The Daily Briefing Wednesday, April 12, 2023

NFC NORTH

GREEN BAY

RB AARON JONES is quite content with his $5 million pay cut to a mere $11 million.  Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com:

Aaron Jones took a $5 million pay cut early this offseason, but considering the market for running backs, he still thinks he did well for himself.

Jones said his old contract, which called for him to make $16 million in 2023, just wasn’t feasible for the Packers in a market where Christian McCaffrey‘s $12 million makes him the highest-paid running back. Taking a cut down to $11 million still makes Jones think he got a good deal.

“It just made sense, deal-wise. The market for running backs, there was a huge gap between $16 million and Christian McCaffrey who’s at 12,” Jones told reporters. “It still has me as second-highest paid for backs, so it matches up with the market.”

NFL teams are increasingly concluding that running backs just aren’t worth a lot of money, and that limited salary cap space is better spent on other positions. Jones looked at that market and decided it was better to take a pay cut to stay with the Packers than to get cut and test that weak market.

NFC EAST

NEW YORK GIANTS

Come Kickoff Weekend, two Giants receivers may not be ready to go after 2022 injuries.  Dan Duggan of The Athletic:

The New York Giants wide receiver corps may be a little sparse to start the season as both Wan’Dale Robinson and Sterling Shepard are top candidates to start 2023 on the PUP list.

Robinson tore his ACL in November, and it would be surprising if he were ready for the start of the regular season. Shepard tore his ACL in Week 3 and probably has a better chance of being ready for Week 1, but he’ll be hard to invest real fantasy capital in with many candidates for snaps on New York’s wideout depth chart. And that’s before the draft.

– – –

Jordan Ranaan of ESPN.com breaks down how TE DARREN WALLER became a Giant:

IT WAS 11 A.M. on a Tuesday, less than 24 hours after tight end Darren Waller and his wife, WNBA star Kelsey Plum, had returned to Las Vegas from their honeymoon in Turks and Caicos.

Waller, who missed most of last season because of a left hamstring injury, had just wrapped a routine physical therapy session when Las Vegas Raiders general manager Dave Ziegler’s name unexpectedly popped up on his cellphone.

Ziegler told him he was being traded to the New York Giants for a third-round pick.

“I did not see this coming,” Waller said the day after being traded. “I was getting ready to just do everything I could to make myself available for the Raiders and get ready for everything that was going to start in mid-April. It caught me off guard, but it’s the nature of the business.”

Just 186 days after Ziegler and first-year coach Josh McDaniels signed Waller to a three-year, $51 million extension that made him one of the highest-paid tight ends in the NFL, he was gone. His $17 million per season is the most for a tight end in NFL history. San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle is second at $15 million per season.

Waller’s 3,394 receiving yards is third-best among tight ends since 2019, behind only the Kansas City Chiefs’ Travis Kelce and the Baltimore Ravens’ Mark Andrews. From 2019 to 2020 — Waller’s last fully healthy season — his 2,341 receiving yards put him behind only Kelce (2,645). Waller and Kelce were the only two tight ends with more than 1,700 receiving yards in that span.

But Waller, who turns 31 in September, has missed a combined 14 games over the past two seasons with various injuries.

Waller insisted he was doing everything he could to get back on the field this past season. It is unclear when exactly Waller’s health became a concern for the Raiders, but ultimately it led to their decision to trade him.

“Obviously, Darren was a big part of what our plan was, obviously by the contract he signed,” Raiders owner Mark Davis said at last month’s annual league meeting. “Things didn’t work out last year, just based on health. You know, we didn’t quite get the Darren Waller that could have really helped us even more.”

The Raiders received an offer for a second-round pick from the Green Bay Packers ahead of the Nov. 1 deadline, a source with direct knowledge of the negotiations confirmed to ESPN. The Miami Dolphins also had interest in trading for the tight end, the source confirmed.

But the Raiders opted to keep Waller at the deadline, though he hadn’t played since Oct. 2 and wouldn’t make his return until Dec. 18.

Even as recently as the NFL combine in February, McDaniels insisted Waller would be a part of the Raiders’ future.

“I know Darren fought through a lot of injuries and those types of things last year. But I have a great deal of confidence in Darren Waller,” McDaniels said. “I felt like he ended the season the right way, really playing well. Still, you know, fast, explosive, great teammate, very smart. And he’ll be a big part of what we’re going to do going forward.”

But behind closed doors, front office sources told ESPN, the Raiders and Giants met at the combine in Indianapolis to orchestrate the trade that would send Waller to New York two weeks later.

WHILE THE RAIDERS warmed up inside Allegiant Stadium for a preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings on Aug. 14, Waller was dressed in street clothes. A mile down the Las Vegas Strip at the Michelob Ultra Arena inside Mandalay Bay, Waller sat courtside as Plum helped lead the Las Vegas Aces past the Seattle Storm in their regular-season finale.

Waller hadn’t practiced with the team since July 30 as he rehabbed a right hamstring injury. The Raiders granted him permission to attend the Aces game — Davis owns both franchises.

Waller had been a regular at Aces games all season, but his relationship with Plum, which started earlier in the year, was kept largely under wraps. McDaniels downplayed Waller’s absence from the preseason game, telling reporters at the time, “He wasn’t going to play today, so I don’t want to make more of that than it was.”

Waller was ready for the start of the season, but injured his left hamstring in a Week 5 loss to the Chiefs. He left that contest after six plays and spent the second half on the sideline in street clothes.

The Raiders were hoping Waller would utilize the team’s Week 6 bye to jump-start his rehab and be ready for the next game given the extended time off. But Waller had other plans.

Former NFL executive Mike Lombardi — whose son, Mick, is Raiders offensive coordinator — recounted in a March 16 episode of his podcast, The GM Shuffle, that the Raiders “redid your contract and on the bye week, instead of rehabbing, you went home for four days and accrued the fines. On the bye week, you went home and just didn’t talk to anybody. Just went home and left a message saying ‘Hey, fine me. I don’t care. I’m going to Southern California.”

Though he didn’t tell the team at the time, Waller felt he had good reason to step away. He took Plum to San Diego on Oct. 13, and while on a hike at Torrey Pines to the beach, he asked her to marry him.

Much like the courtship and wedding, it was Waller’s desire to keep this trip quiet, even if it meant having to leave Las Vegas for a few days while trying to rehab the injured hamstring.

The injury kept him out for 10 weeks.

“It was something I wanted to keep ultimately completely private from the team,” Waller said on the AP Pro Football podcast. “So the Thursday through Sunday that we’re mandated to get off by the league, that is when I proposed to Kelsey. So I was going there and didn’t really want to share with anyone.

