Chris Perkins’ final NFL mock draft: Who will Dolphins take at No. 51?
The South Florida Sun Sentinel’s third and final 2023 NFL mock draft has Dolphins columnist Chris Perkins going until pick No. 51, Miami’s 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): Will Anderson, Edge, Alabama
He’s one of the two best defenders in the draft.
Top needs: DT, OL, WR
6) Detroit Lions (from L.A. Rams): Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
It hasn’t been an easy offseason for Carter, but his talent remains undeniable.
Top needs: DL, LB, OL
7) Las Vegas Raiders: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
Witherspoon’s aggression is one of his best assets.
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): Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
This is an opportunity to get arguably the best player in the draft at his position.
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): 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: 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 is regarded by many as the best of the bunch at TE.
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 Carter at No. 6, get another major playmaker.
Top needs: LB, OL, TE
19) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Nolan Smith, Edge, Georgia
The top QBs are gone. Tampa Bay probably won’t be tempted to try Tennessee’s 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: 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: TE, OL, WR
22) Baltimore Ravens: Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State
Forbes is small, but he fills a need. 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 the fifth QB selected in the first round.
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: Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
The Cowboys wanted a tight end, and now they get one.
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: Jordan Addison, WR, USC
Addison gives QB Patrick Mahomes another quality option.
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: Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee
Getting additional help for the passing game is often a good idea.
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: 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: OT, DL, CB
39) Carolina Panthers: Will McDonald IV, Edge, Iowa State
McDonald combines athleticism with amazing flexibility and a knack for getting to the QB.
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 Titans): Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
Flowers, from Davie University School HS, has the slot WR skills the Cardinals need.
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 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 recently-acquired CB Jeff Okudah.
Top needs: Edge, S, WR
45) Green Bay Packers: Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
Washington is massive (6-7, 264), which helps him move defenders who are nearly as massive.
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: Noah Sewell, LB, Oregon
Sewell is the younger brother of Detroit OT Penei Sewell and figures to do well on the inside.
Top needs: LB, OL, TE
49) Pittsburgh Steelers: Adetomiwa Adebawore, Edge, Northwestern
The Steelers are 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
He could be the best combination between in-line and receiving TE, which appeals to the Dolphins.
Top needs: OT, G, TE
Top needs: OT, G, TE
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