2023 NFL Draft: Big-name players who will go in the later rounds (2023)

Most of the NFL mock drafts focus on the early rounds, but there are still many prominent college players who will hear their names called later. These are just some of the big names that could hear their names in the later rounds.

1 of 25

Stetson Bennett, QB, Georgia

2023 NFL Draft: Big-name players who will go in the later rounds (1)

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Bennett orchestrated back-to-back National Championships as Georgia's starting quarterback. While very accurate, there are questions about Bennett's lack of size, arm strength, and age (25). A January arrest didn't help his draft stock. Bennett hopes to be called on the third day of the draft.

2 of 25

Tank Bigsby, RB, Auburn

2023 NFL Draft: Big-name players who will go in the later rounds (2)

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An accomplished back in three seasons at Auburn, Bigsby finished his college career with over 2,900 yards rushing and 25 rushing touchdowns. He's also developed as a receiver and should be a strong mid-round pick.

3 of 25

Chase Brown, RB, Illinois

2023 NFL Draft: Big-name players who will go in the later rounds (3)

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Brown accumulated back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons for the Illini and scored 13 touchdowns last season. His speed doesn't jump off the screen, but the experienced back has done more than enough to garner Day 3 consideration.

4 of 25

Brenton Cox Jr., OLB, FLorida

2023 NFL Draft: Big-name players who will go in the later rounds (4)

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Cox has star physical tools, but he was dismissed from both the Georgia and Florida squads during his college career. His best season came in 2021 when Cox recorded eight sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss. The personal concerns will likely push Cox to fall in the draft.

5 of 25

Nathaniel Dell, WR, Houston

2023 NFL Draft: Big-name players who will go in the later rounds (5)

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Dell is an undersized slot-capable receiver, listed at only 5-foot-10, 165 pounds. The lack of size will likely push Dell to Day 3, but there's no issue with his college production. He had back-to-back seasons with over 1,300 yards receiving for the Cougars and tallied 29 touchdowns.

6 of 25

Tommy DeVito, QB, Illinois

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DeVito transferred from Syracuse to Illinois last year and gained some draft momentum in the process. He completed nearly 70% of his passes with 15 touchdowns in his senior season in Champaign, perhaps doing enough to be a late-round selection.

7 of 25

Max Duggan, QB, TCU

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Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

Duggan was a breakout star and Heisman candidate for the Horned Frogs in his senior season, with 3,698 yards passing and 32 touchdowns, along with nine rushing touchdowns. There remain questions about Duggan's upside at the next level, but the production should entice teams to give him a look in the middle rounds of the draft.

8 of 25

Travis Dye, RB, USC

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Dye spent most of his college career at Oregon before transferring to USC last year. His senior season ended early due to an ankle injury, but he averaged over six yards per carry in four consecutive seasons and showed ability as a receiver. If healthy, Dye could have a profitable NFL future.

9 of 25

Eric Gray, RB, Oklahoma

2023 NFL Draft: Big-name players who will go in the later rounds (9)

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Gray was a productive back at Tennessee and Oklahoma, but his true breakout season came in his senior year. He finished last season with 1,366 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, plus 33 catches. He has the powerful running ability to survive early down work.

10 of 25

Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, TCU, CB

2023 NFL Draft: Big-name players who will go in the later rounds (10)

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Hodges-Tomlinson was the Jim Thorpe winner as college football's top defensive back in 2022, capping off a great career at TCU. He finished last season with three picks and 50 tackles, overcoming his 5-foot-9 height to dominate in the secondary. Hodges-Tomlinson is the nephew of TCU and NFL legend LaDainian Tomlinson. His lack of size is the only significant blemish on his draft profile and should push him to the middle rounds.

11 of 25

Mohamed Ibrahim, RB, Minnesota

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It's difficult to have a much more productive college career than Ibrahim, who finished with 4,668 yards rushing and 53 touchdowns over five seasons for the Gophers. He capped off his career with 320 carries for 1,665 yards and 20 touchdowns in only 12 games. While that production will put him favorably in the memories of Minnesota faithful, the workload is a concern at the next level.

12 of 25

Cameron Latu, TE, Alabama

2023 NFL Draft: Big-name players who will go in the later rounds (12)

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Latu remains a work in progress at tight end after moving to the position following his first season at Alabama as a linebacker. He could be a late pick as a blocking tight end, but Latu's receiving ability is somewhat limited.

