With the 2023 NFL draft only 2 and a-half weeks away (April 27-29), it is now when you begin to notice players trending upward or downward in the voluminous mock drafts.
In the newest CBS Sports mock draft by Tom Fornelli, the Commanders take one of those players that, in the last few weeks, has been trending upward in mock drafts.
With the 16th selection, Fornelli has the Commanders selecting Maryland cornerback Deonte Banks. Have you noticed how Banks’ performance at the Scouting Combine has resulted in his stock evaluation rising in more minds?
Fornelli had this to say about why the Commanders would choose Banks:
Deonte Banks has developed a cult following since his performance at the combine. He ran a 4.35 40 with a 42-inch vertical and 136-inch broad jump. He’s a tremendous athlete and uses it to recover from potential mistakes.
It is pretty much conventional wisdom that for this particular draft, the Commanders are going to select a cornerback or offensive tackle in the first round if they remain at the 16th draft position. If they trade down, they would obtain another pick or two, and this could alter the order in which they would select players.
Another player climbing mock drafts in the last two weeks that I’ve noticed is Tennessee Volunteers offensive tackle Darnell Wright. Wright is moving up in his evaluation and could be available at No. 16 for the Commanders in the actual draft.
Fornelli has Wright moving earlier and being taken in the 13th position by the New York Jets.
As for the Commanders’ interest in cornerbacks and offensive tackles in the first round?
Fornelli has CB Devon Witherspoon (Illinois) going 6th to the Lions and CB Christian Gonzalez (Oregon) 15th to the Packers, and Joey Porter Jr (Penn State) 17th to the Steelers.
OT Peter Skoronski (Northwestern) goes 7th to the Raiders, OT Paris Johnson (Ohio State) 9th to the Patriots, Broderick Jones (Georgia) 11th to the Titans, with Wright (Tennessee)13th to the Jets.
