Hello one and all and welcome to the first officially official Draft "Expert" Mock Draft! Isn't this exciting everyone? I, Logan Blackman host of the Logan Blackman Show, am making a mock draft that will be irrelevant in about a month or so. Players will inevitably get hurt, stocks will change, playoff places will change, there's just so many variables that will make this worthless in no time.
To me, this mock draft is pretty straight forward, as I don't think there should be too many surprises placed before you. That being said, I did struggle on a couple selections, mostly because there are a couple teams I'm about 50/50 on when it comes to drafting a quarterback, especially since there's a few good ones available.
You can skip around if you want but for the picks you stop at, take the time to read the description, that way you can somewhat understand my reasoning. I'm not going to please everyone, but I'd like you to understand where I'm coming from.
With that being said, which quarterback will get taken first? How many will be taken in the top 10? Will the Lions take a quarterback? Who will be the first defender taken? Will there be more than one running back taken? All that will be answered here on our first official mock draft of the 2023 NFL Draft cycle! Please enjoy!
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Pictured: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky; Jalen Carter, DL, Georgia; Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
1. Houston Texans - Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
To the surprise of pretty much no one, the Houston Texans are a bad football team. Though they are a bad team, they're not completely hopeless, like some teams have been in the past. Thanks to the Cleveland Browns trading for Deshaun Watson the Texans hold two first round picks, and with their first one they should select the quarterback of the future. To me, though there are other options, I think Will Levis may wind up being the first quarterback taken in the 2023 NFL Draft. Before you say anything yes, I am aware that Levis did not necessarily put his best foot forward this season, especially since there was supposed to be growth in his game from his first year at Kentucky to now. Though that growth, seemingly, wasn't there, I think Levis possesses the most desirable traits out of any quarterback in this draft, which could see him jump up to the number one spot in the draft. Just comparing him to the other 'top' guys, Bryce Young and CJ Stroud, Levis' size, arm strength, and athleticism will probably give him the edge over those two. Though he didn't put up anywhere near the same numbers the other two guys did, Levis undoubtably is bigger than Young and has a strong arm than Stroud, while also being quite a bit bigger than the pair. Though a bunch of people won't like it, these traits mixed with an insane work ethic will make him a very desirable target when the draft rolls around. Again, you may disagree or just flat out hate it, but this may just end up happening, despite his weird love for mayonnaise in coffee.
2. Seattle Seahawks (via Denver) - Jalen Carter, DL, Georgia
Like we discussed with the Texans before, the Seattle Seahawks posses two first round picks after sending Russell Wilson to Denver. After that trade, who would've thought that the Seahawks first pick would actually belong to the Denver Broncos. Did anyone actually think the Seahawks would be this much better than the Denver Broncos after trading, arguably, their greatest ever player? Leaving them in the unsteady hands of one Geno Smith? Not I, and I'm sure most of you feel the same way. Like we insinuated before, with the Broncos offense easily being the worst in the league, the Seahawks currently hold on to the third overall pick, and like the Bears before them, have the opportunity to take the best player available, which in this case is Georgia's Jalen Carter. As the season has gone on, Jalen Carter has slowly been talked about becoming the top ranked player in the NFL Draft, with his size mixed with his ability to stop the run and get after the passer interior of the defense being second to none in this draft class. At 6'3" 300 lbs., Carter possesses great athleticism from the interior, causing problems with each and every snap, despite not putting up insane numbers. Super explosive and super talented, Carter's ceiling is extremely high and would certainly help out along the Seahawks defensive line, which ranks near the bottom in rush defense, giving up 155.3 yards per game. Also, there's apparently some 'character concerns' regarding Carter, but Seattle has never really let that get in the way of drafting a solid player. Carter is just simply too good to pass up.
3. Chicago Bears - Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Alabama
Like the Texans before, the Bears are not that good. That being said, there is one glaring difference between the Bears and the Texans, which comes at the quarterback position, where Justin Fields has flashed his potential on numerous occasions this season. Though he can be very up and down, when he's clicking on all cylinders he can almost be impossible to stop. His running ability mixed with his size and a solid arm make for a very good option at quarterback for the future of the Chicago Bears, which is something Bears fans haven't said too often in recent times. So, with quarterback out of the way, the Bears can go on to strengthening their squad with the best player available. Though offensive line and receiver will be a top a lot of Bears fans wishlists this offseason, those two positions are relatively out of the question if they hold onto the second overall pick. When you think of the 'top' positions in the NFL Draft, your mind should be drawn to quarterback, offensive tackle (namely left tackle), and edge rusher, as those are widely considered to be the 'premiere' positions in the sport. So, like we said before, with quarterback not an issue and with it being too early for a tackle, the Bears should move for an edge rusher, and look no further than Alabama's Will Anderson Jr.. An absolute work horse of a pass rusher, Anderson's relentless pressure makes him the top pass rusher in the country. Though his numbers aren't as mind boggling as they were last year, he's still causing problems for opposing offensive lines, registering 10 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss. He has also registered 124 pressures over these past two seasons, which is a staggering 49 more than the next closest in college football. With the Bears trading aging star Robert Quinn to Philadelphia, there's a hole at the edge rusher position. Anderson should be able to fill that hole with ease, giving the Bears a real threat coming off the edge.
