We’re still over two months away from the 2023 NFL Draft, and the NFL Combine, pro days, and private workouts are still to come. But post-season college football All-Star games — and practices — such as the Senior Bowl and East-West Shrine Bowl have given NFL organizations and draft evaluators a good look at some prospects. Additionally, with the 2022 NFL season officially over, we’re at that point where the attention for many evaluators turns to the draft and its prospects.
Well, on Wednesday, ESPN’s Todd McShay appeared on SportsCenter with SVP and was asked to name a draft prospect whose stock is rising in recent weeks.
“Zay Flowers, wide receiver from Boston College,” McShay confidently responded.
McShay added, “I’ve got him going in the late first round (of the 2023 NFL Draft), and it won’t surprise me when it’s all said and done if he’s somewhere in the top-15.”
"I've got him going in the late first round, and it won't surprise me when all's said and done if he's somewhere in the top-15."- Todd McShay on Boston College WR Zay Flowers. 🏈 #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/jOMtjoMI5t
— The Comeback NFL (@TheComebackNFL) February 17, 2023
“Zay Flowers, wide receiver from Boston College. In August, I was there with Jeff Hafley, the (Boston College) head coach. He was saying, ‘This guy is the Energizer Bunny.’ You gotta remember, the (Boston College) quarterback situation was not ideal [in 2022]. And he still had 1,100 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. I’ve got him going in the late first round (of the 2023 NFL Draft), and it won’t surprise me when it’s all said and done if he’s somewhere in the top-15.”
Flowers, 22, had 78 receptions for 1,077 yards and 12 touchdowns for Boston College in 2022.
The 5’10”, 172-pound wide receiver turned heads during Shrine Bowl week with his athleticism, route running, hands, and ability to play bigger than his size.
2023 NFL Draft Prospect Zay Flowers at the East-West Shrine Bowl ‼️ #GoldFeetCertified #2023NFLDraft @ZayFlowers @BCFootball @ShrineBowl @NFL pic.twitter.com/aKbhgl6jfB
— Gold Feet Certified (@GoldFeetGlobal) January 29, 2023
And he’s become a favorite of many draft evaluators that have dug into his college football game film.
I have my own comp for Zay Flowers but it's irresponsibly lofty expectations so I'm afraid to say it.
but I mean…you guys see it too, right? pic.twitter.com/eElPdeDqr4
— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) January 24, 2023
McShay has Flowers going 25th to the New York Giants in his latest mock draft. TCU’s Quentin Johnston (No. 12 pick), USC’s Jordan Addison (No. 23 pick), and Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba (No. 24 pick) are the other wide receivers that McShay currently has going in the first round.
If Flowers’ stock keeps rising, it wouldn’t be shocking if he’s the first wide receiver taken.
[Photo/Video credit: ESPN]
Related: Todd McShay gets brutally honest about Anthony Richardson
About Matt Clapp
Matt is an editor/writer at The Comeback and Awful Announcing.
He can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.