Pre-Super Bowl Mock Draft: Texans and Raiders Trade Up for Quarterbacks of the Future
By Hunter Haas
28. Buffalo Bills – O’Cyrus Torrence, OL, Florida
Josh Allen’s ability to create off-script makes him one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. However, for the Bills to continue competing and for Allen to remain healthy, they must establish a traditional running game — now.
Rather than drafting another running back, the best approach should be improving the offensive line. O’Cyrus Torrence is the best interior lineman in the class and is a mauler in the run game. Perhaps this can spark a breakout season for second-year player James Cook.
29. Cincinnati Bengals – Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
Jaxon Smith-Njigba is a polarizing prospect in the NFL Draft and mock draft community. His refined route running and ability to create with the ball in his hands are traits coveted by NFL offenses. However, his lack of ideal size and top-end athleticism could push him out of round one entirely.
That is not the case in this mock draft, as the Bengals keep the Ohio State product close to his roots. Tee Higgins is a projected free agent this offseason, and Tyler Boyd is a cut candidate. Drafting JSN would allow Cincinnati to extend Higgins and lessen the blow of potentially losing Boyd.
30. New Orleans Saints (via DEN) – Keion White, DL, Georgia Tech
The Saints use the freshly-acquired first-rounder they received from Denver to add a versatile defensive lineman. Keion White is one of the fastest-rising players in the 2023 NFL Draft, thanks to his blend of physicality inside and impressive pass-rushing chops off the edge.
New Orleans drafted Marcus Davenport and Payton Turner in recent years while letting Trey Hendrickson walk and become a star in Cincinnati. White gives them a chance to right their wrongs.
31. Kansas City Chiefs – Lukas Van Ness, EDGE, Iowa
Full disclosure, Lukas Van Ness could go inside the top 10 by the time the 2023 NFL Draft gets here. He grades as a fringe first-rounder for me due to his lack of pass-rushing moves and on-field experience as a starter.
That being said, the Chiefs can mold Van Ness into a Pro Bowl-caliber player. The Iowa alum can learn from the great Chris Jones and eventually take over his position on the defensive line. Kansas City will be good forever if they keep drafting this way.
32. Philadelphia Eagles – Calijah Kancey, DT, Pittsburgh
In Mel Kiper’s latest mock draft, he shook the NFL Draft world by placing Calijah Kancey at No. 10 overall to the Eagles. While that is a bit rich for my liking, it is impossible to deny how well Kancey would slot into the Philadelphia defensive line.
He is undersized but was virtually unblockable in college. The strength that Kancey exhibits makes the Pittsburgh star look like Aaron Donald at times. The Eagles already own one of the better units in the league; it gets even better with Kancey.