Our final 3-round mock draft is here! In the last article of the draft cycle, the Titans and Raiders trade up for quarterbacks, Bijan Robinson finds a new home in LA, and the Eagles get even better.
1. Carolina Panthers – Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
The Panthers have made it clear that Bryce Young will be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and become the face of the franchise. The Alabama star displays pinpoint accuracy, poise under pressure, and an “it” factor that is impossible to quantify. QB1 heads to Carolina.
2. Houston Texans – Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Alabama
After much discussion, the Texans decide to pass on quarterback following the selection of Young. DeMeco Ryans tabs Will Anderson as the building block of his defense in Houston. Anderson offers a wide array of pass-rushing moves and is more than capable as a run stuffer. The Texans land arguably the best player at No. 2 in this mock draft.
Mock Draft Trade No. 1
Cardinals Send:
•No. 3 Overall
Titans Send:
•No. 11 Overall
•No. 41 Overall
•2024 1st Round Pick
3. Tennessee Titans – Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
The Titans have quietly been surveying the quarterback class, and rather than sitting at No. 11 and hoping for a slide, new general manager Ran Carthon makes a blockbuster move to acquire Will Levis. The Kentucky signal-caller is a polarizing prospect, but his arm talent, mobility, and leadership quality will win a franchise over. In this mock draft, it is the Titans.
4. Indianapolis Colts – Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
With CJ Stroud still on the board, the Colts must think long and hard about this decision. Stroud is the safer option, but Anthony Richardson flashes the potential to be an equalizer in the stacked quarterback-heavy AFC. Richardson’s one-of-one athleticism and rocket launcher arm head to Indy to pair with new head coach Shane Steichen.
Mock Draft Trade No. 2
Seahawks Send:
•No. 5 Overall
Raiders Send:
•No. 7 Overall
•No. 70 Overall
•2024 2nd Round Pick
5. Las Vegas Raiders – CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State
The Raiders see CJ Stroud fall all the way to No. 5 in this mock draft and quickly ring the Seahawks with a trade offer. In exchange for a couple of day-two picks, Vegas moves up two spots to select Stroud as the new franchise centerpiece. The Buckeye standout brings elite ball placement, an arm capable of making any throw, and a level of professionalism that the Raiders have been lacking in recent years.
6. Detroit Lions – Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
Devon Witherspoon and the Lions go together like peanut butter and jelly. Dan Campbell’s squad prides itself on outworking the opponent, and no one works harder than the Illini defender. Witherspoon is a dawg in man coverage and shows the ability to play in zone just as easily. He is a difference-maker in run support and should complete the overhaul in the secondary for Detroit.
7. Seattle Seahawks – Tyree Wilson, DL, Texas Tech
The Seahawks added No. 70 and No. 174 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft by only moving down two spots. And guess what? They get the player that would have been the selection at No. 5 anyway! Tyree Wilson is a long, powerful pass rusher out of Texas Tech. He is a stout run defender, and once he learns how to use his hands more effectively on the edge, the sky is the limit for Wilson. Seattle thrives at developing prospects like this.
8. Atlanta Falcons – Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
The Falcons made an interesting move earlier in the offseason when they acquired Jeffrey Okudah and subsequently released veteran Casey Hayward. With AJ Terrell already in tow, Atlanta should get him a bonafide partner-in-crime rather than putting all its eggs in the Okudah basket. Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez checks all the boxes athletically, and his film is reminiscent of Terrell’s, with both flexing teach-tape technique in coverage. A lethal cornerback duo forms in the ATL.
Mock Draft Trade No. 3
Bears Send:
•No. 9 Overall
Steelers Send:
•No. 17 Overall
•No. 49 Overall
9. Pittsburgh Steelers – Paris Johnson, OT, Ohio State
The Steelers have rebuilt the offensive line this offseason, but the unit needs a pillar at left tackle, which will also allow Dan Moore to kick inside or challenge Chukwuma Okorafor for the right tackle gig. Paris Johnson slots in as the starter on the blindside from day one, giving Pittsburgh a top-tier pass protector and a still-ascending run blocker. As a bonus, the team holds on to its more valuable second-rounder in the trade.
10. Philadelphia Eagles – Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
Jalen Carter could go as early as No. 2 or as late as No. 10, but make no mistake, if he is still on the board when the Eagles come to the podium, Howie Roseman will dance the card to the commissioner. Carter is unanimously considered a top 3-5 talent in the class after dominating at Georgia by collapsing pockets from the interior and shutting down running backs in their tracks. If his personality checks out, Philly gets the biggest steal of the mock draft.
