The 2023 NFL Draft class is quite unique. I think those being touted as the big prospects weren’t that much better than a lot of guys slated to go on Day 2. After seeing some of the guys who went in the first round last night… I feel the same way. How could you not? I’m just using the ole cranium and eyeing guys like Cam Smith, Cody Mauch, BJ Ojulari, Dawand Jones, and Julius Brents, among others… whom I’m a lot more confident in to succeed than multiple first-round picks. I can’t do anything about it aside from look ahead to the many picks that will be made today. So here’s a few things I’m keeping my eye on tonight…

What Comes First? The Levis or The Hooker?

Obviously one of the top storylines of the day is going to be who is drafted first… Will Levis or Hendon Hooker? For the poor guy’s sake, I hope it’s Levis, and I do think it’ll be him. I eye the Raiders at pick 38 as the team to target Levis, perhaps even trading up to do it. While Levis isn’t the prized prospect that many were deluded into believing, I do think it’s ignorant to neglect that the kid has a few traits worthy of investing in. I believe that a team like the Raiders will see that and take the chance. This is a franchise that hopes to compete and is not thinking about picking near the top of the board next year. My thoughts on the Raiders success are irrelevant but whatever. Las Vegas can take the gamble on Levis with less equity invested and hope to develop him into something as opposed to getting one of the leftovers at QB next year. Albeit the QB class next year is nasty but… I just have a feeling the Raiders jump at Levis man. For Hooker, I’m going to say that the Titans draft him. The Titans are on the board at No. 41 right now, but who knows if they’d take him there. It’s the lazy thought too, I’m sorry. As I’m analyzing who would take him, my mind just jumps to the 2024 class and is thinking that several teams wouldn’t invest in QB right now as they hope to be in play for one of the big fish next year. The Buccaneers are one of those teams who I just can not see drafting Levis or Hooker.

Will Pittsburgh Steel Joey Porter Jr.?

Joey Porter Jr. was heavily expected to be a first-round pick, but there were murmurs circulating that wouldn’t be the case. Pittsburgh passed on the son of a Steelers Super Bowl champ as it traded up for Broderick Jones. Fair play. Can’t be mad. But can Pittsburgh neglect Porter a second time? The Steelers pick first today thanks to the Chase Claypool trade. Yeah, Claypool traded for the pick that became No. 32. Never forget. It’s my personal belief that the Steelers will pick a defensive player with this pick, and I’m more inclined to think it’ll be a piece in the secondary. Brian Branch jumps out to me as a real threat to be the pick. I’m hoping the pick is Joey Porter Jr. though man… just give us this moment!

All Eyes on Seattle

After dominating the first round because they neglected the major team needs and scooped up ridiculous talents in Devon Witherspoon and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the Seahawks are sure to address team needs and pick some men in the trenches today. I wonder where they go… John Michael Schmitz jumps out at me as the pick at 37. But I’m sure Adetomiwa Adebawore will be heavily considered at that spot. Isaiah Foskey is a name I’d keep an eye on at 52 for Seattle’s next pick, and Daiyan Henley would be an incredible pick just for the content he and Pete Carroll would produce for social media. I also feel like Seattle could be targeting safety with its third-rounder… JL Skinner fits the mold. Jordan Battle is underrated. These are just some of the names I think Seattle would fancy… I could swing and miss on every pitch. At least I know that the Seahawks are sure to electrify on another draft day… they always do.

Cornerbacks Galore

This is where we’re going to have a lot of fun. Seeing all these stellar cornerbacks get drafted on Day 2. Seeing who goes where and who goes before who. I think Julius Brents will be one of the first three corners to hear his name called. Porter should as well. I don’t consider Brian Branch a corner; he’s just a DB so let’s leave him out of this. How high of a jump does someone like Cory Trice Jr. make? Will Darius Rush go before his teammate Cam Smith?! That’d be nuts! But both of those players are primed to be steals. Clark Phillips III’s frame has turned teams off, but he’s got the heart of a lion and is a stellar pass disruptor. I’m super curious to see where Clark goes. Will DJ Turner II or Kelee Ringo be drafted first? I got DJ. Eli Ricks… third-round pick? Or does a team stun y’all and take the stellar player in the late second? Will Garrett Williams hear his name called today? Will Darrell Luter Jr. sneak into the third round? I’m just fascinated with the corners in this class and can’t keep naming more. I’m just so excited to see how it all shakes out.

