NFL MOCK DRAFT 3.0: FINAL 3 ROUND MOCK DRAFT

As Of April 22, 2023:

A lot has happened in the NFL since my first mock draft in February. Aaron Rodgers declared he wants to be a Jet, Lamar was tagged but teams can negotiate if they want to pay the price, Jalen Hurts got paid, Pro Days have taken place and the NFL Combine occurred in Indy. My second 3 Round Mock Draft dropped on March 30th and even within the last month, my mock has gone through an overhaul. The Draft is truly a circus with constant action causing reverberations across the league. As we march closer to April 27th in Kansas City, let’s take a look at my Final 3 Round Mock Draft, yes the full 102 selections on Day 1 & 2 of the Draft.

In reading the tea leaves, factoring in moves so far this offseason and flat out talent of the player, the following is now reality. The hype around the quarterbacks, as well as teams desperate need to find their future will force teams to be bold. This draft does have a lot of solid prospects on offense in addition to Edge Rushers and Cornerbacks. Another element is what current NFL players get dealt over draft weekend and how do those moves mold the picks. You can checkout my article on potential trades during draft weekend. This mock draft does not include any trades unless they already happened.

If you are looking for positional rankings of the draft eligible players on offense and defense, we have you covered at Spinnable Sports. You can also find my Top 105 NFL Draft Prospects in the same spot. The Irrational Confidence Podcast (@IRConfidencePod on Twitter) will be dropping our Live Mock Draft Episode this Week! You can find The Irrational Confidence Podcast on any podcast platform as well as the Spinnable Sports YouTube Channel.

ROUND 1:

1.). CAROLINA PANTHERS (Via CHI): QB. BRYCE YOUNG. (ALABAMA)

• TEAM NEEDS: QB, DB, LB, OL, LB, EDGE, WR
• ANALYTICAL AND A NATURAL LEADER

2.). HOUSTON TEXANS: QB. CJ STROUD. (OHIO STATE)

• TEAM NEEDS: QB, WR, OL, TE, EDGE, DL
• STRONG ARM AND VERY ACCURATE

3.). ARIZONA CARDINALS: EDGE. WILL ANDERSON JR. (ALABAMA)

• TEAM NEEDS: EVERYTHING
• ENDLESS MOTOR AND PLAYMAKING MACHINE

4.). INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: QB. WILL LEVIS. (KENTUCKY)

• TEAM NEEDS: QB, WR, LT, DL, LB, DB
• LEVIS IS A PROJECT, BUT COLTS ARE DESPERATE FOR A QB

5.). SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (Via DEN): DL. JALEN CARTER. (GEORGIA)

• TEAM NEEDS: DEFENSE, OL, TE, WR, QB
• A GAME CHANGING DEFENSIVE TACKLE WILL ALLOW THE DEFENSE TO ATTACK

6.). DETROIT LIONS (Via LAR): EDGE. NOLAN SMITH. (GEORGIA)

• TEAM NEEDS: OL, DL, LB, CB, S, EDGE, TE
• A NATURAL LEADER AND EXPLOSIVE PLAYMAKER OPPOSITE HUTCHINSON

7.). LAS VEGAS RAIDERS: CB. DEVON WITHERSPOON. (ILLINOIS)

• TEAM NEEDS: CB, LB, DL, OL, TE
• WITHERSPOON IS A ZONE BASED SHUTDOWN CORNER, BUT WILL ADJUST TO ANY SCHEME

8.). ATLANTA FALCONS: CB. CHRISTIAN GONZALEZ. (OREGON)

• TEAM NEEDS: CB, EDGE, DL, LB, OL, QB
• GONZALEZ IS A FAST AND INSTINCTIVE MAN COVERAGE CORNER THAT WILL FLOURISH OPPOSITE AJ TERRELL

9.). CHICAGO BEARS (Via CAR): OT. PETER SKORONSKI. (NORTHWESTERN)

• TEAM NEEDS: OL, DL, EDGE, CB, S
• A MONSTER OF A LINEMAN WHO CAN PLAY BOTH TACKLE AND GUARD SPOTS. HE ALSO HAS NFL LINEAGE WITH HIS GRANDFATHER BOB SKORONSKI, WHO PLAYED FOR THE PACKERS IN 1956 AND BETWEEN 1959 AND 1968.

