The 2022 college football season is nearly at its end. With only bowl games and the College Football Playoff remaining, many fans have started gearing their attention toward the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft and mock draft articles.
Top prospects like CJ Stroud, Jalen Carter, and Quentin Johnston will be given a spotlight on the national scene as they play in front of new eyes in the CFP. This will also give NFL Draft scouts the chance to see what each guy looks like on the biggest stage. Others like Bryce Young, Myles Murphy, and Jordan Addison fell short of the playoffs and will miss the added exposure.
The pre-draft process has become almost as important as the tape, depending on who you ask. NFL teams getting the chance to work with these prospects at the Scouting Combine/Pro Days/All-Star Bowls is where they find out who these guys really are.
2023 NFL Draft: 3 QBs Go Top 5, Eagles Make A Trade, And Chiefs Take Surprise Player In Latest Mock Draft
The Senior Bowl is a week-long event that has bred stars every NFL Draft. It has gained even more popularity over the past decade, with several top prospects relishing the opportunity to put their talent on display against the best seniors in the country.
The NFL Draft Scouting Combine is less traditional, as the players run specific drills and workouts rather than play in a true practice setting. The Combine remains in Indianapolis in 2023, the same place it has resided since 1987.
This year’s class features some freaky athletes that should dazzle talent evaluators. The batch of quarterbacks and the fact that two generational defenders are in the 2023 NFL Draft makes for some exciting possibilities. Additionally, a few franchises own multiple first-round picks, which could result in some spectacular draft-day hauls.
The NFL Draft order in this article is determined by Tankathon and does not include the Monday Night Football result. With that being said, let’s get this mock draft started!
1. Houston Texans – Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
The Houston Texans still need to address other areas of the roster, but at No. 1 overall and lacking a signal-caller for the 2023 season, the pick is Alabama’s, Bryce Young. The 2021 Heisman Trophy winner carried the Crimson Tide more than any other quarterback has during the Nick Saban Era but will leave campus without a National Championship (as a starter).
Young is undersized, and that cannot be entirely ignored, but his ability to create with his legs and strong arm more than makes up for it. Similar to Kyler Murray, the offense will need to be tailored around Bryce Young to maximize his potential. They already have a strong foundation with Dameon Pierce, Nico Collins, and an ascending offensive line.
2. Seattle Seahawks (via DEN) – Jalen Carter, DL, Georgia
The Seattle Seahawks might be tempted to take a quarterback at No. 2 overall in this mock draft, but Jalen Carter would actually fill a much bigger need for the team. The Seahawks have some difference-makers in the secondary, but one glaring weakness of the defense is its inability to stop the run and generate pressure from the interior.
Well, Jalen Carter can do both of those at an All-Pro level from day one. Carter was the best player on the National Championship-winning Georgia Bulldogs last year and has the program positioned to win another in a month’s time. The 6-foot-3, 300-pound wrecking ball could be the guy to take the torch from Aaron Donald as the NFL’s premier interior lineman. He is that good.
3. Chicago Bears – Will Anderson, EDGE, Alabama
Will Anderson is the top player on my current 2023 NFL Draft Big Board, so getting him with the third overall pick would be categorized as a steal in my book. The Chicago Bears seemingly have found something with Justin Fields as a runner, and he has even shown glimpses of being an above-average passer in 2022.
Offensive line is the biggest need on the offense and should be prioritized this offseason, but no prospect on the offensive line grades close to Will Anderson. It helps that the Bears lack a consistent pass rusher after trading away Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn in the past year. Head coach Matt Eberflus gets a blue-chip prospect to build his defense around at No. 3 in the mock draft.
4. Detroit Lions (via LAR) – CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State
Don’t look now but the Detroit Lions are the hottest team in the NFL. Dan Campbell and Co. have won six of their last seven games, putting them firmly in playoff discussions. Thanks to the Matthew Stafford trade, the Lions will likely still have a top-five selection in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Jared Goff has shown an ability to win football games, but he is not the guy for the future. Instead, Detroit has Ohio State QB CJ Stroud fall right in their lap. Stroud is a precision passer that thrives inside of a clean pocket. Lucky for him, the Lions boast one of the best lines in the league and an arsenal of weapons that would make any quarterback jealous.
*TRADE*
Eagles Send: No. 5 Overall
Panthers Send: No. 9 Overall, 2024 1st
I am never one to do an NFL Draft day trade this early in the process, but after seeing Jalen Carter and Will Anderson come off the board, Howie Roseman would have to listen to trade offers. The Carolina Panthers make the most sense as a potential suitor, as they will likely want to jump ahead of the Indianapolis Colts and Las Vegas Raiders to ensure they get their guy.
