We ended night one with a sweat for John Daigle and Scott Smith trying to take down the 2023 Mock Draft crown but fell just short. But the draft does go on and some players ranked as high as the mid-teens on my board remain.

2023 NFL Mock Draft

Last Updated: April 28th, 2023

32. Pittsburgh Steelers: Joey Porter Jr, CB, Penn State

Insert Round 1 copy here (kidding but not really): The Pittsburgh Steelers end up with a fallback option that fans will immediately recognize due to his father’s legacy. The Steelers had a massive need at tackle and with many of the top options lasting into the early teens, decided to move up yesterday and grab Broderick Jones. Now in the second they hit another home run and add Joey Porter Jr. who possesses elite play strength to go along with his 4.46 forty and strong explosiveness. Porter can fill in Cam Sutton’s snaps and add some physicality to the Steelers' back end to more closely mirror their front seven. Joey Porter Jr. excels in press man and his ability to stick on wide receivers early allows time for T.J. Watt and company to get after the quarterback. Also in case you have to ask no, I am not still sour about the Bears trading away this pick for Chase Claypool.

33. Arizona Cardinals: O’Cyrus Torrence, OL, Florida

After moving back and moving back up to select Paris Johnson Jr. the Cardinals could also look to move off this pick with the number of holes they have on the roster. If not, grabbing Torrence, a massive guard out of Florida, would only provide more protection for Kyler Murray as the team reshapes its offensive line.

34. Detroit Lions: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame

The Lions acquired this pick in a trade with the Cardinals for Paris Johnson and then proceeded to have a wild first round taking non-premium positions. While there are four strong candidates for the top tight end in this year’s class Mayer is the most well-rounded as a blocker and pass catcher. Mayer has produced every season at the collegiate level from the second he stepped on campus and left as the school’s all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns by a tight end. Mayer gives the Lions a now lackluster tight end group that traded T.J. Hockenson and provides a red zone target the team currently lacks as they may now need to pass for a higher percentage of their touchdowns after letting Jamaal Williams’ 16 touchdowns go this offseason. Mayer would at least make Detroit look better in grades.

35. Indianapolis Colts: Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State

The Colts are looking for some power on their right side and no one is more powerful than Dawand Jones. Heis one of the larger players in NFL history at 6’8” 374 pounds with massive arms and huge hands. Jones’ size can eliminate power moves but can sometimes cause him to struggle against speed rushers. Dawand would be a man mover for an offense that would have a heavy run focus for the first few years of Anthony Richardson.

36. Los Angeles Rams: Brian Branch, S, Alabama

The Rams roster looks like it has some major holes behind Mathew Stafford, Cooper Kupp, and Aaron Donald. Taking the best player available no matter the position is in play for them. Brian Branch could be the leader of this defensive backfield and help erase some of the tight ends in the NFC. This is also a spot where need lines up perfectly with the board as Branch is a general on the field who can hopefully be the centerpiece of a defense that attacks opposing quarterbacks. He can play at all levels and has corner-like ball skills when the ball is in the air. Branch is sticky in coverage and can play a hybrid safety role for the Rams that is becoming more and more popular in the NFL, especially with Jalen Ramsey now in Miami.

37. Seattle Seahawks: Keion White, EDGE, Georgia Tech

After passing on Tyree Wilson in favor of Devon Witherspoon, the Seahawks finally add an edge rushing presence they really need, even if only situationally early in his career.

38. Las Vegas Raiders: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky

I thought the Raiders were in on a quarterback in Round 1 with the frail Jimmy G. as their starter, but in Round 2, sign me up. With solid offensive skill players, Jimmy G. is set up for success but still has major question marks on the offensive line as well as nearly the entire defense. Levis has all the tools to be a plus NFL passer but hasn’t shown an ability to put it all together for long stretches of time. Levis has plus size, athleticism, and arm strength but struggled after losing nearly all of his offensive firepower this last season. With McDaniels long-term job seemingly already being mentioned, an injection of talent at the quarterback position could buy him some time.

39. Carolina Panthers: Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina

The Panthers add Josh Downs an explosive underneath player for Bryce Young to grow with. Downs’ ability to turn screens into touchdowns is great and his YAC ability brings more juice to a receiving corps that was oddly rebuilt.

