Wild Card Preview…Another Common Cowboys L? – DraftID Podcast
5. Anthony Richardson | Florida, QB
Florida @ #1 Georgia | 3:30pm EST CBS
Big Board: 75
Entering the season, Anthony Richardson was a dark horse QB prospect that had the upside of being inside the elite tier for the 2023 class. In a huge week 1 performance, he confirmed that upside but has since shown major inconsistencies as a passer and a lack of consistency required to make it at the next level. Through his first seven games as the starting QB, he has thrown just 6 TDs to go against the 7 interceptions. He has now thrown an interception on roughly 6% of his pass attempts through his early career. Luckily, Richardson has nothing but time to grow and learn, but games against the #1 team in the country don’t happen often and will always be film consumed by any scout interested in Richardson. The upside, arm strength and athleticism all suggest that Richardson can become a high caliber prospect, but I am eager to see Richardson become more consistent in the pocket before counting him as a legit 2023 prospect.
4. Bo Nix | Oregon, QB
#8 Oregon @ California | 3:30pm EST FS1
Big Board: NR
In his career, Bo Nix had never completed over 61% of his passes, thrown for over 16 passing TDs or ran for more than 7. In 2022, Nix has already passed both TD benchmarks and has completed 71.5% of his pass attempts and has registered a QBR of 88.3, which ranks 6th in the country. Nix is enjoying a breakout season with the Ducks as he has led them to a 6-1 record, #8 ranking and a top spot in the PAC12. Nix had one of his best career games against #9 UCLA last week where he was dropping the ball in the bucket and passed for 283 yards and 5 TDs. Bo Nix was a 5 Star prospect who struggled to find much consistency at Auburn, but still had career highlights such as out-dueling Justin Herbert and Mac Jones when he was a true freshman. I am far from ready to put Bo Nix in my top 100, but his improvement as a passer is certainly worth mentioning and a guy that I now have on my radar.
3. Paris Johnson Jr. | Ohio State, OT
#2 Ohio State @ #13 Penn State | 12:00pm EST FOX
Big Board: 4
Not only is Ohio State-Penn State going to be one of the best games of the week, but this game is full of NFL talent with several awesome matchups to key into. Paris Johnson Jr. has been one of the most productive and talented tackle prospects in the country and is a huge reason why C.J. Stroud has been so efficient in the pocket through his young career. Penn State’s pass rush is full of high caliber players with a future in the NFL, such as Chop Robinson and Dani Dennis-Sutton. Paris Johnson Jr. will literally have his hands full all day and is a player to keep your eyes on.
2. Hendon Hooker | Tennessee, QB
#19 Kentucky @ #3 Tennessee | 7:00pm EST ESPN
Big Board: 59
Hendon Hooker has been one of the best stories in college football and has gone from backup to potential Heisman finalist in a span of a couple of years. Hooker has played phenomenal football, especially as a passer and has also shown the consistency and toughness to make it in the NFL. He’s faced adversity, such as losing top target Cedric Tillman Jr. for most of the season, yet has done nothing but produce. He’s turned WR Jalin Hyatt from a relative unknown to a potential 1st round prospect. He’s made the Tennessee Vols relevant again and led them to their first upset over Alabama in 16 years with an electric come-from-behind victory. This school owes their soul to Hooker, but will he be a great college legend that never makes it in the NFL? I am not ready to make any sort of prediction on Hooker yet, but the fact that he turns 25 in January has me at least thinking that teams may be weary on spending any high capital on a guy who would be 29 when deciding on the 5th year option. I’ve got a full research article in the works on age being a variable for a QB prospect, but for now I am going to keep him in my day 2 range until I see a full season of tape.
1. Joey Porter Jr. | Penn State, CB
#2 Ohio State @ #13 Penn State | 12:00pm EST FOX
Big Board: 5
Joey Porter Jr. has been one of my favorite prospects all season and is a guy that has taken over as my CB1 and a top 5 player on my big board. He’s shown some minor technical inconsistencies, but that is nothing to worry about with a younger prospect. The ball skills, athleticism, size, and production all make Porter Jr. an elite prospect that I believe will be a top 10 pick. This weekend, Porter Jr. will face the biggest task of his career, while trying to mark the best receiver in college football, Marvin Harrison Jr. The two young studs are both cut from a similar cloth, as both grew up watching their All-Pro fathers win Super Bowls in the NFL. I have a feeling that we will see both Jr.’s in the NFL for a long time.
Game of the Week
#2 Ohio State @ #13 Penn State | 12:00pm EST FOX
As mentioned above, this game is going to be one of the best prospect matchups of the entire season. Although it may seem a bit lopsided for the Buckeyes, Penn State has their fair share of players who could likely be called in the 1st round. CB Joey Porter Jr. is an obvious NFL talent, but LT Olumuyiwa Fashanu has elevated into being one of the top OL in the draft. WR Parker Washington had a lot of hype coming into the season but hasn’t been as productive as I had hoped.
Ohio State is once again loaded with NFL players. QB CJ Stroud is still my top-rated offensive player in the entire class. WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba has been sidelined most of the year with a hamstring injury, but you cannot overlook the 1st round potential. WRs Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka both will be considered 1st round prospects entering next season. LT Paris Johnson Jr. is our top-rated offensive lineman and a guy that will likely be a top 10 pick. TE Cade Stover has looked great and is a big riser this year. On defense, edge Zach Harrison has been a name I’ve watched for a longtime and has had a big senior year.
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