We are only a few days out from the 2023 NFL Draft. This year, there is more mystery than ever at the top and it is shaping up to be a wild Thursday night in Kansas City. I try my best to make sense of it all and predict the entire first round. Let’s get into it!

1. Carolina Panthers (Trade w/ Chicago) – Bryce Young QB, Alabama

The clear-cut number-one overall pick. Carolina traded up with Chicago to have their choice in this quarterback class. Outside of size, Bryce Young has all the tools to become a top-tier quarterback in the league. This move gives Frank Reich consistency at the quarterback position, something he never had while coaching in Indianapolis. 

2. Houston Texans – Tyree Wilson EDGE, Texas Tech

The Texans have made it incredibly tough to figure out where they might lean in this draft. Right now, Will Levis is the favorite to go there but they have also been linked to Will Anderson and Tyree Wilson. I pick the Texans to grab a defensive player to help DeMeco Ryans on defense. Houston can use the 12th overall pick to move back up for a quarterback or go after Trey Lance. 

3. Arizona Cardinals – Will Anderson EDGE, Alabama

If Houston doesn’t draft a quarterback, I wouldn’t be surprised if the phone line blows up for a team to move up in front of the Colts to grab a quarterback. The Cardinal’s roster is one of the worst in football and they could use all the picks they could get. For now, I have them staying put with the best player available in Will Anderson to help the defense.

4. Indianapolis Colts – C.J. Stroud QB, Alabama

The Colts luck out and C.J. Stroud falls to them at fourth overall. Indy can’t do the bandaid quarterback anymore and finally put all the chips in for their future. Stroud has the accuracy that general manager Chris Ballard and new head coach Shane Steichen want in their quarterback and is the safest pick from the rest of the quarterback group. 

5. Seattle Seahawks (Trade w/ Denver) – *TRADE WITH HOUSTON*

Houston Texans – Will Levis QB, Kentucky

Houston uses the second first-round pick to come back up and grab their quarterback of the future. Will Levis does have some flaws(pocket presence, accuracy) but makes up for it with a big arm and athleticism. He has shown flashes of what it can take to be an NFL quarterback and should start right out of the gate for Houston.

6. Detroit Lions (Trade w/ Los Angeles Rams) – Devon Witherspoon CB, Illinois

Arguably the top corner in the draft, Detroit adds to their revamped secondary and puts  Witherspoon with Cam Sutton, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, and Emmanuel Mosely. With Aidan Hutchinson upfront disrupting the passer, this secondary should be much improved from the 2022 group.

7. Las Vegas Raiders – Christian Gonzalez CB, Oregon

The Raiders have been linked to drafting a quarterback but they have already signed Jimmy Garrappolo and have so many other needs that it doesn’t make a lot of sense to get one here. Christian Gonzalez is a big corner that can fill a hole that Vegas desperately needs. The defense has been atrocious and in an AFC West with high-powered offenses, they need help stopping these teams. 

8. Atlanta Falcons *TRADE WITH TENNESSEE TITANS*

Tennessee Titans – Anthony Richardson QB, Florida

Tennessee will likely get away from Ryan Tannehill sooner rather than later and are in rebuild mode. The third-round pick in 2022 Malik Willis did not look good when he played last year, giving the Titans a need at QB for the future. Tennessee trades up to get the most polarizing quarterback in the draft. 

Anthony Richardson is not a raw prospect like Malik Willis, he is an inexperienced player. Richardson has elite speed, elite arm strength, and elite pocket presence. He lacks accuracy but I believe that can be fixed with more playing time. The Titan’s one-two punch with Anthony Richardson and Derrick Henry could be a lot of fun, even if the rest of the team isn’t that good. 

9. Chicago Bears (Trade w/ Carolina) – Paris Johnson Jr. OT, Ohio State

Chicago gets Justin Fields some protection by going offensive line with the ninth pick. I would expect Johnson to play left tackle and protect Fields’ blindside. If Jalen Carter were to fall and felt comfortable with him, I could see him being a perfect fit for Matt Eberflus’ defense but if he isn’t there, I don’t see Chicago having any other choice than drafting a lineman. I’ll play it safe here with them drafting Paris Johnson. 

