The 2023 NFL Draft is this Thursday, and what a wild ride the pre-draft process has been. Where will the quarterbacks go? In what order will they leave the board? How many wide receivers are gone after the first night? We will get these answers and more this week.
Here is a three-round mock draft (with trades!) highlighting how I believe it will go. If you missed the first two iterations:
The Carolina Panthers are on the clock!
1. Carolina Panthers - Bryce Young (QB - Alabama)
The draft starts at two this year. Bryce Young became the overwhelming favorite to be the first overall selection in most sportsbooks last week. He'll look to bring the Panthers out of quarterback purgatory with his football intelligence, playmaking ability, and point guard play style.
2. Houston Texans - Tyree Wilson (EDGE - Texas Tech)
Wilson's bend and length give him the upside to be a disruptive edge defender for over a decade, and Houston doesn't seem sold on the quarterback class after Bryce Young. Here, they pass on the quarterback position and shoot for upside.
3. Detroit Lions (from ARZ) - Anthony Richardson (QB - Florida)
Brad Holmes told Jared Goff they're in a unique position to add a quarterback to the team, and while it's not the most pressing need, it's the right move. Here, they move up to three to get the most athletic quarterback of all-time, potentially setting themselves up for a dynasty.
Trade details: Arizona sends No. 3 and No. 105 to Detroit for No. 6, No. 48, and a 2024 first-round pick.
4. Indianapolis Colts - Will Levis (QB - Kentucky)
The Colts reportedly love Will Levis. Here, they swing at his upside, athleticism, and big arm, hoping he'll become a franchise-changing player. With this selection, Chris Ballard and Co. can adequately begin the rebuild.
5. Seattle Seahawks - Will Anderson Jr. (EDGE - Alabama)
In a dream scenario regarding scheme fit and play style, Will Anderson Jr. falls to the Seahawks at No. 5. His ability to rush as an outside linebacker would be an immediate upgrade from Darrell Taylor, and he'd help form a formidable defensive line.
6. Arizona Cardinals - Paris Johnson Jr. (OT - Ohio State)
The Cardinals may not get to move back, but signs point to their selection of Paris Johnson Jr. The young Ohio State tackle is the consensus No. 1 player at his position. While the Cardinals have a short-term answer at left tackle, selecting a premium position to help protect Kyler Murray (or Caleb Williams) is smart business.
7. Las Vegas Raiders - Devon Witherspoon (CB - Illinois)
The Raiders struggled in coverage in 2022 and lost most of the pieces from the underperforming team. With them slated to start Nate Hobbs and Duke Shelley, passing on Devon Witherspoon, the tenacious, albeit undersized, man corner would be difficult to imagine.
8. Atlanta Falcons - Nolan Smith (EDGE - Georgia)
The Falcons could easily take C.J. Stroud here, and no one would blink an eye. Still, with an offensive mastermind in Arthur Smith and an assumed belief in Desmond Ridder, they turn to Nolan Smith. This bendy former-top recruit led two national championship defenses at Georgia and provides as much leadership as anyone in the class.
9. Chicago Bears - Peter Skoronski (OT - Northwestern)
General Manager Ryan Poles outwardly expressed his desire to bring native Chicagoans in when possible. Skoronski is as safe a selection as anyone in the class outside of Bijan Robinson. If he struggles at tackle, he could become an All-Pro guard. Still, the Bears would look to start him opposite Braxton Jones and shore up the edge protection to set Justin Fields up for success.
10. Philadelphia Eagles - Lukas Van Ness (EDGE - Iowa)
Lukas Van Ness is an elite, powerful athlete with some bend and turn off the edge. His toolbox is barren, but the Eagles can wait for him to develop. Van Ness is a bet on the upside, but his ceiling is among the best in the edge class. Howie Roseman loves potential.
11. Tennessee Titans - C.J. Stroud (QB - Ohio State)
The rumblings that Tennessee is in on this quarterback class are becoming louder, and one would imagine C.J. Stroud sits near the top of their board. The most accurate quarterback of the class would join former teammate Nicholas Petit-Frere and become the quarterback of the future in Nashville.
12. Houston Texans - Jalen Carter (DT - Georgia)
Based on talent, Jalen Carter is arguably the best player in the draft. With off-field concerns becoming less risky with each selection, the Texans swing at the talent.
13. Green Bay Packers - Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR - Ohio State)
The Packers never selected wide receivers when Aaron Rodgers was under center. Now that he's gone, it's inevitable that they move for Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the best receiver in the class. His ability to separate is the best in the class, and he would assume a slot role immediately.
14. New England Patriots - Zay Flowers (WR - Boston College)
With a couple of offensive tackles off the board, the Patriots pivot to the player they interacted with the most this offseason. Flowers is a talented player after the catch, can win at all three field levels, and is much better than his production indicates. Despite his older age, he could wind up the first receiver off the board.
15. Jacksonville Jaguars (from NYJ) - Christian Gonzalez (CB - Oregon)
With four quarterbacks going in the first 11 picks, some great players will fall. Here, Jacksonville moves up to get a position of need and a fantastic scheme fit in Gonzalez, the fluid, elite athlete with sticky coverage ability.
Trade details: New York Jets send No. 15 to Jacksonville for No. 24, No. 88, and No. 121.
16. Washington Commanders - Michael Mayer (TE - Notre Dame)
Michael Mayer is the most well-rounded tight end in the class. The Commanders currently start Logan Thomas and John Bates at tight end, which offers the biggest positional weakness on the offensive side of the ball. Sam Howell may be the quarterback of the future, and adding Mayer helps to learn the true answer to that.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers - Deonte Banks (CB - Maryland)
With both Witherspoon and Gonzalez gone, the Steelers don't panic. Deonte Banks is an elite athlete with a great feel for man coverage. Banks possesses elite upside, even if he must refine his work in zone coverage. The Steelers add to a position of need.
18. Los Angeles Chargers (from DET) - Bijan Robinson (RB - Texas)
With rumors of Austin Ekeler's unhappiness and the lack of a true No. 2 running back on the roster already, the Chargers move up a few spots to take Bijan Robinson as Justin Herbert's backfield mate for many years. Robinson is one of the top-five players in this draft and would be a massive value pick at No. 18.
Trade details: Detroit sends No. 18 to Los Angeles for No. 21, No. 125, and No. 156.
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