2023 NFL Mock Draft: Second Edition

 Here is the second 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 as he 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)- 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- Paris Johnson, Offensive Tackle, Ohio State: It's no secret that the Raiders need help badly on their offensive line to protect new quarterback Jimmy Garappolo, who doesn't consistently stays healthy. Johnson is a plug-and-play prospect who would make an impact immediately.

8. Atlanta Falcons- Christian Gonzalez, Cornerback, Oregon: The Falcons have several holes all around their roster, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Gonzalez has the size and strength to be successful, but his run support needs improvement.

9. Chicago Bears (from Carolina Panthers)- Broderick Jones, Offensive Tackle, Georgia: 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 Jones, who excelled against tough SEC competition while in college.

10. Philadelphia Eagles (from New Orleans Saints)- Devon Witherspoon, Cornerback, Illinois: 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 Witherspoon is somebody who's stock is rising, sans questions about the slight frame.

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- Darnell Wright, Offensive Tackle, Tennessee: The Patriots have a lot of holes on their roster and that's something that usually hasn't been said over the past quarter century. Wright's stock is heavily rising to the point he can be taken in the first half of the first round due to his strong Senior Bowl.

15. Green Bay Packers- Myles Murphy, Edge Rusher, Clemson: Now that Aaron Rodgers is almost out the door, the team is now rebuilding. The Packers must go with the best available player strategy here and Murphy is an explosive player and he would be fun alongside Rashan Gary.

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- Cam Smith, Cornerback, South Carolina: The Steelers have an obvious need at cornerback and they have quite a few to choose from. Smith brings explosiveness and physicality and has potential to be more well-rounded and polished.

18. Detroit Lions- Bryan Breese, Defensive Tackle, Clemson: The Lions are a dark horse to possibly deal both (or one of these picks plus another) and Jared Goff for Lamar Jackson, but let's say they keep this pick. The Lions need help all over their defense and Breese has so much potential sans not having an easy last two seasons on and off the field.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- O'Cyrus Torrence, Guard, Florida: The Bucs are another team that is now somewhat in a rebuild and they need youth in a lot of areas. Torrence makes sense here with a need at the position and even better is that he was dominant all season, in workouts, the Senior Bowl, and his Pro Day.

20. Seattle Seahawks- Nolan Smith, Defensive End, Georgia: This mock I have the Seahawks doubling down on their pass rush, which was their biggest weakness last season. Smith is an absolute freak and the thought of him and his UGA teammate Carter on the same pass rush in the pros is intimidating.

21. Los Angeles Chargers- Bijan Robinson, Running Back, Texas: This is a popular mock draft pick due to Austin Eckler's trade request. Robinson is a top ten talent in this entire draft and he is a game changer offensively for a lot of teams.

22. Baltimore Ravens- Quentin Johnston, Wide Receiver, TCU: Whether Lamar Jackson is back or not, receiver is a major need for the Ravens. Johnston had a big season which increased his stock and his hands and routes are excellent.

23. Minnesota Vikings- Deonte Banks, Cornerback, Maryland: The Vikings biggest need is in their secondary and they land someone who can go in the late teens. Banks put together a really good season in college and is big and physical who can match up with NFL receivers.

24. Jacksonville Jaguars- Brian Branch, Safety, Alabama: The Jags are a team that's close to Super Bowl contention and they should go with some combination of need and best player available. Branch is the best safety in this draft class and is a great off the edge, can tackle, and is solid in coverage.

25. New York Giants- Jordan Addison, Wide Receiver, USC: Now that Daniel Jones is handsomely paid, the Giants must put around the proper talent around him to ensure he's worth the money. Addison has the speed and the ability to stretch the field and would instantly become the WR1 0n this roster.

26. Dallas Cowboys- Sam LaPorta, Tight End, Iowa: The Hawkeyes produce tight ends at a high rate and the Cowboys have a need at the position with Dalton Schultz bolting to Houston. LaPorta had an excellent Pro Day and his tape was impressive considering how anemic Iowa's offense was last season.

27. Buffalo Bills- Jack Campbell, Linebacker, Iowa: The Bills do not have any obvious needs, but linebacker here would be wise with the loss of Tremaine Edmunds. Campbell is strong against the run, but needs to improve against the pass, which the Bills helped Edmunds do.

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)- Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Edge Rusher, Kansas State: The consensus is that the Saints will go with pass rush with this selection. Anudike-Uzomah is a fast riser who was super productive in college sans questions about his availability and development.

30. Philadelphia Eagles- Calijah Kancey, Defensive Tackle, Pittsburgh: This pick makes a lot of sense for the Eagles because of the loss of Javon Hargrave. Kancey is under sized, but he has a high motor and has shown to be consistent at pressuring.

31. 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 areas on their roster that I believe could be more useful sans being Super Bowl Champs. Kincaid was a solid player in college and would add another weapon for Patrick Mahomes and that offense.