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The NFL has passed the midway point of the 2022 season, and team needs are shaping up and becoming more evident. The 2023 NFL Draft is nearly seven months away, but the nation's top prospects are nearing the finality of their season. Footballguys' Kevin Coleman and Christian Williams alternated picks to bring this midseason, first-round mock draft to life.
1. Houston Texans – QB C.J. Stroud (Jr. – Ohio State): 6-foot-3, 218 lbs
Kevin – The Texans need a franchise quarterback. Davis Mills has been fine in his two seasons with the team, but he's not the long-term answer they need. This season Houston's passing offense ranks #29 in yards per pass, #20 in passes per game, #26 in passing yards per game, #22 in completion percentage, and #28 in interceptions thrown percentage. None of the metrics build confidence that Mills will lead this team moving forward. While Stroud isn't a perfect prospect, he has upside and has shown to be one of the best quarterbacks in this class. With the Texans' other draft capital, drafting Stroud and building around the Ohio State quarterback seems like their best plan moving forward.
2. Carolina Panthers – QB Bryce Young (Jr. – Alabama): 6-foot-0, 194 lbs
Christian – Carolina desperately needs a franchise signal-caller after the failed patchwork attempts of Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield. Bryce Young lacks ideal size — he'll be lucky to reach 6-foot-0 at the NFL Scouting Combine — but his intelligence, anticipation, and out-of-structure brilliance make him one of the best players in the class.
3. Las Vegas Raiders – EDGE Will Anderson (Jr. – Alabama): 6-foot-4, 243 lbs
Kevin – Heading into the season, this is not where the Raiders thought they would be in the draft. With their big splashes in the offseason, most pegged them as an AFC West contender and playoff favorite; they are now contemplating their franchise's entire direction. One of the most significant areas of need is on the edge, especially with how badly Chandler Jones has performed this year. Adding Will Anderson to their defensive front with Maxx Crosby could provide the Raiders with two foundational pieces to build around on the defensive side of the ball, which is pivotal when playing against other AFC west teams.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers – OT Broderick Jones (RS So. – Georgia): 6-foot-4, 310 lbs
Christian – Pittsburgh is outperforming expectations up front but still needs a cornerstone tackle to solidify the unit. Broderick Jones hasn't allowed a sack in 2022, and the combination of athleticism and technique gives him immense upside as a franchise-changing anchor at left tackle.
5. Detroit Lions – DT Jalen Carter (Jr. – Georgia): 6-foot-3, 300 lbs
Kevin – With last weekend's win, the Lions hurt their chances of finally drafting a quarterback. Detroit would undoubtedly shop this pick to the highest bidder if this mock included trades. However, with the Lions moving to a four-man front this season, they need to shore up their defensive front. Carter is an athletic specimen and possibly the best Georgia defender in the past two seasons. Even better than Travon Walker. His versatility would give the Lions one of the best defensive weapons in the NFL.
6. Philadelphia Eagles (from NO) – DT Bryan Bresee (RS So. – Clemson): 6-foot-5, 305 lbs
Christian – Philadelphia is in a rare position as an undefeated team with a projected top-ten selection. The list of needs is short, but pairing Jordan Davis with Bryan Bresee, a player best suited as a lengthy three-technique, would solidify the interior of their defensive line for a decade.
7. Arizona Cardinals – EDGE Myles Murphy (Jr. – Clemson): 6-foot-5, 275 lbs
Kevin – With how the Cardinals season is going, there will undoubtedly be some significant organizational changes heading into the offseason, most likely a head coaching change. While their offense has struggled this season, their defense has taken more of a step back, and their two attempts at shoring up that defensive front last season in Cam Johnson and Myjai Sanders have failed to live up to expectations. Myles Murphy has 6.5 sacks this year and is among the best EDGE prospects in the class. He has the size to align inside and the versatility to stand up on the edge. He could provide the Cardinals with a replacement for J.J. Watt.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars – WR Quentin Johnston (Jr – TCU): 6-foot-4, 215 lbs
Christian – Jacksonville actively added weapons around Trevor Lawrence this offseason, but Christian Kirk, Zay Jones, and Evan Engram have a clear ceiling. Quentin Johnston is a dynamic playmaker after the catch, an elite ball-winner in the deep third, and would provide the Jaguars' offense with an actual #1 target for the first time in Lawrence's young career.
