The Jags' top three tight ends are unsigned. Kincaid, an All-Pac-12 player (70 catches, 890 yards, 8 TDs) in 2022, might be better than all of them and would give QB Trevor Lawrence another dangerous weapon for an ascending offense.
Musgrave was getting some late-first/early Day-2 buzz down in Mobile, and while he didn't have a great week, it was certainly easy to see why teams like him. He missed most of '22 with an injury but he's well built, long, and has the athleticism to consistently separate from both safeties and linebackers. His blocking is a work in progress but he'll be a contributor in the passing game from Day 1.
The Jaguars were one of the surprise teams of the 2022 season. With the opportunity to continue to build, I believe that they need to simply continue to add talented players regardless of their position. Cam Smith is a versatile cover that can play man or zone and is very competitive—just the type of player that the Jaguars need to solidify this upward trend as an organization.
Evan Engram set career highs in receptions (73) and yards (766) in his first season with the Jaguars. Both sides want Engram to be back, but will they be able to make it work financially? Based on effective cap space from Over the Cap, the Jaguars are projected to be nearly $23 million over the cap. In terms of being used as a weapon in the passing game, Kincaid is as talented as any tight end in this class.
There's no such thing as giving Trevor Lawrence too many weapons as the Jaguars continue to build after being one of the best stories in the NFL last season. The ever-versatile Mayer is arguably the best tight end in this class and gives Jacksonville both a strong blocker and a dangerous pass catcher. If Evan Engram returns to Jacksonville, the Jags will have an elite one-two punch at the position. But if the Jaguars lose Engram to free agency, Mayer gives them a nice insurance policy.
The Jaguars' pass game took a huge step forward in Trevor Lawrence's second season. The Christian Kirk signing paid off, and Calvin Ridley -- acquired at the deadline -- should be a factor next season once he returns from suspension. But Lawrence probably still needs another pass-catcher, especially because tight end Evan Engram is a free agent and we can't be sure what Ridley will bring after missing more than a year.
Smith-Njigba is a tough evaluation. He caught 15 passes for 347 yards and three TDs in the 2021 season's Rose Bowl, capping off a 1,606-yard campaign. But he had two catches in that game that were longer than his total yardage for the entire 2022 season (43), as a nagging hamstring injury limited him to five catches over three contests. JSN displays soft hands, precise route running and good after-the-catch ability, and he could be a steal for Jacksonville if he falls here.
The Jaguars' defense has had its moments this season, but is still short a few pieces. As a red-shirt sophomore, Ringo's size/speed combination is still developing, but the former five-star recruit will compete to be the first cornerback selected solely based on his talent and potential.
Smith's a tough-minded corner who does not back down from SEC receivers and makes plays on the ball, which is the type of defender the Jaguars need opposite Tyson Campbell.
An edge rusher wouldn't surprise me here, but I think Witherspoon is the best corner in the draft. He reminds me a lot of former Eagles Pro Bowler Asante Samuel.
A guy who can play up and down the line, Bresee (6-5, 300 pounds) fits the profile of a Philly first-rounder — and especially in a year when the team's defensive tackle depth will likely be decimated with Javon Hargrave, Fletcher Cox, Ndamukong Suh and Linval Joseph ticketed for free agency.
A sizable corner (6-2, 205) with the ability to press, he could potentially plug into a secondary that probably can't afford to keep CB James Bradberry.
Gonzalez, a Colorado transfer, is a big-time athlete who is still growing into the position. He has the size, strength and speed to line up against NFL wide receivers; he just needs to improve in run support.
Ojulari, whose brother played at Georgia and plays for the Giants, had a solid campaign for the Tigers, and he has many of the same explosive qualities that made his brother so hard to block for the Bulldogs. Ojulari could end up being better than Azeez, and that's saying something.
The Eagles came up just short in the Super bowl and played well offensively. The one part of their game that did not perform as well as they would like is their run game. So with this pick, the Eagles chose to improve that by adding one of the best running backs to enter the draft in years. Robinson is a game-changer and the Eagles embrace the fact that they are simply going to have to be able to outscore any opponent to win the Super Bowl.
