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Bettor Preparation for NFL Combine

Over 300 Prospects Look to Boost Stock

Preparation for the 2023 NFL Draft has been in full swing since the end of the 2022 season. The NFL Combine is a great chance to check out some of the draft’s biggest names. Plus, the event shows off some rising names, like Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson.

Combine drills begin on Thursday and continue through Sunday. If you plan on betting on the 2023 NFL Draft, this is a vital event to follow. Check out the combined schedule, players to watch and who could post the best numbers.

Anthony Richardson #15 of the Florida Gators
Anthony Richardson #15 of the Florida Gators - James Gilbert/Getty Images/AFP

Let’s check the latest NFL news, stats, injury reports, and NFL picks. We’ve got plenty of NFL lines for the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft Preview Games.

NFL Combine Schedule

  1. Thursday, March 2 (3 p.m. ET): Defensive line and Linebackers
  2. Friday, March 3 (3 p.m. ET): Defensive backs and Special teams
  3. Saturday, March 4 (1 p.m. ET): Quarterbacks, Wide receivers and Tight ends
  4. Sunday, March 5 (1 p.m. ET): Running backs and Offensive line

Players to Watch By Position

Quarterbacks

  • Bryce Young, Alabama
  • C.J. Stroud, Ohio State
  • Will Levis, Kentucky
  • Anthony Richardson, Florida

As usual, a quarterback is expected to be the top player selected in the NFL Draft. Quarterbacks Bryce Young (-160) and C.J. Stroud (+375) are the favorites to go first and have the chance to answer some concerns. Young’s size has been a question while Stroud’s mobility has been in question.

Will Levis and Anthony Richardson could be the most intriguing prospects to watch. Both have eye-popping traits that could win the day. Richardson’s stock is skyrocketing ahead of the combine with +600 odds to be selected No. 1 overall.

Running Backs

  • Bijan Robinson, Texas
  • Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama
  • Tyjae Spears, Tulane
  • Devon Achane, Texas A&M
  • Keaton Mitchell, East Carolina

Several running backs could post great 40-yard dash times in this year’s combine. Jahmyr Gibbs, Devon Achane and Keaton Mitchell are expected to be the fastest among the group. Bijan Robinson and Tyjae Spears can show off their lateral quickness and agility in the shuttle run.

Wide Receivers

  • Quentin Johnston, TCU
  • Jordan Addison, USC
  • Jalin Hyatt, Tennessee
  • Zay Flowers, Boston College
  • Rashee Rice, SMU
  • Kayshon Boutte, LSU
  • Tank Dell, Houston

There is plenty of speed in this year’s wide receiver class. TCU’s Quentin Johnston can solidify himself as the first wideout off of the board (+160) with a good showing. Jalin Hyatt could post the best 40-yard dash time, which could elevate him to a first-round selection. Kayshon Boutte could post some impressive numbers with his all-around athleticism. Zay Flowers and Tank Dell could be the most entertaining WR prospects to watch with their exceptional agility and should shine in the shuttle run.

Tight Ends

  • Dalton Kincaid, Utah
  • Michael Mayer, Notre Dame
  • Luke Musgrave, Oregon State
  • Darnell Washington, Georgia

A few months ago, Michael Mayer was virtually a lock to be the first tight end selected. Dalton Kincaid is now giving Mayer a run for his money. The combination could determine who will be selected first. Luke Musgrave is a name that could enter the first-round conversation thanks to his excellent athleticism. Darnell Washington will look to show off his strength and should excel at the bench press.

Tight end Michael Mayer #87 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Tight end Michael Mayer #87 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish – Ethan Miller/Getty Images/AFP

Offensive Line

  • Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern
  • Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State
  • Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
  • O’Cyrus Torrence, G, Florida
  • Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
  • Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State

The NFL Combine will be the perfect opportunity for offensive linemen to silence concerns. Peter Skoronski and Paris Johnson Jr. are in a tight battle to be the first offensive tackle selected. Skoronski needs to show off his strength to overtake Johnson, who is one of the draft’s most athletic tackles. Broderick Jones has been advertised as the most athletic tackle. He can prove it on Sunday.

