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Every year, the NFL Draft is filled with potential sleeper picks. Where a prospect is selected during the draft process is a result of many different factors. College football careers, physical attributes, injury history, and performances at the NFL Combine are among some of the most important things in a player's draft stock.
A strong combination of all the evaluation factors could land the prospect a high pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Missing some or all of the desired keys could potentially result in the prospect slipping further down the board.
Draft positions aren't the biggest factor in determining the outcome of a player's rookie season. Many rookies outperform their draft position every year. That said, here are five candidates to do so during the 2023 NFL season.
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#1 - Dawand Jones
Ohio State Buckeyes offensive tackle Dawand Jones has one of the most impressive physical profiles of any player ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft. His measurements at the 2023 NFL Combine jumped off the page, including being 6'8" tall and weighing 374 pounds with a 7'4" wingspan. Size isn't the only requirement to be a successful offensive lineman, but it surely helps.
While Jones is currently projected to be a late first-round pick, he has the upside of being the best offensive lineman in the 2023 draft class. He is as heavy as Trent Brown and as tall as Orlando Brown, the tallest and heaviest players in the league, as well as two of the most dominant offensive tackles. Jones could potentially be a force on any offensive line at the next level.
#2 - Bryce Ford-Wheaton
Bryce Ford-Wheaton is another one of the biggest winners from the 2023 NFL Combine. The West Virginia Mountaineers wide receiver made a big name for himself during the event after entering it relatively unknown to the masses. He put together a special performance that qualifies him as one of the best all-around athletes available in his position.
Ford-Wheaton is now drawing comparisons to superstar wide receiver DK Metcalf for his impressive physical attributes. Their combination of size, speed, and jumping has put them in a class of their own over the last 20 years of measuring players. The Mountaineer has the upside of being a true game-changer for a team that takes a shot on him in the draft.
#3 - Viliami Fehoko
Viliami Fehoko was one of the best overall pass rushers during the 2022 college football season. He ranked among the top five players in the entire country in quarterback pressures. He may not be getting the credit he deserves because he played at San Jose State in a non-power-five conference, but his performance on the field has been legitimate.
Fehoko recorded an impressive PFF grade of 87.4 as a run-stopper and 90.2 as a pass rusher during his excellent 2022 season. He displays elite versatility on the defensive line, while also being the ideal size for an edge rusher at 6'4" tall and weighing 264 pounds. His explosive style potentially makes him an under-the-radar gem.
#4 - Stetson Bennett
Stetson Bennett is one of the most polarizing quarterback prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft class. His career with the Georgia Bulldogs was nothing short of incredible, including back-to-back National Championships and consideration for the Heisman Trophy. The issue is that his physical attributes don't profile as a typical NFL quarterback.
Bennett may have silenced most of the critics during his performance at the 2023 NFL Combine. He looked like one of the best pure passers on the football field. He also tied for the fastest throwing speed, showing he may have a bigger arm than anticipated. He currently projects as a mid-to-late-round pick, but could surely outperform his expectations.
#5 - Michael Wilson
Michael Wilson would likely be ranked much higher on most 2023 NFL Draft boards if it weren't for his extensive injury history. He spent each of the last two years dealing with various injuries, appearing in only six games during the 2022 college football season with the Stanford Cardinals.
Wilson was impressive during his limited time on the football field, but it's difficult to determine what his production would have looked like in a full season. He performed well at the Combine and the 2023 Senior Bowl this year, which may have helped his draft stock. He's an imposing wide receiver at 6'2" and 216 pounds, so he could be a draft steal if he can find a way to stay healthy.
