2023 NFL Draft Day 2 mock draft after the first round: Who stops the Will Levis slide?
2023 NFL Draft Day 2 mock draft: Projecting Picks No. 72-81 (Round 3)
LB. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Clemson. Trenton Simpson. 72. 35
It’s not pretty for the Titans linebacker room right now with Monty Rice an Azeez Al-Shaair penciled in as starters. Trenton Simpson is a ball of clay right now with great physical tools but he needs to come along in terms of instincts and discipline to reach his potential.
Pick Analysis. Stanford. Michael Wilson. player. 10. Scouting Report. WR. 73
C.J. Stroud is going to need weapons to target in the Texans offense and this is a good spot to try and bet big on a player like Michael Wilson. The injury history is terrifying with the Stanford product but he’s a big body who moves well and gets open routinely, which could be valuable in Houston.
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Baylor. Siaki Ika. 74. 53. DL. player
Finally, the Browns come on the clock and they address the glaring need on the defensive line right away. Siaki Ika was a bit disappointing in 2022 but the nose tackle fills a big need and offers more pass-rushing upside than you might expect from a 330-pounder, which Cleveland would love.
Scouting Report. SMU. 75. 44. player. Pick Analysis. WR. Rashee Rice
With the Bijan Robinson pick, the Falcons made it clear that they are going to prioritize putting Desmond Ridder in a good spot so getting another pass-catcher makes sense. Rashee Rice has clear talent but needs to play more like a quick, speedy threat than trying to be a big-bodied physical threat at just 6-foot.
EDGE. Georgia Tech. Keion White. player. 47. Pick Analysis. Scouting Report. 76
Keion White is a player some people had in the first round that I just couldn’t buy in on. With that said, the 24-year-old could be someone the Patriots would love. He’s big but has great burst for his size and could fit extremely well into the New England defensive front.
Notre Dame. Isaiah Foskey. 77. player. 51. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. EDGE
Speaking of needing pass rush, we are once again back to the Rams just trying to take good football players to get more of those in the building. So Isaiah Foskey is the pick. The Notre Dame standout is super savvy as a rusher and had 23 sacks over the past two years for the Irish.
Scouting Report. 78. 49. Pick Analysis. S. Illinois. Sydney Brown. player
With Adrian Amos gone in Green Bay, the Packers need to find a coverage safety. Sydney Brown might be the best athlete at safety in the class but his 5-foot-10 size has depressed his value. For a defense in need of a player with his exact talents, though, he won’t get past the Packers.
46. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Syracuse. 79. player. CB. Garrett Williams
Trading Stephon Gilmore this offseason left the Colts in a tough spot at cornerback, which they start to try and fix with Garrett Williams here. His footwork is insanely good and, while he lacks elite size and athleticism, his ability to mirror on the outside is extremely valuable.
55. Pick Analysis. LB. Dorian Williams. 80. player. Scouting Report. Tulane
The Steelers linebacker corps looks solid after signing Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts, but the coverage ability of that group is lacking. That’s why they bring in Dorian Williams here, a stalwart as a coverage backer who will need to bulk up at least a little bit to be a more effective downhill player.
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Alabama. Jordan Battle. player. 32. S. 81
Who knows what’s going to happen with Budda Baker but, for now, the Cardinals need more help at safety regardless. Battle is highly experienced as a multi-year starter at Alabama and can be a hybrid nickel and box safety type to move around on a defense that just needs more talent.
Round 2, Picks 32-39 | Round 2, Picks 40-47 | Round 2, Picks 48-55 | Round 2, Picks 56-63 | Round 3, Picks 64-71 | Round 3, Picks 92-102