2023 NFL Mock Draft: Bijan to the Bears, Eagles Trade Down, and Zay Flowers Lands with Jets
By Hunter Haas
In our latest NFL mock draft, Bijan Robinson becomes a Bear, Zay Flowers soars for the Jets, and much more!
Free agency is still active, but most of the league-altering moves have already taken place. Several impactful signings and a handful of mesmerizing trades are starting to give a better picture for teams crafting their draft strategies.
2023 NFL Mock Draft: Bijan to the Bears, Eagles Trade Down, and Zay Flowers Lands with Jets
In our latest mock draft, the quarterbacks fly off the board, the Commanders trade up, and the Seahawks, Lions, Steelers, and Eagles make the most of their stacked draft capital. Without further ado, the Carolina Panthers are on the clock!
1. Carolina Panthers – CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State
The blockbuster trade of the offseason saw the Panthers jump from No. 9 to No. 1. A team only makes a move of that magnitude for a franchise quarterback, so the question is ‘what name’ rather than ‘what position’.
For my money, Frank Reich will value CJ Stroud’s accuracy and overall refinement in the passing game. He brings a safe floor as a rookie, and his upside is worth betting on at the top of the draft. Reich and Carolina’s search for a centerpiece on offense is over at last.
2. Houston Texans – Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
The Texans are consistently linked to Bryce Young — and for good reason. Head coach DeMeco Ryans may be tempted to go with a blue-chip defender, but the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner tugs at his Crimson Tide heartstrings.
Young is poised under pressure, a proven leader in the locker room, and possesses an arm capable of any throw in the NFL. Houston moves forward with a Ryans/Young pairing.
3. Arizona Cardinals – Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Alabama
The Cardinals will surely receive a slew of calls regarding a trade down. However, the roster is devoid of top-end talent on defense, and passing up on Will Anderson is a decision the franchise would live to regret.
Anderson is a game-wrecker off the edge and the type of player an entire defense can be built around. He generates constant pressure throughout the game and eats up double teams, making life easier for the rest of the unit. Jonathan Gannon gets a core building block for his defense in the desert.
4. Indianapolis Colts – Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
The Colts have played a never-ending game of musical chairs behind center since Andrew Luck’s retirement years ago. The long journey to find his successor ends at No. 4 in this mock draft, with Anthony Richardson taking over the mantle.
Richardson is raw but checks every box physically and has shown to be coachable during his limited action on-field at Florida. A learning curve is to be expected, but new head coach Shane Steichen can craft an offense similar to the one he ran in Philly.
5. Seattle Seahawks – Tyree Wilson, DL, Texas Tech
The Seahawks benefit from the Russell Wilson trade by netting the No. 5 overall pick in this mock draft. Jalen Carter wouldn’t surprise me here, but Tyree Wilson *feels* like a Seahawk every time I watch his tape.
Wilson boasts an otherworldly wingspan and is as strong as they come in this class. He could be more explosive off the snap but the elite developmental program in Seattle can smooth out the rough edges in Wilson’s game.