13 of 25

DeWayne McBride, RB, UAB

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McBride had consecutive tremendous years at UAB, including 1,713 yards rushing and 19 touchdowns last year. The Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year has barely contributed as a receiver, which is a concern for NFL teams.

14 of 25

Kenny McIntosh, RB, Georgia

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McIntosh has bided his time at Georgia behind the likes of D'Andre Swift, Zamir White, and James Cook but had a breakout senior season with 829 yards rushing and 10 rushing touchdowns. He profiles well as a third-down back after catching 43 balls in 2022 but he has enough size to play early downs.

15 of 25

Marvin Mims, WR, Oklahoma

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A former top recruit, Mims didn't quite have the college career many had envisioned but was an outstanding deep threat with 19.5 yards per catch. He finished last season with 54 catches for 1,083 yards and six touchdowns in a somewhat limited Sooners offense. Mims is slightly undersized at 5-foot-11, but could go as early as Day 2 with a strong combine performance.

16 of 25

Aidan O'Connell, QB, Purdue

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It's likely no coincidence that Purdue head coach Jeff Brohm departed for Louisville just as O'Connell exhausted his eligibility. O'Connell was highly productive over the last two seasons for the Boilermakers, capping off his career with 3,490 yards passing and 22 touchdowns. He hopes to be called in the late rounds and will turn 25 by Week 1 of the 2023 NFL season.

17 of 25

Olusegun Oluwatimi, OC, Michigan

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Oluwatimi is one of the top centers in 2023, coming off a spectacular season at Michigan as a consensus All-American and Rimington Award winner as the top center in the country. His draft stock could come down to team need, but he's a capable plug-and-play on Day 2 of the draft.

18 of 25

Eli Ricks, CB, Alabama

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A former five-star recruit at LSU, Ricks had four picks as a freshman starter for the Tigers but has seen his production slide in the last two years due in part to injury. His stock declined after recording only 13 tackles in nine games after transferring to Alabama last season. The physical tools could still push Ricks to Day 2, but he will need to be coached up in the NFL.

19 of 25

Will Rogers, QB, Mississippi State

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Rogers was a tremendously productive quarterback under Mike Leach at Mississippi State, completing nearly 71% of his career passes for over 10,000 yards in three seasons. As has often been the debate for quarterbacks coming from Leach's system, there are questions about Rogers as a system quarterback.

20 of 25

Tyjae Spears, RB, Tulane

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Spears capitalized on his breakout 2022 season at Tulane by declaring for the NFL draft. He had 1,581 yards rushing and 19 touchdowns, averaging 6.9 yards per carry. A strong Senior Bowl might have pushed him to Day 2 of the draft.

21 of 25

Dorian Thompson-Robinson, QB, UCLA

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Jayne Kamin-Oncea / USA Today Sports Images

The catalyst of Chip Kelly's UCLA offense, Thompson-Robinson had a great college career with over 10,000 yards passing and 1,800 yards rushing. His lack of size and arm strength could push him to the late rounds of the draft, however.

22 of 25

Cedric Tillman, WR, Tennessee

2023 NFL Draft: Big-name players who will go in the later rounds (22)

Charles LeClaire / USA Today Sports Images

Tillman had a great 2021 season with 64 catches for 1,081 yards and 12 touchdowns. Unfortunately, he missed time with an ankle injury last season, finishing the year with only 37 catches in six games. His final season likely hurt his draft stock, but his elite physical tools should make Tillman a sleeper in the middle rounds.

23 of 25

Henry To'oTo'o, ILB, Alabama

2023 NFL Draft: Big-name players who will go in the later rounds (23)

Gary Cosby Jr. / USA Today Sports Images

To'oTo'o found stardom for the Crimson Tide after transferring from Tennessee, with over 200 tackles and 6.5 sacks in two seasons. The first-team All-SEC linebacker is one of the top interior linebackers available, but it seems unlikely to hear his name called on Day 1.

24 of 25

Tuli Tuipulotu, DE, USC

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Kiyoshi Mio / USA Today Sports Images

Tuipulotu has a chance to be a Day 2 pick after a spectacular junior season at USC. He capped off his college career with 13.5 sacks and 22 tackles for loss in 2022.

25 of 25

Deuce Vaughn, RB, Kansas State

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Vaughn is often compared to former Wildcat Darren Sproles due to his quickness despite limited size, and he would likely be thrilled with a similar NFL career. The 5-foot-6 running back had a tremendous career at Kansas State with over 3,600 yards rushing and 1,200 yards receiving in three seasons. He profiles as an interesting third down back in the late rounds.

Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.

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