Post-Combine Mock Draft: A New No. 1 Pick Emerges
The 2023 NFL Combine has come and gone.
While teams depart Indianapolis and gather all information received over the last week, we've seen some major rises and falls over the course of the last few days at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Now, a new No. 1 pick has emerged. Let's get chaotic:
1. Carolina Panthers: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
Trade:
Chicago receives picks nine, 38, 70, and a first and a 2024 third-round pick
Carolina receives pick one
The Panthers aren't afraid to give up the farm to go up and get their guy here, and Richardson should remind them of another athletic quarterback they took with the first overall pick over a decade ago - Cam Newton. Richardson tested out of the roof and the upside he presents is the best in the class. It's a dice roll, but he could turn into something special.
2. Houston Texans: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
Young left the NFL Combine very similar in stature to Kyler Murry which could be a blessing or a curse depending on your thoughts. Nonetheless, Young is a talented and exciting prospect who looks to be the most polished and pro-ready quarterback in the draft and the Texans shouldn't think twice about making him the face of the franchise.
3. Atlanta Falcons: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
Trade:
Arizona receives picks eight, 44, and a 2024 first-round pick
Atlanta receives picks three and 104
Atlanta saw their division rivals move up for a quarterback and they do the same. Leis isn't everyone's cup of tea, but you can't deny the physical tools he possesses. Levis also put on a show at the Combine throwing the ball and his arm strength will have teams salivating over his potential. In this offense, Levis could find early success.
4. Green Bay Packers: Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Alabama
Trade
Indianapolis receives Aaron Rodgers and pick 78
Green Bay receives picks four
BLOCKBUSTER TRADE! The Colts would love a young signal caller, but they'll settle for another veteran quarterback. At least this time around they're getting a great quarterback. As for the Packers, the Jordan Love era begins. Getting him weapons will be a priority, but bypassing the best prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft class would be foolish. Anderson has few, if any, weaknesses and will come into the league as one of the most intimidating pass rushers.
5. Seattle Seahawks: Jalen Carter, IDL, Georgia
It's too early to judge Carter for his arrest and until something significant comes out of it the best course of action is to give him the benefit of the doubt. The Seahawks could think about a quarterback here, but Carter is too talented to let slip. Considering their need on the defensive line, this is a no-brainer pick.
6. Detroit Lions: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
Jeff Okudah rebounded nicely off an ACL tear in 2022, but the Lions need a guy across from him to take their secondary to the next level. Who the top cornerback in the 2023 class seems to be very subjective, but Gonzalez has size (6'1" 197lbs), speed (4.38 40-time), and ball skills to justify a top selection.
7. Las Vegas Raiders: C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
The Raiders will happily take a sliding Stroud and may even consider trading up for him. Stroud had a strong Combine performance and shouldn't be slept on for his potential. A natural thrower with athletic upside, Stroud will find quick success in an offense featuring Davante Adams, Josh Jacobs, Darren Waller, and Hunter Renfrow.
8. Arizona Cardinals: Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech
The Cardinals won't complain about moving down, getting great draft capital, and getting one of the freakiest players in the 2023 NFL Draft class. Wilson is a mammoth of a man at 6'6" 271lbs and nearly 36" arms. Wilson looked like a man amongst boys at Texas Tech and he'll be a day-one starter for the Cardinals with upside higher than anyone currently on the roster.
9. Chicago Bears: Calijah Kancey, IDL, Pittsburgh
Welcome to the top 10, Calijah Kancey. The Pittsburgh product has seen his draft stock skyrocket throughout the process and a good Combine has him appear in the top 10 of this mock. The last time we saw an undersized defensive tackle prospect with a strong draft process get taken in the first round (Aaron Donald) it worked out pretty well. The Bears will happily take a top-end talent with seemingly limitless upside.
10. Philadelphia Eagles: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
Let's have some fun, shall we? Robinson is being hailed as the best running back prospect since Saquon Barkley and his elite production and athleticism absolutely back that up. The Eagles will likely lose Pro Bowler Miles Sanders to Free Agency, but Robinson is an upgrade at the position regardless. Placing Robinson in this offense would be nightmare fuel for opposing defenses.
11. Tennessee Titans: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
The Titans have officially moved on from long-time starter Taylor Lewan and the offensive line, which was already a need, is now the glaring weakness of the team. The Titans luck out into having their pick of the liter for the offensive line group and go with Jones who plays with a nastiness and loves to run block. When you remember how much the Titans love to run the ball with Derrick Henry, this pick makes too much sense.
12. Houston Texans: Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson
Murphy slips a bit in this mock due to some rising prospects, but rest assured that this is still a top-tier talent in the 2023 NFL Draft. First-year head coach DeMeco Ryans will be looking to change the identity of this defense quickly and Murphy gives him the opportunity to find his cornerstone pass rusher.
13. New York Jets: Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State
The Jets will be in play for Aaron Rodgers, but the value the Packers got for him was impossible to pass up. Instead, they'll be in play to either trade up or sign a veteran in Free Agency. No matter who is under center though, the offensive line needs upgrades. Johnson can play either side of the line or kick inside to guard. That versatility is invaluable for the Jets.
14. New England Patriots: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
Welcome back to WR1 status, JSN. Smith-Njigba put on a clinic at the Combine with unbelievable change-of-direction with a ridiculous 6.57 three-cone drill and a 3.93 20-yard shuttle. This matches up with his route running that made him a menace at Ohio State. His time missed in 2022 to injury hurt his stock, but the Patriots won't mind being the beneficiaries of him sliding to them.