“I was like, ‘Yeah, I’m just going here, and that is where I’m going to be because you’re mandated to get off Thursday through Sunday.’ That’s what I did. I eventually told Josh and that’s how he knew.”

The relationship between Waller and McDaniels and Ziegler wasn’t contentious, but it became “rocky” following the negotiations for Waller’s extension, according to a source close to Waller.

Waller believed he was doing everything he could to get back onto the field. All the hard work in the previous offseasons that got him to the Pro Bowl level, he said, might have backfired, resulting in the two injury-riddled seasons.

Privately, the Raiders were noncommittal to Waller about keeping him after deciding not to trade him at the deadline, according to sources close to the situation.

The first conversations around Waller being traded to the Giants came at the combine in late February/early March, according to a team source. At that point, it became evident to Giants general manager Joe Schoen the tight end could be had for the right price.

Schoen said this was an avenue he explored because of the lack of high-end wide receivers in free agency. The Giants needed a No. 1 receiver to complement quarterback Daniel Jones after giving him a massive new contract before the start of free agency. A dynamic tight end via trade, they determined, was one of the best options.

Schoen left the combine believing acquiring Waller was a realistic possibility, according to a team source. So they did their homework, calling ex-coaches, ex-teammates and personnel who had worked directly with the veteran tight end.

Waller received positive reviews, according to sources with knowledge of the Giants’ process. Retired tight end Lee Smith, as well as a member of the Las Vegas training staff, were among those interviewed. Ziegler and the Raiders were supportive of the conversations in order to facilitate the trade.

There was even a conversation between a member of Waller’s camp and the Giants shortly before the deal was finalized to gauge how receptive the Pro Bowler would be coming to New York and how he would fit with the team.

It was determined by everyone involved it would be a good match, if the teams could agree on compensation. The Giants were only willing to offer a third-round pick. In fact, it was their second third-round pick, which was almost a fourth-rounder considering it was a compensatory selection New York obtained from the Chiefs in the trade for wide receiver Kadarius Toney prior to last year’s deadline.

The Raiders and Ziegler looked for a better offer. Schoen wouldn’t budge on the price, and Las Vegas eventually agreed to the terms in the middle of the free agent negotiating period.

“We had an opportunity — after discussing it with Dave [Ziegler] — [to] get younger and add another draft pick in the draft, the top 100, and use some of that money that we would’ve paid Darren to pay [wide receiver] Jakobi [Meyers] and start working towards some other things,” McDaniels said at the league meeting. “I really enjoyed Darren. Wished I would’ve had more games with him last year. Like I said, not easy decisions, but that is what went into it.”

NFC SOUTH

CAROLINA

Have the Panthers switched over to QB BRYCE YOUNG as their first pick favorite?  The wise guys in Vegas think so.  Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com:

The betting markets have done a 360 on Bryce Young.

The Alabama quarterback was the favorite to be the first overall pick in the draft before the Panthers traded up to No. 1 last month. Then, it flipped to Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud. Now, it’s back to where it started.

Via BetMGM, Young has gone from -190 on February 20 to +300 on March 13 to -300 currently.

Stroud, in contrast, has flip-flopped from +400 to -300 to +210.

Meanwhile, two other quarterbacks have plummeted. Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson was +500 a month ago. Now, he’s at +2000. Kentucky quarterback Will Levis has fallen from +1400 to +5000.

It’s consistent with the news that continues to trickle out of Charlotte. And, as Chris Simms astutely pointed out on Tuesday’s PFT Live, the Panthers likely are doing it in order to get the fans prepared for what’s coming. That the presumption that the pick will be Stroud should be shifted to Young.

We’ll find out in 15 days. For now, though, it’s looking more and more like Young will be the pick of the Panthers.

TAMPA BAY

Does LB DEVIN WHITE want to ride his horse out of Tampa Bay?  Jenna Laine ofESPN.com:

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Pro Bowl inside linebacker and 2019 first-round draft pick Devin White has requested a trade, sources told ESPN on Tuesday.

One of the sources told ESPN that White has grown increasingly frustrated with the team and is “fed up.” The source did not provide specifics on the root cause of White’s frustration, but said he has become very unhappy in his current situation.

Another source told ESPN that White’s frustrations stem from negotiations over a new contract.

The Bucs do not want to trade him, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported, but White wants to be traded as he is coming up on his fifth-year option worth $11.7 million, which the team already picked up.

A new multiyear contract for White was the next step, and the expectation was that White would be a core member of the defense for years to come.

White, the fifth pick in the 2019 NFL draft, played a key role in the Bucs’ Super Bowl LV run and was named to the Pro Bowl in 2021. One of the key moves the Bucs made this offseason was securing his counterpart, linebacker Lavonte David, to a one-year contract to keep the pair together at least one more year.

A month ago, White posted a series of cryptic messages to his Instagram stories, including the messages “4 year[s] went by fast” and “thank ya,” along with a pirate flag and a peace sign emoji. He then included a photograph with the sign, “God isn’t asking you to figure it out. He’s asking you to trust that he already has.”

In a follow-up tweet clarifying those Instagram posts, White wrote, “Reflecting on how fast my first four years went by, def a thanks to Bucs fans ‘good & mean ones lol’ The upside is scary.”

The Bucs have been very much limited by financial constraints, entering the 2023 free agency period more than $55 million over the salary cap — in large part because of a $35 million salary cap hit on Tom Brady’s contract. It resulted in roster cuts of several high-profile players, including left tackle Donovan Smith, running back Leonard Fournette, tight end Cam Brate and kicker Ryan Succop.

The team restructured deals for several players on long-term contracts, including wide receiver Chris Godwin, defensive tackle Vita Vea, cornerback Carlton Davis and center Ryan Jensen. Wide receiver Russell Gage also agreed to take a pay cut. Still, the Bucs had to part ways with two members of White’s draft class, safety Mike Edwards and cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting, in free agency.

Jordan Dajani of CBSSports.com has four possible destinations for White:

If the Buccaneers eventually resign to trading him, here are a few landing spots for the athletic, 25-year-old linebacker.

Philadelphia Eagles 

If White had his way, his next team may be the Philadelphia Eagles. On new Eagles cornerback Greedy Williams’ Instagram post of him signing with the team back on March 22, White was one of the top commenters saying, “Let’s make it happen.”

