2023 Mock Draft: Mid-Season Edition

Now that we are halfway through the 2022-23 NFL season, it is time to look at what your team needs going forward. The draft order that I used is from Tankathon.com. Finally, I should note that this is a GM edition of a mock draft. This means all the picks below are picks that I would make and not what I think will happen. Now that everything is covered, let’s get into the 2023 Mid-Season Mock Draft.

1. Houston Texans – C.J. Stroud (Ohio St. QB)

Well, it is safe to say that the Davis Mills experiment is over in Houston. With the 1^st overall pick, they are in the perfect position to find their new franchise QB. C.J. Stroud is the perfect start to an offensive remodel. As mentioned in my scouting report on Stroud, he has great accuracy, arm strength, and athleticism. But he is more than gifted physically, he is very good at reading opposing defenses before the snap and during the play.

2. Las Vegas Raiders – Jalen Carter (Georgia DT)

There are many questions surrounding the Raiders this season. Many people believe that they need to move on from Carr, but I don’t believe that to be the case. The Raiders need to solidify the middle of that defensive line to help with the run game. Jalen Carter has been one of the best players on Georgia’s defense over the past few years. Adding him to the Raiders would be a match made in heaven for both of them.

3. Carolina Panthers – Bryce Young (Alabama QB)

It is time for the Carolina Panthers to hit the reset button. Like C.J. Stroud, Bryce Young is the perfect player to start that transition. Although Young has a smaller frame, he has great mobility, accuracy, and arm strength. These three strengths allow him to mold into any offense that drafts him. Then draft some players to put around Young in this draft and in the following draft as well.

4. Philadelphia Eagles (via Saints) – Will Anderson Jr. (Alabama EDGE)

The Philadelphia Eagles have undoubtedly been the best team in the NFL this year. If they end up having a top-five pick this year as well from the Saints, they will be unstoppable next year. Will Anderson Jr. is arguably the best player in the draft and is shocking to see him fall this far. Anderson Jr. has tremendous explosion off the edge and is very good at putting pressure on the opposing QB.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars – Peter Skoronski (Northwestern OT)

One of the biggest problems for the Jaguars this season has been Trevor Lawrence not having time in the pocket. Adding Skoronski would immediately have an impact. Skoronksi is a tremendous pass blocker who has very good quickness and hand placement. He is also a solid run blocker as well because he has a strong lower body that can steer defenders away.

6. Chicago Bears – Quentin Johnston (TCU WR)

This pick may be a little shocking to see because the Bears did just add Chase Claypool to their roster. But I think that adding Quentin Johnston would be a big help to Justin Fields and that offense. Johnston stands at 6’4” and is a very dangerous vertical threat. Pairing him with Claypool and Mooney would give them a very dangerous wide receiver room.

7. Seattle Seahawks (via Broncos) – Tyree Wilson (Texas Tech EDGE)

At the beginning of the season, I would have never expected that Geno Smith would have performed this well. Although I don’t believe he is the answer, I see no point in drafting a QB at this pick. Tyree Wilson would be a great addition to the Seahawks because he is a powerful and technically gifted EDGE rusher. He will be able to fill in as an outside linebacker or as a 4-3 defensive end. By adding Wilson to the defensive line, they will see an immediate improvement against the run game.

8. Detroit Lions – Myles Murphy (Clemson EDGE)

The Detroit Lions have one of the worst defenses that I have seen in a long time. Picking up Myles Murphy with this pick and lining him up opposite of Hutchinson would be very entertaining to watch. Murphy has tremendous size and strength that make him very difficult to stop. His speed is also something that should not be overlooked. He has proven that he can fake to the inside and swim around the tackle for easy pocket penetration.

9. Houston Texans (via Browns) – Bryan Bresee (Clemson DT)

The Houston Texans are in a position where they need to draft the best player available with almost every pick. Since they are drafting their franchise QB with the first pick, they should look toward defense here. Bryan Bresee has incredible speed for his size, allowing him to stunt and twist around linemen with ease. He also has solid speed when pursuing the QB in motion, which will allow him to get loads of pressures.

10. Pittsburgh Steelers – Paris Johnson Jr. (Ohio St. OT)

Now that the Kenny Pickett era has started in Pittsburgh, it is time to improve his protection. Paris Johnson Jr. is a very versatile offensive lineman who can play tackle or guard. He would do a good job at tackle because he has a quick kick which allows him to neutralize speed rushers. He also has a strong lower body that can drop the anchor against the bull rush.