4. Detroit Lions (via Los Angeles) - Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
Like we mentioned with the Seattle Seahawks, after trading their quarterback, Matthew Stafford, to the Los Angeles Rams, who would've thought the first of the Lions two first round draft picks would've originally belonged to the Rams? Once again I say, not I, especially since the Rams are fresh off winning their second Super Bowl in franchise history. This season has just been weird, hasn't it? As for the Lions, they are in a pretty interesting spot. On one hand, their defense is one of the worst in the league, and could definitely do with an upgrade, but on the other, quarterback Jared Goff, though not bad by any means, is likely not the 'quarterback of the future' for the Detroit Lions moving forward. It's a really weird spot for the Lions because Goff is, arguably, playing some of the best football of his career, but again, they've got to start planning for the future. With Goff's contract expiring in 2024, now may be the best time to pounce on one of the top quarterbacks in the class, if not the top quarterback in the class. As of right now, to me, Alabama's Bryce Young is the most talented quarterback in the draft. Though he's not the biggest quarterback out there, a relatively small 6'0" 194 lbs. according to Alabama's website, he's got all the things you look for in a franchise quarterback. He's got the arm talent, the maneuverability, and he's a great leader. This past season Alabama's entire offense went through Young. Though that's expected from a Heisman Trophy winner, their offense went so much through him that if he was even the slightest off, they were going to struggle. Young's ability to move around the pocket and avoiding tacklers is almost second to none in this draft. So again, though he's not the biggest quarterback in this class, his skillset is such that he should be one of the top picks in the draft, even despite how well Jared Goff has been playing this season. (as of right now, I think Young is the only quarterback the Lions would take, would draft a defender if he wasn't there)
5. Philadelphia Eagles (via New Orleans) - Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson
Ever since Howie Roseman has been the GM of the Philadelphia Eagles he has seemingly valued one thing over most, and that is building a team through the trenches. Throughout his time in Philly the Eagles have possessed one of, if not the best offensive and defensive lines in the NFL. Players like Brandon Graham, Jason Kelce, Fletcher Cox, Vinny Curry, Lane Johnson, Isaac Seumalo, Halapoulivaati Vaitai, Derek Barnett, Josh Sweat, Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, and most recently, Jordan Davis and Cam Jurgens, have all been drafted and have played, somewhat, significant roles for the Eagles since Roseman took over as GM in 2010, apart from Jurgens who will replace Kelce, seemingly, after this season. With their first pick, thanks to the Saints, I think the Eagles should address the trenches, once again. Though I think they'll focus on the defensive line, there's a few directions they could go. One direction is taking Clemson's Bryan Bresee to be a future game wrecking partner with Jordan Davis. With the Eagles aging interior Bresee could be a wise pick. The other direction is taking another Clemson Tiger, this time in the form of Myles Murphy. Much like the interior, the edges are getting up there in age, with Brandon Graham and recently traded for Robert Quinn on the wrong side of 30, with Quinn also currently out for the year with a back injury with both being free agents this coming offseason. Not to mention former first round pick Derek Barnett has played 16-games only once during his five year career. With his ability to play both inside and outside, I'm edging a little more towards Myles Murphy for the Eagles here at pick number five. At 6'5" 275 lbs., Murphy is a force to be reckoned with coming off the edge. Extremely explosive, Murphy has registered 6.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss to go along with 30 pressures this season for Clemson, according to ESPN, being a main cog in one of the best defensive lines in all of college football, which just seems to be the norm at Clemson. With the Eagles run defense not as good as it normally is, Murphy would help plug up some holes along the edges, making it more formidable. We already discussed Murphy's ability to play both as an edge rusher and a d-tackle, further boosting his draft stock. Good against the run and explosive in against the pass, players as big, explosive, and versatile as Murphy don't last too long in the draft, so I'd suspect Howie Roseman would love to scoop him up if he were available.
6. Arizona Cardinals - Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern
Hopefully this season sees the end of Kliff Kingsbury and his time in the desert. As one of the more talented teams in the NFL, the Cardinals can seemingly never get out of their own way, and now with star quarterback Kyler Murray out with a torn ACL, the Cardinals chances of reaching their true potential is essentially two years away. As of right now, the Cardinals hold the sixth overall pick, and weirdly one of only three teams in the top six to hold their own pick, sharing that honor with the Texans and the Bears, which are two teams I don't think a lot of Cardinals fans are excited to hear them compared to. The Cardinals could go a couple directions with this pick. They could strengthen the secondary by grabbing one of the top corners, a d-lineman to eventually replace the aging JJ Watt, or an offensive tackle to help protect Kyler Murray. If Murray wasn't injured I may pick another position but the Cardinals need to protect their most valuable asset, which is something that has been hard to come by for Kyler this year, despite his injury coming outside the pocket. With Kelvin Beachum turning 34 in June, while also a pending free agent, and DJ Humphries out for the season with a back injury, I think tackle could be the way to go, and the best one, to me, is Northwestern's Peter Skoronski. Similarly to another Wildcat in Rashawn Slater, Skoronski doesn't necessarily posses the natural size for an offensive tackle at the next level, standing at 6'4" and weighing 315 lbs., but for what he lacks in 'size' he makes up for with damn near perfect technique and speed. Per ESPN, over 33-starts at left tackle, Skoronski has allowed just three sacks, which is really damn impressive. His speed allows him to rarely get beat by opposing pass rushers and allows him to make his blocks down the field in the run game as well, while his technique keeps him sound and sees him win most, if not all, positioning battles at the line of scrimmage. Skoronski would be a very wise addition for a not-so-good offensive line.
7. Indianapolis Colts - CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State
The Colts are kind of a mess right now. After trading Carson Wentz to the Washington Commanders this offseason, they went out and traded for former NFL MVP Matt Ryan, a move that was seen as an upgrade by most who looked at it, including myself. I thought, though older, the addition of Ryan would be perfect for the Colts, who were a catastrophic loss to the Jaguars in week 18 last year away from making the Playoffs. With a seemingly solid defense and the reigning NFL rushing champ the Colts looked set to potentially re-take the AFC South. Unfortunately, that has not happened, as the Colts currently sit at 4-8-1, looking anemic, at best, on offense so far this season. Though Jeff Saturday was brought on to replace Frank Reich for the time being, I highly doubt he's the Colts long term option as head coach, same goes for Ryan, and I'm sure owner Jim Irsay is wanting to solve these issues with rigorous speed. Now, though the Colts could go out this offseason and either trade for a quarterback or sign one off the streets in free agency, I feel like Irsay is wanting to draft their next quarterback, and in a relatively deep class, he should be able to find one, and maybe could do so with the Colts first pick. To me, I think Ohio State's CJ Stroud could be their answer at the quarterback position. Now, Stroud may not be as big or have as strong of an arm as Will Levis, or be as athletic as Bryce Young, but the dude is super precise when in the pocket, playing as his team's point guard throughout his time at Ohio State. Able to make every throw on the field with great touch and accuracy, Stroud put up very impressive numbers in back-to-back seasons for the Buckeyes, which saw him be named a Heisman Trophy finalist for the second straight season. Stroud should fit in nicely with this Colts offense as they boast a solid rushing attack, decent enough weapons on the outside (though they should look at adding some more options this offseason), and, most importantly, a veteran quarterback to learn under before he's ready to take the field, if they intend to keep Ryan around this offseason.
8. Las Vegas Raiders - Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech
The Vegas Raiders are a very interesting team. Offensively, the boast some of the best weapons in the NFL, with Josh Jacobs and Davante Adams ranking in the top three in their respected positional categories, with Jacobs currently leading the league in rushing yards, totaling 1,402 yards up to this point in the season. Apart from some pieces on the offensive line, the Raiders have put up some pretty decent numbers on the offensive side of the ball, ranking in the top 10 in total offense and 11th in points per game. The problem is that their defense can't stop anybody, as the Raiders rank in the bottom 10 in both total defense and points allowed per game, with their defensive line being one of the main areas of concern so far this season. Outside of Maxx Crosby, the Raiders d-line could be considered one of the worst in the league, getting little to no pressure on opposing quarterbacks with only four teams registering less sacks than the Raiders across these past two seasons, per ESPN. When looking at their depth outside of Crosby on the edges, it's not great. Former fourth overall pick, and draft classmate of Crosby, Clelin Ferrell, has been a disappointment since he walked into the league, not at all living up to his draft pick. Chandler Jones was brought in this offseason to replace Indianapolis bound Yannick Ngakoue, but hasn't done a whole lot this season and will turn 33 in February. All in all, the Raiders need to replenish their d-line, and Texas Tech's Tyree Wilson could definitely help them in getting after the quarterback. At 6'6" 275 lbs., Wilson could very well be the Travon Walker of this class. With his size and athleticism, Wilson has the ability to play either as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense or with his hand in the dirt as a 4-3 defensive end. Getting after the passer, Wilson can create separation between himself and pass blockers, while also using his power and speed to get around them, even when engaged. His aforementioned length and power helps in the run game as well, as he's able to shed blockers and haul in backs before they really get a chance to breathe. Wilson is one of my favorite players in the class and I think he would fit in nicely in Vegas.
