How experts graded every Auburn football player taken in 2023 NFL Draft
The 2023 NFL Draft is officially over, and Auburn football represented a handful of the players selected.
Derick Hall came off the board first at No. 37 overall to the Seattle Seahawks, followed by Tank Bigsby at No. 88 to the Jacksonville Jaguars and Colby Wooden at No. 116 to the Green Bay Packers. Owen Pappoe followed at No. 168 to the Arizona Cardinals and Anders Carlson, a kicker, rounded out the group at No. 207, joining Wooden in Green Bay.
Here's a look at how a few analysts view the picks.
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Derick Hall, pass rusher
Team: Seattle Seahawks
Pick: No. 37 overall (second round)
Grades: A (Sporting News), A- (CBS), B- (Pro Football Network)
What they said: Chris Trapasso, CBS: "Chiseled, explosive, decently bendy rusher with high-level productivity. Length for days. Has to develop pass-rush moves. Precisely the type the Seahawks needed on the defensive line. Surprised this wasn't DT but he's a bigger Carl Lawson."
Tank Bigsby, running back
Team: Jacksonville Jaguars
Pick: No. 88 overall (third round)
Grades: B (Sporting News), B (CBS), B- (Pro Football Network)
What they said: Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: "Bigsby adds a pure power back to a strong backfield that includes receiving-forward dynamo Travis Etienne and newcomer swing backup D’Ernest Johnson. The Jaguars are working on their version of the Browns 1-2 punch backfield with Etienne and Bigsby."
Colby Wooden, defensive lineman
Team: Green Bay Packers
Pick: No. 116 overall (fourth round)
Grades: A (CBS), A (Pro Football Network), B+ (Walter Football),
What they said: Walter Cherepinsky, Walter Football: "The Packers needed to continue to address their pass rush, which was very weak last year when they didn't blitz. Colby Wooden will help generate pressure on the quarterback as a 3-4 defensive lineman. I had him in this range in my mock, so I like the pick."
Owen Pappoe, linebackers
Team: Arizona Cardinals
Pick: No. 168 overall (fifth round)
Grades: A- (CBS), A- (Pro Football Network), B (Walter Football)
What they said: Trapasso: "Explosive thumper who flashed some ball skills and coverage instincts at Auburn. Not a specialist there but holds his own. Range for days. Starting ability on a defense that needs more young talent."
Anders Carlson, kicker
Team: Green Bay Packers
Pick: No. 207 overall (sixth round)
Grades: B (CBS), B (Walter Football), C (Pro Football Network),
What they said: Cherepinsky: "Again, I have no problem with a kicker or a punter in the sixth round. The Packers needed to replace Mason Crosby, so they have my full support."
Richard Silva is the Auburn athletics beat writer for the Montgomery Advertiser. He can be reached via email at rsilva@gannett.com or on Twitter @rich_silva18.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: How experts graded Auburn football players taken in 2023 NFL Draft
