After months of speculation and intrigue, the 2023 NFL Draft is almost upon us. This is my first and only mock draft this year and all 31 of the picks are based on what I would do as the GM of each franchise.
There are plenty of trades and no doubt a few surprises thrown in for good measure. I hope you enjoy!
1. Carolina Panthers – Anthony Richardson | QB, Florida
The Panthers gave up plenty to get to this spot, so it makes sense to swing for a home run. Richardson has the highest ceiling of any quarterback in this class, with elite athleticism and arm strength. He is also far more pro ready than many are suggesting, with excellent pocket presence and the ability to throw with anticipation. He can be the franchise star that the Panthers so desperately need.
2. Houston Texans – CJ Stroud | QB, Ohio State
The Texans are in desperate need of a franchise quarterback and they get that in Stroud. His combination of arm talent, accuracy, and ball placement give him the highest floor in this class. His willingness to work the middle of the field also makes him an ideal fit in the West Coast system that DeMeco Ryans and Bobby Slowik are bringing over from San Francisco.
3. Indianapolis Colts – Bryce Young | QB, Alabama
TRADE: Colts send No. 4, No. 79, and No. 106 to the Cardinals and receive No. 3
The Colts have kicked the tires on too many veteran quarterbacks in recent years and it is time to find a more permanent solution. Trading up one spot allows them to get ahead of other interested teams and take the last remaining top tier quarterback. Young might not have ideal size, but his tape at Alabama was outstanding. He has the poise, accuracy, and creation capacity to translate to the NFL.
4. Arizona Cardinals – Jalen Carter | IDL, Georgia
The Cardinals need talent at almost every spot. They also need kick off the new regime with a marquee first round pick. Landing a blue chip defensive lineman in Jalen Carter is a great way to achieve both of those aims. Carter possesses the ideal blend of size, speed, and power, and has shown he can be an incredibly disruptive presence along the interior.
5. Seattle Seahawks – Will Anderson | EDGE, Alabama
The Seahawks’ defensive line is lacking in star power and their inability to consistently generate pressure with their front four limited their effectiveness last season. They can remedy that with Anderson, who has the potential to be a top tier edge in the NFL. Over the last two years at Alabama he racked up an astonishing 112 combined sacks and defensive stops.
6. Detroit Lions – Devon Witherspoon | CB, Illinois
The Lions made some nice defensive additions in free agency, but they still need to bolster their cornerback room. They have a couple of options at this spot but Witherspoon just feels like the most natural fit. Whilst he isn’t the biggest, he is a feisty and physical player who played a tonne of man coverage at Illinois. That bodes well for Aaron Glenn’s man-heavy defense in Detroit.
7. Las Vegas Raiders – Peter Skoronski | OT, Northwestern
The Raiders might be tempted by quarterback, but there are far too many holes elsewhere on the roster that need addressing. The offensive line looks threadbare with the exception of Kolton Miller and Skoronski would be plug and play starter from day one. He is a technically refined prospect with great athleticism and football intelligence and can be a plus contributor at tackle or guard.
8. Atlanta Falcons – Christian Gonzalez | CB, Oregon
The Falcons traded for Jeff Okudah this offseason, but there is no guarantee that move pans out. This was one of the worst defenses in football last season and a great way to fix that is to secure a reliable option opposite AJ Terrell. Gonzalez is a true lockdown corner with the size and athleticism you want. He also brings some nice ball skills, with 10 forced incompletions on 64 targets in 2022.
9. Chicago Bears – Broderick Jones | OT, Georgia
Everybody knows that the Bears need to address offensive tackle. In Jones they get a player who is still a little raw but who has arguably the highest ceiling in this offensive line class. He is a natural athlete with the mobility to operate well in the Bears’ wide zone scheme. He pairs this with a lethal punch and a mean streak to finish his blocks. The sky is truly the limit as far as Jones is concerned.
