Well, here’s my first 2023 NFL Mock Draft and let me just say, the more I dig into this draft class, the more I hate it. I know, hate is a strong word, but it’s appropriate here. I like Bryce Young and CJ Stroud more than the QBs in last year’s class but that’s a pretty low bar. Will Levis and Anthony Richardson seem to be the next two guy on everyone’s list, okay, Levis is better than the rest of them but Richardson? Yikes. And I wouldn’t take Levis until late round one and then only if I’m desperate. Richardson is getting at least one coach and one GM fired if he goes in round one. Can we just skip to the 2024 draft class? Those QBs could be fun.
Bijan Robinson should probably be the third pick after Jalen Carter and Will Anderson. Those are the three truly elite players in the draft but that’s not how these things work. Teams don’t value RBs that highly but they should consider the talent level they are picking from. Alabama RB Jahmyr Gibbs is probably a top 15 talent too. The TE group is great, which is awesome because the NFL needs some upgrades at that position. There are about seven guys who I would take in the first three rounds and depending on which teams get them, they could all start; Michael Mayer, Darnell Washington, Dalton Kincaid, Luke Musgrave, Tucker Kraft, Sam LaPorta, and Luke Schoonmaker.
There are a ton of defensive linemen that will likely end up in round one and early round two. Jalen Carter and Will Anderson are elite players, I’m not convinced about any of the rest of them (seriously, Myles Murphy, Tyree Wilson, and Bryan Bresee, I’m not convinced). Even as much as I’ve watched Lukas Van Ness, everything I think he’ll be is still a major projection because he just hasn’t played that much. There are some CBs I like, there are almost no safeties I like, and my favorite LB is Jack Campbell and it’s not just because he’s from Iowa, he’s literally the only sure thing there and MLB just don’t get people excited. This mock draft was difficult because I had a hard time liking 31 players enough to put them in it, thank you Miami for saving me from having to come up with a 32nd player (scroll down for the explanation). Hopefully the Senior Bowl and some workouts will help me come around on some of these guys, but I’m not getting my hopes up. Here we go.
1. Indianapolis Colts (TRADE from Chicago): Bryce Young QB Alabama
I generally don’t like to project trades and doing it this early is simply foolish but there is almost no chance the Bears hold on to this pick. The gift the Texans handed the Bears with their ridiculous final week win will pay off when the Bears take advantage of the Colts’ desperation to finally solve their QB issues. I’m not convinced Young is going to be a great NFL QB, his size and frame make him a serious outlier in the NFL. He’s under 6’0 tall and will play at less than 200 lbs., that simply doesn’t happen at QB in the league. He’s a great athlete, a true team leader, and effective at leading an offense, but this is big boy football and his physical limitations could hinder him. This pick is a major projection, not just because I’m not sold on Young, but also because the Colts don’t even have a coach yet and I’m not sure GM Chris Ballard would take a QB this small. He may trade up for a QB and it could be CJ Stroud or Will Levis (I’m not sold on them either).
2. Houston Texans (3-13-1): CJ Stroud QB Ohio St.
Lovie Smith’s exiting gift was to hand the Bears the #1 pick and everyone is making a huge deal out of them picking second instead. It may save them from themselves. Like I said, I’m not convinced Young is a future superstar QB and while I’m not convinced Stroud is either, he has a shot to be as good as Young. I like Stroud, he’s as accurate as you could ever want, he can throw every pass you need, and he showed in the game against Georgia that he is a capable runner. He wants to be a pocket passer and in the NFL that’s where you have to win. Mobility and the ability to escape the pocket are great skills that Stroud does possess but he’s ability to hit every throw is far more valuable. The Texans rebuild is going to take some time and they need to give any new QB more help on offense (and their defense isn’t good either) which is why I would advise against trading up. The cost of moving up to get Young instead of taking Stroud is simply not worth it.
