Jason Bantle's 2023 NFL Mock Draft: Final Mock 2 Rounds

Round 1 Picks 17-31

Jason Bantle Last Updated: April 27, 2023.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
    
    
    Pittsburgh gets a cornerback. Drafting Joey Porter Jr., the son of Joey Porter Sr. is a classic yinzer move on Draft Day.
    
    
    
18. Detroit Lions: Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
    
    
    The Detroit Lions get the top tight end in the 2023 NFL Draft at 18. Dalton Kincaid and Michael Mayer both dominate the route tree and are both elite blockers. Kincaid gets more spearation when breaking his routes than Mayer. I think he's more athletic in terms of his speed and atheleticism as well. That's why Kincaid is the first tight end off the board in this mock draft. Detroit needs a tight end after trading away T.J. Hockenson.
    
    
    
    
    
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
    
    
    Tampa Bay might draft a right tackle, especially if Tampa Bay Buccaneers right tackle Tristan Wirfs moves to left tackle. Darnell Wright is the fourth best offensive tackle in the 2023 NFL Draft. He's probably the last guy that's guaranteed to go in the first round at offensive tackle making him an ideal fit here.
    
    
    
20. Seattle Seahawks: Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
    
    
    The Seattle Seahawks grab another Georgia Bulldog to pair with Jalen Carter at 20. Kelee Ringo would play cornerback with Tariq Woolen on the outside while Coby Bryant continues to get reps at nickel cornerback.
    
    
    
    
    
21. Los Angeles Chargers: Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
    
    
    The Los Angeles Chargers draft Zay Flowers. This gives Justin Herbert a wide receiver trio of Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Zay Flowers. You would have Josh Palmer in a depth role. Both Keenan Allen and Mike Williams dealt with injuries last year and drafting another wide receiver while keeping your two core starters is a great way to reload offensively while continuing to improve this roster.
    
    
    
22. Baltimore Ravens: Quentin Johnson, WR, TCU
    
    
    The Baltimore Ravens get Quentin Johnston here. This would give Baltimore a trio of Rashod Bateman, Quentin Johnston, and Odell Beckham Jr. in the slot. This would be deadly for quarterback Lamar Jackson.
    
    
    
    
    
23. Minnesota Vikings: Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee
    
    
    Minnesota drafts Hendon Hooker. The Vikings groom Hendon Hooker behind Kirk Cousins for a year. This way, the Vikngs can reload at quarterback without having to overpay Kirk Cousins again once his contract is up.
    
    
    
    
    
24. Jacksonville Jaguars: Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
    
    
    Jacksonville gets a cornerback to pair with Tyson Campbell. Cam Smith is the one first round cornerback still on the board for Jacksonville.
    
    
    
25. New York Giants: Jordan Addison, WR, USC
    
    
    New York drafts a wide receiver here. Jordan Addison would finally give the New York Giants a bonafide number one target for quarterback Daniel Jones to throw to.
    
    
    
    
    
26. Dallas Cowboys: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
    
    
    Dallas lost tight end Dalton Schultz. If Michael Mayer slips this far, I expect the Dallas Cowboys to draft Michael Mayer and reload at tight end just like that. Whether its Jay Novacek, Jason Witten, Dalton Schutlz, Jake Ferguson, or in this case Michael Mayer. Dallas is notorious for reloading at tight end and getting an impact tight end when the time is right.
    
    
    
27. Buffalo Bills: O'Cyrus Torrence, G, Florida
    
    
    Buffalo adds a new starting right guard by taking the top guard in the draft. This gives Buffalo an offensive line featuring Dion Dawkins at left tackle, Connor McGovern at left guard, Mitch Morse at center, O'Cyrus Torrence at right guard, and Spencer Brown at right tackle. North Dakota State offensive tackle Cody Mauch is also a possibility here if Buffalo wants an upgrade over Spencer Brown. At this point O'Cyrus Torrence is the best value pick on the board for the Buffalo Bills at 27.
    
    
    
    
    
28. Cincinnati Bengals: Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
    
    
    Cincinnati gets their starting tight end. Darnell Washington in this Cincinnati Bengals offense with Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins will be freaking scary. Michael Mayer and Darnell Washington both caught every target thrown their way at the 2023 NFL Combine. Both tight ends showed why they were first round picks in Indianapolis. I expect three tight ends to come off the board in the first round with Dalton Kincaid being the first tight end picked, Michael Mayer being the second tight end picked, and Darnell Washington being the third tight end. All three of these guys look like day 1 picks.
    
    
    
29. New Orleans Saints: Keion White, EDGE, Georgia Tech
    
    
    New Orleans drafts a pass rusher. Georgia Tech pass rusher Keion White was one of seventeen players invited to tonights 2023 NFL Draft in Kansas City. Keion White has aced every part of the predraft process from the 2023 Reese's Senior Bowl, the 2023 NFL Combine, and Georgia Tech's 2023 NFL Pro Day. The Saints are historically known for drafting edge rushers that dominate in Mobile, Alabama. Cameron Jordan, Marcus Davenport, Payton Turner, and now Keion White all fit this profile. Keion White could end up starting at 4-3 right end next to Cameron Jordan right away as a defensive end in New Orleans.
    
    
    
    
    
30. Philadelphia Eagles: Luas Van Ness, EDGE, Iowa
    
    
    Philadelphia drafts a defensive end to groom behind Brandon Graham for a year. Lukas Van Ness is a superb value pick at 30 if Philadelphia opts for Texas running back Bijan Robinson at 10.
    
    
    
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Felix Anudike-Uzomah, EDGE, Kansas State
    
    
    Kansas City needs a replacement to Frank Clark. Felix Anudike-Uzomah is someone who could eventually develop into a starter at 4-3 defensive end next to last years first round pick George Karlaftis.