post season mock draft
ROUND 1
#1. |
Chicago Bears Select - Will Anderson Jr. (EDGe) University of Alabama |
The Chicago Bears have the very rare situation at the #1 Overall as they have their franchise quarterback in Justin Fields but have a relatively talentless roster everywhere else and I fully expect this pick to change hands well before the draft but assuming nothing materializes for the Chi-Town, getting the best player available is their best move. Will Anderson is the drafts best overall player and by far the best edge rusher in his class with his ability to both stuff the run and wreak havoc on the quarterback and if their is one thing Bears fans love more than a good quarterback, it's an All-World defensive monster.
#2. |
Houston Texans Select - C.J. Stroud (QB) Ohio State University |
New head coach DeMeco Ryans needs to address the quarterback position in the NFL draft and if they are lucky enough to have their pick of the litter my money would be C.J. Stroud being their top choice. Stroud is a well built quarterback with a great arm, exceptional accuracy, and great mobility for the position. He's the closest this year to a franchise quarterback in my opinion and should find himself atop most draft boards come late April.
#3. |
Arizona Cardinals Select - Myles Murphy (EDGE) Clemson University |
The Arizona Cardinals are another team like Chicago with a franchise quarterback but a high draft pick to use and I am sure this pick in the draft is probably going to be on the move as well but assuming everyone stays put, I fully expect the Cardinals to address the pass rush in the draft with Myles Murphy. Murphy is one of the most powerful edge rushers in the draft and plays with a dominance that has been very difficult to contain for offenses. The Cardinals have clearly missed the production of Chandler Jones off the edge and Murphy is the perfect player to fill the void left behind.
#4. |
Indianapolis Colts Select - Bryce Young (QB) University of Alabama |
The Indianapolis Colts need to address the quarterback position once and for all through the NFL draft, otherwise this teams fanbase is going to riot outside of Lucas Oil Stadium, and Bryce Young is perfect to quash the angst and fury this fan base has shown it's teams management the last couple seasons. Bryce Young has been a dynamo on the football field for Alabama with his ability to thread the needle both in the pocket and on the move, create plays with his legs, and probably possesses one of the highest football IQ's in the draft.
#5. |
Seattle Seahawks (Via Broncos) Select - Jalen Carter (DT) University of Georgia |
The Seattle Seahawks are likely to stay with Geno Smith after his breakout season in 2022 and quarterback is likely off the table for this team in 2023 in terms of improving the position and with Pete Carroll's affinity of defensive players on draft day, getting the 2nd best overall player in Jalen Carter is way too good to resist. Carter has been the best defensive lineman in college football for the past two seasons with his only competition coming from his own squad and he has been a game wrecker in the trenches for the two championship defenses in Georgia. He's a freak athlete with speed and power that might only be seen once a decade and his presence in the middle of the Seattle defense in 2023 could potentially create a Legion of Boom 2.0 defense.
#6. |
Detroit Lions (Via Rams) Select - Bryan Breese (DT) University of Clemson |
The Detroit Lions have Jared Goff under contract for another seasons at least and his performance in 2022 showed that he still has some promise at the position going forward, which quarterback for Detroit is likely off the table again come draft day. Getting the best player available for Detroit is now key in 2023 and Bryan Breese is the perfect player for head coach Dan Campbells team. While he has dealt with injuries in his college career, Breese has been a dominant presence on defense with freaky athleticism and menacing nastiness in the interior. He would give this Detroit defense some extra juice in their pass rush and make life difficult for opposing offenses.
#7. |
Las Vegas Raiders Select - Anthony Richardson (QB) University of Florida |
The Las Vegas Raiders have made it abundantly clear that Derek Carr is likely to be in a another uniform this year and head coach Josh McDaniels is known for his wild swings on quarterbacks, ala Tim Tebow in his stint with the Broncos, and their isn't a more wild swing in the draft than Florida's Anthony Richardson. Richardson is a combination of Cam Newton and Lamar Jackson as he is the deadliest running quarterback to come out of college since Jackson or Newton and the Las Vegas Raiders are dying for a box office quarterback to be playing home games at the "Death Star".
