It is another Saturday leading up to the 2023 NFL draft and that means a mock draft simulation.
In this simulation using PFF’s mock draft simulator, the priority was not to trade down in the first round. Plus, of the scenarios presented, the highest team willing to trade up were the Tennessee Titans with the 11th pick.
They do trade down in the second round select their center of the future.
We go through the picks and trades below.
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Round 1: Alabama EDGE Will Anderson
With no great option to trade down, Anderson is the no-brainer. He might be the best player in the draft and he can make an impact immediately with his pass-rushing potential.
Round 2 trade
Cardinals trade pick No. 34 to Jets
Cardinals receive pick No. 43, No. 112 (4th round), No. 144 (5th round), 2024 4th-round pick
Round 2: Ohio State C Luke Wypler
Wypler doesn’t get a good grade from PFF for the pick but he comps to very solid and capable centers with long careers. The Cardinals get extra picks and land a guy who can be their center of the future.
Round 3: Alabama CB Eli Ricks
At 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, he gives the Cardinals length in addition to toughness.
Round 3: TCU RB Kendre Miller
He is 5-foot-11 and 215 lbs with speed and agility. He rushed for 1,399 yards and 17 touchdowns last season for TCU on 6.2 yards per carry.
Round 4: LSU DT Jaquelin Roy
The Cardinals drafted an LSU defensive lineman in the fourth round in 2020, taking Rashard Lawrence. They do it again here. He is 6-foot-2, 305 pounds and strong.
Round 4: Clemson EDGE K.J. Henry
Henry is 6-foot-4 and 251 pounds. He ran the 40 in 4.63 seconds at the combine. He had 3.5 sacks and 9 tackles for loss last season.
Round 5: N.C. State OL Chandler Zavala
Zavala is a 6-foot-5, 325-pound guard. He started two seasons at left guard for the Wolfpack.
Round 5: Maryland CB Jakorian Bennett
Bennett lit up the combine with his speed. He is 5-11 and 188 lbs and ran the 40 in 4.30 seconds. He had two interceptions and 11 pass breakups last season.
Round 6: Oklahoma DL Jalen Redmond
Redmond had a strong combine showing. At 6-foot-2 and 291 pounds, he ran the 40 in 4.81 seconds. He had four sacks and 10 tackles for loss last season for Oklahoma.
Round 6: BYU WR Puka Nacua
Nacua is 6-foot-1 and 203 pounds. He played two seasons at Washington before transferring to BYU. As Cougar last season, he dealt with some injuries, playing in nine games. But he caught 48 passes for 625 yards and five touchdowns. He also rushed for 209 yards and five touchdowns on 25 carries.
He was the Cougars’ biggest offensive threat when he was healthy last season.
