Post Super Bowl Two-Round Mock Draft
The 2022 season has come to a close and the 2023 offseason is underway and as such, it's time to focus solely on the 2023 NFL Draft.
And my goodness, will it be a crazy process between now and April 27.
For my third mock draft of the process, I have done something I normally don't do - I have included trades. I simply do not have any belief that the Chicago Bears will sit tight with the number one pick and believe there will be lots of movement for quarterbacks to come. Henceforth, this is my first mock draft with trades included.
This is also a two-round mock draft, so enjoy everything I put together, and be sure to roast me accordingly.
With that being said, we have a trade for the number one overall pick...
Round 1
1. Indianapolis Colts: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
Trade:
Chicago receives picks four, 35, 105, and a 2024 first-round pick
Indianapolis receivers pick one
For what it's worth, I would be taking Bryce Young first overall, but NFL groupthink likes Levis' traits more. Here, the Colts aren't afraid to mortgage some picks to get the young quarterback they haven't had since Andrew Luck. The Bears don't mind capitalizing and stashing great value to add to arguably the league's worst roster.
2. Houston Texans: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
Don't count the Texans out for moving up a spot to secure their guy, whoever that may be. Thankfully for them, they can happily sit at pick two and land Young. While Young won't be everyone's cup of tea (for size reasons alone), he is my personal QB1 and will give the Texans their franchise quarterback of the future. Don't sleep on them adding a veteran quarterback prior to the draft and then drafting a defensive cornerstone for new head coach DeMeco Ryans, however.
3. Arizona Cardinals: Will Anderson, EDGE, Alabama
This is the dream for the Cardinals. Two quarterbacks go with the first two picks and allow the team to pick between their preferred choice of Anderson and Jalen Carter. I have the Cardinals going with a more premium position at edge than defensive tackle, but you can't go wrong either way. Both players feel like generational talents.
4. Carolina Panthers: C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
Trade:
Chicago receives picks nine, 61, and a 2024 second-round pick
Carolina receives pick four
The Bears could absolutely sit tight at four and take Carter, but another opportunity to trade down a few spots and keep adding ammo is also a great idea. The Panthers, meanwhile, move up to get the quarterback they've desperately needed. Stroud doesn't wow many, but as a pure passer, there are few things to dislike. He makes the Panthers contenders for the NFC South.
5. Seattle Seahawks: Jalen Carter, IDL, Georgia
I thought about having the Seahawks take one of the big, athletic edge rushers, but how can you pass Carter? Even at defensive tackle, Carter is arguably the best player in this draft and the Seahawks have a desperate need for a presence along the interior of their defensive line. This is the steal of the draft.
6. Detroit Lions: Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech
James Houston was a lovely surprise in the sixth round of last year's draft for the Lions, but imagine if they could keep him in his role as a part-time player to keep him fresh. Now imagine Wilson across from Aidan Hutchinson attacking he quarterback with Houston coming in for blitz packages. Those three alone create a high-upside and youthful pass rush for the Lions.
7. Green Bay Packers: Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson
Trade:
Las Vegas receives Aaron Rodgers
Green Bay receives pick seven, a 2024 first-round pick, and Darren Waller
I am not sure how I feel about trading Aaron Rodgers, but getting two first-round picks and a Pro Bowl tight end is difficult to pass on. Murphy ends the stretch of Georgia Bulldogs taken in the first round by the Packers, but his athletic upside paired with Rashaan Gary and Preston Smith is nasty to think about.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
The Falcons may have to move up to get their quarterback, but in this mock, they sit firm and still land Richardson, who might have the highest upside of any quarterback in this class. It's certainly a dice roll, but Richardson will have the weapons at his disposal to progress quickly and hopefully reach his ceiling early in his career.
9. Chicago Bears: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
The Bears moved down twice from the number one pick and yet still stayed in the top ten and got their pick of the available offensive tackles to protect Justin Fields's blindside. Jones looks like a prototypical left tackle with a nasty edge in the run game. He'll fit right into an offense that likes to ground and pound the ball.
10. Philadelphia Eagles: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
The Eagles just played in the Super Bowl and somehow have a top-10 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft... That is simply unfair. James Bradberry played great ball in 2022 but he is a free agent and is in his 30s, as is returning starter Darius Slay. Gonzalez might be the best cornerback in the 2023 NFL Draft class and he can be a day-one starter for the Eagles no matter who returns for 2023.
