Tag: Christian Gonzalez

Mel Kiper Jr. believes these positions most important for Patriots

What positions should the Patriots prioritize in the draft? Mel Kiper Jr. shared his thoughts.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has three positions in mind for the New England Patriots on the first day of the 2023 NFL draft.

Kiper spoke on a conference call Wednesday and discussed three positions and players he thinks would fit best in New England. His positional needs for the organization fall in line with what has been reported by other analysts as well. Receiver, offensive lineman, and cornerback seem to be the positions Kiper believes New England should be focused on.

This makes sense, given that Kiper had the organization selecting Oregon corner Anthony Gonzalez in a mock draft this week. There have also been sentiments that scouts across the league view the 2023 wide receiver class as one that is not particularly strong.

Kiper broke down his reasoning further.

“They certainly have a chance to [land an impact player] with Christian Gonzalez or Jaxon Smith-Njigba. If they go offensive line, there’s going to be somebody there who can be an attractive addition as a rookie coming in and starting,” said Kiper, per MassLive.com’s Mark Daniels. “Gonzalez is the bigger corner and in the AFC against all these elite quarterbacks, matching up in coverage is critical. Gonzalez would give them something in terms of length that they need. Jaxson Smith-Njigba I had going a little earlier, but they could certainly use him. He’s great in the slot. He can also play out wide.”

The Patriots do need help at those positions. Wide receiver is one that many fans believe New England needs to upgrade. Offensive line and corner depth are important as well, even with New England signing the likes of Riley Reiff and bringing back Jonathan Jones and Myles Bryant.

Whatever decision the organization makes will be pivotal to the future of the team.

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Christian Gonzalez on of 17 prospects set to attend 2023 NFL draft

Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez should be one of those to hug NFL commish Roger Goodell a hug at the NFL draft.

One of the more unique things in sports belongs to the NFL when a player is drafted and gets to go up on stage and give Commissioner Roger Goodell a giant bear hug.

Goodell is one of the more maligned commissioners in sports, but in that moment with the draft picks, he is humanized and it’s quite the spectacle.

Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux was one of those players last spring and according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Duck corner Christian Gonzalez should be the second Oregon defender in as many years to hug Goodell on stage.

Gonzalez is just one of 17 prospects that are currently expected to attend the 2023 NFL draft in person, which will be held in Kansas City. Here are those who should be in attendance.

2023 NFL Draft: Christian Gonzalez scouting report

Gonzalez is one of the top CBs in a good class after transferring from Colorado to Oregon

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One of the more talented corners in the entire draft, Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez will look to tap into his immense physical traits to try and vault his draft value as he enters the 2023 NFL draft.

Here is everything you need to know about the Ducks defender:

David Dorey’s 2023 NFL mock draft 2.0

The Huddle’s David Dorey has updated his 2023 NFL mock draft.

David Dorey’s updated mock draft of 2023 is now out. Sound off on social media and let us know what you think.

We’ll be unveiling several more mock drafts leading up to the real thing, so be sure to check back with our 2023 NFL Draft Central page to keep track of all of our offerings.

2023 NFL Mock Draft: Round 1

*Note: Miami forfeited its No. 21 overall selection for tampering.