Philadelphia has a need at White’s position, with two of its starting linebackers from the 2022 season’s run to the Super Bowl, T.J. Edwards and Kyzir White, departing in free agency. However, it will come down to whether or not general manager Howie Roseman opts to invest in an off-ball linebacker in the same way the Ravens did for Roquan Smith recently. Baltimore traded a second-round pick and a fifth-round pick, as well as linebacker A.J. Klein, to the Bears in exchange for Smith before proceeding to make him the highest-paid player at the position with a five-year, $100 million contract that included $60 million guaranteed.

Right now, the Eagles are projected to enter 2023 with last year’s third-round pick out of Georgia, Nakobe Dean, and one-year rental Nicholas Morrow as their starting linebackers. The Dean pick was surely made with this scenario in mind, but as Roseman has shown in the past with receiver A.J. Brown, he’s not afraid to snag a player in their mid-twenties with a large contract extension looming.  

Houston Texans

The Texans are lacking in talent across the board — hence the reason they ended up with the 2023 NFL Draft’s second overall pick. With incoming head coach DeMeco Ryans, a former Texans linebacker himself, now in charge, he surely thirsts for better defensive talent. Houston has the cap room to spend, but it will come down to the desire of a rebuilding team to surrender draft picks that it could be using on more affordable players.

Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings are in a weird spot. They could pivot away from quarterback Kirk Cousins and other veterans after this season and start again with a young quarterback throwing to Justin Jefferson, or they could double down on their window with Cousins. The 25-year-old White could be an addition to help achieve both realities: he could improve one of last season’s worst defenses in 2023, and then Minnesota could give him the new deal he clearly covets early next offseason as Cousins’ contract comes off the books. There’s also a world where the Vikings pay White this offseason but structure the contract in a way to where the cap hits don’t start making a dent until 2024 to make this transaction possible.

Buffalo Bills

Trading for White would represent another all-in move for the Bills looking to make the most of quarterback Josh Allen’s, wide receiver Stefon Diggs’ and linebacker Von Miller’s collective window. White would be a significant upgrade over Tyrel Dodson, giving the Bills incredible speed at linebacker between him and All-Pro Matt Milano. Buffalo would be a team that may not mind surrendering some picks to get players who are ready to contribute to winning NOW. The Bills didn’t want to pay Tremaine Edmunds a big contract, but perhaps White fits the long-term mold they’re looking for at the off-ball linebacker spot.

AFC SOUTH

INDIANAPOLIS

Stephen Holder of ESPN.com knows the Colts want a QB, and have decided it won’t be LAMAR JACKSON:

The NFL draft is fast approaching, meaning there’s been a flurry of news about which teams are interested in the top quarterbacks.

C.J. Stroud of Ohio State, Bryce Young of Alabama, Anthony Richardson of Florida and Will Levis of Kentucky are racking up the frequent-flier miles, visiting many of the teams selecting in the top 10 on April 27 (8 p.m. ET on ESPN, ABC, ESPN App).

Meanwhile, there’s been virtual silence on the Lamar Jackson front, including from the Indianapolis Colts.

The Baltimore Ravens’ quarterback, who was given the nonexclusive franchise tag in March, has had no known advanced negotiations with any other team. Jackson, who does not have an agent and is representing himself, is eligible to sign an offer sheet with any club, and the Ravens would have five days to match or receive two first-round picks as compensation. Jackson’s contract talks with the Ravens have stalled after more than two years of negotiations. And he revealed recently that he asked for a trade.

No team outside Baltimore has been more willing to publicly embrace the idea of potentially adding Jackson than Indianapolis, with general manager Chris Ballard recently acknowledging the team’s interest by saying, in part, “Anytime a special player is available, which he is, you’ve got to do the work.”

That’s a very different position than other teams that have deflected or denied any interest in pursuing Jackson. Couple that with Indianapolis’ glaring need at quarterback and it seemed plausible that Jackson and the Colts might be able to find some common ground. There were, according to team sources, earnest internal conversations about Jackson at Colts headquarters.

Still, here’s what we know about the team’s current quarterback plans: If Indianapolis is going to make a move with Jackson, it would have to come before the draft, because the Colts appear to be steadily moving forward with their intent to select a quarterback with their fourth overall pick.

The Colts took a contingent of staffers on a coast-to-coast jaunt over the past two weeks, conducting workouts with the four aforementioned quarterbacks. Meanwhile, there is no indication they’ve engaged in serious talks with Jackson.

There are several factors that have most influenced the Colts’ actions. Here are a few, along with a broader view of Indianapolis’ draft prospects.

Economics: The allure of adding a talent like Jackson, the 2019 NFL MVP, is obvious. But so are the economic challenges of doing so. The price tag of signing Jackson cannot be viewed in a vacuum for the Colts. Instead, it is viewed by the team in contrast to the cost of the quarterback Indianapolis will likely draft, according to a league source.

The fourth overall pick in this year’s draft will earn a four-year contract worth around $36 million in total value. That is less than it would cost for a single season on any long-term contract Jackson would agree to.

Just use Deshaun Watson’s five-year, $230 million contract with the Cleveland Browns as a point of comparison. At an average of $46 million per season, that’s $184 million over four years. Over a four-year period, the Colts will theoretically pay a 2023 draft pick $148 million less.

Stance on draft picks: Signing a franchise player to an offer sheet means a team is willing to part with two first-round picks. Colts owner Jim Irsay has made it clear he gives significant weight to the value of those picks, which he said “are like gold.”

“Our belief, and my belief, has always been you build through the draft, the draft is your pipeline for success or failure,” Irsay said. “That is where it’s at.”

That might seem somewhat inconsistent for a team that traded a first-round pick and third-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles for Carson Wentz in 2021, right on the heels of the quarterback’s ugly 2020 season. But that trade actually helped reinforce Irsay’s current position on draft picks, given how it turned out (Wentz was traded after one season).

Another point: The first-round pick that Indianapolis sent to Philadelphia was No. 16 overall. In terms of value, that’s very different than the Colts’ current slot at No. 4 overall.

Free agent philosophy: Anyone who has followed the Colts closely in recent years should be familiar with their stance on free agency. The Colts generally use free agency to fill second-tier needs, not those at their most important positions.

The list of prominent free agents signed by the Colts in recent years is quite short. There’s quarterback Philip Rivers in 2020, but that was a one-year deal that was never intended to be long-term. Defensive end Justin Houston signed a two-year, $24 million contract with Indianapolis in 2019, but that was hardly a top-of-market deal for his position.

Considering this tendency, it was never really a given that the Colts would target a free agent to be their franchise quarterback. History will determine whether it proves to be the right decision, but there is a well-established habit under Ballard when it comes to free agency.