The Eagles have made it clear to the NFL that they value the defensive line position. This philosophy has proven to work as they had one of the best defensive lines in the NFL and made it to the Super Bowl. Last year they drafted one of the biggest defensive linemen in the draft Jordan Davis and this year, I think they draft Calijah Kancey. Kancey is an undersized defensive lineman, but he makes up for it in explosiveness and will have a true impact along the defensive front. Kancey has non-traditional size but I believe he will have a big impact for the Eagles.
Witherspoon has put himself into the CB1 mix, although he's the second off the board in this mock. The three-year starter is a confident, smart and physical cornerback with outstanding ball skills. He finished last season with three interceptions and 14 pass breakups. Given that James Bradberry is scheduled to become a free agent in March, and Darius Slay will be a free agent after next season, cornerback is a position that the NFC champs could address with one of their first-round picks.
White played tight end for Old Dominion in 2018, transitioned to defense in '19 and then ODU didn't play football in '20. He transferred to Georgia Tech for the '21 season and had his most productive season (14 TFLs and 7.5 sacks) in '22. While he's relatively new to the defensive side of the ball, he's extremely athletic for a 280-pound edge defender. Considering the way the Eagles rotate their defensive linemen, Philly would have the benefit of utilizing White in a way that maximizes his development.
Porter started 31 games over the past four years and developed into a shutdown corner. His physicality initially caused him problems in college, but improved in his ability to eliminate penalties while not losing his edge. Porter had 20 pass breakups and 113 tackles during his collegiate career. He grew up in NFL locker rooms and has dissected the game with his dad for as long as the younger Porter can remember. With this selection, he'll become the first Penn State defensive back selected in the first round of the NFL Draft.
I really wanted Bijan Robinson, but since no trades are allowed in this mock draft I turned to the linebacker talent pool. Expect Simpson to turn heads at the combine. A member of Feldman's Freaks List, Simpson could be yet another valuable weapon on an Eagles defense that looks to be loaded for years to come.
The loaded Eagles went to the Super Bowl for good reason, and GM Howie Roseman's focus on building out from the trenches proved valuable. But now, they could lose three of their top four defensive linemen in terms of snap counts to free agency, including Javon Hargrave and Fletcher Cox up the middle. Roseman drafted Jordan Davis in Round 1 last April, and bringing in Bresee to pair with him could shore up an important unit for the team. Bresee has fantastic upper-body strength to slow down opponent run games and work through blockers as an interior pass-rusher.
Philly might have had 14 wins, but it will have a lot of offseason concerns to address, mainly on defense. Joining Hargrave and Cox with expiring contracts are James Bradberry, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Brandon Graham, Robert Quinn, Kyzir White, T.J. Edwards, Marcus Epps and Isaac Seumalo, so there are a lot of directions to go here. I also still like the idea of Texas' Bijan Robinson in Philadelphia, with Miles Sanders headed to free agency, but it's really, really early for a running back, and the defense is going to have all those holes to plug. Remember, the Eagles also have a second first-rounder.
It has been a while since the Eagles were first on the clock at No. 10, when they took a defensive tackle (Bryan Bresee). Now Philadelphia pivots to the other side of the ball but stays in the trenches. The Eagles have Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata under contract for three more years, but Harrison could provide depth and perhaps help out on the interior, where the team might lose a couple starters this offseason. He walls off defenders and has allowed just two sacks over three seasons. And perhaps more importantly for Philly's offense, he has blown just seven run blocks over that time.
Jalen Hurts had to carry the entire offensive load with his arm and legs in the Super Bowl, while both Miles Sanders and Boston Scott face free agency. Few things are certain at this point, but I'm fairly positive the Doak Walker Award-winning Robinson will be the first running back selected in late April (positional bias will likely keep him from going inside the top-10). He's an all-around threat who is light on his feet considering his size (6-foot, 215 pounds) and features home-run ability.
