The 2023 NFL Draft, which will be held from April 27-29, is a trade away from the first four picks being all quarterbacks. Unless the Raiders or Seahawks trade up, that will stand. In case you missed it here is my first mock draft. Following that here is Dacota Haynes’ NFL Mock Draft 2.0. In this edition, we’re going first two rounds.
1. Carolina Panthers (via Chicgao Bears)
Pick: Kentucky QB Will Levis
When the Panthers and Bears agreed to the blockbuster deal of sending the No. 1 overall pick to Carolina, everybody knew it’d be a QB being taken with the first pick. Now, the question is who will they draft. Levis fits the mold of Frank Reich quarterback. It’s not a certainty that the Panthers will pick Levis but in 2018, the Browns took Baker Mayfield over Sam Darnold and Josh Allen.
2. Houston Texans
Pick: Alabama QB Bryce Young
The Texans would like to potentially draft a QB with size, but one who is accurate, makes good decisions and is mobile will do the trick. The latter is exactly what they’ll be getting in Young who could potentially be the face of the franchise, with a new era starting.
3. Arizona Cardinals
Pick: Alabama DE Will Anderson Jr.
The Cardinals already have their quarterback in Kyler Murray. With J.J. Watt announcing his retirement, the Cardinals will need an edge rusher to replace him. They also just need to add some young talent to what is for the majority an older roster.
4. Indianapolis Colts
Pick: Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud
Not only is it a new era in Indianapolis, the Colts still feature a roster that could compete now. They just brought in Gardner Minshew to serve as a backup. With that being said, Stroud falling to the Colts will win them their top quarterback. However, no one really knows who they have their eyes set on.
5. Seattle Seahawks (via Denver Broncos)
Pick: Floria QB Anthony Richardson
Many other mock drafts have the Seahawks taking an edge rusher with the fifth overall pick. While the idea behind them taking one here is smart, the time is now for them to start developing their next QB. The Seahawks may not get the chance to draft a top quarterback next year. Richardson is a guy that the Seahawks could allow to develop behind Geno Smith, who the Seahawks just extended.
6. Detroit Lions (via Los Angeles Rams)
Pick: Oregon CB Christian Gonzalez
It’s difficult to envision the Lions passing on Carter, but there is still a little bit of uncertainty after everything has unfolded. Teams might be a bit more cautious with the Georgia defensive lineman. As a result, I am doubling down on them selecting Gonzalez here. The Lions’ secondary is another area of need heading into 2023 season. Adding, a guy like Gonzalez would bolster the recent singings of Emmanuel Moseley and Cameron Sutton.
7. Las Vegas Raiders
Pick: Penn State CB Joey Porter Jr.
There’s a chance that the Raiders could trade up into the top five. Especially, if they want to grab a young QB. However, I’m not quite sure they will after already signing Jimmy Garoppolo. They probably don’t view him as a long-term option, but they could wait til next year to get their future quarterback.
8. Atlanta Falcons
Pick: Texas Tech DE Tyree Wilson
The Falcons are basically set on offense and don’t really need a safety after adding Jessie Bates. They could go with an interior lineman and grab Carter, but Wilson might be a better fit on the opposite side of Ta’Quon Graham.
9. Chicago Bears (via Carolina Panthers)
Pick: Georgia DL Jalen Carter
There is a lot of news surrounding Carter, which makes it difficult to judge where he’ll land. The talent suggests he’d be long gone by now, but with him being on probation it may hinder that. The Bears traded back and could still land the guy they wanted at No.1.
10. Philadelphia Eagles (via New Orleans Saints)
Pick: Illinois CB Devon Witherspoon
After some uncertainty, the Eagles are keeping Darius Slay to re-pair with James Bradberry opposite him. That being said, in my first mock draft, I had the Eagles taking Brian Branch. However, Witherspoon would be more of a long-term option that can play both inside and outside.
11. Tennessee Titans
Pick: Ohio State OT Paris Johnson Jr.
In my first mock, I had said that Johnson may become the starter. However, the Titans just signed Andre Dilliard. Now, Johnson doesn’t have to rush into it. He still may be the long-term option here.
