Final 2023 NFL Mock Draft: Six Trades Fill Chaotic First Round
We are just over 24 hours away from the 2023 NFL Draft and we are barely holding on to our sanity in anticipation of who will be the next Arizona Cardinal and just how the draft will flow entirely. The possibilities feel endless and the mystery at the top of the draft will have many on the edge of their seats.
I have crafted mock drafts through the regular season and into the offseason, but this will be my final mock draft of the season - and boy was it a busy mock, as there were six trades made, which includes the Cardinals more than once.
Quarterbacks went earlier, wide receivers (mostly) went late, and tons of talented defensive players were added throughout the draft (16 of 31 picks). There are some major shakeups in store and I am so excited to share this mock with you all.
But enough talk; let's get to the reason you came here already. The 2023 NFL Draft (mock) is officially open and the Carolina Panthers are on the clock!
1. Carolina Panthers: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
Carolina kicks off the draft with their quarterback of the future and former Heisman Trophy winner, Bryce Young. The Alabama superstar has recently become the favorite for the top selection and it should be no surprise given his proven talent. He might be on the smaller size, but we've seen quarterbacks similar to his stature (Kyler Murray went first overall a few short years ago). Young can do everything and can be the face of the Panthers for years to come.
2. Houston Texans: Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Alabama
The debate over whether the Texans should select a quarterback with the second overall pick will rage on until the night of the 2023 NFL Draft. While both C.J. Stroud and Anthony Richardson are enticing, I believe that new head coach and former defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans will want his defensive cornerstone. Anderson is pound-for-pound the top defender in this draft, will be the Defensive Rookie of the Year favorite and has All-Pro potential as an incoming rookie.
3. Tennessee Titans: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
Trade:
Tennessee pick 3
Arizona receives picks 11, 41, 2024 first-round pick, 2025 first-round pick
Our first trade in this mock is a blockbuster as the Titans trade up eight spots to get their franchise quarterback. Richardson is raw, but his upside is superior to any quarterback in this draft class. Between his elite size, arm talent, and athleticism, Richardson, if developed properly, can become a superstar at the next level.
4. Indianapolis Colts: C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
The Colts sit tight with the fourth overall pick and still get a franchise quarterback. In terms of being a pure passer Stroud is as clean as they come. Stroud was a Heisman Trophy finalist in both 2021 and 2022 and put-up video game numbers with the Buckeyes. Working in an offense that features Michael Pittman Jr. and Jonathan Taylor gives him some terrific options that he has become accustomed to at Ohio State.
5. Seattle Seahawks: Jalen Carter, IDL, Georgia
Regardless of Carter's off-field, he remains arguably the best talent in the 2023 NFL Draft. The Seahawks are no stranger to rolling the dice on questionable character guys and Carter fills a need on the defensive line while also juicing up the rest of the defense. Like Anderson, Carter has All-Pro potential as a rookie and can be the best defender on this team in due course.
6. Detroit Lions: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
The Lions shipped off Jeff Okudah after failing to live up to his status as the third overall pick back in 2020. They will replace him with the top cornerback in the 2023 NFL Draft in Gonzalez, who has the size profile and ball skills you look for in a top cover man. The Lions defense struggled against the pass in 2022 and Gonzalez will go a long way in improving the secondary.
7. Las Vegas Raiders: Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech
While I am aware of Will Levis being on the board, I believe the Raiders should stick with Jimmy Garoppolo for 2023 and reevaluate for a stacked 2024 quarterback class. Wilson's upside is through the roof, but he is a slight gamble. Thankfully, the team can take their time with him while he develops behind Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones. If he progresses the way they hope, he could earn starting status by the end of his rookie year.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
The "don't take running backs in the top-10" crowd won't like this, but this will mark three straight years of the Falcons adding top-tier skill position players. Robinson has been debated as the best running back prospect since Saquon Barkley and you'll find people who will claim he is even better. While Tyler Allgier did rush for over 1,000 yards as a rookie, he is best as the second running back who will still get plenty of action. With Robinson added to an offense featuring Kyle Pitts and Drake London, the sky is the limit.
