Dolphins enter Day 2 of NFL draft with plenty of options

Who could Miami be looking to add on Day 2?

The NFL draft kicked off last night in Kansas City, and the first round saw a number of trades, a few surprises and left a slew of quality players on the board for Friday in rounds two and three.

Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier decided to stay put and not make any moves to re-enter the first round. Of course, the Dolphins once were in the first round twice, but one of those picks turned into Bradley Chubb, and the other was taken away from the NFL due to tampering.

When looking at the first round, the talking points that are pertinent to the Dolphins were the two running backs taken in the top 12, Bijan Robinson to the Falcons and Jahmyr Gibbs to the Lions. Internet rumors swirled that Miami had inquired with teams about moving into the first, however, the assets it would’ve taken, and Grier’s economic stance on running backs, proved this was indeed just a rumor.

Secondly, with just one tight end selected, Dalton Kincaid by the Buffalo Bills, the Dolphins could end up with one of the remaining top five at the position. Should they stay at pick No. 51, names like Michael Mayer of Notre Dame, Luke Musgrave of Oregon State, Georgia’s Darnell Washington, Sam LaPorta of Iowa and South Dakota State’s Tucker Kraft are all available entering Friday, when the Pittsburgh Steelers start Day 2.

Miami is also in the market for offensive lineman help, and with about 20 picks until their scheduled first selection in this draft, a number of prospects could be intriguing to Grier.

Cody Mauch of North Dakota State, Matthew Bergeron of Syracuse, Dawand Jones of Ohio State and Steve Avila of TCU are four names to keep a watch on for Friday.

If the Dolphins elect to go tight end or offensive lineman, should the board fall a certain way from picks 32-50, Miami could have some excellent options and even have a choice to trade down a tad, say six to ten picks, and pick up another Day 2 selection.

If Grier could move down the board, pick up another pick, and still select a top-five tight end or quality offensive lineman, this would be a potentially massive win.

Miami may also be heading for an opportunity to potentially bring in a running back after June 1. The Dalvin Cook saga has been playing out the last few months, and with Minnesota set to save the most amount of money via a cut after June 1, the move may just be to wait.

Should the Vikings simply wait until then, a cut of Cook would save them $11 million and create a dead cap of just $3.1 million. As much as Miami fans would like this type of announcement to occur on draft weekend, patience will likely still have to be a virtue in this situation.

Of course, running backs are deep in this class, so Miami could always consider one via draft selection, but as Grier has demonstrated consistently, he doesn’t use top-end draft assets on runners, nor does he break the bank contractually.

While patterns are there to analyze, and the draft boards and strategies change with each pick, Miami enters Day 2 with options, and that’s the best thing you can hope for during the selection meeting. Miami is scheduled to pick at Nos. 51 and 84, with Day 3 picks scheduled at Nos. 197 and 238.

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Best available offensive players for the Eagles on Day 2 of the 2023 NFL draft

We’re looking at the best available offensive prospects for the Philadelphia Eagles to watch on Day 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft

After a fantastic opening night, the Eagles are slated to have two selections on Day 2 of the NFL Draft, with picks Nos. 62 and 66.

Philadelphia forfeited their fourth-round pick via trade and will have no choices in Rounds four, five, or six.

With the second and third rounds set to kick off on Friday night, Philadelphia could look to add more offensive firepower to the roster.

2023 NFL Mock Draft: Kevin Fielder’s final mock draft

With just one day left until the beginning of the NFL Draft, Kevin Fielder releases his final mock draft.

By now, you’ve likely heard about how this year’s NFL Draft is one of the hardest to project.

Between the uncertainty around the quarterback position and the number of players who could find themselves in the first round of the NFL Draft, there is no way to fully project the top 10 of the draft, let alone all 31 first-round picks.

As I sat down to write my final mock draft of the cycle, I found it difficult to get past the Houston Texans at No. 2 overall. The new coaching staff can take plenty of different paths, including passing up on a quarterback, and they’ll all affect the rest of the first round.

As a result, this mock draft might be ruined early on. However, that’s the challenge of trying to predict all 31 picks.

Unlike my other four mock drafts, this one doesn’t have trades. While there will be trades during Thursday’s festivities, it’s hard to predict which teams will move up, so I want to keep this one as chalk as possible.

Without further ado, here goes nothing.

Patriots load up on offensive firepower in 3-round mock 2023 NFL draft

An early trade pays off huge for the Patriots in this three-round mock draft.

The New England Patriots have made the offensive side of the ball a priority throughout the offseason, and that likely isn’t changing heading into the 2023 NFL draft.

There needs to be improvements made along the offensive front, particularly at offensive tackle, and the team still needs weapons at receiver. The oft-used phrase that defense wins championships hasn’t taken into account that six of the last seven Super Bowl champions had a top-five scoring offense.

