NFL Mock Draft 2023 Full First Round

We are officially halfway through the NFL season, some teams have exceeded expectations and some have failed them. Nevertheless, some fans are already looking forward to the draft, due to their team underperforming. Plus it’s always fun to do a mock draft on a day without football. The draft order is based on the current NFL standings and players drafted are players who are expected to declare. Without further due let’s get into it.

Pick One Detroit Lions- Bryce Young, Quarterback Alabama

In recent weeks the Lions’ biggest issue has seemed to be Jared Goff. His decision-making has been terrible these past few weeks and Bryce young doesn’t seem to have that problem. If the Lions trade or cut Goff in the offseason they can save 22 million dollars and get the best thrower of the football in this class on a rookie deal.

Pick Two Houston Texans- CJ Stroud, Quarterback Ohio State

The Texans are a team that really needs almost every position so it’s hard to go wrong with any player here. However, with quarterback being the most valuable position, it makes sense to take the best one available to kick off this rebuild.

Pick Three Carolina Panthers- Will Levis, Quarterback Kentucky

While this may seem like a reach for Levis, the Panthers really don’t need anything more other than QB. They have good young pieces at every other position you would take here so it wouldn’t come as a surprise if they took a swing on a QB here. You could argue Bijan Robinson after the McCaffrey trade but it’s to early for a runningback

Pick Four Philidelphia Eagles (via New Orleans)- Will Anderson, Edge Rusher Alabama

The Saints are helping Philidelphia extremely by doing this poorly to start the year. Not only are the Eagles 6-0 but in this case, they would end up with the best overall player in the class and a player that would elevate their defense even more.

Pick Five Houston Texans (Via Cleveland)- Myles Murphy, Edge Rusher Clemson

Myles Murphy is an absolute dominant threat off the edge, coming in a close second to Will Anderson as the top-edge rusher in the class. His potential is off the charts and the Texans could desperately use some pass rush, so this pick makes too much sense. 

Pick Six Seattle Seahawks (Via Denver)- Jalen Carter, Defensive Lineman Georgia

Jalen Carter is one of the best overall players in this class, being arguably the best piece of last year’s Georgia defense. The Seahawks have lacked run defense all year, and Carter provides exactly that to a struggling rebuilding defense.

Pick Seven Pittsburgh Steelers- Kelee Ringo, Cornerback Georgia

The Steelers’ defense really lacks good secondary pieces and Ringo could be exactly what they are looking for. He is a lockdown, physical corner that could translate very well to the NFL and could solve the Steelers’ issues.

Pick Eight Jacksonville Jaguars- Bryan Bresee, Defensive Lineman Clemson

Bresee is a great pass-rushing and run-defending interior lineman that would fit well under any scheme and is perfect for what the Jaguars’ defense is missing. Their defense is missing a threat on the interior to eat up blocks and open the pass rush for everyone else on their line. He would be one of the most ideal players for the Jaguars to draft this year.

Pick Nine Las Vegas Raiders- Peter Skoronski, Offensive Tackle Northwestern

Skoronski is the best all-around tackle in the class and easily the best run blocker in the class. The Raiders’ offensive line is lacking all-around talent on the offensive line after Alex Leatherwood didn’t work out and they traded Rodney Hudson and Trent Brown. 

Pick Ten Atlanta Falcons- Cam Smith, Cornerback South Carolina

Cam Smith has been one of college football’s best corners this year, which is exactly what the Falcons need. Especially with the injury to AJ Terell they need secondary help.

Pick 11 Miami Dolphins- Paris Johnson jr., Offensive Tackle Ohio State

The Dolphins desperately need offensive line help to protect Tua at all costs. Johnson provides great pass protection and size and could play any tackle spot.

Pick 12 Arizona Cardinals- Joey Porter Jr., Cornerback Penn State

Joey Porter is a strong lengthy corner who can cover almost anyone, the Cardinals could really use that. Byron Murphy is their only good coverage player and he is on an expiring deal so this would be a great draft pick for this team.

Pick 13 New England Patriots- Trenton Simpson, Linebacker Clemson

The Patriots’ defense is really only missing a standout linebacker to complete their defense, and Trenton Simpson can be just that. He is great in the run defense and at covering across the middle, which is where the Patriots lack on the defensive end.

Pick 14 Chicago Bears- Jaelyn Duncan, Offensive Tackle Maryland

The Bears’ offensive line has just been absolutely atrocious this season. Now with the new regime in place maybe they will try to protect their QB.

Pick 15 Wahington Commanders, Broderick Jones, Offensive Tackle Georgia

It seems the Commanders’ biggest problem is how little time their QB has in the pocket. Broderick Jones has the ability to play anywhere on the line and can exceed at it too.

