The 2023 NFL draft is just a couple of months away. Now that the off-season has begun, there is no better time to start thinking about the draft. This particular mock will be from the perspective of what I think teams will do. Not necessarily what I think they should do. This mock will also include trades since that will help give a more accurate prediction of what teams may do. With that being said, here is my NFL mock draft 1.0.

1. Houston Texans (via CHI): Bryce Young, Quarterback, Alabama

Many NFL mock draft writers will have a trade here. This mock is no different. We see a trade right away at pick No. 1 with the Texans coming up to get their new franchise quarterback. Young is the best QB in the draft, and Houston could use an upgrade. Although there are some valid size concerns, Young’s playmaking ability and exceptional accuracy should be enough to keep him as the first selection. As for Chicago, I think they will stick with Justin Fields and keep themselves in a position to take a top defensive player in a couple of picks. For this scenario, we assume that Chicago obtains picks 12 and 2 from Houston.

2. Indianapolis Colts (via CHI): C.J. Stroud, Quarterback, Ohio State

Another trade at No. 2 between the Colts and Bears. Once again, for a quarterback. This time, Indianapolis comes up to take C.J. Stroud, who many people believe to be the best QB in the class. Stroud has a prototypical NFL size and a smooth release to match. His playmaking skills leave a bit to be desired, but he showed he could play out of the structure in this year’s CFP. Now Chicago has picks four and 12, and the Colts set up what should be a tremendous divisional rivalry between Young and Stroud.

3. Arizona Cardinals: Will Anderson Jr, Edge, Alabama

A second member of the Crimson Tide goes off the board here at No. 3. Anderson’s production in college is quite possibly the most impressive when it comes to edge rushers in recent drafts. If you combine that with the get-off and pure athleticism he possesses, you’re looking at one of the best players in the draft. With the retirement of J.J. Watt and the potential for Zach Allen to leave in free agency, the Cardinals are filling a huge need with this selection.

4. Chicago Bears: Jalen Carter, Defensive Line, Georgia

The Bears had one of the worst front seven units in the entire league last season, and it starts up-front with the defensive line. Chicago ended with the least sacks in the league, and to compete in the NFC, you have to get to the quarterback. Nobody in the 2023 NFL draft does so from the interior better than Jalen Carter. Carter has dominated college football the last two years and has graded out as the best defender on Georgia’s defense. His size and athleticism are too much for most guards, and he has the pass-rushing moves to beat almost every double team thrown his way. With this pick, Chicago starts their return back to the Monsters of the Midway.

5. Carolina Panthers (via SEA): Will Levis, Quarterback, Kentucky

Another trade up here with the Panthers coming up to five to select Will Levis. They move with Seattle after seeing two quarterbacks come off the board within the first two picks. Carolina needs a quarterback like a fish needs water, and many believe Will Levis has the best tools in the draft. Although his college production leaves something to be desired, Frank Reich and the Panthers take Levis, hoping he can develop into their franchise guy for years.

6. Detroit Lions: Devon Witherspoon, Cornerback, Illinois

The Lions struggled defensively all year long, ultimately ruining their chances of making the playoffs. Jeff Okudah looked solid this year, but Amani Oruwariye took a massive step back after a promising 2021 campaign. The chances of Detroit picking this high again in the coming years are slim, so they take who many consider to be the best corner in the draft Devon Witherspoon. Witherspoon is an all-around great corner prospect with exceptional man and zone skills. The Lions take him here to make him their CB1 of the future.

7. Green Bay Packers (via LV): Quentin Johnston, Wide Receiver, TCU

Would it be an NFL mock draft without a little QB controversy? The Packers will be parting ways with Aaron Rodgers this off-season, and the Las Vegas Raiders would be a perfect landing spot. That said, I have that trade happening here, and the Packers are selecting here at seven. With this pick, Green Bay adds more firepower to their young receiving core with Quentin Johnston. Johnston is a staggering 6’4″, 215 lbs, and will instantly become a true outside receiver for the Packers and their new starting QB, Jordan Love.

