Day Two: Second-Round Mock Draft

Here’s the day-two second-round project for the 2023 NFL Draft.  

2023 NFL Mock Draft

32 – Pittsburgh Steelers: Penn State CB Joey Porter Jr.

Porter was widely considered to be a first-round talent in this year’s draft class, but the Steelers would be an ideal landing spot for the young corner. 

Porter is a long, physical and athletic corner who could use some refinement, but would give Pittsburgh’s secondary an impressive player to work with in the years to come.

33 – Arizona Cardinals: LSU EDGE B.J. Ojulari

The Cardinals were able to land this pick as part of their first-round trades. Many thought Arizona could target an edge rusher earlier in round one if they held on to the No. 3 overall pick, so getting an upside pass rusher at this point makes some sense for the Cardinals. 

Ojulari needs some refinement to his game, but rushing the passer is his clear strength.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compares him to Harold Landry.

34 – Detroit Lions: Notre Dame TE Michael Mayer

Mayer was considered to be one of, if not, the top tight end in this year’s draft class, which is why it came as a bit of a surprise to see him fall out of round one. 

Tight end really sticks out when you look at the Lions’ depth chart. They could really use some help there and Mayer is a well-rounded player who would fit well in the Lions’ offense. 

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compares him to Jason Witten. 

35 – Indianapolis Colts: South Carolina CB Cam Smith

Indianapolis traded Stephen Gilmore to the Cowboys this offseason, which leaves their cornerback depth in question. 

Getting a player like Cam Smith is pretty good at this point in the draft. He’s a long corner with good athleticism and ball skills, which would be a great addition to the Colts’ secondary long-term.

36 – Los Angeles Rams: Notre Dame DE Isaiah Foskey

The Rams really need pass rush help after moving on from Leonard Floyd this offseason. Foskey has good length and athleticism, but needs some refinement to his game. 

Lance Zierlein compares him to Yannick Ngakoue. 

37 – Seattle Seahawks: Wisconsin OL Joe Tippmann

The Seahawks get, arguably, the top interior offensive lineman in this year’s draft class in round two. 

Tippmann is big for a center, but moves very well and could be a day-one starter for the Seahawks. 

38 – Las Vegas Raiders: Wisconsin DL Keeanu Benton

The Raiders’ interior defensive line depth remains a question mark at this point in the offseason.

Benton is really interesting upside player who has generated buzz throughout the draft process. He would give the Raiders size and strength in the middle of their defense. 

39 – Carolina Panthers: Auburn EDGE Derick Hall

The Panthers are making the transition to a 3-4 defense this offseason and have said that they’re looking for different body types at edge rusher. Hall is an impressive athlete with length, who could develop into a very good NFL player.

Lance Zierlein compares him to Carl Lawson.

40 – New Orleans Saints: Tennessee WR Jalin Hyatt

The Saints made a big move up last year to get Chris Olave, but they could still use some more help at the position. 

Hyatt could give the Saints an impressive tandem of receivers in the long run, as he possesses very good speed and athleticism. 

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compares him to DeSean Jackson.

41 – Tennessee Titans: Kentucky QB Will Levis

The fall for Will Levis ends at No. 41. There was talk about Levis being selected as high as No. 2 overall, but it’s clear that the buzz surrounding him was largely overblown.

Either way, Levis has believers out there as a true pocket passer. He visited the Titans this offseason and could sit a bit behind Ryan Tannehill before eventually taking over for Tennessee.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compares Levis to Jay Cutler. 

42 – Green Bay Packers: Alabama DB Brian Branch

The Packers have a few ways they could go here, but Branch could be too good to pass up at this point. He’s a versatile player who could play safety or even slot corner for Green Bay, depending on how they want to deploy him.

While his testing numbers weren’t amazing, his production and play-making at Alabama would be a great fit for a lot of teams.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compares him to Minkah Fitzpatrick.

43 – New York Jets: Syracuse OT Matthew Bergeron

It seemed like the Jets were hoping to get an offensive tackle at No. 15 overall, but wound up with a promising edge prospect to add to their defense. 

Bergeron came up as a possible first-round pick and would give them some much-needed depth upfront.

44 – Atlanta Falcons: Tennessee WR Cedric Tillman

The Falcons continue to add weapons to their offense in round two with a receiver. Right now, the Falcons’ receiving corps consists of Mack Hollins, Scott Miller, Frank Darby, KhaDarel Hodge, Jared Bernhardt, Ra’shaun Herny and Josh Ali behind Drake London, so there’s a clear need at the position. 

Tillman could be a great compliment to Drake London because of his size and ball skills. Lance Zierlein compares him to Michael Pittman Jr.

45 – Green Bay Packers: Oregon State TE Luke Musgrave

The Packers’ tight end depth chart stands out as one of the worst units in the NFL. The good news is that this is a great year to need a tight end. 

Musgrave would be very solid value at this point and could give the Packers a good route-running tight end for Jordan Love to take advantage of in the coming years.

Lance Zierlein compares him to Dallas Goedert.

46 – New England Patriots: North Carolina WR Josh Downs

Some thought the Patriots could go receiver earlier in the draft, but this seems like a good time to address the position. Lance Zierlein compares Downs to Kadarius Toney. 

47 – Washington Commanders: USC DL Tuli Tuipulotu

It would make some sense to grab another edge rusher after the Commanders declined Chase Young’s fifth-year option on Wednesday, which sets up a scenario where they will likely lose either Young or Montez Sweat next year, as both could be in line for market-value extensions. 

