Days are dwindling down before the Carolina Panthers are officially on the clock. Now is a fitting time to present my 2023 NFL Mock Draft 2.0.
These picks are made with the belief of where players will go, not where I think they should go.
Notes: Miami Dolphins forfeit their first-round pick
1. Carolina Panthers (via CHI): Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
This pick has been in debate since the Panthers moved up to the first overall pick. While it has mostly been Young and CJ Stroud at the center of discussions, Anthony Richardson is also a candidate. Nonetheless, Young is my final pick. Reports state everybody ‘loves’ him in the Carolina organization. And although he doesn’t fit Frank Reich’s prototypical build at the quarterback position, his pin-point accuracy and feel for the game make up for his size.
2. Houston Texans: Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Alabama
The Texans’ brass was probably hoping Young would be representing their logo on his hat come draft day, and now that he’s not they pivot. Their pivot option, however, was always thought to be another quarterback. Now, there have been recent shifts in betting odds and now the former Crimson Tide is expected to be pick. Adam Schefter also recently made a bet on live TV that two quarterbacks would not be selected before the Colts pick at No. 4.
3. Arizona Cardinals: Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech
Anderson has been mocked to Arizona since the draft order was set. That was largely due to the media-wide assumption that the Texans would take a quarterback. Since then, there has been changes. With Anderson gone, the Cardinals select the same position. Wilson is athletic freak. And one coach in the top 10 projects Wilson to be a better pro than his counterpart in Anderson.
4. Indianapolis Colts: C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
This scenario is very ideal for the Colts. All draft season long Stroud has projected to be a lock at No. 1 or No. 2, but he falls right in their lap at No. 4. Stroud is the best pure pocket passer in this draft class.
5. Seattle Seahawks (via DEN): Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
Carter is viewed among many throughout the NFL as the draft’s top talent. Though, character concerns have raised eyebrows, his talent may be to good to pass on. Here, the Seahawks go with the best player on the board in hopes of bolstering their defense for another playoff run.
6. Detroit Lions (via LAR): Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
Rumors are swirling that the Lions ‘really like’ Tyree Wilson. However, they recently traded their top cornerback Jeff Okudah to the Falcons. Okudah, former third overall pick in the 2020 draft, did not succeed in his short stint with the Lions, leading to a trade. Maybe the front office is scared to draft the position that high again? I don’t think so. After selecting Aidan Hutchinson last year, the team will look to find their top cornerback in this year’s draft. Witherspoon is a ferocious defender who will fit into the Lion’s culture right away.
7. Las Vegas Raiders: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
The Raiders have a glaring need at the cornerback position, and many believe Gonzalez is the best coverage corner in the draft. The former Duck would start right away for a team seeking an upgrade at the position.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia
The Falcons choose to keep the former Bulldog in state while addressing a need. Their pass rush lacked athleticism and playmaking. Smith will bring just that. He tested freakishly at the combine, which launched his stock into top 10 consideration.
9. Chicago Bears (via CAR): Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State
If the Bears wish to keep quarterback Justin Fields healthy, getting a blindside blocker should be their first priority. Johnson, who has experience at left tackle and right guard, offers a lot of versatility along the Bears offensive line. More importantly, he could serve as the Bears’ future at the left tackle position.
10. Philadelphia Eagles (via NO): Peter Skoronski, OL, Northwestern
The Eagles don’t have an immediate need at offensive line, but this pick is more for the future. It is widely known that vice president/general manager Howie Roseman prioritizes the trenches. The team likely won’t be picking this hight for a while, so they opt for a future starter in Skoronski who can be plugged at offensive guard and tackle.
11: Tennessee Titans: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
Titans have been linked to the former Gator all throughout the offseason. After an exceptional combine and pro day performance, no one thought that Richardson would sneak out of the top 10. Here we are, closer to the draft, still with no clarification. But Richardson’s fit with the Titans in enticing, and current quarterback Ryan Tannehill isn’t getting any younger.
12. Houston Texans (via CLE): Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
Reports have said that the Texans are not fond of the quarterback class outside of Young. That’s the reason I had them selecting Anderson at No. 2. 10 picks later though, Levis looks more intriguing. They have an immediate need at the position, and they could look at his arm strength and athleticism and decide they want to take a chance on him.
13. New York Jets: Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
The Jets have fallen victim to a frenzy of Mekhi Becton injuries since drafting him with the No. 11 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. It’s unfortunate, but the Jets can’t rely on his health. In comes another massive tackle prospect in Wright.
14. New England Patriots: Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
Porter has elite size and length and is the best man-cover cornerback in the class. The Patriots could look to pair Porter with budding star Jack Jones to solidify the secondary.