Which QB? There are indications, according to a team source, that there is no consensus among team officials on which quarterback the team prefers. Internally, the Colts are preparing for the possibility that Stroud and Young will be selected with the first and second picks, respectively. If Indianapolis is faced with a decision between Richardson and Levis, that’s where it gets interesting.

The Colts’ interest in both players has long been established. But here’s a tidbit that speaks to their level of intrigue in Richardson: The Colts’ private workout with Richardson at the University of Florida last week wasn’t the first time the team dispatched members of the front office to evaluate him. The Colts also sent a group of staffers to Jacksonville, where Richardson has done his pre-draft training, in early February — even before the NFL scouting combine, according to a team source.

And it’s possible Carolina’s interest in Richardson as the top pick is being underestimated.

Tradewinds: ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported this week that the Arizona Cardinals are mulling interest from multiple teams with an eye on their No. 3 overall pick. With the Colts’ intentions of picking a quarterback already widely known, teams might be enticed to jump ahead of Indianapolis, adding an intriguing subplot early in the draft.

Ballard hasn’t ruled out a trade up and will likely feel pressure to do so because there will be other motivated teams.

There are a few teams, in particular, to watch. The Seattle Seahawks (No. 5) have two first-round picks and have long-term flexibility in the contract recently signed by quarterback Geno Smith. The Atlanta Falcons (No. 8) are among the teams that have been doing due diligence on quarterbacks. And the Tennessee Titans (No. 11) are considering their options, led by first-year GM Ran Carthon. Keep in mind, Carthon was hired from San Francisco, where the 49ers have earned a reputation for being very aggressive in the trade market.

Finally, if and when the Colts trade up, it might say something about their conviction in the quarterback they ultimately select. Trading up one spot — which will still come at a cost — is very different than standing pat and taking whichever player falls to you.

AFC EAST

NEW ENGLAND

Tyler Sullivan of CBSSports.com on the unsettling offseason of the Patriots:

The Patriots’ offseason was flipped on its head following a bombshell report that revealed Bill Belichick had shopped his former first-round quarterback Mac Jones this offseason. This came after the head coach suggested that Jones’ starting job with the team wasn’t totally locked into place and that second-year signal-caller Bailey Zappe could have an opportunity to compete for the role of QB1.

Naturally, this news has engulfed the New England area and it seems to have leaked into the Patriots’ locker room with a less-than-warm reception. NBC Sports Boston’s Phil Perry recently reported that Patriots players are not happy about this news getting out.

“I’ve spoken to players who are not happy that this is in the news, that the Patriots and their potential interest in trading Mac Jones is out there in the public sphere,” Perry said. “They aren’t happy on Mac’s behalf; they aren’t happy, period, on their own behalf. They’re not happy that 2022 is bleeding into 2023.”

Things soured between Belichick and Jones in part because the quarterback sought outside counsel during the year amid frustrations with how the offense was operating under Matt Patricia and Joe Judge. That maneuver appears to have been a line in the sand for Belichick that Jones crossed, but Perry notes that there has been “a collective rolling of eyes” by folks inside the organization with Belichick holding this against him so venomously.

“Folks in the building understand he was in an adverse situation, and that is putting it gently,” Perry added. “It’s really difficult to hold it against him that he tried to fix it on his own. This is how people view this: Mac Jones felt as though he had exhausted all options available to him in the building, so he went out and pursued improvement elsewhere. And he might be punished because of that? He might be traded because of that? That’s him writing his own ticket out of town? There’s an absurdity to all of this that is not lost on Patriots employees.”

New England has seemingly admitted its mistake of placing the offense in the hands of Patricia and Judge as the team has since hired Bill O’Brien to run the unit as the offensive coordinator. The Patriots also revamped the roster to bring aboard players like JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mike Gesicki, who both possess heightened ceilings than the players they’re replacing. All that should put Jones in a better position to succeed in 2023, but it will be fascinating to see if that reported insubordination is something that Belichick can get past and have him as his quarterback going forward.

THIS AND THAT

2023 DRAFT

WR MICHAEL JEFFERSON has been involved in a serious auto accident.

NFL draft prospect Michael Jefferson — widely considered one of the 30 best receivers in the 2023 class — was involved in a fatal car crash on Sunday night … one that reportedly left him with significant injuries.

Alabama Law Enforcement Agency officials tell TMZ Sports … the accident occurred on U.S. 43 in Mobile County, Ala. at around 7:55 PM — when a 55-year-old man who was driving a 2014 Dodge Charger collided head-on with Jefferson’s 2019 Chevrolet Impala.

Authorities say following the initial collision, a 2008 Nissan Maxima also struck the Dodge. The driver of the Dodge, officials tell us, was not wearing a seat belt and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Jefferson’s agent, Jon Perzley of Sportstars, told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Tuesday his client was injured in the wreck … and “required multiple surgeries.”

It’s not clear yet how it will impact the 23-year-old’s football career.

ALEA officials, meanwhile, tell us troopers are still investigating the accident.

Jefferson, who began his college career at Alabama State, was a star Louisiana last season — logging 51 catches for 810 yards and seven TDs. He showed up to the NFL’s combine in Indianapolis last month and performed well, running a 4.56 40-yard dash.

Some experts had the 6-foot-3 wideout projected to be a mid-round pick in this month’s draft.

– – –

Mike Renner of ProFootballFocus tells us all about the running backs in the draft:

BELL COWS

These are the running backs who can stay on the field through all facets of running back play. Whether it’s wide runs, downhill runs, swing passes, splitting wide or pass protecting, they aren’t particularly limited. They could obviously slot into a committee role if need be, but they don’t have to be substituted out within a series.

Bijan Robinson, Texas

Zach Charbonnet, UCLA

Tank Bigsby, Auburn

Kendre Miller, TCU

Chase Brown, Illinois

Eric Gray, Oklahoma

Robinson and Charbonnet are the two most complete backs in the draft class, as each possesses good size, great vision and plus athletic tools. For that reason, I’d describe both as “safe” prospects.

Bigsby and Miller have a bit more concerns but are no slouches. Bigsby can display tunnel vision at times and is limited as a big-play threat in the open field; however, he’s still a tough back who’s used to grinding out yards behind a poor offensive line. Miller may be a little more dynamic, but he’s not nearly as physical. He’ll stop his feet in the backfield and try to shake when lowering a shoulder should be his move.

RBBC — SPACE BACKS

These running backs are at their best when given room to work. They may not have the size or the running style to be ideal in the more physically demanding aspects of the running back position, but each is highly valuable nonetheless.

Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama

Tyjae Spears, Tulane

Zach Evans, Ole Miss

Evan Hull, Northwestern

Kenny McIntosh, Georgia

Israel Abanikanda, Pittsburgh

Gibbs is as good a prospect in this mold as you’ll see in recent years. With 4.36 speed and incredible hands, the Alabama running back was built to work in space. Spears and Evans aren’t as fast in a straight line but have similar easy dynamism. They’re all scraping right around the 200-pound mark, which gives them uphill battles in pass protection and taking on linebackers in the hole, but that’s why they are in an RBBC (running back by committee) section.

RBBC — POWER BACKS

These are running backs that you likely don’t want to feature too much in the passing game. Pull a guard on power, however, and these are the backs you want filling behind them. If you want tough yards, these are the ones you want:

DeWayne McBride, UAB

Sean Tucker, Syracuse

Roschon Johnson, Texas

Travis Dye, USC

Chris Rodriguez Jr., Kentucky

Mohamed Ibrahim, Minnesota

This is not a great class for power backs by any means, as McBride and Tucker both get put here because they are complete non-factors in the passing game despite being on opposite ends of the athletic spectrum. McBride has great vision and feet to find tight creases, though, making him ideal in short-yardage situations. Tucker is much more of a “run through you” back who needs a straight-line crease to show off his absurd explosiveness.

Johnson is easily the most prototypical power back in the class at 6-foot and 225 pounds breaking 86 tackles on 189 attempts in the past two seasons. While he shows open-field limitations, he can churn yardage in tight quarters.

SCATBACKS/GADGET PLAYERS

While the “space backs” listed above trend toward the smaller side for the running back position, these prospects take it to an extreme. If a back is under 190 pounds in the NFL, there are only certain roles that offensive coordinators will trust them in. These players can still make a serious impact in certain ways, though.

Devon Achane, Texas A&M

Deuce Vaughn, Kansas State

Keaton Mitchell, ECU

Speed, speed and more speed. I’m not sure I’d trust any of these three in pass protection consistently, but they can all do some unique things as a receiver if an offense wants to use two-back sets. Achane has the best size of the bunch, meaning he could potentially be trusted with a heftier workload at 5-foot-8 and 188 pounds, but teams aren’t going to send any of these guys onto the field on a third- or fourth-and-short.

– – –

Today’s Mock Draft comes from Mel Kiper, Jr. – two round long, we edit out Mel’s comments for the 2^nd round:

Time for mock draft No. 4 ahead of the 2023 NFL draft, going through the first two rounds and finding prospect-to-team fits for the top 63 picks. Most of the top free agents found new teams weeks ago, though there are still a few left on the board and wideout Odell Beckham Jr. just got his deal Sunday. We have a great idea of the draft needs for all 32 teams.

With just over two weeks remaining until Carolina is on the clock — the draft begins at 8 p.m. ET on April 27 on ESPN, ABC and ESPN+ — there are some big changes since my last mock draft, which went through the first 31 picks (Reminder: here’s why there are only 31 in Round 1.) I have some risers and some fallers, and I projected two trades — one in the top five, and one at the end of the first round.

1. Carolina Panthers (via CHI)

Bryce Young, QB, Alabama

Young or C.J. Stroud? Stroud or Young? I think the Panthers are homing in on one of these passers after they traded up to No. 1. In my post-free agency mock draft, I went with Stroud, who fits the physical mold of quarterbacks new Carolina coach Frank Reich has worked with over the past decade. I’ve heard too many rumblings about the front office and coaches liking Young, though, and my pals Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter believe Young is the guy as well.

If Young is indeed the pick, he could be a superstar. He’s my top-ranked signal-caller, just ahead of Will Levis. There is some risk because of his stature, however. At 5-foot-10, 204 pounds, he will be the third under-6-foot QB drafted in Round 1, joining Kyler Murray (2019) and Johnny Manziel (2014). He’s a much different player from those two, relying more on his pinpoint accuracy and pocket mobility than his scrambling ability. General manager Scott Fitterer got very little from his 2022 draft class, so he has to hit a home run here.

2. Houston Texans

C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State

There’s not much buzz about the quarterback Houston would prefer in this class, but I have little doubt new coach DeMeco Ryans is going to get one here. This class of passers is just too strong at the top. As I’ve mentioned before, the Texans need a face of the franchise to sell their rebuild to fans. Stroud is a smooth thrower with advanced mechanics in a 6-3 frame. He has all the tools to be an All-Pro passer — except for the talent around him. That’s where Houston, which also owns the No. 12 pick in this draft, needs to help. I expect general manager Nick Caserio to be aggressive in trying to add playmakers in the draft and also in May, when a few veterans hit the open market.

Projected trade: Titans jump eight spots

Here’s a fun deal to think about. Tennessee’s quarterback need has gone under the radar, but Ryan Tannehill is a free agent in 2024 and Malik Willis, who dropped all the way to Round 3 in last year’s draft, really struggled as a rookie, even getting benched late in the season for journeyman Joshua Dobbs. Is it possible the Titans already know Willis is not their QB of the future?

Tennessee would have to give up a lot in this trade — the closest recent comp is the Miami-San Francisco swap in 2021. The 49ers acquired the No. 3 overall pick in that draft for the No. 12 selection, future first-round picks in the 2022 and 2023 drafts and a third-rounder in 2022. In this mock scenario, Tennessee would send Arizona picks Nos. 11 and 41 in this draft, plus a 2024 first-round selection and likely either a 2025 first- or second-rounder as well. And don’t forget new Titans general manager Ran Carthon joined the organization from San Francisco.

For the Cardinals, who have one of the league’s worst rosters and don’t need a quarterback, this trade would be about gathering draft capital and speeding up their rebuild, adding premium picks in this draft and down the road. This might be their best-case scenario.

3. Tennessee Titans (via mock trade with ARI)

Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida

Here’s that quarterback for the Titans. The 6-4 Richardson might have the highest ceiling of any prospect in this class. If he puts together all of his tools and isn’t rushed into being the guy in Week 1, he could be a star. It’s a big “if,” though, because he was extremely inconsistent as a passer in college and has a ways to go to clean up his mechanics. Now, the hope for Tennessee is that it can coach him up, unlock some of those traits and let him show his dual-threat ability. And it could sit him behind Tannehill in Year 1.

As we saw last season when Tannehill got injured, though, Willis was forced to step in, and there’s no doubt it hurt his development. Willis wasn’t ready to play. Richardson needs time as well, and I hope whichever team takes him understands that.

