2023 NT NFL Mock Draft

[raider5]

With the 15th pick of the NT NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers select...

Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah

Summary:
Time to get Jordan Love some weapons and fill a need. Kincaid is a fluid route runner with the athleticism and play speed to create mismatches against lesser coverage. Impeccable ball skills and sticky hands allow him to tilt 50/50 contested throws in his favor. He lacks the play strength and technique to work in-line, but can handle some positional blocking in space from time to time. Kincaid can manage a more extended route tree, allowing calculating play-callers to open up the entire field and stress coverages. He will need to acclimate to a more physical/athletic brand of coverage, but should blossom into a weapon.

Strength:

• Fluid athlete with impressive catch radius.
• Gets into routes with good initial burst.
• Has enough speed to threaten vertically and across the field.
• Sweet feet to break and separate from coverage.
• Possesses outstanding ball-tracking and focus as receiver.
• Makes well-timed moves for jump-ball victories.
• Hands are sticky and sure through contact.
• Above average run-and-catch fluidity on the move.

Weakness:

• Liability as a run blocker.
• Jarred off of his base by average contact.
• Struggles to stay connected to a block for long.
• Routes could use better speed variance.
• Physical defenders are able to slow his routes.

 

[raider5]

Washington Commanders are now on the clock dwileykyot

 

[dwileykyot]

And with the 16th pick of the NT NFL Mock Draft, the Washington Commanders select...

Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State

Summary:
The Commanders are in dire need of help at CB.

Strength:
-The most physical reroutes in this year’s draft.
-Smart hand usage helps cover when feet are late.
-Recovery and length to swat away would-be catches underneath.
-Closes the catch space when he’s in position.
-Can win high-point challenges even from trail position.
-Matchup potential against pass-catching tight ends.
-Spins sticky tackle web when he gets his hands on receivers.

Weakness:
- Nepo-baby

 

[IATT]

g-time 30 and dhop for 18?

 

[raider5]

And with the 17th pick of the NT NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers select...

Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia.

Summary:
Pittsburgh is in desperate need of offensive tackle help. Broderick Jones is an ultra-athletic tackle prospect with the size, length and potential to develop into a plus starter on the left side.

Strength:

• Former high school basketball player with premium athletic qualities.
• Drives hands into defender with upward strike.
• Rips outside hand through pads to corral and move opponent.
• Should be able to make all the blocks for zone and power.
• Body control to adjust to moving targets.
• Has length necessary to improve punch timing.
• Recognizes twist attempts quickly.
• Possesses loose hips and quick feet for recoveries.

Weakness:

• Less than two full seasons of starting experience at left tackle.
• Needs to keep his chin tucked and back flat in protection.
• Punch comes from outside angles and is slow to stick the rusher.
• Gives early ground when challenged by power rush.
• Doesn’t fit up run blocks in one, fluid motion.
• Will need to improve play strength as a pro.
• Tends to duck head and lose sight into first contact.

 

[raider5]

The Detroit Lions are now on the clock g-time

 

[raider5]

I've added threadmarks to each pick selection. So if anyone wants to avoid the conversations and go straight to the picks, just select reader mode and you should be able to go through the draft selections by each participant in order.

 

[g-time]

IATT lions are going to keep the #18 pick.

With the 17th pick of the NT NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions select...

Bijan Robinson, RB - Texas

Lions are solidifying their Offense.

POSITIVES​

— Great size. Thick, muscled-up frame capable of taking a full workload of touches.

— Elite acceleration with good top speed. Can go zero to 100 in an instant and has nice breakaway ability.

— Very good stop/start explosiveness for his size. Can cut and redirect, even through contact, with great effectiveness.

— Outstanding flexibility and change-of-direction skills. Maintains speed while turning the corner or changing directions.

— Above-average contact balance. Makes him hard to hit clean, and he has enough size/strength to brush off iffy tackle attempts.


— Good pass-catching back. Great hands for a running back and can run vertical routes in addition to standard underneath routes.

— Functional in pass protection; saw slight improvements in 2022. Decent eyes and willing to get chippy.

NEGATIVES​

— Vision is not bad, but he is prone to a couple moments of hesitancy per game. Type of runner who can search too hard for the "perfect" lane.

— Straight-forward power is just fine. Not concerning, but slightly underwhelming for a player his size.

— Could still use work in pass protection to go from adequate to a legit difference-maker.

 

[raider5]

And with the 19th pick of the NT NFL Draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select...

