NFL Draft News: Todd McShay Releases Latest Mock Draft, More Players Officially Declare
McShay Has Baltimore Ravens Taking Clark Phillips III In Latest Mock Draft
Renowned NFL draft guru Todd McShay has released his latest 2023 NFL first-round mock draft, and he has the Baltimore Ravens addressing the secondary with their pick.
McShay projected Baltimore to take Utah cornerback Clark Phillips III with the No. 25 selection:
“The Ravens are tied for second in interceptions (14), and Phillips would only add to their ball-hawking ways. He had six picks this year and shows the fluid hips and speed to stick with receivers in coverage.”
As McShay also noted, the contracts of veterans Marcus Peters and Kyle Fuller will expire after this season. Assuming the Ravens let both walk, there would be a pressing need to add another corner opposite All-Pro Marlon Humphrey.
They enter Week 15 sitting atop the AFC North with a 9-4 record, and with sports betting launching in Maryland last month, Ravens fans can place wagers on their team winning the division and even the Super Bowl. New customers can take advantage of the several available offers from these sportsbooks, including the BetMGM Maryland Bonus Code where you can get first betting insurance of up to $1,000 in free wagers if you don’t win.
Baltimore used their first of two 2022 first-round picks on Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton (the No. 14 pick). Hamilton has provided excellent play alongside veteran standout safeties Marcus Williams and Chuck Clark, so that position is taken care of.
Adding another talented lockdown corner of Phillips’ caliber could really make this Baltimore defense even more dangerous. Of course, they could always re-sign Peters and/or add veteran help in the secondary. But the idea of the Ravens adding Phillips makes perfect sense for the time being.
Baltimore’s slightly improved pass defense (32nd in the league last season, 26th this season) has been instrumental in helping them re-emerge as a Super Bowl championship contender.
Their Week 14 road win against the Pittsburgh Steelers clinched another winning season for the franchise, who finished 8-9 in 2021. The Ravens have had just two losing seasons since John Harbaugh became head coach in 2008 (2015 and 2021).
In his top five, McShay had (in order): Alabama quarterback Bryce Young to the Houston Texans, Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter to the Seattle Seahawks, Alabama linebacker Will Anderson Jr. to the Chicago Bears, Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud to the Detroit Lions and Texas running back Bijan Robinson to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Clemson’s Myles Murphy & Trenton Simpson Among Players To Declare For Draft
Several more of the nation’s top players and draft eligible prospects have recently announced their plans to enter the 2023 NFL Draft.
As expected, two of Clemson’s top defensive players confirmed that they’ll be doing just that: Linebacker Trenton Simpson (announced via Twitter) and defensive end Myles Murphy (via ESPN’s Pete Thamel).
Both players are highly ranked among the best available players in the 2023 Draft at their respective positions. Murphy is widely considered a top five-10 prospect in this class, posting 17.5 sacks over his three seasons with the Tigers.
The 21-year-old Simpson has been a playmaker all over the field for Clemson in 2022, posting 73 total tackles, 2.5 sacks, three passes defended and a pair of forced fumbles. Simpson posted a career-best six sacks in 2021.
Tennessee Volunteers star receiver Jalin Hyatt announced via Twitter that he’ll also be entering the 2023 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-tall, 180-pound Hyatt will also skip the Volunteers’ upcoming Orange Bowl game against Clemson on Dec. 30.
The 2023 NFL Draft class is considered deep for receivers, and Hyatt is widely projected to be a first-round or second-round selection.
Hyatt and quarterback Hendon Hooker were one of the top WR-QB duos of the 2022 season. The 21-year-old Hyatt led all Volunteers in receiving with 67 receptions for 1,267 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Another top wideout prospect, Rakim Jarrett, is also heading to the 2023 NFL Draft. The Maryland Terrapins product announced his plans via Twitter, officially closing the door on his successful college career.
Jarrett’s best season with Maryland came in 2021, when he caught 62 passes for 829 yards and five touchdowns. In 2022, the 6-foot-tall, 190-pound wideout caught 40 passes for 471 yards and three touchdowns.
Just over a week after star Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Will Levis declared for the Draft, one of the team’s top defensive players followed suit.
On Thursday, Kentucky cornerback Carrington Valentine announced through Twitter that he is officially declaring for the NFL Draft as well. The Cincinnati, Ohio native has spent the last three years with Kentucky, posting 15 pass defenses and one interception over his three seasons as the school.
