The 2023 NFL draft is just around the corner, and teams are already starting to make moves to secure the best prospects. In a recent mock draft 2.0 by Peter Schrager, there were some interesting developments, including the Tennessee Titans trading up to secure quarterback C.J. Stroud, and the Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants adding running backs to their roster.
The Titans have been looking for a franchise quarterback ever since they parted ways with Marcus Mariota. Ryan Tannehill has been a serviceable starter, but he hasn’t been able to take the team to the next level. Enter C.J. Stroud, the Ohio State quarterback who has been drawing comparisons to former Buckeyes quarterback Justin Fields.
Stroud has all the tools to be a star in the NFL. He has a strong arm, great accuracy, and he’s a natural leader. He also has the ability to extend plays with his legs, which is something the Titans have been missing since Mariota left.
According to Schrager’s mock draft, the Titans will trade up to the sixth overall pick to select Stroud. This move makes a lot of sense for the Titans, as they have a lot of pieces in place to make a deep playoff run. Adding a franchise quarterback like Stroud could be the missing piece of the puzzle for this team.
Meanwhile, the Vikings and Giants both added running backs to their roster in Schrager’s mock draft. The Vikings selected Texas running back Bijan Robinson with the 17th overall pick, while the Giants took Georgia running back Zamir White with the 22nd overall pick.
Robinson is a dynamic runner who can break tackles and make defenders miss in the open field. He’s also a great receiver out of the backfield, which is something the Vikings have been missing since they traded away Stefon Diggs. Robinson could be a great complement to Dalvin Cook and give the Vikings a lethal one-two punch in the backfield.
White is another talented running back who could make an immediate impact for the Giants. He’s a powerful runner who can pound the ball between the tackles, but he also has the speed to break off big runs. With Saquon Barkley’s injury history, adding a talented backup like White could be a smart move for the Giants.
In conclusion, the 2023 NFL draft is shaping up to be an exciting one, with plenty of talented prospects available. The Titans, Vikings, and Giants all made smart moves in Schrager’s mock draft, and if they can land the players they’re targeting, they could be in for a successful season. It will be interesting to see how the draft plays out and which players end up making an impact in the NFL.