Positional Pre-Draft Rankings of the All-22 Era (Offense)
Every year, we look at a class of prospects and struggle to contextualize the significance of one class against others. I’ve taken a shot at doing just that. To rank the top prospects per position of the 2023 class against the top prospects of the All-22 era, which is now 2020 - 2023. In an attempt to keep things even, I’ve based my rankings on the data at hand, on post-combine and pre-draft information. In short, these rankings are primarily based on college film and production, combine workouts, and pre-draft news. These rankings exclude the round the prospect was drafted, and which team drafted them. Situation will always play an important role in final rankings which is why I am choosing to exclude that information since the data for the 2023 class is not yet available. As a bonus, if you see an “e” next to a player’s name that means I think of them as elite— in a class of their own.
Quarterback
Four Quarterbacks from the 2023 class make my top fifteen, starting with Ohio State’s CJ Stroud at number five. Stroud’s combination of pin point accuracy, impeccable footwork, smart decision making, arm strength, touch, size, and athleticism, give him the best combination of high floor and high ceiling traits. While Stroud is arguably not elite at anything, he does everything well. His performance against Georgia brings me back to Sam Darnold vs Penn State over half a decade ago, a defining performance that showed a glimpse into his true NFL potential. Stroud’s upside should provide repeated starting level grading for your All-22 team. Just look at what he did in college: ‘20 - 83.7, ‘21 - 92.2, ‘22 - 88.9. This is the differentiator separating him from the two other prospects competing for the number one pick. Each has an Achilles Heel - Bryce Young’s frame and Anthony Richardson’s accuracy.
Running Back
Only one of the two prospects of whom I’ve named “Elite” from the class of ’23, is the once in a decade talent that reminds me why Running Backs are historically the most beloved position in football—Bijan Robinson. Robinson is a do-it-all back, reminiscent of Gale Sayers and Barry Sanders. Consistently on tape, I saw top shelf patience, vision, speed, agility, and play strength. Robinson and Michigan’s Blake Corus had the highest single season rushing grades of the PFF college era with a 96.2 and a 96.1 in 2022. He may be the first RB in NFL history of his caliber to fall outside of the top 10 come April due to the current RB valuation by NFL teams. I agree with NFL teams. Let someone else enjoy Robinson while you go add double the value at Quarterback, Edge, or Tackle
Wide receiver
We’ve all been spoiled by the recent influx of talent at the receiver position. The ’20 class was expected to be once in a decade, and then the ’21 class blew it out of the water. The ’22 class was supposed to be a step back to average and then multiple players showed out as rookies. I think the ’23 class is the class that has finally taken that step back. 4 guys still made my top 15 but only one of them landed top 10. That man is Jordan Addison, the USC junior transfer from Pitt. Addison had the luxury of playing with NFL Quarterback talent his entire college career. Starting with Kenny Pickett, the only QB drafted in the first round last year. Addison was his primary target and the two connected 100x in their final year together. When Pickett left, so did Addison. A junior at the time, Addison transferred to play with expected ’24 #1 pick Caleb Williams at USC. Addison struggled with injuries throughout the season but still put up an 81.5 PFF grade and led the team in yards and touchdowns. Injuries will continue to be a concern for NFL teams due to his slight frame. For context, he is as undersized as historically-undersized DeVonta Smith. And while he doesn’t carry the same sure handedness as Smith did, he offers similar elite route running and separation skills that led to him following Smith to the Biletnikoff in ’21.
Tight End
Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer leads a strong group of Tight Ends and lands #3 on my list. Mayer’s receiving ability jumps off the tape. Time and time again I watched him sink his hips and break down defenders to win routes as a true Wide Receiver would do. With his crisp route running and sure hands, he earned an elite 91.6 PFF Receiving Grade in ’22. At 6’4 1/2” and 250lbs, his frame lends itself to a different style Tight End than the top receiving Tight End prospects we are used to, like an Evan Engram. This is a big reason why in his junior season he earned himself an 82.1 PFF Run Blocking Grade. His tape shows a plus inline blocker with body control, good arms, and strong hands to drive ends and Linebackers alike. Unfortunately Mayer’s combine performance was a major disappointment. Being that he is only 21 years old, I believe he still has time to improve his strength and athleticism, and ultimately I decided to trust the tape and keep Mayer as my TE 1 of this class.
Tackle
Similar to Receiver, we had a run of elite Tackle prospects during the beginnings of All-22. Last year’s class broke that streak and I expect this year’s class to be an even bigger step back. I had a hard time picking my number one guy and, when I did, I decided none were worthy of the top 10. Paris Johnson Jr. was ultimately my pick for #1 of the class of 2023. He has the ideal size for the Tackle position. He stands at 6’6” and weighs in at 313lbs. He may still have room on his frame to add healthy weight. On film you see a natural athlete with above average strength at just 21 years old. You also see raw athleticism saving him from mistakes he will not get away with at the next level. Johnson loses leverage with poor footing and hand placement in the passing game. In the run game I wanted to see him use his size to brutalize smaller opponents, which I didn’t nearly enough. For now he sits at 12 on my list with all the tools to become a better player than a few of the men ahead of him.
Interior Offensive Line
Interior Offensive Line is one of two positions that I don’t believe I’ve seen an elite prospect in the 4 years I’ve been keeping this list. Two players from the ’23 class make my top ten, which is more of a sign of how poor the Interior classes have been as opposed to this class being special. I’ve put Steve Avila at 6 after a strong showing his senior year at TCU. I had to keep in mind that Avila was 23 when watching his film because his game possess maturity and polish that is lacking from many of the younger prospects that may eventually have better NFL careers. Of the classes I’ve watched, he was the first offensive lineman that knew how to use his hands and arm length to the best of his ability. His 83.6 pass blocking grade and mediocre combine performance reinforced this. His maturity makes up for his lack of elite athleticism. Interior Offensive Line is one of the most difficult positions to hit on in All-22 so it’s worth taking a risk on a guy like Avila in the 2nd or 3rd round. It might seem like an over pay until your starter goes three weeks in a row with sub-60 grading and you need a plan B.
Want to hear about someone in specific? Don’t agree with my analysis? Let me know in the comments.
