Final 2023 NFL Mock Draft by Jonah Anderson

 

2023 NFL Mock Draft-Final

 

It’s my expert’s mock draft, and boy is this year tough. I’m hearing some bad decisions are about to be made. If you’re a Texans fan, let’s hope I’m getting bad info.

 

1. Carolina Panthers (via CHI)

Bryce Young QB, Alabama

Carolina is taking a quarterback, the only question is which quarterback. If I were the Panthers GM, I wouldn’t have traded up and rolled with Matt Corral and tried to fill the other holes on my team. Young is small, but size is overrated in quarterbacks and that’s his only weakness.

2. Houston Texans

Tyree Wilson, DE, Texas Tech

Wilson still needs to develop to become a complete defensive end, but he’s got elite traits. The Texans hope he can utilize his great size, length and strength. This is way too early for him and the Texans are making a mistake. Is Bill O’ Brien back in charge?

3. Arizona Cardinals

Will Anderson, DE, Alabama

Definitely a trade possibility in this spot to get ahead of the quarterback-needy Colts. However, it’s also a nice spot for Arizona to pick up the best edge rusher in the draft so I’m going with Will Anderson. I had Jalen Carter here, and he’s still a possibility, but after more thought, Anderson is a better fit for the Cardinals.

4. Indianapolis Colts

Will Levis, QB, Kentucky

Much like Carolina, it’s almost impossible to see the Colts go anywhere but quarterback here. It’s gamble time as you either love Levis or hate him. He has the physical skills to be one of the best QBs in the league. He has to work on his accuracy and processing time. If Levis puts it together he’s a boom, if not, he’s a bust. CJ Stroud would be a much better pick here.

5. Seattle Seahawks (via DEN)

Jalen Carter, DT, Alabama

Pete Carrol always does something unexpected in the draft, but I just can’t see how he doesn’t take Carter here. He’s the perfect nose tackle for Seattle’s defense. I’ll expect to be wrong and scratching my head, but this just makes too much sense for me not to go with it.

6. Tennessee Titans (Projected Trade with Detroit)

CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State

There’s a ton of talk about the Titans wanting to move up for a quarterback and the spot before the Raiders seems like the logical one. Maybe it’s another team looking for a QB, but I think some team trades with Detroit and takes Stroud here in a steal. 

7. Las Vegas Raiders

Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida 

Mark Davis is still Al Davis’ son. He can’t resist the best Combine performance from a quarterback ever. Much like Levis, Richardson has the tools to be special. Richardson needs to solidify his footwork and stop forcing throws as well. Boom or bust.

8. Atlanta Falcons

Jaxon Smith-Njigba WR, Ohio State

This pick is a little tough. Before the trade for Okoduh, I would have probably put Christian Gonzalez here. They might be comfortable going forward with him though. Campbell and Jarrett can hold down the end spots. I’m thinking Atlanta looks to help out their young quarterback here. I’m going with the first big “surprise” in the draft and have them take Jaxon Smith-Ngijba. If he stays healthy, the Falcons are a legitimately dangerous offense.

9. Chicago Bears (via CAR)

Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State

If the Bears aren’t looking at offensive lineman and receivers early, Justin Fields should run away as fast as he can. I believe Johnson is the best offensive tackle in the draft, and he should help Fields develop further. Spoiler alert: he’s really good at throwing the ball, he just needs more than one second in the pocket.

10. Philadelphia Eagles (via NO)

Nolan Smith, DE, Georgia

The Eagles have a stud pass rusher fall to them. Nolan Smith can rotate in this year and take over for the aging Brandon Graham soon. Philadelphia has to be looking for each little piece to help them finish the job on a Super Bowl run.

11. Detroit Lions (Projected Trade with Tennessee)

Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois

The Lions move down and pick up a replacement for the departing Jeff Okudah. Witherspoon should be a nice upgrade for Detroit’s defense.

12. Houston Texans (via CLE)

Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon

The Texans blew their first pick, but Gonzalez is an excellent cornerback. With Gonzalez and Stingley, Houston may actually be able to slow down the opponent’s passing game.

13. Green Bay Packers

Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia

The Packers need to protect Jordan Love more than they need to get him a weapon to throw to. Broderick Jones should start immediately at right tackle. He can also cover the left tackle spot if David Bakhtiari can’t stay healthy. 