15. Green Bay Packers: Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
Washington became one of the biggest (no pun intended) winners from the Combine this weekend. The 6'7" 264lbs tight end showed off his athleticism for his size (4.64 40-yard dash) and had the highlight of the weekend with his insane one-handed snag. The Packers refuse to draft wide receivers in round one, but they'll take the draft's freakiest tight end for Jordan Love to throw to.
16. Washington Commanders: Brian Branch, S, Alabama
Some believe Branch is a safety and some believe him to be a cornerback. I believe him to be a versatile defensive back with plus ball skills and instincts. The Commanders need help throughout their secondary and Branch's versatility will allow him to fix the unit no matter where he fits.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Peter Skoronski, IOL, Northwestern
I was tempted to have the Steelers draft a receiver here or even Joey Porter Jr. for the legacy aspect, but Skoronski falling to their laps was not something they saw coming. Skoronski's lack of length has many believing he'll have to kick inside to guard at the next level, but he has Pro Bowl potential there. Offensive line is never the sexiest pick, but this is a slam dunk for the Steelers.
18. Detroit Lions: Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
The Lions have never been shy about drafting tight ends in the first round (three since 2009) and after trading T.J. Hockenson last season, the position is once again a need. Kincaid is a dynamic tight end who gives a little bit of everything to your offense but is a top-end pass catcher. Jared Goff will appreciate having Kincaid in this lineup to give him some of the best weapons he's had in his career.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
With Tom Brady retiring, the Buccaneers could be a team willing to mortgage some capital to move up for a quarterback, but it would take a ridiculous number of picks to do so. The team is old and has several positions in need of upgrades, youth, and depth. Cornerback will be near the top of that list and Porter Jr.'s play and bloodlines will make him a highly sought-after commodity. With his alpha mentality and physical prowess, this is a terrific value selection.
20. Seattle Seahawks: Keion White, EDGE, Georgia Tech
The Seahawks value plus-sized athletes and White is no exception at 6'5" 285lbs. White was a big winner from the Combine this week and feels like someone who will continue to climb up the rankings, but the Seahawks get to pair him and Jalen Carter on the same defensive line... Good luck, everybody else.
21. Los Angles Chargers: Lukas Van Ness, EDGE, Iowa
The Chargers seem content with holding on to Keenan Allen, but what about Khalil Mack? Honestly, even if they somehow retain both they need depth. Van Ness has arguably seen his stock climb the most during the process and he'll be a key player for the future of the Chargers' pass rush and still be an early impact player.
22. Baltimore Ravens: Jordan Addison, WR, USC
Until Lamar Jackson is officially traded, I have a hard time believing that the Ravens will let him Walk. Therefore, the name of the game is to get Jackson weapons. Addison is the hometown kid and a former Biletnikoff Award winner who would come to Baltimore and give that wide receiver room a much-needed boost.
23. Minnesota Vikings: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
Some will argue that Witherspoon is the best cornerback in the 2023 NFL Draft, so the Vikings won't have any issue in taking him here. The cornerback position is facing quite a bit of uncertainty and Witherspoon would give the team the number one cornerback they haven't had since Xavier Rhodes.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars: Bryan Bresee, IDL, Clemson
If Bresee is 100% healthy, this will be the steal of the entire 2023 NFL Draft. The Jaguars are in a great position to draft the best player available and Bresee fits that bill. A defensive line of Bresee, Travon Walker, and Josh Allen sounds delightful and will shore up the rest of that front seven.
25. New York Giants: Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
Johnston drops in this mock simply because of the risers going ahead of him. The Giants will run the card up to the podium if this happens. Johnston has a great blend of size and speed that you look for with a number one receiver. Considering the problems the team has had at the position, Johnston is a breath of fresh air.
26. Dallas Cowboys: Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee
Hyatt is the reigning Biletnikoff Award winner and was one of the premier deep threats in all of college football in 2022. He heads into this draft process as one of the most polarizing prospects and a true boom-or-bust player. Thankfully, the Cowboys already have their WR1 in CeeDee Lamb, so Hyatt can be a perfect complement with his speed and big-play ability to take this offense to new heights.
27. Buffalo Bills: Drew Sanders, LB, Arkansas
Tremaine Edmunds is a pending free agent and the Bills may be better off letting him walk and drafting his replacement. Sanders was a beast in his lone season with the Razorbacks and he will transition into Edmunds's role next to Pro Bowler Matt Milano. Younger, cheaper, and potentially as good of a replacement.
28. Cincinnati Bengals: John Michael Schmitz, IOL, Minnesota
I went back and forth between a tackle and an interior offensive lineman here for the Bengals and opted for the latter. Schmitz is a terrific player inside whether he lines up at guard or center and the Bengals desperately need upgrades throughout their line. This is a plug-and-play starter.
29. New Orleans Saints: Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia
Cameron Jordan is another year older now and the team is set to lose Marcus Davenport in Free Agency. Reinforcements are needed off the edge. Smith blew up the Combine with a 4.39 40-yard dash and has shown the ability to be a star when healthy. Smith presents a wonderful dice roll for the Saints at the end of round one.
30. Philadelphia Eagles: O'Cyrus Torrence, IOL, Florida
Isaac Seumalo is a pending free agent and the Eagles would be wisest to draft his replacement rather than pay him again. Torrence is a nasty guard with a tendency to make enemies with the defense. He'll be a great addition to this offense and will love blocking for Bijan Robinson and Jalen Hurts.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Before you go crazy, I am entirely aware that the Chiefs still have Travis Kelce. In fact, they won't be looking to replace him anytime soon, either. But this doesn't mean the Chiefs shouldn't look to add more talented pass catchers across the roster regardless of the position they play. I don't think the Chiefs expected Mayer to fall to the end of the first, but that's the reality this mock finds them in. I have complete faith that offensive guru Andy Reid will easily be able to incorporate both tight ends into this offense.
