The Sun Sentinel’s third and final 2023 NFL Mock draft has Dolphins columnist Chris Perkins going until pick No. 51, the Dolphins’ first selection this year. Trades, which are sure to happen, are factored into this mock draft, similar to Dolphins writer David Furones’ mock draft but unlike Perkins’ initial mock draft. The NFL draft is Thursday-Saturday in Kansas City.
1. Carolina Panthers (from Chicago): Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
This remains a tough choice between Young and Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, but I’ll give the Panthers the guy believed to have the higher football IQ.
Top needs: QB, Edge rusher, ILB
2. Houston Texans: C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
Stroud likely remains the No. 2 selection here even though there’s talk that the Texans like Kentucky’s Will Levis.
Top needs: QB, Edge, WR
3. Tennessee Titans (mock trade with Arizona): Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
There’s chatter that veteran quarterback Ryan Tannehill is on the trading block.
Top needs: Edge rusher, CB, OL
4. Indianapolis Colts: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
The Colts would probably prefer Richardson but perhaps the strong-armed Levis takes the multi-year development route of Buffalo’s strong-armed Josh Allen.
Top needs: QB, OL, CB
5. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver): Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
It hasn’t been an easy offseason for Carter, but his talent remains undeniable.
Top needs: DT, OL, WR
6. Detroit Lions (from L.A. Rams): Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
The Lions traded CB Jeff Okudah to Atlanta, opening a spot for Witherspoon.
Top needs: DL, LB, OL
7. Las Vegas Raiders: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
The Raiders figured to have a tough choice between Witherspoon and Gonzalez, and now the decision is made for them.
Top needs: CB, OT, DL
8. Atlanta Falcons: Tyree Wilson, Edge, Texas Tech
It’s an unexpected surprise Wilson is still here so he gets scooped up as a nice complement to Okudah.
Top needs: CB, Edge, S
9. Chicago Bears (from Carolina): Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio St.
Protection for QB Justin Fields is essential, especially at LT to protect his blind side.
Top needs: OL, Edge, CB
10. Philadelphia Eagles (from New Orleans): Lukas Van Ness, Edge, Iowa
The Eagles might want to trade down but with the top QBs gone trade partners such as Tampa Bay lose strong interest.
Top needs: Edge, DT, DB
11. Arizona Cardinals (mock trade down with Tennessee): Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
Arizona gets what it needs as well as extra picks for trading down.
Top needs: WR, OT, CB
12. Houston Texans (from Cleveland): Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
Smith-Njigba missed much of last season with hamstring issues but he’s the best slot WR in the draft.
Top needs: WR, Edge, DT
13. New York Jets: Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern
He’ll get a shot at tackle but the knock is his short arms make him more suitable at guard.
Top needs: OT, S, DT
14. New England Patriots: Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
New England’s hopes to trade down with teams such as Tampa Bay and Minnesota were extinguished with Richardson and Levis going in the top four picks.
Top needs: OL, CB, WR
15. Green Bay Packers: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
The Packers are razor thin here and Mayer gives them what they need.
Top needs: Edge, TE, S
16. Washington Commanders: Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland
Banks’ size and skill make him a good selection here, and his physicality is a bonus.
Top needs: CB, TE, OL
17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
This is a combination of need and, according to that need, the BPA (Best Player Available).
Top needs: OT, CB, DT
18. Detroit Lions: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
The Lions, who selected Witherspoon at No. 6, get another major playmaker.
Top needs: LB, OL, TE
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Nolan Smith, Edge, Georgia
Tampa Bay probably will resist temptation to select Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker.
Top needs: DB, QB, Edge
20. Seattle Seahawks: Myles Murphy, Edge, Clemson
This is a daring/surprising selection considering the Seahawks took Carter at No. 5, but they’re pursuing a DL goal here.
Top needs: OL, WR, Edge
21. Los Angeles Chargers: Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
The Chargers need to solidify the options for QB Justin Herbert and this helps.
Top needs: TE, OL, WR
22. Baltimore Ravens: Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State
Forbes fills a need as the Ravens partly satisfied their WR need by signing WR Odell Beckham Jr.
Top needs: WR, CB, DT
23. Minnesota Vikings: Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee
The Vikings don’t have to trade up to acquire Hooker, who is recovering from a knee injury.
Top needs: CB, ILB, DT
24. Jacksonville Jaguars: Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
The Jags need help with their pass defense so this makes sense. Plus, their preferred edge rushers are gone.
Top needs: Edge, OT, DB
25. New York Giants: Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
It’s tempting to go OL but Johnston is a big, physical player who can help immediately.