10. Philadelphia Eagles (Trade w/ New Orleans) – Jalen Carter DL, Georgia

Jalen Carter would be the top defensive player in the draft if it wasn’t for the character issues. Philadelphia continues to build in the trenches and put him with a veteran-heavy team to thrive and hope the risk is worth the reward. 

11. Tennessee Titans *TRADE WITH ATLANTA FALCONS*

Atlanta Falcons – Nolan Smith EDGE, Georgia

There has been some talk about the Falcons being interested in Bijan Robinson but they are a team that has more needs than just running back. Plus, Tyler Allgeier looked good to end the year for them. 

The Falcons have needed pass-rush help for a long time and get it here with Nolan Smith. Adding him to the mix with Calais Campbell and Grady Jarrett should help the Falcons big time. The Falcons also upgraded the secondary by adding Jessie Bates and Jeff Okudah to help A.J. Terrell. Having a pass rush that can get to the quarterback will help improve Atlanta’s defense and help them compete in a weak NFC South. 

12. Houston Texans (Trade w/ Cleveland) *TRADE WITH SEATTLE SEAHAWKS*

Seattle Seahawks – Lukas Van Ness EDGE, Iowa 

Seattle trades back and adds to their defense with Lukas Van Ness on defense. He will help them significantly against the run, which is something the Seahawks did not do well against last season. He will be a good addition to a young defense that has some good young pieces in Tarlq Woolen and Quandre Diggs. 

13. Green Bay Packers (Trade w/ New York Jets) – Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Help is on the way for the new QB1 in Green Bay, Jordan Love. Jaxon Smith-Njigba would be an awesome addition to a young receiving core that includes Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs. I would predict him playing mostly in the slot, where his elite route running can carve up defenses with Doubs and Watson coming over the top. 

This pick would solidify my take that people shouldn’t write off the Packers in 2023. A good running game and a solid wide receiver core will give Jordan Love plenty to work with on offense next year. 

14. New England Patriots – Anton Harrison T, Oklahoma

 I tried my best to pick something off the wall since New England and Bill Belichick never draft someone people expect. Harrison does have some limitations as he isn’t as athletic as other linemen but makes up for it with his long arms and pocket awareness. 

15. New York Jets (Trade w/ Green Bay) – Peter Skoronski OT, Tennessee

With Aaron Rodgers coming to town, the Jets get help on the offensive line by drafting one of the more versatile linemen in the draft in Skoronski. Some teams have him at guard and others have him playing the tackle position. From what I have read, the Jets have him as a tackle. With the number of injuries New York dealt with last season, I could see Skoronski lining up either at left or right tackle and could kick in at guard if needed. Versatility is what makes Skoronski a special prospect and the Jets need help protecting their new quarterback Aaron Rodgers. 

16. Washington Commanders – Joey Porter Jr. CB Penn State

The Commanders ruin the fun of Joey Porter going to Pittsburgh and playing in his dad’s footsteps narrative here. Washington needs help in the secondary to go along with their pass rush that includes Montez Sweat and Chase Young and get it here with Joey Porter Jr. 

17. Pittsburgh Steelers – Darnell Wright OT, Tennessee

The Steelers need help on the offensive line and get it with a plug-and-play right tackle in Darnell Wright. Wright is a good prospect who played lights out all year, including shutting down Will Anderson when the Volunteers played the Crimson Tide last year.  Protecting Kenny Pickett needs to be priority number one in Pittsburgh and this draft pick helps that. 

18. Detroit Lions Calijah Kancey DT, Pitt

The Lions double-dip on defense and grab Kancey to pair up with Aidan Hutchinson on the defensive line. Kancey has been compared to Aaron Donald which is in very high regard. General manager Brad Holmes was with Donald in LA and could see the potential with this pick. This gives them a dynamic pass-rush duo and helps complete the rebuild of the defense which has been one of the worst in recent years. 

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Broderick Jones OT, Georgia

I could see Tampa going with defense here as well but they need offensive line help desperately. The offensive line held back the offense and kept Tom Brady from making one more deep run in the postseason. Jones would play left tackle and keep Tristan Wirfs on the right side of the line. Whether it is Baker Mayfield or Kyle Trask, they need to be able to stay upright and Broderick Jones helps with that. 

