2023 GM Mock Draft

[MaximusGluteus]

Just like last year, EaglesPeteC ran a draft-only mock in the GM Mock Drafts sub and I ran Green Bay.  The fun thing about these is you're playing the game against other members of the forum so it's interesting to see how the board falls through the rounds.  Here are the results...

 

1-15
Jaxon Smith-Njigba - WR - Ohio State
This came down to JSN and LVN.  I went with JSN because I wanted to give Love more help, I think JSN is a special player (yes, I know, not everyone agress), and the edge class is deep.

 

Traded Aaron Rodgers to the Jets for 2-43 and WR Corey Davis (and a 2024 pick but no details because who cares, it's a mock draft)
2-43 (via NYJ)
Dalton Kinciad - TE - Utah
43, Corey Davis, and a 2024 pick seems to be a common thought on what the trade will look like so that's what we went with in the Rodgers trade.  It was going to come down to Kincaid and Washington, but when Washington went to the Titans at pick 41 my decision was made.  Kincaid really needs no explanation.

 

Traded 2-45 and 2-78 to Denver for 2-52, 2-68, and TE Albert Okwuegbunam
2-52 (via Denver)
Keeanu Benton - IDL - Wisconsin
The Broncos inquired about trading up from 52 and offered 68 along with it.  I asked for a 6th as well and they offered Albert O. instead so I accepted.  This one came down to Keeanu Benton and Derick Hall.  IDL is pretty thin for us and I felt Hall could last until our 3rd round pick at 68 so I went with Benton.   Benton is a damn good player and I think he'll fit in well.

 

Traded 3-68 and 5-149 to Denver for 3-78, 4-108, and OC Lloyd Cushenberry
3-78
Jammie Robinson - S - Florida State
When pick 67 rolled around (we had 68 at the time), Derick Hall was still there and the Broncos time slot was coming to an end, but then the 49ers traded up into that spot and took Hall.  The edge group was pretty picked over at this point so I asked if anyone was interested in trading up.  Denver offered 78 (our original 3rd), 4-108, and OC Lloyd Cushenberry for 68 and 5-149, so I went with it.  I still wasn't super excited about what was available here but so I looked at the 30 visits and watched some quick film on Jammie Robinson and liked what I saw so I went with that.

 

4-108 (via Denver)
Isaiah McGuire - Edge - Missouri
Isaiah McGuire was my target here as I felt the drop off at Edge after him was pretty big.

 

4-116
Riley Moss - CB - Iowa
It was a toss up between Tyler Steen and Riley Moss at 4-116.  Ended up going with Moss since our OL depth is fairly solid in comparison to CB depth (and Moss could potentially play S as well).  I felt like our CB depth is a little thin and Riley Moss is a player that has improved every year at Iowa and will always play with a chip on his shoulder, and I liked the value here.  I would have been satisfied with either him or Steen, though.

 

5-170
Bryce Ford-Wheaton - WR - West Virginia
My original target here was NC State OG Chandler Zavala, but the 49ers took him a few picks before me.  Bryce Ford-Wheaton was still on the board and I'm not sure Gute and MLF would be able to resist a H/W/S freak like him in the 5th round.  Adds another potential weapon for MLF and Love.

 

7-232
Jordan Howden - S - Minnesota
Went with a 30-visit here.  Howden adds S depth and special teams ability.

 

7-235
Ben Sims - TE - Baylor
30-visit again.  Sims is a Y which we're pretty short on in the TE room.  Hopefully he's able to push Tyler Davis off the roster.

 

7-242
Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu - OL - Oregon
Finally was able to land OL in Aumavae-Laulu.  Original target here was John Ojukwu, but he was taken a few picks before.  Also considered Earl Bostick Jr. from Kansas, but I watched some film and he looked pretty bad even though he killed the athletic testing, plus I'm sure not a lot of people want another Bostick on the roster.  

 

7-256
Elijah Higgins - WR - Stanford
I have no idea how Elijah Higgins was still on the board at the very bottom of round 7.  I don't think that will happen in real life, but the value was too good here to pass up.  Makes for a crowded WR room, but he's a bit of a tweener and should be able to fill the big slot role vacated by the departure of Allen Lazard.  Also very seriously considered Jason Taylor II here, but couldn't pass on Higgins.  If history is any indication Corey Davis will have a hard time staying healthy anyway, so an extra big, athletic dude in the WR room can't hurt.

 

Depth chart after the mock:

QB:  Jordan Love, Danny Etling
RB:  Aaron Jones, AJ Dillon, Patrick Taylor, Tyler Goodson
WR:  Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Corey Davis, Bryce Ford-Wheaton, Samori Toure, Elijah Higgins, Bo Melton, Jeff Cotton
TE:  Dalton Kincaid, Josiah Deguara, Albert Okwuegbunum, Tyler Davis, Ben Sims,  Austin Allen, Nick Guggemos
OT:  David Bakhtiari, Yosh Nijman, Zach Tom, Rasheed Walker, Caleb Jones, Jean Delance, Luke Tenuta
OG:  Elgton Jenkins, Jon Runyan, Royce Newman, Sean Rhyan, Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu,  Jake Hanson
OC:  Josh Myers, Lloyd Cushenberry

Edge:  Rashan Gary, Preston Smith, Kingsley Enagbare, Isaiah McGuire, Justin Hollins, Jonathan Garvin, LaDarius Hamilton
IDL:  Kenny Clark, Devonte Wyatt, TJ Slaton, Keeanu Benton, Chris Slayton, Jonathan Ford
ILB:  Devondre Campbell, Quay Walker, Isaiah McDuffie, Eric Wilson
CB:  Jaire Alexander, Rasul Douglas, Eric Stokes, Keisean Nixon, Riley Moss, Shemar Jean-Charles, Corey Ballentine, Kiondre Thomas
S:  Darnell Savage, Tarvarius Moore, Jammie Robinson, Rudy Ford, Jordan Howden, Tariq Carpenter, Dallin Leavitt, Innes Gaines, James Wiggins

K:  Parker White
P:  Pat O'Donnell
LS:  Matthew Orzech, Jack Coco

green = draft pick
blue = trade

 

Edited April 17, 2023 by MaximusGluteus

[ChaRisMa]

Love what you went with. It’s very interesting seeing what 32 humans mock to the team.

[Arthur Penske]

I want Riley Moss pretty bad. I see a little Jordy Nelson in his game.

[packfanfb]

Jordan Love would be ecstatic with this and therefore I'd be happy as well.