Super Bowl Week Special 2023 NFL Mock Draft
As we sit, just days before the Super Bowl, where the Kansas City Chiefs will take on the Philadelphia Eagles in Glendale, Arizona, the itch for the NFL offseason and the NFL Draft gets greater and greater. Teams that missed the playoffs work towards a chance to compete for the Lombardi Trophy, while teams that made the playoffs will build on trying to get back to the chance of tasting victory in the big game.
Let's look at how the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft could play out.
Descriptions are from the player's scouting report. Click their name to read their full report.
1. Chicago Bears: 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."
2. Houston Texans: 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."
3. Arizona Cardinals: 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."
4. Indianapolis Colts: 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."
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): 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."
7. Las Vegas Raiders: 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."
8. Atlanta Falcons: 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."
9. Carolina Panthers: 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."
10. Philadelphia Eagles (via NO): 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."
11. Tennessee Titans: 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."
12. Houston Texans (via CLE): iOL 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."
13. New York Jets: 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."
14. New England Patriots: 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."
15. Green Bay Packers: 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."
16. Washington Commanders: 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."
17. Pittsburgh Steelers: EDGE Isaiah Foskey, Notre Dame
"He spends a somewhat high percentage of snaps off-ball in run defense and coverage. He is respectable in man against tight ends and even running backs. Foskey is an explosive, clean unidirectional mover with good range at the first level. His soft change of direction is solid."
18. Detroit Lions: CB Joey Porter Jr., Penn State
"A long, physical press man cover corner, Porter Jr owns prototypical attributes, along with NFL bloodlines (son of former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Joey Porter). His long arms allow him to knock receivers off their mark and enable him to get his hands on a lot of tipped balls."
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 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."
20. Seattle Seahawks: OT 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."
21. Miami Dolphins (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: TE Darnell Washington, Georgia
"He has experience playing in the slot but primarily served as an in-line tight end with the Bulldogs. Washington has a massive frame with ideal functional strength that gives him an advantage over most opponents. He appears to have exceptional arm length, which contributes to his commanding profile as a blocker."
23. Baltimore Ravens: 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."
24. Minnesota Vikings: LB Trenton Simpson, Clemson
"A physical specimen that embodies versatility, Simpson’s usefulness in multiple schemes and athletic traits may place him in the top half of the first round."
25. Jacksonville Jaguars: WR Rashee Rice, SMU
"He is incredibly smooth and clean in all of his movement, he also knows exactly where the holes in the defense will be so he is always getting open."
26. New York Giants: CB Deonte Banks, Maryland
"He is quick to read and close on short throws and is excellent at attacking the ball at the catch point. Banks is patient when sitting in press coverage before getting in phase."
27. Dallas Cowboys: iDL Bryan Bresee, Clemson
"A defensive lineman who boasts experience on the biggest stages and exhibits impressive unidirectional movement skills, power, and length, Bryan Bresee can be an elite defender if he grows more consistent with his technique."
28. Buffalo Bills: S Brian Branch, Alabama
"He has a knack for playing the top shoulder and dominating from there, though he can win from the low shoulder. He mirrors pass-catchers before and after contact but excels after landing his hands and slowing receivers down."
29. Cincinnati Bengals: 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."
30. New Orleans Saints (via SF): EDGE Will McDonald IV, Iowa State
"Long, flowing physique. Plays as a 4-5 technique mainly in a three-point stance. Significant bend at the junction point. Ankle and hip flexibility to flatten his rush path. Useful hands that can swipe and work through linemen's grasps, forcing them to recover."
31. Kansas City Chiefs: OT Broderick Jones, Georgia
"On film, Jones is an easy mover. He has a smooth kick slide and possesses quick feet to mirror pass rushers. Jones’ nimble feet and quickness allow him to stay in front of pass rushers."
32. Philadelphia Eagles: iDL Lukas Van Ness, Iowa
"He fires off the line with a quick, low, explosive drive that helps him win the initial leverage battle. Van Ness loads power with his compressed lower body before exploding into the lineman."