40. New Orleans Saints: Adetomiwa Adebawore, EDGE, Northwestern

The Saints add an athletic interior rusher they have loved in the past, AA can play inside or out and has some Cam Jordan to his rush style. Whether he plays on the edge or inside his motor makes him a great culture fit in New Orleans.

41. Tennessee Titans: John Michael Schmitz, OL, Minnesota

The Titans continue their offensive line overhaul with John Michael Schmitz who I consider to be the top pivot in this class. Adding him to first-rounder Peter Skoronski contributes to the Titans' offensive identity.

42. Green Bay Packers: Matthew Bergeron, OT, Syracuse

Sorry John Paulsen, but the Packers are going to Packer. Bergeron fits their athletic and size thresholds and getting him here would be a perfect fit giving him time to learn from David Bakhitari before he likely departs next offseason. He also provides great depth as Bak has failed to play a full season over the last three years.

43. New York Jets: Julius Brents, CB, Kansas State

The Jets add a toolsy corner with exceptional length to pair with Sauce Gardner and work to shut down some of the two-headed monster receiving corps in the AFC. Brents posted a near-perfect 9.99 RAS and was exceptional in everything outside of his 40 time, but just let Sauce take the fast dudes.

44. Atlanta Falcons: Isaiah Foskey, EDGE, Notre Dame

I will mock edge rushers to the Falcons until I am blue in the face. The Atlanta Falcons had the lowest pressure percentage in the league and generated just 21 sacks last season, and 39 over the last two seasons. Foskey has solid athleticism and bend with similar size to Saints defensive ends of the past like Marcus Davenport.

45. Green Bay Packers: Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia

Finally, a weapon for Jordan Love, or more likely an extra offensive lineman in the mold of Marcedes Lewis whose main job is to block and get a few red zone opportunities. Washington is the size of a doorframe and tested very athletic for his size leaving some potential for more as a pass catcher.

46. New England Patriots: Cody Mauch, OT, North Dakota State

One of his closest athletic comps is Cole Strange. The Patriots seem to love these types and Mauch has the potential to stick at tackle with a little added weight. The Patriots find these guys along the lines and always seem to put them in positions to succeed and I wouldn’t be surprised if they did so again here.

47. Washington Commanders: Luke Musgrave, TE, Oregon State

While the Commanders may love Logan Thomas, he is getting up there in age. Some Analysts have a first-round grade on Musgrave and his athleticism was very impressive at a good size. Musgrave could have a chance to sit and develop behind Thomas while working on his play strength and blocking techniques. His size would also be a welcome addition in the red zone where the Commanders have struggled to convert.

48. Detroit Lions: Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina

After adding a few luxury picks on offense and defense, the Lions need to go back to filling holes. Cam Smith would be a great value here and add depth to a corner room that brought in a ton of outside players this off-season.

49. Pittsburgh Steelers: Steve Avila, OL, TCU

After adding Joey Porter Jr. and Broderick Jones in the first, the Steelers continue to build a revamped offensive line for Pickett and Najee Harris. Avila could play either center or guard in a similar vein to James Daniels. Avila brings some nasty as a run blocker and could help set a new tone for the Steelers' offensive line at the pivot.

50. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: B.J. Ojulari, EDGE, LSU

The Bucks made a bit of a surprise pick in the first round in Calijah Kancey and continue to focus on the defensive line with B.J. Ojulari. Ojulari is a slightly undersized rusher, but the Bucs have plenty of size to try and get him to win with speed and bend off the edge. Ojulari would provide Shaquil Barrett insurance as he reaches 31 years of age and has not played in a full season since 2019.

51. Miami Dolphins: Sam LaPorta, TE, Iowa

After losing Mike Gesicki to the New England Patriots in free agency, the Dolphins add a tight end with a similar set of skills in Sam LaPorta. His ability to play various spots in the formation will be invaluable to Mike McDaniel who previously worked with George Kittle. Oh, did we mention they both went to Iowa? LaPorta can play in line, in the backfield, and detached giving even more positional versatility to an already scary offensive play caller.

52. Seattle Seahawks: Drew Sanders, LB, Arkansas

The Seahawks need to start getting younger at linebacker and Sanders is a value here. He has some versatility and can even attack off the edge at times. His versatility and 5-star pedigree make him well-liked in NFL circles. Sanders wouldn’t need to play right away but his instincts and time to learn from Bobby Wagner could see him turn into a star in time.

