The 2023 NFL Draft is nearly here. On Thursday, April 27th, coverage will begin for the biggest off-season event in the National Football League that runs through April 29th. According to Eric Edholm of NFL.com, there will be a total of 17 players attending the draft at Union Station in Kansas City this year.
There's always something about hearing those names get called and watching the excitement on players' faces as they put on their team hat for the very first time and take the stage. Occasionally, there are players who get invited to the NFL Draft but don't hear their name called in the first round. When that happens, it must seem like a long wait until Day 2 of the draft picks up again.
With that being said, here are the 2023 NFL Draft attendees:
Who are the 17 prospects attending the 2023 NFL Draft?
Here are all 17 players who are confirmed to be attending the NFL Draft in Kansas City (listed in alphabetical order):
- Jordan Addison, WR (USC)
- Will Anderson, LB (Alabama)
- Brian Branch, DB (Alabama)
- Jalen Carter, DL (Georgia)
- Zay Flowers, WR (Boston College)
- Christian Gonzalez, CB (Oregon)
- Paris Johnson Jr., OT (Ohio State)
- Will Levis, QB (Kentucky)
- Joey Porter Jr., CB (Penn State)
- Anthony Richardson, QB (Florida)
- Bijan Robinson, RB (Texas)
- Jaxon Smith-Njiba, WR (Ohio State)
- C.J. Stroud, QB (Ohio State)
- Keion White, DE (Georgia Tech)
- Tyree Wilson, DE (Texas Tech)
- Devon Witherspoon, CB (Illinois)
- Bryce Young, QB (Alabama)
Some of these players, like Alabama's Will Anderson, Texas Tech's Tyree Wilson, and Alabama's Bryce Young, won't have long to wait from the time that the Carolina Panthers are officially on the clock with the first overall pick. These names are expected to be off the board very early -- making for a somewhat relaxing night.
For others, it's possible to see a draft-day slide. Jalen Carter, for example, was once thought to be a lock top-three pick in the draft, but recent run-ins with the law and character issues may have teams second-guessing. Meanwhile, some of these names may not get called until the tail end of the first round, and it's possible that a few leave with disappointment if their names don't get called on day one.
The top four quarterbacks are all in attendance this year, as the attendees mainly consist of top talents at some flashy positions like wide receiver, running back, edge defender, and cornerback. Ohio State tackle Paris Johnson Jr. is the only offensive lineman in attendance this year.
The biggest questions now become: do all 17 of these players go in the first round this year? And if not, who will be left hanging their head until Day 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft?