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2023 NFL Mock Draft: Aaron Rodgers On The Move, Texans Move To No. 1

By A.J. Fagerlin

Sep 24, 2022; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young (9) leaves the field after defeating the Vanderbilt Commodores at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama won 55-3. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2022; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young (9) leaves the field after defeating the Vanderbilt Commodores at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama won 55-3. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports /
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In this latest 2023 NFL Mock Draft, the quarterback carousel keeps turning, with Aaron Rodgers headed to the AFC and the Texans jumping to first overall.

It has been a full week since the Kansas City Chiefs took down the Philadelphia Eagles to earn their second Super Bowl title in four years. With the playing season in the rearview mirror, it is officially draft season!

We already had the Senior Bowl, and before we know it we will have the Scouting Combine and pro days galore. The 2023 NFL Draft should be as intriguing as ever, with a big focus undoubtedly falling on the quarterback-needy teams. Will they sign a free agent? Will they make a big trade for a veteran to try to seize the moment? Will someone move up for “their guy” in the first round of the draft?

Aaron Rodgers is on the move and the Houston Texans trade up to the number one pick in this three-round 2023 NFL Mock Draft, with analysis for every NFL team!

1. Houston Texans: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama

2. Chicago Bears: Jalen Carter, DL, Georgia

If I am the Chicago Bears sitting atop this 2023 NFL Mock Draft, I want to ensure that I am still landing the most impactful player that I am desiring, even if I were to trade back. Sure, they can likely gain even more capital if they move back farther, but who will be there that they like at pick nine? Seven? Even four?

In this scenario, Chicago takes what they can get, moves down a spot with the Houston Texans, and still gets THEIR guy that they would have picked number one anyway. Could they still get that guy at, say, pick four after acquiring even more from the Indianapolis Colts? Sure. But why risk it?

If I were general manager Ryan Poles, and especially head coach Matt Eberflus, that guy would be Jalen Carter. The Bears desperately need that dominant inside presence on their defense if they want to slow down the competition in the NFC North. Eberflus was with the Colts when they traded a first-round pick for DeForest Buckner, and Carter is the perfect young player to fill that role.

For the Texans, I don’t think they should let their AFC South rival, or any other team for that matter, jump them and steal “their guy.” Who that is remains to be seen, but I would guess it is Alabama’s Bryce Young. The Houston-Young pairing seemed to be a given all season, until the Texans lost the number one pick by winning their final game.

If they truly have close enough grades on multiple quarterbacks, then they can stand pat at two. But they cannot afford to miss. If Young, or anyone else is their guy, they should make a move and secure him. New head coach DeMeco Ryans went to Alabama as well, and Young is widely regarded as the top, safest quarterback to be the first one selected in this 2023 NFL Mock Draft.

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