2023 mock NFL Draft 2.0: Fallout from free agency wave and NFL Combine

The big wave of free agency has come and gone, along with some changes to the NFL Draft order. With the scouting combine also done, the landscape looks different.

It’s time for another mock NFL Draft as the landscape now looks very different from my very first mock draft from a month ago, which you can read via the link below if you want to procrastinate a bit more of your time away.

Read More: 2023 mock NFL Draft: 49ers watch NFC get significantly stronger

The first wave of free agency has eliminated draft needs, added some and the NFL Combine has raised and sunk the stocks of a lot of NFL prospects.

The 49ers have been relatively proactive in free agency despite walking a bit of the tightrope with the salary cap, but they’ve also lost quite a few players in terms of depth. While the team has done well to bring back the vast bulk of starters for 2023, there’s work to be done with the NFL Draft.

The draft itself is one of the more interesting in recent years. The No. 1 pick has finally be auctioned off and it’s hard to tell for sure what will happen with it. Georgia defensive tackle may go from a potential top-five prospect to undrafted with serious red flags, and Texas running back Bijan Robinson is the wildcard as teams weigh him being the most talented player in the draft against the trend against taking running backs early on in the modern NFL era.

The original plan was to do two mocks this offseason but with this draft being so interesting and fluid I’ve decided to go with three. For this draft the same rules apply as with the first which means no trades. Don’t worry, the difficulty of mocking those draft day trades will come with the final one.

Just a reminder that there will be the 31 picks (the Miami Dolphins had their first-round pick forfeited for tampering) plus a special slide for the Niners’ first pick, just to keep you interested.

The only major change? Instead of providing San Francisco’s first pick in the third round as a bonus selection, I’m giving three for the price of one as I mock every single one of the 49ers picks on Day 2!

So let’s get going.

On the clock: NFL Draft Pick No. 1: Carolina Panthers – Bryce Young, Quarterback, Alabama

Mock Draft 1.0 – Will Anderson, EDGE, Alabama (Chicago Bears)

The Chicago Bears finally held their auction for the No. 1 pick, handing it over to the Carolina Panthers for a bounty including a No. 1 receiver in D.J. Moore and two first-round picks (among other selections).

So which quarterback will the Panthers pick. Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud and Alabama quarterback Bryce Young are the two at the top of the mountain. Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson impressed with his physical skills at the NFL Combine but his subpar passing would make it foolish in the extreme if they pick him over those two.

There’s been reports that owner David Tepper and new head coach Frank Reich are at odds over who to pick with the former favoring Young and the latter favoring Stroud. Tepper is well known as a meddling owner that’s made some deterimental decisions to his franchise, so he very well could pull rank and make sure Young is the pick once again.

This season, Young completed 65 percent of his passes for 3,328 yards, 32 touchdowns and five interceptions while also picking up four touchdowns on the ground as well.

Young measured in shorter than listed at Alabama, coming in at 5-foot-10 1/8 and 204 pounds. He would actually be smaller in all than the comparable Kyler Murray, with the Arizona Cardinals quarterback at the exact same height but weighing 208 pounds when he was drafted in 2019.

Height aside, Young shined at his Pro Day and showed he was capable of making all the throws expected at the NFL level. He may be small, but he’s no shrinking violet.

So if Tepper is going to be making the call, Young is the favorite to step onto the podium first.

On the clock: NFL Draft Pick No. 2: Houston Texans – C.J. Stroud, Quarterback, Ohio State

Mock Draft 1.0 – Bryce Young, Quarterback, Alabama

The Houston Texans did what all stupid rebuilding teams do, and win meaningless late games to knock themselves from the No. 1 pick.

Sound like an overreaction? Last time that happened, it was the difference between the New York Jets getting Trevor Lawrence and instead getting Zach Wilson, and who are now frantically trying to close a big deal to get Aaron Rodgers from Green Bay.

So yes, it can mean quite a bit. To say the least. Maybe the Texans prefer Stroud to Bryce Young and it’s a moot point, but they won’t get the choice.

Stroud threw for 3,688 yards, 41 touchdowns and six interceptions for the season with Ohio State as the team made it to the college playoff. Stroud is also an excellent scrambler and showed he could make plenty of plays with his legs, too.

Stroud showed particular mettle late in the season to show teams his ability as a leader who can make splash plays. Young is certainly the better improviser of the two, but Stroud is no slouch in that area.

Similar to Young, Stroud really impressed at his Pro Day and confirmed he has all the intangibles to be a franchise quarterback at the next level. The Houston Texans at the very least can be happy with whoever is left for them.

Improviser vs. Prototype. The Young vs. Stroud debate is going to rage on until the first name is called in Round 1.

On the clock: NFL Draft Pick No. 3: Arizona Cardinals – Will Anderson, EDGE, Alabama

Mock Draft 1.0 – Jalen Carter, Defensive Tackle, Georgia

Ideally the Arizona Cardinals are going to emulate the Chicago Bears and auction off this pick for a quarterback-needy team to go for the signal caller of their choice (presumably Anthony Richardson as of writing).

But no trades here, but also no worries for the Cardinals. They’re desperate to rebuild their defense and with the No. 1 and No. 2 pick all but certain to be quarterbacks, they get their pick of the defensive prospects.

