MAC 2023 NFL Draft Prospects and Scouting Reports (2023)

With the college football season just around the corner, it's time to take a look at the next group of NFL hopefuls that could be available next April 2023.NFL draftin Kansas City. In this edition we will take a looklayout designand reconnaissance reports from MAC.

2023 NFL Draft MAC Prospects to Know

Ball State Cardinals

Ball State has had just one player selected in the draft since 2015 — Danny Pinter, a 2020 fifth-round pick of the Indianapolis Colts who is now starting for the team. They could end up with a late-round pick next April.

Amechi Uzodinma II, CB | Rating: 3.26 | Predicted round: FA

Cornerback Amechi Uzodinma II is someone I've evaluated over the last three seasons. He looked like a legitimate third-day pick early in his career at Ball State, but his game never took off. He was spotty last season, but when he's on his game, Uzodinma shuts down opposing receivers.

Jayshon Jackson, WR | Rating: 3.02 | Projected Round: FA and Yo’Heinz Tyler, WR | Rating: 2.85 | Predicted round: FA

Speaking of receivers, Jayshon Jackson and Yo’Heinz Tyler are UDFAs who could fill out the depth chart on Sundays.

Bowling Green Falcons

Receiver Scotty Miller was the last BGSU player selected in the draft, as he was a sixth-round pick of the Tampa Bay Bucs back in 2019. The program has four players who could be selected in future drafts, and receiver is leading the way.

Tyrone Broden, WR | Rating: 3.38 | Planned round: 6

Junior Tyrone Broden is a big, smooth wideout with sure hands. He plays to his size (6-foot-3, 210 pounds) while showing a nose for the end zone.

Karl Brooks, DL | Rating: 3.28 | Planned round: 7

Defensive lineman Karl Brooks decided to return for a second senior season and it could work out for him. Brooks is a hot prospect who shows plenty of athleticism on the court. He is agile, powerful and plays in all directions. Brooks can line up on the defensive line and appears to have the strength needed to be used as a two-gap DE. I currently have a seventh round grade on him.

Christian Sims, TE | Rating: 3.24 | Predicted round: FA

Tight end Christian Sims had his moments last season and is a solid pass catcher at the position with a good head on his shoulders. Sims is too small though and I'm not sure he has the speed teams want in a draftable tight end.

Davon Ferguson, CB | Rating: 3.02 | Predicted round: FA

Davon Ferguson is a great cornerback in college with superb ball skills. However, his size (under 5-foot-9) limits his appeal. Ferguson has enough to stand in line for small packages on Sundays.

Buffalo Bulls

Despite fielding competitive teams in recent years, there have been more hits than misses when it comes to the Buffalo Bulls' NFL draft prospects.

James Patterson, CB | Rating: 3.33 | Planned round: 6

The Bulls' best prospects can be found on the defensive side of the ball, with James Patterson ranking as my No. 1 prospect. The twin brother of record-breaking rusher Jaret Patterson, James is a dominant defender who shows great play and a lot of toughness as a linebacker. More of a two-down defender, Patterson doesn't get much depth on the drop and will likely be under six feet.

Elijah Blades, CB | Rating: 3.18 | Predicted round: FA

Well-traveled cornerback Elijah Blades might be the program's best prospect and the highest-rated Buffalo Bull since Malcolm Koonce when all is said and done. Blades showed plenty of ability as a freshman at Texas A&M, then transferred to Florida in 2021 only to be decommissioned. At the top of his game, he's a nice-sized corner with solid ball skills, but the Blades really need to get their act together.

Central Michigan Chippewas

CMU selected two forwards on the second day of April. Next year they may not have a player drafted at all.

Thomas Incoom, EDGE | Rating: 3.27 | Predicted round: 7-FA

If a player is selected late in the draft, it will be defensive end Thomas Incoom. Athletic and very quick, Incoom consistently finds his way behind the line of scrimmage to make plays. At 6-foot-1 and 261 pounds, he may not have the right placement on Sundays.

Lew Nichols III, RB | Rating: 3.15 | Predicted round: FA

Running back Lew Nichols III is a powerful ball carrier who picks up a lot of yards after initial contact and doesn't go down without a fight. Nichols also possesses a good amount of short-area speed. And while he's a great downhill ball carrier, I don't see enough perimeter speed or versatility in his game to warrant him being anything other than a late-round prospect at best.

Joel Wilson, TE | Rating: 3.07 | Predicted round: FA

Joel Wilson is an effective tight end who catches the ball well, but has average size and speed.

LaQuan Johnson, EDGE | Rating: 3.00 | Predicted round: FA

Edge rusher LaQuan Johnson showed a lot of potential in 2019, but has seen his game flat and not a factor on the field.

Eastern Michigan Eagles

Eastern Michigan has a handful of prospects on the cusp of late-round picks. That's a promising sign for a program that has only had three players drafted since 2010.

Marcellus Johnson, CB | Rating: 3.28 | Planned round: 7

Left fielder Marcellus Johnson is someone who really impressed me last season. He is a nimble blocker with excellent feet and solid mechanics. Johnson may not have the size to stick at left tackle, but he has enough ability to be considered a zone-blocking linebacker.

