GM Joe Douglas continues to invest in the offensive line. The Jets have been crushed by injuries up front, so it's imperative that they continue to bolster the unit. Jones has tremendous upside.
It seems a given the NYJ will acquire a veteran quarterback this spring, so it stands to reason they should bolster an offensive line set to lose starting OT George Fant and C Connor McGovern in free agency. Johnson (6-6, 310 pounds) would assume the left tackle job Mekhi Becton hasn't been healthy (or nimble) enough to hold down. If Becton gets on the field in 2023, slot him for the right side.
Torrence transferred from Louisiana and didn't miss a beat. He was dominant for Florida last fall, he was dominant during Senior Bowl practices, and if history is any guide, he'll be dominant in the NFL, too.
I believe that the Jets are able to acquire Aaron Rodgers via trade. If they do, they know that they have a small window to have an opportunity to win a championship. They need to maximize this by surrounding Rodgers with as much as possible. The Jets appear to be in a good spot at the receiver position, but this offensive line needs to be drastically improved. Dawand Jones is a player that can fill a void at RT.
George Fant will be a free agent, Duane Brown will be 38 years old in August and it's unclear what the Jets will get from Mekhi Becton, who has played only 48 snaps (Week 1, 2021) over the past two seasons combined. Jones is relatively inexperienced, as only a season-plus starter, but he has the length, athleticism and potential to provide long-term stability at left tackle as he continues to grow into his frame and refine his technique.
The Jets desperately need help on the offensive line, and lo and behold, they've got an opportunity to grab one of the best offensive tackles available. The Jets ranked among the worst teams in the NFL in both pass blocking and run blocking, per PFF. Enter Jones, who played in every game of Georgia's back-to-back national championship seasons, starting all 15 games in 2022. The 6-foot-4, 314-pound tackle is just what the Jets need at a position that's been recently held back by injuries and inconsistent play. They've got to fix the offense, and it starts up front.
The Jets' 2022 rookie class produced both the offensive (Garrett Wilson) and defensive (Sauce Gardner) Rookie of the Year. Can GM Joe Douglas hit on a first-rounder again, this time outside the top 10?
The Jets were middle of the pack in sacks allowed (42, 19th) and pass block win rate (57.1%, 21st) last season. But consider that George Fant is hitting free agency, Duane Brown will be 38 years old, Alijah Vera-Tucker is more of a guard and returning from a triceps injury and Mekhi Becton has played one game since his 2020 rookie year. If New York does find a way to bring in Aaron Rodgers or another veteran QB, it will need to protect him. Jones didn't allow a single sack over 15 starts last year, showcasing the ability to stall both speed and power off the edge.
The Jets' best two offensive lineman (Mekhi Becton and Alijah Vera-Tucker) have been hurt and the rest are facing free agency this offseason. Jones doesn't have the experience other prospects possess in this class — he's only started 19 games for the Bulldogs — but his athleticism, intelligence and footwork pops when you watch him.
Jets GM Joe Douglas traded Sam Darnold after watching him for two seasons, and it wouldn't surprise me if he does the same with Zach Wilson, if the fit doesn't improve. (Though it's worth noting that Wilson was Douglas' pick, while Darnold was not.) Richardson's throws don't always hit their targets, but his quick feet allow him to step up and out of the pocket, and he fits balls into tight spaces with easy velocity. His combination of agility and power as a runner is also intriguing. Don't be surprised if he's the best playmaker out of this QB crop four years down the road.
Should be a fascinating offseason in the ATL, where the Falcons are positioned to make a splash in free agency and should challenge for the NFC South title in 2023. Yet, even though QB Desmond Ridder is coming off his rookie season, Atlanta — owner Arthur Blank had his team in the running for Deshaun Watson last year — will have a prime opportunity to reinvest at the position with a talent like Richardson. At 6-4, 232 pounds with a huge arm and the ability to bowl over or outrun defenders, the skill set is tantalizing. He could also clearly benefit from a season (or more) to marinate under HC Arthur Smith and work on his accuracy while the less physically gifted Ridder's evaluation continues. But Smith's penchant for extracting the most from his players and the prospect of Richardson eventually joining an offense with several promising young players could make him hard to bypass.
Murphy turned 21 in early January, and while we'd like to see him play with more consistency ... he just turned 21 in early January. He has all the physical tools you look for in an elite edge defenders and it's easy to see him in a few years being dominant. And that, in large part, is what makes him such an interesting prospect.
Over the past two years, the Falcons have addressed some key offensive positions, but have yet to address this offensive line. With this pick, I believe the Falcons turn their attention to the offensive line and draft Georgia OT Broderick Jones. Jones may have the best combination of size, power, and movement skills in this draft. And more importantly, he likes to run block—which I'm sure Arthur Smith will appreciate.
