2023 First Round Mock Draft

Never let bruh cook again

With a week to go until the draft, I figured it would be fitting to drop a mock draft of what I think could happen on night one. On all trades, assume there is fair compensation for each side. The draft is almost always more chaotic than ever forecasted, and I try to show that in this article.

I also included the first pick of each team that doesn’t have a first-round pick.

With that said here is what I expect next Thursday to look like:

1. Carolina Panthers - Bryce Young QB

   I truly think Frank Reich is pounding the table to take Stroud here. However, management will win here as I think they are enamored with Young. Young canceled the rest of his pre-draft meetings which probably means he’s being told he’s going first. Young is a winner who should turn this franchise around in a few years when they surround him with a serious supporting cast.

2. Houston Texans- Tyree Wilson EDGE

   Not a quarterback? There has been too much smoke here that the Texans are content with either trading out or going with a defensive player with this pick. I’ll have them staying here taking a player in Wilson they feel can be a force on their defensive line for years to come. His combination of size and athleticism is what the Texans are banking on.

3. Houston Texans (traded from Arizona Cardinals)- Will Levis QB

   Texans again? The Texans decide they want to move back up to get the quarterback that they’ve loved in this draft process. My feeling is they have Bryce Young as their top QB and Levis as their second. They move up to secure their guy and part with some draft capital they got in the Watson deal. Levis will step in and start day 1 as a big-armed, quick-release signal-caller they hope will turn around their franchise.

4. Indianapolis Colts- CJ Stroud QB

   An absolute dream scenario here for the Colts, who decide not to move up to 3 and get the quarterback they wanted all along. Stroud has pinpoint accuracy at all levels of the field and, as displayed in the Georgia game, he can create out of the structure when he needs to. Shane Steichen gets the opportunity to develop Stroud and try to turn this team back into a playoff squad.

5. Seattle Seahawks- Anthony Richardson QB

   4 quarterbacks in 5 picks? Yes, the Seahawks just resigned Geno Smith, but it is essentially a deal they can get out of in a year. Richardson’s ceiling is sky-high as he boasts maybe the best arm and certainly the best athletic profile in the class. While I am of the belief he doesn’t need to sit for a year, Seattle could opt to sit him and allow him to develop behind Geno. It is known Seattle wanted Josh Allen and Mahomes badly and now get their project QB with all the tools in the world.

6. Detroit Lions- Will Anderson Jr. EDGE

   The Lions sprint to the board to make this pick. Edge rusher isn’t necessarily their biggest need, but they’d love nothing more than to boast the best up-and-coming pass-rushing unit in the league. Anderson produced at an elite level at Alabama and has the ability to be a double-digit sack guy from day 1. The trio of him, Aidan Hutchinson, and James Houston will be a scary one.

7. Las Vegas Raiders- Christian Gonzalez CB

   With all of the quarterbacks off the board, the Raiders decide to go with the best player available on their board (reports are Carter is off their board). Gonzalez is viewed as potentially the best corner in the class as he is such a fluid athlete for the position that can be an impactful starter on Day 1. The need is apparent here too as Duke Shelley, with all due respect to him, is currently slotted to line up opposite Nate Hobbs.

8. Atlanta Falcons- Jalen Carter IDL

   Atlanta gets the best player in the draft in my opinion to fall to them at 8. Carter gets to stay home in Georgia and collapse pockets with Grady Jarrett. With questions about off-field issues, Atlanta feels comfortable enough to take him knowing what he brings to the field. While he’s not an edge rusher, he will certainly help Atlanta’s abysmal pass rush they never seem to have.

9. Chicago Bears- Paris Johnson Jr. OT

   The Bears are torn between pass-rush and tackle and decide to go with the Ohio State product. Johnson has the frame to be one of the best tackles in the league and has all the intangibles you cannot teach. Johnson should start day 1 but may struggle at times during his rookie campaign due to some technical issues and needing more reps. The Bears hope to develop him into the left tackle for the future that will be blocking Field’s blind side for years to come.

10. Philadelphia Eagles- Peter Skoronski OT/OG

    I expect the Eagles to address the trenches with both of their first-round picks if they don’t trade back. Skoronski is viewed as the best offensive lineman prospect by most in the class, whether that would be a guard or tackle. Lane Johnson isn’t getting younger, and with the loss of Isaac Seumalo, Skoronski can slide in at guard to start his career and can move to tackle when Lane retires. Jeff Stoutland, the Eagles’ offensive line coach, is one of the best in the game and would do a great job developing him.