12. Houston Texans (via Cleveland Browns)
Pick: Northwestern OT Peter Skoronski
The Texans got their man at QB with the second overall pick. Now there are rumors of Laremy Tunsil getting traded. Whether it happens or not, adding Skoronski with their second pick would bode well. Whether, he starts at Guard or Tackle, the talent suggests that he’s ready to be a starter at the next level.
13. New York Jets
Pick: Georgia OT Broderick Jones
So, Aaron Rodgers may be headed to New York, right? He’s confirmed he wants to play there. However, no trade has happened yet. That’s not saying that it won’t. Could this pick be traded in the mix? I guess we’ll see soon. For now though, I’ve got the Jets adding Jones. The Jets will need help on the line in order to protect Rodgers. Jones is a top three offensive lineman in this years draft, so it’s a clear cut choice.
14. New England Patriots
Pick: Alabama CB/S Brian Branch
If the top three Offensive Lineman are off the board, I would expect Bill Belicek to go defense here. Especially, when he has a chance to pick one of the smartest and most reliable players in this class. Branch is a guy that the Patriots could throw into the slot or on the back end as a true safety.
15. Green Bay Packers
Pick: Iowa DE Lukas Van Ness
The Packers are in a good spot for this year’s draft. They can really go in any direction and fill any position of need. Either way, it wouldn’t be a bad selection. Van Ness has experience to play on the inside but with the speed to play on the outside, that’s most likely where he’ll lineup in the NFL. Though, he hasn’t started much so he may a little raw.
16. Washington Commanders
Pick: Oklahoma OT Anton Harrison
With the top-three corners in this years draft already off the board. Look for the Commanders to take a Tackle. Though, they just signed Andrew Wylie, Charles Leno Jr. is 32-years-old and is entering the back half of his contract. Picking up his eventual replacement while not having to start him right away could be a smart move.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers
Pick: Tennessee OT Darnell Wright
The Steelers may have found their future QB in Kenny Pickett. Now they need to surround him with weapons, and guys that will protect him. Wright has the talent and has already been tested. He appears to be set for the NFL.
18. Detroit Lions
Pick: Notre Dame TE Michael Mayer
The Lions already addressed the need at corner with Gonzalez at No. 6. Now, they have the option of drafting a nother Corner or giving Jared Goff a weapon at TE. Mayer can help in the pass rush and catch passes.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Pick: Georgia CB Kelee Ringo
Corner is the biggest need for the Bucs. If Ringo is still available at 19, they might grab one of the best corners in this years draft class. However, they could use this pick on the DL/OL as well.
20. Seattle Seahawks
Pick: Baylor DT Siaki Ika
The Seahawks have made some additions to their defensive line with Jarran Reed and Dre’Mont Jones. They may not be done either. There’s a chance that Bryan Bresee and Ika may be available. However, I’m doubling down here on my pick in the first edition of my mock draft. Ika is the better run defender due to his 6-4, 358lb. frame.
21. Los Angeles Chargers
Pick: Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Keenan Allen appears to be slowing down, Mike Williams has become injury prone. The Chargers need some help at the Wider Receiver position. Sure, they have Joshua Palmer, Jalen Guyton, and DeAndre Carter who had a breakout season. Thats just three guys, and you can never have enough targets for a QB like Justin Herbert.
22. Baltimore Ravens
Pick: TCU WR Quentin Johnston
The Ravens need more weapons for Lamar Jackson if he stays in Baltimore. They don’t need just any old wide receiver though. They need a big, fast boundary option to keep defenses honest. Johnson meets that requirement.
23. Minnesota Vikings
Pick: USC WR Jordan Addison
The Vikings moved on from Adam Thielen, which means they very well could be in the wide receiver market. They need to someone to complement Justin Jefferson and Addison could be a long-term option to do so.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars
Pick: South Carolina CB Cam Smith
Tyson Campbell was a good option for the Jags last season, but they need more at the position if they are going to continue to compete. Smith was a bit volatile but much improved last season. He should handle the transition without any problems.
