Tag: NFL Draft 2023

College Sports Wire’s take on Florida’s players picked in NFL draft 2nd round

Here’s College Sports Wire’s analysis of the Gervon Dexter and O’Cyrus Torrence selections.

The first three rounds of the 2023 NFL draft are said and down with three former Florida Gators already taken in the annual amateur election process. First off the board was quarterback Anthony Richardson who was selected on Thursday night by the Indianapolis Colts with the fourth overall pick — highest since Kyle Pitts in 2021 — in the 2023 NFL draft, continuing the university’s all-time streak of successfully sending players to the draft.

On the following day, two more erstwhile members of the Orange and Blue heard their names called in the late second round. College Sports Wire’s Patrick Conn took a look at both the second- and third-round results on Friday night for his instant analysis.

Here is what Conn had to offer on the first Gator taken on Friday night — [autotag]Gervon Dexter[/autotag] by the Chicago Bears in a pick acquired via a trade with the Baltimore Ravens at No. 53 overall.

The Bears are finally getting some help on the interior of the defense. Dexter can plug up the interior of the offensive line, allowing linebackers to flow to the ball. Dexter will make his fair share of splash plays.

Here is a look at what Conn thinks about the second Florida alumnus taken off the board — [autotag]O’Cyrus Torrence[/autotag] by the Buffalo Bills at No. 59 overall.

The Bills Mafia add an absolute mauler on the interior with O’Cyrus Torrence. He will open holes for the running game.

The NFL draft concludes on Saturday afternoon starting at noon p.m. EDT and can be followed on ABC, ESPN and the NFL Network.

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USA TODAY Sports analyzes both Florida players picks in NFL draft 2nd round

Here’s USA TODAY Sports’ analysis of the Gervon Dexter and O’Cyrus Torrence selections.

The first three rounds of the 2023 NFL draft are in the rearview mirror, and so far, three former Florida Gators were taken in the annual amateur election process. First off the board was quarterback Anthony Richardson who was selected on Thursday night by the Indianapolis Colts with the fourth overall pick — highest since Kyle Pitts in 2021 — in the 2023 NFL draft.

On Friday, two more erstwhile members of the Orange and Blue were picked in the late second round. USA TODAY Sports writer Nate Davis took a look at both the second- and third-round results on Saturday morning for his instant analysis. Here is what he had to offer on the first Gator taken on Friday night.

53. Bears (from Baltimore Ravens) – DT [autotag]Gervon Dexter[/autotag]

Reinforcements on the way for a Chicago defense that allowed the most points in the NFL in 2022. At 6-6, 310 pounds (with sub 4.9 speed), Dexter should be a disruptive force if his talents are harnessed.

Here is a look at what Davis thinks about the second Florida alumnus taken off the board.

59. Buffalo Bills – G [autotag]O’Cyrus Torrence[/autotag]

A 6-5, 330-pounder who excels at paving holes in the ground game and should add a nice shot of attitude for this front five.

The NFL draft concludes on Saturday afternoon starting at noon p.m. EDT and can be followed on ABC, ESPN and the NFL Network.

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How to Watch: 2023 NFL Draft final four rounds on Saturday

Here’s how to follow the final day of the NFL draft.

The 88th annual edition of the 2023 NFL draft kicked off in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday night and runs until Saturday, April 29. The first through third round of festivities were knocked out on Thursday and Friday nights night, giving way to the final rounds on Saturday, and if you’re wondering how you can watch the action live, you’ve come to the right place.

The University of Florida — the only school to have had a player selected in every draft of the common era — has 10 entries in the annual amateur selection process this year, with at least five of them expected to find their first professional homes in the seven-round affair. Quarterback [autotag]Anthony Richardson[/autotag] was the first off the board at No. 4 overall to the Indianapolis Colts with Gervon Dexter and O’Cyrus Torrence going toward the end of the second round, respectively.

Take a look below at what you need to know to follow Saturday afternoon’s final rounds of the 2023 NFL draft.

5 things to know about new Bears CB Tyrique Stevenson

Tyrique Stevenson plays with a physical nature and has drawn comparisons to a former Pro Bowler. Learn more about the new Bears cornerback.