11. Tennessee Titans- Jaxon Smith-Njigba WR

    The Titans are still trying to recover from the AJ Brown trade. While I do like Treylon Burks, they need another weapon in order to make this offense function. With the top-2 lineman prospects in the class off the board, the Titans roll with Smith-Njigba to be their new weapon out of the slot. JSN is so good at getting open and will provide a great security blanket for Tannehill this year and elevate the floor of this offense.

12. Arizona Cardinals (Traded from Texans)- Lukas Van Ness EDGE

    The Cardinals are in a brutal position but do a nice job of gaining assets by moving out of the 3rd pick. With the defensive line looking brutal at the moment, they opt to go for Lukas Van Ness. Van Ness is a powerful edge rusher that does a good job of standing tackles up in the run game and has an effective bull rush. Jonathan Gannon will hope to develop him into a double-digit sack player as they rebuild the front seven.

13. Pittsburg Steelers (Traded from New York Jets)- Joey Porter Jr. CB

    This pick seems inevitable and the Steelers trade up to make it happen. Porter is arguably the best press-man cornerback in this class. His father is a former Steeler and they love drafting players that fit the Steeler culture. The need is very present too as they need a corner to lineup opposite Patrick Petterson. If there’s any player and team pairing I’m convinced will happen this draft it is this one.

14. New England Patriots- Anton Harrison OT

    This is very much a Belichick pick. Riley Reiff is not the long-term solution for them at right tackle, and they opt to go with a lineman who might be lower on most people’s boards in Anton Harrison like they did last year (Cole Strange). Harrison has a great size for the position and is pretty technically sound for the position. He has a solid punch and is effective in pass-pro. He still has lots of development ahead of him as he is only 21 and won’t turn 22 till his 2nd year.

15. Green Bay Packers- Michael Mayer TE

    The Packers’ tight ends on the roster are currently Josiah Deguara and Tyler Davis. With JSN off the board, the Packers select Mayer as a weapon to help Jordan Love in his first year as a starter. Mayer steps in immediately with great blocking and pass-catching ability. Recently, rookie tight ends have not been super productive in their first year in the league, but Mayer should have a chance to change that as the 2nd option behind Christian Watson.

16. Washington Commanders- Bijan Robinson RB

    The Commanders seem set on rolling with the combination of Sam Howell and Jacoby Brissett as their quarterback tandem this year. They go with Bijan who will help alleviate the pressure of carrying this offense. Bijan has 3-down back potential and will elevate the floor of this offense with his ability to move the chains.

17. New York Jets (Traded from Steelers)- Broderick Jones OT

    With Rodgers presumably coming to town, the Jets make it an emphasis to protect him while they have him. Broderick is a great run blocker who could use some refinement in the passing game. Hopefully, Mekhi Becton returns to being a starter but picking Jones ensures they will have a plan at the tackle position.

18. Detroit Lions- Devon Witherspoon CB

    The Lions recently traded former 3rd overall pick Jeff Okudah for pennies on the dollar. With a hole at the position, the Lions get another great player to fall into their laps in Witherspoon. He is a great press corner who provides good support in the run game.

19. Jacksonville Jaguars (Traded from Buccaneers)- Deonte Banks CB

    The Jaguars have one true hole on their roster at the moment and it is at cornerback. Sensing a run on cornerbacks, they make the move up with Tampa like they did last year (Devin Lloyd) and snag Banks. Banks has been shooting up boards during the pre-draft process and offers a great number 2 corner next to Tyson Campbell.

20. Seattle Seahawks- Myles Murphy EDGE

    Seattle needs to get help at edge rusher at some point in this draft. They decide to go with the athletic Murphy who produced at a nice level in college. After Brent Venables left for Oklahoma, his performance dipped a little but Seattle bets on their scheme fully unlocking what Murphy could be.

21. Los Angeles Chargers- Zay Flowers WR

    Despite the large amount of capital invested in the receiving room, the Chargers still have a need for more receivers. Insert Flowers who gives them a combination of speed and agility they sorely are lacking in. Flowers can operate as the slot receiver while Keenan Allen and Mike Williams hold down the outside.

22. Baltimore Ravens- Emmanuel Forbes CB

    The Ravens are currently lacking a number 2 corner besides Marlon Humphrey after letting Marcus Peters walk. Forbes brings an excellent combination of size and speed to the position that it was lacking last year. Forbes will be great in a scheme more reliant on zone coverage and help turn this secondary into a strength.

23. Minnesota Vikings- Quinten Johnston WR

    After watching their playoff loss to the Giants, it was clear they needed a true number 2 receiver next to Justin Jefferson. Johnston has all the tools and athletic ability in the world to become a key contributor at receiver. He has recently been projected to go later in drafts but the Vikings stop his slide as they bet on his traits and ability to develop next to one of the best receivers in the game.

