2023 mock NFL Draft 3.0: Final 11th-hour edition (with trades)

With the 2023 NFL Draft on our doorstep, the final 2023 mock draft from Niner Noise is released complete with trades and bonus 49ers picks.

The San Francisco 49ers might be waiting to pick for a while, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot of storylines to play out on the opening night that Niners fans can’t sit back and watch.

Whether it’s Bryce Young or C.J. Stroud competing for the No. 1 pick, the Houston Texans supposedly ready to pass on one of them to trade out of the No. 2 pick, wondering which team might trade up for polarizing prospect Anthony Richardson, seeing where divisive defensive tackle prospect Jalen Carter finishes and even wondering if top running back prospect Bijan Robinson can even crack the top 10 despite being the best prospect overall, there is a lot to play out.

Read More: 4 dream scenarios for 49ers entering 2023 NFL Draft

So naturally, it’s time to try to predict what happens with all this craziness with one final mock draft. Complete with trades that almost definitely won’t happen!

This has genuinely been the most fun trying to write. The complete anarchy has been almost unprecedented, with not a single pick having an obvious solution. There’s quite a lot to play out, to say the least.

The trades will be calculated with the help of a value chart, and a little bit of common sense (which will be explained further in the first trade).

Also, just a reminder that this season there are 31 first-round selections and not 32, as the Miami Dolphins had to forfeit theirs due to tampering.

Also included at the end will be the 49ers third-round selections, just to keep 49ers fans reading until the end of the draft.

For reference you can find the first mock draft here, and the second mock draft here.

And as always, all questions or critiques are welcomed. I’ll do my best to explain the reasonings behind every selection. So let’s get started.

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

Mock Draft 1.0 – Will Anderson, EDGE, Alabama (Chicago Bears)
Mock Draft 2.0 – Bryce Young, QB, Alabama (Carolina Panthers)

This pick will go down to Bryce Young vs. C.J. Stroud. While some prefer the prototypical profile of the latter, Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper is supposedly infatuated with the creativity of the former.

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. He’s an excellent passer, but he really shines when he has to improvise on the field, and projects as a superior version of Kyler Murray.

The one concern about Young is his size and whether or not he can hold up to the physicality of NFL football. Young measured in shorter than listed at Alabama, coming in at 5-foot-10 1/8 and 204 pounds at the NFL Combine. He would actually be smaller than the comparable Murray, with the Arizona Cardinals quarterback at the exact same height but weighing 208 pounds when he was drafted in 2019.

The height isn’t a problem whatsoever as he’s able to make throws despite being shorter than most teams would want, but his slight frame may not be able to hold out physically. It’ll be paramount for the Panthers to make sure he’s protected and not constantly running for his life.

Young would be on par with Trevor Lawrence and Andrew Luck as the best quarterback prospect in recent memory when you take into account his skills. He’s freakishly good with his legs but isn’t overreliant on using them. He has one of the best football minds in the draft, calmly diagnosing defenses and working through progressions. He doesn’t have the cannon of Anthony Richardson or Will Levis in this class, but he still puts plenty of zip on his throws along with showing the touch to drop them into tight windows.

Physical questions aside, there’s no question that Bryce Young is an exceptional prospect who loves football and can command the Panthers offense. As long as he’s kept upright, he’s a safe pick to be a franchise quarterback.

On the clock: Pick No. 2: Atlanta Falcons – C.J. Stroud, Quarterback, Ohio State

Mock Draft 1.0 – Bryce Young, Quarterback, Alabama (Houston Texans)
Mock Draft 2.0 – C.J. Stroud, Quarterback, Ohio State (Houston Texans)

The big news coming out of the Houston Texans camp is that they might decide to trade the No. 2 pick because they’re not sold on C.J. Stroud as a prospect, in part because Stroud shares the same agent as former quarterback Deshaun Watson.

While this seems very dubious and more likely a smokescreen, it feels like there might be more to this than normal rumors. The Texans are unlikely to deal with divisional rivals such as the Tennessee Titans or Indianapolis Colts that need a quarterback, so here the Atlanta Falcons make a big jump to grab a franchise guy.

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 a much more prototypical quarterback than Young and doesn’t use his leg speed as much, instead preferring to throw from the pocket. That being said, he did show the ability to break the game open with his scrambling in the college playoffs.

Stroud ticked all the boxes at his Pro Day too and couldn’t have done anything more to give himself a shot to be the No. 1 pick.

On the clock: Pick No. 3: Tennessee Titans – Anthony Richardson, Quarterback, Florida

Mock Draft 1.0 – Jalen Carter, Defensive Tackle, Georgia (Arizona Cardinals)
Mock Draft 2.0 – Will Anderson, EDGE, Alabama (Arizona Cardinals)

There are four teams that could potentially trade up with Arizona for a quarterback. They are the Tennessee Titans, Las Vegas Raiders, Atlanta Falcons and Tennessee Titans. It doesn’t make sense for Tennessee to trade up one selection (and may not want a quarterback anyway) while Las Vegas and Atlanta seem content with their quarterback selections.

