Eric Froton lays out his predictions for Day 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft, including where the slides of Joey Porter Jr. and Will Levis end.
NFL Mock Draft for Day 2
32. Steelers: Joey Porter Jr, Penn State
Pitt shored up their OL with Broderick Jones in R1, and now have the good fortune of adding another Porter their roster for the next 5+ seasons. With Joey Porter Jr. sliding out of the first round, this pick is a no brainer.
33. Cardinals: Cam Smith, CB, Arizona
Arizona confirmed all our suspicions by trading down what amounted to 3 spots and acquiring a 1st and 3rd rounders next year for their trouble. Very savvy piece of draft manipulation on their part. They now pivot from selecting Kyler Murray‘s hand-picked blindside protector, to solidifying their secondary with SoCar CB Cam Smith.
34. Lions: Brian Branch, S, Alabama
It’s been a wild 24-hour cycle for the Lions faithful, as they have been widely panned for their use of draft capital. Jahmyr Gibbs at 1.12 was a true ????? moment, as the slightly built satellite-back was a 50/50 proposition to be selected in R1 by most draft analysts. LB Jack Campbell was widely expected to be the second LB taken behind Drew Sanders, and a likely low-R2 value who they took at 1.18. The criticism has less to do with the respective players than the draft positions.
35. Colts: O’Cyrus Torrence, OG, Florida
The Colts are thrilled to see a mauling run-blocker like Torrence on the board here after taking their developmental QB in Anthony Richardson. Now it’s time to clear some holes for RB Jonathan Taylor by bolstering the interior of the line.
36. Rams: BJ Ojulari, EDGE, LSU
The most technically refined Edge rusher in the class with active hands and a varied rush tempo, Ojulari is an excellent building block for the Rams as they embark on their “down to the studs” rebuild.
37. Seahawks: Steve Avila, OG, TCU
Seattle focused on addressing both sides of the passing game in R1 with Devon Witherspoon at 1.5 and JSN with the 1.20 pick. Avila was the catalyst for CFP Championship runner-up TCU’s punishing run game that fortified the Horned Frogs’ Cinderella season, and is a perfect fit for their Kenneth Walker II-led ground attack.
38. Raiders: DJ Turner, CB, Michigan
The fastest player from the 2023 Draft class, Turner ran a blistering 4.26s 40-yard dash which vaulted himself into late-Day 1 consideration. If there’s an organization who values high-end jets, it’s the Raiders. With a glaring need to shore up their secondary, LV pairs Turner with havoc-creating DE Tyree Wilson before turning the page to offense in the later rounds. I could also easily see LV take Levis/Hooker here.
39. TRADE (from Panthers) - Lions: Will Levis, QB, Detroit
I just couldn’t resist having Detroit trade up to select Levis after their…unorthodox…first round. It just feels like Levis, who is the perfect “Who knows?” evaluation of this QB class, to end up in Detroit after their hair-on-fire round one. I’m excited to analyze the complete, DaVinci’esque, grandiose vision Detroit has in store for us over the next two days.
40. Saints: Isaiah Foskey, Edge, Notre Dame
The Saints retool their defensive line with a vengeance, taking Bryan Bresee at 1.29 and now Notre Dame Edge Foskey, who gave #3 overall OT Paris Johnson Jr. all he could handle last season.
41. Titans: Joe Tippmann, C, Wisconsin
The Titans are not playing games with their OL, grabbing arguably the most projectable OT/OG in the class, Peter Skoronski. They double down by selecting the abnormally large center Tippmann who could theoretically keep Derek Henry churning for another 2-3 seasons.
42. Packers: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
The Packers spring up to the podium to take a player they were attached to as a potential R1 option. Instead they got a monster base-Edge player in Lukas Van Ness with their first pick, and now their preferred TE in R2. So far, so good.
43. Jets: John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota
The Patriots smartly traded back three spots, picked up an extra fourth, an put Pittsburgh in position to select OT Broderick Jones ahead of the NYJ who were widely connected to the Georgia bookend. The Jets took DE Will McDonald instead, and now move to address the OL with All-American Center John Michael Schmitz.