24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Traded from Jaguars)- Darnell Wright OT

    After cutting Donovan Smith, the Buccaneers are desperate to find another tackle. By kicking Tristan Wirfs to left tackle, the Bucs select Wright who is strictly a right tackle. His dominant tape against Will Anderson Jr. should be enough for a team in the first to take him despite him only playing on the right side.

25. New York Giants- John Michael Schmitz IOL

    With the top corners and wideouts off the board, the Giants decide to protect their $160 million investment in Daniel Jones. John Michale Schmitz is considered the best center in the class and is a smart player as he set protections at Minnesota. Expect him to be a solid contributor from Day 1.

26. Dallas Cowboys- Nolan Smith EDGE

    The Cowboys opt to go with one of the more polarizing prospects in this draft class. Smith is one of the lightest edge defenders in the class but displayed great play strength and bend as an edge rusher. With his athletic profile and ability to drop into coverage, he would be a perfect complement to Micah Parsons on that defense.

27. Buffalo Bills- O’Cyrus Torrence IOL

    The Bills’ interior offensive line was one of the weakest units on their team last year. Enter Torrence who just dominated the SEC at guard last year for the Florida Gators. He clears lanes in the run game and is a mauler. The fact that he could’ve come out last year but transferred from Louisiana Lafayette to Florida to prove he could win against the best tells you a lot about the player he is.

28. Cincinnati Bengals- Dalton Kincaid TE

    I am not moved by the addition of Irv Smith Jr. Kincaid is an amazing pass-catching tight end who has incredible upside. He is a terrific route runner who consistently gets open with great hands. He is a willing blocker too. He would make this offense even more prolific.

29. New Orleans Saints - Calijah Kancey IDL

    The Saints look to replace their losses on the defensive line from free agency with Kancey. He has elite pass-rushing chops but is on the smaller side for the interior defensive line. He would be a fun player to see rush off the edge but should be a useful piece on 3rd downs at the bare minimum to help collapse pockets.

30. Las Vegas Raiders (traded from Philadelphia Eagles)- Hendon Hooker QB

    I have seen too much smoke of Hooker going in the first round. Las Vegas, needing some sort of way to excite the franchise, trades back into the first round with the Eagles to get someone they hope to be their franchise guy. Hooker is an accurate and mobile quarterback who played extremely well operating within Tennessee’s system. Playing behind Jimmy Garoppolo allows him more time to recover from his ACL injury.

31. Kansas City Chiefs- Dawand Jones OT

    I think the move off of Orlando Brown Jr. and the signing of Jawaan Taylor was a smart bet by the Chiefs. With Taylor most likely switching to left tackle, Jones would come in and be a plug-and-play starter for the Chiefs. He is great in the run game and showed he can handle speed rushers despite his size. I expect the Chiefs to address the trenches here and Jones would solidify their line for the next year.

Teams without a first-round pick:

Los Angeles Rams (pick 36) - Kelee Ringo CB

The Rams parted with Jalen Ramsey this offseason for pennies on the dollar. Ringo would come in and have big shoes to fill in the spot Ramsey left behind. Ringo is a great athlete who projects well as a nice cover 3 corner who will keep everything underneath and limit big plays.

Miami Dolphins (pick 51) - Cody Mauch IOL

Tua’s health should be of the utmost importance as they were a different team with him off the field. Mauch has positional versatility and could compete for any one of the starting interior spots in camp. Even if he doesn’t start, he is great depth for a unit that wasn’t a strength for the Dolphins last year.

Denver Broncos (pick 67) - Keanu Benton IDL

The Broncos decided to focus more on offense during free agency than keep their defense together. After losing Dre’mont Jones to the Seahawks, they decide to bring in Benton to fortify their interior defensive line. Adding him to a pass-rushing group of Zach Allen, Randy Gregory, and Baron Browning makes for a nice unit.

Cleveland Browns (pick 74) - Daiyan Henley LB

Besides Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, the Browns’ off-ball linebacker core is full of replacement-level players. Hanley is an older and undersized prospect out of Washington State, but he plays with his hair on fire. He is extremely physical at the point of attack with linemen and does a great job of finishing tackles. He displayed some nice pass-rushing ability as well. He just started learning the position a few years ago so he should have some more room for growth.

San Fransico 49ers (pick 99) - Blake Freeland OT

The 49ers lost Mike McGlinchey to the Broncos this past off-season. While his performance for them was fine, they need to have a plan to replace him. Freeland is one of the best athletes in the class and will take some time to develop. With proper coaching and getting to go against that defensive line in practice every day, he can develop into a starter at right tackle during his career.

Thank you all very much for reading and supporting my work during this draft season. I am very thankful for your willingness to take time out of your day to read what I have to say about players. Quarterback scouting reports will be out next week as we are only a week away!