Mock Draft Tracker 12.0: An Edgy, Defensive Feel

Apr 17, 2023 at 01:05 PM

John Oehser

Jaguars Senior Writer

JACKSONVILLE – This week had a decidedly defensive feel. Things got "edgy," too.

With the 2023 NFL Draft a week and a half away, this week's second-to-last 2023 jaguars.com mock draft tracker leaned toward defense when projecting the Jaguars' selection in Round 1. Much of that leaning was toward edge defender.

Five of 14 analysts in this week's 12th tracker projected edge defender to the Jaguars in Round 1, with three analysts projecting Myles Murphy of Clemson there.

"He has all the physical tools you look for in an elite edge defender and it's easy to see him in a few years being dominant," Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports wrote of Murphy. "That, in large part, is what makes him such an interesting prospect."

Texas Tech edge defender Tyree Wilson also was projected to the Jaguars late in Round 1, as was Georgia edge defender Nolan Smith.

"There are speedy defenders, there are athletic defenders, and then there's Nolan Smith, who's simply elite in both respects," Cam Mellor of Pro Football Network wrote. "Smith can free up [Jaguars outside linebacker] Travon Walker to rush the passer from one side while he occupies the offensive coordinator's mind on the other, pairing together with his former teammate to make an incredibly gifted edge rushing duo."

Other players who consistently have been projected to the Jaguars throughout the pre-draft process continued to be popular projections this week. That included Utah tight end Dalton Kincaid.

"Kincaid's one of the best contested-catch receivers in this entire class — not just at tight end — and he's a smooth athlete out in space," Kyle Yates of Pro Football Network wrote.

Alabama safety Brian Branch also remained popular for the Jaguars late in Round 1, with two analysts – including the 33rd Team – projecting the versatile defensive back there.

"Branch can play safety or nickel and is probably the best tackling defensive back in the draft," The 33rd Team wrote, with Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz of USA Today writing: "The versatile Branch's penchant for finding the ball no matter where he initially lines up would come in handy for a burgeoning Jacksonville defense that could take off in 2023."

Defensive tackle Bryan Bresee was projected to the Jaguars by two analysts this week, and Georgia cornerback Kelee Ringo also remained a popular Round 1 projection.

"Ringo has the size and speed that will have defensive coordinators salivating," Jeff Kerr of CBS Sports wrote.

NOTE: The Jaguars are projected to hold the No. 25 selection in Round 1 of the 2023 NFL Draft. The Miami Dolphins have forfeited the No. 21 selection, so the Jaguars hold the 24th selection.

Here's the 12th jaguars.com 2023 mock draft tracker:

Mocker, Affiliation (Date): Player, position, school

Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA Today (4/17): Brian Branch, S, Alabama
Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports (4/17): Myles Murphy, Edge, Clemson
Jared Dubin, CBS Sports (4/17): Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson
Jeff Kerr, CBS Sports (4/15): Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
Cam Mellor, Pro Football Network (4/15): Nolan Smith, Edge, Georgia
Kyle Stackpole, CBS Sports (4/14): Myles Murphy, Edge, Clemson
Josh Edwards, CBS Sports (4/13): Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson
Ben Brown, Pro Football Focus (4/13): Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
Kyle Yates, Pro Football Network (4/13): Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
Charles Davis, NFL Media (4/12): Myles Murphy, Edge, Clemson
The 33rd Team (4/12): Brian Branch, S, Alabama
Sam Monson, Pro Football Network (4/10): Tyree Wilson, Edge, Texas Tech
Jack McKessy, The Draft Network (4/10): Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports (4/10): Brian Branch, S, Alabama
Garett Podell, CBS Sports (4/8): Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
Ian Cummings, Pro Football Network (4/8): Brian Branch, S, Alabama
Tom Fornelli, CBS Sports (4/7): Sam LaPorta, TE, Iowa
Chad Reuter, NFL.com (4/7): Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland
Josh Edwards, CBS Sports (4/6): Calijah Kancey, DL, Pittsburgh
Adam Rank, NFL.com (4/6): Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
Joe Broback, Pro Football Network (4/6): Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma
Will Brinson, CBS Sports (4/6): Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports (4/5): Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News (4/5): Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
Doug Farrar, Touchdown Wire (4/5): Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports (4/4): O'Cyrus Torrence, OL, Florida
Dalton Miller, Pro Football Network (4/4): Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
Lance Zierlein, NFL Media (4/4): Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
Michael Renner, Pro Football Focus (4/4): Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
The 33rd Team (4/3): Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Damian Parson, The Draft Network (4/3): Julius Brents, CB, Kansas State
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA Today (4/3): Brian Branch, S, Alabama
Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports (4/3): Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
Ian Valentino, Pro Football Network (4/1): Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
Kyle Stackpole, CBS Sports (3/31): Drew Sanders, LB, Arkansas
Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports (3/31): Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State
Josh Edwards, CBS Sports (3/30): Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
Blake Brockermeyer, 24/7 (3/30): Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland
Kent Platte, Pro Football Network (3/30): Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Cynthia Frelund, NFL Network Analytics (3/30): Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland
Will Brinson, CBS Sports (3/30): Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson
Jason McIntyre, Fox Sports (3/29): Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
Keith Sanchez, The Draft Network (3/29): Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
Joe Broback, Pro Football Network (3/28): Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland
Mike Tannebaum, ESPN (3/28): Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com (3/28): Brian Branch, S, Alabama
Eric Edholm, NFL.com (3/27): Brian Branch, S, Alabama
Brad Spielberger, Pro Football Focus (3/27): Brian Branch, S, Alabama
James Fragoza, Pro Football Network (3/25): Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports (3/25): Nolan Smith, Edge, Georgia
Chad Reuter, NFL.com (3/24): Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland
Tom Fornelli, CBS Sports (3/24): Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
Tommy Garrett, Pro Football Network (3/24): Brian Branch, S, Alabama
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News (3/24): Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
Josh Edwards, CBS Sports (3/23): Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland
Charles Davis, NFL Media Analyst (3/23): Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson
Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports (3/22): Adetomiwa Adebawore, DL, Northwestern
BJ Rudell, Pro Football Network (3/22): O'Cyrus Torrence, OL, Florida
Nate Davis, USA Today (3/22): Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
Cam Mellor, Pro Football Network (3/21): Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
Brentley Weissman, The Draft Network (3/22): Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Media Analyst (3/21): Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland
Sam Monson/Steve Palazzolo, Pro Football Focus (3/20): Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
The 33rd team (3/20): Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports (3/20): Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
Kyle Stackpole, CBS Sports (3/18): Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State
Ian Cummings, Pro Football Network (3/18): Brian Branch, S, Alabama
Josh Edwards, CBS Sports (3/16): Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
Oliver Hodgkinson, Pro Football Network (3/16): Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
Trevor Sikkema, Pro Football Focus (3/16): Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
Fox Sports (3/14): Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Doug Farrar, Touchdown Wire (3/16): Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
Joe Broback, Pro Football Network (3/14): Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State
Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports (3/13): Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma
Ryan Fowler, The Draft Network (3/13): Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
Gordon McGuinness, Pro Football Focus (3/13): Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma
Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports (3/13): Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State
Cam Mellor, Pro Football Network (3/11): Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA Today (3/11): Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson
The 33rd team (3/11): Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Tom Fornelli, CBS Sports (3/10): Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson
Josh Edwards, CBS Sports (3/9): Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson
Luke Easterling, USA Today Draftwire (3/9): Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
Arif Hasan, Pro Football Network (3/9): Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports (3/8): Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma
Fox Sports (3/8): Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State
Pro Football Focus (3/8): Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
Kyle Stackpole, CBS Sports (3/7): Joey Porter, CB, Penn State
