Tony Mario's 2023 NFL Mock Draft: Final Mock 7 Rounds

Round 1 Picks 17-31

17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
    
    
    Pittsburgh gets a cornerback. The Pittsburgh Steelers desperately need a number one field cornerback with all of the first round left tackles off the board. Cameron Sutton is gone. Pittsburgh has Patrick Peterson, Levi Wallace, and Akhello Witherspoon with the aging Peterson replacing Sutton. Joey Porter Sr got drafted for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Like Father, like son, I have Joey Porter Jr. getting drafted by Pittsburgh as well because Joey Porter Jr. is a guy who could be Pittsburgh's number one cornerback covering number one wide receivers at field cornerback as early as this season allowing Patrick Peterson to play boundary cornerback and Levi Wallace to play nickel cornerback when Pittsburgh wants to deploy three cornerbacks.
    
    
    
18. Detroit Lions: Nolan Smith, ROLB, Georgia
    
    
    The Detroit Lions get a pass rushing outside linebacker. Detroit has so many good pass rushers with Aidan Hutchinson, Charles Harris, Josh Paschal, and James Houston IV, at defensive end. Nolan Smith is an amazing pass rusher and would start over Malcolm Rodriguez at 4-3 right outside linebacker.
    
    
    
    
    
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Darnell Wright, RT, Tennessee
    
    
    Tampa Bay might draft a right tackle, especially if Tampa Bay Buccaneers right tackle Tristan Wirfs moves to left tackle. Darnell Wright would replace Donovan Smith, but would be a bookend right tackle to Tristan Wirfs.
    
    
    
20. Seattle Seahawks: Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
    
    
    The Seattle Seahawks grab the consensus top receiver in the draft at 20. Jaxon Smith-Njigba will be a top 20 pick even if Seattle isn't a need for Seattle thanks to Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf locked up for the next three years. Dee Eskeridge lost the slot receiver job to Marquise Goodwin. Goodwin needs to be replaced and that's why Jaxon Smith-Njigba gets picked here. Seattle can save $8,850,000 if they cut 30-year-old Tyler Lockett who turns 31 in September in 2024. I'm not ready to entertain the idea of Seattle moving D.K. Metcalf yet since he's still in his twenties and would only save $1.5-million if Seattle opted to cut him in 2024. A trio of Tyler Lockett, D.K. Metcalf, and Quentin Johnston would be deadly. Also, if Quentin Johnston dominates, Seattle can give him a bigger role in 2024 assuming the Seahawks opt to move on from Tyler Lockett.
    
    
    
    
    
21. Los Angeles Chargers: Jordan Addison, WR, USC
    
    
    The Los Angeles Chargers draft Jordan Addison. This gives Justin Herbert a wide receiver trio of Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Jordan Addison. You would have Josh Palmer in a depth role. With all these weapons along with Rashawn Slater at left tackle, Zion Johnson at left guard, Cory Linsley at center, Jamaree Salyer at right guard, and Trey Hopkins III at right tackle Herbert could have a career season next season. There's now growing rumors that Addison will be the pick at 21 and I can see why.
    
    
    
22. Baltimore Ravens: Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina
    
    
    The Baltimore Ravens get a slot receiver for Lamar Jackson. Josh Downs is a great deep threat. He reminds me of Marques Brown except he's a much better route runner. Someone like Josh Downs could compliment Rashod Bateman and Odell Beckham Jr. in the slot. Baltimore would also have Nelson Agholor, Devin Duvernay, and James Proche as backups for depth to the trio of Bateman, Beckham Jr., and Downs. You also got Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely at tight end. As long as Lamar comes back, this offense will see massive improvement in the passing game.
    
