Ole Miss Football: Where will each Rebel go in the 2023 NFL Draft?
Ole Miss football has a number of prospects that are likely to be taken in this year’s NFL Draft, a class that is headlined by players like Zach Evans, Jonathan Mingo, and Nick Broeker.
The 2023 NFL Draft is finally upon us, time to throw the weeks, and even months of guesses and mock drafts out the window. The first round kicks off tonight at 8:00 p.m. EST/7:00 p.m. CST and we could potentially see a Rebel taken on night one.
A few months ago we detailed a list of key players from the Ole Miss football team that would be departing for the NFL draft, you can read that article here, some of the players listed we could see taken in the first few rounds. Here we will detail each Rebel that may get their name called on draft night and where they are projected to be taken.
Jonathan Mingo, Wide Receiver
Mingo is regarded as the best talent in this pool of Ole Miss Rebels in the 2023 draft. He has ranked anywhere in the top 10 to top 15 of all the wideouts in this draft class by various publications, including NFL Network’s Peter Schrager picking Mingo to go in the first round at 29th overall to the New Orleans Saints.
His size and physicality are what has set him apart from the other receivers in this class, something that has become a trademark of the position from Ole Miss, but he proved that it isn’t just for show.
After putting on a show at the NFL Combine earlier this year running a 4.46 40-yard dash and posting a 39.5-inch vertical, his draft stock has continued to rise. Mingo is likely to be a later first-round pick or early to mid-second-round pick.
Zach Evans, Running Back
Evans could be the second player taken off the board for Ole Miss football. Much like Mingo, he is consistently ranked in the top 10 at his position in this draft class. However, unlike Mingo, his position may keep him from being selected on day one.
Running backs tend to be valued less than other positions, many having the stance that you can find an NFL starting caliber back in the middle rounds of the NFL draft.
If you aren’t one of the top three at the position, you may have to wait until the second or third day to have your name called. Evans was extremely productive this past year rushing for 936 yards and nine touchdowns, but some injuries have created some question marks.
He didn’t participate at the NFL Combine or the Ole Miss pro day because of ongoing injury issues which has made it hard for him to help his draft stock. He is projected as a fourth-round pick by NFL analyst Lance Zierlein.
Nick Broeker, Offensive Line
Broeker has been a cornerstone on the Rebels’ offensive line for the last few years. Playing tackle early on, he made the switch to guard and was extremely consistent for the Rebels this past year helping them achieve the third-best rushing offense in the country behind only Air Force and Navy.
A little undersized, he won’t be a day-one pick but is talented enough to make an NFL roster. Both NFL.com and ESPN have him projected to go in the fifth round.
Tavius Robinson, Defense End
Many draft analysts are split on Robinson in this draft, but most agree that he will be selected before its conclusion.
Robinson wasn’t overly productive in his college playing career but his size and athleticism will have NFL teams intrigued. At 6’6, and 257 pounds, Robinson ran a 4.66 40-yard dash with a 33.5-inch vertical at the NFL Combine.
Matt Miller of ESPN projects him going in the sixth round, No. 205 overall to the Buffalo Bills. Ryan Wilson’s CBS Sports mock draft has him picked as a seventh-rounder.