Tag: Luke Wypler

2023 NFL Draft: The top 8 interior offensive linemen

Broderick Jones, Peter Skoronski, and Cody Mauch. Could three of the best interior o-lineman in the 2023 draft class be tackle converts?

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As the great Greg Cosell said in the debut episode of “The Xs and Os,” offensive tackles define the width of the pocket, while guards and centers define the depth of the pocket.

This is an important delineation when projecting offensive linemen from college to the NFL. If you were a tackle in college, but your skill set leans more toward defining the depth of the pocket than the width of it, you could well be in line for a position change, and that’s not a bad thing. Zack Martin and Joel Bitonio are but two NCAA tackles in recent years who became top-tier guards in the NFL — consistently and immediately — because their attributes were more aligned to the interior, and the liabilities that might have limited their potential on the outside are negated.

Every draft class is different, but for the 2023 class of interior offensive linemen, I decided to take three tackles — Georgia’s Broderick Jones, Northwestern’s Peter Skoronaki, and North Dakota State’s Cody Mauch — and project them inside. I don’t know what their NFL teams will decide; it’s just what I observed after watching multiple games of each player’s performance.

Beyond that, there’s also an intriguing group of interior offensive linemen who did that in college, and project very well to the next level.

(All advanced metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus, Sports Info Solutions, and Football Outsiders unless otherwise indicated).

(All prospect measurement percentiles courtesy of MockDraftable.com). 

2023 NFL Draft: The top 9 safeties

2023 NFL Draft: The top 11 cornerbacks

2023 NFL Draft: The top 8 linebackers

2023 NFL Draft: The top 8 interior defensive linemen

2023 NFL Draft: The top 8 edge defenders

2023 NFL Draft: The top 5 offensive tackles

How the Texans could have a perfect 2023 NFL draft

If the Houston Texans were to have a perfect 2023 NFL draft, it would have to fall this way through the first three rounds.

The 2023 NFL draft will be like every draft held since 1936: replete with surprises and breaking in a manner that even the experts couldn’t have predicted.

As such, not every team comes away with their perfect draft haul — save for the 1999 New Orleans Saints who traded all of their picks for running back Ricky Williams at No. 5 overall. Typically teams have to compromise or go in another direction as their coveted players will begin their NFL careers elsewhere.

If the Houston Texans were to have a perfect draft this year, what would it look like?

According to Gordon McGuinness from Pro Football Focus, the Texans’ perfect draft would only need to be completed within the first three rounds. Houston grabs Alabama quarterback Bryce Young No. 2 overall, Ohio State wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba No. 12 overall, Michigan defensive tackle Mazi Smith No. 33 overall in Round 2, and then finishing off Round 3 with Ohio State center Luke Wypler (No. 65 overall) and Auburn defensive end Derick Hall (No. 73 overall).

Aside from taking Young, which is wrought with its own peril given the quarterback-needy Carolina Panthers possess the No. 1 overall pick and equally like the former 2021 Heisman Trophy winner, the Wypler selection is also problematic.

In a recent mock draft wherein all 32 NFL Wire editors represented their teams, Bears Wire managing editor Alyssa Barbieri indicated the Chicago Bears would be inclined to take Wypler with the No. 64 overall, the first pick of Round 3. Houston would have to hope the Bears would ignore Wypler to have a shot at him at that spot. Otherwise, the Texans may need to build a package to move ahead of Chicago — up beyond their trio of picks starting at No. 53 overall. Otherwise Chicago could sense what Houston was after and take Wypler at No. 53 overall.

The Texans’ biggest needs are quarterback, receiver, and defensive end. So long as Houston adequately addresses those positions with significant capital, Clutch City sports fans will consider the draft perfect enough.

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Top five rated Ohio State center recruits since 2000

Top five rated Ohio State center recruits since 2000 #GoBucks

We have been diving into some of the more highly touted recruits in Ohio State history. We recently discussed the quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, offensive tackles and guards, but we wanted to look into the history of recruiting centers.

There are some very interesting names on this top five recruiting list and even though 247Sports only goes back to 2000, there are some memorable names. It is always fun to reflect on how some of these guys performed and whether or not they lived up to expectations. Offensive line recruits are always interesting because these are guys that are often switching positions, but let’s dive in.

Anthony Richardson falls to Seahawks in this three-round mock draft by PFF

PFF’s projection has Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson falling to Seattle at No. 5 overall. 