9. Carolina Panthers - Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
The Panthers have had trouble finding a quarterback since letting Cam Newton walk a few short years ago. They've tried everything, where that's trading for one, signing one in free agency, drafting one, or hell, even bringing back said legend when he's a wee bit past his best. The likes of Teddy Bridgewater, Will Grier, PJ Walker, Sam Darnold, and Baker Mayfield have failed to show any real life as the Panthers next franchise quarterback, with Bridgewater and Mayfield getting traded or cut shortly after the time with the Panthers began. Though there's still somewhat of a chance for Darnold, or the currently injured Matt Corral, to take hold of the job, I'm sure owner David Tepper will want to take a quarterback with their first pick of the draft. Though he may be a massive project, Florida's Anthony Richardson could be the Panthers answer at quarterback. Like we just said, Anthony Richardson is an extremely raw quarterback prospect, viewed widely as someone who could be a 'two year project.' Though that may be the case, I think Richardson may be the most talented quarterback in the class. Much like Josh Allen in 2018, Richardson makes some throws that make your jaw drop, while, in the same breath, make some throws that make you scratch your head. His decision making is a little up and down at times, but when he's on, there's not a lot of better quarterbacks out there, in my opinion. His combination of size, insanely arm strength, and athletic ability make him a real polarizing prospect, which could see him either go really high or really low in the draft, though I doubt he'd slip out of the second if he did fall. With Sam Darnold currently there, he could be the 'bridge quarterback' until Richardson's full ready to take over. Richardson has the potential to be truly special.
10. Atlanta Falcons - Bryan Bresee, DL, Clemson
The Falcons are a pretty strange team. On one hand, they are not a good football team, but on the other, there is still a change that they win the NFC South. Why is it, every time there seems to be a sub .500 division winner, it always comes from this division? I don't know how many times it's happened but it feels like a lot. That being said, the Falcons still are not a good team, and have a fair amount of holes across the roster, mainly on the defensive side. The past couple drafts they've gone after offensive skill players, but I feel like the time has finally come to address the defense with their first pick. With the Falcons lining up in a 3-4 defensive front, I think someone like Clemson's Bryan Bresee would be a very wise choice, if he were available. Bresee, a former five star recruit, tore his ACL at the beginning of the 2021 season, and has come back this season with a vengeance, playing very aggressively and with great explosiveness, dude could be the perfect partner for Davis in the middle of the Eagles defense. By adding Bresee, the Falcons would be getting an excellent run stopping defender, which is what Clemson seemingly breeds nowadays, while also getting someone with a decent pass rush ceiling, despite him only registering 2.5 sacks this season. Bresee's power and athleticism allows him to get past run blockers with ease, and his athletic ceiling sees him becoming a solid pass rusher at the next level. I think for the Falcons to get better as a team, they've got to add some more pressure from the defensive line, and I think Bresee, again, could be the guy to help add some. I think he'd be a very good fit for the Falcons defense.
11. Jacksonville Jaguars - Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
Trevor Lawrence is starting to come into his own down in Jacksonville. Since firing Urban Meyer and hiring Super Bowl winning head coach, and former NFL quarterback, Doug Pederson, Lawrence and the Jaguars have looked like a solid unit, unlike the mess that they were last year. This offseason, along with hiring Pederson, the Jaguars went out and splashed the cash, bringing in wide receivers Zay Jones and Christian Kirk, tight end Evan Engram, and guard Brandon Scherff to help solidify the offense. They also were somewhat active on trade deadline day, making a move to bring in the currently suspended Calvin Ridley. So, are they as desperate for a number one wide receiver as they were in years past? Not necessarily, but when you have the opportunity to keep adding weapons around your young quarterback you should do it. So, with this pick I have them taking TCU's Quentin Johnston. Johnston is an absolute unit at the wide receiver position. At 6'4" 215 lbs., Johnston can out run and out jump almost any defender that dares to cover him down the field. Though he started the season slow, Johnston has really kicked it into gear, registering over 40-yards receiving in every game since the start of October, in a mainly run first offense. Against top-25 opposition is where Johnston seems to be at his best, going for over 130-yards three times this season, all against top-25 teams, going for 206 against Kansas on October 8th. He may not have reached the thousand yard mark, but Johnston physical tools should be enough to see him become the first receiver taken in the draft. Dude is just an absolute monster out wide and would give Jacksonville a true number one option.
12. Houston Texans (via Cleveland) - Jordan Addison, WR, USC
After trading Deshaun Watson to the Cleveland Browns this past offseason, the Texans are the proud holders of two first round draft picks. After getting their quarterback of the future with their first pick, hopefully, the Texans should go out and get him a number one option on the outside. Though he may not be the most physically imposing receiver out there, USC's Jordan Addison is the next best receiver in this class after Johnston. Like we just said, though Addison isn't the biggest, standing at 6'0" and weighing 175 lbs., he makes up for with fantastic speed and an innate ability to create separation down the field, being one of the best deep threats in all of college football over the past two seasons. After totaling 1,593 yards and 17 touchdowns during his final season at Pitt, Addison made the move to the west coast this past offseason, linking up with Lincoln Riley and eventual Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams. While at SC, though Addison didn't register the same numbers, his 875 yards and eight touchdowns were good for tops on the team. Dude possesses insane burst and can challenge almost any defender for 50-50 balls, though he's not the biggest, kind of similar to Buffalo's Stefon Diggs in that way. Again, after drafting Levis first overall, the Texans should definitely look to get him a true number one option, especially with Brandin Cooks linked with a move away from the organization. I think Levis' arm strength mixed with Addison's speed could be very fun to see down in Houston for year's to come.
