Unpack the Pac Offseason Edition: Top Pac-12 prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft

“Unpack the Pac Offseason Edition” is a column by Jacob Hare that discusses offseason football news in the Pac-12 conference.

With the combine wrapping up this past weekend, it’s NFL draft season. And there is nothing I love more than the NFL draft. Okay, maybe that’s too far. But seriously, ask anyone who knows me: I live for this event because it is the most incredible reality show in the world. Between the excitement of trades, tear-jerking player stories, rage at your team picking the last guy you wanted or the anxiety of not knowing who your team will select, the emotion is the best part of the event. It’s a rollercoaster, and it’s beyond unpredictable. Except there are the things that will happen every year: A trade is bound to happen, a player from Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia and the other few top chip programs will have a player selected no matter the season. A kicker will never go before the second round (wait, I lied, Tampa Bay drafted that guy from Florida State who was out of the league in one year). But you get the point, and this year will be no different. I can guarantee the Pac-12 will have players drafted, but can I guarantee they will be very good? Let’s dive deeper as I break down the Pac-12′s top five draft prospects.

5. Clark Phillps III, cornerback, Utah, 5′9″, 183 lbs, redshirt sophomore

Clark may not be the biggest or tallest cornerback, but he’s a complete ballhawk. He had six interceptions, tied for third in the entire country. He was also the Pac-12 defensive player of the year and a unanimous All-American. I can confidently say he was one of the best cornerbacks in the nation last season, if not the best. What amazed me was that he excelled in both the slot and outside. When you have a 5-foot-9 corner, it’s a concern if he will only be a slot corner, but his performance in college should shut down any noise about that. The most important thing to note about his talent is that he uses his speed to get ahead of bigger receivers, so they have issues with disengaging from him during the route. But that will be much more complicated when he moves to the pro level. Phillps also does a tremendous job making the receiver anxious by nudging or giving him a little push before the ball comes down. He is also a brilliant player, as his ability to read the quarterback is excellent. I expect him to be a late second to early third-rounder in the NFL. His size will likely cause him to tumble on draft boards. I am also nervous that his aggression will draw many flags at the NFL level. He will excel as a slot cornerback, but how highly do teams want to pick a nickel corner?

4. Tuli Tuipulotu, defensive line, USC, 6′3″, 266 lbs, junior

After a fantastic junior season, Tuipulotu opted not to return to USC for his senior year and instead entered the 2023 NFL Draft. Tuipulotu led the nation with 13.5 sacks last season and had 37 quarterback hurries last year, and he did indeed have an impressive combination in doing the drills. However, I want to talk about his surprise at the draft. USC listed him as 290, but he weighed in at 266. Tuipulotu may play a different position than a defensive lineman in the NFL. But when asked at the combine about playing multiple roles, he said, “I feel like I can play whatever position.” Nowadays, in the NFL, everybody is looking for versatility. So Tuipulotu opposes himself as an exciting prospect for teams, and I am interested to see his newly displayed versatility’s impact on his stock.

3. Dalton Kincaid, tight end, Utah, 6′4″, 246 lbs, senior

In a loaded tight end class, Kincaid has a case to make that he is the best in this year’s draft. After a promising junior year at Utah, he broke out in 2023, leading Utah to a Pac-12 championship. His most notable performance this year was against USC, as he had 244 yards and caught 16 passes, including a touchdown. I remember watching him in that game and believing he would excel at the NFL level. He makes an excellent case as a pass catcher between his route running and athleticism, but his inability to block indicates a problem for me. If he can improve as a blocker, especially as a run blocker, I see him becoming one of the more talented tight ends to be drafted in the last couple of years, especially with the lackluster 2022 tight end class.

2. Jordan Addison, wide receiver, USC, 5′11″, 173 lbs, junior

The 2021 Biletnikoff award winner had another fabulous season when he transferred to USC. After two years with two unbelievable quarterbacks, Addison still showed his talent. Let’s talk about what he did with Kenny Pickett at Pitt in the 2021 season. Addison helped Pickett establish himself as a first-round NFL draft pick after he wasn’t even supposed to get drafted a year before. Addison contributed by having 1,593 yards and nine receiving touchdowns. hen, in 2022, he transferred to USC to team up with first-year Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley and sophomore transfer quarterback Caleb Williams. Addison played a pivotal role in helping Williams win the Heisman in 2022. Addison had 875 yards and caught eight touchdown passes. His numbers went down from 2021 because he dealt with injuries for most of the year. However, he showed he could be a true alpha as a wide receiver at the next level. Some may call his 40-yard dash concerning since he posted a 4.49, but he will be able to find ways to create separation and is tough as they come. His on-field combine results should put his 40-yard dash results to rest, as he was a complete stud in mostly every drill besides the 40. However, Addison did suffer a back injury at the combine, but his status is unknown at the moment, so keep an eye on that injury update over the next few weeks. I think Addison has a legitimate shot to be an excellent wide receiver at the next level. He reminds me of Calvin Ridley, so that would be a good player for him to live up to (don’t place bets on the NFL like Ridley did, and you’ll be in good shape).

1. Christian Gonzalez, cornerback, Oregon, 6′1″, 197 lbs, junior

The Colorado transfer became a superstar in his junior and only season at Oregon. He has cornerback 1 potential in the NFL because of his fantastic mixture of athletic and physical abilities. Gonzalez tested through the roof at the NFL combine this weekend, which could volt him into the top 7. He has the tools to be a pro bowl cornerback if he can play to his maximum potential displayed at Oregon.

“Unpack the Pac Offseason Edition” runs every Wednesday.