Auburn Daily 2023 NFL Mock Draft

We are only a few days away from the 2023 NFL Draft, and the NFL community is riddled with excitement.

This should be a fun draft, as no one really knows who the first pick will be, and the odds have changed a bunch throughout the past few months.

There is a ton of great talent ready to be selected by an NFL team and call a new place home.

Take a look at how the Auburn Daily staff expects the first round to play out.

1. Carolina Panthers- CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State

Andrew Stefaniak: CJ Stroud has been one of the names floating around the first pick, like Bryce Young and Will Levis, but I believe Stroud is the most pro-ready quarterback in this draft class. His ceiling is not as high as a guy like Levis, but I believe Stroud can win in the NFL now, unlike some of these other prospects.

2. Houston Texans- Bryce Young, QB, Alabama

Matthew Redding: Way too easy. Houston needs a QB, Bryce Young happens to be the best, so no need to overthink this one. Young has a quarterback IQ of 10,000 and is one of the more accurate passers we’ve seen in the last few years.

3. Arizona Cardinals- Will Anderson Jr., OLB, Alabama

Andrew Stefaniak: Will Anderson Jr. is just a beast. It's hard to see a world where he doesn't come into the league and record ten sacks early in his career. Anderson Jr. is a do it all player that wants to win. You don't want to be a quarterback with this guy chasing you for 60 minutes.

4. Indianapolis Colts- Jalen Cater, DT, Georgia

Jack Singley: Jalen Carter is the best player available in my opinion and with a defense that was one of the worst against the runs last season they will need the bigger body up front. At six-foot-three 300 pounds he will be the exact body type needed to fill this gap.

5. Seattle Seahawks- Will Levis, QB, Kentucky

Matthew Jacobs: Levis gives the Seahawks significant upside potential that they sorely need at quarterback. Levis, out of Kentucky, is polished enough to push Geno Smith within a year or two and possibly become a franchise quarterback.

6. Detroit Lions- Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia

Andrew Stefaniak: Nolan Smith is one of the best pass rushers in this draft class and would fit perfectly in Motor City. The Lions are young, but becoming a true playoff contender and adding a guy who can go get the QB like Smith would be a massive help for the Lions.

7. Las Vegas Raiders- Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida

Matthew Redding: Christmas came early for Josh McDaniels. The Jimmy Garoppolo contract is easy to get out of if a guy of Richardson’s caliber falls to them. The next Lamar Jackson heads to Vegas.

8. Atlanta Falcons- Peter Skoronski, OL, Northwestern

Andrew Stefaniak: Peter Skoronski is a dominant offensive lineman who has said he can play whatever position his team wants at the next level. He would help this Falcon offensive line that loves to run the football out a lot. Skoronski is going to be a great NFL player for a really long time.

9. Chicago Bears- Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon

Jack Singley: The second best on ball player but the most dynamic athlete at the corner, Gonzalez immediately becomes the CB1 or 2 of the bears organization for years to come.

10. Philadelphia Eagles- Paris Johnson Jr, OT, Ohio State

Matthew Jacobs: This is a bonus first-round pick for the Eagles and they need some depth and versatility from their tackle position. This is a developmental pick for the Eagles as Johnson has limited experience. By all accounts, he is a professional and determined to make himself one of the premier offensive linemen in the league.

11. Tennessee Titans- Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia

Andrew Stefaniak: The Titans need a left tackle, and Broderick Jones would be a perfect fit to both protect the quarterback and create holes for Derrick Henry. Jones did a heck of a job protecting Stetson Bennett leading to two straight Georgia National Championships. Jones will be a perfect replacement for Taylor Lewan, who the team released a few months ago.

12. Houston Texans- Tyree Wilson, OLB, Texas Tech

Matthew Redding: This class is loaded with wideouts, though none outside of Jaxon Smith-Njigba are worth a top-15 pick. Houston could wait and pick up the third best defensive lineman after Carter and Anderson are off the board. A guy of Wilson’s speed and size will fit Coach Ryan’s scheme as Houston tries to get a respectable pass rush built.

13. New York Jets- Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah

Jack Singley: You’ve got Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard. CJ Uzomah is an injury prone but solid option at TE. With Aaron Rodgers coming in what better option than to put Kincaid in with one the best to ever do it. Reliability is what will bring Kincaid the big bucks in the future.

14. New England Patriots- Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State

Zac Blackerby: The Patriots offense needs a player that can stretch the field and help Mac Jones. New England has several number two and three options, a true primary receiver would go a long way.

15. Green Bay Packers- Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame

Matthew Jacobs: The tight-end passing game at the NFL level is a new quarterback’s best friend. With Aaron Rodgers leaving, Jordon Love and Danny Etling will need a decent safety valve. Mayer is going to be productive right away for whoever steps up at quarterback. I don’t love his speed or ability to separate, but he is a complete product that could make a difference in how far the Packers go post-Rodger era.