GM Howie Roseman added former All-Pros Robert Quinn (via trade) and Ndamukong Suh as stop gaps on the defensive line this year. White should be one of the top performers at the combine, where his draft stock will likely soar. A former tight end at Old Dominion, he's still developing his defensive chops, but his combination of size (6-5, 280) and speed doesn't come along every year.
If Miles Sanders finds a new home in free agency, the Eagles could have interest in adding Robinson as a dual-threat weapon in their prolific attack. He slaloms through traffic inside and displays an upfield burst in the open field.
Philadelphia has not picked a defensive back in the first round since 2002 (cornerback Lito Sheppard), but the Eagles could end that drought if Chauncey Gardner-Johnson departs in free agency. Hickman lines up all over the field and brings a physicality to the position that will endear him to Philly fans.
Aidan Hutchinson was a home run pick last year, and fellow rookie James Houston IV was very productive in limited playing time. Murphy would give the Lions three outstanding young edge rushers.
The Lions have the perfect situation for Richardson as he enters the league. He can sit behind Jared Goff for at least a year and then provide the rewards that come from building a team around a quarterback playing on his rookie contract.
As satisfied as they seem with QB Jared Goff, this might be the Lions' last best chance to take a young quarterback knowing Goff's contract only runs two more seasons. But barring that, Detroit has to alter what was statistically the league's worst defense in 2022. As disappointing as Jeff Okudah and these corners have generally been, Witherspoon makes perfect sense — and his willingness to tackle and mix it up behind the line of scrimmage while taking on runners seem to be a good fit for a Dan Campbell-coached team.
Another asset for Detroit's defense. The productive All-ACC edge man had 18½ sacks and 36 TFLs in three seasons with the Tigers and would make a nice bookend with DE Aidan Hutchinson.
Porter is the prototypical big, physical cornerback who looks like he belongs in the NFL. He can sometimes get a little too handsy downfield, but he checks many of the boxes of what team's look for when drafting DBs. Is this too early for Porter? Maybe ... then again, there is a premium on big, physical cornerbacks; in recent drafts Sauce Gardner, Derek Stingley Jr., Jaycee Horn and Patrick Surtain II were all taken early in the first round.
Van Ness never started a game at Iowa but that's not the point. The point is that NFL teams love his size, his athleticism, and where his game could be a couple of years from now. Purdue's George Karlaftis went at the end of Round 1 a year ago, and USC's Drake Jackson went a round later; both players were high-upside prospects who exceeded expectations as rookies. Van Ness is in the same conversation but could be the best of the bunch.
The Lions finished the year as one of the hottest teams in the NFL and have clearly placed themselves in the running for the NFC North crown next year. But they need to fix a defense that was one of the worst units in the NFL. They start to fix that by addressing the back end and drafting Oregon CB Christian Gonzalez. Gonzalez may be the best athlete of all the corners in this class and has the ability to play lockdown man-to-man coverage. Gonzalez paired with Jeff Okudah should give the Lions a nice young pair moving forward.
It is clear that Dan Campbell has a very specific culture that he is trying to cultivate and Bryan Breese fits that perfectly. Breese is a tough, hard-nosed player that is also extremely talented. The opportunity to draft Breese is a steal for the Lions and also the perfect fit for Campbell and this staff.
Cornerback is arguably the team's biggest need heading into the offseason, even though the Lions used a top-three pick on Jeff Okudah in 2020. Both Amani Oruwariye and Mike Hughes are scheduled to become free agents next month. The brother-in-law of former Lions quarterback David Blough, Gonzalez has elite speed (23.3 mph on GPS, per Bruce Feldman), smooth change-of-direction ability and excellent length. Gonzalez had four interceptions for the Ducks in '22.
Double-dipping with defensive picks in the first round is a distinct possibility for the Lions. While Detroit ranked top five in both total and scoring offense in 2022, it ranked last in total defense and only the Bears (27.2) and Cardinals (26.4) allowed more points per game than the Lions (25.1), who also ranked 28th in Football Outsiders' DVOA metric for defense. Rookies Aidan Hutchinson (9.5) and James Houston (eight) combined for 17.5 sacks last season, but Bresee has the quickness and power to be a disruptive three-technique for the Lions.