10.). PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (Via NO): RB BIJAN ROBINSON. (TEXAS)

• TEAM NEEDS: RB, OT, DL, S, EDGE, LB
• AN INSTANT PLAYMAKER WHO WOULD MAKE THIS EAGLES OFFENSE EXTREMELY LETHAL

11.). TENNESSEE TITANS: QB. ANTHONY RICHARDSON. (FLORIDA)

• TEAM NEEDS: QB, OL, WR, EDGE, CB, LB
• THIS TEAM IS AT THE BEGINNING OF A TOTAL REBUILD AND HAS A TON OF HOLES TO FILL, BUT QB IS THE MOST PRESSING

12.). HOUSTON TEXANS (Via CLE): WR. JAXON SMITH-NJIGBA. (OHIO STATE)

• NATURAL FIT TO PAIR STROUD WITH THE BEST WR IN THE DRAFT, WHO JUST HAPPENS TO BE HIS OHIO STATE TEAMMATE

13.). NEW YORK JETS: OT. PARIS JOHNSON JR. (OHIO STATE)

• TEAM NEEDS: QB, OT, EDGE, S, CB
• JOHNSON IS A STUD LT AND YOU MUST PROTECT AARON RODGERS OR ZACH WILSON

14.). NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: EDGE. TYREE WILSON. (TEXAS TECH)

• TEAM NEEDS: EDGE, CB, DL, OL, LB
• WILSON GIVES THEM SIZE AND SPEED OPPOSITE MATTHEW JUDON.

15.). GREEN BAY PACKERS: EDGE. MYLES MURPHY. (CLEMSON)

• TEAM NEEDS: TE, WR, OT, DL, EDGE, S
• TEMPTED TO TAKE A TE, BUT ADDING ANOTHER STUD ON DEFENSE WILL STRENGTHEN A UNIT THAT WILL NEED TO STAND TALL IN 2023 AND BEYOND.

16.). WASHINGTON COMMANDERS: TE. MICHAEL MAYER. (NOTRE DAME)

• TEAM NEEDS: TE, OL, LB, CB, QB
• COULD TAKE PORTER JR OR REACH ON HENDON HOOKER, BUT OC ERIC BIENIEMY KNOWS HOW TO GET THE TE HEAVILY INVOLVED IN THE OFFENSE.

17.). PITTSBURGH STEELERS: OT. BRODERICK JONES. (GEORGIA)

• TEAM NEEDS: OT, CB, EDGE, DL
• TEMPTING NOT TO TAKE THE SON OF A STEELERS LEGEND, BUT THIS TEAM MUST PROTECT KENNY PICKETT

18.). DETROIT LIONS: CB. JOEY PORTER JR. (PENN STATE)

• A STUD CORNERBACK WITH NFL LINEAGE IS A PERFECT BLEND FOR THE LIONS. THEY COULD GAMBLE ON THEIR FUTURE AND TAKE QB HENDON HOOKER.

19.). TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: OT. DARNELL WRIGHT. (TENNESSEE)

• TEAM NEEDS: OL, DL, LB, CB, S, QB
• WRIGHT AT ONE TACKLE SPOT AND WIRFS ON THE OTHER WOULD PROVIDE STABILITY FOR THE OFFENSIVE LINE.

20.). SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: CB. DEONTE BANKS. (MARYLAND)

• A SOLID MAN COVERAGE CORNER WHO CAN TAKE AWAY A SIDE OF THE FIELD

21.). LOS ANGELES CHARGERS: TE. DALTON KINCAID. (UTAH)

• TEAM NEEDS: TE, WR, RB, CB, DL
• GIVEN THE HEALTH OF ALLEN & WILLIAMS THE PAST 2 YEARS, PLUS EKELER’S TRADE DEMANDS, THIS PICK COULD GO MULTIPLE WAYS, BUT KINCAID MAKES THIS OFFENSE DYNAMIC.

22.). BALTIMORE RAVENS: WR. QUENTIN JOHNSTON (TCU)

• TEAM NEEDS: WR, OL, DL, EDGE, CB, S
• MUST LAND A LONGTERM WR TO PLAY OPPOSITE OBJ THIS SEASON AND BE THE #1 AFTER.

23.). MINNESOTA VIKINGS: QB. HENDON HOOKER. (TENNESSEE)

• TEAM NEEDS: QB, WR, OL, EDGE, CB, DL, LB
• KURT COUSINS DIDN’T HAVE HIS CONTRACT EXTENDED AND THE TEAM HAS SERIOUS SALARY CAP ISSUES. THIS PICK GIVES HOOKER A YEAR TO HEAL AND LEARN BEFORE TAKING OVER IN 2024.

24.). JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: S. BRIAN BRANCH. (ALABAMA)

• TEAM NEEDS: DB, EDGE, DL, OL, TE, WR
• BRANCH CAN PLAY SAFETY AND THE SLOT CORNER ROLE IN A TALENTED DEFENSE

25.). NEW YORK GIANTS: WR. ZAY FLOWERS. (BOSTON COLLEGE)

• TEAM NEEDS: WR, OL, EDGE, CB, RB
• THIS OFFENSE IS DESPERATE FOR PLAYMAKERS AT WIDE RECEIVER

26.). DALLAS COWBOYS: C/OG. O’CYRUS TORRENCE. (FLORIDA)

• TEAM NEEDS: OL, RB, TE, DL, EDGE
• TORRENCE IS THE BEST INTERIOR OFFENSIVE LINEMAN ON THE BOARD. IF ROBINSON, MAYER OR KINCAID WERE AVAILABLE, I COULD SEE THE JONESES MAKING THAT MOVE.

