by Round 1
- Carolina Panthers – Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
Bryce Young has called off all other pre-draft visits he was scheduled for prior to the upcoming draft. To me that states he has been given some sort of reassurance that he will be selected number one by the Panthers. In the meantime he has also become the odds on favorite to be the first selection. Unless something crazy happens, there appears to finally be a lock at the top spot. Carolina gets their mobile starting quarterback. Young will certainly be a smaller QB than Frank Reich is used to coaching.
- Houston Texans – Will Anderson Jr., Edge, Alabama
Despite needing a quarterback, Houston has other plans right away. The concerns on Richardson and Levis are real. As for Stroud, they probably don’t like that he shares the same agent as Deshaun Watson. Honestly it shouldn’t matter and Stroud should be the selection. Instead their love for Anderson is greater than the need for Stroud. DeMeco Ryans will have a true center piece on defense.
- Arizona Cardinals – Tyree Wilson, Edge, Texas Tech
Arizona will certainly field calls for the number three pick but ultimately decide to select an edge rusher with Will Anderson Jr. already off the board. In their minds Wilson is the next best thing and a very promising asset to add to the defense. Wilson fits the 3-4 system quite well because he will get to rush closer to the inside rather than being out on the outside in a 4-3.
- Indianapolis Colts – C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
With multiple options at four, Indianapolis chooses the best option at quarterback. Stroud finally provides the Colts stability at quarterback which they have not had since Andrew Luck.
- Las Vegas Raiders (mock trade with the Seattle Seahawks) – Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
Seattle is in prime position to trade back and do not need to be part of the quarterback sweepstakes after extending Geno Smith’s contract. Las Vegas however brought in Jimmy Garoppolo to strictly be a bridge quarterback at most. The Raiders move up two spots and give up a 2023 third and 2023 fifth round selection.
This allows Las Vegas to select Anthony Richardson who they seem to prefer over Will Levis. The Raiders have a weaker offensive line but plenty of weapons at wide receiver. They may actually need the mobility of Richardson behind the current offensive line. This could be an excellent fit for both sides.
- Detroit Lions – Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
Just like my first mock draft, Carter is available at number six and Detroit cannot resist making him their selection. If he gets back on the right track, he will make a huge impact. The risk is still evident though.
- Seattle Seahawks (mock trade with the Las Vegas Raiders) – Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
Seattle has been known to reach for players in the first round and they make a slight one after trading back to number seven. Many mocks have had Smith-Njigba going to Seattle at pick 20, but the Seahawks should know that he probably won’t be there that long, especially if he is in fact the only first round wide receiver on most team’s boards. Smith-Njigba will be a fantastic fit in the slot coupled with D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett.
- Atlanta Falcons – Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
The Falcons don’t necessarily need a running back but decide not to pass up this opportunity. Robinson is a generational talent and will become the first running back selected in the top ten since Saquon Barkley in 2018. Robinson is an every down franchise running back that will help take pressure off of Desmond Ridder in his first year as the full-time starter.
- Chicago Bears – Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State
Chicago needs to protect the blind side of Justin Fields and does so by selecting the most athletic offensive tackle in this class. Johnson will be the long-time star tackle that the Bears have so desperately needed for a while.
- Philadelphia Eagles – Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern
The Eagles are candidates to trade down from ten but with Skoronski still on the board, they make the pick. Skoronski is a tackle with plenty of ability to reduce inside to guard. That is where Philadelphia will need him to play at the beginning of his career. Whether that remains a permanent thing will be determined at a later date. Regardless, he drastically improves an already strong line.
