2023 NFL Draft: A Post-Cotton Bowl Look at Tulane’s Top 2023 NFL Draft Prospects

Tulane just won a Cotton Bowl for the ages—the team has earned the right to have its roster taken seriously by NFL scouts. Which players on the Green Wave will be selected in the 2023 NFL Draft?

In a fitting end to an unforgettable season for its program, the Tulane Green Wave defeated the USC Trojans in a Cotton Bowl for the ages. Tulane represented the Group of Five conferences with an at-large bid in the New Years Six bowls. And after a high-intensity showdown, the Green Wave improved to 12-2 on the year.

Tulane was terrible last season—the team went 2-10, to be exact. But this season, the Green Wave showed they could hang with just about any squad in the FBS. As the college football season wraps up, it is time to start thinking about the 2023 NFL Draft.

Tulane's players have mostly flown under the radar. Not many expected the Green Wave to win a New Years Six bowl this season, but after an incredible campaign, Tulane's roster has earned the right to be taken seriously by NFL teams. This article looks at Tulane's top prospects as we head into the 2023 NFL Draft process.

Offense

Beginning on the offensive side of the football, it all starts with Tyjae Spears, the superstar tailback out of Ponchatoula, Louisiana. Spears was electric in the Cotton Bowl, rushing 17 times for 205 yards and four touchdowns against a solid USC defense. He is listed at 5-foot-11, 195 pounds, which is perhaps a bit smaller than ideal for the NFL, but by no means a red flag in terms of size.

Spears has excellent ballcarrier vision and patience; his understanding of how to leverage his blockers resembles that of a running back with many more years under his belt. He frequently breaks tackles, and while he does not appear to have elite speed, Spears should be fine at the next level. He projects as a potential fifth-to-seventh-round pick without too much tread on his tires. Spears is one of Tulane's best draft prospects. (Spears was also voted the American Athletic Conference's Offensive Player of the Year and holds the unique distinction of being the first non-quarterback to win the award.)

Two Tulane wide receivers—Duece Watts and Shae Wyatt—will likely get a shot in the NFL. While it is possible that neither one ends up getting drafted, each one had a fine season for the Green Wave and they both boast pro-caliber traits. Watts' most impressive ability is his tremendous body control. He makes contested catches that require exceptional kinetic discipline, and he uses his above-average size to put himself in the right position to beat defensive backs. He could make a living in the NFL running goal-line fade routes and hauling in back-shoulder fades.

Meanwhile, Wyatt is a slippery route runner who can stretch the field horizontally. He will probably end up in the slot at the next level, and his ability to cut on a dime at all levels of the route tree is stellar. Wyatt's presence on the field will probably necessitate nickel defensive packages in response—linebackers and even safeties will have a hard time mirroring him. That said, Wyatt also has deceptive strength and will not be bullied by bigger defenders.

Left tackle Joey Claybrook has tremendous size, and he is a decent, if unexceptional, pass blocker. He might not get drafted, but teams could do worse than Claybrook—especially on a rookie deal—when looking for some tackle depth. (Along the offensive line, look out for center Sincere Haynesworth next year; Haynesworth probably would have been drafted if he came out this year, but he elected to return to school, which should only help his draft stock.)

Defense

Going over to the defensive side of the ball, another Tulane player almost certain to get drafted is linebacker Dorian Williams. Listed at 6-foot-2, 230 pounds, Williams is built like a prototypical NFL linebacker. He plays like one, too. Williams has been consistently good for the last three seasons, and he led the American Athletic Conference in tackles back in 2020. He is a technically sound tackler who finishes plays well. Like Spears, it is not clear that Williams possesses elite athleticism, but he would certainly be able to hold his own against NFL ballcarriers in the open field. Moreover, Williams demonstrates proficiency both in pass coverage and as a pass rusher—a rare combination. Williams could go as early as the fourth round, but the later rounds are probably a safer bet.

Another Tulane linebacker, Nick Anderson, is a bit shorter than the average player at his position. Nevertheless, he is a decent tackler who holds his own in the run game. Like Williams, Anderson is not exactly bad at any aspect of playing the position. He is a steady, consistent player who could get some looks on the undrafted free-agent market.

In the defensive backfield, nickelback/safety Macon Clark is a sleeper. His game is somewhat reminiscent of Tyrann Mathieu's—he comes up with interceptions, forces fumbles, and accelerates into ballcarriers as though he was shot out of a cannon. Clark consistently finds his way into the backfield and is regularly one of the most disruptive players on the field. Clark could sneak into the back end of the draft if a team is curious about how his play style would transfer to the NFL. (If you are just a football fan, turn on Clark's tape—he is especially fun to watch.)

Moreover, safety Larry Brooks could catch on in the NFL. Like Clark, Brooks is unlikely to get drafted. But he boasts an average build for an NFL safety and showcased solid pass coverage skills this season. The Texas native earned honorable mention on the American All-Conference team.

Some other draft-eligible players who played a big role for Tulane include tight end Tyrick James and safety Lummie Young IV, but their NFL futures are a bit less certain. Given his size, James might project more as an H-back, which could limit his market somewhat.

Tulane was fantastic this year. Fortunately for the Cotton Bowl Champion Green Wave, the NFL was watching.

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