Tag Archives: Mock Draft

Green Back Packers: Post Aaron Rodgers Trade Mock Draft

Now that the Aaron Rodgers trade has FINALLY gone done, here is my post-trade Packers mock draft. Since the trade just went down I decided to just stick and pick, but thought about trading down a few times, I might do one more with some trades.

Of course you can always read anything else I have written here. I used the Pro Football Network Mock Draft Simulator. Now let’s open up a new era of Packers football with the first post-Aaron Rodgers mock draft.

Round 1, Pick 13: Myles Murphy – ED – Clemson
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I went with Murphy because Paris Johnson Jr. and Broderick Jones were already gone and I feel the wide receiver rumors are smoke screens. There isn’t a WR worth a top 15 pick in this class in my opinion. Murphy was the best player that fit the Packers left on the board. Murphy is in a similar boat that Gary was when the Packers drafted him, he will need time, but can be a pro bowler.

Round 2, Pick 42: Kendre Miller – RB – TCU
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Get Jordan Love some weapons. Miller can play in all phases and will give Green Bay the type of running back they have lacked since Ryan Grant; a workhorse who can be the lead guy. He would obviously be the #3 guy behind Jones and Dillion for his rookie year, but would take over after that.

Round 2, Pick 45: Jonathan Mingo – WR – Ole Miss
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Most everyone knows how I feel about Mingo’s fit in Green Bay. He has the size, speed, skills, and versatility they like. He obviously still needs some work, but coming in as the #3/4 receiver will give him time to develop and could be a dangerous trio with Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs in a couple years, where all three can line up at any spot.

Round 3, Pick 78: Tucker Kraft – TE – South Dakota State
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This might be considered a little bit of a slip for Kraft, but it’s certainly possible. He fits the mold of the type of tight end that Green Bay usually goes for. Someone who can be an all-around tight end, can contribute as a receiver and red zone threat, and be a solid blocker. Like any other rookie tight end, he will need time to develop. I expect Gutekunst to bring in some vet tight end.

Round 4, Pick 116: John Ojukwu – OT – Boise State
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I have been singing Ojukwu’s praises for awhile, and I feel he would be a great future replacement for David Bahktiari. He has a few technical things he needs work on, and could add a little more core strength. He has experience at right tackle, so he could beat out Yosh Nijman at RT or be a swing tackle as a rookie, then take over at left tackle in 2024.

Round 5, Pick 149: Gervarrius Owens – S – Houston
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Owens fits the mold athletically of what the Packers look for: 6’0 almost 200 pounds and a 9.21 RAS score. Skill set wise, he was more of a box safety most of his career at Houston, but he really showed some development in coverage in 2022. If he develops and learns to play a little more in control, he could be a very solid all-around safety in the Adrian Amos mold.

Round 6, Pick 207: Jalen Redmond – DL – Oklahoma
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Redmond started two years at Oklahoma and was used all up and down the line, but he fits best as a 3-tech penetrating type of defensive lineman. He never quite developed as a pass rusher, but was always a solid run defender — despite being under 300. He could spend his rookie year as the #4/5 DL and bring solid depth to the trenches while he develops.

Round 7, Pick 232: Jason Taylor II – S – Oklahoma State
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This pick is another one that, in my opinion, probably isn’t there at this point, but I took him anyway and thought about taking him at 207. He has been a two-year starter and played well both seasons, with eight interceptions and six pass break-ups in that time, and has shown he can even be used as a blitzer. Taylor also has experience lining up all over, having played more strong safety in 2021, but more free in 2022. The former Cowboy has even taken over 400 career snaps in the slot. He really fits the mold of what the Packers like.

Round 7, Pick 235: Darrell Luter Jr. – CB – South Alabama
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Another guy who I picked a little later than I think he will end up going. He has been very good for South Alabama the last two seasons. He had 4 interceptions and 10 passes defensed in 2021. Luter is also a good tackler and run defender. He could even play some from the slot and has over 350 snaps played on special teams. He would be an improvement over Shermar Jean-Charles.

Round 7, Pick 242: Davis Allen – TE – Clemson
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Allen is another tight end in the typical Green Bay mold. He can do a bit of everything, but doesn’t excel at anything. He can play inline, detached, as a fullback or H-back, and has a lot of special teams experience. Allen is a solid receiver and can get some YAC. He does need to add some bulk and core strength to be a better blocker and more physical at the point of attack.

