Name: Peter Skoronski Position: Offensive Lineman School: Northwestern Height: 6’4″ Weight: 313 lbs Games watched: vs. Penn State (2022), vs. Duke (2022), vs. Wisconsin (2022), vs. Ohio State (2022), vs. Purdue (2021), vs. Michigan (2021)
He has the physical skill, technique and experience to be an elite tackle prospect, but Peter Skoronski will inevitably draw criticism for his below-average length. NFL offensive tackle have an average arm length around 34 inches. Skoronski measured in with 32.25-inch arms at the scouting combine last month. That is three-quarters of an inch shorter than his former teammate Rashawn Slater. It raises questions about his ability to play the position at the NFL level.
Skoronski was originally recruited as a center when he was coming out of high school, but he never actually played the position for Northwestern. With Slater opting out of the 2020 season, he started at left tackle as a true freshman and never gave the position up. Over the past three years, he faced top talent in the Big Ten, including Aidan Hutchinson, George Karlaftis and Zach Harrison. He has good moments on tape against each of them. He is a talented run blocker with room to improve in the passing game.
Pros
Skoronski is an elite run blocker. He can fit into a variety of schemes thanks to his movement skills and strong base. He finishes blocks well and shows the ability to reach the second level. While he does not do it too often, he can be an asset as a pulling blocker and he does well getting out to block for screen plays. His hand usage is impressive and his footwork is fairly clean. I was really impressed with his ability to flip his hips to seal off defenders in the run game and he clearly understands angles of attack. He handles bullrushes well for the most part. He also does an excellent job handling stunts from the defensive line, passing off pass rushers and getting himself into position to take his next assignment.
Cons
The biggest knock on Skoronski is his below average arm length. It is an uncontrollable, but length is vitally important to playing tackle at the NFL level. It contributes to his struggles against speed rushers. He got beat around the outside by speed moves too often for my liking. For as impressive as he looked in the run game, Skoronski will whiff on blocks on occasion. It is usually a product of him dropping his head and not seeing what he is hitting. His hand usage is good, but he does not have the heavy hands you are used to seeing from tackles at the pro level. He has some room to clean up his footwork in pass protection as well.
Synopsis
While some will want Skoronski to play guard right away, I think his technique and athleticism could be enough to overcome the lack of ideal length. His tape is impressive enough for me to at least give him a shot at playing tackle. He will need some help when facing bendy speed rushers like Von Miller and Maxx Crosby. However, he will be an asset in the run and screen game immediately. He is a fairly polished tackle who could slot inside at guard and excel as well if needed.
Ideal scheme fit: Zone run, RPO-heavy offense or West Coast offense
Grade: 87.5
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We have a new team picking first overall! The Bears and Panthers finalized a trade on Friday that sent the No. 1 pick to Carolina. Now the Panthers are on the clock. The move has massive implications for the rest of the league as well.
There were a few other trades that I decided to make for this mock, including some big-name quarterbacks changing teams. The following trades were made in this mock:
Las Vegas trades 1.7 to Green Bay for Aaron Rodgers, 4.117
Jets trade 1.13, 2024 1st to Baltimore for Lamar Jackson
Baltimore trades 1.13, 1.22 and 2024 2nd to Arizona for 1.3
Giants trade 1.26, 3.89, 5.160 to Tampa Bay for 1.19, 6.194
So Aaron Rodgers is a Raider, Lamar Jackson is a Jet and Ravens now have a top 3 selection. Is all of this likely? No, not particularly. But there is a real possibility these teams are all facing the prospect of not having a plan at quarterback heading in 2023. That usually leads to some moves we might not have expected. Plus, it is fun to explore the domino effect of different offseason moves.
Reminder, the first round is only 31 picks this year because the Dolphins were penalized their first-round selection for tampering. With all of that in mind, let’s dive into my latest mock!
1. Carolina Panthers via Chicago Bears – Bryce Young, QB, Alabama Carolina sold the farm to move up. You take the best quarterback on the board. That is Young for me. He has size limitations, but I love his game. I think he will translate very well to the NFL and benefit from playing under Frank Reich.
2. Houston Texans – C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State Nothing really changes for the Texans. They are still in position to land one of the top two quarterbacks in this draft class. I think there is a clear gap between Stroud and the other two QBs still on the board. He is accurate, precise and polished. Houston’s rebuild has to start somewhere. Might as well be with a potential franchise passer.
