2023 NFL Mock Draft: Lions Select Bryce Young, Texans Bolster Defense
The latest 2023 NFL Mock Draft here at NFL Mocks features the Lions selecting their guy at QB, and the Houston Texans loading up on defense.
We’re nearly a third of the way through the 2022 NFL season, and it comes with a variety of questions. The first of those is, “who is actually good?” Yes, the Bills and Chiefs are tops in the league right now, with the Eagles likely next in a second tier by themselves, but after that, where are we?
The Packers, Rams, and Bucs are all struggling mightily. Baltimore can’t hang onto big leads and have become the Falcons. Minnesota should be next, but they teeter on fraud territory based on the metrics, which part of that is getting used to a new scheme on both sides. Miami and the Chargers are dealing with injuries. Both New York teams are nice surprises, but not true contenders. The 49ers still have Jimmy Garoppolo. Dallas is likely next in line, as Dak Prescott returns with a strong defense.
2023 NFL Mock Draft: Texans Bolster Defense, Bucs Grab QB
This wacky season still provides the expected teams at the top of the 2023 NFL Draft order. The Panthers will have a potentially large regime change if Scott Fitterer is fired along with Matt Rhule. Detroit needs defensive help. The Steelers aren’t ready.
Well, this 2023 NFL Mock Draft looks at all the issues surrounding NFL teams in the 2022 season and hopefully provides sound solutions. Let’s look at said latest 2023 NFL Mock Draft here at NFL Mocks, which features tackles and quarterbacks aplenty. Off we go!
1. Carolina Panthers: C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
Things are ugly for the Carolina Panthers on the offensive side of the ball. They struggle to get their best playmaker the football, and are starting P.J. Walker in this difficult time. Robbie Anderson wanted out, and he got his wish.
The complete reset at quarterback sends C.J. Stroud to Carolina. Stroud is a precise pocket passer with the ability to hit throws to every level. He can drop the ball in the bucket on deep throws outside the numbers, and rip it over the middle of the field. That precision and decisiveness will be important at the next level, especially for a pocket passer.
2. Las Vegas Raiders: Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State
The Las Vegas Raiders could go with a best player available approach in this 2023 NFL Mock Draft, but their best avenue should be to address an offensive line that lacks consistency. Paris Johnson Jr. has been outstanding in his move to left tackle in 2022, looking like every bit the five star recruit he was in high school. His size, athleticism, and technique make for a franchise tackle.
3. Detroit Lions: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
It hasn’t been the season that Lions fans had imagined, but without enough personnel to succeed on defense, the playoffs are an extreme long shot right now. That’s okay. Detroit is now in the perfect spot to select their quarterback of the future. Bryce Young is a playmaking machine at Alabama, with the arm strength, creativity outside of structure, and immeasurable poise to handle things in the NFL. Plus, Young to Jameson Williams is back again in this scenario!
4. Houston Texans: Will Anderson, EDGE, Alabama
The Houston Texans could easily take a quarterback here, but why not have a little fun in this mock? The defense certainly has added some important pieces in Derek Stingley Jr. and Jalen Pitre, but the front four could use an injection of talent. Will Anderson isn’t having the season he had in 2022, but he still has 28 pressures and eight sacks for the Crimson Tide this season.