Anthony Richardson is the single most polarizing prospect as far as talent is concerned. Physically he has the highest ceiling of anybody in the draft with a rare combination of speed and strength, but from a football standpoint, there’s never such a highly touted quarterback prospect in the draft that has such problems throwing the football.

Richardson completed 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. The really concerning point of his game is his inability to hit routine passes in the short and intermediate game, either being horribly inaccurate or rifling it in with such power that receivers can’t hang on.

What teams however are falling in love with his that potential? He automatically will become the most physically impressive quarterback in the NFL with his cannon arm and lightning speed that saw him run a 4.43 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. If he develops the technique and football IQ to meet those physical talents, he could be the best quarterback in this class.

It’s going to take a bit of time and patience and there’s no doubt Richardson is a boom-or-bust prospect, but there will be a team that falls in love with Richardson and trades up. I think it’ll be the Titans.

On the clock: Pick No. 4: Indianapolis Colts – Will Anderson, EDGE, Alabama

Mock Draft 1.0 – C.J. Stroud, Quarterback, Ohio State
Mock Draft 2.0 – Anthony Richardson, Quarterback, Florida

The trendy pick for the Indianapolis Colts is a quarterback, but there are a few considerations that changed the pick. The first is that the consensus best defender in the class, Will Anderson is available here unlike in previous mocks, and their 2022 sack leader Yannick Ngakoue is definitely moving on.

Former 49er Samson Ebukam has signed for the Colts but he’s more of a rotational player. The Colts need a quarterback but they also need a pass rush, and they can always wait until next year when they could have a chance at better quarterback talents like Caleb Williams from USC or Drake Maye from North Carolina.

Anderson had 51 tackles, 10 sacks and an interception returned for a touchdown for the season for Alabama. He blitzed the Combine with 4.6 second 40-yard time that’s very good for his 6-foot-3, 253-pound frame and an excellent 1.61 10-yard split to go with it.

There are some concerns on whether or not Anderson has the size to battle larger linemen, and he was held in check by another potential first-round pick in Darnell Wright when Alabama played Tennessee, but he should still be a safe pick to develop into a centerpiece EDGE for an NFL defense.

While this is a little against the grain for Indianapolis, the value of Anderson falling to them would be too good to pass up for a team that needs help getting to the quarterback and needs a defensive leader.

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

Mock Draft 1.0 – Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech
Mock Draft 2.0 – Jalen Carter, Defensive Tackle, Georgia

Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter is a prospect that sorts people into two camps. One camp sees his exceptional talent and ability to be an anchor in the middle of any defensive line for a decade or more, while the other sees the multitudes of red flags and has him scrubbed clean of any draft boards.

What is probable is the problems that Carter faced won’t end up affecting his draft stock. Carter faced potentially losing his NFL career before it started for charges stemming from a drag racing incident that killed two people, but a police investigation cleared him of the most serious charges and he instead pleaded guilty to two misdemeanors of reckless driving and racing.

Nonetheless, the bad judgment from Carter, showing up to his Pro Day so overweight that he couldn’t finish the workout and previous concerns over his work ethic and overall production have some worrying that he could be a potential bust waiting to happen.

An excellent size at 6-foot-3 and 314 pounds, his physical talents are pretty apparent. An incredibly powerful player who can tie up double team blocks and move past single blockers with ease, Carter recorded 32 tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles and three passes defended.

Carter will need to grow up a lot as he enters the league, but he enters the NFL in a good spot in this mock. The Seattle Seahawks are a very common landing spot for Carter and head coach Pete Carroll is well-known as a no-nonsense guy in the league. It’s going to be a risk, but well worth the reward.

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

Mock Draft 1.0 – Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson
Mock Draft 2.0 – Bijan Robinson, Running Back, Texas

The idea of running back Bijan Robinson as a selection this high isn’t a common one, but while I can’t claim to have started this bandwagon I definitely jumped on it early as Bijan Robinson is, in this writer’s opinion, the best prospect in this draft class by a considerable margin.

On the surface, this seems like a luxury pick, but this could very well be a selection that pushes the Detroit Lions on top of the NFC North. While the team has D’Andre Swift and David Montgomery, the former is often injured and hasn’t been trusted by the front office, while Montgomery is just a replacement for Jamaal Williams.

Robinson is an extra-special prospect and arguably the best running back prospect in the draft in the 21st century. A prospect that has no weaknesses and is incredible to behold, Robinson is a rare running back a team could spend a premium selection on.

