2023 PFF Mock Draft Picks Six-Eleven With A Big Franchise Altering Move
Updated: Jun 28, 2023
In the immortal words of South Park, “We like to have fun here.” But, of course, that doesn’t mean the outcome is random. So I’ve taken all the off-season chatter, available free agents, team needs, and conflicts coming to a head and compiled them into this hypothetical situation as we head back into my PFF mock draft.
Detriot Adds Cornerstone Corner At Six
Devon Witherspoon could be the most unforeseen player in this class. His 2022 season catapulted his draft stock from a third or fourth-rounder to a top-ten pick. On PFF, Devon is the top-graded back; his tape proves it. He has near-perfect fluidity in his hips and projects as a top-end lock down the defensive back. He will definitely need to add some weight, but his frame will allow it.
Pairing Witherspoon with Jeff Okuda and Aiden Hutchenson could fix one of the worst scoring defenses in the NFL. The Lions are primed to win the NFC North if they have a similar draft crop from last year. Witherspoon has the feistiness and swag needed to play CB at the next level. He’s a perfect fit for kneecap-chewing Campbell’s team.
Raiders Follow Suit With A DB
Chrisitan Gonzalez is the size speed guy of the group; he’s 6’2, 201 pounds, and can fly. His skill set isn’t coachable, but he will need to be if he will refine to be a top-level outside corner rather than a good two or big nickel corner. He is such a freak athlete; he has a 42-inch vertical to go along with his massive frame and long arms.
Raider Nation, would you be happy if we drafted Christian Gonzalez 7th overall? pic.twitter.com/0lHNfpnG3P — Khaled Abdallah (@khaled74) February 23, 2023
The Raiders need an identity if the back of the defense, Maxx Crosby, is excellent, but he needs help because he can’t record a sack every play. Gonzalez being back there anchoring the group could give the pass rush the extra second it requires to finish a play. He could also help in covering Travis Kelce due to his physical traits. As a result, he should significantly improve the Raiders’ defense.
Trade Alert! Falcons Trade For Lamar Jackson
Kablam. Regardless of if every deal Lamar has sent back to the Ravens has been fully guaranteed, the fact that remains is straightforward they are not close to an agreement, and I don’t think Lamar plays on a franchise tag. It would make zero sense for the Ravens to tag him, eat that money, and have him not play.
Enter the Falcons, who send over picks 8, 44, 110, 2024 & 2025 firsts and thirds, and Desmond Ridder for Jackson, pick 86, a 2024 fourth, and a 2025 fourth. Atlanta also has the money to give Lamar a four-year, 150 million fully guaranteed contract.
I think Arthur Blank is desperate for a Franchise QB, and Anthony Richardson is the only one left on this board. Why use the eighth overall pick on a guy that shaky when one of the best results is Lamar? Arthur Smith getting to build an offense around Lamar, Kyle Pitts, and Drake London. WOW.
Ravens Select EDGE Tyree Wilson
The Ravens are in this strange spot when they have everything they need but can’t cut the check. We can all thank the Browns for increasing the disparity between talent, production, and players’ paychecks. The Ravens have a stout defense with a tremendous secondary, but there isn’t a T.J. Watt-type star on the team.
Tyree Wilson, DE, Texas Tech pic.twitter.com/mNBKANjdQt — Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) February 27, 2023
Tyree Wilson is a monster at 6’6, 275 he has a bunch of talents that you really can’t coach. He thrives on contact; he is fluid based rather than explosiveness. Wilson wants to put his hands on you and throw you to the ground, and he can, in most instances. He has shades of Haloti Ngata after watching his tape.
Panthers Add Top-Ranked Weapon With Ninth Pick
Quinten Jonhson shares many traits as DeAndre Hopkins did when he first entered the league. Much of the NFL community believes he will run in the low 4.4s at the combine. However, if he does, at 6’4 215 pounds, he could be a legitimate threat at the next level if used properly.
The catch here is Carolina doesn’t have an outstanding QB on the roster, but whoever is under center will have D.J Moore and Johnson to throw too. So Johnson can learn and get up to speed at a regular pace rather than being some savior to the positional group. Frank Reich coached another solid comp to Johnson: Alshon Jeffery, who dominated under Reich when healthy.
Pick Ten Eagles Beef Up The Secondary
Joey Porter JR. has the NFL in his blood. His dad was an elite defender in his day, and Porter has the size and tape needed to be a top-ten pick in this draft. Darius Slay is getting older. James Bradberry will probably get a deal elsewhere, and they could use a better prospect at that position.
JPJ can be a cornerstone with Jordan Davis and possibly Nakobi Dean (if he hits), and this Eagles defense can keep on rolling for the next five years, being stocked up by excellent management. Porter just needs to work on grabbing, he has the talent and size not to have to.
Titans Select Elite EDGE For Vrabel
Lukas Van Ness has the type of profile that doesn’t come often, his production isn’t anything that pops off the sheet, but when you see him, he pops off the screen. With the right coaching, this guy is the next Justin Smith; he will be an effective pest at the very least and a 20-sack guy at his height.
The Titans always play tough defense but don’t seem to have a premier player to be the face of it. Van Ness quickly could turn out to be that face. Jeffery Simmons is a great player. Pairing him up with Van Ness could create a deadly pass-rushing duo.