Top needs: CB, WR, OL
26. Dallas Cowboys: Jordan Addison, WR, USC
The Cowboys might have TE in their sights, but Addison is better than any of the available TEs.
Top needs: TE, OL, DL
27. Buffalo Bills: Drew Sanders, LB, Arkansas
Sanders makes sense here because of the loss of LB Tremaine Edmunds.
Top needs: LB, S, OT
28. Cincinnati Bengals: Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma
Offensive line is an ongoing priority because the Bengals want to keep QB Joe Burrow upright.
Top needs: OL, RB, TE
29. New Orleans Saints: Bryan Bresee, DL, Clemson
There are other options such as Michigan’s Mazi Smith but Bresee is the choice here.
Top needs: WR, CB, DL
30. Philadelphia Eagles: Brian Branch, S, Alabama
The Eagles got their edge rusher earlier, now they get the safety to strengthen the back end.
Top needs: DT, DB, RB
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee
There’s OL help available from guys such as Ohio State’s Dawand Jones, but making QB Patrick Mahomes a bit more dangerous seems wise.
Top needs: WR, Edge, OT
Round 2
32. Pittsburgh Steelers (from Chicago): Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
There’s a temptation to go for DL but Ringo’s combination of size (6-2, 207), athleticism and physicality is a good match.
Top needs: CB, DT, OT
33. Houston Texans: Mazi Smith, DT, Michigan
Smith can hold his ground and be a physical presence on the inside, which the Texans desire.
Top needs: Edge, DT, OL
34. Arizona Cardinals: John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota
Schmitz is regarded by many as the best center in the draft.
Top needs: CB, OL, WR
35. Indianapolis Colts: Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State
Jones has position versatility as he can play on either side but he’s regarded as a better RT.
Top needs: OL, CB, WR
36. Los Angeles Rams: Luke Musgrave, TE, Oregon State
A knee injury limited Musgrave to two games in 2022, but he’s an athletic, receiving TE.
Top needs: TE, CB, Edge
37. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver): O’Cyrus Torrance, G, Florida
Torrance’s physical presence will be welcomed on the Seahawks’ OL.
Top needs: OL, ILB, DT
38. Las Vegas Raiders: Will McDonald IV, Edge, Iowa State
McDonald combines athleticism with amazing flexibility and a knack for getting to the QB.
Top needs: OT, DL, CB
39. Carolina Panthers: Noah Sewell, LB, Oregon
Sewell is the younger brother of Detroit OT Penei Sewell and figures to do well on the inside.
Top needs: Edge, ILB, DB
40. New Orleans Saints: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama
The Dolphins would love it if this didn’t happen. Regardless, Gibbs isn’t likely to be around at No. 51.
Top needs: WR, CB, RB
41. Arizona Cardinals (mock trade with Tennessee): Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
Top needs: WR, CB, TE
42. New York Jets (from Cleveland): Cody Mauch, C-G, North Dakota State
Mauch is capable of playing all three positions on the OL but right now he’s best at OT.
Top needs: DT, S, LB
43. New York Jets: Calijah Kancey, DT, Pitt
The Miami Northwestern High product is smallish (6-1, 281) but he’s a high-motor guy.
Top needs: DT, LB, S
44. Atlanta Falcons: Antonio Johnson, S, Texas A&M
Johnson complements the recently-acquired Okudah.
Top needs: Edge, S, WR
45. Green Bay Packers: Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
Top needs: TE, S, WR
46. New England Patriots: Matthew Bergeron, OT, Syracuse
Versatility is a key here as Bergeron can flip to either side.
Top needs: OL, WR, DL
47. Washington Commanders: Steve Avila, C-G, TCU
Avila can fill the Commanders needs on the interior and he brings a physical presence.
Top needs: TE, OL, DL
48. Detroit Lions: Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson
Simpson provides versatility but is probably better on the outside.
Top needs: LB, OL, TE
49. Pittsburgh Steelers: Adetomiwa Adebawore, Edge, Northwestern
The Steelers keep checking off their needs through three selections.
Top needs: DT, LB, Edge
50. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Keion White, Edge, Georgia Tech
White moves well to be so big (6-5, 285). If he can refine his skills he’s an excellent pick.
Top needs: DB, Edge, OL
51. Miami Dolphins: Sam LaPorta, TE, Iowa
With his in-line and receiving skills he could be the best combination TE, which appeals to the Dolphins.
Top needs: OT, G, TE
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