Will Levis, QB, Kentucky

Summary:
Levis is one of the most physically gifted quarterbacks in the draft, but there are warts in his game that might not be easily corrected. He has prototypical size and experience operating in a pro-style passing attack. He’s an athletic passer, with the ability to zip off-platform throws with plus velocity from a compact release.

Strength:

• Prototypical size and build for an NFL quarterback.
• Has experience taking snaps from under center.
• Played in pro-style passing scheme requiring full field reads.
• Athletic passer when working off-platform.
• Release is compact, twitchy and effortless.
• Extremely tough and played through injuries in 2022.
• Serious arm talent with ability to complete passes in tight windows.
• Can send deep passes over the heads of tardy safeties.
• Ability to slide and throw simultaneously from the pocket.
• Willing and capable as a runner near the goal line.

Weakness:

• Nearly a quarter of his passes were thrown to targets behind the line of scrimmage in 2022, per PFF.
• Inconsistent post-snap confidence to throw on time.
• Uncomfortable working against short zones.
• Big struggles finding his rhythm as a passer in 2022.
• Falls into off-platform throws rather than trusting the footwork.
• Scattershot ball placement and accuracy on simple throws.
• Poor feel inside the pocket for pressure points.
• Career TD-INT ratio falls below 2:1 mark.
• Poor second reaction decision-making with the football.
• Mayo in coffee
• Eats banana's with banana peel on

 

[raider5]

The Seattle Seahawks are now on the clock DonCigaro

 

[IATT]

frshstunna let me know about 22, dhop and 30

 

[frshstunna]

frshstunna let me know about 22, dhop and 30

Deal

 

[raider5]

Haven’t seen my guy DonCigaro active in here, so i’ll be making the pick in 30 min to keep the thread moving…

 

[raider5]

With the 20th pick of the NT NFL Draft, the Seattle Seahawks select...

Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU

Summary:
Depth pick and a workout buddy for DK Metcalf. Quentin Johnston has pretty much perfect measurables, standing 6-3 and weighing in at just over 210 lbs with legit 4.4 speed. He is perhaps the top WR prospect in the 2023 class although thus far hasn't been as productive as you would have hoped given his athletic profile. Teams will view him as by no means a sure thing but it's unlikely he'll make it past pick 20 in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Strength:

• Desired blend of size, length and speed outside.
• Consistent intensity in drive phase, regardless of route depth.
• Long strides allow him to eat into coverage cushions quickly.
• Separation speed shows up across the hashes.
• Should see more touchdown opportunities with a more accurate quarterback.
• Shows off athleticism once the ball is released.
• Makes late adjustments to haul in deep throws.
• Above average catch radius.

Weakness:

• Production was somewhat erratic.
• Grabbed just 6 of Max Duggan’s 32 touchdown passes in 2022.
• Long release steps allow press to tag him.
• Struggles to create leverage and deception in his routes.
• Listless getting out of breaks and presenting underneath.
• Fails to stack and wall-off defenders on deep throws.
• Doesn’t meet throws with desired arm extension.
• Inconsistent finishing catches through contact.

 

[raider5]

The Los Angeles Chargers are now on the clock JustBlaze.

Spoiler

 

[JustBlaze.]

With the 21st pick, the LA Chargers select Michael Mayer, TE from Notre Dame.


I’m in the middle of golfing now so I can’t elaborate.

 

[IATT]

With the 22nd pick in the 2023 nt NFL draft, the Arizona cardinals select:

deonte banks, CB, Maryland

 

[IATT]

Cards are looking to move back in the first with the 34th pick

Will package 96 and 105 to get it done

 

[raider5]

With the 23rd pick of the NT NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings select...

Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee

Summary:
It's time to plan for the future. Hooker’s age and ACL tear will be starting points for many draft conversations, but the most important question to be answered is whether he can thrive outside of the Tennessee offense. Hooker was frequently a half-field reader, which means he could lean on spacing, speed and/or route combinations to make life easier. He’s more accurate outside the numbers than between the hashes and his deep ball placement was much more uneven than expected. However, Hooker plays with excellent poise and footwork as a pocket passer. He will make quarterback coaches and play-callers happy with his adherence to keeping plays on schedule. He’s still showing signs of improvement and growth at the position, and his ability to hurt teams with his legs creates opportunities to help his offense outside of what he does in the pocket. His recovery from the ACL tear will require monitoring, but he has the talent to become a starter in a timing-based, spread offense.

