We all know about the top prospects in the upcoming NFL Draft. At this point, Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, Anthony Richardson, Bijan Robinson, and a few others have become household names before they have even stepped onto the field as NFL players. However, each draft there are under the radar prospects who turn into Pro Bowlers that just don’t get the love and attention they likely deserve before the draft. Here is our list of the best under the radar 2023 NFL draft prospects that you may not have heard of before.
Roschon Johnson – Running Back – Texas
Being the backup to Bijan Robinson can’t be easy. He is the number one running back to come out of this class and everyone knows his name. Johnson is more of a mystery despite putting up impressive numbers and proving that he is a detailed runner with lots of skill. In his final season in Austin, Johnson rushed for 554 yards and five touchdowns despite being out touched in every single game that he and Robinson both played in. When you aren’t getting a ton of touches, it’s hard to make an impact but he still found a way. He’s not inside the top 150 in any usage categories but ranks inside the top 35 in yards per carry which should tell you a lot.
Ben VanSumeren – Linebacker – Michigan State
I respect any player that goes through a position change at the college level and that’s exactly what VanSumeren was forced to do. He began his college career as a fullback before eventually switching over to linebacker. Playing in the middle of the defense can be a daunting task and something that you can only improve on if you get the necessary reps. When that finally happened for VanSumeren, he had 81 tackles, two sacks and three tackles for loss in his one full year as a starter. He is a project pick but is certainly a player that teams will have their eyes on.
Trey Palmer – Wide Receiver – Nebraska
This seems to be a stacked wide receiver class so it can be easy to get lost in the shuffle, but Trey Palmer is a name that teams should be on the lookout for on the big board. A transfer from LSU, Palmer tore it up at Nebraska in his final season, bringing in 71 balls for 1,043 yards and nine touchdowns. He also broke the Nebraska single season receiving yards record. He was clocked as the fastest offensive player at the Senior Bowl this season and is a guy who can burn you on a deep route or work the outsides with precision.
Nick Herbig – EDGE – Wisconsin
I love a three-year starter at the college level, and this is exactly what Herbig brings to the table. PFF gave him a 91.1 pass rating in his last season as he racked up 11 sacks, 17 QB hurries and six QB hits. Wisconsin is known for producing great defensive linemen and Herbig is a great example of a guy who could fall to day two or three but still make an immediate impact as a depth player at the next level.