4. Indianapolis Colts

Will Levis, QB, Kentucky

I’m sticking with Levis to Indianapolis here. General manager Chris Ballard could get lucky with my second-ranked quarterback still on the board. Why do I like Levis over Stroud and Richardson? Because of his ability both in and out of the pocket. In 2021, when Levis was really on, he made “wow” throws to every part of the field and also ran for nine scores. Last season, while dealing with injuries and after losing a lot of talent around him, he forced too many throws and was inconsistent. I think Levis’ floor is high, and he’ll be able to start immediately for the Colts.

By the way, if you’re wondering how often quarterbacks have been taken with the first four picks in a single draft, well, I can tell you this would be the first time ever. Passers have gone with the first three picks three other times — 2021, 1999 and 1971 — but this would be history.

5. Seattle Seahawks (via DEN)

Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia

The Seahawks likely would be thrilled with this scenario, as they could get their pick of the defenders in the class. I see Carter, the No. 1 prospect on my Big Board, as the better fit here over Will Anderson Jr., who I have ranked No. 3 overall. Seattle can play Carter next to free agent addition Dre’Mont Jones and create one of the NFL’s most talented tackle combinations. (Carter is visiting with the team Tuesday.)

I don’t expect Carter, who pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and racing last month in connection with a fatal crash in January, to drop out of the top seven picks. In fact, his agent said recently that Carter is declining visits with any teams outside the top 10. Carter did not have a good pro day, but NFL teams believe he’s too talented to pass up.

6. Detroit Lions (via LAR)

Will Anderson Jr., OLB, Alabama

I love the potential pairing of Anderson on the other side of Aidan Hutchinson, the No. 2 overall pick a year ago. That’s a scary edge rushing duo. In 2021, Anderson’s 79 QB pressures ranked first in the country, while Hutchinson was second with 64. Anderson had 17.5 sacks to Hutchinson’s 14. These two know how to get after quarterbacks. For a Detroit team without many available starting spots on its roster, this would be a tremendous selection.

Update: The Lions traded cornerback Jeff Okudah to the Falcons on Tuesday, opening a starting spot in their secondary. Corner was a need even before the trade, though. In this scenario, with Anderson on the board, I still think Detroit would go with the elite edge rusher. Remember: It has another first-round pick and two picks in the second round.

7. Las Vegas Raiders

Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois

While the Raiders likely would love to get a shot at either Anderson or Carter, they’ll have to settle in this scenario for my top-ranked player at another position of need. Witherspoon is a physical defender with shutdown ability. He would be a Day 1 starter in Las Vegas, which ranked last in the league in takeaways last season (13). This is also a spot to watch for the first offensive tackle off the board.

8. Atlanta Falcons

Nolan Smith, OLB, Georgia

It’s edge rusher or cornerback here, as the Falcons have clear needs at both positions, even after all their signings in free agency. They had just 21 sacks last season, which ranked second-to-last in the league. While Smith would fit better in a 3-4 defense, I see new coordinator Ryan Nielsen — who came over from New Orleans — figuring out ways to get him on the field to rush passers. Nielsen could vary his fronts. Smith is an explosive player with a ton of upside, and people in the league rave about his leadership ability.

9. Chicago Bears (via CAR)

Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee

Chicago dropped eight spots in Round 1 but picked up a massive haul in its trade with Carolina, allowing it to keep premium picks in this draft and add future capital as well. And if it wants to add an instant starter at No. 9, offensive tackle is the position to target. I like Wright’s opportunity with the Bears if we’re strictly looking at right tackles, since Braxton Jones held his own on the left side last season. Wright started 27 games at right tackle in college; his tape against Will Anderson Jr. and Alabama was phenomenal. He’s the best right tackle in this class. My pal Louis Riddick is a huge fan too. This is a selection to keep quarterback Justin Fields clean.

10. Philadelphia Eagles (via NO)

Peter Skoronski, OT/G, Northwestern

This could be a spot for an edge rusher, but Philadelphia can keep a strength a strength by taking Skoronski. With right guard Isaac Seumalo departing in free agency, there’s an opening, and many NFL talent evaluators believe Skoronski has All-Pro potential if he moves inside. He started 33 games at left tackle in college, but his arms are slightly shorter than average for a tackle (32¼ inches). The Eagles lost both of their starting safeties this offseason, but they could find at least one replacement on Day 2 of the draft.

11. Arizona Cardinals (via mock trade with TEN)

Tyree Wilson, DE, Texas Tech

Arizona could go in a few different directions with this pick, including cornerback, offensive tackle or wide receiver. But who’s rushing the passer for this team? J.J. Watt retired and Zach Allen left in free agency. I like Myjai Sanders, but he’s raw. Cameron Thomas and Dennis Gardeck could take steps forward, but D-line is a massive need for the Cardinals. The 6-6 Wilson is a prototypical end who could thrive in new coach Jonathan Gannon’s defense.

12. Houston Texans (via CLE)

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State

This is the Texans’ chance to take their pick of the wide receivers in this class, and we know Smith-Njigba can be a star with C.J. Stroud throwing him passes. What’s not to like about this combo? Smith-Njigba has No. 1 wideout potential, but he’s coming off a lost season because of a hamstring injury — he caught five passes and ran 42 routes during the entire 2022 campaign. He showed he was healthy at the combine and I feel comfortable putting him in this range in Round 1. Houston has to add more talented pass-catchers. If it decides on another position, keep an eye on defensive line.

13. New York Jets

Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia

This is another pick I’m keeping the same from my previous mock draft, and we still don’t know what the Jets will have to give up in their eventual trade for quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Surely we’ll know before the draft begins, right? Jones could play on the right or left side in the NFL — he was nearly flawless for the Bulldogs last season. When the Bucs added Tom Brady in March 2020, they picked plug-and-play tackle Tristan Wirfs at No. 13 overall the following month, filling a void. That move helped get them a Super Bowl title in Wirfs’ rookie season. That’s New York’s best-case scenario here — assuming the Rodgers deal gets done with Green Bay.

14. New England Patriots

Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon

If the Patriots don’t trade down to acquire more capital, I see corner or wideout as the position to target here. On offense, new coordinator Bill O’Brien has to get quarterback Mac Jones turned around after a disastrous 2022. The additions of JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mike Gesicki in free agency will help, but there’s room for another really good outside wideout. Cornerback, though, is a position of strength in this class and Gonzalez has a chance to go in the top 10. The 6-1 defender picked off four passes for the Ducks last season.