9. Chicago Bears – OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu (Rs. So. – Penn State): 6-foot-6, 308 lbs
Kevin – Before the trade deadline, many early mocks were projecting the Bears to take a receiver in the first round of the NFL draft. However, they made a move for Chase Claypool, giving up a 2023 second-round pick which makes me believe they will look to shore up their offensive line with their first pick. The offensive line has been better this season, but Fashanu has an upside that is too good to pass up here. The 19-year-old has the highest ceiling of any lineman in this class and could provide a foundational piece to build around for the Bears.
10. Green Bay Packers – OT Peter Skoronski (Jr. – Northwestern): 6-foot-4, 315 lbs
Christian – Green Bay's offensive line has underperformed relative to expectations in 2022, and the best player still residing there -- Elgton Jenkins -- will hit free agency in 2023. David Bakhtiari's health makes him a question mark past this year. Peter Skoronski is a technically-sound athlete with an elite anchor to compensate for his lack of length. With Green Bay headed into a retooling era, refueling the offensive line with young talent is a must.
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11. Seattle Seahawks (from DEN) – CB Joey Porter Jr. (Rs. Jr. – Penn State): 6'2", 192 lbs
Kevin – Porter is the type of player that head coach Pete Carroll loves adding to his defenses. Porter would give the Seahawks a shutdown corner who is physical enough to play in man but versatile enough to play in zone concepts. Scouts have been highlighting his ball skills all season, and his aggressiveness would fit into the Seahawks' style.
12. Detroit Lions (from LAR) – CB Kelee Ringo (RS So. – Georgia): 6-foot-2, 210 lbs
Christian – Detroit's Jeffrey Okudah is flashing moments of brilliance in 2022, but the secondary is collectively a disaster. Kelee Ringo is a big, fluid athlete with outstanding ball skills and mirroring ability. His length makes life difficult, and his scheme versatility gives him the upside to become the best corner in the 2023 class.
13. Houston Texans (From CLE) – WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Jr. – Ohio State): 6-foot-0, 198 lbs
Kevin – The Texans added quarterback C.J. Stroud with the #1 pick in this draft, and they will pair him with his former teammate at Ohio State in Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Smith-Njigba has struggled with a hamstring injury this season that has limited him, but the junior receiver is still one of the best players at the position. Houston needs playmakers on their offense, and JSN would give them one of the best in the country.
14. Indianapolis Colts – QB Will Levis (RS Sr. – Kentucky): 6-foot-3, 232 lbs
Christian – Indianapolis, considering its current state, will likely pick much higher than this when all is said and done. The Matt Ryan experiment failed, and Sam Ehlinger doesn't appear to be the answer. Will Levis is far from a polished quarterback prospect, but he possesses the tools that NFL teams covet from the position. His combination of arm talent and athleticism indicates that he'll land inside the first round, and the Colts are as good a bet as any to select the Kentucky product.
15. Atlanta Falcons – EDGE Isaiah Foskey (Rs. Jr. – Notre Dame): 6-foot-5, 265 lbs
Kevin – The Falcons have played their way out of the quarterback sweepstakes in this class and will likely address their defensive line in the draft. Foskey is one of the best athletes in the draft and can win in many ways on the field. He would also provide the Falcons with a talent boost on an aging defense.
16. Washington Commanders – CB Christian Gonzalez (RS So. – Oregon): 6-foot-2, 201 lbs
Christian – Washington is piecing together a cornerback room and performing fine, but the room lacks a true CB1 they can leave on an island. Christian Gonzalez, while raw, has the tools to become that type of player. His hip fluidity and ability to stick with every kind of receiver with speed and reaction time are impressive, and some technical refinement will make his length a problem for opposing teams in the future. He'll need to become more physical, but dropping Gonzalez opposite Benjamin St-Juste would make for a long, difficult-to-beat cornerback duo.
17. New England – CB Cam Smith (RS Jr. – South Carolina): 6-foot-1, 187 lbs
Kevin – The Patriots have been looking for a corner to replace Stephen Gilmore left the team, and with Smith on the board, this was a no-brainer. Smith has excelled in press coverage in his career and is one of the more physical corners in the draft class. He can also lock down receivers in man-man, which Bill Belichick will covet in the defender. He could give New England that lockdown corner to complement rookie Jack Jones.
