2023 NFL Draft Defensive Sleepers
Many names come across timelines and NFL Draft guides as the 2023 NFL Draft looms. Some prospects are already becoming household names such as Jalen Carter, Will Anderson Jr, and Christian Gonzalez. Other prospects are slowly sneaking up draft boards after good combine testing, and pro day performances that could be picked in the first round such as Calijah Kancey, Nolan Smith, and Deonte Banks. Others have been lost in the fold of NFL Draft risers that change at any given moment. The following are prospects that your team could be picking in round 2-7 that haven’t gotten as much publicity or have dropped lower than other fellow first round prospects.
LB:
Jack Campbell, 6’5” 243 lbs., Iowa
- Campbell won the Butkus Award as the Nation’s Best Linebacker in 2022 and was a two-time All-Big Ten selection during his time at Iowa. Campbells size and athleticism will find him a spot on an NFL roster and can land him a starting role in seasons to come. Campbells physicality in taking on blocks and ability to roam from sideline to sideline with vision and finding lanes to attack the ball carrier catches the eye in his run defense. He isn’t good nor bad as a pass defender. When dropping into zone’s or asked to cover in man, he is able to cover tight ends, and running backs out of the backfield. Campbell needs work on shedding blocks, tends to over pursue falling for play action fakes, and can be inconsistent when finishing tackles against more physical, well-balanced backs. Campbell will work best as a downhill, blitzing run defender, who won’t be leaned on in pass situations, and can contribute to a defense looking for an east to west defender.
Henry To’oTo’o, 6’2” 228 lbs., Alabama
- A first team ALL-SEC selection in 2022, To’oTo’o is a quality prospect who can contribute both in run and pass defense. For the Tide, To’oTo’o was asked to do everything; making defensive calls, defending the run, drop into pass coverage or blitz. To’oTo’o is fast, physical, always hustling to the ball, and delivers a last second hit to assure the ball carrier is down. To’oTo’o has the speed and skills to cover tight ends, and running backs down the field, and has the physicality to meet ball carriers head on and finish the play with superb tackling ability. Size is of concern; at times he is easily lost in the shuffle of a blocking scheme and struggles to shed bigger blockers to get to the ball carrier. Mental mistakes plagued him in 2022, with odd unnecessary roughness penalties, and ill minded unsportsmanlike conduct that extended drives and created scoring opportunities for opposing teams. To’oTo’o may have to dim that fire in his game to avoid mistakes if he wants to see the field. To’oTo’o will contribute positively as an off-ball defender, not having to make direct contact with lineman, and focus on finding the ball carrier. He can become a leader of a defense and can lead by example with his fiery passion, emotion, and play on the field.
DeMarvion Overshown, 6’4” 224 lbs., Texas
- A converted safety, Overshown has athleticism, and ability to contribute to a defense almost immediately. With the skills learned before converting to linebacker, Overshown shows acceptable coverage skills to cover tight ends, running backs, and even some receivers, not creating mismatch opportunities that offenses are looking for. He has the speed to be an effective blitzer from both the middle and from the edge and can close in on ball carriers trying to take the run outside as an edge defender. Overshown struggles at times to read the play and can get sucked into the play action fake. Even though he shows coverage abilities, NFL passing schemes may get the best of him with intricate wrinkles early in his career, and over pursuing taking him out of position against the run is another knock in his game. His athleticism and ball playing skills will catch coaching staff’s attention in training camp and will eventually lead him to a role on the field as well.
Mohamoud Diabate, 6’3” 221 lbs., Utah
- Diabate is a versatile linebacker, that’s able to attack an offense from the second level, from the edge, or from open space. The transfer from Florida is a physical linebacker that can blitz effectively from the middle and can be a presence coming off the edge. Diabate can drop into coverage as a second level defender and can chase down a ball carrier in open spaces. He can cover tight ends, and running backs from the backfield, and has quick closing speed to cover any underneath crossing routes by receivers too. Diabate can over pursue, often by guessing where the play is going, and leaving wide-open gaps opening up running lanes. He can also get lost in the mix once offensive guards and tackles have made it to the second level, leaving him ineffective. Diabate can produce positively as an outside backer/ edge defender where he will be presented with 1 on 1 opportunities instead of getting lost in the scrum between the tackles. Diabate can be an effective player for the team who drafts him by using his skillset and talents to his potential as an edge, and pass defender.
