2023 NFL Mock Draft: Final Mock 7 Rounds

Round 1 Picks 17-31

Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: April 27, 2023.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
    
    
    Pittsburgh managed to go another season without a losing season under Mike Tomlin. That is incredible considering this was Mike Tomlin's most inexperience roster at the start of the season. Pittsburgh grabs a local cornerback with this selection.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 193 lb Joey Porter Jr. is the son of former Pittsburgh Steelers and Miami Dolphins outside linebacker Joey Porter. He's also the cousin of former Pittsburgh Steeler Jason Gildon.
    
    
    
    Joey Porter Jr. was one of the best cornerbacks in Western Pennsylvania on a 10-1 North Allegheny Tigers team back in 2018. He eventually committed to Penn State on an NCAA Scholarship.
    
    
    
    Joey Porter Jr. redshirted in 2019 before starting 8 games as a freshman redshirt in 2020. He had enough talent to declare for the 2022 NFL Draft following his sophomore redshirt campaign, but wisely opted to return to Penn State.
    
    
    
    I gave Joey Porter Jr. an A grade in man coverage, a C grade in zone coverage, and a B grade in press coverage after watching him in 2021. I gave Joey Porter Jr. an A grade in man coverage, a C grade in zone coverage, an A grade in press coverage, an A+ gradde in run stuffing, and an A+ in hard hitting. He does have potential to develop into an A grade corner in terms of zone coverage with a really good cornerbacks coach. He's a natural cover corner in a cover 0 or cover 1 coverage scheme. I'd also argue that Joey Porter Jr. is the second hardest hitting cornerback in the entire 2023 NFL Draft after Devon Witherspoon. Hitting hard runs in the Porter family.
    
    
    
    Cameron Sutton is a Free Agent. Joey Porter Jr. will replace Sutton if Pittsburgh cannot bring Sutton back. If Pittsburgh drafts Joey Porter Jr. and brings back Cameron Sutton, the Steelers can move Levi Wallace to nickel cornerback and would have one of the top cornerback trios in the league complimenting an elite pass rush with two potential sack sartists in Alex Highsmith at 3-4 right outside linebacker and T.J. Watt at 3-4 left outside linebacker. You also got Cam Heyward at 3-4 right end and Mikah Fitzpatrick at free safety as players to build around on Pittsburgh's defense.
    
    
    
18. Detroit Lions: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
    
    
    The Detroit Lions went 9-8 as I predicted them to. Detroit uses this pick to draft a playmaker on offense. Detroit drafts Texas running back Bijan Robinson to compliment David Montgomery with D'Andre Swift's injury history. Robinson is more durable than Swift, has a higher ceiling, and has hardly any weaknesses in his scouting report.
    
    
    
    The 5-11 215 lb Bijan Robinson had 195 carries, 1,127 rushing yards, 11 rushing touchdowns, 26 receptions, 295 receiving yards, 4 receiving touchdowns, 221 touches, 1,422 total yards, and 15 total touchdowns with Texas in 2021. Bijan Robinson had 258 carries, 1,580 rushing yards, 104 missed tackles on rushing plays, 18 rushing touchdowns, 19 receptions, 314 receiving yards, 2 receiving touchdowns, 277 touches, 1,894 total yards, and 20 total touchdowns with two five star offensive tackles starting as freshmen in 2022.
    
    
    
    I posted a film cut of Texas running back Bijan Robinson VS Alabama. You can watch that film cut in the clip below.
    
    
    
    
    
    Previous Pick: Noah Sewell, MLB, Oregon
    
    
    
    
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Darnell Wright, RT, Tennessee
    
    
    Tampa Bay cuts left tackle Donovan Smith to save cap space. Tony Mario believes Tampa Bay will move Tristan Wirfs to left tackle and draft Tennessee right tackle Darnell Wright as a bookend to Wirfs if Paris Johnson Jr., Peter Skoronski, and Broderick Jones are all of the board. Tony Mario is the only Tampa Bay resident at Draft Utopia, so I'm gonna take his word here since Darnell Wright is my fourth best offensive tackle in the 2023 NFL Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-5 342 lb Darnell Wright was a former five star recruit. He's got experience at both left tackle and right tackle. He was Tennessee's right tackle in his first two years. He moved over to left tackle in 2021 and established himself as Hendon Hooker's blindside left tackle before moving back to right tackle after Tennessee made Kingston Harris the starting left tackle in 2022.
    