18. Cincinnati Bengals – OG O'Cyrus Torrence (Jr. – Florida): 6-foot-5, 347 lbs
Christian – Cincinnati invested in the offensive line in the 2022 offseason, but the play still needs to match the investment. Alex Cappa is playing well, but the other guard spot is still a weekly question mark. O'Cyrus Torrence is the best offensive guard in the country, and his transfer to Florida helped to prove that further. Torrence plays with controlled tenacity, making him a menace in the run game, but his pure strength and anchor allow him to stay sturdy in pass protection. The Bengals have defensive needs, but the top priority should continue to be protecting Joe Burrow.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – EDGE Tyree Wilson (Sr. – Texas Tech): 6-foot-6, 275 lbs
Kevin – This was the most challenging pick of the mock. Tampa Bay is in a weird place as a franchise and has many holes to fill all over the field. The big question is how they will replace Tom Brady next season. I contemplated quarterback here, but everything felt like a reach, so I opted for the safe pick of Tyree Wilson. Wilson represented the best available player on the board here, and he is a massive edge rusher and can align all over the field. He disrupts offenses on the edge, but his size enables him to rotate inside to play as a 3-technique.
20. Denver Broncos (From SF) – LB Trenton Simpson (Jr. – Clemson): 6-foot-3, 240 lbs
Christian – Denver is a mess on the offensive side of the football, but their defense keeps them in games. Sometimes, making a strength even more robust is the right play. Despite the stellar play from the overall unit, Josey Jewell and Alex Singleton are struggling to tackle. Trenton Simpson is solid in that department, and his athleticism, range, and versatility give him a massive upside at the NFL level.
21. Los Angeles Chargers – WR Jordan Addison (Jr. – USC): 6-foot-0, 175 lbs
Kevin – If we have seen anything this season, the Chargers need help in their receiving room. Keenan Allen has missed almost the entire season with a hamstring injury and is getting older. The oft-injured Mike Williams has also missed time again because of injuries, and this offense has taken a hit due to the lack of depth. Addison could provide that and be the replacement for Allen. Addison excels in the open field and perfectly complements Mike Williams in this offense. Herbert needs more weapons.
22. Tennessee Titans – TE Michael Mayer (Jr. – Notre Dame): 6-foot-4, 265 lbs
Christian – Tennessee must be excited for the future of their tight end room with Chigoziem Okonkwo flashing throughout his rookie year, but that doesn't guarantee he'll lead the room in 2023. Austin Hooper and Geoff Swaim are free agents following the 2022 season, and the Titans have a young, unproven group of pass-catching options. Michael Mayer provides stability and sure-handedness and is a top target despite garnering all the defensive attention. Mayer, Treylon Burks, and Derrick Henry would be an exciting group of skill-position players.
23. Seattle Seahawks – EDGE B.J. Ojulari (Jr. – LSU): 6-foot-3, 244 lbs
Kevin – After selecting Porter with their first first-round pick, the Seahawks add to their defensive line with Ojulari. The Seahawks are currently in the bottom half of the league in yards allowed and could use a boost in their pass rush. Defensive coordinator Clint Hurtt is using a new 3-4 defensive front after years of employing a 4-3, and Ojulari fits that system perfectly.
Miami Dolphins (Forfeited)
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24. Baltimore Ravens – RB Bijan Robinson (Jr. – Texas): 6-foot-0, 220 lbs
Christian – J.K. Dobbins fans may be disappointed following the 2023 NFL Draft, and they would be extra disappointed if Bijan Robinson ended up in Baltimore. The Ravens' offensive attack is run-centric, yet they last had a stable running back room in Mark Ingram's fantastic 2019. With Dobbins having knee surgery in consecutive seasons, the Ravens may look to stabilize the room. Robinson is everything teams desire in a running back, with a three-down skill set, scheme versatility, and one of the best running back profiles in the last decade. That combination of skills would make the Ravens' offense deadly.
25. New York Jets – OT Paris Johnson Jr. (Jr. – Ohio State): 6-foot-6, 315 lbs
Kevin – The reality facing the Jets is that Mekhi Becton can't stay healthy. They look like they will keep Zach Wilson at quarterback next season, and they need to protect the quarterback better. Johnson could provide that protection, and his playstyle fits any offense in the NFL. The Jets' offensive line needs stability, and Johnson could be a long-term piece for the franchise.