Round 7, Pick 256: Jake Moody – K – Michigan
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There were a lot of options I had here. I thought about getting a linebacker because I don’t feel great about the depth right now. I thought about a quarterback. I thought about an edge rusher. Ultimately, I finished our Packers mock draft with the guy sure to be contributor as a rookie. Moody has been a very good kick off specialist and really improved his field goal accuracy this past season. He doesn’t have prime Mason Crosby range, but he can hit 53 yards pretty comfortably.

Green Bay Packers Mock Draft: 2023 Brian Gutekunst Special

Welcome to my annual “Brian Gutekunst special” Packers mock draft. I do this every year. To explain it; we all know Gutey likes his high-level athletes, so I do a mock draft where my almost sole focus is on getting the Packers the most athletic players I can. Now, of course fit and thresholds are considered with each pick. This is mostly just done for fun though.

If you want, you can check out all the other stuff I have written and of course the database that I maintain. I also traded Aaron Rodgers to the Jets for #42 and #43. Now to the Packers mock draft!

Round 1, Pick 15: Isaiah Foskey – Edge – Notre Dame
Isaiah Foskey is the first pick in this Packers mock draft
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He’s probably not worth a top 15 pick, but he fits the Packers mold, is a freak athlete, and fits a need. He would give the Packers a starter opposite Preston Smith while Rashan Gary recovers, then can take over for Smith in 2024.

Round 2, Pick 42: Darnell Washington – TE – Georgia

Washington is a giant, freak athlete who may not play up to his testing numbers, but is still a very large man who is already a good blocker. He, of course, still has receiving upside. Washington would end up starting as a rookie.

Round 2, Pick 43: Keion White – DL – Georgia Tech

Yes, that’s right. He’s a defensive lineman, not an edge rusher — although that is what he played at GT. Despite being 24, he still has a lot of upside and would immediately upgrade Green Bay’s pass rush on the defensive line, and give the Packers their best fourth defensive lineman in quite awhile.

Round 2, Pick 45: Julius Brents – CB – Kansas State
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Brents is very much a Packers type defensive back. 6’2 200 pounds and a 9.99 RAS score. He would allow the Packers to move Rasul Douglas to safety, or even Brents could play safety. Brents would allow defensive coordinator Joe Barry to be more versatile with the Packers defense.

Round 3, Pick 78: Blake Freeland – OT – BYU

I’m not sure if he is their cup of tea, but there is no denying his size and athleticism. 6’7 302 with a 9.83 RAS. He could sit a year behind Bahktiari and build up his core strength, then take over in 2024.

Round 4, Pick 116: Jonathan Mingo – WR – Ole Miss

With Brents being the Packer-est of Packers at corner, Mingo would be that of the wide receivers. At 6’2 220 with a 9.86 RAS score and running a 4.46 40-yard dash, Mingo would instantly add even more athleticism to the wide receiver corps. Mingo could make this one of the deadliest groups of receivers in the NFL. He would be the #3 receiver and could rotate both in the slot (he played 34% of his snaps in 2022 in the slot) and outside, same with Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs.

Round 5, Pick 149: Bryce Ford-Wheaton – WR – West Virginia
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At least athletically, another Packers type of player with BFW coming in a 6’3 220 with a RAS score of 9.97 and a 4.38 40-yard dash. He would instantly bring some size and speed to the special teams where he could be a gunner and be Green Bay’s #4 receiver. Ford-Wheaton is an outside-only receiver.

Round 5, Pick 170: Gervarrius Owens – S – Houston

Owens of course is another freak athlete at 6’0 195 with a 9.21 RAS score. He didn’t have a great 40-yard dash time with a 4.57, but tested out really well everywhere else. He brings a bit of a hitter mentality, but has shown improvement in coverage in 2022. He could come in and play strong safety, playing mostly in the box while he continues to develop his cover skills and could become a starter by year two.

Round 7, Pick 232: Xazavian Valladay – RB – ASU
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Valladay was a transfer from Wyoming who rushed for 1,192 yards and 16 TDs in 2022 on just 215 attempts, he also chipped in 37 catches. He came in at 5’11 204 with an RAS score of 9.46 and ran a 4.46 40-yard dash. His pass blocking does need work, so he can sit as a the #3 back while he works on that and he has special teams experience. He could form a nice duo in 2024 with either AJ Dillion or Aaron Jones.

