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JackClark

JackClark

2023 NFL Mock Draft

My first and only iteration of an NFL Mock Draft prior to tonights draft beginning at 8 PM EST. A fairly good class with it’s fair share of top talents as well as some post combine risers. Let’s dive in.

 

1 Carolina Panthers (Via Chicago) – Bryce Young QB Alabama

2 Houston Texans – Will Anderson Jr. EDGE Alabama

3 Arizona Cardinals – Tyree Wilson EDGE Texas Tech

4 Indianapolis Colts – CJ Stroud QB Ohio State

5 Seattle Seahawks (Via Denver) – Jalen Carter IDL Georgia

6 Detroit Lions – Christian Gonzalez DB Oregon

7 Las Vegas Raiders – Anthony Richardson QB Florida

8 Atlanta Falcons – Nolan Smith EDGE Georgia

9 Chicago Bears (Via Carolina) – Paris Johnson Jr. OT Ohio State

10 Philadelphia Eagles (Via New Orleans) – Bijan Robinson HB Texas

11 Tennesse Titans – Broderick Jones OT Georgia

12 Houston Texas (Via Cleveland) – Myles Murphy EDGE Clemson

13 Green Bay Packers (Via NYJ) – Jaxon Smith-Njigba WR Ohio State

14 New England Patriots – Anton Harrison OT Oklahoma

15 New York Jets (Via Green Bay) – Peter Skoronski OL Northwestern

16 Washington Commanders – Devon Witherspoon DB Illinois

17 Pittsburgh Steelers – Darnell Wright OT Tennessee 

18 Detroit Lions – Lukas Van Ness EDGE Iowa

19 Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Will Levis QB Kentucky

20 Seattle Seahawks – Cam Smith DB South Carolina

21 Los Angeles Chargers – Joey Porter Jr. DB Penn State

22 Baltimore Ravens – Quentin Johnston WR TCU

23 Minnesota Vikings – Zay Flowers WR Boston College

24 Jacksonville Jaguars – Calajah Kancey IDL Pittsburgh

25 New York Giants – Jordan Addison WR USC

26 Dallas Cowboys – Dalton Kincaid TE Utah

27 Buffalo Bills – Deonte Banks DB Maryland

28 Cincinnati Bengals – O’Cyrus Torrence IOL Florida

29 New Orleans Saints (Via San Francisco) – Felix Anudike-Uzomah EDGE Kansas State

30 Philadelphia Eagles – Brian Branch S Alabama

31 Kansas City Chiefs – Jahmyr Gibbs HB Alabama

 

Best Day 2 Available (No Particular Order)

Michael Mayer TE Notre Dame

Dawand Jones OT Ohio State

Emmanuel Forbes DB Mississippi State

Bryan Bresee IDL Clemson

Antonio Johnson S Texas A&M

Will McDonald IV EDGE Iowa State 

Jalin Hyatt WR Tennessee

Hendon Hooker QB Tennessee

BJ Ojulari EDGE LSU

Darnell Washington TE Georgia

 

Definitely not a typical mock you’ll see that stack QB in the top 7, but one that attacks needs instead of reaching on some QB’s that could potentially be the franchise guy, but have shown minimal signs of actually being one especially if there’s struggles in college and need a significant amount of time to develop into being even a starting caliber NFL QB. If it weren’t for the off the field issues for Jalen Carter I would’ve had him going #2 as I feel he’s the best non QB player in the draft, and #2 overall on my big board. Nolan Smith had a great combine and offers a unique combination of speed and agility off the edge to be one of the league’s top pass rushers for years. I could see the Titans going a variety of ways with their first pick, whether that be QB, WR, DB, or OT, as they lack in so many positions but ultimately I have them getting my OT2 in Broderick Jones to be the blindside blocker for Willis or Tannehill. Washington benefits on the slide from Devon Witherspoon right into their lap at 16 to jump next to Kendall Fuller. I have a slight run in the early 20’s of WR, as Johnston, Flowers, and Addison all go within 4 picks of each other, all of whom I view as in the same tier and hard for me to give on an edge over the other. Looking back on it, the Bengals could’ve gone TE here and taken Mayer as that is another one of their needs, but I chose Torrence as they need to bolster their interior OL to set up the run game more efficiently. Not much to complain about for KC, but another dynamic back in Gibbs to add a weapon for Mahomes is ideal – maybe a WR but I lean Gibbs. 

 

I’m expecting to make another post similar to this, breaking down R1 of the draft as well as best guys left for day 2, as well as winners/losers over the weekend to recap the draft. Let me know your thoughts, comments, where you agree/disagree in the comments below.

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