Tannenbaum's GM Mock 3/28/23

[Risen Star]

Draft analysts' mocks are true projections of what they believe will happen based on what they're hearing -- my colleague Mel Kiper Jr. just unveiled his newest last week -- but I'm going a different route with my third annual GM mock. I'm sliding into the general manager chair for each team with a first-rounder and making my own picks. This isn't what I'm expecting but rather how I'd personally approach each Day 1 selection. And what follows is based off my own evaluations, preferences and philosophies.


1. Carolina Panthers (Chicago) - Bryce Young QB Alabama
2. Houston Texans - C.J. Stroud QB Ohio St.
3. Arizona Cardinals - Will Anderson Jr. OLB Alabama
4. Indianapolis Colts - Will Levis QB Kentucky
5. Seattle Seahawks (Denver) - Hendon Hooker QB Tennessee
6. Detroit Lions (L.A. Rams) - Tyree Wilson DE Texas Tech
7. Las Vegas Raiders - Christian Gonzalez CB Oregon
8. Atlanta Falcons - Myles Murphy DE Clemson
9. Chicago Bears (Carolina) - Peter Skoronski T/G Northwestern
10. Philadelphia Eagles (New Orleans) - Broderick Jones T Georgia
11. Tennessee Titans - Anthony Richardson QB Florida
12. Houston Texans (Cleveland) - Quentin Johnston WR TCU
13. New York Jets - Paris Johnson Jr. T Ohio St.
14. New England Patriots - Darnell Wright T Tennessee
15. Green Bay Packers - Dawand Jones T Ohio St.
16. Washington (Red)skins - Dalton Kincaid TE Utah
17. Pittsburgh Steelers - Devon Witherspoon CB Illinois
18. Detroit Lions - Jalen Carter DT Georgia
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Bijan Robinson RB Texas
20. Seattle Seahawks - Lukas Van Ness DE Iowa
21. Los Angeles Chargers - Jaxon Smith-Njigba WR Ohio St.
22. Baltimore Ravens - Zay Flowers WR Boston College
23. Minnesota Vikings - Joey Porter Jr. CB Penn St.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars - Anton Harrison T Oklahoma
25. New York Giants - Jalin Hyatt WR Tennessee

26. Dallas Cowboys - Michael Mayer TE Notre Dame
I love this fit to replace Dalton Schultz. Mayer is 6-foot-5, blocks well and provides high-end receiving talent. He was very efficient last year with 67 catches, 809 yards and nine touchdowns -- each of which ranked top three among FBS tight ends. Schultz accounted for 14.8% of the Cowboys' receiving yards and scored five of their 28 passing touchdowns, but I think Mayer can immediately fill that void at a high level.

27. Buffalo Bills - Jahmyr Gibbs RB Alabama
28. Cincinnati Bengals - Emmanuel Forbes CB Mississippi St.
29. New Orleans Saints - (San Fran thru Mia, Den) - Jordan Addison WR USC
30. Philadelphia Eagles - Nolan Smith OLB Georgia
31. Kansas City Chiefs - Deonte Banks CB Maryland

 

[cnuball21]

I’d be meh on Mayer - consensus 1st rounder on most boards but smaller than expected at the combine and ran good, not great.

That being said, he’s polished and a well rounded player that I think has a very high floor.

 

[jazzcat22]

Going to be interesting on the 1st round pick. So many different fans will want many different players.
I have not seen a player that most want more than any other.
With so many needs, really can't go wrong. But will be some interesting takes as usual.

I seen Darnell Washington at 26 for us at TE in a few mocks.

 

[reddyuta]

I would trade up for Porter if he falls to 23.

 

[darthseinfeld]

I think they would take Banks of it went down this way

 

[cnuball21]

I think they would take Banks of it went down this way

Addison, Banks or Smith would be better options.

I’d run Smiths card to the podium.

 

[baltcowboy]

Addison, Banks or Smith would be better options.

I’d run Smiths card to the podium.

Yeah the Cowboys would pick Smith in this scenario.

