ESPN projects two Gators going in first-round of 2023 NFL draft
In the post-Senior/Shrine Bowl update of ESPN’s 2023 two-round mock draft, two Gators are expected to be first-round selections: quarterback Anthony Richardson and offensive guard O'Cyrus Torrence.
Richardson has been mocked as high as a top-10 pick since officially declaring for it, but he did not participate in any postseason bowl games. His stock will only go up after the combine, and a strong pro day might help out as well. For now, though, AR is still firmly in the mix at No. 16 overall to the Washington Commanders in Matt Miller’s mock draft.
“He is not a finished product after starting just 13 games in college, but his highs are incredibly high and he has the highest ceiling of this quarterback class — if he can put everything together,” Miller wrote. “Richardson, who is 6-4 and 232 pounds, has the strongest arm of the class, too, and he pairs that with game-changing running ability. The downside? Nine interceptions to just 17 touchdown passes in 2022 and a QBR of 71.2 show that Richardson’s accuracy needs work before he’s a complete passer. He completed just 54.7% of his throws over his career.”
The Commanders are a decent fit for Richardson, but it would likely mean that Castson Wentz would enter the year as the presumed starter with some competition from Sam Howell. That’s not exactly the wait-and-see situation that Richardson needs to find success in the NFL, but it could end up working.
The other Gator expected to go in the first round, guard O’Cyrus Torrence, did participate in the Senior Bowl, and his performance helped lock him in as a first-round talent.
“One of the top performers during Senior Bowl week was Torrence, my top-ranked player in Mobile,” Miller wrote. “The 6-5, 337-pound right guard was dominant in one-on-one drills throughout the week, showing an aggressive ability in the run game. But what was most impressive during the week was his ability in pass protection, where his length showed up as pass-rushers were unable to consistently get around him.”
Miller has Torrence going at No. 26 overall to the Dallas Cowboys and sees a world where he makes an immediate impact by freeing up veteran players on the line. Wherever Torrence lands, he has a chance to start there as a rookie. The only thing holding him back is the relatively low-priority guards are getting in this draft cycle.
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