O’Cyrus Torrence, the top offensive guard, will look to show off improved mobility. Darnell Wright and Dawand Jones are trending tackle prospects pushing for the first round. Both have huge frames but questions surround their mobility.

Defensive Line

  • Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Alabama
  • Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech
  • Calijah Kancey, DT, Pittsburgh
  • Lukas Van Ness, EDGE, Iowa
  • Keion White, EDGE, Georgia Tech
  • Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson
  • Will McDonald IV, EDGE, Iowa State

The defensive line class is stacked with plenty of names to watch. Perhaps the best talent, defensive tackle Jalen Carter will not participate in workouts. He is -125 to be the first defensive player selected. Edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. could elevate himself to the top defensive prospect (+115). Edge rusher Tyree Wilson is another player competing for that spot (+550) with extraordinary length and physicality.

With Carter’s absence, Calijah Kancey could be the best defensive tackle on display due to his elite quickness.

Lukas Van Ness and Keion White are defensive ends poised for great days, solidifying themselves as first-round prospects. Bryan Bresee could be one of the strongest defensive tackles, while Will McDonald IV could post one of the fastest 40-yard dash times among defensive linemen.

Linebackers

  • Trenton Simpson, Clemson
  • Drew Sanders, Arkansas
  • Jack Campbell, Iowa
  • Noah Sewell, Oregon
  • Henry To’oTo’o, Alabama

On Thursday, linebackers will look to prove their versatility. Trenton Simpson and Noah Sewell are among the fastest linebackers in the class while Drew Sanders and Jack Campbell have impressive length. Henry To’oTo’o can solidify himself as a day-two pick if he does well in drills testing his lateral quickness, like the three-cone drill.

Defensive Backs

  • Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
  • Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
  • Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
  • Brian Branch, S, Alabama
  • Antonio Johnson, S, Texas A&M
  • Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
  • JL Skinner III, S, Boise State

At defensive back, keep an eye on cornerbacks Christian Gonzalez and Devon Witherspoon. These prospects are competing for the top CB spot. Gonzalez is poised for a big combine, but Witherspoon can stay as the top cornerback with a good 40-yard dash time.

Brian Branch and Antonio Johnson are safeties with good versatility. They will have the chance to show off their impressive mobility in coverage. Joey Porter Jr., Kelee Ringo and JL Skinner III are defensive back prospects with exciting traits, including great size and length.

Joey Porter Jr. #9 of the Penn State Nittany Lions
Joey Porter Jr. #9 of the Penn State Nittany Lions – Scott Taetsch/Getty Images/AFP

Who Will Post the Best Numbers?

It’s difficult to predict who will have the best numbers among all prospects. However, we can get a ballpark idea. Wide receivers usually post the best 40-yard dash times and an interior lineman will likely have the best bench press. Let’s look at some names to watch.

Hyatt, Flowers and Nebraska’s Trey Palmer could be the fastest wide receivers. Don’t be surprised if running backs Gibbs and Achane compete for the best 40-yard dash time. There’s a good chance a prospect, like Hyatt or Flowers, posts a time in the 4.2s.

For the bench press, guard Torrence, USC’s guard Andrew Vorhees, defensive tackle Bresee and Michigan’s defensive tackle Mazi Smith are some of the class’ strongest players. At the tight end, Washington has a great chance of posting the best bench press in his position group.

The three-cone drill is another fun drill to watch that gauges each prospect’s change of direction. This is a vital drill for edge rushers and defensive backs. Edge rusher McDonald and cornerbacks Ringo and Gonzalez could post some of the best times.

The NFL Combine will shake up the draft picture and several prospects will emerge thanks to eye-popping athleticism. Expect NFL draft odds to shift following the event. Will players like Richardson and Gonzalez continue to rise or will new names emerge?

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