Grading the landing spots of TCU players in the 2023 draft

TCU+wide+receiver+Quentin+Johnston+lifts+the+Fiesta+Bowl+offensive+MVP+trophy+after+a+dominant+performance+against+Michigan+on+Dec.+31%2C+2022.+%28Tristen+Smith%2FStaff+Photographer%29

TCU wide receiver Quentin Johnston lifts the Fiesta Bowl offensive MVP trophy after a dominant performance against Michigan on Dec. 31, 2022. (Tristen Smith/Staff Photographer)

By Ethan Love, Staff Writer

Eight TCU football players were selected in this past weekend’s NFL Draft. That is the fourth most draft picks from a single university, only behind Alabama and Georgia with 10, and Michigan with nine players selected.

How will TCU’s players fare in the big leagues? We grade each landing spot for all eight TCU draft picks based on how likely they are to play and how well they will fit into their new NFL teams.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by TCU Football (@tcufootball)

Quentin Johnston – A+

By being the 21st pick, Johnston will get ample opportunity to showcase his talents. He is going to a stacked Chargers offense that includes Mike Williams, who has a similar skill set to himself – a big and tall receiver that can go up and fight for any ball thrown his way. It will be good for Johnston to have a mentor with similar strengths that can show him the skills needed to succeed at the NFL level. Having Justin Herbert throwing you the ball is also beneficial for Johnston.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by TCU Football (@tcufootball)

Steve Avila – A+

Avila was selected to play for the Rams, a team that is rebuilding in many ways. The Rams have recently lost a lot of key players due to salary cap issues and a desire to recoup draft picks they lost from assembling their Super Bowl-winning squad. The Rams went all-in to get names like Matthew Stafford, Jalen Ramsey and Von Miller. Between those three players, L.A. sent off four first-round picks and more. The Rams are just now starting to have draft picks again, trading away players like Ramsey to recoup picks they lost to acquire them in the first place. With Avila being the Rams’ top selection, he will have a chance to be the team’s starting right guard beginning day one; he has the potential to become a starter with the Rams for years to come.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by TCU Football (@tcufootball)

Kendre Miller – B-

Miller is entering a crowded running back room, to say the least. The Saints are paying mainstay Alvin Kamara to be the every-down RB, while newly signed Jamaal Williams from Detroit will handle the 3rd down and goal-line rushing attempts. Kamara is awaiting a suspension that could have him miss some games due to an incident in Las Vegas. Miller will have to perform well during the time Kamara is out with his suspension to prove to offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael that he is the RB of the future.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by TCU Football (@tcufootball)

Dyan Horton – B+

Being picked in the 4th round, Horton will not be an instant lock as a starter. With newly hired head coach DeMeco Ryans, it bodes well that he was a selection of the new Houston regime. As the team has been rebuilding, Horton should have many opportunities to prove himself alongside 3rd overall pick Will Anderson on that young Texans’ defensive line.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by TCU Football (@tcufootball)

Derius Davis – B+

Davis should be the day-one return specialist for the Los Angeles Chargers, so it will be nice for him to have a role in the NFL during his first season as a 4th round pick. His contributions should parallel that of another TCU product, Kevontae Turpin, as the primary returner with sparing snaps on the offense. Additionally, the receiving room is packed with names such as Mike Willimas, Keenan Allen and college teammate Quentin Johnston. Davis will likely be a rotational piece playing out of the slot with Josh Palmer and Jalen Guyton.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by TCU Football (@tcufootball)

Tre’vius Hodges-Tomlinson – A-

It was interesting to see Hodges-Tomlinson drafted in the 6th round, but this was most likely a result of his small size. At 5’9”, 175 pounds, there are blocking and tackling concerns at the NFL level. Either way, on a Rams squad that just traded away generational corner Jalen Ramsey, Hodges-Tomlinson will have opportunities to showcase his talents and develop into a solid slot corner.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by TCU Football (@tcufootball)

Dee Winters – A-

The 49ers are known to be able to develop late-round linebacker talent, as their current linebackers Dre Greenlaw was a 7th-round pick, and All-Pro Fred Warner was a 3rd-round pick. With the departure of Azeez Al-Shaair, Winters should be in the running to be the 3rd linebacker behind Warner and Greenlaw. Additionally, the opportunity to learn from those players should help Winters develop into a solid NFL linebacker.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by TCU Football (@tcufootball)

Max Duggan – C+

More likely than not, Max Duggan will not make the initial roster for the Los Angeles Chargers. They already have a backup quarterback, Easton Stick, who has been there for a few years, and nobody is taking the starting job from star Justin Herbert. Duggan’s situation is similar to that of Brock Purdy from last year. For Duggan to see the field, there will need to be some significant injuries. If Duggan does see some playing time, he will need to make the most of it. The silver lining is that the Chargers also drafted both of his top targets, so if he has a good pre-season, Duggan may be able to win the backup job over Stick.