53. Chicago Bears: Derick Hall, EDGE, Auburn

The Bears filled their most glaring needs on offense this offseason with Dj Moore and Darnell Wright but must now spend significant resources on a defensive line that has nothing. Hall is an elite athlete at the position with 4.55 speed at 254 pounds and good length. But does need refinement in his rush plan. The Bears bet on traits here and their analytics funnel loves length.

54. Los Angeles Chargers: Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia

The Chargers add an athletic corner out of Georgia who prior to the season was considered a potential top-10 pick. Ringo is a former top recruit and has a great mix of size and speed for the position. Ringo can body up bigger receivers and tight ends in the NFL, and also play as an outside corner in a number of schemes.

55. Detroit Lions: Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee

The Lions have been living in luxury city with all these first and second-round picks, and just take a shot here on a developmental quarterback to sit behind Jared Goff. When you have this many picks, you can afford to take chances and this situation would be an ideal fit for Hooker to recover from his ACL tear with no pressure to play anytime soon.

56. Jacksonville Jaguars: Tyrique Stevenson, CB, Miami

The Jaguars add a corner who was once a top-50 high school product and still has size and decent speed to go with it. In a bad safety class, Stevenson has the skills to play a bit more inside and some teams could even view him as a safety. Whether he sticks at corner or moves to safety the traits are just too good to pass up.

57. New York Giants: Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson

The Giants need a linebacker, as some things never change. Simpson was once considered a lock to go in the first round, but this landing spot would be great for his ability to see the field early. Simpson has great speed at 4.43 but his coverage skills are strong and his ability to go sideline to sideline will be a welcome addition to the Giants linebacking corps.

58. Dallas Cowboys: Joe Tippman, OL, Wisconsin

Joe Tippman has some positional versatility on the interior of an offensive line with the ability to play center or guard. The Cowboys have a hole at left guard depending on how they place Tyler Smith and their experience with linemen from the Wisconsin program has been strong. Outside of going up for a tight end or a running back selection, the Cowboys don’t have many glaring weaknesses.

59. Buffalo Bills: Siaka Ika, DT, Baylor

The Bills love size at one of their defensive tackles and Siaka Ika is a space eater. Ika is a 335-pound mountain of a man who can swallow up double teams on the interior of the defensive line and let his linebackers flow to the ball. The Bills could also be a team that gets aggressive for one of the linebackers in the second after losing Tremaine Edmunds to the Bears.

60. Cincinnati Bengals: Tucker Kraft, TE, South Dakota State

The Bengals passed on tight end in favor of taking the best player on their board in the first, but with options at the position dwindling add Tucker Kraft from South Dakota State. Kraft has strong size and is well-regarded for his well-balanced game, something that the Bengals enjoyed getting from Hayden Hurst last season.

61. Chicago Bears: Gervon Dexter, DT, Florida

If the Bears just spend the rest of the draft alternating between defensive tackle and defensive ends, I couldn’t even blame them. With Dexter here, the Bears get a bit of value on a three-technique whose size and speed traits could take off with some refinement. Dexter is just slow off the ball, but when he times it right can be an interior play wrecker.

62. Philadelphia Eagles: Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, CB, TCU

The Eagles are just filling their player with a hyphenated name quota after losing Chauncey Gardner-Johnson in free agency this offseason. CGJ played most of his snaps as a hybrid safety and nickel and THT is one of the better nickel players in this class. Tomlinson has a strong football pedigree as the nephew of LaDanian Tomlinson and can separate receivers from the ball.

63. Kansas City Chiefs: Marvin Mims, WR, Oklahoma

After missing out on all of the first-round prospects at receiver the Chiefs are elated to grab another weapon here for Patrick Mahomes. Mims can win vertically from the outside or the slot but also is effective with the ball in his hands. Mims would be a great replacement for Mecole Hardman who the team lost in free agency at the very least and will have some plays that remind KC fans of Tyreek Hill and his that 4.38 speed make plays down the field for Mahomes and company. Mims has been a YPRR darling, and his analytics profile put him up there with the top receivers in this class making this a home run connection.