Monday Morning Draft is back! This is a column that delves into the past weekend’s action from an NFL Draft perspective. As the season goes on, the draft picture and slotting will become more clear, but every Sunday will provide a few hints for next April.
By Charlie Campbell.
Send Charlie an e-mail here: [email protected]
Follow Charlie on Twitter @draftcampbell for updates.
Race for the No. 1 Pick:
Carolina Panthers: Carolina is 0-2 after losing two close, winnable games. The Panthers conceivably have too much talent on their team to land the No. 1-overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft. If Carolina ends up picking high in the 2023 NFL Draft, the team will probably be targeting a new franchise quarterback.
Atlanta Falcons: Atlanta almost pulled off a crazy comeback win over the Rams, but Marcus Mariota threw a back-breaking interception to drop the Falcons to 0-2. If the Falcons have a high first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, they need to add their quarterback of the future.
Las Vegas Raiders: The Raiders blew a huge lead to fall to 0-2. Owner Mark Davis made a terrible decision to fire last year’s coaching staff, including Rich Bisaccia, Gus Bradley, and Greg Olson. If Las Vegas lands a high first-rounder, the team should add an elite defensive or offensive lineman.
Houston Texans: The Texans fell to 0-1-1 by losing to the Broncos. If Davis Mills doesn’t play well this season, Houston will need a true franchise quarterback to replace Deshaun Watson.
Indianapolis Colts: The Colts fell to 0-1-1 with a shocking loss to the Jaguars. Indianapolis was shut out 24-0, helped by the Jacksonville defense having a great performance. The Colts have the talent and coaching to turn things around, but if they land a high pick for the 2023 NFL Draft, they could look for their long-term starter given the age of Matt Ryan.
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Let’s Play Matchmaker:
This section will look at some of the top talent in college football and match those prospects up with teams that have a dire need at the position.
Miami Dolphins: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas 
Miami had the biggest fourth-quarterback comeback in franchise history as part of Tua Tagovailoa throwing for 469 yards and six touchdown passes had on the Baltimore defense. While the Dolphins won the shootout, they could use more of a running game to help Tagovailoa. Adding an elite running back would make it really difficult on defenses on how they employ their safeties given the deep speed possessed by both Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
Robinson has averaged 6.1 yards per carry so far in 2022 for 311 yards and five touchdowns. He also has seven receptions for 132 yards and a score. Robinson was one of the best players in college football in 2021, producing a superb season for Texas. The sophomore averaged 5.8 yards per carry in 2021 for 1,127 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also took 26 receptions for 295 yards and four scores. In 2020, Robinson flashed his big-time skill set with 703 yards on only 86 carries – 8.2 average – and four touchdowns. He had 15 catches for 196 yards and two scores that season. The 6-foot, 214-pound Robinson has power, speed, cutting ability, and natural instincts as a runner.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State 
The Jaguars put together a shocking win over the Colts, shutting them out. Trevor Lawrence played well, and the Jacksonville defense dominated Indianapolis. While the Jaguars got a nice outing out of Christian Kirk (6-78-2), they need a No. 1 receiver for Lawrence who can provide some big plays for the Jacksonville offense.
Smith-Njigba has been banged up to start 2022, but he will heat up in the weeks to come once he’s healthy. Smith-Njigba had a fantastic 2021 season despite being the third receiver behind Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson. In 2021, Smith-Njigba caught 94 passes for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns, including an amazing Rose Bowl performance to lead the comeback win over Utah. The 6-foot, 197-pounder has serious speed, athleticism, and playmaking ability to go along with decent size. He could be a great fit for the Jaguars as their No. 1 wide receiver.
New York Giants: Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU 
The Giants are surprisingly 2-0 after getting a home victory over Carolina. The New York defense did a superb job of shutting down Baker Mayfield and limiting Christian McCaffrey. On the other hand, the New York offense did not have a big game. The Giants didn’t have a single receiver reach 52 yards through the air. Kenny Golladay has been a massive disappointment, and the team could use an upgrade.
