RADIO
We are just 18 days away from the start of the NFL Draft! It's undoubtedly one of the best times of the year, but it is also what I like to refer to as "Smoke Screen Season." So many teams are throwing smoke signals out there to not tip their hand on who they are targeting. Even this week prominent analysts were coming out and saying that Florida Quarterback Anthony Richardson should go first overall.
Here at RotoBaller, we are working around the clock during the offseason NFL news cycle to keep you up to date as we near the 2023 NFL Draft which will officially take place on April 27-29. Round 1 will be on Thursday at 8 pm ET, Rounds 2-3 will be on Friday at 7 pm ET, and Rounds 4-7 will be on Saturday starting at noon ET. Since the Miami Dolphins' first-round pick was forfeited, the second-round picks will officially be numbered from 32-63. Yes, it greatly bothers my OCD too.
If you didn't catch Round 1 of my mock draft, please do so to keep it as a reference point while you read Round 2. The biggest thing to know about the 2023 NFL Draft is that it doesn't have some of the star power of previous classes, especially 2021 which brought us Trevor Lawrence, Ja'Marr Chase, Micah Parsons, etc., but it is a very deep class. Many of the scouts believe there isn't much difference between pick 20 and pick 45, which makes Round 2 very intriguing compared to other year's drafts. Now let's dive into the picks, shall we?
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The Top 10 Picks in Round 2
32. Pittsburgh Steelers (from Chicago)
Darnell Wright - T, Tennessee
He probably shouldn't have lasted this long. The Steelers fill two huge needs by landing Joey Porter Jr. at 17 and now Wright. He has played left and right tackle, but most scouts believe he is best suited for the right side. Wright kept Will Anderson mostly in check when Tennessee played Georgia last year. Some have him rated as the top tackle in the draft.
33. Houston Texans
Josh Downs - WR, North Carolina
After landing Bryce Young with the 2nd overall pick, the Texans add another weapon for their young quarterback. While the supporting cast around Young: Robert Woods, John Metchie III, Nico Collins, and Dalton Schultz isn't exactly ideal, Houston adds a promising pass catcher in Downs who had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and 19 receiving TDs before deciding to turn pro. He is mostly a slot wide receiver but should provide plenty of security for Bryce Young underneath.
34. Arizona Cardinals
Keion White - DE/Edge, Georgia Tech
New GM, Monti Ossenfort continues to build up in the trenches alongside Will Anderson. White is a bigger defensive end at 6-foot-5 and 285 lbs., but he plays fast and can disrupt the run as well as get after the quarterback. He originally played tight end in college before making the switch to defensive end. White had 14 tackles for a loss and 7.5 sacks in 2022 and many feel he is just scratching the surface of what he could be.
35. Indianapolis Colts
Mazi Smith - DT, Michigan
While they already have DeForest Buckner, Colts defensive coordinator Gus Bradley is thrilled to add Smith to their defense. A member of Bruce Feldman's "Freaks List," Smith has all of the traits to be an immediate disrupter in the trenches for the Colts. Can he play all three downs? That's his biggest question mark. The tape is great.
36. Los Angeles Rams
B.J. Ojulari - DE/Edge, LSU
How's this for a stat? With this pick, Ojulari is the highest-drafted player for the Rams since Jared Goff in 2016! It's mind-blowing stuff. Les Snead had such a completely different approach to team building than the rest of the league and for five mostly glorious seasons, it worked. A lot of people like to pile on the Rams, but hey, banners fly forever right?
37. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver)
Hendon Hooker - QB, Tennessee
Their final draft pick received as compensation for the Russell Wilson trade, the Seahawks continue to infuse their roster with talent making the most of their two firsts and two seconds in the draft. While the Seahawks signed Geno Smith to an extension, they can get it out of it after 2023 without an absorbent amount of dead cap. Since they don't have a capable backup on the roster this one makes sense for added flexibility. If not for his late-season ACL injury, Hooker might have gone in Round 1. The only real knock on him is that he is 25 years old.
38. Las Vegas Raiders
Trenton Simpson - LB, Clemson
Simpson plays well in space, but is he a safety or a linebacker? Simpson excels in coverage and can spy on the opposing quarterback any time you need him to. The Raiders' defense could use someone to help defend the middle of the field, especially in a division with Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert.
39. Carolina Panthers
Luke Musgrave - TE, Oregon State
A four-sport athlete in high school, Musgrave excelled in lacrosse, track, and skiing on top of football. Injuries have limited his college career, but Musgrave posted some impressive metrics at the NFL Combine and can jump out of the gym. Even though the Panthers signed Hayden Hurst to a multi-year deal, they know they need to surround their young quarterback with weapons. This would be the perfect situation for Frank Reich to bring Musgrave along slowly while he gets back to full health.