    
    
    Darnell Wright held Will Anderson in check and kept Anderson from sacking Hendon Hooker in Tennessee's 52-49 upset win over Alabama at Neyland Stadium. He also crushed it at the 2023 Reese's Senior Bowl and honestly the only thing that may keep Wright out of the first round is that his hands are small. His hand weigh in was 8 1/2 inch hands at the 2023 Reese's Senior Bowl, but that didn't keep him from neutralizing the best edge rusher in the 2023 NFL Draft. All 32 teams interviewed Darnell Wright at the 2023 Reese's Senior Bowl and 12 of those 32 teams gave Wright a follow up interview at the 2023 NFL Combine. Darnell Wright ran a 5.01 40 time while also doing 25 reps on the bench press. He's gained enough traction to solidify a spot in the top 20.
    
    
    
    Tampa Bay's offensive line would have Tristan Wirfs moving from right tackle to left tackle as Baker Mayfield's new blindside, Matt Feiler at left guard, Ryan Jensen at center, Aaron Stinnie moving from left guard to right guard, and Darnell Wright at right tackle. Tampa Bay would have Luke Goedeke as a backup left guard/swing tackle and Robert Hainsley as both a backup center and a backup right guard. This is an offensive line that can do well enough for quarterback Baker Mayfield and running back Rachaad White. Mayfield will have his best weapons in his career with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin with Russell Gage in the slot and Cade Otton at tight end.
    
    
    
    I posted a film cut of Tennessee's offensive line VS Florida. Left guard Jerome Carvin and right tackle Darnell Wright are the two offensive linemen to keep an eye on in this film cut. You can watch that film cut in the clip below.
    
    
    
    
    
    Previous Pick: Paris Johnson Jr., LT, Ohio State
    
    
20. Seattle Seahawks: O'Cyrus Torrence, RG, Florida
    
    
    The Seattle Seahawks grab a right guard here. Gabe Jackson got cut and is no longer on Seattle. O'Cyrus Torrence would be a great replacement for Gabe Jackson at 21.
    
    
    
    Luckily for the Seattle, Florida Gators right guard O'Cyrus Torrence played right tackle in High School before moving to right guard at Louisiana for three years before playing right guard at Florida under head coach Billy Napier who coached O'Cyrus Torrence at Louisiana.
    
    
    
    The 6-4 337 lb O'Cyrus Torrence has the pass blocking, pass blocking strength, pass blocking footwork, run blocking, run blocking strength, run blocking footwork, zone blocking, pull blocking, pancake blocking, and cut blocking you want an NFL right guard to have. Since O'Cyrus Torrence played right tackle in High School, the versatility to move over to left guard should be there since I would argue right tackle is a harder position to play then right guard. O'Cyrus Torrence lined up at left guard at the 2023 Reese's Senior Bowl during practice showing he's versatile enough to play both guard spots in the NFL at either left guard or right guard.
    
    
    
    I posted a film cut of Florida's offensive line VS Tennessee. Left tackle Richard Gouriage and right guard O'Cyrus Torrence are the two offensive linemen to keep an eye on in this film cut. You can watch that film cut in the clip below.
    
    
    
    
    
    Previous Pick: Bryan Bresse, DT, Clemson
    
    
    
    
21. Los Angeles Chargers: Nolan Smith, 3-4 LOLB, Georgia
    
    
    The Los Angeles Chargers get a third pass rusher to compliment Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack at 3-4 outside linebacker. Nolan Smith is a steal at this point in the 2023 NFL Draft from a value standpoint.
    