15. Green Bay Packers

Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah

Take a look at the Green Bay depth chart and tell me this: Who is going to catch passes from quarterback Jordan Love in 2023? OK, outside of second-year wideouts Christian Watson and Romeo Dobbs? There’s just not much there, and Josiah Deguara, who had 13 catches last season, is now the team’s No. 1 tight end. Kincaid is the best pass-catching tight end in this class. He had 16 touchdown receptions over the past two seasons. He can stretch the seams in the middle of the field, and he can create easy connections for Love. This is the pick to help a young signal-caller.

plays that have made Clemson’s Trenton Simpson a top prospect in this year’s NFL draft.

16. Washington Commanders

Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State

The Commanders say they’re not in the market for Lamar Jackson and I don’t see them making a trade up for one of the top quarterbacks in this draft. That means they need to find an instant starter with this selection. While I thought about offensive line — Washington ranked 28th in yards per carry (4.0) last season — signing right tackle Andrew Wylie filled the biggest hole. On the other side of the ball, finding a corner should be the priority. At 6-2 with long arms, Porter would make a lot of sense. He has all the tools to be a spectacular cover man.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers

Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College

This is around where we could see a run on receivers. Flowers is actually my top-ranked wideout. I love his explosion and ability after the catch. Pittsburgh’s wideouts had just five touchdown receptions last season, which ranked last in the league. The 5-9 Flowers is a dynamo out of the slot, but he had plenty of grabs lined up outside too. He could be a nice fit with Diontae Johnson and George Pickens. Quarterback Kenny Pickett had a special connection with former Pitt teammate Jordan Addison, but I think Flowers would be the better pick for the Steelers.

18. Detroit Lions

Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas

People keep telling me Robinson won’t last into the 20s. He’s that good. It’s just really tough to find the perfect landing spot for him because teams finally understand the value of running backs in Round 1. So I’m going to follow Todd McShay’s lead and slot in Robinson to Detroit. Why? Because he’d be better in 2023 than D’Andre Swift, who is a free agent next year, and because he’d bring a receiving threat to the offense that free agent signing David Montgomery just doesn’t have. Robinson is a luxury pick, but the Lions really don’t have that many needs. They can afford a luxury selection here.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State

It really seems as if the Bucs are planning to wait out the tackle class with this pick. It’s a big need. Tristan Wirfs has been a star at right tackle, but he could move over to the left side. In this scenario, why not keep Wirfs on the right and let Johnson play left tackle? Johnson had a stellar 2022 season for the Buckeyes and he can dominate in pass protection and move defenders in the run game. As Tampa Bay moves forward with Baker Mayfield or Kyle Trask at quarterback, it needs a steady O-line to protect them.

20. Seattle Seahawks

Myles Murphy, DE, Clemson

Seattle’s surprising run to the 2022 playoffs masked a defense that didn’t look like a typical Pete Carroll unit. The Seahawks surrendered 24.0 points per game, which ranked 25th in the league, and allowed 4.9 yards per carry, which ranked 27th. I gave Carroll help in the middle of his defensive line with Jalen Carter at pick No. 5, so let’s move outside and add an end who will help against both the run and pass. Murphy has some upside, though I never saw him dominate on tape. He had 14 sacks and 63 QB pressures over the past two seasons. Carroll likes well-rounded defensive ends, and that’s Murphy.

21. Los Angeles Chargers

Jordan Addison, WR, USC

Addison could be a nice complement to L.A.’s offense. He is a great route runner who knows how to get open, though he’s not quite as explosive as Zay Flowers. He had 100 catches for 1,592 yards and 17 touchdowns at Pitt in 2021 before an injury at USC last season forced him to miss time. If he lands with the Chargers, he could be one of the favorites for Offensive Rookie of the Year, because new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore will get creative and use him all over the field.

22. Baltimore Ravens

Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland

You could argue whether the Ravens actually filled their need at wide receiver with the signing of Odell Beckham Jr.. Why? Because it was just a one-year deal. They still have issues beyond 2023. Still, I could see them turning to cornerback instead. Banks has excellent physical tools. He ran a 4.35-second 40-yard dash at the combine and showed off a 42-inch vertical jump, which was the best among the cornerbacks in Indianapolis. He excels in man coverage, using his speed to turn and run with receivers. He had only two picks in his career, but he gets his hands on passes. He could start on the other side of Marlon Humphrey in Baltimore.

23. Minnesota Vikings

Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State

Cornerback is a clear need area for Minnesota, which replaced Patrick Peterson with Byron Murphy but has plenty of available corner reps. Forbes needs to grow into his 6-1 frame — he weighed in at 166 pounds at the combine — but he is a great cover corner. He had six career pick-sixes in college, and he never missed a game because of injury. He needs to be more consistent, but he has outstanding instincts and his ceiling is high. The Vikings also could target a wideout to complement Justin Jefferson with this pick.

24. Jacksonville Jaguars

Lukas Van Ness, DL, Iowa

This is a pairing I had in my Mock Draft 2.0. Van Ness has positional flexibility; at 6-5, 272 pounds, some teams view him as a pure defensive end, while others want to see him get more reps at tackle. In Jacksonville, he could be a bit of both, penetrating as a pass-rusher on late downs and using his power to hold up in the run game. He had seven sacks last season. For Jacksonville, this is another step toward improving the front seven, which should see more flashes from 2022 No. 1 overall pick Travon Walker.

25. New York Giants

DJ Turner, CB, Michigan

I’ve slotted in wide receivers to the Giants in my previous mock drafts, so let’s switch gears and go with another position they could target. They could use a player to challenge Aaron Robinson and Cor’Dale Flott on the other side of Adoree’ Jackson. Turner is a hot name in the league right now, largely because scouts and execs went back to the tape after his 4.26-second 40-yard dash at the combine. That was the fourth-fastest time at the combine since 2003. He’s in the first-round discussion now. At 5-11, 178 pounds, Turner isn’t very big, but he has some versatility — he played outside and in the slot for the Wolverines. New York ranked 25th in the NFL with 19 takeaways last season.

26. Dallas Cowboys

Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame

Dalton Schultz left in free agency and the Cowboys never replaced him. Let’s get Dak Prescott a talented safety valve here. Mayer is the best all-around tight end in this class; he’s not afraid to latch on to defenders and block. Don’t discount his receiving upside, either. He had 180 catches for 2,099 yards and 18 scores in three college seasons. He can be an outlet on crossers and hooks and he’ll pick up first downs after the catch. Dallas also has scouted the class’ best wide receivers, so keep an eye out if one of the top guys drops.

27. Buffalo Bills

Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson

I don’t love drafting strictly for need, but that’s exactly what great teams can do when they don’t have many holes. Buffalo let middle linebacker Tremaine Edmunds leave in free agency and this could be a selection to fill that void. Simpson is a really good three-down linebacker who has some coverage traits in the pass game and is a strong blitzer. He ran a blazing 4.43-second 40-yard dash at the combine at 235 pounds. Middle linebackers in today’s NFL must have smooth hips and range in coverage, and those are Simpson’s strengths.

