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Illinois Football 2023 final Mock Draft

By Rees Woodcock

Apr 25, 2019; Nashville, TN, USA; Detailed view of neon NFL shield logo during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft in downtown Nashville. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 25, 2019; Nashville, TN, USA; Detailed view of neon NFL shield logo during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft in downtown Nashville. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 5, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois running back Chase Brown (RB04) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois running back Chase Brown (RB04) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Chase Brown

Over the past decade or so, the value of a running back, on paper, has decreased. This has hurt the draft stock of players like Chase Brown.

Brown is currently the fourth-highest-graded Illinois football player. He checks in with a grade of 6.12, according to NFL.com.

I was amazed by Brown this past season. He dazzled with his mean running ability and great speed. Brown would finish the 2022 campaign with 1,643 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground. He also had 240 yards and three touchdowns through the air.

If this was a draft in 2005, I think Brown is a first-round pick. There are still a lot of teams who could use a solid running back, though.

Chase Brown’s landing spot in the 2023 NFL Draft

From the mock drafts that I have seen, most of them have Brown going in the fifth or sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. This would be a great value for any team. You could get a player who was in serious conversations for the Heisman Trophy at one point last season.

I have three teams that I think would be the best option for Brown to land. The first team is the Tennessee Titans. Derek Henry is the obvious starter there, but he is getting up there in age, and he doesn’t have a reliable backup right now.

Look for the Dallas Cowboys to be in the market for a running back. They let go of Ezekiel Elliott about a month ago, and now Tony Pollard is the lead running back. Pollard is good but there is no depth behind him.

My pick to land Brown would be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They have moved on from Leonard Fournette, and the projected starter is Rachaad White. There isn’t much behind White either. This team needs a running back.

The Buccaneers have two picks in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. If Brown is still left on the board, I am expecting them to use one of those two picks on this talented running back from Illinois.

Pick #153 (5th Round) – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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