Pre-Super Bowl Mock Draft: Texans and Raiders Trade Up for Quarterbacks of the Future
By Hunter Haas
5. Seattle Seahawks (via DEN) – Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Alabama
Will Anderson is the type of prospect that should go No. 1 overall in any NFL Draft. The need at quarterback pushes him down the board in this mock draft, allowing the Seahawks to scoop him up at No. 5. Seattle adds another building block to the roster.
6. Detroit Lions (via LAR) – Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
The Lions have a steady bridge quarterback in Jared Goff, so beefing up the lackluster defense would be the best use of their stockpile of assets. Devon Witherspoon will pair nicely with Jeffrey Okudah, giving Detroit a much-needed boost to the secondary. If anyone embodies the “kneecap-eating” mentality, it is Witherspoon.
7. Arizona Cardinals (via LV) – Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech
The Cardinals will be without starting quarterback Kyler Murray to open the 2023 NFL season. The injury to Murray allows the new regime to trade down and accumulate more assets to shore up the roster in his absence.
Arizona lost JJ Watt to retirement this offseason, and Tyree Wilson is the perfect man to fill his shoes. Wilson’s arms are longer than the wait time at your local DMV, and he plays with incredible power. A high-upside pass rusher plus the extra picks is an A+ start to this mock draft for general manager Monti Ossenfort.
8. Atlanta Falcons – Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
The Falcons have shown a willingness to take the top player on their draft board over recent years, and it happens again at No. 8. Atlanta has more pressing needs than running back, but when picking in the top 10, you have to shoot for a player with elite potential.
Bijan Robinson’s ability to take any touch to the house — both as a runner and a receiver — will help Desmond Ridder’s development exponentially. The Texas superstar can be one of the best running backs in the entire NFL as a rookie; imagine Robinson in an Arthur Smith system.
9. Carolina Panthers – Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
Frank Reich is putting together an all-star cast in Carolina, and at No. 9, Will Levis becomes the benefactor of the loaded staff. Levis compares to Carson Wentz in many ways, which may sound like an insult, but that play style is Reich’s bread and butter. The Kentucky signal-caller goes to the ideal spot for a rookie.
10. Philadelphia Eagles (via NO) – Peter Skoronski, OL, Northwestern
The Eagles possess talent all over the depth chart, but the offensive line is the heartbeat of the roster. Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson have talked about retirement in past years, so how about a prospect who can play all five spots on the line?
Northwestern’s Peter Skoronski will be an All-Pro wherever he ends up on the line. With flawless technique, Skoronski can immediately step in for either veteran if they opt to ride off into the sunset. The best way to keep things clicking in Philly is to bolster the strength of the roster going forward.
11. Tennessee Titans – Paris Johnson Jr., OL, Ohio State
Starting offensive tackle Taylor Lewan will likely be released this offseason. Similar to Philly, the Titans win in the trenches. Paris Johnson Jr. is a plug-and-play left tackle who is dominant in the run game and still scratching the surface in pass protection.
12. Houston Texans (via CLE) – Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
Here is another shocker. Zay Flowers lacks the size of a typical WR1 in the NFL, but he more than makes up for it with everything else. Flowers is the best route runner in this class, a contested catch artist, and regularly snatches ankles with the ball in his hands. Young and Flowers in Houston? Oh boy.
13. New York Jets – Broderick Jones, OL, Georgia
Broderick Jones boasts prototypical size at the offensive tackle position. He is raw but will be an instant impact player in the run game as a rookie. The offense should still run through Breece Hall in 2023, no matter who the Jets start at quarterback.