2023 NFL Mock Draft: Falcons Draft Will Anderson, Plus A Surprise at No. 2 Overall
By Hunter Haas
27. Los Angeles Chargers: Noah Sewell, LB, Oregon
The Los Angeles Chargers might have the best roster in the NFL, yeah I said it. The one place that they are truly lackluster at is the linebacker position. Former first-round pick, Kenneth Murray, has been a resounding disappointment in his time with the franchise. Even if Murray can play well in 2022, the Chargers will need to add a starting-caliber talent alongside him. Noah Sewell, younger brother of Penei Sewell, becomes the second member of his family to go in the opening round of the NFL Draft. Sewell gets to stay on the west coast and bring his jack-of-all-trades ability to the linebacker corps. Throwing in someone like Sewell to a unit as stacked as the Chargers, should provide immediate, jaw-dropping results.
28. Green Bay Packers: Jaxson Kirkland, OL, Washington
The Packers do not draft wide receivers in the first round, so I’ll continue that trend by going with a more premium position. Washington’s Jaxson Kirkland was gaining steam as a prospect before undergoing ankle surgery and withdrawing from the 2022 NFL Draft. Early reports say that Kirkland is back to full health and better than ever. The Packers offensive line is stout on paper, but injury concerns are valid all across the line. Kirkland can fill in where necessary, and would project as a David Bakhtiari replacement if he doesn’t bounce back to his previous All-Pro stature.
29. Detroit Lions (via LAR): Antonio Johnson, DB, Texas A&M
The Detroit Lions landed their signal-caller of the future earlier in round one, and with the pick they acquired from the Rams, they address the biggest hole on the defense. The Lions featured one of the worst secondaries in the league in 2021, and there wasn’t much of an effort to improve the unit this off-season. Antonio Johnson can step in as a serviceable player at a few different positions for Detroit. Johnson is best served as a slot defender, but he’s hard-hitting enough to be a primary strong safety in the NFL. The Lions would be wise to add Johnson and let him take over the nickelback role of the defense. If you liked Baylor’s Jalen Pitre last year, you’ll love Antonio Johnson.
30. Kansas City Chiefs: Zion Nelson, OT, Miami
The Chiefs traded for left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. last off-season, seemingly filling the position for the foreseeable future. Things hit a snag in negotiations this off-season, leading to the team slapping the franchise tag on Brown. Without any commitment from Brown after this coming season, Kansas City may be forced to use a high draft pick on a replacement. Zion Nelson did not allow a single sack in 2021, and he is a great athlete for an offensive lineman. The Chiefs value physical traits more than most because they trust their ability to develop players. Nelson will be the choice if he’s there, providing a win-win for the prospect and team.
31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
The Buccaneers are ready to compete for a Super Bowl in 2022, but the most blatant weakness on their roster is the secondary. Joey Porter Jr. is not talked about as much as others in the loaded cornerback class. Porter is the prototypical size for a No. 1 cornerback in the league, and he has the instincts that pair well with his size. Porter continually had his nose in passing windows, and is a willing tackler coming in from the secondary. These traits align with the exact type of defender that Todd Bowles will be looking to add to the mix. By the time the 2023 NFL Draft rolls around, there’s a chance Porter is long gone before No. 31 overall.
32. Buffalo Bills: Arik Gilbert, TE, Georgia
The Buffalo Bills are the betting favorites to win the Super Bowl, and for good reason. Taking a look at their roster reveals that they do not have a “major” need anywhere. Keeping that in mind, let’s go with a bit of a luxury pick. Arik Gilbert, a storied recruit at tight end, transferred over to Georgia from LSU following a mostly uneventful freshman year for the Tigers. Gilbert did not appear in a game for the Bulldogs in 2021, citing personal reasons. He will get the chance to bounce back in a major way this coming season. His teammate, tight end Brock Bowers, gets most of the praise, but don’t sleep on Gilbert. Bowers is almost a lock to go in round one of the 2024 NFL Draft, but before then Gilbert will come off the board in 2023. Gilbert is so athletic that it’s hard to just call him a tight end. He will be able to line up anywhere on the field, and will be a top option for the returning Stetson Bennett at quarterback. Josh Allen has Dawson Knox in tow, but Gilbert would bring an upside that dwarfs what Knox brings to the table. Gilbert should be the next modern tight end to make an impact on Sundays.