27.). BUFFALO BILLS: WR. JORDAN ADDISON. (USC)

• TEAM NEEDS: WR, OL, LB, CB
• THIS TEAM IS DESPERATE TO FIND A REAL WR OPPOSITE DIGGS

28.). CINCINNATI BENGALS: TE. DARNELL WASHINGTON. (GEORGIA)

• TEAM NEEDS: TE, OL, S, CB, RB
• A LARGE PHYSICAL WEAPON FOR BURROW AND THE BENGALS OFFENSE

29.). NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (Via DEN, Via MIA, Via SF): DL. CALIJAH KANCEY. (PITT)

• TEAM NEEDS: DL, OL, CB, WR, LB, EDGE
• A STUD THAT CAN ANCHOR THE DEFENSIVE LINE FOR YEARS TO COME AND HELP CREATE ROOM FOR CAM JORDAN AND OTHERS.

30.). PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: EDGE. LUKAS VAN NESS. (IOWA)

• A FUTURE REPLACEMENT FOR BRANDON GRAHAM AND COULD PLAY INSIDE ON OBVIOUS PASSING DOWNS

31.). KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: WR. JOSH DOWNS. (UNC)

• TEAM NEEDS: WR, OL, CB, EDGE, DL
• THE RICH GET RICHER WITH A STEVE SMITH SR/ RANDALL COBB CLONE.

ROUND 2:

32.). PITTSBURGH STEELERS (Via CHI): CB. EMMANUEL FORBES. (MISSISSIPPI STATE)

33.). HOUSTON TEXANS: DL. BRYAN BREESE. (CLEMSON)

34.). ARIZONA CARDINALS: OT. ANTON HARRISON. (OKLAHOMA)

35.). INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: OT. MATTHEW BERGERON. (SYRACUSE)

36.). LOS ANGELES RAMS: CB. KELEE RINGO. (GEORGIA)

• TEAM NEEDS: EVERYTHING
• A REPLACEMENT FOR JALEN RAMSEY

37.). SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (Via DEN): C/OG. STEVE AVILA. (TCU)

38.). LAS VEGAS RAIDERS: OT. DAWAND JONES. (OHIO STATE)

39.). CAROLINA PANTHERS: EDGE. BJ OJULARI. (LSU)

40.). NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: CB. CAM SMITH. (SOUTH CAROLINA)

41.). TENNESSEE TITANS: WR. JALIN HYATT. (TENNESSEE)

42.). NEW YORK JETS (Via CLE): S. ANTONIO JOHNSON. (TEXAS A&M)

43.). NEW YORK JETS: DL. MAZI SMITH. (MICHIGAN)

44.). ATLANTA FALCONS: LB. DREW SANDERS. (ARKANSAS)

45.). GREEN BAY PACKERS: TE. LUKE MUSGRAVE. (OREGON STATE)

46.). NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: CB. CLARK PHILLIPS III. (UTAH)

47.). WASHINGTON COMMANDERS: EDGE. WILL McDONALD IV (IOWA STATE)

48.). DETROIT LIONS: C/OG. JOHN MICHAEL SCHMITZ. (MINNESOTA)

49.). PITTSBURGH STEELERS: EDGE. FELIX ANUDIKE UZOMAH. (KANSAS STATE)

50.). TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: TE. SAM LaPORTA. (IOWA)

51.). MIAMI DOLPHINS: LB. TRENTON SIMPSON. (CLEMSON)

• TEAM NEEDS: LB, TE, OL, DL, EDGE
• THE DOLPHINS 1ST PICK IS 51ST OVERALL, SO JUST FILL THE DEPTH OF THE ROSTER

52.). SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: WR. NATHANIEL DELL. (HOUSTON)

53.). CHICAGO BEARS (Via BAL): EDGE. ISAIAH FOSKEY. (NOTRE DAME)

54.). LA CHARGERS: RB. JAHMYR GIBBS. (ALABAMA)

55.). DETROIT LIONS (Via MIN): DL. KEEANU BENTON. (WISCONSIN)

56.). JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: DL. ADETOMIWA ADEBAWORE (NORTHWESTERN)

57.). NEW YORK GIANTS: C/OG. JOE TIPPMAN. (WISCONSIN)

58.). DALLAS COWBOYS: WR. JONATHAN MINGO. (OLE MISS)

59.). BUFFALO BILLS: LB. DEMARVION OVERSHOWN. (TEXAS)