Edge:
Felix Anudike-Uzomah, 6’3” 252 lbs., Kansas State
- Anudike-Uzomah was a main contributor to the Kansas State defense in 2022, selected to the ALL-Big 12 Team, as well as being named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. Anudike-Uzomah can line up anywhere on the defensive line and can line up as a standup defender or have his hand in the dirt. Anudike-Uzomah has good block shedding ability and makes use of his hands once engaged with blockers. Anudike-Uzomah has the motor and athletic ability to be an outside defender and can be used in twists and stunts created within the defensive scheme. He is limited to only being an edge defender and shouldn’t be asked to drop into any kind of pass coverage. With only two years of significant playing time to match his production, Anudike-Uzomah has a high ceiling and potential for the team who picks him.
Byron Young, 6’3” 243 lbs., Tennessee
- The traditional 5 technique, has had quite the journey leading up to his draft day selection, working at a convenience store and making it as a tryout player, becoming a major contributor in his short time at Tennessee. Young shows great vision, hand usage and ability to read where the play is going, disengaging his blocker and attacking the ball carrier. He can play both sides of the line and can lineup as a stand-up defender from time to time. Young is underdeveloped and needs work as a pass rusher with only two years in Division 1 football experience under his belt. He needs to create pass rush moves to become an effective rusher at the next level and he can also help himself by gaining more weight to take on NFL tackles. Young has tremendous upside and potential and can be a rotational player to start off his career. As he gains experience and more of a developed skillset, he eventually will become a starter for an NFL Roster.
Isaiah Foskey, 6’5” 260 lbs., Notre Dame
- Notre Dame’s All-Time leader in sacks, Foskey brings ideal size, strength, and attitude to be an NFL caliber pass rusher. Foskey plays with both his hand in the dirt and in a two-point optimizing his opportunities at creating pressure. Foskey uses his hands to engage blockers at the point of attack and has the strength and speed to win pass rush attempts against tackles in 1-on-1 matchups. Although Foskey has his name in the likes of all time Fighting Irish greats, he lacks pass rush moves that can lead to stalling out against better experienced tackles. As a run defender Foskey can get lost in the fold of the blocking scheme and isn’t as effective to an offense as he is against the pass. He would produce more as an edge defender, placed in 1 on 1 situations in open space to put his skillset and speed to use. For a team looking for a pass rush specialist, Foskey can be the chess piece to a team looking for a defender that’s sole job is to find, attack, and sack the quarterback.
Tuli Tuipulotu, 6’4” 290 lbs., USC
- Tuipulotu is a strong, athletic, and physical end that looks to bring excellent run defense to the team who picks him. A 2-year starter for the Trojans, Tuipulotu plays with great pad level, and leverage against opposing blockers as a run defender. He closes gaps quickly, often leading him to populate the backfield frequently for tackles for loss. Tuipulotu can also contribute to the pass defense, amassing 13.5 sacks, and 14 QB hits in 2022, he won’t wow you with his speed, but brings an unrelenting pursuit and arsenal of pass rush moves to win at the line. His flexibility and speed may be a problem when coming off the edge, which will likely land him needing to move inside against less longer paths to the Quarterback. Tuipulotu won’t be on the board long as he looks to build off a stellar 2022 season and work his way into a starting role at the next level.
IDL:
Keeanu Benton, 6’4” 315 lbs., Wisconsin
- A 4-year starter for the Badgers, Benton brings a physical, game changing ability to the defensive line and will become a contributor to a defense quickly. Benton can line up at any inside technique as a force in run defense, and often needs two linemen to block him. Benton makes great use of his size and hands to keep leverage and not get beat at the line of scrimmage. Benton produces as a downhill defender and should be used primarily as an inside defender against the run. He can be beaten when a blocker gets a good first step and gets in front of him and can be slow when rushing the quarterback. Benton does contribute to the pass rush, but his technique needs polishing and can use more ways to beat a blocker when engaged rather than just using a bull rush to win. Benton will be a starter his rookie year and for years to come.
Zacch Pickens, 6’4” 305 lbs., South Carolina
- A versatile lineman in the interior of the defense, Pickens contributed to the South Carolina Defense for 4 years, and brings experience and production to the run defense for a team that selects him. Pickens is physical at the snap of the ball and stands his ground at the line of scrimmage. His bullrush on an inside or outside shade can be disruptive to a quarterback’s progression and makes a ball carrier need to change course of direction. Pickens struggles with shedding blocks once engaged and doesn’t use his hands to his advantage. Pickens could work well in a rotational role as a solid run defender, with potential to upgrade his pass rush ability in an NFL Training Camp.
D.J. Dale, 6’1” 302 lbs., Alabama
- Dale was used in multiple fronts at Alabama but will produce as an interior defender in the NFL. Dale makes good use of his hands, has great pad level, and get off at the snap of the ball with a high motor, always moving up the field. Slim for an Interior lineman, mostly as a run defender. Dale lacks pass rush ability and won’t produce against 1 on 1 matchups compared to the gap schemes he is used to. Dale can start at the next level, with a scheme friendly role that will play to his strengths.