Round 7, Pick 235: Jordan Howden – S – Minnesota

Howden is a former walk-on who built himself up into an NFL player. He has been a four year starter and has played all over the defensive backfield. He goes 6’0 203 with an 8.88 RAS score and ran a 4.49 40-yard dash at the combine. He has special teams experience and could start out there while he develops a little. Howden can also be a jack-of-all-trades in the secondary and could develop into a starter.

Round 7, Pick 242: Anfernee Orji – LB – Vanderbuilt
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Orji came to Vanderbuilt as a safety, but converted to linebacker in 2021. Which, of course, will draw the Oren Burks comparisons. But this is a 7th round pick. If he develops into anything more than a special teamer and maybe 3rd or 4th linebacker, its just a bonus. Orji came in at 6’1 230 with a 9.23 RAS score, running a 4.53 40-yard dash time. He is obviously still developing. While he has flashed a little as a pass rusher and in coverage, he does need to cut down on the missed tackles.

Round 7, Pick 256: Blake Whiteheart – TE – Wake Forest

Whiteheart has typical TE size at 6’4 247, but has a RAS score of 8.98. He ran an average 4.7 40-yard dash, but had a really good 3-cone time of 6.77, which is better than a lot of receivers. It shows how quick he is in and out of his routes. He wasn’t thrown the ball a lot with all the receivers Wake Forest had, but he made plays in the passing game when he got his hands on the ball. Whiteheart also only had two career drops, and has been good on contested catches. He could be Green Bay’s #3 tight end while he develops some in year one.

And that’s it for this fun take on a Packers mock draft. Hit me up on Twitter @bmaafi to let me know what you think, and stay tuned for more Packers coverage.

Atlanta Falcons Mock Draft

Atlanta Falcons Mock Draft Post FA Edition

It’s time for a brand new Atlanta Falcons mock draft! The Falcons have been making massive splashes throughout the early parts of free agency. They added superstar free agent Jessie Bates III, veteran defensive tackle David Onyemata, re-signed Kaleb McGary, and added fun backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke. After seeing what the Falcons have done so far, it felt like the perfect time to drop a mock draft. So here we go:

(Used www.nflmockdraftdatabase.com for this mock.)

Alabama EDGE Will Anderson, the first pick in this Atlanta Falcons mock draft
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Pick 8: Will Anderson, EDGE, Alabama

The Falcons made some massive moves on defense throughout free agency. The only piece that they seemed to need is adding to the pass rush. Luckily for the Falcons, the best EDGE in the class falls to them at 8. Anderson would step into the edge role opposite of last year’s second-round pick, Arnold Ekebetie, and should create one of the best young pass rush duos in the league.

Pick 44: Tyler Scott, WR, Cincinnati

Word on the street is the Falcons are enamored with Bearcats receiver Tyler Scott. Scott would bring massive big play ability and some familiarity with Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder. Scott doesn’t fall into the “big receiver” type that Arthur Smith historically loves, but he is a converted running back to wide receiver, which would give Smith another massive weapon for the offense.

Pick 75: Darius Rush, CB, South Carolina

Atlanta added a new defensive backs coach in Jerry Gray and a new defensive coordinator in Ryan Nielsen. Part of me has to assume that they will get to pick some of “their guys” in the draft to help lay the foundation of a new and improved defense.

Darius Rush would give the Falcons another good, young corner to play opposite of star corner AJ Terrell. Rush is a longer, more physical corner who plays with great anticipation and awareness. Most of the work he needs are lower body mechanics, which Gray can hopefully fix.

Pick 110: Kenny McIntosh, RB, Georgia

The Falcons already have a “thunder” in current running back Tyler Allgeier; all they have to acquire is the “lightning”. Georgia running back Kenny McIntosh can be that. McIntosh is an explosive back who could step in and be a weapon on passing downs for the Falcons. As current fan favorite Cordarrelle Patterson gets older, McIntosh offers an immediate replacement who brings the same energy and explosiveness out of the backfield.

