2023 NFL Mock Draft: Falcons Draft Will Anderson, Plus A Surprise at No. 2 Overall
By Hunter Haas
21. Indianapolis Colts: Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
The Colts signed former Defensive Player of the Year, Stephon Gilmore, to a two-year deal this off-season. Gilmore still has enough left in the tank to be an impact player for the duration of his contract, but he is not a long-term option for Indianapolis. Isaiah Rodgers Sr. is a former sixth-round pick, but he profiles more as a career No. 2 cornerback. South Carolina’s Cam Smith would be a godsend to new defensive coordinator Gus Bradley. Smith is very versatile. He has elite range and length, and when you add in his tenacious personality, Smith should be viewed as a potential top-of-the-depth-chart cornerback for most NFL teams.
22. Cincinnati Bengals: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
The best tight end from the 2023 NFL Draft class is easily Michael Mayer. Mayer is polished in every single aspect of the tight end position. He is a great blocker, impressive route runner, and flexes some of the best hands in the class — regardless of position. If he was a little bit more of a “freak” athlete, he wouldn’t be available for the Bengals here, but alas that is not the case. Cincinnati lost CJ Uzomah to free agency, and even though they signed Hayden Hurst, finding a future stalwart at tight end will be a priority. An ideal prospect-to-team pairing.
23. Baltimore Ravens: Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
Assuming that running back JK Dobbins and left tackle Ronnie Stanley regain full form, the Ravens are set on offensive… for the most part. After trading away Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, the Ravens currently sit with Rashod Bateman as the only semi-proven option at wide receiver. With how much Lamar Jackson runs and utilizes the tight end position, this shouldn’t be a reason to sound the alarms. But still, there’s only so much a guy can do with as limited options as Jackson has at his disposal. TCU’s Quentin Johnston is not the same type of receiver as Brown, but his massive catch radius and contested catch ability will serve Jackson well. Johnston is a big play waiting to happen, and he will help improve Jackson’s margin of error when throwing to the boundaries.
24. Dallas Cowboys: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
The Dallas Cowboys should probably take defense here, but knowing Jerry Jones, I have a hard time seeing him pass on the Longhorn superstar. Bijan Robinson could be a lead back on an NFL offense right now if the eligibility rules would allow it. Instead, he will have to use his top-tier vision and insane collection of physical traits to dominate the amateur scene once again. The Cowboys can move on from Ezekiel Elliott’s contract next off-season, and considering Tony Pollard is in a contract year, the stars all align. Robinson leading the charge on America’s Team? That’s a marketing dream.
25. Miami Dolphins (via SF): Jarrett Patterson, IOL, Notre Dame
Jarrett Patterson is a center-only prospect most places that you look, and even though I see his potential as a guard, this is exactly what the Dolphins will be looking for with their second pick of the first round. Patterson is from Notre Dame, a school that notoriously produces starting-caliber offensive linemen. He is refined in his technique, but will need to improve his ability to anchor in when a stronger defender engages. The Ravens took Tyler Linderbaum in round one of the 2022 NFL Draft to serve as their franchise center, and while Patterson isn’t quite the prospect Linderbaum was, he serves the same purpose for Miami.
26. Seattle Seahawks (via DEN): Malachi Moore, DB, Alabama
As a true freshman, Malachi Moore earned the starting role at the vaunted STAR position for the Alabama Crimson Tide. He didn’t see the same success in year two, losing playing time to other members of the talented secondary. Moore is determined to prove that his freshman season wasn’t a fluke, and he will have every opportunity to do so. The Seahawks drafted a couple of promising late round cornerbacks in the 2022 NFL Draft, but after losing DJ Reed to free agency, they’ll need more before feeling comfortable. Moore can fill the role as a slot defender, and even shows traits that can hold up on the outside. He could spend time as a deep safety in the right system, too. The versatility combined with his Alabama pedigree should see Moore go in round one.