2023 NFL Mock Draft With Analysis – Week 11

Draft order courtesy of http://www.tankathon.com

Pick	Player	Stats	Commentary
1	EDGE Will Anderson, Alabama – 6’4, 243 lbs	42 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT	Davis Mills is not the answer, no. But Houston knows they are in for a long rebuild, and the Caleb Williams and Drake Maye look better than any quarterback prospect available here. I believe that Will Anderson Jr. is the only prospect worth passing on a quarterback for. He is a generational pass rusher who can drop back into coverage as well. Simply put, he is a defensive anchor.
2	QB Bryce Young, Alabama – 6’0, 194 lbs	192-305, 2443 yards, 22 TD, 4 INT	The 2021 Raiders weathered the Henry Ruggs/Jon Gruden mess to make the playoffs. In typical Raiders fashion, they threw all that momentum away to further prove that Josh McDaniels is not an NFL head coach. This team needs a pass rusher like Will Anderson Jr. in the worst way and would run to the podium if he is available. If not, do they go after a quarterback? They have been trying to run Derek Carr out of town for years. Bryce Young is historically undersized for a quarterback, but can make all the throws. He is a risk, but could be a franchise guy.
3	QB CJ Stroud, Ohio State – 6’3, 218 lbs	186 for 277, 2750 yards, 34 TD, 4 INT	The Panthers need a quarterback, bar none. If they do not come out of this draft with CJ Stroud or Bryce Young, it would be a monster disappointment. CJ Stroud has QB1 stats, but he plays in a historically talented offense. That is not his fault, of course, and he has done what he needs to do, but questions about arm strength and athleticism remain. Still, he should make a very fine starting quarterback in time, even if he falls short of superstardom.
4	DE Myles Murphy, Clemson – 6’5, 275 lbs	31 tackles, 6.5 sacks	From NO What a disaster for the Saints. You simply do not trade first round picks for non-quarterbacks. Now they are in salary cap hell, and lose out on a top five pick here. The Eagles do not mind. They recently traded for Robert Quinn, showing that could use some pass rushing upgrades. Myles Murphy is not a Travon Walker-like athlete, but has great size, can get after the quarterback and hold up against the run as well.
5	DT Jalen Carter, Georgia – 6’3, 300 lbs	17 tackles, 2 sacks	Jalen Carter is a top ten talent in college football, but it did not translate to the stat sheet until the past couple of weeks. Carter has shown everything he is about in dominating performances against Tennessee and Mississippi State. Jacksonville wisely went to the Georgia defensive well in the 2022 draft and do so again with Carter here.
6	OT Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio State – 6’6, 315 lbs	N/A	A light switch has been flipped on in Chicago. Justin Fields and the coaching staff have brought out the best in him, and he finally looks like a keeper. Of course, if they want him to continue to lose his legs, he needs protection. Paris Johnson Jr. has all the talent in the world and is gaining valuable experience as the starting left tackle for college football’s best offense.
7	CB Kelee Ringo, Georgia – 6’2, 210 lbs	25 tackles, 1 INT	From DEN Does the NFL have a comeback player of the year award? If so, Geno Smith has it locked up. Seattle’s offense could be good enough to bring the team back to the playoffs, meaning they can use their two first round picks on defense. Kelee Ringo will bring back memories of the Legion of Boom. He is built like a safety but runs like a corner. An elite talent, he is rarely tested by opposing offenses.
8	EDGE Felix Anduike-Uzomah – 6’4, 255 lbs	35 tackles, 7.5 sacks	From LAR Is this a reach? Perhaps. But Detroit’s defense is so bad, that sometimes reaches are necessary. Felix Anduike-Uzomah needs to develop his all around game, but his pass rushing chops are for real.
9	WR Quentin Johnston, TCU – 6’4, 215 lbs	45 rec, 716 yards, 5 TD	From CLE After a very slow start, Quentin Johnston has really stepped up his game and emerged as a top 15 prospect. He is huge, quick and has a nose for the end zone, scoring touchdowns in five straight games. He would be a nice option for Davis Mills or Houston’s next quarterback.
