What others are saying about Purdue's NFL Draft picks
Purdue saw five players earn their shot at the next level during the 2023 NFL Draft. With the selections made, social media saw plenty of buzz about the Boilermakers beginning their NFL careers.
Charlie Jones, Cincinnati Bengals, 4th round, 131st overall
You go through the corner notes in the Big Ten you see a lot of "got run by by Charlie Jones." A speedy guy who plays faster than his 4.43
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) April 29, 2023
If you ignore the age thing, Charlie Jones makes sense. Productive, athletic receiver with slot and return experience on punt and kickoff teams. pic.twitter.com/fNRqfVMKoP
— Jake Liscow (@JakeLiscow) April 29, 2023
Charlie Jones is probably the biggest difference between our spreadsheet grades and the FUN when watching him.
— Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) April 29, 2023
Dude beats everyone. Gets deep. Plays the ball well in the air. Quick in his routes. Good top speed. Great hands. Punt returner.
He's one of the guys you put on the…
The Bengals draft WR Charlie Jones from Purdue.
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) April 29, 2023
The Bengals wanted speed, they got it. He's also a kick returner. The wrinkles getting him involved will be fun to watch.
Darrin Simmons said new WR Charlie Jones is "close" to a fear of God returner. Simmons was a part of working him out at Purdue.
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) April 29, 2023
"He's a sure handed guy… He's an explosive player. He's a good cutter with great quickness."
More: WR Charlie Jones tabbed in 4th round by Bengals
Aidan O’Connell, Las Vegas Raiders, 4th round, 135th overall
It is a QB. Purdue's Aidan O'Connell has been the target as LV made draft calls for the last hour. They finally get him. https://t.co/6rbSBlRr7b
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 29, 2023
From our NFL Draft broadcast: The #Raiders traded up to take #Purdue QB Aidan O'Connell, whose release has been compared to Tom Brady. pic.twitter.com/wWZH60lsVF
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 29, 2023
Las Vegas selects Purdue QB Aidan O'Connell 135th overall
— PFF College (@PFF_College) April 29, 2023
🎯 55 Big Time Throws since 2021 (1st among Big Ten QBs) pic.twitter.com/kKH6Z2vbT9
Josh McDaniels has always loved QBs who are processors and accurate. That's exactly what Aidan O'Connell is.
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) April 29, 2023
Raiders get Purdue's Aidan O'Connell. A steal? “I don’t think he’s as physically talented as everybody else but mentally he's incredible. He reminds me of Cooper Rush. Just an OK arm, but the way he beats you is with his mind and his short-area quickness." https://t.co/LvMJQeb3g9
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) April 29, 2023
The #Raiders traded up for Purdue QB Aidan O’Connell, whose football IQ and quick release make him a prototypical QB for Josh McDaniels.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 29, 2023
Las Vegas gave up 144 and 214 to get AOC with the last pick in Round 4 at 135. pic.twitter.com/NtWQlhGyNC
New #Raiders QB Aidan O'Connell: Mobility not his strong suit but "will stick in the league because he can throw it and is smart and can operate the offense," per a veteran NFL coach said. Quick release.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) April 29, 2023
#Raiders new QB Aidan O'Connell is an aggressive passer willing to exploit tight windows. The flip side is that he doesn’t disguise his intentions to opposing defenders and lacks consistent anticipation.
— Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) April 29, 2023
Fix that and you've got something.
More: QB Aidan O’Connell selected by Raiders in 4th round
Payne Durham, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 5th round, 171st overall
TB moved up for Purdue TE Payne Durham. #Rams sent 171 for 175 and 252
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 29, 2023
Buccaneers move up to get one of the best remaining TEs in Payne Durham. Classic in-line tight end who can block and make catches in traffic. Has really great ball skills: pic.twitter.com/6uew7YX5As
— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) April 29, 2023
Payne Durham is a solid blocker who plays the position craftily. Gets open despite limited AA and being slow. Has some quickness and was surprisingly solid after the catch. Has some great contested grabs on his tape. If he keeps improving as a blocker, good no. 2/3 TE
— Jon Ledyard (@LedyardNFLDraft) April 29, 2023
New Bucs tight end Payne Durham is 6-5, 253 pounds, had 56 catches for 560 yards and eight touchdowns last year for Purdue. Big target but not necessarily a fast one — ran the 40 in 4.87 seconds — but certainly productive in the Big Ten the last two seasons.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) April 29, 2023
New Bucs tight end Payne Durham also has a local tie as his mother now lives in Bradenton. Said he has a few Gronk jerseys in his closet, calls himself “old school and gritty.”
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) April 29, 2023
Payne Durham to Tampa Bay. Pick 171
— Matt Hicks (@TheFF_Educator) April 29, 2023
Durham is a sleeper candidate for me. Positions his large frame well to win over the middle and contested situations. He has reliable hands and good vertical ability.
Limited immediate fantasy value, but will be stashing him in deeper/TEP…
#Bucs fans, @BoilerFBall TE Payne Durham was a standout performer at this year’s @SeniorBowl. Dual-threat TE that can Catch + Block #NFLDraft @pdurham22 x @TheDraftNetwork https://t.co/bry979GTVH
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) April 29, 2023
More: TE Payne Durham goes in 5th round to Buccaneers
Cory Trice, Pittsburgh Steelers, 7th round, 241st overall
Cory Trice is a really solid pick. Steelers just trying to go all out and press guys, I guess.
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) April 29, 2023
The Steelers take CB Cory Trice, another big outside cornerback. Good value.
— Dale Lolley (@dlolley_pgh) April 29, 2023
Grady Brown loves the way that Cory Trice plays press coverage in particular because he doesn’t have to use motor technique. Says he can eat up ground and is technically proficient.
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) April 29, 2023
Cory Trice is a fantastic athlete. But there must have been some serious medical stuff for him to fall this far.
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) April 29, 2023
#Steelers DB Grady Brown says Cory Trice fits what the Steelers want and what they need. Said he's not sure why he fell, but thrilled team was able to get him.
— Josh Carney (@ByJoshCarney) April 29, 2023
Grady Brown loves the way that Cory Trice plays press coverage in particular because he doesn’t have to use motor technique. Says he can eat up ground and is technically proficient.
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) April 29, 2023
More: CB Cory Trice selected by Steelers in seventh round of NFL Draft
Jalen Graham, San Francisco 49ers, 7th round, 255th overall
Jalen Graham a good pick for the #49ers. Rangy high motor LB that can cover. Experience in the slot and even off the edge.
— The GOAT House (@GoatHouseNFL) April 29, 2023
Lowdown on Purdue LB Jalen Graham, the 49ers' final pick of this 2023 NFL Draft, #255:
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) April 29, 2023
-Good tackler, strong frame even at 220 pounds
-Mediocre speed (4.64) at best
-Played all over the formation in college, including slot (49ers love this)
Versatility might be Graham's ticket
With the 255th overall pick, the San Francisco 49ers select Purdue LB Jalen Graham. Another hybrid linebacker/safety player for the 49ers, Graham is instinctive and plays fast despite modest athleticism.
— Mason H. Smoller (@Smollerreport) April 29, 2023
255. #49ers select LB Jalen Graham, good size, undersized frame Weak-side LB, avg to above athleticism, movement skills & quickness, good play speed with very good instincts & play recognition, plays with great effort & aggressiveness, good tackle ability, good zone cover skills
— Paul Perdichizzi (@paulie23ny) April 29, 2023
