2023 NFL Mock Draft: C.J. Stroud or Bryce Young Number One?
By Evan Bachman
![Sep 24, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) celebrates a touchdown during the first half of the NCAA Division I football game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus DispatchNcaa Football Wisconsin Badgers At Ohio State Buckeyes Sep 24, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) celebrates a touchdown during the first half of the NCAA Division I football game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus DispatchNcaa Football Wisconsin Badgers At Ohio State Buckeyes](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/246436379915d86582a2ced2ee6d9f98bf428979d5bd00b852802e220f68cb99.jpg)
26. Tennessee Titans: Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
The Titans have a promising young cornerback duo with Kristian Fulton and Roger McCreary, however they could use a third corner. In this 2023 NFL Mock Draft they add South Carolina’s Cam Smith. Smith has an excellent track record of locking down receivers in the SEC. He finished last season with a PFF grade of 88.4, which was fourth amongst FBS corners.
He is very technically sound, especially for a college corner. He often finds himself in perfect position to make plays on the ball and he knows how to win at the catch point.
27. Dallas Cowboys: Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
With Dalton Schultz being a free agent at the end of the season the Cowboys could find themselves needing a tight end heading into the draft. In this 2023 NFL Mock Draft they find a potential replacement.
Whenever you get a tight end who is 6-foot-7, 270 pounds it’s going to raise some eyebrows. Especially when that tight end is out there hurdling defenders like Washington is.
With Brock Bowers also being on Georgia, Washington hasn’t gotten as many looks and targets as he would in basically any other offense. However, he’s still produced pretty well as a pass catcher as he has 392 receiving yards, which is 15th in college football for tight ends.
In the NFL, if he lands in the right situation that can utilize him correctly he can be an absolute matchup nightmare especially in the red zone. Washington is also very good as a blocker, which is something NFL teams will covet as he can essentially be a sixth offensive linemen in certain situations.
28. New York Giants: Nolan Smith, Edge, Georgia
The Giants used their first rounder on Kayvon Thibodeaux last year who has shown a lot of promise and should develop into a very good player. Adding another edge rusher across from him could make this defensive line one of the best in the league very soon.
In this 2023 NFL Mock Draft they add perhaps one of the most intriguing draft prospects in this class in Georgia edge rusher Nolan Smith.
Smith was the number one overall recruit in the 2019 class. He hasn’t necessarily lived up to the sky-high expectations that come with that, however he is still a phenomenal player.
At 6-foot-3, 235 pounds he’s a bit on the smaller end for edge rushers but he uses his explosiveness and quickness to wreak havoc.