NFL Draft Mock for Teams Without a First Round Pick

Chris Gregory takes a look at the 2023 NFL Draft for those teams that don't have a first-round pick. Who can these teams draft that will help them?

For NFL Draft junkies, there is no more frustrating experience than your team entering draft night without a first-round pick. That frustration is amplified when they don’t have a second or third-rounder, either. Few draft materials truly speak to fans of these teams. Whether you tune in to NFL Network or ESPN's coverage, look up various mocks, or digest tons of podcasts, the focus is usually on players projected for the first round. While some reach beyond the first, it's usually to discuss who could fall out of or sneak into it.

With an eye toward those often-ignored fans, we seek to address your team’s needs and realistic draft choices. To do that, we will single out each team without a first-round pick and discuss those teams’ needs before projecting realistic selections for those teams. This means looking at players who are both a good fit and likely to be available while excluding unreasonable steals for accuracy purposes.

With that covered, below you will find analysis and projections for every team without a first-round pick. Just look for your team’s name, and there you will find a breakdown of their needs and our projections for their draft choices through the fifth round. Enjoy!

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Los Angeles Rams

The Rams appear to be in an awkward state of limbo. The era of “F Them Picks” is currently on hold, if it isn’t over already. Instead, management is now in the business of jettisoning the big veteran deals they handed out over the past five years in exchange for mid-to-late-round draft picks. Those moves have left holes at cornerback, linebacker, edge rusher, and safety. There could also be glaring deficiencies at quarterback and receiver before they are done.

On top of the voids created by cap-motivated maneuvers, the Rams perpetually need quality depth on the offensive line. Only Ty Nsekhe and Rob Havenstein earned positive blocking grades against both the run and pass last year, and Nsekhe is a free agent. The offensive line overall allowed the third most sacks and had the second-worst Adjusted Sack Rate in the NFL, though much of that was due to injuries and a lack of depth.

Finally, the Rams could stand to get younger at almost every position on the field. They are candidates to add a developmental quarterback behind Matthew Stafford, a receiver who can help Cooper Kupp in a way Allen Robinson didn’t, and an heir to the Aaron Donald throne that is next to impossible to fill.

Picks:

Round 2, Pick #36- Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State

Jones could be the most obvious pick for the Rams when they come on the clock. Several tackles and corners will likely be off the board before Los Angeles picks, and the only worthwhile quarterback likely to be available is Hendon Hooker. The Tennessee passer could be the pick if the Rams are in a full rebuild, but he doesn’t fit if L.A. wants to run it back for one more shot.

Jones is a big mauler whose stock is declining after he opted out of most of his pro day. That said, his film is that of a quality right tackle in the NFL. The Rams need depth all over their offensive line, and Jones could compete for an immediate starting role. If Aaron Donald, Cooper Kupp, and Matthew Stafford remain on the roster, we will assume they want to win now and draft that way.

Round 3, Pick #69- Darius Rush, CB, South Carolina

Rush tested very well this offseason, and his footwork is solid. He allowed just a 58% completion rate when targeted, and his film against Texas A&M was particularly strong. The needle is pointing up on Rush after a solid pre-draft process, and he could fill a need for the Rams with one of their third-round picks.

Round 3, Pick #77- Jake Haener, QB, Fresno State

Even if the Rams are trying to win this year, they can’t risk another season without a viable backup to the aging Matthew Stafford. In this scenario, L.A. passes on Hooker in the second because of his injury, but they still have an eye on drafting someone who can step in and win a few games if Stafford misses time. Haener is the sixth quarterback on my board and a polished passer who can provide quality backup snaps right away with the potential to be an average starter in time.

Round 5, Pick #167- Nick Hampton, EDGE, Appalachian State

Hampton is a bit undersized, but he would be good value in the fifth. He reminds me a bit of Samson Ebukam, a former Ram. Hampton would be a cost-effective replacement for Leonard Floyd and add depth to one of the many positions the Rams need reinforcements at.

Round 5, Pick #171- Moro Ojomo, DL, Texas

Ojomo can play three-tech and five. He's a big and versatile body that would rotate in with the Rams' starters. He could go in the early fourth, so getting him in the fifth would be a good value for Los Angeles.

Round 5, Pick #177- Daniel Scott, S, California

The Rams lost Nick Scott and Taylor Rapp to free agency, creating a void at safety. While Daniel Scott isn't a replacement for either, he tested well at the Combine and was a leader in the Cal locker room. He was a team captain with plus character who was active on special teams, quick to diagnose, and had good play recognition. He can develop into a starter over time while becoming a special teams ace early. The 49ers are a threat to take Scott earlier in this round, so the Rams could move up.

Cleveland Browns

The Browns are in an interesting position. They forfeited a load of draft picks and a massive guaranteed contract for a star quarterback who came with off-field baggage and struggled mightily when he finally played. That said, there’s a good chance Deshaun Watson will right his ship after a tumultuous 2022 season that saw him miss most of the year. If he can regain his Pro Bowl-caliber form, the Browns could even contend for a division title if health allows.

