2023 NFL Draft Underrated Prospects

2023 NFL Draft Underrated Prospects. These are probably all Day Three prospects, either lower rounds or undrafted free agents. Of course, there may be a few who go Day Two, but I don’t think any of these players are considered third-rounders or higher. But you never know.

QBs

Adrian Martinez, QB, Kansas State
Signed by the Lions. Update 1/13/24: Waived by the Lions, signed by the Birmingham Stallions of the USFL.

Ha! I wonder how Cornhusker Nation feels about this? I would love to draft him. He’s got a ton of big game experience, he’s a great athlete and pretty good passer, and he has struggled through adversity. But when he’s at his best, he’s pretty great.

N’Kosi Perry, QB, FAU
Signed by the Bears. Update 1/13/24: Apparently cut by the Bears, Perry was in the CFL in Hamilton for a few games. Signed by XFL team Seattle, which looks to have folded in the USFL-XFL merger. Also, I missed out on Tyson Bagent, who was signed by the Bears and had a couple good games as a starter. Sorry Tyson.

Talented older prospect. Perry is athletic, good arm, transfer from Miami (Fla). He has a chance to do some good stuff. He was at Miami for years, including a Covid year. Went to FAU, had a pretty good year. Has a chance to be a pro QB.

Lindsey Scott Jr., QB, Incarnate Word
Invited to Jets NFL rookie camp
Selected second overall in the 2023 USFL Draft Update 1/13/24 Scott looks like he tried out for the Saints (??). It appears he has ended up in Arlington for a USFL team (??)

Scott started at LSU, went to Nicholls State and led the team in rushing a couple years, then moved to Incarnate Word. Scott threw for 4,600 yards of 60 TDs. Athletic. He is a SEVEN year guy. And he’s not what we like to call 5-11. But he has a chance in today’s NFL to be a backup guy.

Running Backs

Travis Dye, RB, USC
Signed by the Jets

Smaller back than I usually like, but in three productive years in the PAC 12, two at Oregon and the last at USC, he averaged 6 yards a carry. Each year. He can be a change of pace, a third-down guy, and a productive backup guy. He can run the damned ball.

Mohamed Ibrahim, RB, Minnesota
Signed by the Lions

This guy. I adore him. Gophers all-time leading rusher, ran for 1,600 yards last year though he got hurt, and racked up 4,600 yards and 50 rushing TDs. He’s 5-8 or so, 200 lbs., a 4.6 guy. The scouts have him at about sixth or seventh rounds. Those scouts may not have seen him play.

Jaleel McLaughlin, RB, Youngstown St.
Signed by the Broncos

Back-to-back 2,400 yard rushing seasons. I don’t care where (D2), but damn. Smaller but very quick runner. Moved from D2 to Youngstown State, where he racked up 1,500 yards rushing. He could be a backup now. If he develops receiving chops, he’ll be a productive pro.

Tavion Thomas, Utah, RB

Finally a big back. 235 plus, former UC Bearcat, Utah guy. Thomas ran for 1,100 yards as a junior and 600 plus as a senior. He is not great at quickness, but if he gets to a place where is he is able to make a cut and go (ahem 49ers), he can be a productive backup.

OL (finally)

Ha ha. Had about 25 guys originally.

Alan Ali, C, TCU
Signed by the Vikings

Ali is a 300 pounder who started 39 games for SMU at center, guard, tackle. He earned Second Team All-AAC in 2021. He transferred to TCU for 2022, starting 15 games at center, earning All-Big 12 honors. He has a chance to develop into a backup, and maybe a starter.

TJ Bass, T-G, Oregon
Signed by the Cowboys

Big kid out of Oregon, two-time All-Pac 12 and second-team All-American left tackle. He probably projects as a guard, since he’s 330 pounds. The pass-blocking skills at tackle will have to develop, so his power.

Quinton Bobo, G, Bowie State

A shorter (6′) guard, Bobo needs a good camp to stick with an NFL team. He might be a little light to make the NFL, but he might be able to put on some good weight.

Connor Galvin, G/T, Baylor

Signed by the Lions

At 6’7″, 3 bills, Galvin is a big OT. He made 50 starts at LT at Baylor, and he was named the Big 12 Lineman of the Year. May be a little less athletic than the top-tier prospects, but he looks like he can make adjustments and get the job done.

Jaxson Kirland, T-G, Washington
Warren McClendon, OT, Georgia
Alex Palczewski, T, Illinois
Alex Pihlstrom, C, Illinois
Trevor Reid, T, Louisville

Tight Ends

Kemari Averett, TE, Bethune-Cookman
Payne Durham, TE, Purdue
Griffin Hebert, HB-TE, Louisiana Tech

Wide Receivers

Jayden Reed, WR, Michigan State
Xavier Smith, WR, Florida A&M
Andrei Iosivas, WR, Princeton
Charlie Jones, WR, Purdue
Isaiah Winstead, WR, East Carolina

Edge Rushers

Isaiah Land, Florida A&M, Edge
Isaiah McGuire, Edge, Missouri
Jose Ramirez, Eastern Michigan Edge
Zeke Vandenburgh, Edge, Illinois State linebacker
Tyrus Wheat, Edge, Miss State
Byron Young, Edge, Tennessee

Interior DL

Aaron Lewis, DL, Rutgers
PJ Mustipher, DL, Penn State
Keith Randolph, DL, Illinois

Linebackers

Seth Benson, LB, Iowa
Abdul Carter, LB, Penn State
Cal Haladay, LB, Michigan State
Aubrey Miller Jr., LB, Jackson State
Bumper Pool, LB, Arkansas

Cornerbacks

Brandon Barnes-Brown, CB, Fayetteville State
Keenan Isaac, CB, Alabama State
Riley Moss, CB, Iowa
Rejzohn Wright, CB, Oregon State

Safeties

Anthony Johnson Jr., S, Iowa State
Isaiah Bolden, S, Jackson State