2023 NFL Mock Draft: Eighth Edition

 Here is the eighth edition of my 2023 NFL Mock Draft.

1. Carolina Panthers (from Chicago Bears)- Bryce Young, Quarterback, Alabama: It feels like a foregone conclusion at this point that the Panthers will be taking Young here. Young's height may have some people concerned, but we've seen shorter quarterbacks have major success before and Young has the stability to be successful.

2. Houston Texans- Will Anderson, Edge, Alabama: It's seeming very likely that the Texans will pass on a quarterback with this selection, which would be a mistake unless it is a trade down. Anderson is arguably the best player in this entire draft and he has great length and he will provide stability at the position.

3. Arizona Cardinals- Tyree Wilson, Edge, Texas Tech: With Anderson off the board, the Cardinals go with a player who's stock is rising in Wilson. There are comparisons to last years first overall pick Travon Walker in terms of his longterm upside and has a high motor in which he can take over games.

4. Indianapolis Colts- CJ Stroud, Quarterback, Ohio State: The Colts are really telling some lies to people because the rumor mill changes by the day with them! It's stunning that there is talk about Stroud falling considering he is a strong pocket passer and has great accuracy.

5. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver Broncos)- Anthony Richardson, Quarterback, Florida: The Seahawks have a golden opportunity here to take their quarterback of the future here, even after paying Geno Smith all that money. Richardson is super interesting as a prospect due to his raw potential, which has folks drawing comparisons to Lamar Jackson.

6. Detroit Lions (from Los Angeles Rams)- Jalen Carter, Defensive Tackle, Georgia: This would be an outstanding pick for the Lions if this is the selection, but he's falling due to off field issues. The Lions have a need on their pass rush and Carter is one of the best three players in the entire draft and has drawn comparisons to Aaron Donald due to his on field demeanor.

7. Las Vegas Raiders- Devon Witherspoon, Cornerback, Illinois: The Raiders have been in the quarterback rumors again, but here they get themselves a great player with Witherspoon. He is super polished and super tough, but there are questions about his frame.

8. Atlanta Falcons- Nolan Smith, Edge, Georgia: There are Bijan Robinson rumors here, but there is now way the Falcons should go there and they must address other needs and on defense in particular. Some people feel that Smith is the best pure pass rusher in the draft, but not as well rounded as Will Anderson because of his energy and is advanced off the edge.

9. Chicago Bears- Paris Johnson Jr., Offensive Tackle, Ohio State: The Bears have some options here and with this selection I have them getting much needed protection for Justin Fields. Johnson is a versatile player and can come in and start right away.

10. Philadelphia Eagles (from New Orleans Saints)- Peter Skoronski, Offensive Tackle/Guard, Northwestern: I absolutely love the idea of Skoronski on the Eagles and it would be a great fit. He is a versatile player and could end up being the longterm replacement for Lane Johnson.

11. Tennessee Titans- Will Levis, Quarterback, Kentucky: The Titans are another team that is lying to some folks whether they are going for a quarterback or if they won't and run it back with Ryan Tannehill. There was talk about the Texans taking Levis at 2 and some feel he is the best passer in the class.

12. Houston Texans (from Cleveland Browns)- Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Wide Receiver, Ohio State: The Texans did a great job in the DeShaun Watson trade and it could change their franchise for the better. The Texans need a good young wide receiver to focus their offense on and Smith-Njigba (sans sitting most the year) is great in the slot.

13. Green Bay Packers (from New York Jets)- Myles Murphy, Edge, Clemson: The Packers and Jets finally pulled the trigger on the trade and now the teams have swapped picks and the Packers are rebuilding. Murphy could drop further due to a hamstring injury, but he is fast and has the size to be an impactful pass rusher.

14. New England Patriots- Darnell Wright, Offensive Tackle, Tennessee: No one should be surprised about which direction the Patriots go in and offensive line is a need. Wright had a great season in college and a great Pro Day to make things better and he is an excellent pass blocker at either side of the line.

15. New York Jets (from Green Bay Packers)- Broderick Jones, Offensive Tackle, Georgia: Now that Aaron Rodgers is a Jet, they have to give him some protection. Jones is athletic and had major success against SEC defenses, which bolds well for the team drafting him.

