The 2023 NFL Draft is just over a week away as the start date of Thursday, Apr. 27, draws closer.
In ESPN’s latest mock draft that was released on Tuesday, experts Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay combined to list four former Tennessee Volunteers are projected picks in the first three rounds of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Former Tennessee right tackle Darnell Wright has been one of the more impressive names talked about in the weeks leading up to the draft. The 6-foot-6, 335-pound player has been skyrocketing up boards and now is essentially a consensus mid-first-round lock for this spring’s NFL Draft. ESPN analyst Louis Riddick even went as far as calling Wright the “best player in the draft” recently.
McShay has the Washington Commanders picking up Wright with the No. 16 pick in the first round, which is a landing spot that has been frequently forecasted for the former Tennessee big man.
“I know Washington just signed Andrew Wylie, but Wright is an excellent run-blocker who could be a long-term solution at right tackle,” McShay wrote. “And if the Commanders want, they could bump him inside as a rookie. Wright plays with power and quickness to open running lanes and stall pass-rush attempts.”
While there has been quite a bit of talk around quarterback Hendon Hooker and wide receiver Jalin Hyatt going in the first round, McShay and Kiper have those two players as high second-round projections.
Mel Kiper Jr. has the Seattle Seahawks taking Hendon Hooker with the sixth pick in the second round and the No. 37 pick overall. Hooker has been linked to the Seahawks in previous mock drafts, and it looks as though Kiper believes that Seattle can wait until No. 37 to get their guy.
“This is where I’d feel comfortable taking Hooker if I were running a draft room,” Kiper wrote. “Seattle was able to fill defensive holes with its top two picks, and now it can try for its quarterback of the future. Geno Smith‘s contract shouldn’t prohibit the Seahawks from taking Hooker if they like him.”
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With just one pick separating Hooker and Haytt, Mel Kiper Jr. then has the Carolina Panthers taking wide receiver Jalin Hyatt with the No. 39 overall pick. This also comes after Kiper has projected the Panthers to take Alabama quarterback Bryce Young with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft.
“When the Panthers traded away wide receiver DJ Moore to move up to the No. 1 pick, I was worried for the quarterback they were going to draft,” Kiper wrote. “Their pass-catcher depth chart was barren. Now, after signing veteran Adam Thielen in free agency and taking a speedy wideout in this projection, Bryce Young would have a much better chance as a rookie.”
Last but not least, speaking of pass catchers, Kiper and McShay have one more Tennessee player projected for the first three rounds of action next Thursday night in Kansas City.
Todd McShay has the Arizona Cardinals selecting Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman with the third pick in the third round and the No. 66 overall pick in the draft. Despite having an injury-filled final season on Rocky Top, Tillman was ultra-impressive during the NFL Combine and the Tennessee Pro Day.
“Whether or not DeAndre Hopkins gets traded, the Cardinals could use additional receiver help,” McShay wrote. “And Tillman is a big pass-catcher with strong hands, downfield ability and really good body control. Injuries held him back a bit last season, but Tillman would be a good get in the third round.”
The 2023 NFL Draft will begin on Thursday, Apr. 27, 2023, from Kansas City. The event will conclude on Saturday, Apr. 29.