3. Baltimore Ravens via Arizona Cardinals – Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida Let’s get wild here. It is tough to figure out what the Ravens will do if Lamar Jackson does in fact leave. It feels unlikely, but in this mock, I have Jackson headed to the Jets. Baltimore has shown they can make it work with one project quarterback with elite running ability. Why not try that again? Richardson is very raw, but he could sit for a year behind Tyler Huntley before taking the reins in 2024.
4. Indianapolis Colts – Will Levis, QB, Kentucky The Colts get the short end of the stick in terms of quarterbacks available. Levis is my QB4, narrowly behind Richardson. I still maintain Indianapolis should have moved up to No. 1. I think Levis has the tools to be successful at the next level, but he is a project with a lower ceiling than Richardson. Indy would still be in a bit of a rebuild after adding him.
5. Seattle Seahawks via Denver Broncos – Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Alabama This would be a potential dream scenario for the Seahawks. Anderson would give them a bonafide franchise player to build around. Seattle can afford to spend more draft capital at the position as well with that second first-round selection.
6. Detroit Lions via Los Angeles Rams – Jalen Carter, DL, Georgia Dan Campbell will be salivating if Carter is on the board at pick six. I think he could be the right type of coach to help Carter straighten out a bit following his legal troubles. On the football field, the former Georgia star would be an instant impact player for a team in desperate need of a defensive upgrade.
7. Green Bay Packers via Las Vegas Raiders – Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech Green Bay is in an interesting spot here. I think they would wind up going best player available trying to retool a defense that disappointed a year ago. Wilson is long and disruptive off the edge. Pairing him with Devonte Wyatt and Kenny Clark would give the Packers a fearsome defensive line.
8. Atlanta Falcons – Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia Atlanta’s pursuit of a pass rusher should finally come to an end in the 2023 draft. With two already off the board, I have them choosing a local product coming off a serious injury. Smith was a dynamic team leader at Georgia prior to the torn pectoral muscle. He showed at the combine why he should be in Top 10 consideration.
9. Chicago Bears via Carolina Panthers – Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State The Bears clearly committed to Justin Fields. Now they need to build around him. Adding my top offensive tackle is a good place to start. Chicago’s offensive line has been bad for years. Johnson is a fluid mover with great size and length. He has starting experience at multiple spots on the offensive line. I like the idea of reuniting him with his former college teammate.
10. Philadelphia Eagles via New Orleans Saints – Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois The run on quarterbacks and edge rushers pushes the corners down the board, but the Eagles will not mind. Amidst reports of a Darius Slay trade demand and James Bradberry headed for free agency, Philadelphia needs help on the outside. Witherspoon is a downhill type of player capable of setting the tone for a defense.
11. Tennessee Titans – Peter Skoronski, OL, Northwestern Rumors of a fire sale in Tennessee could shift the trajectory of this pick, but with no quarterback on the board worth taking, the front office has to go offensive line here. Skoronski is a talented player, but lacks the ideal length to start in the NFL. We have seen plenty of players overcome that issue before, but it could mean he winds up kicking inside. Not the best outcome, but the Titans could use help at pretty much every offensive line spot.
12. Houston Texans via Cleveland – Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State If the Texans believe C.J. Stroud is their franchise quarterback, they will need to get him some receiver to target. Brandin Cooks is still seeking a trade and Houston does not have a whole lot that inspires confidence when it comes to the remaining receivers on the roster. Smith-Njigba was a nightmare for opposing defenses and showed just how explosive he could be at the combine. Don’t overthink the injuries. Go get a game-changing playmaker.
13. Arizona Cardinals via Baltimore Ravens and New York Jets – Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson This pick ultimately lands with the Cardinals after being sent to the Ravens by the Jets. I am cramming a lot into his mock draft. Arizona simply needs to start over on defense. Murphy is a quick-twitch athlete with tons of potential.
14. New England Patriots – Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State New England’s secondary is headed for a massive makeover. Porter would provide a nice base layer. He is uncommonly long for a cornerback and uses that length to frustrate opposing receivers. He needs a bit of refining, but I trust Bill Belichick will give him all the coaching he needs to be great.