20. Seattle Seahawks *TRADE WITH PHILADELPHIA EAGLES*

Philadelphia Eagles – Bijan Robinson RB, Texas

The Eagles come up ten spots and get one of the blue-chip prospects in this year’s draft in Bijan Robinson. Philadelphia gets even scarier on offense with the rushing attack of Jalen Hurts, Bijan Robinson, and Rashaad Penny. Philly got close to winning it all this past season and drafting Jalen Carter and Bijan Robinson shows they are going to do everything they can to get back to the top in 2023. 

Miami Dolphins forfeited pick

21. Los Angeles Chargers – Zay Flowers WR, Boston College

The Chargers are in desperate need of some explosiveness in their wide receiver room. If Keenan Allen and Mike Williams can stay healthy, this gives Justin Herbert a good trio that he and new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore can work with. 

22. Baltimore Ravens – Deonte Banks CB, Maryland

With the Ravens signing Odell Beckham and Rashod Bateman coming back from injury, I stayed away from drafting receiver here and went defense. They draft within the state, grabbing Maryland’s Deonte Banks and pairing him with Marlon Humphrey in the secondary.

23. Minnesota Vikings *TRADE WITH BUFFALO BILLS*

Buffalo Bills – Jordan Addison WR, USC

Buffalo makes a move to come up in the draft and get help for Josh Allen. Addison is a great route runner who can line up outside or in the slot. He is another dynamic weapon for Allen and makes defenses jobs much harder by adding Addison to the wide receiver room that already has Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis. 

24. Jacksonville Jaguars – Brian Branch S, Alabama 

The Jaguars get some help in the secondary by drafting one of the hardest hitters in the draft. Branch is a physical safety who sets the tone in the back end of a defense. Furthermore, he is a perfect fit as Jaguars’ nickel on defense and gives them a much-needed boost defensively.

25. New York Giants – Quentin Johnston WR, TCU

The Giants traded for Darren Waller this offseason and add some more weapons for Daniel Jones with Quentin Johnston from TCU. He adds size and speed, two things the Giant’s offensive lacked last year. Additionally, he does have an issue with dropped catches but that can be fixed. Overall, I believe he could step right into a thin receiver room and contribute immediately. 

26. Dallas Cowboys Michael Mayer TE, Notre Dame

The best overall tight end prospect comes to Dallas to replace Dalton Schultz. Michael Mayer can line up in multiple places along the offense, he can block, and he can contribute as a receiver. The jack of all trades helps Dak Prescott as he transitions into Mike McCarthy’s offense in 2023. 

27. Buffalo Bills *TRADE WITH MINNESOTA VIKINGS*

Minnesota Vikings – Emmanuel Forbes CB, Mississippi State

The Vikings trade back to add to their five picks in this year’s draft. The Vikings need help in a lot of positions and with the run of wide receivers before them, they go defense here and grab Emmanuel Forbes. New defensive coordinator Brian Flores needs all the help he can get on that side of the ball. Having Forbes join Lewis Cine and Andrew Booth(both returning from injury) should help solidify this secondary that was horrendous in 2022. 

28. Cincinnati Bengals – Dalton Kincaid TE, Utah

Another weapon for Joe Burrow by adding arguably the top tight end, Dalton Kincaid here. Outside of Irv Smith, the Bengals are thin at tight end and add another playmaker on offense with the pass-catching tight end. An explosive tight end who can make plays after the catch, he adds more stress to anyone who tries to defend this Bengals offense. 

29. New Orleans Saints (Trade w/ San Francisco) – Myles Murphy EDGE, Clemson

Losing Marcus Davenport hurt and Cam Jordan isn’t getting any younger. Murphy slides a bit and lands in New Orleans to help Dennis Allen’s defense. 

30. Philadelphia Eagles *TRADE WITH SEATTLE SEAHAWKS*

Seattle Seahawks – O’Cyrus Torrence – IOL, Florida

Seattle keeps adding to their offensive line by grabbing massive guard O’Cyrus Torrence. In last year’s draft, Seattle hit big on Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas on the offensive line. They get more protection to let Geno Smith work by getting him some interior line help.

31. Kansas City Chiefs – Will McDonald EDGE, Iowa State

The Chiefs look to replace Frank Clark by adding McDonald to their pass rush. He is more of a speed rusher than using power but is still very disruptive. Additionally, he is solid against the run and has the tools to do some damage in the NFL. 

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