2023 NFL Mock Draft: Ryan Noonan's Day 2 Predictions for Rounds 2 & 3
With a wild first round now in the books, let's take a look at how Day 2 could shake out. A handful of familiar names remain, some of which felt like first-round locks just 24 hours ago, including Will Levis, Joey Porter Jr, and Michael Mayer.
For this exercise, I did my best to line up team positional needs and, when applicable, player and team visits. Of course, there are plenty of instances where teams select players that they didn't have an official visit with. Still, if the front office attended a team's pro day or a player is sliding down the board, and a team has been targeting that position group, I'm willing to pair them up.
2023 NFL Draft Date & Time
Date: Friday, April 28 ( Rounds 2 & 3) & Saturday, April 29 (Rounds 4-7)
Time: 7:00 PM EST (Rounds 2 and 3), & 12:00 PM EST (Rounds 4-7)
Channels: NFL Network, ESPN & ABC, also FuboTV Livestream
2023 NFL Mock Draft - Round 2
32. Pittsburgh Steelers (Via CHI) – Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn St.
Mocking Joey Porter Jr. to Pittsburgh in the first round felt like it was too obvious, considering team needs and family lineage intersected perfectly. The Steelers needed to come out of the first round with either a cornerback or an offensive lineman, and they prioritized the line, trading up for Broderick Jones. Bypassing Porter here for Brian Branch or another position would be surprising.
33. Arizona Cardinals - Brian Branch, CB, Alabama
Brian Branch's lack of top-shelf athletism likely kept him out of the first round, but he's a Swiss Army knife in the back half and infuses talent and versatility into a Cardinals secondary that very much needs both of those things. He's likely more of a slot corner, but he's an excellent tackler and could play either safety position if needed.
34. Detroit Lions - Michael Meyer, TE, Notre Dame
Michael Meyer falling out of the first round really surprised me. He's not going to blow you away with his speed on seam routes, but he's a complete tight end who knows how to get open, possesses big reliable hands, and is an aggressor after the catch and in the run game. After what the Lions did in Round 1, they'd be lucky to still land Meyer here.
35. Indianapolis Colts - Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio St.
Jones is an insanely large human being. At 6-foot-8, 365 pounds with a 7-foot-6 wingspan, Jones can use his hands to keep speed rushers away, and that's what he did for C.J. Stroud last season, allowing an FBS-best 1.3% pressure sack, and zero sacks or quarterback hits.
36. Los Angeles Rams - Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
I had Will Levis going second to Houston in my Round 1 mock draft, and while that obviously looks horrible now, that was more about information than talent evaluation. I do think Levis is a first-round talent, so I don't expect him to wait very long to have his name called on Friday night. The Sean McVay-Liam Coen connection is an easy dot to connect, and the Rams are closer to tear-down mode than they are at making another run at the Super Bowl. Matthew Stafford's cap number jumps up from 20 million dollars to 49.5 in 2024, which is the last year of guaranteed money on his deal.
37. Seattle Seahawks (Via DEN) - Adetomiwa Adebawore, EDGE, Northwestern
I like what Seattle did in the first round, but they still have needs along the defensive front, and they address that here with Adebawore. He flipped the NFL Combine on its head with his explosiveness, running the fastest 40-yard dash ever (4.49) for a player 280-plus pounds. He'll need to get better in run support, but these are traits that you bet on.
38. Las Vegas Raiders - Drew Sanders, LB, Arkansas
Drew Sanders is an equal parts edge rusher and off-ball linebacker, and that versatility is exactly what the Raiders need. He played almost exclusively at EDGE while at Alabama before transferring to Arkansas, where he transitioned to off-ball linebacker. He's long and lean and excellent when called on to blitz. He'll need to get better as a tackler in his role as a linebacker, but that'll come with reps.
39. Carolina Panthers - Keion White, EDGE, Georgia Tech
White started his college career as a tight end at Old Dominion, and that checks out when you see him. He's one of the top size and speed athletes in this entire class. He has the frame to play anywhere along the defensive front, and he's more potential than a finished product at this point.
40. New Orleans Saints - Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina
Josh Downs will likely be limited to a slot role in the NFL, but his ability to create separation underneath is his calling card. Despite a small catch radius, he plays bigger than he is, and he was a target hog in college, hauling in 195 balls for 2,364 yards and 19 scores as a sophomore and junior at UNC.
