Fansided
Fansided

One Player Each Team Should Target in the 2023 NFL Draft

By A.J. Fagerlin

Oct 15, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young (9) warms up before the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young (9) warms up before the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 8
Next
Jalen Carter, potential target of the Chicago Bears in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Dec 3, 2022; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Jalen Carter (88) celebrates after a victory in the SEC Championship against the LSU Tigers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

Minnesota Vikings – Jordan Addison, WR, USC

With Adam Thielen moving on to the Carolina Panthers, the Minnesota Vikings must bring in a number two receiver to draw some attention away from Justin Jefferson. They brought in tight end T.J. Hockenson last season, but K.J. Osborn, Jalen Nailor, and Jalen Reagor will not cut it at wide receiver.

Jordan Addison would be a perfect complement to Jefferson. He is a silky smooth route runner and always finds a way to get open. He can win from the slot or split out wide and simply understands how to beat his man. He doesn’t have the athletic upside of Jefferson, or even some other targets in the same range of the draft, but he has been incredibly productive at multiple notable schools in college and will be a reliable target for Kirk Cousins early in his NFL career.

Detroit Lions – Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois

Everyone keeps saying it, and I couldn’t agree more. Devon Weatherspoon just seems like a Detroit Lion. He would fit right in with Dan Campbell’s knee-cap biters, as one of the most physical and gritty players in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Weatherspoon isn’t just a scrappy player. That doesn’t get you top-10 hype. Weatherspoon is a great all-around corner who can stay with anyone in man coverage, has great ball skills and instincts in zone, and is excellent around the line of scrimmage in run support.

For a team that just traded away Jeff Okudah and signed two “good but not great” cornerbacks in free agency in Cam Sutton and Emmanuel Moseley (just a one-year deal), they need a long-term solution at the position. Weatherspoon is the perfect prospect for the Lions and should be the pick at six overall.

Green Bay Packers – Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame

This one is pretty simple. The Green Bay Packers are slated to start Josiah Deguara at tight end right now. Michael Mayer is the most complete tight end prospect in the draft. It’s a match that makes too much sense.

Mayer does a great job as a receiver, particularly in the red zone. He was a target magnet at Notre Dame and still made plays despite the entire defense often knowing that he was getting the ball. Where Mayer really sets himself apart is with his blocking ability. He lines up on the end and can be a true extension of the offensive line. The Packers need someone like Mayer for their offense to succeed under Jordan Love.

Chicago Bears – Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia

Jalen Carter is the perfect fit for the Chicago Bears. Justin Jones, Andrew Billings, Jalyn Holmes, Andrew Brown, and Donovan Jeter is the current defensive tackle room for the Bears. Jalen Carter may be the most talented player in the draft and would immediately be Matt Eberflus’ DeForest Buckner moving forward. General manager Ryan Poles would seem like an absolute genius if Carter was their guy at one and they are able to move down to nine, gain D.J. Moore and a ton of draft capital, and still land the top player on their board.

Home/NFL Draft