40. New Orleans Saints
Emmanuel Forbes - CB, Mississippi State
Forbes will likely take a little bit of a tumble on draft day after weighing in at just 166 pounds. He's a playmaking cornerback who is six feet tall and had 14 interceptions over his three-year college career. What's even more impressive is that he also scored six defensive touchdowns in that span! Forbes clocked a 4.35 forty-yard dash and only missed one game in college due to injury. His tape is outstanding. The question is whether or not he can hold up and have a productive career at that size. There isn't a relatable comp for a player at his weight. Trust me, general managers care about that stuff.
41. Tennessee Titans
John Michael Schmitz - C, Minnesota
The Titans appear to be tearing this thing down to the studs after several seasons of being on the cusp of the Super Bowl. New General Manager, Ran Carthon has wasted no time shedding expensive contracts and veteran players. With having drafted Paris Johnson at 11, the Titans continue to revamp their offensive line here. Schmitz is an intelligent player with plenty of experience who can step in and play immediately.
Picks No. 42-51: Grabbing the Remaining Value
42. New York Jets (from Cleveland)
Cam Smith - CB, South Carolina
Robert Saleh loves to have diverse pieces on his defense and Smith can do a variety of things. It's hard not to imagine this pick being involved in the looming Aaron Rodgers trade to the New York Jets, but for now, the pick stays in the Big Apple. A few weeks ago the Jets sent Elijah Moore and pick 74 to Cleveland for this one. It was a good trade for both teams. The Browns got a player who can help their offense stretch the field and the Jets sent away a disgruntled player who needed a fresh start to give them resources to trade for Rodgers.
43. New York Jets
Felix Anudike-Uzomah, DE/Edge, Kansas State
Also, another pick that could be sent to Green Bay. For now, the Jets continue to build their defense and give more pieces for Robert Saleh to move around. Anudike-Uzomah had 19.5 sacks the last two seasons and only further strengthens the Jets' solid defense.
44. Atlanta Falcons
Jahmyr Gibbs - RB, Alabama
This is the dream scenario for the Falcons. After landing Devin Witherspoon in Round 1, Atlanta lands Gibbs here to add a new dynamic to their offense. While he weighed in at 199 lbs. at the NFL Combine some scouts were concerned about his size, but Gibbs is such an incredible pass catcher out of the backfield. Along with Tyler Allgeier, he will provide the Falcons' offense with a nice thunder-and-lightning combo.
45. Green Bay Packers
Anton Harrison - T, Oklahoma
A player some have expected to go in Round 1, the Packers take Harrison here to provide some depth on their offensive line. David Bakhtiari is one of the best left tackles in the league, but he has been banged up in recent seasons missing four games in 2020, sixteen in 2021, and six in 2022. He is also 31 years old. While Bakhtiari is still under contract with a lot of guaranteed money for the next two seasons, Harrison gives them some additional depth and flexibility just in case.
46. New England Patriots
Julius Brents - CB, Kansas St.
Brents has been rising up draft boards recently due to his larger frame at 6-foot-3 and 198 lbs. He also had four INTs to go with 3.5 tackles for a loss in 2022. He gives the Patriots a playmaker in the secondary that they will get the best out of. They usually do.
47. Washington Commanders
Dalton Kincaid - TE, Utah
Arguably the best receiving tight end in the draft, Kincaid had a very solid senior season with 66 receptions for 850 yards and 8 TDs. Logan Thomas will turn 32 this year and the Commanders could use some depth in their offense. He's not a traditional in-line tight end and is better used as a pass catcher. Think of who offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy coached for a lot of years in Kansas City who also wasn't considered a traditional in-line tight end.
48. Detroit Lions
Jack Campbell - LB, Iowa
Campbell impressed many scouts during the NFL Combine and won college football's Butkus Award during the 2022 season. He's a grinder in every sense of the word. The Iowa LB posted a 4.24-second 20-yard shuttle (1st), 6.74-second 3-cone (1st), and a broad jump of 10'8" (2nd) is how his metrics stacked up against the other linebackers in the draft. Impressive.
49. Pittsburgh Steelers
Will McDonald IV - Edge/OLB, Iowa St.
The staple of the Steelers has always been about one thing: the pass rush. McDonald feels like the kind of guy they could plug in opposite of T.J. Watt and wreak havoc with. After having gone corner, tackle, and now edge the Steelers have to be quite satisfied with how their draft is turning out.
50. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Cody Mauch - G, North Dakota St.
The Bucs' offensive line of old started to deteriorate after Ali Marpet retired. Mauch is an eat-sleep-breathe type of football player who should be able to step in right away. He has elite short-area quickness for his size and put on a show at his Pro Day. Mauch played right tackle in college, but teams have all but said he projects as a guard at the next level.
51. Miami Dolphins
Devon Achane - RB - Texas A&M
Achane is a perfect fit for the offensive system that Mike McDaniel runs in Miami. Achane is the fastest running back in the draft and a former track star. While he weighed in at just 188 lbs, his speed alongside Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle would pose a lot of problems for defensive coordinators. While Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr. were brought back, they aren't getting any younger either.