Pick 113: KJ Henry, EDGE, Clemson

In this mock draft, the Atlanta Falcons double dip at the EDGE position. Clemson pass rusher KJ Henry is a high character player who could hopefully add some juice to a pass rushing unit that severely lacks the ability to create sacks. Henry is a multi-scheme defender who can be used in a variety of ways and would hopefully elevate the back end of the Falcons EDGE room.

Pick 159: McClendon Curtis, OL, Chattanooga

McClendon Curtis is a mountain of a man, coming in at 6’6″ 324 lbs from Chattanooga. Curtis has experience starting at both guard and tackle in college. He has the arms of a tackle and the footwork of a guard, which is what makes him such a tough evaluation. Curtis is a traits-based pick at this point with hope that he could develop into a quality lineman one day.

At this point in the mock, it felt like a nice upside swing pick for an offensive line that has been wildly inconsistent over the past few seasons.

Pick 224: DJ Dale, iDL, Alabama

The Falcons have added to their defensive line with David Oneymata in free agency, but they could benefit from having a second defensive line plug on roster to help free up Grady Jarrett and Ta’Quon Graham to rush the passer. DJ Dale is a stocky 6’1″ 302 lbs defensive tackle who plays bigger than he is. However, even though he plays bigger than he is, his size still gets him into some issues with him being walled off fairly easily.

Pick 225: Dorian Thompson-Robinson, QB, UCLA

UCLA star quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson has been one of the most electric players in college football the past couple of seasons. He is the definition of a dual-threat quarterback. He can make plays through the air and on the ground, as he just dominates most of UCLA’s quarterback records.

DTR could provide some fun wrinkles for Arthur Smith to include into the offense. I think at worst, DTR would become a fun gadget guy in a similar mold as Feleipe Franks. At best, DTR would be a perfect number two quarterback behind new Falcons starter Desmond Ridder.

What do you think of this Atlanta Falcons mock draft? Let Hunter know at @hthompsonFB on Twitter!

Atlanta Falcons Mock Draft

Dueling Mocks: Atlanta Falcons Mock Draft

Atlanta Falcons mock draft
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Hunter’s Falcons Mock Draft (@hthompsonFB)

After the whole Lamar Jackson conversations on Twitter we decided to to take a breather from that and just talk NFL draft. Today, Falcons Around the Block contributors Hunter Thompson and Saivion Mixson go toe to toe in an Atlanta Falcons mock draft duel. Let us know who won over @Falcons_atb on Twitter!

Pick 8: CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State

After choosing not to pursue Lamar Jackson this offseason, I have the Falcons kicking off my mock draft by taking my number one quarterback in the draft. Ohio State’s CJ Stroud is incredibly accurate, poised, and can be the superstar point guard that this offense needs to achieve new heights.

Pick 44: John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota

Drew Dalman was fine this past season, but he had his fair share of issues. For me, adding a franchise quarterback and a starting center in the same draft is too good to pass up. John Michael Schmitz would fit Arthur Smith’s zone blocking scheme to a T and should be able to build long-term chemistry with both Chris Lindstrom and our QB of the future. Oh, he is also the best center in this draft — so that is a bonus.

Pick 75: Zach Harrison, EDGE, Ohio State

New Falcons defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen has a type at EDGE, with what seems to be bigger bodied guys being his preference. Zach Harrison fits that mold at 6’5″ 274lbs. Harrison could be used in a variety of ways across this defensive line as Ryan Nielsen looks to give it any sort of pulse going forward.

Pick 110: Julius Brents, CB, Kansas State

Julius Brents is a Senior Bowl standout who could be enticing for Ryan Nielsen and new defensive backs coach Jerry Gray. Brents and his 6’3″ frame tested very well at the NFL Combine, with a vert of 41.5″ and a broad jump of 11’6″. Those traits could are too enticing for the new defensive staff to pass up on in the fourth round of this Falcons mock draft.

Pick 113: Zacch Pickens, DL, South Carolina

Grady Jarrett can’t do it all by himself from the interior this season. Zacch Pickens is a guy who could be a good rotational piece with Ta’Quon Graham to help complement Grady and keep the defensive line refreshed. Pickens is a 4-year starter for South Carolina’s defense and got better each season. He has a powerful first step that can really disrupt opposing offensive lines.