There are warts on this roster, though. Key amongst them is a need for a premium pass rusher to play on the same line with Myles Garrett. The Browns added a lot of bodies on the defensive line in free agency, but Dalvin Tomlinson and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo are the noteworthy ones. They also need a better run-stopper at linebacker, depth at offensive line, and running back, and they could still use another pass catcher even after the Elijah Moore trade.

Picks:

Round 3, Pick #74- Andre Carter II, EDGE, Army

Carter II is a former first-round lock who has slipped down draft boards due to size concerns and a poor showing at the Senior Bowl. I still believe he merits a late-second-round pick, but there’s increasing buzz that his stock has sunk past that point. The Browns could be the floor for Carter, given his bend and their need at his position. He’s a natural and fluid pass rusher who should rush from a wide or standing position, and whoever accommodates his skillset might get a steal.

Round 3, Pick #98- Ivan Pace Jr., LB, Cincinnati

Pace Jr. is short for his position but shows good power for his size. He has good balance, uses a variety of moves to free himself from blockers, and is a surprisingly effective pass rusher. He is the kind of linebacker who plays better than he tests and seems to enjoy defending the run. This is a fun football player who will immediately contribute on special teams and could earn a starting job in an injury-plagued linebacker corps.

Round 4, Pick #111- DeWayne McBride, RB, UAB

Kareem Hunt remains a free agent, and D’Ernest Johnson signed with Jacksonville, leaving Cleveland with a hole behind Nick Chubb. Luckily for them, this is a rookie class deep at running back. McBride isn’t the pass catcher Hunt is, but he’s younger and can provide a more explosive version of what Johnson gave them when Chubb was out. If McBride is gone, the Browns could look at someone like Tyjae Spears with this pick.

Round 4, Pick #126- Kobie Turner, DT, Wake Forest

Turner is a powerful interior run defender with good get-off from the snap. He has developed several moves, including a good rip move, and has active hands. While he's undersized and struggles against double teams, he'd offer a solid rotation piece for the Browns at a reasonable cost.

Round 5, Pick #140- Andrei Iosivas, WR, Princeton

Iosivas has great height and good speed, running the 40-yard dash in 4.43 seconds. He also has a solid burst, testing well in that area at the Combine. He isn’t a natural hand catcher, but he’s a raw prospect who can return kicks early and might eventually become the Browns’ deep threat if the team doesn’t re-sign Donovan Peoples-Jones next year.

Round 5, Pick #142- Jaxson Kirkland, IOL, Washington

Kirkland is a backup interior lineman who has held up well against Pac-12 pass rushers. He could serve as a swing tackle or a guard. He’s a viable sub at four spots on the line.

Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins made two very good moves for their offensive line last year. Connor Williams had the best year of his career playing center for Miami, while Terron Armstead was a steady presence at left tackle when healthy. On top of that, Robert Hunt ascended into a quality starter at guard. There continue to be glaring issues at right tackle and left guard for a team desperate to protect Tua Tagovailoa, though.

Beyond problems on their offensive line, the Dolphins lost two tight ends in free agency and could use an all-around asset at that position. They also need depth at receiver behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, depth on their defensive line, and a running back who can eventually replace the aging Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr. It’s a tall order to fill with just four draft picks.

Picks:

Round 2, Pick #51- Sam LaPorta, TE, Iowa

Matthew Bergeron or Cody Mauch would be great values if they fell to this pick, but the odds of that are increasingly slim. That could leave Miami without a single blocker worthy of this selection, forcing them to pivot to a lesser need. If that happens, a versatile tight end makes sense. Mike McDaniel’s offenses in San Francisco benefited from a tight end who excelled at everything. Mike Gesicki isn’t George Kittle, but LaPorta can be a lesser version.

Round 3, Pick #84- Blake Freeland, OT, BYU

Freeland is a towering tackle who needs to add weight, which is a body type you see more in the NBA than in the NFL. However, if Freeland can add some muscle, he could eventually become a starting tackle in the pros. The former cougar was a plus pass protector in college but struggled at times in Senior Bowl practices. He can compete with Austin Jackson for the starting right tackle spot early in his career.

Denver Broncos

As of this writing, the Broncos are seemingly counting on Russell Wilson bouncing back to form this year… and their plan to help him do that is to sign a run-blocking right tackle (Mike McGlinchey) and the Bengals’ backup running back. Meanwhile, they made a lateral move on defense by replacing Dre’Mont Jones with Zach Allen, and they didn't do much more on that end of the ball. The addition of Ben Powers did fill a big need at guard, though.

Given their offseason moves and recent re-commitment to Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton, Denver is unlikely to draft an offensive lineman, tight end, or wide receiver early in this class. Rather, their focus will likely be on adding another corner, depth on the defensive line, and a running back who can push Samaje Perine for snaps if Javonte Williams isn’t healthy. Don’t be surprised if they also draft a linebacker despite their commitment to Alex Singleton, as Sean Payton’s view on the former Eagle seems tepid.

