South Carolina has two NFL first-rounders for 2023, early mock draft says
The 2022 NFL Draft has just wrapped up, but a handful of Gamecocks are already being projected as potential first rounders in next year’s event.
Pro Football Focus released its way-too-early projections for the 2023 NFL Draft on Monday, including South Carolina cornerback Cam Smith and tight end/receiver Jaheim Bell as potential first round picks.
Smith — who was slotted at No. 12 to the Philadelphia Eagles — has been a stalwart at corner over the last two seasons and projects as the top defensive back in USC’s secondary this fall.
The Westwood High School product was named a second-team All-SEC performer by The Associated Press and PFF last season after allowing just 15 catches on 32 targets for 184 yards. Smith also added a trio of interceptions and nine pass breakups.
Bell heads into the 2022 season oozing with potential given the athletic dynamism he’s flashed in spurts over his two years in Columbia.
Projected No. 29 to the Green Bay Packers next year, the Florida native finished second on the team in receptions (30) and yards receiving (497) receiving, while his five touchdown catches tied for the squad lead.
South Carolina’s coaching staff has raved about Bell’s versatility throughout the spring. Offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield indicated he’ll be used in a litany of formations from receiver to tight end to running back. Bell has been dubbed a “wide back” given his positional flexibility.
“He’s one of the top athletes, football players in the country,” Satterfield said in March. “... The more that we can develop his understanding, football IQ and the transitions on the field, he can be unstoppable like he was in the bowl game.”
Though not included in PFF’s initial projections, it’s widely expected quarterback Spencer Rattler will also be in play as a possible first-round pick next year. Rattler was a perceived option for the No. 1 overall pick in 2022 heading into last season before his campaign at Oklahoma was derailed.
The ex-Sooner has since landed at South Carolina with Beamer, a former OU assistant, in hopes of rekindling the momentum he had heading into his second season as a starter in Norman.
South Carolina has had three players selected in the first round of the NFL Draft over the last five years. Cornerback Jaycee Horn was the most recent first-rounder when he went No. 8 overall to the Carolina Panthers in 2021.
This story was originally published May 2, 2022 at 10:13 AM.
