Here is the first edition of my 2023 NFL Mock Draft.
1. Chicago Bears- Jalen Carter, Defensive Line, Georgia: The Bears have a ton of options regarding what they'll do here, including a trade down with a quarterback needy team. Carter and Will Anderson are viable options here as Carter is somebody who would instantly improve the teams rush defense and would be a blue chipper to build around.
2. Houston Texans- Bryce Young, Quarterback, Alabama: This match feels like the most certain to happen in this draft whether it's at two or a trade up to one. Young is an instant upgrade over Davis Mills as he'll bring stability and upside to the position that the Texans sorely need.
3. Arizona Cardinals- Will Anderson, Edge Rusher, Alabama: The Cardinals get a slam dunk here with landing perhaps the best player in the draft with Anderson. With JJ Watt retired, the Cards have a need in their pass rush and they get themselves a stud that will give them stability at that position.
4. Indianapolis Colts- CJ Stroud, Quarterback, Ohio State: The Colts are a little of an unknown as of now when it comes to the draft. If they don't land a veteran quarterback in free agency or trade, than Stroud here is realistic. Stroud with the Colts would be interesting considering that they do have some pieces on offense that will help.
5. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver Broncos)- Myles Murphy, Edge Rusher, Clemson: The Seahawks are a first round Wild Card considering they have two first rounders. The teams biggest weakness is their pass rush and Murphy will bring the explosiveness that the team has lacked on defense for a while now.
6. Detroit Lions (from Los Angeles Rams)- Tyree Wilson, Edge Rusher, Texas Tech: The Lions absolutely need to go defense with one of their two picks and rushing the passer is something they lacked last season. Wilson is raw prospect that may need some time to put it all together.
7. Las Vegas Raiders- Peter Skoronski, Offensive Tackle, Northwestern: I absolutely love this pick for the Raiders, especially if they land that star quarterback they desire. Skoronski is a plug and play prospect that will be a massive upgrade on a weak offensive line in Vegas.
8. Atlanta Falcons- Joey Porter, Cornerback, Penn State: The Falcons have a ton of wholes on their roster and they should simply go with best player available. Porter is a very physical player and would fit nicely in today's league, but does get too handsy at times.
9. Carolina Panthers- Anthony Richardson, Quarterback, Florida: The Panthers are another unknown in terms of what direction they'll go at the quarterback position. Richardson is raw, but showed flashes in college with his mobility, but isn't that great of a passer yet.
10. Philadelphia Eagles (from New Orleans Saints)- Christian Gonzalez, Cornerback, Oregon: You don't see a Super Bowl representative with a top ten pick in the draft often, but here we are. An area the Eagles can upgrade is their secondary and Gonzalez has the size and strength to be successful, but his run support needs improvement.
11. Tennessee Titans- Paris Johnson, Offensive Tackle, Ohio State: The Titans are a team that really needs some youth on their roster, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Johnson is somebody that is a plug and play prospect that is versatile and would be great with Taylor Lewan on their offensive line.
12. Houston Texans (from Cleveland Browns)- Jordan Addison, Wide Receiver, USC: This would be an excellent pick for the Texans as they land the draft's best receiver in this mock. Addison has the speed and the ability to stretch the field and he and Bryce Young would be a dream haul for the Texans.
13. New York Jets- Broderick Jones, Offensive Tackle, Georgia: The Jets have a nice foundation of a team ready to win now and Jones would be a good addition to it. Jones faced strong SEC competition in the past and had success and he would be an upgrade over the veterans the Jets had last season.
14. New England Patriots- Trenton Simpson, Linebacker, Clemson: The Patriots probably should go offense here, but there are solid defensive players that would fit their team. Simpson is a perfect Bill Belichick type of player with his versatility, speed, and playmaking against the run and pass.
15. Green Bay Packers- Quentin Johnson, Wide Receiver, TCU: The Packers have a lot of holes on the offensive side of the ball and that's with or without Aaron Rodgers. Johnson was perhaps the best wideout in college football this past season and has excellent running routes and has great hands.
