, Michigan (P)
7. Michael Turk, Oklahoma (P)
8. Paxton Brooks, Tennessee (P)
9. Christopher Dunn, NC State (K)
10. Ethan Evans, Wingate (P)

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Returners

1. Derius Davis, TCU
2. Charlie Jones, Purdue
3. Malik Knowles, Kansas State
4. Nathaniel Dell, Houston
5. Aron Cruickshank, Rutgers
6. Eric Garror, Louisiana
7. Tre Tucker, Cincinnati
8. Natrone Brooks, Southern Mississippi
9. Demario Douglas, Liberty
10. Robert Ferrel, Washington State

Just missed: Thayer Thomas, NC State

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Long-snappers

1. Alex Ward, UCF
2. Robert Soderholm, VMI
3. Chris Stoll, Penn State
4. Matt Hembrough, Oklahoma State
5. Austin Mock, Liberty
6. Joe Shimko, NC State