3. Arizona Cardinals (4-13): Jalen Carter DL Georgia
The Cardinals are in a weird spot next season. Kyler Murray is likely to miss a major chunk of the season after tearing his ACL late last year. They will have a new head coach, they already hired new GM, JJ Watt is retiring and the roster is aging. It’s time for a hard reset while they wait on Murray to return and they figure out if they can even move forward with him. Given all that, just take the best player in the draft, that’s Jalen Carter. The great news is Carter is a versatile defensive lineman who will fit into any scheme a new coach wants to run and if a year from now you change coaches again (a short-term placeholder coach is a definite possibility here), no problem, Carter will fit into the next new system. Carter is a game wreaker, wherever he lines up. He’s the best player in this draft and he’s a great piece to build your new defense around. He may even be so good up front that he can make your two previous inexplicable first-round LB picks better than they have been, win-win. To new GM Monti Ossenfort, don’t overthink it, take Carter.
4. Chicago Bears (from Indianapolis): Will Anderson Edge Alabama
Bears fans, slow your roll. I’m not sure you’re going to get the king’s ransom you think your going to get for the #1 pick. There simply isn’t a generational QB prospect someone should really sell out for and the San Francisco trade up for Trey Lance two years ago is looking pretty rough at the moment, that’s not helping your cause. Also, while Indy may be desperate, they may also be fine waiting for a QB to fall to four, but whatever they offer, take it. Carolina may be more desperate and offer more picks but take Indy’s pick because it means you will still be in play for either Carter or Anderson. This draft has two elite players; Jalen Carter and Will Anderson. Arizona gets one and the Bears snag the other. Anderson has elite pass rusher written all over him and that’s a major need for the Bears defense. Anderson changes the game and given his versatility he can line up as a DE or an OLB and give Matt Eberflus a nice chess piece.
5. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver): Myles Murphy DE Clemson
The Seahawks get this pick thanks to the Russell Wilson trade and while some might think they could use this on a QB, that would be unwise. They will re-sign Geno Smith and try to improve their defense, which was not good most of the year. The team has tried for years to find a top pass rusher, drafting Bruce Irvin many years ago and they letting him go and bringing him back. They drafted LJ Collier in round one a few years ago, that’s been a bust. Darrell Taylor, a second-rounder a few years back had a solid year but he’s just solid not spectacular. Murphy has all the tools you want. He has size, speed, athleticism, good hands and he’s versatile up front. Murphy didn’t have elite sack numbers but he had plenty of pressures. The one thing he doesn’t do as well is finish his pass rushes off with the QB sack. He’ll get better as he gets more reps and he should earn plenty of reps in Seattle.
6. Detroit Lions (from the LA Rams): Christian Gonzalez CB Oregon
Gonzalez isn’t the highest profile CB in this draft, Joey Porter Jr. and Kelee Ringo both have higher profiles. However, Gonzalez is the best prospect at the position. He has elite length and athleticism, he’s scheme versatile, and he has years of playing experience. Gonzalez started for two years at Colorado before transferring to Oregon where he was a star. He also got better every year and turned into a playmaker at Oregon with four picks. The Lions have Jeff Okudah who had an up and down year but finally showed some progress in his development, but he’s got one year on his contract left. Amari Oruwariye had a tough year and is a free agent. They like Jerry Jacobs but he lacks experience and probably isn’t a #1 CB. Gonzalez would seriously upgrade their secondary and that’s where they really need help to improve the defense.
7. Las Vegas Raiders (6-11): Paris Johnson Jr. OT Ohio St.
The Raiders will be moving on from Derek Carr but don’t expect this pick to be a QB. The team is built to win now and they will do everything possible to secure a veteran upgrade, whether they succeed or not is to be determined. They will go after Tom Brady in free agency or try to trade for Aaron Rodgers but if neither of those come to pass, they may look at a guy like Jimmy G. Josh McDaniels may be crazy enough to give Jarrett Stidham a shot for the season if he doesn’t find a veteran he really likes. I don’t see him wanting Will Levis or Anthony Richardson at this point. Regardless of who lines up at QB, they have to fix the offensive line, especially the right side. Johnson played LT at Ohio St. last year but he has also played RG so he could transition to RT and start immediately. Johnson has better prototypical size than Peter Skoronski or Broderick Jones which may be the deciding factor here making him the choice over those two. Johnson will need some time to settle in at RT but he’s a massive upgrade over the guys the Raiders played there last year. He also shouldn’t be the last offensive lineman they draft.
