2023 Mock Draft 1.0

published on 3/27/2023


⇐ My Mock Drafts   |  View All Mocks

Round 1

Picks 1-16
1. Panthers: C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State

I honestly believe the Panthers are considering Young and Richardson here too, but I think Stroud played himself into this pick with his outstanding performance against Georgia in the CFP semifinal.


2. Texans: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama

Davis Mills isn't cutting and with Young and his elite ability to see the field available to them, Houston has to pull the trigger.


3. Cardinals: Will Anderson, DE, Alabama

Anderson has been dominant his whole career and the Cardinals need some pass rushing. Of course they could trade down, but I think this is a good fit here.


4. Colts: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida

It'll be a little different of an offense than what they have had, but they want to stop the QB carousel they've had with Rivers, Wentz, and Ryan starting the last three years. A pick this high is a good place to do that, and AR15 and JT in the backfield sounds very dangerous.


5. Seahawks: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon

Pairing Gonzalez with Woolen makes two absolute athletic freaks on the outside with incredible size. LOB part 2? Who knows?


6. Lions: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois

Witherspoon and Okudah (and Sutton in the slot) is a heck of a corner group to go with the dangerous safety room. Also, Witherspoon is a Dan Campbell type of player who is great in coverage and will lay somebody out if he has to.


7. Raiders: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky

There are definitely a lot of ways the Raiders can go with this pick, and they could pass on Levis after signing Jimmy G. I still think they grab him, have him backup a year and then see what he can do.


8. Falcons: Nolan Smith, OLB, Georgia

The leader of the Georgia defense this season and one of the top combine performers, Atlanta looks to keep the former top recruit and supreme athlete at home.


9. Bears: Paris Johnson, OT, Ohio State

For the love of the game lets protect Justin Fields a little bit. Johnson has great size, production, athleticism, and arms that go forever. This is a great pickup for a team that traded back from the first pick.


10. Eagles: Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia

Congrats Philly. After legal troubles (that Carter is off the hook for now) and a pro day he won't be writing home about, Carter drops more than he should. With the Eagles losing Javon Hargraves they get his replacement right here and continue to put a major emphasis on winning in the trenches.


11. Titans: Peter Skoronski, OT/G, Northwestern

I think Skoronski is likely a guard in the NFL, but a very good one. The Titans can try him at tackle and see if he can make it work with his short arms, but they need both tackle and guard so it really doesn't matter what position they're drafting him for, they're just drafting a good lineman.


12. Texans: Tyree Wilson, DE, Texas Tech

Wilson could end up going very high with his huge wingspan, great strength, and good athleticism. This is just another big pickup at a position with premium value for a team with quite a few needs.


13. Jets: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia

It's possible this pick gets traded for Aaron Rodgers, but I think the Jets are trying to avoid that (maybe that's the holdup). If they can keep the pick, the Jets need to focus on filling in a few gaps on the line. Jones can play either tackle spot right away.


14. Patriots: Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State

Having a long, athletic, and aggressive outside corner like Porter would really complete the defensive backfield for the Pats.


15. Packers: Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee

The Packers badly need to add to the receiving and tight end room, so that's a possibility but I'm not going to project that because they never take receivers early. I say they sure up the tackle position to ensure that Elgton Jenkins can play inside.


16. Commanders: Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland

This is a guy that could go higher than some may think. He has high potential and fills a huge need for Washington.


Picks 1-16