13. Pittsburgh Steelers - Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State
Last Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers made the move to draft Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett in the first round, becoming the Steelers first first round pick used on a quarterback since they took Ben Roethlisberger in 2004. Not only that, Pickett wound up being the only quarterback taken in the first two rounds of the draft, with Desmond Ridder becoming the second quarterback taken all the way down at pick 74. When investing in a young quarterback with a first round draft pick you want to show him that they're your guy moving forward by getting him some sort of weapon or protection. Though Tomlin is a defensive coach and would maybe like some help on defense, the Steelers offensive line has been somewhat of a problem area for the team over the past few seasons, with many fans wanting a linemen when they took running back Najee Harris with the 24th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. So really, drafting Ohio State's Paris Johnson Jr. would be a positive move for the Steelers last two first round picks, not just Kenny Pickett. That being said, this should definitely be the move for Pittsburgh in the 2023 NFL Draft. At 6'6" 310 lbs., Johnson possesses the prototypical size teams are looking for in bookend offensive tackles. A former guard, Johnson's ability to play both inside and out has helped him game through his time at Ohio State, being a very effective mover while showing off some nice flexibility. Since moving to left tackle, Johnson has allowed just one sack and six pressures, making the move from guard to tackle look easy, despite that not being the case. Moves well in the run game while being very fast in the pass game, Johnson could be someone to help rectify some of the Steelers offensive line woes from recent years.
14. Green Bay Packers - Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
I don't really know which direction the Green Bay Packers will go with their first round selection. Though a lot of people out there would love to see them take a receiver, they honestly don't have that bad of a receiving room, it's just really young and inexperienced. Players like Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson have been good, in spurts, this season, and the Packers will surly want to see them more consistent in regards to catching the ball, but they're too solid options that could build a nice chemistry with Aaron Rodgers, or even Jordan Love should he be given the opportunity. With receiver out of the way, kind of, that allows us to either look at edge rusher, offensive line, or possibly tight end with this pick. With the top edge rushers already off the board, I think the Packers could move for someone like Michael Mayer with this pick, giving them a solid option at the tight end position. Look, I know tight end isn't usually seen as the most glamorous position, but thanks to Travis Kelce and George Kittle, tight end has become one of the more celebrated positions in the NFL today, with there being a Tight End University and even a National Tight Ends Day. I think Michael Mayer could be next in line as one of those great tight ends. Nicknamed 'Baby Gronk,' Mayer is an excellent pass catcher who is almost as equally dominant in the run game. While at Notre Dame, Mayer registered 180 catches for 2,099 yard and 18 touchdowns, breaking a few Notre Dame tight end records along the way. Mayer really comes in that Kelce/Kittle mold as someone who is too big for corners and safeties and too fast for linebackers, making him a true match-up nightmare both in the middle of the field and the red zone. He'll need to work on some technique run blocker, but the blueprint is there for him to be an even more dominant run blocker, which is saying something. With Robert Tonyan struggling to stay healthy at times and becoming a free agent this coming offseason, moving for someone like Mayer would be great for the Packers, in both in the run and pass game.
15. Detroit Lions - Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
Unlike most Draft's, the corners aren't necessarily at the top of everybody's wish list. Like, let's just look back to last year, we had two corners taken within the first four picks, with Derek Stingley going third to the Texans and Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner going to the Jets at four. If this scenario plays out, this would be the first draft since 2019 to not have a single corner taken within the first 10 picks, which just feels weird, right? It's not like this group isn't talented, because they are, it's just that teams have greater needs at this point, I guess. Well, with that being said, we have our first corner coming off the board here at 15 to the Lions, where they take Joey Porter Sr.'s son, Joey Porter Jr.. This would certainly fit Dan Campbell's style in regards to recruiting coachers, wouldn't it? Like, if you just look up and down the Lions sideline you see a bunch of former players. Coaches like JT Barrett, Mark Brunell, Hank Fraley, Aaron Glenn, Antwaan Randle El, Kelvin Sheppard, and Duce Staley all saw time in the NFL, with some being some actual decent players. So, if he can't bring on a former player as a player, why not just bring out his son? Makes sense, right? Jokes aside, adding Joey Porter Jr. fills a pretty big hole for the Lions defense, as the Lions have one of the worst defenses in the league, ranking in the bottom three in total defense, passing defense, and points per game, while also ranking in the bottom 10 in regards to run defense. They desperately need some help on the defensive side of the ball, even more so since their offense is actually playing pretty well at this moment in time. I think Joey Porter Jr. would elevate a lot of the problems this defense is facing, especially with Mike Hughes and Amani Oruwariye entering free agency this offseason. At 6'2" 194 lbs., Porter possesses great, natural size for the corner back position, while also possessing great hip mobility and flexibility, being able to cover anyone on the field. He's also a very aggressive and physical defender, being able to push receivers off their route, making it harder for the opposing team to beat him deep. He may only have one career interception, but Porter has the ability to be special at the next level. I think Dan Campbell would love an aggressive and physical corner on his defense.
16. Los Angeles Chargers - Lukas Van Ness, DL, Iowa
Throughout the 21st century, the Chargers, whether in LA or San Diego, have always been that team that is talented enough to challenge for the division and league titles, yet, for some reason, they continually shoot themselves in the foot. Now, some of that they can't really control, i.e. injures, but it just seems to happen to them more often than most other teams in the NFL. With Justin Herbert at quarterback, the Chargers will always be in games, but it's just a matter if whether or not the defense can do enough to slow down or stop to opposing offense. With Brandon Staley the current head coach, the Chargers have invested quite a bit of time and money into his defense, bringing in the likes of JC Jackson and Khalil Mack this offseason, hoping to sure up the cornerback and edge rusher positions. Pairing them with Joey Bosa and Derwin James, among others, makes for a fun defense, but there's still room for improvement, mainly along the defensive line. Being the former defensive coordinator for the Rams, Staley knows the importance of a solid defensive line, having coached Michael Brockers and Aaron Donald in his solo season as d-coordinator. Also on that Rams d-line was Sebastian Joseph-Day, who is a solid option but other than that, the Chargers d-line is the weakest part of their defense, and I'm sure Staley would want to address this. So, I think the Chargers should look to add someone like Iowa's Lukas Van Ness here with their first pick of the draft. At 6'5" 275 lbs., Van Ness possesses insane power from the defensive end position. In Iowa's 4-3 defensive set up, Van Ness has spent time both at defensive end and at 3-tech, which is where he'd probably line up in the NFL, especially in the Chargers 3-4 defensive scheme. Nicknamed 'Hercules' by some, Van Ness could be a very nice fit along the Chargers defensive front. He has a very nice spin move and plays with great leverage, regardless if he's playing inside or outside. He's a tireless player, and I think he'd be a very nice addition to this Chargers defense. Staley would love him.