8. Atlanta Falcons (7-10): Tyree Wilson DE Texas Tech
The Falcons rebuild is a long-term project and while a QB is possible I’m not sure Will Levis moves the needle enough. Desmond Ridder had a solid end to the season when he took over as a starter and giving him the season to see if he’s the future isn’t a bad idea. If he’s terrible the team will be perfectly positioned to draft a QB in 2024 when the draft class looks considerably better at QB. The Falcons’ defense is awful and the future is still in flux with Dean Pees retiring from the defensive coordinator position. Wilson is a long defensive end who can play in an even or odd front (although I think he would be better in an odd front). If the Falcons stick to a 3-4 base defense (highly likely) Wilson is a great fit. He can get home off the edge but he’s actually more effective on his inside rush. He would be a nice foundational piece to a rebuilt Falcons defense and eventually he would make any OLB a more effective edge rusher. The Falcons can afford to wait at QB, this isn’t the draft to reach for a savior at QB.
9. Carolina Panthers (7-10): Will Levis QB Kentucky
If there is one team desperate enough to chase a QB, it’s the Carolina Panthers and owner David Tepper. I actually don’t think this is his only move at QB. He’s going to make a move for a veteran like Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers or if he’s completely desperate, Derek Carr. That won’t preclude him from drafting Levis if he’s around. Levis shouldn’t be a day-one starter, he should learn from a good veteran. Levis has talent but he needs plenty of work. He has all the physical tools you can want but he makes decisions that will boggle the mind at times. He also has some real inconsistencies delivering the ball. He has elite arm strength but unfortunately, he sometimes trusts it too much and thinks he can fire a ball through multiple defenders which is why his turnover rate is excessive. He has some lower body mechanics to work on and while his throwing motion is compact the set up takes too long, NFL defensive backs will eat him up. He needs a veteran mentor and a good QB coach to fix some issues. The Panthers need a long-term solution at QB, he may be the next Josh Allen, of course he could be the next Jake Locker.
10. Philadelphia Eagles (from New Orleans): Joey Porter Jr. CB Penn St.
The Eagles have aging CBs Darius Slay and James Bradberry and Bradberry is a free agent this off season. They have a need in the secondary to not only replace these guys now or eventually but also to get some depth. Porter is the son of former Steeler Joey Porter Sr. and he’s a big, physical press-man corner, that should work out just fine in Philly. They need help in the back end more than they need help up front although I wouldn’t be surprised if Howie Roseman wants Bryan Bresee at DT to play next to Jordan Davis, the rest of the DT rotation is aging too. Roseman likes his big guys but I think Porter might be too good and too valuable to pass on here. He steps in as an immediate starter and eventually as the #1 CB, probably sooner rather than later. Porter has elite size and length and should hold his own against the best WRs in the NFL.
11. Tennessee Titans (7-10): Broderick Jones OT Georgia
The Titans are in a weird spot. They don’t have a lot of years of Derrick Henry’s dominance left, Ryan Tannehill needs to be replaced, they need to get younger at some key spots (LT especially) and they aren’t particularly talented on offense. Oh, and Malik Willis doesn’t look like any kind of answer at QB, he was pretty bad last year. Jones is a talented LT starting for the back-to-back national champion Georgia Bulldogs. Taylor Lewan will be 32 this year, he missed a lot of time with an injury, and he’s an obvious salary cap casualty this off season. Jones can step in, start immediately, and give them some consistency they have been missing with Lewan’s injury issues and age. The Titans are a dark horse team for signing Tom Brady (he was teammates with Vrabel) but they probably are more like a Jimmy G team or maybe a Baker Mayfield spot. Either way, upgrades on the offensive line, WR or on defense are all on the table.
12. Houston Texans (from Cleveland): Bryan Bresee DT Clemson
The Texans still don’t have a coach so it’s still difficult to see where they might be going but this is a total rebuild and after taking a QB at #2 in this draft, they should just draft talent, they need it everywhere. Best player available should be the mantra for this franchise. Even the few places they have talent (LT, WR, RB) have issues. Laremy Tunsil has a year left on his deal, Brandin Cooks wants out and Dameon Pierce is just one man. Bresee has loads of talent, he has size and skill at DT and he’s got some scheme versatility, not a bad place to start the defensive rebuild.
