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 Music City Bowl.
D.J. James, CB
James started his collegiate career at Oregon, where he spent three seasons. He transferred to Auburn for the last two seasons. In his career, he has 147 total tackles, 24 passes defended and five interceptions. This season, he has tallied 38 total tackles, 10 passes defended and two interceptions.
He stands at 6-foot-1 and 174 pounds. While he has solid length, he needs to add some weight to his frame to match up with more physical receivers in the NFL. He has shown the ability to mirror receivers and occasionally make plays on the ball. He will play in the Senior Bowl.
Projected Draft Range: 2nd Round Pick-4th Round Pick
Simpson joined Auburn in 2019, but didn’t start contributing in a major way until 2021. In his Auburn career, he has 116 total tackles, 14 passes defended and seven interceptions. The 2023 was his best with 36 total tackles, three passes defended and four interceptions.
At 6-foot-1 and 178 pounds, Simpson also needs to add weight to his frame. He is more of a free safety with solid range. To improve, he can support the run better, which would be aided by more strength on his frame.
Projected Draft Range: 4th Round Pick-6th Round Pick
Other NFL Draft Prospects: CB Nehemiah Pritchett (4th-6th), RB Jarquez Hunter (5th-7th), TE Rivaldo Fairweather (5th-7th), LB Eugene Asante (5th-7th), DL Justin Rodgers (6th-UFA), DL Zykeivous Walker (6th-UFA), DL Jayson Jones (UFA), OT Dillon Wade (UFA), QB Payton Thorne (UFA), IOL Avery Jones (UFA), DL Lawrence Johnson (UFA)
Beau Brade, S
Brade signed with Maryland in 2020 and has really created an impact over the last two seasons. In his career, Brade has 174 total tackles, 11 passes defended and three interceptions. This season, he has registered 72 total tackles, six passes defended and one interception.
He is 6-foot-1 and 201 pounds, which is decent size for an NFL safety. Brade has shown his ability to help stop the run. His coverage will come into question, but he can fulfill a role as an in-the-box safety at the next level.
Projected Draft Range: 3rd Round Pick-5th Round Pick
Kaden Prather, WR
Prather started his college career at West Virginia and transferred to Maryland before the 2023 season. He has caught 105 passes for 1,285 yards and eight touchdowns in his career. This season he has 41 receptions for 609 receiving yards and five touchdowns.
At 6-foot-4 an 210 pounds, Prather has excellent size for the wide receiver position. His size makes him a matchup problem for smaller corners. He can be a good red-zone target as well. Prather has eligibility remaining and may return to school for another season.
Projected Draft Range: 4th Round Pick-6th Round Pick
*CB Tarheeb Still has opted out of this bowl game. He is a projected late-round pick or undrafted free agent.
Other Draft Prospects: RB Roman Hemby (6th-UFA), CB Ja’Quan Sheppard (6th-UFA), WR Jeshaun Jones (6th-UFA), IOL Delmar Glaze (6th-UFA), QB Taulia Tagovailoa (UFA), S Dante Trader (UFA), LB Ruben Hyppolite II (UFA), OT Gottlieb Ayeze (UFA)
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