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2023 NFL Draft Potential Busts: Defense
2023 NFL Draft Potential Busts: Offense | 2023 NFL Draft Potential Busts: Defense
2023 NFL Draft Day-Three Sleepers
Published April 19, 2023.
By Charlie Campbell - @draftcampbell
In the recent weeks, there have been a lot of questions about which players to avoid in the 2023 NFL Draft class. Every draft has some players who are selected highly only to end up massive disappointments in the NFL. Here, we break down some potential busts infor the 2023 NFL Draft.
https://BAN-INCOMING-IN-3-2-1/college/Georgia_logo.gif Nolan Smith, OLB, Georgia
Smith looks like a dangerous pick, in my opinion. At Georgia, he never put up a season of good production, averaging roughly three sacks annually over his career, despite a scheme that sets up outside rushers. Smith has great speed, but at 6-foot-2, 238 pounds, he is extremely undersized for the NFL. He lacks the length and weight to shed blocks, and his speed alone will not be enough to consistently beat pro offensive tackles. Smith's body type and lack of production look like warning signs for bust potential.
https://BAN-INCOMING-IN-3-2-1/college/Baylor_logo.gif Siaki Ika, DT, Baylor
Ika is a big, strong nose tackle who can clog up lanes and is tough to move at the line of scrimmage. However, he does not project to having a role in the sub package, while teams play sub on 70 percent or more of their plays. Hence, I could see him getting taken too high in the 2023 NFL Draft considering he plays a role that is not a position that provides a big impact. Additionally, franchises have character concerns with Ika. As a potential second-round pick, that could be a disappointment.
https://BAN-INCOMING-IN-3-2-1/college/Clemson_logo.gif Trenton Simpson, OLB, Clemson
There is no doubt that Simpson has a great skill set with size, speed and athleticism. However, Simpson has a scary lack of instincts, and that is why he never played up to his potential at Clemson. Simpson might fit best by being converted to an undersized edge rusher like Micah Parsons, but if Simpson is kept as an off-the-ball linebacker, he has bust potential due to his lack of instincts.
https://BAN-INCOMING-IN-3-2-1/college/Georgia_logo.gif Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
I think Ringo is a risky pick for the first or second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. While there is no doubt that Ringo has an excellent combination of height, weight and speed, he has some serious stiffness and struggles to change direction. That was given clear evidence late in the 2022 season when Ringo gave up a lot of separation and was torched by the LSU receivers in the SEC Championship Game. I think offensive coordinators are going to identify this weakness with Ringo and could exploit it to allow their receivers to consistently get open versus him by separating out of their breaks. With the speed, explosion, and athleticism of NFL receivers, Ringo looks like a dangerous pick who possesses some bust potential.
