2023 NFL Draft: 3 QBs Go Top 5, Eagles Make A Trade, And Chiefs Take Surprise Player In Latest Mock Draft
By Hunter Haas
23. New York Giants – Jordan Addison, WR, USC
Jordan Addison is a better player than this fall-down-the-board indicates. Addison won the 2021 Biletnikoff Award with Pitt and served as the top option for Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams at USC in 2022. The Giants will be in the market for a new quarterback, but the cupboard is bare in terms of playmakers, especially if Saquon Barkley is not retained.
With the No. 23 overall pick in this mock draft, Jordan Addison brings his exceptional route running and versatility to line up inside and out to the Big Apple. Head coach Brian Daboll will have fun designing plays around Addison and 2022 second-round pick Wan’Dale Robinson.
24. Miami Dolphins – *Forfeited*
The Miami Dolphins were stripped of their first-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft. They will not make a pick in this mock draft.
25. Denver Broncos (via SF) – Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
Some prospects and NFL franchises are made for each other, and that is true with Darnell Wright and the Denver Broncos. Wright is an outstanding mover for his size and has adequate play strength when he anchors in.
The Volunteer standout profiles as a starting right tackle who easily clears paths in the run game. He is still improving at blocking in a phone booth in pass protection, but the traits are there in droves. The Broncos must address the offensive line, and fortunate for them, the perfect player falls to them in this mock draft.
26. Baltimore Ravens – Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee
Lamar Jackson’s contract situation will be the focal point of the offseason for Baltimore, but adding a game-changer to the wide receiver room shouldn’t be far behind. It would be stunning to see the Ravens allow Jackson to walk, so Jalin Hyatt can step in and fill the role that Hollywood Brown vacated following an NFL Draft day trade.
Hyatt is a burner in every sense of the word. He possesses track star speed and showcases an ability to stop on a dime, change direction, and re-accelerate past would-be tacklers. The Ravens have a capable WR1 in Rashod Bateman, but his injury history is a cause for concern. Jalin Hyatt joins Baltimore in the latest NFLMocks mock draft.
27. Cincinnati Bengals – Isaiah Foskey, EDGE, Notre Dame
Another Notre Dame player, Michael Mayer, is a popular selection for the Bengals, but in this mock draft, he is already gone. Instead, the Bengals add a pass rusher to the front seven. Isaiah Foskey is best suited as a stand-up rusher, as he can consistently set the edge and bring down opponents behind the line of scrimmage. Cincinnati must go through the Chiefs and Bills to return to the Super Bowl, so you can never have enough pressure on the quarterback.
28. Dallas Cowboys – Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
The Dallas Cowboys and Bijan Robinson will continue to be linked during the entire 2023 NFL Draft process. I have paired the two together in each mock draft, and more of the same happens today. Robinson’s ability to catch passes, his vision between the tackles, and his willingness to get extra yardage by any means necessary fits the Cowboys to a T. Ezekiel Elliot’s days are numbered, and Tony Pollard is on an expiring deal. Sometimes it is as simple as 1+1.
29. Kansas City Chiefs – Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama
Let’s have some fun with the No. 29 pick in this mock draft. The Chiefs famously swung and missed on Clyde Edwards-Helaire a couple of years ago at the 2020 NFL Draft. Surely, they learned their lesson, right? Possibly. However, allowing past mistakes to determine present day decisions is not what Brett Veach does.
In a vacuum, adding Gibbs to the high-powered Kansas City offense is a no-brainer. The Alabama running back reminds many, myself included, of Alvin Kamara out of the backfield. Gibbs catches passes with ease and turns them into chunk yardage more times than not. He would add another dimension to the offense for Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes.
30. Minnesota Vikings – Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
Get used to hearing me talk about Zay Flowers because it is going to happen a lot leading up to the 2023 NFL Draft. Flowers is my favorite prospect to watch, but I assure you there is no bias involved in his NFL Draft projection. Flowers is a stud, period.
The Boston College alum was regularly found burning defenders in college, using his blazing speed to blow by them and his legendary body control and ball tracking to secure deep balls downfield. Flowers would be the ideal foil to Justin Jefferson in this mock draft, making it harder for defenses to double-team him.
31. Buffalo Bills – Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina
Josh Downs makes it six wide receivers taken on day one in this mock draft. Downs creates separation without breaking a sweat and has a knack for knowing exactly where the first down marker is. Smack dab in the middle of Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis could make Downs a fantasy football league winner in 2023.
32. Philadelphia Eagles – Brian Branch, DB, Alabama
Capping off the 2023 NFL Draft with the final selection in this mock draft, the Philadelphia Eagles hit another home run at No. 32 overall. Brian Branch is a chess piece for the secondary, primarily playing the ROVER position for Alabama and covering the best player on the opposing offense — regardless of position.
Branch’s traits and instincts will allow him to make a similar impact in the NFL. The Eagles are stocked with talent all over the depth chart, but the secondary would benefit greatly from the addition of Brian Branch. Another great NFL Draft haul from Howie Roseman.