2023 NFL Mock Draft: Ravens, Cardinals, Titans help struggling secondaries; Seahawks get franchise QB at No. 1
Multiple clubs have shown they are in desperate need of more talent in the secondary
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1 min read
While scoring overall is down through three weeks in the NFL compared to recent standards, there've been plenty of fireworks from quarterbacks. And while their individual efforts while playing the most challenging position in sports should be praised, we have to consider that plenty of teams aren't exactly fielding the 2013 Legion Of Boom in the secondary.
The Cardinals, Ravens, and Titans are all in the bottom fourth of the league when it comes to yards-per-attempt average allowed heading into October, so in this mock we get them defensive back help.
The draft order below is based upon reverse Super Bowl odds from SportsLine. There's no No. 25 pick in this mock, as the Dolphins forfeited it for integrity of the game violations. Let's get to it. Mock Draft 2.0 deploy!
NFL Mock Draft
Round 1
Round 1 - Pick 1
At this point, Stroud seems aligned to be the consensus QB1 in this class. Some people will like Bryce Young, and he's a stud too, but Stroud has prototypical NFL quarterback traits.
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Round 1 - Pick 2
Chalk at the top. Young hasn't been challenged much this season to date but has gotten off to a stellar start.
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Round 1 - Pick 3
Anderson is one of the cleaner edge-rushing prospects over the past decade, and the Falcons have to get better around the corner of their defensive line.
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Round 1 - Pick 4
Robert Saleh could gravitate toward Simpson with thoughts of Fred Warner at linebacker.
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Round 1 - Pick 5
Riding with Fashanu until he doesn't play precisely like a fast-rising offensive tackle prospect.
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Round 1 - Pick 6
The Bears go receiver to aid the development of Justin Fields, or whoever the next quarterback is in Chicago.
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Round 1 - Pick 7
The Panthers get Derrick Brown an athletic, movable chess piece to pair with on the defensive line.
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Round 1 - Pick 8
Skoronski feels like a Steelers type up front. Experienced, no-nonsense blocker who gets after it on every snap blocking for the run and the pass.
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Round 1 - Pick 9
Giving Richardson time to heat up again. He'd be the perfect full-year redshirt behind Jared Goff in Detroit.
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Round 1 - Pick 10
Daniel Jones is not it. The new regime for the G-Men get a swing at the quarterback position with the big-armed, athletic Levis, even though he is an older prospect.
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Round 1 - Pick 11
The Patriots have been looking for an alpha edge rusher for a while now, and Murphy's large size for for the defensive end spot is precisely what Bill Belichick likes at the position.
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Round 1 - Pick 12
The Raiders desperately need more playmakers in the secondary, and Ringo has the best size-speed-athleticism combination at the cornerback position in the class. Josh McDaniels will love his man-coverage ability.
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Round 1 - Pick 13
Another club with serious secondary needs. Smith is a large, feisty cornerback who's had a productive career to date in the SEC.
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Mock Trade from
New Orleans Saints
Round 1 - Pick 14
The Eagles load up offensively with a super-clean tight end prospect to pair with Dallas Goedert.
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Round 1 - Pick 15
The Jaguars are surprisingly 2-1 and playing good football, don't get me wrong. But they've still allowed more 20-plus yard plays (12) than they've gained offensively (11). Johnson would be an incredibly useful asset to this defense.
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Round 1 - Pick 16
Arizona is in dire straits when it comes to its secondary. Ricks is a SEC-tested outside cornerback with fine technique and ball skills.
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From
Cleveland Browns
Round 1 - Pick 17
Carter's been dinged early in the season, which could lead to a fall on draft night, but the Texans would gladly stop his plummet here.
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Round 1 - Pick 18
The Colts go with a powerful, balanced left tackle to bolster their already strong offensive line.
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Round 1 - Pick 19
The Cowboys get a slippery, ultra-productive wideout to complement CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup.
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Round 1 - Pick 20
CIncinnati doesn't stray too far geographically with the selection of the Ohio State star in the trenches.
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From
San Francisco 49ers
Round 1 - Pick 21
The Dolphins offensive front is still far from being a sturdy, cohesive group. Jones is a punisher at the tackle spot.
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Round 1 - Pick 22
The Vikings love what they have in K.J. Osborn, but it's time to get another receiving piece to draw attention away from Justin Jefferson. Rice is big and electric as a route runner and with the ball in his hands.
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Round 1 - Pick 23
More edge-rushing firepower for the Chargers with the bendy, explosive Kansas State star.
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From
Denver Broncos
Round 1 - Pick 24
Stover is on the rise after a stellar start to 2022. He's a springy, well-built athlete and can block.
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From
Los Angeles Rams
Round 1 - Pick 26
Verse has been a menace for the ascending Seminoles, and the Lions would love to add another edge rusher opposite Aidan Hutchinson.
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Round 1 - Pick 27
Mike McDonald pushes for Turner, whom he coached at Michigan. The Wolverines defensive back has been lockdown to start the season.
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Round 1 - Pick 28
Washington is the stocky YAC threat Matt LaFleur would love in Green Bay.
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Round 1 - Pick 29
This is maybe a bit too high for Penix, but he is the hottest quarterback in college football and has major traits.
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Round 1 - Pick 30
The Syracuse blocker has repeatedly moved people with ease to begin the year for the Orange. He looks like the type of athlete who could land in Round 1 in April.
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Round 1 - Pick 31
The Eagles get younger at cornerback with Witherspoon, who's seemingly everywhere when he's on the field.
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Round 1 - Pick 32
This could be Eguakun or his Florida offensive linemate O'Cyrus Torrance, who's been tremendous inside for the Gators. Buffalo has to get younger on the interior.
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