2023 NFL Mock Draft | Picks 17-32
Two quarterbacks were selected in the first half of this 2023 NFL Mock Draft. How many more are taken through the final 16 picks?
17) Tennessee Titans: Jordan Addison, WR, Pittsburgh
Hailing from a dominant season with Kenny Pickett as his quarterback, Jordan Addison appears to have completed the Pittsburgh portion of his career and is set to transfer to USC. However, as tampering allegations have surfaced surrounding USC as his destination, he’s listed with Pittsburgh here.
Addison, though, is a terrific receiver and won the Biletnikoff Award in 2021. He has terrific body control and the ability to shield his routes from cornerbacks with deceptive moves along his route breaks. Furthermore, he has sound hands. The Tennessee Titans moved on from A.J. Brown and drafted Treylon Burks, but they still need a WR1 for presumably Malik Willis to throw to in 2023.
18) Indianapolis Colts: Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina
Some more projection here, but the Indianapolis Colts will be in the market for a quarterback of the future after Matt Ryan’s contract is up in 2024. Spencer Rattler has all the elite-level tools of a QB1 in college. The question will be — can he rebound after transferring from Oklahoma to South Carolina this season?
Rattler has a strong arm and plenty of athleticism to move the pocket. He maintains vision downfield but suffered from progressional-read mistakes last season with the Sooners. Cleaning up some of the intangibles will absolutely vault him back into Round 1.
19) Minnesota Vikings: Noah Sewell, LB, Oregon
Another of the Sewell family is set to join the NFL. Noah Sewell becomes LB1 in this 2023 NFL Mock Draft. Sewell is a massive man at 6’3” and 251 pounds, yet he moves like a shifty slot receiver. He has great strength and an amazingly well-rounded skill set.
Sewell can drop in coverage well, react to the run game, and has an uncanny ability to understand when to pick and choose his shots in the blitz game. A three-down linebacker in the mold of Devin Lloyd becomes another cornerstone defensive piece on the Minnesota Vikings’ defense.
20) Arizona Cardinals: Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah
The Utah Utes are known for their defense. And soon, they’ll be known for Clark Phillips III. A dominant cornerback, Phillips has speed for days and plenty of football IQ that allows him to maintain coverage against any receiver. He’s a ball hawk with plus skills against the run as well. The Arizona Cardinals were unable to attack cornerback early in the 2022 NFL Draft, but they don’t make that mistake here.
21) Baltimore Ravens: Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
As good as the Baltimore Ravens’ 2022 NFL Draft was, the one position they didn’t quite attack was wide receiver. They make amends for that by grabbing the massive Quentin Johnston from TCU. At 6’4” and 201 pounds, Johnston is a mismatch waiting to happen against any NFL cornerback.
He’s a big-bodied receiver who can outjump any defender, but he also possesses enough separation on his routes. The latter is more translatable to the NFL level and gives the Ravens a new viable WR1.
22) Cincinnati Bengals: Paris Johnson Jr., G, Ohio State
The Cincinnati Bengals dramatically improved their offensive line through free agency this past offseason. With maybe one small chink in the armor, the Bengals go to the Ohio well to grab Paris Johnson Jr. from Ohio State.
The selection of Johnson gives them a massive man on the interior who may also play a bit outside following the departure of Nicholas Petit-Frere. Johnson’s versatility and proven skill set on the interior is why he’s the selection here, filling multiple roles for Cincinnati.
23) Houston Texans (from CLV): Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State
Another Ohio State offensive lineman is off the board in this NFL Mock Draft as the larger-than-life Dawand Jones heads to the Texans. As Laremy Tunsil is entrenched in the left tackle spot, Jones enters the mix to take over the right side.
At 6’8” and 360 pounds, Jones is a mountain of a man that is impossible to move as a smaller edge rusher. Additionally, he has plenty of movement skills to boot. It’s a big need for an ever-improving Texans roster.
24) Dallas Cowboys: Jordan Battle, S, Alabama
There really isn’t anywhere Jordan Battle can’t line up and improve the Dallas Cowboys’ secondary. With his versatility, Battle could slide into the starting strong safety role or stay at free safety.
He can cover from the slot and brings an impressive range on the back end. Battle is strong at the catch point in single coverage. Nonetheless, roaming as a member of a two-high safety group would play well to his skills.