Picks No. 52-63: The End of Round 2
52. Seattle Seahawks
Steve Avila - G, TCU
Some have him projected to go at the end of Round 1, but Seattle locks up another important piece on their interior here. Avila could also play center as well and this feels like a nice synergy pick in terms of what Pete Carroll likes to do on offense which is giving the ball to Ken Walker as much as possible. According to Chat Reuter, Avila did not allow a single sack in 515 pass-blocking snaps in his final season at TCU.
53. Chicago Bears (from Baltimore)
Cedric Tillman - WR, Tennessee
Bears GM Ryan Poles know he needs to get Justin Fields some more weapons to work with. Tillman was injured for some of 2022, but back in 2021, he posted 352 yards receiving against the Alabama and Georgia defenses. He is a bigger receiver at 6-3, 215 lbs. and should be able to play on the outside. Some have compared him to Michael Thomas when he was coming out.
54. Los Angeles Chargers
Gervon Dexter Sr. - DT, Florida
The only real knock on Dexter is that some scouts have said he is slow to get off the snap. He is a force on the interior of the defensive line at 6-foot-6 and 310 lbs. He also ran an impressive 4.88 forty-yard dash which is outstanding for someone his size. He has plenty of upside and the Chargers know they need to get better on that side of the ball.
55. Detroit Lions (from Minnesota)
Rashee Rice - WR, SMU
The Lions could use another wide receiver, especially a bigger body on the outside. While they have the uber-talented Sun God: Amon-Ra St. Brown to go along with Jameson Williams, there isn't much depth there. This gives the Detroit offense another talented addition to their young, budding offense.
56. Jacksonville Jaguars
Adetomiwa Adebawore - DT, Northwestern
The Jaguars drafted Travon Walker at No. 1 overall based on his potential upside and that one is working out quite well. While Adebawore is still unfinished as a prospect, he crushed the NFL Combine running a 4.49 forty-yard dash at 6 -foot-2, 282 lbs! He fits a need for the Jaguars and they can take the chance on him being a force at the next level. Adebawore was projected as a late Day 2/early Day 3 type of player, but his Combine turned a lot of heads. It's an impressive feat for a man of that size to be able to move like that.
57. New York Giants
Derick Hall - DE/Edge, Auburn
The Giants know a thing or two from their Super Bowl years about stacking pass rushers and Hall could be a nice addition to the their defense. He had 89 total pressures and 18 sacks in the last two seasons.
58. Dallas Cowboys
Jaelyn Duncan - T, Maryland
Tyron Smith is getting up there in age and the Cowboys could use some depth on their offensive line. Duncan has predominantly played on the left side but should have no problem being a swing tackle for the Cowboys if needed behind Tyler and Tyron Smith.
59. Buffalo Bills
Henry To'oTo'o - LB, Alabama
To'oTo'o is a physical linebacker who will bring more depth to the Bills' defense. He was Second-Team All-SEC in 2021 and lead the Crimson Tide with 113 tackles on top of being First-Team All-SEC in 2022.
60. Cincinnati Bengals
Dawand Jones - T, Ohio St.
A massive human being at 6-foot-8 and 374 lbs. He also has a wingspan of 89.5 inches, which is the longest in Senior Bowl history. The only questions about his ability to play at the next level are related to athleticism. Does he have enough of an athletic bend to get down and keep edge rushers from flying past him? On the flip side, he will be a punishing right tackle in the run game.
61. Carolina Panthers (from San Francisco)
Marvin Mins - WR, Oklahoma
A player no one seems to have any faults with and the Panthers are happy to get a young pass catcher to pair up with C.J. Stroud. Mims shined at Oklahoma playing inside and outside while averaging 20 yards per reception in 2022! He ran a solid 4.38 forty-yard dash to go with a 39.5-inch vertical. He could very well go higher than this.
62. Philadelphia Eagles
Isaiah Foskey - DE, Notre Dame
Eagles GM Howie Roseman loves his edge guys and Brandon Graham will turn 35 soon despite posting a career-high in sacks in 2022 with 11. Foskey tested well at the NFL Combine and had 65 total pressures and 23 sacks in the last two seasons. In the Eagles' eyes, a team can never have enough guys off the edge who can get after the quarterback.
63. Kansas City Chiefs
Blake Freeland - T, BYU
After losing Orlando Brown in free agency, Chiefs GM Brett Veach lands Freeland here who posted the most athletic vertical jump for an offensive tackle in NFL Combine history at 37 inches after measuring at 6-foot-7 and 302 lbs. He also ran a forty-yard dash in under five seconds. The Chiefs' priority since the 2020 Super Bowl loss to Tampa has always been about protecting Patrick Mahomes at all costs.
Thank you for taking the time to read my Mock Draft! May your team draft who you want them to on draft night!
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