16. Washington Commanders- Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee

Andrew Stefaniak: Hendon Hooker was on a Heisman pace until tearing his ACL near the end of last season. After the injury, there wasn't a lot of talk about Hooker, but I am fully sold he can be a starter in the NFL. The Commanders need a quarterback of the future, as I don't believe Sam Howell is the answer. Hooker's stock has been rising, and I think he will end up going in the first round.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers- Jordan Addison, WR, USC

Matthew Redding: The Allen Robinson trade doesn’t change this pick for me. Chase Claypool fizzled out and was traded to the Bears, so why not go get Kenny Pickett’s favorite target from college to speed up his development? (See: Joe Burrow and Jamar Chase, Jalen Hurts and Devonta Smith, Tua and Jaylen Waddle).

18. Detroit Lions- Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois

Andrew Stefaniak: Devon Witherspoon is an excellent corner that has seen his stock rise a ton recently. His name has even floated as a player who could end up in the top ten. If he somehow slipped to the Lions at the 18th overall spot, it would be a huge splash for the team I expect to win the NFC North.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Joey Porter Jr, CB, Penn State

Jack Singley: The best on ball defender in the draft in my opinion Porter will solidify and finish a young core of DB's that need one more guy to be complete. Porter also is physical enough to go downhill and meet a running back in the hole.

20. Seattle Seahawks- Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee

Matthew Jacobs: The Seahawks surprised everyone by choosing Jalin Hyatt in the first round to solidify their future with Will Levis. Hyatt had the highest total and athleticism scores in the 2023 combine. An All-American and Fred Biletnikoff Award winner, he is possibly the best receiver available in this draft.

21. Las Angeles Chargers- Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas

Andrew Stefaniak: Bijan Robinson is going to be one of the best running backs in the league sooner than later. He has some of the best tape I have seen from a college ball carrier in a long time. I think the Chargers would be a good landing spot for him as he would overtake Austin Ekeler, or they would trade him on draft day.

22. Baltimore Ravens- Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU

Matthew Redding: If Lamar Jackson stays put, reward the man with another big-bodied speedster who can play opposite Odell Beckham Jr? Todd Monken’s offense will put an emphasis on passing the ball more than Greg Roman’s, and having big targets to throw to can speed up the acclimation process.

23. Minnesota Vikings- Jonathan Mingo, WR, Ole Miss

Andrew Stefaniak: The Vikings have the best receiver in the league with Justin Jefferson, but after losing Adam Thielen, they need some depth at the position. Jonathan Mingo is a high-upside prospect that could be the perfect WR2 in this offense. This landing spot would also give him so good fantasy football value.

24. Jacksonville Jaguars- Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee

Jack Singley: One of the best tackles available, Pedersen looks to get more protection so his young star QB will go from a decent sophomore QB to an MVP caliber 3rd year guy.

25. New York Giants- Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina

Matthew Jacobs: Downs is a smaller quick-twitch wide receiver that was a second-team All- American. He would be an excellent punt returner for the Giants and will be a burst of speed with good hands for Daniel Jones. One they will need if they want any chance of becoming relevant again.

26. Dallas Cowboys- Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama

Andrew Stefaniak: After cutting Zeke, the Cowboys are in need of a running back to sit behind Tony Pollard, and Jahmyr Gibbs would be the perfect fit for this role. Gibbs is elusive and would be an ideal third-down back for the Cowboys. I have a sneaky feeling that Gibbs is going to be the steal of this 2023 NFL Draft.

27. Buffalo Bills- Derick Hall, EDGE, Auburn

Matthew Redding: This pick should realistically be Jordan Addison or Bijan Robinson, but since both are gone let’s shore up that defense. As I said, there’s plenty of wideouts worth a day 2 pick, and once Von Miller went down with an injury last season the defense suddenly looked completely flat. Hall would make an excellent compliment of speed to Millers size.

28. Cincinnati Bengals- Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia

Andrew Stefaniak: After Hayden Hurst left, the Bengals need a tight end, and Darnell Washington is a mountain of a man. He is one of the best blocking tight ends in this draft class, and I believe he would be a perfect red zone target for Joe Burrow with his six-foot-seven frame.

29. New Orleans Saints- Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson

Jack Singley: The Saints need an edge after the loss of Marcus Davenport, and the only two options that make sense are Clemsons Bryan Breese or Myles Murphy. I would take Breese for the added length and strength. Cam Jordan would be an excellent mentor for the young pass rusher.

30. Philadelphia Eagles- Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College

Matthew Jacobs: There is no doubt that the Eagles have a stacked wide receiver room. People get hurt, people leave, and it is wise to get while the getting is good. Flowers will develop very quickly under the receivers already on staff and will turn into a stud that can play inside or out. It is just good business to keep being good.

31. Kansas City Chiefs- Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma

Andrew Stefaniak: The Kansas City Chiefs lost tackle Orlando Brown Jr., so they will need a new person to protect Patrick Mahomes blind side. Harrison is a big physical tackle who would fit perfectly with the defending Super Bowl Champions.