Pick NFL team Pos Player School
1 Carolina Panthers (via CHI) QB C.J. Stroud Ohio State
2 Houston Texans QB Bryce Young Alabama
3 Arizona Cardinals EDGE Will Anderson Jr. Alabama
4 Indianapolis Colts QB Anthony Richardson Florida
5 Seattle Seahawks (via DEN) DT Jalen Carter Georgia
6 Detroit Lions (via LAR) CB Joey Porter Jr. Penn State
7 Las Vegas Raiders OT Paris Johnson Jr. Ohio State
8 Atlanta Falcons EDGE Myles Murphy Clemson
9 Chicago Bears (via CAR) EDGE Nolan Smith Georgia
10 Philadelphia Eagles (via NO) CB Devon Witherspoon Illinois
11 Tennessee Titans QB Will Levis Kentucky
12 Houston Texans (via CLE) WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba Ohio State
13 New York Jets OT Peter Skoronski Northwestern
14 New England Patriots CB Christian Gonzalez Oregon
15 Green Bay Packers EDGE Tyree Wilson Texas Tech
16 Washington Commanders CB/S Brian Branch Alabama
17 Pittsburgh Steelers CB Deonte Banks Maryland
18 Detroit Lions RB Bijan Robinson Texas
19 Tampa Bay Buccaneers OT Darnell Wright Tennessee
20 Seattle Seahawks DT Calijah Kancey Pittsburgh
21 Los Angeles Chargers WR Quentin Johnston TCU
22 Baltimore Ravens WR Jordan Addison USC
23 Minnesota Vikings CB Emmanuel Forbes Mississippi State
24 Jacksonville Jaguars WR Zay Flowers Boston College
25 New York Giants WR Jalin Hyatt Tennessee
26 Dallas Cowboys TE Michael Mayer Notre Dame
27 Buffalo Bills EDGE Lukas Van Ness Iowa
28 Cincinnati Bengals TE Dalton Kincaid Utah
29 New Orleans Saints (via SF>MIA>DEN) RB Jahmyr Gibbs Alabama
30 Philadelphia Eagles OG O’Cyrus Torrence Florida
31 Kansas City Chiefs OT Broderick Jones Georgia

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1 CB prospect for the Colts in each round of NFL draft

There are plenty of CB prospects the Colts can consider in the 2023 NFL draft.

The Indianapolis Colts are just over two weeks away from the start of the 2023 NFL draft where they’ll be looking to add talent and depth to the roster.

Pound-for-pound, the cornerback position may rival the quarterback room in terms of pure need on the roster. The projected starters in the room, Kenny Moore II and Isaiah Rodgers Sr., are both in contract years. The trade of Stephon Gilmore this offseason placed a massive hit on the depth of the room.

While there are still some free agents the Colts could target before the draft, it wouldn’t be a surprise if they wound up signing a veteran and then using two of their selections to add depth and competition to the room. That’s how thin the roster is.

Following this series of articles, we’ve also looked at the quarterback and wide receiver positions.

We’ll be tracking the Colts’ reported interest in the 2023 draft class so be sure to keep up with latest updates via our tracker.

Here’s a look at cornerback prospect who fits the Colts in each round of the draft:

These are the players expected to attend first night of 2023 NFL draft

Here are the 17 prospects expected to attend the first night of the 2023 NFL draft.

With only two weeks away from the 2023 NFL draft, the NFL announced the 17 players expected to attend the first night on Thursday. The draft festivities are slated to kick off on April 27 in Kansas City with the star attendees being projected first-round picks.

Some of the names on the list have popped up in multiple mock drafts as potential options for the New England Patriots, who will have the highest pick they’ve had in nearly 15 years at No. 14 overall.

The positions to keep an eye on for the Patriots is cornerback, wide receiver, safety, offensive tackle and tight end.

Here are the players expected to attend the first night of the draft:

NFL reveals the 17 prospects invited to attend the 2023 draft in Kansas City

NFL reveals the 17 prospects invited to attend the 2023 draft in Kansas City

It’s always fun to see players get their hugs with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell immediately after they are called to the stage as a draft pick. We now know which player we’ll see get to experience that landmark moment in 2023.

The NFL released the names of the 17 prospects who have been invited to attend this year’s draft in Kansas City.

The list is comprised of players who are generally projected to be selected in the first round. This year’s invitees:

  • USC WR Jordan Addison
  • Alabama EDGE Will Anderson
  • Alabama S Brian Branch
  • Georgia DT Jalen Carter
  • Boston College WR Zay Flowers
  • Oregon CB Christian Gonzalez
  • Ohio State OT Paris Johnson
  • Kentucky QB Will Levis
  • Penn State CB Joey Porter Jr.
  • Florida QB Anthony Richardson
  • Texas RB Bijan Robinson
  • Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba
  • Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud
  • Georgia Tech DL Keion White
  • Texas Tech EDGE Tyree Wilson
  • Illinois CB Devon Witherspoon
  • Alabama QB Bryce Young

Which one gets to hug Goodell first? Who will be the last one to take the stage? We’ll find out in two weeks.

Steve Gallo’s 2023 NFL mock draft

Steve Gallo brings you our latest 2023 NFL mock draft.

Steve Gallo presents our latest NFL mock draft of 2023. Sound off on social media to let us know your thoughts, and be sure to check our 2023 NFL Draft Central page to keep track of all of the offerings.

