With the draft starting in just a couple of days, here is my 2023 NFL mock draft 3.0. In this addition, I’m going to try exploring some more interesting and “outlandish” scenarios because as we all know, predicting the draft is impossible.
#1: Carolina Panthers. Bryce Young. Quarterback
There is no doubt that Carolina will be selecting a QB with the first overall pick. However, the question of which player it will be is still up for debate. Young is the consensus QB1 and will be the most polished player the Panthers have ever had. With Young, they can seriously contend in the NFC South.
#2: Houston Texans. C.J. Stroud. Quarterback.
After Young goes at one, Stroud falls right into Houston’s lap. Many consider him to be the safest prospect at the position and his combination of prototypical size, accuracy, and mechanics may very well back it up. The Texans get their guy at two and now just need to pair him up with some more skill position talent.
#3: Tennessee Titans (via ARZ). Anthony Richardson. Quarterback.
Here at three, we see the first trade of the mock. Tennessee comes all the way up from 11 and get their future franchise QB in Richardson. With Derrick Henry trade rumors looming and the fact that the Titans have already cleared up plenty of cap space, a complete rebuild seems more and more likely. What better way to start than picking the QB with the highest ceiling in the 2023 NFL draft?
#4: Indianapolis Colts. Will Levis. Quarterback.
Rumor has it that Levis is the Colt’s guy at number four. With this selection, we see four QBs go in the top four picks in NFL history. In this 2023 NFL mock draft, Indianapolis fortunately still lands Levis despite a division rival jumping in front of them.
#5: Seattle Seahawks. Will Anderson Jr. Edge.
Some way, some how, Seattle lands the best player in the draft at five. If Anderson falls to them, I believe the Seahawks will be partying in the streets. Anderson is the most productive and pro-ready defensive player in the draft and also fills a big pass rushing need.
#6: Detroit Lions. Devon Witherspoon. Cornerback.
After trading Jeff Okudah a couple of days ago to Atlanta, the Lions re-solidify their secondary with this year’s CB1. Witherspoon’s nose for the football and willingness to tackle fits perfectly within Dan Campbell’s system.
#7: Las Vegas Raiders. Christian Gonzalez. Cornerback.
Gonzalez does have a ways to go technically, but as an athlete, you won’t find a more fluid and effortless mover at any position. The Raiders have a huge need in the secondary and Gonzalez instantly becomes the best corner they have.
#8: Atlanta Falcons. Tyree Wilson. Edge.
I don’t necessarily love Wilson in the top ten, but I think the Falcons sure will. His rare length and size makes his ceiling sky high and he just had his best season last year. Hopefully he can keep improving in the Falcon’s system.
#9: Chicago Bears. Jalen Carter. Defensive Line.
The off the field issues are concerning with Carter, but for Chicago, the opportunity to take the guy they very well may have selected at one is too enticing to pass up. When he is on the field, Carter is unstoppable and will fit perfectly in Eberflus’ defensive front,
#10: Philadelphia Eagles. Bijan Robinson. Running Back.
Since the Eagles have one of the more complete rosters in the league, they have the luxury of taking a less valuable position here at ten. Robinson is easily a top ten player in the class and will make the best run game in the league even more dangerous.
#11: Arizona Cardinals (via TEN). Calijah Kancey. Defensive Line.
After trading back to 11, Jonathan Gannon gets a brand new piece along the front seven. Although he is small, Kancey has an incredibly high upside as a pass rusher and is athletic enough to beat guards in the run game.
#12: Houston Texans. Jaxon Smith – Njigba. Wide Receiver.
Smith-Njigba joins his college teammate in Stroud and immediately becomes Houston’s WR1. Many are billing JSN as a slot only, but I believe he can and will win both inside and out at the next level due to his elite route running.
#13: Green Bay Packers (via NYJ) . Dalton Kincaid. Tight End.
The Packers have a huge hole at tight end and take Kincaid who is the best receiver at the position in what is a talented group. This is probably one of the more popular picks in the 2023 NFL mock draft world and rightfully so since he becomes Jordan Love‘s safety blanket over the middle of the field.
#14: Jacksonville Jaguars (via NE). Brian Branch. Defensive Back.
The Jags jump two defensive back needy teams in Washington and Green Bay to ensure they get their guy in Branch. Branch can play both slot corner and safety and will join Tyson Campbell making Jacksonville’s duo one of the best in the league.