Improving their pass rush has been a perennial need for the Falcons, who rank last in the NFL with only 39 sacks over the past two seasons combined. Grady Jarrett led the team with six sacks in 2022. Murphy has an ideal combination of size, length, power and first-step quickness. The true junior is one of the younger prospects in this draft class and has plenty of long-term upside as he continues to put it all together.
The Falcons finished second-to-last in the NFL in sacks this season, with just 21. Improving the pass rush through the draft will be crucial, and Murphy is the right player to help. A Georgia native and product of nearby Clemson, he is fast, powerful and smart. He benched about 275 pounds as a 14-year-old high school freshman and ran a 4.65-second 40-yard dash as a high school senior. Now 6 foot 5 and about 275 pounds, Murphy finished his Clemson career as a two-time all-conference honoree with 139 tackles (37 for loss), 17 1/2 sacks and six forced fumbles in 38 games with 27 starts.
Atlanta has Kaleb McGary and Chuma Edoga headed to free agency, meaning the offensive tackle depth chart is barren. And for a team that relies so heavily on the run, the line has to be a focus. Questions about Skoronski's length should get answers at the combine in a few weeks, but man, this guy's quickness, balance and awareness are outstanding. He takes great angles as a run-blocker, which should open things up for Tyler Allgeier and whoever else is taking handoffs next season.
Quarterback is worth a look, too, but with Desmond Ridder in the fold, I'm not sure the Falcons take the plunge on Florida's Anthony Richardson here with the top three signal-callers off the board. If Atlanta doesn't stick with Ridder, it probably wouldn't turn to another developmental QB like Richardson.
The Falcons simply can't pressure the quarterback. Wilson was one of nine players in the FBS to produce 60 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and six sacks before suffering a season-ending broken foot against Kansas. He's a physically gifted, ascending pass rusher who is explosive off the ball and powerful enough to make an immediate impact at the next level.
The Falcons could use another receiver to pair with 2022 first-rounder Drake London. Their lack of pass rush (finished 31st in sacks), however, means they grab Murphy, who is just the type of strong, long edge defender that new defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen coached during his time with the Saints.
Washington could go any number of directions here. But corner is a need, and Porter might be a big upgrade over Benjamin St-Juste in a division with big-play receivers such as A.J. Brown and CeeDee Lamb.
The Washington Commanders need another young building block in the corner room and that's exactly what Joey Porter Jr. provides. Offering top-end length, ball skills, and athleticism, Porter Jr. profiles as a No. 1 corner in the NFL.
With all the talk about needing a quarterback, don't dismiss just how promising and talented Sam Howell is. The defense needs more playmakers, too, and there are a slew of great corners on the board.
As the lone NFC East team to not make the playoffs, the Commanders have a number of needs to figure out in the draft. Branch can play all over the back end and provides plenty of leadership for a team undergoing a bit of a transition.
Christian Gonzalez moves like a sports car on a football field. He has Tesla traits and in terms of burst/agility/speed, he's CB1 in this draft. Can he be physical enough down to down in coverage? Will he tackle? Taking it a step further, have we seen enough from him yet? Another 2023 cornerback prospect, another round of questions. But it's also undeniable that Gonzalez has loads of talent. He would be a very nice value at No. 16.
With recent reports that the Commanders are telling prospective offensive coordinators that Sam Howell is the QB for the team going forward, it seems likely that QB is not an option for Washington in the first round.
Cornerback, however, is.
Again, this is a deep and talented group, and seeing how people stack this cornerback class will be fascinating. Ringo combines sprinter's speed with the size and length needed at the position. His straight-line speed is a weapon on defense, and his film is complete with examples of him matching vertical routes, or breaking on shallow crossers in man coverage and disrupting at the catch point. His PBU against Georgia Tech this season on a 3rd and 13 is a prime example. He handles zone coverage responsibilities well, but his best role is likely as a corner in a heavy man-coverage scheme.
Ah, the ultimate wild card in this draft. Here in this mock, I have Richardson going No. 16, but the truth is that his range is anywhere from No. 7 overall with the Raiders all the way to No. 26 with the Giants. Richardson's numbers might scare teams, but his tape shows more promise than the raw data.
In his lone year of starting, he recorded 19 big-time throws and 13 turnover-worthy plays with just a 63.1% adjusted completion percentage (ideally, would want to be over 70%). But in a world of what could be, Richardson is as physically gifted as they come with his arm talent and his rushing ability. The ceiling is there, it's just a bit inconsistent. This is a true home-run swing that could change everything in Washington.
