March 2023 Master-Draft Rankings
The Top 60+ Players Available To Be Chosen On Draft Night
NBA, NFL, NHL Edition
Introduction -
The sports offseasons’ biggest event every year is always the most anticipated and exciting to watch live. What am I talking about? The draft.
In almost every professional sport young players get to showcase their talents in smaller leagues built for players at their ages in an attempt to make a case for themselves as the best of the best. Of course, not everyone makes it, but that’s what makes it fun.
The potential of seeing a future hall of famer get drafted to your own team while you simultaneously yelling, screaming and cursing at the TV critiquing the pick. Today I’ll be giving you the top 64 prospects, (and some change), in the 2023 NHL, NBA and NFL Drafts.
So without further ado, let’s jump into it.
NHL Draft Rankings, March, 2023
The Generationals (2)
No. 1, Connor Bedard, F, WHL
Bedard has been looked at as one of the best NHL draft prospects of all time since he was 15 years old, and has not disappointed one bit. Every bit of his game is NHL ready, and I have sky high expectations for him just like everyone else currently involved in the hockey world.
His game is unbelievably refined for someone at his age; consistently showcasing his unheard of hockey IQ, stickhandling, raw skill and his already semi-famous “toe drag-release” shot.
Bedard will make an impact on any team he joins, and will find a way to produce. Whoever is able to luck-out in the lottery will select a once-in-a-lifetime type player and will drive up ticket sales from his first day in a NHL uniform.
No. 2, Adam Fantilli, F, NCAA
Fantilli has lit-up the NCAA as a freshman and will most likely win the Hobey Baker, and at the least will be a finalist. Fantilli possesses NHL-size and skating ability, and isn’t afraid to compliment his skill with some physicality. He has everything you look for in a prospect and has that polarizing shadow cast around him - aka people really like watching him play.
With 52 points in 30 games for the Wolverines, Fantilli, like Bedard, is consistently able to find ways to put points on the board no matter what way, or in what situation. He wows the crowd with flashy moves and silky hands, and can silence one with a big hit.
Fantilli is like the Jack Eichel of this year’s draft: ultra-talented, physically gifted, and the perfect prospect stuck behind an even better one in Bedard. He’s a no. 1 overall pick going 2nd, so don’t blow it, (to whoever gets the 2nd pick).
The Top 64
Rankings Awards:
Highest upside - Connor Bedard, 2nd Adam Fantilli
Biggest boom or bust - Matvei Michkov, 2nd Otto Stenberg
Highest floor, lowest ceiling - Oliver Bonk, 2nd David Reinbacher
Biggest riser - Nick Lardis, 2nd Scott Ratzlaf
Biggest sleeper - Beau Akey, 2nd Aydar Suniev
Biggest potential gem - Kalle Carlsson, 2nd Matthew Wood
Most likely to give you a heart attack - Michael Hrabal, 2nd William Whitelaw
Most likely to silence a crowd - Adam Fantilli, 2nd Connor Bedard
Most electric - Connor Bedard, 2nd Zach Benson
Watchlist:
Theo Lindstein, D, SHL
Daniil But, F, MHL
Ondrej Molnar, F, OHL
Maxim Strbak, D, USHL
Genadi Chaly, D, USHL
Jordan Tourigny, D, QMJHL
Zeb Forsjfall, F, SHL
Mathieu Cataford, F, QMJHL
Cameron Allen, D, OHL
Will Vote, D, USNTDP
NFL Draft Rankings, March, 2023
*No clear-cut generational prospects*
No. 1, Will Anderson, Jr., EDGE, Alabama
Anderson is a physically gifted edge rusher that has starred in his last two seasons of college football. Despite the fact that the uncertainty of this year’s draft is at an all time high, in my opinion the ranks have come full circle. He’s still the best player in the draft, and he was able to show that during the 2023 NFL combine. He has great speed for someone his size - I mean 4.6 40-time speed - and he’s stuffed the stat sheets over his two seasons starting as Alabama’s top edge rusher.
Anderson put up 10+ sacks in those seasons, but has shown major growth in his game. Anderson has great technique in his rushing, and has shown great pass-rushing potential.
As long as the team that picks him is able to “cradle” his development in his first season, and not just throw him to the wolves, he’ll be a great defensive player in this league for a long time.
No. 2, CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State
Yes. I like CJ Stroud. I have nothing against Bryce Young, he is a very good player. There I said it, ya happy now?
That being said, what Stroud was able to do this season with the Buckeyes was flat out awesome. Sure I'm only 13, but being 13 doesn’t mean I’m missing out on a potential stud. Yes, his bust potential is probably higher than anyone in this draft that’s not Anthony Richardson, but what the heck the upside is unbearable.
I often find myself watching Todd McShay, and Mel Kiper go at it on ESPN about this and that somehow has something to do with the NFL Draft. I’ll try to sum all of my nonsense up into a few sentences; and without mentioning the size comparison, let me make my point:
Stroud possesses elite arm strength and his accuracy is pin-point. I love his football IQ, and being an experienced Heisman finalist that has played and started in the Big Ten conference for over two years, I have fallen in love without that part about his game. He can dissect coverages well enough to be a good starting QB at the least, and has near-great mobility in and outside the pocket.
Yes. He does play at Ohio State that had a crud ton of offensive skill on their roster surrounding Stroud. BUT. Go get that man some weapons in Houston and tell me why he’ll fail then. You have the cap space and ever since Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs became a thing, the argument in the passing aspect of young QB’s games has been WEAPONS. So for the love of this man’s young career… get him some gosh darn weapons and give Houston the card to their franchise in CJ Stroud.
