2023 NFL Mock Draft: Texans Add Jalen Carter and Will Levis, Lions Trade Back, Plus a Surprise at No. 3 Overall
By Hunter Haas
Only four teams remain in the 2023 NFL Playoffs. You know what that means; it is time for yet another mock draft! Cornerbacks fly off the board, multiple trade-ups occur, and the Texans come away with two franchise-caliber players.
The Chicago Bears own the No. 1 overall pick and are one of the few teams up top that doesn’t need a quarterback. The Bears will field several offers, but do not expect Chicago to trade back just for the sake of trading back. It will take a lucrative offer to move them down the draft order.
With that in mind, let’s look at what a Carolina Panthers trade-up would look like in this mock draft. Will Carolina finally land a proper Cam Newton replacement?
2023 NFL Mock Draft: Texans Get Aggressive, Lions Trade Back, Plus a Surprise at No. 3 Overall
*TRADE*
Bears Trade:
-No. 1 overall (2023)
Panthers Trade:
-No. 9 overall (2023
-No. 39 overall (2023)
-No. 93 overall (2023)
-Future first-rounder (2024)
-Future third-rounder (2024)
The Bears receive four extra selections to move down, giving general manager Ryan Pace more chances to upgrade the roster around quarterback Justin Fields.
I know this reads as a lot for the Panthers to give up, but it satisfies the NFL Draft pick trade chart. If the Panthers have a franchise quarterback grade on a player in this draft, they should do whatever it takes to get them.
Thanks to the Christian McCaffery trade, the Panthers still own a second-rounder in 2023, even after trading away their own to Chicago. Now that the trade part is over, who did the Panthers trade up for in this mock draft?
1. Carolina Panthers (via CHI) – Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
Bryce Young is my top quarterback in the 2023 NFL Draft. The Carolina Panthers share that sentiment in this mock draft by trading away a slew of picks to get in front of other quarterback-needy teams.
With Carolina, Young can start from day one. He brings poise and confidence to the position, with ample arm talent. His size is a valid concern, but with that as the only red flag, it is worth betting on his talent to shine through.
2. Houston Texans – Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
What? Why would Houston pass on taking a quarterback at No. 2 overall? Am I crazy? The answer to that last question might be yes, but not because of this selection.
Jalen Carter is the best player in the 2023 NFL Draft. The Georgia bulldozer can transform a defensive unit upon arrival, giving Houston a disruptive presence on the interior. Thanks to the Deshaun Watson trade, the Texans are not done yet in this mock draft…
3. Arizona Cardinals – Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech
While I have Will Anderson graded as the top-edge rusher, keep an eye out for Tyree Wilson at No. 3 overall. Wilson fits more of a prototypical build on the end of the defensive line and profiles as a high-end run stuffer with his length and play strength.
Wilson shares a similar body type to JJ Watt, who just so happens to be on his way to retirement. The Texas Tech standout should test off the charts during the pre-draft process.
4. Indianapolis Colts – CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State
The Indianapolis Colts are a popular pick to trade up with the Chicago Bears. In this mock draft, general manager Chris Ballard opts to stay at No. 4 rather than mortgage more of the future to move up. Luckily enough, Indy gets its answer at quarterback anyway.
CJ Stroud is a two-year starter from Ohio State. He flexes a high IQ, pinpoint accuracy, and a leadership quality that NFL coaches covet. Stroud needs a clean pocket to be effective, and adding more mobility wouldn’t hurt either, but the Colts land a potential franchise quarterback here at No. 4 overall.