Illinois led the nation in scoring defense, and Witherspoon and the secondary were the key to the Illini's defensive emergence. Witherspoon always was assigned the opponent's best receiver, no matter if it was field, boundary or slot. According to Pro Football Focus, Witherspoon was targeted 63 times and allowed just 22 catches for 206 yards and no scores. Plus, he can bring the thunder. Witherspoon has the potential to become a shutdown corner and the toughness to further restore the roar in Detroit.
The Lions won eight of their final 10 games but were 28th or worse in the most important defensive categories, including last overall in total defense. With a pair of talented rush ends in Aidan Hutchinson and James Houston, Detroit needs a two-down run stuffer in the worst way. Ika has that ability with his 6-4, 360-pound frame to tie up blockers and quick enough footwork to close gaps.
I think Detroit sticks with Jared Goff and uses this pick on a porous defensive unit. I considered a cornerback, but Murphy has a much higher grade than my CB1 -- and the defense needs support at multiple positions. It couldn't stop anyone last season, allowing a league-high 6.2 yards per play. Adding Murphy's speed off the edge to a group that already includes 2022 first-rounder Aidan Hutchinson and surprise rookie standout James Houston immediately moves the defense forward.
Something else to watch for here: I wouldn't be surprised if Detroit slides down the board, picking up additional draft capital from a team looking to nab a quarterback. The Lions already have a second first-rounder, too.
We mentioned that the Lions might be thinking cornerback at No. 6 (ended up with a defensive end in Murphy), but they get one here with their second first-rounder at the tail end of a mini run at the position. Ringo is the fourth CB to come off the board in five picks. There will be a lot of opinions about his game, but Ringo has a lot of upside. He has speed and length, and he's very good in press coverage. Plus, he hauled in two interceptions in each of his seasons at Georgia. Jeff Okudah has flashed the traits that made him the No. 3 pick in 2020, but even if he takes the next step, Amani Oruwariye is a free agent, leaving the other outside corner spot wide open.
It appears Jared Goff may keep his job. This selection would pair nicely with former top-three pick Jeff Okudah and hopefully address a leaky pass defense for the Lions. Gonzalez has the size (6-2, 200) and physical traits that make most scouts salivate, and the Colorado transfer answered all questions regarding his ball production (four interceptions) in his only season in Eugene. His draft stock could lift off with a dynamic performance at the combine.
Bresee was the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2020 recruiting class. He showed flashes of dominance as a true freshman in 2020, but only played 152 snaps in 2021 before tearing his ACL. It appears he regained his explosiveness and remains one of the most versatile defensive lineman in this class, but his injury history has teams divided. Otherwise, I believe the Lions might consider taking him with the sixth pick.
Usually there's a cornerback who takes a big leap (figuratively and literally) at the NFL Scout Combine -- my guess is that's Gonzalez this year. The Oregon defender's size (6-2, 201) and athleticism will likely impress scouts, who, if they haven't devoured it already, will then turn to the tape where they'll see aggressive play and very good ball skills. Gonzalez could help alleviate some of the pressure on the Lions' previous top-10 corner selection, Jeff Okudah.
Mayer might end up as the second tight end off the board because he is not as quick-twitch as Dalton Kincaid and others at his position. The Lions happily select the Notre Dame standout, though, as his reliability as a pass-catcher and tenacious blocking remind me of Ravens star Mark Andrews.
Assuming QB Geno Smith re-signs, they won't have to burn this valuable selection obtained in the Wilson trade on another passer — and most likely not on an already solid offense. But reinforcements for a defense that hasn't ranked better than 22nd since 2018 are long overdue. Wilson, a 6-6, 275-pound edge rusher with 14 sacks and 27½ TFLs over the past two seasons, should provide needed pressure that would make a young group of cornerbacks shine even more.