14. New England Patriots

Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State

Just like Pete Carroll, you can almost always expect a curveball from Bill Belichick. I think he feels good about the guard and tackle positions on the Pats offensive line. They could go Bijan Robinson, or one of the talented athletic tight ends here. However, I think they realize they need an upgrade at cornerback. Forbes is big, fast and smart. Belichick likes that. 

15. New York Jets

Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah

The Jets give Aaron Rodgers another skill player to throw to. I think Michael Mayer is a better TE, but Kincaid looks like he’ll be the first tight end off the board.

16. Washington Commanders

Joey Porter Jr. CB, Penn State

The Commanders need a cornerback, so they take Joey Porter Jr. He’s a big physical cornerback who I expect to be Washington’s number-one cornerback on opening day.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers

Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee

The Steelers offensive tackles were really bad last year. They need to protect Kenny Pickett and give Najee Harris a little bit of room. Wright is a big athletic tackle. The Steelers need help at both tackle spots, so they can start him out at right tackle if they want.

18. Detroit Lions

Lukas Van Ness, DE, Iowa

The Lions get another young pass rusher to pair with Aiden Hutchinson. It should be a dangerous combination. 

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas

I like Raachad White, but he’s untested, especially as a number-one running back. Robinson will take pressure off of Kyle Trask, or whoever the Bucs quarterback ends up being.

20. Seattle Seahawks

Peter Skoronski, OG, Northwestern

This is a perfect scenario for Seattle. They need an upgrade at guard desperately. Why do I have Skoronski so late in the draft? Because he’s a guard and this is where elite guards are taken in the first round.

21. Miami Dolphins

[Pick forfeited]

22. Los Angeles Chargers

Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame

The Chargers should draft a new coach, but since that’s not an option, they give franchise quarterback Justin Herbert a nice new weapon. Michael Mayer is the best tight end in the draft and he can take some pressure off of the receivers.

23. Baltimore Ravens

Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU

Everyone is assuming that OBJ wouldn’t have signed if he was not promised Lamar Jackson as his quarterback. Even with OBJ, the Ravens are thin at receiver and Odell probably isn’t sticking around for a long time. Johnston is a big athletic receiver and if Rashod Bateman stays healthy, the Ravens finally have a receiving corps.

24. Minnesota Vikings

Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland

The Vikings may trade down here, they traded away a lot of this year’s picks and could look to recoup. Minnesota had an awful defense last year, one of the worst. They’ve made a couple of signings, but are still desperate for help in the secondary.

25. Jacksonville Jaguars

O’Cyrus Torrence, Florida, OG

Jacksonville could use an upgrade at guard. Why not stay in state and take the Florida lineman? Torrence will help protect the future of the franchise.

26. New York Giants

Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama

The Giants have Saquon Barkley, but for how long? He hasn’t even signed his franchise tender yet. New York needs to know that he’s not sticking around for long, even if he does play for them this year. They need a replacement. As a bonus, they get to screw over the Dallas Cowboys who are looking at the running back position.

27. Dallas Cowboys

Calijah Kancey, DT, Pittsburgh

Jerry Jones narrowly misses out on a running back so he decides to improve the defensive line. The interior needs a major upgrade and Kancey would immediately be the best defensive tackle in Dallas.  

28. Buffalo Bills

Drew Sanders LB, Arkansas

Drew Sanders comes in and tries to replace the departing Termaine Edmunds. Sanders can play the middle and can also be moved outside to rush the passer. He’s big and athletic as well as versatile.

29. Cincinnati Bengals

Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma

Jonah Williams wants out and Joe Burrow wants to stay alive. Harrison is a polished pass blocker. He may be an immediate upgrade from Jonah Williams and keeping Joe Burrow healthy is obviously the key to a successful Bengals season.

30. New Orleans Saints (via DEN) 

Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson

The Saints have a lot of needs. Bresee has the flexibility to play in any position on the defensive line. He’s also an upgrade from anyone not named Cameron Jordan on the Saints’ defensive line.

31. Philadelphia Eagles

Brian Branch, S, Alabama

The Eagles get a pass rusher with their 1st pick and get an upgrade at safety with the second. Branch is the best safety in the draft and a nice pickup for Philly.

32. Kansas City Chiefs

Jordan Addison, WR, USC

Addison is actually my favorite receiver in the draft. He’s just good at everything. I have a feeling that Mahomes will be able to make Addison a star. He’ll fit in well as the reliable route runner while Skyy Moore and Kadarius Toney can be the crazy athletic receivers.