The 2023 NFL draft is just four days away and the top-100 lists continue to flow as media outlets around the country prepare for the event. ESPN’s latest top-prospect list, put together by senior writer Jeff Legwold, features a pair of Gators on it, but it’s not the order most will expect.
Offensive guard [autotag]O’Cyrus Torrence[/autotag] is ranked No. 14 on Legwold’s list, which is surprising with quarterback [autotag]Anthony Richardson[/autotag] on the team. Richardson still checks in at No. 27, but it’s Torrence that Legwold thinks is the most talented player coming out of Gainesville this draft cycle.
One of the big reasons Torrence gets the rub here is that he has the talent to start immediately for whichever team drafts him. Richardson likely needs a year or two before taking over an everyday role.
“Torrence has some technical issues and gets caught leaning on occasion, but he’s powerful, quick to adjust and played without a penalty this past season,” Legwold wrote. “He’s a walk-in starter on the interior and showed a glimpse of his play strength against Georgia‘s Jalen Carter and in the Senior Bowl practices.”
Legwold fully expects Richardson to higher than 27th overall in the draft, but he’s ranking players “based on grades, not position.” Richardson has more concerning flaws than Torrence, even if his ceiling is incredibly high.
“(Richardson) can do things most quarterbacks can’t with a power arm and mobility,” he wrote. “Richardson had five touchdown runs of at least 45 yards. He may not get enough credit for the pocket awareness and footwork, but he has to repair career-threatening accuracy issues or he will always be a tantalizing passer who doesn’t do enough between the flashes of brilliance.”
Interestingly, Torrence is the one who might slip out of the first round. Teams don’t usually draft the best-available player after the first dozen or so picks. Playoff teams typically have specific needs that need to be filled, and interior offensive linemen don’t often take priority over the skill position players.
Quarterback is of course one of the most important positions to take care of, and teams are likely to reach for a talented player early if it needs a new option under center.
[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=5948]
[mm-video type=video id=01gxns8fgjn5kq7ea913 playlist_id=01eqbz250mdknqvm5z player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gxns8fgjn5kq7ea913/01gxns8fgjn5kq7ea913-1b90f7c9e8fffc76f4739f6ed4c5b26f.jpg]
Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.