Post-Combine top 2023 NFL Draft prospects: Reassessing Anthony Richardson, CJ Stroud and co.

The 2023 NFL Draft is right around the corner, and we are fresh off having our breaths taken away from the NFL Combine.

The Combine saw some players' stocks rise, and others' fall, and it solidified some facts that we already knew. It's no wonder that the first blockbuster trade of the Draft happened just over a week after the Combine.

The Carolina Panthers acquired the first overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft in exchange for DJ Moore and a boatload of Draft picks.

This move will likely shake up the entire first round of the 2023 NFL Draft in a way we hardly thought possible a week ago. So, in honor of the recent moves, let's re-access the top prospects for the forthcoming draft. Trust us; it's worth micro-analyzing.

Top Five prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft

Here are the top five prospects of the 2023 NFL Draft, a group of players that will most likely get their names called on day one.

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#5 Jalen Carter, Defensive Linesman, Georgia Bulldogs

Jalen Carter was arguably the best defender on a 2021 Georgia defense with five first-round picks, a record-setting unit in the National Football League. However, for all of Carter's talents, a legal cloud hangs over his head.

He left the NFL Combine only to return less than a day after meeting with Athens police, and no one knows if this is a one-off or the complete opposite.

However, in pure football terms, there is hardly any defender like Carter in the 2023 NFL Draft. He is fast, skilful, and an experienced leader and has a very competitive streak. Any team that takes Carter in the NFL Draft will be taking a potential franchise cornerstone for the defensive side of Gridiron.

College Stats for the 2022 Season: 16 Solo Tackles, 3 Sacks, and 2 Forced Fumbles.

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#4 Anthony Richardson, Quarterback, Florida

Anthony Richardson had arguably the greatest quarterback NFL Combine performance of the last decade, and he blew his competition out of the ballpark.

Name it: vertical jump, broad jump, measurables, 40-yard dash? Richardson broke QB records in all the above events or came close to it in this year's Combine. The physical tools are there, and all's left is for him to get drafted into the right franchise.

Richardson still has work to do, as he could be the most accurate passer and the best decision-maker. That's why he could be a better prospect on our list, but that's not to say he's not a potential Pro Bowler in the right situation.

College Stats for the 2022 Season: 2,549 passing yards, 17 touchdowns, and nine interceptions.

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#3 Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Alabama Crimson Tide

Another Alabama Crimson Tide alum on our list, Will Anderson Jr., has always been that guy on defense, and he never let his opposition thrive during his college career.

Also, Anderson put up a show at the Combine and in Bowl Games, and you can check out his NCAA mixtape for a further reminder of his elite ability.

Frequently compared to the likes of Chase Young and Nick Bosa, Anderson could be better than both in his NFL career with the right coaching. It remains to be seen if the team takes a chance on him, but we will be shocked if he goes below the number five spot in the 2023 NFL Draft.

College Stats for the 2022 Season: 24 Solo Tackles, 10 Sacks, and 1 Interception.

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#2 CJ Stroud, Quarterback, Ohio State University

If there wasn't a Bryce Young in the 2023 NFL Draft, then CJ Stroud would likely be the consensus first-overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Unlike Young, Stroud was active in the NFL Combine, showcasing his arm strength, accuracy, and elite size for an NFL-bound quarterback.

Stroud has flown under the football radar all season, but some NFL franchises will assure him that he will be in the running for QB1. Stroud's performance in the College Football Playoff semifinal game vs. the Georgia Bulldogs showed that Stroud can beat you in numerous ways.

Stroud will be an asset for whoever drafts him, and he feels much more than a consolation prize for failing to draft Young.

College Stats for the 2022 Season: 3,688 passing yards, 41 touchdowns, and six interceptions.

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#1 Bryce Young, Quarterback, Alabama Crimson Tide

Say what you want about Bryce Young's height, weight, and other physical disadvantages. What you certainly cannot say is that the Alabama icon is anything but elite at throwing the football.

Young did not participate in any major events at the Combine, and that may be the right decision in hindsight. One thing that the pocket-sized threat has going for him is his college tape.

Young has one of the most versatile highlight reels in recent college history, and QB-lacking teams would be dumb not to consider him. The Carolina Panthers traded eight spots to get a franchise-altering QB to lead their charge. If we are being honest, Bryce Young should be that guy.

College Stats for the 2022 Season: 3,328 passing yards, 32 touchdowns, and five interceptions.