So the Patriots, who finished 16th in scoring in 2022, must get better at fighting fire with fire to compete with some of the juggernaut offenses that have risen in the NFL.

This year’s draft gives them a chance to build both for the present and future. They need players that can step in immediately and help get them back on track, but they also have to make selections with the future in mind. Getting back to championship contention for New England should be considered a marathon, not a sprint.

This three-round mock draft would go a long way in putting them back in position to be successful. They make a gamble in trading down in the first round and still end up getting their guy, while also picking up an extra second-round pick to make an unexpected splash elsewhere on the roster.

Here’s how the results unfolded:

Dolphins 2023 Draft Prospect Profile: Matthew Bergeron (OL, Syracuse)

He could potentially help at multiple spots.

The NFL Draft is less than a week away, and the Miami Dolphins front office seems ready for action. Following a Wednesday press conference that saw general manager Chris Grier and assistant general manager Marvin Allen discuss Miami’s options, the duo seemed calm, cool and collected.

Albeit with just four draft picks, a second-rounder, a third-rounder, with a sixth and seventh, Grier and Allen still have work to do the next few days. In addition to the prospects on the board for selection, there have been loud whispers of Dalvin Cook as a potential draft weekend addition in some way, shape or form. Rumor had indicated the Minnesota Vikings have fielded trade inquiries, and if no deal is worked, Cook could be cut.

Should Miami pounce, is a question that should be answered one way or another over this next week and through the selection meeting long weekend. Regardless of the outside rumors, Miami could position themselves in trade-down or trade-up situations as they hold two value picks of their four – Nos. 51 and 84.

Should they use current picks, future picks, or players as potential trading chips, or a combination, Grier is known to make draft weekend moves. With two picks within the top 84, let’s focus on a possible selection by the Dolphins in this range or even the top 100 should Miami move down the board. The first player in this series was South Dakota State tight end Tucker Kraft.

We’ll switch positions here but stay on offense. The offensive line needs work, and while a verbal and ambiguous endorsement was given for Austin Jackson by Grier at that press conference, it would be a surprise if Miami doesn’t add to the line somehow.

The jury hasn’t been kind on the verdict of Grier’s success at drafting offensive linemen, however, there are prospects in this year’s class that could be too intriguing to pass on—specifically a guy who can play 80% of the positions along the line.

Matthew Bergeron is a Syracuse Orange tackle who could play guard and very well may be headed for that slot in the NFL. With questions about Miami left guard Liam Eichenberg, as well as Jackson on the right side of the line at tackle, Bergeron may just be the perfect chess piece on this unit.

He could have a chance to compete in two areas and swing for injury insurance should a certain veteran tackle need a game or two to get fully healthy within the season. During his four-year career at Syracuse, Bergeron excelled in run-blocking and has good professional-level size for the interior. At 6-foot-5 and 318 pounds, he could transition to guard. He was a fixture on the Orange offensive line since his freshman season with leadership qualities and intelligence that helped name him a 2022 team captain.

Bergeron played 686 snaps for Syracuse in 2022 and was flagged just three times all season while allowing a mere five sacks on the year. He earned second-team All-ACC honors and finished his collegiate career as a two-time All-ACC selection.

According to Pro Football Focus, Bergeron was the third-highest graded tackle and fourth among offensive linemen regardless of position in the ACC in 2022.

In this past March’s NFL combine, his workouts combined to an accumulative offensive tackle Total Score of eighth. Bergeron has the athleticism and speed to produce as a quality run-blocker at the line of scrimmage and at the next level as well.

There’s elite potential in the run aspect of Bergeron’s game, and that could help Miami’s running back by committee in Mike McDaniel’s year-two scheme right away. While pass protection and some overall technical aspects of his game are works in progress, with a little luck he could slide down to No. 84, in which case he would be a relative steal for the Dolphins to draft and develop him.

Bergeron is a name that has been popular in mock drafts and could very well be taken prior to Miami’s third-round pick, as he has been grading as a second-round prospect. 51 could be a touch early, so if Miami slides back a dozen or so picks, Bergeron’s draft sweet spot could be in the 60-75 range for max value.

The versatile pro-ready lineman is an enticing prospect and should be competing on any roster for an instant starting role as a rookie. He very well could put two veterans that are penciled in on the line in South Florida, officially on notice.

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10 offensive tackles for the Eagles in 2023 NFL draft

We’re looking at ten offensive line prospects to watch for the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2023 NFL Draft

The Eagles are a gold standard franchise in the NFL, and a significant reason for the yearly success centers around one of the top offensive lines in football.

Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson are both all-time greats and have been with Philadelphia throughout Howie Roseman’s tenure.