The Eagles moving down four spots and gaining another future first fits their MO and the Panthers trading a future first is worth it every time if they hit on the pick. A win-win scenario in this mock draft.
5. Carolina Panthers (via PHI via NO) – Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
Following a trade up the board, the Carolina Panthers usher in a new era of football with a fresh face behind center. Will Levis, the Kentucky Wildcat fireballer, is an enticing pro prospect. He checks every box physically, standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing in at 225 pounds. Levis can move well for his size, and just like Uncle Rico from Napoleon Dynamite, he can throw a pigskin over a mountain.
The Panthers were a disaster under Matt Rhule but have steadied the ship with interim head coach Steve Wilks. Whether or not Wilks remains with Carolina after the season, Will Levis gives a promising prospect to build around. He is already familiar with much of the verbiage in the NFL, but his future coaching staff must coach the poor decision-making out of him.
6. Arizona Cardinals – Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
I can hear an argument for an offensive line here, as well as a pass rusher, but every time I watch the Cardinals I wish they had a star at cornerback. So, let’s do that at No. 6 overall by taking the lockdown defensive back out of Penn State, Joey Porter Jr.
Porter Jr. is the best man coverage cornerback in the country and lives for one-on-one situations. While you would like to see more forced turnovers from a top-ten pick, Porter Jr. owns a laundry list of pass breakups during his time in Happy Valley. If JPJ can clean up his technique as a zone defender, the sky is the limit for his potential in the league.
7. Indianapolis Colts – Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern
Drafting a quarterback is something that Colts fans have campaigned for since the moment Andrew Luck retired from the NFL. As much as I agree with that sentiment, there is a hole at left tackle in Indianapolis, and if it is not fixed, it won’t matter who the quarterback is.
Peter Skoronski is similar to Bryce Young in the sense that his size is the only major red flag on the resume. Skoronski’s arms are shorter than you want to see from a left tackle in the league, but like his former teammate Rashawn Slater, it is largely overblown when compared to his elite play strength and relentless motor.
8. Las Vegas Raiders – Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
Josh McDaniels has cooled his seat down substantially since an abysmal start to the team’s 2022 campaign. Still, if he wants to build a legit winner in Vegas, the roster needs an influx of talent this offseason. One way to start is by addressing a massive need for the defense at cornerback with their first-round pick in this mock draft.
Georgia’s Kelee Ringo would immediately serve as CB1 on the depth chart. Ringo spearheads the legendary Bulldog defense alongside Jalen Carter. He is a freaky athlete that knows how to use his athleticism to dominate his assignment downfield. The Raiders need a needle mover on the boundary of their defense and they get one at No. 8.
9. Philadelphia Eagles (via CAR) – Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson
The Philadelphia Eagles have an embarrassment of riches after trading back with the Carolina Panthers and adding an additional 2024 first-round pick to their extra 2024 second-round pick (via NO). On top of that, the Eagles do not have many pressing needs on the roster. Philly wisely trades down from No. 5 and still lands a defensive end that the front office would have been thrilled to land if they stood pat.
Myles Murphy is not quite the prospect that Will Anderson is, but his natural bend rivals anyone that has come through the NFL Draft in recent years. The Clemson game-wrecker uses his NFL frame and otherworldly athleticism to haunt opposing quarterbacks, and he will be a welcomed piece to an already-stacked Eagles defense.
10. Atlanta Falcons – Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
Quentin Johnston is the heavy favorite to be the first wide receiver taken in the 2023 NFL Draft, but do not forget about Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba. JSN was the leader in the clubhouse to be WR1 entering the season, but the star pass catcher has dealt with a lingering hamstring issue that effectively ended his collegiate career.
Not to worry though, JSN is said to be on the mend and preparing for the pre-draft workouts. Assuming he can remain healthy and put on a show at his Pro Day and the Scouting Combine, JSN will challenge for a top 10 slot in the 2023 NFL Draft. His efficient route running and deceptive YAC ability would be a perfect match with Drake London and Kyle Pitts’ play styles.
11. Jacksonville Jaguars – Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson
The Jacksonville Jaguars need to continue adding players with superstar potential to their roster. With Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne leading the way on offense, the coast is clear to bring in Bryan Bresee and place him between Josh Allen and Travon Walker. Tyson Campbell’s life at cornerback will get even easier with the constant pressure this trio can put on the pocket.
12. Houston Texans (via CLE) – Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
All signs point to a divorce between Brandin Cooks and the Houston Texans this offseason. As mentioned earlier, the offense is close to being a productive unit. With the addition of Bryce Young and now Quentin Johnston, Houston will be cooking. Johnston is a big play specialist with an underrated route tree and impressive straight-line speed.
