2023 NFL Draft: Porter Jr. and Mayer Go Early, Levis Falls in Day 2 Mock Draft
What a start to the 2023 NFL Draft! Tons of trades and shocking selections blew up every mock draft in sight. Bryce Young went first overall, as expected, to the Carolina Panthers, then chaos ensued.
The Houston Texans picked second and third, the Atlanta Falcons took running back Bijan Robinson, the Detroit Lions selected a running back of their own in the top 12, wide receivers went with four straight selections in the twenties, and the Philadelphia Eagles ended up with both Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith to continue their defensive Philadelphia Bulldogs trend.
2023 NFL Draft: Porter Jr. and Mayer Go Early, Levis Falls in Day 2 Mock Draft
Now, we look ahead to Day 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft, which will feature rounds two and three. The Pittsburgh Steelers will kick things off with the No. 32 overall pick in the second round, beginning at 7 ET with players such as Will Levis, Michael Mayer, Joey Porter Jr., Brian Branch, Keion White, and O’Cyrus Torrence still on the board.
2023 NFL Draft: Round 2 Begins!
32. PIT-Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
The match that many experts had mocked in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Steelers still land the son of their former linebacker who will start immediately as a long and physical outside, press corner.
33. AZ-BJ Ojulari, EDGE, LSU
After passing on Will Anderson Jr. by trading down with the Texans (then back up with the Lions to land offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr.) the Cardinals and new head coach Jonathan Gannon desperately need to add to their pass rush. Ojulari gives them some juice on the edge to build around, joining his brother at the next level.
34. DET-Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
As arguably the best player still on the board in the 2023 NFL Draft, Mayer fills a need for the Lions and joins Jahmyr Gibbs as another versatile weapon for the Detroit offense.
35. IND-O’Cyrus Torrence, G, Florida
The Colts selected quarterback Anthony Richardson at pick four in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft and now bring in his Florida teammate to start at right guard, who will protect Richardson and open rushing lanes for Jonathan Taylor.
36. LAR-Keion White, DL, Georgia Tech
White is in attendance at the 2023 NFL Draft in Kansas City, so I doubt he will have to wait too long on day two to hear his name called. With one of the worst rosters in football, the Rams need to add some of the best players available when they are on the clock and White can be a very versatile and valuable piece next to Aaron Donald on their defense.
37. SEA-Adetomiwa Adebawore, DL, Northwestern
After opting for a cornerback in Devon Weatherspoon at pick five, and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba at pick 20, the Seahawks need to beef up their defensive front. Adebawore can play inside or on the edge and will be an every-down player in Seattle.
38. LV-Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
Falling all the way out of the first round, Will Levis finally comes off the board to the Raiders. Las Vegas is really only tied to Jimmy Garoppolo for one season and were rumored to be in the quarterback market early in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. A team may trade up to land Levis earlier on day two, but I think this fit makes sense at this point in the draft.
39. CAR-Drew Sanders, LB, Arkansas
The Panthers landed their quarterback of the future with the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Bryce Young. Now they jump to the defensive side of the ball with another young, versatile piece to play alongside Jeremy Chinn, Shaq Thompson, and Brian Burns.
40. NO-Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee
I would not be surprised if his teammate actually comes off the board before he does, but here Jalin Hyatt goes to New Orleans and gives Derek Carr a true deep threat to complement smooth route runners Chris Olave and Michael Thomas.
41. TEN-Cedric Tillman, WR, Tennessee
With the very next pick, Hyatt’s teammate, Cedric Tillman, is off the board. The NFL is allegedly high on Tillman as one of the only big-body receivers in the 2023 NFL Draft and would help whoever plays quarterback long-term for Tennessee, staying nearby and being a true number-one receiver with Treylon Burks alongside.
42. GB-Brian Branch, DB, Alabama
For a team that could use both a free safety and a nickel cornerback, the Packers get a steal with a guy that can do both. Branch was once expected to come off the board in the first half of the 2023 NFL Draft, but even after his size and athletic testing caused him to fall a bit, Green Bay takes advantage and continues to build their defense.
43. NYJ-Joe Tippmann, OL, Wisconsin
Similar to the first round where they ultimately went with an edge rusher, the Jets do not have the value that they are looking for at offensive tackle. Instead, they go with a big, rangy center who can play any spot on the interior of the offensive line in front of new quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
44. ATL-Julius Brents, CB, Kansas State
Even after bringing in Jeff Okudah from Detroit, the Falcons released veteran Casey Hayward, making cornerback a pressing need once again. Julius Brents has incredible length and can be in the mix to start right away on a remade defense in Atlanta.