Strength:

• Blends NFL pocket-passer size with dual-threat athleticism.
• Rhythmic passer who prefers to keep plays on schedule.
• Good operation time with twitchy release in quick game.
• Patient in allowing route combinations to develop.
• Footwork is as dialed in and consistent as you’ll find among this year’s QB prospects.
• Avoids high risk, low yield throws for the most part.
• TD-INT ratio of 58:5 in the last two seasons.
• Sticks with delivery regardless of pressure.
• Feels edges collapsing and climbs pocket to safety.
• Helps identify protection for running backs.
• Above average acceleration for success on called runs or as a scrambler.

Weakness:

• Sustained torn ACL in left knee late last season.
• Coming off injury as a 25-year-old rookie.
• Rarely required to get through a slate of progressions in the Vols’ offense.
• Might need to prove he can make window throws to stationary targets.
• Sailed too many of his throws between the hashes.
• Struggled when forced to throw on the move.
• Left touchdowns on the field due to inconsistent placement on deep throws.
• Internal clock hits snooze at times, leading to sacks that could have been avoided.
• Takes on too much contact as a runner.

 

[raider5]

With the 24th pick of the NT NFL Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars select...

Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State

Summary:
Forbes is long, can run and has a talent for taking the ball away, which means he has a chance to become a coveted cornerback. However, his wire-thin frame does not work in his favor. Forbes’ instincts and recognition are fun to watch. He pounces on quick-game throws and has the ball skills to take the ball away.

Strength:

• Two-hand jabs keep receivers occupied in press.
• Plays with smooth side-shuffle technique in deep zone.
• Above average pre-snap play recognition.
• Instincts allow for quick read-and-react jumps on the throw.
• Swings arm through catch point to separate the football.
• Soft hands with the ability to leap and win at the high point.
• Uses his length as an effective recovery tool.
• Can be hard to throw over the top of him.
• Posted 14 career interceptions with six returned for touchdowns.

Weakness:

• Below average foot slide to match the release.
• Has issues staying in phase at break points.
• Aggressiveness makes him a double-move target.
• Needs to become more disciplined playing high to low in zone.
• Plays out past his toes, leading to transition imbalance.
• Grab-and-drag tackler lacking play strength.

 

[raider5]

The New York Giants are now on the clock g-time

 

[g-time]

With the 25th pick in the NT NFL Draft, the New York Football Giants select….

Cam Smith, CB - South Carolina

Strengths

• Plays with anticipation from off coverage.
• Rock solid on-ball production during his career.
• Reads QB and WR concurrently to jump the throw.
• Springing plant-and-trigger steps from his pedal.
• Maintains feel for route direction when in phase.
• Uses length and timing to alter catch success from trail position.
• Attacks ball, not man, with downhill angles on the throw.
• Excellent job of limiting YAC for WR Jalin Hyatt in win over Tennessee.

Weaknesses

• Sticky feet rarely match press releases cleanly.
• Sluggish lateral transitions open door for separation.
• Takes foot off the gas when turning to locate the football.
• Long speed looks to be average.
• Drew 10 penalty flags in 2022, per PFF.
• Defaults to grabbing instead of using proper footwork.
• Run support didn’t appear to be a high priority.

 

[IATT]

dwileykyot

Cards are looking to move back in the first with the 34th pick

Will package 96 and 105 to get it done

 

[dwileykyot]

dwileykyot

Buffalo will be staying put

 

[raider5]

With the 26th pick, the Dallas Cowboys select…

Luke Musgrave, TE, Oregon State

Summary:
Between the abbreviated 2020 season and an injury-shortened 2022 campaign, Musgrave’s snaps have been somewhat limited, but it’s easy to like what he’s put on tape. His route running harkens back to his slalom days with nimble feet and smooth hips helping to generate rhythm and separation in and out of breaks. He needs a little more bulk for combat in the trenches, but he offers what evaluators are looking for in technique, strain and demeanor. Musgrave has starter potential and should gain a coveted slot on draft boards from teams looking to add versatility to their 12 personnel (two tight ends) packages.

Strength:
Oily hips and feet.
Eludes coverage contact with smooth transitions of tempo.
Routes gain momentum with burst through turns to mismatch linebackers.
Gets head around to track vertical throws without losing a step.
Footwork is controlled and patient fitting his run blocks.
Strikes with inside hands and clean, upward punch.
Makes good effort to sustain at point of attack or in space.

Weakness:
Needs to pair his feet with his hands in run game.
Could use a little more strength at the point of attack.
Average hand fighting inside the route.
Will drift through intermediate cuts at times.
Modest catch radius on throws outside the frame.