The bowl season gives fans and scouts alike a chance to analyze NFL Draft prospects against solid competition. Bowl scheduling allows all eyes to be on each game. Here are the NFL Draft prospects in the 2023 Citrus Bowl.
Jaquelin Roy, DL
Roy has been with LSU for three seasons and has really been great the last two seasons. He has 97 total tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss and four sacks in his career. This season, Roy has 49 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks.
He has solid size for an interior defender at 6-foot-4 and 297 pounds. His production isn’t great, but he is able to make a difference in the middle of the defensive line. He has a great first step, which helps give him an edge.
Projected Draft Range: Second Round Pick-Third Round Pick
Mekhi Garner, CB
Garner started his career at Louisiana before transferring to LSU for this season. In his career, he has 106 total tackles, three interceptions and 23 passes defended. This season, he has 43 total tackles and eight passes defended.
At 6-foot-2 and 212 pounds, Garner has excellent size for an outside corner in the NFL. He did not have the best ball production in his career, but Garner has good length and can really irritate wide receivers with it. Garner will fit best with a team that runs a lot of zone coverage.
Projected Draft Range: Second Round Pick-Fourth Round Pick
*EDGE B.J. Ojulari has opted out of this game. He is a projected first or second-round pick.
Other Draft Prospects: CB Jarrick Bernard-Converse (4-6), EDGE Ali Gaye (4-6), LB Mike Jones (4-6), CB Sevyn Banks (6-UFA), S Jay Ward (6-UFA), WR Jaray Jenkins (UFA), LB Michael Bakersfield (UFA), RB John Emery (UFA)
Branson Deen, DL
Deen has been at Purdue for four seasons, but has specifically been great in the last two seasons. He has 72 total tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks in his career. This season, Deen has registered 27 total tackles, four tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.
He will be an undersized defensive lineman at the next level, standing at 6-foot-2 and 275 pounds. Deen moves well for an interior defensive lineman, but will need to add strength in order to get regular playing time at the next level.
Projected Draft Range: Undrafted Free Agent
Jalen Graham, LB
Graham started out as a safety at Purdue, but made the transition to linebacker. He has 169 total tackles, three interceptions and 13 passes defended in his career. This season, he has registered 52 total tackles, one interception and five passes defended.
He is 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, he will need to add some weight to his frame to play linebacker every down at the NFL level. Graham is still learning the position, but could bring good coverage at the next level.
Projected Drafted Range: Undrafted Free Agent
*TE Payne Durham has opted out of this game. He is a projected mid-round pick.
*CB Cory Trice has opted out of this game. He is a projected mid to late-round pick.
*WR Charlie Jones has opted out of this game. He is a projected late-round pick.
*QB Aidan O’Connell has opted out of this game. He is a projected late-round pick or undrafted free agent.
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