WalterFootball.com: 2023 NFL Mock Draft: First Round Continued

2023 NFL Mock Draft: Round 1 - Picks 17-32

Last update: Friday, May 14, 2020.
Next update: Occasionally. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.

The order of this 2023 NFL Mock Draft is random. First-round picks from the 2021 NFL Mock Draft and 2022 NFL Mock Draft have been factored into the picks.

Because these prospects are entering college, I had our Senior College Football Recruiting Analyst Corey Long write the blurbs on each player. You can check out our College Football Recruiting Rankings via this link.

NFL Draft Recent Links:

2021 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 10/28): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2
Other 2021 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (10/30)
2020 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/23): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
Other 2020 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/23) /Combo (5/3) /Goals (4/18) /Emmitt Mock (4/12) /Trades Mock (4/8) /Backward Mock (4/5) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Free Agent Mock (3/16) /Corey Long (3/13) /Senior Bowl Mock (1/27) /Overreaction Mock (12/30)

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Los Angeles Rams: Donell Harris, DE/OLB, Texas A&M
2021 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 5/12): None
2022 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 5/13): Wanya Morris, OT

The Rams lost Dante Fowler to free agency, so they'll need a new edge rusher.

Donell Harris is long and lean right now but envision him three years down the road with 40 pounds of muscle added to his frame and he's become out of the most dynamic, versatile pass rushers in the nation. If there's a way to get to the quarterback, Harris has the moves in his repertoire. He had 40 sacks in two seasons at Gulliver Prep School in Miami, Florida.

Harris is probably going to be better suited for teams that spend more time in three-man fronts so he can be a stand-up rusher. Harris projects to be a double-digit sack guy in college and a top 20 pick if he pans out.

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Dallas Cowboys: Kyle Hamiton, S, Notre Dame
2021 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 5/12): Paulson Adebo, CB
2022 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 5/13): Jalen Wydermyer, TE

The Cowboys need a long-term answer at safety, as Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is just a short-term solution.

Pro Football Focus called Kyle Hamilton the best coverage safety in the entire 2019 recruiting class. Hamilton played in 13 games, mostly in a reserve role, but led the Irish with four interceptions and added six pass breakups. Hamilton allowed 31.7 percent completion on passes thrown at him.

Hamilton flashed an all-around game beyond the pass coverage. He was seventh on the team with 41 tackles. The 2023 draft isn't going to be as deep at safety and there might only be two or three selected in the first two rounds. Hamilton has a good chance to slip into the first round.
Cleveland Browns: Justin Flowe, LB, Oregon
2021 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 5/12): Jalen Mayfield, OT
2022 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 5/13): Nolan Smith, DE

The Browns need linebacker help with Joe Schobert gone.

Justin Flowe is how you draw up your perfect inside linebacker. He goes downhill and leaves nothing behind when it comes to delivering big hits. Normally, a player with the physical talents of Flowe doesn't always have the mentality to play hard, but Flowe seems to play every snap like his life depended on it.

Flowe's motor shows when he makes big plays in the backfield or on backside pursuit when he has to track a play down from behind. He had back-to-back seasons of over 100 tackles at Upland (California) High School. Flowe will improve his all-around game at Oregon and should be one of the best linebackers in the nation going into the 2022 season.

Green Bay Packers: Jordan Burch, DT, South Carolina
2021 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 5/12): DeVonta Smith, WR
2022 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 5/13): Rasheed Walker, OT

The Packers had a horrific run defense last year, so they'll need to improve that soon.

The incredible top-end depth of the 2020 recruiting class in terms of defensive linemen strikes again. In any other season, Jordan Burch is probably the first or second defensive linemen off the board. He might be the fifth or sixth in the 2023 Draft and he could still go in the first 25 picks.

Burch has the size, frame and length to be a traditional 4-3 defensive end if he can keep his weight at 280 or below but I think he's too good of a run defender not to kick to the inside. Burch also has spent some time at running back and has plus-level speed that translates over to defense, especially with his quick first step.
Philadelphia Eagles: Daxton Hill, CB, Michigan
2021 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 5/12): Trey Hill, C
2022 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 5/13): Trey Knox, WR

The Eagles made a nice short-term move by trading for Darius Slay, but they'll need a replacement by the 2023 NFL Draft.

Daxton Hill could easily end up in the 2022 Draft class if he continues to build off his stellar season as a true freshmen in a reserve role. He had 36 tackles, four pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and an interception for the Wolverines in 2019. Hill's first big play of his college career was a 25-yard reception on a fake punt against Army.

