Post Free Agency Mock Draft
The first wave of Free Agency is over now it's time to turn our focus to the NFL Draft...
The NFL’s legal tampering period and first wave of Free Agency has come and gone. While teams will continue to add veteran pieces over the next few weeks the NFL Draft becomes the center of attention. Teams that swung and missed on free agents or simply did not have the money to participate will look to fill their remaining holes with cheap, young talent.
1. Carolina Panthers (via CHI)
Pick: C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
The Panthers made an aggressive trade to get up to No. 1 overall, presumably for a QB. Reports vary on what they will do with the pick, all of the top QBs are apparently on the board, as well as a potential trade back. The buzz currently points to Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud, who checks many of boxes for a franchise QB and a Frank Reich QB,
2. Houston Texans
Pick: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
Houston may have to trade up to secure the Alabama signal caller if he truly is the top player on the board but in this mock the ignore Carolina’s smokescreens and he falls into their lap. Young will come in and join first year HC DeMeco Ryans to try and turn around the Houston culture.
3. Arizona Cardinals
Pick: Will Anderson, EDGE, Alabama
Post Free Agency few teams have a worse defensive depth chart than Arizona, especially in the front seven. Outside of Budda Baker there is not much high end talent, and while one player cannot turn that around, my number one player in this class, Will Anderson, is a good way to start.
4. Indianapolis Colts
Pick: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
The Colts were a popular trade up candidate for a long time but it never came to fruition. They will likely have to take whatever QB prospect falls to them at this point. In this mock it happens to be Richardson who is a high ceiling player with similar dual threat capabilities as the last QB to thrive under Shane Steichen.
5. Seattle Seahawks
Pick: Jalen Carter, IDL, Georgia
Jalen Carter is one of the toughest players to pin down in terms of draft range. Arguably the most talented player in this class, Carter has bombed every step of the draft process, putting up multiple red flags over the course of 3 months. The Seahawks have a need at defensive line and have a history of taking talented players with off field issues, making them one of the teams likely to take a swing on Carter.
6. Detroit Lions
Pick: Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech
Detroit had an excellent first wave of Free Agency. They were able to shore up many of their holes from last year leaving them with no glaring weaknesses. These moves combined with a second first round pick allow them to go Best Player Available (BPA) at No. 6. EDGE may not be the biggest need for this team but Wilson has All-Pro level upside that is worth the risk for a team that doesn’t need him to play a big role early.
7. Las Vegas Raiders
Pick: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
The Raiders long term plan is a confusing and murky one. They gave decent starter money to Jimmy Garoppolo during FA but also tried to trade up to No. 1 overall. Will Levis if he slides this far provides a long term future at the most important position in football. It may not be ideal with the current roster construction but it's probably a risk they will have to take.
8. Atlanta Falcons
Pick: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
Atlanta could look to improve in the trenches at No. 8 but the way this board has fallen it wouldn’t be the best value. Going the BPA approach in Christiaan Gonzalez will give them one of the best CB tandems in football with Gonzalez & Terrell. Add in All-Pro caliber Jessie Bates roaming the back end and they have the makings of a top end secondary.
9. Chicago Bears (via CAR)
Pick: Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern
After trading back from No. 1 overall and being big spenders in the first wave of Free Agency the Bears have less holes than they did a month ago. However, they still need to massively overhaul the trenches and at No. 9 they have their pick of the tackles. Skoronski is from their own backyard and provides the versatility for Chicago to get their best 5 lineman on the field to properly evaluate Fields.
10. Philadelphia Eagles (via NO)
Pick: Lukas Van Ness, EDGE, Iowa
Few teams have experienced a talent drain from Free Agency quite like the Eagles. Multiple key contributors have left from their championship caliber defense in 2022 and need replacing. Thankfully having two first round picks is a great way to do that. The EDGE room still has Haason Reddick but needs an infusion of youth and size that Van Ness can provide.
11. Tennessee Titans
Pick: Paris Johnson Jr, OT, Ohio State
The Titans are going through a pretty serious roster overhaul that has left their offensive line looking completely different. They handed out a decent chunk of change to Andre Dillard last week but he is not the type of player that should prohibit a team from finding a franchise tackle in the draft. Johnson provides franchise tackle upside with the ability to play guard if Tennessee wants to keep their new FA signing at LT.
12. Houston Texans (via CLE)
Pick: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
Houston has a lot of needs, the good thing about that is it means you can just take BPA. Witherspoon will likely not get this far come draft night but if he is he fits perfectly in Houston. A defensive back room of Derek Stingley, Devon Witherspoon, Jimmie Ward and Jalen Pitre is a physical bunch that fits new HC DeMeco Ryans’ defense like a glove.
13. New York Jets
Pick: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
Most Jets news right now revolves around Aaron Rodgers and the future of their QB situation. Assuming this pick stays in New York’s hands and is not a part of the Rogers deal it should be used to bolster the offensive line. Jones is an uber athletic tackle with SEC pedigree, who should be able to step in Day 1 at either tackle spot
14. New England Patriots
Pick: Joey Porter, CB, Penn State
Defensive back is probably not the biggest need for the Patriots post free agency. However, the run on offensive tackles has come and gone. As a result sometimes need must be sacrificed for talent. Porter fits the physical style of defense New England loves to play and would be an immediate impact player.
15. Green Bay Packers
Pick: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
2023 marks the beginning of the Jordan Love era in Green Bay following the unceremonious departure of Aaron Rodgers. He is going to need someone other than Christina Watson to throw too in his first full year as a starter. Nothing helps a young QB more than a dependable safety blanket, a role Michael Mayer is tailor suited for.