    
    
    Nolan Smith is versatile enough to play 4-3 right outside linebacker, 4-3 left outside linebacker, 3-4 right outside linebacker, and 3-4 left outside linebacker. He's got the rip and swim moves of a 4-3 defensive end off the edge when pass rushing, yet also displays the body and size of an outside linebacker. The Chargers getting this guy as a third pass rusher off the edge to pair with Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack should frighten people because there will not be a drop off in play at 3-4 outside linebacker if Bosa or Mack gets injured in 2023.
    
    
    
    The 6-3 235 lb Nolan Smith had 31 solo tackles, 25 assisted tackles, 61 total tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, 4 quarterback hurries, 3.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 1 interception, 1 fumble recovery, and 1 deflection from a pass breakup in 2021. Nolan Smith had 14 solo tackles, 4 assisted tackles, 18 total tackles, 7 tackles for a loss, 3 sacks, 1 quarterback hurry, and1 deflection from a pass breakup before a season ending injury in 2022.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Jordan Addison, WR, USC
    
    
22. Baltimore Ravens: Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
    
    
    The Baltimore Ravens get a true number one wide receiver for Lamar Jackson. Both 2021 first round pick Rashod Bateman and 2020 third round pick Devin Duvernay the top two wide receivers on Baltimore suffered season ending injuries. Baltimore signed Odell Beckham Jr. to a one year deal, but that won't keep the Ravens from drafting a receiver in the first round.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 208 lb Quentin Johnston compliments Rashod Bateman quite nicely as a number two wide reeiver allowing Odell Beckham Jr. to be used as a slot receiver. Batimore would also have Nelson Agholor, Devin Duvernay, and James Proche off the bench as wide receivers for depth if injuries occurred. Having those six wide receivers with Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely at tight end makes Lamar Jackson's supporting cast in the passing game that much stronger.
    
    
    
    Quinton Johnston only had 33 receptions, 612 receiving yards, and 6 receiving touchdowns in 2021. Quinton Johnston had 60 receptions on 96 targets, 1,069 receiving yards, and 6 receiving touchdowns while leading TCU to the College Football Playoff where TCU defeated Michigan in an upset before losing the 2023 National Championship to Georgia 65-7 in 2022.
    
    
    
    You will see Quentin Johnston perform precise routes with screen passes, streaks, slants, wheel routes, post routes, post stops, curls, curl stops, drags, snags, shoots, out routes, out & ups, corner routes, slugos, slugo posts, slugo stops, IOU's, stop & gos, double stops, and double stop & gos. Can execute any type of route at an elite level. He got off to a strong start, but cooled off near the end of the year. Cornerbacks who used press coverage on him managed to limit his separation in 2021. He fixed this in 2022, but struggled against Georgia cornerback Kelee Ringo who absolutely blanketed Johnston in the 2023 National Championship Game.
    
    
    
    The 2023 NFL Draft has at least seven wide receivers that can run all thirty routes on the route tree. Quinton Johnston is the second of these wide receivers available that meets this criteria along with Jaxon Smith-Njigba. One of my friends said he couldn't block, but Johnston knocked a Kansas defender on his ass when blocking for his teammate Derius Davis where Davis scored a receiving touchdown against an undefeated Kansas team.
    
    
    
    I posted a film cut of TCU wide receiver Quentin Johnston VS Kansas. You can watch that film cut in the clip below.
    
    
    
    
    
    Previous Pick: Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee
    
    
    
    
23. Minnesota Vikings: Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
    
    
    The Minnesota Vikings get a Robin to compliment their Batman receiver Justin Jefferson. Jefferson is arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL now. However, Adam Thielen is gone and KJ Osborn last years slot receiver is the number two options. Drafting Zay Flowers allows him and Osborn to compete for the number two job. Osborn is bigger, but Flowers is a better blocker despite his size. Flowers is also a more refined route runner and Minnesota would have three quality receivers for quarterback Kirk Cousins to throw to.
    
    
    
    The 5-9 182 lb Zay Flowers blossomed as a sophomore with Phil Jurkovec as he had 56 receptions, 892 receiving yards, and 9 receiving touchdowns with tight end Hunter Long complimenting this offense. He only had 44 receptions, 746 receiving yards, and 5 receiving touchdowns in 2021 when quarterback Phil Jurkovec was dealing with injuries. Zay Flowers had 78 receptions on 130 targets, 1,077 receiving yards, and 12 receiving touchdowns in 2022.
    