With three weeks to go before the 2023 NFL draft, we have now seen literally hundreds of different scenarios for the Seahawks in mock drafts around the web. This three-round mock draft from Pro Football Focus is in the top 1% among our favorites, though.

PFF’s projection has Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson falling to Seattle at No. 5 overall. After getting their ultra-athletic potential franchise QB of the future, the Seahawks double down on improving their passing game by selecting the top-ranked wide receiver in the draft class: TCU’s Quentin Johnson. Here’s who PFF mocked to Seattle with each of their five picks.

Texans invest heavily into the offense in latest Touchdown Wire 3-round mock draft

The Houston Texans use their first three selections to fix the offense in the latest Touchdown Wire 3-round mock draft from @NFL_DougFarrar.

The needs for the Houston Texans are few as they gear up for the 2023 NFL draft.

Thanks to the Texans signing a bevy of veterans in free agency, the remaining needs for Houston’s roster boil down to quarterback, receiver, and defensive end. Despite the signings of Scott Quessenberry and Michael Deiter, the Texans may need to add center to the list.

According to Doug Farrar from the Touchdown Wire, the Texans go all in with their first three selections to address the offense. Naturally Alabama quarterback Bryce Young goes to the Texans No. 2 overall, and Houston gives him a target to grow with in TCU wideout Quentin Johnston at No. 12 overall.

If there’s one thing Bryce Young struggled with a bit in his collegiate career, it was throwing deep over the middle — last season on throws of 20 or more air yards directly over the middle, Young completed just one of five passes for 40 yards. Giving Young a big target with speed to make those catches would help, and Johnston certainly qualifies. There are legitimate questions about his hands at this point in his career, but he’s also an impressive yards after catch threat — just turn on TCU’s game against Michigan for proof of that.

At No. 33 overall, the second pick of Round 2, the Texans take no chances and grab Ohio State center Luke Wypler, who should be effective competition for Quessenberry and Deiter.

Houston uses their third-round selections at Nos. 65 and 73 overall to add some beef along the defensive line. While new coach DeMeco Ryans doesn’t get a blue-chip edge defender from the outset as he had with Nick Bosa when the San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator, he does get Auburn’s Derick Hall. Sheldon Rankins, Hassan Ridgeway, Maliek Collins, and Roy Lopez have to make room along the defensive interior as the Texans take Wake Forest defensive tackle Kobie Turner.

Ryans and defensive coordinator Matt Burke would have to rely upon existing talent to turn around the defense while offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik would net three pieces to elevate the offense.

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Texans fill roster holes in latest NFL.com 4-round mock draft

The Houston Texans address all of their major roster needs in the latest NFL.com four-round mock.

Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio shored up the roster throughout the first wave of free agency, but there are still areas of concern.

The Texans could still use a quarterback, receiver, and edge rusher, and smart money says the team will address the positions in the 2023 NFL draft, where Houston holds 12 picks and the largest capital.

According to Chad Reuter from NFL.com, the Texans indeed remedy quarterback with their No. 2 overall pick as Alabama’s Bryce Young starts his career with the last place finishers in the AFC South a season ago.

The Texans use their No. 12 overall pick — acquired via 2022 offseason trade with the Cleveland Browns — to provide an adequate receiving threat in USC wideout Jordan Addison.

Trading Brandin Cooks leaves the door wide open for the Texans to select the smooth, quick former Biletnikoff Award winner (top college wide receiver). Addison’s game combines some of the traits/skills seen in two receivers selected in the top half of last year’s first round, Garrett Wilson (10th to the Jets) and Jahan Dotson (16th to the Commanders). His smooth routes and open-field quickness should allow him to contribute from the slot immediately.

Houston’s second-round pick is arguably as intriguing as its additional Round 1 selection. At No. 33 overall, the Texans are hovering near remaining first-round talent. If any falls through the cracks, Houston is in fabulous enough position to take it.

The Texans fix the pass rush with Iowa State defensive end Will McDonald. Ostensibly new coach DeMeco Ryans, who was the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers the past two seasons, has his Nick Bosa.

In Round 3, where the Texans have Nos. 65 and 73 overall, Houston goes with Ohio State center Luke Wypler and Tennessee defensive end Byron Young. Wypler can challenge for the starting center job while Young can provide an effective complement as an edge defender.