13. Pittsburgh Steelers – Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State
The Steelers drafted what they believe to be a franchise quarterback in Kenny Pickett at last year’s NFL Draft. If they want to squeeze the most they can out of Pickett’s talents, the offensive line needs to give him more time to operate. The unit has improved this season, but Paris Johnson Jr. has the size and agility to be a cornerstone at left tackle. An A+ pick for general manager Omar Khan in this mock draft.
14. Green Bay Packers – Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech
The Packers have dealt with a myriad of injuries in 2022 and will likely be on the outside looking in when playoff time comes around. Rashan Gary tore his ACL earlier in the season, and since then, Green Bay has struggled to generate pressure off the edge. Adding Texas Tech pass rusher Tyree Wilson gives the Packers another big, energetic player to pair with Gary when he returns from injury sometime in 2023.
15. Detroit Lions – Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
The Lions drafted a signal-caller with the Rams’ pick at No. 4 overall, giving them the freedom to attack the biggest need on defense with their second pick of the mock draft. Jeffrey Okudah is witnessing a career renaissance in year three as a pro, but the rest of the secondary is an objective mess.
Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez is a hot name in NFL Draft circles. He is tall at 6-foot-2 and features a wide frame that allows him to manipulate receivers when working downfield against them. Once Gonzalez realizes how talented he is, he will blossom into a long-time starter in the NFL.
16. New England Patriots – Braxton Jones, OT, Georgia
The Patriots are experiencing a down year by their standards, but that just speaks to how high of standards they have. New England is 6-6 heading into MNF against the Arizona Cardinals, and one position that could use a complete overhaul is the offensive tackle group.
Drafting another Georgia lineman may raise red flags for Pats fans, but Braxton Jones profiles as an upper-echelon run blocker immediately, with the traits to be an above-average pass protector. Depending on what happens with Trent Brown in the offseason, Jones can replace him at left tackle or slot in opposite Brown at right tackle.
17. Seattle Seahawks – Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
The Seahawks passed on an opportunity to take a quarterback earlier in the mock draft, but the wait is over for the Seattle fan base. Anthony Richardson’s ceiling is higher than anyone else’s in this NFL Draft class, but it will take time and development for this to come to fruition. Thankfully, the Seahawks can give that to Richardson as a rookie.
Current starter Geno Smith is playing well enough to warrant a short-term extension. A two-year pact would suit both parties well, as Smith can continue getting starter reps while mentoring Anthony Richardson. The Seahawks can develop his physical package in the background in 2023, and if he is ready, Pete Carroll can unleash his new weapon in 2024.
18. New York Jets – Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson
Trenton Simpson is the third Clemson player taken in the top 18 picks of this mock draft. Simpson is arguably the single most athletic prospect in the entire 2023 NFL Draft class. He impacts the game at all three levels, routinely tracking down ball carriers on the complete other side of the gridiron.
Jets head coach Robert Saleh lives and dies by the defense, so adding a jack-of-all-trades linebacker to the equation makes all the sense in the world. Simpson plays such an exciting brand of football, and seeing him on defense with Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner is too thrilling to pass on.
19. Tampa Bay Bucs – Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
A popular mock draft selection will be a quarterback for the Tampa Bay Bucs, but four signal-callers are off the board, so there is no need to force things. The Bucs’ defense is their calling card, but something is missing. Cam Smith from South Carolina might be that piece. Smith fits the philosophy of the Todd Bowles defense, winning with physicality and wearing his assignments down as the game grows old.
20. Los Angeles Chargers – Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
As much as I would like to add speed to an offense severely lacking it, Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer makes too much sense for the Los Angeles Chargers. Mayer may not possess 4.3 speed, but he brings elite blocking and is another chain mover for Justin Herbert. Veteran Gerald Everett has played well, but it is time for a change of the guard at tight end.
21. Tennessee Titans – Jaelyn Duncan, OT, Maryland
The Titans recently fired general manager Jon Robinson, signaling a potential whirlwind offseason on the horizon in Nashville. One thing for certain, the roster needs some youthful energy, especially on the offensive line. Derrick Henry will not last forever, but while he is still at his peak, the Titans must take advantage of it. Jaelyn Duncan possesses a mean streak that will fit well in the team’s power-run scheme.
22. Washington Commanders – Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State
The Washington Commanders are surprisingly in playoff contention, but one position that will hold them back during their postseason run is cornerback. Benjamin St-Juste is playing well in his second year in the league, but he needs a partner in crime.
Mississippi State’s Emmanuel Forbes brings a confident demeanor and unrivaled ball skills to the 2023 NFL Draft. Forbes has an SEC record six pick-6s and 14 total INTs to his name. The Commanders would instantly gain a starter on the outside by taking Forbes in this mock draft.