Here's yet another team with quarterback issues, as the Commanders traded for Carson Wentz last offseason (which cost them their third-rounder this year) but turned back to Taylor Heinicke down the stretch. Neither is likely to be their Week 1 starter; I wonder whether they will be players in the veteran-signal-caller market and bring in someone to compete with Sam Howell. No matter who is playing quarterback, though, they have to improve along the offensive line. Jones is a 310-pound mauler who didn't allow a single sack as the Bulldogs' left tackle in 2022. I wouldn't be shocked if he went in the top 10.
The Patriots could stand to bolster the offensive tackle spot with Isaiah Wynn set to become a free agent and veteran Trent Brown coming off a disappointing campaign. And even if Broderick Jones doesn't start right away, he'll add quality depth before establishing himself as a force up front. He has all the tools to succeed; he just needs to refine them.
Jonathan Jones will be a free agent and is deserving of a raise, which usually means the Patriots will let him walk. Smith was Jaycee Horn's successor and maintained Horn's excellence for the Gamecocks. So much so, quarterbacks essentially avoided him this season.
Gonzalez plays with a confident certitude that compliments his athleticism. His ability to pivot cleanly showcases an acceleration that gains immediate upfield access when challenging pass catchers. This long-limbed defender competes tenaciously for 50/50 jump balls, with an astounding 42-inch vertical that challenges any kind of catch radius.
Jones can bring some stability to the Patriots' offensive tackle situation. He's a hard-nosed run blocker who could fit at either tackle spot in New England.
Hunter Henry has been a favorite target of Mac Jones, but that shouldn't stop Bill Belichick from targeting Mayer in Round 1. Mayer is such a talented receiving weapon at tight end.
New England's offensive woes won't be resolved merely by the arrival of one figure, be it a coach or a player, and Belichick's historical aversion to first-round receivers should be noted. But leading receiver Jakobi Meyers is poised to be a free agent, and it's unclear how much can be expected of second-rounder Tyquan Thornton in Year 2. At 6-0 and 175 pounds, Addison doesn't look the part of a first-round pass catcher, but his savvy working every level of the field could help him catch Belichick's eye.
The New England Patriots made significant investments in their passing game over the last two years, yet a former undrafted free agent remains their best threat when quarterback Mac Jones drops back.
Jakobi Meyers deserves more credit for the player he's become. Even so, the lack of production from Nelson Agholor, Kendrick Bourne and tight end Jonnu Smith after they were big free-agent acquisitions two offseasons ago is disheartening.
Jones isn't the type of quarterback who can shoulder the offense. He needs a good supporting cast, and the Patriots don't have one. Thus, an opportunity to land the class' best tight end, who happens to be a top-10 overall talent, seems to be right up head coach Bill Belichick's alley.
"Michael Mayer is the ideal Y-tight end," Klassen stated. "Not only does the consensus All-American bring prototypical size (6'4", 265 lbs), but Mayer also is the definition of a quarterback's best friend. He is a smooth, reliable route-runner who does a great job of presenting an easy target.
"Mayer is also elite at the catch point. It's hard for defensive backs of any size to outmuscle him, and he finds a way to get his mitts on everything in his vicinity.
"As a blocker, you'd wish for a little more from someone his size, but Mayer will play just fine in New England's system. He's still got the size and strength to win many matchups. Ideally, Mayer will help simplify the team's plan and bring more to table alongside Hunter Henry than Smith has to date."
New England can designate Smith a post-June 1 release later this year and save $4.8 million from the $17.4 million balloon payment that is his 2023 salary-cap figure, per Over the Cap.
Carter is raw but boasts rare length (6-foot-7) and a high upside. He produced 14.5 sacks in 2021. Coach Bill Belichick has an affinity for the military academies.
Witherspoon was the best press-man cornerback in the country last season, and quite frankly, it wasn't even close. On 113 snaps in press coverage this past fall, he allowed a grand total of one yard. That's a guy who can play cornerback for Bill Belichick.
As long as T.J. Watt is healthy, the Steelers defense will be just fine. Anton Harrison will help ensure Kenny Pickett stays clean in the pocket, Najee Harris has holes to run through, and George Pickens has time to get open.
Uncharacteristically, the Steelers have had a problematic offensive line for a few years now. Harrison features the prototypical size and movement skills of starting left tackle in the NFL. He'll need to polish his technique (but he's already very good in pass protection) and buy-in to an NFL strength program in order to unlock the next level.
Rarely confused or displaced by stunting blitzers, Jones' fundamental approach to the game is enhanced by his elite athleticism and above average strength. Featuring excellent size (6-foot-4, 315 pounds) and impressive arm length allows Jones to sting and neutralize power rushers. His quick feet and loose lateral movements help in keeping tempo with speedy edge defenders. Jones may be the most athletically gifted offensive line prospect in the 2023 draft class.