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 one of those players who doesn’t seem to have any weaknesses and does everything well. 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.

Don’t be fooled thinking this is another overvalued pick on a running back, Robinson is the real deal and a rare game-changer in a pass-driven league.

On the clock: Pick No. 7: Las Vegas Raiders – Devon Witherspoon, Cornerback, Illinois

Mock Draft 1.0 – Quentin Johnston, Wide Receiver, TCU
Mock Draft 2.0 – Christian Gonzalez, Cornerback, Oregon

The Las Vegas Raiders are one of the teams that could shape the draft depending on which direction they’re going. They’re in a difficult division and need immediate impact from their draft picks to have any chance of the playoffs, so a quarterback isn’t likely here. The team has invested in Jimmy Garoppolo and are ready to win now and cornerback is a big position of need. They’re likely to have their pick of corner here.

Witherspoon was slightly undersized at the NFL Scouting Combine (5-foot-11, 181 pounds) but plays a lot bigger than his size indicates. He’s had a lot of positive momentum entering the draft and could even be the first cornerback off the board depending on the team.

A versatile scheme corner who can play either as a man or zone-based corner, Witherspoon had three interceptions and 14 pass breakups for Illinois in 2022. A great tackler with tremendous ball skills and the ability to play in the slot, he looks set for a good career.

Witherspoon may not have the traditional and prototypical size of a No. 1 corner that teams crave, but his ability to shut down receivers and play bigger than his height would indicate has excited teams. If he falls out of the top 10, he won’t be waiting long to have his name called.

On the clock: Pick No. 8: Houston Texans (via Atlanta) – Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech

Mock Draft 1.0 – Isaiah Foskey, EDGE, Notre Dame (Atlanta Falcons)
Mock Draft 2.0 – Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech (Atlanta Falcons)

The Houston Texans should come out of this with a quarterback but they might decide to bolster the trenches instead. They could tank next season for Caleb Williams or Drake Maye, and head coach DeMeco Ryans comes from the 49ers’ system of a strong defensive line guiding the rest of the defense.

Tyree Wilson is a raw prospect, but he’s super athletic and has the highest ceiling of any EDGE rusher in this draft. He’s flashed some ridiculous potential, and it’s been argued he could go as high as No. 3 to the Arizona Cardinals (if they don’t trade down).

This season, Wilson totaled 61 tackles, one forced fumble and seven sacks before injury forced him out for the rest of the year, the NFL Combine and the Texas Tech pro day. While he was cleared for a private workout with interested teams, he missed the chance to probably be the first non-quarterback off the board this draft.

At 6-foot-6 and 275 pounds, Wilson is a physical freak who’s a rare blend of speed and power. He does need to develop some better technique and consistency for the NFL, but he has all the makings of an elite EDGE in the pros.

On the clock: Pick No. 9: Chicago Bears – Paris Johnson, Offensive Tackle, Ohio State

The Chicago Bears can already be classified as a winner of the NFL Draft acquiring not only picks but also a No. 1 receiver in D.J. Moore, but here they also provide some blocking for Justin Fields with a prototypical tackle prospect in Paris Johnson.

Paris Johnson and Peter Skoronski are the two favorites to be the first offensive lineman off the board, and a lot will depend on if teams view Skoronski as a tackle or a guard. Johnson however has no such questions surrounding which position he could play in the NFL.

Johnson is a more prototypical left tackle at 6-foot-6 and 315 pounds and has the perfect height/speed/length ratio that teams are looking for. He has the potential to add even more weight and muscle in an NFL weight program too.

Johnson is sometimes guilty of being too much of a finesse blocker rather than utilizing his strength, but that can be easily coached. He looks like a good bet to be a franchise tackle in the NFL.

On the clock: Pick No. 10: Philadelphia Eagles – Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech

Mock Draft 1.0: Tuli Tuipulotu, EDGE, USC
Mock Draft 2.0: Lukas Van Ness, EDGE, Iowa

The Philadelphia Eagles have a Super Bowl-caliber lineup but will need to add some more pass-rushers with Brandon Graham at the end of his career and Robert Quinn leaving. The team has had high interest and has been linked heavily to Iowa EDGE Lukas Van Ness. He recorded 36 tackles and six sacks for the Iowa Hawkeyes in 2023.

The NFL Combine favors athletes, so it was no surprise that Van Ness excelled with his physical talents there. While Van Ness is a raw talent, he can learn behind Graham before starting proper.

Athletically Van Ness has all the tools. He has a quick first step that allows him to often win battles against offensive linemen, as he has the power to get the first punch in well and then the athletic ability to get through. While there’s a lot for Van Ness to do for him to be the finished article, he does have the tools to be an instant impact player as someone who subs in on obvious passing situations and is allowed to tee off on the quarterback.

