2023 NFL Mock Draft: Steelers land new EDGE in top 10, Raiders play it safe
By Randy Gurzi
EDGE. 18. 44. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Kansas State. Felix Anudike-Uzomah
18. Atlanta Falcons: Felix Anudike-Uzomah, EDGE, Kansas State
Grady Jarrett is currently the only member of the Atlanta Falcons defense that can really get after the quarterback. They’ve tried in recent years to fix their rush off the edge but it hasn’t worked out. Vic Beasley had one great season before flaming out, Takk McKinley never developed as they hoped, and Dante Fowler wasn’t the answer either.
Here, it’s back to the drawing board as they pick up Felix Anudike-Uzomah from Kansas State. In the past 20 games, the 6-foot-3, 252-pound Anudike-Uzomah has 18.5 sacks for the Wildcats. A former Big 12 Co-Defensive Player of the Year, Anudike-Uzomah explodes off the snap and could be exactly what this defense needs to take their next step.
Paris Johnson. 19. 45. Pick Analysis. OT. Ohio State. player. Scouting Report
19. Denver Broncos: (via San Francisco 49ers through Miami Dolphins): Paris Johnson, OT, Ohio State
This pick has moved through a couple of hands now as the Miami Dolphins originally landed the selection in a trade with the San Francisco 49ers. Their own pick was forfeited, so the Dolphins were set to make a pick in Round 1 despite the league punishment. That changed when they sent their rights to the Niners selection to the Denver Broncos for Bradley Chubb.
It’s tempting for the Broncos to go with a defensive end here but they also need to improve their offensive line. For that reason, they add Paris Johnson from Ohio State to help keep Russell Wilson clean in the pocket so he can get to cooking.