There is no such thing as a can’t-miss prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft, but these three players are about as close as you can get. Each one of the aforementioned players should immediately pay dividends for whichever team ends up selecting them, and they should have plenty of suitors.
The 3 Can’t-Miss NFL Draft Prospects and Team Fits
Myles Murphy – Edge Rusher, Clemson
Height: 6’-5”
Weight: 268 pounds
40 time: 4.80
Murphy is easily one of the best prospects in the country. He is a versatile, strong, and experienced defensive lineman with a quick first step. As a freshman, his presence was immediately felt, by the Tigers who were able to showcase him at multiple positions right out of the gate. Whether on the outside to set the edge, or kick inside when needed, Murphy showed talent for the next level.
NFL scouts and draft analysts have said he is one of the scariest prospects in this class. At Clemson, Murphy went out of his way to learn every defensive assignment of every position for every play. With explosiveness and fluidity making him a challenge to block throughout the course of a game, he reduced angles with power and played through steep angles with speed.
Myles Murphy showed OUT at his Pro Day today.
The Clemson Edge has been drawing several comparisons to last year’s first overall pick, Travon Walker.
Today, Murphy weighed in at 6’5”, 271 pounds, ran a 4.51 40-Yard Dash, 7.20 3-Cone, and 4.35 Shuttle.
Last year, Travon Walker… pic.twitter.com/hADqqV16X1
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) April 5, 2023
Myles Murphy is a player who will explode onto the NFL landscape. He will be a Day 1 starter and leader who will make any defense better.
Potential Destinations: Arizona Cardinals, Detroit Lions, Atlanta Falcons, Seattle Seahawks, and Chicago Bears.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba – Wide Receiver, Ohio State
Height: 6’-1”
Weight: 200 pounds
40 time: 4.49
Smith-Njigba is another elite athlete from Ohio State University. He is not a big receiver and does not have that blazing fast speed. What he does have is tremendous footwork, body control, and runs routes like a veteran. While his speed is suspect, he can get separation from defenders and adjust on-the-fly.
Injuries took away his 2022 season, making evaluations more difficult due to the lack of film. But, has all the skills necessary to be a top-line starter in his first season in the league and is a smart and savvy receiver who processes the game well in real time.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba 2023 Pro Day Recap 🎬⭐️ pic.twitter.com/DF3LFjeR1E
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) April 7, 2023
Smith-Njigba was born for the slot. In Columbus, 83% of his routes began in the slot. It is his bread and butter and at the next level, his style of play will suit any team looking to boost the receiving corp.
Potential Destinations: Los Angeles Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs, Atlanta Falcons, New England Patriots.
Bryce Young – Quarterback, Alabama
Height: 5’-10”
Weight: 194 pounds
Bryce Young is an elite prospect and the consensus No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. The Carolina Panthers, doing what teams do when they have the top pick, are also rumored to like C.J. Stroud. The last time Carolina was in this position was in 2011 when they selected Cam Newton from Auburn.
Young is a Bonafide can’t-miss type of prospect. In 2021, the Crimson Tide sophomore had a breakout season. In 14 games he passed for 4,491 yards on 492 attempts, completing 67.1% of his passes for an average of 9.1 yards per pass. Young threw for 45 touchdowns, took 32 sacks, and posted a passer rating of 122.3. He would add 45 rushes for a total of 273 yards – an average of 6.1 yards per rush attempt. Upon completion of his amazing campaign, Young would win the Heisman Trophy, the AP College Football Player of the Year, and the Maxwell Award.
And another look at Bryce Young being as calm, cool and collected as ever while throwing dimes in front of a very large AND silent crowd of NFL coaches, scouts and front office personnel.
Intimidated he is not. #Alabama #ProDay pic.twitter.com/mAZ5SPZtTX
— Kari Osep (@KariOsep) March 23, 2023
There is no troubling downside to his game. He will be in the weight room adding bulk to play an entire season. As for his mechanics, Young has an elongated delivery but manages to get the ball out quickly. He has a wicked live arm and possesses accuracy both in and out of the pocket. The same can be said if he is scrambling and, on the run, as he extends plays. His legs serve as a weapon with his speed and will defer to the passing game to pick up positive yards.
As a quarterback, he is the quintessential dual-threat athlete. He can do equal damage to a defense with his legs and his arm. His football I.Q. Is off the charts, as are his leadership qualities. There is no doubt he will be a leader in the locker room and on the field. His footwork is solid, and his quick feet and balance allow him to scan the field and go through his progressions. He is an NFL Draft prospect who compares to two Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks: Drew Brees and Russell Wilson.
Bryce Young deep ball with a fingertip grab by Jermaine Burton.#proday pic.twitter.com/Kitl7FvhP9
— Chase Goodbread (@ChaseGoodbread) March 23, 2023
Potential Destinations: Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans, Seattle Seahawks, Detroit Lions, Las Vegas Raiders
Main Photo: Trevor Ruszkowski – USA Today Sports
