3-Round 2023 NFL Mock Draft: Who Will the Panthers Take at 1?
Round 3
64. CHI-Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah
Clark Phillips III is a severely undersized cornerback, but is a feisty player who battles anyone he lines up against.
65. HOU-Siaki Ika, DT, Baylor
Adding Lukas Van Ness and, now, Siaki Ika to a DeMeco Ryans defense would be huge for the team’s defensive development. Ika is a huge run stuffer and would play right away on early downs.
66. AZ-Devon Achane, RB, Texas A&M
The Cardinals still have James Conner at running back, but they may not want to pay him long-term and Devon Achane, with his speed and catching ability, would be a perfect complement for a bruiser like Conner.
67. DEN-Jordan Battle, S, Alabama
Jordan Battle is a very physical strong safety who was effective at a high level in the SEC and could come in and possibly start right away for a thin Broncos secondary.
68. DEN-B.J. Ojulari, EDGE, LSU
With their second of back-to-back picks, the Broncos add an edge rusher for the second year in a row, pairing LSU’s B.J. Ojulari with 2022 draft pick, Nik Bonitto for the team’s future.
69. LAR-Keion White, DL, Georgia Tech
The Rams have so many needs on their roster, that they could really add some players that will help fill multiple holes. Keion White can win up and down the defensive line, particularly on the edge with the recent release of Leonard Floyd.
70. LV-Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, CB, TCU
Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson is a VERY small cornerback, but he can certainly find a role on an NFL roster. He clearly has NFL bloodlines with his uncle being Hall-of-Fame running back Ladainian Tomlinson, and could help a struggling Raiders secondary.
71. NO-Rashee Rice, WR, SMU
The Saints will look to build their offense around Derek Carr, and Rashee Rice is a great complement to young receiver, Chris Olave. Olave is a silky smooth route runner, while Rice is a big body that excels with the ball in his hands and deep down the field with jump balls.
72. TEN-A.T. Perry, WR, Wake Forest
After the departure of A.J. Brown, the Titans truly lacked wide receivers last season. Treylon Burks, they think, can fill that Brown role, but A.T. Perry has the size and speed to add a different dimension to the receiver room.
73. HOU-Joe Tippmann, C, Wisconsin
The Texans will need to add a center this offseason, and Joe Tippmann is a great one to pair with Bryce Young.
74. NYJ-Isaiah Foskey, EDGE, Notre Dame
Isaiah Foskey could very well go earlier in this 2023 NFL Mock Draft, but here he falls right into the hands of Robert Saleh and the New York Jets.
75. ATL-Eli Ricks, CB, Alabama
Corner is another spot that the Falcons need to improve, so adding an SEC battle-tested player like Eli Ricks could certainly help their secondary.
76. NE-Tuli Tuipulotu, DL, USC
Tuli Tuipulotu can help reshape the New England defensive line, proving his effectiveness on the edge and when bumping inside for pass rush situations.
77. LAR-Kyu Blu Kelly, CB, Stanford
Kyu Blu Kelly would have likely been a candidate for the Miami Dolphins before trading for Jalen Ramsey, so instead he appears to be a fit for the Los Angeles Rams after his departure. He has good size and length at corner and could help fill the void for the rebuilding Rams.
78. GB-Tucker Kraft, TE, South Dakota State
Jordan Love’s smile just keeps getting bigger, as the team adds a big, physical target for him to throw to, who also will help greatly in the run game.
79. IND-Parker Washington, WR, Penn State
The Colts will likely need to add another receiver for Anthony Richardson, and Parker Washington is the perfect candidate to fill that Parris Campbell role alongside Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce, likely finding a home in the slot.
80. PIT-Nick Herbig, EDGE, Wisconsin
An explosive, pass-rushing linebacker from Wisconsin to the Pittsburgh Steelers? Enough said.
81. DET-Sydney Brown, S, Syracuse
The Lions go back to the defensive side of the ball, adding a freakishly athletic strong safety that will make his presence known in the box.
82. TB-Derick Hall, EDGE, Auburn
The Bucs tab Derick Hall to be the running mate for Joe Tryon-Shoyinka for life after Shaq Barrett in the fairly near future.
