Bo's Final Mock Draft for the 2023 NFL Draft
The NFL Draft is finally here!
When the clock officially begins to click on Thursday night to commence the 2023 NFL Draft in Kansas City, every mock draft will receive an overwhelmingly failing grade on Friday morning. It’s like predicting your brackets in the NCAA tournament – How did that go for yah this past March?
Sitting here on the 26th of April, the second pick overall is an unknown.
Putting together a mock draft is a love affair of aggravation. What appears obvious never happens, and what seems outrageous becomes reality. The ability to recognize a need is usually very clear and easy to address, but not in the world of mock drafts.
Up is down. Black is white. Nothing makes sense, and we are very comfortable throughout it all. It’s complete insanity once the draft begins—the world’s greatest poker game but with draft picks and not cards.
The hardest part of this mock was putting together landing spots for Will Levis, Anthony Richardson, and Hendon Hooker. Remember the obsession with last year’s crop of then-rookie quarterbacks? Desmond Ridder, Malik Willis, and Matt Corral all were flirting with first-round type projections, but only Kenny Pickett heard his name called on day 1. In contrast, the trio of Ridder, Willis, and Corral all got drafted in round three.
The rumored first-round projection on the team’s hovering roughly between 15-20 players. It also coincides with the 17 that are invited to the NFL Draft for day one. Obviously, the NFL wants to try to avoid a player sitting in the green room on day one and returning the following night to relive the first night’s nightmare.
Many of you will read mock and mock, and anything outside the ordinary sounds crazy when crazy, in fact, is exactly how the draft unfolds. Every selection is an educated assumption to an unsolvable riddle in trying to know the unknown.
Enjoy the third and final mock of this 2023 NFL Draft season.
1. Carolina Panthers (from Chicago)
Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
Young was my choice on February 23rd, upon releasing my first mock draft and has become the undisputed No. 1 pick. Carolina Panthers GM Scott Fitterer was in his second season in Seattle as their Director of College Scouting for the Seahawks when the team drafted undersized Russell Wilson in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft. Fitterer will not have a problem handing the first draft card in with Young’s name written on it. Young weighed in at 204 pounds at 5-foot-10 during the NFL Combine and elected not to get on the scales during his recent Pro Day, suggesting that a 200-pound plus combine weigh-in masked his real weight. Wilson measured in with nearly identical numbers during the 2012 NFL Combine at 5’10 5/8 at 204 pounds. Recently No.1 overall pick Kyler Murray tipped the scales at 207-pounds at 5’10 for his combine measurements in 2019. His impression of NFL personnel from the standpoint of mental brilliance in understanding the execution of an offense supplanted him as the No. 1 prospect.
2. Houston Texans
Tyree Wilson, DE, Texas Tech
Texans' new head coach DeMeco Ryans began his coaching career with the 49ers as the defensive quality control coach in 2017 as Kyle Shanahan was taking the reins as head coach in San Francisco. Ryans was inundated with the philosophy of building the defensive front via the NFL Draft. San Francisco drafted defensive linemen with their top pick in four of their last six drafts. A collection of Solomon Thomas, Javon Kinlaw, Nick Bosa and Drake Jackson leads Ryans to pursue Wilson, who is 20-pounds heavier than Alabama’s edge rusher Will Anderson. Wilson fits the mold of what Ryans will need to have his system flourish in Houston. If there is any truth to the 49ers fielding calls on Trey Lance, one would expect Ryans and ex-Niners director of player personnel Ran Carthon who now holds the title of general manager in Tennessee, as possible candidates for acquiring the former third overall pick in 2021.
3. Tennessee Titans (from Arizona) PROJECTED DRAFT DAY TRADE
C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
Stroud’s stranglehold on the No. 1 and No. 2 overall draft status has been taking some bumps and bruises leading up to the night of the 27th in Kansas City. Stroud still possesses elite intangibles to become a top-flight quarterback at the next level. He demonstrated that at Ohio State often connected precision executed throws to his receivers. Often that has been the largest obstacle for Buckeyes’ quarterbacks to adjust to at the next level. The quick diagnosis and distribution of the football are lacking in their repertoire, but Stroud looks like the best prospect to succeed at quarterback from Ohio State. The Titans are on the verge of mediocrity. Ryan Tannehill has regressed since being named the NFL AP Comeback Player of the Year in 2019. He followed that award up with a fine 2020 season that included a career-high 33 touchdown passes, one less than his total (34) over the last two years.
