Yearbook Scouting Reports – NFL Draft 2023
Defensive Yearbook Scouting Reports – NFL Draft 2023
Edge defender Will Anderson & Corners Witherspoon & Banks Head Defensive Class
Here are a few of our Yearbook Defensive scouting reports for the NFL Draft 2023. Our highest rated prospect entering the NFL Draft 2023 was edge defender Will Anderson. He never moved him, seeing him as a major NFL impact edge rusher. Landing in Houston and working with rookie coach DeMeco Ryans was an outstanding fit for this rookie and he responded with an excellent overall performance. He is expected to be a cornerstone starter on this young changing defense.
Corners, Devon Witherspoon and Deonte Banks are two rookie starters who have produced well playing on the island vs NFL receivers. They were two prospects we scouted extensively last year in the Big Ten and gave both high grades vs some of the best receivers in the nation. Witherspoon has earned Pro Bowl honors with an excellent initial season showing well rounded talent to be a fixture in the Seattle secondary. Banks had a strong final season at Maryland, including a strong performance vs Marvin Harrison at home that I scouted live. That convinced me he was NFL ready to play on the outside early in his career. Harrison is a generational receiver and he struggled facing the aggressive Banks over the game. Banks has earned our All-Rookie team coming out in a few weeks.
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Edge Defender
Will Anderson #31 – 6-4, 255 – Alabama – Sp. 4.55
NFL Comparison: Von Miller Rating 95
Explosive edge rusher has been a dominant performer since his true freshman season, making a difference in most games. Elite burst off the edge to pressure a blocker with the ability to convert speed to power very well. Long arms (33 7/8”) and strong athletic frame give him the components of Pro Bowl players like, Von Miller and Khalil Mack. Produced vs SEC blockers in the nation and completed his three seasons with 34.5 sacks and 62 TFL despite facing double team blocking since his initial season. Production fell in his final season as he learned finer points of play to handle that special attention. Shows the ability to strike with a strong punch, dip his shoulder and make the edge to finish. Shows developed inside move to hit an opening. Strong frame allows him to hold the point in run defense along with the speed to pursue and make plays from the backside. Best player in the draft here from day one. Never a reason to move him back, though QB hungry teams will roll the dice.
Draft Projection: 1st Round – Top Three Selection
Cornerbacks
Devon Witherspoon #31 – 5-11, 181 – Illinois – Sp. 4.45
NFL Comparison: Denzel Ward Rating 92
Aggressive explosive athlete with blue chip skills for the demanding pro corner position. Adequate height and wiry frame for the corner spot with 31 1/4” arms and good muscle development. Excellent initial quickness with the ability to flip his hips easily and shadow receivers. Fast footwork that allows him to mirror through the transition stage in both the underneath or deeper routes. Instant accelerator who reaches top speed quickly to ride a receiver’s hip. Exceptional range and fine closing speed. Uses his fine short-area quickness and lateral movement skills to mirror receivers and maintains speed. Keen instincts and smooth COD and able to gather and break down in space, displaying fine quickness and flexibility. Natural cover man and uses the sidelines and can track well downfield. Explosive cobra-like to plant and drive aggressively and BU passes. Challenges throws looking to create a turnover. In run support, attacks aggressively with secure tackling to finish. Top 10 pick and starter with Pro Bowl skills.
Draft Projection: 1st Round
Deonte Banks #3 – 6-0, 197 – Maryland – Sp. 4.35
NFL Comparison: Marshon Lattimore Rating 89
Fast athletic junior finished with an impressive 2022 and declared for the NFL Draft. Finished an excellent NFL Combine with a 4.35 time and 1.49 ten-yard split with a 42” VL and an 11’4” BJ. That followed a breakout performance where he stayed healthy and played full schedule vs top flight receivers. Good size and length with the footwork to change directions quickly and retain coverage. Fast improving instincts to read routes and the AA to matchup and make plays on the ball. Top coverage grades with 38 tackles, 1 interception and 9 PBUs in 2022. Solid grades vs Marvin Harrison and Rashee Rice in 2022. Proved NFL ready off those matchups. Fast rising prospect with top ball skills to press for early playing time. Makeup of a shutdown corner and rank with any prospect in this class with reps and technique work. Athlete with the complete makeup of a top flight cover man. Top 30 prospect and defender on the come.
Draft Projection: 1st Round
Frank Coyle is a long-time scout with nationwide ties with NFL and college coaches, scouts and player agents. He is a member of the FWAA and voter in major college player awards – Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Lombardi, Thorpe, Biletnikoff etc. for the past 30 years. He writes College Football Mondays weekly during the season.
He has a new column ‘The Word on the Street’ dedicated for the NFL Draft and Free agency insight and news with unique content during January through May. He was a longtime scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier postseason All-star game. He does sports radio shows for CBS and ESPN on a year-round basis related to NFL and College Football especially during the postseason team and All-star Bowl time. He has worked for CBS Sports, NBC Sports, Yahoo and Rivals sports publications and web sites