CB:
Emmanuel Forbes, 6’1” 180 lbs., Mississippi State
- Forbes contributed to the Bulldogs’ defense since he was a freshman and rose through draft boards after a positive 2022, having 6 INTS, 2 being brought back for a score. Forbes is a preferred press defender, who disrupts a receiver’s timing, using his speed to keep the pass catcher locked down. Forbes’ size is a glaring issue with most NFL teams with questions of being able to matchup against physical, bigger wide receivers he will be facing in the NFL. Forbes won’t produce positively in open space as his size will get him ran over against blockers coming downhill. Keeping him outside, and out of the slot will give Forbes a chance to produce positively in the NFL.
Kyu Blu Kelly, 6’1” 190 lbs., Stanford
- Kyu Blu Kelly, a press defender with physical hands, and speed to match, will produce when his opponent’s timing is thrown off. His press coverage skills throw off wide receivers timing, rerouting them and disrupting timing. He prefers being in press technique rather being in off coverage, not maintaining leverage once in phase with receivers. Kelly is prone to missed
tackles, that can affect his presence as a run defender playing outside. Kelly’s track speed gives him an advantage to quickly catch up to receivers if he is beat off the line, and can close in on pass catchers quickly when making their breaks. Kelly reads plays and covers routes well in his comfort zone and can contribute to an NFL defense as a rotational player right away.
Tre’ Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, 5’8” 178 lbs., TCU
- Another smaller sized prospect that packs a punch, Hodges-Tomlinson is an athletic speedy corner, that blankets his opponents in pass coverage, and is physical and willing to lower his shoulder when contacting ball carriers and blockers. Hodges-Tomlinson’s size is a bit of a concern and missed tackles result in trying to deliver the big hit. Bigger offensive players will out-muscle him at the point of contact rendering him ineffective as an outside defender. Although like prospects with size issues, Hodges-Tomlinson, the nephew of Legendary running back LaDainian Tomlinson, will have no problems contributing to an NFL defense right away with his athletic ability to make a play, and competitive toughness to make an impact in a team’s cornerback room.
SAF:
Jordan Battle, 6’1” 206 lbs., Alabama
- Like a pair of Texas running backs, Jordan Battle was outshined by fellow safety prospect Brian Branch in Draft boards leading up to selection day. Versatile just as Branch, Battle was the vocal leader of the Tide defense and can contribute in both the run and pass game. He has the abilities to play every defensive back position aside from outside corner and can play
effectively when lined up in the box. He can be a mismatch worry when put into man coverage against faster, well rounded route running receivers, and can miss the occasional gimme tackle in the run game. Battles experience and versatility will get him into an early rotational role, and eventually starting role for a team’s defense.
Jammie Robinson, 5’11” 199 lbs., Florida State
- An impact player for the FSU program since transferring from South Carolina, Robinson is another versatile prospect in the defensive back role that can line up as a hybrid safety/linebacker in a team’s defense. Robinson is an athletic, high motored defender, that plays with passion and instinct. His ability to play in the box with great pursuit and blitzing ability makes him a good addition to a team’s run defense but his coverage skills can limit him to more of a box defender who prefers to play zone rather than man coverages. Leaving him as a single high defender will make him a liability to a defense on the back end, and his man coverage skills need work. For a team looking for a hybrid defensive back that can be productive as a run defender, Robinson can bring that impact right away.
JL Skinner, 6’4” 218 lbs., Boise State
- Skinner’s size and athleticism at his position is unheard of. Skinner is a physical, downhill defender that isn’t afraid to lower a shoulder and deliver a big-time blow to opposing ball carriers. Almost looking like a linebacker, Skinners pursuit, instinct and downhill flow to the ball sets him apart from other draft prospects at his position, but also limits him to other responsibilities and skills needed to be productive. Skinner fits more as a box defender, matched up against tight ends, and playing underneath zone schemes, as opposed to man coverage schemes matching him up against wide receivers. Physically, Skinner will be able to matchup and compete at the next level with his solid measurables and physicality but can struggle with different coverages that bring him out of his comfort zone, making him more than likely a rotational or package type player.
Conclusion:
Versatility and flexibility is the name of the game when evaluating and selecting a defensive talent. Can said player break out of the comfort zone and contribute to the team in any way he is asked to? Can a pass rusher become productive as a run defender? Can a man coverage specialist process what is needed to be done in a zone scheme? Can a blitzing linebacker drop into coverage and contribute to the pass defense? NFL teams will be looking to add key pieces to their defense to get their team to the next level, the 2023 Draft class has a lot of those chess pieces to contribute to a team and bring them in a positive direction and increase the volatility of a defenses’ firepower.