Two USC Trojans Land in Mel Kiper Jr.'s First-Round NFL Mock Draft

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. released his first first-round mock for the 2023 NFL Draft on Wednesday and the USC Trojans were well represented.

There has been a long-held belief that wide receiver Jordan Addison will go in the first round and be the first USC player selected this year. Kiper believes that is half true.

Addison is indeed included in his first-round mock, but there’s a Trojan going off the board ahead of him.

Up at No. 21, Kiper has defensive lineman Tuli Tuipulotu staying in Los Angeles and getting selected by the Chargers.

Mel Kiper’s Breakdown of Tuipulotu to the Chargers

“Here’s what I wrote in my first mock draft for last year’s cycle: “The Chargers again struggled against the run in 2021, an issue that has plagued them for years. Just go back to their 2018 divisional round playoff game against the Patriots, when they were dominated up front. They allowed 4.8 yards per carry this season, which ranked 28th in the NFL.”

How are we back here again? L.A. allowed an even worse 5.4 yards per carry this season, which ranked last in the league. It also allowed 5.9 yards per play, which ranked 29th. This is a massive issue. General manager Tom Telesco has taken offensive linemen in the first round in back-to-back drafts, so this could be where he targets a big guy on defense. Tuipulotu played mostly on the edge for the Trojans and racked up 13.5 sacks last season, 8.5 of which came when he was lined up at end. At 290 pounds, though, he fits in L.A.’s 3-4 scheme as a big end who can help in the run game and take some pressure off Joey Bosa.”

Kiper foresees a big run of defensive linemen early in the draft. Tuipulotu is the ninth defensive lineman or hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker selected here. His No. 1 overall pick is Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter going to the Chicago Bears.

Jordan Addison as the No. 3 Wide Receiver

A few selections after Tuipulotu, Kiper has the New York Giants selected Addison with the No. 25 pick.

Kiper offered this breakdown:

“Here’s another team that took a big jump in 2022, as quarterback Daniel Jones took care of the football and the defense played just well enough to keep the Giants in games. Jones’ breakout came with one of the least impressive wide receiver corps in the league, especially as Kenny Golladay has not lived up to his massive free agent contract. Can general manager Joe Schoen get Jones — a free agent who is likely to return — a No. 1 wideout?

Addison put up huge numbers at Pitt in 2021 before dealing with some injuries at USC, and he has the versatility to play outside or in the slot. He just knows how to get open. New York also will get back rookie second-rounder Wan’Dale Robinson, who flashed before tearing an ACL. I like what the Giants are building, but they have to give Jones some help.”

Despite those injury issues in 2022, Addison still led the Trojans with 59 receptions for 875 yards and eight touchdowns. He would be the third receiver off the board in this draft. Kiper has the Jets taking Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba at No. 13. He has TCU’s Quentin Johnston going to Baltimore at No. 22.

USC’s First Round History

USC hasn’t produced two first-round picks in an NFL Draft since 2015. Interestingly, that year was also a defensive lineman and a wide receiver. Leonard Williams went to the Giants at No. 6. Nelson Agholor was the No. 20 selection by the Philadelphia Eagles.

Unless another Trojan can work his way into a first round that is shortened to 31 picks this season, Ohio State will likely continue to open its lead on USC in terms of all-time first-round selections. The Buckeyes surpassed the Trojans’ total in 2020 and hold the edge 87-84 at this time. Ohio State will very likely have at least three selections this season. Quarterback C.J. Stroud and offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. are virtually guaranteed to join Smith-Njigba as early picks.