Pick 161: Jadon Haselwood, WR, Arkansas

Jadon Haselwood falls into that category of “players from Georgia” that Terry Fontenot and Arthur Smith have been talking about. Plus they witnessed his ability first hand at the Shrine Bowl. Haselwood is a possession receiver who never truly broke onto the scene in college, but his frame and skillset could provide a nice piece opposite of Drake London and help chunk away at opposing defenses.

Pick 226: Warren McClendon, OT, Georgia

The Falcons choosing not to tag right tackle Kaleb McGary makes me a little wary of what they could be doing at the position, which is why I grabbed Warren McClendon here. McClendon is a solid lineman who lacks some of the athleticism to be a star, but could develop into a strong swing tackle — or even future starter.

Pick 247: Zack Kuntz, TE, Old Dominion

Is it really an Arthur Smith draft without drafting a tight end? As weird as it sounds, the Falcons could really benefit from upgrading the TE2 spot. Kuntz is a physical specimen with a 6’7″, 255lb frame who tested the best of any TE at the combine this season. He has a lot of work to do in polishing his game, but this late it just feels like a move we would make.

Saivion’s Mock (@MixsonS_NFL)

Pick 8: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois

My FAVORITE cornerback to pair with AJ Terrell. This would lock up the cornerback position for years to come in Atlanta. Do I need to say more?

Pick 44: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama

You can’t simply pass up running backs like Jahmyr Gibbs. An Alvin Kamara-type of back who is more than comfortable receiving in the slot. He would add yet another weapon for the quarterback of the future of this franchise.

Pick 75: Keeanu Benton, iDL, Wisconsin

The interior defensive lineman from Wisconsin is one of Chuck Smith’s protege’s from this draft cycle. You can bet that he will be more than ready to come into camp and add his pass rush chops to a defense begging for help getting to the quarterback.

Pick 110: Andrew Voorhees, iOL, USC

THIRTY EIGHT BENCHPRESS REPS. Now, the ACL tear may cause the Trojan lineman to slide some, but his strength makes his potential as a cornerstone of this Falcons offensive line worth it.

Pick 113: Jayden Reed, WR, Michigan State

Listen, do you want to stretch the field on offense? If so, Jayden Reed is 100% your guy. His ability as a route runner also makes him a perfect pick here, and a fantastic “Robin” to Drake London’s “Batman”.

Pick 161: Ivan Pace Jr., LB, Cincinnati

This is a guy who plays much bigger than his 5’10 and-a-half-inch frame. Pace is an absolute baller and adds a much needed “thumper” to this linebacker room.

Pick 226: YaYa Diaby, EDGE, Louisville

Another combine standout who just so happens to check off the “from Georgia” box that Terry Fontenot has hinted at. Diaby has a solid 6’3″ 263lb frame that would be a nice off-the-bench contributor to a defensive line that needs all the help they can get.

Pick 247: Dorian Thompson-Robinson, QB, UCLA

You really thought we weren’t going to add to the quarterback room? UCLA’s Dorian Thompson-Robinson (DTR) is a fun, athletic option who can be developed into a solid QB2 option for the Arthur Smith offense. And grabbing a guy like this, this late, feels like it’ll work.

Krumich’s 2023 NFL Mock Draft 1.0

Anthony Richardson: Florida Gators quarterback will no longer use 'AR15'  nickname for this reason | CNN
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Alright, folks, it’s time, and I am just so confused by the first round of this draft. None of it makes sense, it doesn’t feel right, and I have no clue what is going on. So with that in mind, let’s get into this 2023 NFL mock draft.

2023 NFL Mock Draft: The Top 10

Pick 1: Bears, Jalen Carter DL

We kick off this 2023 NFL mock draft with Jalen Carter. Firstly, I think that Carter is the pick here. Not because he is the best player, but because he fits best with head coach Matt Eberflus. Don’t get me wrong, Carter is a freak. However, I think there are better players in the NFL draft. Carter with the Bears just feels right in this mock draft.

Pick 2: Texans, Bryce Young QB

Realistically, this is the guy for Houston. Bryce Young is the future for Demeco Ryans and the Texans. Young is a creative, intelligent, and accurate quarterback. He would be perfect for the Shanahan system, now that Ryans has hired an offensive coordinator who (presumably) runs that system.