15. Green Bay Packers – Jordan Addison, WR, USC Green Bay cannot make the same mistake it did with Aaron Rodgers this time around with Jordan Love. Adding Addison, who tore up college football over the past two seasons, to a young receiver corps containing Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs would be a great way to set Love up for success.
16. Washington Commanders – Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon Washington could go a number of directions here, but I think taking Gonzalez would be a perfect example of where value meets need. Washington’s secondary has been the only weak point on an otherwise impressive defense. Gonzalez’ size and improving ball skills make me believe he could be a No. 1 corner.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers – Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia Pittsburgh needs to protect Kenny Pickett. Plain and simple. Finding someone to open holes for Najee Harris would be nice, too. Jones is coming off a fantastic season with Georgia in which he did not allow a sack. He is still a bit inexperienced, but has the traits and intangibles to grow into the role.
18. Detroit Lions – Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland After nabbing a defensive lineman at No. 6, Detroit double dips on that side of the ball with Banks. The Lions desperately need improved cornerback play. Banks is an athletic phenom with all the tools to turn into a shutdown corner. It might not be immediate, but there is a lot to like down the line.
19. New York Giants via Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College New York paid big money to keep Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley. Now they need to make that investment worth it. Trading up a few picks to grab a potential crucial puzzle piece feels like a logical move. Flowers is a bit undersized, but could thrive playing in the slot. The Giants desperately need someone to turn to on third downs.
20. Seattle Seahawks – Lukas Van Ness, EDGE, Iowa Much like the Lions, the Seahawks also have the opportunity to double up on defense. Anderson is a stand up edge rusher in Seattle’s defensive scheme. Van Ness would likely be playing with his hand in the dirt. He has the play strength to kick inside and be effective. I think Pete Carroll and John Schneider would be happy to continue building in the trenches.
21. Los Angeles Chargers – Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame Los Angeles needs to find more pass-catching options and improve their blocking ability. Mayer checks both boxes. He is a pro-ready prospect with good college production. Add in good size and above average athleticism and you have a player that should make Justin Herbert’s life much easier.
22. Arizona Cardinals via Baltimore Ravens – Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee I felt a bit conflicted about this one, but the Cardinals desperately need help along the offensive line. Four of their five starters from 2022 are free agents. Wright would give Arizona solid bookends to the unit opposite D.J. Humphries. The former Tennessee tackle broke out in his senior season following a shift to the right side of the line.
23. Minnesota Vikings – Will McDonald IV, EDGE, Iowa State Turnover in Minnesota is coming. Adam Theilen is already gone. Dalvin Cook and Harrison Smith could potentially follow. There are a number of ways the Vikings could go, but improving a horrific defense should outweigh many other concerns. McDonald brings jobs of athleticism, good production and tons of experience to the table following five years with the Cyclones.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars – Julius Brents, CB, Kansas State I know I am higher on Brents than the consensus, but I have been blown away by his performances over the past two months. After tearing up the Senior Bowl, he crushed the combine. Couple that with great measurables and you have a player who should go in the top 31 picks (that feels weird to write). For Jacksonville, finding a corner to pair with Tyson Campbell should be a priority this offseason.
25. Tampa Bay Buccaneers via New York Giants – Bryan Bresee, DL, Clemson Tampa Bay’s draft approach will largely be shaped by what they do in free agency, with so many key starters set to test the open market. As of now, defensive tackle is a clear need. Bresee has yet to fully recapture the form he flashed as a true freshman at Clemson. However, he had a solid season and looked sharp at the combine. He could be a Day 1 starter for the Bucs.
26. Dallas Cowboys – Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU The Cowboys’ offense will look very different in 2023. Mike McCarthy is taking over as the playcaller. Zeke Elliott will likely be gone. And Dallas will almost definitely have a different receiver to pair with CeeDee Lamb. My vote at this stage would be Johnston, who is a jump ball threat with impressive long speed. I think Dak Prescott would benefit greatly from adding a player of Johnston’s caliber to his group of pass catchers.
27. Buffalo Bills – O’Cyrus Torrence, IOL, Florida Buffalo’s interior of the offensive line has slowly decayed over the past few seasons. Without many reliable in-house solutions, the draft would be a logical spot to rebuild the unit. Torrence balled out in his lone year at Florida after following Billy Napier over from Louisiana. I like him as an immediate starter at the next level.
