The NFL Playoffs began this weekend and the games were amazing. We had a few shocking outcomes like the Jacksonville Jaguars defeating the Los Angeles Chargers and the Dallas Cowboys steamrolling the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The 49ers’ defense came to play and with the help of Mr. Irrelevant, Brock Purdy and San Francisco are heading to the Divisional round vs the Dallas Cowboys. As most expected, the Buffalo Bills defeated the Dolphins but Miami kept it close. Daniel Jones made NFL History by becoming the first player ever to have 300+ pass yards, 2+ passing touchdowns, and 70+ rush yards in a postseason game.

Daniel Jones and his historic performance led the New York Giants to a win against the Minnesota Vikings. The Cincinnati Bengals escaped with a win over the Baltimore Ravens, and some would say if Lamar Jackson played, Baltimore would be advancing instead.

Mock 3.0 will consist of trades as rumors are starting to swirl. Remember, this is one man’s opinion on what might happen this year so take it easy if some trades might not make sense. I hope you all enjoy this week’s 2023 NFL Mock Draft 3.0.

New – Mock Draft 4.0

1.) Indianapolis Colts (PROJECTED TRADE via CHI): Will Levis QB, Kentucky

Colts receive: Pick No.1
Bears receive: Picks No.4, No.35, 2024 1st,and WR Michael Pittman Jr.

As most know, Will Levis is not well-liked on social media. However, a lot of scouts see a Franchise quarterback. Rumors began this week by stating the Colts are looking hard at this year’s quarterback class. Colts’ General Manager, Chris Ballard confirmed that Indianapolis would do what it takes to land a top quarterback.

However, it would only happen if they liked a guy enough. This tells me, the Colts would have to trade up in front of their division-rival Texans, who have the second overall pick. The Bears are either going to want a lot of picks or a superstar-caliber player alongside an extra first and second-rounder.

Why would the Colts do this? They’re going to have to if they want to jump the Texans. I promise you, that will Levis will be in talks to be the first pick within the last few weeks leading up to the NFL Draft. To me, the Colts will have to give up this much, this also shows the Colts are all in on a quarterback and shows the fans that they’re fine with trading away a potential weapon for Levis to land their future.

2.) Houston Texans: Bryce Young QB, Alabama

Smoke happens all the time when draft season arrives and it will happen again this year. Somehow the Texans will be linked to Kentucky’s Will Levis, which will then put the Colts in a tough situation to overpay for the first overall pick. In the end, Houston ends up getting the guy they wanted all along.

3.) Arizona Cardinals: Jalen Carter IDL, Georgia

In this hopefully short rebuild, the Cardinals need to select the best player for their team. There are two options, Alabama’s Will Anderson and Georgia’s Jalen Carter. In the end, I believe Jalen Carter is a better fit for Cardinals’ new General Manager Monti Ossenfort. The former Titans’ Director of player personnel will love a Jeffrey Simmons-type player.

4.) Chicago Bears (PROJECTED TRADE via IND): Will Anderson EDGE, Alabama

A potential defensive line consisting of Daron Payne, if he hits free agency, and Will Anderson will dominate the NFC North. The Bears’ history of having a ferocious defense will start once again with this draft selection. If the Bears don’t land Daron Payne in free agency, be aware of the Colts adding IDL DeForest Buckner in the trade for the first pick.

5.) Seattle Seahawks (via DEN): Myles Murphy EDGE, Clemson

No change here, Myles Murphy, if he’s still on the board, is a perfect fit for the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle needs to add a pass rusher to have any shot at getting to the quarterbacks within the NFC West.

6.) Tennessee Titans (PROJECTED TRADE via DET): C.J. Stroud QB, Ohio State

Titans receive: Pick No.6 
Lions receive: Picks No. 11, No.73, and a 2024 1st

The Titans are in desperate need of blowing up their team. They missed their chance on winning it all. With some questionable signings of Bud Dupree and Janoris Jenkins in recent years, the terms of the deals set the Titans back. The trade of A.J. Brown set the offense back as well.