4. Las Vegas Raiders (from Indianapolis) PROJECTED DRAFT DAY TRADE
Will Anderson, Edge, Alabama
Minds are blown. First, the Raiders move up. The television crews are preparing the highlights of Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud, but Las Vegas shocks the world. Offensive guru Sean Payton is taking over in Denver. The Raiders’ two other division opponents, the Chiefs and Chargers, have two of the most coveted quarterbacks (Patrick Mahomes & Justin Herbert) in the entire league. Another gasp from the crowd as the Raiders elect not to select a quarterback. The Philadelphia Eagles led the league in sacks last season with 70. The Raiders finished third from the very bottom with 27 sacks. Las Vegas lacks the ability to punish the pocket, and their only impact rush defender is Maxx Crosby. Anderson is considered in some circles to be the best available player in this entire draft. The Raiders hope to duplicate their 2014 first-round selection of Khalil Mack by acquiring Anderson via a trade with the Colts.
5. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver)
Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
Pete Carroll and John Schneider cringe as the Raiders undercut them for the opportunity to add Will Anderson. That instant aggravation quickly turns to happiness, knowing Carter is there for the taking. Uchenna Nwosu, the Seahawk's second round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, had a breakout season in 2022 with a career-high and team leading 9.5 sacks. If he continues that trajectory, it might be hard to keep him signed after his contract expires in 2024. Carter is an inner changeable three-technique centerpiece Carroll can use in a variety of ways defensively. Seattle has added Dre’Mont Jones and Jarran Reed in free agency, but that doesn’t change the pick. The Seahawks acquire a dominant force that should mesh nicely with the franchise. Carter will elevate Nwosu and possibly ease the path of 2020 second round pick Darrell Taylor to the opposing team’s quarterback.
6. Detroit Lions (from L.A. Rams)
Devon Witherspoon, DB, Illinois
Personally, I prefer Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez over Witherspoon, but the tenacity of Witherspoon's physical nature Witherspoon coincides with Lions head coach Dan Campbell's tough guy mentality. A feisty corner who thrived at shutting down opponents’ top pass catchers this past season, puts The Lions are going to be tempted to add pieces up front with so much talent on the draft board in terms of edge rushers, but not having anyone to cover down covers both ends. Detroit signed Cam Sutton in free agency but doesn’t take the focus off a player like Witherspoon. The Lions traded Jeff Okudah, the third overall pick in 2020, to the Falcons for a fifth-round pick on April 11th, which should bolster the team's view to grab an elite defensive back.
7. Indianapolis Colts (from Las Vegas)
Peter Skoronski, OL, Northwestern
Chaos ensues as the Colts shock the draft universe by bypassing both rookie quarterbacks in prospects Will Levis and Anthony Richardson. Indianapolis drafting a quarterback is like putting the cart before the horse. The Colts' offensive line is horrific, allowing 60 sacks last season, only the Houston Texans (63) allowed more takedowns on their quarterbacks. The best first-round pick Indianapolis GM has made as GM was in 2018 when the Colts elected to surprise everyone by taking former Notre Dame guard Quenton Nelson. The Colts picked up the fifth-year option on Nelson, and despite his personal success of three first-team All-Pro selections, the line needs help. Minshew is not the long-term answer in Indy, but the Colts could move back into round one if needed for a quarterback late. The Colts seem to be the team that takes the safest player available.
8. Atlanta Falcons
Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
The Falcons drafted Kyle Pitts and Drake London over the last two years in round one. First-year head coach Arthur Smith opted to operate a heavily influenced run base offense in Atlanta. They led the league in rushing attempts (559) with a trio of rookie Tyler Allgeier, receiver turned running back Cordarrelle Patterson and ex-Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota. Robinson is another level of talent at the position. It might seem like an eternity since a running back cracked the top ten, remember, Saquon Barkley went second overall in the 2018 NFL Draft. Robinson, along with Pitts and London, creates a dynamic young core of offensive weapons for second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder to thrive.
9. Chicago Bears (from Carolina)
Myles Murphy, DE, Clemson
San Francisco 49ers Nick Bosa led the entire NFL with 18.5 sacks last season. The Bears' entire team accounted for just 20. It is essential Chicago adds substantial assets to address their dire pass rush. The 6-foot-5 and 268-pound possess the type of frame to allow Chicago to use him in a variety of ways to fast-track his way to the quarterback. A disruptive behind-the-line-of-scrimmage defender, Murphy amassed 36.5 tackles for loss and 18.5 sacks during his three seasons at Clemson.
