The 2022 NFL season has reached the halfway point. Although half the league has designs on playing into playoffs, another half should start thinking more about how to improve their teams in 2023.Coupled with the college football season turning the corner into its final month, that makes it an ideal time for a new Sporting News' first-round mock draft. The order continues to be reshuffled with teams changing positions. The trade deadline also brought the Broncos back into the top 31 picks, while the Dolphins who forfeited their original selection are
Joe Theismann Jersey now off the clock.Here's projecting for now how the night of next April 27 in Kansas City might play out, :BIG BOARD: 1. Detroit LionsC.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State (6-3, 215 pounds)The Lions have started to see the cracks in their bridge quarterback plan with Jared Goff and need to take the franchise pa ser at the top for the first time since Matthew Stafford in 2009. Stroud is a confident pocket pa ser who can make all the throws and can be the next Joe Burrow by way of Columbus. His athleticism is underrated and his big playmaking has been sharp. Some recent off play doesn't change that fact.2. Houston TexansBryce Young, QB, Alabama (6-0, 194 pounds)The Texans have seen enough to know in two seasons that Davis Mills isn't close to an answer as their franchise quarterback and it's keeping them behind in their big rebuild post Deshaun Watson. They need a transcendent athletic pa ser to raise their overall upside. Young
Wes Schweitzer Jersey , with his pedigree, production and performance under Nick Saban, would go No. 1 in most other draft cla ses.3. Carolina PanthersWill Levis, QB, Kentucky (6-3, 232 pounds)The Panthers need to break out of the Teddy Bridgewater-Sam Darnold-P.J. Walker-Baker Mayfield circle of heck, even if they're tempted to go for more pa s-rush pop to help Brian Burns. xLevis gets the ball out quickly and is confident in spreading the ball around. The Penn State transfer has done more than enough leading the Wildcats vs. a tough SEC schedule to stay in first-round consideration.4. Pittsburgh SteelersWill Anderson Jr., EDGE, Alabama (6-4, 235 pounds)Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan already have their franchise first-round QB in Kenny Pickett so they can be ecstatic about landing the best defensive player in the draft and maybe best prospect overall here. Anderson can be a transcendent disruptor and all-around playmaker on the level of T.J. Watt, Putting him with Watt and Alex Highsmith in the same defense can be downright scary. 5. Jacksonville JaguarsJalen Carter, DT, GeorgiaWith the trade for Calvin Ridley providing another receiving weapon for Trevor Lawrence,
Kendall Fuller Jersey the Jaguars can continue to improve the promising front seven of their defense after selecting linebackers Travon Walker and Devin Lloyd in the 2022 first round. Carter blows up plenty of plays in the backfield with his rare explosivene s. He would fit nicely up front with Foley Fatukasi and DaVon Hamilton.6. Las Vegas RaidersMyles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson (6-5, 275 pounds)The Raiders might be getting more uncomfortable with Derek Carr as their starting QB in the new offense with Davante Adams, but they likely should still focus on taking the best defensive player available to give Maxx Crosby some much needed help with Chandler Jones near the end.Murphy, not much of a dropoff from Anderson, is another explosive pa s rusher who can also make big plays tracking down backs as a tackler.7. Tampa Bay BuccaneersKelee Ringo, CB, Georgia (6-0, 205 pounds)The Buccaneers haven't signed Jamel Dean
Jahan Dotson Jersey and Sean Murphy-Bunting beyond this season to keep supporting Carlton Davis.Ringo is an extremely athletic corner with nice size and shutdown potential outside.8. Philadelphia Eagles (from Saints)Isaiah Foskey, EDGE, Notre Dame (6-4, 257 pounds)Foskey has been active and disruptive as a defensive leader for the Fighting Irish. 9. Houston Texans (from Browns)Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson (6-5, 300 pounds)Lovie Smith needs more pop for his defensive front, especially against the run. Bresee has become a well-rounded explosive player in his own right on the same front as Murphy.10. Seattle Seahawks (from Broncos)Jordan Addison, WR, USC (6-0, 175 pounds)Whether the Seahawks stick with surprising Geno Smith or go in a different direction at QB, they should continue upgrading their receiving corps to support DK Metcalf given Tyler Lockett, 30, is facing a potential fade soon. At worst, Addison and Metcalf would roll together well on the outside with Lockett kicking it up in the slot again.11. Arizona CardinalsParis Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State (6-6, 310 pounds)The Cardinals still have D.J Humphries to hold down left tackle for a while but will need some more pop opposite him at right tackle to help Kyler Murray and the traditional running game. Johnson is a natural pa s protector who can blo som into a nasty run blocker, too.12. Chicago
Washington Commanders Women Jersey BearsPeter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern (6-4, 315 pounds)The Bears have had exceptional run blocking this season but they struggle mightily to keep pocket pre sure off Justin Fields. They can find a solution just down the road in Evanston. Skoronski can be a long-term sturdy pa s-protecting tackle much like former Northwestern product Rashawn Slater is for the Chargers. 13. Green Bay PackersMichael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame (6-4, 251 pounds)The Packers need some more receiving pop to help Aaron Rodgers and after drafting Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs to offset the lo ses of Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, they can follow through on their interest on a dynamic target at another position, especially with Robert Tonyan unsigned for 2023.14. Detroit Lions (from Rams)Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina (6-0, 188 pounds)The Lions' defense has plenty of holes vs. run and pa s behind Aidan Hutchinson so best player on that side is a good bet with this other first-rounder. Smith's size and speed give some promise to improve things greatly opposite Jeffrey Okudah, who is still finding his way as a cover man
Logan Thomas Jersey after early injury i sues.15. Indianapolis ColtsJaelyn Duncan, OT, Maryland (6-6, 320 pounds)The Colts need to shore up their suddenly struggling offensive line with Dennis Kelly and Matt Pryor among their 2023 pending free agents up front. Duncan's size, power and quickne s make sense in their scheme.16. Cincinnati BengalsAntonio Johnson, S, Texas A&M (6-3, 195)The Bengals have a big looming need at this position with Je sie Bates and Vonn Bell as pending 2023 free agents with the former unlikely to be re-signed at high cost. Joh
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