2023 Mock Draft: Bryce Young to Lions, CJ Stroud to Panthers, and a Shocking Duo Joins the Texans
By Hunter Haas
16. Indianapolis Colts – Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
The Indianapolis Colts are in one of the most unenviable positions in the NFL. They are saddled with an expensive roster that is too good to end up with a top-five pick. However, they do not have enough elite talent to contend for a Super Bowl in 2022. This is what we call NFL Purgatory.
The franchise is committed to Matt Ryan through 2023, although there is a hefty $18 million buyout that will become an option following this season. Whether Ryan is on the roster or not, the team must quit searching for reclamation projects at quarterback. General manager Chris Ballard finally does what he should have done all along; he drafts a coachable quarterback on a rookie deal.
Kentucky’s Will Levis runs the most pro-style scheme of any quarterback in this year’s draft class. Levis lines up under center, executes the play action at a high level, and possesses the physical traits and frame that scouts covet in a franchise quarterback. If Levis is still around when Indy is on the clock, he will not be after they pick.
17. Tampa Bay Bucs – Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
To be as straightforward as possible, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers need a great deal of help across the roster. Not only are their key members getting older, but they are also struggling to stay healthy enough to suit up each week. If Tom Brady retires, quarterback could be in the cards, but in this mock draft, they address the cornerback spot by taking South Carolina’s Cam Smith.
Smith excels in zone coverage and continues to improve his technique in man coverage. The goal of this mock draft was to get a legit sidekick for Carlton Davis III. Mission accomplished.
18. Seattle Seahawks – Felix Anudike-Uzomah, EDGE, Kansas State
General manager John Schneider got the guy for the middle of the defensive line earlier with Bryan Bresee. Now, he gets a highly-regarded edge rusher from Kansas State that is among the fastest risers in the class. Felix Anudike-Uzomah finished second in the Big 12 with 11 sacks in 2021 and already has 6.5 in 2022.
The pass rusher displays a bullish mindset when pursuing the football, using his endless gas tank and a mixture of instincts and technique to wreak havoc on the opposing offense. The Seahawks rank in the top ten for sacks as a team, but they lack a top-end player in the pass rush. Not anymore, with Anudike-Uzomah coming off the board at No. 18 in NFLMocks’ latest mock draft.
19. Detroit Lions (via LAR) – Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State
Jeffrey Okudah is witnessing a breakout season in 2022 after an injury-filled start to his NFL career. The former No. 3 overall pick in 2020 only appeared in 10 games over his first two years, but now he sits atop the depth chart with very little support around him.
Mississippi State’s Emmanuel Forbes is an athletic, confident, man coverage specialist at cornerback. Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is vocal about his belief in building the scheme around his personnel, not the other way around. Forbes routinely takes away half of the field in college; I expect the same to happen in the NFL.
20. Baltimore Ravens – Isaiah Foskey, EDGE, Notre Dame
The Brian Burns sweepstakes may include the Baltimore Ravens as a bidder. The Panthers’ reluctance to move the star pass rusher hurts the Ravens in the immediate future but could benefit them in the long run. It is no guarantee that Isaiah Foskey becomes Brian Burns, but when comparing his rookie contract to a potential extension for Burns, the gap closes some.
From a physical standpoint, Foskey is nearly a carbon copy of current Ravens pass rusher Justin Houston. The veteran has already missed time in 2022 and is not a viable option past this season. The secondary needs help, but a great way to help it is to improve the pass rush. Pairing Isaiah Foskey with Odafe Oweh checks this box.