13. New York Jets (7-10): Peter Skoronski LT Northwestern
The Jets are looking to be good next year. They will move on from Zach Wilson at QB and try to find a veteran. Aaron Rodgers would be the dream scenario while Derek Carr is the more realistic one. Either way, they need help up front. Mekhi Becton is supposed to return from his knee injury at LT but he wasn’t a sure thing before the injury. Skoronski is the anti-Becton, meaning he doesn’t have elite size, or length for the position but he’s as reliable as they come. Some will underrate him because he doesn’t have the arm length teams covet at OT but he’s the most technically proficient guy you’ll find. If Becton does get back and can play that’s fine, this team needs help at RT and on the interior of the line too, Skoronski can play anywhere on the line. He’s an immediate starter and this team is looking to compete next season.
14. New England Patriots (8-9): Quentin Johnson WR TCU
This pick scares me as a Patriots fan. Bill Belichick has the worst track record when it comes to drafting WRs high in the draft. However, with the team needing to find out if Mac Jones is the future at QB, they need talent at WR. Jakobi Meyers and Nelson Agholor are free agents and DeVante Parker should be a cap casualty this off season. Kendrick Bourne has been in Belichick’s doghouse and Tyquan Thornton hasn’t proven a thing. Johnson is a big, lengthy WR at 6’4 with great speed and can get separation. He’s everything Parker was supposed to be but never has been. They still should re-sign Meyers and I would actually be fine if they traded for DeAndre Hopkins and skipped drafting a WR, at least we know Hopkins can be good. It’s also possible Belichick drafts Brian Branch, the safety from Alabama. Seriously, Devin McCourty is probably retiring and Belichick loves Alabama defenders. I wouldn’t complain if he takes Branch either.
15. Green Bay Packers (8-9): Michael Mayer TE Notre Dame
Besides the obvious questions about what happens with Aaron Rodgers the passing offense will be in a state of flux anyway. Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, Robert Tonyan, and Mercedes Lewis are all free agents meaning they don’t really have a TE and they just have some second-year WRs. Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs could certainly take a step forward next season but this team needs some more weapons. Mayer isn’t some ridiculous athlete like a Jimmy Graham and while he has sometimes been called “baby-Gronk” that’s simply not a real comparison. Mayer is a really impressive overall TE. He is a chain mover as a pass catcher. He isn’t going to kill you going deep down the seam but if it’s 3rd down, he’s the guy you go to. Mayer has better than average skills at pretty much everything you want in a TE. He’s reliable, tough, willing to do everything you ask, and he’s going to be effective in every facet of the game. Whether it’s Rodgers, Jordan Love, or someone else at QB for the Packers, Mayer makes the offense better.
16. Washington Commanders (8-8-1): Kelee Ringo CB Georgia
It is easy to fall in love with Ringo’s playmaking, his physical skills, and his competitiveness. He’s an elite athlete who has the size to hold up against anyone and the speed to run with anyone. Ringo makes plays in coverage and knows what to do once he creates a turnover. The problem is he relies too heavily on his size and athleticism and can get beat because of his lack of technique at times. He gambles and freelances too much looking for the big play and can be out of position. That could be something that can be coached out of him but it hasn’t been so far. Ringo could be one of the best CBs in the NFL in three years, or he could be trying out for the XFL because he drove his coaches crazy. It’s also possible he ends up moving inside to safety where he can just roam around making plays and not getting beat by WRs who know how to set him up. Ringo has the widest range of outcomes for the CB class, maybe for this entire draft class regardless of position. Washington can bet on his upside to help their defense.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-8): Brian Branch DB Alabama
The Steelers need help on the offensive line but there isn’t great value here and they need help on the defensive line but the players here aren’t the best fits for their 3-4 defense. The Steelers don’t tend to reach to fill a need. They also need CB help and Cam Smith from South Carolina would be a solid choice but I think they go a different direction. Branch is a safety/nickel defender who trained under Nick Saban at Alabama at their Star position and he excelled. That’s the same way Minkah Fitzpatrick learned to be as great and as versatile as he is. In today’s pass happy NFL, having two safeties that you can move around in coverage, bring up into the box, have them cover deep, or can line up in the slot or covering a TE, the better. Terrell Edmunds was supposed to be that guy but he’s a free agent and Branch would be an upgrade anyway. Cam Sutton is also a free agent and he’s always been great in the slot, that’s another place Branch helps.
