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

Round 4

Tony Mario Last Updated: April 26, 2023.

103. Chicago Bears: Jayden Reed, WR, Michigan State
     
     
     Chicago needs more weapons for Justin Fields at wide receiver. Chicago's top two receivers Darnell Mooney and Chase Claypool enter contract years. Chicago will draft a wide receiver hoping to get a top three receiver to pair with D.J. Moore and one of these two receivers because Chicago will not bring back both Mooney and Claypool.
     
     
     
104. Houston Texans: Ji'Ayir Brown, FS, Penn State
     
     
     The Houston Texans have Jimmie Ward at strong safety and Jalen Pitre at free safety. Houston drafts a third safety for depth here. Ji'Ayir Brown is a pure free safety, so he will be Jalen Pitre's backup for three seasons unless Jalen Pitre moves to strong safety when Jimmie Ward's contract is up in two years.
     
     
     
     
     
105. Arizona Cardinals: Xavier Hutchinson, WR, Iowa State
     
     
     Arizona gets a number one wide receiver that could replace DeAndre Hopkins down the road. Xavier Hutchinson is a big body target and a great wide receiver addition in the fourth round. Xavier Hutchinson will get to face his former teammate Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy twice a year now with Purdy having success in San Francisco.
     
     
     
106. Indianapolis Colts: Derrick Hall, RE, Auburn
     
     
     Indianapolis has Kwity Paye at 4-3 right end, Samson Ekubam at 4-3 left end, and Dayo Odeyingbo as a backup 4-3 defensive end after being the Indianapolis Colts 2021 second round pick following the selection of Kwity Paye in the first round. Derrick Hall is a good addition for Indianapolis here giving the Colts a fourth defensive end on their depth chart.
     
     
     
     
     
107. New England Patriots: Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, CB, TCU
     
     
     New England has Jonathan Jones, Jalen Mills, Jack Jones, and Marcus Jones under contract. One more cornerback is needed. Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson is an amazing cornerback prospect. This guy plays man, zone, and press coverage like Ahmad Gardner despite his 5-7 frame. New England drafts him hoping to have two elite nickel cornerbacks in case one gets injured.
     
     
     
108. Denver Broncos: Cameron Latu, TE, Alabama
     
     
     Denver gets a backup tight end to Greg Dulcich. Albert Okwuegbunam's rookie contract will be up. Denver drafts Cameron Latu as a backup to Greg Dulcich while reloading at tight end.
     
     
     
     
     
109. Las Vegas Raiders: Payne Durham, TE, Purdue
     
     
     The Las Vegas Raiders get their number one tight end in the fourth round after losing Darren Waller and Fabian Moreau. Las Vegas added Austin Hooper and O.J. Howard to one-year deals, but those are stop gaps. Payne Durham would have the opportunity to compete with Hooper and Howard for the starting tight end job as a rookie.
     
     
     
110. Atlanta Falcons: Owen Pappoe, 3-4 MLB, Auburn
     
     
     Atlanta gets a 3-4 middle linebacker for depth behind Rashaan Evans and Troy Andersen. Owen Pappoe ran the best 40 time of any inside linebacker in the 2023 NFL Draft at the 2023 NFL Combine.
     
     
     
     
     
111. Cleveland Browns: Trey Palmer, WR, Nebraska
     
     
     The Cleveland Browns get another wide receiver for depth. Trey Palmer is the youngest wide receiver on the board that is a fourth round prospect at this point. Cleveland can develop him for a year and possibly be a number two target if neither Donovan Peoples-Jones or Marquese Goodwin extends their contract with the Browns.
     
     
     
112. New York Jets: Jammie Robinson, FS, Florida State
     
     
     New York has Jordan Whitehead returning at strong safety, Ashtyn Davis returning at free safety, and traded for Chuck Clark. All three of those safeties enter contract years. Jammie Robinson showed the versatility to play cornerback, strong safety, and free safety at this years Senior Bowl. He's a great fit for the New York Jets in the fourth round.
     
     
     
     
     
113. Atlanta Falcons: Jaylon Jones, CB, Texas A&M
     
     
     Atlanta has A.J. Terrell and Jeffrey Okudah. Atlanta needs another cornerback for depth, so the Falcons add Jaylon Jones here.
     