17. Seattle Seahawks - Brian Branch, S, Alabama
I know we said this before but isn't it weird that the Seahawks first pick, second overall, belongs to the reigning Super Bowl Champs? While this one, just outside the Playoff picks, belongs to the Seahawks? This draft could work out extremely well for the team out of the Pacific Northwest, just got to make sure you hit all your picks, which if this is the scenario, then they definitely did. After snagging Georgia's Jalen Carter with their first selection, the Seahawks should dip their preverbal hand back in the defensive cookie jar and look to either add another piece to an already talented defense. Like, looking at the Seahawks 2022 NFL Draft, they did an excellent job at securing some very talented players. Secondary pieces like Coby Bryant and Tariq Woolen were fantastic finds in the later rounds, with the latter currently being the top vote getter for corners in this year's Pro Bowl. With this pick, I think the Seahawks should take the best defensive player available, and to me, that is Alabama's Brian Branch. A safety by trade, Branch can play literally anywhere on the defensive side of the ball. Playing as Nick Saban's 'STAR' role on defense, you'll see Branch line up in deep coverage as a safety, in the slot as a nickel, or along the line of scrimmage, either getting after the passer or making plays in the run game. In that 'STAR' role you cannot, by any means, be afraid of contact, and Branch certainly isn't, ranking in the top three for Alabama in regards to total tackles. Pete Carroll loves a 'do everything' defender, and adding Branch would give the Seahawks so many options in the back end of their defense. Though Coby Bryant has played well in the slot, adding Branch would push him to the outside, giving the Seahawks one of the most talented, and young, secondaries in the entire NFL. But hey, with Jamal Adams and Quandre Diggs getting up there in age, maybe Branch plays some safety, but again, the dude can do everything, so I'm sure they'll find a role for him.
18. New York Jets - Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
The Jets will be one of the teams to watch entering the 2023 NFL Draft. Why? Because there's some question marks surrounding them and the quarterback position. After taking BYU's Zach Wilson with the second overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the team has kind of been left with more questions than answers surrounding the position. With Zach Wilson getting bench in favor of Mike White, people will start to wonder what the future holds for Wilson, as well as ask if Mike White is the long term solution with the Jets at quarterback. Though I think the Jets may try to get Jimmy Garoppolo this offseason, I can't fault White's toughness and his teammates admiration for him. Cool stuff. Though those questions will arise, I would guess they'd look somewhere else in the draft, maybe try to re-fortify the offensive line. Much like when they drafted Wilson in 2021, the Jets took Louisville's Mekhi Becton with the 11th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft and again, are left with more questions than answers. The only issue is that there seems to be less answers in regards to the tackle position than the quarterback position, with Becton missing the past two seasons due to injury. With GM Joe Douglas a former offensive lineman, I wouldn't be shocked for him to move for a Becton replacement here at 18, or wherever they pick. After Skoronski and Johnson, the next obvious tackle would be Georgia's Broderick Jones. More like Skoronski than Johnson, Jones may not necessarily possess the 'natural' size teams are looking for in offensive tackles, standing at 6'4" and weighing 310 lbs.. That being said, for what he 'lacks' in size he makes up for in strength and mobility. Per PFF, in 399 pass blocking snaps for Jones, he has allowed just one hit on the quarterback, but more importantly, no sacks. When a quarterback behind Jones, you should feel very well protected. He may not be the finished product yet, but you have to like what you've seen up until this point. Again though, Jones possesses powerful hands/upper body and quick feet, he could be a real issue for edge rushers at the next level, if developed right.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
The Buccaneers are not that good right now. As we sit here today, the Bucs are 6-7, holding on to the division lead for dear life with only four games to go, not to mention they're coming off an embarrassing 35-7 to Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers, the first rookie quarterback to ever beat Tom Brady in his first start. Impressive from the former Mr. Irrelevant but seriously, Tampa, how the hell did that happen? Like, the Niners had no issue moving the ball down the field in that game, and that was even without Deebo Samuel for most of it. What the hell are Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals going to do to this defense this coming week if that's what they allowed Purdy to do? Crazy. That being said though, the Bucs need to sure up their defense. I'm aware they can't do it before the Bengals game but they need to address it in the offseason. The main position of worry for the Bucs is at corner, as Jamel Dean and Sean Murphy-Bunting will be entering free agency this offseason. I don't know which corner they'll target, if they go that way, but I think the next best option is Oregon's Christian Gonzalez. At 6'2" 201, Gonzalez has elite size for the position, possessing fantastic size and length, which gives him the upper hand on most receivers. Speaking of receivers, Gonzalez, arguably, has the best hands in the draft, picking off two passes against his former team in a 49-10 route in Boulder, totaling four on the season. To go along with his interceptions, Gonzalez also was responsible for 11 passes defender. Those and the interceptions both ranked near the top in the PAC-12 this past season. So again, great size to go along with great ball skills, Gonzalez could go a lot hire than this but for now, Tampa will be happy he fell to them here. Gonzalez would be an instant upgrade for the Bucs defense.
20. Tennessee Titans - Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
The Tennessee Titans are a very strange team. Yes, they are currently winning their division, but they by no means have a stranglehold on this thing like they had over these past couple years. Yes, the Titans have still managed to win all but one game in division play this season, but they don't have as easy as they used to. Offensively, the Titans are super one dimensional, and though that dimension comes in the form of Derrick Henry, they've got to have some other kind of option. After trading star receiver AJ Brown to the Eagles, in turn drafting Arkansas' Treylon Burks, the Titans sit near the bottom of the league in regards to yards gained by receivers, with only the three win Bears sitting lower. I think Burks will be a nice option for the Titans going forward, as he's put forth some nice performances every now and again, but just hasn't been able to stay on the field this season, and a mixture of Burks being hurt and Brown dominating in Philly saw the Titans part ways with GM Jon Robinson. Again, the Titans have one of the best running backs in the league, but he can't do it all, there has to be some other option in this offense. So, with their first pick I think they go back to the wide receiver route and take Ohio State's Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Though extremely talented, I'm sure Titans fans will be a little weary about Smith-Njigba's health, given how Treylon Burks has battled a bunch of injuries this year. That may be a concern to some, but believe me, when he's on, there's not a lot of better receivers in the country better than Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Like, dude was the main option for quarterback CJ Stroud even when the Buckeyes had Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, the 10th and 11th picks of the 2022 NFL Draft, respectfully. Out of all the receivers in this draft class, Smith-Njigba is the best, and most natural, route runner. Coming mostly out of the slot, though he doesn't have blazing speed, JSN ability to create separation is almost second to none in this class, dude just explodes out of breaks, it's awesome to watch. Again, though a hamstring injury has completely derailed his season, JSN's skills as a route runner and his ability to make some ridiculous catches will keep him in the first round. Hell, if he proves his hamstring is completely healthy, I wouldn't be shocked if he was the first receiver off the board, but for now, Tennessee can be thankful that he fell to them at 20.
