We’re a little over halfway through the college football season, so it’s time for us to revisit the mock draft area. Even though it’s late October and NFL teams have only just entered the second third of the season, some teams may already be looking ahead to the NFL Draft (cough, cough, Carolina).
Many teams near the top of the draft will be in the QB market, but it could be interesting where some of the top players end up falling. Players like Georgia DT Jalen Carter, who could be considered the second-best prospect in the entire country, could go down simply because of the position value of having a QB.
Also, the order of the receivers could be something to track. Kayshon Boutte and Jaxon Smith-Njigba have been hampered by injuries and poor play, and this has allowed a receiver like TCUIt’s Quentin Johnston to jump in front of them.
This is where I had Johnston, Boutte, Smith-Njigba and others in my latest mock draft (ordered via Tankathon as of 10/22/22):
NFL Mock Draft 2.0
To choose
Equipment
Player
Colleague
Position
Class
To choose
Equipment
Player
Colleague
Position
Class
1
carolina panthers
CJ Stroud
Ohio State
Quarterback
Junior
two
las vegas raiders
anderson
Alabama
EDGE
Junior
3
Detroit Lions
young bryce
Alabama
Quarterback
Junior
4
Philadelphia Eagles (via NO)
myles murphy
Clemson
EDGE
Junior
5
houston texans
jalen carter
Georgia
SD
Junior
6
Houston Texans (via CLE)
will levis
Kentucky
Quarterback
Senior
7
Seattle Seahawks (via DEN)
kelee ringo
Georgia
CB
Sophomore (RS)
8
pittsburgh steelmen
broderrick jones
Georgia
Old Testament
Sophomore (RS)
9
jacksonville jaguars
jordan addison
USC
WR
Junior
10
chicago bears
peter skoronski
Northwest
Old Testament
Junior
eleven
Washington Commanders
Christian Gonzalez
Oregon
CB
Sophomore (RS)
12
arizona cardinals
BJ Ojulari
LSU
EDGE
Junior
13
atlanta falcons
bryan bresee
Clemson
SD
Junior
14
Seattle Seahawks
Tyree Wilson
texas tech
EDGE
Senior
fifteen
Cincinnati Bengals
miguel mayer
notre dame
TEA
Junior
sixteen
new england patriots
Quentin Johnson
TCU
WR
Junior
17
miami dolphins
LOST
18
Green Bay Packers
Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Ohio State
WR
Junior
19
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Darnell Washington
Georgia
TEA
Senior
twenty
Miami Dolphins (via SF)
Paris Johnson Jr.
Ohio State
Old Testament
Junior
twenty-one
The Baltimore Ravens
Kayshon Boutte
LSU
WR
Junior
22
Detroit Lions (via LAR)
Cam Smith
South Carolina
CB
Junior (RS)
23
Indianapolis Colts
kyu blu kelly
Stanford
CB
Junior
24
tennessee titans
Jaelyn Duncan
Maryland
Old Testament
Senior (RS)
25
Los Angeles Chargers
josh down
North Carolina
WR
Junior
26
new york jets
trenton simpson
Clemson
pound
Junior
27
dallas cowboys
Gervon Dexter Sr.
Florida
SD
Sophomore (RS)
28
New York Giants
Noah Sewell
Oregon
pound
Sophomore (RS)
29
Kansas City Chiefs
Nolan Smith
Georgia
EDGE
Senior
30
minnesota vikings
Joey Porter Jr.
State of Pennsylvania
CB
Junior
31
buffalo bills
robinson bijan
Texas
RB
Junior
32
philadelphia eagles
Henry To’o’to
Alabama
pound
Senior
3 QBs go in the top 10
As of now, I still have Ohio State‘s CJ Stroud as the No. 1 quarterback off the board, and if things hold up, he should be the Panthers’ No. 1 draft pick. I love his ability to read the entire field and shoot with precision and timing. He’s not the most physically overwhelming athlete, and his arm strength is just good, but when he throws decisively, it’s a beauty to watch.
Bryce Young is next off the board, and there could be an argument that he should be QB1. Young’s ability to create out of the pocket and be a quick processor in the pocket is crucial not only to the offense he’s on now, but to excel at the NFL level. His frame (Alabama lists him at 6-0, 194 pounds) will be a huge detractor to some scouts, but he can lead an NFL offense.
Will Levis is the hottest and coldest of the three. High-end tools with the 6’4, 230-pound frame are tempting, and his arm can unlock access to every part of an NFL field. However, he has been running something of an NFL offense for the past two years (his former offensive coordinator, Liam Coen, is now the NFL’s OC). Los Angeles Rams and current OC Rich Scangarello was with him 49ers) and has struggled with timing and decision-making on offense. He hangs on to the ball for a long time and the ability to read defenses after the cross is not the best, but a team like jeans he might be willing to take a hit on said traits.
Eagles double up on defense
the philadelphia eagles they are currently in a great place. They are undefeated with one of the most dynamic offenses in the league and control the Saints’ first-round draft pick, which is currently 4. I have them taking Clemson EDGE Myles Murphy to give them more youth and juice on the pass. corridor place. Brandon Graham is an upcoming free agent at 34, and with the core the Eagles have, Murphy could rotate as he learns to play at the NFL level.
I’ve also got them taking Henry To’o’to out of Alabama with the 32nd pick. He’s a true outfield general who can play side by side. Kyzir White will also be a free agent, and pairing To’o’to with Nakobe Dean (when he eventually plays) should give the Eagles a lanky LB duo.
buccaneers find your new TE
An underrated part of the Buccaneer’s offensive struggles this year has been the notable lack of Rob Gronkowski. The former Patriots and Bucs TE was an easy target in the middle of the field and could work as an additional lineman in the running game. The Bucs love to run the ball with 2 TEs down the field, but they haven’t had any success in that formation.
Enter Darnell Washington, which is both MARTA transportation in Atlanta and Georgia Bulldog TE. At 6-foot-7 and 270 pounds, Washington does a great job with his hands in the running game, and he can get people off the ball in a phone booth as well as in space. This is the first real year he has been used as a receiving threat, but he has shown the ability to have soft hands and is a burden to tackle with the ball in his hands.
How to watch the 2023 NFL Draft
Event: 2023 NFL Draft
Date: April 27 – 29, 2023
TV: ESPN