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2023 NFL Draft: The perfect draft for all AFC teams that missed the playoffs

Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson (15) points after he scores a touchdown against the Utah Utes during the first quarter at Steve Spurrier-Florida Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

• Colts land Anthony Richardson: Richardson’s ceiling is sky high with how much of an outlier he is as an athlete, but while there is a focus on what he can do in the running game, he also recorded 19 big-time throws in 2022, 12 more than Kentucky’s Will Levis.

• Patriots pick Joey Porter Jr.: Porter is a short-term throwback to the style of cornerback the Patriots seem to love. A tough press-man corner, the Penn State standout allowed just 15 receptions in 2022, none of which resulted in a touchdown.

• What would you do as the GM of your favorite team? PFF's mock draft simulator features unlimited seven-round mock drafts, player and pick trades, turbo draft speed mode and PFF analysis on the best draft prospects. Try it today!

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes


Mock drafts are fun, but one of the issues when looking at every team in the NFL is that the same player can often be the perfect fit for multiple teams.

Here, we look at every NFC team that didn’t make the playoffs and examine what an ideal draft would look like for them in a vacuum. 

Cleveland Browns

Round 3: CB DJ Turner, Michigan; EDGE Isaiah McGuire, Missouri

The Browns don’t pick until the third round, so the best-case scenario is that players who tested well this offseason fall to them. Turner allowed a catch on just 45.4% of the passes thrown into his coverage for his college career.

McGuire is coming off his most productive season as a pass-rusher, producing an 82.0 pass-rush grade and registering 35 total pressures from 267 snaps.

Denver Broncos

Round 3: CB Tyrique Stevenson, Miami (Fla.); WR Michael Wilson, Stanford

Like the Browns, Denver doesn't pick until the third round, so the hope will be to find some value at current or future positions of need.

Stevenson improved his PFF coverage grade every season in college and allowed a catch on just 42.5% of the passes thrown into his coverage in 2022.

Wilson didn’t see many targets in college, thanks largely to the Stanford offense, but he did average 15.6 yards per catch in 2022 and could be a long-term replacement for Courtland Sutton, should he leave.

Houston Texans

Round 1: QB Bryce Young, Alabama; WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State

Round 2: DI Mazi Smith, Michigan

Round 3: C Luke Wypler, Ohio State; EDGE Derick Hall, Auburn

The best-case scenario for the Texans is one that seemed likely when the Panthers first made the move up to No. 1 overall but might not be so likely now.

Bryce Young is the top quarterback on the PFF big board. He produced a passing grade of 92.0 in 2021 and 91.3 in 2022.

After that, Steve Palazzolo’s mantra of “draft good players” makes the most sense. Smith registered 32 defensive stops in 2022, the fourth-most of any interior defender in this draft class.

Indianapolis Colts

Round 1: QB Anthony Richardson, Florida

Round 2: G Steve Avila, TCU

Round 3: WR A.T. Perry, Wake Forest

Landing one of Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud or Richardson feels like a win for the Colts. Richardson’s ceiling is sky high with how much of an outlier he is as an athlete, but while there is a focus on what he can do in the running game, he also recorded 19 big-time throws in 2022, 12 more than Kentucky’s Will Levis.

Avila at the top of Round 2 would be a very slight reach based on his average draft position and where he ranks on the PFF big board, but he is coming off a season where he posted an 83.6 pass-blocking grade and allowed 11 total pressures on 540 pass-blocking snaps.

Trade picks and players and mock all seven rounds of the 2023 NFL Draft — try free today!

Las Vegas Raiders

Round 1: QB Anthony Richardson, Florida

Round 2: C Luke Wypler, Ohio State

Round 3: CB Garrett Williams, Syracuse; DI Kobie Turner, Wake Forest

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