Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr. during the NFL Draft Red Carpet event
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Levis and Porter Jr Highlight the Best Available Second Round Picks in the 2023 NFL Draft

The first round of the 2023 NFL Draft has come and gone, and like most years, a plethora of talent remains on the board. Here, we'll look at some of the top remaining players and project the first 10 picks in the second round. If you thought the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft was wild, the second round should provide even more excitement.

Best Remaining Players

Will Levis' NFL Draft night slide wasn't what anyone had in mind. But, as history tells us, a long wait could be a long career.

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RELATED: Will Levis Falls Out of NFL Draft Top 10, Enters First Round Death Spiral

There are only 31 picks in the first round this year, but like any year, there's always some top-end talent to look forward to heading into Day 2, and this year is no exception.

  • Will Levis, QB, Kentucky: This is stunning. Levis has some question marks concerning his college production this past year, his inconsistency in passing the ball, and his footwork. However, Levis, six-foot-four and around 230 pounds has an arm that can compete with Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. He was rumored as a top-two selection in the draft, and now he can be had in the 30s.
  • Brian Branch, DB, Alabama: A commonly mocked player to land with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Branch is now available in Round 2. He's not an uber athlete and is a bit undersized, but he's an excellent and fearless tackler. He'll be able to play in the slot from the word go. 
  • Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State: Another player who's not exactly a top-tier athlete, Porter Jr. has the NFL bloodlines and has the physical makeup to be a true outside cornerback. Don't expect him to last long. 
  • Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia: You don't often find tight ends who are over six-foot-six, 260+ pounds, and run a 40-yard dash of 4.64. He's also an incredible blocker who can act as a sixth offensive lineman. 
  • Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State: Listed at six-foot-eight and north of 360 pounds, Jones is a gigantic person. His foot speed is a bit lacking, which is expected for a player his size, but he's the next Orlando Brown Jr. 
  • Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina: The next receiver to likely go off the board, Downs is a pure slot receiver who gets open early and often. 
  • O'Cyrus Torrence, OG, Florida: A true guard, Torrence was always considered a fringe first-round prospect. He'll be able to play Week 1 with whatever team takes him. 
  • Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennesse: Tearing his ACL in November and being 25 years old certainly aren't doing Hooker any favors. He comes from a Tennessee offense that won't allow him to be a possible Week 1 starter, but Hooker throws the ball deep well, can run, and continues to improve. 
  • Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame: Not an elite athlete, but Mayer is a steady security-blanket tight end that can also block well. 
  • John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota: If your team needs a center, look no further. Schmitz isn't a fantastic athlete, but he epitomizes that "decade-long career" for an offensive lineman. 

 

Second-Round Mock Draft (Top 10 Picks)

oey Porter Jr. #9 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates after a play against the Northwestern Wildcats

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  • Pittsburgh Steelers: Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
  • Arizona Cardinals: Brian Branch, DB, Alabama
  • Detroit Lions: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
  • Indianapolis Colts: O'Cyrus Torrence, OG, Florida
  • Los Angeles Rams: Steve Avila, OG, TCU
  • Seattle Seahawks: John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota
  • Las Vegas Raiders: Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
  • Carolina Panthers: Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina
  • New Orleans Saints: Tyrique Stevenson, CB, Miami
  • Tennessee Titans: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky

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