2023 NFL Mock Draft: Sixth Edition

 Here is the sixth 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- 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- Will Levis, Quarterback, Kentucky: This would be crazy considering the Colts have been reportedly been in love with Anthony Richardson. 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)- Christian Gonzalez, Cornerback, Oregon: The Lions need defensive help in the worst way possible in this draft so secondary isn't a bad idea. Gonzalez is an absolute ballhawk and he has the size and speed that would get the Lions excited.

7. Las Vegas Raiders- Paris Johnson, Offensive Tackle, Ohio State: The Raiders have several needs on their roster and protecting new quarterback Jimmy Garappolo needs to be a priority. Johnson is a versatile player and could come in and start right away.

8. Atlanta Falcons- Tyree Wilson, Edge, Texas Tech: Wilson falling this far would be a major steal for the Falcons. Medical questions could be the reason for a possible fall for Wilson, but he's super explosive and fills an important need in their pass rush.

9. Chicago Bears- Peter Skoronski, Offensive Tackle, Northwestern: The Bears go with the homecoming pick here with Skoronski. The Bears have an obvious need at the tackle position and Skoronski is a versatile player too which would be great.

10. Philadelphia Eagles (from New Orleans Saints)- Brian Branch, Safety, Alabama: The Eagles can go anywhere with their picks and their first one I have them going with the talented safety in Branch. He excels off the edge, tackles well, and is solid in coverage.

11. Tennessee Titans- Anthony Richardson, Quarterback, Florida: Richardson falling down this far you can argue is a steal for the Titans, considering they may not have to trade up. Richardson has drawn comparisons to Lamar Jackson due to his raw potential.

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- 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- 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- 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- 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- 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- Quentin Johnston, Wide Receiver, TCU: It feels obvious that the Chargers will take a skill offensive player with this pick. Johnston had an outstanding season in college this past season and his running routes and hands are excellent.

22. Baltimore Ravens- Zay Flowers, Wide Receiver, Boston College: Whether Lamar Jackson is back, the Ravens need a receiver and that's with the addition of Odell Beckham Jr. Flowers had excellent production this past season and is an electric player to watch.

23. Minnesota Vikings- Jalin Hyatt, Wide Receiver, Tennessee: The Vikings really should go defense with this pick, but they also need a wideout with Adam Thielen not being around. Hyatt had an awesome season in college and he has the ability to stretch the field.

24. Jacksonville Jaguars- Kelee Ringo, Cornerback, Georgia: I'm in the belief that the Jags must nail this pick since they are close to Super Bowl contention. Ringo will certainly help a secondary that was last against the pass this past season with his physical presence.

25. New York Giants- Jack Campbell, Linebacker, Iowa: Some may argue passing on a wide receiver would be a mistake for the Giants, but linebacker is also a need and they can address receiver later on in the draft. Campbell has the size and athleticism to be a three down linebacker in the league.

26. Dallas Cowboys- Dalton Kincaid, Tight End, Utah: With Mayer off the board, the Cowboys grab perhaps the drafts second best tight end in Kincaid. He was a solid pass catcher in college and now the Cowboys can use his production to replace Dalton Schultz.

27. Buffalo Bills- O'Cyrus Torrence, Guard, Florida: The Bills are kind of a wild card in terms of what they can do here with their pick. Torrence could be a day one starter in the league with his size and power.

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)- Lukas Van Ness, Edge, Iowa: A lot of mocks are projecting Van Ness to go higher than this and that is totally reasonable. Van Ness did not start in college, but really has shown potential and the Saints badly need pass rush help.

30. Philadelphia Eagles- 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 Eagles can use a player like him in their pass rush.

31. Kansas City Chiefs- Anton Harrison, Offensive Tackle, Oklahoma: The Chiefs can go in a numerous different directions here too and a tackle makes sense. Harrison is good at protecting the run and could get better in pass protection too.