41. Tennessee Titans - Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee
I was surprised by the increasingly loud drumbeat from the national beat reporters who said Hendon Hooker was going in the first round. Going in the early second is better for him and whoever drafts him since it'll lower the expectations in the short term as he continues to recover from his season-ending ACL injury. The Titans were trying to move up in the first round to add a quarterback, and they can sit here and let either Levis or Hooker fall to them.
42. Green Bay Packers (Via NYJ) - Sam LaPorta, TE, Iowa
Jordan Love needs some weapons, and Sam LaPorta is an ideal fit in this offense. He's quick off the line, breaks tackles at an insane rate for a tight end, and can win anywhere he lines up, including the slot.
43. New York Jets - Matthew Bergeron, OT, Syracuse
The Jets' decision to bypass the offensive line in the first round was either dumb or a vote of confidence for their current group, but let's not do that again here. Matthew Bergeron was getting some first-round buzz heading into Thursday, and he's a steady addition and can play either tackle position based on his success at Syracuse.
44. Atlanta Falcons - BJ Ojulari, EDGE, LSU
The Ojulari family is churning out edge rushers, with BJ's brother Azeez on the Giants. You can tell by watching BJ play, as the younger brother is often sharper from learning from watching his older brother develop. BJ gets all the buzzwords. He's technically sound. He's sudden. He's bendy on the corner. He'll need to get more physical in the run game, but he's a good fit in Atlanta.
45. Green Bay Packers - Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee
Despite winning the 2022 Biletnikoff Award as the nation's top receiver, Jalin Hyatt is difficult to project. He was used almost exclusively as a vertical slot receiver in Tennesee's spread offense, but he dominated, compiling 1,267 yards and 15 scores last year, including a six-catch, 207-yard, five-touchdown outburst on the national stage against Alabama. The Packers are reportedly enamored by Hyatt, meeting with him multiple times.
46. New England Patriots - Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
I don't see the immediate need for a tight end for New England, with Hunter Henry still in town and Mike Gesicki coming over in free agency, but the Patriots have been linked to Washington, and it's easy to fall in love with his traits. Considering that most tight ends take time to develop, Washington should be thought of as a long-term play at the position rather than a big-time 2023 contributor.
47. Washington Commanders - Steve Avila, G, TCU
I know of at least one team that had a first-round grade on Steve Avila, so I don't expect he'll last very long on Day 2. He played right tackle, center, and both guard spots in college, so that versatility is sought after, though he projects as a guard at the next level.
48. Detroit Lions - DJ Turner, CB, Michigan
Free-agent signee Cam Sutton is the only Lion cornerback with a contract beyond this season, and most pundits, myself included, expected cornerback to be a position that the Lions targeted with one of their two first-round selections. Here they're able to grab DJ Turner, who's an electric athlete who'll be able to go toe-to-toe with the quickest receivers in the league. His tape lacks that dog mentality, but perhaps Dan Campbell and Aaron Glenn can bring it out of him.
49. Pittsburgh Steelers - Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson
Trenton Simpson is a fluid athlete who's shown an outstanding ability to cover on passing downs and routinely covered tight ends and running backs in the slot, which is rare for someone with his size. He only has one year of starter reps under him, but he has the profile to develop into a solid off-ball linebacker.
50. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - O'Cyrus Torrence, G, Florida
There were injury rumors about Torrence, which could've played into his fall out of the first round. Some say he's the cleanest guard-only prospect in the draft, a mauler of men both in the run game and as a pass blocker.
51. Miami Dolphins - Luke Musgrave, TE, Oregon St
His 2022 season was cut short due to a knee injury, but Luke Musgrave showed out at the Senior Bowl and caught everyone's attention. He's a prototypical tight end in stature, with exceptional contested catch ability and huge hands. He's a perfect compliment to the speedy Miami offense.
52. Seattle Seahawks - John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota
This is a player-and-team match made in heaven. He's a plug-and-play NFL starter on Day 1, and someone that'll likely be in the league for a decade. He's bigger than your average center but moves well for his size, and he could move to guard if need be.
53. Chicago Bears (Via BAL) - Tuli Tuipulotu, EDGE, USC
Still just 20 years old, there's immense upside and versatility to Tuli Tuipulotu's game. He's been a consistent force up front for USC's defense the past two seasons, and his 13 sacks last season were second in the Power Five in 2022. He can play on the edge, over tackles, or at three-technique.
