2023 NFL Mock Draft: Will Levis Triggers Chaotic First Round

We're now officially in the draft year for 2023, and at this point in the offseason, chaos is ready to ensue come late April.

Author:
Andrew Harbaugh
Publish date:
Jan 4, 2023 12:01 PM EST

In this story:

Arizona Cardinals

We can officially say there will be an NFL Draft this year as we are now in 2023. For the Arizona Cardinals, they will be drafting much earlier than they would liked or have imagined before the season.

Now, they have to embrace their situation because the opportunity is one not many teams get.

This Cardinals' roster is one that needs some major overhauling and they aren’t the only one. This year we saw teams hang around the playoff picture much longer than usual but that isn’t because more teams are better. In fact, it appears more teams are not achieving success and the larger grouping of mediocrity.

The best part of that mediocrity? It creates chaos when it comes to mock drafts, let this be your introduction to the chaos.

1). Houston Texans - Will Levis, QB, Kentucky

Deep in my gut, I have a feeling this is the route Houston eventually goes. The talk and hype surrounding Will Levis remind me of Baker Mayfield in 2018. He has the physical tools but can he put it all together? That will be Houston’s problem to solve.

The Bears send the 2nd overall pick to the Colts for the 6th overall pick, 2023 3rd round pick and a 2024 2nd round pick.

2). Indianapolis Colts (via CHI) - Bryce Young, QB, Alabama

Bryce Young falling to number two makes the Bears pick the most valuable pick in recent memory of the NFL draft that isn’t first overall. Jim Irsay promised a Super Bowl soon to his fans, Chris Ballard is hanging on by a thread to his general manager title and a new coach needs a quarterback to build around. The usual patient Ballard shows urgency for once and makes a trade here to get the future of the franchise.

The Seahawks send the 3rd overall pick to the Panthers for the 8th overall pick, 2023 2nd round pick (from SF) and a 2024 1st round pick.

3). Carolina Panthers (via SEA) - C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State

Seattle has shown that it is more than happy with Geno Smith so like the Bears they are comfortable trading back, we know John Schneider loves extra picks. Like the Colts, the Panthers have an owner in panic mode and a general manager who can be aggressive, trading up for Stroud makes too much sense and he gets surrounded by a good receiving corp off the bat as well.

4). Arizona Cardinals - Will Anderson Jr., Edge, Alabama

The Cardinals have to be seen as trade-back candidates but when they get to choose between Jalen Carter and Will Anderson Jr. they can do that. J.J. Watt is retiring and Zach Allen is a free agent, Will Anderson Jr. brings a presence and sense of leadership that this team will be missing with those departures.

5). Detroit Lions (via LAR) - Jalen Carter, DL, Georgia

They nabbed Aiden Hutchison in last year’s draft and that pick is already proving to be a home run, throwing Carter on the line next to him could make this defensive front unstoppable. They wouldn’t get double-teamed and because of that, they would get free-reign to create as much chaos as possible for offenses.

6). Chicago Bears (via IND) - Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern

This pick could easily be a wide receiver but Justin Fields needs time to find receivers before he gets receivers. Skoronski can be a day-one starting tackle for the Bears, or any team that drafts him, and that will help Fields and the running backs immensely.

7). Atlanta Falcons - Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State

The Falcons have questions surrounding the quarterback position but they need a full season to evaluate Desmond Ridder. The defensive line needs a jump and Verse is still growing into his full potential which makes him a perfect fit on this team.

8). Seattle Seahawks (via CAR) - Bryan Breese, DL, Clemson

The Seahawks have a strong offense but the defense needs a tad bit more juice. Bryan Breese fits that mold and can be a dominant presence in the middle of their defensive line and could even flex out to edge if need be.

9). Philadelphia Eagles (via PHI) - Myles Murphy, Edge, Clemson

The Eagles get the joy of being able to draft the best player available because Howie Roseman has built such a strong roster. They traded for Robert Quinn as a short-term answer but Myles Murphy presents a longterm answer to the depth they lack at the edge position.

10). Las Vegas Raiders - Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State

The AFC West is a pass-happy division and Joey Porter Jr. can help on day one by locking down opposing receivers. He is a plug-and-play starter and providing better pass coverage allows players like Maxx Crosby to feed more upfront.

11). Jacksonville Jaguars - Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia

C.J. Henderson didn’t work out for the team in the first round and despite some free-agent acquisitions, they need some young talent to build around at corner. Ringo has shown an affinity to be able to lock down receivers one-on-one while also doing well in zone, should be a starter on day one for Jacksonville.

12). Houston Texans (via CLE) - Quinten Johnston, WR, TCU

The team drafted Will Levi earlier which means they need all the help they can get. Cooks is gone and Collins is a reliable WR2 but they need an alpha, in steps Johnston to that exact role.

13). Pittsburgh Steelers - Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina

Cam Sutton and Minkah Fitzpatrick have been the “ballhawks” for the Steelers' defense but they need a reliable corner. Getting Cam Smith, who could be a top-ten pick, at this point is a solid value and a day one starter for the team.

