2023 April - Pro Football Rumors

Lions Trade No. 63 To Broncos

April 28th, 2023 at 8:13pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Lions will make another second-round trade with an AFC West team, sending Nos. 63 and 183 overall to the Broncos in exchange for Nos. 68 and 139 (Twitter link via Lions reporter Tim Twentyman). Denver selected Oklahoma wide receiver Marvin Mims.

Considering the Broncos have held intermittent trade talks regarding Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton, this selection is an eyebrow-raising move. Mims will add another young element to a Denver passing game which struggled to establish production or consistency in 2022. That was an especially disappointing development considering the expectations the team faced.

Mims – the younger brother of the Jets’ Denzel Mims – followed him by playing in the Big 12 in college. The Sooners pass-catcher enjoyed an intriguing freshman campaign, totaling 610 yards and nine touchdowns. He was once again a major deep threat in 2021, but his most productive campaign came last year.

The 5-11, 177-pounder racked up 1,083 yards and six touchdowns on 54 receptions in 2022. His 20.1 yards-per-catch average established himself as a dynamic field-stretcher. His frame made him similar to many other WRs in this year’s class, though, which no doubt contributed to his wait to hear his name called. He will now join an intriguing situation in the NFL.

Denver faces plenty of expectation once again with Sean Payton now at the helm. He has insisted that neither Jeudy nor Sutton will be on the move, and that pair will top the team’s depth chart in 2023 presuming they do indeed remain in the fold. Mims will look to fill the deep-speed position occupied by KJ Hamler, who has struggled to stay healthy during his three years in the NFL. If the latter were to depart in free agency, Mims could be well-positioned to take his place for the long-term future.

Texans Acquire No. 62 From Eagles, Draft C Juice Scruggs

April 28th, 2023 at 8:09pm CST by Ely Allen

The Eagles fielded calls on moving back from No. 30. With the penultimate pick in the second round, the defending NFC champions will slide down a bit. The Texans moved up to No. 62. To move down three spots to No. 65, the Eagles will pick up Nos. 188 and 230. The Texans will take Penn State offensive lineman Juice Scruggs.

Scruggs continues a bit of a second-round run on centers, slotting in as the third center off the board behind Wisconsin’s Joe Tippmann and Minnesota’s John Michael Schmitz. The third Nittany Lion off the board, and the second in as many picks, Scruggs brings ideal size, strength, and acumen to Houston.

Scruggs had to come back from a serious car accident in 2019, suffering a break of his L3 vertebra after being thrown from the vehicle in the wreck. Instead of risking spinal surgery that could end his career, he allowed it to heal naturally and slowly, eventually rehabbing back into playing shape. He returned to become a captain in Happy Valley.

Scruggs reads defenses well before the snap and masterfully reacts to defensive line stunts and twists. He has strength to push blocks into the next level, but when overpowered, Scruggs can struggle to recover.

After releasing Justin Britt, the Texans re-signed Scott Quessenberry, who ranked dead last in the NFL out of 36 qualifying centers, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). This should provide Scruggs with an immediate starting opportunity at center in 2023. If not, Scruggs can provide some strong competition or depth on the interior with experience at both center and guard at Penn State.

Bears Obtain No. 56 From Jaguars, Select CB Tyrique Stevenson

April 28th, 2023 at 7:52pm CST by Ely Allen

The Bears will climb five spots for a cornerback. Dealing Nos. 61 and 136 to the Jaguars in exchange for No. 56, the Bears selected Miami’s Tyrique Stevenson.

A consensus top-five cornerback in the high school class of 2019, Stevenson transferred to Miami after two years at Georgia. He dealt with a number of injuries throughout his career, including a torn labrum and surgery to shave his collarbone, but he made the most out of the time he did play, earning honorable mention All-ACC in 2021 and third-team All-ACC honors this past season.

Stevenson brings some versatility to the Bears secondary. The staff in Athens transferred him to their STAR position (a linebacker/safety hybrid). The Hurricanes put him right back at his natural position as an outside corner, and he rewarded them with three interceptions and 14 passes defensed over two years in Coral Gables. He brings a long, muscular build matched with rangy speed and agility. He can stray in coverage but excels in press-man, rerouting receivers without drawing penalties.