44. Falcons: Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State
If you’re going to take Bijan Robinson at #8, you might as well take a human-wall like Dawand Jones (6'8/374) to help out on the line. Jones at the 44th overall would be an excellent follow up to the Bijan selection and considering they need to keep Desmond Ridder clean if they want their young QB to progress.
45. Packers: Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina
The Pack continue to boost their passing game weapons for the Jordan Love era, adding Downs and Mayer in round two. I’d have to think a Van Ness/Mayer/Downs haul would be a dream scenario for the Packers faithful.
46. Patriots: Matthew Bergeron, OL, Syracuse
After deftly out-maneuvering the J-E-T-S in R1 by trading back and sabotaging the NYJ’s attempts at securing a franchise LT, the Patriots still were able to get Oregon CB Christian Gonzalez, who was my top cornerback in this class, narrowly edging out Witherspoon. Now they turn the page to grabbing a projectable OT in Bergeron, who I feel is athletic enough to play tackle, but is a ready-made OG if that experiment fails.
47. Commanders: Drew Sanders, LB, Arkansas
Washington took a long, thin ball-hawking cornerback in Emmanuel Forbes who is an interception creator of the highest order. With my LB1 still on the board here, they select a ferocious pass-rushing LB in Sanders who finished second in the SEC in sacks last year despite lining-up off the ball.
48. TRADE (from Lions) - Panthers: Keion White, Edge, Georgia Tech
Carolina claws back some of the draft capital they lost with the trade-up to acquire Bryce Young by trading back with the Lions. Keion White is a massive edge defender with rare athleticism for his size and give Carolina a physical edge-setter with tantalizing upside.
49. Steelers: Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee
Chase Claypool is gone with George Pickens set to assume the primary outside wideout role. Diontae Johnson is still there for now, but an explosive WR3 who could eventually move into Johnson’s role like Hyatt would be a perfect scenario for Pitt.
50. Buccaneers: Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
After having added a penetrating IDL to line up next to two-gapping monster Vita Vea, TB picks up a potential CB1 who was a lynchpin of UGA’s back-to-back national title teams.
51. Dolphins: Cody Mauch, OT/OG, North Dakota State
With their first pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Miami takes the flaming redhead Mauch, who made a name for himself at the Senior Bowl with his “toothless aggression” in 1-on-1 drills. While he played OT in college, Mauch is likely pegged for an inside role in The League.
52. Seahawks: Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee
With Seattle doing a real nice job shoring up pain-points with their first three picks, it’s now time to turn the page to the future. With Geno Smith in place to serve as a bridge, Hooker has the opportunity to sit behind a respected veteran QB while he heals up from an ACL tear and learns the ropes.
53. Bears: Adetomiwa Adebawore, Edge, Northwestern
With the selection of mammoth L/RT Darnell Wright to support QB Justin Fields, Chicago takes local Northwestern DE Adebawore who put forth a truly herculean Combine performance as is evidenced by his 9.72 RAS.
54. Chargers: Tuli Tuipulotu, Edge, USC
San Diego (I refuse to acknowledge their departure from my town) takes a hyper-productive Edge defender from nearby in SoCal to help give their Bosa brother another pressure-artist that can help to divert attention.
55. Lions: Zach Kuntz, TE, Old Dominion
Quite literally the most projectable, athletic tight end to test at the Combine, Kuntz is a high usage tight end who finished second in the country in 2021 in targets (Mayer #1). If it weren’t for an injury last season, the Penn State transfer would have been a sleeper TE of the first order.
56. Jaguars: Julius Brents, CB, Kansas State
Brents is a prototype big, aggressive cornerback at 6'3/198, making a name for himself by locking horns with Quentin Johnston twice this season. Brents would be an instant contributor in year one with starter upside.
57. Giants: Cedric Tillman, WR, Tennessee
While the G-men addressed the cornerback position with Deonte Banks in R1, they now move on from the disastrous Kenny Golladay signing to pick up a big wideout who tore up Georgia for 10 receptions and 200 yards in 2021. Tillman can ease in to the lineup behind Isaiah Hodgins before eventually taking over the primary outside WR role.
