2023 NFL Draft scouting: Top prospects to watch at every position this season

The NFL Draft process is exactly that: a process. And these summer rankings — which include more than 300 prospects, across 11 different positions — serve as the starting point. Obviously, there will be fluctuations throughout the college football season with updated tape and new information. Under-the-radar prospects will emerge and established players will struggle, but this first look is important because it sets expectations.

Links to the preseason positional rankings (and a preview of the top five at each position):

Just about anything would be an upgrade over last year’s group, but the 2023 crop of quarterbacks should be closer to the one in 2021 — when five QBs landed in the top 15 — in terms of collection of talent and high-level potential. More on the QBs.

For the first time since 2014, the running back position was shut out of the first round of the NFL Draft this April, but I wouldn’t expect that trend to continue in 2023. And Texas’ Bijan Robinson is the main reason why. More on the RBs.

There have been 16 wide receivers drafted in the top 25 picks over the last three years — by far the most over a three-year stretch in NFL Draft history. I don’t think the 2023 NFL Draft will produce six receivers in the top 18 picks like this past April. But it should again be a strong group in the early rounds. More on the WRs.

Last year was a down year for the tight end position in the early rounds of the NFL Draft, with just three prospects drafted in the top 100 picks and none in the top 50. But thanks to the immense potential of its draft-eligible underclassmen, the 2023 tight end class should be a better collection of talent, including several first-round possibilities. More on the TEs.

It’s too early to say the 2023 offensive tackle draft class is below average — players will improve and under-the-radar prospects will emerge. But at this point in the process, I find it very hard to get excited about the position for next year’s class. More on the OTs.

While the 2023 NFL Draft offensive tackle group looks underwhelming, the potential of the interior linemen is more promising. I don’t think we’ll see multiple top-20 picks like this past draft with Kenyon Green and Zion Johnson, but there are numerous prospects with Day 2 talent and the potential to get into the top-40 conversation. More on the interior offensive linemen.

Early prediction: Defensive line (both edge rushers and defensive tackles) will be the strength of the 2023 NFL Draft. We were spoiled with four elite-level NFL pass-rush prospects over a five-year stretch, with Joey Bosa (2016), Myles Garrett (2017), Nick Bosa (2019) and Chase Young (2020) — aside from injuries, all four have lived up to the immense hype. We will have another elite-level edge defender in the 2023 class. More on that edge rushers.

A year ago, interior defensive line was arguably the weakest position in the 2022 NFL Draft class. Ultimately, only three defensive tackles were taken within the first 75 picks. However, thanks to a loaded group of underclassmen and several impressive seniors, defensive tackle has a chance to be one of the strongest — if not the strongest — position groups in the 2023 draft. More on the DTs.

The role of a modern-day NFL linebacker is a moving target because of the way offenses have become more and more explosive. However, there is no doubt about the importance of the position as a whole. That hasn’t changed. The 2023 class of off-ball linebacker prospects is solid, led by a pair of underclassmen with high first-round potential. More on the LBs.

As I mentioned in my previews for edge rushers and defensive tackles, the defensive line is the early favorite to be the strength of the 2023 NFL Draft. But cornerback should also be high on the list. As I put together this early top five, it was tough leaving out several talented cornerbacks who I think have bright futures in the NFL. More on the CBs.

My early reading is that the 2023 draft class of safeties looks like a solid group. I’m not confident that the position will produce three first-rounders, as the 2022 class did, but I am intrigued by the versatility several safeties have to offer — specifically, the first three prospects in my preseason rankings. More on the safeties.

(Top photo of CJ Stroud: Jason Mowry / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)