9. Chicago Bears: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
It appears that Smith-Njigba is being reevaluated recently and for good reason. JSN is the top receiver in this draft with near-perfect route running and explosive ability. He will remind many of Justin Jefferson coming out of LSU. While the Bears did trade for D.J. Moore this offseason and still have Darnell Mooney and Chase Claypool, Smith-Njigba could have a higher ceiling than any of these guys. Plus, Mooney and Claypool will be free agents following the 2023 season, so JSN's addition allows the team to stay cheap at the position with unreal upside. No excuses for Justin Fields with JSN in the folds.
10. Philadelphia Eagles: Calijah Kancey, IDL, Pittsburgh
The Eagles just went to the Super Bowl and still have a top-10 pick thanks to the Saints trade last year. Now, they are in a prime position to add an elite talent and replacement for the departed Javon Hargrave in Kancey. While some believe in Kancey to be the next Aaron Donald (likely due to similar size and being Pittsburgh products), I think the Eagles would be just as happy with a disruptive interior guy to get Hargrave's production. Next to Fletcher Cox, Kancey can grow into a Pro Bowler.
11. Minnesota Vikings: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
Trade:
Minnesota receives pick 11
Arizona receives picks 23, 87, 2024 first-round pick, 2025 first-round pick
The Cardinals trade down again and now have three first-round picks in the 2024 NFL Draft! In return, the Vikings move up 12 spots to get their quarterback of the future that they can develop behind Kirk Cousins. There is no need to rush Levis, who needs some polishing as a complete player, and if he gets developed properly has as high an upside as any quarterback in this draft class. With great size, arm strength, and mobility, many believe he can be Josh Allen. The Vikings will happily roll the dice on that kind of potential.
12. Houston Texans: Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State
The Texans miss out on a quarterback here, but don't worry - there are some guys in the mid-rounds (cough Hendon Hooker cough) to look at while leaning toward 2024. In the meantime, upgrading the offensive line is a must. Laremy Tunsil is elite at left tackle, but the need for a better right tackle exists. Thankfully, Johnson Jr. has experience on the right side and in a worst-case scenario can kick inside and pair with Kenyon Green at guard. Whatever happens, Johnson Jr. takes the offensive line to the next level.
13. Green Bay Packers: Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson
Thanks to a trade with the Jets involving Aaron Rodgers, the Packers have moved up two spots in the first-round and acquired an additional second-round pick this year (as well as other pick swaps and a conditional 2024 first-round pick). The Jordan Love era has now officially started. Meanwhile, the Packers have needs throughout the roster and yet they have potential loaded throughout. So why not get a top-tier pass rusher to eventually succeed an aging Preston Smith? Murphy has the upside to be a top-10 selection with remarkable size and athletic ability. Having this freak of nature across from another athletic marvel in Rashan Gary gives the Packers a dynamic pass-rushing duo for the future off the edge.
14. New England Patriots: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
The Patriots don't necessarily need a cornerback, but a "best player available" strategy would suggest Witherspoon be the pick. This allows the Patriots to get younger at the position and get a dude who hits like a freight train with ball-hawking skills. The future of him and Jack Jones gives the Patriots some seriously dangerous cornerbacks.
15. New York Jets: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
Aaron Rodgers is officially a Jet and that means the team is suddenly a sleeping giant in the AFC. However, they need to better their offensive line. Mekhi Becton has proven unreliable and Duane Brown will be 38 years old at the start of the season. I believe Jones to be the top tackle in the 2023 NFL Draft and he can step in as the starting left tackle and allow the other two to battle it out on the right side. Jones is a ferocious blocker and a great bodyguard for Rodgers.
16. Washington Commanders: Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State
The Commanders need a better offensive line while they figure out their quarterback situation. While Hendon Hooker is certainly enticing and an option here, the team seems content with Sam Howell for 2023. Instead, the focus is on continuing to make this offensive line better. Jones is a massive man who moves more fluidly than he should at his size. Jones is an absolute bully and will keep the pocket clean for whoever is the signal caller for the team.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
The poetry and the positional need makes too much sense for this not to happen. The Steelers have lacked a true number-one cornerback for years and while Patrick Peterson's addition will help, he isn't what he once was. Porter Jr. is the son of linebacker Joey Porter Sr., a former Steeler, and he brings that mentality to the cornerback position. With Porter Jr. in a secondary featuring him, Peterson, and Minkah Fitzpatrick, there is suddenly huge potential for a ton of turnovers.