Picks:

Round 3, Pick #67- Zach Harrison, DL, Ohio State

Harrison is a big body that fits best as a five-tech in a 3-4 scheme. That's exactly what Denver drafts him to do here. He would rotate early in the season but replace Jonathan Harris by mid-year. Harrison and Zach Allen could be a very effective duo that regularly keeps Denver's pass rushers clean.

Round 3, Pick #68- Eli Ricks, CB, Alabama

Ricks is a long and active press corner. His athleticism is average, which could cause him to drop on draft boards, but he allowed just six receptions last year and would fill a major need for the Broncos across from fellow Alabama product Patrick Surtain II. Ricks would compete immediately for starter reps on the outside.

Round 4, Pick #108- Tyjae Spears, RB, Tulane

Hands down, Spears was the best back at the Senior Bowl this year. He stood out like a sore thumb with his tremendous elusiveness and burst through the hole. With some negative reports circulating about Javonte Williams’ recovery from a torn ACL and an aging Perine as their primary backup, Spears would provide Denver with tremendous insurance.

Round 5, Pick #139- Rakim Jarrett, WR, Maryland

Denver loves Tim Patrick, but the veteran will be 30 this season and is coming off a serious injury. If Jarrett is available, he will provide the team with a high-upside insurance policy to grow behind Patrick before replacing him. Jarrett is a physically gifted slot option and a former top recruit coming out of high school, and his biggest issues are things you can teach (route running polish and discipline). R.J. would be a value pick at this stage of the draft.

San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers have more holes than you would think for a Super Bowl contender. This team just lost four quarterbacks to injury in the 2022 season, yet their current starting right tackle is a former guard who was on their practice squad last year. Their starting right guard is also a lighter player better suited to play tackle. Perhaps the 49ers swap those players to improve two positions, but either way, they need depth at tackle.

San Francisco has also lost starters at outside corner, slot corner, and at linebacker. On top of that, most of their pass rush depth signed elsewhere in free agency. While the signing of Javon Hargrave and the return of Jake Brendel filled two needs, the 49ers still need starting quality depth at multiple positions. Look for them to target pass rushers, cornerbacks, and offensive tackles with their earliest picks.

Picks:

Round 3, Pick #99- Byron Young, DE, Tennessee

Looking at all realistic scenarios for their first selection, San Francisco must be hoping Young, Andre Carter II, or Blake Freeland falls to this pick. In this scenario, they luck out. One of those ideal targets lands in this spot, and they jump on him.

Young is an uber-athletic speed rusher with good bend and burst. He tested off the charts in Indy and could be taken well before this pick. That said, he’s not stout against the run and needs to get stronger. For now, he is a situational pass rusher only. That is enough to drop him into the 49ers’ lap, where they can rotate him with Drake Jackson as the team’s fourth defensive lineman on passing downs.

Round 3, Pick #101- Riley Moss, CB, Iowa

Moss is a very athletic corner with plenty of starting experience. However, his recognition and discipline are underdeveloped for his experience level. He is a good fit for the 49ers' zone scheme, though. His ball skills are a plus, and he has the athleticism to learn the deep safety position if the 49ers think they can hone his eyes and train him up.

Round 3, Pick #102- Nick Saldiveri, OT, Old Dominion

This is a bit high for Saldiveri, but the 49ers have already met with him, and John Lynch will pay a premium for guys who fit Kyle Shanahan’s scheme. I projected Spencer Burford to San Fran in the fifth-round last year, and they took him in the fourth. Something similar could happen with Saldiveri if tackles fly off the board early, as we expect. The Old Dominion product’s film shows undisciplined hands and a lack of power but also the length and athleticism needed in a zone scheme.

Round 5, Pick #155- Cameron Latu, TE, Alabama

The 49ers are reportedly in the market for a tight end they can play with George Kittle. While that’s been a rumor for years, the role that a backup tight end played in Brock Purdy’s injury could spur a heightened interest in a capable TE2 this year.

Latu was one of the bigger Day 3 surprises in my pre-draft evaluations. He’s an underrated pass catcher who showed the ability to get open with a quick release and good separation at the stem of his routes, plus he is good with the ball in his hands. He lacks size for a dedicated blocker, but his willingness and solid footwork blocking on the move make him a solid fit in a zone scheme.

Round 5, Pick #164- Asim Richards, OT, North Carolina

No one seems as high on Richards as I am, but he was a consistent edge defender at North Carolina and shut down some talented edge rushers at the Senior Bowl. Richards isn’t the athlete that most 49ers linemen are, but neither was Aaron Banks. The Tar Heel is a smart blocker with good hands and power who could play Banks’ role on the right side. That would allow Burford to kick out to his more natural tackle spot. At worst, Richards is a versatile and quality backup.

Round 5, Pick #173- Viliami Fehoko, DL, San Jose State

While San Fran would love to get safety depth in this round, so they think hard about Daniel Scott with this pick, they ultimately decide to add to their most valued position on the field. Fehoko had a 15% pressure rate in his final year at San Jose State and racked up 26 sacks over three seasons. He also had a solid 10.9% run stoppage rate. While that production largely came against lesser competition, and he needs to add muscle, he has a high motor and good short-area quickness.

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