by 2023 NFL Draft coverage is sponsored by Gotcha Covered Medina (http://www.gotchacovered.com/medina), TNT Construction https://tntcleveland.com/), PULP North Olmsted (https://pulpjuiceandsmoothie.com/), Hinckley Roofing (https://hinckleyroofing.com/) and JBL Roofing & Construction (https://www.jblrc.com/).
After adding even more prospects to my rankings and big board this year, the annual four round mock draft gained an additional round. Enjoy and let us know your thoughts on this upcoming draft!
Round 1
- Carolina Panthers – Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
The Panthers struck a deal with the Chicago Bears in order to trade up to the number one selection. Due to the need at quarterback for Carolina, coupled with an arguably strong quarterback class, it is safe to assume they are addressing that exact position. The Panthers will dictate how this entire draft will go because their pick does not appear to be cut and dry.
Tons of rumors are circulating so it is hard to follow exactly what the organization is thinking. C.J. Stroud was the long-time betting favorite to go number one and Carolina also sent 13 staff members to the Ohio State pro day. Supposedly Frank Reich wants a bigger quarterback to run his system, yet some high up front office members really like Bryce Young’s skillset. There is a ton of smoke but it leads me to believe that they may go a completely different direction.
The trade up to number one happened right after Richardson stunned scouts at the NFL combine. He tested extraordinarily well and elevated his stock. With Richardson, Reich can get the size he wants while the front office can get the athleticism they want. Carolina may also be extremely enamored by Richardson because of what Cam Newton did for the organization. The similarities are evident.
I personally think this would be a mistake because Richardson does have a high ceiling but also has accuracy issues and didn’t put up great numbers in college. He screams major project to me but as a top five selection he will be starting week one.
- Houston Texans – C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
With Stroud surprisingly still on the board at pick two, the Texans pull the trigger and select him. Stroud is a more traditional pro-style quarterback who will fit nicely with new head coach DeMeco Ryans and new offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik. Both Ryans and Slowik come from San Francisco which has operated in a more traditional offensive scheme. As a very successful pocket passer, Stroud should be able to cleanly operate behind a recently revamped offensive line.
The AFC South is by far the weakest division in the AFC currently. Selecting a nearly sure thing franchise quarterback in Stroud will possibly allow the Texans a chance to compete sooner rather than later.
- Indianapolis Colts (mock trade with the Arizona Cardinals) – Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
Two picks down and two quarterbacks off the board, the Colts will feel the pressure to make a move. Young remaining available will give Indianapolis the nudge they need to call Arizona and ensure that no other team gets ahead of them in the Bryce Young sweepstakes. Arizona will still be able to get “their guy” by only dropping one spot so the Colts only need to cough up a 2023 fourth round pick.
New Indianapolis head coach Shane Steichen will get to run a similar offense with Young that he ran as the offensive coordinator in Philadelphia with Jalen Hurts. Colts owner Jim Irsay should be thrilled with the selection because he even tweeted about how much he liked Young’s play a few months back.
- Arizona Cardinals (mock trade with the Indianapolis Colts) – Will Anderson Jr., Edge, Alabama
Will Anderson Jr. is the best prospect at any position in the entire draft. By trading down a spot, the Cardinals fill a major need at edge rusher, get the guy at the top of their draft board and even pick up one more selection from Indianapolis. This would be a major win for an Arizona organization that flopped last season.
- Tennessee Titans (mock trade with the Seattle Seahawks) – Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State
When the Titans trade up, everyone will immediately think quarterback. Instead they select the first offensive lineman. Johnson was already a top offensive tackle prospect, but really showed off his athleticism at the combine and then Ohio State’s pro day. In order to get him, Tennessee needs to get ahead of Las Vegas at number seven. Not only has he said that he would like to play for Tennessee, but the Titans desperately need a tackle and Mike Vrabel certainly has the Ohio State connection. Johnson will help clear space for Derrick Henry, keep Ryan Tannehill protected this season and be the focal point of their offensive line for many years to come.