28. Cincinnati Bengals – Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia With Hayden Hurst headed for free agency, the Bengals could be in the market for a new tight end. Washington is a unique prospect given his combination of size and athleticism. Putting him in place to protect Joe Burrow, open up lanes for Joe Mixon and offer an additional target alongside Cincy’s outstanding trio feels like a slam dunk pick.
29. New Orleans Saints via San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins and Denver Broncos – Josh Downs, WR, UNC Derek Carr is the new leader of the offense in New Orleans. As of now, it is not overly clear who he will be throwing to other than Chris Olave. Michael Thomas and Jarvis Landry are free agents while Alvin Kamara is facing legal trouble. Downs is a silky smooth route runner with great hands. He looked fantastic at the combine and I think deserves to be in the Round 1 conversation.
30. Philadelphia Eagles – Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas Prepare to see this pick mocked a lot. There will certainly be a chance Robinson goes sooner given his talent, but the league has clearly devalued the position in a big way. For Philadelphia, Robinson would be a much cheaper and more talented option than bringing back Miles Sanders. Putting him and Jalen Hurts in the same backfield might be bordering on unfair for the rest of the league.
31. Kansas City Chiefs – Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State Kansas City is facing the possibility of needing to replace both offensive tackles this offseason. The Chiefs have learned from past mistakes and will certainly be spending draft capital and other resources to protect Patrick Mahomes. Jones could be part of that equation. He is a massive man with good functional athleticism for that size. I think he could be a quality starting right tackle down the line.
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Name: Will Levis Position: Quarterback School: Kentucky Height: 6’4″ Weight: 229 lbs Games watched: vs. Ole Miss (2022), vs. Mississippi State (2022), vs. Georgia (2021), vs. Tennessee (2021), vs. Missouri (2021), Florida (2022)
Which version of Will Levis do you believe is the real one? The 2021 version that led Kentucky to a strong 10-3 season surrounded by decent NFL talent and playing in a better offensive scheme is what pushed Levis into the first-round conversation. The 2022 season plagued by injuries with a worse supporting cast and a new offensive scheme is why there is still discussion about where he will land.
Levis is unquestionably talented. However, his stats are far from eye-popping. He had 43 passing touchdowns over the past two seasons along with 23 interceptions. He makes up for some of the turnovers with his production on the ground. He had nine touchdowns on the ground in 2021. His two in 2022 can likely be chalked up to injuries to his lower body. For as much as we penalize Levis for his 2022 campaign, there really was not too much statistical drop off. At 23 years old, Levis is a bit further along in his development than several of the other quarterbacks in this class, but there is still some untapped potential in his game.
Pros
Levis has one of the strongest arms in this class. He has great zip on his throws and is capable of hitting every spot on the field. His throwing motion is also very fluid. The release is clean and consistent. His mobility is a huge plus in his game. He does an excellent job flipping his hips out of a rollout to get himself in position to throw downfield. Some of the window throws he makes on the run are absolutely ridiculous. As a runner, he has good straight line speed and decent wiggle. He will make defensive linemen miss in the pocket with his agility. Levis is known for finishing runs as well with power. At roughly 230 pounds, he is not an easy player to bring down.
Cons
Unfortunately, Levis’ accuracy does not match the rest of his arm talent. He really struggles to make throws over the middle and is guilty of throwing behind his receiver. The ball placement is just not there consistently enough, with Levis missing high a bit too often for my liking. His deep ball accuracy is a bit spotty as well, but he will dial up a gem every once in a while. His footwork needs some cleaning up, especially when he is forced off his spot. You could tell he trusted his offensive line less in 2022, which led to him dropping back too far or drifting out of clean pockets. His post snap progression is decent, but he will need to speed up his decision making at the next level. His anticipation on timing routes definitely needs to be faster as well. I do worry a little bit about his durability given how reckless he is with his body as a runner.
Synopsis
Levis dazzles with his arm talent and physicality, but he is still a bit raw given how much experience he had in college. His 2021 tape is much better than the 2022 tape. He definitely has a turnover problem that he will need to address. I do believe he will look more like the 2021 version we saw if he can get healthy and play in a better offensive scheme. There is a reason Kentucky brought back Liam Coen, who was the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams in 2022. It will take some time to see Levis reach his full potential. If he can stay healthy, I think he can be an above-average starter in the NFL.
