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Sports Illustrated

Sport

Luke Easterling

2023 NFL Draft: Rounds 2 and 3 Mock Draft

NFL Hendon Hooker Joey Porter Jr Will Levis Adetomiwa Adebawore Alex Highsmith Antonio Johnson Bears Brian Branch Broderick Jones

If you prefer your NFL draft with a heaping portion of trades and surprises, Thursday night’s first round was the perfect play for you.

From top quarterbacks rising and falling, to teams trading in both directions, to some of the biggest names still being left on the board for Day 2, the 2023 NFL draft is already off to an unforgettable start.

After an action-packed first night in Kansas City, here’s an updated look at how the second and third rounds could turn out Friday.

32

Pittsburgh Steelers (via CHI): Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State

The son of a former Steelers defender, Porter plays corner with the same physicality and competitiveness that made his dad a four-time Pro Bowl linebacker in Pittsburgh.

33

Arizona Cardinals (via HOU): Keion White, DL, Georgia Tech

After beefing up the offensive line in the first round, the Cards can do the same for their defensive front here, adding an athletic and versatile playmaker who can line up anywhere.

34

Detroit Lions (via ARI): O’Cyrus Torrence, OL, Florida

After a couple of surprise picks on Day 1, the Lions take a more conventional route here, filling their need at guard with the top prospect in this year’s class at the position.

35

Indianapolis Colts: Julius Brents, CB, Kansas State

After landing its franchise quarterback with Anthony Richardson at No. 4, Indy can fill its biggest need on defense with a big, athletic corner with a massive wingspan.

36

Los Angeles Rams: Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee

Many thought Hooker might go in the first round, but he and Will Levis are both still available in Round 2.
Saul Young/News Sentinel/USA TODAY Network

This is clearly a full rebuild for the Rams, so it would make sense to plan for the future at quarterback. Hooker is 25 years old and coming off a late-season ACL tear, but he could wait patiently behind Matthew Stafford until he’s fully healthy and ready to take over.

37

Seattle Seahawks (via DEN): John Michael Schmitz, OL, Minnesota

The Seahawks’ defensive front needs help across the board, but the value’s just not there in this scenario. Instead, Seattle’s better off bolstering its offensive line with this year’s top center prospect.

38

Las Vegas Raiders: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky

Here’s where the fall finally stops for Levis, who was thought by many to be a potential top-10 pick. Instead, he’d land in Vegas as Jimmy Garoppolo’s understudy for the foreseeable future.

39

Carolina Panthers: Drew Sanders, LB, Arkansas

The Panthers need an infusion of youth and athleticism at the second level of their defense, and Sanders’s combination of size, length and versatility would make him an ideal fit.

40

New Orleans Saints: Cody Mauch, OL, North Dakota State

The Saints fixed the interior of the trenches on defense in the first round (with Bryan Bresee at No. 29), but they need to do the same on the other side of the ball. Mauch played tackle for the Bison, but projects better inside at the next level.

41

Tennessee Titans: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame

Peter Skoronski was an ideal pick in the first round, and the Titans can get a similar player here in Mayer, who is just as polished and pro-ready. He’s a well-rounded player who can impact the run and pass game equally.

42

Green Bay Packers (via CLE and NYJ): Sam LaPorta, TE, Iowa

Here we have back-to-back tight ends coming off the board, as the Packers help out Jordan Love with a complete player in LaPorta who excels after the catch.

43

New York Jets: Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State

The Jets got leapfrogged for Broderick Jones in the first round, but here they’re able to land a plug-and-play offensive tackle in Jones, who has a massive frame and eye-popping wingspan.

44

Atlanta Falcons: Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia

Bijan Robinson was a luxury pick in the first round, so the Falcons should start addressing their bigger needs with Ringo. His 2022 film was a roller-coaster, but his impressive physical tools give him tons of upside.

45

Green Bay Packers: Brian Branch, DB, Alabama

Branch is a versatile DB who should make a team very happy on Day 2.
Gary Cosby Jr&period;/USA TODAY Sports

Here’s some more versatility on defense for Green Bay, which added some in the trenches in the first round with Lukas Van Ness, and now get it for the secondary. Branch can line up in the slot or on the back end, and make big plays all over the field.

46

New England Patriots: Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee

This offense desperately needs more game-breakers, and Hyatt’s elite speed would be the ideal fit here. He’s not the most complete receiver yet, but he’d give a jolt to New England’s lackluster passing game.

