Sports-analytics company Pro Football Focus (“PFF”) has updated its top-100 big board for the 2023 NFL Draft, and three Syracuse football players remain within these rankings.
That being said, cornerback Garrett Williams, running back Sean Tucker and offensive tackle Matthew Bergeron have all seen their placements drop via PFF as compared to where they were rated a few months back when PFF unveiled its preseason top 100 ahead of the 2022 season.
In its refresh, PFF has Williams at No. 38, Tucker at No. 70, and Bergeron at No. 97.
As we noted in a column published in late August, at that time, PFF’s preseason top 100 put Williams at No. 16, Tucker at No. 54, and Bergeron at No. 95.
Syracuse football players continue to generate 2023 NFL Draft buzz.
The Orange, which went 5-7 a year ago, didn’t have any of its players selected in the 2022 NFL Draft. I think there’s a good chance that one or more ‘Cuse players will get selected in the 2023 NFL Draft, which is scheduled to take place in late April of next year in Kansas City, Mo.
In its latest top 100, PFF didn’t have write-ups on Tucker and Bergeron, but it did have this to say about Williams, who unfortunately is out for the season following an injury during the Orange’s recent home loss to Notre Dame.
"“Williams has been starting ever since he was a true freshman for the Orange and has played nothing but quality football over that span. He’s racked up 14 career pass breakups and four picks in two and a half seasons.”"
According to statistics on cuse.com, Williams played in seven games in the 2022 stanza. He compiled 25 solo tackles, 36 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for a loss, 1 sack, 2 interceptions, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery.
In 2021, both Williams and Bergeron received All-ACC honorable-mention nods. Tucker, meanwhile, was on the All-ACC first team a year ago and made numerous All-America squads after he ran for nearly 1,500 yards and broke the ‘Cuse single-season rushing mark previously held by Orange legend Joe Morris.
This term, Syracuse football has amassed a 6-4 record and clinched bowl eligibility, although the ‘Cuse has lost four games in a row.
Tucker isn’t on the same pace as in 2021, but he’s still having a solid 2022 stanza to date. Through 10 contests, he has 829 rushing yards and 7 scores on the ground, along with 250 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns hauled in through the air, per ESPN’s Web site.
His 82.9 rushing yards per encounter presently place him at No. 3 overall in the Atlantic Coast Conference, according to league stats.
Tucker, Williams and Bergeron all could come back to the Hill for the 2023 campaign, however, I’d be surprised if that occurs, particularly given the NFL Draft buzz for each Syracuse football player.