2023 NFL mock draft: College football is back with a loaded class
10. Washington Commanders: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
Pick Analysis. Oregon. player. 58. Scouting Report. CB. Christian Gonzalez. 10
Something’s got to give for the Washington Commanders at some point, right? They acquired former first-round pick Carson Wentz in a trade with the Colts this past offseason, a trade that hasn’t exactly been looked upon fondly by everyone in the NFL community. Wentz and the Colts saw a 98 percent chance of making the playoffs disappear in the final weeks of the season. As unfortunate as that was, and as much blame as Wentz does deserve, he can still be a great option for the Commanders in 2022.
If they are picking 10th overall in 2023, though, heads will probably roll. The Commanders would need to target some desperately-needed help at the cornerback position and Christian Gonzalez is a fascinating prospect. He’s a big, long cornerback prospect with physicality. A former Colorado transfer, Gonzalez is still looking for his first college interception, but he’s shown off his ball skills with 10 passes broken up. He’s a tremendous athlete who is going to have a major breakout season for the Ducks in 2022.
11. Pittsburgh Steelers: Myles Murphy, EDGE/DL, Clemson
EDGE/DL. 11. player. Pick Analysis. Clemson. Myles Murphy. 55. Scouting Report
Despite having one of the best edge defenders in the NFL, the Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves looking for additional depth at the edge position on the eve of the 2022 NFL season. TJ Watt is a superstar and the team has high hopes for Alex Highsmith, but additional help is needed on the Pittsburgh defensive front.
Although Myles Murphy is not a traditional stand-up linebacker, he can float between the edge or the defensive line as an NFL defensive coordinator would see fit. He had eight sacks last year for Clemson and 14.5 tackles for loss. He’s just a flat-out playmaker on the defensive front with size and length.