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Where South Carolina football players stand in latest 2023 NFL mock drafts

Emily Adams, Greenville News
·4 min read

COLUMBIA — After just two South Carolina football players were selected on Day 3 of the 2022 NFL Draft, the Gamecocks could land three players on pro rosters in the first three rounds this year.

Five Gamecocks were invited to the NFL Scouting Combine in February, and three of those players — cornerback Cam Smith, cornerback Darius Rush and defensive tackle Zacch Pickens — are widely projected to be selected by the end of Day 2. Smith could become South Carolina's first Round 1 selection since Jaycee Horn in 2021.

The 2023 NFL Draft, held in Kansas City, begins April 27 (8 p.m., ABC) and runs through April 29.

Here's where the Gamecocks stand in the latest mock drafts and where they could be a good fit:

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Cam Smith, cornerback

The Athletic: No. 54, Los Angeles Chargers

CBS: No. 60, Cincinnati Bengals

ESPN: No. 64, Chicago Bears

Pro Football Network: No. 16, Washington Commanders

Sporting News: No. 22, Baltimore Ravens

USA TODAY: No. 28, Cincinnati Bengals

Smith was expected to be a first round pick, but current mock drafts are split on where he will land. ESPN has the lowest projection for the 6-foot-1, 180-pound corner at the start of the third round, and The Athletic and CBS also place him late at in the second round.

The Ravens and Commanders are thin enough at corner to reach for Smith in the first round, but the Bengals are more likely to look to the offensive line or for a tight end to replace South Carolina alum Hayden Hurst at No. 28.

Darius Rush, cornerback

The Athletic: No. 66, Arizona Cardinals

CBS: No. 89, New York Giants

ESPN: No. 79, Indianapolis Colts

Pro Football Network: No. 69, Los Angeles Rams

Sporting News: No. 207, New York Jets

USA TODAY: No. 75, Atlanta Falcons

Rush finished his collegiate career as a fringe NFL prospect, but impressive performances at both the senior bowl and NFL combine skyrocketed his stock. The 6-2, 198-pound corner is almost universally projected to go in the third or fourth round, though the Sporting News has him falling as low as the sixth.

Cornerback is a massive need for the Cardinals, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see them reach for Rush at 66 if other top corners come off the board early. The Colts traded away star CB Stephon Gilmore — South Carolina alum — which makes them an interesting potential landing spot that could give Rush a chance to earn playing time quickly.

Zacch Pickens, defensive tackle

The Athletic: No. 65, Houston Texans

CBS: No. 65, Houston Texans

ESPN: No. 62, Philadelphia Eagles

Pro Football Network: No. 94, Philadelphia Eagles

Sporting News: No. 102, San Francisco 49ers

USA TODAY: No. 100, New York Giants

Pickens, like Rush, improved his professional stock significantly with standout performances at the senior bowl and combine. Evaluations on the 6-4, 291-pound defensive tackle are somewhat split between an early third round or late fourth round pick.

The Eagles and Texans are the recurring destination projections for Pickens. The Texans have bigger areas of need but could certainly look for a later-round upgrade on the defensive line, and working under new head coach DeMeco Ryans is a positive for any young defensive player. The Eagles are strong on the D-line in 2023 but may look to build future depth with Fletcher Cox set to retire soon.

Jovaughn Gwyn, offensive line

The Athletic: Undrafted

CBS: No. 244, Dallas Cowboys

ESPN: Outside round 3

Pro Football Network: No. 220, Las Vegas Raiders

Sporting News: Undrafted

USA TODAY: Outside round 3

Gwyn wasn't a standout at the combine like Pickens or Rush, and he lacks the physical attributes to be a competitive guard at the NFL level. Teams will likely look to transition the 6-2, 297-pound lineman to center, which makes him a bit of a gamble since he did not handle snaps in college.

If Gwyn is drafted, it will almost certainly be in the seventh round, but he is a player that could certainly land an undrafted free agent spot. Plenty of teams need an upgrade at center, so getting onto a roster in any capacity will give Gwyn a chance to prove that he can make the switch effectively.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Where South Carolina football players stand in 2023 NFL Draft mocks