Pre-Super Bowl Mock Draft: Texans and Raiders Trade Up for Quarterbacks of the Future
By Hunter Haas
The Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs will meet in Super Bowl LVII on Feb 12. This contest marks the end of the 2022 NFL campaign, ushering in the offseason and NFL mock draft season.
With the Senior Bowl and Shrine Bowl in the books, front offices have an improved grasp on the 2023 NFL Draft class. Some of the top players at their respective positions attended the all-star games alongside several sleepers hoping to boost their stock.
Pre-Super Bowl Mock Draft: Texans and Raiders Trade Up for Quarterbacks of the Future
As most of the NFL and its fan bases look to the offseason, here is a fresh first-round mock draft to quench your thirst. Quarterbacks come off the board in a hurry, and multiple trades occur. Let’s get the ball rolling with the first trade of the article!
1. Houston Texans (via CHI) – Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
The Texans swap firsts and send Chicago the No. 34 overall selection to guarantee Bryce Young ends up in Houston. General manager Nick Caserio would still have No. 12 and a Cleveland first-round pick next draft at his disposal, so the added 2024 second-rounder is worth paying. Young’s leadership and arm talent will give DeMeco Ryans his centerpiece on offense.
2. Chicago Bears (via HOU) – Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
The Bears gain a near-first-round selection at No. 34 and still get the exact player they would have taken first overall, anyway. Jalen Carter fits the three-technique in Matt Eberflus’ system like a glove. A game-wrecker arrives in The Windy City.
3. Las Vegas Raiders (via ARI) – CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State
The Raiders trade up four spots to land the best pocket passer in the 2023 NFL Draft class. CJ Stroud is precise, a proven leader, and possesses the arm talent to be a high-end starter under Josh McDaniels.
Derek Carr is on the move soon; the front office can replenish at least one of the day-two picks sent to Arizona in this deal. Parlaying Carr’s trade compensation into a new signal-caller of the future is a no-brainer move for the Raiders.
4. Indianapolis Colts – Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
Seeing Young and Stroud off the board might draw the ire of the Colts fandom. However, there is reason to believe Anthony Richardson (or Will Levis) is the top quarterback on Chris Ballard’s draft board. In this mock draft, Richardson is the selection.
The Florida star is raw but checks every box in terms of physical profile. Richardson is a superb athlete with a rocket launcher attached to his right shoulder and boasts a better pocket presence than most will say. If the Colts make the correct hire at head coach, the sky is the limit for Richardson in the NFL.