2023 NFL Mock Draft: Post NFL Scouting Combine
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As the NFL Scouting Combine concludes and the wild time that is 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.
Descriptions are from the player's scouting report. Click their name to read their full report.
1. Chicago Bears: iDL Jalen Carter, Georgia
"Blessed with rare athleticism, a lightning quick first step and violent hands, the Bulldogs defensive tackle makes a living in the opponents' backfield."
2. Houston Texans: QB Bryce Young, Alabama
"A smart-accurate passer who doesn’t force throws and rarely makes mistakes. Lacks prototype size but sees the field very well, demonstrates natural feel in the pocket and can push the ball downfield with a simple flick of the wrist."
3. Arizona Cardinals: EDGE Will Anderson Jr., Alabama
"Blessed with rare athleticism, a lightning quick first step and violent hands, the Bulldogs defensive tackle makes a living in the opponents' backfield."
4. Indianapolis Colts: QB C.J. Stroud, Ohio State
"Known as the first one in, last one out, Stroud possesses all the intangibles that NFL decision-makers seek from a franchise quarterback—head coach Ryan Day has praised his work ethic and professional approach to the game on a daily basis."
5. Seattle Seahawks (via DEN): EDGE Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech
"He carries his weight well enough that he can fill roles as a 4-3 defensive end or 3-4 outside linebacker at the next level with the ability to reduce inside occasionally. Wilson has an explosive first step and long strides to beat tackles around their outside shoulders or make plays as a backside run defender."
6. Detroit Lions (via LAR): QB Anthony Richardson, Florida
"Sizeable height and length for the position, with an intimidating structure. Overly poised for a player with such little experience. Very comfortable in the pocket and has the instinct to step up when it collapses or escape the impending rush."
7. Las Vegas Raiders: QB Will Levis, Kentucky
"You will notice everything is ultra-quick. An up-tempo offense based on quick reads and fast decision-making. Levis gets rid of the ball in a hurry and it's the high-octane scheme that you see many NFL teams attempting to mimic."
8. Atlanta Falcons: OT Peter Skoronski, Northwestern
"Skoronski possesses exceptional athleticism, great passion and high character. His quick feet and fundamentally sound technique are two of his more favorable attributes."
9. Carolina Panthers: WR Quentin Johnston, TCU
"The Horned Frogs’ standout exhibits notable linear burst, lateral burst, long speed, and play strength. At the line of scrimmage, Johnston uses his explosiveness, jab steps, hesitations, and hand usage to release."
10. Philadelphia Eagles (via NO): OT Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio State
"A high-character individual, the Cincinnati native is referred to by coaches as the “father” of the offensive line room because his teammates gravitate toward him."
11. Tennessee Titans: iOL O'Cyrus Torrence, Florida
"Large human in terms of outright mass. Mainly a guard but has moved out to tackle and handled the duties well in limited snaps. Arms and strength to finish plays. Plays long with heavy hands at the point of attack."
12. Houston Texans (via CLE): WR Jordan Addison, USC
"An above-average athlete, Addison boasts a flexible frame, exciting linear and lateral burst, and impressive change of direction ability. His speed, while not a rare or special trait, is notable and enables him to win deep at times."
13. New York Jets: OT Dawand Jones, Ohio State
"Size is astounding, length and mass that is visible from the nosebleeds. Naturally wide base that remains consistent throughout his pass set. Hand fighting is non-negotiable."
14. New England Patriots: WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State
"He maintains a uniform stem and his flexible lower half allows him to sink his hips to change direction on a dime as a route runner and as a ball carrier. Further, Smith-Njigba tracks the ball well and flashes the ability to win at the catch point as a hands catcher."
15. Green Bay Packers: TE Michael Mayer, Notre Dame
"A rare blend of size, athleticism, toughness and pure natural talent, Mayer is the definition of a prototype at the tight end position. Tough enough to break tackles after the catch and elusive enough to make defenders miss in the open field."
16. Washington Commanders: CB Devon Witherspoon, Illinois
"He’s a high-energy talker who loves to remind wide receivers that they’re getting locked up. Witherspoon has a quick trigger and excellent closing speed on short routes and screens."
