It’s Mock Draft Monday, and we are less than two weeks away from the 2023 NFL Draft. While there are still many uncertainties heading into the draft we have more clarity at this point in the off-season cycle on what teams will do with their pick. This mock draft will only feature one trade, but stay tuned for next week where I will do my full predictions on how the draft night will play out.
1. Carolina Panthers (Via. Chi)- Bryce Young, Quarterback Alabama
The Panthers did not give up all of that draft capital and D.J. Moore to not grab their QB of the future. In my eyes, Young is by far the best quarterback in this class and it would be foolish of the Panthers to pass on him due to his size. With the addition of Young, the Panthers may be able to compete for the NFC South this season.
2. Houston Texans- C.J. Stroud, Quarterback Ohio State
Without question, the Texans’ biggest need is Quarterback, and C.J. Stroud has the makings of a star. While there are rumors they could take a defensive player and wait on Quarterback til next year, I believe they should secure it while there is a certainty with the QB class.
3. Tennessee Titans (Via. Ari)- Anthony Richardson, Quarterback Florida
Yes, this is an extremely risky move for the Titans, giving up premium draft capital for a Quarterback who’s considered boom or bust, but it’s a risk they need to take. The Titans’ window to compete is closing very quickly and the only way to save that is to hopefully hit on a prospect like Richardson. This move up, I feel would cost the Titans pick 11 and 72 this year along with 2 future first-round picks.
4. Indianapolis Colts- Will Levis, Quarterback Kentucky
It may seem crazy to see four QBs go with the first four picks, but it’s a likely reality with how valuable the QB position is in today’s NFL. Colts Owner Jim Irsay sent out a tweet today basically confirming they would be drafting a QB and Levis is pretty unanimously the best QB on the boards at this point in the draft.
5. Seattle Seahawks (Via. Den)- Will Anderson Jr., EDGE Alabama
The Seahawks are absolutely ecstatic that four quarterbacks went top four, and now the best prospect in the class falls right into their laps without them having to move up. Anderson showed very few flaws throughout all college and was by far the best defensive player in the country. Jalen Carter could also be a thought here but his red flags outweigh Will Andersons, so the Seahawks take the safer option.
6. Detroit Lions (Via. Lar)- Jalen Carter, Defensive Tackle Georgia
The legal problems and off-season draft cycle problems may be enough for some people to take Carter off their boards entirely, but Brad Holmes may have other plans. Today the Lions will be hosting Carter for a visit, and with Detroit’s glaring need at DT and Carter’s incredible film may be enough for Detroit to take a risk with him. They may be a little upset Anderson didn’t fall one more pick, but if Carter hits he may be even better.
7. Las Vegas Raiders- Christian Gonzalez, Cornerback Oregon
The Raiders have a glaring need at CB and Gonzalez is debatably the best one in this class. The Raiders may have other needs they could cover here, but I feel Gonzalez is the best of their options.
8. Atlanta Falcons- Tyree Wilson, Defensive Lineman Texas Tech
The Falcons have made some stellar additions to their defense this off-season and they aren’t stopping yet. Adding Tyree Wilson would make this defense easily the best in the division and he would be a vital addition for years to come.
9. Chicago Bears (Via. Car)- Paris Johnson Jr., Offensive Tackle Ohio State
This would be an absolute steal for the Bears, securing a star wide receiver in D.J. Moore, premium draft capital, and the best player in the draft at the position they need the most. This upcoming season is the season that Fields needs that he can turn into a good passer and you need to maximize that by giving him protection.
10. Philadelphia Eagles (Via. No)- Myles Murphy, EDGE Clemson
The Eagles are coming off a Superbowl run where they brought almost everyone back so their list of needs is extremely short. Murphy is a little bit of a raw prospect which would make Philidelphia the perfect spot for him to land to learn behind and eventually take the place of Brandon Graham.
11. Arizona Cardinals (Via. Ten)- Devon Witherspoon, Cornerback Illinois
The Cardinals will likely be one of if not the worst teams in the league next season so trading back and getting this much draft capital is a fantastic move for the future. Cornerback is one of Arizona’s weakest spots right now and Witherspoon is debatably the best in this class.
12. Houston Texans (Via. Cle)- Lukas Van Ness, EDGE Iowa
While this may not be the exciting pick many fans want, it’s probably best to start off the DeMeco Ryans era with a potential stud defensive player. Lukas Van Ness may be a little bit of a raw prospect but he would fit this Texans’ defense immediately and would have time to develop there.