- Tennessee Titans – Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
An offensive tackle is selected for the third pick in a row. The Titans brought in Andre Dillard but he is probably not the long term answer at the left tackle spot. Jones will be the blind side protector of Tannehill this season and then the Titans QB of the future.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (mock trade with the Houston Texans) – Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
Tampa Bay is looking to fill the void Tom Brady left and Baker Mayfield needs some competition. With Levis sliding, the Buccaneers decide not to run the risk of missing out if they hold at number 19. Instead they trade up to 12 and also snag a 2023 third rounder in exchange for number 19 and Devin White who wants out of Tampa Bay. This would be huge for the Texans defense and offloads a potential headache for the Bucs.
- Green Bay Packers – Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
The Packers and Jets finally struck a deal for Aaron Rodgers. The Packers played hard ball and eventually got the picks they wanted. After moving up two spots in the first round as well, Green Bay addresses the need for a tight end with Mayer.
- New England Patriots – Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
Gonzalez wants to play for Bill Belichick and he gets his wish. The Patriots need a corner and Gonzalez will be their number one on the outside.
- New York Jets – Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
The Jets need to protect Aaron Rodgers and do so by selecting a solid right tackle in Wright.
- Washington Commanders – Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
Witherspoon makes too much sense for the Commanders and once again, the board falls for this pick. He can play in the slot or outside for a team in need of secondary assistance.
- Pittsburgh Steelers – Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
The Steelers continue the Porter bloodline in Pittsburgh and snag the talented corner. This will take care of one of the Steelers biggest needs.
- Detroit Lions – Sam LaPorta, TE, Iowa
LaPorta’s stock has been rising since the combine and pro days, which means if Detroit wants him, they need to probably make the selection at 18. LaPorta fills the most gaping hole on the roster.
- Houston Texans (mock trade with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers) – John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota
After trading back and getting a star linebacker, Houston selects the best center in this draft and completes their starting offensive line for the 2023 season.
- Seattle Seahawks – Nolan Smith, Edge, Georgia
Smith to the Seahawks is one that I am stuck on. It seems to be the best fit for him and his skillset and athleticism will improve the Seahawks pass rush.
- Los Angeles Chargers – Jordan Addison, WR, USC
With Addison still floating around at 21, the Chargers get Justin Herbert a potential star wide receiver. Addison might be a lighter wide receiver, but his superb skillset is evident.
- Baltimore Ravens – Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
The Ravens need another receiver even after adding OBJ to the roster. Flowers is an electric player that can fit in the slot but also can play outside if needed.
- Minnesota Vikings – Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee
The Vikings have become the favorites to add Hooker and they do it. Hooker will sit behind Kirk Cousins this year before being handed the reins next season.
- Jacksonville Jaguars – Brian Branch, SAF, Alabama
The Jaguars need either a corner or a safety. In this situation, they take the first safety off the board by selecting the versatile Branch.
- New York Giants – Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
The Giants snag a corner with the ability to transition to safety. This will strengthen their defense as they look to compete with the Cowboys and Eagles.
- Dallas Cowboys – Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson
The Cowboys bolster their defensive line with a powerful and athletic tackle in Bresee. Bresee will be starting early for Dallas.
- Buffalo Bills – Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
The Bills have greater needs but with Johnston sliding, they add a big wide receiver. Johnston will be a fantastic second receiver behind Stefon Diggs. Allen will likely get the best out of him.
- Cincinnati Bengals – Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State
The Bengals hosted Forbes for a pre-draft meeting and now decide to take him at the end of the first round. His playmaking ability is intriguing for a team once again looking to compete for the AFC title and Super Bowl.
- New Orleans Saints – Myles Murphy, Edge, Clemson
With Murphy surprisingly lasting this long on night one, the Saints stop the slide and now have a starting defensive end opposite Cameron Jordan.
- Philadelphia Eagles – Lukas Van Ness, Edge, Iowa
Van Ness is a steal for Philadelphia late in the first round. He will be a nice part of a strong pass rush rotation in Philly.
- Kansas City Chiefs – Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
Kansas City is beginning to prepare for the future beyond Travis Kelce at tight end. The freak of nature in Washington will get to learn from Kelce before being given the opportunity to take over in a few years.