23. New York Giants – Jordan Addison, WR, USC
Jordan Addison is a better player than this fall-down-the-board indicates. Addison won the 2021 Biletnikoff Award with Pitt and served as the top option for Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams at USC in 2022. The Giants will be in the market for a new quarterback, but the cupboard is bare in terms of playmakers, especially if Saquon Barkley is not retained.
With the No. 23 overall pick in this mock draft, Jordan Addison brings his exceptional route running and versatility to line up inside and out to the Big Apple. Head coach Brian Daboll will have fun designing plays around Addison and 2022 second-round pick Wan’Dale Robinson.
24. Miami Dolphins – *Forfeited*
The Miami Dolphins were stripped of their first-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft. They will not make a pick in this mock draft.
25. Denver Broncos (via SF) – Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
Some prospects and NFL franchises are made for each other, and that is true with Darnell Wright and the Denver Broncos. Wright is an outstanding mover for his size and has adequate play strength when he anchors in.
The Volunteer standout profiles as a starting right tackle who easily clears paths in the run game. He is still improving at blocking in a phone booth in pass protection, but the traits are there in droves. The Broncos must address the offensive line, and fortunate for them, the perfect player falls to them in this mock draft.
26. Baltimore Ravens – Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee
Lamar Jackson’s contract situation will be the focal point of the offseason for Baltimore, but adding a game-changer to the wide receiver room shouldn’t be far behind. It would be stunning to see the Ravens allow Jackson to walk, so Jalin Hyatt can step in and fill the role that Hollywood Brown vacated following an NFL Draft day trade.
Hyatt is a burner in every sense of the word. He possesses track star speed and showcases an ability to stop on a dime, change direction, and re-accelerate past would-be tacklers. The Ravens have a capable WR1 in Rashod Bateman, but his injury history is a cause for concern. Jalin Hyatt joins Baltimore in the latest NFLMocks mock draft.
27. Cincinnati Bengals – Isaiah Foskey, EDGE, Notre Dame
Another Notre Dame player, Michael Mayer, is a popular selection for the Bengals, but in this mock draft, he is already gone. Instead, the Bengals add a pass rusher to the front seven. Isaiah Foskey is best suited as a stand-up rusher, as he can consistently set the edge and bring down opponents behind the line of scrimmage. Cincinnati must go through the Chiefs and Bills to return to the Super Bowl, so you can never have enough pressure on the quarterback.
28. Dallas Cowboys – Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
The Dallas Cowboys and Bijan Robinson will continue to be linked during the entire 2023 NFL Draft process. I have paired the two together in each mock draft, and more of the same happens today. Robinson’s ability to catch passes, his vision between the tackles, and his willingness to get extra yardage by any means necessary fits the Cowboys to a T. Ezekiel Elliot’s days are numbered, and Tony Pollard is on an expiring deal. Sometimes it is as simple as 1+1.
29. Kansas City Chiefs – Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama
Let’s have some fun with the No. 29 pick in this mock draft. The Chiefs famously swung and missed on Clyde Edwards-Helaire a couple of years ago at the 2020 NFL Draft. Surely, they learned their lesson, right? Possibly. However, allowing past mistakes to determine present day decisions is not what Brett Veach does.
In a vacuum, adding Gibbs to the high-powered Kansas City offense is a no-brainer. The Alabama running back reminds many, myself included, of Alvin Kamara out of the backfield. Gibbs catches passes with ease and turns them into chunk yardage more times than not. He would add another dimension to the offense for Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes.
30. Minnesota Vikings – Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
Get used to hearing me talk about Zay Flowers because it is going to happen a lot leading up to the 2023 NFL Draft. Flowers is my favorite prospect to watch, but I assure you there is no bias involved in his NFL Draft projection. Flowers is a stud, period.
The Boston College alum was regularly found burning defenders in college, using his blazing speed to blow by them and his legendary body control and ball tracking to secure deep balls downfield. Flowers would be the ideal foil to Justin Jefferson in this mock draft, making it harder for defenses to double-team him.
31. Buffalo Bills – Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina
Josh Downs makes it six wide receivers taken on day one in this mock draft. Downs creates separation without breaking a sweat and has a knack for knowing exactly where the first down marker is. Smack dab in the middle of Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis could make Downs a fantasy football league winner in 2023.
32. Philadelphia Eagles – Brian Branch, DB, Alabama
Capping off the 2023 NFL Draft with the final selection in this mock draft, the Philadelphia Eagles hit another home run at No. 32 overall. Brian Branch is a chess piece for the secondary, primarily playing the ROVER position for Alabama and covering the best player on the opposing offense — regardless of position.
Branch’s traits and instincts will allow him to make a similar impact in the NFL. The Eagles are stocked with talent all over the depth chart, but the secondary would benefit greatly from the addition of Brian Branch. Another great NFL Draft haul from Howie Roseman.