2023 2-Round NFL Mock Draft | 17-32
17) Tennessee Titans: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
A first-round tight end might not be considered glamorous or even necessary considering that the Tennessee Titans added Chigoziem Okonkwo in Round 4 last April. However, Austin Hooper and Geoff Swaim are out of contract, and Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer isn’t your average tight end.
A physical, but athletic force who boasts ridiculous catch-point ability, Mayer would upgrade any NFL offense with his ability to align anywhere across the formation and impact both the passing and run games.
18) Indianapolis Colts: Eli Ricks, CB, Alabama
The Indianapolis Colts begin the 2022 NFL season with veteran Stephon Gilmore and one-game starter Isaiah Rodgers at cornerback. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see them add to that CB room in the 2023 NFL Draft, especially if a talent like Eli Ricks is available.
Similar to Derek Stingley Jr., Ricks excelled as a freshman at LSU. However, he’ll look to elevate his stock — predicated on NFL size, length, explosiveness, and ball skills — with a junior season at Alabama.
19) Minnesota Vikings: Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson
While cornerback and EDGE might be considered more significant needs, it’s hard to ignore Bryan Bresee as he slides down this 2023 NFL Mock Draft. The only real question mark over the Clemson DT is a torn ACL injury that limited him to just four games last season.
At 6’5″ and 300 pounds, Bresee boasts a size that is assisted by great length and weaponized by a power that wreaks havoc on his opponent. His mere presence will free up the pass-rush duo of Za’Darius Smith and Danielle Hunter to thrive.
20) Arizona Cardinals: Blake Freeland, OT, BYU
At present, the entire Arizona Cardinals offensive line will be out of contract at the end of the 2022 season. While they’ll likely retain some pieces, they may use the 2023 NFL Draft to find Kyler Murray’s blindside protector.
He’s still developing his game, but Blake Freeland already possesses alluring traits as an offensive tackle. His size and length (6’8″, 35″ arms) are obvious advantages. However, the BYU OT has excellent movement skills combined with outstanding power, violent hands, and a solid anchor in pass protection.
21) Baltimore Ravens: Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
With the departure of Marquise Brown, the Baltimore Ravens could be in the market for a three-level playmaking threat in the 2023 NFL Draft. At 6’4″, Quentin Johnston has the size to be a dominant receiver at the catch point, assisted by what appears to be an elite catch radius. Meanwhile, Johnston is a deceptive athlete for his size. He’s been a consistent big-play weapon for TCU, averaging 20.4 yards per catch during his first two CFB seasons.
22) Cincinnati Bengals: Antonio Johnson, CB, Texas A&M
Yes, I know the Cincinnati Bengals added Daxton Hill to the secondary just two months ago. However, with the potential departures of Jessie Bates III and Eli Apple, adding a playmaker of Antonio Johnson‘s versatility is a smart move in this 2023 NFL Mock Draft.
Johnson was predominantly used as a nickel back for the Aggies last fall. However, at 6’3″ and 200 pounds, Johnson has the size, length, and speed to be used at multiple spots across the secondary.
23) Houston Texans (from Cleveland): Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
Having added Kenyon Green to upgrade the interior of the offensive line, the Texans continue to build a solid foundation for quarterback Mills by solidifying the offensive tackle position in this 2023 NFL Mock Draft.
Tennessee offensive tackle Darnell Wright has experience at both bookends, sliding in at RT in this scenario. Wright boasts NFL size at 6’6″, 335 pounds with good arm length. He’s powerful, displays a savage disposition, and has the athleticism to be a force in the ground game too.
24) Dallas Cowboys: Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah
Linebacker is a popular selection in early mock drafts for the Dallas Cowboys, but there’s a more significant need to address in the secondary. Utah CB Clark Phillips III has the skill set to meet that need, and then some.
Phillips has the speed, fluidity, and ball skills to challenge the top WRs in the nation at the catch point despite his diminutive frame. His selection allows the Cowboys to cut ties with impending free agent Anthony Brown, with the potential to be the starting outside cornerback ahead of Kelvin Joseph.