EDGE Will Anderson is the hot favorite to be the first non-quarterback off the board. Anderson had 51 tackles, 10 sacks and an interception returned for a touchdown for the season for Alabama.

Anderson chose not to work out at the Alabama pro day but he didn’t really have to after blitzing the NFL Combine with a 4.6 second 40-yard time that’s very good for his frame and an excellent  1.61 10-yard split. Anderson is an exceptional prospect and a safe pick to anchor a NFL defensive line.

Anderson is a well-rounded prospect equally adept against the pass or the run. While it’s debatable how high his ceiling is given he’s a jack of all trades and master of none, that shouldn’t scare away teams from taking him.

Unless something drastic happens between now and draft day, Anderson should be the first non-quarterback off the board on the Thursday night.

On the clock: NFL Draft Pick No. 4: Indianapolis Colts – Anthony Richardson, Quarterback, Florida

Mock Draft 1.0 – C.J. Stroud, Quarterback, Ohio State

Anthony Richardson is one of the most polarising QB prospects of all time. He’s arguably the worst throw of a first-round prospect in historym but he has physical talents rare in such a prospect that he’s going to be an early pick.

The elephant in the room cannot be ignored. The passing talent of Richardson is well bwlow par completing only 54 percent of his passes in 2022 for 2,549 yards, 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions while scrambling for 629 yards and nine touchdowns.

Horribly inaccurate and inexperienced, Richardson lacks touch and accuracy that makes even mediocre quarterbacks work at the NFL. He has power, but sometimes rifles it in so fast his receivers can’t hold onto the ball

The physical talents of Richardson are obvious as well.

From a physical standpoint, Richardson enters the NFL as probably among the top. He’s strong, fast, freakishly athletic and he has a cannon for an arm. His work ethic is good too, so he’s at the very least coachable.

Whoever does take him will need to be patient and develop him slowly like Josh Allen or Patrick Mahomes. If they can develop his mechanics and his ability to read defenses, Richardson has the biggest ceiling in the NFL Draft.

Richardson is the definition of boom-or-bust, and it’s going to be interesting to see which team takes him.

On the clock: NFL Draft Pick No. 5: Seattle Seahawks – Jalen Carter, Defensive Tackle, Georgia

Mock Draft 1.0 – Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech

Speaking of boom-or-bust picks, defensive tackle Jalen Carter is one of the more controversial personalities coming into the NFL in recent years. He could go this high or he could very well go undrafted and out of the league.

Carter’s draft stock (and his career) hinge on an investigation into his involvement in a drag racing accident that cost the life of a Georgia player as well as a staffer. Carter was involved in the race and alleged to have left the scene.

Walter Football reported that what happens next is going to depend on precisely the circumstances of him leaving:

"Team sources saw this arrest as potentially causing them to drop Carter from their draft boards all the way to it being a near non-factor. It all comes down to his role and what he did  that night. Police reports say that Carter left the scene and then returned a few hours later. Sources say that if Carter saw or knew about the accident and left the scene while his teammate had just died, a staffer was dying, and two people were injured, that would lead to him dropping him from their board. If Carter drove away because he lost track of them during their race and did not know there was an accident, then they feel he probably would not be significantly hurt by a reckless driving and speeding incident."

Carter also had a horrible NFL Combine, interviewing poorly and not being forthcoming about the incident. He also showed up so overweight to his Pro Day at Georgia that he could not complete the workout. There were already concerns on his work ethic, so this has obviously caused concern.

Carter’s talent is still immense, however, so if he survives the investigation he will still be a pick in the top 10.  He does have genuine J.J. Watt potential, but he’s going to need to be in the right program. This season, Carter recorded 32 tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles and three passes defended. It’s worth remembering Carter missed some time also due to a hit sustained against Missouri.

Pete Carroll has been a no-nonsense operator all his coaching career and he’s been able to make the tough calls before. It’s a risk, but one that could be rewarded handsomely.

On the clock: NFL Draft Pick No. 6: Detroit Lions: – Bijan Robinson, Running Back, Texas

Mock Draft 1.0 – Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson

This will seem like a pick out of left field, but the Detroit Lions have never truly believed in D’Andre Swift (who doesn’t have the best durability anyway) and Jamaal Williams has left the team. Bijan Robinson isn’t just the best running back in the draft but he has a good claim to being the player overall in this draft class.

Robinson ran for 1,580 yards and 18 touchdowns at 6.1 yards per carry this season. He also notched 19 receptions for 314 yards and two scores.

Robinson is truly one of those players who doesn’t seem to have any weaknesses. He’s an amazing route runner and is as good as almost any receiver in recent memory. He’s twitchy but strong, elusive but rugged. He can run over the top of defenders or run rings around them. He’s not the fastest, but he’s fast enough.

Buffalo in particular are said to be enamored with the young running back, so if Robinson falls it won’t be for very long. But Detroit have had a habit of taking the best player available under head coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes.

This is a bit of a wild pick, but Detroit have a promising roster that will be a playoff contender next season. They don’t need to reach, they just have to go with the best player available here.