Seattle still gave up too many sacks in 2022 — can't blame Wilson for those — and could also use a mauler to further Pete Carroll's desire to run the ball with RB Kenneth Walker III and Co.
The more you watch of Wilson the more you love his game. Not only what he put on tape at Texas Tech but his upside 2-3 years down the road. He's long, has the frame to add weight if needed, and he's a dominant, high-motor pass rusher who can take over games.
Branch isn't the first name you hear about when the conversation turns to Alabama's defense, but maybe he should be. He's a sure tackler, can blitz off the edge, and is solid in coverage, and if Nick Saban trusts him, that's all you need to know about his NFL prospects.
Many NFL fans were surprised that a team led by Geno Smith and a bunch of rookies was very competitive this season. I believe that the Seahawks continue to add youth and add potentially the best player in this year's draft, Will Anderson Jr. Pete Carroll appreciates defense and Anderson's character and play style will fit right in with the kind of culture Pete Carroll is trying to foster.
This is a classic Pete Carroll pick, taking the QB with high upside that he feels that he can mold into exactly what he needs. Anthony Richardson may have the best tools of any quarterback in the draft and this skill set would be too intriguing for Carroll to pass up to start transitioning into the future at the quarterback position.
After the season, Pete Carroll said that the Seahawks "have to become more dynamic up front." Wilson finished his most productive season with 50 pressures, per PFF, and 61 tackles, 14 TFLs and seven sacks, despite a foot injury that cut it short. He has an excellent combination of size, length and power, and would provide the Seahawks with some inside-outside versatility.
Tackles Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas played well as rookies, and the Seahawks could use this pick to bolster their interior offensive line. I considered Minnesota's John Michael Schmitz here, as well, given that center Austin Blythe is an impending free agent, but Gabe Jackson and Damien Lewis are free agents next offseason, and Torrence would be an immediate upgrade over the 31-year-old Jackson. Torrence thrived following the jump to SEC competition last year and is especially dominant as a run blocker.
Head coach Pete Carroll has stressed the importance of the Seahawks becoming more dynamic up front defensively, especially with division foe San Francisco 49ers so dominant in that aspect. Wilson has the type of frame (6-foot-6, 275 pounds) and athleticism to be the disruptive force the Seahawks need. He recorded 14 tackles for loss last season, a top-30 total in the FBS, which is made more impressive considering he missed the final three games of the season.
We're doubling down on the Seahawks' desire to improve the defensive front. With Wilson, the edge has been addressed. Now Bresee is the pick to cause havoc in the interior. Bresee was rated the No. 1 player in the country during the 2020 recruiting cycle and lived up to that hype as a true freshman. Injuries have hampered him the past two seasons, but there's enough evidence to believe in his pedigree when healthy.
I expect Seattle to re-sign or franchise tag Geno Smith, so quarterback shouldn't be atop its draft-day needs. But Poona Ford is a free agent, and Uchenna Nwosu and Darrell Taylor are under contract for only one more season, so the defensive line could be a major focus. The Seahawks finished seventh in sacks (45), but their pass rush win rate (33.5%, 28th) and pressure rate (28.9%, 21st) were lackluster. Wilson wins with power, totaling 14 sacks over the past two seasons in Lubbock.
I have the Seahawks sticking with defense after drafting Wilson at No. 5, now addressing the secondary. Yes, Jamal Adams and Quandre Diggs are both under contract for a few more years, but Branch is versatile enough to play all over, often lining up in the box or over the slot as a nickelback. Plus, Adams hasn't played a full season since 2018 and is returning from a season-ending quadriceps injury suffered in the 2022 opener.
With great instincts and a complete toolbox, Branch did it all last season: 89 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, three sacks, two interceptions, seven pass breakups and nine run stops.
GM John Schneider is just as likely to trade either of his two first rounders than stand pat and make a selection, especially if QB Geno Smith returns in free agency. If the Seahawks hope to challenge the 49ers in the NFC West, they will have to continue to bolster the defensive and offensive lines. Murphy features very similar dimensions/traits to 2022 No. 1 overall draft pick Travon Walker.