#8. |
Atlanta Falcons Select - Christian Gonzalez (CB) University of Gonzalez |
The Atlanta Falcons might need a quarterback but with the top three gone in the draft, they go after the best player available that fills a need for them and Christian Gonzalez is the perfect pick in Day 1 for them. Gonzalez is a very lengthy, athletic, and technically sound outside cornerback who can absolutely take receivers out of the game. He's the perfect cornerback to man the outside of their defense in 2023 and is a good consolation prize for them.
#9. |
Carolina Panthers Select - Will Levis (QB) University of Kentucky |
The Panthers patience early in the draft gets them Will Levis out of Kentucky whose probably the biggest wild card in the draft with some projecting 1st overall to completely missing out on Day 1. Levis is an exciting prospect that has great athleticism and arm talent but needs heavy polishing to his overall game, just what new head coach Frank Reich is dying for in a quarterback prospect. If Reich can clean up his mechanics and sharpen his processing of defenses, Levis could be the best quarterback in the draft when it's all said and done..
#10. |
Philadelphia Eagles (via Saints) Select - Joey Porter Jr. (CB) Penn State University |
The Eagles swindled the Saints in last years draft out of their 1st round pick and it has paid them huge dividends in 2023 and while the Eagles found themselves in the Super Bowl with their immensely talented roster, age is starting to catch up to them especially in the secondary with Bradberry and Slay getting on the wrong side of 30. Joey Porter Jr . is the perfect player to replace either player with his elite athleticism, relentless toughness, and competitive savviness in coverage and Philly fans do love themselves some Nittany Lions on the roster.
#11. |
Tennessee Titans Select - Peter SKoronski (OT) Northwestern University |
The offensive line in Tennessee was in rough shape in 2023, especially at the offensive tackle position and with some those players also likely to leave in free agency, replenishing the unit is a prime concern in 2023. Peter Skoronski is the NFL drafts best offensive lineman who can play both tackle and guard at high level and his potential positional flexibility for the Titans allows them to have a much easier time with shuffling the offensive line if need be.
#12. |
Houston Texans (Via Browns) Select - Michael Mayer (TE) Notre Dame Fighting Irish |
The Texans grabbed their quarterback in C.J. Stroud but getting him a receiving target should be the next item off the list and assuming Brandin Cooks is still apart of this teams plans in 2023, Michael Mayer is the best tight end prospect in the draft by a lot who can both block and catch the football at an elite level and his size and ruthless running after catch ability gives many scouts Gronkowski vibes from him. He would be the safety valve target that all rookies need when entering the league when the pressure coming at him becomes to hot and should make Stroud's debut in the NFL a much smoother ride.
#13. |
New York Jets Select - Paris Johnson Jr. (OT) Ohio State University |
The New York Jets need to address the offensive tackle position in 2023 as their current situation with Mehki Becton potentially in his last season for the Jets after disappointing in his last two as well as dealing with serious knee injuries and getting his potential replacement would be a wise move. Paris Johnson Jr. is a very athletic, physically imposing, and nasty offensive tackle prospect that has the tools and intangibles to be a stalwart piece on the outside for the Jets and if Becton were to work for them in 2023, Johnson Jr. can make his bones playing on the other side effectively.
#14. |
New England Patriots Select - Quentin Johnston (WR) Texas Christian University |
The New England Patriots have been one of the worst offensive teams the past few years than any team in the last two decades with no clear plan for the coaching staff up until they signed Bill O'Brien as their OC to start 2023 and getting fire power in the receiver corps is an absolute must in 2023 and Quentin Johnston is ripe for the picking here at the first round. Johnston is easily the most physically imposing receiver in the draft with his size and exceptional athletic gifts as well as his exceptional playmaking ability in the open field that the Patriots have been lacking since Gronkowski was in his prime. He'll change life in New England and make this team somewhat watchable when the ball is in Mac Jones's hands.
#15. |
Green Bay Packers Select - Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR) Ohio State University |
I don't know if Aaron Rodgers wants to stay or go in 2023 but if he stays in Green Bay, getting him some desperate help in the receiving corps is again a top priority for the umpteenth year in a row and Jaxon Smith-Njigba out Ohio State couldn't be a better fit for this team with the rise of Christian Watson on the outside. Smith-Njigba is an elite route-runner with exceptional hands and if he didn't get injured in 2022, he probably would be off the board much earlier.