Ideal scheme fit: RPO-heavy offense
Grade: 81.5
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Time for a brand new mock draft! The NFL combine is officially in the books following a busy week in Indianapolis. There were a number of players who boosted their draft stocks with their work on the field. Several of them will show up in the first round of this mock. Reminder, the first round is only 31 picks this year because the Dolphins were penalized their first-round selection for tampering.
Before we get into the picks, I wanted to take a look at the quarterback that could be on the move in the NFL this offseason. For the purposes of this mock, I executed a blockbuster trade that sends Aaron Rodgers to Las Vegas. Meanwhile, Derek Carr is reportedly signing with the Saints and I’m predicting Jimmy Garoppolo heads to New York. Lamar Jackson on the other hand stays put in Baltimore, as does Daniel Jones in New York.
There were a few other trades that I decided made sense for this mock, including a massive move up by the Colts to No. 1. The following trades were made in this mock:
Las Vegas trades 1.7, 2.39, 2024 1st to Green Bay for Aaron Rodgers, 4.117, 2024 3rd
Indianapolis trades 1.4, 2.36, 7.224, 2024 1st to Chicago for 1.1, 4.103
Seattle trades 1.20, 2.38, 5.124 to Pittsburgh for 1.17, 2.50
New York Giants trade 1.26, 3.89, 5.160 to Tampa Bay for 1.19, 6.194
With all of that in mind, let’s dive into my latest mock!
1. Indianapolis Colts via Chicago Bears – Bryce Young, QB, Alabama He weighs enough and he is tall enough. Young did enough to quiet some critics, but there will still be those who question his ability to last in the NFL given his smaller frame. Put on the tape though and you will see a player who stood tough against the pass rushers of the SEC and delivered clutch performances. Indianapolis has had a revolving door at quarterback since Andrew Luck retired. Young gives them a potential franchise quarterback for the first time since they last made a selection at the top of the draft.
2. Houston Texans – C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State While Young stole headlines with his measurables and Anthony Richardson turned heads with his workout, C.J. Stroud is still the only quarterback I would consider taking at No. 1. He is technically sound and checks all the physical boxes. While he does not have the strongest arm in the class, it looks effortless when he releases the ball. He showcased his mobility against Georgia. It will be up to DeMeco Ryans and this coaching staff to get that version of Stroud as often as possible. He will contend with Davis Mills for the starting job from Day 1, eventually taking over as the long-term starter.
3. Arizona Cardinals – Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Alabama I think I likely would have picked Anderson over Carter prior to Carter’s legal troubles. The off-the-field issues could cement Anderson as the top non-QB selected. He is one of the most productive pass rushers we have ever seen. He constantly wreaks havoc as a pass rusher and plays the run well. Anderson has all the physical tools to be a Hall-of-Fame pass rusher.
4. Chicago Bears via Indianapolis Colts – Jalen Carter, DL, Georgia The reason the Bears will favor sticking in the top four is because it all but guarantees they end up with either Anderson or Carter. Despite Carter being charged with reckless driving and racing in connection with a crash that killed his teammate Devon Willock and Georgia recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy. Carter returned to Georgia, was booked and released, and then returned to the combine to interview with teams. Off-the-field issues aside, he is my highest-rated player. His blend of size and athleticism makes him a nightmare for opposing offenses. The Bears are in desperate need of an upgrade on the defensive line. He will signal the start of a major rebuild on that side of the ball.
5. Seattle Seahawks via Denver Broncos – Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida I actually have a higher grade on Will Levis than I do on Richardson, but I think this is such a good fit for the former Florida quarterback. He wowed at the combine, setting records in the vertical and broad jumps while posting a 4.40 40-time at 244 pounds. His mobility is elite, but he is raw and unrefined as a passer. He has major accuracy issues and was off the mark consistently. I believe Pete Carroll could get the best out of Richardson and the Seahawks would not need to start him assuming they bring back Geno Smith. His upside is incredible and I think this would be the perfect situation for him to be successful long term.
6. Detroit Lions via Los Angeles Rams – Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois The Lions defense was much better down the stretch, but still needs an infusion of talent on the back end. Witherspoon is a dynamic playmaker at corner. He is strong in run support and looked very comfortable in coverage for Illinois this past season. He checked all the boxes from a size perspective measuring in at 5’11” with 31-inch arms. Detroit is in desperate need of a true No. 1 corner. Witherspoon should be that sooner rather than later in his NFL career.