47

Washington Commanders: Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia

No matter who throws the passes for the Commanders in 2023, a dynamic tight end would be a huge help. Washington’s massive frame and blocking prowess would make an instant impact, and his athleticism gives him a limitless ceiling as a receiving threat.

48

Detroit Lions: Adetomiwa Adebawore, DL, Northwestern

This defense needs an explosive, disruptive playmaker who can blow up plays in the opposing backfield on a consistent basis. Adebawore’s ridiculous workout numbers prove he can be that guy.

49

Pittsburgh Steelers: Derick Hall, edge, Auburn

T.J. Watt is a monster, and Alex Highsmith is a solid No. 2 pass rusher, but Pittsburgh could use another edge player with some juice. Hall brings a great balance of speed and power, and could quickly overtake Highsmith as the starter.

50

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah

The Bucs have two fantastic outside corners in Carlton Davis III and Jamel Dean, but they need a true slot playmaker for their nickel package. Phillips is an undersized but instinctive playmaker with a nose for the ball.

51

Miami Dolphins: Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson

With their first pick of the draft, the Dolphins can add versatility and athleticism to the second level of their defense with Simpson, who can make big plays just as easily against the run as he can in coverage, as well as rushing the passer.

52

Seattle Seahawks: BJ Ojulari, edge, LSU

The Seahawks finally get some help for their defensive front here, bringing in an undersized but savvy and explosive edge rusher to take some pressure off their young and promising secondary.

53

Chicago Bears (via BAL): Steve Avila, OL, TCU

Justin Fields needs all the help he can get up front, so even after spending their top pick on a new right tackle (Darnell Wright, No. 10), the Bears can double up on offensive linemen with a tough, versatile blocker who can play guard or center.

54

Los Angeles Chargers: Luke Musgrave, TE, Oregon State

Here’s more help for Justin Herbert, who’d get yet another pass catcher to pair with first-round pick Quentin Johnston. Musgrave has been limited by injury, but at full strength, he could add another dimension to the Bolts’ passing game.

55

Detroit Lions (via MIN): Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina

Trading away Jeff Okudah opened up a need at corner, and this scenario would give the Lions great value, thanks to a deep class at the position. Smith is a polished playmaker who makes opposing quarterbacks look the other way.

56

Jacksonville Jaguars: Antonio Johnson, S, Texas A&M

Jacksonville’s secondary needs a boost at both levels, and if the board falls this way, the better value would come on the back end. Johnson is a well-rounded defender who can make plays in the box and also handle himself in coverage.

57

New York Giants: Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina

Daniel Jones needs as much help as he can get at wide receiver after working with last year’s skeleton crew, and while undersized, Downs brings sharp running and big-play explosiveness to the table.

58

Dallas Cowboys: Devon Achane, RB, Texas A&M

Ezekiel Elliott is gone, and Tony Pollard is coming off a serious injury while playing on the one-year franchise tender. Achane isn’t the biggest back in this class, but like Pollard, he makes up for it with elite speed and home-run ability.

59

Buffalo Bills: Jonathan Mingo, WR, Mississippi

Here’s another big, athletic target for Josh Allen, as the Bills follow up their first-round pick of Utah tight end Dalton Kincaid with one of the few wide receivers at the top of this class who brings size as well as speed to the room.

60

Cincinnati Bengals: Tyrique Stevenson, CB, Miami (FL)

I wouldn’t count out a running back or a pass catcher here, but corner is the biggest need for Cincy at this point, and Stevenson is a well-built defender who can play physical at the catch point.

61

Chicago Bears (via SF and CAR): Isaiah Foskey, edge, Notre Dame

The Bears doubled up in the offensive trenches to start this draft, so now it’s time to help out the defensive front. Foskey is a complete player with the polished technique and well-rounded skill set to make an instant impact.

62

Philadelphia Eagles: DJ Turner, CB, Michigan

Bringing back James Bradberry and Darius Slay was a huge win for this defense, but it needs a long-term plan at corner, too. Turner is a stud in man coverage, and can line up on the outside or in the slot.

63

Kansas City Chiefs: Matthew Bergeron, OT, Syracuse

Signing Jawaan Taylor in free agency was huge, but spending this pick on Bergeron would allow Taylor to stay on the right side where he’s more experienced.