Hill had his biggest game of the season against Indiana when he had eight tackles and his one interception for the year. Hill was a third-team Freshman All-American according to Pro Football Focus.

Denver Broncos: Noah Sewell, LB, Oregon
2021 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 5/12): Cade Mays, OT
2022 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 5/13): Drake Jackson, DE/DT

The Broncos have needed to strengthen the middle of their defense since Danny Trevathan departed following the Super Bowl win.

Noah Sewell is one of the most unique high school recruits I've ever seen. Just looking at his size (6-2, 224), it was easy to project him as a interior defensive lineman in college, but then I watched him play in the All-American Bowl and he does things in space that guys 265-270 shouldn't be able to do. It's still hard to say exactly where Sewell will end up on the field, but that might be a plus, but I can see him rushing the passer from the interior on one play and dropping into coverage and covering a tight end on the next.

Sewell played both ways at Orem (Utah) High School. He had 103 tackles and 12 tackles for loss at a senior and added 766 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns as a running back. Once he settles into a position, I believe Sewell has first-round upside.
New Orleans Saints: Nick Broeker, OT, Ole Miss
2021 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 5/12): Jevon Holland, S
2022 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 5/13): Jadon Haselwood, WR

Terron Armstead will be in his mid-30s by the time the 2023 NFL Draft arrives, so the Saints could be in the market for a new blind-side protector for Taysom Hill ... or maybe Drew Brees!

Nick Broeker made his debut in the Rebels' season opener against Memphis and didn't look back, playing 474 snaps as a true freshman and allowed just one sack all season. He was the best blocker on the field against LSU in Week 10 and helped the Rebels rush for 447 yards against LSU. Broeker made a host of Freshman All-American teams. Size may see him be projected as an interior blocker in the NFL, but he's going to be off the board early.

Cincinnati Bengals: Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson
2021 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 5/12): Jalen Mayfield, OT
2022 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 5/13): Nolan Smith, DE

I imagine the Bengals will fix their horrible linebacking corps prior to the 2023 NFL Draft, but you never know...

Trenton Simpson is projected to be another main cog of what should be a terrific defense at Clemson in the 2022 season. There is a chance that Simpson will end up on the edge, but I actually think he's a better fit as an outside linebacker that can drop into coverage and even play some safety because of his exceptional length.

Simpson has top-level pass rush skills, he had 20 sacks as a senior at Mallard Creek High School in Charlotte, N.C., and should be used heavily as a blitzer. Simpson has the skill set to contribute at all three levels of defense and that's going to make him a heavily coveted prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Chicago Bears: Kendall Milton, RB, Georgia
2021 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 5/12): Ja'Marr Chase, WR
2022 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 5/13): Tyler Shough, QB

Ryan Pace may take another tight end. He could also target a running back if David Montgomery doesn't live up to expectations.

Kendall Milton would join the long line of Georgia running backs that have become high draft picks including Todd Gurley, Nick Chubb, Sony Michel and likely D'Andre Swift. Milton rushed for over 3,000 yards in high school and will see the field as a true freshman as part of a platoon of running backs.

Beyond the lineage of being a Georgia running back, Milton is a bigger back and he got a great combination of power and speed. He's a lot faster than some times have reported him out of high school. Put it all together and he should be a productive back in college and one of the first off the board in the 2023 Draft.

Buffalo Bills: Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
2021 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 5/12): Deonte Brown, G
2022 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 5/13):D.J. Dale, DT

The jury is still out on Dawson Knox. The Bills may want a better tight end for Josh Allen.

Darnell Washington is one of the biggest wild cards out there. He's a big, impressive athlete that can run extremely well for his size. He's pretty raw and if can he find himself as a tight end in three years at Georgia, he will be one the great mismatches in college football. If Washington struggles at tight end could he become a top defensive line prospect? Or maybe a high-end left tackle? Very possible because you can't teach his height, length and 4.7 time in the 40-yard dash. If Washington does what he's capable of doing in college, he's a potential first-round pick.
San Francisco 49ers: Kayshon Boutte, WR, LSU
2021 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 5/12): Micah Parsons, LB
2022 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 5/13): Isaac Taylor-Stuart, CB

The 49ers traded up for Brandon Aiyuk to replace Emmanuel Sanders, but if he doesn't pan out, San Francisco could be in the market for a receiver in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Kayshon Boutte reminds me a lot of a taller version of Steve Smith. He's just a dog on the field - a fierce competitor who will do anything to win. You combine that mentality with amazing athletic gifts and he's a guy that has first-round potential by the 2023 draft. Boutte played some running back and wide receiver in high school so his toughness should not be underestimated.

