The Panthers Pitt were chosen at the 2023 NFL Draft with six players, which is the highest number among all ACC teams. Throughout his time as head coach of Pitt, Pat Narduzzi has seen 25 players being drafted. Panther247 investigates the Pitt Panthers who were chosen and gathers the perspectives of the NFL analysts at CBS Sports regarding them.
CALIJAH KANCEY |
Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers..
Round: Number
Choose: Number
CBS SPORTS…. RATING:
They need help inside and Kancey has the tools to be an up-the-field, attacking defensive tackle. But he isn’t big and he can get overwhelmed at the point. But he has Vita Vea next to him for that, so I get it. – Pete Prisco
CARTER WARREN | Offensive Lin
Team: New York Jets..
Round: Number
Select: Number
CBS SPORTS….:.
A four-year starter at Pittsburgh, Warren has the prototypical frame of an offensive tackle (6-foot-5, long arms), but he seemed to play too rigid at times and drew 11 penalties over the final 15 games of his collegiate career. The offensive tackle tore his meniscus back in September and missed the majority of the testing process, but he figures to be healthy come the start of training camp.
ISRAEL ABANIKAND
Team: New York Jets..
Round: Number
Choose: Number
CBS SPORTS….
Israel Abanikanda exploded onto the national college football landscape in 2022. He earned third-team All-American honors after rushing for 1,431 yards and running for 20 touchdowns (tied FBS lead). With better blocking, he can be one of the steals at the RB position in this class because of his HR-hitting ability. Super young prospect with deceptive upside.
SIRVOCEA DEN
Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers..
Round: Number
Choose: Number
CBS SPORTS….
Dennis had a productive career at Pitt, piling up 36 tackles for loss and 15 sacks in his final three seasons. Even with that work on the defensive side of the ball, he also played a regular role on special teams. Dennis will likely start his NFL career in the latter role, though his playmaking ability could ultimately land him a more consistent job at inside linebacker.
ERICK HALLETT |
Team: Jacksonville Panthers
Round: Number
Select: Number
CBS SPORTS….
It’s interesting the Jaguars listed Hallett as a safety despite the Pittsburgh product seemingly undersized at 5-foot-10, 195 pounds. Hallett has some of the biggest hands of any draft-eligible secondary player and had plus-level athleticism in terms of three-cone (6.84) and vertical jump (37.5), but it’s hard to tell if those traits will help him stand out in a Jaguars secondary that has added multiple pieces on Day 3.
BRANDON HILL
Team: Houston Texans
Round: 7
Choose: Number
CBS SPORTS….
Hill is something like a cornerback-safety tweener out of Pittsburgh, though for the opposite reasons you usually see. Rather than being an otherwise competent corner who lacks speed and needs to switch to safety, Hill has cornerback athleticism (4.43-second 40 at 5-foot-10, 193 pounds) but lacks the coverage fundamentals to play there. DeMeco Ryans might be able to help Hill make his game more complete.
EDDIE O’S ADD
Aaron Donald, the first-round pick for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2014 NFL Draft, was chosen to be a defensive tackle. He is often compared to the great former Pittsburgh defensive tackle, Mean Joe Greene, due to his relentless motor, endless pass-rushing ability, and explosive play. Despite his lack of size, Donald is not to be underestimated as a defensive tackle.
I am confident that he will be a solid contributor for the Jets sooner rather than later, and I’ve watched all of his games at Pitt. He won’t be caught once he gets past defenders on the second level, and he’s a quick runner-cut with great acceleration. On the flip side, he doesn’t have a quick change of direction and he’s not twitchy like Israel Abanikanda, the running back I read most criticism about.
In the NFL, Pitt has generated defensive backs who emerge as starters or significant contributors, establishing a reliable history. Both Erick Hallett and Brandon Hill have faced criticism for being smaller in size for the safety position according to NFL standards. Nevertheless, the coaches on each team evidently recognized potential in both players to develop and improve.
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