11. Arizona Cardinals – Peter Skoronski, OL, Northwestern
The Cardinals would take Paris Johnson if he made it to No. 11, but this mock draft paints a different picture. Instead, Arizona pivots to my highest-rated lineman in the class. Northwestern’s Peter Skoronski boasts flawless technique in pass protection and in the running game. His hand usage is impeccable, and Skoronski is always the low man in a scrum. He is precisely what Kyler Murray needs to stay healthy.
12. Houston Texans – Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
Even after passing on a quarterback earlier in the mock draft, Houston still sorely lacks talent at the wide receiver position. Whether it is Davis Mills, Case Keenum, or perhaps Trey Lance, life would be infinitely easier with Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the fold. JSN is arguably the best route runner available in 2023, and his mind-blowing short-area quickness makes him tough to corral in space. The Texans land a WR1 at No. 12.
13. Green Bay Packers – Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia
Seeing Smith-Njigba come off the board right before Green Bay hit the clock stings, and the front office could look to Zay Flowers or Dalton Kincaid, but the pass catcher streak on day one continues for another year! Instead, the Packers take Nolan Smith, a versatile pass rusher who flexes potential in coverage and is already an elite run defender.
14. New England Patriots – Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
New England typically targets cornerbacks later in the draft, but Joey Porter Jr. is too good to let him slide past them. The son of a former NFL star, Porter knows what it means to be a professional football player and is built with Patriots’ DNA. The Penn State star possesses long arms and uses them to disrupt passing lanes regularly. Porter is capable of playing zone and man, with his best snaps coming in one-on-one situations.
15. New York Jets – Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
The Jets finally pulled off a deal to land Aaron Rodgers in the Big Apple. Now it is time to give him some protection up front by bolstering the offensive line. Darnell Wright is a plug-and-play starter as a rookie, giving New York a young, higher-upside option over Duane Brown. Wright allowed zero sacks in 2022 and can hold his own in the run game.
16. Washington Commanders – Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland
Deonte Banks played college football less than 10 miles from Washington D.C., and the Commanders need a CB1 to build the secondary around, making this an easy choice. Banks is the prototypical size for a boundary cornerback, and when he eliminates the penalties from his game, the former Maryland standout will be a lockdown corner on Sundays.
17. Chicago Bears – Lukas Van Ness, DL, Iowa
Lukas Van Ness is another player with a wide range of outcomes in the 2023 NFL Draft. If Chicago stays at No. 9, the Iowa defensive lineman might be the choice. In this mock draft, he falls to No. 17 after the Bears trade down and add an extra second-rounder. Van Ness is a perfect fit in Matt Eberflus’ system, offering him positional versatility all down the line with his patented power and deceptive speed off the edge.
18. Detroit Lions – Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
The tight-end class is highly-regarded in 2023 for good reason. Utah’s Dalton Kincaid becomes the first one off the board at No. 18, offering the Lions another high-end pass catcher following Jameson Williams’ suspension. Kincaid owns the best hands in the class and is sneaky after the catch.
19. Tampa Bay Bucs – Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
Broderick Jones has a top-five ceiling in the 2023 NFL Draft, but there is a long way to go to get there. At No. 19 in this mock draft, the Bucs snag the former Bulldog and name him the starter at left tackle, allowing Tristan Wirfs to remain in his spot at right tackle. Jones is a dominant force in the run game and has all the traits to be a reliable pass-blocker. Consistency in his technique and more on-field experience will help unlock his potential on the blindside.
20. Seattle Seahawks – Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
The Seahawks went with a traitsy pass rusher at No. 7, but general manager John Schneider opts to go with a less conventional option at 20. Boston College’s Zay Flowers is a spark plug with the ability to score any time he touches the ball. He lacks the size that Seattle typically looks for in a receiver, but with Lockett on the downswing of his career, Flowers looks like an easy replacement.
21. Los Angeles Chargers – Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
Bijan Robinson should go earlier than this in the 2023 NFL Draft and almost assuredly will. However, finding a landing spot is not easy so Robinson makes it to his floor in this mock draft, arriving to the Chargers poised to take over the backfield. The Longhorn running back displays patience, vision, and a shiftiness that forces countless missed tackles. Robinson is phenomenal in the passing game as well, clearing the way for an Austin Ekeler divorce this offseason or next.
