2023 NFL Mock Draft: Fourth Edition

 Here is the fourth 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 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- 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)- 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)- Christian Gonzalez, Cornerback, Oregon: The Lions are the early favorites to win the NFC North and they need to make the defensive side of the ball better to further that notion. Gonzalez has the size and strength to be successful, but his run support needs improvement.

7. Las Vegas Raiders- Tyree Wilson, Edge, Texas Tech: The Raiders have to be doing jumping jacks if this scenario presents itself, sans having a need in the secondary. Wilson is getting a lot of buzz to potentially be getting picked as high as fifth due to his speed, athleticism, and raw potential.

8. Atlanta Falcons- Myles Murphy, Edge, Clemson: Murphy being the selection here might be a little bit of a reach sans the position of need, but a trade down could be likely if the scenario presents itseld. Murphy is an explosive player with great speed and athleticism and also is versatile.

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- Peter Skoronski, Offensive Tackle, Northwestern: Let's say the Jets keep this pick and trade something else to get Aaron Rodgers. The team badly needs help on the offensive line and Skoronski is a perfect plug-and-play player who will help protect presumptively Rodgers.

14. New England Patriots- Devon Witherspoon, Cornerback, Illinois: Witherspoon falling to 14 would be a steal for the Pats, who should go with the best player available for their selection. Witherspoon has questions about his frame, but has great fluidity in his hips and has a good technical game.

15. Green Bay Packers- Michael Mayer, Tight End, Notre Dame: Personally, the Packers should go with a combination of need and best player available now that they are in somewhat of a rebuild since Aaron Rodgers is almost out the door. Mayer would be a great big target in Jordan Love's first full season starting due to his size and ability to stretch the field.

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- Broderick Jones, Offensive Tackle, Georgia: The Steelers have an interesting choice here whether to go offensive line or cornerback, but getting Jones to fall to 17 is a steal. Jones has a great college history going against talented SEC defenses and he'll do that to help protect Kenny Pickett too.

18. Detroit Lions- Bryan Breese, Defensive Tackle, Clemson: The Lions should double down on defense with their two picks and here I have them going with Breese to beef their front seven. Breese had a rough two years on and off the field and when he's right, he's an excellent run stopper and has upside to improve his game in other areas.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Nolan Smith, Edge, Georgia: The Buccaneers are another team that is in a defacto rebuild too and can use youth everywhere. Smith is an absolute athletic freak and he dominated the combine, which helps his stock. He also would fit well in Todd Bowles's defense.

20. Seattle Seahawks- Deonte Banks, Cornerback, Maryland: There is some buzz that the Seahawks can go receiver here, but there are more pressing needs on this roster. Banks put together a really good season in college and is big and physical who can match up with NFL receivers.

21. Los Angeles Chargers- Jaylin Hyatt, Wide Receiver, Tennessee: This is the point of the draft I can see a big run on receivers. Hyatt's biggest strength is his ability to stretch the field and he just gives Justin Herbert yet another weapon to throw to and gives this offense needed space.

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- Cam Smith, Cornerback, South Carolina: The Vikings badly need help in their secondary, even with the addition of Byron Murphy so this selection makes a ton of sense. Smith brings explosiveness and physicality to Brian Flores's defense and has potential to be more well-rounded and polished.

24. Jacksonville Jaguars- Darnell Wright, Offensive Tackle, Tennessee: The Jaguars are close to contending and you can make a case that they have to nail this selection. Offensive line is an area of need with Jawaan Taylor gone to the Chiefs and Wright is someone that can go higher than this due to his raw power and good movement skills.

25. New York Giants- Zay Flowers, Wide Receiver, Boston College: With Daniel Jones now handsomely paid, the Giants need to keep giving talent around Jones to help him and the team succeed. Flowers had excellent production this past season and is an electric player to watch.

26. Dallas Cowboys- Darnell Washington, Tight End, Washington: Washington is getting a lot of late first round buzz of late and the Cowboys are a good match considering they lost Dalton Schultz to the in-state Texans. Washington has the size and athleticism to succeed and also is an excellent blocker.

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- Bijan Robinson, Running Back, Alabama: This pick would make a ton of sense considering the future of Joe Mixon being up in the air. Robinson is a top ten talent in this entire draft and he would be a game changer offensively for Joe Burrow and that Bengals offense.

29. New Orleans Saints (from San Francisco 49ers via Miami Dolphins/Denver Broncos)- Keion White, Edge, Georgia Tech: It feels like the Saints most likely will go with pass rush here, which is a need. White is someone that could be picked at the end of this round or early second as he can play on the inside on downs too.

30. Philadelphia Eagles- O'Cyrus Torrence, Guard, Florida: The Eagles can go a numerous different directions here, including a trade down. Torrence would be a decent selection for the Birds as he's NFL ready with his size and power and he'll slide in the spot vacated by Issac Seumalo.

31. Kansas City Chiefs- Dawand Jones, Offensive Tackle, Ohio State: Jones is somebody who's a fast riser with a week and a half left until the draft. Jones has drawn comparisons to former Chief Orlando Brown due to his size and athleticism. He also improved as a blocker this past season and he would fit nicely on the right side.