2023 NFL Mock Draft: C.J. Stroud or Bryce Young Number One?
By Evan Bachman
8. Detroit Lions (From LAR): Bryan Bresee, DL, Clemson
The Lions are in a very interesting spot in this draft. Jared Goff isn’t the long-term answer, which puts quarterback on the table for them. However, Goff is someone they can win with right now, so that begs the question whether they’ll take a shot on a quarterback that may take some time to develop or address their defense?
In this 2023 NFL Mock Draft scenario I’m projecting that they’ll use their first round picks to address a defense that is dead last in both yards allowed and points allowed per game. Clemson’s Bryan Bresee would be a great addition to this defense as he’s a great player and he’d fill a need.
Bresee was the number one overall recruit in his class in 2020 coming out of high school. It’s easy to see why that was the case as he has massive size at 6-foot-5, 300 pounds and impressive athleticism.
He can win in a variety of effective ways which is what you want to see out of a potential first round defensive lineman. He can win with power as his size and strength overwhelms offensive lineman. Plus, he can with quickness as he’s more athletic than most the offensive lineman he goes up against.
9. Houston Texans (From CLE): Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
It’s expected that the Texans will identify their future franchise quarterback in this draft whether that be C.J. Stroud or Bryce Young. Whoever they end up selecting they will need to improve the supporting cast around the quarterback. In this 2023 NFL Mock Draft they add a receiver.
Nico Collins and Brandin Cooks are solid but they still need to add another receiver to the mix. Quentin Johnston has cemented himself as one of the best wide receivers in this class with some stellar performances in the second half of the season.
Johnston standing at 6-foot-4, 215 pounds is a mismatch as he’s a threat to win jump balls anywhere on the field. He’s one of those guys who even if he’s covered he’s still open two feet above his head.
He also runs routes well for someone at his size as he’s always a threat to win vertically and does an excellent job of threatening going vertical and stopping suddenly on curl routes to create separation.
Johnston can also be a good YAC receiver as he has some elusiveness with the ball in his hands and he’s very difficult to bring down with his size.