25) Los Angeles Chargers: Calijah Kancey, DT, Pittsburgh
With Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack, the Los Angeles Chargers have built arguably the best pass-rush duo in the NFL. Yet, the defensive front could use an injection of pass-rush pizzazz. That’s provided in this 2023 NFL Mock Draft by Calijah Kancey.
The Pittsburgh DT might be considered undersized, but Kancey’s explosive in multiple directions and is impressively technically refined. Playing with excellent pad level and a heavily developed pass-rush toolbox, Kancey is a force against the run and the pass.
26) Seattle Seahawks (from Denver): Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
The long-term replacement for Russell Wilson comes in this 2023 NFL Mock Draft in the form of Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson. Richardson possesses a ton of upside that if harnessed correctly could see the Florida QB emerge as one of the most dynamic quarterback threats in the nation.
The 6’4″, 236-pound QB boasts the size, an elastic arm, and game-changing creativity. Drew Lock size with a Wilson-esque skill set is an intriguing and almost poetic long-term plan at the position for the Seahawks.
27) Miami Dolphins (from San Francisco): Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson
Incredibly athletic, explosive, and strong despite a slightly slender frame, Clemson linebacker Trenton Simpson has the making of an all-around defensive playmaker. He can fulfill several roles for a defense, with the potential for a long-term inside linebacker partnership with Channing Tindall. Flanked by Phillips and Foskey, the Dolphins would have one of the most ferocious LB groups in the entire NFL.
28) Green Bay Packers: Brandon Joseph, S, Notre Dame
Although the Green Bay Packers were linked with some of the premier safety prospects in last year’s class, they concentrated on their front seven early in the draft. However, with a substantial use of several safeties, bolstering the secondary with Brandon Joseph would be a sensational move. The now-Notre Dame safety possesses exceptional football IQ, impressive athletic ability, and has excellent ball skills to pluck interceptions out the sky for fun.
29) Detroit Lions (from LA Rams): Justin Flowe, LB, Oregon
Having played two games in two seasons, Justin Flowe is the ultimate test in projection. Even with a sensational season, there’s no guarantee that he declares. If he does, the Lions would get a player that ticks many of the boxes that you look for in linebacker evaluation.
Size. Speed. Physicality. Explosion. Coverage capability. Flowe’s a 6’2″, 246-pound wrecking ball waiting to happen. Hopefully, we won’t have to wait anymore to see him in full flow.
30) Kansas City Chiefs: Ainias Smith, WR, Texas A&M
Versatile Aggies playmaker Ainias Smith is an explosive athlete who makes yards for fun in space. With his ludicrous lateral agility, Smith can make a man miss and has the speed to add significant yardage after the catch. Meanwhile, Smith can line up out of the backfield, making him an absolute weapon for creatively-minded offensive coordinators. The latter points should make his landing spot in this 2023 NFL Mock Draft extremely exciting for Chiefs fans.
31) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
All good things have to eventually come to an end, and while betting against Tom Brady in his battle with father time seems ill-advised, his reign under center in Tampa Bay may not last too much longer. Are they prepared for that eventuality? Not with Kyle Trask they’re not. Thus, I wouldn’t rule out the Buccaneers adding another QB to the roster next April.
Will Levis is a polarizing prospect at this point in the process. The first overall pick talk is ridiculous. Nevertheless, his arm talent is impressive, with the strength to hit the deep third and velocity to get the ball into tight windows. Meanwhile, Levis’ off-script creativity is enticing, with impressive athleticism for his size. Incidentally, Tampa Bay goes from one QB with bizarre food tendencies to another.
32) Buffalo Bills: O’Cyrus Torrence, G, Florida
With Dion Dawkins and Spencer Brown manning the bookends, the Buffalo Bills could look to address the interior of the offensive line in the 2023 NFL Draft. Some of their struggles in the ground game can be attributed to the offensive line, rather than solely being placed at the feet of the running backs.
O’Cyrus Torrence is already heralded, but his transition to the SEC with Florida could accelerate a rise up draft boards. The 6’5″, 335-pound guard combines nastiness, strength, and technical refinement to be an imposing prospect.