11. Detroit Lions (via Rams) – Joey Porter Jr. (Penn St. CB)

Although Will Levis may be tempting with this pick, the Lions still need to focus on their defense. By adding Myles Murphy with the 8^th pick, the front seven has already gotten better. Adding Joey Porter Jr. would give their secondary loads of help. So far this season, he has allowed 13 receptions for 123 yards when in coverage. He is incredible when lined up in press-man coverage. He does a good job at jamming the receiver at the line of scrimmage and forcing them off their route.

12. Atlanta Falcons – Jordan Addison (USC WR)

After trading away Calvin Ridley to the Jaguars, I like to think the Falcons are focusing on offense again. Addison is a tremendous route runner who has very quick feet and can force opposing DBs off balance. He has a double move that can shift a DB’s hips very easily and Addison can take off in the other direction. His hands at the catch point are also very impressive because he can hold onto the ball through contact.

13. Arizona Cardinals – Cam Smith (South Carolina CB)

Personally, I believe that the Cardinals’ biggest weakness on defense is their line. But I feel like Cam Smith falling to you at pick 13 is a gift. Smith is a tremendous athlete who plays with lots of speed and aggression. He has quick feet and hips which allow him to adjust to any route that he is defending. He is also a hard hitter as well and tends to knock the ball out on those hard hits.

14. Green Bay Packers – Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Ohio St. WR)

The Packers need to draft a wide receiver in the first round this year. If this season isn’t enough proof that it is time to rebuild the offense, I don’t know what is. Aaron Rodgers is looking the worst he ever has this season and it is partially due to his receiving corp. Adding Jaxon Smith-Njigba would make the Packers’ receiver room dangerous in a few years. If everyone can stay healthy, Watson, Doubs, and Smith-Njigba would have lots of potential to be great.

15. Indianapolis Colts – Will Levis (Kentucky QB)

The Colts have made it very clear that they are bad at acquiring good QBs in Free Agency. So, I believe it is time to test their luck at drafting a rookie in the first round. Levis is a tremendous pocket passer with a strong arm and elite accuracy. Although he is primarily a pocket passer, Levis will not hesitate to extend plays with his feet. This makes him versatile in the fact that the defense will be forced to respect his run game. He will also enter the league with a developed WR group as well as have Jonathan Taylor in the backfield.

16. Washington Commanders – Trenton Simpson (Clemson LB)

This pick would be the perfect scenario for the Washington Commanders because they need a better linebacker corp. As I mentioned in my scouting report on Trenton Simpson, he can do about everything you ask of him. He is an elite athlete who is very good in zone coverage and can line up on the outside to rush the passer.

17. Los Angeles Chargers – Olumuyiwa Fashanu (Penn St. OT)

Now that the Chargers have a proven franchise quarterback, it is time to get him even more protection. They have drafted two offensive linemen in the past two drafts in the first round, it is time to add a third. Adding Olumuyima Fashanu would have an instant impact on their pass and run blocking. Fashanu is a very strong tackle with good technique that allows him to get his hands and feet in the right position.

18. Cincinnati Bengals – Michael Mayer (Notre Dame TE)

The Cincinnati Bengals have proven over the past few seasons that they are a top offense in the NFL. But they will need help at the tight end position if Hayden Hurst doesn’t resign in the off-season. Michael Mayer is an incredible route runner who does a good job of using his physicality during routes. He has strong hands that can hold onto the ball through contact. He is also a solid blocker who uses his strong lower body to run over defenders.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Isaiah Foskey (Notre Dame EDGE)

The Buccaneers do not know what the future holds at the QB position. But I would still focus on defense with this pick. Isaiah Foskey is very explosive off the snap which allows him to get around the edge quickly and pressure the QB. Foskey is the ideal size for an EDGE rusher in the NFL, he stands at 6’5” and weighs 265 lbs. His size also allows him to bullrush the tackle and force them to drop the anchor. Then he can use his swim move to get around the tackle and sack the QB.

20. Denver Broncos (via 49ers) – Nolan Smith (Georgia EDGE)

Nolan Smith has been one of the most effective players on Georgia’s defense over the past few years. Smith is very good at shedding blocks and getting into the backfield when lined up as an OLB. He has a strong upper body that allows him to overpower the opposing offensive lineman and penetrate the backfield. This allows him to have an impact at rushing the passer and stuffing the run.

21. New England Patriots – Clark Phillips III (Utah CB)

Although the Patriots hit a home run by drafting Jack Jones, I think their secondary could use a little more help. Adding another explosive athlete in Phillips III would help their secondary tremendously. Phillips III is an explosive player who is very natural at gaining leverage on a receiver. He is very good at staying with the receiver throughout their route and mirroring any movement they make.