28. Cincinnati Bengals

Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson

We’ve focused a lot on the Bengals’ need at tight end, but what if they think they filled it with often-injured veteran Irv Smith Jr.? This is the direction they could go if that’s the case. Cincinnati ranked 29th in sacks last season (30) and it needs to get more of an interior push on late downs. Bresee could provide that. At 6-5, 298 pounds, he tested extremely well at the combine. He’s powerful at the point of attack and is instinctual after the snap. This is another team without many holes, so it can afford to select a player who might not start immediately.

29. New Orleans Saints (via DEN/MIA/SF)

Calijah Kancey, DT, Pitt

As I mentioned in my previous mock draft, the Saints completely turned over at defensive tackle and added Khalen Saunders and Nathan Shepherd to be their new starters. What if they’re not done adding? Kancey is one of my favorite prospects in this class. He’s so explosive as a pass-rusher and despite being undersized — 6-1, 281 pounds — he’s going to rack up sacks at the next level. He had 14.5 over the past two seasons. New Orleans could also look at the pass-catchers here, either a tight end or receiver.

Projected trade: Seahawks move into Round 1

There’s a ton of value in trading back into Round 1 to take a player to get his fifth-year option. We’ve seen it twice with quarterbacks in the past decade, with the Ravens trading up for Lamar Jackson (2018) and the Vikings doing it for Teddy Bridgewater (2014). Teams want to have that controllable fifth season. That’s exactly what this deal is for the Seahawks, who might have competition to move up.

To make this deal happen, I’ll project Seattle to give up both of its second-round picks — Nos. 37 and 52. That seems pretty fair. So that means Philly moves down seven picks but adds a prime selection on Day 2 and still owns No. 62. By the way, pick No. 37 is the last of the capital from Denver from the Russell Wilson trade.

30. Seattle Seahawks (via mock trade with PHI)

Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee

There’s some buzz about Hooker rising into the first round and this could be the perfect landing spot. I have a second-round grade on him, but I can see why he might be appealing. He led the FBS in Total QBR (89.5) and yards per attempt (9.5) last season, and he threw just five picks over two seasons at Tennessee. His accuracy on deep throws is really good. The downside? He played in a quarterback-friendly offense, didn’t have to go through progressions and is coming off a torn left ACL suffered in November. There’s going to be a learning curve in the NFL. Plus, he’s already 25 years old, so there are questions about his ceiling.

For Seattle, as I mentioned in my previous mock draft, the details of Geno Smith’s contract extension show it’s only a one-year commitment. The team could easily move on after one year and turn to Hooker.

31. Kansas City Chiefs

Will McDonald IV, DE, Iowa State

The McDonald stat I love most? He had 10 career forced fumbles. He gets to quarterbacks but also understands how to create turnovers. (Will Anderson Jr. had just one forced fumble in his career at Alabama.) McDonald is an explosive player with a high ceiling. The Super Bowl champs could add him to the edge rotation with George Karlaftis and free agent addition Charles Omenihu. As I’ve mentioned before, keep Kansas City in mind for the wideouts in this class.

ROUND 2

32. Pittsburgh Steelers (from CHI)                            Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma

33. Houston Texans                                                 Felix Anudike-Uzomah, DE, Kansas State

34. Arizona Cardinals                                              Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU

35. Indianapolis Colts                                              Brian Branch, DB, Alabama

36. Los Angeles Rams                                            Keion White, DE, Georgia Tech

37. Philadelphia Eagles (via mock trade with SEA through DEN)  Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama

38. Las Vegas Raiders                                             O’Cyrus Torrence, G, Florida

 39. Carolina Panthers                                            Drew Sanders, LB, Arkansas

40. New Orleans Saints                                         Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia

41. Arizona Cardinals (via mock trade with TEN)    Mazi Smith, DT, Michigan

42. New York Jets (from CLE)                                Luke Musgrave, TE, Oregon State

43. New York Jets                                                  Joe Tippmann, C, Wisconsin

44. Atlanta Falcons                                                Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia

Update: The Falcons made a trade with Detroit for corner Jeff Okudah, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 draft. I still think Atlanta needs to look at the secondary on Day 2, though. Okudah has not proven that he can be a reliable starter.

45. Green Bay Packers                                       Byron Young, OLB, Tennessee

46. New England Patriots                                   Matthew Bergeron, OT, Syracuse

47. Washington Commanders                             Blake Freeland, OT, BYU

48. Detroit Lions                                                  Jack Campbell, ILB, Iowa

49. Pittsburgh Steelers                                        Julius Brents, CB, Kansas State

50. Tampa Bay Buccaneers                                Adetomiwa Adebawore, DL, Northwestern

51. Miami Dolphins                                             Steve Avila, G/C, TCU

52. Philadelphia Eagles (via mock trade with SEA)  Derick Hall, OLB, Auburn

53. Chicago Bears (from BAL)                           BJ Ojulari, DE, LSU

54. Los Angeles Chargers                                 Brenton Strange, TE, Penn State

55. Detroit Lions (from MIN)                              Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee           

Let’s recap the Lions’ haul in this two-round mock. Here are my picks for them:

6. Will Anderson Jr., OLB, Alabama

18. Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas

48. Jack Campbell, ILB, Iowa

55. Hyatt, a speedy 6-foot wideout who had 11 touchdowns while lined up in the slot last season.

That’s an A draft grade, right? All four of these prospects would play early and often.

56. Jacksonville Jaguars                                    Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina

57. New York Giants                                          John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota

58. Dallas Cowboys                                           Jonathan Mingo, WR, Ole Miss

59. Buffalo Bills                                                  Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina

60. Cincinnati Bengals                                      Zach Charbonnet, RB, UCLA

61. Chicago Bears (from SF/CAR)                   Jaquelin Roy, DT, LSU

62. Philadelphia Eagles                                    Jartavius Martin, DB, Illinois

Here’s another spot to recap a team’s picks, as I projected the Eagles to add two more selections via a mock trade. Here are my picks for them:

10. Peter Skoronski, OT/G, Northwestern

37. Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama

52. Derick Hall, OLB, Auburn

62. Martin, a speedy deep safety who could slot into the open free safety spot in Philadelphia.

Again, this is a great draft, right? All four fill need areas for the Eagles.

63. Kansas City Chiefs                                    Marvin Mims, Jr., WR, Oklahoma