#15: New York Jets (via GB). Paris Johnson Jr. Tackle.
After acquiring Aaron Rodgers, the Jets have quietly built a very well rounded offense. Their only hole is at the tackle position and they get the best tackle in the draft here at 15. Johnson Jr has played all over the line in his career and will bring that flexibility to an already solid unit.
#16: Washington Commanders. Joey Porter Jr. Cornerback.
Washington gets their CB1 in Porter Jr at 16. Porter is the best press corner in the draft and fills a massive need for the Commanders.
#17: Pittsburgh Steelers. Peter Skoronski. Offensive Line.
Skoronski has a slight fall here as he lands with the Steelers at 17. He is incredibly versatile and can start out at either tackle position for Pittsburgh.
#18: Detroit Lions. Lukas Van Ness. Edge.
The Lions double up on defense in the first round with Van Ness and Witherspoon. Van Ness has some inside out versatility and solidifies the Lions young front seven.
#19: Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Broderick Jones. Offensive Line.
After cutting Donovan Smith, the Bucs need a tackle. Jones is still relatively inexperienced at the position but has all the tools to become a stud on either side.
#20: Seattle Seahawks. Jordan Addison. Wide Receiver.
Receiver may not be Seattle’s biggest need, but Addison is a perfect fit. Lockett is getting up there in age and Addison provides the elite route running and separation that Metcalf lacks.
#21: Los Angeles Chargers. Darnell Wright. Tackle.
Wright had by far his best collegiate season this past year blocking for Hendon Hooker. Now he slots in as Justin Herbert‘s right side protector in LA.
#22: Baltimore Ravens. Quentin Johnston. Wide Receiver.
Even though they recently signed OBJ, the Ravens could still use a dominant X- receiver. Johnston leaves a bit to be desired in contested catch situations, but he is dangerous with the ball in his hands.
#23: Minnesota Vikings. Deonte Banks. Cornerback.
The Vikings continue to invest in their secondary by taking Banks. Banks has some of the best physical traits in the draft and will hopefully become CB1 for the Vikings.
#24: New England Patriots. Dawand Jones. Tackle.
It’s no secret that the Patriots love for their offensive linemen to be massive. Not only is Jones massive, but he is one of the largest line prospects ever. He is surprisingly mobile for his size and will slide in at RT for New England.
#25: Kansas City Chiefs (via NYG). Zay Flowers. Wide Receiver.
After thinking his private workouts were done, Kansas City brought in Flowers for a private workout with Patrick Mahomes. Rumor has it that it went very well and that the Chiefs love Flowers. He fits the bill for a Chiefs receiver as of late and brings another dimension to an already incredible offense.
#26: Dallas Cowboys. Jahmyr Gibbs. Running Back.
Jerry Jones loves adding shiny objects to his offense and looks no further than Gibbs here at 26. Gibbs is the most dynamic pass catcher at the position and will pair nicely with Tony Pollard in Dallas’ backfield.
#27: Buffalo Bills. Jack Campbell. Linebacker.
After losing Tremaine Edmunds in free agency, the Bills could use another linebacker. Campbell is that traditional, huge middle linebacker that is willing to lay a hit and can do it from sideline to sideline. The best backer in the class lands in Buffalo.
#28: Cincinnati Bengals. Michael Mayer. Tight End.
The rich get richer by adding Mayer to an already explosive offense. Mayer is the perfect blend of separation ability and size to be a real threat across the middle of the field for the Bengals.
#29: New Orleans Saints. Myles Murphy. Edge.
New Orleans lost multiple starters along the front seven, especially on the defensive line. Murphy is still a bit of a project, but with his athleticism, he looks unblockable at times. Under the guidance of Cam Jordan, he will hopefully become a great pass rusher.
#30: Chicago Bears (via PHI). Nolan Smith. Edge.
I don’t know if I truly believe that Smith will fall all the way to the end of the first round, but if he does, you can believe that many teams will come calling. Here, the Bears come up to take Smith to add to a slightly improved, but still needy edge rushing room.
#31: New York Giants (via KC). O’Cyrus Torrence. Guard.
After a surprisingly successful season, the Giants trade back and stay solid overall by taking Torrence. Torrence is the best pure guard in the class and only further improves an already young and promising group for New York.
Please feel free to reach out on Twitter and share some of your opinions and 2023 NFL mock draft!
tl//dr: 2023 NFL Mock Draft
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