    
    
    
    
23. Minnesota Vikings: Bryan Bresse, NT, Clemson
    
    
    Minnesota upgrades at nose tackle by drafting Bryan Bresse. This would give Minnesota a defensive line with Harrison Phillips at 3-4 right end, Bryan Bresse at 3-4 nose tackle, and Dean Lowry from the Green Bay Packers as their 3-4 left end. Minnesota would have a rotation of Z'Darius Smith, Danielle Hunter, Marcus Davenport, and D.J. Wonnum at 3-4 outside linebacker. Jordan Hicks and last years third round pick Brian Asamoah II will start at 3-4 middle linebacker. I do plan on adding more depth to Minnesota's front 7 later in this mock draft.
    
    
    
    
    
24. Jacksonville Jaguars: Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
    
    
    Jacksonville gets a cornerback to pair with Tyson Campbell. Cam Smith's ceiling is higher than Kelee Ringo, but Ringo has the better floor. Jacksonville could draft either cornerback, but I think the Jaguars take South Carolina cornerback Cam Smith here.
    
    
    
25. New York Giants: Trenton Simpson, 3-4 MLB, Clemson
    
    
    New York drafts a 3-4 middle linebacker here. Trenton Simpson would be a great addition. New York has needed to upgrade 3-4 middle linebacker for years ever since Blake Martinez left. Trenton Simpson and Bobby Okerke would be quite lethal in New York.
    
    
    
    
    
26. Dallas Cowboys: O'Cyrus Torrence, LG, Florida
    
    
    Dallas gets a new left guard with Connor McGovern gone. Dallas would have Tyler Smith at left tackle, O'Cyrus Torrence at left guard, Tyler Biadasz at center, Zack Martin at right guard, and a combination of Tyron Smith/Terence Steele at right tackle with Steele's most recent injury.
    
    
    
27. Buffalo Bills: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
    
    
    Buffalo will make James Cook the bell cow running back in 2023 unless Bijan Robinson falls to Buffalo. Bijan Robinson literally has no weaknesses in his game and his upside in terms of potential surpasses James Cook, Damien Harris, and Nyheim Hines. That's why Bijan Robinson is a home run pick since he can take pressure off of Josh Allen as a scrambler too allowing Allen to stay in the pocket as a thrower.
    
    
    
    
    
28. Cincinnati Bengals: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
    
    
    Cincinnati gets their starting tight end. Michael Mayer in this Cincinnati Bengals offense with Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins will be freaking scary.
    
    
    
29. New Orleans Saints: Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
    
    
    New Orleans drafts another weapon for Derek Carr. A wide receiver trio of Chris Olave, Michael Thomas if he can stay healthy, and Zay Flowers in the slot will piss off the rest of the NFC West Division. Only Carolina has the personnel to limit how much damage that wide receiver trio could do under a quarterback with the veteran leadership that Derek Carr brings to an organization.
    
    
    
    
    
30. Philadelphia Eagles: Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
    
    
    Philadelphia drafts Kelee Ringo for the future. Philadelphia managed to bring back both Darius Slay and James Bradberry on short-term deals. You also have Avonte Maddox at nickel cornerback. Philadelphia also added Greedy Williams for depth in Free Agency. Kelee Ringo is a first round talent. Philadelphia can gamble on him at 30 by adding more depth to already stacked cornerback room. It's also possible that Philadelphia moves Kelee Ringo to safety after losing both strong safety Marcus Epps and free safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson to other teams during this years Free Agency period.
    
    
    
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee
    
    
    Jalin Hyatt can take the top off of defender like Tyreek Hill did. Putting the 2022 Billetnikoff Award Winner Jalin Hyatt in Kansas City gives Mahomes a long-term number one target. You can keep Kadarius Toney as your number two receiver while Marquez-Valdes Scantling and Skyy Moore last years number three and four receivers at slot receiver remain in those respective roles. Jalin Hyatt would be an upgrade over JuJu Smith-Schuster. Also undrafted Free Agent Justyn Ross has already been training with the Chiefs this offseason after doctors cleared him from his spinal fusion surgery injury back in January. Justyn Ross looks just as good as he did at Clemson when he was the number one wide receiver for Trevor Lawrence. Justin Watson re-signed a two year deal with the Chiefs while Ritchie James signed a one year deal with the Chiefs.