On the clock: NFL Draft Pick No. 7: Las Vegas Raiders – Christian Gonzalez, Cornerback, Oregon

Mock Draft 1.0 – Quentin Johnson, Wide Receiver, TCU

Rock Ya-Sin wasn’t retained and despite signing Duke Shelley and Brandon Facyson the Las Vegas Raiders still need a replacement in that area.

Christian Gonzalez is the top cornerback in this class, and a successful NFL Combine might very well have cemented him as a selection in the top 10.

An excellent corner in man coverage, Gonzalez has the size (6-foot-2, 201 pounds) to cover bigger receivers but also the speed and twitchiness to run with more agile ones. Transferring from Colorado to Oregon for the season, Gonzalez had four interceptions and seven passes defended for the Ducks in 2022.

Gonzalez has been a bit inconsistent at times in 2022 against teams like Arizona and Washington, but his tape does shine for mostly the right reasons. With a strong predraft performance and the eternal need for lockdown corners in the pass-happy NFL, Gonzalez is a sharp riser who should be the first defensive back off the board.

On the clock: NFL Draft Pick No. 8: Atlanta Falcons – Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech

Mock Draft 1.0 – Isaiah Foskey, EDGE, Notre Dame

The Atlanta Falcons are in desperate need for multiple pass-rushers. They’ve remarkably not signed anyone from the deep free-agent class despite the talent left at the position despite being dead last for pressure rate in the last two seasons.

Tyree Wilson is a very promising talent, and would be a good fit for Atlanta.

This season, Wilson totaled 61 tackles, one forced fumble and seven sacks before injury forced him out for the rest of the year. Wilson has only just been recently cleared and isn’t working out yet. He should give teams a private workout in April.

Wilson should affirm to teams exactly what his strengths are at his workout. Wilson is a good size at 6-foot-6 and 275 pounds, and he has amazing strength and power. While he doesn’t have the floor of Will Anderson, he arguably has the better ceiling.

Last season we saw Jacksonville take the better athlete in Travon Walker over the safer pick in Aidan Hutchinson. While Wilson’s interrupted draft process will probably preclude this happening again, it is a very similar comparison to have between him and Anderson.

This could be to Atlanta’s advantage. They need help desperately, and the highest ceiling could very well fall right to them at No. 8.

On the clock: NFL Draft Pick No. 9: Chicago Bears – Peter Skoronski, Offensive Tackle, Northwestern

Mock Draft 1.0 – Will Levis, Quarterback, Kentucky (Carolina Panthers)

Chicago must be absolutely laughing their way to the NFL Draft. Thanks to the incompetency of the Houston Texans, the Bears grabbed the No. 1 pick with no need for a quarterback.

As a result, not only did they trade the pick to the Panthers for a good haul, they also got D.J. Moore as a No. 1 receiver. This solves their immediate problem of finding a weapon for quarterback Justin Fields, so now they can find some desperately needed offensive line help.

Peter Skoronski is the best offensive line prospect in this draft, with the ability to play both tackle and guard in the NFL. His versatility, his ability and his performance at the NFLCombine should make him a strong candidate to be a top-10 pick.

Skoronski has excellent speed and technique to be a left tackle at the NFL level. His footwork is smooth and he uses his hands well, punching hard at the defender while in position.

While he doesn’t have the longest arms, that isn’t a concern if the technique can negate that. Skoronski has the necessary technique, so he still can be considered a safe prospect.

On the clock: NFL Draft Pick No. 10: Philadelphia Eagles – Lukas Van Ness, EDGE, Iowa

Mock Draft 1.0 – Tuli Tuipulotu, EDGE, USC

The Philadelphia Eagles had a lot of free agents hitting the market but did a good job of retaining a lot of key personnel. They kept Brandon Graham but didn’t retain Robert Quinn, so they could take advantage of this early pick and a deep pass-rusher class to build for the future.

Lukas Van Ness was a glaring omission from my first mock draft, so better late than never to put him in. He distinguished himself at Iowa, recording 36 tackles and six sacks.

A strong NFL Combine has really put Van Ness on the map, no mean feat given the talented defensive ends in this draft. While Van Ness is a bit raw, his physical talents show a lot of room for growth and makes perfect sense for an excellently coached Eagles team that can afford to develop him properly.

While Van Ness is far from the finished product, it’s clear why teams are falling in love with him. He has a wicked first step, with the burst to get to the point of attack first and the strength to take advantage of it. Blockers in the NFL have to be careful to not allow Van Ness to get the first point of contact and beat them to the punch, because he’s an athletic freak who will take full advantage every time.

Inexperience and the need to improve his pass-rushing repertoire means he’s still a work in progress, but the Eagles are by far the best fit for him to realize that potential.

On the clock: NFL Draft Pick 11: Tennessee Titans – Quentin Johnston, Wide Receiver, TCU

Mock Draft 1.0 – Peter Skoronski, Offensive Tackle, Northwestern

Do you think the Tennessee Titans regret trading A.J. Brown to the Philadelphia Eagles? Treylon Burks has promise but they really need more help to get the best out of the merely passable Ryan Tannehill.

Here they have a big break with Quentin Johnston available. The dynamic receiver looks poised to take the NFL by storm and be a true No. 1 receiver.