Ryan Tannehill can be the guy to help mentor Stroud to be the future of the Titans’ organization. This gives the Titans an opportunity to take a year to gather much-needed cap space and build through the draft.

7.) Las Vegas Raiders: Quentin Johnston WR, TCU

Tom Brady to the Raiders anyone? That’s the idea behind this pick. Las Vegas needs another wide receiver to give Brady what he had in Tampa Bay with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. An offense of Brady, Davante Adams, Quentin Johnston, and Darren Waller will give Brady the weapons to succeed.

8.) Baltimore Ravens (PROJECTED TRADE via ATL): Anthony Richardson QB, Florida

Ravens receive: Picks No.8, No.45, 2024 1st, 2024 2nd, and a 2025 2nd
Falcons receive: QB Lamar Jackson and a 2024 5th

I’m not sure what’s going on in Baltimore but John Harbaugh might need to take a year away from the NFL if he loses Lamar Jackson. Anthony Richardson has the potential of being a top-ten pick. In this deal, the Falcons give up a haul for the superstar quarterback and the Ravens get a similar player.

A potential change of coaching will ultimately decide how well Richardson succeeds.

9.) Carolina Panthers: Bijan Robinson HB, Texas

The Panthers lost all hope when Jim Harbaugh decided to return to Michigan this week. With the top four quarterbacks going before the Panthers’ pick, they select another running back in the top ten.

Christian McCaffrey was selected eighth overall back in 2017 so I wouldn’t be shocked to see Carolina go this route again. With this selection, I’m giving the starting job to Matt Corral and seeing if he can rejuvenate this Panthers organization.

10.) Philadelphia Eagles (via NO): Christian Gonzalez CB, Oregon

The Eagles might have the best roster in the NFL, however, James Bradberry was signed to a one-year deal this offseason. I think he’s going to want to get paid. This gives the Eagles a chance to select one of the top corners in the draft. Gonzalez fits the defensive scheme of the Eagles as he’s a great man-to-man corner and has great instincts.

11.) Detroit Lions (PROJECTED TRADE via TEN): Michael Mayer TE, Notre Dame

The trade with the Titans gives the Lions the ability to gain more picks and add another weapon for Jared Goff. The Lions use their tight end a lot in their offense. Michael Mayer is built for this offense, and after the trade of T.J. Hockenson, Detroit can select Mayer without any issues.

12.) Houston Texans (via CLE): Peter Skoronski OT, Northwestern

Houston lands the top quarterback and also the top offensive lineman in the draft all within the first half of the first round. The smartest thing to do is to protect Bryce Young instead of adding a weapon this year. Select Young a weapon later in the draft because you won’t find the most NFL-ready offensive lineman later in the draft. This gives Young more protection and Dameon Pierce a person to help create holes to run through.

13.) New York Jets: Tyree Wilson EDGE, Texas Tech

Wilson falls out of the top ten and the Jets get another steal of a draft selection for the second year in a row. Jermaine Johnson and Tyree Wilson could be a future top-five pass-rushing duo in the league if schemed correctly.

14.) New England Patriots: Broderick Jones OT, Georgia

Isaiah Wynn has never played an entire season and he’s been in the league for four years now. With Wynn being a free agent this offseason, I don’t see the Patriots bringing him back. Knowing this, the Patriots would be in desperate need of an offensive tackle. Jones, who many believe might be the best one in the draft, makes the most sense here.

15.) Green Bay Packers: Jaxon Smith-Njigba WR, Ohio State

Aaron Rodgers is returning, at least I believe he is. Rodgers is going to want another weapon. Christian Watson, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Romeo Doubs would make Aaron Rodgers very happy. Happy Aaron means happy Packers.

16.) Washington Commanders: O’Cyrus Torrence IOL, Florida

Washington announced that Sam Howell would be their starting quarterback in 2023, as he should. Howell was lights out for the Commanders when they gave him a shot. With two guards hitting free agency this year, Washington is in need of an offensive line. If the Commanders want to give Howell a real shot, they will add a guard to protect the quarterback project.

