Pre-Super Bowl Mock Draft: Texans and Raiders Trade Up for Quarterbacks of the Future
By Hunter Haas
14. New England Patriots – Drew Sanders, LB, Arkansas
This is probably the highest you have seen Drew Sanders in a mock draft; get used to it. The former five-star Alabama recruit transferred to Arkansas for 2022 and blossomed into one of the best defenders in college football.
The Patriots’ affinity for Nick Saban-coached prospects is apparent, and the fact that Sanders checks every box athletically helps paint the picture clearer. With New England, Sanders can terrorize opposing backfields as a blitzer and run stuffer if he refines his tackling technique.
15. Green Bay Packers – Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Who knows what will happen with Aaron Rodgers, but the Packers need some help in the blocking and passing game either way. Michael Mayer is the best tight end in a class full of great tight end prospects. The Notre Dame alum is a committed blocker and is underrated with the ball in his hands.
16. Washington Commanders – Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
The Commanders most glaring hole on the roster is in the secondary. Christian Gonzalez is versatile enough to play outside, in the slot, or even deep as a safety. He would slot in next to Benjamin St-Juste as a rookie, giving Washington some promise at the cornerback position.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers – Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
The top cornerback on my 2023 NFL Draft big board makes it to No. 17 in this mock draft. And even better — Joey Porter Jr. goes to his father’s old stomping grounds. JPJ is long, rangy, and physical. His infectious energy will make the Steelers’ defensive unit even scarier.
18. Detroit Lions – Brian Branch, DB, Alabama
The Lions added Devon Witherspoon earlier in the mock draft, but that does not stop them from drafting more help in the secondary. Brian Branch played the slot primarily at Alabama and flexed the ability to play both safety spots. For Detroit, he can do a little bit of everything.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson
Myles Murphy was a fixture in the top 10 of any mock draft the past 12 months, but after a deeper dive into the tape, the Clemson pass rusher is falling to the back half of round one lately. Still, at No. 19, he presents phenomenal value for the Bucs, who need a youthful presence off the edge.
20. Seattle Seahawks – Siaki Ika, DT, Baylor
The Seahawks drafted arguably the best player in the class at No. 5 in this mock draft. Now, Pete Carroll and Co. bring in a difference-maker for the run game.
Siaki Ika possesses freaky agility for a player of his size and uses it to collapse the pocket from the interior while stuffing multiple gaps in the run game. The Seattle defense would immediately become one of the best in the league.