18. Detroit Lions (9-8): Darnell Washington TE Georgia
This is a sneaky spot for RB Bijan Robinson if the Lions aren’t able to re-sign Jamaal Williams. I think they will re-sign Williams but if someone comes in with a major offer they don’t want to match, Robinson would be a nice addition. Instead, the Lions replace TJ Hockenson, who they traded to Minnesota, with a guy who looks like he was designed in a video game. Washington is somewhere around 6’7 270 lbs., runs like a deer, and looks like he was chiseled out of granite. He would have been a far more effective player at Georgia except Georgia had the country’s best TE Brock Bowers to rely on. Washington is basically Gronk when it comes to blocking, he’s a third OT in the run game. He also presents serious matchup problems in the red zone and on third down. He would make the Lions offense even better.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-9): Bijan Robinson RB Texas
Robinson is a legitimately a top five talent in this draft and if he goes in the top ten, I won’t be surprised. It’s hard to find a place where someone will value him that highly and it’s even harder with the free agent RB class having Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, Tony Pollard and more. Once that sorts out, we will have a better idea who wants Robinson. I think the Buccaneers will let Leonard Fournette go and with Tom Brady likely somewhere else, Robinson comes in as a major new piece to the offense. He’s an elite talent who is not only impressive carrying the ball but he’s really good in the pass game. He runs really good routes, has soft hands, and knows how to get open. He will make life easier on the Bucs new QB (whoever that is) and he can carry the load early.
20. Seattle Seahawks (9-8): Anthony Richardson QB Florida
I can completely see this pick happening and I would absolutely disagree with it. I don’t like Richardson as a first round pick. He’s basically a taller version of Malik Willis from last year, an impressive athlete with a great arm who doesn’t look like a QB, and Willis went in round three. However, this would make some sense in Seattle. I fully expect them to re-sign Geno Smith to a three- or four-year deal. Smith is going to be 33 next year so he’s not the long-term answer. Richardson needs time to develop as a QB and Smith would allow him to do that and be a great mentor for him. Drew Lock is also a free agent and I don’t see him re-signing and the team doesn’t have another QB. It would be a solid environment with an established coaching staff and veteran QB, it might be ideal for Richardson. I’m not totally convinced he’ll ever be an NFL starting QB, if you asked me to bet if he would be a starting QB or a starting TE in four years, I wouldn’t be able to pick. He is an elite athlete, he has a canon for an arm, I’m not sure he understands how to play QB. Some games he looks like the second coming of Cam Newton and other games he looks like it’s the first time he’s ever seen a football.
21. Miami Dolphins (pick FORFEITED because the Dolphins owner tried to sign Tom Brady when he wasn’t actually a free agent and you’re not allowed to do that. Stephen Ross is also currently suspended for this incident)
22. Los Angeles Chargers (10-7): Jalin Hyatt WR Tennessee
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder when it comes to WRs in this draft. They are all very different types of guys. Hyatt is the guy the Chargers offense needs. They have zero deep speed threats. Mike Williams is a big, contested catch X receiver while Keenan Allen is the awesome big-bodied possession guy who likes to play out of the slot. Hyatt is the speedy outside WR who runs go routes and tracks the ball like he’s Willie Mays. Hyatt is very slight, he’s only 6’0 and maybe 185 lbs. That doesn’t matter, the Chargers have size at WR, they need speed. Hyatt will take the top off the defense and give Justin Herbert a guy he can uncork his massive arm for downfield. He will make more room underneath for Allen, Williams and Austin Ekeler to do damage. He will also move safeties back to make the running game more effective, Hyatt can be a force multiplier for the Chargers offense. It’s almost criminal that a team with Justin Herbert at QB doesn’t have an elite deep threat, hello Mr. Hyatt.