The Race for a Running Back

Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs were off the board in the first 12 picks. How long will we wait for another back to be selected and who will it be? I will confidently let y’all know that it will not be Tyjae Spears. His medicals are a major concern and it appears as if he’ll slip down the boards plenty. Sean Tucker can also be ruled out. Zach Charbonnet could very well be the next back taken as his power and tough running ability is attractive. But where? The Chargers at 54? You’d think a back will be taken sooner than that right? Devon Achane offers breathtaking speed, but is that enough to make the track and field guru the next RB selected? I think Zach Evans has a sneaky good shot to be drafted as RB3. He has the pedigree, the production, the tape. Plenty of intriguing skills and pass-catching ability. I’ll go with Evans. Where? I don’t have a dang clue. The Dolphins.

Tight End Frenzy

I told you all that multiple tight ends in the first round would be a mistake. The NFL recognized this and only Dalton Kincaid went in Round 1. The value already isn’t there to take tight ends in the first, and this 2023 class is GOOD and DEEP. Michael Mayer was visibly heated after Kincaid was selected as TE1. You figure he’ll be drafted as TE2. He’s a comfortable pick, a safe pick. There’s no way he doesn’t pan out. I like the Panthers at 39 to take Mayer. Pair your rookie QB with a reliable, safe, young pro, and let the two develop. TE3 though… who knows? My top ranked Sam LaPorta was receiving some GAS the last few days saying he could have been a first-round pick. Ludicrous. I very eagerly await his landing spot and can see Green Bay at 42. Luke Musgrave and Darnell Washington… Who goes first? Give me Darnell to the Chiefs in a trade up. Look for Luke Schoonmaker to be drafted a lot earlier than you’d think. Tucker Kraft and Zack Kuntz are terrific small school tight ends who are fixing to be drafted today. I can’t wait to see where they end up. You’ve still got Brenton Strange, Will Mallory, Josh Whyle, and plenty more too. This will be a fun frenzy to see who gets which coveted tight ends.

Wonderful Wideouts

The 2023 receiver class has been the recipient of some unnecessary slander, but by no means is it the best ever. It’s not close to the worst though. It’s solid, and there are some intriguing talents ready to be picked today. I think the first WR drafted today will be Jalin Hyatt thanks to his pure speed and the vertical threat he offers. He’s a fit dependent player, but I think that Indianapolis could really fancy him at 35 to pair with Anthony Richardson’s rocket arm. Cedric Tillman has been trending a lot. Will he or the juiced-up Josh Downs go first? Jonathan Mingo is the favorite of many on Twitter. Will the hype pay off in a nice payday or will Mingo’s stock take a dip today? I would bet on Mingo going in the early third, and I’ll predict that the Broncos invest in him. Rashee Rice has a lot of fans and a lot of haters. He’s an interesting case who I could see going as high as 45 and as low as the late third or even out of the picture today. A.T. Perry is a vastly underrated talent and a confident kid who just wants to be one of the very best. My personal belief is that NFL teams covet Perry more than the media and would be willing to spend a premium pick on him today.

Mauch Draft

His name isn’t pronounced as mock but just go with it… okay? Thank you. My guy Cody Mauch will be drafted today, and I can not wait to see where. My ginger brother plays the most fun brand of football you could possibly ask for and will be a fan favorite from the jump. It’s going to be great seeing this goofball drafted early today… He doesn’t have a clue where he’s going but I’m going to predict… The Detroit Lions at 48. You heard it here first… right from my gut.