NFL Mock Draft 2023: First-round picks plus opening selections for Broncos, 49ers and more

Teams without a first-round draft pick

#36. Los Angeles Rams – Steve Avila, IOL, TCU

The LA Rams need a bunch of stuff, looking at how much they’ve tried to cut corners on that roster, now that they’re transitioning into a re-modeling phase. I posted their depth chart on defense a couple of days ago and asked if this group holds anybody under 30 points, unless Aaron Donald doesn’t absolutely go berserk.

The fact that Sean McVay decided to come back and how much they’ve tried to keep the offense intact for the most part, has me believing that the goal is more him to still be able to put out a functional offense, and the biggest issues last season were the left side of the O-line in particular.

Steve Avila gives them the flexibility to play all three spots along the interior, is a great fit for a zone- and duo-based rushing attack and has an incredibly strong anchor to maintain a firm middle of the pocket.

#51. Miami Dolphins – Tucker Kraft, TE, South Dakota State

Georgia’s Darnell Washington was my first instinct here, but looking at the teams slated to pick in front of Miami – the Packers, Commanders, Lions and others – I have a tough time believing that guy will still be on the board at this point.

With that being said, I don’t see a massive gap between him and Tucker Kraft, who I have as TE4 and five respectively. Mike McDaniel and company couldn’t wait to get rid of Mike Gesicki this offseason because he wasn’t a fit at all for their offense.

Kraft makes a lot of sense in terms of being able to come across the formation for kick-outs and wrap-arounds. Then there's his body-control and ability to snatch up smaller bodies in space and what he can provide after the catch, rumbling through tackles after building up momentum and using his off-arm to keep defenders away from his lower body. He could be McDaniel’s slightly slower and rawer version of George Kittle.

#67. & #68. Denver Broncos – Daiyan Henley, LB, Washington State & Jordan Battle, SAF, Alabama

Sean Payton has already attacked the offensive line in a major way and if he can get Russ back to competence at least, this should be a pretty good unit. The defense was 1 of the best last year until the dam broke late, due to having to do all the heavy lifting, but as they transition from Ejiro Evero to Vance Joseph at defensive coordinator, they need to add some more pieces for that scheme to work.

First, they have already made the investment into Josey Jewell as their more traditional MIKE linebacker. Now, with Daiyan Henley – who I think should go earlier, but this is where he’s currently projected based on consensus boards – you have this clean-up player and coverage asset, with speed to shut things down on the perimeter with how aggressive that defense typically likes to get.

Kareem Jackson is currently still on the open market. He could still return, but his missed-tackle rate and passer rating allowed has increased each of the last two years and Jordan Battle is somebody with experience playing all over the Bama defense (with over 3000 career snaps being assigned every coverage responsibility in the book pretty much). The way he sees plays from the back-end and his tackling skills in space would be a great addition for Denver.

#98. Cleveland Browns – Zach Harrison, EDGE, Ohio State

Their biggest splash signing this offseason was a nose-tackle in Dalvin Tomlinson, who they paid just over 16 million per year. That was by far the biggest hole they needed to fill given how much they got pushed around in the run game without a true nose on the roster. So why not continue adding to that early-down defense?

Zach Harrison has insanely long arms, with an 87-inch wingspan, which allows him to lock out and keep vision on the backfield as a base defensive end. I’m not as high on him as some other people, because he can kind of run hot and cold, along with not having a real plan as a pass-rusher yet.

But you have to get to third down first, where then that secondary full of high draft picks and Myles Garrett up front can really shine. And Cleveland already signed Ogbo Okoronkwo in free agency, to be that high element who can win the corner with speed as you layer your pass-rush.

#99. San Francisco 49ers – Jammie Robinson, SAF, Florida State

And this is not just a play on words, but I love that it turned out this way. Because to me, losing Jimmie Ward, who former 49ers DC and now Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans brought along with him to Houston, you have the ability to replace him now with a very similar player profile.

'm not saying Jammie Robinson is as good Ward at this stage, but his ability to rocket up the alley in the run game, the elite tackling skills in space and being able to put him in the slot when needed – which is where the Niners put Ward for the majority of last season – it’s very reminiscent of that skill-set.

Once again, I believe the FSU standout should go earlier, but considering Robinson is more so an average athlete for the position and has sub-30-inch arms, this scenario is very much on the table, I would think.

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