5 Snubs from the PPTSD/VT 2023 Mock Draft
This week, the brains from both PurplePTSD.com and VikingsTerritory.com combined minds to create a PPTSD/VT 2023 mock draft. Eight of our writers put our heads together and selected all 31 picks for the first round. If you haven’t seen that mock draft yet, you can take a look at it here. However, as for today, we’re going to go back through that draft and discuss 5 snubs that weren’t selected.
Notre Dame TE Michael Mayer
Of all the draft prospects that didn’t get their names called during our group mock draft, tight end Michael Mayer certainly has the best chance of making the first round in the actual NFL Draft. The Notre Dame product has an outstanding combination of blocking and receiving ability, meaning he can be on the field in all different types of formations.
The main reason that he would fall out of the first round is due to the fact that this tight end class is chock-full of starting caliber players compared to previous years. This puts far less of an onus on landing one of the top two players at the position, and that could cause a fall into the second round. Mayer certainly is a first-round talent, though, for a team looking to fill the tight end spot.
Iowa State EDGE Will McDonald IV
Will McDonald is a very long, athletic pass rusher bringing some great potential to the NFL level. He certainly needs to add more weight and fill out his frame to be most effective at the NFL level. However, the potential for McDonald is through the roof.
The production has been ridiculous over the course of his collegiate career, recording 10+ sacks in both 2020 and 2021. Because of this knack for getting to the QB, teams could take a chance on him in the first round.
Wisconsin IOL Joe Tippmann
If a center gets taken in the first round of the draft, it wouldn’t be surprising to see that player be Joe Tippmann. The Wisconsin Badgers are known for churning out some of the best offensive linemen in the NFL, and their center is no exception.
At 6’6 and 313 pounds, Tippmann is an absolute mauler in the middle of the offensive line. He is athletic enough to make adjustments on the fly, and he uses outstanding strength to put defenders on their heels.
Alabama RB Jahmyr Gibbs
Everyone is talking about Bijan Robinson and what he can do at the NFL level, and rightfully so. He is going to be a star and can completely transform an offense for the better. However, Jahmyr Gibbs would certainly be getting more hype as a prospect if he had been part of the 2022 class rather than the 2023 class.
The Alabama product has the ideal build for an NFL running back, and not only did he average 5.6 yards per carry throughout his three-year collegiate career, he also recorded 103 receptions over those three years with 44 of them coming in 2022. Especially if Robinson goes early on in the draft, don’t rule out Gibbs being taken by either Dallas or Buffalo.
Georgia Tech EDGE Keion White
The group of pass rushers in the 2023 Draft could all rise or fall depending on what traits NFL teams are looking for in their rushers. McDonald could rise from supreme athletic ability while Keion White could become an intriguing prospect due to his skills as a powerful bull rusher, similar to George Karlaftis last year.
After starting his collegiate career at Old Dominion, White transferred to Georgia Tech in 2021, and he burst onto the scene in 2022 with 14.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. He’s certainly a prospect to keep an eye on as the draft gets closer.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.