2023 NFL Mock Draft: Fifth Edition

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

1. Carolina Panthers (from Chicago Bears)- Bryce Young, Quarterback, Alabama: It felt obvious that the Bears were going to trade down and they took advantage of a god father offer the Panthers presented them. Now the pressure is on the Panthers to nail this pick and select the quarterback they feel will put them over the top. Young is the most polished quarterback prospect in the draft due to his upside and stability sans his height.

2. Houston Texans- CJ Stroud, Quarterback, Ohio State: The Texans get the second best option in terms of quarterback prospects. Stroud is super intriguing as a prospect and actually would be a solid fit for new Texans OC Bobby Slowik due to his great accuracy and how he can layer the ball around defenders. Stroud was terrific in his Pro Day and there is some talk that the Panthers can take him at one.

3. Arizona Cardinals- Will Anderson, Edge, 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- Anthony Richardson, Quarterback, Florida: Richardson has been heavily linked to the Colts and it's no secret that the Colts are looking for yet another quarterback. Richardson showed flashes this past year at Florida and sans a strong Pro Day, I'm not sold that he will have the success as Young or Stroud at the next level.

5. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver Broncos)- Tyree Wilson, Edge, Texas Tech: Wilson is someone who's stock is rising with the draft coming in two weeks. The Seahawks go with Wilson over Jalen Carter due to Wilson's explosiveness on the edge, which the team has lacked and Carter's off field issues.

6. Detroit Lions (from Los Angeles Rams)- Jalen Carter, Defensive Tackle, Georgia: A player that was thought of for the first overall pick in the winter falling to six would be a massive deal and a steal for the Lions. Carter has drawn comps to Aaron Donald do to being a dominant disruptor up front.

7. Las Vegas Raiders- Devon Witherspoon, Cornerback, Illinois: There were rumors about the Raiders going with a quarterback or even trading back, but here I have them addressing a need in corner. Witherspoon is super polished and super tough, but there are questions about his frame.

8. Atlanta Hawks- Nolan Smith, Edge, Georgia: Smith has been getting a lot of buzz in terms of possible selections here. Smith is an absolute athletic freak and he dominated the combine, which is sky-rocketing his stock.

9. Chicago Bears (from Carolina Panthers)- Paris Johnson, Offensive Tackle, Ohio State: The Bears trading down will benefit the franchise from an assets standpoint in the long run. Here, they address an important need on the line with Johnson, who is arguably the best left tackle in this class due to his ability to block and the power he provides.

10. Philadelphia Eagles (from New Orleans Saints)- Lukas Van Ness, Edge, Iowa: It's rare to see a Super Bowl team pick in the top ten in the draft, but here we are! Van Ness in the top ten seems like a reach, but his stock is rising with a week and a half to go until the draft. Van Ness is a raw prospect who never started in college and coming to the Eagles would benefit him due to the veterans that can mentor him.

11. Tennessee Titans- Will Levis, Quarterback, Kentucky: The Titans are a complete unknown when it comes to the draft as they are front and center of rumors in terms of teams likely to trade up. Say they stay at 11, maybe they take a swing at Levis, who didn't have a strong season, but many teams like.

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 youth everywhere and it would be fun for Stroud and Smith-Njigba to be reunited in the pros.

13. New York Jets- Broderick Jones, Offensive Tackle, Georgia: It would be surprising if a tackle isn't the pick here, unless the pick is moved for Aaron Rodgers. Jones has a great history against strong SEC offensive lines, which bolds well for the Jets, who badly need a tackle.

14. New England Patriots- Christian Gonzalez, Cornerback, Oregon: If Gonzalez falls this far, I do not see Bill Belichick passing up the opportinuty to get a future CB1. Gonzalez has the size and strength to be successful, but his run support needs improvement.

15. Green Bay Packers- Peter Skoronski, Offensive Tackle, Northwestern: This would be a great selection for a Packers team that is starting a rebuild. Skoronski is a perfect plug-and-play player who will help protect Jordan Love.