At 6-foot-5 and 272 pounds, Van Ness can also line up inside on sub packages to provide a pass-rushing boost there. With his talent, potential and versatility, he looks set to be a top-10 selection.

Pick No. 11: Arizona Cardinals (via Tennessee) – Christian Gonzalez, Cornerback, Oregon

Mock Draft 1.0: Peter Skoronski, Offensive Tackle, Northwestern (Tennessee Titans)
Mock Draft 2.0: Quentin Johnston, Wide Receiver, TCU (Tennessee Titans)

Trading back would be such a smart move for Arizona. Not only could they take advantage of a desperate franchise seeking a quarterback, but this would be the perfect place for them to fill their biggest need at cornerback.

The super-talented Byron Murphy is gone and the team needed to upgrade the position even before that. Here they get the pick of the bunch, which I believe will be Christian Gonzalez.

An excellent prospect who can excel especially in man coverage, Gonzalez has the physical attributes of a shutdown cornerback with excellent size (6-foot-2, 201 pounds) and the speed to run with fast receivers. Gonzalez had four interceptions and seven passes defended in 2022 for the Oregon Ducks after transferring from Colorado.

Gonzalez isn’t quite on the level of the 2022 elite cornerback prospects in Derek Stingley or Sauce Gardner however. There have been times in his tape where he was inconsistent and lost his man, but there’s no doubt he has an excellent ceiling as a prospect.

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

Mock Draft 1.0: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Wide Receiver, Ohio State
Mock Draft 2.0: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Wide Receiver, Ohio State

The media drastically overhyped how good the receiver class was this season, with only Jaxon Smith-Njigba seen as a true first-round prospect by teams. Even if Houston doesn’t come out of the draft with a quarterback, they definitely need multiple upgrades at receiver.

Smith-Njigba had 95 passes for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns in 2021 despite being the third receiver behind Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave at Ohio State. He’s been a bit under the radar as injuries derailed his 2022 season, but he’s still seen as the best receiver in the class.

Ohio State knows how to develop receives and make them NFL-ready, and Smith-Njigba is no exception. He runs a good route tree from his time at the Buckeyes, has a good size (6-foot-1, 196 pounds) and excellent hands for plucking out passes.

Smith-Njigba might not have the blazing speed to be a true separation threat in the NFL, but he has the functional athleticism and excellent route running that will see him make a lot of big plays as a pro.

On the clock: Pick No. 13: Green Bay Packers, Peter Skoronski, Offensive Tackle, Northwestern

Mock Draft 1.0: Paris Johnson, Offensive Tackle, Ohio State (New York Jets)
Mock Draft 2.0: Paris Johnson, Offensive Tackle, Ohio State (New York Jets)

The Green Bay Packers finally traded quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and even managed to move up in the first round thanks to the Jets desperation to acquire him. What they do with this pick is up for debate, but they need new quarterback Jordan Love to succeed.

The Packers need a new tackle so Elgton Jenkins can return to guard, but Peter Skoronski could play either position depending on how they view the offensive line. His versatility, his technique and his performance at the NFL Combine should make him a strong candidate to be a top-10 pick.

Skoronski may have questions on length, but there’s no doubt that he’s got an excellent technique for the next level. His hips are fluid and he has excellent footwork. With his lateral mobility and timing, he gets to the punch first which nullifies any potential drawback with his arms.

The Packers will be desperate to remain relevant in a suddenly very competitive NFC North. Keeping Love upright will be essential.

On the clock: Pick No. 14: New England Patriots – Devon Witherspoon, Cornerback, Illinois

Mock Draft 1.0: Tyler Steen, Offensive Tackle, Alabama
Mock Draft 2.0: Broderick Jones, Offensive Tackle, Georgia

Part of the reason that quarterback Mac Jones regressed so much in 2022 was absymal offensive line play. Jones is not a mobile quarterback and needs excellent blocking to succeed, so the New England Patriots should consider a tackle here.

Broderick Jones is a more raw prospect than the two tackles ahead of him, but he has all the physical attributes. He’s a freak athlete at the position, running a 4.97 40-yard time at the Combine and possessing excellent power to punish defenders.

Jones is a raw talent and only has 19 starts under his belt. His technique isn’t quite at the level it needs to be, so he finds himself relying too much on his athleticism which won’t fly in the NFL. With quick learning, however, he can definitely be a starting tackle sooner rather than later in the NFL.

While not a sure thing, Jones has the sort of upside that teams crave and the Jets might be able to successfully develop this time around.

On the clock: Pick No. 15: New York Jets – Brian Branch, Safety, Alabama

Mock Draft 1.0: Brian Branch, Safety, Alabama (Green Bay Packers)
Mock Draft 2.0: Brian Branch, Safety, Alabama (Green Bay Packers)

The New York Jets should not have traded down in the Aaron Rodgers trade, but they were understandably desperate to grab him. The Jets might consider a tackle like Darnell Wright, but given Wright might not be a left tackle in the NFL they might consider the best safety in the draft instead.

