DLF Staff IDP 2023 Rookie Mock Draft
We did a rookie IDP mock draft before the 2023 NFL Draft. Here are those results.
1.01 – Will Anderson Jr.
1.02 – Jalen Carter
1.03 – Drew Sanders
1.04 – Jack Campbell
1.05 – Tyree Wilson
1.06 – Isaiah Foskey
1.07 – Myles Murphy
1.08 – Nolan Smith
1.09 – Trenton Simpson
1.10 – Lukas Van Ness
1.11 – Bryan Bresee
1.12 – Calijah Kancey
2.01 – Andre Carter II
2.02 – Sydney Brown
2.03 – Dorian Williams
2.04 – Antonio Johnson
2.05 – Nick Herbig
2.06 – Felix Anudike-Uzomah
2.07 – Will McDonald IV
2.08 – Derick Hall
2.09 – Keion White
2.10 – Daiyan Henley
2.11 – BJ Ojulari
2.12 – Brian Branch
Then we put together a post-draft mock to see where we had changed our thinking on some players. I compiled this draft for us with the help of team members Jase Abbey, Eric Flynn, Brandon Haye, Jason King, Jeff Smith, and Tom Kislingbury.
1.01 – Will Anderson, EDGE HOU
Anderson is an explosive athlete who has consistently produced elite numbers against some of the best college competition for the last three seasons. His first step is excellent, and he is more than capable against the run. He’ll be involved heavily from day one. The Texans traded up to the third to get him, making him an easy choice with the first pick of this mock draft.
– Jase Abbey
1.02 – Jack Campbell, LB DET
The Detroit Lions surprised almost every by taking Campbell with the 18th pick of the first round. This high draft capital and the lack of elite inside linebackers in this draft class pushed Campbell up my board. He is a physical specimen at 6-5, 249 lbs. He should slide right in at middle linebacker for the Lions and have every opportunity to put together a solid rookie campaign.
– Justin Taylor
1.03 – Jalen Carter, DT PHI
The best player in the draft on a lot of analysts’ boards, the Eagles got their man for now and the future after losing Javon Hargrave this off-season and staring at the prospect of losing Fletcher Cox to “old age”. He should be a dominant presence in the middle of that defense if he can stay in shape.
– Eric Flynn
1.04 – Myles Murphy, DE CIN
Murphy already has a lot of moves. He is ready to play right away. I see him, Trey Hendrickson, and Sam Hubbard in a rotation this season.
– Brandon Haye
1.05 – Drew Sanders, LB DEN
Sanders slid further in the draft than anticipated, going in the third round (67th overall) but was still the second linebacker selected. Sanders converted from edge rusher to off-ball linebacker after leaving Alabama for Arkansas and didn’t look out of place during his one season at the position. If he can clean up the missed tackles – 22 in 2022, according to Pro Football Focus – he has a nice shot to see the field early as a pass-down blitzer. Long-term, starter Josey Jewell is on a one-year deal, and No 2 Alex Singleton – an IDP stud for his tackle production – is borderline NFL starter material. Sanders will require patience but has fantasy LB1 upside.
– Jason King
1.06 – Tyree Wilson, DE LV
Wilson has incredible upside as an edge rusher. After being selected seventh overall by the Raiders, he should pair nicely with Maxx Crosby on the opposite side of the defense. Crosby’s ability to draw a lot of attention from the offense should give Wilson a bunch of opportunities to contribute in the pass rush. Wilson generated pressure 18% of the time on pass rush attempts last season, which was the second-highest mark in FBS.
– Justin Taylor
1.07 – Trenton Simpson, LB BAL
In the pre-draft process, many people had compared Simpson to current Ravens LB Patrick Queen. So it probably isn’t a coincidence that when Baltimore decided to not pick up Queen’s fifth-year option, they set their sights on Simpson in the draft, picking him in the third round. Simpson is extremely athletic and fits nicely as a weakside LB in a 4-3 system, which allows him to fly around and make plays with his speed and athleticism.
– Jeff Smith
1.08 – Dorian Williams, LB BUF
Williams hit the linebacker lottery with his landing spot in Buffalo, where Tremaine Edmunds’ departure in free agency left a big hole at off-ball. Veteran Matt Milano is locked up long-term, but the Bills run a two-linebacker scheme and – at the risk of seriously angering Terrel Bernard fans – there’s not another starting-caliber linebacker on the roster. Williams has an immediate opportunity to compete for IDP value in the short- and long term.
– Jason King
1.09 – Felix Anudike-Uzomah, EDGE KC
I think the fit with the Chiefs is perfect after the Frank Clark departure. Anudike-Uzomah has a motor that doesn’t stop and had double-digit TFL his last two years in college.
– Brandon Haye
1.10 – Lukas Van Ness, DE GB
This pick was all about upside for the Packers. Van Ness never started a game at Iowa, but still tallied 14 sacks in two seasons. He is a rare combination of size, length, power and speed. He overpowered many of his opponents, but will need to continue to improve his pass-rush moves. Van Ness is fast enough to play on the edge but strong enough to play inside on passing downs. You might have to wait a bit for Van Ness to develop, but the tremendous skill level should eventually turn into solid IDP production.
