The Super Bowl is over. The Kansas City Chiefs are the 2022 NFL Champions. Draft boards are beginning to form, and NFL teams are preparing for the draft process. As fans around the league begin to shift focus to the draft, here is an early idea of what the first round could look like. For the purposes of this 2023 NFL Mock Draft, there is only one trade included, which brings us to our first overall pick.
2023 NFL Draft First Round Mock Draft
Houston Texans– Quarterback C.J. Stroud (Ohio State)
It would feel dishonest to have the Chicago Bears pick here. They have publicly committed to Justin Fields and have openly stated they are willing to trade back. In this situation, the Texans give up their 2023 number two overall selection, 2023 third, and a 2024 second. This allows them to take their favorite quarterback in the draft, C.J. Stroud. It is a three-man race for the top quarterback, and Stroud’s size and accuracy are a safer bet behind an otherwise atrocious offensive line.
Chicago Bears- Defensive Lineman Jalen Carter (Georgia)
This is the dream scenario for Chicago. They get the best player from the best defense in college football in the last two years. Carter immediately steps in and is a game-changer on a team devoid of playmakers. All the while, the Bears accumulate draft picks for later in the draft and the future to clear up other holes in the roster. A win-win scenario for both teams.
Arizona Cardinals– Edge Will Anderson Jr. (Alabama)
The Cardinals address a position of need, draft a premium position, and take the best player available all in one pick. Anderson Jr. might be the second-best defender in the draft, but edge rusher is currently a more important position than nose tackle. The Cardinals were bottom ten against the pass last year. While Anderson Jr. will not fix everything, he is a pick that should bring hope to the desert.
Indianapolis Colts– Quarterback Will Levis (Kentucky)
Is Will Levis the best quarterback available? Who knows. But Chris Ballard (Colts GM) needs to draft a quarterback, and he swings for the rafters with Levis. The cycle of washed-up quarterbacks ends in Indy, and they select the mayo in coffee lover at four overall.
Seattle Seahawks– Cornerback Christian Gonzalez (Oregon)
If the Seahawks re-sign Geno Smith, this pick feels like a luxury. Getting the best corner in the draft feels too easy. Whether the Seahawks prefer Gonzalez, Witherspoon, or Porter Jr. that defense needs help. The Seahawks could go with a defensive lineman here, but none of the remaining edge defenders stand out.
Detroit Lions– Cornerback Devon Witherspoon (Illinois)
Back-to-back corners who can change a defense. PFF has Witherspoon graded as their number-one cornerback, but this is pre-combine. Witherspoon is twitchy, and aggressive, and adds a much-needed layer to the Detroit defense.
Las Vegas Raiders– Quarterback Bryce Young (Alabama)
The Raiders have gone through eight years of Derek Carr. Love him or hate him, they are ready for a change. Young has all of the talent and off-script throws that Raiders fans have been clamoring for. They move from an above-average starter to the smallest quarterback taken in the first round since the merger.
Atlanta Falcons– Edge Myles Murphy (Clemson)
This Falcons roster has holes all over the field. Is Desmond Ridder the guy? If they want to give him a chance or wait until 2024, Murphy is the pick here. One of Bruce Feldman’s Freak List athletes, you cannot teach the athleticism this young man displayed at Clemson. Once Murphy develops into an all-around pass rusher, watch out.
Carolina Panthers– Quarterback Anthony Richardson (Florida)
The NFC South is wide open, and no one knows who the starting quarterback for any of these teams will be in 2024. 31 teams passed on Lamar Jackson because he was viewed as a project quarterback. Now 28 teams would love to have Jackson on their team. Richardson’s ceiling is higher than any of the other prospects, and his floor is higher than people give him credit for.
Philadelphia Eagles– Offensive Lineman Peter Skoronski (Northwestern)
Imagine making the Super Bowl and then still picking the top ten. Things are good in Philly. Skoronski adds flexibility to the best offensive line in football. At his best, he is the starting tackle as Lane Johnson ages out. At his worst, he is an above-average guard useful in the rotation.
Tennessee Titans– Offensive Tackle Paris Johnson Jr. (Ohio State)
Another big body on a team that loves to run the ball. Johnson Jr. is an upgrade over either tackle currently on the roster. He has spent time at both guard and tackle and possesses the requisite size for either. Big upgrade in Tennessee.
Houston Texans– Wide Receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Ohio State)
Smith-Njigba was the best receiver in an Ohio State offense with Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave on it. Injuries derailed his 2022 campaign, but the 2021 dominance is enough to make him the wide receiver one in this class. The Texans give their new quarterback his receiver from college and jump start their offense for 2023.
New York Jets– Safety Brian Branch (Alabama)
There reaches a point in the draft where positional value dwindles and teams just draft difference makers. Would a team rather take a mid-level edge rusher or a potential perennial Pro Bowl safety? Branch anchored the Alabama defense, was the clear leader on a team on NFL-level players, and will be the safety blanket that will allow Sauce Gardner to play free.
New England Patriots– Edge Tyree Wilson (Texas Tech)
The Patriots add an immediate starter and difference-maker on the edge. Their offense is in no position to keep up with the Bills or Dolphins, so taking Wilson is an idea to slow those offenses down. He has NFL-ready strength and speed, and if he puts together an above-average pass rush skill set this defense takes a huge step forward.