16. Washington Commanders- Joey Porter, Cornerback, Penn State: The Commanders are a possible dark horse candidate to possibly trade up to grab a quarterback, but I don't see it. Porter is a very physical player and would fit nicely in today's league, but does get too handsy at times.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers- Deonte Banks, Cornerback, Maryland: It would be somewhat surprising if the Steelers pick isn't a tackle or a corner. Banks put together a really good season in college and is big and physical who can match up with NFL receivers.

18. Detroit Lions- Bijan Robinson, Running Back, Texas: This would be some selection for a Lions team that is poised to make a jump in the NFC North. Robinson is probably the best first round running back since Saquon Barkley and he would be a complete game changer for the Lions.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Darnell Wright, Offensive Tackle, Tennessee: The Buccaneers are another team that is suddenly in a rebuild too. Wright's stock rose after a strong Senior Bowl and a great season in Tennessee as he can be picked in the first half of the first round.

20. Seattle Seahawks- Myles Murphy, Edge, Clemson: Murphy falling all the way down here would be a steal for the Seahawks. A hamstring injury is what can cause a fall for Murphy, but he is fast and has the size to be an impactful pass rusher.

21. Los Angeles Chargers- Zay Flowers, Wide Receiver, Boston College: It seems likely that the Chargers will take an offensive skill player of some sort here. Flowers had excellent production this past season and is an electric player to watch.

22. Baltimore Ravens- Quentin Johnston, Wide Receiver, TCU: Whether Lamar Jackson is back or not, receiver is a major need for the Ravens and that is with the addition of Odell Beckham Jr, who has not been healthy for a full season in over five years. Johnston had a big season which increased his stock and his hands and routes are excellent.

23. Minnesota Vikings- Jordan Addison, Wide Receiver, USC: The Vikings should really go with a defensive player here, but Addison would be a big add to their offense. They do have a need at the position with Adam Thielen being released and Addison can play both outside and in the slot.

24. Jacksonville Jaguars- Bryan Breese, Defensive Tackle, Clemson: I personally feel that the Jaguars need to nail this pick because they are very close to contending. Breese had a tough few years on and off the field but he is excellent at stopping the run and his game can be improved on.

25. New York Giants- Emmanuel Forbes, Cornerback, Mississippi State: With arguably the three best receivers off the board, the Giants go with a corner in Forbes. He is excellent in coverage and is super fast, which bolds well for a team that has to defend good offenses in its own division.

26. Dallas Cowboys- Michael Mayer, Tight End, Notre Dame: This would be Jerry Jones & Company's absolute dream scenario. Mayer is an absolute stud and has the ability to stretch the field. The thought of Mayer in this Cowboys offense is scary.

27.  Buffalo Bills- Drew Sanders, Linebacker, Arkansas: The Bills do not have any obvious needs, but linebacker here would be wise with the loss of Tremaine Edmunds. Sanders is coming off a big season in college and his versatility is what can get him drafted in the first round.

28. Cincinnati Bengals- Darnell Washington, Tight End, Georgia: The Bengals can go in any direction they'd like to and Washington here does make some sense. The team did sign Irv Smith Jr, but he's coming off a big injury and Washington here would be fun as he's a good blocker too.

29. New Orleans Saints (from San Francisco 49ers via Miami Dolphins/Denver Broncos)- Calijah Kancey, Defensive Tackle, Pittsburgh: It would be surprising if the Saints didn't go with a pass rusher here. Kancey is undersized, but he has a high motor and has shown to be consistent at pressuring.

30. Philadelphia Eagles- Brian Branch, Safety, Alabama: The Eagles with their second first rounder I have going with the drafts best safety in Branch. He excels off the edge, tackles well, and is solid in coverage.

31. Kansas City Chiefs- Will McDonald IV, Edge, Iowa State: McDonald is a hot name that could end up going late in the first round. He is a super explosive player with a high ceiling and the Chiefs can use a player like him in their pass rush.