Stevenson should find some immediate opportunities to contribute in Chicago. Kyler Gordon, Jaylon Johnson, Kindle Vildor, and Jaylon Jones all got the most run of the cornerbacks in the Bears secondary last year. According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), Johnson was the best of the group, grading out as the 67th-best cornerback in the league. If Stevenson makes a strong showing in camp, he can make a run for a starting job. He should be a strong rotation candidate either way.

Lions Deal No. 55 To Chiefs

April 28th, 2023 at 7:43pm CST by Adam La Rose

The defending Super Bowl champions are moving up in the second round. The Lions will allow the Chiefs to vault to No. 55, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets.

Detroit will pick up Nos. 63, 122, 249 from Kansas City; in addition to No. 55, the Lions sent No. 194 to the Chiefs. After attempting to move up in Round 1, the Chiefs will climb in their home draft tonight.

With the new selection, the Chiefs will take SMU wide receiver Rashee Rice. A Danny Gray teammate at SMU, Rice spent four seasons as a contributor for the Mustangs. With Gray in San Francisco, Rice stepped up to deliver his best work as a senior. He caught 96 passes for 1,355 yards and 10 touchdowns.

The Chiefs did extensive work on this year’s first-round crop of wideouts and discussed moving up with the Vikings on Thursday night. But Kansas City stayed at No. 31. Now, the team is moving to help fill the voids created by the exits of JuJu. Smith -Schuster and Mecole Hardman.

Kansas City showed an ability to remain productive without Tyreek Hill in 2022, leading the league in passing, total and scoring offense. That leaves reason for optimism in their potential to carry on next season, and Rice will have a role in the team’s diverse passing scheme.

The Chiefs have only made one free agent addition at the WR spot so far (Richie James). Rice certainly won’t preclude a move for another veteran following the draft, but Rice represents another young addition to their pass-catching room. Former Giants first-rounder Kadarius Toney, along with 2022 second-rounder Skyy Moore, are set for large roles moving forward. Rice will join those as he looks to aid another Super Bowl run.

Packers Send No. 48 To Buccaneers

April 28th, 2023 at 7:19pm CST by Ely Allen

Minutes after sending No. 45 to the Lions, the Packers are moving down again. They are sending No. 48 to the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay will send Nos. 50 and 179 to Green Bay for the right to move up.

With the pick, the Buccaneers took North Dakota State guard Cody Mauch. The Bucs experienced steady trouble at guard last year, after losing Alex Cappa in free agency and ex-small-school find Ali Marpet to retirement. Injuries gripped the Bucs, who have since traded Shaq Mason to the Texans.

Tampa Bay now has Mauch and Matt Feiler in the interior O-line mix. The team signed Feiler late in free agency. Mauch finished his career at the Division I-FCS power as a two-time first-team All-Missouri Valley Conference honoree. This marks the second straight year in which Tampa Bay has chosen a second-round guard. The team added Luke Goedeke in Round 2 last year.

Mauch originally arrived in Fargo as a lean tight end at 6-foot-5, 221 pounds. The Bison worked their magic, bulking him up to 6-foot-6 and 303 pounds as they molded him into an NFL-ready offensive tackle. His final form at NDSU was a team captain and FCS offensive lineman of the year. He heads to Tampa Bay to compete for a starting job in a new-look offense.

Lions Land No. 45 From Packers, Select DB Brian Branch

April 28th, 2023 at 7:14pm CST by Adam La Rose

For a second straight year, the Lions and Packers will make a second-round trade. After the Packers moved up last year, the Lions will do so Friday. Detroit traded Nos. 48 and 159 to Green Bay.

With the pick, the Lions chose Alabama defensive back Brian Branch. A popular name on the pre-draft interview circuit, Branch stands to give Detroit interesting options. He worked as a safety and slot cornerback with the Crimson Tide. Considering the Lions signed safety/corner C.J. Gardner-Johnson, suddenly Aaron Glenn‘s defense brings intriguing versatility.

