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The NFL Scouting Combine has come and gone. Several players impressed over the weekend and some need to regroup at their college team's pro day to regain their draft stock. While mock drafts will certainly change over the next several weeks due to trades and free agency, here at RotoBaller we are working around the clock during the offseason NFL news cycle to keep you up to date. Mocks will change over the next several weeks as we get closer to the NFL Draft that will take place on April 27-29.
Who will end up on which teams? The time for mock drafts has begun! So I will begin with RotoBaller’s first mock draft of the 2023 season albeit in the second round. My colleague, Mitchell Blatt kicked us off with his Round 1 Mock, so if a player in this mock is chosen in the second round who shouldn't be there, don't be upset with me, be upset with him! Mitchell does great work and I am sure you will find his Round 1 to your liking.
The 2023 Draft may not have some of the star power of previous drafts, but it is a very deep class. Personally, there isn't much difference between pick 20 and pick 45, and some of the scouts I've talked to believe that as well. With 8 of the first 53 picks between them, the Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks stand to benefit the most from such a deep draft class. Several teams do not have a first-round selection in the 2023 draft which makes nailing their second-rounder all the more important. Let's dive into the next round of picks, shall we?
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The Top 10 Picks in Round 2
33. Pittsburgh Steelers (from Chicago)
Darnell Wright - T, Tennessee
Ryan Poles, what were you thinking man? Instead of trading the pick they had acquired from the Baltimore Ravens for Roquan Smith (which turned out to be No. 54), the Bears sent No. 32 to the Steelers for wide receiver Chase Claypool. Being that Claypool was chosen 49 overall in 2020, the Steelers essentially got 2 1/2 seasons of production from Claypool and got more for him than it took to acquire him. That's why the Steelers are the Steelers. Sorry to rain on your parade, Bears fans. Hopefully, your GM will trade down and stockpile picks to make up for this.
After getting Witherspoon in Round 1, the Steelers are thrilled to get Wright here and address another position of need. With Najee Harris, Diontae Johnson, George Pickens, and Pat Freiermuth in the fold, the Steelers have a talented arsenal of weapons around second-year QB Kenny Pickett. Wright played left tackle as a freshman but moved over to the right side. Is he a right tackle or a left tackle? He was able to keep Will Anderson Jr. mostly contained in their meeting last year. Wright doesn't have ideal athleticism but is a nice grab for the Steelers at this juncture of the draft. They will likely field plenty of calls for 32 after Round 1 concludes just in case somebody makes them an offer they can't refuse.
34. Houston Texans
Jalin Hyatt - WR, Tennessee
After starting their draft with Bryce Young and Peter Skoronski, the Texans add another potential cornerstone to their offense to help with Young's development. Hyatt is an electric wide receiver with enough speed to take it to the house on every play. While Brandin Cooks is still under contract, his future in Houston appears to be nearing its end. If the Texans can get John Metchie III back this season, their skill players will begin taking shape alongside running back Dameon Pierce. Some have questions about Hyatt being able to run a full route tree, but he had a very good 2022 season finishing with 67 receptions for 1,267 yards and 15 TDs. He was a scoring machine and adds some big-play ability that is much needed for the Texans' offense.
35. Arizona Cardinals
Keion White - DE/Edge, Georgia Tech
New General Manager, Monti Ossenfort is thrilled at being able to rebuild the Arizona defense by adding White alongside Jalen Carter. White is a larger defensive end at 6 foot 5 and 285 lbs, but he plays fast and can disrupt the run as well as get after the passer. White was originally a tight end in college before switching to defensive end. He finished the 2022 season with 14 tackles for a loss and 7.5 sacks. Many feel that White has his best football ahead of him and is just scratching the surface of what he could be.
36. Indianapolis Colts
Kelee Ringo - CB, Georgia
Known for the most famous pick-6 in Georgia football history, Ringo sealed Georgia's first national championship in 40+ years with a late interception of Bryce Young in the title game to conclude the 2021 season. Ringo is a bigger corner and flashed some elite athleticism at the NFL Combine clocking a 4.36 forty-yard dash. The question for some teams related to Ringo is scheme fit. He's better in a Cover-3 scheme on a defense that runs more zone versus playing on a team who runs mostly man coverage. While Ringo is fast, he struggled to stay with Marvin Harrison Jr. in the Peach Bowl. Nonetheless, Ringo is a defensive back who isn't afraid to hit, and defensive coordinator, Gus Bradley is more than glad to land him here.
