2023 NFL Mock Draft: Final Edition

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

1. Carolina Panthers (from Chicago Bears)- Bryce Young, Quarterback, Alabama: This pick should be an absolute no brainer, sans the infamous Reddit post about Will Levis being picked first. Young's size may concern people, but his potential is real and is the most well rounded quarterback drafted arguably since Joe Burrow.

2. Houston Texans- Tyree Wilson, Edge, Texas Tech: It's insane to me that the Texans may pass on a quarterback yet again and it would be a massive mistake unless it's a trade down. Wilson reminds me of Travon Walker in terms of how fast he was rising in mocks which had the Jags take him first last year, but Wilson has high upside and is super athletic.

3. Arizona Cardinals- Will Anderson Jr, Edge, Alabama: The Cards got to be careful here because they could trade down too far to the point that they miss out on who could be the best player of the whole draft. Anderson is more well rounded than Tyree Wilson and has excellent technique.

4. Indianapolis Colts- Will Levis, Quarterback, Kentucky: They always say when there's smoke there's fire and that absolutely applies here with the Colts pick. I think Levis or Richardson would both be reaches here, but this team is desperate for stability at the position and Levis's traits could end up being the reason here.

5. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver Broncos)- Jalen Carter, Defensive Tackle, Georgia: This would be an excellent pick for the Seahawks, but you can make a case for a quarterback or even a trade here. Carter you can make a case is one of the best three players in this entire draft, but his off field issues can hurt his stock.

6. Detroit Lions (from Los Angeles Rams)- Devin Witherspoon, Cornerback, Illinois: A popular mock pick right now is Witherspoon to the Lions, which makes a lot of sense considering the need at the position. Witherspoon is super polished and super tough, but there are questions about his frame.

7. Las Vegas Raiders- Christian Gonzalez, Cornerback, Oregon: The Raiders should go defense here with this selection and the secondary in particular despite rumors about them trading up for a quarterback. Gonzalez is an absolute ballhawk and he has the size and speed that would get the Raiders excited.

8. Atlanta Falcons- Bijan Robinson, Running Back, Texas: It would be insane if the Falcons took Robinson here not because he's so talented, but they have other glaring needs on their roster that need to be addressed. That said, Robinson is arguably the best first round running back since Saquon Barkley and he's a game changer for anybody's offense.

9. Chicago Bears (from Carolina Panthers)- Paris Johnson Jr, Offensive Tackle, Ohio State: The Bears did a great job getting a nice haul for the top overall pick and the team needs protection for Justin Fields in the worst way possible and they land a stud in Johnson. His versatility would allow him to come in and start immediately.

10. Philadelphia Eagles (from New Orleans Saints)- Nolan Smith, Edge, Georgia: The Eagles could go anywhere really with this selection and Smith here makes some sense. They have a long term need on the edge and Smith is thought out to be the best pure pass rusher of the class sans not being as well rounded as Will Anderson.

11. Tennessee Titans- CJ Stroud, Quarterback, Ohio State: No, I don't see Stroud falling I just don't project trades in mock drafts and there is a lot of smoke about the Titans trading up for a quarterback. It's crazy to think that Stroud is likely not going second in this draft since he excels from the pocket and has great accuracy.

12. Houston Texans (from Cleveland Browns)- Anthony Richardson, Quarterback, Florida: Sometimes we see a team need pick being a player and team that not a lot of people actually think of. Richardson, despite the high variance of what he can actually be, intrigues a ton of teams due to his raw potential and elite arm.

13. Green Bay Packers (from New York Jets)- Jaxon Smith-Ngjiba, Wide Receiver, Ohio State: It would be funny if the Packers took a wide receiver in the first round after Aaron Rodgers is gone right? Well, the Packers need young talent and Smith-Ngjiba is thought out to be a better prospect than former teammates Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave were.