10. New England Patriots – Paris Johnson | OT, Ohio State
TRADE: Patriots send No. 14 and No. 76 to the Eagles and receive No. 10
The Patriots are one of a handful of teams in the next few picks that need offensive line help so they make the smart move to get ahead of the Titans, Packers, and Jets. Johnson offers the size, length, and movement skills that all great tackles possess. His positional versatility is also likely to be something that goes down well in New England.
11. Tennessee Titans – Darnell Wright | OT, Tennessee
This is a tough spot for the Titans, who would ideally trade down if there were any suitors. This might be a little early for Wright, but Tennessee can’t afford to move into the season with Andre Dillard and Nicholas Petit-Frere as their starting tackles. Wright has excellent functional strength and put up some outstanding tape against top competition in the SEC.
12. Houston Texans – Tyree Wilson | EDGE, Texas Tech
DeMeco Ryans’ defense relies on the ability to generate consistent pressure with his front four. If that is to succeed in Houston they really need to bolster their defensive line. There are a few options here but Wilson fits that scheme like a glove, with the length and power to dominate opposing tackles and wreak havoc on stunts and twists.
13. Green Bay Packers – Nolan Smith | EDGE, Georgia
There’s a temptation here to add a pass catcher, but there will be plenty of great options on day two. Instead the Packers can add to a thin edge group and give Rashan Gary a quality running mate in Nolan Smith. He might be a little undersized, but Smith is an explosive and bendy athlete who led all SEC defensive linemen in pass rush win rate last season.
14. Philadelphia Eagles – Deonte Banks | CB, Maryland
This is a classic case of forward planning. The Eagles have two very good cornerbacks, but they are both the wrong side of 30 and it makes sense to think ahead. Banks is an outstanding athlete, with 4.3 speed and loose hips to mirror in man coverage. He allowed a passer rating of just 77.1 in his college career and could be a star of the future in Philly.
15. New York Jets – Jaxon Smith-Njigba | WR, Ohio State
With the top group of offensive linemen on the board, the Jets can do the next best thing to help their new quarterback by adding a receiver. Smith-Njigba had just one full season of football at Ohio State, but what a year it was, leading the Buckeyes with 1,595 yards on 95 catches. He is a polished route runner with reliable hands and gives the Jets a quality slot receiver.
16. Washington Commanders – Joey Porter | CB, Penn State
Washington has built a reputation for strong defense but their cornerback room looks awfully thin. Kendall Fuller is also set to hit free agency in 2024. Porter is a big and physical corner who was built in a lab to play press coverage. That is the kind of guy you want on your defense, especially when your division is stocked with receiving talent.
17. Los Angeles Chargers – Myles Murphy | EDGE, Clemson
TRADE: Chargers send No. 21 and No. 85 for No. 17
The Chargers might have Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack, but they have precious little else along the edge. With both having battled injuries in recent years and Mack turning 33 next offseason, it makes sense to add an exciting prospect like Murphy into the mix. He offers an enticing blend of size, power, and athleticism that tends to translate very well to the NFL.
18. Detroit Lions – Bijan Robinson | RB, Texas
The Lions have spent the last few years building up one of the most intimidating offensive lines in football. They can now pair it with a true do-it-all back to wreak havoc on their opponents. With D’Andre Swift entering the last year of his rookie deal and struggling to stay healthy, Bijan can take the lead in this backfield and enhance an already exciting Detroit offense.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Lukas Van Ness | EDGE, Iowa
The Bucs need more depth along the edge, especially with Shaq Barrett getting older and looking like a potential cap casualty next offseason. Van Ness is still a little raw, but he possesses outstanding size and strength to bully opposing tackles and get into the backfield. He also offers the alignment versatility that the Buccaneers love.
20. Seattle Seahawks – Bryan Bresee | IDL, Clemson
The Seahawks added a quality edge rusher with their first selection and they bolster that defensive unit even more with Bresee. Injuries kept him from reaching his potential at Clemson, but it is easy to see why he was the former No. 1 overall recruit. He has the heavy hands and quick twitch to become the kind of dynamic interior pass rusher that every team is looking for.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers – Brian Branch | S, Alabama
The Steelers net an extra third rounder with their trade back and still pick up a true difference maker for their secondary. Branch made a name for himself at Alabama with his ability to be an impact player in every phase of the game. He is a cerebral nickel safety who can develop into one of the best slot defenders in football.