While Branch is not a can’t-miss safety prospect, he’s still a strong player who can bolster the position for the Jets and give them a long term solution at the position.

Branch recorded 90 tackles, three sacks, two interceptions and seven passes while playing both as a safety and nickel back for Alabama this season. Branch is a typical Alabama player boasting an incredibly high football IQ and strong against the run.

While there is some concern Branch doesn’t have the takeaways he should have and he might be a tweener with no real home, there’s still a lot of potential in him for a team like the Jets to take here.

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

Mock Draft 1.0: Christian Gonzalez, Cornerback, Oregon
Mock Draft 2.0: Joey Porter Jr., Cornerback, Penn State

Cornerback is an obvious need for the Washington Commanders as their pass defense was practically non-existent for a lot of 2022. Joey Porter Jr is the last of the consensus top three cornerbacks on the board and would be an instant upgrade.

Washington met with Porter during the Combine so there’s obvious interest. Porter is less versatile than some might like as he’s not able to play in the slot, but he has big upside as a potential shutdown cornerback.

Porter has the prototypical size and speed you want for a top corner, measuring in at 6-foot-2 and 193 pounds while running a 4.46 40-yard time at the NFL Combine.

Porter didn’t record an interception in 2022 but he did have 11 passes defended for the Nittany Lions. While he doesn’t have the takeaways that teams would like to see from a top-corner prospect, his ability to be in the right place to deflect those passes show he can put himself in the right place.

On the clock: Pick No. 17: Minnesota Vikings (via Pittsburgh) – Will Levis, Quarterback, Kentucky

Mock Draft 1.0: Joey Porter Jr, Cornerback, Penn State
Mock Draft 2.0: Devon Witherspoon, Cornerback, Illinois

Will Levis is the quarterback most likely to fall down the draft, and here the Minnesota Vikings trade up and stop the slide. Kirk Cousins is unlikely to be retained past this season and the Vikings need a quarterback of the future, Levis can sit in 2023 and get ready to take the reins in 2024.

Levis is an extremely raw prospect but has upside similar to Justin Herbert. While there are some questions over his suitability as a pro, he also has his defenders as someone with exceptional upside that a team will no doubt take a gamble on.

Levis threw for 2,406 yards, 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions this season for the Kentucky Wildcats. Physically he has one of the strongest arms in the class, with the velocity to get the ball anywhere he wants.

The downsides are really evident, too, however. He had trouble diagnosing defenses while at Kentucky, which is a big problem as defenses only get more complicated and the game gets quicker in the NFL. He has been guilty of taking bad sacks and throwing unnecessary interceptions, which is something that needs to be cleaned up.

Levis is not ready to play in 2023, so he has to land in a good situation. The Vikings already have a good system in place complete with good weapons, so he can learn in that system for a year before the Vikings start to reap the benefits for the 2024 season.

On the clock: Pick No. 18: Detroit Lions – Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia

Mock Draft 1.0: Drew Sanders, Linebacker, Arkansas
Mock Draft 2.0: Drew Sanders, Linebacker, Arkansas

Aidan Hutchinson looks like an excellent EDGE to build the defense around, but Detroit needs some more help to push them over the line in the fight to win the NFC North. Nolan Smith is a boom-or-bust prospect, but he has some exciting physical talent that led him to rise in this draft class.

Smith is a freak athlete that turned heads and set records at the NFL Combine. While Smith never had the production of a first-round pick at Georgia which will unsettle some given the Bulldogs’ deep amount of defensive talent, his physical abilities leaped off the charts during his workout.

Smith does have some concerns, however. He’s undersized for an EDGE at 6-foot-2 and 238 pounds and had only three sacks for the Bulldogs in 2022. Given the size and production issues, there’s a bit of a low floor for Smith in the NFL.

The upside is huge though given his historic athleticism. With Hutchinson taking on the bulk of attention on Detroit’s defensive line, Smith would land in a good situation where he could both bulk up physically and develop his moves on the field. Smith is a strong run defender, so he can contribute in that regard right away in 2023.

On the clock: Pick No. 19: Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson

Mock Draft 1.0: Bijan Robinson, Running Back, Texas
Mock Draft 2.0: Will Levis, Quarterback, Kentucky

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers brought in so many EDGEs for visits and it isn’t hard to see why. Shaq Barrett was hurt for a lot of 2022, and nobody else had more than 6.5 sacks for the season. The team desperately needs an upgrade at the position.