     
     
114. Carolina Panthers: DeMarvion Overshown, 3-4 MLB, Texas
     
     
     Carolina is switching to a 3-4 defense. Carolina can sit DeMarvion Overshown for a year before playing him at 3-4 middle linebacker.
     
     
     
     
     
115. New Orleans Saints: Jaxson Kirkland, LG, Washington
     
     
     New Orleans gets a guy who can be both a backup left tackle and backup left guard. This allows the Saints more depth on the offensive line.
     
     
     
116. Green Bay Packers: Antonio Mafi, LG, UCLA
     
     
     Green Bay gets Antonio Mafi as a backup left guard to Elgton Jenkins. Mafi was only a starter at UCLA for one season.
     
     
     
     
     
117. New England Patriots: Jordan Battle, FS, Alabama
     
     
     New England drafts a free safety to compete with Jabrill Peppers for the starting free safety job now that Devin McCourty retired. New England can save $2,180,000 if they cut Jabrill Peppers in 2024 after giving Devin McCourty's backup Jabrill Peppers a two year extension to be New England's free safety. New England also might consider extending Kyle Dugger which is why I can't see Peppers in New England past this season unless he dominates..
     
     
     
118. Washington Commanders: Dontayvion Wicks, WR, Virginia
     
     
     Washington gets a receiver replacement for Curtis Samuel whose in a contract year in 2023. Virginia wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks gets picked here and develops for a year. Next year, Wicks competes with Dyami Brown for Washington's slot receiver job next to Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson.
     
     
     
     
     
119. Minnesota Vikings: D.J. Johnson, 3-4 LOLB, Oregon
     
     
     The Minnesota Vikings get D.J. Johnson as an edge rusher for depth. Marcus Davenport, Danielle Hunter, and D.J. Wonnum enter contract years for Minnesota in 2023. There's a good chance only one of those players is back, so Minnesota adds D.J. Johnson as a pass rusher for depth here.
     
     
     
120. Pittsburgh Steelers: Tyler Scott, WR, Cincinnati
     
     
     Pittsburgh drafts a wide receiver for depth. Pittsburgh has Diontae Johnson, George Pickens, and Allen Robinson as their slot receiver. Pittsburgh also has Calvin Austin III as their number four wide receiver Tyler Scott would begin as the number five wide receiver, but he could become Pittsburgh's slot receiver as early as 2024 if he can beat out Calvin Austin III for the slot receiver job once Allen Robinson leaves. Calvin Austin III is the better route runner of those two.
     
     
     
     
     
121. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jonathan Mingo, WR, Ole Miss
     
     
     Jacksonville gets a number two wide receiver who compliments Christian Kirk quite well. Jonathan Mingo is the best blocking receiver in the draft and he's a big body target. Both Calvin Ridley and Jamal Agnew enter contract years. Jacksonville will have to cut Zay Jones to bring back Calvin Ridley assuming Ridley dominates next season. That's why Jacksonville will draft a wide receiver for a year and develop him before he becomes a number two target next to Christian Kirk in 2024. Jonathan Mingo is worth taking a flyer on at this point in the fourth round.
     
     
     
122. Kansas City Chiefs: Myles Brooks, CB, Louisiana Tech
     
     
     Kansas City drafted L'Jarius Sneed out of Louisiana Tech. The Chiefs might draft another cornerback from Louisiana Tech despite having an extremely deep cornerback room.
     
     
     
     
     
123. Seattle Seahawks: Mohamoud Diabate, 3-4 MLB, Utah
     
     
     Seattle drafts a project linebacker for depth that the Seahawks can groom for the future. Seattle can help Diabate transition from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defense. When Bobby Wagner and Devin Bush are no longer under contract, Diabate can earn more playing time in 2024.
     
     
     li> Baltimore Ravens: Zach Harrison, 3-4 RE, Ohio State
     
     
     Baltimore gets a replacement to Calias Campbell. Zach Harrison weighed 274 lbs at the 2023 NFL Combine. He can add some muscle weight to play five technique for Baltimore.
     
