Football Ryan Kelapire

Tracking the Pac-12 in the 2023 NFL Draft

Twenty-seven Pac-12 football stars saw their dreams come true this week at the 2023 NFL Draft in Kansas City. Three were chosen in the first round, seven were drafted in the second and third rounds, and 17 were taken in the final four rounds.

Highlighted by No. 17 overall pick Christian Gonzalez, Oregon led the Pac-12 with six selections. Stanford was second with five.

Pac-12.com tracked the Conference's draftees as they were announced and aggregated analysis of each pick from around the web.

Player School Round  /  Pick NFL Team
Christian Gonzalez, CB 1 / 17

What they're saying about the pick

"Gonzalez has a terrific see-ball get-ball game. With the Patriots' defense being built from the back end, Gonzalez has the physical, fluid and rangy game to be a playmaker in press coverage. He has great awareness to be an impact player for Bill Belichick." Bucky Brooks, NFL.com

2022 Season Highlights

Player School Round  /  Pick NFL Team
Jordan Addison, WR 1 / 23

What they're saying about the pick

"He is my favorite receiver in this class. He will be a perfect complement to Justin Jefferson. He is a great route runner. Needs to get a little bigger since he weighs 175 pounds, but that will happen." Pete Prisco, CBS

2022 Season Highlights

Player School Round  /  Pick NFL Team
Dalton Kincaid, TE 1 / 25

What they're saying about the pick

"Dalton Kincaid is a FOOTBALL CATCHING CONNOISSEUR. This All American TE caught 16 passes for 234 yards and a TD against USC this past season. He is a willing blocker but is one of the best pass catchers in the entire draft who laughs in the face of contact. Bills Mafia kinda guy." Robert Griffin III, ESPN

2022 Season Highlights

Player School Round  /  Pick NFL Team
Luke Musgrave, TE 2 / 42

What they're saying about the pick

"After the Packers passed on multiple pass-catching options Thursday, they land a potential Round 1-quality talent who has been beset by injuries. When healthy, he can be a big, highly athletic target for Jordan Love as Love begins his tenure as the Packers' starting QB." Eric Edholm, NFL.com

2022 Season Highlights

Player School Round  /  Pick NFL Team
Zach Charbonnet, RB 2 / 52

What they're saying about the pick

"Love Zach Charbonnet, great pick for Seattle. Power, decisiveness, hands and great contact balance, guy is tough and runs hard, prototype Pete Carroll player." Greg Biggins, 247Sports

2022 Season Highlights

Player School Round  /  Pick NFL Team
Tuli Tuipulotu, DE 2 / 54

What they're saying about the pick

"A top-50 player on my board, Tuipulotu is a versatile defensive lineman who played on both the interior and exterior at USC. In the Chargers' 3-4 defense, his ability to line up as a 5-technique means he can play immediately, with Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack coming off the edge around him. He also has the traits to bump inside to 3-technique in four-man fronts." Matt Miller, ESPN

2022 Season Highlights

Player School Round  /  Pick NFL Team
DJ Johnson, LB 3 / 80

What they're saying about the pick

"A former tight end and 24-year-old prospect, Johnson reminds me of Brian Burns in the way he plays and will fit that same role in the stand-up, outside rusher position. Johnson likely factors in as a rotational pass-rusher out of the gate, but he could continue to develop and push Yetur Gross-Matos opposite Burns." Matt Miller, ESPN

Player School Round  /  Pick NFL Team
Daiyan Henley, LB 3 / 85

What they're saying about the pick

"Love this pick for the Chargers. Henley is a fast player who plays with a quick trigger downhill. He can play WILL and thrive immediately." Joseph Acosta, SB Nation

Player School Round  /  Pick NFL Team
Michael Wilson, WR 3 / 94

What they're saying about the pick

"Wilson put on a show at the Senior Bowl and quickly won over scouts and coaches in attendance. In Arizona, even if DeAndre Hopkins does indeed return, he'll have an opportunity to get onto the field early in his career as a vertical stretch receiver and core special teams performer." Matt Miller, ESPN

Player School Round  /  Pick NFL Team
Mekhi Blackmon, CB 3 / 102

What they're saying about the pick

"Cornerback was a potential Round 1 need for the Vikings, but they were able to wait until Round 3 and still get a potential starter. Blackmon has fantastic tape and will push Andrew Booth Jr. and Akayleb Evans for playing time. With 15 pass breakups and three interceptions in 2022, Blackmon has proven ball skills." Matt Miller, ESPN

Player School Round  /  Pick NFL Team
Clark Phillips III, CB 4 / 113

What they're saying about the pick

"Great pick by Falcons, grabbing Clark Phillips. Not the biggest DB but a super smart, quick, play-making corner. Could be a good coach down the road. Utes staff and everyone else who recruited him LOVED him." Bruce Feldman, The Athletic

2022 Season Highlights

Player School Round  /  Pick NFL Team
Braeden Daniels, OL 4 / 118

What they're saying about the pick

"There were guard-tackle questions with Daniels, who is undersized but athletically gifted. Washington could try him at either spot, and he could be a nice fit in Eric Bieniemy's offensive system at either." Eric Edholm, NFL.com

