2023 NFL Mock Draft: Third Edition

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

1. Carolina Panthers (from Chicago Bears)- CJ Stroud, Quarterback, Ohio State: A lot of possible smokescreens are rumors about the Panthers taking Stroud over Bryce Young. A ton of Panthers employees favor Stroud, who would fit Frank Reich's offense with his athleticism and good pocket passing.

2. Houston Texans- Bryce Young, Quarterback, Alabama: A lot of people had this selection mocked before the Bears traded the first pick away, but they'll pick the top quarterback that the Panthers do not pick. Young falling to the Texans would be a dream scenario as he's the most polished quarterback of the draft, sans size issues.

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)- Tyree Wilson, Edge Rush, 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 are rumors about the Raiders going with a quarterback, 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 Falcons- Myles Murphy, Edge Rush, Clemson: The Falcons have holes all over their roster, especially on defense. Murphy's stock is rising (sans a hamstring injury that kept him out of the combine) as he has the quickness, speed, and size to be an impactful pass rusher.

9. Chicago Bears (from Carolina Panthers)- Peter Skoronski, Offensive Tackle, Northwestern: 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 Skoronski, who is a plug-and-play prospect who will help protect Justin Fields right away.

10. Philadelphia Eagles (from New Orleans Saints)- Paris Johnson, Offensive Tackle, Ohio State: The Eagles can go in any direction here. Johnson does make sense with their suddenly aging offensive line as Johnson brings more youth and power to a line that needs it long term.

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)- Jordan Addison, Wide Receiver, USC: This would be an excellent pick for the Texans as they land the draft's best receiver in this mock. Addison has the speed and the ability to stretch the field and he and Bryce Young would be a dream haul for the Texans.

13. New York Jets- Bryan Breese, Defensive Tackle, Clemson: All the talk in Jets land is when will the Aaron Rodgers trade become official. Let's say they keep this pick, Breese would be a nice pick considering they have a need at the position alongside Quinnen Williams as Breese has a lot of potential sans a rough few years on and off the field.

14. New England Patriots- Christian Gonzalez, Cornerback, Oregon: Gonzalez falling all the way down to 14 would be a steal for the Pats, who have needs in a lot of roster areas. Gonzalez has the size and strength to be successful, but his run support needs improvement.

15. Green Bay Packers- Broderick Jones, Offensive Tackle, Georgia: Now that Aaron Rodgers is almost out the door, the Packers are now rebuilding. Jones would be a solid pick here with having a good college history, to help protect Jordan Love, who is in his first full season as a starting quarterback.

16. Washignton 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- Darnell Wright, Offensive Tackle, Tennessee: The Steelers have an interesting choice here whether to go offensive line or cornerback. 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.

18. Detroit Lions- Dalton Kincaid, Tight End, Utah: The Lions should go defense here, but tight end does make some sense as they have to replace the production they lost from TJ Hockenson. Kincaid here would be a reach as Michael Mayer would have been a better choice, but Kincaid would be a super, physical target in this offense.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Nolan Smith, Edge Rush, Georgia: The Buccaneers are another team that is now suddenly rebuilding and I have them going pass rush to bring them some needed youth at the position. Smith is an absolute freak and he dominated the combine, which helps his stock.

20. Seattle Seahawks- Quentin Johnston, Wide Receiver, TCU: The Seahawks taking a receiver here would be somewhat surprising, but it's becoming more likely. Johnston had a big season which increased his stock and his hands and routes are excellent.

21. Los Angeles Chargers- Michael Mayer, Tight End, Notre Dame: This pick would make sense for the Chargers as they could use an upgrade at the position. Mayer is also an excellent blocker and he has drown lofty comparisons to Rob Gronkowski and Travis Kelce.

22. Baltimore Ravens- Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Wide Receiver, Ohio State: Whether Lamar Jackson returns or not, wide receiver is a need for this Ravens squad sans signing Odell Beckham Jr. Smith-Njigba could end up the most talented receiver in this draft sans sitting out pretty much the entire season.

23. Minnesota Vikings- Lukas Van Ness, Edge Rush, Iowa: The Vikings are a little bit of a Wild Card here as they can go in any direction they'd like. Van Ness fills a need on the edge with that unit getting older and has the upside to develop into a three-down defender.

24. Jacksonville Jaguars- Deonte Banks, Cornerback, Maryland: The Jaguars are close to contending and you can make a case that they have to nail this selection. Banks put together a really good season in college and is big and physical who can match up with NFL receivers.

25. New York Giants- John Michael Schmitz, Center, Minnesota: Schmitz is getting a lot of buzz heading into the draft as he's one of the top interior line prospects. Nick Gates was a remarkable story coming back from that injury he sustained two seasons ago, but the position you can argue should be upgraded.

26. Dallas Cowboys- Zay Flowers, Wide Receiver, Boston College: Flowers is getting a ton of first round buzz and many are linking him to the Giants with the pick prior. Flowers had excellent production this past season and is an electric player to watch.

27. Buffalo Bills- Bijan Robinson, Running Back, Texas: This would be among the sexier selections of the first round. Robinson would probably the best first round running back since Saquon Barkley as he would be an upgrade at the position and change the Bills offense.

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)- Keion White, Edge Rush, 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- Adetomiwa Adebawore, Defensive Tackle, Northwestern: Taking Adebawore here would be a reach, but it does fill a need with the loss of Javon Hargrave. He can also play on the edge as the Eagles may see a poor mans Brandon Graham here with his athleticism and quickness.

31. Kansas City Chiefs- Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Edge Rusher, Kansas State: The Chiefs really nailed their draft last season and that is apart of the recipe for still being in contention in the Patrick Mahomes era. Anudike-Uzomah is a fast riser who was super productive in college sans questions about his availability and development.