Pick 3: Cardinals, Will Anderson EDGE

Will Anderson is the best player in this class. Point blank, period. New head coach Jonathan Gannon loves to rush the passer with speed, which is right up Anderson’s ally.

Pick 4: Colts, C.J. Stroud QB

Here is where things start to get weird. I genuinely believe any of C.J. Stroud, Will Levis, or Anthony Richardson could be headed to Indianapolis. I think it’s going to be Stroud, but man, it’s a toss up.

Pick 5: Seahawks, Christian Gonzalez CB

Firstly, at the year’s end, Pete Carroll said this about his defense: “It’s killing me.” So it only feels right he takes a corner early in the draft. This corner class is loaded, and Christian Gonzalez is the best of the bunch. With great length and athleticism, he and Tariq Woolen would be a deadly combo.

Pick 6: Lions, Devon Witherspoon CB

The Lions desperately need cornerback help. They can add a bonafide top-level corner in Devon Witherspoon. Witherspoon has crazy instincts and plays the ball better than most corners. He is an excellent fit in Detroit.

Pick 7: Raiders, Will Levis QB

Listen, I am not the biggest fan of Will Levis, but he just makes more sense here than Anthony Richardson. Levis is very rough around the edges. He has excellent traits; however, he isn’t very refined. Levis’ career is going to be an interesting one.

Pick 8: Falcons, Tyree Wilson EDGE

Now, Tyree Wilson is a freak. His whole draft stock is going to be decided at the combine. He is strong, has prototypical size, and is super versatile. He is an excellent fit for the Falcons, who desperately need to rebuild their defensive line.

Pick 9: Panthers, Anthony Richardson QB

Firstly, Anthony Richardson is really good. Coaching is going to be really important for his development. Carolina feels like the perfect place for him. Head coach Frank Reich can unlock the huge potential of Anthony Richardson.

Pick 10: Eagles, Bijan Robinson RB

Surprisingly, I don’t know what to do with Bijan Robinson in this 2023 NFL mock draft. He is a weapon, but where is he going to get drafted? I have no clue. I know he will go in the first round, but he could go anywhere from 10-31. He makes no sense. Miles Sanders is a free agent, so the Eagles replace him with a better player.

2023 NFL Mock Draft: Picks 11-20

Pick 11: Titans, Peter Skoronski OL

Peter Skoronski will be the first offensive lineman off the board, but where will he play? He can try to play tackle, where he has good tape, but does he have the length to play there? He can play guard, but he feels better suited for tackle.

Pick 12: Texans, Lukas Van Ness EDGE

Realistically, with a defensive head coach, the Texans will go defense here. I think wide receiver is the bigger need, but Van Ness isn’t a bad pick. Firstly, he has a lot of strength. Secondly, his burst and bend are crazy for his size. Lastly, he has sky-high potential.

Pick 13: Jets, Paris Johnson Jr. OT

New York has a Mekhi Becton problem. Robert Salah has to make a choice, run with him or draft another tackle. I am taking the easy way out in this mock draft and drafting a guy who can play inside and out. Paris Johnson Jr. is a beast, but like Peter Skoronski, he can play guard and tackle.

Pick 14: Patriots, Quinton Johnston WR

Bill Belichick is a sicko. He loves fast downfield wide receivers, but only allows them to run curls and jet sweeps. Mac Jones desperately needs a weapon, and Quinton Johnston is just that. Fast, explosive, and has good hands — something I’m sure Mac Jones would welcome in New England.

Pick 15: Packers, Myles Murphy EDGE

We all know this won’t be a wide receiver. However, it will be a freak in Myles Murphy. Murphy is 6’5, 275lbs with crazy speed and burst. However, with how this EDGE class stacks up, I have no clue how far he falls. The Packers just felt like the right place for him.

Pick 16: Commanders, Joey Porter Jr. CB

I don’t think Porter is the best cornerback available (I feel like I have said this a lot). I do think he fits the best in Washington. Porter has an impressive combo of height, weight, and speed. He has also improved technically every year he’s played.

Pick 17: Steelers, Broderick Jones OT

Pittsburg needs offensive line help, and a lot of it. Luckily, Broderick Jones is a lot of human. Jones is a people mover who will help Najee Harris and Kenny Pickett stay upright next season. He would make for an instant starter next year for Pittsburgh.