#16. |
Washington Commanders Select - Cam Smith (CB) South Carolina University |
The Commanders have to fix the secondary in 2023 as their division rivals continue to have passing parties on this defense every year it seems and Cam Smith out of South Carolina is a great pick here to shore up the secondary's short comings. Smith is very tenacious and aggressive in coverage with good ball skills as well as sound technique with his only potential issue being his overall size.
#17. |
Pittsburgh Steelers Select - Darnell Wright (OT) University of Tennessee |
The Pittsburgh Steelers have a clear cut goal heading into the 2022 NFL draft and that is to improve the offensive line and getting an offensive tackle is priority #1 of their NFL draft plan and Darnell Wright is an excellent pick up here. Wright is a very big, very mean, and very powerful offensive tackle that can be an absolute road grader in the run game when he gets a head of steam. He can give Najee Harris much more room to run off his side of the line and can develop into a very good offensive tackle in pass protection.
#18. |
Detroit Lions Select - Darnell Washington (TE) University of Georgia |
The Detroit Lions shocked the NFL in 2023 when they traded away their young pro bowl tight end in T.J. Hockenson mid-season to their rival and getting Darnell Washington here at #18 would be a very good addition to an already talented offense. Washington is a freak among freaks at the tight end position at 6'7" and 275 lbs. with good hands and tough running after catch and has easily one of the highest ceilings among any tight ends in the draft. He can be both a dominant blocker and receiver in the NFL with more polishing to his game and should be an early presence in the red zone.
#19. |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Select - Broderick Jones - (OT) University of Georgia |
The Donovan Smith era in Tampa Bay could becoming to an end in 2023 and getting his potential replacement would be a good move for the franchise post Brady as they try and figure out their next move at quarterback. Broderick Jones is a monstrously athletic offensive tackle prospect with a malicious mean streak but has a lot of room to grow from technical stand point at the position. He'll at the very least give Tampa Bay's lack luster run game a major boost in the 2023 season.
#20. |
Seattle Seahawks Select - Brian Branch (S) University of Alabama |
Seattle had easily one of the best 2022 NFL drafts of any team in the league with cornerbacks Tariq Woolen and Coby Bryant and after getting a major upgrade early in defensive tackle Jalen Carter to ensure Seattle's dominance in the trenches, getting help in the secondary is the next best thing for this team. Brian Branch has quickly emerged as the drafts best overall safety with his versatility, athleticism, and high football IQ in both the run and passing game and would be the heir apparent to Earl Thomas on Pete Carroll's defense.
#21. |
Los Angeles Chargers Select - tyree Wilson (EDGE) Texas tech University |
The Chargers are going to likely release Khalil Mack in the offseason and need a replacement across from All-Pro edge rusher Joey Bosa and lone and behold their patience gives them a steal in Tyree Wilson. Wilson has elite length, size, athleticism, and versatility to play anywhere in the front seven and pairing with Bosa gives the Chargers the best pass rush in the AFC West, possibly the whole conference.
#23. |
Baltimore Ravens Select - Jordan Addison (WR) University of Southern California |
This pick is highly dependent on if Lamar Jackson is still in the Purple and Black come April and if he is, Jordan Addison out of USC is a god send for this team at pick #23. Addison is one of the most technically sound route-runners in the draft and has been a stat monster for two different programs the last two years in college football. He's lighter than some might like but he's built for speed and agility to break and ankles and make defenders miss and get open quickly which is exactly what Lamar Jackson needs.
#24. |
Minnesota Vikings Select - Kelee Ringo - (CB) University of Georgia |
The Minnesota Vikings desperately need help in the secondary after collapsing in the playoffs against the New York Giants and Kelee Ringo hear late in the first round is exactly what the doctor ordered in Minnesota. Ringo is a very athletic cornerback with exceptional size and whose play on the outside helped Georgia minimize an opposing teams best receiver quiet often. He's a little raw from a technical stand point but the potential is their for a shutdown corner and in a division with Amon-Ra St. Brown and now Christian Watson, getting a solid cornerback is priority #1 in the draft.