22. Baltimore Ravens – Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson
Mock drafts are weird sometimes, and Myles Murphy being available at 22 certainly fits the bill the ‘weird’. The Ravens could look to the wide receiver or cornerback room here, but with most of the top players already off the board, Baltimore does what Baltimore does best and takes the best player available. Myles Murphy is a freaky athlete who holds up well as a run defender and is a potential 10-sack-a-season guy in the NFL.
23. Minnesota Vikings – Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee
The Vikings have been linked to Hendon Hooker for a couple of months, and with the first-round buzz picking up lately, Minnesota picks its successor to Kirk Cousins at No. 23. Hooker is an older prospect coming off an ACL tear, but redshirting the season and learning under Cousins is a great way to make the most of a bad situation. The Vols quarterback is an accurate passer and brings some mobility with him to the league.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars – Brian Branch, DB, Alabama
The Jaguars have promising pieces littered throughout the roster, but outside of Tyson Campbell, the secondary leaves much to be desired. Brian Branch can play multiple spots in the defensive backfield but specializes as a slot defender. The Alabama superstar is a hard hitter and possesses remarkable range and man coverage ability from the slot.
25. New York Giants – Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State
Emmanuel Forbes is a hand-in-glove fit for Wink Martindale’s defense. Sure, in a perfect world, Forbes weighs more than 180 pounds, but his fluid hips, impressive ball skills, and confidence allows the Mississippi State alum to serve as a CB1 regardless of size. With 14 career interceptions, Forbes adds another element to the defense with his ball-hawking ability.
26. Dallas Cowboys – Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
The Cowboys lost Dalton Schultz earlier in the offseason and did not replace him in free agency. Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot are fine options at tight end, but neither player inspires much optimism in the fan base as the top option on the depth chart. Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer is a day-one starter who impacts the game as a blocker and as a chain-moving pass catcher downfield.
27. Buffalo Bills – O’Cyrus Torrence, OL, Florida
The Bills must establish a run game before Josh Allen gets into his older age. The first step is not at running back, but rather in the trenches. Florida’s O’Cyrus Torrence will be one of the better run blockers in the NFL upon arrival, and his anchor is as good as any in the class. Finally, some progress for Allen and Co.
28. Cincinnati Bengals – Keion White, DL, Georgia Tech
Keion White is one of my favorite players in the 2023 NFL Draft, and if he were a couple of years younger, he would firmly be in top-10 discussions. The Bengals take the chance on White at No. 28, betting on his raw traits and hoping to develop better habits in terms of technique and fundamentals. Cincinnati cannot force a need in round one; they should take the best player on their board with their Super Bowl window wide open.
29. New Orleans Saints – Adetomiwa Adebawore, DL, Northwestern
The Saints traded Sean Payton to Denver earlier in the offseason and netted some draft capital in return, with No. 29 overall being the prize piece. With the selection, the Saints take another defensive lineman, hoping to finally replace the production of Trey Hendrickson. Adetomiwa Adebawore is a generational athlete still learning to rush the passer efficiently. He was asked to eat up double teams and play inside primarily at Northwestern, but in New Orleans, Adebawore can slide up and down the line.
30. Philadelphia Eagles – Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama
I debated with myself for quite some time on this pick for the Eagles. While Howie Roseman fought the urge to take Bijan Robinson earlier in the mock draft, he cannot fight the temptation when he sees Jahmyr Gibbs available at No. 30. Gibbs is cut from the same cloth as Alvin Kamara, using trademark explosiveness and shiftiness to embarrass oncoming tacklers. The Crimson Tide ball carrier is capable of attacking holes between the tackles as well, giving head coach Nick Sirianni a cheat code for his offense.
31. Kansas City Chiefs – Calijah Kancey, DL, Pittsburgh
Calijah Kancey is going somewhere on day one of the draft, even if it is No. 31 overall to the Chiefs. General manager Brett Veach should be looking for a potential Chris Jones replacement in the near future, and in this mock draft, one falls in his lap. Kancey is a disruptive presence on the interior, showing polish and refinement as a pass rusher and the willingness to strike down running backs between the tackles. Another draft, another steal for Kansas City… or should I say Kancey City?