Branch filled the stat sheet in his final season, racking up 90 tackles (including 14 for loss), three sacks, a pair of interceptions and seven pass breakups. That allowed him to stand out from an otherwise underwhelming safety class, and led many to expect he would be selected on Thursday.

Instead, his wait will ultimately lead to him the Motor City and a new-look secondary. It will certainly be interesting to see how he is used in 2023 in particular, with Gardner-Johnson having signed only a one-year pact. He and Branch have similar skillsets and could compete for playing time at multiple spots as the Lions look to take a needed step forward on defense next season.

Detroit and Green Bay swapped spots in the move which allowed the Packers to select wideout Christian Watson in 2022. Now, their roles have been reversed in a deal seeing the Lions add what they hope will be a long-term mainstay on their backend. Even with the trade-up, Detroit has another Day 2 picked scheduled at No. 55 overall.

Colts Trade No. 38 To Falcons

April 28th, 2023 at 6:41pm CST by Adam La Rose

Rumored as a team interested in trading up earlier Friday, the Falcons are joining the Titans and Raiders in following through early in Round 2.

Atlanta sent Indianapolis Nos. 44 and 110 for the right to move into the No. 38 slot. The Falcons are taking Syracuse tackle Matthew Bergeron. This move comes shortly after the Colts sent the Raiders No. 35 overall. Indianapolis is stockpiling picks to start the second round.

The first of a number of Canadians expected to hear their names called in this year’s draft, Bergeron established himself as one of the top members of a top-heavy tackle class. Notably, Bergeron was announced as a guard, and he could be a candidate to move inside for at least the early part of his pro career.

It was reported not long ago that Atlanta was interested in adding a lineman capable of doing just that with their first pick. The team went a much different direction, of course, selecting running back Bijan Robinson at No. 8. He will boost their rushing game, something also made possible by an offensive line which has few openings at the moment. Bergeron will look to establish a role for himself as at least a backup along the interior.

Atlanta has left tackle Jake Matthews under contract through 2026, but Bergeron could been seen as a potential long-term successor on the blindside depending on his development path. The Falcons’ RG situation is shored up with Chris Lindstrom, who became the league’s highest-paid guard earlier this offseason. Bergeron’s run blocking strength could allow him to compete for snaps opposite him in the short- and long-term future if he is to remain on the interior.

Raiders Move Into Colts’ No. 35 Slot, Draft TE Michael Mayer

April 28th, 2023 at 6:31pm CST by Adam La Rose

Trades are coming swiftly to start Round 2. The Colts are sending No. 35 overall to the Raiders in exchange for Nos. 38 and 141, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets.

With the pick, the Silver and Black drafted tight end Michael Mayer. The Notre Dame product hovered as a potential first-rounder, and he did not last long on the board tonight.

Only one member of this year’s vaunted TE class was selected on Thursday (Dalton Kincaid, by the Bills). Mayer is already the second to hear his name called tonight, though, joining Lions addition Sam Laporta. Mayer was considered by many to be the most well-rounded option at the position, and he will have the opportunity to showcase his skillset with the Raiders.

The 6-4, 249-pounder had two years of high-end production with the Fighting Irish. Between 2021 and ’22, he totaled 16 touchdowns while operating as a dependable red zone threat. He earned consensus All-American honors last year after posting 67 catches and 809 yards while serving as an effective blocker in the run game.

The Raiders traded away Darren Waller earlier this offseason in a move which has left a vacancy at the position, one which was the source of considerable production when he was available. Vegas added veterans Austin Hooper and O.J. Howard, but Mayer should be able to carve out at least a backup role early on in his rookie season. Over the long-term, he could develop into an impactful starter.

In the build-up to the draft, the Packers and Cowboys were named as suitors for Mayer on Day 1. Both teams elected to add on the defensive side of the ball last night, however, leaving them in the market for a seam-stretcher at some point in the remainder of the weekend. Plenty of options will be available given the depth of the class, but Mayer will be well-positioned in his new home to put together a successful NFL career.