The 6-foot-3, 215-pound receiver has mismatch ability at the next level, which he demonstrated with 60 receptions for 1,069 yards and six touchdowns this season. The NFL Combine was the chance for him to cement himself as the top receiver in the draft, and he took full advantage of that.

Johnston could very well go higher than No. 11, his stock is rising fast and hard. For now, he’s a good fit for a team desperate for receivers.

On the clock: NFL Draft Pick No. 12: Houston Texans – Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Wide Receiver, Ohio State

Mock Draft 1.0 – Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Wide Receiver, Ohio State

Incredibly it’s taken until Pick No. 12 to replicate a pick from the first mock draft, which gives an indication on the ever changing dynamic we’re seeing this season. In this case wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is an even better fit for the Texans, as they would be reuniting him with his quarterback C.J. Stroud in this scenario.

The Texans traded Brandin Cooks, so they’ll be looking for a true No. 1 receiver. Jaxon Smith-Njigba was the third receiver behind first-round picks Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave for the Ohio State Buckeyes in 2021, and he was still able to record 95 passes for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns.

Injuries derailed his 2022 season, but he still remains one of the top receiving prospects in the Draft.

Smith-Nijgba is a fast receiver with a good route tree from his time at Ohio State. He doesn’t just rely on speed, though, his excellent route running allows him to gain separation and make big plays.

Houston is in the midst of a big rebuild, so they’ve the luxury of being able to take the best players available to help their rookie quarterback. In this scenario, reuniting quarterback and No. 1 receiver would be an excellent day for the team.

On the clock: NFL Draft Pick No. 13: New York Jets – Paris Johnson, Offensive Tackle, Ohio State

Mock Draft 1.0: Paris Johnson, Offensive Tackle, Ohio State

Two repeated picks in a row!

This pick probably won’t remain with the Jets for long as they seek to trade for quarterback Aaron Rodgers, but as this particular mock won’t do trades it’s still Paris Johnson to New York.

Offensive tackle Mekhi Becton has been a bust since being a first-round selection for the New York Jets and needs to be replaced, Paris Johnson burst into prominence as the primary protector for C.J. Stroud.

A good size at 6-foot-6 and 315 pounds, Johnson is a good athlete who has the movement to battle elite EDGEs at the next level. A prototypical left tackle, Johnson has the perfect height/speed/length ratio that teams are looking for.

Johnson isn’t a weak player by any means, but the one area of concern is he’s a finesse blocker, relatively speaking. He hasn’t got the power to totally blast defenders, so a bit of time in the weight room could do him wonders.

If he can develop the killer instinct to go with the rest of his skills, he could be a top left tackle in the NFL.

On the clock: NFL Draft Pick No. 14: New England Patriots – Broderick Jones, Offensive Tackle, Georgia

Mock Draft 1.0 – Tyler Steen, Offensive Tackle, Alabama

Another glaring omission from the first mock draft, Broderick Jones makes a lot of sense for the New England Patriots. Quarterback Mac Jones regressed majorly in his second season and a big reason for that was that the blocking had majorly regressed.

While the Patriots made some minor signings at tackle, the area is still a major need for them. While Broderick Jones hasn’t had the recent attention that Skornoski and Johnson has had, he’s still a strong prospect for the trenches.

Athletically Jones is an amazing left tackle with room to grow. It’s important to remember that he is raw, and his relative inexperience at the position means he has to grow and not rely on his athleticism against NFL EDGEs.

If Jones can develop his technique however then the sky is the limit for him. His athleticism and strength is perfect for the NFL along with his size (6-foot-4, 315 pounds), so he should find a home in the NFL very soon.

On the clock: NFL Draft Pick No. 15: Green Bay Packers – Brian Branch, Safety, Alabama

Mock Draft 1.0 – Brian Branch, Safety, Alabama

Perhaps the Green Bay Packers have been distracted by the impending trade of their franchise quarterback, but they’ve been shockingly silent in free agency. While big signings aren’t generally the style of the Packers, they’ve been desperate for help at safety.

Brian Branch is the top safety prospect in the draft. While not a blue-chip safety, he’s still a strong player who can replace either the departing Adrian Amos or first-round bust Darnell Savage.

Brian Branch is one of the more versatile prospects in the draft this season, being able to play either safety position, the nickel role or even as a linebacker. Branch recorded 90 tackles, three sacks, two interceptions and seven passes while playing both as a safety and nickelback.

As you would expect from an Alabama product, Branch is an intelligent player who can read the quarterback and make plays. He can be trusted as an eighth defender in the box with his strong tackling, and flashed blitzing skills with the aforementioned three sacks.

While it might be fair to say Branch could be a tweener with no natural position in the NFL, it shouldn’t be hard for him to find a spot with the Packers.

On the clock: NFL Draft Pick No. 16: Washington Commanders – Joey Porter Jr, Cornerback, Penn State

Mock Draft 1.0: Christian Gonzalez, Cornerback, Oregon

The Washington Commanders claimed cornerback Cameron Dantzler from waivers to help with their cornerback problems but they can’t rely on him to fill that hole. They’ll still look to add at the position as their pass defense was atrocious.