21. New England Patriots - Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
As a Buffalo Bills fan, I for one love seeing the Patriots struggle. I know they're not struggling the same way other teams struggle, but it's still enjoyable as hell to see the once great franchise be considered a borderline playoff team instead of a guaranteed division winner. One thing that I love more than anything is that the New England Patriots, yes, those Patriots, are employing Matt Patricia, a defensive coach, and Joe Judge, orchestrator of the third and nine quarterback sneak, as co-offensive coordinators. It's truly something to behold. Now, though the Patriots offense isn't great, and they could use another wide out or an offensive lineman or something, I think Bill Belichick will want to address the defensive side of the ball. Granted, though I think they'll address a position on defense, the Patriots are still considered one of the top units in the league, ranking in the top 10 in yards and points allowed per game. Though they're still good as a unit, I think the position of corner could be addressed, as they haven't done anything to really replace the now Charger JC Jackson. Though Jack and Marcus Jones have played well, the Patriots will need to replace Jonathan Jones and Jalen Mills at some point, so why not look to add a corner here? With Georgia's Kelee Ringo still somehow on the board, the Patriots move rather quickly to scoop him up here at 21. Though an extremely raw corner, Ringo is one of only a few corners to not allow a single touchdown this season. His size and speed make him a real match-up nightmare for opposing quarterbacks and receivers, it's just that his technique can be a little wonky at times. He has hauled in some big interceptions while at Georgia, picking off Hendon Hooker and Will Levis this year while also securing Georgia's National Championship by returning a Bryce Young interception for touchdown back in January. I think physically, Ringo is one of the more naturally talented corners in the draft, and I think if he fell to Belichick he could become one of the top corners in the league, for sure.
22. Washington Commanders - Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
The Washington Commanders are a team that for whatever reason just won't go away, and I for one am sick of it. The Commanders are one of the most unlikeable franchises in the league since Dan Snyder took hold of the franchise back in 1999, and have turned a once great franchise into a laughing stock. That being said, again, they just won't die this season. After starting 1-4, the Commanders have won six of their last eight games, losing one to the Vikings by three and tying 20-20 with the New York Giants in the other. Not to mention they beat the Philadelphia Eagles in Philly during that stretch as well. So, as of right now the Commanders sit at 7-5-1 and are currently the six seed in the NFC. Though they are the six seed there are improvements that could be made to this roster, mainly along the offensive line and in the secondary. Quarterback could be an option but I believe those are more pressing issues at this point and time. To me, the Commanders most pressing needs lie along the offensive line and in the secondary, mainly at the corner back position. Though they will need to replace Brandon Scherff, I think cornerback may be the more pressing need, especially with a defensive minded head coach in Ron Rivera. Though he may not be there next year, I'm sure corner will be atop of a lot of Commanders fans wish lists when the draft roles around, especially with them trading William Jackson III over the trade deadline. Out of the remaining corners, South Carolina's Cam Smith would be the best fit for Washington. To be honest, I'm kind of surprised I had Smith drop this far in the draft, but like we said with Joey Porter Jr. before, corners are really the biggest need for most of the teams in the top half of the draft, regardless of how talented these corners may be. Coming from the same school as former eighth overall pick Jaycee Horn, Smith is a very instinctive and quick corner who, like Horn, is very expressive and passionate. Dude is also pretty versatile, having the ability to play either on the outside or on the inside as a nickel corner, with his aforementioned speed allowing him to keep up with even the fastest of slot receivers. I think Smith would be a very nice addition to the Commanders secondary, giving them a true number one guy.
23. New York Giants - Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee
The New York Giants will have some decisions to make in regards to the quarterback position this offseason. As someone who's tried to be in Daniel Jones' corner, Brian Daboll and co. won't be able to wait forever or him to prove he really can be the guy. I think the dude has the skillset to be a solid enough quarterback, or at least a starting quarterback, at this level, but his inconsistencies show every now and again, which could be cause for concern. That being said, with the Giants currently picking in the 20s, the chances of them getting one of the 'top' options at the quarterback position in this class is slim, though not impossible. In this scenario though, Daniel Jones will hold onto the starting job. So, with quarterback kind of off the board for the G-Men, they should maybe look to add some weapons around Jones, that way they can know for sure if he's the guy or not. As of right now, the Giants receiver room is nothing special. They have some big-ish names though, including Kenny Golladay and Sterling Shepard, but the former has been a passenger all season and the latter has been hurt for the better part of two years. Now, they have used a high value pick on a wide receiver in recent years, taking Florida's Kadarius Toney with the 20th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. That being said, the Giants just traded Toney to the Kansas City Chiefs, leaving them without a true 'high value' target. With Toney getting traded, the Giants lost a lot of speed on the outside, so, why not look to add that back, and draft someone like Tennessee's Jalin Hyatt? The current Biletnikoff Award winner, which is handed to the nation's best receiver, Hyatt is, arguably, the fastest receiver in the entire draft, and at 6'0" 180 lbs., though he's not the most imposing wide out, he's no shrimp either. This season for Tennessee, we saw Hendon Hooker come an ACL tear away from potentially winning the Heisman Trophy, and Hyatt was a large reason for Hooker's success. Just look at his game against Alabama, registering 207 yards and five touchdowns, Hooker and Hyatt were on another planet that day. On the season, Hyatt registered 15 receiving touchdowns, scoring two or more touchdowns in five games. If you've ever seen Space Balls, Jalin Hyatt has what we'd call 'ludicrous speed,' which is considerably faster than light-speed. Hyatt's ability to take the top of a defense and to track the ball is almost second to none in this draft. He would give Jones and the Giants a true threat on the outside.
24. Denver Broncos (via Miami from San Francisco) - Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
The Denver Broncos are one of the biggest disappointments up to this point in the season. After sending away a bunch of picks and a few players to Seattle for former Super Bowl winning quarterback Russell Wilson, people thought this would be the start of something truly beautiful in Denver. For the past however many years, people have been saying that the Broncos were a quarterback and head coach away from being truly special, and since Wilson and Hackett have come over, that couldn't be further from the truth. Despite having a solid group of weapons in the backfield and out wide, to go along with a decent o-line, the Broncos have managed to average less than 15 points a game and currently sit at 3-10 on the season, winning only one game over their last 10. One of the issues going into the offseason though was that, despite them being cancerous to watch, they had no draft picks, if they did, they'd be picking second. So, in order to salvage some sort of fan loyalty, to show some improvement, they traded away edge rusher Bradley Chubb to the Miami Dolphins for their lone first round pick since their's was terminated. But now, with Chubb gone and Randy Gregory on IR, the Broncos should look to add a new edge rusher with their first pick in the draft. So, with this pick, I'm going to send them Florida State's Jared Verse here at pick 24. A transfer from FCS level Albany, Verse has been really impressive since transferring down south to Florida State, leading the Seminoles with seven and a half sacks so far this season. Dude is a very fun edge rusher to watch, combining power and speed to bull rush opposing tackles to get to the quarterback. Verse is just extremely disruptive, totaling 14 tackles for loss this season, with a lot of them coming in 'enemy territory.' With Verse lining up in Florida State's 'FOX' role, playing as a stand up defensive end in their 4-3 defensive front, he would be able to transition rather easily to the Broncos 3-4 defensive front, where he'd be a stand up outside linebacker. Dude just makes plays, whether that's sacking the quarterback, tackling the running back for a loss, or even blocking kicks, Verse would be a disruptive force that the Broncos could use on defense.