The Texans go with Syracuse cornerback Garrett Williams at No. 104 overall in Round 4, which gives Houston a younger defensive back to possibly replace Steven Nelson when his contract expires at the end of the 2023 campaign.

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Cardinals have Ohio State C Luke Wypler on radar

The Cardinals need a center. They have three Day 2 picks and could target him in the second or third round.

The Arizona Cardinals currently have Hjelte Froholdt as the likely starting center for 2023, a player with only four career NFL starts at center. While they likely will add a veteran center, they do have their eyes on at least one center prospect.

According to Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline, the Cardinals are one team who appear to have high interest in Ohio State center prospect Luke Wypler.

Pauline “was told outright at the end of the pro day that the Cardinals will draft Wypler.”

That doesn’t mean anything right now other than there is perhaps interest.

Arizona would have drafted Tyler Linderbaum had they not traded away their first-round pick to the Baltimore Ravens. They wanted Cam Jurgens in the second round but he was selected by the Eagles four picks before Arizona could.

Wypler is considered a Day 2 prospect. Would he last until the third round or would the Cardinals have to take him No. 34 overall?

A lot goes into that if they are truly making him a target.

Beyond the statement that Pauline heard the Cardinals will most certainly draft him — there is no way to say for certain that can happen — it is safe to say that Wypler is at least a player they should or do have interest in.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

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2023 NFL draft: Seahawks sending large contingent to Ohio State pro day

There are several other notable 2023 NFL draft prospects, though.

It’s Ohio State’s pro day and the Seahawks are rolling in deep. According to Jim Nagy, Seattle is sending eight people all together – and head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider will be among them. The main attraction is of course QB C.J. Stroud, who’s projected to come off the board at either No. 1 overall to the Panthers or No. 2 to the Texans. There are several other notable 2023 NFL draft prospects, though.

To name a few prospects who might interest Seattle:

DE Zach Harrison: Part of a deep edge class, Harrison totaled 11 sacks and 24 tackles for a loss in 40 games for the Buckeyes. He is projected to be a third-round draft pick.

OT Paris Johnson Jr.: Ranked the No. 1 OT in the draft class, Johnson will be out of reach for the Seahawks unless they take him first – which seems highly unlikely with Charles Cross and Abe Lucas projected to start long-term.

OT Dawand Jones: Then again, the Seahawks met with the gigantic Jones (6-foot-8, 360 pounds) at the combine, so we can’t rule out an OT pick yet. They also pushed hard to sign Trent Brown last year, so they may still want a monster to start at right tackle, then slide Lucas inside.

WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba: An awesome 2021 season (95 catches, 1,606 yards, nine touchdowns) was enough to put Smith-Njigba high on the board. He is projected to be taken late in the first round – roughly around where Seattle will be picking at No. 20 overall.

C Luke Wypler: Free agent pickup Evan Brown is projected to start at center in 2023, but that shouldn’t the Seahawks from drafting one. Wypler is ranked No. 7 among all interior linemen in this class.

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Colts’ 7-round mock draft pre-NFL free agency

Here’s a 7-round mock draft for the Colts ahead of free agency in 2023.

The Indianapolis Colts are set to embark on the start of free agency Monday as the legal tampering period officially arrives. That means we’re one step closer to the 2023 NFL draft.

Though the Colts aren’t expected to be major players in free agency, we do expect them to address some positions, such as right guard. In this mock draft scenario, they used free agency to find their starting right guard.

Here’s an updated seven-round mock draft for the Colts, using Pro Football Focus’ mock draft simulator:

Watch: Ohio State offensive linemen go through NFL combine workouts

The trio of Buckeyes showed out today #GoBucks

Three of [autotag]Ohio State[/autotag]’s starting offensive linemen were at the NFL combine and each of them participated in workouts today.

Center [autotag]Luke Wypler[/autotag] and tackles [autotag]Paris Johnson Jr.[/autotag] and [autotag]Dawand Jones[/autotag] all had their moments in front of NFL teams, showing each of those franchises why they deserve to be selected.

The former Buckeye starters all have qualities that are wanted at the next level, especially Johnson Jr. and Jones.

Many, including myself, questioned why Wypler would leave early, but as a two-year starter in Columbus, he is being looked at as a player that should get selected within the first three rounds.

They all had their chance to shine today and check out below some of the drills they went through.