For the second year in a row, the Chicago Bears targeted a cornerback in the second round of the draft. This time, however, they moved up to get their guy. Shortly after they selected defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. with the No. 53 pick, general manager Ryan Poles traded up with the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 56 to select cornerback Tyrique Stevenson out of Miami. His selection comes one year after Poles drafted cornerback Kyler Gordon in the second round.

Stevenson is a physical defender who has the size to matchup with receivers on the outside. He should compete right away for the outside corner job with Kindle Vildor, while Jaylon Johnson mans the other side and Gordon plays in the nickel position. The Bears sent the No. 61 and No. 136 pick to the Jaguars for the selection as they continued to focus on defense.

But who are the Bears getting in Stevenson and what does he bring to the table? Here are five things to know about the new rookie.

Twitter reacts to the Bears’ selection of DT Zacch Pickens

The Bears doubled up on defensive line with the selection of Zacch Pickens and fans appear to be happy with the move.

Defense has been the story for Day 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft for the Chicago Bears. They completed their trio of defensive picks to open the third round, selecting South Carolina defensive tackle Zacch Pickens with the No. 64 pick.

Pickens is the second defensive tackle the Bears took in the draft, joining Gervon Dexter Sr. out of Florida. Unlike Dexter, though, Pickens has a solid first step coming off the line and could be the team’s solution at 3 technique. He totaled 42 tackles last season (four for a loss) and 2.5 sacks with the Gamecocks. Their other selection of the night was cornerback Tyrique Stevenson out of Miami.

This is the second time the Bears doubled up on defensive tackles in a decade, last doing so in 2014 when they selected Ego Ferguson and Will Sutton in the second and third round, respectively. Here is how Bears fans are reacting to the pick.

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Buffallo Bills select G O’Cyrus Torrence in 2nd Round

The Bills might have just picked up one of the biggest steals of the draft. Former Florida offensive guard O’Cyrus Torrence is headed to Buffalo!

The Buffalo Bills selected former Florida offensive guard [autotag]O’Cyrus Torrence[/autotag] with the 59th overall pick in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft Friday night.

Torrence entered the draft as potentially the top guard in the class, but the Los Angeles Rams selected TCU’s Steve Avila with the fifth pick of the second round (No. 36 overall) instead. Surprisingly, Florida defensive tackle [autotag]Gervon Dexter Sr[/autotag]. came off the board six picks ahead of Torrence, and quarterback [autotag]Anthony Richardson[/autotag] was the fourth overall pick.

It’s not too bad of a slide considering offensive guards usually hold a low priority during the draft. Still, the Bills are getting a first-round talent and an instant starter deep in the second round. It’s hard to call this pick anything but a steal.

Torrence will go down as one of the greatest one-year Gators in program history. A First Team All-American and the anchor of an elite offensive line, he more than proved that he was capable of dominating SEC defensive linemen.

Napier recruited Torrence as a three-star recruit while he was the head coach at Louisiana, and it was a no-brainer to recruit him again in the transfer portal once Napier made the move to Florida.

Now, he’ll represent both teams as he continues his career in the NFL.

Buffalo drafted Florida cornerback Kaiir Elam with its first-round pick in 2022.

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Chicago Bears draft DT Gervon Dexter Sr. in 2nd Round

Gervon Dexter is the second Gator off the board in the 2023 NFL draft and is headed to the Windy City to play for the Chicago Bears.

The Chicago Bears drafted former Florida defensive tackle [autotag]Gervon Dexter Sr[/autotag]. with the 53rd overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft Friday night.

Dexter was an expected Day 2 selection but coming off the board in the second round ahead of guard [autotag]O’Cyrus Torrence [/autotag]isn’t something draft experts were projecting. It’s hardly surprising to see him drafted so high, though, given his natural physical gifts.

The 6-foot-6-inch, 312-pounder signed with the Gators as a five-star recruit and the No. 12 overall player in the class of 2020. He made an immediate impact on the defensive line and only got better over his three years with the program.

There were those who believed Dexter needed another year in college to unlock his full potential, but it’s clear that NFL teams are high enough him already to validate the decision to leave.