    
    
    You will see Zay Flowers perform precise routes with screen passes, streaks, slants, wheel routes, post routes, post stops, curls, curl stops, drags, snags, shoots, out routes, out & ups, corner routes, slugos, slugo posts, slugo stops, IOU's, stop & gos, double stops, and double stop & gos. Can execute any type of route at an elite level. Zay Flowers practiced on the second day of the 2023 East West Shrine Bowl and stayed at the East West Shrine Bowl until 10 PM Pacific time practicing at the Shrine Bowl team facilities. Most of the targeted passes that Flowers didn't catch on film were passes Phil Jurkovec underthrew in 2022.
    
    
    
    Jaxon Smith-Njgiba, Quinton Johnston, and Zay Flowers are the top three receivers in this draft. Both can run all 30 routes on the route tree. Zay Flowers can knock people on his ass when blocking which is something a run heavy team like the Baltimore Ravens will absolutely love about Zay Flowers.
    
    
    
    Minnesota is getting a high character guy who is in a family with up to 13 siblings including himself. He also uses his agility to make cornerbacks miss their assignments and can play special teams too as a kick returner or punt returner.
    
    
    
    I posted a film cut of Boston College wide receiver Zay Flowers VS Wake Forest. You can watch that film cut in the clip below.
    
    
    
    
    
    Previous Pick: B.J. Ojulari, 3-4 ROLB, LSU
    
    
    
    
24. Jacksonville Jaguars: Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
    
    
    Jacksonville gets a cornerback to compliment Tyson Campbell and Darious Williams here with Tre Herndon set to be an unrestricted Free Agent and Jacksonville most likely releasing Shaquill Griffin to save cap space with Jacksonville currently projected to be over the cap in 2023.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 180 lb Cam Smith had 11 deflections from pass breakups and 3 interceptions in 2021. Cam Smith had at least 14 big plays after taking over as South Carolina's number one field cornerback following the departure of 2021 first round pick Jaycee Horn as a sophomore redshirt in 2021. Cam Smith had 23 solo tackles, 4 assisted tackles, 5 deflections from pass breakups, 2 quarterback hurries, 1 tackle for a loss, and 1 interception in 2022. He missed South Carolina's contest against Georgia, but made his presence known in South Carolina's upset wins over Tennessee and Clemson late in the season.
    
    
    
    I gave Cam Smith an A+ grade in man coverage and zone coverage. Cam Smith can play cover 0, cover 1, cover 2, cover 3, and cover 4. Cam Smith is a cornerback that I gave a B grade to in press coverage. That says a lot about about Cam Smith since I liked him in zone coverage more than Jaycee Horn and just as much in man coverage as Jaycee Horn, but the drawback with Smith is that he's worse in press coverage than Horn.
    
    
    
    Cam Smith dropped a few balls at the 2023 NFL Combine, but ran a good 40 time. He opted not to work out at South Carolina's Pro Day which can be an indicator that a team plans on taking him in the first round. There are some questions with his work ethic, but Smith's the best zone coverage cornerback in the 2023 NFL Draft which is enough of a reason for Jacksonville to select him here.
    
    
    
    Jacksonville has drafted from the Southeast region with previous first round picks being Luke Joeckel, LT, Texas A&M (2013), Blake Bortles, QB, Central Florida (2014), Dante Fowler Jr., RE, Florida (2015), Jalen Ramsey CB, Florida State (2016), Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU (2017), Taven Bryant, DT, Florida (2018), Josh Allen, 3-4 ROLB, Kentucky (2019), C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida (2020), K'Lavon Chaisson, 3-4 LOLB, LSU (2020), Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson (2021), Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson (2021) Travon Walker, 3-4 LOLB, Georgia (2022), and Cam Smith (2023) would keep this trend alive.
    
