BucsGameday's Final 2023 NFL Mock Draft
1. Carolina Panthers | Bryce Young | QB | Alabama
The Panthers take their quarterback of the future, and despite a late push in the betting market, it isn't Will Levis.
2. Houston Texans | Tyree Wilson | Edge | Texas Tech
If the Texans really do decide to pass on C.J. Stroud — which I wouldn't recommend — then I'm going to say it's for the long, physically gifted pass rusher who they believe has the highest ceiling.
3. Arizona Cardinals | Will Anderson | Edge | Alabama
The Cardinals jump-start their rebuild with an easy decision, taking the most proven prospect in this entire draft class, who just so happens to play a premier position, and fills a glaring weakness on the roster.
4. Indianapolis Colts | C.J. Stroud | QB | Ohio State
C.J. Stroud is too good of a quarterback prospect to slide on draft night. He's ready to step into a starting role immediately, and I believe he offers great value to the Colts in this spot.
READ MORE: Proposed Trade Sends Former 1st Round Quarterback to Buccaneers
5. Seattle Seahawks | Jalen Carter | IDL | Georgia
The Seahawks are fine taking a perceived 'gamble' on a player who has the physical ability to step in as an immediate disruptor at the NFL level, with a chance to become the best defensive player taken in this draft.
6. Detroit Lions | Devon Witherspoon | CB | Illinois
Witherspoon is a highly aggressive cornerback with the tools, character, and collegiate production to support a selection this high. He's exactly the type of prospect that GM, Brad Holmes, and head coach, Dan Campbell, would fall in love with.
7. Las Vegas Raiders | Christian Gonzalez | CB | Oregon
The Raiders have a ton of holes on their defense, and Christian Gonzalez would immediately provide relief to a secondary that's in dire need of playmakers. He's extremely smooth, athletic, and has all the tools to develop into a pro-bowl corner in the NFL.
8. Atlanta Falcons | Nolan Smith | Edge | Georgia
One of the fastest, most athletic edge prospects in this class, Nolan Smith would add a new dimension to the Falcons' much-improved defense.
9. Chicago Bears | Paris Johnson Jr. | OT | Ohio State
The Bears need to protect Justin Fields at all costs. Here, they land the best tackle in the class, providing their young quarterback with some much-needed support.
10. Philadelphia Eagles | Bijan Robinson | RB | Texas
They want Jalen Carter, but I don't see that happening unless they trade up. The Eagles are in a unique position, with a loaded roster and two first-rounders. So why not make this 'luxury pick', and add a potentially transcendent player who will immediately elevate their offense to new heights?
11. Tennessee Titans | Peter Skoronski | OL | Northwestern
The Titans would be wise to select a player like Skoronski, who is almost guaranteed to have a long and successful career. Even if he's best suited for guard, they need to add the best talent available to their offensive line.
12. Houston Texans | Will Levis | QB | Kentucky
If the Texans really do make the gamble and pass on a quarterback with their first pick, there's at least a chance they could end up being rewarded for their patience. In this scenario, they're still able to grab Levis at 12 — a portion of the draft where they could feel much more comfortable about it.
13. Green Bay Packers | Jaxon Smith-Njigba | WR | Ohio State
This Packers pick is one of the hardest to project. If the Texans don't take JSN at 12, I think it would make a lot of sense for Green Bay to add the best wide receiver available. This would provide Jordan Love with more support while also solidifying the team's primary receiving corps for the foreseeable future.
READ MORE: Arrest Warrant Issued For Former Buccaneers Wide Receiver
14. New England Patriots | Lukas Van Ness | Edge | Iowa
The 'Patriot Way' revolves around investing in the defense, and scrounging for scraps on offense. I think Lukas Van Ness' athletic profile combined with his motor and versatility would make him an appealing prospect for Belichick and co in this spot.
15. New York Jets | Darnell Wright | OT | Tennessee
The Jets want to do everything in their power to ensure that their prized possession, Aaron Rodgers, has enough time in the pocket to do what he does. Darnell Wright could start immediately at right tackle, the position he excelled at for the Volunteers.
16. Washington Commanders | Emmanual Forbes | CB | Mississippi State
Although he's slight in stature, Forbes' is incredibly productive when it comes to generating turnovers. This may be a reach in many people's eyes, but he's a perfect fit within the Commanders' defensive scheme.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers | Deonte Banks | CB | Maryland
The Steelers' secondary desperately needs an injection of talent. They would be lucky to have an opportunity to draft a player that I consider to be the third-best corner in the draft, in the latter half of the first round.
