Ric's NFL Scouting Combine Download
What I learned attending the 2023 NFL scouting Combine in Indianapolis
Welcome, friends, to our Post-Combine download.
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As the NFL scouting combine wound down to a close, I found myself reflecting on the countless drills, interviews, and workouts I witnessed over the past few days. It's been a whirlwind of a week, and now that it's over, I can finally take a breath and share some of the most memorable moments and Ric’s 2023 NFL Mock Draft: Post NFL Scouting Combine for Sports Illustrated.
Meet Cory Yates, Co-Founder & CEO of Reel-Aanalytics.net, a sports tech & data company that analyzes video to measure athleticism so coaches can evaluate talent more accurately is talking with Draftnic Ric about 40 times.
40 times & position rank
Derius Davis 4.36 (2nd)
Keaton Mitchell 4.37 (3rd)
Jahmyr Gibbs 4.36 (2nd)
Devon Achane 4.32 (1st)
Andre Iosivas 4.43 (7th)
Trey Palmer 4.33 (1st)
Reel-Aanalytics.net on Ric favorite Tank Dell.
I had a blast at the InsideTheLeague.com Awards! Many thanks to the host Neil Stratton! The Best Draft Award was presented to the NFL organization determined to have selected the most impactful rookie draft class, as chosen by their front office peers.
The 6th Annual ITL Best NFL Draft Award
The winner of the 2022 Best NFL Draft Award goes to John Schneider and the Seattle Seahawks. With quarterback Russell Wilson no longer the face of the franchise, the Seahawks entered the 2022 season with lots of question marks. They needed to retool, and a key part of success would mean adding critical pieces in the draft. Mission accomplished. With their first-round selection, they found a starter at the critical left tackle position in Mississippi State’s Charles Cross.
In the second round, they found a 1,000-yard rusher in Michigan State’s Kenneth Walker and in the third round, they selected a bookend tackle in Washington State’s Abraham Lucas. Cross started 17 games, Lucas started 16, and Walker 11, but that wasn’t all. The team also got multiple starts out of Cincinnati cornerback Coby Bryant, a fourth-round pick, and UTSA corner Tariq Woolen, a fifth-rounder who started 17 games.
Both Walker and Woolen were named to the Pro Football Writers Association All-Rookie team, as Seattle finished 9-8 and clinched a berth in the wildcard round of the playoffs. Congratulations to the Seahawks!
Schneider briefly spoke to the gathered scouting community, "I love our people so much, and they work their asses off all throughout the year, and they know their voices are heard."
Schneider also touched on that the group of Seahawks scouts was in the back of the room avoiding attention, "Hanging out in the back, all humble"
While the award ceremony was brief and held in a small conference room at the convention center with little fanfare, it's still meaningful for the Seahawks because it is voted on by fellow scouts and personnel people.
"To be acknowledged by your colleagues, scouts, who are at the Marriott Courtyards, up late typing reports, all that kind of stuff, going to schools and all that," Schneider said. "We know what it's all about."
Props to Steven Price and Marcus Cooper of the NY Giants pictured below.
Ric Serritella w Mike Gill Tuesday 8 PM est on Twitter Spaces
NFLDB prospect Q&A
NFL Combine: Kentucky QB Will Levis Q&A
Why did you choose to throw at the combine?
Because I got a cannon and I want to show it off.
Ric’s has the Las Vegas Raiders at pick #7 selecting QB Will Levis, Kentucky "You will notice everything is ultra-quick. An up-tempo offense based on quick reads and fast decision-making. Levis gets rid of the ball in a hurry and it's the high-octane scheme that you see many NFL teams attempting to mimic."
NFL Combine: Illinois S Sydney Brown
NFL Combine: Ohio State QB CJ Stroud Q&A #1 QB on Ric’s board
Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud put on quite a show at the Combine and was one of the most highly anticipated podium media sessions amongst players in attendance.
Ric is projecting at pick #4 the Indianapolis Colts: QB C.J. Stroud, Ohio State "Known as the first one in, last one out, Stroud possesses all the intangibles that NFL decision-makers seek from a franchise quarterback—head coach Ryan Day has praised his work ethic and professional approach to the game on a daily basis."
Have you met with the Houston Texans?
Yes, sir. It went really well, I got to meet everybody in their front office and had a great conversation. They asked me some questions and I feel like I did really well in the interview process with them, and I'm looking forward to going deeper and deeper and building a relationship with them.
How would you grade your football knowledge?
Coach Day and everybody at Ohio State. Coach (Brian) Hartline, coach (Todd) Fitch, coach (Kevin) Wilson, our offensive coordinator, they do a great job in our building just because it is a mini-NFL team. They make you get up on the board and make you explain the plays. It's not just them coaching you all the time. You have to be the coach on the team. That's something that I took very seriously, not only being a leader, but being that coach on the field if somebody forgot a route or somebody forgot the protection or somebody did this wrong or that wrong. I think on film you can constantly see me pointing things out, running up to dudes trying to tell them routes or (making adjustments on) plays. I think that just shows what I'm willing to do just to be great and to be the coach on the field.
Have you sought out any advice about the draft process?
I've had a lot of conversations with older veterans. I remember a conversation with Larry Fitzgerald I had up in Arizona at the Super Bowl. And he was basically telling me the confidence piece about it, just being really confident in yourself and really being a student of the game. Not being too cool for school, going in there and controlling that team from all the way from rookie minicamp and I think that's how it starts because I don't think you can build a dynasty or build something like that without a good foundation. That's something that I want to do when I come in, is being a leader and of course not demand respect but earn it, build trust off the field and be a leader not only on the field but off as well. So that's what I plan to do.
