2023 NFL Draft picks: Florida Gators draft tracker, analysis of selections, Florida football draft history

By OnlyGators.com Staff
April 27, 2023
2023 NFL Draft picks: Florida Gators draft tracker, analysis of selections, Florida football draft history
Football

The 2023 NFL Draft wrapped up Friday with plenty to learn about where your favorite former Florida Gators will begin their professional careers. OnlyGators.com will be with you throughout the final day of the draft as we track where as many as two handfuls of Gators will continue their on-field journeys.

What has already been an unpredictable draft will continue to unfold over the final four founds on Sunday. While only one Florida player was selected in Round 1, two more went in Round 2 on Friday.

Last year, only three Gators were picked in the draft, the fewest the program sent to the NFL in a single draft since 2012. That will not be the case in 2023 with Florida players expected to be selected across all three days of the draft.

OnlyGators.com will be here providing constant updates throughout the draft and will continue updating this story with the latest draft picks and eventually undrafted free agent signings once the proceedings conclude. Hit the refresh button below or on your browser to update the page.


Round 1

Round 1 – No. 4
Anthony Richardson, QB
Indianapolis Colts

Height: 6’4” | Weight: 244 lbs

Age: 20 | Class: Sophomore

The Breakdown: Richardson picked No. 4 overall by Colts in first round

The Chomp: Richardson wow’d evaluators — just like he did Gators fans — with his athleticism, has been praised for his absurdly high ceiling and stayed the hottest topic entering the draft largely due to his boom-or-bust potential. Because on the other side of that athleticism is an unpolished thrower who struggles with short and intermediate routes, possesses inconsistent footwork, often gets off rhythm and showed tremendous inconsistency during his one full year as a starter. He set speed records at the NFL Combine, supposedly passed the mental-based tests with flying colors and flashed his signature personality during interviews. And that was all enough for him to go No. 4 overall as the third quarterback selected.

Richardson is the seventh-highest drafted player in program history, the fifth-highest in the common draft era (since 1967) and fourth-highest in the modern era (since 1970). Only Gerard Warren and Dante Fowler Jr. (No. 3 overall) have been selected ahead of Richardson since the turn of the century. He is also the highest-drafted Florida quarterback in the modern era and second-highest drafted in the common era (Steve Spurrier, No. 3, 1967).

Round 2

Round 2 – No. 53
Gervon Dexter Sr., DL
Chicago Bears

Height: 6’6” | Weight: 310 lbs

Age: 21 | Class: Junior

The Chomp: This is the first Bears selection of a Gators player since DE Jonathan Bullard in 2016. Dexter placed among the top performers in the workout portion of the combine showing solid speed and burst for his position. Lack of explosiveness has consistently been a knock against him, and his inability to fight through double teams limits what he can accomplish at the next level. However, Dexter is shifty enough when going one-on-one to open some eyes, and he only continued to elevate himself during the pre-draft process by flashing immense athleticism. He is seen as a high-ceiling prospect.

Round 2 – No. 59
O’Cyrus Torrence, OL
Buffalo Bills

Height: 6’5” | Weight: 330 lbs

Age: 23 | Class: Junior

The Chomp: This is the second straight year the Bills have selected a Gators player — each in the first two rounds. Once considered a sure-fire first-round pick, the consensus first-team All-American selection slid further than expected. He offers size, strength and skill, plus he has done nothing but impress throughout his college career. Torrence neither committed a penalty nor allowed a pressure last season while emerging as the Gators’ best player on either side of the ball. Though Torrence does need to work on his blocking against double teams — and he put forth one of the worst athleticism scores at the combine — he offers great drive as a run blocker and a tremendous ability to sustain blocks in pass protection.

No Gators were selected in Round 3 of the NFL Draft on Friday night.

Rounds 4-7

Round 4 – No. 121
Ventrell Miller, LB
Jacksonville Jaguars

Height: 6’0” | Weight: 232 lbs

Age: 24 | Class: Senior

The Chomp: Miller is the first Florida linebacker selected since 2019 and first Gators player chosen by the Jaguars since C.J. Henderson in 2020. He did not participate in the combine workout due to a foot injury. A classic two-down linebacker, Miller was a strong leader for a defense that lacked experience and discipline. Florida simply played better when he was on the field with Miller frequently making big plays despite not having a “playmaker” label due to his lack of pass rushing.

A sure-handed tackler who will pick up a playbook with ease, Miller will likely be an immediate special teams starter who works his way into a team’s rotation and earns additional reps with the more time he gets on the field. This is about a round earlier than most projected.