25. Baltimore Ravens - Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah
The Baltimore Ravens, really, should be a lot better than what they currently are. As of right now, the Ravens sit at 9-4 and are atop the AFC North totem poll. The problem is how long will they be able to stay up there? Again, this team is insanely talented, but they shoot themselves in the foot almost more than any other team in the league, especially this season. Like, you could make a solid case for the Ravens to have an undefeated record, but alas, they blew big leads in all four of their losses, with their secondary being a main cause of why they're blowing so many big leads. As of right now, the Ravens sit in the bottom 10 of the NFL in passing yards allowed per game, though the rest of their defense is actually fairly solid. Though they drafted Notre Dame standout Kyle Hamilton in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, improvements could still be made, especially since Kyle Fuller and Marcus Peters are on expiring contracts, not to mention Fuller is currently out for the season with a torn ACL. So, in order to help rectify some of the pass defense woes, I'm going to have them take Utah's Clark Phillips III with their first selection. With the Ravens aforementioned struggles on the back half, Phillips ability to play both as an outside corner or in the slot should be very desirable, as they could certainly use the help in both areas, despite him not being the biggest corner in the draft. At just 5'10" 183 lbs., Phillips is a few inches shorter than every other corner taken in the first round of this mock draft but again, his versatility holds value, which should see him go in the first round. A twitchy athlete, Phillips has all th speed and fluidity to keep up with the best receivers, whether that's guarding a guy on the outside or the inside. Ranking joint second in the nation with six interceptions, Phillips ball skills are also very impressive. I think all these factors should push Phillips into the first round, despite his size, and the Ravens should be one of the teams thinking about taking him in round one.
26. Cincinnati Bengals - Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
I think this would be very fun to see. Do the Bengals have other needs on their roster? Sure, namely at the corner back position, but could you imagine adding a man mountain in Darnell Washington to an offense that is already loaded with talent? It's just not fair. Now, it must be said that I think there is a solid chance the Bengals move for a corner here, especially since Eli Apple and Tre Flowers are both pending free agents, not to mention they're already pretty weak in that position to begin with. When looking at how the Bengals have drafted since making Joe Burrow the number one overall player in 2020, they have set out to surround him with weapons, drafting Tee Higgins that same year in the second round and then draft Ja'Marr Chase above Penei Sewell in 2021, and so far it's worked out pretty nicely. Plus, the Bengals drafted two secondary pieces in the 2022 NFL Draft, so maybe they feel they've done enough, for the time being. I don't know, but with that being said, I think the Bengals could really use someone like Washington, not just in the pas game but in the run game as well. Coming from Georgia, who are a more run heavy team, Washington is an exceptional blocker in the run game, using his freakish size to his advantage, being able to completely overpower smaller linebackers and defensive backs. With the Bengals having a very solid running back pairing between Joe Mixon and Semaje Perine, Washington would be able to open up more holes along the edges, making the Bengals even more deadly on the ground. In the passing game it's kind of a similar story, where he's just too damn big to be covered by linebackers or defensive backs, being able to out muscle and out jump any defender that covers him, making him an elite red zone target. With the Bengals being as balanced as they are, I think Washington would be an excellent fit. He's dominant in the run game and has a very high ceiling as a receiver, which he has not even come close to reaching yet. You just don't see tight ends that are 6'7" 275 lbs. that can move like him that often, and I could really see the Bengals taking him with their first round draft pick, replacing the soon to be free agent Hayden Hurst.
27. Dallas Cowboys - Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
Though they're a solid team, the Cowboys could really go a couple different directions with this pick. Starting out offensively, though they just signed TY Hilton, a wide receiver could really be an option for them here. After backing out of the Odell Beckham Jr. deal due to him potentially not being 100% healthy, Hilton was signed to essentially be a stop gap before they make a move for someone else, or at least that's how it seems. Apart from CeeDee Lamb, the Cowboys don't really have a whole lot of other options out wide, though Dalton Schultz has looked pretty decent from the tight end position this season. They may also look to improve their offensive line, as they're currently forced to play a 40-year old Jason Peters at right tackle after Terence Steele just got placed on IR with a knee injury. All that being said they'll probably look to address the defense, despite them having a top five unit in regards to yards allowed per game. On defense, I think linebacker and corner are the two areas they should look at, and I'm leaning a little more with the latter, as they should look to find someone to partner Trevon Diggs on the outside. To me, the best option available is Illinois Devon Witherspoon. Arguably the main cog in a very good defense, Witherspoon is a competitive s.o.b. who is physical at the point of contact. Though he may not have the upmost blazing speed, his anticipation makes up for any perceived 'lack' of speed, as he's got a great knack at reading the receivers and, sometimes, even running the route for them. With Anthony Brown set to hit free agency and Jourdan Lewis on IR with only a year left on his deal it may be smart for Dallas to look at options in the secondary. I think Witherspoon would be an excellent partner for Diggs at the cornerback position.
28. Kansas City Chiefs - Zach Harrison, EDGE, Ohio State
The Kansas City Chiefs will be a team to watch in the 2023 NFL Draft. Not because they're going to move way up the draft with a trade like they did in 2017, but because they could go after a couple of positions with this pick. The first pick on everyones mind, I'm sure, is wide receiver. After trading star wide out Tyreek Hill to Miami this offseason, the Chiefs have 'lacked' that speed on the outside for much of the season. This draft is full of receivers with insane speed, but after adding Kadarius Toney via trade midway through the season, maybe adding a speedy wide out isn't priority number one, at this point and time anyways. He's been battling a lot of hamstring issues this season, but I'm sure he'll come good when he's fully healthy. So, instead of going after a wide out early on, the Chiefs could switch their attention to the defensive side of the ball, mainly along the defensive line. Now, the Chiefs defense isn't abysmal or anything, especially since they drafted Purdue's George Karlaftis in the 2022 NFL Draft, but they could be losing Carlos Dunlap in free agency this offseason. With Dunlap turning 34 in February, I wouldn't be too surprised if they let him walk this offseason. Not to mention both Frank Clark and Chris Jones will be entering free agency the following year, so the Chiefs may need to move for some more pass rush depth. Ohio State's Zach Harrison could be a guy to look at for the Chiefs in the first round. Playing with relentless effort, Harrison seems to always be in the backfield of the opposing team ever since he started playing for Ohio State. At 6'6" 272 lbs., Harrison has the size the Chiefs look for on the defensive line, mainly along the edges. Out of the three edge rushers we named above, i.e. Clark, Dunlap, and Karlaftis, are all around 270 lbs., something Steve Spagnuolo has always valued. Though Harrison may not have the production some are looking for when it comes to first round edge rushers, totaling only three sacks this season, but his athleticism, length, and work rate should push him into that first round conversation, especially for a team like the Chiefs. The Chiefs got blasted by the Bucs defensive line in the Super Bowl a couple years ago, so why not keep trying to strengthen their own defensive line?