7. Green Bay Packers via Las Vegas Raiders – Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State It’s all about Jordan Love in this scenario for the Packers. Green Bay needs to bolster its offensive line after injuries have turned this unit into an annual issue. I love what Johnson brings to the table. He is an athletic blocker who can thrive in both the run and pass game. He has great size and length, measuring in at 6’6″ with 36-inch arms. Johnson could start at right tackle before ultimately taking over from David Bakhtiari down the line.
8. Atlanta Falcons – Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech Wilson is drawing a lot of buzz around the league. Daniel Jeremiah had him going ahead of Will Anderson Jr. in his most recent mock draft. I really like what Wilson brings to the table, but not enough to put him above Anderson. The former Texas Tech edge rusher is an elite run defender with great length and untapped potential as a pass rusher. Atlanta has been searching for improved play on the outside of their defensive front for years.
9. Carolina Panthers – Will Levis, QB, Kentucky I won’t rule out the possibility of the Panthers landing a veteran quarterback, but in this scenario, the Panthers are without a clear long-term answer at the position. Levis is a tough evaluation. He has great physical tools and put together a really strong 2021 campaign. However, dealing with injuries, a new offensive scheme and a worse supporting cast, he had a troubling 2022 season. I think Levis has the potential to be a solid NFL quarterback, but there is a lot of risk given his struggles with accuracy and propensity for turning the ball over.
10. Philadelphia Eagles via New Orleans Saints – Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State Fresh off a Super Bowl appearance, the Eagles need to quickly retool their defense. With a number of veterans heading to free agency, including James Bradberry, Philly will need to turn to the draft to find replacements. Porter is not the most polished cornerback prospect, but he brings rare length to the position. Average arm length for corner prospects is around 31.5 inches. Porter’s arms measured at 34 inches at the combine. Couple that with good athleticism and strong hands in coverage and you have a player who could turn into a shutdown corner.
11. Tennessee Titans – Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern Tennessee has some questions to answer regarding the futures of Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry, but the offensive line remains the biggest concern for this team. Taylor Lewan is already out the door. More players could follow. Adding Skoronski would give them a player capable of starting at either tackle or guard at the next level. Skoronski has the athleticism and size to play tackle, the position he played in college, but his below average length (32.25-inch arms) will raise questions for some about his ability to excel on the outside. His technique is good enough that he should be able to compensate, but those questions will continue to pop up.
12. Houston Texans via Cleveland – Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State I’m not saying it will yield the same results, but we have seen some success for teams pairing college quarterbacks and wide receivers together in the NFL. Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase are the prime example, but Tua Tagovailoa and Jaylen Waddle as well as Jalen Hurts and DeVonta Smith all point to this being a reasonable strategy. After an injury-plagued season, Smith-Njigba answered a lot of questions by posting the best times of any player at the combine in the 20-yard shuttle and 3-cone drill. His film indicates he will be able to separate well at the next level and should be a reliable playmaker for the Texans to rebuild this offense around.
13. New York Jets – Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia Jimmy Garoppolo is only going to be successful in New York if the Jets can protect him. There is still a chance Mekhi Becton could be one of the team’s long-term starters at tackle, but after three injury-plagued seasons, Joe Douglas cannot rely on that. Jones is fresh off a dominant season at Georgia. He has good size and length. His athleticism is impressive as well, underscored by him posting the best 40-time of any offensive lineman at the combine. He would be a plug-and-play option for the Jets at left tackle.
14. New England Patriots – Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon While receiver is certainly an option, the Patriots seem more likely to focus on the defensive side of the ball. Jonathan Jones, Joejuan Williams and Myles Bryant are all slated to be free agents this offseason. Cornerback is going to be a need for Bill Belichick. After a rocky start to the season, Gonzalez played well down the stretch for the Ducks. He had a really strong combine showing, checking every box from a measurement perspective and posting great numbers in the 40 and vertical jump. He has the physical tools to be a good player in the league for a long time.
