2023 2-Round NFL Mock Draft | Round 1, Picks 17-32
17) Tennessee Titans: Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
The Titans have Dillon Radunz auditioning at right tackle in 2022, but it’s uncertain if he’ll hold down the role. There’s a scenario where Radunz moves back inside while the Titans seek out their right tackle of the future yet again in the 2023 NFL Draft. In this 2023 NFL Mock Draft, Darnell Wright gives them hope. The massive 6’6″, 335-pound blocker has elite power capacity and upper-body torque, along with good athleticism and natural RT experience.
18) Indianapolis Colts: Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
The Colts signed veteran Stephon Gilmore to a two-year deal this offseason, but Gilmore has an out next offseason if he hits the cliff in 2022. It’s possible that Indianapolis moves forward with Isaiah Rodgers, Slot God Kenny Moore, and a young, up-and-coming cornerback in 2023. That CB could be Cam Smith. Smith is quietly a CB1 candidate in the 2023 NFL Draft. He’s explosive and fluid but also extremely tenacious and physical, with natural ball skills at the catch point.
19) Minnesota Vikings: Isaiah Foskey, EDGE, Notre Dame
On the surface, the Vikings have a stalwart EDGE duo set to play in 2022 — Danielle Hunter and Za’Darius Smith. But Smith turns 30 years old this September and is coming off a season in which he missed 17 games with a back injury. And while Hunter’s contract situation has settled, he’s only signed through 2023. Adding Isaiah Foskey — an explosive, tenacious 6’4″, 257-pound rusher who logged 10 sacks and six forced fumbles in 2021 — ensures that the Vikings can keep this rotation fresh and have high-end talent in the bank.
20) Arizona Cardinals: BJ Ojulari, EDGE, LSU
After a season that saw him accrue seven sacks and 12 tackles for loss, LSU’s BJ Ojulari is trending up quickly. He profiles well as a stand-up edge rusher in the Cardinals’ scheme with his burst and agility, and he’s also shown he has enough bend capacity to pinch the apex. A top-heavy rusher with solid length and frame density, Ojulari has the tools to solidify his early-round potential.
21) Baltimore Ravens: Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
This is a notable projection, but at his peak, Quentin Johnston could go even higher than this. The 6’4″, 201-pound pass catcher has special long-strider acceleration and couples his frame with awe-inspiring twitch and short-area agility. Johnston quietly brings utility as a RAC threat, but his most marketable trait is his high-level contested-catch ability. To the Ravens, he brings size, three-level utility, and tantalizing upside.
22) Cincinnati Bengals: Eli Ricks, CB, Alabama
The Bengals’ secondary features plenty of puzzle pieces, but that puzzle might not be completed yet. Eli Apple factors in once again in 2022 but doesn’t profile as a long-term starter. Across from Chidobe Awuzie, the Bengals might be best-served investing in a cornerback early in 2023. Eli Ricks is a solid scheme fit with his length, explosiveness, and physicality. He’s not the most fluid, but his outrageous wingspan makes him a dangerous player to test on the boundary.
23) Houston Texans: Felix Anudike-Uzomah, EDGE, Kansas State
The Texans have a need for added EDGE talent. This need perhaps went overlooked in the 2022 cycle because the roster was dotted with needs just about everywhere else as well. But the 2023 NFL Draft should offer an opportunity for Houston to hone in on this position. One prospect who could qualify with the team’s second first-rounder is Felix Anudike-Uzomah. Anudike-Uzomah, who put up 11 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss in 2021, is a hot-motor rusher with great initial burst, solid bend capacity, and active hands.
24) Dallas Cowboys: Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson
The Cowboys benefitted from the versatility and dynamic ability of Micah Parsons in his rookie season. Two cycles later, they might be able to add another all-encompassing chess piece to the board with Clemson’s Trenton Simpson. Simpson stands at 6’3″, 225 pounds, and brings incredible versatility with his long frame. He no doubt has the tools to man the second level, but he can also play the slot, rotate back to strong safety, and rush the edge. Parsons and Simpson could be a tough tandem to stop.
