2023 Mock Draft 2.0

1) PANTHERS (from CHI) —

CJ Stroud, QB (Ohio State)

Carolina gets their true QB of the future with the top QB prospect in the last two classes.

2) TEXANS —

Will Anderson, EDGE (Alabama)

I’ve said for months that I’m not convinced the Texans are locked into a QB at #2 overall. So in I decided to implement that theory and play with the board some in this mock. Houston has their new coach in DeMeco Ryans. Being a defensive minded coach, they decide to hold off on this year's QB arms race and take the best edge rusher in the 2023 class.

3) RAVENS (from ARZ; via trade w/ IND) —

Anthony Richardson, QB (Florida)

In this scenario, negotiation talk reaches an impasse and Baltimore ultimately makes the move to trade away their former MVP quarterback in Lamar Jackson. The Colts are the recipient and give the Ravens the #4 overall pick on top of other future draft compensation that I'm not gonna try and predict. The Ravens then use a 2024 third round pick to swap places with Arizona and select their new QB.

4) TITANS (from ARZ; via trade w/ BAL) —

Will Levis, QB (Kentucky)

There have been some reports in the last week that Tennessee may be interested in trading up into the top 5 for a quarterback potentially. With two QBs gone, the Titans make a big move up the board to go and get their guy.

5) SEAHAWKS (from DEN) —

Jalen Carter, iDL (Georgia)

Moving off this pick and trading back is very possible with Seattle but if the #1 overall rated prospect, at a position of need, falls to them here, how do you pass that up?

6) LIONS (from LAR) —

Devon Witherspoon, CB (Illinois)

The Lions can go a number of different ways with this pick and it's a bittersweet privilege. Do they take a chance on Bryce Young here and hope to solidify a QB for the future when they finally move on from Jared Goff? Do they draft best player available because you aren't hurting for anything in particular? Do you trade out of the pick and acquire future capital to potentially make a play at a top QB in next year's class? It's a "choose your adventure" scenario so I decided to bolster their defensive backfield with one of the best corners in the class that 100% fits Dan Campbell's Detroit Lions team.

7) RAIDERS —

Bryce Young, QB (Alabama)

The QB prospect that many viewed as the best in the class (NOT ME) falls to Las Vegas at pick seven. It isn't the guy they necessarily wanted but they shrug their shoulders and proclaim with tepid enthusiasm, "Ehh, might as well!"

8) FALCONS —

Tyree Wilson, EDGE (Texas Tech)

The Atlanta Falcons have been the absolute worst team in the league at sacking the quarterback the last few seasons. Out of all 32 teams, they are 32nd in total team sacks since 2020 with 68 total. The team at 31 in that timeframe (Las Vegas Raiders) has accumulated 83 total team sacks...so, yea...they take the best edge rusher available here.

9) BEARS (from CAR) —

Peter Skoronski, OL (Northwestern)

They've acquired some weapons for Justin Fields and can add more on Days 2 & 3. With this pick they need to get someone to help protect the young franchise QB. Skoronski has versatility across the line and can start for them right away.

10) EAGLES (from NOLA) —

Christian Gonzalez, CB (Oregon)

I really wanted to put Bijan Robinson here but everyone keeps saying, "Howie will never do that!" so I'll just give them one of the top corners instead.

11) CARDINALS (from TEN) —

Paris Johnson Jr, OT (Ohio State)

Arizona needs everything and when you need everything, it's probably best to start with the trenches.

12) TEXANS (from CLE) —

Jordan Addison, WR (USC)

Nico Collins is fine, we all hope John Metchie gets healthy ASAP,  and Noah Brown plus an aging, injured Robert Woods won't keep me from adding the top WR in this class to provide whatever young QB you get later in this draft or in next year's as many weapons as possible.

13) JETS —

Broderick Jones, OT (Georgia)

When your two starting tackles, as of right now, are Mekhi Becton and Max Mitchell....

14) PATRIOTS —

Drew Sanders, LB (Arkansas)

Just feels right to me.

15) PACKERS —

Dalton Kincaid, TE (Utah)

Green Bay has only drafted two wide receivers with a first round pick since 1988 (Sterling Sharpe) and the most recent one was in 2002 (Javon Walker). Watson and Doubs look like they could be hits so I don't see them ending their 21 year streak with their first rounder this year. But that doesn't mean they can't give Jordan Love one of the best receiving weapons in this class by drafting a tight end in the first round for the first time since Bubba Franks in 2000.

16) COMMANDERS —

Deonte Banks, CB (Maryland)

Washington's roster isn't that bad. They have a lot of solid starters at most positions except the defensive back group. Banks has gained a lot of steam throughout the draft process so the Commanders go get the guy that's already in their backyard.

17) STEELERS —

Myles Murphy, EDGE (Clemson)

Mike Tomlin was the only head coach at Clemson's Pro Day this year so I figured I'd give them the top Tiger prospect.

18) LIONS —

Michael Mayer, TE (Notre Dame)

Hockenson replacement.

19) BUCCANEERS —

O'Cyrus Torrence, iOL (Florida)

 

20) SEAHAWKS —

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR (Ohio State)

21) CHARGERS —

Bryan Bresee, iDL (Clemson)

The TE, WR, CB, and S groups are much deeper than the defensive line so get one of the top guys to bolster that interior unit some.

22) RAVENS —

Zay Flowers, WR (Boston College)

Gotta get the new QB some weapons.

23) VIKINGS —

Quentin Johnston, WR (TCU)

24) JAGUARS —

Joey Porter Jr, CB (Penn State)

25) GIANTS —

Cam Smith, CB (South Carolina)

26) COWBOYS —

Bijan Robinson, RB (Texas)

A top three overall prospect falls to Dallas and Jerry can't help himself.

27) BILLS —

Trenton Simpson, LB (Clemson)

28) BENGALS —

Darnell Wright, RT (Tennessee)

29) SAINTS (from SF; via DEN) —

Jalin Hyatt, WR (Tennessee)

30) EAGLES —

Nolan Smith, EDGE (Georgia)

31) CHIEFS —

Calijah Kancey, iDL (Pittsburgh)

**Dolphins forfeited the original 21st overall pick**