15. Green Bay Packers – Jordan Addison, WR, USC Aaron Rodgers might throw something at his TV if this pick were to roll in. Green Bay did not select a pass-catcher in the first round for Rodgers’ entire tenure with the team. If the Packers are serious about putting Jordan Love in a position to succeed, they will need to give him playmakers. Addison is a bit undersized, but he has been one of the most productive receivers in the country over the past two seasons. He would be a really great complement to the receiver the Packers already have on the roster.
16. Washington Commanders – Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland I will be honest, I don’t really know what the path forward for the Commanders is right now. They picked up some huge wins over the Eagles and Cowboys this season, but have question marks all over the offense. Unfortunately, there is not much value at quarterback or offensive tackle at this spot. However, Banks has been flying up draft boards. He played well in his redshirt junior season after dealing with injury in 2021. He dominated the combine and could very easily find himself in the top 20 come draft day.
17. Seattle Seahawks via Pittsburgh Steelers – Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson Seattle has a ton of draft capital, so John Schneider moves up a few spots to grab an athletic edge rusher in Murphy. The former Clemson defender is more projection than he is production at this stage. However, he displayed a unique blend of size and speed. He was more of a disruptor than his stats would indicate. For the Seahawks, they address a big need along their front seven as they look to build upon a surprise wild card run.
18. Detroit Lions – Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia I don’t know if there was a player who had a bigger impact on their draft stock than Smith. The former Georgia star suffered a season-ending pectoral injury at the end of October. In a deep edge rusher class, it seemed like Smith had gotten lost in the shuffle. He let everyone know that he is back to full strength at the combine, posting absolutely ridiculous numbers. He ran a 4.37-second 40 and jumped 41.5 inches in the vertical, both the best for his position. Detroit would just get deeper at edge rusher, adding Smith to a room that already includes Aidan Hutchinson and James Houston.
19. New York Giants via Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College The trades keep on coming. The Giants move up to get ahead of a few teams that could be interested in taking a receiver to grab the top one still on the board. Flowers eclipsed 1,000 yards receiving and scored 12 touchdowns despite playing for an abysmal Boston College offense. He put together a solid display at the combine as well to bolster his draft stock. He is a bit undersized, but Daniel Jones could use a go-to target on third down and in key situations. I think Flowers would be exactly that for him.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers via Seattle Seahawks – Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee The Steelers slide down a few spots and still add some help along the offensive line. Wright had a breakout season at Tennessee after he switched from left tackle to right tackle. He had a great week at the Senior Bowl and did what was asked of him at the combine. Pittsburgh needs to protect Kenny Pickett and maximize the investment they made in Najee Harris. Adding a road grading right tackle feels like a good place to start.
21. Los Angeles Chargers – Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame Los Angeles needs to do whatever it can to put Justin Herbert in a position to succeed. It has two great receivers in Mike Williams and Keenan Allen, but adding a player like Mayer at tight end could add a whole new element to this offense. Mayer is a well-rounded prospect who produced well at Notre Dame and had a decent showing at the combine. He would be a plus in the run game as well, which is an area the Chargers struggled in throughout the 2022 season.
22. Baltimore Ravens – Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU Give Lamar Jackson some receivers! In truth, the Ravens have actually tried to surround their franchise quarterback with more talent. Since 2019, Baltimore has drafted six receivers, including two in the first round. Unfortunately, they just haven’t hit on most of them. Johnston would hopefully make up for some past mistakes. He has rare long speed for a player his size and dominates in jump ball situations. He lacks elite quickness, but he would be a big target capable of stretching the defense. Johnston, Rashod Bateman and Devin Duvernay should give the Ravens a solid receiving corps.
23. Minnesota Vikings – Will McDonald IV, EDGE, Iowa State I might be low on McDonald compared to the consensus at this point after he showed out at both the Senior Bowl and the combine. He racked up 34 sacks in his five seasons with the Cyclones, including double-digit sack seasons in 2020 and 2021. He has long arms and tested well in the vertical and broad jumps. In fact, his 11-foot broad jump was tied for the best of any player at the position. For Minnesota, McDonald would be a welcome addition to one of the worst units in the league. The Vikings are facing serious turnover on that side of the ball. McDonald, Andrew Booth Jr. and Lewis Cine would give Brian Flores a decent starting point as he aims to reshape this defense.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars – Julius Brents, CB, Kansas State Jacksonville is shaping up to be one of the most interesting teams to watch in 2023. Trevor Lawrence took a huge jump in his development as the front office put more talent around him and found him a real head coach in Doug Pederson. There are still some gaps to fill in though. Corner is probably the most glaring. It feels like a good landing spot for Brents, who has turned a lot of heads over the past six weeks. He had a strong week in Mobile and even better one in Indianapolis. Brents has great size, 6’3″, and length, 34-inch arms, to pair with incredible physical gifts. He posted a solid time in the 40 and then proceeded to crush the rest of the combine. He had the best broad jump and second-best three-cone time of any player at the combine. Couple that with a stellar 41.5-inch vertical and you have a massive riser up draft boards everywhere.