10	OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Penn State – 6’6, 321 lbs	N/A	Say what you want about the quarterback situation in Pittsburgh, but the offensive line has done the team no favors. Olumuyiwa Fashanu may just be a redshirt sophomore, but he has had a fantastic season for Penn State. Other than perhaps experience, he checks all of the boxes for what teams look for in offensive tackles.
11	OLB Trenton Simpson, Clemson – 6’3, 240 lbs	57 tackles, 0.5 sacks	It takes a special non EDGE rushing linebacker to go in the top fifteen, but Trenton Simpson is just that. A true three down linebacker, he only has a half sack on the season but has 10.5 for his career, showing he can rush the passer as well as holding his own otherwise. Lions need defense. Duh.
12	EDGE Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech – 6’6, 275 lbs	61 tackles, 7 sacks	The Falcons have played hard, but this is still a roster with serious talent issues. Best defender available would be a good way to go. Tyree Wilson has 14 sacks the past two seasons, and racks up tackles in the run game as well.
13	DT Gervon Dexter Sr., Florida – 6’6, 312 lbs	42 tackles, 2 sacks	This pick might be a bit of a projection, but I am a huge Gervon Dexter fan and think he will shoot up draft boards during the combine process. He has everything you look for in a defensive tackle. Size, run defense and the occasional pass rushing move. Arizona is a bit of a mess everywhere. Dexter would be a nice fit at end in their 3-4 defense.
14	WR Jordan Addison, USC – 6’0, 175 lbs	40 rec, 587 yards, 7 TD	Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson could be good receivers one day, but none have the potential and ability of Jordan Addison. One of the quickest down field threats in college football, he is a complete receiver that lacks a bit of size. The Packers passing issues cannot be understated. They need to invest in a premium talent.
15	QB Will Levis, Kentucky – 6’3, 232 lbs	154-233, 2012 yards, 16 TD, 9 INT	First, let me say I am not a Will Levis fan. Even as a 23 year old senior, he looks to be a few years away. But, some scout will fall in love with his potential and bang the table for him. Indianapolis looks like a good bet. They are a complete disaster right now, but have probably won too many games to truly tank for Bryce Young or CJ Stroud. Hopefully for them, Levis will work out.
16	TE Michael Mayer, Notre Dame – 6’4, 265 lbs	54 rec, 647 yards, 7 TD	First round tight ends are historically slow to develop, that it might be tough to justify spending a high first round pick on one. This is good value for Michael Mayer at 16, however. He is not Kyle Pitts athletically (who is?) but should be a nice safety valve and chain mover. The Commanders might have bigger needs, but this is a best player available type situation.
17	OT Peter Skoronski, Northwestern – 6’4, 315 lbs	N/A	This would be the third straight year the Chargers took an offensive lineman in the first round, but I do not think fans would complain. Keeping Justin Herbert upright is paramount. Peter Skoronski is a bit of a tweener, but he would be an upgrade at either guard or right tackle.
18	OT Broderick Jones, Georgia – 6’4, 310 lbs	N/A	The Bengals invested heavily in the offensive line during free agency, with mixed results. Broderick Jones lacks some experience and size, but is a very strong run blocker and could fill in at any position along the Cincinnati line until he settles into a spot.
19	QB Hendon Hooker, Tennessee – 6’4, 218 lbs	204-287, 2888 yards, 24 TD, 2 INT	Stop me if you heard this before, but this may very well be Tom Brady’s final year in the NFL. The Buccaneers need a long term option, and I like Hendon Hooker here. He has slowly risen up the draft boards throughout the years and has definitely arrived as a senior, helping Tennessee become a national threat. If the Eagles can make it work with Jalen Hurts, why not Hooker? Hooker is not the pure runner Hurts is, but is probably a better passer.
20	EDGE BJ Ojulari, LSU – 6’3, 250 lbs	43 tackles, 5 sacks	From SF The Broncos traded Von Miller and Bradley Chubb during back to back trading deadlines, making a pass rusher perhaps the biggest need on the roster. BJ Ojulari does not do much else, but he can really get after the quarterback. That might be good enough at this point in the draft.