14). Green Bay Packers - Jordan Addison, WR, USC

For whoever is quarterback next year, they need a true number-one receiver. Jordan Addison can work all levels of the field and has crisp enough route running to be reliable for them. Wait, did I say for whoever is at quarterback?

15). Seattle Seahawks - Tyree Wilson, Edge, Texas Tech

General manager John Schneider has always gotten value with his picks and getting Wilson this late is no different. He is a boom-or-bust project with all the physical tools to dominate or potentially fall flat, sounds like a Seahawk.

16). New England Patriots - Nolan Smith, Edge/LB, Georgia

Nolan Smith tore his pec and had he not he may have worked himself into the top five. He can play edge or linebacker and in the Patriots' defense, he can turn into the ultimate swiss army knife and learn from Matthew Judon in the process.

The Jets send the 17th overall pick, 2023 2nd round pick, 2023 4th round pick, 2024 1st round pick and a 2024 3rd round pick to the Packers for Aaron Rodgers

17). Green Bay Packers (via NYJ) - Paris Johnson Jr., OL, Ohio State

Green Bay moves on from Aaron Rodgers in this mock draft and goes full steam ahead with Jordan Love. They gave Love a number-one receiver in Addison earlier and now they give him a reliable and flexible offensive lineman in Paris Johnson.

18). Detroit Lions - Brian Branch, DB, Alabama

No need to draft a quarterback here, drafting a defensive leader and playmaker after getting Jalen Carter earlier and now they add safety and cornerback Brian Branch. The Lions have shown they can be creative with how they use Hutchison, they can do the same for Branch.

19). Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon

Christian Gonzalez is a physical cornerback who has tremendous coverage skills to go with his tackling ability. He would fit in perfectly with this Todd Bowles defense and can contribute right away.

20). Tennessee Titans - Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia

No matter who is the quarterback for the Titans going forward, Taylor Lewan will be there but for how long? Jones provides them a chance to plan for the future while plugging and playing him right away.

21). Washington Commanders - Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida

No more trades, no more veterans, the time is now for Washington to draft a quarterback of the future. Richardson doesn’t have to play right away as they have Taylor Heinicke and Sam Howell to buy him time. Washington has the tools around Richardson both on and off the field to help him grow and find success when he finally plays.

22). Los Angeles Chargers - B.J. Ojulari, Edge, LSU

When you have both Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack, edge may not seem like a need. However, Ojulari would allow for a rotation to be built and Mack is getting older at the same time. This defense suffers when they lose their edge presence, he provides much-needed depth.

23). New York Giants - Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson

The defensive line is solidified but they need a leader and reliable presence in the linebacker group and who is better than Trenton Simpson? His speed and range that he plays with will be loved by Martindale and the Giants.

24). Baltimore Ravens - Clark Phillip III, CB, Utah

Marcus Peters is a looming free agent and if the team needs to replace him I think that Phillips III would be the perfect replacement in this Ravens' defense.

25). Denver Broncos (via SF) - Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma

Tackle has been a problem for a long time for the Broncos and while Garrett Bolles has shown some promise but they need results now. They will have a new coach to come in and fix Russell Wilson and this offense, getting the offensive line working is the key to all that.

26). Dallas Cowboys - Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois

The Cowboys have had some flashes of brilliance at cornerback with Trevon Diggs leading the way but this remains a pass-happy league. Witherspoon alongside Diggs would give the Cowboys two playmakers that complement each other in their differing approaches to the same position.

27). Cincinnati Bengals - Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame

Hayden Hurst has been a fun tight end for the Bengals this year but they need a long-term solution. Michael Mayer provides a great receiving option as well as another reliable blocker on the edge.

28). Kansas City Chiefs - Siaki Sika, DL, Baylor

The Chiefs' defensive front has several monsters but they need a reliable run stuffer, yes Chris Jones provides that but he more often than not can be used as a pass rusher. Siaki Ika fills a gap, or two, for running backs to not be able to work with and forces offenses to play keep up with Patrick Mahomes.

29). Minnesota Vikings - Garrett Williams, CB, Syracuse

The Vikings are missing rookie pick Andrew Booth Jr. has not been able to play this year and Patrick Peterson isn’t getting younger. Garrett Williams is a long corner, with good ball skills, and can be used in this Vikings defense immediately to help it continue a reign atop the NFC North.

30). Buffalo Bills - Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina

Cole Beasley was brought back but he has no shot at remaining a part of this team’s long-term plans. Josh Downs would be a dominant slot presence in this Bills offense and could be a playmaker from day one.

31). Philadelphia Eagles - Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas

I am a loud proponent of you don’t pay running backs significant money. Miles Sanders is having a career year and with be getting a big payday, it just shouldn’t be with Philadelphia. Bijan Robinson is a top-five talent in this draft class and would be a contender to lead the league in rushing as a rookie in this offense.