- Detroit Lions – Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
Carter’s draft stock has certainly been slipping and there are plenty of concerns. The Lions have had an excellent offseason so far by adding C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Cameron Sutton and Emmanuel Mosley to the secondary. On the offense they also brought in running back David Montgomery and Marvin Jones Jr. returns at wide receiver after a stint in Jacksonville. Detroit’s front office and coaching staff has to feel like they are on track to possibly take control of their division. By feeling pretty solid about the roster already, it is worth the chance to select Carter. If he gets back on track and plays like he did at Georgia, then the Lions might just shape into one of the best defenses in the NFC.
- Las Vegas Raiders – Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
The Raiders desperately need offensive line help and a star outside corner. With Paris Johnson Jr. already off the board, Las Vegas turns to all options still available at cornerback. Gonzalez is a true outside corner and will fill the need nicely, so they decide to go with him instead of Devon Witherspoon or Joey Porter Jr.
- Atlanta Falcons – Tyree Wilson, Edge, Texas Tech
The Falcons have edge rusher and defensive tackle still listed as needs despite making a few free agency acquisitions this offseason. So they decide to select an edge rusher that can reduce inside on pass rush sets. Wilson was also supposedly very happy with how his formal meeting went with Atlanta at the combine.
- Chicago Bears – Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern
Chicago has found something with Justin Fields and they need to protect him at all costs. They need to improve the offensive line, so what better than to select a lineman with the versatility to play either tackle or guard. Skoronski will fit best in a run-heavy scheme and that is Chicago’s game plan with a running quarterback. The Bears scouts also got several exposures to his play throughout last season.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (mock trade with the Philadelphia Eagles) – Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
With Johnson and Skoronski already gone inside the top ten, the tackle needy Steelers realize if they want one of the top three tackles in this class, they have to trade up. They call up their fellow Pennsylvania team and manage to swap the tenth pick with number 17, a 2023 third and a 2024 fifth round pick.
By selecting Jones, the Steelers will have filled their top need and have their starting left tackle rolling into the 2023 season.
- Seattle Seahawks (mock trade with the Tennessee Titans) – Nolan Smith, Edge, Georgia
By trading back with the Titans from pick five to pick 11, the Seahawks also gain pick 41 and a 2023 sixth rounder. Seattle also then selects an extremely speedy edge rusher in Nolan Smith who fits the Seahawks scheme perfectly. Smith said about a month ago that as a kid he dreamed of playing for the Seahawks. That dream officially becomes true.
- Houston Texans – Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
To this point no wide receivers have been selected and the Texans would like to add another receiver with their second first round selection this year. After making C.J. Stroud their new quarterback at pick two, Smith-Njigba is an easy pick here. Stroud and Smith-Njigba is an already established, deadly QB/WR combo. The Texans will be thrilled with their results from night one.
- Dallas Cowboys (mock trade with the New York Jets) – Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
Robinson is a generational running back talent and numerous teams will be thinking about ways to get him on Thursday night. Dallas is not afraid to select running backs early in the draft and will happily cough up picks to make the large leap ahead in the first round. Jerry Jones understands that he will need to get ahead of the run between pick 17-22 where the Eagles, Buccaneers, Chargers and Ravens would all have an interest in selecting Robinson. In order to swap pick 13 for pick 26, Jones and the Cowboys have to part ways with a 2023 2nd, 2023 5th and 2024 3rd round pick.
Tony Pollard will be playing on the franchise tag this season but regardless of whether he gets a long-term extension or not, Robinson will be the RB1. Robinson and Pollard will be a nasty one-two punch in 2023.
- New England Patriots – Jordan Addison, WR, USC
The top need for the Patriots should be wide receiver despite bringing in Juju Smith-Schuster. After a successful top 30 visit, New England selects the second best receiver in this draft class. Addison will instantly be the top receiving option in New England.
- Green Bay Packers – Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
The Packers should be thinking wide receiver or tight end on night one. It is safe to say that they probably select Addison if he is still available. Because the Patriots snagged him one pick before, the Packers pivot to replacing Robert Tonyan. Mayer is an excellent fit due to his blocking and receiving ability. He will immediately make an impact in Green Bay.
- Washington Commanders – Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
The Commanders have an excellent defensive line but could use some more help on the back end of the defense. Witherspoon can play outside corner or in the nickel which will greatly improve Washington’s secondary. Selecting Witherspoon in the middle of the first round may actually feel like a steal.
- Philadelphia Eagles (mock trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers) – Brian Branch, SAF, Alabama
After trading back to number 17, the Eagles get to address their biggest need at safety. Branch can play strong safety, free safety or even nickel which allows the Eagles the flexibility to move him around. He will improve an already strong defense and replace C.J. Gardner-Johnson.
- Detroit Lions – Myles Murphy, Edge, Clemson
For the second time in the first round, the Detroit Lions address their defensive line. After taking a chance on Jalen Carter at six, Detroit adds a starting defensive end next to Carter and opposite of Aiden Hutchinson. Detroit’s young pass rushers could wreak some havoc.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson
Tampa Bay has a fairly strong linebacker group and secondary, but they do need to reload on the defensive line. Bresee is a physical player who can generate some pass rush especially if paired up with Vita Vea. This will sure up the biggest need on Tampa Bay’s defense.
- Seattle Seahawks – Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
With their second pick in the first round, the Seahawks take one of the best available players on the board in Joey Porter Jr. Tariq Woolen and Porter will now start on opposite sides. Seattle will enjoy having two big, physical, young corners.
- Los Angeles Chargers – Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
The Chargers opt to provide Justin Herbert another receiving weapon by adding Kincaid to the roster. Kincaid will fit pretty well in the Los Angeles system and get a good amount of targets quickly.
- Baltimore Ravens – Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
The market for Lamar Jackson is surprisingly cold due to injury concerns. It appears as if he will still be a part of the Ravens team throughout the 2023 season. They do need to get him another receiver and select the best available guy in Johnston. Perhaps this will make Lamar just a bit happier with Baltimore.
- Minnesota Vikings – Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
Levis’s draft stock has been dropping the past few weeks and rumors are circulating of him dropping out of the first round. Still available at pick 23, the Vikings pull the trigger. Levis will get time to develop and learn from Kirk Cousins as Minnesota begins to prepare for life after Cousins. This could be a best case scenario type of situation for Levis.
- Jacksonville Jaguars – Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
The Jaguars biggest needs are at cornerback and safety. On night one they go right after the secondary by selecting Ringo. He will certainly add some speed and size to the defense.
- New York Giants – Drew Sanders, LB, Arkansas
Sanders is an impressive middle linebacker with enough athleticism to play in New York’s two linebacker system. He will drastically improve the weakest part of the Giants’ defense.
- New York Jets (mock trade with the Dallas Cowboys) – John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota
After making a significant move back with Dallas, the Jets still get the top center in the 2023 draft. John Michael Schmitz will not only help protect whoever is at quarterback, whether that be Aaron Rodgers or another player, but he will also excel at opening up rushing lanes for Breece Hall.
- Buffalo Bills – Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson
After losing Tremaine Edmunds to Chicago in free agency, the Bills snag Simpson to fill the empty linebacker spot next to Matt Milano. This will be an ideal situation for Buffalo.
- Cincinnati Bengals – Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State
The Bengals have been improving their offensive line over the last two years but shouldn’t be done yet. Joe Burrow still gets pressured too often especially for a franchise quarterback. Bringing in Orlando Brown Jr. was a good thing but there are uncertainties about the futures of Jonah Williams and La’el Collins. Selecting Jones will mean the Bengals have a very large, reliable right tackle with the ability to start immediately.
- New Orleans Saints – Lukas Van Ness, Edge, Iowa
The Saints might be surprised to see Van Ness still on the board at this point. They certainly won’t complain and now have a young pass rusher to pair with Cameron Jordan.
- Philadelphia Eagles – Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama
Back on the clock and the Eagles submit the card for an explosive running back. Gibbs is a dynamic player who will fit in beautifully with Jalen Hurts and the Eagles offense.
- Kansas City Chiefs – Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
With the last pick of the first round, the Chiefs slightly reach for Darnell Wright. They need a right tackle and that is where he is best suited.
ROUND TWO ON NEXT PAGE