26. Dallas Cowboys – CB Eli Ricks (Jr. – Alabama): 6-foot-2, 190 lbs
Christian – Dallas has a strong defense, but that success isn't on the back of Anthony Brown. While Eli Ricks isn't having the most dominant season for Alabama, he has tools – namely, ball skills – that indicate a massive ceiling. Instinctually, he may be the best corner in the class already. Jerry Jones previously succeeded in identifying an impact cornerback from Alabama, and 2023 may give him another shot at that.
27. New York Giants – WR Kayshon Boutte (Jr. – LSU): 6-foot-0, 205 lbs
Kevin – The Giants need weapons in Brian Daboll's system. The Giants have lacked a big play receiver since trading Odell Beckham, and Boutte could provide the Giants with a formidable 1-2 punch in Wan'Dale Robinson and Boutte. Boutte hasn't had the season many thought he would for the LSU Tigers but should still test well at the NFL Combine. If his numbers are good enough, he should earn first-round draft capital. Boutte would provide the Giants with a true outside threat and give Daniel Jones his first real receiving weapon.
28. Kansas City Chiefs – DT Siaki Ika (Sr. – Baylor): 6-foot-4, 358 lbs
Christian – Kansas City is struggling to pressure opposing quarterbacks, and while they could address that with another early-round edge rusher, Siaki Ika would assist, too. 358-pound tackles rarely have fluidity when rushing the quarterback, but Ika has precisely that. He's also a run-stopper, giving him the potential for a three-down workload and impact play at the NFL level.
29. Minnesota Vikings – S Brian Branch (Jr. – Alabama): 5-foot-11, 190 lbs
This draft season's most pressing need for the Vikings will be their secondary. Patrick Peterson has done a fine job with the Vikings, but there is no guarantee he will be back next season. Even if he does re-sign, they need to add depth at the secondary, and Branch could be that player. He can be moved around in the slot and as a two-deep safety opposite Lewis Cine in the future. He has upside at the position, and with the right type of coaching, he could turn into an above-average, versatile secondary piece in the league.
30. Buffalo Bills – S Antonio Johnson (Jr. – Texas A&M): 6-foot-3, 194 lbs
Christian – Buffalo has one of the best safety duos in the NFL, but Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer are both 31 years old. The Texas A&M defense is struggling in 2022, but not because of Antonio Johnson. Johnson is a fantastic athlete with excellent coverage ability and range. He can also play downhill in the box, and those with questions about his tackling ability will find answers in his 2021 film. Johnson allows the Bills to continue retooling on defense.
31. Philadelphia Eagles – RB Jahmyr Gibbs (Jr. – Alabama): 5-foot-11, 200 lbs
Kevin – This was my last pick, and I wanted to be spicy here. The Eagles have one of the most talented rosters in the league but have been flirting with running backs all season. With Miles Sanders' contract ending after the season, it could better serve the Eagles to draft his replacement based on the salary cap implications. Gibbs would be a perfect fit in this offense. His receiving ability would complement the system, and he could be one of the better pure runners in the class. The Eagles would continue to improve their top-five offense with Gibbs on it.
Six More Names to Watch
C John Michael Schmitz (6Y Sr. – Minnesota): 6-foot-4, 315 lbs
The sixth-year senior center is turning in a remarkable year and should get a Senior Bowl bump not dissimilar to Zion Johnson in 2022.
EDGE Nolan Smith (Sr. – Georgia): 6-foot-3, 235 lbs
The only thing keeping Smith out of this mock is the torn pectoral that will likely prevent him from doing pre-draft testing.
OT Matthew Bergeron (Sr. – Syracuse): 6-foot-5, 315 lbs
An athletic tackle with movement skills, Bergeron is a high-upside swing at the tackle position, similar to Cowboys OT Tyler Smith.
CB Clark Phillips (Jr. – Utah): 5-foot-10, 184 lbs
Sometimes, size matters. Phillips plays bigger than his stature would suggest and could still find his way into the first round next spring.
TE Darnell Washington (Jr. – Georgia): 6-foot-7, 265 lbs
Sometimes, size matters. Washington is a tight end in an offensive tackle's body, displaying elite blocking ability and steady improvement as a receiving threat over his three seasons at Georgia.
Thank you for reading! Please make sure to check out Christian and Kevin's author pages.
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