13. New York Jets- Peter Skoronski, Offensive Lineman Northwestern
The Jets are another team with very few needs, but the offensive line is one of them, due to the health of Mekhi Becton, Skoronski may fit a little better as a guard, which would also help the Jets a lot, but if Becton gets injured again he can kick out to tackle.
14. New England Patriots- Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Wide Reciever Ohio State
There are many different directions the Patriots could go with this pick, but receiver seems like a great fit with how their current group is looking. Smith-Njibga is a fantastic player overall but will probably be limited to the slot which is the type of receiver the Patriots need anyway.
15. Green Bay Packers- Brian Branch, Defensive Back Alabama
The Packers have swung and missed on a few defensive backs in recent history with Darnell Savage being one of them. Branch is one of the best defensive prospects in this class and has the flexibility to play both safety and slot corner which is exactly what Green Bay’s secondary needs.
16. Washington Commanders- Deonte Banks, Cornerback Maryland
The Commanders are in desperate need of an athletic man coverage corner which is exactly how Banks thrives. While he has a lower floor than a player like Joey Porter Jr. he has a higher ceiling and is a better scheme fit for the team.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers- Darnell Wright, offensive Tackle Tennessee
The Steelers have invested a lot of time in the off-season draft process into looking at the offensive line prospects this year, and they decide to go with the one with the most upside to protect Kenny Pickett.
18. Detroit Lions- Joey Porter Jr., Cornerback Penn State
Despite their off-season additions to the secondary, only Cam Sutton and Jerry Jacobs are under contract for more than one year, here they add a great piece for the future of their secondary.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Broderick Jones, Offensive Tackle Georgia
The Buccaneers have a plethora of needs on their entire team at the moment, so they here decide to take the best player available to sure up their offensive line.
20. Seattle Seahawks- Zay Flowers, Wide Reciever Boston College
The Seahawks have the freedom here to make a luxury pick and grab another speedy receiver for Geno Smith to throw to in hopes to make a deeper playoff push this season.
21. Los Angeles Chargers- Jordan Addison, Wide Receiver USC
One of the Chargers’ biggest needs is a fast wide receiver, which when you watch the tape is exactly what the Chargers need. Herbert gets another weapon and the Chargers hope to stay healthy for the playoffs this season.
22. Baltimore Ravens- Quentin Johnston, Wide Reciever TCU
A wild run on receivers stops here as the Ravens try to do everything in their power to get Lamar Jackson to want to return. Johnston brings a fast big-body receiver that has a few question marks that can hopefully be fixed in the NFL.
23. Minnesota Vikings- Bijan Robinson, Runningback Texas
Rumor has it that Dalvin Cook will not be on the Vikings next season whether it’s a trade or releasing him. Bijan Robinson is one of the best overall prospects in this class and one of the best running back prospects in recent memory, he would replace Cook tremendously.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars- Bryan Bresee, Defensive Tackle Clemson
If not for injury concerns Bresee may be a much higher pick than this, but because of them he falls all the way down here and fills a major need in the interior defensive line for the Jaguars.
25. New York Giants- O’Cyrus Torrence, Guard Florida
The Giants are extremely upset a receiver couldn’t fall to them here, but ultimately end up filling the last need on their offensive line with the best guard in this class.
26. Dallas Cowboys- Dalton Kincaid, Tight End Utah
The Players I typically mock to the Cowboys unfortunately were not available here, so instead they fill in the gap Dalton Shultz left with the best tight end on the board to help out Dak Prescott.
27. Buffalo Bills- Anton Harrison, Offensive Tackle Oklahoma
It may not be the exciting pick like a receiver or runningback that many fans want, but they instead attempt to fill their biggest need in offensive line with this pick.
28. Cincinnati Bengals- Dawand Jones- Offensive Tackle Ohio State
He may be a boom-or-bust type of player, but the Bengals have shown they are going to move on from La’el Collins and Jones is a perfect replacement if he hits.
29. New Orleans Saints (Via. SF)- Nolan Smith EDGE Georgia
Smith is an incredibly gifted prospect, both athletically and on film. The only issue is you have no idea how well he’ll return after tearing his pectoral muscle.
30. Philadelphia Eagles- Calijah Kancey, Defensive Tackle Pitt
This pick is similar to what they did with pick 10, Kancey is a prospect that has a lot of learning to do, and being behind Fletcher Cox to eventually take over for him is the perfect situation for him.
31. Kansas City Chiefs- Cam Smith, Cornerback South Carolina
The Chiefs have a few holes, one of them being in the secondary, and Cam Smith’s upside is what the Chiefs need to help run it back. Smith was one of the top Corners in this class until he has a mediocre end of the year, if he plays as he did prior to the end of the year he will be a steal.