The Seahawks continue to reinforce the trenches. They landed two starting tackles in the top three rounds in last year's draft, but the interior is still in need of an upgrade. Torrence was an elite prospect at Louisiana, and he didn't miss a beat after transferring into the SEC, becoming a consensus All-American.
Wilson's length screams "Seattle edge rusher," as Pete Carroll always seems to find those big bodies to fit up front. The Seahawks were more multiple in their fronts this past season than they were in the past, and Wilson has the versatility to stand up or line up inside.
The Seahawks picked up two starting tackles in the top three rounds of last year's draft, but the interior of their line still needs upgrading. Torrence's power and nimble feet should allow him to step in immediately opposite LG Damien Lewis if the team decides it's time to move on from RG Gabe Jackson. Seattle traded down twice in the first round of the 2017 and '19 drafts, and I could see it happening again this year.
The Seahawks need to beef up their defensive front, and the best defensive prospect available at this point is Myles Murphy. His size (6-foot-5, 275 pounds) and athleticism will make him a disruptor wherever he lines up.
Geno Smith deserves to be re-signed as the Seahawks starting quarterback for 2023. But after that? Who knows. So, the Seahawks use the second of their first-round picks to select Anthony Richardson, the super athletic yet very raw product out of Florida. He'll need to sit for at least a year, but if he can develop some consistency as a passer, his physical ability will make him a difficult dual-threat to defend.
The Seahawks run defense has been a glaring weakness and will need to be addressed if they plan on challenging the 49ers in the NFC West — defensive tackle Poona Ford will be an unrestricted free agent after this season. Bresee was the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2020 recruiting class. He showed flashes of dominance as a true freshman in 2020, but only played 152 snaps in 2021 before tearing his ACL. It appears he regained his explosiveness and remains one of the most versatile defensive lineman in this class.
The Seahawks double-down on their defensive line. Any team struggling to stop the run will be in on the 6-foot-4, 358 pound Ika. Of course, he plugs up the middle of the field, but he's also athletic enough to pressure the quarterback.
Murphy is an exciting player whose burst and power to speed transitions are mesmerizing qualities to watch. Extremely aggressive at the point of attack, Murphy utilizes his brute strength to overpower opponents. His ability to rush the passer is equaled by his effectiveness and tenacity against the run.
In a rebuilding season, the Seahawks making it to the playoffs was an unexpected accomplishment. In addition, the resurgent play of Geno Smith as a starting signal caller might redirect Seattle's team-building decisions. Richardson struggled some in 2022 as well and was doubted by many to be first round material, but finished strong by season's end. It's possible the Seahawks see a little of Smith's perseverance in Richardson's tenacious playing style.
The Seahawks can bolster their defensive line with the pick they got from the Russell Wilson trade. Murphy gives their defensive line another high-upside, young player to develop alongside players like Tariq Woolen and Jordyn Brooks.
Tyler Lockett won't play forever and the Seahawks could use a talented third receiver to make their offense really pop. Smith-Njigba didn't play much this season for Ohio State due to a hamstring injury, but he's still regarded as one of the best wide receivers in the upcoming draft.
The Seahawks need to do a better job of getting to the quarterback and also stopping the run, especially after that disaster against Josh Jacobs and the Raiders, and subsequently, D'Onta Foreman and the Panthers.
The Seahawks have to add more athleticism and beef to the interior of their defensive line. Bresee is a specimen who can wreak havoc at any position up front.
Pete Carroll and Co. emerge from the Russell Wilson trade as a playoff outfit equipped with a top-five pick and an apparent answer at quarterback, so long as the team opts to bring back Geno Smith. And though last year's class set a high bar for early contributors, Seattle is well positioned to fortify its defensive front. Murphy should be stout against the run from Day 1 with significant room for growth as a pass rusher, especially if the 6-5, 275-pounder can better translate his abundant athleticism into a finishing touch.