Joey Porter Jr is an exciting athletic prospect who prospered at the NFL Combine to be a strong chance to challenge Christian Gonzalez as the first cornerback off the board.

That doesn’t pan out in this draft, but he makes a lot of a sense for Washington who met with Porter at Mobile.

While Porter isn’t someone you can put in the slot, he’s a special prospect to potentially be a shutdown cornerback in the NFL. He’s ridiculously talented athletically and put that on display at the combine and the Pro Day at Penn State.

Porter didn’t record an interception in 2022 but he did have 11 passes defended for the Nittany Lions. While teams would like to see him make more plays on the football, there’s no doubt he has the ability to cover the speediest receivers.

2023 NFL Draft, NFL Draft Pick No. 17: Pittsburgh Steelers – Devon Witherspoon, Cornerback, Illinois

Mock Draft 1.0 – Joey Porter Jr, Cornerback, Penn State

Cameron Sutton left in free agency and Patrick Peterson is obviously only a short-term solution. Devon Witherspoon is the final of the consenus top trio of cornerbacks and he would be a good fit at the Pittsburgh Steelers.

A true impact corner, Witherspoon measured slightly undersized at the NFL Scouting Combine (5-foot-11, 181 pounds) but plays a lot bigger than his size indicates.

A versatile corner able to play either man or zone, Witherspoon put himself into first-round contention with three interceptions and 14 pass breakups to showcase himself as a true impact corner for the Fighting Illini.

Witherspoon’s ability to run with receivers and play taller than his height is exciting for NFL teams. Potential shutdown corners are always at a premium and while he doesn’t have the prototypical size of Gonzalez and Porter, he’s shown himself to be every bit their equal in college.

On the clock: NFL Draft Pick No. 18: Detroit Lions – Drew Sanders, Linebacker, Arkansas

Mock Draft 1.0 – Drew Sanders, Linebacker, Arkansas

The Lions have build up a good roster that’ll compete for the playoffs in 2023, but they need some help at linebacker. Here the Lions have their choice of Jack Campbell from Iowa, Trenton Simpson from Clemson or Drew Sanders from Arkansas.

It’s tough to pick between Campbell, Simpson and Sanders, but the nod goes to the latter here due to his pass-rushing ability. He had 9.5 sacks for the Razorbacks this season and could be one of those elite off-ball linebackers that can contribute in the pass-rushing area too.

Sanders can play as the MIKE linebacker and move to the defensive line on passing downs to add some versatility also.

Sanders can stand to get stronger for the NFL, however, to tackle NFL-caliber offensive lines. He’s not weak, but he isn’t as strong a run defender as he should be and can struggle to shed blocks. For this reason, he might be better off rotating in on passing downs and spending some time in the weight room in his rookie year.

If the team that drafts him has the patience, however, Sanders can develop into a true three-down linebacker and pass-rushing specialist for the NFL.

On the clock: NFL Draft Pick No. 19: Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Will Levis, Quarterback, Kentucky

Mock Draft 1.0 – Bijan Robinson, Running Back, Texas

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers haven’t shown much faith in quarterback Kyle Trask after the retirement of Tom Brady, with the team signing Baker Mayfield to start in 2023. Mayfield has a chance to resurrect his career, but it seems a safer bet for the Buccaneers to look to the future.

Will Levis will go earlier than this but with no trades, he slides down to here. A raw prospect that has the potential to be the next Justin Herbert, Levis showed off his major upside and should make a team fall in love with him.

Levis threw for 2,406 yards, 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions this season for the Kentucky Wildcats. Physically he has a cannon for the arm, with the velocity to get the ball anywhere he wants.

The downsides are evident too however. He had severe problems diagnosing defenses at Kentucky, which will only get more complicated in the pros. He’s also guilty of taking bad sacks and throwing bad interceptions, so he’ll have to cut down on those.

Levis has some similarities to Justin Herbert as a strong quarterback who had questions on his football IQ coming into the league. Herbert shocked the NFL world by demonstrating the ability to develop quicker than anyone thought, so teams will take a shot at Levis doing the same with his physical gifts.

On the clock: NFL Draft Pick No. 20: Seattle Seahawks – Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson

Mock Draft 1.0 – Henry To’oTo’o, Linebacker, Alabama

Don’t be surprised if the Seahawks double dip on the defensive line in Round 1. They need pass-rushing help in order to battle the Niners in the NFC West, so they can take advantage of the deep talent at EDGE here.

Myles Murphy has a fluid draft range and could go as high as the top 10 depending on what teams prioritize during the night. Murphy has all the tools to be a big-impact player in the NFL and his 6.5 sacks don’t properly indicate the talent he has as a pass-rusher.

Murphy is a physical freak with his combination of speed and power, but there has been concern that  he lacks a bit of killer instinct. We all know the impression “looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane,” and that applies to Murphy at times at Clemson. For this reason, Murphy might not be drafted as highly as some might think.

However, he is a good size at 6-foot-5 and 275 pounds, and there’s no doubting his physical ability. If a team can develop a bit of aggression in him, he has all the tools to be a top pass-rusher in this league.