37. Los Angeles Rams
Jahmyr Gibbs - RB, Alabama
2022 was a nightmare for Sean McVay and the Rams. They never got going out of the gate and injuries began to pile up in the worst way. While their method of trading away draft picks and amassing star talent worked well for 3-4 years, it eventually caught up with them as the Rams didn't have the depth in place to replace the guys who were lost. In 2023, they will attempt to regroup and get things going with Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp. McVay's offenses have typically revolved around the running back and who better to bring the Rams' dynamic offense back than Gibbs? He is a natural receiver out of the backfield and would thrive in their system. Gibbs finished 2022 with 151 carries for 926 yards and 7 TDs on top of 44 receptions for 444 yards and 3 TDs. While the Rams do have other needs, getting a playmaker like Gibbs is too good to pass up here.
38. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver)
Drew Sanders - LB, Arkansas
Their final draft pick received as compensation for the Russell Wilson trade, the Seahawks continue to stockpile talent adding the talented Sanders, whom many felt would be taken in the first round. A transfer from Alabama, Sanders shined as a 3-down linebacker for the Razorbacks in 2022. He played the run instinctively, dropped back into coverage, and even rushed the passer finishing with 9 sacks. Sanders is a physical specimen who will bring back some of the spirits of the hard-nosed Seattle defenses of the early and mid-2010s.
39. Las Vegas Raiders
Trenton Simpson - LB, Clemson
Here's another solid linebacker who can play well in space, the Raiders get a much-needed addition to their LB corps. Simpson excels in coverage and can spy on the opposing quarterback any time you need him to. Las Vegas has some solid edge rushers in Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones, but they could use someone to help defend the middle of the field, especially in a division with Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert.
40. Carolina Panthers
Darnell Washington - TE, Georgia
An absolute freakazoid, Washington dazzled at the combine and many are surprised he is still on the board here. Scouts believe that Washington is just scratching the surface of his potential. Washington ran an impressive 4.64 forty at the combine on top of a 4.08 shuttle drive at a size of 6 foot 6 1/2 inches and 264 lbs. He is a punishing run blocker and better at catching the ball than most realize.
41. New Orleans Saints
Deonte Banks - CB, Maryland
Banks ran an impressive 4.35 in the 40-yard dash at the combine. He's a physical corner who still shouldn't be on the board at this juncture of the draft. The Saints could use another offensive weapon, but they will likely target a running back and wide receiver later in the draft. Banks is too good of a value to pass up. His 10-yard split at the combine was 1.49 and he followed that up with a 42-inch vertical and an 11-4 broad jump. He is an athlete who can make plays in the secondary.
42. Tennessee Titans
John Michael Schmitz - C, Minnesota
The Titans appear to be tearing this thing down to the studs after a solid run. 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. 43-52: Grabbing the Remaining Value
43. Cleveland Browns
Josh Downs - WR, North Carolina
Watching so much of Sam Howell's tape during the NFL Draft process warmed me up to Downs. I kept seeing this No. 11 making plays all over the field before I knew I had to dive into him more myself. In the last two seasons Downs put up 195 receptions for 2,364 yards and 19 TDs. Dobbs played the slot 82.7% of his plays last year and brings some deep playmaking speed to the Browns' offense. They would have a nice trio for Deshaun Watson with Amari Cooper and Donovan Peoples-Jones to throw to.
44. New York Jets
Anton Harrison - T, Oklahoma
This pick may be included in a possible trade if the Jets were to move on Aaron Rodgers, but for now, the pick stays with New York. Mekhi Becton has been a large disappointment due to injury and Duane Brown is getting up there in years. Some have a first-round grade on Harrison, so Jets GM Joe Douglas races to the podium here.
45. Atlanta Falcons
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 6-0 feet and had 14 interceptions over his three-year college career. What's even more impressive is that he also scored 6 defensive touchdowns in that span! He clocked a 4.35 forty-yard dash and never missed a game in college due to injury.
46. Green Bay Packers
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 hard-nosed gritty type of player who is a solid addition to the Packers' defense. 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.
47. New England Patriots
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 Patriots are currently paying two other tight ends on their roster right now they can get out of Jonnu Smith's contract next offseason pretty easily. This would be the perfect situation for Bill Belichick to bring Musgrave along slowly while he gets back to full health. The Patriots' offense needs playmakers in the worst way.