29. Minnesota Vikings - Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
The Minnesota Vikings are a strange team, aren't they? Like, they're a good football team, but how good are we talking? The have some of the best offensive skill position players in the NFL, spearheaded by Dalvin Cook and Justin Jefferson, but they seem to play to the level of their competition more times than I'm sure Vikings fans would like. Now, I'm not saying the Bills are playing their best football at the moment, but there's really no reason a team as talented as the Vikings should be able to go into Buffalo, beat the Bills in overtime, and get beat by the Lions by double digits. Or get blasted by the Cowboys, at home the next week. They're just a very odd team, who currently have the worst +/- of any team in the NFL with 10+ wins, boasting a pretty impressive -1. Now, the main area of concern for the Minnesota Vikings, for me, is their defense, as they rank dead last in the league in total and passing defense. Though it's very bad for them right now, they have a few young players that could prove good in the coming years, it's just that they're on IR at the minute. Apart from the secondary though I could see the Vikings move for a wide receiver to partner Justin Jefferson for the long term. We all know how much Vikings fans love Adam Thielen, and how much he loves them back, but the dude will be 33-years old by the time next season rolls around and I'm sure offensive minded head coach Kevin O'Connell will want to security at the receiver position, taking some pressure off of Justin Jefferson. I'm sure O'Connell will be itching even more since the Vikings went defense heavy in the 2022 NFL Draft. Out of the remaining receivers, I think a lot of people will start falling in love with Boston College's Zay Flowers. Throughout his time at Boston College, Flowers hauled in over 200 passes with 29 touchdowns, setting a career high in catches, yards, and touchdowns this past season. Though his size projects him to be a slot, to at least start off his career, Flowers isn't your typical 'smaller' receiver, forcing 25 missed tackles this past season, which was the third most for wide receivers. He has an innate way of just getting open, with him getting on the wrong side of the defender more than once throughout his time at BC. So elusive and quick, Flowers could add a whole other dimension to this Vikings offense, whether that be in the passing game or running game, as I'm sure they'd use him on some jet sweeps as well. Flowers would be a nice Robin to Jefferson's Batman, eventually replacing Thielen and creating one of the more talented receiver duos in the league.
30. Buffalo Bills - O'Cyrus Torrence, iOL, Florida
As a Buffalo Bills fan, one would hope that I could be the most accurate with this pick since I see what works and doesn't work every time the team plays. Despite the Bills currently sitting atop the AFC with a record of 10-3, things haven't been the easiest for the pre-season Super Bowl favorites. After dominating in their first two games against the Rams and Titans, respectfully, the Bills have kind of lolled around and shot themselves in the foot on a couple of occasions this season. Much like the Ravens before, the Bills have had every opportunity to be undefeated right now, but things just haven't always gone their way. That being said, though the Bills are, again, 10-3 and atop the AFC they do have some areas to improve on, mainly on the offensive line, out wide at receiver, and in the secondary. Maybe the last one isn't an area to 'improve on,' more like re-tooling, I guess. To me, I would love to see the Bills address the offensive line. Ever since Josh Allen has been the Bills quarterback, the offensive line has been incredibly weak. Like, if Josh Allen wasn't as big or as athletic as he is I have no doubt the Bills would rank near the top of the NFL in sacks. Currently, the Bills line up with Ryan Bates and Rodger Saffold at right and left guard, respectfully. Both are solid enough options, but they haven't been that great this season, and with Saffold entering free agency this offseason, depth on the offensive line may be a top priority for the Bills this offseason. Since no interior offensive linemen have been taken yet, the Bills have the opportunity to take the best one available, which would be Florida's O'Cyrus Torrence. Ever since Brandon Beane became the Bills GM, the team has targeted 'freaks,' or players that possess great size for their respected positions, at 6'5" 345 lbs., I think Torrence fits that bill. Per ESPN, in 47 career starts at Florida, Torrence has allowed just one sack. For a team that has allowed a decent amount of sacks up to this point in the season, getting someone like Torrence would be huge, literally and figuratively. With Torrence being as big as he is, his power is exemplified in the run game, clearing out rush lanes for a whole host of backs while at Florida. With the Bills being pretty one dimensional on offense, adding someone like Torrence would help open up lanes in the run game, which the Bills desperately need. I think this would be a great move for the Bills, not only protecting your best player in Josh Allen, but also opening up lanes for whoever the Bills number one back is next year.
31. Philadelphia Eagles - Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
With the final pick in the draft, the Philadelphia Eagles could go in a couple different directions. Though the Birds currently sit at 12-1, the best overall record in the NFL, they still have some areas they could improve on, or, like we said with the Bills, areas they could re-tool. Attention will initially be brought to the defensive side of the ball, as the Eagles interior d-line is getting up there in age, apart from 2022 first round pick Jordan Davis, of course. People will also look towards the secondary, as James Bradberry will be entering free agency this offseason and Darius Slay is on the wrong side of 30. That being said, though those are two realistic options, I think we may see the Eagles use this pick on an offensive position, and with Miles Sanders being really up and down throughout his Eagles career, I could see Philly look to add one of the top backs in this year's draft. With teams viewing the running back position differently than years past, the Eagles may have a chance to take the best back in the draft, picking Bijan Robinson here with the last pick in the first round. Compared to former second overall pick Saquon Barkley, Bijan Robinson is exactly what teams are looking for in today's NFL at the running back position. Big, tough to bring down, and great in the passing game, Robinson could be an excellent addition to this Eagles offense, and give them a nice three headed monster on offense with quarterback Jalen Hurts and wide receiver AJ Brown. I think his skillset would work perfectly in Philly and would give them a nice one-two punch in the backfield between him and Hurts.
Positions Drafted
Quarterbacks - 4
Running Backs - 1
Wide Receiver - 5
Tight Ends - 2
Offensive Tackles - 3
Interior Offensive Line - 1
Interior Defensive Line - 3
EDGE Rushers - 5
Linebackers - 0
Cornerbacks - 6
Safeties - 1
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