2023 NFL Mock Draft: Bears land a haul in trade-filled first-round mock
By Randy Gurzi
LB. Clemson. Trenton Simpson. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 18. 50
18. Detroit Lions: Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson
They had a pick earlier thanks to the Los Angeles Rams and now the Detroit Lions are on the clock at No. 18 with their own selection. They again target a defender, and it’s another member of the Clemson Tigers.
Trenton Simpson is an athletic defender that converted from safety to linebacker. He has the speed to cover sideline to sideline and is capable of making noise on the blitz as well. For Detroit, who now has Aidan Hutchinson and Bryan Bresee thanks to this mock, Simpson will be able to find lanes when used on the blitz and can be a chess piece to frustrate opposing offenses.
Pick Analysis. WR. USC. Jordan Addison. 19. 31. Scouting Report. player
19. New York Giants (via Tampa Bay Buccaneers): Jordan Addison, WR, USC
Another trade happens as the New York Giants make a move for a wideout before any other teams in need can. New York sends a third-round pick to the Tampa Bay Bucs in order to move from No. 22 to No. 19 in order to secure the rights to wide receiver Jordan Addison.
After a couple of strong seasons at Pitt, Addison headed to USC where he had 59 receptions for 875 yards and eight touchdowns. It wasn’t as explosive of a campaign as he had in 2021 but he did enough to prove he’s worthy of a Round 1 pick.
For the Giants, they need help at wide receiver and Addison has the ability to stretch the field and improve their overall offensive efficiency.