On the clock: NFL Draft Pick No. 21: Los Angeles Chargers – Mazi Smith, Defensive Tackle, Michigan

Mock Draft 1.0 – Mazi Smith, Defensive Tackle, Michigan

The Los Angeles Chargers are a very talented outfit, but the one area that they’re sorely lacking in is run defense. Mazi Smith doesn’t offer too much of a pass-rush presence, but he’s an exceptionally talented run defender that can instantly help with their biggest weakness as the Chargers try to get past their divisional rivals in the Kansas City Chiefs.

While only recording 0.5 sacks for the year at Michigan, Smith is a perfect fit as a powerful nose tackle or two-down defensive tackle in a 4-3 base defense.

A good size at 6-foot-3 and 326 pounds, Smith had a lot of trouble handling double teams during his time at Michigan. He looks the perfect fit for the Chargers.

While a two-down specialist could raise some questions this early in the NFL Draft, the truth is that they’re in the sort of position where they have to make this pick.

Either that, or they could potentially trade down.

On the clock: NFL Draft Pick No. 22: Baltimore Ravens – Zay Flowers, Wide Receiver, Boston College

Mock Draft 1.0 – Jordan Addison, Wide Receiver, USC

Rashod Bateman aside, the Baltimore Ravens are desperate for more help at receiver but failed to upgrade in free agency. They need help urgently, and Zay Flowers would be an excellent prospect given he could go much earlier than this.

Flowers had an excellent season for Boston College with 78 receptions for 1,077 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Eagles. While he is a small receiver at 5-foot-10 and 172 pounds, he was productive on the outside as well as in the slot.

Flowers didn’t have a slam dunk in the Combine, but he flashed exactly why teams like him at the Boston College pro day. He’s quick and dynamic, a threat to take it to the house on any touch.

Teams will need to make a decision on whether or not Flowers is strictly a slot receiver or can be used on the outside at the NFL given his small stature. It won’t matter for the Ravens, though, who need help all over.

Drops can be a problem for Flowers, which he will need to work on for the next level and does set him apart from the top receiver prospects, but there’s no doubting he’s an electric prospect for the NFL.

On the clock: NFL Draft Pick No. 23: Minnesota Vikings – Cam Smith, Cornerback, South Carolina

Mock Draft 1.0 – Devon Witherspoon, Cornerback, Illinois

The Minnesota Vikings signed Byron Murphy but the team still needs a lot of help at cornerback. They miss out on Devon Witherspoon unlike the first mock, but Cam Smith could also appeal as an option.

Smith recorded 27 tackles, an interception and five passes broken up this season, excelling at South Carolina and playing himself into first-round contention.

A physical player, Smith has to make sure he keeps his hands clean during snaps as we’ve seen the sort of ticky-tack calls that decide Super Bowls now. That aside, he’s got some really good moves to keep up with receivers.

Smith has good size coming in at 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds at the NFL Combine. He could stand to gain a little weight so he doesn’t get outmuscled, but there’s no reason why he can’t do that and thrive in the NFL.

On the clock: NFL Draft Pick No. 24: Jacksonville Jaguars – Kelee Ringo, Cornerback, Georgia

Mock Draft 1.0 – Cam Smith, Cornerback, South Carolina

The Jacksonville Jaguars are a team on the rise, but something has to be done about a cornerback position that needed upgrading even before they chose not to bring back Shaq Griffin.

Kelee Ringo is a cornerback with excellent physical abilities. He has prototypical size at 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, and he has exceptional speed with good strength for the next level. Ringo wowed the Combine with his 40-yard time, and he could go a lot higher than this.

In 2022, Ringo recorded two interceptions and seven passes defended for Georgia as the team won a second consecutive national championship. For the NFL, Ringo is a press corner, jamming receivers and using his speed to run with them.

Ringo would be a lot higher as a prospect, but he does have some serious issues at the next level. He’s very scheme specific and isn’t suited to a zone-based system. While he is fast, he does play a bit stiff in the hips and can struggle with changes of direction that can be exploited in zone coverage.

Teams will need to make sure he doesn’t get exploited by agile receivers, but when he’s in his element, he’s a very dangerous player in the secondary.

On the clock: NFL Draft Pick No. 25: New York Giants – Jordan Addison, Wide Receiver, USC

Mock Draft 1.0 – Zay Flowers, Wide Receiver, Boston College

The New York Giants gave a lot of money to quarterback Daniel Jones, so they need to surround him with as many receivers as possible. While the team brought back Darius Slayton, they were only able to bring in middling talents via free agency so an upgrade is definitely needed.

Jordan Addison is an intriguing prospect who’s been highly productive at the collegiate level. Addison had 100 receptions for 1,593 yards and 17 touchdowns for the Pittsburgh Panthers before transferring to USC for 2022. While he didn’t have the eye-catching numbers of the previous year, he still had a good season for the Trojans with 59 receptions for 875 yards and eight touchdowns.

Addison was not able to complete the NFL Combine due to injury and the USC pro day was fine but not exceptional. As a result, his draft stock is very fluid and he seems to be firmly the fourth wide receiver now on the draft board.

Addison might have hurt himself both literally and figuratively at the combine, but there’s still a lot to like about him. He has excellent speed and route-running ability, and his ability to find the endzone with his 25 combined receiving touchdowns (he also had a rushing touchdown in 2021) has also been a big consideration in making him a first-round talent.