16. Washington Commanders- Kelee Ringo, Cornerback, Georgia: The Commanders are a team that people look at in terms of a quarterback possibility, but here I have them improving their secondary. Ringo is a super physical player and has great size.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers- Devon Witherspoon, Cornerback, Illinois: The Steelers have options here with this selection. The Steelers have a need for secondary help alongside Minkah Fitzpatrick and Witherspoon would fit in nicely sans questions about his slight frame.
18. Detroit Lions- Deonte Banks, Cornerback, Maryland: The Lions go defense again with their second pick as they ride with Banks. He put together a really good season in college and is big and physical who can match up with NFL receivers.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Brian Branch, Safety, Alabama: The Buccaneers are a candidate to draft a quarterback here, but they do need some youth on their roster. Branch is the best safety in this draft class and is a great off the edge, can tackle, and is solid in coverage.
20. Seattle Seahawks- Will Levis, Quarterback, Kentucky: It is very likely that Lewis will go much sooner than this since there's some buzz he can be drafted before Bryce Young. The Seahawks could very well sign Geno Smith longterm, but if he isn't, than a quarterback could be likely. Levis didn't have a great season, but scouts love his potential at the pro-level.
21. Los Angeles Chargers- Michael Mayer, Tight End, Notre Dame: The Chargers don't have any needs in particular, but they land a stud here in Mayer. He's the best tight end that will be a first rounder in some time and has already drawn comparisons to Rob Gronkowski and Travis Kelce.
22. Baltimore Ravens- Bijan Robinson, Running Back, Texas: The Ravens are a dark horse to draft a quarterback here if Lamar Jackson bolts, but they badly need offensive help. Running back is not a need for the Ravens, but Robinson would give this offense a huge lift.
23. Minnesota Vikings- Cam Smith, Cornerback, South Carolina: You can make a case the Vikings are getting a steal here with Smith falling this far. Smith brings explosiveness and physicality and has potential to be more well-rounded and polished.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars- Antonio Johnson, Safety, Texas A&M: The Jaguars are in a nice spot and they can go in any direction they'd like. Their secondary is arguably their biggest weakness and Johnson is a rangy cover man for being a safety and is good against the run too.
25. New York Giants- Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Wide Receiver, Ohio State: The Giants should keep Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley around, but they also need more help around them. Smith-Njigba barely played this past season, but he has so much potential to be that top wide receiver that the Giants lack.
26. Dallas Cowboys- Jalin Hyatt, Wide Receiver, Tennessee: The Cowboys probably should go elsewhere with their pick, but a wideout makes sense. Hyatt broke out this season a lot due to Hendon Hooker's great season, but he is a deep threat that easily got open against good SEC defenses.
27. Buffalo Bills- O'Cyrus Torrence, Guard, Florida: The Bills, who are in need of interior line help, land a possible steal here with Torrence. He has great hands, a ton of power, and is super nasty which would improve anyones offensive line.
28. Cincinnati Bengals- Anton Harrison, Offensive Tackle, Oklahoma: The Bengals offensive line was exposed at times throughout the season and in the playoffs (some due to injuries) which makes this pick one that makes sense. Harrison almost went back to school on a big NIL deal, but he will be highly touted in this draft for needy offensive line teams.
29. New Orleans Saints (from San Francisco 49ers via Miami Dolphins/Denver Broncos)- Nolan Smith, Edge, Georgia: Now that the Saints have this pick, this could be a quarterback if they don't opt for a veteran. Marcus Davenport could bolt as a free agent and Smith was on that loaded Georgia front so this route makes sense.
30. Kansas City Chiefs- Dalton Kincaid, Tight End, Utah: I don't love the idea of the Chiefs drafting a tight end in the first round due to actual needs on their roster. Kincaid was a solid player in college and would add another weapon for Patrick Mahomes and that offense.
31. Philadelphia Eagles- Isaiah Foskey, Edge, Notre Dame: The Eagles do not have a lot of holes and could trade up for something more significant. Foskey is a super versatile player who would provide even more depth to a really good Eagles pass rush.