25. New York Giants
Pick: Boston College WR Zay Flowers
The Giants need more playmakers at the WR Position. Flowers, while small in size, brings that electric playstyle as an outside receiver and slot player.
26. Dallas Cowboys
Pick: Texas RB Bijan Robinson
The Ezekiel Elliott era is over in Dallas, Tony Pollard will still be around after the Cowboys franchise tagged him but he’ll be coming off of an injury. Some fans may not like the idea of releasing Elliott, but they could get his replacement and keep Robinson in Texas.
27. Buffalo Bills
Pick: Florida OG O’Cyrus Torrence
Buffalo needs to upgrade it’s offensive line. If Torrence falls here, he’d be the best thing the Bills could add. A talented Guard who was potentially the best interior offensive lineman in the country last season.
28. Cincinnati Bengals
Pick: Georgia TE Darnell Washington
A Tight End is the only logical position for the Bengals to target. They could help bolster the offensive line, and the Bengals will now need to replace Hayden Hurst. They can touch on both needs with the selection of Washington, a massive 6-foot-7, 270-pound tight end who is a rare athlete for his size and almost like a sixth offensive lineman on the end of the line of scrimmage.
29. New Orleans Saints (via San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins and Denver Broncos)
Pick: Georgia DE Nolan Smith
The Saints have several positions that they need to fill. Though, with the recent acquisition of Derek Carr, the quarterback position is not one of them. It’d be a miracle if Smith fell this far, however, with how teams have addressed their needs above, it could happen. Smith is passionate about football, has elite athletic traits and will defend the run until his last breath.
30. Philadelphia Eagles
Pick: Pittsburgh DL Calijah Kancey
The 6-foot, 280-pound interior defensive lineman Kancey has one of the most unique scouting profiles. He’s incredibly disruptive on the interior of the defensive line. If the Eagles want to find an elite pass rusher, they might just find one in Kancey.
31. Kansas City Chiefs
Pick: Syracuse OT Matthew Bergeron
The Chiefs are in need of offensive lineman again. This pick may prove to be huge for the Super Bowl Champions. They pretty much are set at every position still.
Second Round
PITTSBURGH STEELERS (VIA CHI): Wisconsin DT Keeanu Benton
HOUSTON TEXANS: Oregon State TE Luke Musgrave
ARIZONA CARDINALS: Alabama RB Jahmyr Gibbs
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: TCU OG Steve Avila
LOS ANGELES RAMS: Tenessee QB Hendon Hooker
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (VIA DENVER): LSU ED B.J. Ojulari
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS: Wisconsin OL Joe Tippman
CAROLINA PANTHERS: UNC WR Josh Downs
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: Clemson ED Myles Murphy
TENNESSEE TITANS: Minnesota CJohn Michael Schmitz
CLEVELAND BROWNS: Utah TE Dalton Kincaid
NEW YORK JETS: USC ED Tuli Tuipulotu
ATLANTA FALCONS: Kansas State ED Felix Anudike-Uzomah
GREEN BAY PACKERS: Arkansas LB Drew Sanders
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: Ohio State OL Luke Wypler
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS: Mississippi State CB Emmanuel Forbes
DETROIT LIONS: Clemson DT Bryan Bresee
PITTSBURGH STEELERS: Miami CB Tyrique Stevenson
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: Iowa LB Jack Campbell
MIAMI DOLPHINS: BYU OT Blake Freeland
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: Michigan DL Mazi Smith
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS: Tennessee WR Jalin Hyatt
CHICAGO BEARS (VIA BALTIMORE): Auburn ED Derick Hall
DETROIT LIONS (VIA MINNESOTA): Alabama S Jordan Battle
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: North Dakota State OL Cody Mauch
NEW YORK GIANTS: Washington State LB Daiyan Henley
DALLAS COWBOYS: Clemson LB Trenton Simpson
BUFFALO BILLS: Florida State S Jammie Robinson
CINCINNATI BENGALS: Kansas State CB Julius Brents
CHICAGO BEARS* (VIA CAROLINA): Maryland OT Jaelyn Duncan
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: Illinois S Sydney Brown
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: Bowling Green ED Karl Brooks
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