    
    Previous Pick: O'Cyrus Torrence, RG, Florida
    
    
25. New York Giants: Jordan Addison, WR, USC
    
    
    New York drafts a true number one receiver for quarterback Daniel Jones to throw to. Saquon Barkley got franchse tagged, so I cannot see the New York Giants taking a running back this early. Getting a number one wide receiver becomes the top priority for the New York Giants now.
    
    
    
    New York's wide receiver room currently features. Darius Slayton, Sterling Shepard, Wan'dale Robinson, Parris Campbell, Jamison Crowder, and Isaiah Hodgins. None of those guys are a true number one target that can command double teams and take the top off. Jordan Addison won the 2021 Billetnikoff Award and would be the number one target for Daniel Jones from day 1 for the New York Giants.
    
    
    
    The 5-11 173 lb Jordan Addison gives Justin Herbert another weapon that can make a day 1 impact. New York's offense would have three impact players with Daniel Jones at quarterback, Saquon Barkley at running back, and Jordan Addison at wide receiver. New York wouldn't just be deep at wide receiver. New York would have Daniel Bellinger and Darren Waller at tight end.
    
    
    
    Jordan Addison had 100 receptions on 145 targets, 1,593 receiving yards, and 17 receiving touchdowns at Pittsburgh in 2021 with Kenny Pickett before winning the 2021 Billetnikoff Award for the Nations best wide receiver. Jordan Addison had 59 receptions on 84 targets, 875 receiving yards, and 8 receiving touchdowns with Heisman Trophy Winner Caleb Williams at USC in 2022 after leaving Pittsburgh to transfer to USC.
    
    
    
    You will see Jordan Addison perform precise routes with screen passes, streaks, slants, wheel routes, post routes, post stops, curls, curl stops, drags, snags, shoots, out routes, out & ups, corner routes, slugos, slugo posts, slugo stops, IOU's, stop & gos, double stops, and double stop & gos. Can execute any type of route at an elite level. Has an extremely high football IQ. He can run all 30 different routes on the route tree and he gives the New York Giants a potential number one target.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
    
    
    
    
26. Dallas Cowboys: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama
    
    
    Dallas may cut Ezekiel Elliott to save cap space. Dallas also has an unrestricted Free Agent with Tony Pollard. Jahmyr Gibbs had the speed, pass catching, and vision, but needed to improve his pass blocking heading into 2022. Jahmyr Gibbs did that which makes him the second running back in this draft with the speed, pass catching, ball carrier vision, and pass blocking that you want an NFL running back to have.
    
    
    
    The 5-9 199 lb Jahmyr Gibbs had 151 carries, 926 rushing yards, 7 rushing touchdowns, 44 receptions, 444 receiving yards, 3 receiving touchdowns, 195 touches, 1,370 total yards, and 10 total touchdowns with Alabama in 2022.
    
    
    
    I posted a film cut of Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs VS Texas. You can watch that film cut in the clip below.
    
    
    
    
    
    
27. Buffalo Bills: Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson
    
    
    Buffalo needs a 4-3 middle linebacker, but outside of Trenton Simpson there isn't a guy worth drafting in the first round. Simpson is versatile enough to play inside, but I like him slightly more on the outside. Bryan Bresse is a great addition .
    
    
    
    The 6-5 298 lb Bryan Bresee is a 4-3 defensive tackle for Clemson that is versatile enough to play 3-4 right end, 3-4 nose tackle, or 3-4 left end. Bryan Bresee can play 0 technique, 1 technique, 2 technique, 3 technique, 4 technique, or 5 technique just like Jalen Carter. He was also the number one defensive tackle recruit in the country back in 2019 before graduating from High School in 2020 and starting on Clemson's defensive line as a true freshman. Bresee suffered a season ending injury in 2021 and missed a few games in 2022 when his sister was battling cancer before passing away from cancer. You cannot fault Bresee for being loyal to his family off of the gridiron because when he was on the gridiron he treated the other ten guys like family while being on one of the best defensive lines in College Football at Clemson.
    
    
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    Buffalo's defensive line will only get better with Bryan Bresee starting next to Quinnen Williams. Bryan Bresee had 9 solo tackles, 6 assisted tackles, 15 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for a loss, and 3.5 sacks in 2022.
    