Titans Obtain No. 33 From Cardinals, Select QB Will Levis

April 28th, 2023 at 6:22pm CST by Sam Robinson

While the Steelers rebuffed trade offers, the Cardinals are making their third trade of the draft thus far. Arizona will send No. 33 to Tennessee, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. With the pick, the Titans are taking Will Levis.

Levis visited the Titans during the pre-draft process. While the Kentucky quarterback did not opt to attend the draft tonight — after his full-night green room stay last night — he will go off the board quickly in Round 2.

The Titans are sending the Cardinals Nos. 41 and 72 this year for Levis; the Cardinals will also pick up a 2024 third-rounder in this swap, Rapoport tweets. The Cards will send the Titans No. 81 this year as well. This will move a first-round-caliber quarterback onto the Titans’ roster. One season remains on Ryan Tannehill‘s four-year contract.

A cannon-armed talent, Levis both brought questions regarding injury (a late-emerging big toe concern) and performance. Levis fared better in 2021, breaking into the mix as a first-round-caliber player. With Wan’Dale Robinson and OC Liam Coen leaving for the NFL in 2022, Levis regressed. But he was not believed to have fallen too far. Oddsmakers slotted him as a good bet to be drafted in the top 10. After the Colts took Anthony Richardson, Levis slipped out of the first round.

Levis won 10 games for the Wildcats in 2021, completing 66.01% of his passes for 2,826 yards and 24 touchdowns. Levis also displayed an ability to run the ball that year, producing 376 yards and nine touchdowns. In 2022, injuries and the loss of his top targets led to a down year in which Levis completed 65.37% of his passes for 2,406 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, all without displaying the rushing ability of prior years.

This pick comes a year after the Titans chose Malik Willis in the third round. The Liberty product did not appear ready as a rookie, and the Titans canned the GM — Jon Robinson — who selected him. The Titans are believed to have soured on Willis, and the Levis investment certainly reflects it. Now, Ran Carthon has a potential long-term option under center. The new Titans GM also trekked to Levis’ pro day last month.

It will be interesting to see if the Titans make an attempt to move on from Tannehill early. The team dangled its four-year starter in trades earlier this year. Finding a destination might depend on where the rest of this draft’s QBs are dispersed. That said, Tannehill is a proven starter who has piloted the Titans to three playoff berths. He is coming off an injury-shortened season, one in which the team traded away his top receiver (A.J. Brown), and would be far readier to step in next season compared to Levis. But the writing appears on the wall for Tannehill in Tennessee.

Steelers Select CB Joey Porter Jr. At No. 32

April 28th, 2023 at 6:16pm CST by Sam Robinson

Although the Steelers received multiple offers to move out of No. 32 overall, the team will follow through and partner with a familiar face. They are taking cornerback Joey Porter Jr. atop the second round.

As they did with ex-Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett, the Steelers have extensive intel on Porter. He is the son of longtime Steelers linebacker Joey Porter and attended a Pittsburgh-area high school and Penn State. The second-generation NFLer worked out at the Steelers’ facility at points leading up to the draft.

The Steelers hosted Porter on a pre-draft visit, going through an official meeting with a player they knew well. Pittsburgh also met with other corners during the visit window, but after addressing their tackle need in Round 1, the team will tab Porter. The Steelers lost Cameron Sutton in free agency and are planning to experiment with Patrick Peterson at safety.

Porter declared for the draft after his redshirt-junior season, and although he did not intercept a pass in 2022, Pro Football Focus charged him with just one 15-plus-yard completion allowed. The second-team All-American deflected a career-high 11 passes last year. He will join a Steelers team that signed Peterson but one that entered the draft with a dire need at corner. The Steelers still have Levi Wallace and Ahkello Witherspoon on their roster, but each is going into contract years. And each is signed to a lower-middle-class contract.

While the No. 32 pick normally comes with a fifth-year option, the Dolphins being stripped of their first-rounder for tampering moved this into the second round. Porter’s rookie contract will run through 2026.