2023 NFL Mock Draft: A look at the entire first round
By Wesley Minke
player. 26. WR. JoshDowns. 25. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. North Carolina
As a smaller WR, Josh Downs has been dynamic for a North Carolina team lacking talent around him. He has been so good this year, and his routes are crisp, and he relies on his athleticism to beat corners. He wins at a very high rate.
Standing 5’10 175, Downs has been so good after the catch this year, as he has caught 74 passes for 847 yards and 11 TDs. He is no one-season wonder either, as last season he pulled in 101 passes for 1,335 yards and 8 TDs. Downs is explosive and a very reliable pass catcher who will have big play ability all over him in Baltimore.
Maryland. JaelynDuncan. 35. OT. 26. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis
Jaelyn Duncan is a big, bad, bruiser for the Terps right now. He has a really good size to play tackle and has long arms that help him keep pass rushers to the wayside. He is a beast in the run game however and explodes off the ball to get to the second level.
At 6’6 320, Duncan is very good at getting to the next level in his run-blocking sets. He has very good balance and plays with the ability to be a lead blocker on the outside and lead the play as he keeps his hands in a good spot and doesn’t often take on penalties.
Pick Analysis. LB. Clemson. 27. player. 123. Scouting Report. TrentonSimpson
The Cowboys get my favorite prospect in the draft here at 27th overall. Trenton Simpson can do a little bit of everything, and he is good at all of it. He is extremely fluid, he is a sure-handed tackler, and he is the fastest player on the field almost every time.
At 6’3 240, people should not be able to move the way Simpson does. He runs a 4.39 40-yard dash, broad jumps 10-2, a vertical jump of 35 inches, and benches 375lbs. He is as much of a physical freak as anyone in the class, and they will add him to a defense with Micah Parsons. Enough said.
31. Scouting Report. player. WR. SMU. RasheeRice. 28. Pick Analysis
What do you add to a group of WRs that haven’t produced and lack big play ability? You add a guy with home-run threat ability. Insert Rashee Rice. He runs a 4.36 40-yard dash, with exceptional straight-line quickness. However, he is also very good at running intermediate routes and creating quick separation with his speed.
At 6’2 203, he is a nice target and has great hands to provide a good catch radius. He is a great threat down in the red zone, especially with the way he has learned to use his body to shield off defenders. This could be a big-time pick for the Giants.