    
    
    Bryan Bresse built on that with his strong performance at the 2023 NFL Combine where he ran a 4.86 40-yard dash while doing 22 reps on the bench press. Bresse also stood out at Clemson's 2023 Pro Day. The momentum Bresse built throughout the predraft process may get him into the top half of the first round.
    
    
    
    Bryan Bresee is the most versatile deffensive tackle not named Jalen Carter from both a scheme fit and technique standpoint. You'd like to see Breese develop more as a block shedder while showcasing rip and swim moves for him to have success in the NFL, but if he develops those moves he's hands down the best defensive tackle not named Jalen Carter.
    
    
    
    Buffalo will now have Ed Oliver and Bryan Bresse as starting defensive tackles. Jordan Phillips will be a rotational defensive tackle. Tim Settle and DaQuan Jones are essentially competing for a roster spot here thanks to Buffalo's decision to draft Bryan Bresse.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Henry To'oTo'o, MLB, Alabama
    
    
    
    
28. Cincinnati Bengals: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
    
    
    Cincinnati got to the AFC Championship only to lose to Kansas City in heartbreaking fashion. Cincinnati has most of their starters from Super Bowl 56 back plus $35-million in cap space for 2023 along with an additional $36-million if everyone on their team with restructuring options in their contracts restructures their contracts for 2023 and $136-million in cap space for 2024. The only position that the Bengals failed to upgrade in my mind was tight end. Hayden Hurst did better then I expected, but the 2023 NFL Draft has five tight ends that are better than Hayden Hurst. Here, Cincinnati gets the best tight end in the 2023 NFL Draft.
    
    
    
    For the past three years, Draft Utopia correctly predicted all of the Cincinnati Bengals first round picks. I had LSU quarterback Joe Burrow 2020 NFL Draft, I had LSU wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase in my 2021 NFL Draft, and Michigan free safety Daxton Hill in my 2022 NFL Draft. I'm not the only Draft Utopia staff member to correctly predict the Bengals last three first round picks. Jason Bantle also predicted those three players to Cincinnati. Tee Higgins was also the top player on my board after the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft as I had him ranked around 12th overall on my big board before the Bengals drafted Tee Higgins as a wide receiver out of Clemson with the thirty third pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
    
    
    
    Cincinnati will be thrilled if Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer falls here since he's the best tight end to enter the NFL Draft since Kyle Pitts out of Florida in the 2021 NFL Draft. The 2023 NFL Draft has other tight ends that would be tight end upgrades over former Bengals tight end like Georgia tight end Darnell Washington, Utah tight end Dalton Kincaid, and Oregon State tight end Luke Musgrave. Cincinnati signed Irv Smith Jr. to. a one year deal, but Mayer, Washington, Kincaid, and Musgrave are all upgrades over Irv Smith Jr.
    
    
    
    The 6-4 249 lb Michael Mayer was the top recruit at tight end coming out of High School. Mayer had 42 receptions, 450 receiving yards, and 2 receiving touchdowns as a true freshman in 2020. Michael Mayer had 71 receptions, 840 receiving yards, and 7 receiving touchdowns in 2021. Michael Mayer had 67 receptions, 809 receiving yards, and 9 receiving touchdowns in 2022. He's the best among nine different tight ends in this years draft that can catch, block well, and run all 30 routes on the route tree.
    
    
    
    You will see Michael Mayer perform precise routes with screen passes, streaks, slants, wheel routes, post routes, post stops, curls, curl stops, drags, snags, shoots, out routes, out & ups, corner routes, slugos, slugo posts, slugo stops, IOU's, stop & gos, double stops, and double stop & gos. Can execute any type of route at an elite level. Pairing Michael Mayer with Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins is going to give Joe Burrow an unfair advantage against a majority of the NFL in 2023.
    
    
    
    Pairing Michael Mayer with wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins is just straight up unfair. I've seen Mayer ranked as high as sixth overall on some big boards which is just insane. I do believe he's the best tight end in the draft, but the Bengals are the first team I see that screams desperation for a tight end upgrade.
    