25) Los Angeles Chargers: Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern
With the proven success of Rashawn Slater, the Los Angeles Chargers grab the next tackle prospect up from the Wildcats in Peter Skoronski. Similar to Slater, Skoronski is a bit on the slight side for a tackle in today’s NFL. Yet, his athleticism is the name of his game.
He’s never out of position and rebounds nicely from any position. Skoronski also possesses ample balance for his frame and could make the transition to right tackle opposite Slater look easy.
26) Seattle Seahawks (from DEN): Ronnie Bell, WR, Michigan
It’s a bleak affair on the Seattle Seahawks’ receiving corps aside from Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf. Few people can do the things Ronnie Bell can do in this draft class. In fact, it’s only because of a season-ending injury that he wasn’t a high draft choice in the 2022 NFL Draft.
He’ll be an older rookie after spending five years at Michigan, but his NFL readiness will never be in question. With a clean bill of health, Bell can play out wide or in the slot, winning wherever he goes.
27) Miami Dolphins (from SF): Connor Galvin, OT, Baylor
Get to know the name Connor Galvin if you don’t already. A truly gifted tackle prospect, the praises don’t just start at scouts. It starts with offensive line mastermind Eric Mateos. Galvin is a fabulous pass blocker, setting a great anchor and fighting off hands incredibly well.
He’s also a road-grader who has improved his skills every single year during his illustrious college career. Back for one final run at Baylor, Galvin would add a valuable weapon to the Dolphins’ offensive line that has struggled to find consistency over the years.
28) Green Bay Packers: Marvin Mims, WR, Oklahoma
Playing much bigger than his frame, Marvin Mims is a highlight-reel player with terrific football speed. He won’t blaze past defenders in the short areas of the field. However, don’t be surprised if he picks up his pace in the open field with his long stride.
Mims’ greatest attribute, however, is his catching skills. His sideline awareness and high-pointing ability are elite. He’s a great route runner and has solid lateral agility. The Green Bay Packers continue the overhaul of their depleted receiving corps.
29) Detroit Lions (from LAR): Tyler Davis, DT, Clemson
The Matthew Stafford trade continues to pay off as the Lions secure a cornerstone pass rusher on the interior of their defensive line. Tyler Davis has a compact frame and can play all along the inside of the defensive line. He has a great first step and terrific strength. His freshman season was outstanding. His ceiling is vastly superior to most defensive tackles in this class.
30) Kansas City Chiefs: O’Cyrus Torrence, G, Florida
The Billy Napier offensive line factory produces another top prospect, this time his first as the Florida Gators’ head coach. O’Cyrus Torrence is an incredibly sound guard with a documented ability to pancake any defender in the run game. His pass-blocking skills are elite — he can anchor well and has some of the best balance and footwork.
Torrence will have a big test moving to the SEC full-time, but he’s proven through three years at Louisiana that he’s ready. The Chiefs did select sleeper pick Darian Kinnard who could factor into the guard lineup, but odds are he pushes Lucas Niang for reps or ultimately out at right tackle.
31) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
Another Gator in this first round and another Gator quarterback to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This time, however, Anthony Richardon’s skill set is a dramatic improvement over Kyle Trask’s. Richardson has an elite arm. He’ll drop perfectly placed throws 50 yards downfield with the flick of a wrist.
Richardson can improve his pocket presence as the full-time starter finally, and that should come in time. What separates Richardson from any generic big-armed quarterback is the fact that he has a unicorn-like skill set. He’s 6’4” and 236 pounds but reportedly hit as low as 4.4 in the 40-yard dash. Those kinds of numbers would be unrivaled as one of the best athletic performances from a quarterback in history.
32) Buffalo Bills: Cameron Latu, TE, Alabama
First things first, we have to address the fact that the odds have the Buffalo Bills winning the Super Bowl in this 2023 NFL Mock Draft. So, if the odds (or Kyle Brandt) are to be believed, the defending Super Bowl champs address a hole at tight end with the selection of Cameron Latu.
He came on strong last season as a pass catcher, but Latu is more than just an inline receiver. Latu had 8 touchdowns and showcased an ability to line up all over the Alabama offense. Today’s NFL tight ends aren’t required to do everything, and Latu can improve his blocking. But his receiving prowess is certainly enough for first-round consideration.