Boutte was almost a 1,000-1,000 guy at Westgate High in New Iberia, Louisiana. He had 1,005 yards on 47 receptions and added 874 rushing yards on 71 carries in his senior year.

Baltimore Ravens: David Bell, WR, Purdue
2021 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 5/12): Seth Williams, WR
2022 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 5/13): Brandon Smith, DE/OLB

It wouldn't surprise me if the Ravens spent multiple first-round picks on receivers in the next four years, given their need at the position.

I hesitate to put David Bell here because I do believe he'll leave school after his junior season and declare for the 2022 Draft, but if he doesn't I have a good feeling that the 2019 Big Ten Freshman of the Year will end up in the first round of the 2023 Draft.

Bell was arguably the nation's top freshman wide receiver in 2019. He was a first-team AP Freshman All-American after hauling 85 catches for 1,035 yards and seven touchdowns. If he stays all four years, Bell will be among the great receivers to ever come through the Big Ten.
Minnesota Vikings: Hank Bachmeier, QB, Boise State
2021 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 5/12): Marvin Wilson, DT
2022 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 5/13): Kyle Hamilton, S

Kirk Cousins will be 35 following the 2023 NFL Draft. The Vikings should give up on him by then.

Hank Bachmeier started for the Broncos as a true freshman and made a splash in his first game, throwing for 407 yards and a touchdown in a 36-31 win against Florida State. He won his first five starts with Boise State before getting injured against Hawaii and dealing with nagging injuries for the rest of the season.

Backhmeier threw for 1,879 yards, nine touchdowns and six interceptions in eight starts as a freshman.

Miami Dolphins: Zachary Evans, RB, Undecided
2021 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 5/12): Gregory Rousseau, DE; Alex Leatherwood, OT/G
2022 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 5/13): Garrett Wilson, WR

The Dolphins have no running game to speak of, so they could spend a first-round pick on a running back in the near future.

I feel confident in my belief that Zachary Evans will leave school after his junior year since he hasn't even decided which school he's going to play for in college. Evans was clearly the most talented of the running backs in the 2020 recruiting class, but he was also one of the bigger mysteries. He rushed for over 1,500 yards as a senior despite being suspended for multiple games.

That being said when Evans gets into a program and if he can focus on the task at hand there are a tiny handful of running backs in college with his dynamic ability. He can run with speed and power. He is a big-play machine that can also easily handle 25 carries a game. Evans' agility, his ability to change direction, and his work in space are elite. There's little doubt that Evans could be a top-20 draft pick if he can get through college without any issues.
Seattle Seahawks: Alex Wright, DE/OLB, UAB
2021 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 5/12): Trey Smith, OT/G
2022 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 5/13): Kenneth Gainwell, RB

The Seahawks could still re-sign Jadeveon Clowney. If they don't, they'll need to find a better edge rusher soon.

Alex Wright came on late in the season for the Blazers, but did enough to lead all Conference-USA freshmen in tackles for loss and sacks. He had 8.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks with two fumble recoveries without the benefit of full-time starter snaps. That's going to change for Wright as a sophomore, as he'll be on the field a lot and a likely candidate to have multiple seasons with double-digit sacks.

Kansas City Chiefs: Harry Miller, OG/OC, Ohio State
2021 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 5/12): Jay Tufele, DT
2022 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 5/13): Frank Ladson Jr., WR

Andy Reid loves bolstering the trenches, so I imagine he'd love to improve Patrick Mahomes' protection.

Harry Miller played 181 snaps as a true freshman backing up Josh Myers. With Myers' decision to return in 2020, Miller might be in a reserve role again, but there is an open spot at left guard for the Buckeyes that Miller may compete for when players get back on campus. Miller has the ability to lineup anywhere from right tackle inward if necessary. He should be a full-time starter at center in 2021 and 2022 and would likely be a favorite for the Rimington Award and possibly the first interior offensive linemen off the 2023 NFL Draft board.

Go to 2021 NFL Mock Draft

Back to 2023 NFL Mock Draft: Picks 1-16 | Go to 2021 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie Campbell

Go to 2020 NFL Mock Draft | Go to 2020 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie Campbell

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2023 NFL Mock Draft: Round 1 - Picks 17-32

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