The Eagles GM drafted Jordan Mailata in 2018, and he made significant decisions by previously acquiring Brandon Brooks and Isaac Seumalo.

Landon Dickerson was a second-round risk, and he’s a Pro Bowl left guard and potential All-Pro who has transitioned from the center position.

Cam Jurgens was drafted to replace Jason Kelce at the center position, but the former Nebraska All-American could slide to right guard in 2023.

Philadelphia builds from the inside out, and the Eagles’ GM will indeed begin preparing to replace Johnson and possibly Mailata at some point.

With the NFL draft fast approaching, here are ten offensive tackles to watch.

One offensive tackle for the Eagles in every round of the 2023 NFL draft

We’re looking at one offensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles in every round of the 2023 NFL draft.

The Eagles are set to retool the offensive line after losing a key contributor and a Pro Bowl-caliber starter in Isaac Suemalo.

The expectation is that former Nebraska center and 2021 second-round pick Cam Jurgens will slide to right guard.

Philadelphia general manager Howie Roseman could decide to draft a more natural fit for the position to compete against Jurgens while adding more depth to the NFL’s most talented position group.

The Eagles have studs at the offensive tackle position, with Lane Johnson (RT) as the best at his job.

Jordan Mailata has Pro Bowl potential at left tackle and is a mauler and Jalen Hurts’ personal protector.

With the NFL draft quickly approaching, we’re looking at one offensive tackle in every round of the selection process.

1 offensive tackle for the Vikings for every round of the 2023 NFL draft

Even though the Minnesota Vikings are set at offensive tackle, you should always be prepared if a talented prospect falls down the board.

The Minnesota Vikings searched for their cornerstone tackles for a long time, and they finally found them in Christain Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill. If no unforeseen events occur, they should have their tackle position settled for years to come.

However, the NFL is unpredictable, and injuries can ruin a team’s season. Although the Vikings are not likely to use an early pick on a tackle, it is worth examining the draft class because you never know. Let’s explore one offensive tackle from each round of the draft who may fit well with the Vikings.

Patriots wait for second round to get OT in Mel Kiper’s mock draft

The Patriots select an offensive tackle in the second round of Mel Kiper’s latest mock draft.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. had several interesting selections for the New England Patriots in his latest two-round mock draft.

He has the Patriots focusing on the defensive side of the ball by taking Oregon standout cornerback Christian Gonzalez with the No. 14 overall pick. However, in the second round, things move back over to the offense with the team crossing out a major need along the offensive front.

Kiper has New England taking Syracuse offensive tackle Matthew Bergeron with the No. 46 pick.

Bergeron was a team captain in his junior season last year. He was named to the All-ACC Second-Team. He had a great year, winning the ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week award twice.

Bergeron was a model of consistency. He was penalized three times and allowed only five sacks in 686 snaps in 2022. The Patriots do have solid tackle talent, headlined by Trent Brown. However, younger depth is a necessity at the position.

Bergeron would fit the bill and give the team someone they could potentially plug in sooner rather than later.

Here’s what Kiper had to say about this draft selection.

There will be good value for offensive tackles in Round 2; it’s a strong class at the top. Bergeron is a riser after the combine and I’ve heard his name as a wild-card first-round pick. He started 39 games in college, playing both left and right tackle. He could play either spot in New England, which brought in Riley Reiff in free agency and has Trent Brown, who’s a free agent in 2024, on the left side.

Offensive line is a position of need for New England in terms of adding depth.

Bergeron would be a safe and productive choice, as the organization looks to rebuild the line. The tackle could be a major piece for New England’s future.

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Browns land OT Matthew Bergeron, WR Tyler Scott in 2023 NFL Draft mock

This one is a bit unorthodox from what we have seen…

Mock drafts are in excess as the 2023 NFL Draft is now just three weeks away. And in a recent one completed by Draft Wire, the Cleveland Browns went in an unorthodox direction. Most mock drafts have the Browns selecting a defensive tackle, defensive end, or wide receiver with the 74th overall pick. Still, this one has them selecting an offensive tackle in the form of Syracuse’s Matthew Bergeron. They then return on the clock at 98 and take Cincinnati wide receiver, Tyler Scott.

The Browns have both of their offensive tackles under contract through 2024 as they are expected to pick up the fifth-year option of Jedrick Wills. Right tackle Jack Conklin was re-signed on essentially a two-year deal (guaranteed money on the four-year deal runs out after two) this season as well. The 2023 NFL Draft may be a bit too early to address this position.

Scott has the talent to go top-50 in a couple of weeks, but his average draft position is sitting at 72 right now according to Grinding the Mocks. Landing him at 98 would be highway robbery.

Browns 2023 NFL Draft Matthew Bergeron Tyler Scott

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