2023 NFL Mock Draft: Texans Add Jalen Carter and Will Levis, Lions Trade Back, Plus a Surprise at No. 3 Overall
By Hunter Haas
24. Jacksonville Jaguars – Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah
Clark Phillips III has the talent to be an early selection on day one. Unfortunately, his size will push him to the backend, more than likely. The Jaguars benefit from this, adding an immediate upgrade in the slot. Phillips fills the biggest need on the defense and profiles as a potential All-Pro as a slot cornerback.
25. New York Giants – Jordan Addison, WR, USC
The Giants’ wide receiver room is underrated, but it lacks a No. 1 target that commands respect from opposing defenses. Jordan Addison brings elite route running, top-tier body control, impressive hands, and underrated ability after the catch. He is the perfect fit for Brian Daboll’s system.
26. Dallas Cowboys – Siaki Ika, DL, Baylor
The Cowboys came up short again in the playoffs after a spectacular 2022 regular season. One area that Dallas could stand to improve is the interior of the defensive line.
Siaki Ika is a freaky athlete for his size, checking in at 350+ pounds and displaying lateral agility that should not be possible for a man of his size. Adding another freak to a defense that features the biggest freak of them all (Micah Parsons) is a move that the Cowboys should make.
27. Buffalo Bills – Isaiah Foskey, EDGE, Notre Dame
Von Miller’s injury handicapped the Bills. After the future Hall of Famer tore his ACL, Buffalo struggled to find a pass rusher that could consistently get to the quarterback.
Isaiah Foskey needs some refinement to his game (mostly as a run defender), but his first step and improving catalog of pass rush moves would be welcomed by a Buffalo unit that failed to put any pressure on Joe Burrow last weekend.
28. Cincinnati Bengals – Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Speaking of Joe Burrow, why not add another weapon to the fold? The offensive line should be in consideration, but there is not a left tackle available that I grade higher than Michael Mayer.
Mayer is a special talent at tight end. He can impact the game as a blocker and pass catcher, giving Burrow a new protector and weapon all in one.
29. Denver Broncos (via MIA) – Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
The Denver Broncos could very well trade this pick to New Orleans for head coach Sean Payton, but as of this mock draft, the selection remains in Denver. If the Broncos hold on to No. 29 overall, they would be smart to invest in the offensive line.
O’Cyrus Torrence is in heavy consideration here, but Darnell Wright plays a more premium position and holds a nearly identical grade on my board. Wright is a plug-and-play right tackle, using his strength and impressive hand usage to thwart oncoming pass rushers. Denver must protect its $250 million investment at quarterback.
30. Kansas City Chiefs – Felix Anudike-Uzomah, EDGE, Kansas State
Felix Anudike-Uzomah is a criminally underrated player in the 2023 NFL Draft. He grades as an early second-rounder on the consensus big board, but he is a surefire day one selection on mine. Even with impressive production, Anudike-Uzomah’s tape is littered with several holding calls that would have resulted in a sack otherwise.
By my count, Anudike-Uzomah would have approached the 15-sack plateau in 2021 and 2022 if he was not held so often. On top of that, the tape shows the Kansas State pass rusher consistently wrecking the pocket, even if those plays fail to show up in the box score.
The Chiefs were able to land George Karlaftis late in the first round last year, and now another steal takes place at No. 30 in the 2023 NFL Draft. Kansas City’s stiffest competitors in the AFC all boast a franchise quarterback; harassing them is the best way to neutralize this.
31. Philadelphia Eagles – Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
The final pick of this mock draft is the luxury pick of all luxury picks. Bijan Robinson is a top-ten player on my big board, but with running back being devalued in the NFL Draft, the Eagles have the best player at the position available. Robinson is the type of prospect to demand the respect of opposing linebackers.
The Texas star boasts an incredible blend of contact balance, vision between the tackles, breakaway speed, and pristine hands out of the backfield. Nick Sirianni proved in 2022 that he doesn’t have to have a bell-cow running back, but imagine how much harder it will be to game plan against them with Robinson in tow.