Green Bay Packers– Wide Receiver Quentin Johnston (Texas Christian University)
Some analysts will say Johnston’s skill set is redundant with Christian Watson’s strengths. Conversely, how many NFL defenses have two corners that can guard a 6’4″ guy who runs a 4.4 40-yard dash? Whether it is Jordan Love or Aaron Rodgers behind center, Johnston is a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses.
Washington Commanders– Offensive Tackle Anton Harrison (Oklahoma)
The top four quarterbacks are off the board, so the Commanders build the trenches. Harrison is athletic enough to play left or right tackle and bolsters an otherwise lackluster unit. If one of the quarterbacks slides down the draft, look for the Commanders to trade up.
Pittsburgh Steelers– Wide Receiver Jordan Addison (Southern California)
Kenny Pickett is already campaigning for this pick. The former college teammates made Pitt relevant for a season, not a small feat. Addison won the Biletnikoff award in 2021, and the NFL has seen quarterbacks reunited with their college-wide receivers recently. Steelers fans will hope for a Burrow-to-Chase connection, not a Carr-to-Adams result.
Detroit Lions– Defensive Lineman Bryan Bresee (Clemson)
Aidan Hutchison will continue to get all of the flashy stats, and Bresee will free him up to be even more disruptive. Bresee is a powerful force on the inside but will need to add a little weight to play a one-technique. He will slot in as an oversized three-technique with the hip mobility to be a problem for guards one on one.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers– Tight End Michael Mayer (Notre Dame)
What is the plan in Tampa Bay? The rest of the roster is aging and prepared to win now, but with no Tom Brady the future is murky at best. If they bring in a veteran, Mayer is a difference maker from the in-line tight end position. If they draft a rookie, this is too early for the next tier of guys and Mayer can be the safety blanket they need.
Seattle Seahawks– Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (Penn State)
Legion of Boom round two? Tariq Woolen over-performed in 2022, and Porter Jr. is another long, strong, athletic corner. The chip on Porter’s shoulder will add an attitude to this defense, and the Seahawks would have the best secondary in football before long.
Los Angeles Chargers– Running Back Bijan Robinson (Texas)
The Chargers have been trying to find a running mate for Austin Ekeler for years. Robinson is the best running back prospect since Saquon Barkley and can line up all over the field. While Robinson will be listed as a running back, he is more of an offensive weapon than anything.
Baltimore Ravens– Edge Lukas Van Ness (Iowa)
Van Ness is a bit of a one-trick pony when it comes to pass-rushing. But man, that one trick is good. He opens with a speed rush around the edge, and if the tackle is quick enough to cut him off, he is met with a transition to a bullrush out of a madden game.
Minnesota Vikings– Wide Receiver Zay Flowers (Boston College)
Adam Thielen is looking more and more like a High School math teacher every day. Flowers can learn under Thielen for one year, and then step into the number two role in Minnesota in 2024.
Jacksonville Jaguars– Guard O’Cyrus Torrence (Florida)
This is a large young man. He ate his vegetables, and probably ate some other people’s too. Torrence has been a full-time starter for four years and has never allowed a single sack. If anyone can name another player with that achievement, please remind draft analysts because none come to mind.
New York Giants– Wide Receiver Jalin Hyatt (Tennessee)
Everyone and their mom is going to know Hyatt’s name after the NFL Combine. Hyatt has displayed the speed to run away from SEC defenders and will unlock Brian Daboll’s offense. It is not out of the question for Hyatt to run a sub 4.3 and will shoot up draft boards.
Dallas Cowboys– Cornerback Cam Smith (South Carolina)
For all of the aggression and route jumping Trevon Diggs displays, Smith is the opposite. His footwork and trailing technique are solid, and he does not often take unnecessary risks. Jerry Jones will probably over-draft a running back or another wide receiver here instead.
Buffalo Bills– Center John Michael Schmitz (Minnesota)
While the average NFL fan cannot name more than three centers, Schmitz needs to be a household name. An absolute grinder in the run game, and pass protection that rivals Jason Kelce. If Buffalo wants to run the ball and take pressure off of Josh Allen, Schmitz is the pick.
Cincinnati Bengals– Offensive Tackle Broderick Jones (Georgia)
Jones has the quickness and strength to play four out of five positions on the line (unless he learns how to snap the ball) and gave up zero sacks in 2022. Hidden behind some other NFL prospects during his first two years at Georgia, Jones does not have the experience most scouts would prefer. He balances that with elite production against SEC-level competition.
New Orleans Saints– Quarterback Hendon Hooker (Tennessee)
The Saints are hemorrhaging money and have no long-term solution at quarterback. Hooker was firmly in the Heisman conversation and a top-four quarterback prospect prior to his ACL injury. His 27 to two touchdown to interception ratio was impressive, and the sky is the limit for Hooker.
Philadelphia Eagles- Running Back Jahmyr Gibbs (Alabama)
The runners-up in the Super Bowl another weapon to their terrifying offense. Gibbs is the best pass-catching running back in the class and led Alabama in rushing yards AND receptions. Good luck to the rest of the NFC East.
Kansas City Chiefs- Edge Nolan Smith (Georgia)
Despite winning the Super Bowl, the Chiefs could not slow down the Eagles offense. Smith provides flexibility, able to either rush off the edge or move into a Will linebacker in a 4-3 scheme. The combine will be huge for Smith, as it is reported he has the speed of a corner.
Main Photo: Adam Cairns – Columbus Dispatch-USA TODAY NETWORK