Johnston flashed in 2021, catching 33 passes for 612 yards and six touchdowns. Sources from around the league are high on his skill set. “He’s 6-foot-3, 215 pounds and can win on all three levels. He puts up 20 yards per catch, runs great routes, is super smart, an alpha, and the hardest worker on the team,” an area scout told WalterFootball.com.
While Johnston still has more to prove with pro evaluators, they are high on him across the board, and he could end up being the top receiver prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft. Johnston could make sense for the Giants’ first-round pick.
New York Jets: DeMarvion Overshown, LB, Texas The Jets pulled off a surprising late win over the Browns thanks to two touchdowns in the last 90 seconds. New York struggled to stop the Cleveland’s rushing offense, which racked up 184 ground yards, and the Jets were led in tackles by Lamarcus Joyner, and that is never a good sign for a team’s linebacker play. Adding some young linebacker talent would help the New York defense.
Thus far in 2022, Overshown has 23 tackles and a pass broken up. He recorded 74 tackles, two passes broken up and two sacks in 2021. In 2020, he totaled 60 tackles, one sack, two forced fumbles, two interceptions and seven passes defended.
Overshown is a fast linebacker with crazy track speed and athleticism. He can really run and has coverage potential, but the 6-foot-2, 220-pounder needs to get bigger, stronger and tougher for the NFL. Overshown could be a target for the Jets on Day 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame 
The Bucs won a defensive battle in New Orleans to break their regular-season losing streak to the Saints. Tampa Bay was shut out in the first half, but the team’s offense was without Chris Godwin, Julio Jones and Mike Evans – Evans got himself ejected with a stupid fight midway through the game. The Buccaneers could use more tight end help because Rob Gronkowski retired and O.J. Howard left in free agency.
In 2022, Mayer has 15 catches for 145 yards and two touchdowns. He recorded 71 receptions for 840 yards and seven touchdowns in 2021. As a freshman, the 6-foot-4, 251-pound Mayer stepped in for Cole Kmet, and the Fighting Irish didn’t miss a beat in the transition. Mayer caught 42 passes for 450 yards and two touchdowns in 2020.
Mayer has a quality skill set and the upside to produce more in 2022. He could be a target for Tampa Bay late in the first round or in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Detroit Lions: Jaylon Jones, CB, Texas A&M 
The Lions dominated the first half, and they continued to score even while Washington made an effort to get back into the game. Even though Jeff Okudah played well, Detroit had some struggles in coverage and missed the injured Amani Oruwariye. The Lions had issues covering the group of Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel, Jahan Dotson and Logan Thomas. Oruwariye is a free agent after this season, but even if he re-signs, Detroit could use more cornerback talent.
Over the past few seasons, Jones really flashed for the Aggies, including the 2021 season, when he recorded 35 tackles, two interceptions and six passes defended. Team sources think Jones has a lot of potential as a cover corner for the NFL. He has really impressive movement skills, including speed and athleticism. Along with a good skill set, Jones displays solid instincts and is a willing tackler. However, Jones has some raw elements to his game, such as grabbing and holding at times and giving up balls he shouldn’t occasionally. In his first game of 2022 against Miami, Jones was superb with nine tackles and a pass broken up. Thus, if Jones is more consistent in 2022, he could be a high pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Kansas City Chiefs: Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State 
The Chiefs were without first-round pick Trent McDuffie on Thursday night, and their corners were hard pressed to limit Justin Herbert and the Chargers receivers. Kansas City rookie Jaylen Watson had a huge pick-six, but that was a gift rather than a great play because Herbert and Gerald Everett were not on the same page for the route being run. The Chiefs could use more cornerback talent to go with McDuffie.
Porter played well in the 2022 season opener against Purdue and has 11 tackles and three passes broken up thus far this year. The son of legendary Steelers linebacker Joey Porter, Joey Porter Jr., has an NFL pedigree and played well in 2021. He rotated in as freshman in 2020 and had a quality debut. In 2021, Porter collected 51 tackles, one interception, four passes broken up and one forced fumble.
The 6-foot-2, 192-pounder possesses excellent size and the upside to become an impactful player. He could be a nice corner addition for the Chiefs late in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Team Draft Report:
In this section, we take a deeper look at specific teams and where they stand in regards to the 2023 NFL Draft.