If the Seahawks bring back Geno Smith at quarterback, the veteran would stand to benefit greatly from the addition of another pass catcher to an offense that has tilted heavily toward DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. While Mayer won't have anyone confusing him for Kyle Pitts or Travis Kelce given his athletic limitations, the 6-4, 265-pounder is one of the most sure-handed and reliable tight end prospects in years.
The Russell Wilson deal may go down as the worst in NFL history—or the best, if you're the Seattle Seahawks.
Thanks to the franchise dumping its all-time leading passer, the Seahawks miraculously got better with Geno Smith under center yet will benefit from a top-five draft pick from the Denver Broncos.
This particular selection comes down to how the Seahawks feel internally about Smith. The longtime backup-turned-starter hasn't performed as well during the second half of the season, and he's a pending free agent. But he's proved himself more than capable of leading the squad. Maybe a franchise tag will come into play for next season. Or, general manager John Schneider could consider a quarterback in this slot.
Right now, Smith's return, coupled with the addition of an elite defensive talent, seems to be the Seahawks' most likely plan of action. Clemson's Myles Murphy presents the physical skill set and potential worthy of a top-five selection.
"The Seahawks head into the playoffs with 35-year-old Bruce Irvin starting at one of their edge spots and could use someone else who can play multiple positions along their defensive line, as Murphy can," Holder said. "At 275 pounds, Murphy is athletic enough to drop into coverage. The first-team All-ACC defensive end also has the size and strength to hold up as a run defender in the trenches. He'd also be an excellent complementary pass-rusher to Uchenna Nwosu."
Head coach Pete Carroll loves to pound the ball and play stout defense. This pick will signify the organization's back-to-basics approach.
After selecting Clemson's Myles Murphy with the fifth overall draft pick thanks to the Russell Wilson trade, the Seahawks double down on their defensive front.
Baylor's Siaki Ika will provide a massive presence along Seattle's defensive interior. The team needs the addition too, since Poona Ford is on the verge of entering free agency.
Ika, Murphy, Uchenna Nwosu and Darrell Taylor would provide frightening potential for the Seahawks' defensive line rotation.
"Good luck trying to handle the Seahawks' front after this draft, " Holder said. "With Murphy already headed to the Emerald City and Nwosu under contract through next season, Ika's inclusion gives Seattle added interior push to pair with a secondary that features up-and-comers Tariq Woolen and Coby Bryant.
"The Baylor product is a physical force and hard to move against the run while also being a pretty good athlete for his size. If Ika can keep his weight down to around 340 pounds, he has excellent quickness that he can use as a pass-rusher.
"Of those five players already mentioned, Nwosu is the oldest at 26."
Such a massive infusion of talent in this year's first round should help Seattle make a significant leap in 2023 after finishing in the bottom 10 in total defense. The group may never replicate the Legion of Boom, but all the pieces will be in place for Pete Carroll's unit to once again be counted among the better ones in the league.
Seattle had an outstanding draft haul in 2022 (landing running back Kenneth Walker, cornerback Tariq Woolen and bookend offensive tackles among others). They look to continue that this year by adding the 6-foot-6, 275-pound Wilson, a versatile edge rusher who put up a combined 14 sacks and 27.5 tackles for a loss during the past two seasons.
Murphy is the most impressive athlete in this defensive line class. What he can do physically at 6-foot-5 and 275 pounds is comparable to last year's No. 1 pick, Travon Walker. The Seahawks have been desperate for an impact edge rusher for years now, and Murphy can be that player in time.
Ringo is a Pete Carroll cornerback if I've ever seen one. He's an enormous 6-foot-2, 210-pounder who should run in the low 4.3s. Stick him at the line of scrimmage and let him beat up opposing receivers all day across from Tariq Woolen. For his college career, Ringo allowed a catch on only 47.8% of targets into his coverage.
With the Raiders reportedly exploring trade options for Derek Carr -- and releasing him if none come to fruition -- a new QB will be under center in Las Vegas in 2023. My guess is it's a veteran, since the Raiders have the offensive skill players to compete in the AFC. With that in mind, Las Vegas adds protection for its future signal-caller in the form of Paris Johnson Jr., who was dominant at left tackle for the Buckeyes this season after moving over from right guard.
