Folks, we’ve reached the home stretch. With April comes the NFL draft, and while many of the top prospects have become household names already, if there’s one thing to expect each and every year, it’s the unexpected. Here are a few bold predictions that may or may not come true later in the month when the 2023 NFL Draft kicks off.

A Team Trades UP For Bijan Robinson

One of the most talented players in the class, it’s expected that Robinson will become a workhorse for an NFL team for years to come. A gifted runner whose ability in space will allow him to progress into one of the league’s elite offensive chess pieces, he’s one of the most productive and unique ball carriers to enter the draft in a long time. His addition will immediately boost any offense and I don’t expect him to wait too long on draft night before a team calls his name—or makes a trade-up if teams get cute.

Only 1 WR Goes in Round 1

Jaxon Smith-Njigba? Quentin Johnston? Jordan Addison? Zay Flowers? In a talent pool that touts a ton of WR2s and WR3s, I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s just the former Buckeye who hears his name called on night one before a run on wideouts starts early on day two. I did say this was bold, right?

There Will Be 7 First-Round CBs

We live in a world where teams want to throw it darn near 40 times a game. With that, you need corners, and the 2023 class is LOADED with guys that can succeed in both man/zone without hesitation. You can’t ever have enough athletes that can cover, and while the class touts unique athletes of all shapes and sizes, the names I expect to fly off the board all have one thing in common: they’re flat-out alphas on the perimeter.

LSU EDGE BJ Ojulari Goes On Night 1

A twitched-up edge talent that won primarily off of athleticism in the SEC, his ceiling is truly immense. He’ll be just 21 years old for the entirety of his rookie campaign, and if he’s able to fine-tune the details of his pass-rush approach, look out. He’s got the burst, length, power, and flexibility to become an elite sack artist. I love his game.

Multiple Kickers Are Drafted

Whether it was Cade York in 2022 or Evan McPherson in 2021, there’s been at least one kicker drafted every spring since 2015, but don’t be shocked if multiple specialists are taken in the 2023 NFL Draft. Some names to know? Jake Moody (Michigan), Christopher Dunn (NC State), Andre Szmyt (Syracuse), Harrison Mevis (Missouri), Chad Ryland (Maryland), BT Potter (Clemson), and Anders Carlson (Auburn).

Round 1 Will Feature 5 QBs

Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, Anthony Richardson, Will Levis, and… Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker. If drafted into a situation that allows him to compete, I expect Hooker to thrive when thrown into the fire. He’s enjoyed a complete 180 in his career after transferring from Virginia Tech, and with a little fine-tuning, I’m excited to see him compete on Sundays.