2023 NFL Mock Draft: Aaron Rodgers On The Move, Texans Move To No. 1
21. Los Angeles Chargers: Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State
While many are projecting the Los Angeles Chargers to add a wide receiver in the first round, in this 2023 NFL Mock Draft the pick is a no-brainer. Pairing Rashawn Slater with the best right tackle in the draft to do everything you can to make sure that Justin Herbert is not touched next season.
Dawand Jones is HUGE.
Monstrous Ohio State OL Dawand Jones 6'8 375lbs measured a 89 1/2 wingspan @ Senior Bowl. If he measures that at the NFL Combine, it will be the longest wingspan ever recorded in NFL Draft history.
— Jared Tokarz (@JaredNFLDraft) February 2, 2023
For context, he has the wingspan of someone who is 7'5pic.twitter.com/6BNgWWTZkG
He was also incredible at Ohio State with both prevent quarterback hits/sacks and dominating in the run game. I believe that even at his size, Jones has the athleticism and footwork to excel at the next level and would be a welcomed sight for Herbert, as he looks to elevate this Chargers offense to the next level under new offensive coordinator, Kellen Moore.
22. Baltimore Ravens: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
This pick still seems like a slam dunk to me. Bijan Robinson has the talent to be a top five player in the 2023 NFL Draft, but obviously the league’s opinion on drafting running backs has changed drastically in recent years.
However, for a team that runs the ball way more than any other team in the league, I think it would be smart to invest in a reliable, workhorse running back. They have gotten solid production in recent seasons from the likes of J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, Kenyan Drake, Devonta Freeman, Latavius Murray, even Mike Davis, Ty’Son Williams, Justice Hill and Mark Ingram. This is just over the last three seasons. Bringing in a game-changing talent like Robinson that they can hopefully rely on heavily over at least the next five seasons should prove worth it, in my opinion.
23. Minnesota Vikings: Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
If there is one team-position pairing that seems the most obvious to me outside of the quarterback-needy teams it is this one. The Minnesota Vikings absolutely must improve their secondary, particularly at the cornerback position.
Minnesota’s lack of young, successful cornerbacks has not been for lack of trying. They always seem to be drafting corners early in every draft. Last year it was Andrew Booth Jr. in the second round. In 2020, they selected Jeff Gladney in the first and Cam Dantzler in the third. In 2018 they used their first-rounder on Mike Hughes, who also is no longer with the team, as well as 2016 second-round pick Mackensie Alexander and 2015 first-rounder Trae Waynes.
None of these guys have panned out, so far, for the Minnesota Vikings, and you simply cannot have a 33-year-old Patrick Peterson as your clearly best corner. Peterson is set to hit free agency, anyway, so taking another swing at a crazy talented and athletic corner like Kelee Ringo could allow the Vikes to take advantage of this loaded cornerback class and finally turn things around for their secondary.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars: Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
Whether the Jacksonville Jaguars bring back pending free agent, Evan Engram, or not, drafting a player like Darnell Washington certainly is not a bad idea. Washington played alongside talented tight ends like Brock Bowers at Georgia, and in a Doug Pederson offense that thrived with both Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert playing together, Washington could find similar success as another weapon for a developing Trevor Lawrence.