    
    
    I posted a film cut of Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer VS Ohio State. You can watch that film cut in the clip below.
    
    
    
    
    
    
29. New Orleans Saints: Lukas Van Ness, RE, Iowa
    
    
    This draft pick originally belonged to San Francisco before San Francisco traded it to Miami in the Trey Lance trade. Miami traded this pick to Denver for Bradley Chubb, and Denver then traded this pick to New Orleans when hiring head coach Sean Payton. New Orleans is a team that is over the cap and if they cannot land a quarterback like Derek Carr in a trade then pounding the table for Will Levis this late in the first round makes the most sense. I have seen Levis as high as first overall and this is where he deserves to be mocked since most of our staff at Draft Utopia agrees on Will Levis being a bust.
    
    
    
    The 6-5 272 lb Lukas Van Ness had 17 solo tackles, 16 assisted tackles, 33 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for a loss, 7 sacks, and 3 quarterback hurries in 2021. Lukas Van Ness had 18 solo tackles, 18 assisted tackles, 36 total tackles, 10.5 tackles for a loss, 6 sacks, and 4 quarterback hurries in 2022.
    
    
    
    Lukas Van Ness knocked Northwestern left tackle Peter Skoronski on his ass. He also won one-on-ones against both of Ohio State's starting offensive tackles doing well against Paris Johnson Jr. at left tackle and Dawand Jones at right tackle. Lukas Van Ness may need to show more explosion, but he's got a great first step, the rip moves, and swim moves you want to see from a starting 4-3 left end in the NFL. He's not the sack artist that A.J. Epenesa was at Iowa, but you can argue his tape is better than Epenesa with how he played against Skoronski and Ohio State's offensive tackles played in 2022.
    
    
    
    Lukas Van Ness was a former hockey player too. He didn't start any games at Iowa, but his presence was known if you watch his film. Drafting Lukas Van Ness gives the Saints a replacement to Marcus Davenport. Lukas Van Ness would compete with Payton Turner a 2021 first round pick on the New Orleans Saints for the starting 4-3 right end job next to Cameron Jordan who plays 4-3 left end. I think Lukas Van Ness wins that competition against Payton Turner which is a huge reason I mocked Lukas Van Ness at 29.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
    
    
    
    
30. Philadelphia Eagles: Trenton Simpson, ROLB, Clemson
    
    
    Your 2022 NFC Champion Philadelphia Eagles get a replacement to Kyzir White at 4-3 right outside linebacker here. I gave the Eagles Notre Dame outside linebacker Isaiah Foskey last time. That changes this time around with Clemson outside linebacker Trenton Simpson still on the board at 30.
    
    
    
    Philadelphia gets an outside linebacker that is versatile enough to play 4-3 right outside linebacker, 4-3 middle linebacker, 4-3 left outside linebacker, 3-4 middle linebacker, nickel cornerback, strong safety, and free safety with his versatility. Simpson is versatile and easily an A grade player when watching his zone coverage. You would like to see him win more blocks when watching his tape.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 235 lb Trenton Simpson had 41 solo tackles, 23 assisted tackles, 64 total tackles, 12 tackles for a loss, 6 sacks, and 5 quarterback hurries in 2021. Trenton Simpson had 41 solo tackles, 31 assisted tackles, 72 total tackles, 5 quarterback hurries, 4 tackles for a loss, 3 deflections from pass breakups, and 2.5 sacks in 2022. Trenton Simpson gives Philadelphia a day 1 starter on the defensive side of the ball as Trenton Simpson compliments 4-3 middle linebacker Nakobe Dean and 4-3 left outside linebacker Haason Reddick.
    
    
    
    Philadelphia's front 7 for 2023 now has Josh Sweat at 4-3 right end, Jordan Davis at 4-3 defensive tackle, Milton Williams at 4-3 defensive tackle, Myles Murphy at 4-3 left end, Trenton Simpson at 4-3 right outside linebacker, Nakobe Dean at 4-3 middle linebacker, and Haason Reddick at 4-3 left outside linebacker. That front 7 can be just as deadly perhaps even deadlier than Philadelphia's front 7 in 2022 if both Myles Murphy and Isaiah Foskey pan out.
    