54. Los Angeles Chargers - Julius Brents, CB, Kansas St.
Julius Brents is one of my favorite prospects in this entire draft class. At 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, Brents has the ideal size to match up with any of the league's perimeter wide receivers, and his massive wingspan gives him an edge. Taller corners don't often have his burst or change-of-direction skills. Also, he has that dog in him. He's a willing and capable tackler.
55. Detroit Lions (Via MIN) - Keeanu Benton, DL, Wisconsin
Keeanu Benton played in both A and B-gap schemes in college, thriving in both, so he's a fit for any defensive style. He's a high motor disruptor from the interior, which will help Detroit's edge rushers get more one-on-one looks.
56. Jacksonville Jaguars - Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
Cam Smith would've been a first-round pick 20 years ago because the tape far exceeds the athletic testing. He has tremendous instincts and ball skills and perhaps finds his home in the NFL as a slot corner, though he'll need to improve as a tackler, which isn't uncommon for a young cornerback prospect.
57. New York Giants - Joe Tippmann, C, Wisconsin
Joe Tippmann was another name that was linked to some late first-round teams, including the Giants. Tippmann can likely play center or guard and is an exceptional athlete for his size. Scouts rave about his ability to get off blocks and get to the second level.
58. Dallas Cowboys - Zach Charbonnet, RB, UCLA
Zach Charbonnet has three-down NFL bell cow skills. He's elusive, he sheds tackles, and he's a capable pass catcher and should be a fantasy staple for years to come. This is a great landing spot for him, as a compliment to Tony Pollard in what sounds like Dallas' run-first offense.
59. Buffalo Bills - Daiyan Henley, LB, Washington St.
As someone who loves to bet on tackle props, I probably watched more linebacker prospects than you did this season. I'm comfortable saying that. And I really like Daiyan Henley. He's a former wide receiver who still moves like one. That'll help him as he develops his coverage skills, but he has big-time play-making upside and flies to the football when he's able to run free.
60. Cincinnati Bengals - Tyrique Stevenson, CB, Miami
Stevenson transferred from Georgia to Miami and developed into a stay-away-from-his-side corner for the Hurricanes. He's not a blow-you-away athlete, but he'll be a solid perimeter corner for a zone-centric defense in the NFL.
61. Chicago Bears (Via CAR) Siaki Ika, DL, Baylor
There are concerns about Siaki Ika's ability to maintain his weight and stamina at the next level, but he's a run-stopping space-eater, and Chicago is a team that's desperate for both. When he's called upon, he has surprising burst upfield despite pushing 360 pounds.
62. Philadelphia Eagles - Cody Mauch, OT, North Dakota St.
Cody Mauch committed to North Dakota State as a tight end but has maintained that athletism despite adding 80 pounds to his frame as he transitioned to left tackle. He's still a work in progress and may end up as a guard, but this is great value for the Eagles in the back half of round 2.
63. Kansas City Chiefs - Nathaniel Dell, WR, Houston
Nathaniel Dell has a unique skill set and unmatched separation skills, which will translate to the NFL despite his outlier stature. He was a big-time producer at Houston, though, hauling in 108 balls for 1,399 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2022.
Round 3
64. Chicago Bears - Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
65. Houston Texans - Cedric Tillman, WR, Tennesee
66. Philadelphia Eagles - Antonio Johnson, S, Texas A&M
67. Denver Broncos (Via IND) - Luke Wypler, C, Ohio St.
68. Denver Broncos - Clark Phillips, CB, Nebraska
69. Los Angeles Rams - Tyler Steen, OL, Alabama
70. Las Vegas Raiders - Darius Rush, CB, South Carolina
71. New Orleans Saints - Chandler Zavala, G, North Carolina St.
72. Tennessee Titans - Rashee Rice, WR, SMU
One of the best intermediate and contested catch receivers in the draft, Rashee Rice has been a target hog for SMU for the past two seasons. Rice isn't a burner, but at 6'1" 204 and with exceptional body control, he has a role at the next level. He was used primarily as a slot receiver in 2021 but really emerged when he moved to the outside in 2022, hauling in 96 balls on 156 targets, finishing with 1344 yards and 10 scores.
