With the bulk of free agency over and the 2023 NFL Draft just over four weeks away, it's time to fire up the PFF mock draft simulator to fill the remaining needs for all 32 NFL teams.
Today, we'll focus on the NFC west to see how the first three rounds could shake out. Want to see how you'd do as the general manager of your favorite team? Try PFF's mock draft simulator — you can trade players and picks and mock all seven rounds. Click here to start drafting!
Note: Each team's mock draft was run independently, so some players may appear twice, as these picks are simply what I would do in the given situation.
Arizona Cardinals
Round 1: EDGE Will Anderson Jr., Alabama
Round 2: C Joe Tippmann, Wisconsin
Round 3: CB Garrett Williams, Syracuse; WR Kayshon Boutte, LSU
The best case scenario here for Arizona is a trade down, but I didn’t like any of the PFF’s Mock Draft Simulator‘s offers, so I opted to take one of the blue-chip defensive players in this draft class. Anderson racked up 65 total pressures on 382 pass-rushing snaps in 2022.
Tippmann posted 75.0-plus PFF pass-blocking and run-blocking grades in each of the past two seasons and could be a long-term starter in the middle of the offensive line.
Los Angeles Rams
Round 2: CB Cam Smith, South Carolina
Round 3: S Sydney Brown, Illinois; WR Michael Wilson, Stanford
The Rams traded away star cornerback Jalen Ramsey, so targeting the cornerback position when they come on the clock in Round 2 would be wise. Smith struggled somewhat in 2022, but his 89.7 PFF coverage grade in 2021 was the highest of any cornerback in this draft class.
Brown ranked second amongst all safeties in this draft class with an 89.4 PFF coverage grade in 2022, coming away with six interceptions and six pass breakups.
San Francisco 49ers
Round 3: CB Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, TCU; EDGE Isaiah McGuire, Missouri; OT Tyler Steen, Alabama
The 49ers don’t pick until late in the third round but then own three of the following four selections. Cornerback is arguably the weakest spot on their roster right now and despite being undersized, Hodges-Tomlinson has made plenty of plays on the ball in college, registering 28 pass breakups over the past three seasons.
McGuire is coming off his best season in college, producing an 82.0 PFF pass-rushing grade and racking up 35 pressures, including seven sacks, from 267 pass-rushing snaps.
Seattle Seahawks
Round 1: QB Anthony Richardson, Florida; Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
Round 2: EDGE Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Kansas State
Round 3: C Luke Wypler, Ohio State
The Seahawks re-signed Geno Smith, but that wouldn’t prevent me from taking a swing on a talent like Richardson. Yes, there is some work to be done as a passer, but the tools are there and if he can improve in that regard, you are pairing it with elite athleticism.
Johnston would give the Seahawks an impressive trio of wide receivers in the short term while helping prepare for any decline from Tyler Lockett, who is now 31 years old, in the medium to long term. He forced 19 missed tackles on 60 receptions last season and would be a great value pick should he fall to 20th overall.
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