Player School Round  /  Pick NFL Team
Jon Gaines II, OL 4 / 122

What they're saying about the pick

"Played all five positions at UCLA. Smooth mover. Floats on the field. Works hard to get underneath DLs and win the leverage game. Rarely on the ground. Very lengthy too. Can become a quality starter." Chris Trapasso, CBS

Player School Round  /  Pick NFL Team
Dorian Thompson-Robinson, QB 5 / 140

What they're saying about the pick

"DTR played a lot of football at UCLA and really showed some promise over his five seasons. He profiles similarly -- athletically and style-wise -- to starter Deshaun Watson, so there was some thought behind this pick." Eric Edholm, NFL.com

2022 Season Highlights

Player School Round  /  Pick NFL Team
Atonio Mafi, OL 5 / 144

What they're saying about the pick

"The Patriots are on the board with Shrine Bowl guys: G Atonio Mafi. He was a standout in Vegas. Stout, stout interior player. Another people-mover." Evan Lazar, Patriots.com

Player School Round  /  Pick NFL Team
Noah Sewell, LB 5 / 148

What they're saying about the pick

"Bears get Oregon LB Noah Sewell who'll face his big brother Penei twice a year vs. Lions. Could be a steal here. ... Versatile. Heavy-handed. Battled injuries. At 6-2, 260, has great movement skills, topped out at 20.85 mph on the GPS." Bruce Feldman, The Athletic

Player School Round  /  Pick NFL Team
Kyu Blu Kelly, CB 5 / 157

What they're saying about the pick

"The Ravens waited to find a corner, a position we thought they might address on Day 1. But here, they find really nice value with the son of former Bucs DB Brian Kelly, who had a solid career for the Cardinals. The younger Kelly had a solid showing at the Reese's Senior Bowl." Eric Edholm, NFL.com

Player School Round  /  Pick NFL Team
Daniel Scott, S 5 / 158

What they're saying about the pick

"Scott is on the older side, but his athletic traits are in the elite range. This has been the model for Indianapolis' entire draft, taking chances on the top 1% athletically. Scott will be a quality backup at the very least but could crack the rotation as a deep-halves defender." Eric Edholm, NFL.com

Player School Round  /  Pick NFL Team
Tanner McKee, QB 6 / 188

What they're saying about the pick

"You can't find a much more stark comparison, style-wise, from the statuesque, 6-foot-6 McKee and the Eagles' franchise QB, Jalen Hurts. From that standpoint the pick is curious at best, but McKee does possess nice feel and touch as a passer and could be a Nick Foles type of backup." Eric Edholm, NFL.com

2022 Season Highlights

Player School Round  /  Pick NFL Team
Elijah Higgins, WR 6 / 197

What they're saying about the pick

"Big, sculpted WR/TE hybrid who rocks after the catch. Don't ask him to get open on twitch alone but against zone and on high-percentage throws he can be a weapon because there's so much power and subtle juking skills after the catch." Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports

Player School Round  /  Pick NFL Team
Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, OL 6 / 199

What they're saying about the pick

"He's 6-foot-5, 317 pounds. He was a three-year starter who played tackle in college. Some evaluators project him as an NFL guard. He's a big, nasty OL with some developing to do." Jeff Zrebiec, The Athletic

Player School Round  /  Pick NFL Team
Andrew Vorhees, OL 7 / 229

What they're saying about the pick

"Probably would've been an early Day 3 pick had he not tore a knee ligament during the pre-draft process. Super-experienced guard with good power. Balance and accuracy at second level is a little underwhelming. Very Ravens selection. Redshirt season in 2023." Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports

Player School Round  /  Pick NFL Team
Nesta Jade Silvera, DL 7 / 231

What they're saying about the pick

"The 6-2, 304-pounder gets off the line of scrimmage quickly, displays relentless effort and is a strong run defender, but lacks pass rush production. He projects as a gap-filling nose tackle in the NFL." Tashan Reed, The Athletic

Player School Round  /  Pick NFL Team
Jordon Riley, DL 7 / 243

What they're saying about the pick

"Tall, wide-bodied classic NT. Devours blockers inside but not much of an upfield rusher. This is when you pick a DT like this." Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports

Player School Round  /  Pick NFL Team
Alex Austin, CB 7 / 252

What they're saying about the pick

"The Bills go cornerback with their final pick. Alex Austin projects well into a zone-heavy scheme like Sean McDermott's." Matt Parrino, Syracuse.com

Player School Round  /  Pick NFL Team
Alex Forsyth, OL 7 / 257

What they're saying about the pick

"Power scheme center. Not a mobility specialist, but plays with awesome leverage and power. Labored climbs to the second level but will win with strength right away." Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports

Player School Round  /  Pick NFL Team
Kendall Williamson, DB 7 / 258

What they're saying about the pick

"Nice to see a safety being added to the mix. Williamson was a 4-year starter who ran a 4.49 at 6-foot-1 and 202 pounds." Jacob Infante, WindyCityGridiron.com