22. Baltimore Ravens – Emmanuel Forbes | CB, Mississippi State
The Ravens could look at wide receiver here, but it is hard to ignore their major need at cornerback, where Brandon Stephens is currently projected to start on the boundary. Forbes is a true ball hawk who racked up an incredible 14 interceptions and 17 pass breakups throughout his college career. He lacks ideal size, but you won’t find many players who are as dynamic at the catch point.
23. Kansas City Chiefs – Quentin Johnston | WR, TCU
TRADE: Chiefs send No. 31, No. 95, No. 122 for No. 23
With a bevy of picks at their disposal this year, the Chiefs can afford to make a trade up and snag their WR1 of the future. Johnston has his detractors, but his combination of size, quick twitch, and YAC ability is tailor made for an Andy Reid offense. He was one of just six Power Five players to average more than three yards per route run in 2022.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars – Dalton Kincaid | TE, Utah
With the recently announced suspension of Cam Robinson the Jaguars could look at offensive line, but there isn’t an obvious option on the board. They can instead give Trevor Lawrence another quality pass catcher in Dalton Kincaid. With soft hands, smooth route running, and dynamism after catch, he is exactly the kind of tight end that Doug Pederson loves to build his offenses around.
25. New York Giants – Jonathan Mingo | WR, Ole Miss
The Giants have some solid pass catching options on their roster, but they need a player who can become a true WR1 for Daniel Jones. Mingo fits that bill perfectly. With a 4.46 40-yard dash at 220 lbs he boasts an impressive combination of traits and he has the YAC ability that Brian Daboll’s offense prizes. Mingo also offers alignment versatility, playing out wide, in the slot, and even in the backfield at Ole Miss.
26. Dallas Cowboys – Michael Mayer | TE, Notre Dame
With Dalton Schultz gone, the Cowboys have last year’s fourth round pick in Jake Ferguson as their presumptive starting tight end. Adding Mayer would be a huge upgrade and gives them one of the most fearsome skill position groups in the NFL. Mayer is a very well-rounded prospect who can be a plus contributor as both a blocker and as a pass catcher.
27. Buffalo Bills – Zay Flowers | WR, Boston College
The Bills’ offense has been one of the very best in the NFL over recent years, but their lack of receiving options after Stefon Diggs is concerning. Flowers gives Josh Allen another weapon and has the dynamic athleticism to win at all three levels. We have seen the damage Allen can do with quick twitch slot receivers in the past. Why not give him another?
28. Cincinnati Bengals – Dawand Jones | OT, Ohio State
The Bengals would be over the moon if this were how the board fell. They are in dire need of a reliable right tackle to protect Joe Burrow and they get just that with Jones. At 6’8″ and 374 lbs, the Buckeye tackle is a man mountain with unrivalled power. He didn’t allow a single sack or hit in 2022 and he can also be a difference maker for the Bengals in the running game.
29. New Orleans Saints – BJ Ojulari | EDGE, LSU
The Saints have seen some notable departures along the defensive line this offseason and they need to replenish. Ojulari might not be the kind of player they have coveted in the past, but that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t be an excellent pick. His combination of pass rushing technique and loose hips project very well to the NFL.
30. Philadelphia Eagles – Calijah Kancey | IDL, Pittsburgh
With Javon Hargrave gone and Fletcher Cox hitting free agency next summer, it would be a smart move for the Eagles to add defensive line talent. Kancey’s size is something of a concern, but pairing him with the behemoth that is Jordan Davis should get the best out of them both, freeing Kancey up to shoot gaps and make plays in the backfield.
31. Minnesota Vikings – Will Levis | QB, Kentucky
The Vikings accumulated some much-needed extra capital in the trade back and with this pick they can get a potential future franchise quarterback. Levis has exciting tools and also has experience playing in a very similar offense to the one Kevin O’Connell is running in Minnesota. There is some real risk with this pick, but it is one I’d be comfortable taking at the back end of the first round.
