2023 NFL Mock Draft
Connor Thomas
With the draft less than a week away, here's a look into how the first two rounds will unfold. The uncertainty of the order of QBs could create some interesting situations for teams in need. It could also lead to more talent that falls, and create for an exciting draft. So anyways, let's get started.
Round 1
QB: Bryce Young - Alabama
With the trade with the Bears, the Panthers get the top choice in this year's draft. Some people have CJ Stroud going here with Frank Reich's coaching record, but I have them going with Bryce Young. Bryce Young gives them elite talent as well as a great leader.
QB: CJ Stroud - Ohio State
The Texans happy with their spot, gets whoever falls to them at 2, either Stroud or Young. In this case I have them getting their QB of the future in CJ Stroud.
QB: Anthony Richardson - Florida
Colts can't risk losing their franchise star in Anthony Richardson and trade up a spot to secure him. The freak athlete will hopefully stop their cycle of QB's and provide a leader for the team.
EDGE: Will Anderson Jr. - Alabama
Cardinals are happy with their trade, and still get their guy in Will Anderson Jr. With the loss of JJ Watt, Will Anderson will provide much needed help to that Cardinals defensive line.
DL: Jalen Carter - Georgia
The only uncertainty in Jalen Carter is his off field issues. I see the Seahawks looking past that and taking the beast from Georgia. He'll help provide immediate help to the Seahawks d-line.
CB: Devon Witherspoon - Illinois
The Lions had one of the best offenses in the league last season with one of the worst defenses. They added S CJ Gardner-Johnson and CB Cameron Sutton in FA, but it's still hard to see them pass up on adding another stud in Illinois CB Devon Witherspoon.
CB: Christian Gonzalez - Oregon
Hoping to break their unlucky streak of first round picks, the Raiders help their depleted secondary out by adding Oregon CB Christian Gonzalez.
EDGE: Tyree Wilson - Texas Tech
The Falcons have been boosting their defense throughout this off season. Even with the signing of Calais Campbell the Falcons still have one of the worst pass rush in the NFL and Tyree Wilson helps provide some help in that.
OT: Paris Johnson Jr - Ohio State
Plenty holes in this Bears team but I see them reuniting Justin Fields former teammate at Ohio State. This move will provide a staple on that Bears horrible o-line.
EDGE: Nolan Smith - Georgia
Philly is a huge wild card here, but I have them going with the freak athlete from Georgia. The 6'3 236 linebacker that runs a 4.39 helps boost an aging dline.
OT: Peter Skoronski - Northwestern State
With the loss of Taylor Lewan in FA, the Titans look to replace him with the tackle from Northwestern State. They hope this pick will provide some stability within the offense.
EDGE: Lukas Van Ness - Iowa
This was a very tough decision for the Texans. They could pair Stroud up with former teamate JSN, but in the end I have them taking the edge from Iowa. This move will help build up much needed help on the defensive line, and set a timeline with last years picks Derek Stingley and Jalen Pitre.
WR: Jaxon Smith-Njigba - Ohio State
With the Packers swapping firsts with the Jets in the deal for Aaron Rodgers, they start a new era with Jordan Love. Paired up with last years rookies Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs, this will create nightmares for defenses in years to come.
CB: Joey Porter Jr - Penn State
With the additions of Juju Smith-Schuster and Mike Gesicki on offense in FA, I see the Patriots turn toward defense in the draft. Joey Porter Jr will fit right in with the Patriots who need a stud CB.
OT: Broderick Jones - Georgia
To help protect new QB Aaron Rodgers, the Jets decide to take the tackle out of Georgia. The Jets now are one of the scariest teams in the NFL with their new look on offense and scary defense.
CB: Deonte Banks - Maryland
This may be a little high for Deonte Banks but the Commanders aren't scared to go get their guy. Deonte Banks will provide help in a depleted CB room, and create a scary defense for the Commanders.
DL: Calijah Kancy - Pittsburg
Steelers get their guy to create a scary dline that is headed by stars T.J. Watt and Cameron Heyward. I could definitley see them taking offensive lineman here, but this move provides some depth on their defensive line and some immediate help.
EDGE: Myles Murphy - Clemson
Two defensive studs to help out their defense in the first is a great way to start out the draft for the Lions. Myles Murphy provides a great pass rusher to play along side last year's second overall pick Aidan Hutchinson.
QB: Will Levis - Kentucky
The fall finally stops for Kentucky QB Will Levis. Following up the retiremnet of Tom Brady, the Bucs look to start a new era in their new QB. Backing up Baker Mayfield to start his career with weapons of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin will help with his development, and hope for him to be their future QB. Although, I woudln't be surprised if the Bucs trade up for him.
TE: Michael Mayer - Notre Dame
The Seahawks look to add a weapon on offense for their newly paid QB Geno Smith. Taking the big guy out of Notre Dame will help that offense out while filling a need in the TE position.
RB: Bijan Robinson - Texas
Thankful that no team jumped up ahead of them, the Chargers look to take the star RB out of Texas. Their non-existent run game is what took them out of the playoffs last year, and with the current contract negotiations with Austin Ekeler, it would be hard to see them pass up on this opportunity.
WR: Quentin Johnston - TCU
Ravens don't want to take the risk of displeasing Lamar Jackson and add another pass catcher this offseason along side of Odell Beckham Jr. The big body receiever out of TCU will provide immediate help to their WR core.
CB: Cam Smith - South Carolina
The Vikings secondary was statistically one of the worst in the NFL. Even with the addition of Bryon Murphy, the Vikings look to add another CB in this years draft to help out the secondary.
S: Brian Branch - Alabama
Following the breakout year from the Jaguars who had the #1 overall pick last season, the Jags look towards defense again. This time adding the saftey from Alabama to help boost their secondary. Brian Branch's pro day dropped his stock a little bit, but the Jaguars looked past it and draft him for his talent and potential.