Pick 18: Lions, Bryan Bresee DL

Many things are going on in Bryan Bresee’s life. Hopefully, the former number 1 recruit in the nation can return to that level. I think Bresee’s versatility will be a huge asset for him. He can play 4i, 3T, or nose tackle on pass downs. The superb athlete has picked up a few severe injuries over the past three years, which is a concern.

Pick 19: Buccaneers, Cam Smith CB

Cam Smith is my CB3 in this class and feels like a steal at 19. The Buccaneers might be blowing it all up. If so, you can’t go wrong with a blue chip corner. A physical and quick cornerback with fluid feet and hips, Cam Smith makes any unit better.

Pick 20: Seahawks, Keion White EDGE

White is a freak off the edge, making him a good fit with Pete Carroll. 6’4 ¾” and 280 pounds with 33 ⅝-inch arms and blazing speed off the edge. Much like their earlier round one pick, Pete Carroll wants a great defense again.

2023 NFL Draft: Picks 21-32

Pick 21: Chargers, Zay Flowers WR

GET JUSTIN HERBERT A PLAYMAKER, PLEASE! That’s really it. Zay Flowers will continue to shoot up draft boards as the cycle continues. He showed out in his one day at the Shrine Bowl, and the buzz was that the Chargers fell in love with him there.

Pick 22: Ravens, Jaxson Smith-Njigba WR

A little run on wide receivers here. The Ravens need to find Lamar Jackson a wide receiver 1 or 2. Honestly, they just need wide receivers. Jaxson Smith-Njigba was the best wide receiver in college football in 2021. With some injuries and the emergence of Marvin Harrison Jr., Smith-Njigba fell to the wayside. Hopefully, he can get back on track in the NFL.

Pick 23: Vikings, Brian Branch S

It is no secret that the Vikings’ secondary was bad. Brian Branch is one of the best athletes in this draft, and new defensive coordinator Brian Flores loves athletes in the secondary.

Pick 24: Jaguars, Kelee Ringo CB

The Jaguars need corner help. Luckily for them, this corner class is absolutely loaded. Kelee Ringo is a super raw corner and is going to need some time. He will be great paired with Tyson Campbell.

Pick 25: Giants, Jordan Addison WR

The Giants have been looking for a game-changing wide receiver. They finally get one in USC’s Jordan Addison. A reliable target throughout his college career, Addison would be an instant impact player in New York.

Pick 26: Cowboys, Jalin Hyatt WR

Jalin Hyatt is a Jerry Jones pick, no questions asked. He has next-level straight-line speed and is good enough at everything else. The majority of his production came on go routes at Tennessee.

Pick 27: Bills, O’Cyrus Torrence IOL

The first true interior offensive lineman off the board, O’Cyrus Torrence is a big man. I think he drops down from his Florida playing weight to get more mobile for the next level. The Bills need to work on their run game, and a blue-chip guard is a perfect place to start.

Pick 28: Bengals, Michael Mayer TE

It feels like we have been talking about Michael Mayer as the next big thing for five years, but now the time has come for him to leave South Bend and head to the NFL. There is no good offensive line value here for Cincinnati, so why not add a great blocking and receiving tight end.

Pick 29: Saints, Nolan Smith EDGE

Nolan Smith is electric. A great athlete, but he doesn’t have a great pass-rush arsenal. He falls here to 29, making the Saints’ pass rush even more deadly. Smith is going to test really will at the combine, which could lead to him climbing draft boards.

Pick 30: Eagles, Emmanuel Forbes CB

After the Super Bowl, it feels like secondary will be on the Eagles’ minds. Emmanuel Forbes has been shooting up draft boards of late, and now makes it into the first round with Philly.

Pick 31: Chiefs, Dawand Jones OT

Dawand Jones is a mountain of a human. Nicknamed “Big Thanos” by teammates, Jones is a certified people mover. The Chiefs’ two tackles are free agents, and everyone knows there is never enough money to go around after you win a Super Bowl. This solves a potential tackle problem.

With that, this 2023 NFL mock draft comes to an end. We only have 31 picks this year (thanks, Miami), so one less player will be getting first-round money. This is just the first iteration of this year’s mock draft, and a lot will change post-combine.