NFL Combine: Alabama QB Bryce Young Q&A
How was your meeting with the Houston Texans?
My meeting with the Texans was great. I was super happy to be in that room. It's an amazing staff. To be able to talk ball with them and then for them to ask me some questions and for me to learn a little more about them and them to learn more about me, it was a great environment to be in that room.
Would you be surprised if you weren’t chosen number one overall?
Again, I feel like I don't know what's going to happen. Obviously I don't get to choose. I'd be surprised either way. I'm just happy to be here honestly. It's an honor for me to be able to be selected by whatever team it is that takes a chance on me. Whoever it was or whatever position (in the draft), I'm just happy to get that chance at the next level.
Ric is projecting at pick #2 the Houston Texans to select QB Bryce Young, Alabama "A smart-accurate passer who doesn’t force throws and rarely makes mistakes. Lacks prototype size but sees the field very well, demonstrates natural feel in the pocket,and can push the ball downfield with a simple flick of the wrist."
NFL Combine: Florida QB Anthony Richardson Q&A.
Ric likes the Detroit Lions (via LAR) selecting QB Anthony Richardson, Florida at pick #6. "Sizeable height and length for the position, with an intimidating structure. Overly poised for a player with such little experience. Very comfortable in the pocket and has the instinct to step up when it collapses or escape the impending rush."
What do you think of being called a project quarterback and what do you bring to a team right now?
I don't even know what that means, 'project label.' But I am willing to bring anything and everything that they need from me. I'm going to work hard. I'm going to be dedicated to my craft and I'm just going to be a leader in that organization. So just grow and continue to grow.
Who are some quarterbacks that you looked up to growing up?
Growing up it was always Cam Newton for me. But then when I got to high school, just seeing how dynamic Lamar [Jackson] was. I tried to implement both of those guys in my life. I started calling myself Cam Jackson in 11th grade, just trying to make big plays. Just Cam Newton and Lamar Jackson.
NFL Combine: Texas A&M S Antonio Johnson Q&A
Can you describe the different roles you have played such as slot, safety, in the box?
I feel like it prepared me very well because I don't have a set title to my name. It opens a lot of doors for me, places teams can put me at. I feel that's one of my strengths. Teams look for players they can keep on the field in different packages without having to sub.
Do teams see you as having different fits?
Playing different spots in college and coming to the league. They ask me what my preferred position is. I feel that's a blessing because a lot of players don't have that opportunity to be as versatile and have a set spot. Going to a new team I can learn different positions and have a better chance of getting on the field faster.
Texas DT Keondre Coburn "Went to eat" With Steelers DL Coach
Coburn mentioned he spent time with Steelers defensive line coach Karl Dunbar at the East-West Shrine Bowl earlier this year. It wasn’t the first time these two shared an acquaintance. Dunbar recruited Coburn while at Alabama, but being a Houston native, he chose Texas over the Crimson Tide.
For draft-eligible players who are shut out of pro days, there will be opportunity to get verified measurements and tested by pro scouts. Please drop us a line in what part of the country you are in for those of you in this situation we will try to help!
RKAutogroup.com present Mike and Ric ~ Episode 4 Post-Combine
Tell them Mike and Ric sent you
Ric is joined by ESPN Radio host Mike Gill to recap the winners and losers from the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. Other topics include, the QB carousel and the ripple effect that the veteran free agents will have in the upcoming NFL Draft. In addition, the dynamic draft duo debate the latest NFLDB Post-Combine Mock Draft, which features several trades and surprises.
Several NFL teams will have multiple first-round picks, including playoff teams such as the Philadelphia Eagles and Seattle Seahawks. Could the Eagles go outside the box with their selections? Will the Bears benefit from what they feel are ‘quarterback desperate teams?’ Don’t miss out on who some of the NFL Draft gems are, in addition to who some of the volatile draft prospects are in this year’s class.
2023 SMWW Football Career Conference
Scholarships
SMWW will award a limited amount of full and partial scholarships for each SMWW Career Conference. You must be 18 years or older to be considered. If interested, fill out an application and submit your resume and a one-page letter explaining why you should receive a scholarship to info@smww.com.
Scholarships do not include lodging or airfare. Those who have completed an SMWW Training Program will be given preference. Scholarships cannot be given retroactively after having purchased a registration.
A Huge Shout Out the entire SMWW Staff
Dr. Lynn Lashbrook, SMWW President
Liz Lashbrook, SMWW Executive Director
Jeff Brodie, SMWW Vice President & NFLPA Agent
Ike Worth, SMWW Business Operations Manager
Jon LaForce, SMWW Career Advisor
Sara Landis, SMWW Business Operations Coordinator
Dr. Chuck Patterson, SMWW Career Advisor
I hope you enjoyed hearing about some of my favorite moments from Indy. I can't wait to share more insights and mock drafts with you all soon. Until then, keep your eyes on the Substack and stay tuned for more football news and analysis from yours truly.
Overall, it was an exciting week at the scouting combine, and I'm looking forward to seeing how these players rank in the upcoming mock draft season. Of course, no scouting combine would be complete without some drama, and this year was no exception, but that is for another Subsatck.
Draftnic Ric
2023 NFL Draft Big Board & Position Rankings
The Official Limited Edition 2023 NFL Draft Bible hard copy + PDF download editions
The most accurate big board over the past two decades featuring projections for 2023 and beyond
In-depth scouting report library with thousands of prospect profiles for past, present and future
Verified player measureables, personal background information, medical history and historical stats
Dedicated, year-round coverage with on-site campus visits across the country
On location reporting from the all-star circuit, combine, pro days and draft
NFL Draft Substack Insider Newsletter delivered direct to your inbox
VIP Access to events and first to be notified of new products