Mock Draft: QBs Go 1-2-3, Bijan Robinson Joins Cowboys, and Packers FINALLY Take First-Round WR in NFL Draft
By Hunter Haas
4: Philadelphia Eagles – Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Alabama
One thing about the rich… they typically keep getting richer. This saying has never been more true than with the Philadelphia Eagles. Philly is the No. 1 team in the NFL through the first 10 weeks, and thanks to a savvy trade with the Saints, they also own the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Another trade-down should not be ruled out, but with a run on quarterbacks in the top three, the Eagles stand pat at No. 4 and add the best player in the entire class to the best roster in the NFL.
Alabama pass rusher Will Anderson Jr. is as close to perfect as a prospect can be. He bends the edge at an elite clip, has flawless technique on tape, and boasts the production to back it all up. The Eagles recently traded for Robert Quinn, but the aging veteran will likely depart this offseason; Anderson can step in to fill the void.
5: Jacksonville Jaguars: Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
Offensive tackle Peter Skoronski and wide receiver Quentin Johnston were in heavy consideration at No. 5 overall, but with an unexpected drop, the Jaguars land Jalen Carter. Carter, a former teammate of 2021 No. 1 overall pick Travon Walker, is a franchise player that brings instant impact to the defensive line.
Carter is versatile enough to line up anywhere on the Jaguars’ three-man front. Flanked by Travon Walker and Josh Allen off the edge, the opposing offensive line will have nightmares the entire week leading up to the game. Jacksonville helps their franchise quarterback in this mock draft by stacking the defense for the future.
6: Chicago Bears: Peter Skoronski, OL, Northwestern
The Chicago Bears have been surprisingly fun to watch amid the emergence of quarterback Justin Fields. The front office made a bold move by sending a second-round pick for wide receiver Chase Claypool at the deadline, but they should not stop there when it comes to helping out Fields.
Braxton Jones, a fifth-round rookie, seems to have found a home at left tackle, but the rest of the offensive line is a question mark. Youngster Teven Jenkins began finding his groove at right guard, but a lingering hip injury and previous issues with the regime bring into question his future in the Windy City.
Peter Skoronski is the pick in this mock draft. I believe he is a high-end left tackle in the NFL, but the Northwestern Wildcat can play the right side just as easily and even kick inside to guard if all else fails. I do not like giving out “bust-proof” labels, but given his proficient technique and positional versatility, Skoronski will be a decade-long starter somewhere on the Bears’ offensive line.
7: Seattle Seahawks (via DEN) – Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson
The Seattle Seahawks hit a home run with their 2022 NFL Draft class. They landed five immediate starters, including two cornerbacks — Coby Bryant and Tariq Woolen. Geno Smith is cooking, the offensive line is rolling, and the weapons are strong, so let’s continue stacking the defense.
Bryan Bresee is a menace on the interior of the defensive line. He is a phenomenal short-area athlete, and his play strength will allow him to line up anywhere from 0-tech to 5-tech. With Seattle, Bresee can create competition at all three spots on the defensive line. The veterans Shelby Harris and Al Woods have played well in 2022, but Bresee would bring much more upside.
8: Detroit Lions (via LAR) – Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
Jeff Okudah is witnessing a career renaissance in 2022, but the Detroit Lions are sorely lacking elsewhere in the secondary. The defense added some impact players to the front seven in last year’s NFL Draft, but bringing Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr. into the fold will transform the unit as a whole.
JPJ is a work-in-progress in certain areas, namely as a zone defender, but his ability to lock down a receiver when on an island is hard to ignore in his evaluation. Porter Jr. plays with a physicality that can get cornerbacks in trouble, but he toes the line perfectly and knows exactly how much he can get away with. He would be a GREAT fit in Detroit with their first selection of this mock draft.