Washington Commanders: Washington’s ownership has not been a patient group, so it will be interesting to see if head coach Rob Rivera and the front office of Martin Mayhew, Eric Stokes and Marty Hurney survive this season. Their jobs and future could be dependent on Carson Wentz working out as the Commanders starting quarterback. If Wentz doesn’t play well this season, the franchise could have another regime change.
Wentz has one last opportunity to prove he can be a franchise quarterback after getting dumped by both the Eagles and the Colts. It would be surprising if he does prove to be the long-term answer for Washington. Fortunately for the Commanders, the 2023 NFL Draft could be a strong year for quarterback. Alabama’s Bryce Young, Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, and Kentucky’s Will Levis have high first-round potential and could be in play for Washington depending on how high the team is picking. Other potential quarterbacks who could be first- or second-round picks include Florida’s Anthony Richardson, Arkansas’ K.J. Jefferson, BYU’s Jaren Hall and Miami’s Tyler Van Dyke. Wentz has a chance, but it would be surprising if Washington is not targeting a new quarterback early in the 2023 NFL Draft.
In my latest mock 2023 NFL Draft, I have the Commanders taking Texas A&M safety/cornerback Antonio Johnson, and aside from quarterback, the secondary is the biggest need on their roster. They need help at cornerback and safety. Johnson is a dynamic nickel corner and safety who could help them at both spots. Other cornerbacks Washington could consider in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft include Penn State’s Jerry Porter Jr., Alabama’s Eli Ricks, Utah’s Clark Phillips and Illinois’ Devon Witherspoon.
Around the NFL, Washington is a laughingstock of a franchise. The organization has had scandals and incompetent ownership under Daniel Snyder. They rebranded the team with a dumb name that gets mocked regularly by staff at other teams and Redskins alumni. Team president Jason Wright has committed a lot of blunders and seems in over his head running an NFL franchise. Aside from being bench warmer for a few years as a player, Wright had zero work experience with an NFL franchise, so it was a bad hire from the start. Perhaps Ron Rivera can get things figured out for the franchise, but the Commanders look like a wanna-be version of the once-proud Redskins franchise.
Los Angeles Chargers: For the second straight week, a team from Los Angeles lost on Thursday night, but the losses were completely different in nature. The Rams were embarrassed and dominated by the Bills, but the Chargers played the Chiefs really tough and easily could have won in Kansas City. Clearly, Justin Herbert is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL and the Chargers have one of the most talented rosters in the league. They are a legit Super Bowl contender with a loaded roster that will have them in the hunt for a Lombardi Trophy for many years to come.
Thanks to having a great roster, the Chargers do not have a lot of needs, so they could consider going best player available. In my latest mock 2023 NFL Draft, I have them taking Oklahoma offensive tackle Anton Harrison, who could form a good bookend with Rashawn Slater. Los Angeles added an interior talent in Zion Johnson last year, and adding one more tackle could form the backbone of a strong offensive line to protect Herbert for many years to come. Other tackles the Chargers could consider include Maryland’s Jaelyn Duncan or Miami’s Zion Nelson.
Another under-the-radar need could be wide receiver depth. Keenan Allen has a tendency to get banged up, is aging, and has a big contract. Los Angeles could add another receiver to form a trio with Allen and Mike Williams, and eventually one might provide a replacement for Allen. Some wide receivers the team could consider late in the first round include LSU’s Kayshon Boutte, Tennessee’s Cedric Tillman and USC’s Jordan Addison.
Defensively, the Chargers could consider defensive tackle help if Jerry Tillery is allowed to leave in free agency. Some defensive tackles who could be in play for them late in the first round included South Carolina’s Zacch Pickens and Florida’s Gervon Dexter Sr. Los Angeles also could consider a third cornerback to go with J.C. Jackson and Asante Samuel Jr.
It would not surprise me at all if the Chargers win the Super Bowl this year or in the next few years. They have a great roster and an elite quarterback. Another good draft could put Los Angeles over the top.
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