2023 NFL Mock Draft

*Note: Miami forfeited its No. 21 overall selection for tampering.
** Projected trade

Pick NFL team Pos Player School
1 Carolina Panthers (via CHI) QB C.J. Stroud Ohio State
2 Houston Texans QB Bryce Young Alabama
3 Arizona Cardinals EDGE Will Anderson Jr. Alabama
4 Indianapolis Colts QB Anthony Richardson Florida
5 Seattle Seahawks (via DEN) EDGE Tyree Wilson Texas Tech
6 Detroit Lions (via LAR) CB Devon Witherspoon Illinois
7 Las Vegas Raiders CB Christian Gonzalez Oregon
8 Atlanta Falcons QB Will Levis Kentucky
9 Chicago Bears (via CAR) OT Peter Skoronski Northwestern
10 Philadelphia Eagles (via NO) DT Jalen Carter Georgia
11 Tennessee Titans OT Broderick Jones Georgia
12 Houston Texans (via CLE) WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba Ohio State
13 Green Bay Packers (via NYJ)** OT Paris Johnson Jr. Ohio State
14 New England Patriots EDGE Myles Murphy Clemson
15 Green Bay Packers EDGE Nolan Smith Georgia
16 Washington Commanders CB Joey Porter Jr. Penn State
17 Pittsburgh Steelers OT Darnell Wright Tennessee
18 Detroit Lions TE Michael Mayer Notre
19 Tampa Bay Buccaneers EDGE Lukas Van Ness Iowa
20 Seattle Seahawks DT Calijah Kancey Pittsburgh
21 Los Angeles Chargers WR Quentin Johnston TCU
22 Baltimore Ravens WR Jordan Addison USC
23 Minnesota Vikings WR Zay Flowers Boston College
24 Jacksonville Jaguars CB Deonte Banks Maryland
25 New York Giants C Joe Tippmann Wisconsin
26 Dallas Cowboys WR Jalin Hyatt Tennessee
27 Buffalo Bills OG O’Cyrus Torrence Florida
28 Cincinnati Bengals TE Dalton Kincaid Utah
29 New Orleans Saints (via SF>MIA>DEN) QB Hendon Hooker Tennessee
30 Philadelphia Eagles CB/S Brian Branch Alabama
31 Kansas City Chiefs OT Dawand Jones Ohio State

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FantasyPro’s 2023 NFL mock draft: Detroit Lions recap

Breaking down the Detroit Lions selections and a trade in the latest 2023 mock draft from FantasyPros

With two weeks until the 2023 NFL Draft, I came up with a new mock draft over at FantasyPros! Last season I finished 9th in overall scoring for most accurate mock draft and I’m looking to match or beat that total this year.

In another week or so, I’ll take another crack at it.

So if the draft were today, who would you want the Lions to select in the 2023 NFL Draft? I know who I would want but in my most recent mock draft, I give you who I think teams would select. Let’s jump into what I think the Detroit Lions could do in two weeks during the 2023 NFL Draft!

Trade out of the 6th overall pick 

As I talked about last week, the Lions have done their homework on moving the 6th overall or 18th overall pick. The one pick that could make the most sense is the 6th overall pick due to the way teams view the quarterbacks in this year’s draft. Who’s the one team the Lions could trade with during the 2023 NFL Draft?

The Tennessee Titans.

If you look deep into this one, it should be no surprise. Lions GM Brad Holmes was the Director of College Scouting with the Rams from 2013 to 2020. Meanwhile, Titans GM Ran Carthon was the Director of Player Personnel with the Rams from 2012 to 2016.

If the price tag is too high for the Titans to do business with the Cardinals and the 3rd overall pick, the Lions could be a good alternate. It wouldn’t be as costly to move from the 11th overall pick to the 6th overall pick. It’ll be interesting if the Titans value any of these quarterbacks in this years draft. So who do the Lions draft in my new 2023 NFL Mock Draft?

11th overall: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois 

Like I said above, the Lions could move down a few spots and end up with either Christian Gonzalez or Devon Witherspoon. With how the board shakes out, the Lions are able to select Devon Witherspoon out of Illinois. He’s a physical corner at 5’11 1/2″ and 181 pounds with 4.44 speed.