    
    
    I posted a film cut of Clemson linebacker Trenton Simpson VS North Carolina State. You can watch that film cut in the clip below.
    
    
    
    
    
    Previous Pick: Isaiah Foskey, 3-4 ROLB, Notre Dame
    
    
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Adetomiwa Adebawore, RE, Northwestern
    
    
    Kansas City was my preseason pick to win the AFC. Kansas City won the AFC in 2022. Once Green Bay got eliminated from the playoffs, I picked Kansas City to beat Philadelphia in Super Bowl 57 and that's exactly what happened. Kansas City can create $36.75-million in cap space if Patrick Mahomes, Chris Jones, Frank Clark, and Justin Reid all restructure their contracts for 2023. There is already speculation about extending Chris Jones whose in the final year of his contract with the Chiefs in 2023 whle there is also speculation about Orlando Brown Jr. being franchise tagged.
    
    
    
    Kansas City drafts a player born in Kansas City, Missouri in front of all thier fans. The Kansas City Chiefs are hosting the 2023 NFL Draft too. The crowd will erupt with constant cheering when Brett Veach calls Adetomiwa Adebawore's name.
    
    
    
    Kansas City replaced Frank Clark and Carlos Dunlap with Charles Omenihu at 4-3 right end. Chris Jones and Derrick Nnadi are back at 4-3 defensive tackle with George Karlaftis back at 4-3 left end. Adetomiwa Adebawore can play 4-3 right end, 4-3 defensive tackle, 4-3 left end, 3-4 right end, and 3-4 left end with his versatility. I believe Charles Omenihu is a stop gap while Adetomiwa Adeboware continues to improve.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 284 lb Adetomiwa Adebawore played defensive end at Northwestern practicing against first round left tackle Peter Skoronski in one-on-one drills. Adetomiwa Adebawore showed promise in limited action in 2020 with 11 solo tackles, 6 assisted tackles, 17 total tackles, 7 quarterback hurries, 6 tackles for a loss, 2 sacks, and 2 deflections from pass breakups in 2020 when Northwestern made it to the 2020 Big Ten Championship Game.
    
    
    
    Adetomiwa Adebawore had 25 solo tackles, 11 assisted tackles, 36 total tackles, 12 quarterback hurries, 8.5 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks, 3 deflections from pass breakups, and 2 forced fumbles in 2021 while emerging as a star player on Northwestern's defense. Adebawore led Northwestern in sacks, tackles for a loss, and quarterback hurries in 2021.
    
    
    
    Adetomiwa Adebawore opened up the 2022 College Football Season on a high note helping Northwestern get an upset win over Nebraska in Dublin Ireland. Adetomiwa Adebawore had 27 solo tackles, 11 assisted tackles, 38 total tackles, 9 tackles for a loss, 6 sacks, 3 quarterback hurries, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 deflection from a pass breakup in 2022. Adebawore improved his solo tackles, total tackles, tackles for a loss, and sacks despite a dip in quarterback hurries in 2022.
    
    
    
    Adetomiwa Adebawore had a good week at the 2023 Reese's Senior Bowl. He really made his money at the 2023 NFL Combine. Adetomiwa Adebawore became the fourth defensive lineman to have a 4.49 40 yard dash, a 37 inch vertical jump, 22 reps on the bench press, and an 11.1 inch broad jump. The other three players that did this at the NFL Combine were J.J. Watt, Jadeveon Clowney, and Rashad Gary.
    
    
    
    Prior to the 2023 Reese's Senior Bowl, I had a day 3 grade on Adebawore despite an impressive 2021 season at Northwestern. Once Adebawore dominated at the 2023 NFL Combine he surged up my draft board. Adetomiwa Adebawore becomes the first player to make a jump from the fifth round to the first round of my mock draft as I had a fourth to fifth round grade on Northwestern's defensive end in the Fall. Now, I got Adetomiwa Adebawore sneaking into the first round of my final 2023 NFL Mock Draft.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Broderick Jones, LT, Georgia