11. Tennessee Titans: Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State
A wide receiver makes sense here, but adding offensive line talent is an absolute must. If the team decides to bring back Taylor Lewan, they can slide Johnson Jr. at guard in year one and have him be the eventual successor to the Pro Bowler. If they cut Lewan, then Johnson Jr. gets to be the new left tackle. Win-win if you ask me.
12. Houston Texans: Lukas Van Ness, EDGE, Iowa
DeMeco Ryans won't leave the 2023 NFL Draft without a defensive cornerstone and Van Ness is skyrocketing up draft boards with his high upside potential. The Texans need help all along the front seven of the defense and Van Ness's value and potential could make this one of the better picks with eventual hindsight.
13. New York Jets: Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern
There are no quarterbacks worth taking in the first round at this point in the draft and I won't count the Jets out of the Aaron Rodgers sweepstakes or signing a veteran like Derek Carr. Instead, the team invests in its offensive line to continue making life easier for whoever is throwing the rock in 2023 with Skoronski, who has Pro Bowl upside if he gets moved to guard or can remain a good option at left tackle. Whatever you decide to do with him, the most important thing to do is get him on the field.
14. New England Patriots: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
Who is the number one cornerback in the 2023 NFL Draft is up for discussion and Witherspoon has a terrific case for that distinction. The Patriots will be facing a retooling in their secondary with the likely departure of Jonathan Jones. Witherspoon can be a lockdown corner for the team and get this pass defense back to top-tier status sooner rather than later.
15. Green Bay Packers: Bryan Bresee, IDL, Clemson
Bresee is the former number-one prospect in the 2020 recruiting class, but he had trouble living up to his potential thanks to injuries. And yet he remains one of the 2023 NFL Draft's top prospects because when he did play, he was as dominant as advertised. This is certainly a gamble for the Packers, but a defensive line of Bresee, Kenny Clark, and Devonte Wyatt is terrifying for opposing offenses. Couple that with the edge-rushing investment from earlier, and this looks like a doomsday defense.
16. Washington Commanders: Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
Ringo is a high-upside gamble that will deter a lot of teams. Still, his ball-hawking potential should have teams willing to take the risk. The Commanders are in need of a number one corner and will gladly take the chance on Ringo to lock down opposing receivers and make huge plays on the football.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State
I so badly wanted to continue mocking Joey Porter Jr. to the Steelers, but Jones's draft stock is soaring after a dominant Senior Bowl week and the dire need on the offensive line is too much to ignore for the team. With Kenny Pickett's terrific second-half of the season, giving him as much help as possible is a must. The legacy pick feels good, but the offensive line investment is the smarter decision.
18. Detroit Lions: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
Is this a luxury pick? It could be, but D'Andre Swift can't stay healthy and may be best suited as a change-of-pace running back. Robinson, meanwhile, is one of the best prospects in this draft that just so happens to play a devalued position. Nonetheless, Robinson would take this offense to new heights and give the Lions unbelievable potential for an elite offense.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
The Buccaneers need a quarterback following Tom Brady's retirement, but there aren't any worth taking. The team needs to reload their secondary with the anticipated departure of several players including Jamel Dean. Porter Jr. is yet another cornerback who can be argued as the top in the class and his shutdown potential makes him a great value a 19.
20. Seattle Seahawks: John Michael Schmitz, IOL, Minnesota
The Seahawks should continue to value the trenches and add the 2023 NFL Draft's top center prospect. The team hit on both of their offensive tackle investments a year ago and would be smart to continue turning a once glaring weakness into a strength with Michael Schmitz.
21. Los Angeles Chargers: Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
Keenan Allen is a serious candidate to be a cap casualty, which would propel the wide receiver position toward the top of the Charger's needs. But even if Allen is somehow back, he won't be a long-term option for the team and his injury history is concerning. It's lucky for them that they get their pick of the liter for the wide receiver class and Johnston checks every box you look for in a number one receiver. Size, speed, ball skills... You name it and he's got it.
22. Baltimore Ravens: Jordan Addison, WR, USC
Addison was banged up in 2022, but he was electric when he was on the field. The Ravens will be happy to land any wide receiver but they should be ecstatic to see Addison available this late. If they add a veteran receiver this offseason, he and Addison will pair wonderfully with Rashod Bateman returning from injury to fix this annually bad passing attack.
23. Minnesota Vikings: Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
Mike Zimmer may no longer be the head coach of the Vikings, but that doesn't mean the team should stop investing at the cornerback position. The Vikings have taken their fair share of swings at misses at the position, but Smith should be the best option that they've chanced on since Xavier Rhodes back in 2013. Smith is yet another candidate for CB1 in the 2023 NFL Draft class. This pick is a slam dunk.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
If the Jaguars resign Evan Engram, then this pick might change, but the upside of Mayer is Pro Bowl status and Doug Pederson's offense showed exactly how much they value their tight end position. Mayer is a dynamic prospect who would be an instant difference-maker working with Trevor Lawrence.
