2023 NFL Draft Day 2 mock draft after the first round: Who stops the Will Levis slide?

Will Levis and Michael Mayer fell from the first round in the 2023 NFL Draft, so where will they go? Full Day 2 mock draft for the second and third rounds.

The first round of the 2023 NFL Draft is in the books and, as predicted, it was full of calamity, chaos, wild moves, and plenty of surprises. The Detroit Lions provided several of them, trading down but then still reaching with both selections to take Jahmyr Gibbs and Jack Campbell. But let’s not overlook the Eagles hitting a home run, the Texans trading up to pick second and third, and much more.

But after the 31 picks in the first round, there are still more than 200 picks left to make in the 2023 NFL Draft, and that starts with Day 2 — Rounds 2 and 3 — on Saturday evening. Who is going to stop the shocking fall of Kentucky QB Will Levis? Which team is going to luck into Michael Mayer? What more surprises await?

We’re going to do our best with the first round under our belts to project the next 71 picks in the 2023 NFL Draft with a Day 2 mock draft for Rounds 2-3.

Table of Contents

• Round 2, Picks 32-39 – Will Levis’ fall finally stops
• Round 2, Picks 40-47 – Another mini WR run gets going
• Round 2, Picks 48-55 – Hendon Hooker comes off the board
• Round 2, Picks 56-63 – Cowboys, Giants, Eagles all land weapons
• Round 3, Picks 64-71 – Broncos finally get to join the draft
• Round 3, Picks 72-81 – Several sleepers fly off the board
• Round 3, Picks 82-91 – Sneaky starters from Power 5 get grabbed
• Round 3, Picks 92-102 – 49ers wrap up Round 3 with their first 3 picks

2023 NFL Draft Day 2 mock draft: Projecting Picks No. 32-39 (Round 2)

Steelers fans surely are enticed by Joey Porter Jr. here but, to me, Brian Branch is the better player and better fit in Pittsburgh. His versatility to drop down and play in the nickel, play box safety, and cover really make him an asset that the Steelers can use as a more versatile and useful version of what they lost in Terrell Edmunds.

With Pittsburgh passing on Joey Porter Jr., the Cardinals are happy to take him here. The cornerback room in Arizona is bare and in a position to swing on the Penn State product. Porter is extremely long and savvy but the big worry is his lack of overall athleticism and long speed as he transitions to the NFL.

I’m still not sure how Michael Mayer wasn’t a first-round pick but the Lions are celebrating because of it. After the T.J. Hockenson trade last year, Detroit has been lacking a versatile and potentially dominant pass-catching presence at tight end. With blocking upside as well, Mayer fits that bill for them and should slot in as an immediate starter for this offense.

It would be great for the Colts to get a left tackle to protect Anthony Richardson better than Bernhard Raimann, but there is also a hole at right guard where 2021 seventh-rounder Will Fries is projected to start. O’Cyrus Torrence is a people-mover on the interior and a plug-and-play starter for Indianapolis to fortify the line.

The Rams really can’t go wrong with their first selection in the 2023 NFL Draft but they are the ones to stop the Will Levis freefall. If he doesn’t go here, he won’t last much longer. Matthew Stafford’s health is a long-term concern and he doesn’t feel long for LA  or the NFL beyond 2023. Bringing Levis in to learn behind another strong-armed passer in Sean McVay’s offense sounds like a smart way to work toward the future.

The Seahawks’ offensive line is still not complete and one of the biggest holes is at center. With so much draft capital and a strong pair of first-round picks, they can afford to reach slightly on John Michael Schmitz, who is an absolute stud with great moveability and athleticism that can start in Seattle from Day 1.

Though the Raiders didn’t take a quarterback, it’s clear they’re trying to build a better infrastructure before they start that plan. Taking a potential stud right tackle like Dawand Jones to pair with Kolton Miller is a great start. Jones isn’t an athlete but he’s a mammoth human being in the mold of Orlando Brown Jr. that could be a great long-term asset for Las Vegas.

Bryce Young is now a Carolina Panther, but part of the problem is that the team traded away perhaps its only notable pass-catcher, D.J. Moore, to move up to No. 1 to take the QB. Cedric Tillman was hurt for much of the 2022 season but his 2021 tape shows a receiver who can win physically and make a big impact in the passing game as a terrific target for Young to grow with.

Round 2, Picks 48-55 | Round 2, Picks 56-63 | Round 3, Picks 64-71 | Round 3, Picks 72-81 | Round 3, Picks 82-91 | Round 3, Picks 92-102