Lance Zierlein, NFL Media Draft Analyst (3/7): Calijah Kancey, DT, Pittsburgh
Doug Farrar, Touchdown Wire (3/6): Brian Branch, S, Alabama
Jamie Eisner, The Draft Network (3/6): Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
Nate Davis, USA Today (3/6): Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports (3/6): Brian Branch, S, Alabama
Dalton Miller, Pro Football Network (3/4): Peter Skoronski, OL, Northwestern
Josh Edwards, CBS Sports (3/2): Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson
Luke Easterling, USA Today Draftwire (3/2): Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Ian Cummings, Pro Football Network (3/2): Peter Skoronski, OL, Northwestern
Tyler Sullivan, CBS Sports (3/1): Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports (3/1): Jaelyn Duncan, OT, Maryland
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA Today (2/28): Luke Musgrave, TE, Oregon State
James Fragoza, Pro Football Network (2/28): Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com (2/28): Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News (2/27): Antonio Johnson, S, Texas A&M
Damian Parson, The Draft Network (2/27): Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah
Trevor Sikkema, Pro Football Focus (2/27): Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports (2/27): Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Doug Farrar, Touchdown Wire (2/25): Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State
Arif Hasan, Pro Football Network (2/25): Antonio Johnson, S, Texas A&M (No. 27, trade with BUF)
Josh Edwards, CBS Sports (2/25): Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson
Tom Fornelli, CBS Sports (2/24): O'Cyrus Torrence, OL, Florida
Luke Easterling, USA Today Draftwire (2/23): Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Joe Broback, Pro Football Network (2/23): Brian Branch, S, Alabama
Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports (2/22): Jaelyn Duncan, OT, Maryland
Garrett Podell, CBS Sports (2/22): Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
Tony Pauline, Pro Football Network (2/21): Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland
Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Media Analyst (2/21): Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson
The 33rd team (2/20): Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
Nate Davis, USA Today (2/20): Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
Keith Sanchez, The Draft Network (2/20): Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports (2/19): Luke Musgrave, TE, Oregon State
Kent Platte, Pro Football Network (2/18): Luke Musgrave, TE, Oregon State
Kyle Stackpole, CBS Sports (2/17): Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
Luke Easterling, USA Today Draftwire (2/16): Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Josh Edwards, CBS Sports (2/16): Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
Doug Farrar, Touchdown Wire (2/16): Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah
Ian Cummings, Pro Football Network (2/16): Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports (2/16): Brian Branch, S, Alabama
Benjamin Robinson, Football Outsiders (2/14): Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State
Joe Broback, Pro Football Network (2/14): Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Jason McIntyre, Fox Sports (2/13): Jordan Addison, WR, Southern California
Chad Reuter, NFL.com (2/13): Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
Michael Renner, Pro Football Focus (2/13): Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports (2/13): Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State
The 33rd team (2/12): Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
Luke Easterling, USA Today Draftwire (2/12): Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State
Brentley Weissman, The Draft Network (2/12): Luke Musgrave, TE, Oregon State
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News (2/11): Antonio Johnson, S, Texas A&M
James Fragoza, Pro Football Network (2/11): Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah
Doug Farrar, Touchdown Wire (2/11): Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
Tom Fornelli, CBS Sports (2/10): Brian Branch, S, Alabama
Cynthia Frelund, NFL.com (2/10): Luke Musgrave, TE, Oregon State
Josh Edwards, CBS Sports (2/9): Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
Dalton Miller, Pro Football Network (2/9): Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports (2/8): Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
Ben Rolfe, Pro Football Network (2/7): Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma
Lance Zierlein, NFL.com (2/7): Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
Kyle Crabbs, The Draft Network (2/6): Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
The 33rd team (2/6): Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson
Ian Cummings, Pro Football Network (2/5): Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois (No. 16, trade w/Wash)
Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports (2/5): Broderick Jones, OL, Georgia
Kyle Stackpole, CBS Sports (2/3): Siaki Ika, DL, Baylor
Joe Broback, Pro Football Network (2/3): Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Eric Edholm, NFL.com (2/3): Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports (2/3): Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma
Josh Edwards, CBS Sports (2/3): Bryan Bresee, DL, Clemson
Luke Easterling, USA Today Draftwire (2/2): Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Arif Hasan, Pro Football Network (2/2): Brian Branch, S, Alabama
Doug Farrar, Touchdown Wire (2/1): Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News (2/1): Antonio Johnson, S, Texas A&M
James Fragoza, Pro Football Network (1/31): Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah
Bryan Fischer, Athlon Sports (1/31): Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
Trevor Sikkema, Pro Football Focus (1/30): Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports (1/30): Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
Joe Marino, The Draft Network (1/30): Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma
Mark Schofield, SB Nation (1/30): Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
Nick Baumgardner, The Athletic (1/30): Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
Luke Easterling, USA Today Draftwire (1/29): Siaki Ika, DL, Baylor
Oliver Hodgkinson, Pro Football Network (1/28): Tuli Tuipulotu
Josh Edwards, CBS Sports (1/26): Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
Joe Broback, Pro Football Network (1/26): Antonio Johnson, S, Texas A&M
Marcus Mosher, Pro Football Focus (1/26): Antonio Johnson, S, Texas A&M
Doug Farrar, Touchdown Wire (1/26): Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports (1/25): Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma
Ian Cummings, Pro Football Network (1/24): Rashee Rice, WR, Southern Methodist
Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports (1/23): Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News (1/23): Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com (1/23): Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
The 33rd Team (1/23): Brian Branch, S/CB, Alabama
Damian Parson, The Draft Network (1/23): Rashee Rice, WR, Southern Methodist