Addison is not exactly a tall or a strong receiver, but a smart team would be able to utilize his strengths and make him a good receiver in the pros.

On the clock: NFL Draft Pick No. 26: Dallas Cowboys – Dalton Kincaid, Tight End, Utah

Mock Draft 1.0 – Kelee Ringo, Cornerback, Georgia

Tight end has been a position that’s been a bit lacking in recent drafts, but that changes this year. Teams seeking a tight end are spoilt for choice and the Dallas Cowboys are one such team.

Michael Mayer has been the longtime favorite to be the first tight end off the board but that’s now firmly in debate. The Cowboys met with him as they look for a replacement for Dalton Schultz. Kincaid hasn’t worked out as he’s been injured and only recently became cleared, but he’s a receiving threat for the next level.

Kincaid had 70 receptions for 890 yards and eight touchdowns for the Utah Utes in 2022. He’s a proven weapon who ticks all the boxes when it comes to his speed, hands and route running. While true receiving threats have been rare coming into the draft in recent seasons, Kincaid looks set to break that trend.

Kincaid is a good size at 6-foot-4 and 246 pounds, but despite being a willing blocker he is a bit of a liability when it comes to blocking and shouldn’t be relied on in that area. However if he can add some strength in a NFL weight programme, he could develop into a blocking threat as well as a receiving one.

On the clock: NFL Draft Pick No. 27: Buffalo Bills – Jahmyr Gibbs, Running Back, Alabama

Mock Draft 1.0 – Jalin Hyatt, Wide Receiver, Tennessee

Bijan Robinson has understandably gotten all the hype, but there’s a second bluechip running back prospect in Jahmyr Gibbs. Positionally running back isn’t as valued as it used to be, but Gibbs will be a first-round pick and he’s a perfect fit for a Buffalo Bills team desperate to get to the Super Bowl and who made a run at trading for Christian McCaffrey.

Jahmyr Gibbs ran for 926 yards and seven touchdowns at 6.1 yards per carry for Alabama in 2022. He also showed himself a dangerous receiving threat for the Crimson tide with 44 receptions for 444 yards and three touchdowns.

As a runner Gibbs is a threat to break it open whenever he touches the football. He finds the gap and rips right through it, and good luck to any defender chasing him down from behind. He’s almost impossible to bring down in the open field as he isn’t only fast and insanely agile, but he’s a smart runner who knows when to cut and when to use his speed to breakaway from defenses.

Gibbs is slightly undersized at 5-foot-9 and 199 pounds (as measured at the combine) and he isn’t the best blocker, but he’s still a dynamic weapon who should help bring running backs back into Thursday contention alongside Robinson.

On the clock: NFL Draft Pick No. 28: Cincinnati Bengals – Michael Mayer, Tight End, Notre Dame

Mock Draft 1.0  – Michael Mayer, Tight End, Notre Dame

The Cincinnati Bengals didn’t retain Hayden Hurst and didn’t look for a replacement in free agency, so they almost definitely will take on in the draft at some point.

Michael Mayer might have been supplanted as the top tight end off the board in this mock and he doesn’t wow you athletically, but he’s still a reliable prospect who would be a good fit at Cincinnati. Mayer had a productive season for Notre Dame, with 67 receptions for 809 yards and nine touchdowns for the Fighting Irish to follow up on 71 receptions for 840 yards and seven touchdowns in 2021.

Mayer helped himself at the NFL Combine to solidify himself as a first-round prospect. While he isn’t an athletic freak, he’s still perfectly good for what you want to find at the position.

Mayer doesn’t have the highest ceiling but he definitely has the highest floor. He should be a Week 1 starter for this Bengals team if they pick him.

On the clock: Pick No. 29: New Orleans Saints – Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia

Mock Draft 1.0 – Anthony Richardson, Quarterback, Florida

Marcus Davenport left in free agency and Cameron Jordan is a veteran at the end of his career, so pass-rusher is the foremost need for the New Orleans Saints entering the draft.

Nolan Smith is a bit of a wild card as far as where he could go, but he definitely could go earlier than this. The Saints would happily run to the podium to submit this selection. Smith is a freak athlete who made history at the NFL Combine.

Smith is a raw prospect that needs help developing his pass-rushing skills, but he can take the field immediately as a run defender that plays with strength and violence while refining his athletic prowess to make a splash on third downs later. It’s a matter of technique more than ability for Smith.

Smith will also need to add some weight to his frame as he’s a bit small at 238 pounds to play at that his entire career, but he has the time to do that in his rookie season. He’s still a freakish-but-raw prospect that a team will take a shot on.

On the clock: NFL Draft Pick No. 30: Philadelphia Eagles – Jack Campbell, Linebacker, Iowa

Mock Draft 1.0 – Jack Campbell, Linebacker, Iowa

The Eagles did a good job signing a lot of their free agents, but they’ll likely use this pick as a replacement somewhere on the defense. They can afford to take the best player that fits, and that would be Jack Campbell at this juncture.