58. Cowboys: Marvin Mims Jr, WR, Oklahoma
The Cowboys get exactly what they want by taking DT Mazi Smith in R1 to clog up the run lanes, and now land a player who also happens to have posted the most single-season receiving yards in the history of American high school football in Mims. 16.2% of the Oklahoma speed-merchant’s receptions over the last two years went for 40+ yards and will provide the vital ability to stretch the field vertically.
59. Bills: Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah
Though on the small side at 5'9/184, Phillips is a Unanimous 2022 All-American performer who led the P12 in PBU each of the last two seasons. His 40 was a little sluggish for his size at 4.51s, but there’s no denying his production.
60. Bengals: Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
Cincinnati’s decision to wait on adding a pass catcher in R1 pays off, as the freakish Washington has the blocking chops to be a force on the line, in addition to advanced body control for a player of his huge stature. Win-win for the Bengals and Joe Burrow.
61. Bears: Rashee Rice, WR, SMU
Chicago brought in Chase Claypool and DJ Moore to give aerial support to Justin Fields. With an arsenal of draft capital they’ve acquired thanks to their first-round trade down, The Bears take Rashee Rice to provide an outside weapon who can be groomed to take over if Claypool doesn’t work out.
62. Eagles: Zach Charbonnet, RB, UCLA
Though Philadelphia didn’t get Bijan Robinson thanks to Atlanta taking him at 1.8, but instead added substantial value picking Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith to go with fellow UGA alum Jordan Davis who they picked last year. Now they can acquire the next-best “big” back in the class, Charbonnet, to spell Rashaad Penny until he is ready to take the starting reins.
63. Chiefs: Blake Freeland, OT, BYU
Freeland has boosted his draft stock with an impressive set of testing drills, recording 95th percentile+ running splits, 99th% jumps and an absurd 9.89 RAS. With verified on the field results, as is evidenced by his 90.7 PFF pass block grade, Freeland is an excellent option for the Chiefs here at the end of round two.
ROUND 3
64) Bears: Tyrique Stevenson, CB, Miami
65) Texans: Jonathan Mingo, WR, Ole Miss
66) Eagles: Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson
67) Broncos: Derrick Hall, Edge, Auburn
68) Broncos: Keeanu Benton, DT, Wisconsin
69) Rams: Tyler Steen, OL, Alabama
70) Raiders: Jaelyn Duncan, OT, Maryland
71) Saints: Sam LaPorta, TE, Iowa
72) Titans: Tyler Scott, WR, Cincinnati
73) Texans: Luke Wypler, C, Ohio State
74) Browns: Byron Young, Edge, Tennessee
75) Falcons: Zach Harrison, DE, Ohio State
76) Patriots: Kayshon Boutte, WR, LSU
77) Rams: Terell Smith, CB, Minnesota
78) Packers: Wanya Morris, OT, Oklahoma
79) Colts: YaYa Diaby, Edge, Louisville
80) Steelers: Isaiah McGuire, Edge, Iowa State
81) Cardinals: Devon Achane, RB, Texas A&M
82) Buccaneers: Clayton Tune, QB, Houston
83) Seahawks: Daiyan Henley, LB, Washington State
84) Dolphins: Jaylon Jones, CB, Texas A&M
85) Chargers: Siaki Ika, DT, Baylor
86) Ravens: Emil Ekiyor Jr, OG, Alabama
87) Vikings: Sidy Sow, OG, Eastern Michigan
88) Jaguars: Luke Musgrave, TE, Oregon State
89) Giants: Chandler Zavala, OG, NC State
90) Cowboys: Noah Sewell, LB, Oregon
91) Bills: Henry To’o To’o, LB, Alabama
92) Bengals: Darius Rush, CB, South Carolina
93) Panthers; Tucker Kraft, TE, North Dakota State
94) Cardinals: Gervon Dexter, DT, Florida
95) Chiefs: A.T. Perry, WR, Wake Forest
96) Cardinals: Bryce Ford-Wheaton, WR, West Virginia
97) Commanders: Carter Warren, OT, Pitt
98) Browns: Warren McClendon, OT, Georgia
99) San Francisco: JL Skinner, S, Boise State
100) Raiders: Jammie Robinson, S, Florida State
101) San Francisco: Nick Broeker, OG, Ole Miss
102) San Francisco: Eli Rick, CB, Alabama