Myles Murphy is a difficult player to mock in this draft. He could go as high as the top 10 or fall even lower than this depending on how the draft goes. Murphy is the prototypical size for an EDGE at 6-foot-5 and 268 pounds, and he had a great combine to showcase his athletic abilities.

Murphy had 6.5 sacks for the Clemson Tigers but that doesn’t properly signify how good he was during 2022. A disruptor at the line of scrimmage, Murphy is scheme-versatile and can play in just about any NFL defense with his size and incredible power. He’s almost impossible to block singlehandedly, and he’s NFL-ready.

The only reason Murphy isn’t going earlier than this is the concern that his tape shows him not having the right killer instinct at times which results in him having lesser stats than you would expect him to have with his skillset. He’s still a first-round talent, however, and it’s just down to which team badly wants him.

On the clock: Pick No. 20: Seattle Seahawks – Quentin Johnston, Wide Receiver, TCU

Mock Draft 1.0 – Henry To’oTo’o, Linebacker, Alabama
Mock Draft 2.0 – Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson

The media has been guilty of somewhat overhyping the wide receiver class this year, and teams aren’t as high on it as first thought. There still should be some receivers going in the first round, however, and the Seahawks need to find a third receiver for the present as well as the eventual successor to Tyler Lockett.

Quentin Johnston has mismatch potential for the NFL and showcased it with a huge performance both at the Combine and the TCU Pro Day.

Johnston had 60 receptions for 1,069 yards and six touchdowns for TCU this season. He’s a good size at 6-foot-3 and 208 pounds and ran a fast 4.50 40-yard time at the TCU Pro Day.

An explosive playmaker, Johnston should be able to contribute right away in the NFL and look like a potential steal for the next level. While the wide receiver class in general seems to be overrated by the media, he still could make an instant impact in 2023.

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

Mock Draft 1.0 – Mazi Smith, Defensive Tackle, Michigan
Mock Draft 2.0 – Mazi Smith, Defensive Tackle, Michigan

The Los Angeles Chargers have a problem with blowing games in embarrassing fashion, but an equally big problem is their atrocious run defense that desperately needs attending. Mazi Smith is an elite run defender who can instantly help with the biggest problem separating the Chargers from the AFC elite. Smith is a perfect fit as a powerful nose tackle or two-down defensive tackle in a 4-3 base defense.

Smith won’t give you much of a pass rush, only recording 0.5 sacks for the year at Michigan. That being said he doesn’t need to contribute much as the Chargers have an elite EDGE duo of Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack.

A good size at 6-foot-3 and 326 pounds, Smith had a lot of experience handling double teams during his time at Michigan. He looks like the perfect fit for the Chargers. He’s very tough to move around even when teams devote their attention to him, and there’s no doubt he’s the best pure run defender available.

While there’s some question about whether or not a first-round pick is worth taking for a two-down player, there is some room for him to improve in that role. While he doesn’t have to be a big contributor, even three or four sacks a season could make this look like a big pick down the line.

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

Mock Draft 1.0 – Jordan Addison, Wide Receiver, USC
Mock Draft 2.0 – Zay Flowers, Wide Receiver, Boston College

The Baltimore Ravens have been pretty open about how much they like Zay Flowers, and signing Odell Beckham won’t preclude a wide receiver here. They need to do everything possible to lure quarterback Lamar Jackson back to the team and additional weapons are just as important as money for doing that.

Flowers had an excellent season for Boston College with 78 receptions for 1,077 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Eagles. A small receiver at 5-foot-10 and 172 pounds, he was productive on the outside as well as in the slot, although teams might be reluctant to play him very wide given his small stature.

Flowers has had a lot of good momentum coming into the draft with his excellent workouts and relatively weak wide receiver class. He had to run fast in the NFL Combine, which he did with an impressive 4.42 second 40-yard time. His twitchiness and footwork are exactly what you need with an elite slot receiver.

The real question is if a team sees him as a more diverse receiver than that. He won’t outbody anyone on contested balls but if he’s in space he’s almost impossible to chase down, so a smart team could see Flowers as exceptional value. The only other issue facing Flowers is his drops, with 24 drops at Boston College. with an 11% drop rate.

On the clock: Pick No. 23: Pittsburgh Steelers (via Minnesota) – Darnell Wright, Offensive Tackle, Tennessee

Mock Draft 1.0 – Devon Witherspoon, Cornerback, Illinois (Minnesota Vikings)
Mock Draft 2.0 – Cam Smith, Cornerback, South Carolina (Minnesota Vikings)

The Pittsburgh Steelers need an upgrade at left tackle desperately if quarterback Kenny Pickett is to make a leap in his second season. Darnell Wright launched into first-round contention off the back of his work as a right tackle at Tennessee, but he’s played both tackle positions for the Volunteers.

