2023 NFL Mock Draft: Predicting All 31 First-Round Picks
The 2023 NFL Draft is finally here, and after months of scouting, listening and following every team's trend, the first round is set. Here's how this year's first 31 picks should look come Thursday night.
1. Panthers- Bryce Young, Quarterback, Alabama
Chicago made this pick available to the highest bidder, and as it turns out, Carolina was the team willing to take the leap. When looking at the roster, it’s no secret that Carolina needs a long-term answer at the quarterback position. I’m not sure that I’m buying that Bryce Young played at 200+ pounds last season at Alabama, but he did weigh in over that threshold at the NFL Combine. Young is a historical outlier in terms of size, but the film against top competition is too hard to ignore. He’s accurate, incredibly poised in the pocket and comes up clutch in big moments. Young checks a ton of boxes and has beaten the odds to date and could be a guy that truly changes the way people evaluate the position in the future.
2. Texans- Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech
With Demeco Ryans stepping in as the team’s new head coach, Houston just reset their timeline and if they’re not in love with the quarterbacks not named Bryce Young, then going a different direction here makes some sense. Wilson has a massive wingspan and unreal power capacity in his hands while being able to rush from different alignments. He’s still a clear work in progress but his rare build gives hope for the future. A former linebacker in his playing days, Ryans gets his foundational piece on defense for the future.
3. Colts- Anthony Richardson, Quarterback, Florida (TRADE)
Indianapolis can’t risk another team jumping them in the order, so jumping up a spot to secure a top quarterback is a sensible move. We knew Anthony Richardson was an elite athlete, but he blew even the most absurd expectations out of the water. He arguably tested as the best athlete we’ve ever seen for the quarterback position. Richardson is a dual-threat quarterback who maneuvers the pocket with poise and can throw the deep ball, which fits what Shane Steichen loves to do offensively. If he can develop a changeup and fix some of the mechanical issues in his lower half that is currently affecting his accuracy, the upside is there to pay off a risk like this.
4. Cardinals- Will Anderson, EDGE, Alabama (TRADE)
Arizona’s roster is in bad shape and a trade back to acquire additional assets seems like the smart approach. Even after the move back in the order, they’re able to get a blue-chip prospect at a position of need in Will Anderson, which feels like a best-of-both-worlds scenario. With off-the-charts productivity, a red-hot motor that never stops and the ability to affect the game as a pass rusher and run defender, Anderson is a good bet for the first non-quarterback taken in this draft class. Arizona is a team in transition, needing an elite talent to build around on defense and Anderson is absolutely that type of prospect.
5. Seahawks- Jalen Carter, Defensive Tackle, Georgia
Seattle is living the good life right now, having made the postseason last season, but they also still have a top-five pick at their disposal. After finding some gems in the secondary last season, adding arguably the most talented player in the entire class is a dream come true. With a unique combination of strength and explosiveness, Carter’s ceiling as a player knows no bounds. There are some questions that he’ll have to answer about his maturity but he’s just too talented, with way too much upside, to drop much further than this on draft weekend. This is a steal for Seattle.
6. Titans- C.J. Stroud, Quarterback, Ohio State (TRADE)
The Tennessee Titans look like a team that’s headed full speed ahead toward a rebuild, and honestly, that’s probably what should have happened last offseason. There’s real smoke around them trading up for a quarterback, which makes sense given where the team is at currently. Stroud put on one of the best throwing sessions that I’ve ever seen at the NFL Combine, putting his top traits of accuracy and touch on display for NFL teams. The Titans still have needs along the offensive line that will need to be addressed otherwise, but if they’re serious about competing in the AFC in the near future, acquiring a franchise quarterback is priority number one.
7. Raiders- Christian Gonzalez, Cornerback
Perhaps Vegas gets aggressive here and makes a move for a quarterback, but Josh McDaniels has some comfort with Jimmy Garappollo due to their time in New England which allows them to take the best player on the board: Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez. Gonzalez is a build-a-corner with size, speed, and incredibly fluid hips, all of which led to a breakout junior campaign in which he showed off his ball production. Gonzalez has rare athleticism for the position, and as one of the younger prospects at his position in this class, he’s just now scratching the surface of what he could potentially become. The Raiders haven’t had this type of talent in their secondary in quite some time and they should be sprinting to the podium here.
8. Texans- Will Levis, Quarterback, Kentucky (TRADE)
This is definitely an unconventional approach, as Demeco Ryans prioritizes the defensive weapon first in this mock draft, but Houston has been linked heavily to Levis in recent days, and a trade-up here is unfathomable. The Kentucky product certainly has some desirable traits, a hair-trigger quick release, and a howitzer for an arm with some notable experience working in an NFL offense. Houston has an additional third-round pick in their arsenal to facilitate this trade while allowing them enough remaining draft capital to find their new quarterback some weapons on day two. This is a less risky approach than taking Levis with the second overall pick.