8. Atlanta Falcons: Tyree Wilson, Edge, Texas Tech

It’s no secret that Atlanta has to improve drastically on the defensive side of the ball. More specifically, upfront. Wilson is this year’s size, speed, and quickness freak at the position. Throw that he had back-to-back productive seasons for Texas Tech into the equation, and there is no reason Wilson can’t be a top selection in this year’s draft. Wilson would slide in perfectly as an outside linebacker in the Falcons’ 3-4 defense and would be a significant step in solving their pass-rushing problems.

9. Seattle Seahawks (via CAR): Anthony Richardson, Quarterback, Florida

After trading back with Carolina, the Seahawks still get who they may have taken at No. 5 in Anthony Richardson. Richardson is an athletic freak with a cannon of an arm. Even though Richardson may be able to play day one just off strict athleticism, Seattle could comfortably sit him behind Geno Smith for another year and let him develop further as a passer before they entirely hand him the reigns.

10. Philadelphia Eagles: Brian Branch, Safety, Alabama

It’s crazy to see the Super Bowl runner-up picking in the top 10, but here we are. The Eagles have next to no holes on their roster, but with the possible departure of James Bradberry and C.J. Gardner-Johnson, they could use some pieces in the secondary. Branch can play either safety or slot corner in the league and could immediately impact an already-loaded Philadelphia defense.

11. Tennessee Titans: Paris Johnson Jr, Offensive Line, Ohio State

With the possible departures of Taylor Lewan and Nate Davis, the Titans can use some guys on the offensive line. Johnson Jr. likely profiles best to tackle but can also slide inside to guard. In recent drafts, Tennessee has shown they like the “position flexibility” guys and take the same approach.

12. Chicago Bears (via Hou): Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Wide Receiver, Ohio State

It’s no secret that Chicago had one of, if not the worst, receiving cores in the league last year. They lack a guy that can truly separate as a route runner, and JSN can do just that. He reunites with his former teammate Justin Fields on the Bears.

13. New York Jets: Peter Skoronski, Offensive Line, Northwestern

Duane Brown is almost 40, and Mekhi Becton is far too injury prone to rely on as a franchise tackle. The Jets take Skoronski to play pretty much anywhere on the offensive line. He has positional flexibility and will be a solid day-1 starter in New York.

14. New England Patriots: Christian Gonzalez, Cornerback, Oregon

New England already has a solid cornerback group with Jack and Jonathan Jones, but they have shown in the past that they are more than willing to make strengths on their roster even better. Gonzalez excels in man coverage, and Bill Belichick loves some man coverage.

15. Green Bay Packers: Lukas Van Ness, Edge, Iowa

With their second pick, Green Bay bolsters their young defensive unit with possibly the best bull-rusher in the class in Lukas Van Ness out of Iowa. At 6’5″, 270 lbs, Van Ness has the strength to play either 3-4 outside linebacker or defensive end for the Packers.

16. Washington Commanders: Joey Porter Jr., Cornerback, Penn St

The Commanders have a glaring hole at cornerback and fill it here with Joey Porter Jr. He is the best press-man in the class, has some great size for a corner, and goes two rounds earlier than his dad did in the 1999 NFL draft.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Broderick Jones, Offensive Line, Georgia

Pittsburgh hasn’t been able to return to its identity as a dominant line in some years now, and hopefully, take Broderick Jones here to head back in that direction. Jones has been a critical contributor for the best team in the country for two years and will now slide right in as a starting tackle for the Steelers.

18. Detroit Lions: Calijah Kancey, Defensive Line, Pitt

The Lions double up on defense in the first round and take Calijah Kancey at 19. He will give Detroit some serious pass-rushing upside from the interior and be a great running mate for Aidan Hutchinson.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Bryan Bresee, Defensive Line, Clemson

Tampa Bay prides itself on having a dominant defensive line. However, they have a couple of guys up-front that are aging and regressing. Bryan Bresse lacks college production but makes up for it with the tools he possesses as a pass rusher and run stuffer.