17. Pittsburgh Steelers: CB Christian Gonzalez, Oregon
"Terrific length and subtle weight that doest burden his athleticism. Tons of press-bail alignments, typically to the boundary. He has blitzed from the field and has an impact on the pass."
18. Detroit Lions: CB Kelee Ringo, Georgia
"On film, it looks like Ringo was built in a lab. He has a great frame, fantastic length and impressive speed. It didn’t matter the receiver’s speed he went up against in man coverage, Ringo was always in the wideouts hip pocket."
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: EDGE Myles Murphy, Clemson
"An immediate impact player as a freshman, the Georgia native demonstrates quick, first step-explosion, along with great strength and versatility. Murphy has been utilized on the outside to set the edge and has kicked inside when needed, showcasing multiple ways how he can be implemented at the next level."
20. Seattle Seahawks: EDGE Nolan Smith, Georgia
"Smith makes up for his undersized stature with great technique, playing with low pad level and consistently winning inside hand placement to stand up tackles and control the point of attack."
21. Miami Dolphins (via Forfeited):
The Miami Dolphins forfeited their draft pick because the league determined the team had impermissible communications on two different occasions with quarterback Tom Brady, despite Brady being under contract with the New England Patriots and then the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: OT Broderick Jones, Georgia
"Jones’ length really stands out. He doesn’t know how to use his long arms yet but when he does, Jones will have an elite combination of length and quickness. In the run game, Jones consistently got his hands on defenders but his hand placement was all over the palace."
23. Baltimore Ravens: WR Josh Downs, North Carolina
"A special athlete with refined technique, Josh Downs has the movement skills, flexibility, route running, run after catch ability, and versatility to be an elite offensive weapon in the league."
24. Minnesota Vikings: CB Joey Porter Jr., Penn State
"His long arms allow him to knock receivers off their mark and enable him to get his hands on a lot of tipped balls. Porter Jr. is also asked to play quite a bit of zone coverage and has no problem adapting due to his natural football instincts."
25. Jacksonville Jaguars: TE Dalton Kincaid, Utah
"He displays excellent body control. Utah uses Kincaid as a slot playmaker more than an in-line option, but he’s experienced in both roles. Despite not having high-end play strength, he welcomes and finishes through contact as a ball carrier."
26. New York Giants: WR Zay Flowers, Boston College
"Easy speed to separate on overs, posts, and fades. Also points to his route running variety, with a tree that works through the vertical plane, intermediate areas, and underneath."
27. Dallas Cowboys: EDGE Lukas Van Ness, Iowa
"Van Ness deployed from two and three-point stances. The All-Big Ten selection blocked two punts versus Iowa State this past season. His motor runs hot no matter what role he’s playing. Van Ness displays exceptional ankle flexibility and lower body looseness for his size, which translates to above-average agility."
28. Buffalo Bills: iOL Cody Mauch, NDSU
"Mauch is an excellent athlete who possesses ideal lateral and vertical agility to mirror defenders in pass protection or climb to the second level and pick off linebackers in the run game."
29. Cincinnati Bengals: TE Darnell Washington, Georgia
"Washington imposed his will on defensive linemen like Oregon’s Brandon Dorlus. He effortlessly seals defenders, occasionally finishes defenders to the ground, and shows plenty of pop in his hands. Washington’s athleticism allows him to operate as the lead blocker on runs and screens, and he looks comfortable pulling for gap runs."
30. New Orleans Saints (via SF): iDL Bryan Bresee, Clemson
"He displays strong hands to throw around or otherwise disengage from linemen. Bresee is completely capable of winning leverage and driving opponents back at contact. The former five-star recruit pairs his stellar movement with somewhat-varied hand usage."
31. Philadelphia Eagles: RB Bijan Robinson, Texas
"Robinson boasts stellar linear and lateral burst with angle-beating long speed. He precedes sudden, sharp cuts with salesmanship to force defensive backs into awkward positions."
32. Kansas City Chiefs: OT Darnell Wright, Tennessee
"Colossal size, long arms, and thick lower half. Able to move on pin and pull schemes and GT Counter plays. Like his ability to get to his target on the second level. Yet to see his anchor threatened. Can redirect his punch when faced with counter moves."