45. GB-Sam LaPorta, TE, Iowa
After back-to-back defensive picks to begin the 2023 NFL Draft, Packers fans may be losing their minds. At this pick, the team finally adds a receiving weapon with the next in line of Iowa tight ends, Sam LaPorta.
46. NE-Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State
The Patriots traded away the pick used to take the last of the top offensive tackles in round one of the 2023 NFL Draft, so they address the need with a mountain of a man here in round two.
47. WAS-Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson
The Commanders went with a corner in the first round, now add some more athleticism at the center of their defense alongside former first-round pick, Jamin Davis.
48. DET-D.J. Turner, CB, Michigan
After shocking the world with a running back and linebacker in the first round, the Lions look close to home for a speedy cornerback to help replace Okudah.
49. PIT-Keeanu Benton, DT, Wisconsin
Left tackle, cornerback, and now defensive tackle to fill glaring needs for the Steelers. Benton is a monster in the middle with the juice that Pittsburgh looks for in defenders.
50. TB-Matthew Bergeron, OT, Syracuse
After going defensive tackle in the first, the Buccaneers luck out and are still able to land an offensive tackle here in the second round. Bergeron is a better fit on the right side, so they may move Tristan Wirfs over to left tackle, but either way, Tampa has to improve their offensive line to protect whoever is playing quarterback.
51. MIA-Luke Musgrave, TE, Oregon State
After forfeiting their first-round selection, this is Miami’s first pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. The Dolphins really need to add a pass-catcher to help round out their passing attack and a starting tight end, like Musgrave, could be exactly what the doctor ordered for Tua Tagovailoa.
52. SEA-John Michael Schmitz, OL, Minnesota
A true steal for the Seahawks who found rookie starters at both tackles in last year’s draft, landing a top center in this 2023 NFL Draft class.
53. CHI-Isaiah Foskey, EDGE, Notre Dame
The Bears went offensive line in round one to help protect quarterback Justin Fields but MUST address their defensive line heavily throughout the rest of the 2023 NFL Draft. Foskey gives them some juice off the edge with proven sack production.
54. LAC-Kelee Ringo, DB, Georgia
Whether they want to play him at outside corner, nickel, or free safety, Brandon Staley and the Chargers would love the athletic upside that Ringo can offer them in their secondary alongside Derwin James.
55. DET-Tuli Tuipulotu, DL, USC
Detroit continues to address their defensive needs here, adding a versatile player that can rush off the edge or play full-time inside as a three-tech.
56. JAC-Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
Cam Smith is a very solid cornerback prospect who was once viewed as a near sure-fire first-round pick. He is effective in man and zone and will start alongside Tyson Campbell as a rookie.
57. NYG-Steve Avila, OL, TCU
I will be shocked if Avila is still on the board at this point in the 2023 NFL Draft, but clearly, there is a scenario where it happens. He could start right away at any of the interior offensive line positions for a Giants offensive line that needs to continue to shape up.
58. DAL-Cody Mauch, OL, North Dakota State
The Cowboys would be heartbroken here, with Avila coming off the board one spot ahead of their selection. However, Mauch is not a bad consolation prize with similar positional versatility to all five spots on the line.
59. BUF-Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina
After taking a tight end in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, it may be unlikely that Buffalo would double up with another receiver here. Downs, though, is the perfect fit in the slot for them. Stefon Diggs, Gabriel Davis, and now Downs and Dalton Kincaid would be an elite 11 personnel for the Bills for years to come.
60. CIN-Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
After going with upside on the defensive front in the first round with Myles Murphy, Cincinnati gives Joe Burrow another dynamic weapon with a monster tight end in Darnell Washington.
61. CHI-Tyrique Stevenson, CB, Miami
Another spot on the defense the Bears must upgrade, Stevenson would be a very solid addition to Matt Eberflus’ defense.
62. PHI-Antonio Johnson, DB, Texas A&M
After losing Chauncey Gardner-Johnson in free agency, the Eagles get another versatile defender that can play in the box, in the slot, or even deep down the field.
63. KC-Marvin Mims, WR, Oklahoma
The 2023 NFL Draft hosts, Kansas City Chiefs, opted for an edge rusher in round one, so a dynamic deep threat at wide receiver would be a very popular choice to round out the second round of this day-two mock.