Welcome to a list of the Arkansas Top 5 NFL Draft prospects, as seen by Draft Scout.
Each week brings us closer and closer to one of the most anticipated days on the sports calendar: the NFL Draft. The upcoming NFL Draft will be held in Kansas City, Missouri, from April 27-29, 2023.
Our series will begin on October 31, 2022, for five consecutive days, with three schools running per day in alphabetical order. A master conference list of the SEC’s Top 20 NFL draft prospects will wrap things up on Friday, November 4, 2022. Please check the team links below frequently to locate the other schools’ top prospects as the week progresses.
SEC TOP 25 NFL PROSPECTS FOR 2023: Overall SEC Top Prospect List
SEC EAST PROSPECTS FOR 2023: Florida | Georgia | Kentucky | Mizzou | South Carolina | Tennessee | Vanderbilt
SEC WEST PROSPECTS FOR 2023: Alabama | Arkansas | Auburn | LSU | Mississippi State | Ole Miss | Texas A&M
RELATED STORY: The Top ESPN 30 for 30 Shows in College Football — We Rank Them
We all know that not every team in the country has five surefire draft picks. Some programs do, especially in some of the more elite conferences, but the vast majority do not have many top-flight prospects. However, we also know that the definition “top-flight” does not always pan out, and at the same time that strong undrafted free agent everybody forgot ends up making an NFL team and flourishing.
Below is a look at Arkansas’s Top 5 Draft Prospects and how they project in the eyes of Draft Scout. For now, we will go strictly with seniors, as no underclassmen have been allowed to declare earlier yet, though when they do we will provide updates.
ARKANSAS TOP 5 NFL DRAFT PROSPECTS
NO. 1 PROSPECT
NAME: Ricky Stromberg (Center)
DRAFTSCOUT PROJECTION: 3rd or 4th round
CAREER STATISTICS: In his career, Arkansas has finished the season leading the Power 5 in rushing (7th in the nation), and the team is currently 6th in nation in rushing and 2nd in the SEC.
THE TRUTH: According to Draft Scouts, over 20 NFL teams consider him a Top 5 Senior Center. Stromberg is an athletic offensive lineman who can play multiple positions on the offensive line. Sam Pittman has been able to rely constantly on his leadership. He keeps the quarterback clean and makes limited mistakes. Stromberg could easily be the first center taken in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Do not be surprised to see a team take him late in the 2nd round; he has that kind of talent.
NO. 2 PROSPECT
NAME: Trey Knox (Tight End)
DRAFTSCOUT PROJECTION: 6th round
CAREER STATISTICS: 72 receptions; 816 yards; 11.3 yards per reception average; 7 touchdowns
THE TRUTH: According to Draft Scouts, over 20 teams view him as being taken as early as the 5th round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Although he is listed as six feet five inches, scouts have determined that he is really six feet three inches. He had his best game in an Arkansas win against Cincinnati this year. He made his full transition from wide receiver to tight end this season.
Tight end is the best position for him, especially as he has made a more robust commitment to blocking. At six feet five inches and 245 pounds, he certainly has an NFL body. He has great potential, but I have been disappointed with his overall performance throughout his career. When I look at his size, I expect more from him. He does, however, offer great value as a 5th – 7th round pick.
NO. 3 PROSPECT
NAME: Matt Landers (Wide Receiver)
DRAFTSCOUT PROJECTION: 7th round
CAREER STATISTICS: 61 receptions; 1,121 yards; 18.4 yards per reception average; 9 touchdowns
THE TRUTH: According to Draft Scouts, many NFL scouts contend he has the talent to be taken in the 3rd or 4th round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Scouts refer to him as a “long and good-looking wide receiver.” When the season is over, I believe he will be one of the most attractive wide receivers for teams to consider. Landers is becoming one of K.J. Jefferson’s favorite wide receiver targets.
I look for him to go in the 3rd round. His length and talent will be too hard to resist.
NO. 4 PROSPECT
NAME: Dalton Wagner (Offensive Lineman)
DRAFTSCOUT PROJECTION: 7th round
CAREER STATISTICS: In his career, he has helped Arkansas to emerge as one of the nation’s leading teams in rushing. Last season with his physical presence, Arkansas finished as the top Power 5 team in rushing and is 6th in the nation this season and 2nd in the SEC.
THE TRUTH: He has a NIL deal with World Wrestling Entertainment. Wagner, therefore, will need to make a decision about whether he wants a career in professional wrestling or in the NFL. According to Draft Scouts, over 20 NFL teams find that he can be taken as early as the 5th round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He is one of Sam Pittman’s best on the offensive line.
I contend that he will become an even better offensive lineman in the NFL. For teams looking to improve their offensive line immediately, they will be eager to snag him as early as the 5th round.
NO. 5 PROSPECT
NAME: Zach Williams (Defensive End)
DRAFTSCOUT PROJECTION: 7th round
CAREER STATISTICS: 72 tackles; 12 tackles for loss; 7.5 sacks; 1 forced fumble
THE TRUTH: According to Draft Scouts, over 20 NFL teams view him as a 7th-round pick. Williams has shown flashes of talent meriting making an NFL roster. He will need to demonstrate more consistent improvement to impress scouts when the season concludes. I do see teams taking a chance on him in the 7th round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Without more consistent improvement, though, he will not make an NFL roster.
For More Great Football Content
Follow us on Twitter at @GridironHeroics for more great content. We appreciate you taking time to read our articles. To interact more with our community and keep up to date on the latest in Football news, JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK GROUP by CLICKING HERE
