Former Ole Miss Rebels named by NFL coaches, executives as Top 10 players at their position in 2023
The preseason countdowns and prognostications are not exclusive to college football in July and former Ole Miss players DK Metcalf, A.J. Brown, Dawson Knox and Evan Engram are getting some preseason love by NFL personnel.
Over the past couple weeks ESPN has been ranking the 10 best players at their respective position after polling NFL coaches, executives and scouts over the summer.
Brown, Metcalf, Knox and Engram cracked the top 10 on the wide receiver and tight end lists, capping a big week for Engram after earning a new contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Coming off a Super Bowl appearance Brown is viewed as the No. 7 receiver on this ESPN list. He finished as the 13th best receiver in the NFL last year with 88 catches for 1,496 yards and 11 touchdowns.
“Exceptionally strong,” a veteran NFL scout said to ESPN. “Great ball skills and feel for the game. Doesn’t have great speed to create deep separation but makes big plays through tight coverage.”
Metcalf finished just ahead of Brown as the 12th best receiver in the NFL last season with 90 catches for 1,048 yards and six touchdowns. He was the Seattle Seahawks top receiver in 2022, edging out Tyler Lockett who finished with 1,033 receiving yards but did have three more touchdown catches than Metcalf.
According to the poll Metcalf landed at No. 8 among the top 10 receivers entering into the 2023 season.
The feedback was a mixed bag from a NFL executive and position coach.
“I haven’t seen enough,” a high-ranking NFL exec told ESPN. “I’m waiting for him to take this step where he consistently plays as good as he looks. To me, not quite there.”
There was a more positive outlook on Metcalf’s progress after four years in the NFL from a coach’s perspective.
“He has improved as a route runner — he doesn’t run the entire route tree, but the routes he does run he’s really good and can rip off a big play at any time,” a veteran NFL defensive coach said. “Really hard to tackle.”
The full Top 10 list of Wide Receivers:
- Justin Jefferson – Minnesota Vikings
- Davante Adams – Las Vegas Raiders
- Ja’Marr Chase – Cincinnati Bengals
- Tyreek Hill – Miami Dolphins
- Cooper Kupp – Los Angeles Rams
- Stefon Diggs – Buffalo Bills
- A.J. Brown – Philadelphia Eagles
- DK Metcalf – Seattle Seahawks
- Terry McLaurin – Washington Commanders
- CeeDee Lamb – Dallas Cowboys
Engram wrapped up his first season in Jacksonville last year after spending his first five NFL seasons in New York.
In 2022 Engram was the 31st best receiver in the NFL with 73 catches for 766 yards and four touchdowns.
He was the Jaguars third best receiver behind Christian Kirk and Zay Jones last year. Engram ranked among the top four in tight ends in receptions, receiving yards and yards after catch (475).
After signing a one-year deal with the Jaguars ahead of last season the organization rewarded his production with a new three-year contract extension on Monday. Engram signed a franchise tag with the Jaguars in March and had until Monday’s deadline to come to agreement with a new deal.
In the Top 10 list released by ESPN earlier this week Engram landed at No. 8 among the best tight ends in the NFL.
“He can create mismatches from various alignments, and he can win against various types of defensive personnel — linebacker, corner, safety,” a high-ranking NFL official said. “Underrated blocker.”
Another former Ole Miss tight end who is making waves in the NFL landed on the list in the form of Knox at No. 10.
Knox finished his fourth year with the Bills and the NFL with 48 catches for 517 yards and six touchdowns. Similar to Engram, Knox finished as the Bills third best receiver in 2022 behind Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis.
His 15 touchdown receptions over the past two seasons rank third among tight ends, behind Kelce (21) and Kittle (17).
“Becoming more consistent as a pass-catcher and overall feel for the game,” an AFC executive said to ESPN. “Has improved each year.”
The full Top 10 list of Tight Ends:
- Travis Kelce – Kansas City Chiefs
- George Kittle – San Francisco 49ers
- Mark Andrews – Baltimore Ravens
- Dallas Geodert – Philadelphia Eagles
- Darren Walker – New York Giants
- T.J. Hockenson – Minnesota Vikings
- Kyle Pitts – Atlanta Falcons
- Evan Engram – Jacksonville Jaguars
- Pat Freiermuth – Pittsburgh Steelers
- Dawson Knox – Buffalo Bills