23. Baltimore Ravens (10-7): Cam Smith CB South Carolina
Everyone is going to give the Ravens a WR here because they need WR help, however, they have needed WR help for years and they generally don’t focus on it. Normally, I would disagree with that strategy but I’m not a huge fan of this WR group and with Johnson and Hyatt off the board, I really don’t like it. Jordan Addison and Jaxon Smith-Njigba are smaller, slot type receivers and that isn’t what the Ravens need. They do have two over 30 CBs who will be free agents (Marcus Peters, Kyle Fuller) along with Daryl Worley, they need help opposite Marlon Humphrey. Smith isn’t the biggest CB but he isn’t undersized, he plays aggressively and that can get him into trouble. However, the Ravens have great safeties to help him out and Smith wouldn’t have to match up with #1 WR because the Ravens have Humphrey. Even if they re-sign Worley, Smith makes a better #2 and that would leave Worley as a backup. The Ravens won’t reach for a WR, there really isn’t an interior offensive lineman to like here and Smith is better than the 3-4 defensive linemen available.
24. Minnesota Vikings (13-4): Drew Sanders LB Arkansas
Drew Sanders was an edge rusher at Alabama who transferred to Arkansas and became an off-the-ball LB last year. He doesn’t have a ton of reps at either position but he still makes plays everywhere. He may be somewhere between Chad Greenway and Anthony Barr as a player and I’m not sure exactly where he ends up. What I do know is the Vikings defense needs as much help as they can get and Sanders is an elite playmaker who makes them better. Eric Kendricks, Jordan Hicks, and Za’Darius Smith are all over 30 and the LB corps needs some younger legs. Also, the secondary (especially CB) needs some help with Patrick Peterson, Chadron Sullivan, Duke Shelley, and Kris Boyd all set for free agency and Andrew Booth Jr. coming off knee surgery. Devon Witherspoon from Illinois is a possibility here but I like Sanders better.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars (9-8): Anton Harrison OT Oklahoma
The Jaguars may lose Marvin Jones Jr at WR this year in free agency but they traded for Calvin Ridley at the trade deadline and as long as he gets reinstated from his gambling suspension, that’s an upgrade. They could lose their top three TEs in free agency but I have a feeling they will re-sign Evan Engram considering his connection to Trevor Lawrence this year. Also, this is a deep TE class so they can get one later. At OT Cam Robinson got hurt and Walker Little stepped in at LT, RT Jawaan Taylor is a free agent and I think they can upgrade. Harrison is a bit raw but he’s a great athlete and I think Doug Pederson and that coaching staff can get the best out of him. This team just needs to keep taking steps forward and they are going to be really good.
26. New York Giants (9-7-1): Jordan Addison WR USC
My assumption is that the Giants will re-sign Daniel Jones at QB and Saquon Barkley at RB and then turn their attention to the giant gaping hole at WR. Kenny Golladay is a sunk cost; they should cut him. Sterling Shepard is always injured. Darius Slayton, Richie James, and Isaiah Hodgins (their top three guys right now) are all free agents because no one is giving those guys multi-year contracts. It’s a wasteland and they need help. Jordan Addison probably shouldn’t be a #1 WR but if he was on the Giants right now, he already would be. They have to get Daniel Jones some pass catchers and Addison is one guy who has a chance to maybe turn into a top WR on a team.
27. Dallas Cowboys (12-5): Jahmyr Gibbs RB Alabama
It may seem like the Cowboys have bigger issues than RB and that’s probably true. I would suggest drafting CB Devon Witherspoon or WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba or an offensive lineman. However, if they lose Tony Pollard in free agency, a possibility considering the contract he could get and the money they already have tied up in Ezekiel Elliott, Gibbs would make a lot of sense. Gibbs is an elite athlete with great speed who was the one other player on Alabama’s offense besides Bryce Young who was always consistent. Gibbs has a lot of value as a pass catcher and while he isn’t great in blitz pickup, that’s fine, Elliott excels at that. This would be seen as a luxury pick but if they lose Pollard in free agency, it won’t be. Pollard was the game breaker this year for them and Gibbs could be that going forward.