 

[Sydla]

Addison, Banks or Smith would be better options.

I’d run Smiths card to the podium.

Funny how Mayer gets knocked for his lack of speed but then people gush about Addison, who didn't have a great combine.

Mayer could potentially start at TE for us. Addison would be a 4th WR. I am not sure how he's a better option than Mayer.

Frankly, I wouldn't go either WR or TE at 26 unless the board was wasted. In this scenario, I'd probably take Smith.

 

[Risen Star]

So you guys are just going to ignore Hendon Hooker 5th overall?

 

[Killerinstinct]

If the F.O. believed T.E. was worthy of a 1st rd pick they would have signed Schultz for "up to 9 mil".

Had their pick of Guards here.

 

[Cowboyny]

Mayer is my #1 TE, but you couldn't go wrong with Smith or Banks as well. This would be an ideal scenario for the Cowboys. Don't see some of those guys ahead of us though, Hooker in the top 10? Heard might go to Vikings, but not in the top 10.

 

[Sydla]

So you guys are just going to ignore Hendon Hooker 5th overall?

Hahaha.

Totally missed that.

 

[xwalker]

I’d be meh on Mayer - consensus 1st rounder on most boards but smaller than expected at the combine and ran good, not great.

That being said, he’s polished and a well rounded player that I think has a very high floor.

Mayer is Witten 2.0

Mayer played heavier than his combine weight.

Kincaid played lighter than his combine weight.

 

[cnuball21]

Funny how Mayer gets knocked for his lack of speed but then people gush about Addison, who didn't have a great combine.

Mayer could potentially start at TE for us. Addison would be a 4th WR. I am not sure how he's a better option than Mayer.

Frankly, I wouldn't go either WR or TE at 26 unless the board was wasted. In this scenario, I'd probably take Smith.

Addison ran in the high 4.4s and his calling card is his quickness and route running.

I don’t see how his 40 really effected his stock. I don’t think he was ever thought of as a burner.

 

[cnuball21]

Mayer is Witten 2.0

Mayer played heavier than his combine weight.

Kincaid played lighter than his combine weight.

How do you know? Has he come out and publicly said that or are you just going off his college bio?

 

[xwalker]

Going to be interesting on the 1st round pick. So many different fans will want many different players.
I have not seen a player that most want more than any other.
With so many needs, really can't go wrong. But will be some interesting takes as usual.

I seen Darnell Washington at 26 for us at TE in a few mocks.

Mayer: Witten 2.0

Kincaid: Best hands in this draft including TEs and WRs. Not much of a blocker.

Washington:
Might be Gronk: 10% probability.
Might be Marcedes Lewis (Top tier blocking TE): 90% probability.

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

I’d be meh on Mayer - consensus 1st rounder on most boards but smaller than expected at the combine and ran good, not great.

That being said, he’s polished and a well rounded player that I think has a very high floor.

Yeah, I would agree. Mayer isn’t a bad prospect. I think he’s a classic high floor/low ceiling guy. If Parcells was here and still calling shots he’d likely be out target.

 

[Landryhat73]

Wouldn’t be surprised if Dallas is looking to trade down to someone like Kansas City at 31 and pick up an extra 3rd round pick. Some reason I think they want to get their starting left guard with Avila or Torrance in the 1st.

 

[CowboyoWales]

Yeah, I would agree. Mayer isn’t a bad prospect. I think he’s a classic high floor/low ceiling guy. If Parcells was here and still calling shots he’d likely be out target.

It's the image of the throwback 'Jack of all trades" TE that makes him less appealing to the Washington/Kincaid picks with their elite(ish) talent, even if its at only one aspect of the position.

 

[CowboyoWales]

Wouldn’t be surprised if Dallas is looking to trade down to someone like Kansas City at 31 and pick up an extra 3rd round pick. Some reason I think they want to get their starting left guard with Avila or Torrance in the 1st.

Yep, give me the Cavanaugh, unless we have a specic cat we don't yet know about (like Tyler).