10. Los Angeles Rams (from Philadelphia) PROJECTED DRAFT DAY TRADE
Parris Johnson, OT, Ohio State
Three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald is part of a blockbuster trade that sends this Super Bowl champion to Philly. The Eagles lost Javon Hargrove in free agency and like last year when they acquired receiver A.J. Brown from the Titans, the Eagles make another huge roster move during real time of the NFL Draft. The Rams are in a soft rebuild and providing Donald with an opportunity to chase another ring is probably in the best interest of both parties. The Rams O-line is the first unit addressed in the post-Aaron Donald era. Johnson has exceptional length and athleticism to bring an instant upgrade to a sagging offensive line in Los Angeles.
11. Arizona Cardinals (from Tennessee)
Christian Gonzalez, DB, Oregon
Arizona looks brilliant dropping to 11th and getting Gonzalez and extra picks. The former Duck defensive back is arguably the top cornerback in this entire draft and hearing his name called six picks higher is not at all out of the question. The tape is the reason he was invited to Indianapolis and his 4.3 forty confirmed his athleticism. The Cardinals lost Byron Murphy to the Minnesota Vikings via free agency. Arizona signed three defensive backs to one-year deals to add depth but not a long-term solution to a need. The outlook of the secondary bookends is incumbent Marco Wilson and the newly drafted Gonzalez.
12. Houston Texans (from Cleveland)
Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee
Hooker has a few knocks against him. He will be a 25-year-old rookie regardless of what round he is drafted and is coming off a late-season ACL injury in 2022. The current group of quarterbacks in this class, I feel none are getting the green light to hunker down under center in Week 1 unless they dazzle teams during the pre-season. The Vols' offense is quarterback friendly and can mask deficiencies, but he is accurate and a quarterback first and foremost. That goes a long way in pleasing NFL personnel when embarking on drafting a quarterback. That is where a lot of people get lost in transition. An athlete playing the position of quarterback or an athletic quarterback are two different things. Hooker is the latter.
13. Green Bay Packers (from New York Jets)
Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
The final results of the Aaron Rodgers trade don’t change the Packers' first-round pick. When conducting a mock draft, the hardest tendency to avoid is when identifying an apparent need with an obvious solution. In this case, Kincaid is that solution to a need left by the departure of Robert Tonyan, who signed with the Chicago Bears. Another critical factor is Kincaid is considered a top-ten overall talent. His value, along with the Packers' need for a tight end, make this selection a no-brainer.
14. Minnesota Vikings (from New England) PROJECTED DRAFT DAY TRADE
Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
Minnesota's defense ranked 31st in the league, allowing 388.7 yards per game. The amazing statistic for the Vikings is they scored 424 points and allowed 427 points (27th in the NFL). One would think they go defense with this pick, but Kirk Cousins hitting free agency next year leaves the team vulnerable. Hooker is 25 years old and coming off an ACL injury which makes this scenario odd, but once again, the market for a quarterback is at a premium. Truth be told, it is difficult to have both Hooker and Richardson and round one. The risk reward seems to outweigh the positives heavily.
15. New York Jets (from Green Bay)
Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
In 2020 and 2021, the Jets used picks inside the top 14 on offensive linemen. Mekhi Becton went 11th in 2020 and Alijah Vera-Tucker was taken 14th in 2021. The Jets have no later than May 1st to announce the status of Becton’s fifth-year option. His injury-prone history places Jones on the radar, although Dalton Kincaid would be a substantial tight end upgrade. This reveals New York will bypass Becton’s extra year and turn their focus on Jones. Jones is very athletic for a man standing at 6-foot-5 and 311 pounds, who blazed a 4.97 forty at the NFL Combine.