– Justin Taylor
1.11 – Calijah Kancey, DT TB
I picked Kancey because at the time there was a giant homogenous mass on the board. All the available LBs I believe are longshots who are not great players, and not in great situations. There were edges I liked, but there were several of them and no urgency to pick one now. I would never take a DB that early, because they’re so unpredictable and unreliable. Kancey is clearly the second-best player at his position in this draft and has a solid chance to get on the [short] list of productive interior rushers. That is a differentiating benefit – the only one I saw on the board.
– Tom Kislingbury
1.12 – Brian Branch, S DET
Branch can play all over the field. He can play deep safety, line up in the box against the run, pass rush or play nickel corner. His versatility should be a positive for the Lions and for fantasy purposes.
– Justin Taylor
2.01 – Nolan Smith, EDGE PHI
Smith is a little undersized at 6’2″ and 238 lbs. Still, you quickly forget about his diminutive stature when you watch him play because he possesses good strength and plays with such intensity, especially in run defense. His first step, speed, and agility are impressive, and his ability to get low to beat blockers on the outside is a plus. His landing spot could have been better; the presence of Haason Reddick, Josh Sweat and Brandon Graham may mean we have to wait to see Smith shine, but I’m following the talent with this pick.
– Jase Abbey
2.02 – Will McDonald IV, EDGE NYJ
The Jets believed in McDonald so much they skipped over some flashier Edge rushers to take the experienced McDonald with the 15th pick in the first round. He can play as a standup OLB or put his hand in the ground and rush off the edge of the line. McDonald has quick hands and a variety of double moves. He gets his hands up in passing windows as well. The Jets took Edge Jermaine Johnson II in the first round last year, and this could end up being a really good pass-rushing duo. But like Johnson, it might take McDonald a year to break into the starting lineup, as he will compete with Carl Lawson for snaps. But McDonald could be worth holding for next season and beyond.
– Justin Taylor
2.03 – BJ Ojulari, EDGE ARI
Ojulari plays at a premium position. I always look to add at the edge position. He may not be the perfect prospect but neither are his counterparts and with the void of talent in that Arizona defense, he should get plenty of opportunities.
– Eric Flynn
2.04 – Sydney Brown, S PHI
Brown fills a need for the Eagles and last year he was a ball hawk with six interceptions. In his career he had over 60 tackles in four out of five seasons.
– Brandon Haye
2.05 – Daiyan Henley, LB LAC
Eric Kendricks is set up nicely for 2023, but at 31 he’s a short-term play in Los Angeles. Kenneth Murray busted and is on the final year of his rookie deal and is sure to move on next off-season. With little depth behind those two, Henley – light for a linebacker at 225 lbs – slides in as a young option with hopes that he can develop quickly and be ready for a larger role in 2024.
– Jason King
2.06 – Jordan Battle, S CIN
This might be a little high for a safety here, but with the departures of Vonn Bell and Jessie Bates, there is a glaring hole in the secondary for the Bengals. This means Battle is going to get every opportunity to play early and often. If he can beat out Nick Scott and win the starting job next to Dax Hill, Battle could turn into a productive fantasy asset.
– Justin Taylor
2.07 – Bryan Bresee, DT NO
Bresee is a dominant inside presence at 6-6, 298 lbs. He can stack blockers in the running game but needs to improve on his pass-rushing skills. If he does that, he can become a huge IDP asset in leagues that start DT.
– Jeff Smith
2.08 – Isaiah Foskey, DE NO
New Orleans landed its Marcus Davenport replacement in Foskey, a smooth operator who at times at Notre Dame looked like a first-round talent. The venerable Cameron Jordan (nearing 34 years of age) and Carl Granderson are both playing on contracts that void after this season, and former first-rounder Payton Turner is running out of chances to carve out a bit role. Foskey is set up well to see some real IDP value post-rookie season.
– Jason King
2.09 – Mazi Smith, DT DAL
Smith is a big body that can really stop the run and is underrated rushing the passer. He had 85 tackles when starting at Michigan.
– Brandon Haye
2.10 – Derick Hall, EDGE SEA
Hall plays the nine-technique well, bringing speed on the edge with a good first step. The Seahawks have had inconsistent play in the pass rush and Hall should push Darrel Taylor and Boye Mafe for playing time early. If he can grab a starting spot, Hall has a chance to add some IDP value.
– Justin Taylor
2.11 – DeMarvion Overshown, LB DAL
The Texas product is a former safety who has good versatility and can play the run or the pass. He is most likely best suited as a weakside LB in a 4-3 system, but Dallas could move him all around the field. Overshown is a raw prospect, but he might find himself in the lineup sooner, rather than later because of his range and upside.
– Tom Kislingbury
2.12 – Zach Harrison, DE ATL
The Falcons’ pass rush has been awful. They were second-to-last in 2022 and dead last in 2021. Harrison is big and strong and can bullrush tackles to collapse the pocket. His production was lacking at Ohio State, which is what caused him to drop to the third round, but the talent is there. Can he put it all together for the Falcons? That will determine if this pick ends up being a steal or a waste of a selection.
– Justin Taylor
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