15. Green Bay Packers: Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
Scouts have raved about Kincaid’s ability to be one of the best pass-catching tight ends in the coming years. The Packers have a history of relying on the position to make plays, and Robert Tonyan looked substandard last season. Furthermore, young quarterbacks typically rely on the position more than their receivers. Jordan Love is set to takeover for Aaron Rodgers, pending his trade to the New York Jets. This pick should be a no-brainer.
16. Washington Commanders: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
Jones is a big left tackle prospect that could bolster an offensive line that crumbled all season. If Washington wants to give youngster Sam Howell a fair shot to be the starter, they should invest in the offensive line.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
Cam Sutton may not return, so the Steelers could opt for a replacement in Ringo. Ringo is a fast cornerback that has slipped a bit throughout the draft process. However, Ringo had a solid combine, which could ultimately bring him back into top 20 conversations.
18. Detroit Lions: Calijah Kancey, DT, Pittsburgh
Though undersized at the position, Kancey is a quick and feisty and excels at pass rushing. After going cornerback with their first pick, Dan Campbell and co. look to solidify the defensive front with the former Pitt Panther.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
After releasing Leonard Fournette, the Bucs’ running back room appears up in the air. The team still has Rachaad White, who was drafted in the third round last year, but that doesn’t mean much when a talent like Robinson’s comes along. He’s is a slam-dunk pick and a top five prospect in this class.
20. Seattle Seahawks: Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
Flowers has been receiving lots of attention in the final days before the draft. He’s an quick-twitched receiver that could thrive out of the slot for a team that already has D.K Metcalf and Tyler Lockett.
21. Los Angeles Chargers: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
The Chargers have been seeking an upgrade at the position since Hunter Henry departed to the New England Patriots. Mayer has similar attributes as the former Bolt. A well-rounded tight end, Mayer has soft hands at the catch point and is an adequate blocker.
22. Baltimore Ravens: Jaxon Smith-Ngijba, WR, Ohio State
Despite free agent acquisitions of Odell Beckham Jr. and Nelson Agholor, the Ravens pounce on the opportunity to take Smith-Njigba at this spot.
23. Minnesota Vikings: Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee
Hooker is believed to be viewed higher amongst the NFL than he is by the media. ESPN Draft Analyst Matt Miller also said, “One of the most popular texts I’ve gotten from evaluators this past 10 days has been some form of ‘Watch the Vikings for Hendon Hooker.'” This would make sense, as Kirk Cousins time in Minnesota is creeping towards the end. If the Vikings’ brass likes Hooker enough, they could submit the draft card with his name on it.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars: O’Cyrus Torrence, OG, Florida
The Jaguars have a big need at the guard position and Torrence is big and powerful. He could provide run support while solidifying the pass block for the interior. The Jaguars decide to keep Torrence in the state.
25. New York Giants: John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota
Michael-Schmitz is considered one of— if not—the best offensive lineman in the draft. However, the center position is not as highly valued as the tackle and guard position. But it’s a plus when you have a good one. Michael Schmitz is more than good. And the Giants interest has not been quiet. According to Tony Pauline, Giants OL coach Bobby Johnson privately worked him out.
26. Dallas Cowboys: Lukas Van Ness, EDGE, Iowa State
A lot of mock drafts have the Cowboys drafting a receiver or running back. To me, pairing a bull-rushing edge with Micah Parsons sounds a bit more enticing. Van Ness is a powerful rusher that lacks moves in his repertoire. He didn’t start at Iowa, but he has the size and strength to be successful in the NFL.
27. Buffalo Bills: Drew Sanders, LB, Arkansas
In a shallow linebacker class, Arkansas’ Sanders stands out. He’s an elite playmaker on defense and the Bills could use just that.
28. Cincinnati Bengals: Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State
Forbes is a shutdown corner that has been knocked for his size (6 foot 1, 166 pounds). However, he possesses great length and a competitive edge. Forbes could become an immediate starter in a Bengals secondary that relies heavily on Eli Apple in coverage.
29. New Orleans Saints (via SF): Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson
Murphy is a long, twitchy pass rusher that could fill the role of Marcus Davenport, who departed to the Minnesota Vikings.
30. Philadelphia Eagles: Adetomiwa Adebawore, DL, Northwestern
The Eagles take another Northwestern Wildcat. This time on the defensive side of the ball. Adebawore improved his stock with a phenomenal combine performance. Moreover, reports have surfaced that the Eagles’ brass ‘absolutely loves’ him.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
At the beginning of the draft process, Johnston was considered the best receiver in the class. He now finds himself at the backend of the first round, being paired with the best quarterback in the NFL. The Chiefs recently lost Juju Smith-Schuster in free agency, so they’re looking for a replacement. Johnston is a prototypical X receiver with his size and speed.
Check out our latest 2023 NFL Mock Draft!
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