18. Los Angeles Chargers: Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia
Trade:
Los Angeles receives picks 18, 183
Detroit receives picks 21, 125
The Chargers have Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa, but Mack is set for a nearly $40 million dollar cap hit next season at 33 years old. While the All-Pro could be worth hanging on to, it makes a lot more sense to draft his eventual successor. Smith could be argued as the best athlete in the 2023 NFL Draft class, but he is coming off a torn pectoral muscle and had minimal production in college. But don't let the box score fool you, he's as talented as nearly an edge rusher in this class. Having him off the bench behind Mack and Joey Bosa is disgusting and needed in the AFC.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Peter Skoronski, IOL, Northwestern
The Buccaneers once had an elite offensive line that helped them win a Super Bowl. Since then, they've lost three of their starters including both guards, Ali Marpet and Alex Cappa. They tried to kick the tires on Shaq Mason last year, but he was traded this offseason. Skoronski has been drawing a lot of Zach Martin comparisons as a starting tackle in college who kicked inside to guard at the professional level and became an All-Pro. I believe Skoronski to be an excellent guard and the Bucs should be thrilled to add a safe yet high-upside player.
20. Cincinnati Bengals: Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland
Trade:
Cincinnati receives pick 20
Seattle receives picks 28, 92, 206
The Bengals' cornerback room is solid but still lacks a top-end guy. They do themselves a favor by hoping ahead of their division rivals, the Baltimore Ravens, to get a Maryland product and potential lockdown corner in Banks. Banks has great size at the position and has risen throughout the draft process to become a darling for many. Stealing a hometown product from Baltimore would be the kind of disrespect the rivalry lives off of while also giving the team the number one corner they've been searching for years for.
21. Detroit Lions: Lukas Van Ness, EDGE, Iowa
The Lions got their top cornerback earlier and were able to trade down and get a pass rusher to line up across from Aidan Hutchinson for years to come. That's about as win-win as it gets. Van Ness may not have been a full-time starter for the Hawkeyes, but that didn't stop him from being arguably their best defender. With production as a part-time player and an excellent athletic profile, Van Ness and Hutchinson would keep opposing quarterbacks and offensive coordinators up all night.
22. New Orleans Saints: Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
Trade:
New Orleans receives pick 22, Patrick Queen
Baltimore receives picks 29, 40, 115
The Ravens need picks and decide to trade down while the Saints move up and also capitalize by adding an emerging young linebacker in Queen. If Michael Thomas stays healthy, and that's one of the biggest ifs in the NFL, he and Chris Olave are a terrific one-two-punch at wide receiver. However, these days in the NFL you need more than two guys. Insert Flowers, who is perhaps the craftiest receiver after the catch in the 2023 NFL Draft class. Placing him in the slot with (hopefully) Thomas and Olave outside gives the Saints one of the league's best wide receiver trios.
23. Arizona Cardinals: Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
The Cardinals moved down 20 spots and secured four future first-round picks and extra second and third-round picks in this year's draft class. And the best part is they still got a high-upside cornerback in Ringo. The hometown prospect was up-and-down with Georgia but had a lot more highs than lows. Ringo recorded the game-sealing pick-six in the 2022 National Championship game against Alabama and he has ball skills that remind many of Marcus Peters. With his elite ball-hawking ability and overall profile, this is as good a value as you'll get moving down 20 spots.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Yes, I am aware that Evan Engram is back. But head coach Doug Pederson loves two tight end personnel (refer to his days with the Philadelphia Eagles and the Super Bowl-winning team he had). Who the top tight end in the 2023 NFL Draft is widely up for debate, but Mayer feels like the safest guy to be TE1. Adding him next to Engram with a wide receiving core of Calvin Ridley, Christian Kirk, and Zay Jones will give an emerging Trevor Lawrence an abundance of weapons to keep up in the AFC.
25. New York Giants: Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
The Giants need wide receiver help in the worst way. It's to the point where they might have the worst wide receiver room in football. Therefore, taking a guy in round one should be non-negotiable. Thankfully for them, one of the top prospects at the position slides onto their lap in Johnston. The TCU product has great size to go with speed and production to match. Johnston would step in and be the number one receiver from day one and could be a star in Brian Daboll's offense.
26. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jordan Addison, WR, USC
Trade:
Dallas receives picks 32, 80, 2024 fourth-round pick
Pittsburgh receives picks 26, 90
The Cowboys have few needs and decide to trade down with the Steelers and pick up assets. The Steelers, meanwhile, trade back into the first-round to snipe Addison ahead of the Bills and the Ravens. Not only are they adding a terrific wide receiver and a former Biletnikoff Award winner, but they give quarterback Kenny Pickett his best friend from their days at Pittsburgh together. While I am aware of the current depth of the wide receiver room, the team can cut Diontae Johnson and Allen Robinson after this year to recoup ~$30 million and Miles Boykin is on a one-year deal. But at least for 2023, Addison, Johnson, Robinson, and George Pickens plus a great pass catcher in Najee Harris and stud tight end Pat Freiermuth will help this passing attack skyrocket from its 24th-ranked unit a year ago.
27. Buffalo Bills: Jack Campbell, LB, Iowa
The Bills lost Tremaine Edmunds via Free Agency and can replace him with a stud linebacker in Campbell. Campbell is a classic downhill linebacker who has athleticism you might not anticipate for his size. Next to Matt Milano, the linebacking core of the Bills' defense won't miss a beat in 2023 and keeps the linebacking core a strength.
28. Seattle Seahawks: John Michael Schmitz, IOL, Minnesota
Last year the Seahawks landed bookend tackles in the 2022 NFL Draft with Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas. This year, they should consider investing in the interior of their offensive line and continue making this unit a point of strength. Michael Schmitz is the top-rated center in the 2023 NFL Draft and an obvious day-one starter for the team. With him in the folds, all that's left is to get some solid guard play and suddenly the Seahawks have an argument for the best offensive line in football. Bet you never thought you'd see the day...
29. Baltimore Ravens: Bryan Bresee, IDL, Clemson
The Ravens added Odell Beckham Jr. and are rumored to be going after DeAndre Hopkins, as well. If they get Hopkins, this would really derail the need for this team to add another receiver in round one and thus capitalize on a trade-down to get more picks they desperately need. Bresee is the former number-one prospect coming out of high school and when he's been healthy, he's been nearly as good as Jalen Carter. The Ravens let Calais Campbell go this offseason, but Bresee can be his younger, cheaper replacement on an elite defense. For a team that values the "best player available" strategy, this is the perfect fit for that mantra.
30. Philadelphia Eagles: Brian Branch, S, Alabama
The Eagles will be looking to replace C.J. Gardner-Johnson at safety/nickel and there just so happens to be a guy who plays that exact same role! Branch is an absolute stud whose value will come down to individual draft boards. In this mock, he slips simply due to the value of other positions, but the Eagles will gladly add another high-end starter on defense via the first-round of the draft.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Keion White, EDGE, Georgia Tech
Frank Clark is no longer a Chief and the team will need to look to add his predecessor and a partner in crime across from George Karlaftis. White has been a climber during the draft process and his remarkable size will have many thinking about moving him to the interior. But in the Chiefs 4-3 front he will be perfect on the edge across from Karlaftis with Chris Jones in the interior. That's a nasty defensive line that will generate some serious pass rush for the reigning Super Bowl champions.
Top prospects for day two:
- Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee
- Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama
- Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee
- Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina
- Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
- Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
- Luke Musgrave, TE, Oregon State
- Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma
- Darnell Washington, OT, Tennessee
- O'Cyrus Torrence, IOL, Florida
- Luke Wypler, IOL, Ohio State
- Will McDonald IV, EDGE, Iowa State
- B.J. Ojulari, EDGE, LSU
- Felix Anudike-Uzomah, EDGE, Kansas State
- Isaiah Foskey, EDGE, Notre Dame
- Mazi Smith, IDL, Michigan
- Siaki Ika, IDL, Baylor
- Drew Sanders, LB, Arkansas
- Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson
- Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
- Julius Brents, CB, Kansas State
- Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi
- Antonio Johnson, S, Texas A&M