28. Buffalo Bills (13-3): Jaxon Smith-Njigba WR Ohio St.
This pick would be borderline unfair, adding Jaxon Smith-Njigba to the Bills offense is ridiculous. The Bills are definitely at a place where they can go best player available and it just s happens Smith-Njigba would fit nicely on this team. Isaiah McKenzie didn’t prove to be the playmaker they were hoping in the slot which is why they traded for Nyheim Hines (who’s a free agent after the season) and brought back Cole Beasley (he should probably retire for good). Smith-Njigba would be a master in the slot and become one of Josh Allen’s favorite targets. Gabe Davis also didn’t prove to be as good as they hoped, he lacks consistency. The Bills could address the interior offensive line or the TE spot but Smith-Njigba would be just too good to pass up here and they can address those positions later in the draft.
29. Denver Broncos (from San Francisco): Andrew Vorhees OL USC
The Broncos had a rough year and a lot of that had to do with a bad QB and maybe worse coaching. We don’t know who the new coach will be yet but it’s a good bet they will look to improve the offense. They can start up front. Garrett Bolles broke his leg and missed most of the year and they had several other injuries. Dalton Risner is a free agent they may not bring back. Vorhees has position versatility as a G/T prospect and it shouldn’t matter who the new coach is, Vorhees can fit any scheme. He gives them a potential new OG if they want or he could play RT, another position that could use an upgrade. They can’t afford to replace Russell Wilson for a few years so they should really work on protecting him.
30. Cincinnati Bengals (12-4): Devon Witherspoon CB Illinois
The Bengals are a pretty good team but they do have a couple of places they need help. They could need a safety with both Vonn Bell and Jessie Bates III are free agents but unless Brian Branch makes it here, they should wait. Hayden Hurst is a free agent too so TE is a definite possibility. However, the best idea would be to grab Witherspoon, he fills a major need at CB and happens to be arguably the best player left on the board. Eli Apple is a free agent and really isn’t that good anyway and they need an upgrade no matter what. Witherspoon isn’t the biggest or fastest CB but he’s physical and aggressive and won’t back down from anyone. There could be some major turnover in the Bengals secondary and that wouldn’t be the worst thing if they add talent like Witherspoon.
31. Philadelphia Eagles (14-3): Lukas Van Ness DL Iowa
The Eagles defensive front could take some serious losses up front this off season. Fletcher Cox, Robert Quinn, and Javon Hargrave all have voidable contracts. Ndamukong Suh and Linval Joseph were in-season depth signings, not long-term investments and Brandon Graham is going to be 35. They need some youth to join Jordan Davis, Milton Williams and Josh Sweat as the future up front. Van Ness didn’t start a game at Iowa but he has been one of the better pass rushers for the Hawkeyes even with limited snaps. He’s a freakish athlete who’s a very well put together at 6’5 270 lbs., his nickname is Hercules for a reason. Philadelphia likes to rotate linemen and Van Ness can play everywhere alone the front. He played more DT at Iowa than DE and yet he should excel rushing off the edge. Van Ness isn’t a household name just yet but Eagles fans will love the way he plays and what he can do for this defense.
32. Kansas City Chiefs (14-3): Dawand Jones OT Ohio St.
The Chiefs’ starting OTs Orlando Brown Jr. and Andrew Wylie are both free agents at the end of the season and it’s possible neither is back. Brown wants to play LT and get paid like the best LT in the game, he’s not close to the best in the game. However, they may have to pay him because they don’t have many alternatives. If the do, they may not have the money or desire to bring Wylie back. Jones is a ridiculous looking player at almost 6’8 360 lbs. with the longest wingspan you’ll ever see. If the Chiefs bring back Brown and draft Jones it would be a freakish pair of bookend tackles. Jones is often compared to Brown because of his sheer size and he has some of the same issues, lateral movement and fluidity being two of them. Jones should make for a very good RT for someone and that’s something the Chiefs have been trying to lock down since Mitchell Schwartz retired. If they decide to re-sign Wylie and let Brown walk, they would probably go for a different OT here. Jones isn’t a LT so they may look at guys like Mike Bergeron or Jaelyn Duncan instead. Always a good idea to protect Patrick Mahomes.
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