83. SEA-Zach Harrison, EDGE, Ohio State
Seattle adds an every-down end that is very effective against the run and could make some noise alongside Jalen Carter on passing downs as well.
84. MIA-Gervon Dexter Sr., DT, Florida
Putting Gervon Dexter Sr. alongside Raekwon Davis and Christian Wilkins can only do good things for the Miami defensive front.
85. LAC-Dorian Williams, LB, Tulane
The Chargers already drafted their big-body, run stuffing linebacker. Here they get a quick and athletic linebacker that has safety-like instincts to make head coach Brandon Staley’s defense even more versatile and dangerous.
86. BAL-Jaylon Jones, CB, Texas A&M
With Marcus Peters set to hit free agency, they add a big, long and physical corner to battle in the AFC North.
87. MIN-D.J. Turner, CB, Michigan
Back-to-back cornerbacks, as the Vikings go with the speed-demon, D.J. Turner, who turned heads at the combine.
88. JAC-Zach Charbonnet, RB, UCLA
Zach Charbonnet is pretty much the perfect complement for Travis Etienne in this draft class, as a true bruiser between the tackles.
89. NYG-Isaiah McGuire, DL, Missouri
The Giants add some versatile defensive line depth, with a bigger-body edge presence from Missouri.
90. DAL-Marvin Mims, WR, Oklahoma
The Cowboys must add some receiver talent alongside CeeDee Lamb, so they go back to the Oklahoma Sooners for a down-field threat in Marvin Mims.
91. BUF-Karl Brooks, DL, Bowling Green
The Buffalo Bills are the next team to add a big, but athletic, defensive lineman who can play up and down the line.
92. CIN-Zack Kuntz, TE, Old Dominion
Zack Kuntz wowed at the Combine and would be a dangerous addition to an already elite Cincinnati offense.
93. CAR-Tyjae Spears, RB, Tulane
After trading away Christian McCaffrey last season, the Panthers will look for a new running back to pair with their top quarterback for the years to come.
94. PHI-Kendre Miller, RB, TCU
Miles Sanders is likely to leave via free agency this offseason, and although the team really does like Kenneth Gainwell, I think they add another running back like TCU’s Kendre Miller in this 2023 NFL Mock Draft.
95. KC-Mike Morris, DL, Michigan
The Chiefs continue to add depth to their defensive line.
96. AZ-Olusegun Oluwatimi, C, Michigan
Olu Oluwatimi was excellent this season for Michigan and would have a chance to start right away in Arizona.
97. WAS-Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee
The Commanders seem comfortable starting the 2023 season with Sam Howell under center, but Hendon Hooker would give them an option with much more playmaking ability, particularly as a runner, and Hooker is just too good to still be on the board.
98. CLE-Tyler Scott, WR, Cincinnati
Tyler Scott is exactly the type of player that the Browns need for their offense. Amari Cooper and Donovan Peoples-Jones are very solid and reliable targets, but lack the elite speed to take the top off of the defense. Tyler Scott is a local kid who can fill the Will Fuller V role for Deshaun Watson, something they have hoped Anthony Schwartz would be able to do.
99. SF-Michael Wilson, WR, Stanford
Michael Wilson is a very smart and talented receiver, who would provide either Brock Purdy or Trey Lance another reliable target alongside Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle.
100. NYG-Tanner McKee, QB, Stanford
Yes, the Giants just extended Daniel Jones. But that doesn’t mean they won’t take a page out of the Philadelphia Eagles playbook and draft a back-up plan. Tanner McKee would be a perfect back-up if anything were to happen to Daniel Jones, and maybe he develops into an asset that another team values if the Jones signing does work out.
101. SF-Darius Rush, CB, South Carolina
The 49ers are yet another team that could use some secondary depth, particularly at the cornerback position.
102. SF-Blake Freeland, OT, BYU
The Niners are likely losing right tackle Mike McGlinchey in free agency. Trent Williams isn’t getting any younger, so adding a tackle like Blake Freeland would be HUGE to round out this 2023 NFL Mock Draft.