The Top 64
Rankings Awards:
Highest upside - Bijan Robinson, 2nd Jalen Carter
Biggest boom or bust - Anthony Richardson, 2nd CJ Stroud
Highest floor, lowest ceiling - John Michael-Schimtz, 2nd Dawand Jones
Biggest riser - Lukas Van Ness, 2nd Jaelyn Duncan
Biggest sleeper - Nolan Smith, 2nd Tucker Kraft
Biggest potential gem - Tucker Kraft, 2nd Hendon Hooker
Most likely to give you a heart attack - Anthony Richardson, 2nd Jalin Hyatt
Most likely to silence a crowd - Will Anderson, Jr., 2nd Bryce Young
Most exciting - Bryce Young, 2nd Bijan Robinson
Watchlist:
JL Skinner, S, Boise State
Trevius Hodges-Tomlinson, CB, TCU
Kyu Blu Kelly, CB, Stanford
Jakorian Bennett, CB, Maryland
Luke Musgrave, TE, Oregon State
Jayden Reed, WR, Michigan State
Keeanu Benton, DT, Wisconsin
Jammie Robinson, S, Florida State
Felix Anudike-Uzomah, DL, Kansas State
Ji'Ayir Brown, S, Penn State
Brandon Joseph, CB, Notre Dame
Zach Charbonnet, RB, UCLA
Dontayvion Wicks, WR, Virginia Tech
Jake Haenner, QB, Fresno State
Matthew Bergeron, OL, Syracuse
Tyjae Spears, RB, Tulane
Keaton Mitchell, RB, East Carolina
NBA Draft Rankings, March, 2023
The Generationals (3)
No. 1, Victor Webanyama, F, France
This shouldn’t need an explanation.
No. 2, Scoot Henderson, G, G-League Ignite
A true combo-guard, Henderson’s talent shouldn’t be slept on in the draft. He went toe-to-toe in a nationally televised game against Victor Webanayama earlier this season, dishing out 28 points and 9 assists.
Henderson is the type of player that will be having our kids sitting at computers for hours on end watching the highlights of. He is a near above-average shooter that has a great off the dribble 3-point shot but has shown occasional streakiness. Henderson has otherworldly dribble combos and layup packages that he has shown he can finish over anyone.
Something that has been kind of overlooked about Henderson is that he has been extremely clutch for the Ignite team this season.
I love Henderson on any NBA team right now, as he’ll be a great addition to any team atop the lottery. Be prepared for multiple years of the Henderson v. Webanayama rivalry.
No. 3, Amen Thompson, G, Overtime Elite
Standing at 6’7”, Amen is the twin brother of Ausar Thompson and it’s easy to see in both their games. Amen is an ultra athletic finisher around the rim, with great vision and great defensive versatility.
Thompson averaged 16.4 points a game, with 5.9 rebounds and assists a game, as well as 2.3 steals and 0.9 blocks per game. He is incredibly gifted in all facets of the game, and if he can develop a better jump shot that is more consistent and reliable, he’ll be a definite star in the NBA. He upped his game in the OTE postseason, showing better scoring, rebounding and assists totals, with a major jump in APG, (5.9-9.3).
No better stat demonstrates his all-around game better than the fact that he scored double digits in 22 of his 30 games, one steal in 27 of his 30 games, and one block in 25 of his 30 games.
Elite consistency matched with unbelievable talent is a nasty duo, and again, and added jumper to his arsenal would make him possibly the second best player in this class - not to mention, adding heat to the Henderson v. Webanyama rivalry while potentially adding his name into that mix.
The Top 64
Draft Awards:
Highest upside - Victor Webanyama, 2nd Scoot Henderson
Biggest boom or bust - Brandon Miller, 2nd Ausar Thompson
Highest floor, lowest ceiling - Kyle Filipowski, 2nd Zach Edey
Biggest riser - Brandon Miller, 2nd Gregory Jackson, II
Biggest sleeper - Juan Nunez, 2nd Olivier-Maxence Prosper
Biggest potential gem - Emoni Bates, 2nd Keyonte George
Most likely to give you a heart attack - Julian Strawther, 2nd Emoni Bates
Most likely to silence a crowd - Amen Thompson, 2nd Nick Smith, Jr.
Most exciting - Victor Webanyama, 2nd Reece Beekman
Watchlist:
Coleman Hawkins, F, Illinois
Dillon Mitchell, C, Texas
Max Abmas, G, Oral Roberts
Jordan Walker, G, UAB
Tyson Walker, G, Michigan State
Ryan Kalkbrenner, C, Creighton
Mike Miles, Jr., G, TCU
Marcus Carr, G, Texas
Hunter Dickinson, C, Michigan
Oscar Tshiebwe, C, Kentucky
Matthew Cleveland, G, Florida State
Baba Miller, F, Florida State
Caleb Love, G, UNC
DRAFT AWARDS, MARCH, 2023
Most Exciting -
NBA
Best All-Around Talent -
NFL
Most Unpredictable -
NHL
Which One I’ll Put On TV First -
NFL,
NHL Close 2nd
Most Meaningful To Me -
NHL
Best Transcendent Talent -
NHL,
Bedard vs. Webanyama
The Most Impactful For Next Season -
NFL
Most Exciting Players To Watch -
NBA,
NHL Close 2nd
Ranking Best Draft Rankings To Rank
NHL
NBA
NFL