WR: Jordan Addison - USC
The Giants look to add a much needed pass catcher to help out their offense, and the WR out of USC provides exactly what they want. The 1500 yard receiver a year ago provides a star at the WR position that is currently lead by Isaiah Hodgins.
LB: Drew Sanders - Arkansas
The Cowboys are in a lucky position to draft best player available, and in this case, the Cowboys look towards Drew Sanders out of Arkansas. Sanders looks to join the linebacker core already consisting of 2 time All-Pro Micah Parsons (mainly lines up on the edge) and newly resigned Leighton Vander Esch, to terrorize the oppoising offenses.
WR: Zay Flowers - Boston College
The Bills look to add another WR to pair alongside Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis to add more consistency to the offense. The Bills have showed some type of interest in the WR with a Top 30 visit, and he provides a more dynamic player who could extend the playbook.
OT: Darnell Wright - Tennessee
With current OT Jonah Williams on his 5th Year Option, the Bengals look toward saving money to pay QB Joe Burrow, and WRs Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. This move also provides the Bengals with a stud at the tackle postion to hopefully protect their franchise QB for many years to come.
TE: Darnell Washington - Georgia
The Packers again look towards offense to help out their future QB Jordan Love. What better way than giving him the 6'7 270 monster out of Georgia. His blocking ability also provides the Packers with a skill set that they like out of their pass catchers to earn him lots of playing time.
RB: Jahmyr Gibbs - Alabama
Missing out on the top RB Bijan Robinson, the Eagles look to the next guy in Jahmyr Gibbs. Looking to replace Miles Sanders with a long term guy, he provides them with a widespread of talent out of the backfield especially in the receving game. One of the best offenses in the NFL just added another stud, to hopefully give a push to win the Super Bowl this time.
EDGE: Will McDonald IV - Iowa State
The Super Bowl champions look foward to keeping their title in the next season and take a step in the right direction by adding Will McDonald IV. The edge out of Iowa State serves as a replacment of Frank Clark and look to pair him alongside last year's first round pick George Karlaftis.
Round 2
Pick 32 - Steelers
CB: Kelee Ringo - Georgia
Pick 33 - Texans
CB: Emmanuel Forbes - Mississippi State
Pick 34 - Cardinals
IOL: O'Cyrus Torrence - Florida
Pick 35 - Colts
TE: Dalton Kincaid - Utah
Pick 36 - Rams
OT: Anton Harrison - Oklahoma
Pick 37 - Seahawks
WR: Jalin Hyatt - Tennessee
Pick 38 - Raiders
DL: Bryan Bresee - Clemson
Pick 39 - Panthers
EDGE: B.J. Ojulari - LSU
Pick 40 - Saints
DL: Mazi Smith - Michigan
Pick 41 - Titans
WR: Josh Downs - North Carolina
Pick 42 - Saints
EDGE: Felix Anudike-Uzomah - Kansas State
Pick 43 - Packers
EDGE: Keion White - Georgia Tech
Pick 44 - Falcons
OT: Dawand Jones - Ohio State
Pick 45 - Saints
CB: D.J. Turner - Michigan
Pick 46 - Patriots
QB: Hendon Hooker - Tennessee
Pick 47 - Commanders
LB: Trenton Simpson - Clemson
Pick 48 - Lions
TE: Luke Musgrave - Oregon State
Pick 49 - Steelers
IOL: John Michael Schmitz - Minnesota
Pick 50 - Buccaneers
EDGE: Adetomiwa Adebawore - Northwestern
Pick 51 - Dolphins
IOL: Cody Mauch - North Dakota State
Pick 52 - Seahawks
EDGE: Isaiah Foskey - Notre Dame
Pick 53 - Bears
DL: Siaki Ika - Baylor
Pick 54 - Chargers
DL: Tuli Tuipulotu - USC
Pick 55 - Lions
CB: Clark Phillips III - Utah
Pick 56 - Jaguars
DL: Keeanu Benton - Wisconsin
Pick 57 - Giants
IOL: Steve Avila - TCU
Pick 58 - Cowboys
TE: Sam LaPorta - Iowa
Pick 59 - Bills
LB: Jack Campbell - Iowa
Pick 60 - Bengals
S: Antonio Johnson - Texas A&M
Pick 61 - Bears
EDGE: Derick Hall - Auburn
Pick 62 - Eagles
CB: Julius Brents - Kansas State
Pick 63 - Chiefs
WR: Rashee Rice - SMU
Trades
Cardinals: 1.04 & 3.79 - The Cardinals receive many offers for this pick but end up taking the Colts offer so theycan add another premium pick whilst not losing their guy in Will Anderson.
Colts: 1.03 - The Colts can't risk losing their QB of the future in Anthony RIchardson and do whatever it takes to secure him.
Packers: 1.13, 2.42, 2.43 & Corey Davis - The Packers swap first round picks to jump ahead of the Patriots along with adding 2 seconds and Corey Davis. Corey Davis provides a veteren leader in the WR room that so far consisents of sophmores and new rookies.
Jets: 1.15 & Aaron Rodgers - The Jets are happy not giving up a first round pick for their new HOF QB Aaron Rodgers. They hope he can be the missing piece to all their problems in the following season.
Saints: 2.42, 2.45 & 5.170 - The Saints in much need of more premium draft picks, and look to start drafting replacements for cap casualties. This moves pushes them up 26 spots from the third round to the second, along with adding another fifth, whilst only moving down 13 spots.
Packers: 1.29 & 3.71 - The Packers have 3 second round picks which they use to move up late in the first round. They see one of their TE's go earlier in Michael Mayer and don't risk theirs dropping out of their reach.