As the football world inches closer to the 2023 NFL Draft in April, there is more positive buzz relative to former Florida Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson and offensive lineman O'Cyrus Torrence.
ESPN NFL Draft expert Todd McShay has each landing in the first round in his latest mock draft, released Wednesday. Richardson comes off the board at No. 9 overall to the Carolina Panthers while Torrence is pegged for the Dallas Cowboys at pick No. 26.
The Richardson selection is part of what is described as a long-term play by Panthers management, still searching for stability at the game's most important position since the prime of another one-time Gator in Cam Newton.
"Richardson will not be ready to start right away after just 13 college starts and with some rawness to his game, but his potential is off the charts," McShay wrote. "He has the arm. He has the rushing ability. And he has the 6-foot-4, 232-pound frame. Scouts are fascinated by his upside.
"It'd just come down to whether the Panthers believe they can fix his accuracy woes and develop his game to capitalize on those physical traits."
Torrence's case to be selected among the best is quite the opposite. In Dallas, this would be all but a plug-and-play situation for one of the sport's highest-floor level prospects regardless of position.
Pro Football Focus has credited Torrence for not giving up a single sack in his college career, while McShay wrote that "Torrence has allowed just two sacks over 47 career starts and more than 1,400 pass-block snaps," per ESPN's tracking. Either number would be impressive and it is likely that the outlets have diagnosed the specific plays differently.
"With Connor McGovern's contract expiring, there is a hole on Dallas' offensive line, and Torrence is a brick wall against power rushers," McShay noted. "He looked great at the Senior Bowl two weeks ago, too."
The first round of the 2023 NFL Draft is scheduled for the evening of Thursday, April 27, live in Kansas City. Rounds two and three will be completed on Friday evening while the remainder of the draft will take place Saturday afternoon.
More must-reads: