Offensive prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft to watch at the East-West Shrine Bowl

Which players can improve their stock in the 2023 NFL Draft at the upcoming East-West Shrine Bowl?

The college football season has come and gone and with the Super Bowl just a few weeks away, it’s officially NFL Draft season for most fans. Last week was the declaration deadline for the top underclassmen to announce their intentions for the 2023 NFL Draft and the NFL Scouting Combine is only a month away. Things are truly heating up.

One of the most useful tools of the NFL Draft season is the college football All-Star game circuit. A week of seeing how some of the top seniors in the NFL Draft class look at practice, particularly in one-on-ones, helps paint the full picture of a prospect. Although prospects can be found anywhere across the plethora of all-star games, the heavy hitters are the Senior Bowl and East-West Shrine Bowl.

As Eric Galko, the director of football operations and player personnel for the East-West Shrine Bowl, continues to grow the Shrine, the prospects hitting Las Vegas will also have the benefit of being coached by full NFL staffs with the Atlanta Falcons coaching the East and the New England Patriots coaching the West.

To make the week even more enticing, this looks like the most talented crop of prospects at the Shrine in recent memory. These are the top prospect to watch at each offensive position on the East and West rosters.

East QB- Aidan O’Connell, Purdue (6-3, 210)

In a relatively thin quarterback class, Purdue’s Aidan O’Connell has a huge chance to elevate his stock in Las Vegas. The former walk-on went from a part-time starter in 2019 and 2020 to the Boilermakers’ unquestioned leader the last two seasons and totaled over 9,000 passing yards with 65 passing touchdowns to 24 interceptions over his career in West Lafayette.

Under head coach Jeff Brohm, O’Connell operated a spread passing attack as a pocket passer. With a smooth throwing stroke, clean feet, and consistent accuracy to every level, he became one of the better passers in the Power Five over the last two years.

At his best, O’Connell gets the ball out quickly to his playmakers in space and keeps the offense on time. He’s a natural rhythm passer who rarely falls behind the sticks when kept clean. Although his arm and athleticism aren’t anything to write home about, his ball placement and efficiency working through his progressions help make up for it.

The Shrine Bowl should be the perfect opportunity for O’Connell to show off his accuracy and timing as a passer. For teams looking for a backup with a high floor, O’Connell is a nice early Day 3 target in the 2023 NFL Draft.

West QB- Dorian Thompson-Robinson, UCLA (6-1, 205)

With the evolution of the quarterback position in the NFL, UCLA’s Dorian Thompson-Robinson is entering the league at the perfect time. Thompson-Robinson is the rare five-year starter, and in his first season with the program, UCLA won just three games but by 2022 they finished 9-4 and ranked No. 18. A former blue-chip recruit, DTR has been the catalyst for Chip Kelly’s turnaround of the Bruins.

DTR’s growth as a passer has been obvious after staring at quarterback for just one season in high school. He managed to throw for over 10,000 yards with 88 TDs and 36 interceptions to go with 1,826 rushing yards and 28 more scores during his time in LA.

Although still raw as a passer, DTR’s arm and mobility are enticing. He’s got the arm strength to rip tight window throws and push the ball deep outside the hashes but can struggle with touch and anticipation at times which impacts his accuracy. He also has a quick release and the footwork to operate in a muddy pocket while still being a threat as a runner.

A big week at the Shrine Bowl could be just what DTR needs to put himself into the conversation as a top-10 QB in the 2023 NFL Draft. At minimum NFL teams will be excited about his tools and potential as a developmental quarterback on Day 3.

East RB- Jordan Mims, Fresno State (6-0, 205)

In the age of the pass-happy NFL, having a satellite back to supplement the bell cow has become imperative. Satellite backs like Jordan Mims are natural pass-catchers who thrive in space and can even line up at receiver from time to time. These are the types of backs who can help their NFL Draft stock the most in the all-star game setting

Mims spent his first five seasons at Fresno State playing more of a satellite role (he missed all of 2019) before taking the reins as the full-time back this season. In six years (five seasons), with the Bulldogs, he put up 4,256 yards from scrimmage and 45 TDs.

As a runner Mims is patient, allowing for his blocks to be set up before using his quickness to get upfield. He also possesses the contact balance to run through arm tackles and create chunk runs inside. He’s at his best on outside zone runs where he relies on his patients to press the line before finding a lane to hit.

In a deep running back class, Mims is a sleeper whose ball skills out of the backfield should help attract the attention of NFL scouts looking for a contributor on Day 3 of the 2023 NFL Draft. It helps even more that he’s a willing and improving pass protector who could bring value on third downs.

West RB- Travis Dye, USC (5-10, 200)

Speaking of satellite backs, if not for a gruesome leg injury against Colorado this season USC’s Travis Dye would have more buzz as we head into the 2023 NFL Draft season. He still should be viewed among the better satellite backs in the class for what he brings both as a pass catcher and pass protector.

Between his four years at Oregon and one at USC, Dye’s hard-nosed running style helped set the tone for some of the best teams in the Pac-12. Over five years in the conference, he ran for 3,995 yards and added 1,071 receiving yards to go with 38 total touchdowns.

He’s got a one-cut and hit it type of decisive style that helps him consistently pick up yards inside the tackles despite his lack of size. With impressive contact balance and the lateral agility to make defenders miss in space, Dye’s a consistent threat on outside runs.

With his IQ and physicality as a pass protector and his usage as a receiver in college, Dye should quickly find a role in the NFL on third downs—he’s similar to Gio Bernard. If he’s able to practice at the Shrine Bowl coming off the injury, that will only further help his case to be selected on Day 3.

East WR – A.T. Perry, Wake Forest (6-5, 206)

Despite it shaping up to be one of the weaker wide receiver classes of the last decade, the Shrine Bowl managed to put a strong group together. Leading the East roster is Wake Forest’s A.T. Perry, one of the best senior receivers in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Perry helped the Demon Deacons have one of their most successful two-year stretches in school history while catching 152 passes for 2,389 yards and 26 TDs in that time. One of the most decorated receivers in ACC history, Perry was a complete mismatch in Wake’s slow mesh offense.

A true ball-winning X-receiver, Perry’s size, body control, and catch radius create issues in 50/50 situations and allow him to win vertically and over the middle in traffic. Not just a jump ball receiver, he also possesses the flexibility to sink his hips and get in and out of his breaks as a route runner and the quickness to win with his release off the line.

Perry’s got the height-weight-speed mismatch ability teams to crave that should help him thrive in one-on-one’s and given this receiver class, a big week in Las Vegas could help push him into the Top 50 of the 2023 NFL Draft.

West WR – Zay Flowers, Boston College (5-10, 172)

The title of best 2023 NFL Draft prospect heading to Las Vegas belongs to Boston College’s Zay Flowers. With the state of this wide receiver class, he has a strong chance to be a top-50 pick come April and should give the West defensive backs hell in one-on-one’s at the Shrine Bowl.

For the past four years, Flowers has been one of the most dynamic playmakers in the ACC leading Eagles receivers in scrimmage yards each season. He’s totaled 3,401 yards on 257 touches for 31 touchdowns during his time in Chestnut Hill.

What makes Flowers so enticing as a receiver prospect is his explosive movement skills that translate to superb route running and a deep release repertoire. He’s constantly creating separation with sudden moves off the line and while setting up his routes. Add in his speed, and he’s a near impossible cover that brings a constant threat of taking the top off a defense.

The week of practice at the Shrine Bowl can help Flowers solidify himself as a top-8 receiver in this class if he can show more consistent ball skills and an ability to win contested catches despite his frame and smaller catch radius. Overall, Flowers should be a complete mismatch for everyone who has to deal with him in Vegas.

East TE – Leonard Taylor, Cincinnati (6-5, 255)

It’s a great year to need a tight end with the top-end talent and depth of the position throughout the 2023 NFL Draft. Due to that talent, there will likely be NFL-caliber tight ends who go undrafted, one such player is Leonard Taylor.

A former Top 300 recruit, Taylor played quarterback and defensive line in high school before making the move to tight end for the Bearcats. With Josiah Deguara (third-round pick of the Green Bay Packers in 2020) starting during his first two seasons with the program and Senior Bowl bound teammate Josh Whyle starting the following three, Taylor carved out a role as a predominantly blocking tight end.

Despite never being the go-to tight end, Taylor managed to catch 69 passes for 697 yards and 8 TDs at Cincinnati leaning on strong hands and enough wiggle to separate at the top of routes. With his size and willingness to block, Taylor played a lot lining up everywhere from in-line to H-back to slot receiver in his five years.

Taylor would have started at many programs in college football but elected to stay at Cincinnati and be a contributor to some of the most successful teams in school history. A big week at the Shrine Bowl could help him become more than a priority undrafted free agent in April.

West TE – Luke Schoonmaker, Michigan (6-6, 250)

With this great tight end class, it was inevitable that one of them would end up at the Shrine Game, and who better to coach Luke Schoonmaker than the New England Patriots? Schoonmaker took on a larger role at Michigan this year and elevated himself to a consensus top-10 tight end in the 2023 NFL Draft.

After spending 2019 through 2021 primarily as a blocker and special teams contributor, Schoonmaker nearly doubled his career receptions, yards, and touchdowns this season catching 35 passes for 418 yards and 3 TDs in 12 games.

Prior to 2022, Schoonmaker made his money for Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines by lining up in-line and at fullback as a lead blocker. His size, hand placement, and leg drive allowed him to blow up linebackers and defensive linemen consistently in the run game. This season, he showed so much more as a pass catcher with his ball skills and understanding of where to settle against zone.

One of the best prospects at the Shrine Bowl, Schoonmaker should put together a strong week both as a pass catcher and run blocker. Despite the depth of the tight end class, he could be a top-100 pick.

East OT – Carter Warren, Pittsburgh (6-5, 325)

The offensive tackle class is still a little hazy, especially with Penn State’s Olu Fashanu electing to return to the Nittany Lions. Just a few hours southwest of Fashanu, Pittsburgh’s Carter Warren quietly had an impressive year for the Panthers and a big week in Vegas could help his case for being a top-10 offensive tackle in the 2023 NFL Draft.

The sixth-year senior started 39 games at left tackle for Pitt, but an injury limited him to just four this season. Prior to getting hurt, Warren looked like one of the best offensive linemen in the country and a likely top-150 pick.

Warren is a power merchant with his size and it translates to the run game where he has no trouble mauling defensive linemen out of gaps and finishing through the whistle. He also possesses surprising quickness that helps him work to the second level to seal off linebackers.

As a pass protector, Warren took major strides this season showing he could reach landmarks and lean on his anchor and hand placement when dealing with pass rushers. One-on-ones at the Shrine Bowl will be crucial for Warren to prove he has the footwork and lateral agility to hold up in pass pro against different types of rushers at the next level.

West OT- Kadeem Telfort, UAB (6-8, 330)

When betting on traits-based prospects on Day 3 of the 2023 NFL Draft, size and athleticism are king. Built like the “King of the Monsters” (Godzilla), UAB’s Kadeem Telfort will likely be the most physically imposing player at the Shrine Bowl.

After transferring from Florida to Highland Community College, Telfort landed with the Dragons in Birmingham, Alabama and started for three years. He helped set the tone up front for one of the best rushing attacks in the Group of Five.

Though he can struggle to sustain blocks at times, Telfort uses his size to consistently overwhelm defenders and wash them out plays as a run blocker. His power at the point of attack is serious and when he plays with strong hand placement he can easily control defensive linemen in the run game.

That size also translates to success in pass protection where he stymies speed rushers by leaning on his length and power rushers by utilizing his strong base and anchor. Like Warren, one-on-ones at the Shrine will be key for Telfort to prove he has the feet and bend to stick at offensive tackle.

East IOL- Jordan McFadden, Clemson (6-2, 305)

Multi-year starters at premier programs tend to get the hype going into the NFL Draft, even when it’s not deserved, but Clemson’s Jordan McFadden remains one of the most under-appreciated prospects in the upcoming class.

McFadden started 39 games, played nearly 3,000 snaps, and was twice named all-conference in five years of suiting up for Dabo Swinney. So what gives? Well, he’s short for a tackle (he started at both left and right tackle for the Tigers), and that knock has hurt him.

To make up for his lack of size and length, McFadden has become a technician with his smooth feet, natural balance, and ability to bend and play with a strong base. His technique and athleticism have helped hide his shortcomings when dealing with ACC pass rushers.

He’s even better in the run game where he’s a natural mover in space that has no problem making reach blocks and climbing to the second level. That bodes well for his potential as a guard in a zone running scheme in the NFL.

The Shrine Bowl practices will be a big-time prove-it spot for McFadden to show he’s got the strength to move inside at the next level.

West IOL- Ricky Stromberg, Arkansas (6-4, 313)

To put it nicely, this center class is lacking, but if recent NFL Draft history has taught us anything it’s that starting centers can be found on Day 3. Those center steals tend to have two things in common, high IQs and a ton of starts at the Power Five level.

Arkansas’ Ricky Stromberg checks both those boxes as a four-year starter in the SEC whom renowned offensive line coach (turned Razorbacks head coach) Sam Pittman trusted to run the show-up front.

Though Stromberg isn’t the best athlete, he wins with leverage, hand placement, and nastiness in the run game. He’s got good initial pop in his hands and can sink his hips enough to use his leg drive to knock defensive linemen off the line. In pass pro he’s adept at helping his line pick up blitzes for the quarterback and does a good job using his hands, though he can struggle when left on an island.

Needing to see him play with a more consistent anchor vs. power and better footwork vs. speed, Stromberg in one-on-ones will be a must-watch for NFL scouts at the Shrine Bowl.