Tuipulotu is an interesting prospect, as he could play either interior defensive line or edge depending on where he lands. But his versatility would be viewed a positive for the Comanders’ defensive front.

Lance Zierlein compares him to George Karlaftis.

48 – Detroit Lions: Georgia CB Kelee Ringo

The Lions brought in two free agent corners this offseason, but only Cam Sutton got a multi-year commitment from Detroit. Beyond that, the Lions have since traded away Jeff Okudah. 

Ringo offers size, speed and athleticism. Lance Zierlein compares him to former Ravens CB Jimmy Smith.  

49 – Pittsburgh Steelers: Georgia Tech DL Keion White

The Steelers could use some youth and depth in terms of their defensive line.

White has game-wrecker potential and tested well at the Combine. Beyond that, he would give the Steelers some versatility upfront on defense. 

50 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Ohio State OT Dawand Jones

The Buccaneers could clearly use tackle help after releasing veteran Donovan Smith this offseason.

Jones is massive at 6’8 and could play right tackle for the Bears if need be. Lance Zierlein compares Jones to Trent Brown.

51 – Miami Dolphins: Georgia TE Darnell Washington

The Dolphins’ tight end depth chart is among the worst in the NFL. Miami tried a receiver tight end in Mike Gesicki but it didn’t work out well.

Washington would be a solid fit in Miami’s offense and give them a different kind of tight end to work with. 

52 – Seattle Seahawks: UCLA RB Zach Charbonnet

The Seahawks currently have just two running backs on their roster and while Ken Walker showed great ability last year, it wouldn’t hurt to take some pressure off of him this year.

Charbonnet is an interesting running back prospect, who could start off as a solid No. 2 for Seattle before taking on a larger role down the road. 

Lance Zierlein compares him to A.J. Dillon.

53 – Chicago Bears (BAL): Ole Miss RB Zach Evans

The Bears let David Montgomery walk in free agency and brought in D’Onta Foreman as a replacement to go along with Khalil Hebert and Travis Homer. However, Foreman got just a one-year deal and he’s more of a two-down type of runner.

Evans has home run ability and averaged an impressive 6.9 YPC in the SEC. He has No. 1 RB upside and would be a good fit in the Bears backfield.

Lance Zierlein compares him to Melvin Gordon.

54 – Los Angeles Chargers: Baylor DT Siaki Ika

The Chargers’ lack of depth on their interior defensive line stands out and Ika would represent solid value at this point for the Chargers.

Ika could be a centerpiece for their defensive line in the years to come and give them a solid run-stopper.

55 – Detroit Lions: Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker

It’s hard to say where Hooker will end up. There was some first-round talk, but given that he is an older prospect and coming off an ACL tear, it’s all that surprising he fell to round two. 

Even so, there is real upside here. The Lions brought Hooker in for a pre-draft visit and Jared Goff is entering the final year of his contract. The Lions could offer him the ability to sit a year behind Goff before competing for the starting job. 

56 – Jacksonville Jaguars: Michigan CB DJ Turner

The Jaguars could have addressed corner in round one, but instead bolstered their tackle depth.

Turner is an elite athlete who would be a good fit in most schemes and could push for playing this summer. 

57 – New York Giants: TCU OL Steve Avila

Avila could push for a starting job this summer in New York and offers position versatility, as they could line up at guard or center. Beyond that, he posted some impressive athleticism numbers at the combine. 

58 – Dallas Cowboys: Arkansas LB Drew Sanders

After years of being a strength for the Cowboys, linebacker is now fairly thin in terms of Dallas’ depth chart. 

Sanders has the physical traits and athleticism to play either inside linebacker or edge rusher, there could be big upside here.

Lance Zierlein compares him to Tremaine Edmunds.

59 – Buffalo Bills: Florida G O’Cyrus Torrence

The Bills’ interior offensive line is an area they could look to bolster in the middle rounds of the draft.

Torrence is one of the best interior offensive line prospects in this year’s draft and was mentioned as a possible first-round pick.

60 – Cincinnati Bengals: Pittsburgh RB Israel Abanikanda

The Bengals lost Smaje Perine in free agency this offseason and there are questions about Joe Mixon’s future with the team, so now could be a good time add some long-term depth at the position.

Abanikanda was a dynamic player at Pittsburgh and offers both athleticism and upside.

Lance Zierlein compares him to Isiah Pacheco.

61 – Chicago Bears: Northwestern DL Adetomiwa Adebawore

The Bears could really use some defensive line depth and Adebawore would give them 

Adebawore is a bit of a tweener in that he’d be small to play inside and short on the edge. However, he’s an elite athlete with good power.

62 – Philadelphia Eagles: Clemson LB Trenton Simpson

The Eagles lost T.J. Edwards in free agency and while they added Nicholas Morrow, Campbell would be more of a long-term prospect at the position with higher upside.

Simpson would be a good value pick at this point in round two. He is a good linebacker in space and ran an impressive 4.43 forty at 235 lbs. 

63 – Kansas City Chiefs: Oklahoma WR Marvin Mims Jr 

The Chiefs lost Juju Smith-Schuster in free agency and have yet to address the position.

Mims seems like the kind of receiver KC likes to take a chance on, given that he’s an impressive athlete who can be a mismatch and moved around as a weapon. He ran a 4.38 40 at the combine.