Steelers trade up for their draft crush in final first-round 2023 NFL mock draft
24 Jacksonville Jaguars: Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
Jacksonville is slowly rebuilding and has greatly improved since 2021. Despite having a decent offense, they still need defensive assistance. Cam Smith is definitely on their draft board and has been a mock draft favorite. Nonetheless, he is not a lock to go there, it’s not inconceivable they target Brian Branch if he is there. Regardless it’s a decent year to take a cornerback; thus, Cam Smith makes sense here.
25 New York Giants: John Michael Schmitz IOL ( C ) Minnesota
The Giants rebounded in 2022 and gave Daniel Jones a massive new contract. However, they are not out of the woods. Saquon Barkley, at least for now, has no desire to sign the franchise tag at least for now. So where does that leave the Giants in the draft? Most mock drafts have them taking a wide receiver.
While they could use one, the Minnesota interior offensive lineman and center has at least worked himself into the conversation. If the other wide receivers are off the board, then perhaps we see the Giants address the offensive line to protect Jones.
26 Dallas Cowboys: Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
The Cowboys, while a playoff-caliber team, is not a great team and Dak Prescott seems to get injured often. They no longer have Ezekiel Elliot, though they have a capable running back in Tony Pollard. Thus it’s not out of the question they could target Bijan Robinson or Jahmyr Gibbs. If not, they need a tight end. If they opt for the tight end, then they either take Kincaid or Michael Mayer.
27 Buffalo Bills: O’cyrus Torrence, IOL, Florida
The Bills have one of the most potent offenses in the NFL, and still, they can't seem to get over the hump and make the Superbowl. Giving Josh Allen more protection makes sense. Torrence seems to fall to the bills 18.40 % of the time in most mock drafts, making him the clear front-runner. Perhaps Torrence does not get the Bills over the hump; taking him does not hurt their chances any.