Wright has some concerns as he’s only had one season of really good tape and he could be stuck at right tackle, but his tape against Alabama where he stonewalled top prospect Will Anderson for the entire game showcases the potential he has to be a blindside protector. Off the back of this tape, Wright could go higher than people think.

Wright plays with a stout anchor and is rarely pushed off his stance when he gets set. He isn’t a mauler, but he has perfectly functional strength that allows him to stonewall elite talents in games. His pass protection technique is particularly impressive, with perfect hand discipline that allows him to get the first punch in without being overeager and prone to counter moves.

Wright could stand to improve his lateral movement and run-blocking technique. He’s below average in both areas which can lead him to struggle against speedy defenders, especially when run blocking where he needs to get to the second level quickly.

Wright is far from the finished article, but he has all the tools necessary to develop into a strong tackle in the NFL.

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

Mock Draft 1.0 – Cam Smith, Cornerback, South Carolina
Mock Draft 2.0 – Kelee Ringo, Cornerback, Georgia

The Jacksonville Jaguars did well to win a playoff game last season, but something has to be done about the abysmal cornerback situation for them to take the next step in a crowded AFC. They have some options here late in the first round, and Kelee Ringo is a true boom-or-bust prospect.

Ringo has the prototypical size for a corner 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 of 4.36 seconds, and he could go a lot higher than this if a team falls in love with his physical traits.

In 2022, Ringo recorded two interceptions and seven passes defended for the Georgia Bulldogs 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 is very scheme specific. He gets lost in zone coverage a lot, and his stiffness when playing means agile receivers can get the drop on him. He’ll have to work on being more fluid in the NFL, or smart coaches will be able to exploit that against him.

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

Mock Draft 1.0 – Zay Flowers, Wide Receiver, Boston College
Mock Draft 2.0 – Jordan Addison, Wide Receiver, USC

The New York Giants need to surround quarterback Daniel Jones with as many weapons as possible now that they’ve paid him a lot of money. They definitely need one pick spent on a receiver, possibly even two.

Jordan Addison is a highly productive receiver headed into the NFL. Addison had 100 receptions for 1,593 yards and 17 touchdowns for the Pittsburgh Panthers before transferring to USC for 2022 where he had 59 receptions for 875 yards and eight touchdowns.

Addison has not had a good leadup to the draft which has affected his placing somewhat. He had to cut his NFL Combine short due to injury and then didn’t impress at the USC pro day in his last chance to rehabilitate his draft stock.

There’s a lot to like about Addison however. 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.

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

Mock Draft 1.0 – Kelee Ringo, Cornerback, Georgia
Mock Draft 2.0 – Dalton Kincaid, Tight End, Utah

It’s a nice change of pace that the tight end class is so strong from top to bottom, and arguably the strongest position overall this year. While it’s been surprisingly late to mock a tight end, this makes a lot of sense for a Dallas Cowboys team that needs to replace the departed Dalton Schultz.’

It’s a tight battle between Michael Mayer and Dalton Kincaid for the first tight end off the board. Mayer is more well-rounded and actually able to participate in the NFL Combine, but Kincaid is the better receiver with the higher ceiling. It’s close, but the edge goes to Kincaid here.

Kincaid may not have been able to participate in the pre-draft process, but he leaps out on the screen as a receiver. Kincaid had 70 receptions for 890 yards and eight touchdowns for the Utah Utes in 2022 and ticks all the boxes you want in a true receiving threat at the position with his hands and speed all top-tier.

Kincaid is a good size at 6-foot-4 and 246 pounds so he should be a good blocker, but truthfully he is a bit deficient in that area and needs to improve. He has the enthusiasm for it, but his technique is a bit lacking and needs to be developed in the NFL.

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

Mock Draft 1.0 – Jalin Hyatt, Wide Receiver, Tennessee
Mock Draft 2.0 – Jahmyr Gibbs, Running Back, Alabama

The Buffalo Bills wanted to trade for running back Christian McCaffrey before the San Francisco 49ers outbid them, so running back makes a lot of sense here. Jahmyr Gibbs is a first-round caliber talent who can help the Buffalo offense over the line with their power struggle in the AFC with the Kansas City Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals.

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.

Good luck catching Gibbs in the open field, as he possesses an exceptional burst of speed and is crazily agile. Gibbs is a smart runner, waiting patiently for holes to appear before utilizing a devastating cut to get through to the second level. An exceptional receiver, he’s a home run threat whenever he touches the ball.

While Gibbs is slightly undersized at 5-foot-9 and 199 pounds and isn’t the best blocker, he’s an excellent prospect to be the lead back in any NFL offense.

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
Mock Draft 2.0 – Michael Mayer, Tight End, Notre Dame

The Cincinnati Bengals didn’t retain Hayden Hurst and didn’t look for a replacement in free agency, they’ll need to find a replacement to help take down Kansas City as the best team in the AFC.

