2023 NFL Draft | Louisville Preview
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - At long last, the 2023 NFL Draft is finally here. Mock draft and big board season is now behind us, and soon we will find out where the top talents in college football will be heading to start their professional careers.
This year, there is no shortage of Cardinals that are in the draft pool. 16 players from the Louisville football program have either graduated or declared early in hopes of hearing their name called on draft night.
Out of that group, three players have separated themselves from the others. Linebacker Yasir Abdullah, defensive end YaYa Diaby and cornerback Kei'Trel Clark are the former Cards who have the highest chance of getting selected.
Related: Final Mock Draft Roundup: Where Louisville's Top NFL Prospects are Projected to Land
Diaby is widely expected to be the first of the three taken off the board. While there aren't any Louisville players that have been projected to be drafted in the first round, the 6-foot-4, 270-pound edge rusher has soared up draft boards this offseason, with scouts salivating over his physical intangibles and natural athleticism. He has routinely been mocked to be a third round pick, or at the very least, an early day three (rounds 4-7) selection.
Related: YaYa Diaby 2023 NFL Draft Profile
As for Clark and Abdullah, there isn't a general consensus as to where they will end up. Clark ranges from a late day two (rounds 2-3) pick to a sixth round pick, while Abdullah is as high as an early/mid-third rounder to completely undrafted.
Between the two, Clark seems to be who scouts and draft pundits are higher on. While many are reserved about his 5-foot-10, 177-pound frame and the fact that he is coming off of an ACL injury, he has been lauded for his consistant playmaking in college and overall mindset/approach to the game
Related: Kei'Trel Clark 2023 NFL Draft Profile
That's not to say that scouts and analysts are not high on Abdullah. His position versatility and upper-tier athleticism is something that greatly intrigues many in NFL Draft circles. Some are concerned that his 6-foot-1, 242-pound frame might be a bit undersized by NFL linebacker standards, but there's no denying his production and potential at numerous spots on the field.
Related: Yasir Abdullah 2023 NFL Draft Profile
Outside of those three, there are a handful of other Cardinals that have been generating pre-draft buzz. Quarterback Malik Cunningham has appeared in a couple mocks, going as high as the sixth round, as is reportedly open to "playing a hybrid role." Running back Tiyon Evans has also been projected as a potential late day three option by some, as has tight end Marshon Ford.
Related: Malik Cunningham 2023 NFL Draft Profile
Even if the latter three are not drafted, expect them - as well as offensive tackle Trevor Reid - to be among the more sought after priority free agents. They will have the opportunity to sign with any team they choose as an undrafted free agent, or UDFA, following the end of the draft if they go unselected.
Other former Cardinals hoping to be drafted or sign as a UDFA are: wide receiver Jaelin Carter, offensive guard Caleb Chandler, linebacker Marvin Dallas, offensive guard Adonis Boone, safety Kenderick Duncan, wide receiver Tyler Hudson, cornerback Chandler Jones, tight end Isaac Martin and linebacker MoMo Sanogo.
The 2023 NFL Draft will begin with round one on Thursday, Apr. 27 at 8:00 p.m. EST. Rounds 2-3 will start on Friday, Apr. 28 at 7:00 p.m. EST, and rounds 4-7 on Saturday, Apr. 29 starting at 12:00 p.m. EST. The entire draft will be on ESPN, ABC and the NFL Network.
(Photo of Yasir Abdullah, YaYa Diaby: Jamie Rhodes - USA TODAY Sports)
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