2023 NFL Mock Draft: March Madness in the NFL Offseason
As the wild time of the offseason begins, it's time to prepare for the final steps of the evaluation process for the draft and begin understanding what needs NFL teams have. Here is the first 2023 NFL Mock Draft after the Combine, with players that could go in the first round.
1. Carolina Panthers (via CHI): QB Bryce Young, Alabama
The Chicago Bears traded their first overall pick to the Panthers, who are surely looking to find their franchise quarterback. With the football IQ Young possesses, he's ready to step in on day one and contribute.
2. Houston Texans: EDGE Will Anderson Jr., Alabama
The Texans are in need of talent on both sides of the football. Grabbing arguably the best player in the 2023 NFL Draft will go a long way to getting them back to their winning ways.
3. Arizona Cardinals: EDGE Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech
The Cardinals are in an interesting spot. They need to continue to build around Kyler Murray but also need to fill out their defense, which is exactly what they do. Wilson is a freak athlete who can make an impact right away on the Cardinals' defense.
4. Indianapolis Colts: QB C.J. Stroud, Ohio State
With the Panthers trading for the first overall pick and the Texans sitting above them, the Colts are in a peculiar spot. They need a quarterback. Lucky for them, the Texans could pass on quarterback, leaving them with their choice of the next best one.
5. Seattle Seahawks (via DEN): iDL Jalen Carter, Georgia
Despite the recent legal troubles surrounding Carter, he's still a top-tier talent in this Draft class. The Seahawks need to bolster their run defense and pass rush, which is exactly what Carter can bring.
6. Detroit Lions (via LAR): CB Devon Witherspoon, Illinois
The class of cornerbacks got interesting after seeing them in All-Star games and at the Scouting Combine. Witherspoon has separated himself as the best at his position, leaving the Lions with an easy option to strengthen their secondary.
7. Las Vegas Raiders: QB Will Levis, Kentucky
After letting Derek Carr walk and signing Jimmy Garappolo, the Raiders put themselves in a strong spot to develop a young quarterback. Levis has shown flashes of being an elite quarterback if he's given time to develop. This situation gives him exactly that.
8. Atlanta Falcons: EDGE Myles Murphy, Clemson
With the top-tier defenders and quarterbacks off the board, the Falcons can take the best player available. And lucky for them, it's a position they desperately need. Adding Murphy to the edge will give them a nasty presence in the trenches to disrupt both the run and passing game.
9. Chicago Bears (via CAR): OT Peter Skoronski, Northwestern
After trading out of the first overall pick and adding a receiver for their franchise quarterback, the Bears can now focus on a big need - the trenches. Skoronski is easily the best offensive lineman in the 2023 NFL Draft class and can immediately step in and protect their star passer.
10. Philadelphia Eagles (via NO): CB Christian Gonzalez, Oregon
The Eagles signed Darius Slay to a two-year contract, which appears to be his last stint in the NFL. According to The Eagles Wire, Slay said, “I plan on retiring as an Eagle. I’m not gonna lie,” he said. “When my time is up, my time will be up from here.” This means they need to find their next lockdown corner.
11. Tennessee Titans: OT Dawand Jones, Ohio State
A freak of nature, Jones has the ridiculous measurables and smoothness to his game to be a strong bookend in the NFL. Whoever they have under center or running between the tackles will enjoy having Jones to be behind.
12. Houston Texans (via CLE): QB Anthony Richardson, Florida
Despite passing on a quarterback with their top pick, the Texans could still land a viable option. Richardson is a polarizing prospect who could end up being a top-ten quarterback in the league or just be another step along the way. But if you ask around, the first option is looking more and more likely.
13. New York Jets: OT Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio State
The Jets have struggled to find top-tier protection for the backfield. For Johnson, he was long regarded as the best tackle in the Draft class. He was a big-time recruit coming out of high school who can play guard or tackle. The Jets won't have a tough decision if he's available at their pick.
14. New England Patriots: WR Quentin Johnston, TCU
It's not easy finding a wide receiver with an imposing size that can move as Johnston does. The Patriots need to find weapons to build around their young quarterback. Grabbing Johnston will be the next step to helping Mac Jones bring his game to the next level.
