The 2022 NFL Draft is over and teams are getting comfortable with their new draft picks. The next class of players is getting prepared now for another year of college football. Each position will be analyzed in the coming days. Here is the 2023 NFL Draft prospect watchlist: Offensive Tackles.
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Hayes was a big part of Michigan’s resurgence. He started his career redshirting, then saw playing time at both right and left tackle in 2019. In 2020 he started two games at left tackle then in 2021 started all 14 games at the position. His play helped Michigan win the Big Ten and reach the College Football Playoff.
In Michigan’s good rushing attack, Hayes was able to show some prowess. He can seal the edge and move his matchup out of the way, clearing big holes. Hayes can lose leverage when pass blocking, but he does have solid movement ability to mirror pass rushers. Another good season could see Hayes be a first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Jones is relatively inexperienced, but has a lot of hype surrounding him. He was able to redshirt in 2020, then made the Coaches’ Freshman All-SEC Team. His name was called for the last four games of the regular season in 2021 and he played well, as Georgia went on to win the National Championship.
He shows good leverage and solid run-blocking ability. While pass blocking, Jones can give up too much room for inside moves, but could improve with more reps. He is a solid athlete and needs more playing time to truly show what he can do. Jones is listed at 6-foot-4 and 315 pounds, which means he is probably below ideal measurements for an offensive tackle.
Nelson is one of the more experienced offensive tackles in the class. He started 14 games at left tackle as a true freshman in 2019. He resumed playing left tackle over the last two seasons. His play in 2021 helped the Hurricanes go 7-5.
At 6-foot-5 and 316 pounds, Nelson needs to continue to add play strength. He can get pushed off his spot, but he is a solid athlete. His pass blocking is a plus, as he can mirror pass rushers well. With better technique and strength, he can develop into a better run blocker.
Johnson has been a part of some very talented offensive lines. He saw the field at guard as a freshman and resumed that role in 2020. He helped Ohio State make a National Championship and a Rose Bowl in his first two seasons. Now that Thayer Munford and Nicholas Petit-Frere have left for the NFL, Johnson is moving to tackle, where he played in high school.
He has solid size at 6-foot-6 and 315 pounds, although he’ll need to continue to add strength. Johnson has demonstrated he is a good athlete, but the 2022 season will give him the chance to prove he can play on an island on the outside. Johnson was a highly-recruited player who could use the season as an opportunity to elevate his status to a first-round pick.
Skoronski was a good center recruit before signing with Northwestern. When Rashawn Slater opted out for the 2020 season, Skoronski took over. Although the Wildcats had a down year in 2021, they did make the Big Ten Championship in 2020 with Skoronski’s help.
He stands 6-foot-4 and 294 pounds, so he will need to continue adding to his frame. Skoronski is pretty technically sound and moves decently well. The added strength will be needed to anchor and to move bigger defenders in the running game. Skoronski is one of the frontrunners to sit atop the 2023 NFL Draft offensive tackles.
Nick Broeker, Ole Miss- Broeker has the experience after starting for three seasons. A good 2021 could see his draft stock elevate.
Dawand Jones, Ohio State- Jones is a gigantic human being, but isn’t the most mobile. The 2022 season will give him the chance to show how much of a mauler he can be.
Connor Galvin, Baylor- The 2021 season provided Galvin with a lot of run-blocking reps. In 2022, Baylor figures to throw the ball more with new starting quarterback Blake Shapen.
Jaxson Kirkland-Washington- At 6-foot-7 and 310 pounds, Kirkland needs to add more muscle, but has a good frame. He started his career at guard, but has since moved to tackle and played solidly.
Robert Scott– Florida State- Scott has played both left and right tackle in his career. While Florida State hasn’t been great the last few years, Scott has been a bright spot.
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