Dexter finished his three-year Gators career with 125 total tackles (46 solo), 9.5 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks, two interceptions and a pair of fumble recoveries. Numbers rarely tell the full story with defensive tackles, though. Dexter was a disruptive presence against some of the SEC’s best.

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2023 NFL Draft: Bears could be looking to move up in the 2nd round

Bears could be looking to reacquire the No. 32 overall pick they traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers for Chase Claypool.

The Chicago Bears will have to wait a bit to make their first selection of Day 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft. Or will they? According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Bears have had conversations about moving up in the draft, possibly as high as No. 32, the first pick of the round currently held by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Rapoport mentions a number of teams who have inquired about moving up last night into the first round as it was winding down on Thursday evening and the Bears were one of them. Could they still be interested and put together a package to entice the Steelers? Interestingly enough, the No. 32 pick originally belonged to the Bears before they dealt it in exchange for wide receiver Chase Claypool.

Without that pick, Bears aren’t on the clock again until No. 53 with the selection they acquired from the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for Roquan Smith. That would be 43 slots in between the Bears’ first pick of the draft where they selected Tennessee offensive tackle Darnell Wright with the No. 10 pick.

Should the Bears look to move up all the way to No. 32, it could cost the Bears a pretty penny, including one of their future first-round picks. But there are quite a few prospects still on the board with first-round grades such as cornerback Joey Porter Jr., safety Brian Branch, and tight end Michael Mayer. Perhaps they have their eye on someone they know won’t be available later on.

2023 NFL Draft: Devin Hester to announce one of the Bears Day 2 picks

Bears legendary return specialist Devin Hester will announce one of the team’s second-round picks on Friday evening.

A Chicago Bears legend will introduce one of the team’s newest draft selections on Friday night. Former All-Pro return specialist Devin Hester is set to take the stage in Kansas City to announce one of the Bears’ second-round picks.

Over the last decade or so, the NFL has brought former and active players from each organization to the draft to make selections on Day 2. The Bears have had players such as Matt Forte, Dick Butkus, Rashied Davis, and Olin Kreutz in recent years as representatives. Now it’s Hester’s turn as he hopefully introduces another star second-round selection, just like he turned out to be back in the mid-2000s.

The Bears selected Hester out of the University of Miami with the No. 57 pick in 2006. He immediately became a star, setting the NFL world on fire with his electric returns his rookie season, culminating in one of the greatest plays in Super Bowl history when he ran back the opening kickoff for a touchdown in Super Bowl XLI against the Indianapolis Colts.

Hester finished his  NFL career with multiple NFL records, including the most career return touchdowns of all time and has been a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame each of the last two years. He’s considered the greatest return specialist in NFL history.

Hester will surely receive a warm reception from the Bears fans in attendance when he gets ready to announce the pick. The question is, will the NFL let him walk out to his signature song “Crank That (Soulja Boy)” by Soulja Boy when he enters the stage? We won’t have to wait too long to find out.

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Touchdown Wire’s instant draft grade for Anthony Richardson pick

Here’s Touchdown Wire’s grade for Anthony Richardson’s selection in the 2023 NFL draft.

Quarterback [autotag]Anthony Richardson[/autotag] was the first former member of the Florida Gators to be selected on Thursday night when the Indianapolis Colts made him the fourth overall pick — highest since [autotag]Kyle Pitts[/autotag] in 2021 — in the 2023 NFL draft. The Gainesville native gives the Orange and Blue a first-day pick for the fourth-straight year and also continues a streak of having an alumnus taken in every draft of the common era.

On Friday following the first round, Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar graded out 31 selections on Thursday night, including Richardson. Here is the grade he assigned the UF alumnus’ pick along with his justification.

Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida. Grade: B

Yes, Richardson needs development as a pure passer after just one season as a starter with the Florida Gators. But new Colts head coach and former Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen can take the QB run game he had with Jalen Hurts and push it to an entirely new level with Richardson, who presents measurables at the position we have absolutely never seen before.

The NFL draft continues on Friday night starting at 7 p.m. EDT and can be followed on ABC, ESPN and the NFL Network.

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