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

    1. Carolina Panthers (via CHI) — QB C.J. Stroud, Ohio State
    2. Houston Texans — QB Bryce Young, Alabama
    3. Arizona Cardinals — EDGE Will Anderson Jr., Alabama
    4. Indianapolis Colts — QB Anthony Richardson, Florida
    5. Seattle Seahawks (via DEN) — DT Jalen Carter, Georgia
    6. Detroit Lions (via LAR) — EDGE Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech
    7. Las Vegas Raiders — QB Will Levis, Kentucky
    8. Atlanta Falcons — EDGE Myles Murphy, Clemson
    9. Chicago Bears (via CAR) — CB Devon Witherspoon, Illinois
    10. Philadelphia Eagles (via NO) — DT Calijah Kancey, Pitt
    11. Tennessee Titans — T Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio State
    12. Houston Texans (via CLE) — WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State
    13. New York Jets — T Broderick Jones, Georgia
    14. New England Patriots — CB Christian Gonzalez, Oregon
    15. Green Bay Packers — TE Dalton Kincaid, Utah
    16. Washington Commanders — CB Deonte Banks, Maryland
    17. Pittsburgh Steelers — CB Joey Porter Jr., Penn State
    18. Detroit Lions — CB Kelee Ringo, Georgia
    19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — S Brian Branch, Alabama
    20. Seattle Seahawks — EDGE Lukas Van Ness, Iowa
    21. Los Angeles Chargers — WR Jordan Addison, USC
    22. Baltimore Ravens — WR Zay Flowers, Boston College
    23. Minnesota Vikings — QB Hendon Hooker, Tennessee
    24. Jacksonville Jaguars — T/G Peter Skoronski, Northwestern
    25. New York Giants — WR Quentin Johnston, TCU
    26. Dallas Cowboys — RB Bijan Robinson, Texas
    27. Buffalo Bills — WR Jalin Hyatt, Tennessee
    28. Cincinnati Bengals — TE Michael Mayer, Notre Dame
    29. New Orleans Saints (via SF) — DT Mazi Smith, Michigan
    30. Philadelphia Eagles — RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama
    31. Kansas City Chiefs — OT Dawand Jones, Ohio State

    written by

    Patrick grew up in Chicago's Bridgeport and Garfield Ridge neighborhoods before moving to the Western Suburbs of Chicago before eventually relocating to the Las Vegas area with his family in 2023. He started with Bleacher Nation in 2021 and has spent time as a Staff Writer and on the Chicago Blackhawks beat. He is currently a writer and editor at Bleacher Nation covering the Chicago Bears and the NFL at large and the author of the Bleacher Nation Newsletter. Patrick is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA).

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