Kenny Pickett has enjoyed some bright moments in his rookie season. It would really help him if he had a franchise left tackle to protect his blind side.
Jaelyn Duncan is a team captain who showed some solid athleticism.
There might be a few things to iron out in this potential marriage, as the elder Porter served as an assistant coach for his former team from 2014-18 but was fired by Mike Tomlin. But there's little doubt that Porter's ultra-physical approach would make him a fast favorite in Pittsburgh, and the Steelers could find themselves in a tough spot if Cameron Sutton signs elsewhere in March.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are further ahead in their attempt to rebuild on the fly than expected. They found a way to compete for a playoff spot despite a 2-6 start to the campaign. In doing so, rookie Kenny Pickett emerged as the team's starting quarterback and a young leader for the franchise as it moves into the future.
Some restoration projects are necessary for the rest of the roster, though.
Pittsburgh's defensive line has long been considered a strength, but Stephon Tuitt's surprise retirement before the 2022 campaign placed the Steelers in a bit of a predicament.
"Larry Ogunjobi played on a one-year deal this season, and Cameron Heyward will be 34 years old next season," Holder added. "Pittsburgh has always been known for having tough, physical defensive linemen, and Texas Tech's Tyree Wilson fits the bill.
"Wilson's tape this past fall ranks right up there with Will Anderson Jr.'s as one of the most physically dominant players in this year's draft class. Wilson looked like a man amongst boys at times against those Big 12 Conference offensive tackles."
The 6'6", 275-pound first-team All-American is an intimidating presence. For the Steelers, he's an ideal fit because he can play along the interior, line up as a 5-technique and even stand up in two-point on the edge when necessary.
Smith is the kind of heady defensive back that head coach Mike Tomlin will love. He brings with him some of the best ball skills at the cornerback position in the draft class. On 70 targets into his coverage over the past two seasons, Smith broke up 15 of them (21.4%) and picked off four more (5.7%).
This team has very few holes, especially on offense. And while the TE position is solid with Gerald Everett and Donald Parham Jr., why not give Justin Herbert another playmaking target in the middle of the field? Mayer is already a first-round talent, and he could end up improving his stock with a solid 2022 campaign.
Los Angeles is in great shape at the left tackle position. But right tackle? Consider it open season. And, fun fact about Broderick Jones, he played his first snaps on offense at right tackle against South Carolina in 2020.
Jones is a mauler with great athleticism and appears to only be scratching the surface of how good he can be as a player. Methinks that he can be really damn good, even as he embarks on his first season as a starter for the Bulldogs.
The Chargers can get nostalgic for Hall of Fame running back LaDainian's nephew while also filling a key need. Michael Davis is a disappointing outside corner opposite J.C. Jackson and they should look to transition Asante Samuel Jr. there, which would open the door to add an ace slot cover man.
The Chargers have more than $52 million in combined salary cap committed to Keenan Allen and Mike Williams in 2024, the final year of their current contracts. In the short term, Johnston would give Justin Herbert another big-play weapon as the 6'4" receiver has 4.4 speed and has averaged 20.0 yards per reception at TCU. Longer term, he has the talent and upside to develop into L.A.'s WR1.
Gilbert is all about potential right now. But the flashes he has shown make his high rating understandable, in case he comes anywhere close to scratching his ceiling in 2022. He has the ability to be a mismatch nightmare for NFL defenses. If Gilbert plays a full season and shows more polish to his game, then he might not be here at this spot next April. But his big frame and legitimate field-stretching ability would make a potential pairing with QB Justin Herbert something to be giddy about. At least for fans of non-AFC West teams.
The Chargers have done a fantastic job at giving Justin Herbert the surroundings it takes to succeed. They have invested at receiver, running back, and offensive line and because of that, Herbert has been one of the best young quarterbacks in the league. The one position where they are average on offense is at tight end, where they lack a clear-cut No. 1 option.
Arik Gilbert is as talented of a tight end prospect as you'll see. He has very good size and rare athleticism. He moves like a receiver and has excellent hands and ball skills. Adding a talent like this to the Chargers' offense would be insane.
Jaelyn Duncan needs to have a remarkable season to earn first-round consideration, but the potential is undeniable. He has the movement skills to mirror edge rushers and the size/length combination to hold them at bay. To receive Day 1 capital, Duncan will need a refined skill set across the 2022 season. Nevertheless, the foundation is there to build on.
At 6-foot-4 and 358 pounds, Ika is a key cog in the middle of the Bears' defense and frees up other players on all three levels. He's nimble for his size, a consistent pressure generator as a pass-rusher on all three downs and a force as a run-defender. The Chargers addressed their struggles up the middle a bit this offseason (signed Sebastian Joseph-Day and Austin Johnson), but Ika immediately takes that improvement to another level.