The Raiders are a darkhorse in a potential QB derby for this draft — I believe they'll target the position in free agency with Tom Brady and Jimmy Garoppolo potentially searching for new homes — but regardless of who's under center, the protection will have to improve. Skoronski took over for Rashawn Slater as a true freshman in 2020 and the offense didn't miss a beat. Some scouts may say his size better suits him to play guard, but they also said that about Slater.
Well, current Raiders coach Josh McDaniels all but escorted estranged quarterback Derrick Carr out of the team's facility and future plans. Considering McDaniels is the guy that drafted Tim Tebow in the first round and sent Jay Cutler (Bears all-time leading passer) packing, having him select a franchise signal caller might be questionable. What isn't up for debate, is just how athletically gifted Levis is and how tantalizing his potential projects at the pro level.
With the top three quarterbacks off the board, the Raiders can upgrade another offensive spot. Johnson has all the traits to be a long-term starter and can immediately slide in as the starter at right tackle.
I'm stealing this pick from Charlie Campbell's trade mock draft. This was the prototypical Al Davis pick, and Mark Davis may want to make a big splash. Besides, what else are the Raiders going to do at quarterback? And if Mark Davis ages very quickly, we could get a quote from him saying, "Anthony ... Richardson ... is a ... great playa."
Anthony Richardson is raw, but has a huge arm and great athleticism. He had a great 2022 debut, but struggled versus Kentucky the following week. He's been inconsistent ever since.
At this point, I can't envision Tom Brady joining Josh McDaniels with the Raiders in a division with Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert. Vegas will be deeply involved in the draft class of quarterbacks, and Levis has a big-time skill set.
Derek Carr's late-season ouster as starter heightened intrigue about what's next not only for the veteran signal-caller, but also the Raiders. While Las Vegas could roll the dice on a rookie quarterback, it seems like a stretch to do so on what would likely be the third or fourth passer chosen. An offensive line in disarray could get a lift from Skoronski, a well-rounded blocker who can thrive either as a tackle or guard.
Like other franchises in front of them, the Raiders need to decide whether they're going to go all-in with a quarterback in this year's draft or find a veteran solution elsewhere.
"The possibility of going after a quarterback like Kentucky's Will Levis or Florida's Anthony Richardson might be tempting," Holder agreed, "but either of those two can be considered reaches here based on B/R's draft board.
"Meanwhile, the Raiders desperately need to get Maxx Crosby some pass-rush help, especially along the interior. Clemson's Bryan Bresee steps in and picks up some of the slack since he's a great athlete for the position and can really get after the quarterback.
"However, he's missed quite a bit of football due to injuries over the last couple of seasons. The former 5-star recruit is more tools and traits than a finished product."
Purely from a talent perspective, Bresee is as gifted as any prospect in the class. Yes, the majority of his reps come from working along the interior. But film can be found of him lining up at defensive end and beating offensive tackles, too.
Granted, the difficulty level among the professional ranks increases significantly. Yet the defensive lineman's ability to do so against good collegiate opposition provides a glimpse of the damage he can inflict for a defense.
Bresee's medical check-ups will be the most telling aspect of his entire evaluation after missing 12 out of a possible 24 games across the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
Derek Carr is on his way out, and the Raiders might have their eye on a former big-name New England Patriots QB. If they can't make that happen, Stroud has the tools for coach Josh McDaniels to develop. The junior passed for more than 8,100 yards and had an 85-12 TD-interception ratio during the past two seasons.
The Raiders are ready to hit the reset button at the quarterback position, and Stroud is just the player to help them do so. With his quick trigger and pinpoint accuracy, Stroud looks like arguably the draft class' best fit for Josh Mcdaniels' offense. He's coming off the best performance of his career from a draft perspective, earning a 92.2 overall grade against Georgia in the playoff.
