NFL Draft 2023: Who are the top offensive and defensive prospects?

Kansas City, Missouri - With the NFL Draft quickly approaching, who are 2023's top prospects from the 2022 season of college football?

Georgia's Travon Walker became the No. 1 draft pick of the 2022 NFL Draft class and bumped the Bulldogs with a total of five No. 1 overall picks.
Georgia's Travon Walker became the No. 1 draft pick of the 2022 NFL Draft class and bumped the Bulldogs with a total of five No. 1 overall picks.  © MICHAEL HICKEY / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP

The most recent college football season was absolutely wild!

From shocking upsets to crazy blowouts and historic wins, the on-field action was nothing short of exhilarating.

Now, as we turn the page on the 2022 action, football fans can look forward to the sport's next chapter that bridges the gap between college football and the big league: the NFL Draft.

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With a number of elite players preparing for the draft such as Heisman Trophy Winner Bryce Young, Doak Walker Award winner Bijan Robinson, and two-time Bronco Nagurski winner Will Anderson Jr., football fans are in for a treat as the pro league prepares to select only the best of the best from this year's draft class.

Looking back at the 2022 season, here are some of the biggest names in the 2023 NFL Draft class.

Top offensive prospects: Bryce Young and CJ Stroud

CJ Stroud (l) and Bryce Young are the two leading quarterbacks heading into the 2023 NFL Draft.
CJ Stroud (l) and Bryce Young are the two leading quarterbacks heading into the 2023 NFL Draft.  © TODD KIRKLAND / Kevin C. Cox / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP

Without a doubt, Young and two-time Heisman finalist CJ Stroud are the two leading passers that headline the 2023 NFL Draft.

Former Alabama quarterback Young's passing ability is superb, and the star athlete is consistently poised under pressure.

Throughout his collegiate career, Young handled a number of big moments on the field with maturity – the primary reason he's one of the most sought-after players in the 2023 draft.

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Like Young, Stroud also has a superb passing ability and is immensely accurate, one of the most important traits of an NFL quarterback.

The polished passer is projected to be selected in the first round of the draft.

Stroud won Ohio State's starting quarterback position in 2021 following Chicago Bears Justin Fields' departure to the NFL, and now he looks to win a starting role once again in the big leagues!

Top defensive prospects: Jalen Carter and Will Anderson Jr.

Will Anderson Jr. (l) and Jalen Carter are the top defensive players in the 2023 NFL Draft class.
Will Anderson Jr. (l) and Jalen Carter are the top defensive players in the 2023 NFL Draft class.  © Collage: KEVIN C. COX / WESLEY HITT / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP

Two-time national champion Jalen Carter can expect his name to be called early in the NFL Draft!

The Georgia product is a high pick on many scouting lists because of his highly disruptive defensive skills that can break even the best offensive plays.

The 6-foot-3, 300-pound lineman may make University of Georgia history should he become the No. 1 draft pick, as 2022's No. 1 pick was also a Georgia alum.

Since the Chicago Bears have the first pick in this year's draft and with the franchise looking to beef up its defense, Carter may be the perfect player for this Bears team.

Then again, considering football is a sport that delivers constant surprises, Carter may have some competition for the No. 1 pick with Will Anderson Jr.

Anderson, an Alabama product, led the nation this past season with 17.5 sacks and garnered huge Heisman Trophy consideration.

Concluding his college career, Anderson won every award one could receive as a defensive player and put up incomparable stats that separated him from the rest on the field.

With an individual career like Anderson's, the 6-foot-4 edge is quite possibly the only player that can compete with the likes of Carter, making the No. 1 draft pick something to look out for!

The NFL Draft is set to take place from April 27–April 29 in Kansas City, Missouri.

Cover photo: Collage: TODD KIRKLAND / WESLEY HITT/ Kevin C. Cox / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP

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