2023 NFL Draft: Safe and high-upside prospects at every position

Bryce Young is the safest QB: His 89.0 overall grade against Georgia in the SEC Championship game last year is all you need to see if you have questions about his size translating.
Bijan Robinson takes home both distinctions: The Texas product is such a great prospect that he is not only the safest running back in this class, but he also has the most upside.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba earns safest WR distinction: The Ohio State pass-catcher is a ready-made slot receiver who shouldn’t see much of a transition period once he gets to the league.

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Not every prospect with a certain round or draft grade comes with the same level of risk. Some may be advanced in their respective position's technical learning curve but lack high-end traits. Others may have those high-end traits but no clue how to employ them. Therefore, we are going to dive into one safe and one high-upside prospect at each position in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Quarterback

Safest: Bryce Young, Alabama

The interesting thing about this quarterback class is that for as talented as it is, none of the four necessarily qualify as “safe” options. Truthfully, the safest bet to translate is Anthony Richardson’s rushing ability, but he has the most question marks as a passer.

I’ll take Young’s on-field performance above the rest by a good margin, however. He’s played at the consistently highest level as the top-graded passer in college football over the past two seasons. More importantly, he’s done it against the top competition in the SEC and college football playoff, as his 89.0 overall grade against Georgia in the SEC Championship game last year is all you need to see if you have questions about his size translating.

Highest Upside: Anthony Richardson, Florida

This one needs no explanation. Richardson may very well be the toolsiest quarterback to ever enter the NFL.

Running back

Safest: Bijan Robinson, Texas

Highest Upside: Bijan Robinson, Texas

This isn’t wholly uncommon at a position like running back that’s so trait driven. Robinson has nearly all the traits you would want in a running back.