#25. |
Jacksonville Jaguars Select - Clark Phillips III (CB) University of Utah |
The Jacksonville Jaguars had a terrific season in 2022 that was lead by a stellar defensive front and opportunistic offense and the best thing to pair with a dangerous front season is a ball hawking cornerback that can create more opportunities for the offense to score points. Few cornerbacks in 2022 had more interceptions that Clark Phillips out of Utah and even fewer had interceptions that were purely just his ability to take exceptional angles on passes or jump routes such precision. He's on the smaller side of cornerbacks but his technical prowess and playmaking ability project very well in the NFL.
#26. |
New York Giants Select - Rashee Rice (WR) Southern Methodist University |
It's no secret that the New York Giants receiving corps in 2022 was relatively trash due to injuries as well as poor production from highly paid players, looking at you Kenny Golladay, and getting Daniel Jones a real weapon on the outside would be a very wise move this draft. Rashee Rice is a very good route-runner with exceptional hands and body contortion to reel in passes and would be an exceptional fit with Daniel Jones who has had success with receivers that play similar to Rice.
#27. |
Dallas Cowboys Select - Bijan Johnson (RB) University of Texas |
The Dallas Cowboys strike gold here in the latter half of the draft by getting Ezekiel Elliot's replacement. Bijan Robinson is a freak athlete with elite playmaking ability between the tackles and in the open field and his production in college football over the last few years has been nothing short of legendary. The Cowboys may have Tony Pollard potentially on the roster at the time but adding a two headed monster in the backfield with Robinson and Pollard would give this team easily the most dominant rushing attack in the league and allow the Dallas Cowboy's to feel comfortable with releasing Elliot post June 1st to save the most amount of money from his departure. The Cowboys also love box office players and making headlines and this pick would be front page news.
#28. |
Buffalo Bills Select - Jahmyr Gibbs (RB) University of ALabama |
The Buffalo Bills whom miss out on Bijan Robinson grab the next best running back available in Jahmyr Gibbs out of Alabama whose ability to make people miss and break tackles is 2nd only to Bijan Robinson above however Gibbs is a much more explosive back than Bijan and may have the edge in receiving skills as well. The Bills need a running back that can relieve pressure off their superstar quarterback in Josh Allen who basically is the running game in Buffalo and getting Gibbs would make this team a much more difficult opponent to beat in the playoffs.
#29. |
New Orleans Saints (Via Broncos) Select - Isaiah Foskey (EDGE) University of Notre Dame |
The Saints are likely to let Marcus Davenport go in the offseason and keeping this stellar defense young and fresh with talent is currently the priority at the back end of the draft as they lack the pick needed to grab a decent quarterback. Foskey is a very muscular and athletic edge rusher that has shown to be one of college football's most menacing defenders the past two seasons. He'd be an upgrade over Marcus Davenport and playing opposite Cam Jordan should give him many more opportunities for success.
#30. |
Cincinnati Bengals Select - O'Cyrus Torrence (G) University of Florida |
The Bengals offensive line for a second year on a row has been an injured and shambled mess of a unit and while Joe Burrow made it out of 2022 relatively intact, getting certified help in the trenches is a must for his success. O'Cyrus Torrence is an absolute godsend here at pick #30 as he brings the size, athleticism, technique, and power to be a stalwart in the middl eof the line. He could come in as a rookie and be the best lineman on the team immediately.
#31. |
Philadelphia Eagles Select - Trenton Simpson (LB) Clemson University |
The Philadelphia Eagles grabbed a star corner earlier in the draft and now grab a the preeminent linebacker available in Trenton Simpson. Simpson is an elite athlete and a phenomenal blitzer from the interior and exterior of the front 7. Pairing him with the rest of the mammoths up front should make his transition into the NFL a much more easy venture.
#32. |
Kansas City Chiefs Select - Lukas Van Ness (EDGE) University of Iowa |
The Chiefs are likely to Frank Clark in free agency as the cap starts to constrict their roster talent in the coming years and getting his replacement is the top priority heading into the draft. Lukas Van Ness is a powerful edge rusher that has been a menace in the big 10 for the past two seasons. He can fill the void left by Clark on defense and at the very least give the Chiefs a good rush defense on the edge.