9. Bears- Paris Johnson Jr., Offensive Tackle, Ohio State
Chicago received a king’s ransom for the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft, including multiple premier picks and a go-to wide receiver in D.J. Moore. Now it’s time to get a franchise left tackle in hopes of protecting Justin Fields moving forward. Johnson’s the prototype at the position, a good mover at the position with elite length, and there’s significant upside as a pass blocker while already being an impact player in the zone run game. Chicago got better than expected play out of Braxton Jones last season, but if Johnson is available at this point in the draft, he’s a building block that they should be very interested in upfront.
10. Eagles- Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia
Smith started his combine week by standing out at the interview podium and finished it by flashing an unbelievable 4.39 40-yard dash time. He’s on the smaller side for the position, but he actually holds up insanely well in run defense and has a lightning-quick get-off as a pass rusher. He’s still developing his pass-rushing toolkit, but with A+ intangibles and athleticism, he’s absolutely worth a top-ten pick in this class. Philly is no stranger to drafting Georgia products, and who can blame them after watching that defense dominate the college football landscape in recent years. We know that Howie Roseman loves his trench players, and Smith’s physical mentality fits their philosophy to a tee.
11. Lions- Devon Witherspoon, Cornerback, Illinois (TRADE)
Detroit made a strong push for the postseason last year before ultimately falling short, but the arrow is definitely pointing up. Jeff Okudah’s career was doomed by injuries which led them to trade him in recent weeks, but that shouldn’t scare them away from taking another cornerback high in the draft. Witherspoon has plenty of experience in man coverage, offers a ton of playmaking ability with his ball skills, and hits like a freight train despite his slight frame. He can play both inside and outside, and the Lions added multiple veterans in the secondary in free agency, which will only help Witherspoon in his transition to the pros.
12. Falcons- Bijan Robinson, Running Back, Texas (TRADE)
In a class with only a few guys that I’m comfortable labeling as blue-chip prospects, Robinson is easily one of them. Convention wisdom will frown on taking a running back this high, but you don’t often see guys with this level of agility and creativity as a runner while also being a dynamic threat as a receiver. I understand that Arthur Smith was able to maximize the other runners on the roster last season, but none of those guys come close to the talent level of Robinson, who could step in from day one and be one of the league’s most dynamic dual-threat weapons. By adding Robinson to the mix, Atlanta can continue to ease Desmond Ridder into the mix while also adding more assets via trade to continue building on the defensive side of the ball.
13. Packers- Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Wide Receiver, Ohio State
Green Bay moved up two spots in the order as a result of the Aaron Rodgers trade saga finally coming to an end. The next biggest question for their franchise moving forward is figuring out how to maximize what remains of Jordan Love’s rookie contract. Enter Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the quarterback-friendly slot machine. He’s a nuanced route runner who knows how to uncover the underneath and intermediate areas of the field, and despite not being an explosive athlete, he creates splash plays after the catch. After getting impressive rookie seasons from Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs, this trio has a chance to be pretty special in the near future.
14. Patriots- Broderick Jones, Offensive Tackle, Georgia
To say that things didn’t go according to plan for the Patriots on the offensive side of the football last season would be an understatement. They’ve brought in a proven, quality offensive coordinator for Mac Jones, but they also need to protect him better than they did in 2022. That’s where Broderick Jones comes in. Jones has all of the physical tools that you could possibly want in an offensive tackle, with plus athleticism and physical imposing strength. He’s a bit of a work in progress as a pass protector at the moment, but he’s only 21 years old, and if he hits his ceiling with more technical refinement, he could be one of the best players in this class.
15. Jets- Darnell Wright, Offensive Tackle, Tennessee
The Jets finally got their man, as Aaron Rodgers is officially bound for New York following a trade. New York’s line was a mess last season, partially due to a litany of injuries but at 39 years old, Rodgers is going to require some upgrades along the line if they have any real hopes of him returning to his MVP form. Tennessee’s Darnell Wright is the top tackle left on the board and he makes a lot of sense as a plug-and-play right tackle in 2023. The senior comes loaded with plenty of starting experience, having shut down several of the SEC’s top pass rushers last season, including Alabama’s Will Anderson. This if a fit that makes too much sense.
16. Commanders- Peter Skoronski, Guard, Northwestern
It seems as if the Commanders are going to be comfortable rolling with Sam Howell or Jacoby Brissett next season. Regardless of who is under center, Washington is looking for long-term solutions in the trenches and finds themselves staring at one of the cleanest prospects in the entire class. Peter Skoronski is one of the most polished offensive linemen to come out in recent years and would be an immediate upgrade along the interior. He won’t hit the length thresholds for some teams looking to play him at tackle which is the only reason that he could potentially fall this far. He’s an underrated athlete who’s technically sound and should be an immediate impact player and high-caliber starter, even if it’s at guard instead of tackle.
