The 2023 NFL draft is stacked with tremendous talent, with offensive and defensive prospects reigning supreme.
Two of the strongest positions are defensive end and wide receiver. Which will go first is the biggest question on NFL Draft 2023 odds.
Lukas Van Ness vs. Myles Murphy
In most NFL draft predictions, the first round is riddled with edge rushers. Outside linebackers Will Anderson and Tyree Wilson are both projected on the NFL Draft 2023 odds to get picked near the top of the draft, but we see a battle of defensive ends directly after them.
Lukas Van Ness is a defensive end for the Iowa Hawkeyes, with freakish athleticism and incredible natural talent. Standing at 6’5” and 272 pounds, he is always one of the biggest players on the field. His speed makes him such an enticing prospect and nightmare in future NFL matchups, running a 4.58 at the combine.
Myles Murphy and Van Ness Build and Speed
Van Ness’s competition for the first defensive end selected is very close. Myles Murphy is projected to be picked directly after him. Murphy is very similar in build to Van Ness, standing 6’4” and 268 pounds. Regarding speed, he can keep up with Van Ness, with his best 40-yard dash being a 4.57. However, what makes him stand out against Van Ness is his strength.
Although Van Ness is a strong player, he only managed to put up 17 reps on the bench press. Murphy topped that with 25.
These two players had nearly identical stats in the last two seasons, making it difficult to tell who should be picked first. Last season, Murphy was a true Junior, and Van Ness was a redshirt Sophomore.
Murphy had 40 total tackles, 22 solo, and 6.5 sacks. Van Ness had 36 total tackles, 18 solo, and 6.5 sacks. What separates them is Murphy’s two passes defended, but overall, both players will be nightmares on an NFL schedule.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba vs. Jordan Addison
In another matchup between two potential superstars in the NFL Draft 2023 odds, we see the emergence of the USC superstar Jordan Addison and the return of Ohio State pass-catcher Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Both players have similar talents, dominating the field in speed and route running.
Either player will be a force to be reckoned with on an NFL schedule and could end up on top of NFL standings for offensive rookie of the year or contribute to an NFL playoff bracket.
What gives Addison the edge is that he played much more this past season with the Trojans than his counterpart due to injury. Although it was a step down from the year prior with Pitt, Addison still dominated. His 875 yards and eight touchdowns were impressive and will translate to NFL player stats.
His combined performance got the attention of fans worldwide, where he ran a 4.49 40-yard dash and had a 10’2” long jump. At a stature of 5’11” and 173 pounds, the performance caught the eyes of many.
Smith-Njigba: The Unplayed Phenom
Addison’s competition, Smith-Njigba, may not have played last season, but he is still projected to go ahead of Addison in the draft. His performance in 2021 was almost unmatched, with 95 receptions, 1,606 yards receiving, and nine touchdowns. These stats are comparable to Addison’s from 2021. The difference is the amount of talent in the Buckeyes’ receiving corp.
Since there was not much play seen from Smith-Njigba this season, his combined stats tell the real story. He took a step above the rest. Jaxon proves that he deserves to be on a big league roster barring he doesn’t end up on the NFL injury report. He ran an official 4.48 at his pro day without taking a second attempt.
At 6’1” and 196 pounds, he recorded a 10’5” broad jump. His 3-cone drill and 20-yard shuttle were most impressive, with a 6.57 in the 3-cone and a 3.93 in the shuttle. Both of those stats were first out of all players in the combine, showing that he is more than ready for NFL team stats and one day end up in the conversation of NFL MVP odds.
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