18. Detroit Lions | Calijah Kancey | IDL | Pittsburgh
Having already addressed the cornerback position with their first pick, the Lions could continue to reinforce their defense by adding a compact, highly aggressive athlete to their growing collection of talented pass rushers.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Broderick Jones | OT | Georgia
It's challenging to forecast which teams will pounce at the opportunity to draft one of the top tackles available in this draft. For the Buccaneers, that isn't the case. Should the opportunity arise where they're able to grab one at 19, it's widely expected that they will. In this case, they get a damn good player with the tools needed to develop into a great one over time.
20. Seattle Seahawks | Anthony Richardson | QB | Florida
The Seahawks are in a prime position to splurge on the one quarterback in this draft with astronomical upside. Not only can they be patient with Richardson while Geno Smith runs the show for the next couple of seasons, but with two first-round picks, they are afforded the luxury of waiting, and ultimately ending Richardson's slide with their second pick. Win-win.
21. Los Angeles Chargers | Michael Mayer | TE | Notre Dame
I toyed with the idea of Mayer getting scooped up earlier by the Packers, but it just seemed a bit rich. This is an ideal landing spot for Mayer, as he would immediately be inserted into a prolific offense — with an elite quarterback — that's capable of utilizing his skills as both a blocker and a receiver.
22. Baltimore Ravens | Joey Porter Jr. | CB | Penn State
The Ravens could just as easily draft a wide receiver in this spot, but with positional needs aligning so nicely with the value of the player, I couldn't resist selecting Joey Porter Jr. on their behalf. His tenacity and versatility should be a welcome addition to the Ravens' secondary.
23. Minnesota Vikings | Myles Murphy | Edge | Clemson
No quarterback? No receiver? No defensive back? That's right. I think the Vikings need to add some young talent to their defensive line, and the value of a player like Murphy in this spot outweighs the best available options at those other positions.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars | Anton Harrison | OT | Oklahoma
The Jaguars get lucky grabbing the last of the top 5 tackles available in this draft. Anton Harrison should start right away, and he has a ton of upside based on his age, physical frame, and athletic ability.
25. New York Giants | Jordan Addison | WR | USC
The Giants desperately need to add more talent to their wide receiver room and the selection of Jordan Addison would be a nice start.
26. Dallas Cowboys | Dalton Kincaid | TE | Utah
Kincaid is a dynamic tight-end prospect with the hand-eye coordination, athleticism, and size to excel at the NFL level. Mayer would probably be a better fit for the Cowboys due to his blocking ability, but he's long gone at this point. Kincaid could become a serviceable blocker in time.
27. Buffalo Bills | Jack Campbell | LB | Iowa
If an inside linebacker is going to get drafted in the first round, he's going to Buffalo. Drew Sanders or Trenton Simpson may be ranked higher by some other scouting departments, but for the Bills, I think Campbell is the exact type of player they're looking for.
28. Cincinnati Bengals | Luke Musgrave | TE | Oregon State
Although the Bengals already have the most talented receiving core in football, what they lack is a steady presence at the tight end position. With his size and speed, Luke Musgrave would immediately provide a great security blanket for Joe Burrow, while still possessing the potential to blossom into a dynamic threat in this offense.
29. New Orleans Saints | Bryan Bresee | IDL | Clemson
The Saints need someone they can plug into their defensive line to create chaos. Although he needs some refinement in order to reach his ceiling, Bryan Bresee has the size, motor, and aggressive mentality needed to do just that.
30. Philadelphia Eagles | Brian Branch | S | Alabama
Some Eagles fans will be furious to see that I've left them without a shiny, new, interior defensive lineman to help fill the void left from Javon Hargrave's departure. Well, there's still six more rounds after this one. With Branch, they're getting the best safety in the draft who also excels as a slot defender — which is something Philly needs as well.
31. Kansas City Chiefs | Will McDonald IV | Edge | Iowa State
Will McDonald IV was one of the most productive edge rushers in the history of the Big 12 conference. He's extremely fast, bendy, and he finishes plays. McDonald would immediately fill a need for the Chiefs, while also landing himself in a great situation. In Kansas City, he'd get the chance to play a key role in an aggressive defensive scheme led by Steve Spagnuolo.
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