Round 5 – No. 150
Justin Shorter, WR
Buffalo Bills

Height: 6’4” | Weight: 229 lbs

Age: 23 | Class: Senior

The Chomp: Shorter is the second Florida player selected by Buffalo in this draft, joining Torrence in Northern New York. His combine workout was unspectacular with him not placing high in any of the events. Still, Shorter’s size makes him a big target at the next level, and his sure hands had NFL teams interested in taking a flier on him. Shorter is slow off the snap and requires longer routes to gain separation. He also does not have breakaway speed after the catch. By sneaking into the fifth round, it’s likely the Bills see Shorter as filling a particular role they need.

Round 6 – No. 203
Amari Burney, LB
Las Vegas Raiders

Height: 6’2” | Weight: 230 lbs

Age: 22 | Class: Senior

The Chomp: Burney is the first Gators player drafted by the Raiders franchise since punter Johnny Townsend in 2018. Las Vegas clearly likes the tools possessed by Burney, who was not projected to be among the Florida players drafted this year as he was not even invited to the NFL Combine. He should be able to start on special teams as a rookie given his pursuit and tackling ability, and his sure-handed nature will make him an asset on return and onside kick teams.

Undrafted free agents

Undrafted free agent
Richard Gouraige, OL
Buffalo Bills

Height: 6’5” | Weight: 306 lbs

Age: 23 | Class: Senior

Undrafted free agent
Trey Dean III, DB
New York Jets

Height: 6’2” | Weight: 200 lbs

Age: 23 | Class: Senior

Undrafted free agent
Rashad Torrence II, DB
Los Angeles Rams

Height: 6’0” | Weight: 193 lbs

Age: 22 | Class: Junior

Undrafted free agent
Brenton Cox Jr., EDGE
Green Bay Packers

Height: 6’4” | Weight: 250 lbs

Age: 23 | Class: Senior

Florida NFL Draft history (last pick …)

By position
QB – 2023 (Anthony Richardson)
RB – 2022 (Dameon Pierce)
WR – 2023 (Justin Shorter)
TE – 2021 (Kyle Pitts)
OT – 2021 (Stone Forsythe)
OG – 2023 (O’Cyrus Torrence)
C – 2015 (Max Garcia)
DT – 2023 (Gervon Dexter Sr.)
DE – 2020 (Jabari Zuniga, Jonathan Greenard)
LB – 2023 (Ventrell Miller, Amari Burney)
CB – 2022 (Kaiir Elam)
S – 2021 (Shawn Davis)
K – 2021 (Evan McPherson)
P – 2018 (Johnny Townsend)

By team
Arizona Cardinals – 2021 (CB Marco Wilson)
Atlanta Falcons – 2021 (TE Kyle Pitts)
Baltimore Ravens – 2013 (S Matt Elam)
Buffalo Bills – 2023 (OG O’Cyrus Torrence, WR Justin Shorter)
Carolina Panthers – 2019 (RB Jordan Scarlett)
Chicago Bears – 2023 (DT Gervon Dexter Sr.)
Cincinnati Bengals – 2022 (DT Zachary Carter)
Cleveland Browns – 2018 (WR Antonio Callaway)
Dallas Cowboys – 2017 (DT Joey Ivie)
Denver Broncos – 2020 (WR Tyrie Cleveland)
Detroit Lions – 2017 (LB Jarrad Davis, CB Jalen Tabor)
Green Bay Packers – 2021 (DT Tedarrell Slaton)
Houston Texans – 2022 (RB Dameon Pierce)
Indianapolis Colts – 2023 (QB Anthony Richardson)
Jacksonville Jaguars – 2023 (LB Ventrell Miller)
Kansas City Chiefs – 2016 (WR Demarcus Robinson)
Los Angeles Chargers – 2007 (LB Brandon Siler)
Los Angeles Rams – 2020 (WR Van Jefferson)
Miami Dolphins – 2013 (LB Jelani Jenkins, RB Mike Gillislee, K Caleb Sturgis)
Minnesota Vikings – 2013 (DT Sharrif Floyd)
New England Patriots – 2018 (CB Duke Dawson)
New Orleans Saints – 2019 (S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson)
New York Giants – 2021 (WR Kadarius Toney)
New York Jets – 2020 (DE Jabari Zuniga, RB La’Mical Perine)
Las Vegas Raiders – 2023 (LB Amari Burney)
Philadelphia Eagles – 2016 (DE Alex McCalister)
Pittsburgh Steelers – 2012 (RB Chris Rainey)
San Francisco 49ers – 2018 (S Marcell Harris)
Seattle Seahawks – 2021 (WR Stone Forsythe)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 2021 (QB Kyle Trask)
Tennessee Titans – 2007 (CB Ryan Smith)
Washington Commanders – 2015 (RB Matt Jones)

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