Bleacher Nation NFL 2023 Mock Draft: Chiefs Add More Protection for Mahomes
The Bleacher Nation NFL 2023 Mock Draft will be a running mock draft that spans between now and round one of the NFL Draft. Each of the 31 picks (Miami forfeited their first-round pick due to tampering) will get a dedicated post. Here’s how it’ll work:
- Every pick in the Mock Draft gets its own post. We will do one or two picks per day.
- We will link back to previous posts with a running draft recap.
- This feature will not include trades and will cover the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
The Chiefs are on the clock in the Bleacher Nation NFL Mock Draft …
The Pick Is In
OT Dawand Jones — Ohio State
The Fit
The Chiefs signed Jawaan Taylor to replace Orlando Brown Jr. at left tackle but need to address the right side after losing Andrew Wylie in free agency. Ohio State’s Dawand Jones can help address that void.
Scouting Report
Dawand Jones has rare size and knows how to exploit that. Jones moves people in the run game and can get the job done as a pass protector. That’s a must for the Chiefs.
The Ringer’s Danny Kelly on Jones: “Jones does what you’d hope a man of his size would do, leveraging his length and power to frustrate pass rushers, particularly when they’re trying to go through him with a bull rush. He fires his hands into his opponents’ chests and locks his arms out to keep them subdued. He shows an understanding of angles and how to cut off edge rushers even when he can’t match their speed.”
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler onJones: “As a pass blocker, he is effective when he can quick-set, eliminate space and get his hands on his target before they get into their rush, but covering up inside on wide-nine NFL speed is a different animal.”
Final Thoughts: Dawand Jones is an excellent pass-blocker and powerful run-blocking right tackle. Jones has a massive, towering frame, broad shoulders, and the wingspan of a B-52. Protecting Mahomes is a top priority for the Chiefs, so a tackle at No. 31 makes so much sense.
Bleacher Nation’s 2023 NFL Mock Draft
- Carolina Panthers (via CHI) — QB C.J. Stroud, Ohio State
- Houston Texans — QB Bryce Young, Alabama
- Arizona Cardinals — EDGE Will Anderson Jr., Alabama
- Indianapolis Colts — QB Anthony Richardson, Florida
- Seattle Seahawks (via DEN) — DT Jalen Carter, Georgia
- Detroit Lions (via LAR) — EDGE Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech
- Las Vegas Raiders — QB Will Levis, Kentucky
- Atlanta Falcons — EDGE Myles Murphy, Clemson
- Chicago Bears (via CAR) — CB Devon Witherspoon, Illinois
- Philadelphia Eagles (via NO) — DT Calijah Kancey, Pitt
- Tennessee Titans — T Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio State
- Houston Texans (via CLE) — WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State
- New York Jets — T Broderick Jones, Georgia
- New England Patriots — CB Christian Gonzalez, Oregon
- Green Bay Packers — TE Dalton Kincaid, Utah
- Washington Commanders — CB Deonte Banks, Maryland
- Pittsburgh Steelers — CB Joey Porter Jr., Penn State
- Detroit Lions — CB Kelee Ringo, Georgia
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — S Brian Branch, Alabama
- Seattle Seahawks — EDGE Lukas Van Ness, Iowa
- Los Angeles Chargers — WR Jordan Addison, USC
- Baltimore Ravens — WR Zay Flowers, Boston College
- Minnesota Vikings — QB Hendon Hooker, Tennessee
- Jacksonville Jaguars — T/G Peter Skoronski, Northwestern
- New York Giants — WR Quentin Johnston, TCU
- Dallas Cowboys — RB Bijan Robinson, Texas
- Buffalo Bills — WR Jalin Hyatt, Tennessee
- Cincinnati Bengals — TE Michael Mayer, Notre Dame
- New Orleans Saints (via SF) — DT Mazi Smith, Michigan
- Philadelphia Eagles — RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama
- Kansas City Chiefs — OT Dawand Jones, Ohio State