     
     
     
     
124. Los Angeles Chargers: Devon Achane, RB, Texas A&M
     
     
     The Los Angeles Chargers would have Larry Rountree III, Isaiah Spiller, and Devon Achane on rookie deals next season if the Chargers cannot retain Austin Ekeler. I think Ekeler will move on from the Chargers after next season which is the biggest reason I'm mocking another day 3 running back to the Chargers.
     
     
     
125. Cleveland Browns: Luke Schoonmaker, TE, Michigan
     
     
     Cleveland gets a third string tight end to replace Austin Hooper. Luke Schoonmaker would be a backup tight end to David Njoku and former John Mackey Award winner Harrison Bryant. He did well at Michigan's Pro Day despite recovering from an injury that kept him from working out at the 2023 East West Shrine Bowl and the 2023 NFL Combine.
     
     
     
     
     
126. Jacksonville Jaguars: Rejzohn Wright, CB, Oregon State
     
     
     Jacksonville drafts a second cornerback. Rejzohn Wright makes a lot of sense for depth this late in the fourth round.
     
     
     
127. New York Giants: Parker Washington, WR, Penn State
     
     
     New York is going to draft a wide receiver for depth. Parker Washington gives New York another wide receiver to add to this wide receiver room.
     
     
     
     
     
128. Dallas Cowboys: Charlie Jones, WR, Purdue
     
     
     Dallas lost T.Y. Hilton and Noah Brown to Free Agency. Dallas has a trio of CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, and Michael Gallup for this season. Gallup is locked up until 2027 and Lamb will get extended soon. That means Dallas will likely cut Cooks after next season unless Dallas wins Super Bowl 58. Cooks would save $4-million in cap space. Charlie Jones would compete with Jalen Tabor to be the number four wide receiver on Dallas. Jones would probably start out as the number five wide receiver and work his way into a bigger role down the road.
     
     
     
129. Buffalo Bills: Garrett Williams, CB, Syracuse
     
     
     Buffalo replaces Dane Jackson with another cornerback. Garrett Williams is good enough to supplant Christian Benford on this depth chart once he recovers from his injury.
     
     
     
     
     
130. Cincinnati Bengals: Alex Austin, CB, Oregon State
     
     
     Cincinnati gets a cornerback for depth to compliment Chidobe Awuzie, Cam Taylor-Britt, and Mike Hilton. Alex Austin would be a good addition here.
     
     
     
131. Carolina Panthers: Mekhi Garner, CB, LSU
     
     
     Carolina Panthers cornerback Donte Jackson suffered a season ending injury last year. He's still recovering from that injury and may not be ready for training camp. Carolina drafts another LSU cornerback for insurance.
     
     
     
     
     
132. Chicago Bears: Zach Evans, RB, Ole Miss
     
     
     Chicago gave D'Onta Foreman a one year deal. Also, Chicago can cut Travis Homer and save $1.9-million in cap space next year in 2024. That's why a running back trio of Khalil Herbert, D'Onta Foreman, and Travis Homer from drafting a running back at some point in a really deep running back class.
     
     
     
133. Kansas City Chiefs: K.J. Henry, LE, Clemson
     
     
     Kansas City has Charles Omenihu, George Karlaftis, and Mike Danna at edge rusher. Charles Omenihu will start at 4-3 right end with George Karlaftis at 4-3 left end, and Mike Danna in a situational Carlos Dunlap type role in a contract year. K.J. Henry looked pretty explosive off the edge next to Myles Murphy and could challenge Mike Danna to be the third best edge rusher as a situational pass rusher.
     
     
     
     
     
134. New England Patriots: Jacquelin Roy, NT, LSU
     
     
     New England has Deatrich Wise Jr. at 3-4 right end, Davon Godchaux at 3-4 nose tackle, and Christian Barmore at 3-4 left end. New England also has Lawrence Guy Jr. as a backup defensive lineman. New England can save $8.15-million in 2024 by cutting Davon Godchaux. New England drafts the 6-2 315 lb Jacquelin Ron in the fourth round and grooms him to be a future nose tackle. Lawrence Guy Jr. isn't that expensive while Godcaux will cost the Patriots at least $10-million against the cap in 2024. Jacquelin Roy is a great value pick for New England in the fourth round and he will get hands on mentorship from former LSU Tiger Davon Godchaux during his rookie season.