17. Steelers- Joey Porter Jr., Cornerback, Penn State
Pittsburgh had a remarkable second-half turnaround last season which knocked them back down the draft board a bit further than originally anticipated. Patrick Peterson and Levi Wallace are fine short-term, stop-gaps on the boundary, but the Steelers desperately need a young talent with upside at the corner position. Joey Porter Jr., the son of former Steelers outside linebacker Joey Porter, makes a ton of sense at this point in the draft. Porter uses his jaw-dropping length (34-inch arms) to engulf receivers at the line of scrimmage and has enough long speed to thrive. With the Steelers playing more man coverage these days, they might not pass up on the opportunity to allow Porter to press the likes of division foes, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins for Sundays to come.
18. Lions- Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson
Detroit’s roster is on the upswing, and with two first-round picks, they’re in a real position to take the NFC North by storm. Adding a physical freak like Myles Murphy to play opposite last year’s first-round pick Aidan Hutchinson would be awfully enticing for head coach Dan Campbell. Murphy has an NFL frame and is a very good athlete, with highs that are extremely enticing, but the lack of consistency within his game is a bit confusing which is potentially why his stock has fallen a bit from where it was earlier in the year. At this point in the draft, it makes sense to bet on the traits and upside, given the Lions need to get more competitive on defense next season to support a really fun, explosive offensive attack.
19. Bucs- Lukas Van Ness, EDGE, Iowa
The Bucs did what they had to do by sacrificing financial flexibility to run it back for one more super bowl run despite falling short. With Tom Brady now in retirement, they’re going through a transition but adding a pass rusher needs to be near the top of their priority list entering draft weekend. Enter Lukas Van Ness, nicknamed “Hercules,” a power pass rusher with an uncanny ability to enforce explode through the chest of opposing offensive tackles. To be clear, Van Ness is still very raw in his pass-rushing journey after not even starting for the Hawkeyes this past season, but there are certainly tools to work with if you bring him along over time. He’s a player that will likely move around, rushing from the edge and occasionally over guards on passing downs to give Todd Bowless flexibility up front.
20. Seahawks- Kelee Ringo, Cornerback, Georgia
In this mock draft, Seattle already added a monster up front in Jalen Carter and could seemingly double down on defense in the first round. An extremely young prospect who won’t turn 21 years old until June, Kelee Ringo is a bigger-bodied corner with blazing straight-line speed. It might take some time for him to reach his potential, but he’s been working out with Seahawks legend Richard Sherman during the draft process and took a top-30 visit to the facility in recent weeks. There’s no better organization at developing cornerbacks, as evidenced by Tariq Woolen’s rookie campaign in 2022, and this is a perfect marriage worth getting excited about.
21. Chargers- Dalton Kincaid, Tight End, Utah
The Chargers could go a bunch of different directions at this point in the draft, but adding another weapon for Justin Herbert feels like the right move. They have Gerald Everett and Keenan Allen back for one more go-around but there are not many long-term solutions currently on the roster. Utah’s Dalton Kincaid is arguably the best pure pass catcher in this class, as he’s extremely sure-handed (two career drops on 165 targets) and savvy to create additional yards after the catch. While not an impact blocker, Kincaid can survive inside but offers supreme flexibility with his ability to flex out into the slot or to the boundary and win individual one on one matchups. This could be the start of an incredible friendship for years to come.
22. Ravens- Deonte Banks, Cornerback, Maryland
Marcus Peters’ departure leaves a pretty massive void across from Marlon Humphrey in the Ravens' secondary. Deonte Banks destroyed the testing portion of the NFL Combine by running a blazing 4.36 40-yard dash at 6-0, 197 pounds. He’s uber-confident and loves to play physically at the line of scrimmage to disrupt the timing of opposing wide receivers. Consider him a riser through the process and a perfect fit for what Baltimore is all about on the defensive side of the football. The Ravens are notorious for finding value throughout the draft, and Banks is another example of that trend continuing.
23. Vikings- Jordan Addison, Wide Receiver, USC
Father time caught up to Adam Thielen, leaving the Vikings in the market for a compliment to Justin Jefferson. Jordan Addison is a route-running technician who’s arguably the best separator in the class and possesses enough inside/outside versatility to thrive in this offense. Jefferson saw an unbelievable amount of attention in the form of cloud coverages and double teams last season, in part because defenses didn’t have anyone else to fear getting open. Addison has the quicks to come in and fix that by being a reliable No. 2 wideout for Kirk Cousins.