25. Tampa Bay Buccaneers via New York Giants – Bryan Bresee, DL, Clemson Tampa Bay’s path forward is a bit unclear. As of now, only Kyle Trask is under contract at quarterback and the Buccaneers are nowhere near a position where they could land one of the top passers in this class. Perhaps they could target Hendon Hooker on Day 2. With QB not an option at this point, the Bucs could aim to bolster their defensive line. Akiem Hicks and Rakeem Nunez-Roches are both set to be free agents. Bresee could be an easy replacement. He looked sharp at the combine and moved really well for a player his size. His injury history and general lack of production at Clemson will push him down the board a bit, but he is a really talented player with loads of upside.
26. Dallas Cowboys – Josh Downs, WR, UNC Dallas could go a number of directions here, but receiver feels like the biggest need for the Cowboys. CeeDee Lamb had another good year, but there is a reason Jerry Jones was asked about Odell Beckham Jr. for most of the regular season. Dak Prescott needs more receiving options. Enter Downs, who is a silky smooth operator with great hands. He is on the smaller side, but he has the potential to be a dynamic playmaker for Dallas. He was Drake Maye’s go-to target with the ability to line up outside or in the slot.
27. Buffalo Bills – O’Cyrus Torrence, IOL, Florida While I did consider going with a running back here, I think the Bills should opt to bolster the interior of their offensive line and trust that James Cook will be better in Year 2. Roger Saffold is slated to be a free agent and Torrence could be a much cheaper option at left guard. He isn’t the greatest athlete of all time, but he has good power and massive hands that allow him to control opposing players. With tons of experience playing at Louisiana and later Florida, I see him as a pro-ready option that could help the Bills finally get over the hump in the postseason.
28. Cincinnati Bengals – Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia The Bengals have a fairly well-rounded roster without a ton of clear needs. Offensive line is arguably a bigger need, but Hayden Hurst is a free agent, so I think tight end moves to the forefront. Washington is not the most polished receiver in this tight end group, but he is a rare prospect with his size and speed. Running a 4.64-second 40 at 264 pounds is remarkable. At 6’7″ with long arms and massive hands, Washington will also be an asset in both run and pass protection.
29. New Orleans Saints via San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins and Denver Broncos – Lukas Van Ness, EDGE, Iowa With Derek Carr under contract in this scenario, New Orleans shifts its focus to defense. Van Ness is an ascending talent coming out of Iowa. He did not start for the Hawkeyes, but his athleticism and intangibles have teams believing in his upside. He is long and quick off the edge. His college production was solid as well with 13 sacks and 19 tackles for loss over the past two seasons. With Marcus Davenport headed for free agency, Van Ness could be in line for meaningful snaps as a rookie.
30. Philadelphia Eagles – Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas Finally, the first running back comes off the board. Robinson is a top-10 talent, but the lack of positional value and a strong free agent class means teams are more willing to wait at the position. It is also an incredible deep draft class at the position. Despite all of that, Robinson is worth the first-round pick. His contact balance is elite. He has a great ability to make players miss and get back up to full speed in a hurry. For an Eagles team that loves to run the football, this is a dream fit. He would take over the backfield role from Miles Sanders, who is a free agent.
31. Kansas City Chiefs – Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State There are large human beings and then there is Dawand Jones. The former Ohio State tackle is a behemoth, standing 6’8″ and weighing 374 pounds. He also has 36-inch arms and a nearly 88-inch wingspan! In short, Jones is huge and moves well for a player that size. He has work to do with his footwork and is definitely in need of some refining from a technique standpoint, but his sheer size makes up for a lot of that immediately. For a Chiefs team that is heading into free agency with both of its starting tackles out of a contract, Jones could be a potential long-term answer on the right side.
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