A trio of Gators should hear their names called in the first two rounds of the 2023 NFL draft, according to the latest mock from The Athletic.
Nick Baumgardner put together a two-round mock draft to close out the first month of the year, and former UF quarterback [autotag]Anthony Richardson[/autotag] made the list along with offensive guard [autotag]O’Cyrus Torrence[/autotag] and defensive lineman [autotag]Gervon Dexter Sr.[/autotag]
Richardson goes at No. 19 overall to the Tampa Buccaneers in this mock and Torrence is at No. 25 overall with the New York Giants. Tampa’s quarterback issues have only grown since the playoffs ended and Tom Brady left town, and Richardson’s stock seems to have settled in the first round. Experts have linked him to teams like Carolina at No. 9, but going in the middle of the first round feels like less of a reach.
Torrence isn’t a lock to go in the first round just yet, though. While Baumgardner may like him at No. 25 overall, the truth is that New York could go in another direction. Yes, Torrence is likely the best guard on the board, but it’s not a draft where interior linemen will be flying off the board too early. If the Giants do opt to go with a skill position pick, Torrence could slip to Day 2 of the draft. Unlike Richardson, Torrence has the potential to be a plug-and-play draft selection. He’s ready for the next level, while Richardson still needs some development.
Finally, [autotag]Gervon Dexter Sr[/autotag]. is projected to come off the board at No. 44 overall (Round 2, pick 13) and join the Atlanta Falcons as a defensive tackle. Dexter is another player that might have benefitted from another year in college, but his ceiling is seemingly limitless. Consistency is the only thing missing from his game, but this is an NFL-ready body.
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