25. New York Giants: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
I believe Smith-Njigba to be the WR1 in this year's pool, but teams could overthink him and allow him to drop further than he ever should. The Giants need a WR1 as badly as anyone else and his route-running savvy will instantly propel him to that status in Brian Daboll's offense.
26. Dallas Cowboys: Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
CeeDee Lamb is an elite WR1, but he needs a Robin to his Batman. Insert Flowers, who looks to be one of the craftiest receivers after the catch in this year's pool. With Flowers's ability to create with the ball in his hands, the Cowboys' passing attack stays top-notch and gets a definitive upgrade over the guys they had in 2022.
27. Buffalo Bills: Brian Branch, S, Alabama
Jordan Poyer is another year older and a pending free agent. The Bills will have to make a tough decision regarding their future at safety, but Branch should be one of the top players on their board regardless. Branch is a versatile defensive back who can play some nickel and even outside corner. His ability to be a flexible chess piece should attract the Bills.
28. Cincinnati Bengals: Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
Hayden Hurst was a much more valuable part of the Bengals' offense than people realize, but the team can get younger and cheaper by drafting Kincaid. Kincaid was one of college football's best-kept secrets in 2022 and will likely be the same in the 2023 NFL Draft class. He has seen his stock rise recently and the Bengals would be wise to add him to their top-flight passing attack.
29. New Orleans Saints: Siaki Ika, IDL, Baylor
The Saints have a ton of difficult decisions to make thanks to their salary cap, but an upgrade on the defensive line is a must. Ika is an absolutely massive human being at 6'4" 357lbs., but he is a penetrated and space eater that will help the Saints get back to stuffing the run.
30. Philadelphia Eagles: Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia
The Eagles' pass rush was vicious all year long but a lot of key contributors could be gone from the 2022 squad and youth is desperately needed. Smith missed much of the season due to injury, but it's very likely he will be healthy for the start of 2023, and quite frankly, his value at the end of round one in absurd.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Derick Hall, EDGE, Auburn
The Super Bowl champion Chiefs will need to think long and hard about whether or not to keep Frank Clark. Even if they do, you can never have too many pass rushers, and getting a running mate for George Karlaftis is a must. Hall has been a steady contributor for Auburn the last couple of years and he could be that bookend pass rusher opposite Karlaftis.
Round 2
32. Pittsburgh Steelers: O'Cyrus Torrence, IOL, Florida
33. Houston Texans: Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson
34. Arizona Cardinals: Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah
35. Chicago Bears: Isaiah Foskey, EDGE, Notre Dame
36. Los Angeles Rams: Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma
37. Seattle Seahawks: Noah Sewell, LB, Oregon
38. Las Vegas Raiders: Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
39. Carolina Panthers: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama
40. New Orleans Saints: Antonio Johnson, S, Texas A&M
41. Tennessee Titans: Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina
42. Cleveland Browns: B.J. Ojulari, EDGE, LSU
43. New York Jets: Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee
44. Atlanta Falcons: Henry To'oTo'o, LB Alabama
45. Green Bay Packers: Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee
46. New England Patriots: Rashee Rice, WR, SMU
47. Washington Commanders: Cody Mauch, OT, North Dakota State
48. Detroit Lions: Eli Ricks, CB, Alabama
49. Pittsburgh Steelers: Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State
50. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tuli Tuipulotu, EDGE, USC
51. Miami Dolphins: Zach Charbonnet, RB, UCLA
52. Seattle Seahawks: Felix Anudike-Uzomah, EDGE, Kansas State
53. Chicago Bears: Kayshon Boutte, WR, LSU
54. Los Angeles Chargers: Gervon Dexter, IDL, Florida
55. Detroit Lions: Cedric Tillman, WR, Tennessee
56. Jacksonville Jaguars: JL Skinner, S, Boise State
57. New York Giants: Drew Sanders, LB, Arkansas
58. Dallas Cowboys: Andre Carter II, EDGE, Army
59. Buffalo Bills: Marvin Mims, WR, Oklahoma
60. Cincinnati Bengals: Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
61. Chicago Bears: Jordan Battle, S, Alabama
62. Philadelphia Eagles: Devon Achane, RB, Texas A&M
63. Kansas City Chiefs: Brandon Joseph, S, Notre Dame
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