Redbrick’s Mock NFL Draft Picks (Part I)

Sports writer Laurence Piper outlines the latter picks in his mock draft, speculating on the NFL draft that takes place on 27th April

Written by Laurence Piper
Hi, I'm Laurence. I'm a 3rd Year BA History Student at UoB but this is my first year writing for Redbrick. I have been a member of the University American Football team since 1st Year having served on the committee and this past year as a team Captain. I mainly enjoy writing about all thing NFL but I'm also really into my music and literature.
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In the first instalment of his 2023 1st Round Mock Draft, Laurence Piper offers his thoughts on picks 22-32. The LA Chargers are on the clock…

  1. LA Chargers: Quentin Johnson (WR)

The Chargers have one of the best young QBs in the league in Justin Herbert and I think they take this opportunity to give him another weapon to throw to. This pick varies on the receivers selected earlier in the draft, but I have them taking Johnson out of TCU in this mock as he is the best remaining option.

  1. Baltimore Ravens: Zay Flowers (WR)

Despite the signing of Odell Beckham Jr. just a couple of days ago, the Ravens need weapons to help lure Lamar Jackson back to the team and they get this in the form of Zay Flowers who is the next WR off the board. They could also get a value pick at at DE with Nolan Smith but that isn’t the type of pick that would appease their former MVP QB.

  1. Minnesota Vikings: Jordan Addison (WR)

After the departure of Patrick Peterson, CB is a massive position of need for the Vikings and if there is a standout CB available at this stage, I think they take them with this pick. But with the value not just there I believe they should secure a dangerous weapon to pair opposite of Justin Jefferson after the departure of Adam Thielen this past offseason to keep their offence potent.

  1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Nolan Smith (DE)

Jacksonville is another team that is hard to predict. Their biggest need is O-line but once more the value isn’t there. I could see them taking Safety Brian Branch here as a versatile playmaker but instead, they nab a steal at DE in Nolan Smith to combine with Trevon Walker and Josh Allen.

  1. New York Giants: Brian Branch (S)

The biggest need here is WR, but with the best picks off the board I think they get help in the Secondary with S Brian Branch. He is one of the best Safety picks in the draft as he can also play in the slot. He will be a day-1 starter on a team that surprised last season as the Giants will look to get WR help in the latter rounds.

  1. Dallas Cowboys: Michael Mayer (TE)

After Dalton Schulz left in free agency, the Cowboys replace him in the draft with a young stud in Michael Mayer who performs well in both the run game and the pass game. I could also see them go for DT here, but Dak has thrived with a stacked receiving core and there is a worry he regresses if the talent around him wanes.

  1. Buffalo Bills: Myles Murphy (DE)

As we get to the back end of the draft the teams picking here don’t typically have many holes to fill. Buffalo could look to replace LB Tremaine Edmunds who left in Free Agency, but I think they go for a value pick here in the form of the best DE or CB available. It could go either way so look at CB Emanuel Forbes here as well.  

  1. Cincinnati Bengals: Bryan Bresee (DT)

Again, there are not many holes on this team but after the signing of TE Irv Smith Jr I think they have a great player on the interior of their D-Line here with Bresee, a player who has been on my radar since he was in high school. He will join a proven team which gives him an opportunity to grow into the league.

  1. New Orleans Saints: Emmanuel Forbes (CB)

I think this pick depends on the player that Buffalo picks. If there is still a top-rated CB available at this position, I believe they will elect to bolster their secondary. If not and there is a top-rated D-lineman available, I think they could also go this direction. I have Forbes still available, so this is who I think the Saints pick.

  1. Philadelphia Eagles: O’Cyrus Torrence (OG)

The dream pick for the Eagles here is Brian Branch but since I have the Giants taking him ahead of their division rivals, there is a real possibility the Eagles trade out of this pick to a team looking to sneak back into the first round for a player they love, especially if a team is high on QB Hendon Hooker. But in a world where the Eagles stick at no.31, they replace a Guard they lost to Free Agency in O’Cyrus Torrence.

  1. Kansas City Chiefs: Will McDonald IV (DE)

The reigning Super Bowl once more. With the final pick in the 1st Round of the NFL Draft the Kansas City Chiefs get another DE to pair with their pick from last year with Will McDonald IV. McDonald is a player that is great at forcing turnovers creating ten fumbles in his college career. Watch out for the Chiefs to fill the whole WR Juju Smith-Schuster created when he left in Free Agency here too.

 

Tune in for the next two instalments for the other picks in this mock draft!

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