Night 1 of the 2023 NFL Draft featured a great deal of drama. Three quarterbacks were taken in the top four (Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud and Anthony Richardson), the Houston Texans traded back up to get Will Anderson at No. 3 after selecting Stroud second and a wide receiver wasn’t taken until Jaxon Smith-Njigba at No. 20 — which began a run of four consecutive WRs.
Per usual, though, there are still plenty of compelling prospects on the board.
Here’s who FOX Sports NFL Draft analyst Rob Rang ranks as the top 20 players remaining in the draft.
1. Will Levis, QB, Kentucky, 6-3, 232, Redshirt Senior
The traits are undeniable and so, too, is his experience in pro-style offenses at Kentucky. But necessary improvements in Levis’ decision-making keep him outside the tier of elite prospects on my board.
2. Brian Branch, S, Alabama, 6-0, 193, Junior
Like Robinson a few spots earlier, Branch stars at a position few teams can justify spending a top-10 selection to address. He is the most reliable open-field tackler in this draft, however.
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3. Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State, 6-2, 198, Junior
NFL scouts love athletic bloodlines almost as much as they love the length, physicality and tenacity Porter provided the Nittany Lions over his career, including the zero touchdowns allowed in 2022.
4. Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame, 6-5, 265, Junior
Similar to the aforementioned Robinson and Branch, Mayer likely will not be selected in the top 10, but when we look back on this draft years from now, all three are expected to be standout starters, with Mayer’s true dual-threat abilities as a pass-catcher and blocker unique even in this relatively strong tight end class.
5. John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota, 6-4, 320, Redshirt Senior
Teams are hesitant to use early picks on interior offensive linemen, but true plug-and-play blockers like Schmitz — a four-year starter who aced evaluations at the combine and Senior Bowl — warrant the investment.
6. Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia, 6-2, 210, Redshirt Sophomore
In terms of raw traits, there isn’t a cornerback more intriguing than Ringo, whose size, speed and ball-skills have earned him comparisons to longtime NFL star Patrick Peterson from scouts traveling through Athens.
7. Isaiah Foskey, Edge Rusher, Notre Dame, 6-5, 265, Redshirt Junior
Foskey comes with a bit of “buyer beware” as he currently lacks the power and nastiness preferred against the run, but his 20.5 sacks over the past two seasons and projectable traits could push him into the first round.
Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Will Levis highlights | 2023 NFL Draft
8. Joe Tippmann, C, Wisconsin, 6-5, 317, Junior
It isn’t often that centers warrant top-50 consideration, but Tippmann is unique, offering an exceptional combination of size, athleticism and experience in a pro-style offense.
9. Luke Musgrave, TE, Oregon State, Redshirt Junior
In a classic case of projecting better to the NFL than he did in the college game, Musgrave offers an exceptional combination of size, speed, soft mitts and pro bloodlines — but buyer beware, this Senior Bowl standout’s injury history and subsequent lack of production in Corvallis requires a closer look.
10. Keeanu Benton, DT, Wisconsin, 6-4, 312, Senior
Arguably this year’s “biggest” winner from the Senior Bowl, Benton showed off surprising quickness and balance as a rusher, complementing the power he showed as a run-stuffing nose guard for the Badgers.
11. Trenton Simpson, OLB, Clemson, 6-3, 240, Redshirt Junior
In yet another below-average year for off-ball linebackers, Simpson’s speed and production (including 23 tackles for loss and 13 sacks) over three seasons at Clemson stand out, with the former Tiger projecting best as a run-and-chase outside linebacker in a traditional 4-3 alignment.
12. BJ Ojulari, Edge Rusher, LSU, 6-2, 250, Junior
If he were an inch taller, Ojulari might rank as a top-20 prospect, but as is, his burst, bend and tenacity might warrant first-round consideration, regardless.
Alabama DB Brian Branch Highlights | 2023 NFL Draft
13. O’Cyrus Torrence, OG, Florida, 6-5, 347, Senior
Big, physical and nasty, Torrence followed his head coach, Billy Napier, to Florida from Louisiana and starred in 2022, dominating the SEC’s line of scrimmage with his girth and power, just as he did in the Sun Belt.
14. Matthew Bergeron, OL, Syracuse, 6-5, 323, Redshirt Junior
Quick and smooth out of his stance in pass protection, Bergeron starred at left tackle for the Orangemen, but his average arm length (33 5/8″) might push him inside to guard in the NFL.
15. Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia, 6-6, 270, Junior
Washington’s imposing frame and perceived upside is even more impressive than the two-time national champion’s production, projecting similarly to the NFL as longtime league standout Marcedes Lewis.
16. DJ Turner, CB, Michigan, 5-11, 178, Redshirt Junior
An elite speedster overshadowed by other talent in Ann Arbor, Turner is a classic (albeit undersized) cover corner with the agility, acceleration and awareness to contribute immediately.
2023 NFL Draft: Testing reflexes of the best offensive lineman in the cognition lab | Big Boys Club
17. Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee, 6-3, 217, Redshirt Senior
One of the biggest risers (back) up my board after medical evaluations at the combine proved he was progressing ahead of schedule from the ACL tear that abruptly ended his college career, Hooker has the experience, production and instincts to project as a future NFL starter.
18. Derick Hall, OLB, Auburn, 6-3, 256, Senior
Similarly built and gifted as former Auburn standout Carl Lawson, Hall is a compactly built rusher with a speed/power combination that will challenge NFL blockers.
19. Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina, 5-09, 171, Junior
A potentially lethal slot receiver and punt returner with electric quickness and exceptional ball skills to make difficult grabs look easy, Downs is going to make some NFL team look very smart for nabbing him on Day 2.
20. Jaelyn Duncan, OT, Maryland, 6-6, 306, Redshirt Senior
Duncan is as battle-tested as it gets, starting a total of 39 games at tackle over the past four years after signing with the Terps over the likes of Ohio State, Michigan, Florida, LSU and others. With a better supporting cast, Duncan would have earned more pre-draft buzz.
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