The first round of the 2023 NFL draft was chaotic, to say the least, as a litany of trades, two running backs being picked inside the Top 15, and quarterback Will Levis’ nightmare scenario of being completely left out of the first 32 picks coming true while ESPN took full advantage of recording his misery after every pick.
For Texas A&M, Day 2 was always the predicted landing spot for running back Devon Achane, and safety Antonio Johnson, though Day 3 is the most likely landing spot for cornerback Jaylon Jones, this will all transpire based on how the draft falls for every participating team.
Devon Achane, whose standout metric remains his 4.32 40-time at the combine, was mocked towards the end of the first round according to three publications before Thursday, but for the majority, his value remains in the second or third round, and any team lucky enough to land him is getting one of the fastest and most versatile athletes in the entire class with the ability to contend for a starting spot in the backfield, while immediately contributing on special teams.
Antonio Johnson’s journey to the draft has been filled with ups and downs from a scouting perspective, as his elite tangibles (6-2, 198 lbs, 32 1/8″ wingspan) coupled with his versatility in coverage stand out tenfold, questions regarding his athleticism most likely kept him out of the first round, but that doesn’t mean that multiple teams didn’t at least consider taking him late. Either way, Johnson is an absolute steal in the second round for a team in need of a hybrid defender who excels near the line of scrimmage with the ability to cover tight ends in space. I expect Jonson’s name to be called very early on Friday night.
Last but not least, cornerback Jalyon Jones’ value will be tied to a team’s specific need as the position, mainly on the boundary due to Jones’ size, standing at 6-2, 200 lbs, with a 30 3/4″ wingspan. However, his 4.57 40-time has left many teams questioning his fit against faster receivers on the outside, but one stat will always stand out as teams continue to evaluate his potential, as Jones only allowed 94 yards in coverage during the 2022 season with the Maroon and White, so let’s just say that the numbers speak for themselves. I’ll stick with the consensus prediction that Jones will most likely land in the fifth round, but hey, anything could happen on Friday night.
Good luck to all three young men this weekend! Gig ‘Em!
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