2023 NFL Draft: Texans Land Bryce Young, Seahawks Stack Defensive Line In Updated Mock Draft
By Hunter Haas
20. Washington Commanders – Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State
A fifth cornerback comes off the board in the top 20 selections of NFLMocks’ updated mock draft, with Emmanuel Forbes headed to the Nation’s Capital. Forbes is quite skinny, but his length and natural instincts for the position mask the smaller frame. Forbes’ ball skills eclipse any of his peers at the position, with the Mississippi State star owning an SEC record six pick-sixes in his career. The Commanders need a legit CB1 in the worst way, and Emmanuel Forbes projects to be exactly that in the NFL.
21. Baltimore Ravens – Jordan Addison, WR, USC
The Baltimore Ravens failed to add to the wide receiver room this past offseason after trading away Marquise “Hollywood” Brown to the Arizona Cardinals. As much as I like Rashod Bateman, he has dealt with injury issues each of his first two seasons in the league. One injury should not decapitate a wide receiver room as much as the Bateman injury has.
Jordan Addison, the 2021 Biletnikoff winner for best wide receiver in the country, would be an ideal fit with Lamar Jackson. Addison is an efficient route runner with an underrated ability to shake defenders with the ball in his hands. A Rashod Bateman-Jordan Addison pairing should finally give Ravens’ fans a stable corps if the mock draft comes to fruition.
22. New York Jets – Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson
The Jets may look at the offensive line here, and I would not blame them. However, with a run at other positions (including the o-line), general manager Joe Douglas can add one of the most exciting defensive players in the 2023 NFL Draft. Robert Saleh has the Jets’ defense performing admirably in 2022, serving as the catalyst to the team’s 7-4 start.
Clemson’s Trenton Simpson would give the unit a playmaker in the middle that it currently lacks. Simpson has the versatility to cover players downfield, stuff the gap in the run game, and even pursue quarterbacks as a pass rusher. Of all the “freaks” in this class, Simpson is perhaps the freakiest. One of my favorite pairings in this updated mock draft.
23. Cincinnati Bengals – Noah Sewell, LB, Oregon
Speaking of playmakers in the middle of the defense, the Cincinnati Bengals will be in the market for one this offseason. Noah Sewell out of Oregon is arguably the best linebacker in the class. While that distinction goes to Trenton Simpson in my 2023 NFL Draft rankings, Sewell is not too far behind.
Similar to his brother, Penei Sewell, Noah is a superb athlete. His conditioning is top tier which results in a relentless motor. Sewell is not always the most talented player on the field, but he is rarely outworked. The Bengals add a locker room leader to the second level of their defense with No. 23 in this mock draft.
24. New York Giants – Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
Get used to seeing this pairing because it is only going to become more and more prevalent as the 2023 NFL Draft approaches. Giants head coach Brian Daboll famously transformed Josh Allen from a raw prospect into one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. Anthony Richardson, who is rawer than a sushi roll, is a popular prospect for Daboll to work with.
Richardson’s traits and talent are undeniable. His arm is big enough to make every throw in the NFL, including deep balls and high-velocity throws into tight windows. Richardson uses his Cam Newton-ish build to create plays as a runner — both by lowering his shoulder and blowing by defenders. There is an argument that Richardson is even more of an unfinished project than Josh Allen was entering the league, so we will see if Daboll can strike gold twice. If he does, the Giants could be a juggernaut in the near future.
25. Denver Broncos (via SF via MIA) – Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee
There are bigger needs on the roster, but a run on offensive linemen puts Denver in a tricky situation at No. 25 in this mock draft exercise. Should they reach on one to ensure that the position is addressed, or do they trust the process and take their highest-rated player elsewhere? My gut says that best player available is the better move for a franchise that needs elite talent added to a well-rounded roster.
Jalin Hyatt is witnessing a breakout season at Tennessee. He profiles primarily as a slot receiver at the next level, but Hyatt’s performance this season shows potential for him to stick on the outside. Regardless of where he lines up, Hyatt would become the No. 2 pass-catching option behind Courtland Sutton immediately. The speed demon from Tennessee is expected to run in the 4.3s and would add a dimension to the offense that does not presently exist.