48. Washington Commanders
Dalton Kincaid - TE, Utah
Arguably the best receiving tight end in the draft, Kincaid had an impressive 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 as a receiver. Think of who offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy coached for a lot of years in Kansas City who also wasn't a traditional in-line tight end.
49. Detroit Lions
Zach Charbonnet - RB, UCLA
Jamaal Williams is a free agent and it's no secret that D'Andre Swift has struggled to stay healthy. Charbonnet is a north-south type of power runner who could feast behind the Lions' offensive line. He's also a more than capable receiver out of the backfield, but he and Swift could complement each other quite nicely in 2023. This pick gives the Lions a physical runner and some added insurance in case Swift (who is a free agent after 2023) doesn't live up to the lofty expectations many have set for him.
50. Pittsburgh Steelers
B.J. Ojulari - DE/Edge, LSU
The Steelers can never have enough pass rushers and tend to develop the position as well as anyone. Ojulari had 16 sacks in the last two seasons on top of 95 total pressures. He is a versatile player who could give Pittsburgh a player who could thrive opposite of T.J. Watt.
51. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Felix Anudike-Uzomah, DE/Edge, Kansas State
Shaq Barrett is starting to get up there in years and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka is still developing. Anudike-Uzomah had 20 total sacks in the last two seasons with 82 total pressures. He's just 21 years old and Jason Licht is happy to roll the dice here on his potential upside.
52. Miami Dolphins
Devon Achane, RB, Texas A&M
The Dolphins enter the offseason with no running backs currently on their roster. While they have plenty of needs, 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.
Picks No. 53-64: The End of Round 2
53. Seattle Seahawks
Cody Mauch, G, North Dakota St.
Pete Carroll loves to run the football and the Seahawks pick up some important pieces for the future of their offense on top of landing Tyree Wilson at No. 5 overall. Mauch is an experienced college player who should be a plug-and-play type of player for Seattle immediately. He's a grinder in every sense of the word.
54. 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.
55. Los Angeles Chargers
Will McDonald IV - Edge/OLB, Iowa St.
A smaller edge player, McDonald had 19 sacks along with 66 pressures in his last two seasons. Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa are starting to get up there in age and Brandon Staley's defense could use another rotational piece.
56. Detroit Lions (from Minnesota)
Noah Sewell - LB, Oregon
The Lions could use some depth at linebacker. Sewell is the younger brother of Lions offensive tackle, Penei Sewell. He is a physical player who can tackle with sheer strength and fits the identity of the type of players Dan Campbell wants to build around. The Sewell brothers are reunited in Detroit.
57. Jacksonville Jaguars
Adetomiwa Adebawore - DT, Northwestern
The Jaguars drafted Travon Walker at No. 1 overall based on his potential upside and that one worked 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.
58. 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 Giants' defense. He had 89 total pressures and 18 sacks in the last two seasons.
59. 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.
60. Buffalo Bills
Marvin Mims - WR, Oklahoma
Gabe Davis was disappointing last year even though some say it was due to suffering a high-ankle sprain early in the year that was worse than the Bills let on. Mims impressed during the combine and Brandon Beane knows he needs to surround Josh Allen with some more playmakers. The team also likes Khalil Shakir, who was taken in the 5th Round last year but with how expensive free agent WRs are getting you can never have enough depth at the WR spot. Stefon Diggs is elite, but he also isn't getting any younger.
61. Cincinnati Bengals
Julius Brents - CB, Kansas St.
Brents has been rising up draft boards recently and Lou Anarumo could use another cornerback in his defensive scheme. Brents is a physical corner who feels well-suited for the AFC North style of play.
62. Carolina Panthers (from San Francisco)
Henry To'oTo'o - LB, Alabama
To'oTo'o is a physical linebacker who will be a nice addition to the Panthers' 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.
63. 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. He is rising up team draft boards.
64. Kansas City Chiefs
Cam Smith - CB, South Carolina
Chiefs GM Brett Veach has drafted extremely well in recent years and the team is prioritizing depth over star power in this new post-Tyreek Hill era. While they drafted Trent McDuffie in Round 1 last year, you can never have enough depth at corner. Smith is a player teams seem to like but is all over the board right now. The Chiefs are happy to land him.
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