16. Washington Commanders
Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
Honestly, I’m torn on even putting Richardson this high. Last year at the NFL Combine, I asked several NFL personnel people what is the biggest deterrent when evaluating the quarterback position. Andy Reid replied by pointing directly at me from two feet away and said, “If they can’t throw the ball from me to you. Accuracy becomes a big thing and then if they’re not smart.” Accuracy was the No. 1 word mentioned time and time again. Richardson’s ideal size and immense athleticism tantalize the possibilities of his greatness. Washington signed journeyman quarterback Jacoby Brissett after the start of free agency and has a limited sample size of last year’s fifth round Sam Howell. Assistant head coach and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy will have an opportunity to mold one hell of a freakishly gifted prospect.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers
Darnell Wright, OL, Tennessee
David DeCastro was the last first round selection dedicated to improving the offensive line. Two years prior to that, it was center Maurkice Pouncey. With both players several years into retirement, the Steelers must begin revamping a unit that has lacked upper-echelon talent via the NFL Draft for nearly a decade. Pittsburgh currently has no lineman drafted in the first round on their roster, well, until they draft Jones. A mountain of a man at 6-foot-5 and 333 pounds who blazed a 5.01 forty at the NFL Combine. The Steelers finally get the opportunity to begin a rebuild of the offensive line with some heavy draft capital.
18. Detroit Lions
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
Ohio State funneled two outstanding first-round receivers into last year’s NFL Draft. Garrett Wilson earned NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, while ex-Buckeye teammate Chris Olave was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team. Smith-Njigba is the next up before Marvin Harrison Jr. takes center stage in 2024. The Lions had no issues scoring points last season, and that was without coveted rookie Jameson Williams playing in only six games while recovering from his leg injury. The Lions got hit with suspensions of various lengths of time for violating the league rules on gambling. Most notable among the suspensions is Williams, who will miss six games. Receiver Stanley Berryhill and Quintez Cephus were also suspended. Berryhill received six games, and Cephus was released from the team outright. So, Smith-Njigba does serve a current need in Detroit.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
O’Cyrus Torrence, OL, Florida
It’s a five-dollar Uber ride to get around Torrence is the best way to describe his size. At 6’5 and 333 pounds, he is an interior force. His time in Louisiana with the Ragin’ Cajuns developed him into one of the finest offensive linemen in the Sun Belt Conference. He basically carried that ability over into the SEC. One could say the Bucs' line was so bad last year it forced Tom Brady out of football. The run game was lousy, and porous pass protection aided in Tampa Bay never clicking offensively, despite some very talented offensive weapons.
20. Seattle Seahawks
Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Mayer was born in 2001 and the last time the Seahawks took a tight end in round one was in 2002. It’s been a while. Seattle's draft history shows it’s very adept at addressing each side of the football with its top two picks of a draft. Pete Carroll is entering his 14th season in Seattle, and the team has only chosen picks on the same side of the football five times during his tenure as head coach. Carter goes at fifth overall to address the defensive side of the ball. At the same time, Mayer is brought inoffensively—a new wrinkle with the Seahawks' offense having a premier type of talent playing tight end.
21. Los Angeles Chargers
Lukas Van Ness, Edge, Iowa
With Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack, the Chargers appear set with some of the league’s best pass rush artists. Bosa missed 12 games last year and despite his ability to be one of the best in the game, Los Angeles knows expecting 17 games out of their four-time Pro Bowler is a stretch. Mack is 32 years old. So, adding a youthful addition like Van Ness might not be a real surprise. Standing at 6-foot-5 and 272 pounds, he is ideal for the defensive scheme in Los Angeles and his 4.58 speed only boosts his draft stock.
22. Baltimore Ravens
Joey Porter Jr., DB, Penn State
The Ravens used to have a pair of first round defensive backs in Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters. Baltimore invested in the secondary last year in round one selecting Kyle Hamilton and adding Porter Jr. to their defensive backs. A personality that should mesh quite nicely alongside Humphrey, who can help mentor this former Nittany Lion into a top-caliber cornerback.
23. New England Patriots (from Minnesota)
Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland
The Patriots need to stick the landing on a No. 1 pick. It’s been some time since Bill Belichick and company have been able to draft a real star. New England has lost its flair as being the No. 1 destination for star players to chase rings. No players mention the Patriots anymore in that regard. That places a bigger emphasis on getting the draft right. Banks posted superb numbers at the NFL Combine, running a 4.35 forty, 42-inch vertical and 11’4’ broad jump. The Patriots land a gem in Banks, a perimeter corner with a 6-foot-1 and 197-pound frame.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars
Nolan Smith, Edge, Georgia
Jaguars rookie Trevon Walker never materialized playing the outside linebacker position and Jacksonville hopes year two brings a big change. The loss of Arden Key is significant and replacing him will fall on the shoulders of Smith. The NFL Combine darling and well deserved after running a stunning 4.39 forty at 238 pounds. A bit undersized at 6’2, Smith brings an entirely different dynamic to pair alongside Walker.