25) Los Angeles Chargers: Antonio Johnson, DB, Texas A&M
J.C. Jackson provides an upgrade for the Chargers at cornerback, but there’s still room to add further talent to the secondary. With Jackson and Asante Samuel Jr. on the boundaries, Antonio Johnson could fit perfectly as a big slot. The 6’3″, 200-pound defensive back was an eraser for the Aggies in 2021. Not only can he stick to receivers in coverage with his length and physicality, but he also has the burst and fast play pace to make plays behind the line.
26) Seattle Seahawks: Cameron Ward, QB, Washington State
The Seahawks passed on a QB earlier. But now, at the back end of Round 1, the value is much better. It’s tough to tell who will work their way into the late-Round 1 range. There are a few candidates, among them Spencer Rattler and Tyler Van Dyke. But another notable name in the mix is Cameron Ward, who transferred to Washington State from Incarnate Word. Ward has an incredible arm with high-end velocity and elasticity. And a year at the Power Five level could provide him with the stage he needs to ascend.
27) Miami Dolphins: Henry To’o To’o, LB, Alabama
Miami’s roster is slowly coming into focus in the Mike McDaniel era, but there’s still more work to do. Another area that could use more attention is linebacker. Getting a surefire starter with gap-filling and pursuit ability could be key, and Henry To’o To’o provides exactly that. To’o To’o brings great length and explosiveness, but the flashes of instincts, quick recognition ability, and tenacity at the contact point are qualities that truly sell his stock.
28) Green Bay Packers: Jordan Battle, S, Alabama
Green Bay chose to pick up the fifth-year option for Darnell Savage, locking in one of their safeties for at least another year. But the team’s other safety, Adrian Amos, is set to be a free agent in 2023. Thus, the Packers may want to have their eyes on the top safety talent in the 2023 NFL Draft. In this 2023 NFL Mock Draft, Jordan Battle files in with Green Bay at 28th overall. With his 6’1″, 206-pound frame, Battle fits well as the strong safety alongside Savage, but he also brings alignment versatility and playmaking ability on the back end.
29) Detroit Lions: Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina
Josh Downs and Jameson Williams in the same receiving room feels unfair. But the Lions’ entire history dating back to the Super Bowl era also feels unfair. So guess what? Detroit’s taking control again with this pick. The acquisition of Young at QB already re-energizes the Lions’ attack. But Downs gives Detroit another speed threat to pair with Williams. Downs no doubt has field-flipping ability, but he’s also a deadly RAC threat with his agility and twitch, and he can extend beyond his frame to make jaw-dropping catches as well.
30) Kansas City Chiefs: Gervon Dexter, DT, Florida
Aside from Chris Jones, who moves around at times, the Chiefs’ interior defensive line feels a little thin. In this 2023 NFL Mock Draft, Gervon Dexter provides an excellent mix of need and talent value at this point. Dexter is a massive specimen, standing at 6’6″, 313 pounds, with arms that may measure over 34″. He has the strength to be somewhat alignment versatile, but his combination of explosiveness and power capacity is what will earn him fans in the 2023 NFL Draft cycle.
31) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia
In every 2023 NFL Mock Draft, the Buccaneers’ pick feels like a luxury. We know that’s not the case; every team needs to hit on their first-round picks. But the Buccaneers truly don’t have many glaring needs. At EDGE, Nolan Smith helps add to a unit that could use more depth and rotational upside. Smith is a bit undersized, but he’s a phenomenal run defender who uses surprising strength and leverage acquisition to win. He’s also a freak athlete with visible pass-rushing potential.
32) Buffalo Bills: Jaquelin Roy, DT, LSU
The Bills’ interior rotation is strengthening with the additions of DaQuan Jones and Tim Settle. Why not make it even stronger by adding LSU’s Jaquelin Roy to the equation? Roy, who’s listed at 6’3″, 315 pounds, profiles as an excellent pass-rushing threat alongside Ed Oliver. He turned things on late in the 2021 season, using his explosiveness, lateral agility, and violent hands to consistently disrupt up the middle. Another year could be all he needs to fully emerge.