15. Green Bay Packers: TE Michael Mayer, Notre Dame
The Packers are in an interesting spot. The Aaron Rodgers drama is in full swing and the team needs offensive weapons. This class of tight ends is one of the best we've ever seen. Grabbing Mayer will be a great benefit to any quarterback who's under center for them.
16. Washington Commanders: CB Kelee Ringo, Georgia
The Commanders need to improve in the trenches, but also the secondary. And with Ringo still available, they should decide to go with the latter. Ringo's build and size, combined with the potential he brings, make this a no-brainer for them.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers: OT Darnell Wright, Tennessee
The Steelers took Kenny Pickett in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft in hopes he turns into their franchise quarterback. That's not going to happen if they don't get him better protection. The team is set up to compete if they can put the right pieces in front of Pickett. Wright is the start of young talent they can surround him with.
18. Detroit Lions: iDL Bryan Bresee, Clemson
All the moves the Lions are making in the offseason are putting them in a spot to compete for a Super Bowl run. Yes, you heard that right. Putting Bresee next to Aidan Hutchinson and adding Gonzalez to the secondary can make this defense a young nucleus of superstars.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: CB Joey Porter Jr., Penn State
With Tom Brady retiring, the Buccaneers need to look at finding a quarterback but where they sit and how this Draft fell, it's just too early to take the next wave of quarterbacks. Grab the best player available and bolster that secondary.
20. Seattle Seahawks: iOL O'Cyrus Torrence, Florida
Another team that could look at taking a quarterback to develop behind what they currently have is the Seahawks. But again, it's too early to make that next run. Grab their next big need and protect what you already have.
21. Los Angeles Chargers: OT Broderick Jones, Georgia
The Chargers could look to take a pass catcher here. But already having their franchise quarterback under center, who desperately needs protection, should be the main focus.
22. Baltimore Ravens: CB Cam Smith, South Carolina
The Ravens could stand to provide Lamar Jackson with more weapons, but with the current state of their secondary and the talent that's already came off the board, they can't afford to pass on a guy like Smith.
23. Minnesota Vikings: WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State
The Vikings have the most interesting situation that doesn't seem to be talked about enough. They're losing the core of their defense that's aged out and the new regime is starting to reassemble this team. But losing Adam Thielen leaves a giant hole on offense.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars: TE Dalton Kincaid, Utah
After an overall positive season and Trevor Lawrence taking another step to becoming one of the best quarterbacks in the league, the Jaguars need to look at building more pieces around their budding star. Kincaid brings protection in both blocking and the passing game for Lawrence and the Jaguars' offense.
25. New York Giants: WR Jordan Addison, USC
When you look at the Giants' roster, you have a decent offensive line and a strong defense. But the weapons at Daniel Jones' disposal are lacking. Go get the former Biletnikoff award winner.
26. Dallas Cowboys: LB Trenton Simpson, Clemson
The Cowboys have a lot of pressing needs that they will hopefully attack before the NFL Draft. But where they currently sit, having Simpson available with this pick allows them to address a big need and take the best player available.
27. Buffalo Bills: RB Bijan Robinson, Texas
While running backs are typically devalued in the draft, the Bills can afford to take the most talented player left and give Josh Allen another weapon in his arsenal.
28. Cincinnati Bengals: TE Darnell Washington, Georgia
The last time we saw three tight ends selected in the first round was in 2017. Remember how excited everyone was about that class? Well, this one has the talent that has everyone buzzing even more. Washington provides some of the best blocking out of a tight end in this class while being a freak athlete in the passing game.
29. New Orleans Saints (via SF): iDL Calijah Kancey, Pittsburgh
Aaron Donald 2.0? That's what many have suggested. An undersized freak athlete at defensive tackle that played at Pitt - the measurements and testing numbers are freakishly similar. If the Saints even get half of what Donald is, this pick will be a home run.
30. Philadelphia Eagles: EDGE Lukas Van Ness, Iowa
The Eagles have aging veterans on the defensive line and will need to have a player that they can develop into the next elite pass rusher. Despite not starting a game in college, Van Ness has already shown flashes of being one of the better edge rushers in the 2023 NFL Draft class.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: EDGE Nolan Smith, Georgia
After injuring his right pectoralis muscle in the game against Florida, Smith came out to the Combine and put on a show. His testing numbers prove the type of freak athlete he is and will be a wrecking ball against opposing offenses.
