Michigan State: 2023 NFL Draft viewer guide
The 2023 NFL Draft kicks off Thursday, April 27 just outside of Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri, the city’s first time hosting the annual event. The Carolina Panthers are on the clock and set to make the first overall selection in the 87th edition of the NFL Draft after a trade with the Chicago Bears. Michigan State fans will be keeping a close eye on the fourteen Spartans that are eligible for this year’s NFL Draft. The Spartans’ draft class is headlined by wide receiver Jayden Reed and punter Bryce Baringer.
It is unlikely that any of Michigan State’s players will be selected on Day 1 of the Draft. Reed, who has been projected anywhere from the second to fourth round, may be the best bet to be drafted on Friday when second and third round players are taken. Baringer, whom many analysts believe is the top punter in the draft, could also hear his name called on Friday. It is, however, rare for specialists to be selected in the third round or earlier.
How to watch?
TV: ESPN, ABC, and NFL Network
STREAMING: NFL+, ESPN and ABC App, YouTube TV, Hulu, fuboTV, Sling TV
When to watch?
Round 1: Thursday, April 27 at 8:00pm ET
Rounds 2-3: Friday, April 28 at 7:00pm ET
Rounds 4-7: Saturday, April 28 at 12:00pm ET
What to watch for?
Fourteen Michigan State Spartans have entered their names into this weekend’s NFL Draft: WR Jayden Reed, P Bryce Baringer, LB Ben VanSumeren, CB Ameer Speed, IOL Brian Greene, TE Daniel Barker, DT Jacob Slade, OT Jarrett Horst, RB Jarek Broussard, S Kendell Brooks, CB Ronald Williams II, TE Tyler Hunt, and S Xavier Henderson.
Draft Rankings
WR Jayden Reed
ESPN: No. 47 overall, No. 6 wide receiver
CBS: No. 72 overall, No. 8 wide receiver
PFF: No. 122 overall, No. 15 wide receiver
ESPN: No. 285 overall, No. 1 punter
CBS: No. 329 overall, No. 1 punter
PFF: No. 343 overall, No. 3 punter
DT Jacob Slade
ESPN: No. 312 overall, No. 23 defensive tackle
CBS: No. 332 overall, No. 35 defensive lineman
PFF: No. 205 overall, No. 20 interior defender
CBS: No. 437 overall, No. 24 tight end
PFF: No. 319 overall, No. 19 tight end
PFF: No. 320 overall, No. 22 linebacker
PFF: No. 399 overall, No. 35 offensive tackle
Draft Projections
WR Jayden Reed
The Athletic: No. 93, Carolina Panthers (via Dane Brugler)
PFF: No. 133, Chicago Bears
ESPN: No. 52, Seattle Seahawks (via Todd McShay)
ESPN: No. 98, Cleveland Browns (via Matt Miller)
The Athletic: No. 191, Los Angeles Rams (via Dane Brugler)
DT Jacob Slade
PFF: No. 153, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
ESPN: No. 259 Houston Texans (via Matt Miller)
What are they saying?
“Locked him into the 2nd round after his week in Mobile and I’m not budging on his grade. There will be a handful of WRs taken ahead of him on Friday night that he will wind up out-performing in the near future.”
ESPN’s Todd McShay on Michigan State wide receiver Jayden Reed
“Teams that do better job evaluating WR position, like Steelers & 49ers, will have MSU’s Jayden Reed higher than majority. Getting mostly third round feedback on Reed but could see him sneaking into second. Jayden Reed will out-perform many WRs projected to go earlier as pro.”
Jim Nagy, Executive Director Reese’s Senior Bowl
“The return skills of Jayden Reed, early on, you’re going to get that production there. That ability he has there will help you immediately with special teams. I think he’s a second or third rounder.“
ESPN’s Mel Kiper on Michigan State wide receiver Jayden Reed
“In talking to teams around the league, everybody was unanimous in saying he’s the best punter in the draft. It will be interesting to see when he goes, where he goes.”
NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah on Michigan State punter Bryce Baringer
“Baringer is my No. 1 punter. I think with his leg strength, he’s going to interest teams on day three.“
ESPN’s Mel Kiper on Michigan State punter Bryce Baringer
“My bold 2023 NFL Draft prediction: Michigan State’s Bryce Baringer will be the first punter selected in the 3rd round or earlier since 2012.”
SportsGrid’s Ben Stevens
“He’s very much going to get drafted. He had an unbelievable, kind of all-time pro day. He’ll go somewhere late on day three, but his workout was enough to get him picked.”
NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah on Michigan State linebacker Ben VanSumeren