16. Washington Commanders
Pick: Brian Branch, SAF, Alabama
Offensive line has been a popular pick for the Commanders at No. 16 for a while now, but post Free Agency their need at tackle isn’t as great and it is slightly early to attack IOL. Brian Branch is a versatile and intelligent defensive back who can split time at nickel CB and safety. He would be a Day 1 impact player on a defense that should be a Top 10 unit next year.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers
Pick: Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland
The current starting CBs in the Steel City are Levi Wallace and the ghost of Patrick Peterson. In a division with Tee Higgins, Jamar Chase and Amari Cooper that won’t cut it. Banks is a world class athlete at the corner position and his physical play style fits perfectly into what the Steelers like to do.
18. Detroit Lions
Pick: Calijah Kancey, IDL, Pittsburgh
The second first round pick for the Lions is back to the trenches. One of the harder teams to mock for one drafts one of the hardest players to mock. Kancey would add a level of speed and pass rush ability to the Detroit interior they did not have last year. Lack of size is a major question for Kancey, but a defensive line unit of McNeill/Onwuzurike/Buggs should be more than enough to cover that up.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Pick: Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma
The Buccaneers recently parted ways with long time left tackle Donovan Smith leaving a gaping hole there. Franchise RT Tristan Wirfs could flip over if needed but taking a swing at a high ceiling tackle like Harrison is more likely. Harrison is a recent riser in the draft process and looks to be the main target for LT needy teams in the second half of Day 1.
20. Seattle Seahawks
Pick: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
Wide receiver is not the most pressing need for Seattle at this point in time but with recent additions at DB and IOL during FA they have the luxury to go BPA and address other needs later. JSN would add a level of quickness and underneath play creation this offense sorely lacked last year.
21. Los Angeles Chargers
Pick: Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia
The lack of depth along the Chargers defensive line was exposed last year when Joey Bosa went down. Nolan Smith would add a much needed jolt of youth and athleticism to an older unit. His NFL ready run defense will be a big addition to a Chargers team that typically struggles in that area.
22. Baltimore Ravens
Pick: Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
The Baltimore Ravens need a CB2 very badly and they have done nothing to address that concern so far in Free Agency. Cam Smith fits the length and athleticism profile of a Ravens style corner. This may be a bit early for him but his versatility and size profile indicates a solid scheme match.
23. Minnesota Vikings
Pick: Jordan Addison, WR, USC
The Vikings passing game lacks much outside of Justin Jefferson. Hockensen is more of a safety valve and with the loss of Adam Theielen, who regressed last year, there is no true Wr2 on this team. Addison is a smaller player but his high level route running and quickness would be a welcome addition to this offense.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars
Pick: O’Cyrus Torrence, IOL, Florida
As shocking as it is to say the Jaguars don’t have a ton of glaring weaknesses. They have needs at SAF, CB2, and IOL but have solid veterans at all those spots just in case they fail to find young replacements in the draft. Torrence would be a Day 1 starter at OG for Jacksonville team as they look to chase their first double digit win season since 2017.
25. New York Giants
Pick: Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
The Giants have done a nice job adding secondary WRs (Campbell/Slayton/Shepard) and a passing catching TE (Darren Waller) during Free Agency so far. However, they still lack a true go to player on the outside. Johnston will add a layer of size and speed that should allow the offense to open up more in 2023.
26. Dallas Cowboys
Pick: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
With the additions of Stephon Gilmore and Brandin Cooks the Cowboys can go a variety of ways with this pick. Dallas finally bit the bullet and cut Ezekiel Elliot but it leaves them with just Tony Pollard on the franchise tag who is coming off a broken leg. Robinson is the top skill position player in this class. He would present immediate impact in the short term and a long term solution at RB at the same time.
27. Buffalo Bills
Pick: Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State
The Bills offensive line has to be better than it was in 2022 and it has become increasingly clear that Spencer Brown is not a long term solution at RT. Dawand Jones would add a layer of size and run blocking the team sorely lacked the past couple seasons.
28. Cincinnati Bengals
Pick: Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
The Bengals made the splash signing of Orlando Brown this offseason but the resulting trade request from Jonah Williams makes the future at RT look uncertain. Cincy could certainly role with one of William or La’el Collins next year but if given the chance to upgrade they should take it. Wright is a Day 1 starter at RT who should not be overwhelmed in the NFL given his experience and success in the SEC as a collegiate player.
29. New Orleans Saints (via SF)
Pick: Adetomiwa Adebawore, IDL, Northwestern
The Saints once again worked their cap magic this offseason but it has resulted in mass exodus in interior defensive line talent. Adebawore is one of the fastest risers in this year's draft class, crushing every step of the draft process. His athletic profile and positional flexibility is right up the Saints alley.
30. Philadelphia Eagles
Pick: Antonio Johnson, SAF, Texas A&M
The Eagles addressed the trenches with their first pick and now it's time to tackle the secondary. Darius Slay and James Bradberry came back for 2023 but the departure of CJ Gardner-Johnson leaves a massive hole at safety. Antonio Johnson would provide an upgrade over K’Von Wallace at SS while also providing insurance at NCB should Avonte Maddox get hurt.
31. Kansas City Chiefs
Pick: Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson
The defending Super Bowl Champions had an exciting first wave of Free Agency, swapping out both their tackles and cutting long time EDGE rusher Frank Clark. 2022 First Round pick George Karlaftis and 2023 FA addition Charles Omenihu are projected to lock down the two starting EDGE spots but depth is severly lacking. Myles Murphy is a high upside player who would add some youth and athleticism to the shallow unit.