Jose Ramirez, EDGE | Rating: 3.26 | Predicted round: FA

Jose Ramirez has decided to return for a second senior season and could go into the middle portion of the third day of the draft with a big season. Ramirez is a tough passer who is used from the three-point stance and standing over the catch. I like him a lot better in the latter role, as he was dominant against Ohio last season when he almost exclusively lined up over the tackle.

Tanner Knue, WR | Rating: 3.12 | Predicted round: FA

Receiver Tanner Knue is a safe out who plays smart football. Knue runs great routes and catches everything thrown his way. His 40-yard dash time will dictate whether he is selected.

Samson Evans, RB | Rating: 3.11 | Predicted round: FA

Running back Samson Evans is a nice-sized ball carrier with excellent strength and underrated speed. He's a great short-yardage back with a nose for the end zone, but he needs to round out his game.

Sidy, Sow | Rating: 2.95 | Predicted round: FA

Unlike Johnson, guard Sidy Sow has great size — probably too much. Sow is someone who caught my eye as a sophomore, but has shown limited improvement and has become very big. When he's on his game, though, Sow can be a dominant force.

Kent State Golden Flashes

Kent State has just two players in the NFL and hasn't had a player drafted since 2014. The latter won't change anytime soon.

At best, KSU has a PFA and a UDFA on the depth chart. Safeties C.J. Holmes and Nico Bolden have the ability to flash and come with nice size, but they need to consistently play at a high level. Antwaine Richardson caught my eye as a junior at Maryland in 2018, but he hasn't done much since.

Miami RedHawksi

Miami's senior class is underwhelming, but the depth chart has two underclassmen to watch out for.

Brett Gabbert, QB | Rating: 3.41 | Planned round: 5

Brett Gabbert is a strong-arm quarterback like his older brother Blaine and can make all the throws. While Gabbert is relatively accurate and shows excellent passing position, he lacks classic guard size and constantly looks to targets. The latter must be fixed.

Matthew Salopek, LB | Rating: 3.37 | Planned round: 6

Matthew Salopek is a safety-sized player who would be a great fit in a one-gap system. He is smart, tough and flies around the football. Salopek really stands out in the pursuit.

Huskies of Northern Illinois

NIU is a program on the rise and should consistently compete for a MAC title going forward. They also recently drafted several quality players who are having productive NFL careers.

CJ Brown, S | Rating: 3.42 | Planned round: 5

I only see Day 3 prospects on the list right now, although I really like junior CJ Brown. Brown is a complete safety who shows plenty of resistance to the run and solid coverage skills. He will come up and take out ball carriers, but at the same time he can cover slot receivers downfield. Brown currently has a fifth round grade on my board.

Marques Cox, OT | Rating: 3.29 | Planned round: 7

Left tackle Marques Cox is someone who really impressed me two years ago, but his play has leveled off since then. He's a nimble blocker who's effective on the move, but Cox hasn't shown much toughness in his game lately and doesn't block with a nasty attitude.

James Ester, DT | Rating: 3.09 | Predicted round: FA

James Ester could move up the draft board with a big season. He is a super quick three-technique player who plays with great fundamentals and mobility.

Kyle Pugh, LB | Rating: 3.00 | Predicted round: FA

I'm looking forward to the return of linebacker Kyle Pugh, who looked like a legitimate third-day prospect in 2019 before COVID and injuries ended his career. Previously, he showed a lot of speed and explosiveness as well as a great header.

Toledo Rockets

Toledo had two players selected in the April draft and a bunch of UDFAs signed after that. The Rockets' 2023 class will likely be UDFA-only, though there is plenty of underrated talent on the roster.

Linebacker Dyontae Johnson and defensive linemen Jamal Hines, Devan Rogers, Desjuan Johnson and Nate Givhan have all flashed ability over the past three seasons. All could go into the late rounds with big senior campaigns.

Quinyon Mitchell, CB | Rating: 3.28 | Planned round: 7

Out of the underclassmen ranks, cornerback Quinyon Mitchell is showing plenty of next-level ability. He has solid ball skills, has a physical game and has NFL size.

Western Michigan Broncos

WMU has had a receiver selected in the second round in each of the past two drafts. They may have a hard time picking one player next April, though a few Broncos could make it into the late rounds if they improve their games.

Offensive lineman Dylan Deatherage and running back La'Darius Jefferson are a pair of super seniors with futures in the NFL.

Jacob Gideon, OL | Rating: 3.29 | Planned round: 7

Redshirt sophomore Jacob Gideon is a legitimate next-level prospect for the future. He is a nasty blocker with a nice build who can block on the move and dominate opponents at the line of scrimmage.

Sean Tyler, RB | Rating: 3.28 | Planned round: 7

If there's one WMU player who will be selected in the 2023 NFL Draft, it's running back Sean Tyler. Small but extremely quick, Taylor is a creative defender who catches the ball well out of the backfield.

Corey Crooms, WR | Rating: 3.18 | Predicted round: FA

Corey Crooms is a speedy wideout with decent vertical speed and solid hands. He has a slight build and now has to prove he can be the No. 1 on a team with Skyy Moore moving on to the NFL.

Braden Fiske, DT | Rating: 3.18 | Predicted round: FA

Braden Fiske is a tall, explosive defensive player who beats opponents head-on and makes plays in every direction. He is a skinny front line defender who will need to get bigger and stronger to play on Sundays.