16. Washington Commanders- Christian Gonzalez, Cornerback, Oregon: This would be among the biggest steals of the entire draft if Gonzalez were to fall this far. Gonzalez should go in the top ten due to being such a ballhawk and has the size and speed to be successful.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers- Joey Porter Jr., Cornerback, Penn State: Steelers fans would love this pick considering Porter not only played college in state, but his father was a longtime Steelers player. Porter Jr is a very physical player and would fit nicely in today's league, but does get too handsy at times.

18. Detroit Lions- Deonte Banks, Cornerback, Maryland: The third cornerback in a row comes off the board here with the Lions taking Banks with their second first rounder. 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 another team in the NFC that is suddenly rebuilding and here they land a possible star safety. Branch is someone that actually didn't run as fast at the combine than he usually can, but excels off the edge, can tackle, and is solid in coverage.

20. Seattle Seahawks- Jordan Addison, Wide Receiver, USC: The Seahawks should go defense here, but they get themselves a wideout to go with DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett to make that unit loaded. Addison is a great route runner and is mostly used in the slot.

21. Los Angeles Chargers- Zay Flowers, Wide Receiver, Boston College: There was a while where it felt like it was a foregone conclusion it was going to be a skilled offensive player here, but there are some rumors about a defensive player here now. Flowers was an electric player in college and he would just be another fun add to that Chargers offense.

22. Baltimore Ravens- Quentin Johnston, Wide Receiver, TCU: The Ravens need a wide receiver, even with the signing of Odell Beckham Jr. Johnston was perhaps the best wideout in college this past season and he has great athleticism, hands, and running routes.

23. Minnesota Vikings- Emmanuel Forbes, Cornerback, Mississippi State: Forbes has been a hot name that's been emerging toward the end of the first round. Forbes isn't the strongest in terms of play strength, has a great skill set, has really good length, and excels at breaking up passes.

24. Jacksonville Jaguars- Lukas Van Ness, Edge, Iowa: There is a strong possibility that Van Ness will get picked higher than this and maybe even in the top ten. Van Ness did not start in college, but his technique is excellent and has a high ceiling, which would vault the Jags pass rush.

25. New York Giants- Bryan Breese, Defensive Tackle, Clemson: The Giants pass on a wide receiver and go with the interior defender in Breese. He dealt with a lot of off field issues, but has high upside and is excellent at stopping the run which the Giants can use help with.

26. Dallas Cowboys- Michael Mayer, Tight End, Notre Dame: You know Jerry Jones is dreaming about this moment. Dalton Schultz left as a free agent and Mayer would be amazing in this Cowboys offense with his ability to run block and his ability to stretch the field.

27. Buffalo Bills- Bijan Robinson, Running Back, Texas: This would be some selection for the Bills and it would change their offense for the better. Robinson is a top ten talent in this entire draft and he would arguably the best first round running back drafted since Saquon Barkley.

28. Cincinnati Bengals- Dalton Kincaid, Tight End, Utah: The Bengals are among the contenders to go to the Super Bowl among the AFC teams. Kincaid would make this offense more dangerous with his playmaking abilities and there's a chance he goes higher than this due to his medicals being cleared.

29. New Orleans Saints (from San Francisco 49ers via Miami Dolphins/Denver Broncos)- Mazi Smith, Defensive Tackle, Michigan: Smith is a hot name right now in terms of players who could go at the end of the first round. The Saints have a need at the position and Smith closes down running lanes and passing windows.

30. Philadelphia Eagles- Calijah Kancey, Defensive Tackle, Pittsburgh: This would be a nice pick for the Eagles as its a longterm position of need. Kancey has drawn unfair comps to Aaron Donald because they both went to Pitt and play the same position, but he short arms, is super fast, and the Eagles would maximize his strengths.

31. Kansas City Chiefs- Jaylin Hyatt, Wide Receiver, Tennessee: There is a ton of buzz about the Chiefs potentially trading up to the teens and getting a wide receiver. Hyatt is coming off an awesome season in college and he can work both inside and outside and stretches the field well.