22. Seattle Seahawks – Noah Sewell (Oregon LB)

As I mentioned earlier, the Seattle Seahawks have been shockingly good this season. Noah Sewell is a very good zone coverage inside linebacker. Lining Sewell next to Jordyn Brooks will improve their front seven tremendously. Sewell is also a solid run stopper in the A and B gaps. He has good speed and instincts that allow him to penetrate the offensive line and make a stop.

23. New York Jets – Broderick Jones (Georgia OT)

Since Mekhi Becton has proven that he is not able to remain healthy, it is time to get Zach Wilson some more protection. Broderick Jones stands at 6’4” and weighs 310 lbs. but is very quick for a tackle of his size. He has amazing lateral agility that allows him to defend against any stunt that the defense pulls. Jones also has solid hand placement in pass-blocking schemes. This often leads to him neutralizing defenders of any size.

24. Buffalo Bills – Kelee Ringo (Georgia CB)

The Buffalo Bills have a solid secondary, but I think they need to add one more solid corner. Adding Kelee Ringo would help make their defense a lot more respectable down the road. Ringo is very talented in press-man coverage. He does a good job of forcing receivers off their route stem by jamming them at the line of scrimmage. His elite speed allows him to be an elite defender against deep throws.

25. Baltimore Ravens – Felix Anudike-Uzomah (Kansas St. EDGE)

The Ravens’ defensive line have struggled so far this season. With Calais Campbell and Jason Pierre-Paul nearing retirement, it is time to move on. Felix Anudike-Uzomah is one of my favorite speed rushers in this draft class. He has a very good swim move that allows him to get around the tackle and get to the QB.

26. Tennessee Titans – Jared Verse (Florida St. EDGE)

With all the top offensive tackles taken, the Titans should focus on the other side of the line. Jared Verse plays with a lot of passion and aggression which makes the physical aspects of his game better. Off the snap, Verse has a very quick step that allows him to engage in contact first. This forces the lineman onto his heels and when that happens, it is game over. He also has good enough strength to drive the lineman back toward the QB and apply pressure.

27. Dallas Cowboys – Bijan Robinson (Texas RB)

There are many reasons why I believe that this would be a very good pick for the Cowboys. Tony Pollard is set to hit free agency at the end of the season. If he decides to go elsewhere, Bijan Robinson would be a perfect replacement. Robinson has tremendous patience and elusiveness that allows him to find a gap in the line and take off down the field. Eventually, when Ezekiel Elliot’s contract is up, Robinson would easily take the transition to RB1.

28. New York Giants – Devon Witherspoon (Illinois CB)

The Giants have opened a lot of eyes this season with how good they have looked. But there has been one weakness that has stood out throughout the season, and that weakness is their secondary. Devon Witherspoon is arguably the best cover corner in the nation right now. When watching him play, he plays a lot of soft-man coverage. He has quick and flexible hips that allow him to change direction quickly when the receiver breaks. I have also not seen too many corners that are as consistent as he is. In every game, he does a good job of locking down the receiver regardless of who it is.

29. Miami Dolphins – Pick Forfeited

30. Minnesota Vikings – Christian Gonzalez (Oregon CB)

The Minnesota Vikings have shown so far this season that they are true Super Bowl contenders. One reason why I believe that they will fall short is because of their secondary. Christian Gonzalez could enter Minnesota as a day-one starter and make an instant impact. Gonzalez is incredible in both press and soft-man coverage. He also has good instincts when predicting what a receiver is going to do. This allows him to gain leverage on the receiver and force the QB to look elsewhere.

31. Kansas City Chiefs – Andre Carter II (Army EDGE)

Although the Chiefs’ defensive line has looked solid so far this season, they can do better. Carter II is still a raw prospect in the fact that he needs to improve his technique. But his size and frame are what make him an interesting prospect. Carter II stands in at 6’7” with an 80” wingspan which allows him to steer offensive linemen easily.

32. Philadelphia Eagles – Kayshon Boutte (LSU WR)

Although the Eagles’ offense has been one of the best in the NFL this season, I think they should add one more receiver. Kayshon Boutte was arguably the best receiver in the nation coming into this year. Unfortunately for him, he has been very inconsistent which has led to him falling down boards. But his upside is something you should not overlook; he has tremendous speed in the middle of the field. This makes him a dangerous slot receiver in the NFL that could terrorize many defenses.

2023 Mid-Season Mock Draft Analyst – Matthew Lewis