The first round of the 2023 NFL Draft kicked off last night in Kansas City. The first five picks were Alabama’s Bryce Young, Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, Alabama’s Will Anderson Jr., Florida’s Anthony Richardson, and Illinois’ Devon Witherspoon. Day 2 will include rounds two and three. Who are the best available prospects heading into round 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft according to the big board from ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr? Find out below.
1. Will Levis, Quarterback
According to ESPN Analytics, there was a 92% chance that Will Levis was going to be picked in the top 10. pic.twitter.com/DGUE6xG6EG
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 28, 2023
Heading into the draft night, the consensus was that four to five quarterbacks would be selected in the first round. After three of the first four picks were quarterbacks, four in round one seemed like a shoo-in, and the Kentucky quarterback would likely be the next name called at the position. However, no other QB was taken in round one, meaning Levis is still on the board. Kiper has Levis as his best available prospect due to his “experience playing in a pro-style offense.”
2. Joey Porter Jr., Cornerback
The Penn State product is the son of the legendary Pittsburgh Steelers’ linebacker Joey Porter Sr. Kiper had a first-round grade on Porter’s son. At 6’2″ and 193 pounds, Porter Jr. is a physical cornerback with good length who can step right in and start for an NFL defense.
3. Keion White, EDGE
"Appreciate Georgia Tech and the Georgia Tech family taking me in and treating me like family."
Former @GeorgiaTechFB star Keion White stopped to chat during one of our @FOX5Atlanta live shots pic.twitter.com/7423ZzAiD6— Justin Felder (@Justin_FOX5) April 27, 2023
After starting his career at Old Dominion, White transferred to Georgia Tech for 2022, taking the most of his opportunity at a Power 5 school and inserting himself into the NFL conversation. White has 7.5 sacks as an edge rusher this past season. White has tremendous size (6’5″ and 285 pounds) and strength with above-average quickness that can translate to the next level.
4. Michael Mayer, Tight End
Michael Mayer not too happy about not being the 1st TE off the board😯
— PFF College (@PFF_College) April 28, 2023
Many draft experts, including Kiper, mocked the Notre Dame tight end to the Dallas Cowboys toward the end of the first round. However, the Cowboys passed on Mayer in favor of a defensive tackle. Now, Mayer could go within the first 15 picks of the second round. Mayer has excellent hands, blocks well, and becomes a terror in the open field after the catch.
5. Brian Branch, Safety
Alabama DB Brian Branch fell out of the first round. I expect him to be selected early tomorrow evening. Here are his stats from last season:
— 90 tackles
— 14 tackles for a loss
— 3 sacks
— 2 interceptions
— 7 pass breakups pic.twitter.com/8FPfMCkf4M— Tony Tsoukalas (@Tony_Tsoukalas) April 28, 2023
The best safety of the board is Branch out of Alabama. Branch is an elite tackler, which is why many experts thought he would be taken in the first round. The versatile athlete can play nickel or safety. Branch is quick enough to help in pass coverage and strong enough to play at the line of scrimmage.
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