2023 Mock Draft Thread

[Boltnut]

https://scarletknights.com/news/2023...3-pro-day.aspx

I do not consider the available game tape to be compelling, but the ProDay was a showcase.

Yeah, I went and watched Rutgers vs. OhioSt/Michigan/Nebraska. Not much there to evaluate Christian Izien.
I wouldn't be comfortable going into the 2023 playoffs with Izien or Ja'Sir @slot.

[dmac_bolt]

Bad teams, a few years away from the playoffs, will not draft Robinson. By the time they become competitive, he will be living on borrowed time.

Which team is between us and the first pick,
lacks a top notch running back,
is solid at the premier positions: tackle, edge, corner, wide receiver,
and are expected to make the playoffs soon?

I'm too lazy to run through the list; however, I notice Detroit & Seattle have two 1rst rounders, both ahead of us, & Philly just lost Myles Sanders.

Those are most likely the landing spots, and Seattle can be ruled out.
Philly at #12?
Detroit at #18? Move up to #17 if he's still available?

The Chargers were a bad team when they drafted LT, not sure if the theory is sound

[blueman]

Some positions seem to have on the whole better talent than last year’s, unfortunately we drafted those same positions last year. Weird that we can seemingly get better RB, better DB, better IDL than last year regardless of round. Whereas WR, for one, was noticeably stronger (at least at the top) than this year, and we passed last year. This just seems a much stronger, deeper draft. I’m excited to see who we bring in (even the UDFAs lol).

[wu-dai clan]

Love Strange (and Young for that matter)
but Strange will be a gem in the 4th is great value.

Gonna be a wild, wild draft...unpredictable.

Lots of ways to build this Chargers roster.

It is clear to me that many, yourself included, have done some great work.

[21&500]

Quentin Johnston
Keeanu Benton

Byron Young EDGE Tennessee
6'2" 250# 4.4 Forty albeit linear speed.
Compact build suggests durability.
This guy is a unique combination of Pass Rush Specialist and Coverage Linebacker. The speed is clear, as a tool for closing on QBs, backside pursuit, and staying with receivers. We can use NASCAR package and also disguise Young in coverage.

Brenton Strange TE-HB Penn St
This is a perfect fit for our needs. We want to run and get chunk yards on early downs. We want to marry the run and the pass. You've heard all this.
Kellen Moore loves to line up a TE in the backfield. Strange is VERY good at blocking from this formation. He can line up In-Line too and serve as a reliable intermediate range receiver.
Second/Third round talent falls to us due to draft depth and universal desire for TE-WR types.

Demario Douglas
Christian Izien
Jake Andrews

Love Strange (and Young for that matter)
but Strange will be a gem in the 4th is great value.

[wu-dai clan]

I saw your late round CB... got any more tape of him? Maybe some full-game tape?

https://scarletknights.com/news/2023...3-pro-day.aspx

I do not consider the available game tape to be compelling, but the ProDay was a showcase.

[wu-dai clan]

Quentin Johnston
Keeanu Benton
Byron Young (Ten)
Brenton Strange

Demario Douglas WR/KR Liberty
This was one of the more athletic players at the Combine. Another one with a compact build, again suggesting durability.
5'10" 180# 4.44 Forty
Douglas plays football with short area quickness, urgency and intensity. Like QJ, he needs to hit the jugs machine, but I see an NFL level athlete. Demario would be a weapon at WR#5, Jet Sweep, Punt/Kickoff Returner.

Christian Izien DB Rutgers
5'11" 205# 4.4 Forty
In round 6, I am going for a sleeper "traits" pick. Izien is a willing and good tackler. Slot CB #2, Nickle LB, Combo Safety, ST, there is size and speed for several roles to fit our final 53.

Jake Andrews IOL Troy
Due to other pressing priorities and value, I waited until round 7 to address the critical IOL depth issue. Here's competition for Clapp/Jaimes, with experience at OG & C. Jake is All Sun Belt and Rimington watch list.
6"3" 305# with decent power and anchor, if not lateral mobility.

[Formula 21]

The history of the NFL drafting TEs shows that it's a very difficult position to figure out. It's also one reason I like Kincaid. In a pinch
he can be used as a WR. And for those that state we can wait for a guy like Washington to develop as a receiver, I say bull. Did
we forget that when one or both of Allen, MW are not available our passing game turns to mush? Ekeler is not a down field receiving threat.
He is a safety valve for Herbert. Also of note lots of mocks show us taking a receiver in the 1st and for good reason.

I doubt the Chargers go TE in the 1st even if Mayer, Washington or Kincaid are there. The more likely choice is a WR or Edge guy. This is going
to depend on how the cookie crumbles. But we do go TE in the first it should be Kincaid.

And I don't think TT would go with a midget WR early. So that leaves ED. And that's good with me.

[21&500]

I am not expecting the Eagles to pass on Robinson at #10. They are way too smart for that.

If that happens I can't see Detroit passing on him.

The question is, in this particular draft, what will it take to move up to #9? Would #21, Ekeler, and a third be enough?

I think someone is trading in front of Detroit if he falls that far.
I could see us doing it.
suspect Buffalo.

[charger1_sj]

We can use him but what I mean is he isn't a TE#1 imo. Outside of his blocking he isn't close to a offensive pass catching TE that we need.
Kind of a prodder type who will occasionally make a one hand stab but for a guy who has 11" hands he drops too many as well.
I wouldn't pick him at 21.

If we go TE round 1, I think it's Kincaid or Mayer. I'd rather pick Flowers at 21 than Washington, or an Edge rusher.

The history of the NFL drafting TEs shows that it's a very difficult position to figure out. It's also one reason I like Kincaid. In a pinch
he can be used as a WR. And for those that state we can wait for a guy like Washington to develop as a receiver, I say bull. Did
we forget that when one or both of Allen, MW are not available our passing game turns to mush? Ekeler is not a down field receiving threat.
He is a safety valve for Herbert. Also of note lots of mocks show us taking a receiver in the 1st and for good reason.

I doubt the Chargers go TE in the 1st even if Mayer, Washington or Kincaid are there. The more likely choice is a WR or Edge guy. This is going
to depend on how the cookie crumbles. But we do go TE in the first it should be Kincaid.

[Formula 21]

Which TE is best? The one that lands on a team that will utilize him.

HH could have been great if the Bolts threw the ball his way more often. Same with the TEs in this class. If you draft him, you have to use him.

[Boltjolt]

Disagree. We could *so* use this guy! The only real question is whether he's worth the pick at #21. The chances of him remaining on the board until #54 seem miniscule, so-- barring a trade down-- #21 will be the Bolts' only opportunity to take him.

We can use him but what I mean is he isn't a TE#1 imo. Outside of his blocking he isn't close to a offensive pass catching TE that we need.
Kind of a prodder type who will occasionally make a one hand stab but for a guy who has 11" hands he drops too many as well.
I wouldn't pick him at 21.

If we go TE round 1, I think it's Kincaid or Mayer. I'd rather pick Flowers at 21 than Washington, or draft an Edge rusher over him.