20. Seattle Seahawks: Nolan Smith, Edge, Georgia

After taking a quarterback in the top 10, the Seahawks address their defense at 20 by taking Nolan Smith. Another guy that doesn’t have much college production but has some freaky athleticism that shows up on tape. He slides a bit after suffering an injury during the regular season but winds up in a spot where he will make an immediate impact.

21. Los Angeles Chargers: Jordan Addison, Wide Receiver, USC

With the rumors surrounding Keenan Allen possibly becoming a cap casualty, the Chargers could need another dynamic route runner heading into next season. Addison is just that. He needs to work on his drop issues a bit, but he has some playmaking ability you can’t teach.

22. Baltimore Ravens: Zay Flowers, Wide Receiver, Boston College

The Ravens have been criticized consistently for their lack of receiving talent around Lamar Jackson. Even though Flowers may not end up playing with Jackson, he will still provide some needed after-the-catch ability to Baltimore’s roster.

23. Minnesota Vikings: Jack Campbell, Linebacker, Iowa

Eric Kendricks is still very good but isn’t getting any younger. After hiring Brian Flores, the Vikings take Jack Campbell to quarterback their defense for the foreseeable future. Campbell is the best all-around linebacker in the class and has no real glaring weaknesses.

24. Jacksonville Jaguars: O’Cyrus Torrence, Guard, Florida

The Jaguars have built a solid core around Trevor Lawrence but still have room to improve. Especially along the offensive line. Torrence is the best pure guard in the class and will be an instant starter in Jacksonville.

25. New York Giants: Trenton Simpson, Linebacker, Clemson

Trenton Simpson is next in line regarding dynamic and versatile linebackers from Clemson. The Giants desperately need linebackers, and Simpson is incredible in man coverage and has the sideline-to-sideline athleticism to track down some of the league’s faster ball carriers.

26. Dallas Cowboys: Bijan Robinson, Running Back, Texas

Running back is not at the top of the list when it comes to Dallas’s needs, but with Tony Pollard‘s contract coming to an end and Ezekiel Elliott not being the same player he once was, I think the idea of having Robinson will be to entice for the Cowboys to pass up.

27. Buffalo Bills: Antonio Johnson, Safety, Texas A&M

The Bills have a bunch of question marks at the safety position. Micah Hyde is coming off a severe injury, and Jordan Poyer is a free agent. Antonio Johnson possesses elite size for the position and plays well in the box.

28. Cincinnati Bengals: Darnell Wright, Offensive Line, Tennessee

Once again, the Bengal’s offensive line was disappointing, to say the least. Jonah Williams will be a free agent next year and has been less than stellar throughout his tenure in Cincinnati. Wright was incredible for the Vols this past season and, at the very least, will add some much-needed depth along the offensive line.

29. Houston Texans (via NO): Michael Mayer, Tight End, Notre Dame

Houston trades back into the first round and focuses on offense in this NFL mock draft to help surround newly acquired Bryce Young with some pass-catching talent. Mayer may not be a spectacular athlete, but he is an exceptional blocker and knows how to get open. After slipping a bit, he ends up with Young on the Texans.

30. Philadelphia Eagles: Myles Murphy, Edge, Clemson

I don’t think Murphy will be quite the athletic freak testing-wise that many anticipate him to be. However, he is athletic for the position nonetheless and will be an excellent rotational edge piece for Philadelphia, with an aging group at the position.

31. Kansas City Chiefs: Anton Harrison, Offensive Tackle, Oklahoma

The Chiefs could be in the market for a new left tackle now that Orlando Brown Jr. is a free agent. Anton Harrison won’t wow you as a run blocker, but he is a good pass blocker. He will take over the role of Patrick Mahomes‘ blindside blocker.

I will have another NFL mock draft out after the combine, which will change many of these picks. Look out for more NFL mock draft content soon!

Dacota Haynes’ 2023 NFL Mock Draft 1.0

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