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. He’s the best all-around tight end prospect in this draft and should be a Thursday night selection.

While Mayer can hardly be considered an elite athletic specimen, sometimes that doesn’t matter much as the tape. What Mayer is, is an excellently rounded prospect who can start from Week 1 and be instantly productive. Saddled in an excellent offense like Cincinnati’s, Mayer could be a rare tight end that contends for Rookie of the Year.

The Bengals need firepower to finally climb to the top of the AFC, and Mayer is an excellent fit to make that happen.

On the clock: Pick No. 29: New Orleans Saints – Calijah Kancey, Defensive Tackle, Pittsburgh

Mock Draft 1.0 – Anthony Richardson, Quarterback, Florida
Mock Draft 2.0 – Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia

If the New Orleans Saints want to take control of what is a wide-open NFC South, they need to beef up their pass rush which has been a huge hole for them in recent seasons. With EDGE Marcus Davenport gone, this is an even bigger need.

Calijah Kancey has some real Aaron Donald vibes as an undersized defensive tackle that has some spectacular skills as a pass rusher. He could easily sneak into the first round given the need for players who can get to the quarterback.

I’ve written before about my love for Kancey as a prospect and he only confirmed that at the NFL Combine. 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. He looks like someone who could well outperform his draft spot and play like a top pick.

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

The Philadelphia Eagles have done a great job retaining as many free agents as possible, but there are still a few holes in their defense that need filling. Jack Campbell could start from Week 1, and he’s the best off-ball linebacker in the draft.

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. He looks like a prototypical three-down linebacker in the NFL.

Campbell is 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. His technique is excellent, and teams should feel safe about him being a plug-and-play prospect.

A smart player who could be a defensive captain in the NFL, he would make an excellent choice for an Eagles team that just needs an extra push to win the Super Bowl.

On the clock: Pick No. 31: Kansas City Chiefs – Deonte Banks, Cornerback, Maryland

Mock Draft 1.0 – Darnell Wright, Offensive Tackle, Tennessee
Mock Draft 2.0 – Calijah Kancey, Defensive Tackle, Pittsburgh

The Kansas City Chiefs have been a bit dicey when it comes to pass coverage, and eventually one of the powerful AFC offenses will take them down in the playoffs. They could use another corner, and Deonte Banks has put himself into first-round consideration.

A physical press corner and a good size at 6-foot-0 and 197 pounds, Banks showcased his athletic potential when he ran a 4.36 second 40-yard dash time at the NFL Combine and then blitzing the other athletic drills.

Banks had only one interception for Maryland but had eight passes for Maryland in 2022. His smooth athleticism allows him to keep up with receivers and then make plays on the ball. His willingness to play physically can get him in trouble at times, but with good technique, that aggression will serve him well in the NFL.

The technique, however, is the big question. He has been undisciplined in his college career and as a result, hasn’t had the career he should have had with the Terrapins. He needs to be more efficient with his jam technique, as savvy receivers can slip past his overaggressive hands and make Banks resort to grabbing to prevent being beaten deep.

On the clock: Pick No. 80: San Francisco 49ers (via Pittsburgh) – Blake Freeland, Offensive Tackle, BYU

Mock Draft 1.0 – N/A
Mock Draft 2.0 – N/A

The San Francisco 49ers have 11 draft picks and absolutely no need for all of them. The odds are there’s going to be more than one trade-up for the team, and it makes sense for them to go for someone who can push right tackle Colton McKivitz.

Blake Freeland has the 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 starter at either position as need might dictate.

Freeland used to be on the Day 2/Day 3 bubble, but he seems more likely to be on the Day 2 side of things now.

He’s 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 a bit raw and will need to improve his footwork in order to improve as a pass protector. He might not be ready to play in 2023, but he can develop for the 49ers and start in the future similarly to other offensive line personnel for the 49ers.

On the clock: Pick No. 99: San Francisco 49ers – Jakorian Bennett, Cornerback, Maryland

Mock Draft 1.0 – Joe Tippmann, Center, Wisconsin
Mock Draft 2.0 – Blake Freeland, Offensive Tackle, BYU

The 49ers will probably make several additions to the secondary as the depth has been devastated in the wake of several defections during free agency. Jakorian Bennett is a versatile and talented prospect that could play any defensive back position.

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.

Bennett was amazing athletically at the NFL Combine, running a 4.30 40-yard time and was in the upper tier for cornerbacks in the athletic drills. He’s a willing tackler, and he’s a very smart football player who can read plays.

Bennett does have some things to improve in the NFL however. He’s a bit stiff in the hips and can be prone to grabbing which will draw a lot of flags. He has the potential and amazing upside, but a team will need to be patient and coach him up in the NFL.