Forum The Longship Way too early mock draft

Way too early mock draft

MaroonBells
Joined Jan 2014
3,235 posts
Rep: 4,468

I'm sure we'll see a 2024 mock soon. But what I always find interesting is going back a year to see who was supposed to be a 1st rounder before the season played out. Vikings drafted (and undrafted) three from this one. 

https://www.pff.com/news/draft-way-too-early-2023-nfl-mock-draft-alabamas-bryce-young-houston-texans-no-1-overall

#1 · Apr 30, 1:50 PM
DE
Joined Apr 2026
206,342 posts
Rep: 0

interesting  #7  Joaquin roy #15  Andre Carter #21 Addison 

#2 · Apr 30, 3:14 PM
DE
Joined Apr 2026
206,342 posts
Rep: 0

Thanks for posting this, very interesting.  Actually surprised that 2 wr went before Addison considering the year he had.

#3 · Apr 30, 7:17 PM
DE
Joined Apr 2026
206,342 posts
Rep: 0

This is from TSN -- its list of sleepers:

Also watch: Andre Carter II, Army. Carter is the opposite of Young in terms of size, as the Army product is 6-7, 256 pounds and has the length needed to be a menace at the next level. He only had 3.5 sacks in 10 games as a senior but if he can tap into the form that saw him record 14.5 as a junior, he could emerge as a threatening all-around edge presence.

And from CBS's list of sleepers:

Ivan Pace appears to be a polarizing linebacker in this class with projections varying greatly on where he could end up. Considering that he's an undersized former two-star prospect who didn't play in a Power Five conference, that's not surprising. At the end of the day, however, he was an All-American for an elite Group of Five school who had 10 sacks and forced three fumbles in 2022. Wherever the football is, that's where you'll find Pace. Yes, he's only 5-foot-11, but he plays with a mean streak and will be hard to keep off the field even if he slips to the sixth or seventh round.

From Riddick (at ESPN) list of sleepers:Jaquelin Roy:  Even though he was not a regular starter for LSU, this guy has all of the tools to be a dominant NFL defensive tackle. His get-off explosiveness is excellent, he has heavy hands, and he has very good lateral quickness. Roy was consistently disruptive when he was allowed to play on the edge of the guard or stunt/move at the snap, rather than playing 0-technique (nose guard). The 6-foot-3, 305-pounder could play defensive end at the next level if needed.  If Roy is drafted by a team with a good defensive line room and position coach, he is going to be a breakout star of this draft.

#4 · Apr 30, 7:31 PM
DE
Joined Apr 2026
206,342 posts
Rep: 0
@"VikingOracle" said: This is from TSN -- its list of sleepers:

Also watch: Andre Carter II, Army. Carter is the opposite of Young in terms of size, as the Army product is 6-7, 256 pounds and has the length needed to be a menace at the next level. He only had 3.5 sacks in 10 games as a senior but if he can tap into the form that saw him record 14.5 as a junior, he could emerge as a threatening all-around edge presence.

And from CBS's list of sleepers:

Ivan Pace appears to be a polarizing linebacker in this class with projections varying greatly on where he could end up. Considering that he's an undersized former two-star prospect who didn't play in a Power Five conference, that's not surprising. At the end of the day, however, he was an All-American for an elite Group of Five school who had 10 sacks and forced three fumbles in 2022. Wherever the football is, that's where you'll find Pace. Yes, he's only 5-foot-11, but he plays with a mean streak and will be hard to keep off the field even if he slips to the sixth or seventh round.

From Riddick (at ESPN) list of sleepers:Jaquelin Roy:  Even though he was not a regular starter for LSU, this guy has all of the tools to be a dominant NFL defensive tackle. His get-off explosiveness is excellent, he has heavy hands, and he has very good lateral quickness. Roy was consistently disruptive when he was allowed to play on the edge of the guard or stunt/move at the snap, rather than playing 0-technique (nose guard). The 6-foot-3, 305-pounder could play defensive end at the next level if needed.  If Roy is drafted by a team with a good defensive line room and position coach, he is going to be a breakout star of this draft.


all 3 of these guys will be a lot of fun to watch develop...

#5 · Apr 30, 7:34 PM
DE
Joined Apr 2026
206,342 posts
Rep: 0

Roy is 315 lbs. if he weighs an ounce....might even be close to 320 lbs. Strong dude. He's not a nose tackle, he's a 3T under tackle. I really wish Minnesota would move back to a 4-3 D. 

#6 · May 1, 11:49 AM
DE
Joined Apr 2026
206,342 posts
Rep: 0
@"StickyBun" said: Roy is 315 lbs. if he weighs an ounce....might even be close to 320 lbs. Strong dude. He's not a nose tackle, he's a 3T under tackle. I really wish Minnesota would move back to a 4-3 D. 
He's a 5-tech in our defense. And one of our biggest positions of need IMO. He's going to need some time. I think he rotates with Phillips and Lowry this year before replacing one of them next. 
#7 · May 1, 12:05 PM
DE
Joined Apr 2026
206,342 posts
Rep: 0
@"MaroonBells" said:
@"StickyBun" said: Roy is 315 lbs. if he weighs an ounce....might even be close to 320 lbs. Strong dude. He's not a nose tackle, he's a 3T under tackle. I really wish Minnesota would move back to a 4-3 D. 
He's a 5-tech in our defense. And one of our biggest positions of need IMO. He's going to need some time. I think he rotates with Phillips and Lowry this year before replacing one of them next. 



Agreed that he is a 5T here with the ability to slide inside in a 4-down alignment. Obviously Tomlinson is much better but that is the role he'll play. 

#8 · May 1, 1:30 PM
DE
Joined Apr 2026
206,342 posts
Rep: 0

My reference to 3T was for a 4-3. 

#9 · May 1, 1:33 PM
Log in to reply.

Edit Post (mod action — author will see a notice)

Warn Poster

Suspend User (3 days)

The user will be suspended for 3 days and will receive an email with the reason and information about how to appeal.

Forum The Longship Way too early mock draft

Welcome to VikeFans!

Welcome back, Skol fans! This is our new home. Log in with your username or email and your existing password.


Be sure to check out the How To's and Questions forum for guides on getting around the new site, and use the Help Request forum if you run into anything that you need help with. Skol!