The NFL combine starts next week and with that approaching Daniel Jeremiah released his second mock draft. A lot of good posts on the first one so figured I would keep it going. For those that missed Daniel Jeremiah is a former NFL scout with contacts in the league so generally his mocks are more accurate than regular media. Notable picks:
- #1 Bears-DT Jalen Carter UGA-No change here and DJ thinks a trade could happen but won't project it yet. More interesting is DJ really scoffed at the idea of trading Fields to get Young. Thats a media narrative that is not at all true based on his info. Also bringing Young to play in the windy/cold Chicago/NFC North wouldnt make much sense.
- #2 Texans-QB Bryce Young Bama-No change here with Young as clear QB1. DJ noted Houston is really trying to become more popular in the city after being hated by many. Demeco Ryans and the top QB is what they want.
- #3 Cardinals-DE Tyree Wilson TTech-The first notable change with Wilson now being taken ahead of Will Anderson. Anderson is awesome but Tyree Wilson at 6'6" 275 and expected elite athletic numbers has a higher ceiling. Tyree has the same juice in pass rushing situations while also being a much bigger body on the edge.
- #4 Colts-QB CJ Stroud OSU-Good spot for Stroud to land after being sent to Carolina last time. Stroud seems to have solidified himself above Levis. DJ said he is a pure passer and the best in the class and the concern is just pocket presence which Stroud is pretty bad at. Of course he showed the opposite against UGA. My thoughts-This would be such an awesome spot for Stroud to land. New offensive coach who would build around him, good OL, good receivers in Michael Pittman/Alec Pierce, and the best RB in the league. Stroud as a pure thrower would get to play in a dome and its close to Ohio.
- #5 Seahawks-DE Will Anderson Bama-A tiny fall for Anderson who many thought would be #1.
- #7 Raiders- QB Will Levis-Sounds like Aaron Rodgers ends up here which means the Packers would end up having this pick. DJ was really interested in that scenario and the Packers having two top 15 picks where he thinks they choose to build around Jordan Love.
- #11 Titans- OT Paris Johnson-Titans released Taylor Lewan and have a gaping hole at LT. Mike Vrabel taking Paris Johnson would just be a dream fit for everybody involved. Could be Paris Johnson at LT and NPF at RT in Nashville who is building the coolest stadium in the league
- #12 Texans- WR Jordan Addison USC-Texans pair Young with Addison while they also get John Metchie back while having Nico Collins already. Goes from pretty boring to pretty fun real quick.
- #15 Packers-TE Dalton Kincaid-DJ think the Packers really want to get Jordan Love a reliable tight end for his first year.
- #17 Steelers- OT Darnell Wright Tennessee-This is the highest Ive seen Wright but would be a good pickup to bolster the OL for a team with Pickett/Harris.
- #18 Lions-QB Anthony Richardson-Lions get a DL in the top 10 and stash a QB to develop behind Goff. Lottery ticket for a pretty good roster.
- #20 Seahawks- WR Jaxson Smith Njigba- DJ is definitely higher on JSN than most of the media. Talks about how great his tape was from 2021. Envisions him as a WR2 in the slot for a good team with a WR1. Great fit here with DK Metcalf getting attention.
- #28 Bengals- TE Michael Mayer-A homerun pick imo. As the Bengals get more expensive on offense they are able to add a cheap 5 year player that will be a HUGE upgrade in blocking over what they had and a noticable upgrade in receiving as well over Hayden Hurst. His receiving ability will help to replace what they inevitably lose in Tyler Boyd. Mayer is also a pretty safe pick after being so productive for so long in college.
https://www.nfl.com/news/daniel-jeremiah-2023-nfl-mock-draft-2-0-tyree-w...
He also explains his thoughts more in depth in the Move the Sticks Podcast