Second Round
32. Pittsburgh Steelers – Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
33. Houston Texans – Jack Campbell, LB, Iowa
34. Arizona Cardinals – Will McDonald IV, EDGE, Iowa State
35. Indianapolis Colts – Julius Brents, CB, Kansas State
36. Los Angeles Rams – Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma
37. Seattle Seahawks – Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson
38. Las Vegas Raiders – Drew Sanders, LB, Arkansas
39. Carolina Panthers – Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
40. New Orleans Saints – Jordan Addison, WR, USC
41. Arizona Cardinals – Kelee Ringo, DB, Georgia
42. Green Bay Packers – Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
43. New York Jets – Luke Musgrave, TE, Oregon State
44. Atlanta Falcons – BJ Ojulari, EDGE, LSU
45. Green Bay Packers – Sydney Brown, SAF, Illinois
46. New England Patriots – Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State
47. Washington Commanders – John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota
48. Detroit Lions – Mazi Smith, DT, Michigan
49. Chicago Bears – DJ Turner, CB, Michigan
50. Tampa Bay Bucs – Byron Young, EDGE, Tennessee
51. Miami Dolphins – Sam LaPorta, TE, Iowa
52. Seattle Seahawks – Steve Avila, OL, TCU
53. Chicago Bears – Keeanu Benton, DT, Wisconsin
54. Los Angeles Chargers – Jonathan Mingo, WR, Ole Miss
55. Detroit Lions – Isaiah Foskey, EDGE, Notre Dame
56. Jacksonville Jaguars – Felix Anudike-Uzomah, EDGE, Kansas State
57. New York Giants – Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina
58. Dallas Cowboys – Matthew Bergeron, OL, Syracuse
59. Buffalo Bills – Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson
60. Cincinnati Bengals – Zach Charbonnet, RB, UCLA
61. Chicago Bears – Daiyan Henley, LB, Washington State
62. Philadelphia Eagles – Derick Hall, EDGE, Auburn
63. Kansas City Chiefs – Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee
Third Round
64. Chicago Bears – Cody Mauch, OL, North Dakota State
65. Houston Texans – Joe Tippmann, C, Wisconsin
66. Arizona Cardinals – Siaki Ika, DT, Baylor
67. Denver Broncos – KJ Henry, EDGE, Clemson
68. Denver Broncos – Luke Wypler, C, Ohio State
69. Los Angeles Rams – Zach Harrison, EDGE, Ohio State
70. Seattle Seahawks – Cory Trice Jr., CB, Purdue
71. New Orleans Saints – Tucker Kraft, TE, South Dakota State
72. Tennessee Titans – Tyler Steen, OL, Alabama
73. Houston Texans – Gervon Dexter, DL, Florida
74. Cleveland Browns – Jartavius “Quan” Martin, DB, Illinois
75. Atlanta Falcons – Cedric Tillman, WR, Tennessee
76. New England Patriots – AT Perry, WR, Wake Forest
77. Los Angeles Rams – Darius Rush, CB, South Carolina
78. Green Bay Packers – Marvin Mims, WR, Oklahoma
79. Indianapolis Colts – Chandler Zavala, OL, NC State
80. Pittsburgh Steelers – Nick Herbig, LB, Wisconsin
81. Detroit Lions – Dorian Williams, LB, Tulane
82. Tampa Bay Bucs – Tank Bigsby, RB, Auburn
83. Seattle Seahawks – Antonio Johnson, SAF, Texas A&M
84. Miami Dolphins – Devon Achane, RB, Texas A&M
85. Los Angeles Chargers – Tuli Tuipulotu, DL, USC
86. Baltimore Ravens – Tyrique Stevenson, CB, Miami
87. Minnesota Vikings – Rashee Rice, WR, SMU
88. Jacksonville Jaguars – Garrett Williams, CB, Syracuse
89. New York Giants – Olusegun Oluwatimi, C, Michigan
90. Dallas Cowboys – Zacch Pickens, DT, South Carolina
91. Buffalo Bills – Israel Abanikanda, RB, Pittsburgh
92. Cincinnati Bengals – Christopher Smith, DB, Georgia
93. Carolina Panthers – Owen Pappoe, LB, Auburn
94. Philadelphia Eagles – Riley Moss, CB, Iowa
95. Kansas City Chiefs – DeMarvion Overshown, LB, Texas
96. Arizona Cardinals – Zach Evans, RB, Ole Miss
97. Washington Commanders – Brenton Strange, TE, Penn State
98. Cleveland Browns – Karl Brooks, DT, Bowling Green
99. San Francisco 49ers – Kyu Blu Kelly, CB, Stanford
100. Las Vegas Raiders – Byron Young, DT, Alabama
101. San Francisco 49ers – Nick Saldiveri, OT, Old Dominion
102. San Francisco 49ers – Ji’Ayir Brown, DB, Penn State