2023 NFL Mock Draft: Chargers trade Ekeler for Eagles’ late first, Chiefs go all-in on WRs in seven-round mock.
The 2023 NFL Draft is just around the corner and as teams gear up to make their picks, the rumor mill is working overtime. One of the latest reports is that the Los Angeles Chargers have traded running back Austin Ekeler to the Philadelphia Eagles for a late first-round pick.
The trade comes as a bit of a surprise as Ekeler has been a key player for the Chargers in recent years. However, with the emergence of second-year back Joshua Kelley and the signing of free agent running back James Conner, the Chargers may have felt they could afford to part ways with Ekeler.
In exchange for Ekeler, the Chargers receive the Eagles’ 28th overall pick in the draft. The move gives the Chargers another first-round pick to work with as they look to build a championship-caliber team around young quarterback Justin Herbert.
Meanwhile, the Kansas City Chiefs made some interesting moves in this seven-round mock draft, taking three wide receivers in the first four rounds. The Chiefs, who have one of the league’s most explosive offenses led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes, have made no secret of their desire to add even more firepower to their receiving corps.
In the first round, the Chiefs select Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams with the 13th overall pick. Williams, who had a breakout season in 2022 with 1,200 yards receiving and 15 touchdowns, is a speedster who could thrive in Kansas City’s high-powered offense.
In the second round, the Chiefs take Texas A&M wideout Jalen Preston, who has great size and athleticism at 6-foot-2 and 212 pounds. In the fourth round, the Chiefs add another receiver in Oklahoma State’s Tay Martin, who could be a steal at that point in the draft.
The rest of the draft sees the Chiefs addressing needs on the defensive side of the ball, as they take a defensive end, a cornerback, and a linebacker in the later rounds.
Overall, this seven-round mock draft provides an interesting glimpse into what teams could be thinking as the 2023 NFL Draft approaches. While the Chargers’ trade of Ekeler may come as a surprise to some, it gives them another valuable asset to work with. And the Chiefs’ focus on adding more weapons for Mahomes could make them an even more dangerous team in the years to come.
