'My guys' along the offensive line in the 2023 NFL Draft

Photo via Tyler Wise

Now that my work for the 2023 draft is complete, I have sorted through my top 50 graded offensive linemen to filter out 10 of my favorite prospects ranging from projected day one, two and three picks. Rather than just highlight my top 10 overall, I prefer to vary the range of grades to add some variety while picking my personal favorite players to study. This also allows for some ‘long shot’ type of prospects that I would most want to bet on later in the draft to be featured.

For an in-depth discussion on many of these players, you can check out my recent conversation on top day three targets with Duke Manyweather and Lance Zierlein here.

• Tennessee RT Darnell Wright

  • Size: 6’5” 333 pounds

  • Stats: 42 career starts split across RT (27), LT (13) and RG (two)

  • Age: Turns 22 years old on August 20th

  • Top traits:

    • Elite-level power

    • Special blend of size and balance

  • Reasons for concern:

    • One-year of high-level play as a four-year starter

    • Overaggressive with the need for more discipline in his technique

  • Sales pitch: Wright played his best football in 2022 against the best competition that he faced while bringing a tone-setting demeanor with the size and natural power to create immediate displacement in the run game and the play strength and balance to anchor on command.

  • Grade: Late 1st

  • 10 play snapshot:

• TCU IOL Steve Avila

  • Size: 6’3” 332 pounds

  • Stats: 35 career starts split across center (17), LG (15) RT (two) and RG (one)

  • Age: Turns 24 years old on October 16th

  • Top traits:

    • Very good play strength

    • Efficient footwork and use of hands

  • Reasons for concern:

    • Average recovery skills

    • Can get caught with his pads high at the point of attack

  • Sales pitch: Avila is a big, strong and well-versed run blocker who maximizes his average quickness with efficient footwork and hands while offering proven versatility across the line to offer starting potential at guard or center as a rookie.

  • Grade: Mid 2nd

  • 10 play snapshot:

• Old Dominion OL Nick Saldiveri

  • Size: 6’6” 318 pounds

  • Stats: 35 career starts split across RT (34) and RG (one)

  • Age: Turns 23 years old on August 14th

  • Top traits:

    • Skilled, technically refined pass-protector

    • Plus athletic ability, recovery skills and balance

  • Reasons for concern:

    • Average lower body strength

    • Will face a significant jump in competition

  • Sales pitch: Saldiveri is a smooth, fluid athlete who comes from a pass-heavy scheme with the hand-fighting skills and refinement to stick at tackle in the NFL while offering enough size and strength to kick inside depending on the team needs.

  • Grade: Early 3rd

  • 10 play snapshot:

• Arkansas C Ricky Stromberg

  • Size: 6’3” 306 pounds

  • Stats: 44 career starts split across center (33), RG (9) and LG (two)

  • Age: Turns 23 years old on November 10th

  • Top traits:

    • Uncanny ability to refit, re-leverage and stay attached to blocks

    • A+ football IQ and competitive toughness

  • Reasons for concern:

    • Lapses in body control and balance

    • Mediocre tracking ability on the move

  • Sales pitch: Stromberg is a heady player that runs the show pre-snap and is a fighter through contact, with a keen understanding of how to position his body between the ball and the defender to create seals and alleys off his backside.

  • Grade: Early 4th

  • 10 play snapshot:

• Pittsburgh T Carter Warren

  • Size: 6’5” 311 pounds

  • Stats: 39 career starts at LT

  • Age: Turned 24 years old on January 9th

  • Top traits:

    • Excellent arm length that he maximizes with light, independent and well-timed strikes

    • Core and grip strength to maintain control once latched

  • Reasons for concern:

    • Injury history and lack of proven versatility

    • Middling redirect skills and lateral quickness

  • Sales pitch: Warren is a battle-tested, quality blindside pass-protector with skilled and strong hands that maximize elite length, allowing him to establish first meaningful contact to disrupt the timing of rushers and end reps quickly once latched.