Who are Oregon's top 2023 NFL Draft prospects?

The 2022 NFL Draft has come and gone, and just one Oregon player heard his name called over seven rounds.

Kayvon Thibodeaux was selected No. 5 overall by the New York Giants, becoming the program’s first top-five pick since Marcus Mariota in 2015.

But outside of Thibodeaux, six Oregon players had to opt for the undrafted free agent route as they were not selected. In total, it was the fewest Ducks selected in a single draft since 2017, when none were picked.

However, there’s plenty of reason to believe that number will be much, much higher next season.

The Ducks return a plethora of talent on both sides of the ball and have a few players who figure to be top-end prospects for the 2023 Draft. Oregon is particularly loaded along the offensive line and defensive front.

Here’s a look at some of the top names for Oregon football in 2022 who will be Draft eligible.

T.J. Bass

In 2021, T.J. Bass was the anchor of Oregon’s offensive line and one of the top offensive linemen in the Pac-12 full-stop.

Bass split time at left guard and left tackle to help accommodate an injury-plagued Oregon offensive front and delivered consistently stellar play regardless of where he lined up.

Pro Football Focus gave Bass an overall grade of 86.0, which is considered elite, and was the second-best grade issued to any tackle in the Pac-12. At 6-foot-5, 318 pounds is versatile enough to play multiple positions, and it’s still unclear if he will play guard or tackle for the Ducks next season.

He heavily considered turning pro this offseason before being convinced to return for one last ride with Oregon’s veteran-heavy line.

Another big year for Bass could help him rapidly soar up draft boards.

Alex Forsyth

What Oregon lacks in draft-eligible skill-position talent, it more than makes up for with offensive line talent.

It’s possible that Bass, Alex Forsyth, Steven Jones, and Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu could all work their way into the conversation to be drafted next year. Forsyth in particular could be an intriguing prospect.

Like Bass, Forsyth could have heard his name called in the 2022 draft. But after a 2021 season that was hindered by a lingering back injury, he always planned on returning to school and said this offseason that he and the rest of Oregon’s offensive lineman are ready to make up for lost time together.

At one point last winter, ESPN Draft analyst Mek Kiper Jr. listed Forsyth as one of the 10 best draft-eligible centers on his big board.

A fully healthy, productive year could bolster Forsyth’s stock considerably.

Brandon Dorlus

Brandon Dorlus might be Oregon’s most intriguing 2023 draft prospect.

He was dominant in 2021 while earning first-team all-conference honors and graded out as PFF’s second-best interior defensive lineman in the Pac-12. Only teammate Popo Aumavae received a better grade.

Dorlus was nearly unblockable in one-on-one situations last year and tallied 25 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks in 14 games.

In Dan Lanning and Tosh Lupoi’s defensive scheme, Dorlus could be due for a massive uptick in production, and it wouldn’t be at all surprising if his name starts to pop up on draft boards early next season.

Justin Flowe

The sky is the limit for Justin Flowe if he can remain healthy.

Flowe’s name has popped up frequently in way-too-early 2023 first-round mock Drafts. Considering he has played in just two career college games over his first two seasons, that says everything you need to know about Flowe’s sheer talent.

The second-highest ranked recuit to ever sign with Oregon, Flowe was a one-man wrecking crew in Oregon season-openering win last season when he racked up 14 tackles and forced a fumble that helped swing the game in the Ducks’ favor.

But during that game, Flowe suffered a season-ending Lisfranc injury and has only recently resumed full 11-on-11 activities with the Ducks. That marked a second season-ending injury in as many seasons for Flowe, who suffered a knee injury in Week 1 of the 2020 season.

Here’s to hoping Flowe is able to put two injury-derailed seasons behind him. If he does, he and Noah Sewell could form the best linebacker duo in the country.

Noah Sewell

Speaking of Noah Sewell, he is far and away Oregon’s top draft prospect at the moment and might be the best inside linebacker in the draft.

In 2020, Sewell was the Pac-12’s defensive freshman of the year. In 2021, he was a first-team all-conference selection while racking up a team-high 106 tackles. He was also second among Oregon players with 8.5 tackles for loss and four sacks.

Dane Brugler of The Atheltic has already tabbed Sewell as a top-25 prospect in the 2023 draft and said Sewell is “arguably the best off-ball linebacker in college football.”

One Bleacher Report mock draft has Sewell going No. 14 overall, and a CBS mock has him at No. 16.

It will be intriguing to see just how high Sewell’s stock can climb next season as he settles in as the centerpiece of Oregon’s defense.