Campbell is an off-ball linebacker who has all the tall to be a three-down starter in the NFL, and he could be picked a lot earlier than this. For the Iowa Hawkeyes, Campbell had 125 tackles, one pass defended, one sack, one forced fumble and two interceptions including a phenomenal interception of C.J. Stroud against Ohio State.

There aren’t too many wrinkles in his game, being able to excel in coverage or defending the run. He’s pretty tall for a linebacker at 6-foot-5 and 246 pounds, but he makes sure he gets low and doesn’t allow leverage underneath him.

Campbell is an exceptionally smart player who can also end up being the defensive play-caller for an NFL team. He’s a very smart player who can diagnose offenses, and he has the speed and strength to be an instant impact. He would be an excellent choice for an already elite Eagles squad looking to get back to the Super Bowl.

On the clock: NFL Draft Pick No. 31: Kansas City Chiefs – Calijah Kancey, Defensive Tackle, Pittsburgh

Mock Draft 1.0 – Darnell Wright, Offensive Tackle, Tennessee

Chris Jones is elite, but the Kansas City Chiefs could use help next to him at defensive tackle. Calijah Kancey has turned heads more than almost any defensive player coming into the draft and has drawn some comparisons to Aaron Donald.

I’ve written before about my love of Kancey as a prospect. Not only did Kancey measure in at the combine bigger and heavier than expected (6-foot-1 and 281 pounds, both more than his collegiate measurements by an inch and a pound respectively) but he also shattered the drills and showed exactly what he can do.

Kancey had 31 tackles (including 14.5 tackles for loss) and 7.5 sacks this season for Pittsburgh. These stats weren’t a fluke either, as he had 33 tackles including 13 tackles for loss and seven sacks in 2021.

Sure, Kancey will get a bit of flak from those who don’t see him as tall enough to be a prototypical defensive tackle, but Donald had the same critics eating those words as he became one of the best interior defenders we’ve ever seen. Kancey, however, looks like a legitimate force who could prove to be one of the steals of the draft.

On the clock: NFL Draft Pick No. 99: San Francisco 49ers – Blake Freeland, Offensive Tackle, BYU

Mock Draft 1.0 – Joe Tippmann, Center, Wisconsin

Mike McGlinchey is gone and the 49ers will be looking to backup Colton McKivitz to take the jump to starter for 2023. The team will need to look at a contingency plan, however, with Blake Freeland a popular mock in this area.

Freeland has prototypical size to be a left tackle at 6-foot-8 and 305 pounds. He could serve as a stopgap at right tackle if needed, with a long-term view to be the replacement for left tackle Trent Williams when the latter decides to retire.

Freeland is on the Day 2/Day 3 bubble, but his work at the combine could make the former more likely now. He’s already a stout run blocker which bodes as a good fit for a Niners team that enforces the run more than any other team in the NFL.

Freeland is raw, however, and the 49ers will need to be patient to bring out the best possible player. His footwork is a bit dicey and he sometimes plays with his pads too high that leads him to be pushed around. He can learn behind the best left tackle in football however, so he has every chance to develop.

On the clock: NFL Draft Pick No. 101: San Francisco 49ers – Zack Kuntz, Tight End, Old Dominion

Mock Draft 1.0 – N/A

Don’t be surprised if the San Francisco 49ers pull the trigger on a tight end early. Head coach Kyle Shanahan is always on the lookout for the ideal second tight end behind George Kittle so he can utilize more creativity in the offense.

This is an elite tight end class, and Zack Kuntz can be a special prospect that fits well.

Kuntz had a down year in 2022 for Old Dominion with only 12 receptions for 144 yards and two touchdowns after playing only five games due to injury, but he’s only a season removed from 73 receptions for 692 yards and five touchdowns for the Monarchs in 2021 after transferring from Penn State.

Measuring in at 6-foot-7 and 255 pounds, Kuntz ran the 40-yard dash at an impressive 4.55 seconds with a 1.57 second 10-yard split. Players who are that tall and heavy should not be running that fast. He also demonstrated his athleticism, further recording 40 inches in the vertical jump.

Kuntz has the mismatch ability that Shanahan craves to pair with Kittle. He looked really good in the field drills too, catching the ball and demonstrating gamebreaking ability.

Kuntz is not the best blocker, and San Francisco will want to work on that, but Kittle is an ideal mentor for the 49ers to call upon.

On the clock: NFL Draft Pick No. 102: San Francisco 49ers – Jakorian Bennett, Cornerback, Maryland

Mock Draft 1.0 – N/A

The San Francisco 49ers signed Isaiah Oliver to replace Jimmie Ward at nickel back, but the overall depth at the position is still pretty thin behind the starters with Emmanuel Moseley and Jason Verrett off the roster. Jakorian Bennett has the versatility to play both outside and in the nickel, a trait deeply sought after by the 49ers.

Bennett also can play safety which would help with another need when it comes to depth. He’s a smart player who can easily fit into the 49ers defensive scheme.

Bennett’s exceptional NFL Combine showed he has the physical tools to stick in the NFL, and he was productive too at Maryland with five interceptions and 22 passes defended in the past two seasons.

A willing tackler, which ticks another of the 49ers boxes for defenders, Bennett boasts the versatility and upside you want to find at the end of the third round.