There’s a lot that goes into a Big Board, and where you are in the evaluation process matters a lot. NFL teams have area scouts and scouting directors reporting to general managers; they’ve done the work on prospects all year long. If you’re writing about the NFL in-season, and sneaking away to watch as much college tape as possible, you’re scrambling a bit after the Super Bowl and before the scouting combine just to catch up.
So, full disclosure: This first Big Board of mine for the 2023 draft process reflects the 100-plus players I’ve watched to a point where I can reasonably assess what I think their NFL potential might be. Before the combine, I’ll watch a bunch more tape, and hopefully become more refined in the overall.
Once that happens, we’ll be building all kinds of position lists, single-subject evaluations, and mock drafts reflecting the widening of that study.
A few near-misses who may make the next Big Board based on combine and Pro Day performances, as well as further tape analysis:
Oregon LB Noah Sewell
Utah CB Clark Phillips III
Notre Dame EDGE Isaiah Foskey
Michigan DT Mazi Smith
Clemson TE Davis Allen
TCU OG Steve Avila
Alabama DB Eli Ricks
Houston WR Nathaniel “Tank” Dell
UCLA EDGE Laiatu Latu
With all that in mind, here’s Touchdown Wire’s introductory Top 50 draft prospects for 2023.