73. Houston Texans (Via CLE) - Isaiah Foskey - EDGE, Notre Dame
74. Cleveland Browns (Via NYJ) - Sydney Brown, S, Illinois
75. Atlanta Falcons - Marvin Mims, WR, Oklahoma
76. New England Patriots (Via CAR) - Jonathan Mingo, WR, Ole Miss
77. Los Angeles Rams (Via MIA) - Devon Achane, RB, Texas A&M
78. Green Bay Packers - Jordan Battle, S, Alabama
If you're a four-year starter at Alabama, you're going to play in the league. Battle played most of his snaps as a deep safety in two-high sets, and while he isn't a wow athlete, he's physical and fluid.
79. Indianapolis Colts (Via WSH) - Tre-Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, CB, TCU
80. Pittsburgh Steelers - Nick Herbig, EDGE, Wisconsin
81. Arizona Cardinals - Cory Trice, CB, Purdue
Cory Trice is getting a lot of pre-draft buzz, and rightfully so. At 6'3" 206, he has elite size for a corner, and his agility is off the charts. He'll be a tight-end stopper at the next level after allowing just one catch on 88 press coverage snaps in 2022. He's one of my favorite prospects in this class.
82. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Tucker Kraft, TE, South Dakota St.
Projecting FCS players is always tricky, but Tucker Kraft's production matches up against his electrifying athletic testing, making him one of the more intriguing tight-end prospects in this year's class. Kraft's 9.68 Relative Athletic Score shows an agile, big-bodied pass-catcher with big hands and a quick first step.
83. Seattle Seahawks - Tyjae Spears, RB, Tulane
84. Miami Dolphins - DeMarvion Overshown, LB, Texas
85. Los Angeles Chargers - Dorian Williams, LB, Tulane
86. Baltimore Ravens - Derick Hall, EDGE, Auburn
87. Minnesota Vikings - Jartavius Martin, CB, Illinois
88. Jacksonville Jaguars - Garrett, Williams, CB, Syracuse
A mid-season ACL injury impacts Garrett Williams in the pre-draft process. But his skill set, especially for teams that like to run man-heavy schemes, will garner some late day 2, early day 3 attention. Williams was considered a borderline first-round selection prior to his ACL tear.
89. New York Giants - Michael Wilson, WR, Stanford
90. Dallas Cowboys - Tyler Scott, WR, Cincinnati
91. Buffalo Bills - Andre Carter, EDGE, Army
Carter gets off the bus and grabs your attention. At 6-foot-7, 260 pounds, he's built more like a tight end than an EDGE rusher, but he earned a 93.4 pass-rush grade from PFF in 2021, before drawing double teams all season long in 2022. He's a project, but an exciting one.
92. Cincinnati Bengals - Wanya Morris, OT, Oklahoma
Morris has shown improvements every year, especially as a pass blocker, and that's especially necessary for Cincinnati, who is among the league leaders in pass rate over expectation. In addition, tackle Jonah Williams has recently requested a trade out of Cincinnati, so depth is a priority for the Bengals.
93. Carolina Panthers (Via SF) Noah Sewell, LB, Oregon
Penei's little brother is not very little, and he plays with a tenacity that jumps off the screen when you watch him play. He's likely an early-down linebacker, one that'll ideally be utilized to blitz periodically because running backs will be reluctant to jump in the hole to pick him up. Fun player.
94. Arizona Cardinals - Kobie Turner, DL, Wake Forest
95. Kansas City Chiefs - Byron Young, EDGE, Tennessee
96. Arizona Cardinals - DeWayne McBride, RB, UAB
He's not much in the passing game, but DeWayne McBride put up video game numbers in three seasons at UAB. McBride ran for 3,507 yards on 484 carries (7.2 yards per carry) and broke 175 tackles on 484 attempts. That 36% forced missed tackle rate trails only Bijan Robinson and Javonte Williams among FBS running backs since PFF began charting college football in 2014.
97. Washington Commanders - Karl Brooks, EDGE, Bowling Green
98. Cleveland Browns - Gervon Dexter Sr., DL, Florida
99. San Francisco 49ers - Nick Saldiveri, OT, Old Dominion
100. Las Vegas Raiders - Blake Freeland, OT, BYU
101. San Francisco 49ers - A.T. Perry, WR, Wake Forest
102. San Francisco 49ers - Tank Bigsby, RB, Auburn
Tank is such a great name for a running back. He's a tough between-the-tackles runner and has produced strong forced missed tackle rates despite playing behind a terrible offensive line for three years.
