2023 Mock Draft: Bryce Young to Lions, CJ Stroud to Panthers, and a Shocking Duo Joins the Texans
By Hunter Haas
21. New England Patriots – Broderick Jones, OL, Georgia
The New England Patriots drafted a Georgia left tackle in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Things have not gone well for Isaiah Wynn with the Patriots, to say the least. He has spent time on both sides of the line, but his contract is expiring, clearing the way for a replacement in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Another Georgia left tackle, Broderick Jones, is the selection here at No. 21 overall. Jones is a monster of a prospect on the offensive line. The 6-foot-4, 310-pound behemoth thrives in space and possesses the nasty streak to punish his matchups all game long. Jones is a Bill Belichick player if I have ever seen one. A perfect pairing for a mock draft.
22. Los Angeles Chargers – Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee
Jalin Hyatt might look a tad high right now, but with each jaw-dropping performance, he inches his way closer and closer to day one consideration. By the time the 2023 NFL Draft comes around, I expect Hyatt to be in talks to go in round one. Who would he fit best with? Easy. The Los Angeles Chargers.
Keenan Allen’s age is beginning to show, and Mike Williams has always been a boom-or-bust wide receiver on a week-to-week basis. The Chargers have severely lacked a game-breaking playmaker outside of Williams. Jalin Hyatt can fill that role at a high level. Hyatt is 6-foot-flat and weighs 185 pounds. He should run in the 4.3s, and if the Vols No. 1 receiver continues honing his craft as a route runner, the sky is the limit.
23. Cincinnati Bengals – Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Michael Mayer is somewhat of a luxury pick for the Cincinnati Bengals, but the idea of mixing him into an offense with as much firepower as Cincy is too much to pass up. Hayden Hurst is an impending free agent and will be 30 years old on week one next season. Mayer will be eight years younger and amplify the play that Hurst has produced in 2022. Mayer brings versatility to the passing game and adds to the run game as an above-average blocker.
24. Tennessee Titans – Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OL, Penn State
The Tennessee Titans have succeeded in 2022, even with an ongoing game of musical chairs on the offensive line. The team has lost multiple starters during the campaign and they must get some younger, healthier linemen in the building.
Olumuyiwa Fashanu is one of the fastest-rising players in the 2023 NFL Draft for good reason. The athletic Penn State left tackle is oozing with potential and is still early in his football career. The Titans get a player with OT1 upside in this one round mock draft.
25. New York Jets – Anton Harrison, OL, Oklahoma
The Mekhi Becton injury put the Jets in a bit of a bind on the offensive line. Becton could return to the group and assume the left tackle role, but general manager Joe Douglas needs to add insurance just in case. Oklahoma’s Anton Harrison provides that insurance while also giving the coaching staff another option elsewhere on the line if Becton returns to 100%.
Harrison will fit well in the Mike LaFleur scheme. Harrison is a committed run blocker that excels in space and moving laterally. He has work to do in pass protection but, realistically, could start for the Jets early on in his career. The surprising Jets must continue adding talent to capitalize on their sudden emergence.
26. Dallas Cowboys – Brian Branch, DB, Alabama
The Dallas Cowboys are one of the best teams in the NFL, but outside of Trevon Diggs, nobody in their secondary strikes fear in the heart of their opponents. Adding Brian Branch in this mock draft, a fellow Crimson Tide alum, will go a long way toward changing that mindset.
Branch is best suited as a ROVER, which means he lines up on the inside receiver, whether it is a slot wide receiver, split-tight end, or even a running back. The Crimson Tide defensive back is a mind-blowing athlete and will elevate the unit exponentially upon arrival.