2023 NFL Mock Draft: Bijan to the Bears, Eagles Trade Down, and Zay Flowers Lands with Jets
By Hunter Haas
20. Seattle Seahawks – Kelee Ringo, DB, Georgia
Kelee Ringo is a freaky athlete but is prone to stiff hips in coverage. He is best suited in a zone-heavy scheme or even as a downhill safety.
The Seahawks found two gems on day three in Tariq Woolen and Coby Bryant, and Jamal Adams is expected to rejoin Quandre Diggs atop the safety depth chart, but Ringo can challenge for snaps at the other cornerback spot. If there is any franchise to trust in developing a talented defensive back, it is the Seattle Seahawks.
21. Los Angeles Chargers – Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson
Edge rusher may not feel like a pressing need for the Chargers, but ask the fan base, and they would likely say otherwise. Veteran Khalil Mack restructured his deal to stick around in 2023, but he is 32 years old.
Myles Murphy is a top-ten talent who suffers from a run at the position. Being available at No. 21 in this mock draft makes for an easy pick for the Bolts. Murphy is explosive, oozing potential, and can learn behind a Hall of Fame talent as a rookie.
22. Baltimore Ravens – Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
Will they or won’t they? Until Baltimore decides what to do with disgruntled quarterback Lamar Jackson, the front office will not tip its hand. Regardless of who is behind center in 2023, he needs more pieces to operate with.
Ohio State pass-catcher Jaxon Smith-Njigba suffered a knock to his draft stock after missing most of his final season on campus. JSN didn’t run the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, but he aced all other workouts. He is one of the best route runners in the class and should create easy separation from the slot.
23. Minnesota Vikings – Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
While a few different spots on the defense need addressing, the potential pairing of Quentin Johnston with Justin Jefferson makes it worth the switch-up. Johnston is a big-play specialist who wins downfield with 50/50 balls and is a creator with the ball in his hands. Head coach Kevin O’Connell can have a lot of fun with these two, KJ Osborn, TJ Hockenson, and Dalvin Cook.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars – Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland
The Jaguars are building a juggernaut in the AFC South, but one key weakness is the cornerback room outside Tyson Campbell. Deonte Banks put his name on the first-round radar with an exceptional performance at the NFL Combine and would be a valued addition to a Jacksonville defense that struggled with the pass in 2022.
25. New York Giants – Jordan Addison, WR, USC
This is a popular mock draft pairing, but sometimes the mock draft community knows what they (we) are talking about! Jordan Addison is an adept route runner who wins with elite body control and some of the best hands I’ve ever evaluated. Sure hands and an underrated YAC ability are exactly what Brian Daboll ordered.
26. Dallas Cowboys – Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
The Cowboys traded for Brandin Cooks on Sunday but have yet to replace the departing Dalton Schultz. Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot can play, but they look better as No. 2 and No. 3 options at tight end.
Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer is multi-faceted and can affect the game in several ways including run blocking, creating after the catch, and snatching passes through traffic to move the chains. The Dallas offense is already one of the strongest units in the NFL — it gets even better with Mayer.