24. Jaguars- Brian Branch, Safety, Alabama
Play speed wasn’t really a concern on tape, but Branch didn’t quite run as fast as I expected in Indy, posting a 4.58 40-yard dash which caused a slight fall here in this mock. But make no mistake about it, he’s a baller who thrives in the box and plays a notch above his listed weight class. The film is too good and a big reason why his subpar testing metrics shouldn’t completely knock him out of the first round. The Jags also are without a true slot corner on the roster and Branch, with his coverage skill set and the ability to match up with different body types in the slot, can step right in as a rookie and hold down that spot for the long-term.
25. Giants- Zay Flowers, Wide Receiver, Boston College
The end of the first round is really where the wide receiver run could theoretically start, and there’s not a wideout on the Giants roster that currently puts fear in opposing defensive coordinator's eyes. Zay Flowers could certainly change that, however. He’s all gas and no breaks, having been one of the most productive deep threats in all of college football over the course of his career. He also provides some easy button solutions on offense because of his joystick-like agility, which leaves defenders grasping at air. New York made a significant, somewhat risky, investment in Daniel Jones, but if they want that to pay dividends moving forward, they must provide him with better weaponry.
26. Cowboys- Michael Mayer, Tight End, Notre Dame
Dalton Shultz left town in free agency, and luckily for the Cowboys, this current crop of tight ends is as impressive as we’ve seen in quite some time. One of the more familiar faces in college football over the past several seasons, Michael Mayer looked like a dude from day one and was the go-to target for the Fighting Irish from the moment he stepped on campus. He’s a functional in-line blocker who also happens to be tough as nails as a receiver over the middle of the field. Mayer is a rock-solid prospect who offers a high floor and should be a productive tight end and secondary pass-catching option for the foreseeable future.
27. Bills- Mazi Smith, Defensive Tackle, Michigan
The Bills are still looking to get over the hump in their pursuit of that elusive Super Bowl victory, and their 2022 season came at the hands of the Cincinnati Bengals, who rushed for a whopping 172 yards in their playoff matchup. That is simply unacceptable. There is a guy who can help in that regard, Michigan’s Mazi Smith is the best run-defending prospect in this class, regardless of position. At 6-3, 330 pounds, Smith is incredibly powerful at the point of attack when using his hands to shed blockers. He’s a rare athlete for his size with more pass-rushing upside than most believe, making this a perfect fit at the end of the first round.
28. Bengals- Emmanuel Forbes, Cornerback, Mississippi State
Cincinnati might have found something with Cam Taylor-Britt but with Chidobe Awuzie coming off a significant injury and Eli Apple departing town, they still have a noticeable need outside. If we’re ranking cornerbacks by ball skills, Emmanuel Forbes is near the top of the list as he broke the NCAA record for pick-sixes while playing in the SEC against stiff competition. He’s tall, long and fast, with remarkable recovery speed to get himself out of compromising positions. Cincinnati doesn’t have a ton of significant holes, but this pick successfully solves their biggest need.
29. Saints- Bryan Bresee, Defensive End, Clemson
New Orleans has a couple of starters up front in the trenches that are slated to hit free agency and Cameron Jordan, now 33 years old, can’t play forever. Clemson’s Bryan Bresee has a lightning-quick first step and can be really explosive off the ball. Once one of the nation’s top recruits coming out of high school, he’s had a tough time staying healthy which has hampered both his development and production. Bresee showed a ton of potential as a freshman before he was dealt some really unfortunate circumstances, but the talent is still there. There are enough athletic traits to work with to warrant taking a chance on him at this point of the draft.
30. Eagles- Calijah Kancey, Defensive Tackle, Pittsburgh
I gave the Eagles an EDGE rusher earlier and we’re going back to well again to address the trenches with the second of their two first-round picks. Javon Hargrave cashed out in free agency, and there are some similarities between him and Calijah Kancey, both smaller in stature but outstanding pass rushers nonetheless. He’s a historical outlier in terms of size and length for the position, but lining up next to Jordan Davis could make some of his deficiencies defending the run. He’s probably the most polished pass rusher in the class, and teams would struggle to find ways to block this defensive line with him added to the mix.
31. Chiefs- Quentin Johnston, Wide Receiver, TCU
With their starting offensive line intact, it’s quite believable that Kansas City is going to add another receiver early in the draft to help Patrick Mahomes win another Super Bowl. When you look at their current crop of players, they have several smaller, shiftier receivers but lack that height/weight/speed threat with upside, making Quentin Johnston an intriguing fit here. Johnston moves like a smaller guy, quickly transitioning from receiver to runner in a flash and is a threat to make a house call at any time. He’s still learning how to use his 6-3 frame to his advantage but if he figures that out in a place like Kansas City with the best quarterback in the game? Look out.
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