The 2023 NFL Draft takes place this weekend, and although they might not be taken early, there are a couple of Rutgers players to watch for. The Scarlet Knights have had successful late-round players in the past, and that could happen again this year. Here is a look at the Rutgers players to watch for in the 2023 NFL draft this weekend.
Rutgers Players in the NFL Draft
The players that are listed are in no particular order. They are listed because they have the greatest chance of being taken late in the draft. While there are only three may be only three names listed, here are the Rutgers players to watch for in the 2023 NFL draft.
Rutgers Punter Adam Korsak – James Black/Icon Sportswire/Getty Images
Adam Korsak – P
Of the Rutgers players, Adam Korsak is the most likely to be drafted this year. Korsak was the only one of the Scarlet Knights to be invited to the NFL Combine, and if a team needs a punter, he is likely the one that will be picked. Korsak won the Ray Guy Award in 2022. According to ESPN, Korsak punted the ball 75 times in 2022 with an average of 44 yards per punt. While punters tend to fall, Korsak will be one of the Rutgers players to watch for in the 2023 NFL draft. Although punters tend to fall in the draft, Korsak’s name is still projected to be called this weekend.
Christian Braswell
Although defensive back Christian Braswell was not invited to the 2023 NFL Combine, there is still a chance that he can be drafted late. Braswell spent just one year at Rutgers after spending three years at Temple. Despite the Scarlet Knights not having the best season, Braswell stood out amongst the Rutgers players. In 2022, Braswell had 36 combined tackles, 25 of which were solo, and one tackle for loss, according to Sports Reference. He also had 11 pass deflections, three interceptions for 13 yards, and one touchdown. While Braswell has just a slight chance of being drafted, he is still one of the Rutgers players to watch for.
Rutgers DB Christian Izien – Mike Langish/CSM/Shutterstock
Christian Izien
Rutgers only had four wins in 2022, but the team’s defense stood out, and defensive back Christian Izien was a big reason for that. Izien spent five years with Rutgers. A bonus about Izien is that he has played in every game in those five years. Even without being the best defensive back in this draft, availability is important to teams.
In his five years, Izien had 297 combined tackles, 189 of which were solo, 1.5 sacks, and 15 tackles for loss, according to Sports Reference. He also had three fumble recoveries, 15 pass deflections, and four interceptions. Similarly to Braswell, it is just a slight chance Izien is drafted, but he will still be one of the Rutgers players to watch for this weekend.
Although these are the top Scarlet Knights to watch for in the NFL draft, there are others who participated in Rutgers 2023 Pro Day. Anything can happen on draft day, so potentially these names could be called on the final day of the draft. One player that could possibly have increased their draft stock at Rutgers’ Pro Day was wide receiver, Aron Cruickshank. He is not projected to be drafted, but there is always that possibility.
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights may have a poor reputation based on their record, but their defense held its own as much as it could in 2022. These players did well despite the record, and it would not be a shock if they were to be drafted this weekend.
The NFL Draft begins this Thursday, April 27th. Be sure to watch each day to see if any of these Rutgers players are drafted and where they will end up playing in 2023.