21	EDGE Drew Sanders, Arkansas – 6’5, 232 lbs	86 tackles, 8.5 sacks	Drew Sanders had trouble seeing the field for the deep Alabama defense during his first two seasons, but is showing why he was a five star recruit. He is one of the best pass rushers in college football, but is far from a one trick pony. He’s a great run stopper as well. His versatility could endear himself to Patriots cocaches.
22	DT Tuli Tuipulotu, USC – 6’4, 290 lbs	32 tackles, 11.5 sacks	More defense for the Seahawks. Who leads college football in sacks? If you said Tuli Tuipulotu, well, you should have because this is his blurb. Sacks usually lead to first round pedigree. Tuipulotu is a bit undersized by defensive tackle standards, but man, can he get after the quarterback, and that is what matters.
23	TE Darnell Washington, Georgia – 6’7, 270 lbs	24 rec, 392 yards, 1 TD	Darnell Washington leads what could be the greatest group of tight ends in college football history. Seriously. Georgia may have four first round picks at the position. Washington is huge, a willing blocker, and has a few highlight plays on his resume. Tight end may not be the biggest need in New York, but this is a good opportunity to add an elite talent to the roster.
24	HB Bijan Robinson, Texas – 6’0, 220 lbs	204 rushes, 1158 yards, 12 TD	The Buffalo Bills may be a running back away from being truly elite offensively. The running back position has been devalued in recent years, which is why Bijan Robinson is not a top ten pick. There is absolutely nothing he cannot do as a running back, and is a true three down work horse.
25	OG O’Cyrus Torrence, Florida – 6’5, 347 lbs	N/A	The Ravens offensive line has been held together by duct tape this season. Tyler Linderbaum was a nice start, but more reinforcements are needed. O’Cyrus Torrence was a solid day two prospect during his time at Louisiana, but has elevated his game to another level with Florida. He is a run game mauler.
26	WR Jalin Hyatt, Tennessee – 6’0, 180 lbs	58 rec, 1116 yards, 15 TD	The Titans should absolutely not be afraid to go to the receiver well once again. The need is that big. Jalin Hyatt has gone from an undrafted free agent to possible Day 1 pick with an absolutely monster junior year. His chemistry with Hendon Hooker has been tremendous, and he is a constant big play threat waiting to happen.
27	DT Bryan Bresee, Clemson – 6’5, 305 lbs	12 tackles, 2.5 sacks	It has been quite a struggle at times for Bryan Bresee, a former top overall recruit, due to injuries and off the field family issues. The talent is there, however, and a team late in the first round like Dallas will likely take a swing in hopes they can unlock it.
28	WR Kayshon Boutte, LSU – 6’0, 205 lbs	38 rec, 388 yards, 1 TD	Since the season started, Kayshon Boutte has become somewhat of a forgotten man. He is not the explosive receiver the comminuty thought he was as a freshman, but he has been a very steady, reliable target for Jayden Daniels. There is such a wide need for receivers in the NFL that he could squeak into the first round. The surprising Giants could need one of those guys more than anyone in the NFL.
29	CB Joey Porter Jr., Penn State – 6’2, 198 lbs	26 tackles	We seem to mock cornerbacks to the Vikings on a yearly basis. The need is still there, and there are a surprising number of solid defensive backs availabe here, between Joey Porter Jr., Christian Gonzalez, Cam Smith and Devon Witherspoon. Porter Jr. has great size and tackles like a safety. He has hardly been tested by opponents this season.
30	OT Jaelyn Duncan, Maryland – 6’6, 320 lbs	N/A	Jaelyn Duncan’s draft stock has fluctuated this season, but I still think he should settle in as a solid starting right tackle pretty quickly. The Chiefs have questions to answer with guys like Orlando Brown in the offseason, making this a potential need.
31	CB Christian Gonzalez, Oregon – 6’2, 201 lbs	45 tackles, 3 int	The Eagles have two first round picks, and even though cornerback is not the biggest need, you can never have enough on your roster. Christian Gonzalez was smart enough to escape the college football dumpster fire that is Colorado, and has put himself squarely in the first round mix with a three interception junior campaign for Oregon.