Another 2023 NFL mock draft.
Sorry to insufferably put an abbreviated form of my name in the headline.
Apologies, too, for the hundred-dollar word that means next-to-last.
If you don’t like my picks, at least you knew going in what my intentions were.
Better to be upfront about it, I say.
That’s what all of us mock draft junkies make a run at do.
Didn’t you know?
We make a concerted effort to ensure YOUR TEAM makes the wrong pick.
Will have one more of each of those coming soon enough.
Part of me wants to be intentionally incendiary and go with a hot take here.
Young was trailing C.J.
Stroud in the No.
It could all be a smokescreen.
Regardless, I’m penciling in Young to Carolina and it likely won’t change.
That’s crazy to me unless they’re tanking the season.
The Texans could get cute and take Tyree Wilson here.
Wouldn’t put it past them since they’re allegedly not drafting a QB.
Gonna go ahead and say it’s Will Anderson for the time being.
TRADE: Tennessee Titans (via Cardinals) - C.J.
With Stroud still available, I could see Tennessee going in that direction.
He’s the best pure passer in the draft.
Then there’s the rumor that Indy prefers Levis over Richardson.
I’ll laugh forever if overrated GM Chris Ballard goes down swinging with a Wentz-esque QB.
To be clear, I think more highly of Levis than I ever did of Wentz.
To me, Levis is more like Justin Herbert than any other signal-caller I could compare him to.
Alas…his personality gives me Josh Rosen vibes.
I think the Colts will do this.
Not sure I would.
Seattle Seahawks (via Broncos) - Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
HOOOOOOOOH.
My QB1 is the fourth man off the board at the position.
What an ideal situation for Richardson.
I think he’s readier to play than he’s given credit for.
Live game reps should expedite his promising development.
That’s where Gonzalez comes in.
Gonzalez would help the Maxx Crosby-led pass rush get home more often.
Atlanta Falcons - Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
So many different directions Atlanta could go here.
Seems like there was a conscious effort to revamp the defense in free agency.
That frees up the run-heavy Falcons to help young QB Desmond Ridder out with a slot dynamo in Smith-Njigba.
Witherspoon would be my best player available at this juncture, so why not pull the trigger?
Carter is only meeting with teams in the top 10.
This feels like the floor of when Carter will hear his name called.
Arizona Cardinals (via Titans) - Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
JPJ.
Haven’t seen Porter referred to as such.
Feels like it’s only a matter of time before that moniker catches on.
I’m surprised Arizona hasn’t traded the third pick yet.
Might not happen until draft night.
With the top two EDGE guys unavailable, Porter is a good choice.
The Pitt star is often compared to Aaron Donald for good reason.
Anderson on the edge, Kancey on the inside?
Nice recipe to help this Houston D make a leap.
New York Jets - Peter Skoronski, OL, Northwestern
I really strive not to repeat picks in mocks.
Alas, Skoronski to the Jets is one I just can’t quit.
He can probably play all five positions at the NFL level.
Most expect him to kick inside because of a lack of prototypical length.
since Alijah Vera-Tucker is similarly versatile.
Johnson is a beast and held it down on C.J.
Stroud’s blind side this past season after a big transition from right guard.
I suppose Johnsoncouldplay inside at the NFL level, yet that’d be a waste of his talent.
He can more than hold his own at either left or right tackle.
Lots of untapped potential there.
I suspect Johnson’s arrival would mean he’s the left tackle of the future.
This class is loaded at the position.
There’s no denying his production as a pass-catcher.
That’s what Mayer brings to the table.
It’s why he’s widely viewed as the most complete tight end.
He’d be Green Bay’s instant TE1 and a nice security blanket for new starting QB Jordan Love.
That’s saying something.
I like Jones' athletic profile and upside over, say, Oklahoma’s Anton Harrison.
Johnston has a tendency to lose focus and suffer from concentration drops, too.
His YAC ability is extraordinary for someone so big.
I love the way Wright carries himself.
Smith’s production at Georgia isn’t outstanding.
Don’t hold that against him.
I really like the fit in Seattle for Smith.
Staley could get really exotic with disguised coverages if Branch is LA’s selection.
He could wind up at safety, or in a more specialized slot role.
That’s beyond small.
However, you could’t ignore his ball production and high achievements in the SEC.
He’s bulked up some since that weigh-in.
The hope is that continues and doesn’t sacrifice any of his speed and quickness.
The Ravens seem to have a knack for pouncing on excellent prospects other teams overthink.
Happened in 2022 with Kyle Hamilton.
Could be the case here with Forbes.
Minnesota Vikings - Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
Rumors are flying around that Minnesota may cut Dalvin Cook.
Thatcouldmean Alexander Mattison becomes the new feature back.
Using a Day 1 draft asset on a running back is frowned upon these days, too.
Bijan Robinson flies in the face of all that logic.
If he’s here, and you’re really getting rid of Cook, you take Bijan.
He’s a longer, physical corner whose testing at the Combine was better than many expected.
The Jaguars need a nickel badly.
Smith could also possibly move to safety.
Van Ness can line up inside when duty calls, too.
Ojulari ain’t big enough to do that effectively.
Wink Martindale loves drawing up exotic blitzes.
A receiving trio of CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks and Michael Gallup.
AND Kincaid at tight end?
That’s enough offensive firepower to at least challenge the Eagles for NFC East supremacy.
What a steal Kincaid would be at 26th overall.
I doubt he lasts this long.
Welp, it’s about to be Year 3 for Buffalo’s Spencer Brown.
Can’t say he’s been that impressive so far.
Instead, Adebawore could see significant snaps in Cincinnati’s rotation as a 3 technique and on the edge.
So yeah, New Orleans could use some help at defensive end now and in the future.
Murphy would challenge to start and bring a little more juice to the Saints' pass rush.
Those two are poised for a much larger role this year, especially Dean.
Could be a similar path forward for Torrence.
Granted, some top prospects prefer to chill with their families for the big night, but still.
Somebody must’ve promised him something.
I have a sneaking suspicion it’s either the Eagles or Chiefs.
First 10 of Round 2
32.
If the Texans pass on a QB at No.
2, perhaps they trade into the first round to take Hooker before the 33rd slot.
Arizona Cardinals - Steve Avila, OL, TCU Arizona is staring down a multi-year rebuild.
One top priority should be upgrading protection for Kyler Murray.
Avila would be a Week 1 starter at guard and is an excellent pass protector.
Indianapolis Colts - Julius Brents, CB, Kansas State I have Brents at 28th on my big board.
He’d be a perfect fit in Colts DC Gus Bradley’s base Cover 3 scheme.
The Rams need someone like him in the worst way.
Holy horror show, Batman.
Sounds good to me.
Give Geno Smith and (eventually) Anthony Richardson another weapon to work with.
Addison is a tremendous route-runner who’d be a strong WR3 alongside DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett.
New Orleans Saints - Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College Derek Carr would be a happy man.
Hopefully Michael Thomas is healthy and Chris Olave builds on his promising rookie campaign.
Adding Flowers to that mix would help the Saints' passing attack blossom into a truly formidable outfit.
I was today years old when I learned who the fuck Hjalte Froholdt is.
He’s apparently in line to start at center for the Cardinals.
They can’t roll with him.
Schmitz would be an instant upgrade and a stabilizing force up front to confirm everyone’s on their assignments.