60.). CINCINNATI BENGALS: CB. JULIUS BRENTS. (KANSAS STATE)

61.). CHICAGO BEARS (Via CAR, Via SF): CB. TYRIQUE STEVENSON. (MIAMI)

62.). PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: C/OG. OLUSEGUN OLUWATIMI (MICHIGAN)

63.). KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: EDGE. KEION WHITE. (GEORGIA TECH)

ROUND 3:

64.). CHICAGO BEARS: C/OG. LUKE WYPLER. (OHIO STATE)

65.). HOUSTON TEXANS: TE. TUCKER KRAFT. (SOUTH DAKOTA STATE)

66.). ARIZONA CARDINALS: CB. TRE’VIUS HODGES TOMLINSON. (TCU)

67.). DENVER BRONCOS (Via IND): DL. SIAKI IKA. (BAYLOR)

• TEAM NEEDS: DL, OL, EDGE, LB, CB
• DEVELOP DEPTH ON THE DEFENSE

68.). DENVER BRONCOS: EDGE. TULI TUIPULOTU. (USC)

69.). LA RAMS: RB. ZACH CHARBONNET. (UCLA)

70.). LAS VEGAS RAIDERS: LB. JACK CAMPBELL. (IOWA)

71.). NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: WR. RASHEE RICE. (SMU)

72.). TENNESSEE TITANS: CB. JAKORIAN BENNETT. (MARYLAND)

73.). HOUSTON TEXANS (Via CLE): OT. BLAKE FREELAND. (BYU)

74.). CLEVELAND BROWNS (Via NYJ): EDGE. ANDRE CARTER II. (ARMY)

• TEAM NEEDS: EDGE, OL, RB, DB, DL
• ANDRE CARTER IS A STUD PASS RUSHER WHO REMINDS ME OF KABEER GBAJA-BIAMILA.

75.). ATLANTA FALCONS: WR. TREY PALMER. (NEBRASKA)

76.). NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (Via CAR): C/OG. JARRETT PATTERSON. (NOTRE DAME)

77.). LA RAMS (Via MIA, Via NE): WR. CEDRIC TILLMAN. (TENNESSEE)

78.). GREEN BAY PACKERS: WR. XAVIER HUTCHINSON. (IOWA STATE)

79.). INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (Via WSH): CB. GARRETT WILLIAMS. (SYRACUSE)

80.). PITTSBURGH STEELERS: LB. IVAN PACE JR. (CINCINNATI)

81.). DETROIT LIONS: QB. TANNER McKEE. (STANFORD)

82.). TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: S. SYDNEY BROWN. (ILLINOIS)

83.). SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: RB. KENNY MCINTOSH. (GEORGIA)

84.). MIAMI DOLPHINS: OT. WARREN MCCLENDON. (GEORGIA)

85.). LA CHARGERS: CB. DARIUS RUSH. (SOUTH CAROLINA)

86.). BALTIMORE RAVENS: EDGE. ZACH HARRISON. (OHIO STATE)

87.). MINNESOTA VIKINGS: EDGE. ISAIAH McGUIRE. (MISSOURI)

88.). JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: WR. KAYSHON BOUTTE. (LSU)

89.). NEW YORK GIANTS: RB. DEVON ACHANE. (TEXAS A&M)

90.). DALLAS COWBOYS: RB. TYJAE SPEARS. (TULANE)

91.). BUFFALO BILLS: C/OG. ANDREW VOORHEES. (USC)

92.). CINCINNATI BENGALS: OT. CODY MAUCH. (NORTH DAKOTA STATE)

93.). CAROLINA PANTHERS (Via SF): WR. MARVIN MIMS. (OKLAHOMA)

94.). PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: S. CHRISTOPHER SMITH. (GEORGIA)

95.). KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: CB. DJ TURNER. (MICHIGAN)

96.). ARIZONA CARDINALS: DL. MORO OJOMO. (TEXAS)

97.). WASHINGTON COMMANDERS: S. BRANDON JOSEPH. (NOTRE DAME)

98.). CLEVELAND BROWNS: DB. JAY WARD. (LSU)

99.). SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS: EDGE. NICK HERBIG. (WISCONSIN)

• TEAM NEEDS: DB, EDGE,OL, DL, RB, WR
• ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE AT 99, BUT ROSTER DEPTH IS NEEDED

100.). LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (Via NYG, Via KC): EDGE. ROBERT BEAL JR. (GEORGIA)

101.). SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS: LB. NOAH SEWELL. (OREGON)

102.). SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS: WR. PARKER WASHINGTON. (PENN STATE)

This is going to a crazy draft that we’ll be discussing for years. Once the dust settles on the First Round, I’ll be dropping a Day 2 Mock Draft based on who is left on the board. To get you prepared for Rounds 4 thru 7, I have my best remaining players posted Saturday morning.