25. New York Giants
Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
The Giants have done everything to keep the Cinderella season intact by signing Daniel Jones long-term and placing the franchise tag on running back Saquon Barkley. Flowers would provide Jones with his first real vertical weapon. Flowers is a mixture of Antonio Brown and Stefon Diggs. Flowers will also be the first East West Shrine Bowl player selected, something I predicted during the week of the Shrine Bowl. Hooray for something finally right, lol.
26. Dallas Cowboys
Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama
Since Jerry Jones has owned the Cowboys, they have elected to take a running back with their top pick in the draft five times. Tony Pollard signed his franchise tag, and this places him on a one-year deal with the drafting of Gibbs. A one-cut runner at 5-foot-9 and 199 pounds, his 4.39 forty at the NFL Combine validated his home run hitting ability. Gibbs is a little bit of an Alvin Kamara-type running back. While Kamara is a bit thicker, Gibbs is shiftier and possesses that extra gear.
27. Buffalo Bills
Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
The Bills secretly have a suspect receiving core that revolves around star Stefon Diggs. The selection of Johnston gives another top-notch vertical weapon for Josh Allen. That said, both Stefon Diggs and Johnston pose as an intimating match-up for defensive coordinators. Diggs is the burner, while Johnston is a big physical target at 6-foot-3 and 208 pounds who posted a 4.49 forty time at his pro day. Nothing new in this assessment that he is possibly the only true X receiver coming out of round one.
28. Cincinnati Bengals
Emmanuel Forbes, DB, Mississippi State
The big need heading into the draft was offensive tackle until the team signed Orlando Brown. The moves will shift Jonah Williams to right tackle and Brown occupying the other bookend. The secondary now becomes the point of emphasis in Cincinnati’s war room. Safeties Jessie Bates and Vonn Bell both left in free agency and starting defensive back Chidobe Awuzie tore his ACL on Halloween night in 2022. Forbes is an extremely lanky defensive back at 6-foot-1 and 163 pounds. What he may lack in weight, he triples in big plays, with 14 career interceptions for 390 return yards and six touchdowns. Make no mistake about it. This young man can play.
29. New Orleans Saints (from San Francisco through Miami and Denver)
Keion White, Edge, Georgia Tech
Feast or famine when looking strictly at White’s statistics over his college career. During his freshman year at Old Dominion, he records zero stats. In his second season, he leads the Monarchs with 19 tackles for loss and tied for the team lead with 3.5 sacks. Covid wipes out his 2020 season and he set his sights on transferring to Georgia Tech. In 2021, White managed just four tackles after missing time with an injury. In his final season, he exploded on the scene at Georgia Tech, recording 14 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. Personally feel he is a steal here and could be one of the later first round prospects that exceed their draft position—relentless motor and hustle. Ex-Saints Shy Tuttle and Marcus Davenport exited New Orleans via free agency. The team did sign Nathan Shepard from the New York Jets and ex-Kansas City Chief Khalen Saunders.
30. Philadelphia Eagles
Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson
Hard not to get noticed when you are 6-foot-5 ½ at 298-pounds and run a 4.86 forty at the NFL Combine. Philadelphia retained Fletcher Cox but lost Javon Hargrove to the 49ers with a four-year $84,000,000 dollar contract on the eve of free agency. Other Eagles defensive linemen Robert Quinn, Ndamukong Suh, and Linval Joseph, remained unsigned. The trio are all in the twilight of their careers and, if resigned, offer little impact.
31. Kansas City Chiefs
Brian Branch, DB, Alabama
The departure of Orlando Brown leaves a massive void at left tackle. The team's other tackle Andrew Wylie is also no longer with the Chiefs after signing a new deal with the Commanders. Kansas City did sign ex-Jaguars tackle Jawaan Taylor to a four-year $80,000,00 contract. A lot of work for Kansas City from now until the opening kickoff in 2023 to get their offensive line up to snuff. It might be a reach for Kansas City to buckle out of need, so they elect to select Branch. With more teams playing nickel than base, a guy like Branch is a tremendous modern-day football weapon. Also, he is simply too darn good to leave out of the football round.