While he’s somewhat of an outlier, Witherspoon plays mean and looks to demolish defenders every chance he gets. It would be no secret if Dan Campbell loves the tape of Witherspoon due to his toughness and click-close ability in coverage. As the Lions have moved on from Jeff Okudah, they could certainly replace him with any of these first round cornerbacks.

Mock Trade Details
DET receives: 2023 1st Round Pick (11th overall), 2023 3rd Round Pick (72nd overall) and 2024 2nd Round Pick
TEN receives: 2023 1st Round Pick (6th overall)

18th overall: Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia 

There’s a chance that Nolan Smith becomes a top-10 pick in two weeks but it’s worth noting that the Detroit Lions have done plenty of research on him. It makes complete sense too.

Smith checked into the scouting combine at 6-foot-2 and 238 pounds. During the event, he blew up the social media by running the 40-yard dash in 4.39 seconds. That’s unheard of for an edge rusher. That’s part of the reason why people believe that Smith could be a situational pass-rusher and could be more a WILL linebacker at the next level.

Regardless, Detroit could use a talented player such as Smith. He’s fully recovered from his torn pectoral muscle and should be back to his vicious play-style. He attacks split-zone blocks incredibly well and his motor screams to the identity of this football team.

2023 NFL Mock Draft with Trades: Russell Brown (2.0)

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How much would a trade to top 10 cost the Jaguars?

The Jaguars spent Tuesday with Tyree Wilson, a prospect unlikely to escape the top 10. Is a trade that far up unrealistic?

The Jacksonville Jaguars have had a conservative offseason and general manager Trent Baalke has suggested it’ll be a conservative approach to the 2023 NFL Draft too.

At the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, Baalke told reporters that he doesn’t expect the Jaguars “to be big movers and try to trade way up.” But on Tuesday, the team hosted Texas Tech pass rusher Tyree Wilson — widely considered a lock for the top 10 in a couple weeks — on a visit to TIAA Bank Field.

At the very least, the fact that the Jaguars have an eye on Wilson — as well as Georgia pass rusher Nolan Smith — suggests the team may not be ruling out a trade up, after all.

All but one starter (Jawaan Taylor) from the 2022 squad that reached the Divisional Round are set to return in 2023, and the Jaguars have Walker Little in place to take over at right tackle. Jacksonville can work to fill out depth on the roster through the draft, but it’d also make sense to take a swing at an elite prospect with a Super Bowl seemingly in reach.

Jaguars fans have seen that kind of move blow up in the franchise’s face before. In 2008, Jacksonville moved from No. 26 to No. 8 to take Derrick Harvey, a colossal bust who had eight career sacks. But that was another era with different ownership and leadership.

So what would it take for the Jaguars to climb high enough to go after a player like Wilson, Smith, or maybe Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez?

Per the trade value chart developed by former Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins coach Jimmy Johnson, a jump from 24th overall to 10th overall costs 560 points, or roughly the value of an early second-round pick. Historically, there have been discounts given to teams that make massive leaps, though.

The 18-spot climb the Jaguars made in 2008 should’ve cost the team 700 points on the chart, but the compensation package sent to the Baltimore Ravens of the 71st, 89th, and 125th picks amounted to just 427 points.

Last year, when the Detroit Lions jumped 20 spots from No. 32 to No. 12, it should’ve cost them 610 points. They only sent a package to the Minnesota Vikings that set them back 230 points.

For now, this is the assigned value for the Jaguars’ picks, per the trade value chart

  • 1st round (24th): 740
  • 2nd round (56th): 340
  • 3rd round (88th): 150
  • 4th round (121st): 52
  • 4th round (127th): 45
  • 6th round (185th): 15.8
  • 6th round (202nd): 9
  • 6th round (208th): 6.6
  • 7th round (226th): 1

Trading away a pick in a future draft isn’t Baalke’s style. He’s been on the receiving end of a future selection in seven draft day trades during his career as an executive, but he’s never once sent away a future pick to move up.

So — assuming Baalke isn’t willing to dig into his bag of 2024 selections and that the rule of discounts holds true — it’d likely take the 56th overall pick to make a significant move up. But those 340 points could be enough to vault the Jaguars from picking 24th to the top 10.

Is that worth it? For the right guy, it certainly could be.