14. New England Patriots- Lukas Van Ness, Edge, Iowa: The Patriots have needs all over their roster and could go in any direction. Van Ness did not start in college, but he has excellent technique and has a high ceiling.

15. New York Jets (from Green Bay Packers)- Peter Skoronski, Offensive Tackle/Guard, Northwestern: Now that Aaron Rodgers is officially a Jet, the team must go and get him some protection. Skoronski is a versatile player and could start for the Jets right away.

16. Washington Commanders- Darnell Wright, Offensive Tackle, Tennessee: The Commanders going with the lineman makes a lot of sense here since it's a long term need. Wright had a great season in college and stood out in the Pro Bowl and excels at pass blocking on either side.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers- Broderick Jones, Offensive Tackle, Georgia: The Steelers get a gift here with Jones falling to them. Jones was successful against strong SEC defenses in college and is super athletic.

18. Detroit Lions- Calijah Kancey, Defensive Tackle, Pittsburgh  It would be fun if this is where Bijan Robinson lands, but Kancey would fill a big need for the Lions in their interior of their pass rush. Kancey doesn't have the typical size, but he has blazing speed.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Anton Harrison, Offensive Tackle, Oklahoma: The Bucs are now another suddenly rebuilding team and they need young talent at key positions. Harrison is good at protecting the run and could get better in pass protection too.

20. Seattle Seahawks- Myles Murphy, Edge, Clemson: This would be a great pick for the Seahawks, who can use more edge rushers. Murphy was dealing with a hamstring injury, which may have teams concerned, but he has the size and speed to be an impactful pass rusher.

21. Los Angeles Chargers- Michael Mayer, Tight End, Notre Dame: It feels pretty obvious that the Chargers will take a skilled offensive player of some sort here. Mayer would come in and change this offense with his ability to block the run and he has arguably the best hands in the draft.

22. Baltimore Ravens- Emmanuel Forbes, Cornerback, Mississippi State: The Ravens pass on a receiver and take another need in cornerback. Forbes is excellent in coverage and is super fast, which bolds well for a team that has to defend good offenses in its own division.

23. Minnesota Vikings- Deonte Banks, Cornerback, Maryland: The Vikings go with an important need pick here with Banks and they need help all over their defense. Banks put together a very solid season this past season and his physicality can match some NFL receivers.

24. Jacksonville Jaguars- Joey Porter Jr, Cornerback, Penn State: The Jaguars would be happy if Porter would fall to them and he would help them immediately. Porter does get handsy at times, which can have teams concerned.

25. New York Giants- Jordan Addison, WR, USC: The Giants want to prove that Daniel Jones is worth the big contract they gave him and Addison will help the cause. Addison is a great route runner and is mainly used in the slot and would be another weapon for Jones.

26. Dallas Cowboys- Will McDonald IV, Edge, Iowa State: The Cowboys go with a fast rising prospect here in McDonald. McDonald is a real explosive player with a high ceiling that can get sacks consistently.

27. Buffalo Bills- Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College: The idea of the Bills adding to that offense would be scary for defenses. Flowers was an electric player in college and can play outside or in the slot and he'll help stretch the field.

28. Cincinnati Bengals- Mazi Smith, DT, Michigan: The Bengals grab a fast rising interior defensive lineman here in Smith. He has an incredible skill set and would fit nicely with their current front seven.

29. New Orleans Saints- Bryan Breese, DT, Clemson: The Saints grabbing Breese here would be very enticing considering the need they have at the position. Breese dealt with a lot of off field issues, but has high upside and is excellent at stopping the run.

30. Philadelphia Eagles- Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama: The possible match of the Eagles and Gibbs feels like a match made in heaven. Gibbs would be a game changer in the Eagles offense and excels in the passing game too.

31. Kansas City Chiefs- Jaylin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee: The Chiefs grab yet another weapon for Patrick Mahomes here with Hyatt. Hyatt is coming off an awesome season in college and he can work both inside and outside and stretches the field well.