Pick 16 Green Bay Packers- Jordan Addison, Wide Receiver USC

While the Packers never draft receivers in the first round, they desperately need one and need to get out of the old ways of drafting. Jordan Addison is a speedy route-running receiver that can create separation on anyone.

Pick 17 Indianapolis Colts- Jaxson Smith-Njigba, Wide Reciever Ohio State

While the biggest need for the Colts is likely quarterback, there is likely no one worth taking at this point for the Colts. Smith-Njigba fills a big hole for a slot receiver for the colts and whoever they bring in for their QB of the future.

Pick 18 Cincinnati Bengals- Tyree Wilson, Edge Rusher Texas Tech

Wilson is a Travon Walker type prospect, where he is athletic enough to play anywhere on the defensive line and could test out as Walker did. The Bengals could use a pass rusher to go alongside Trey Hendrickson, especially with Wilson’s potential.

Pick 19 Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Hendon Hooker, Quarterback Tennessee

Hooker has played like the best quarterback in all of college football this season and is the current Heisman front-runner. The only reason he doesn’t go higher is that he will be 25 going into the draft, and Tampa is the most win-now team that needs a QB right now.

Pick 20 Detroit Lions (Via Los Angeles)- Christian Gonzalez, Cornerback Oregon

Gonzalez has been a great slot corner for the Ducks this season and has ideal NFL size. The Lions are missing a true slot corner since Mike Hughes has been so bad, this would be a great draft pick for Detroit

Pick 21 Los Angeles Chargers- Clark Phillips, Cornerback Utah

The Chargers are missing a coverage corner alongside Asante Samuel and it has cost them multiple games. Clark Phillips is a perfect fit for what the Chargers are trying to figure out.

Pick 22 Baltimore Ravens- Quentin Johnston, Wide Reciever TCU

The Ravens are a team that lacks receiver help outside of Mark Andrews, and they really need to help out Lamar Jackson. Johnston brings size to the receiving game that Lamar has never had in a receiver and could benefit Jackson greatly.

Pick 23 Seattle Seahawks- Isaiah Foskey, Edge Rusher Notre Dame

Foskey brings a dominant threat to a pass rush that the Seahawks’ defense lacks greatly. If they can land a pass rusher like him along with Jalen Carter, their draft would be one of the best of the year.

Pick 24 Tennesse Titans- Antonio Johnson, Safety Texas A&M

Johnson is capable of exceeding at box safety and slot corner at an NFL level, and that can help the Titans’ defense so much. Their secondary in general has been lacking all year and with the athleticism of Johnson, it would be greatly elevated.

Pick 25 New York Jets- BJ Ojulari, Edge Rusher LSU

The Jets don’t have many needs surprisingly where they could get value at this pick. Ojulari has an extremely high ceiling and could end up being a stellar piece for the Jets if they ended up with him.

Pick 26 Dallas Cowboys- Kayshon Boutte, Wide Receiver LSU

While Dallas doesn’t necessarily need Boutte he is too good of value to not take at this point in the draft. Dak has always played better when he has three good receivers on the roster, and Boutte could definitely be that third option.

Pick 27 Minnesota Vikings- Gervin Dexter, Defensive Lineman Florida

The Vikings lack an interior presence who can eat up blocks while still getting pressure on the QB, but Dexter is exactly that, He is a very big human being, being 6’6’’ and 306 lbs and can still pass rush very well. He would be a great value draft pick.

Pick 28 Kansas City Chiefs- Noah Sewell, Linebacker Oregon

The Chiefs have a decent linebacker in Nick Bolton whose strength is pass coverage, Sewell compliments that perfectly. Sewell can rush the passer very well and cover the middle if asked to.

Pick 29 New York Giants- Micheal Mayer, Tight End Notre Dame

 The Giants seem to have found their rhythm on defense and mostly on offense as well. Mayer offers a good safety belt to Daniel Jones which he currently doesn’t have.

Pick 30 Buffalo Bills- Bijan Robinson, Runningback Texas 

Bijan Robinson is without a doubt the best runningback in the class and will only help this Bills team. They don’t really have big needs that need to be addressed and Robinson would be an immediate upgrade to Devin Singletary.

Pick 31 Philidelphia Eagles- Jahmyr Gibbs, Runningback Alabama

The Eagles sadly miss out on the best Runningbck in the class but Gibbs is a great consolation prize. Gibbs is not only shifty but he is also very good at breaking tackles and getting away in the open field. This would be a great draft pick for the Eagles if they can’t resign Miles sanders.