17.) Pittsburgh Steelers: Joey Porter Jr. CB, Penn State

How cool would this be? Joey Porter Jr. was drafted by the same team that drafted his father. Not only is Porter Jr. a great player, but he’s also a huge position of need for the Steelers.

18.) Detroit Lions: Brian Branch CB/SAF, Alabama

Branch would be a great addition to the Lions. Not only can he line up in the box on disguise blitzes to help Aidan Hutchinson get more interceptions (haha), but he can line up man-to-man on any receiver. He’s a match made in heaven for Lions’ General Manager, Brad Holmes.

19.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Cam Smith CB, South Carolina

Tampa Bay might be one of the worst teams in the NFL in 2023. With two corners set to hit free agency, alongside the news on Tom Brady potentially leaving, this is the best decision for the Buccaneers.

20.) Seattle Seahawks: Bryan Bresee IDL, Clemson

Seattle pairing Myles Murphy with college teammate, Bryan Bresee would be cool to see. Not only is IDL a need, but it helps establish change for the Seahawks and their fans as neither pick would be a reach in the draft.

21.) Miami Dolphins: Forfeited Due to Tampering

22.) Los Angeles Chargers: Jordan Addison WR, USC

It looks like Brandon Staley will be back in LA next year. If Staley was fired, Sean Payton would be the selection here. As you can see, the Chargers probably have the second-best roster in the NFL. Adding a wide receiver gives Justin Herbert another weapon to throw to.

23.) Baltimore Ravens: B.J. Ojulari EDGE, LSU

This mock had Lamar Jackson being traded to the Falcons. Baltimore ends up drafting Florida’s Anthony Richardson while gaining future picks. The Ravens could go various routes here: cornerback, wide receiver, or pass rusher.

Ojulari is a favorite of mine and I think passing on Ojulari would be a mistake here. You don’t need to go wide receiver as Lamar is now gone, build the defense up to get after Joe Burrow, Deshaun Watson, and Kenny Pickett. This gives Baltimore a chance to add weapons throughout the remainder of the draft.

24.) Minnesota Vikings: Clark Phillips CB, Utah

The Vikings need help in the secondary badly. Watching the Giants’ fourth-string wide receivers cooking the Vikings’ secondary proved that to me. Clark Phillips is an aggressive player who can be Minnesota’s starting slot for the next decade.

25.) Jacksonville Jaguars: Josh Downs WR, North Carolina

With the top 3 corners off the board, Jacksonville adds another weapon for Trevor Lawrence. Josh Downs, Calvin Ridley, Christian Kirk,  Zay Jones, and Evan Engram would give the franchise quarterback a plethora of options to throw to. Nobody knows how good Calvin Ridley will be after his year-long suspension. This gives insurance in case he’s not what he once was.

26.) New York Giants: Devon Witherspoon CB, Illinois

The Giants made it to the playoffs without any big named targets for Daniel Jones. However, that’s not their biggest need. Adoree’ Jackson had issues this season with staying healthy, and even if Jackson does stay healthy, the Giants don’t have a great corner to pair with Adoree’. Witherspoon could be a top-15 pick come draft night, but right now, I have him being picked in the mid-20s.

27.) Dallas Cowboys: Andrew Vorhees IOL, USC

This selection just makes sense, Dallas is in need of a guard, and USC’s Andrew Vorhees is the top one available. Selecting Tulsa offensive tackle, Tyler Smith in 2022 and now USC guard, Andrew Vorhees gives Dallas flexibility for the next few years until Tyron Smith and Zack Martin decide to hand it up.

28.) Kansas City Chiefs (PROJECTED TRADE via CIN) : Darnell Wright OT, Tennessee

Chiefs receive: Pick No.28
Bengals receive: Picks No.31, and No.95

The Bengals trade back a few spots and gain an extra third-rounder in this year’s draft. They have a few holes so it makes sense for them to trade down while gaining an extra pick. The Chiefs could be losing Orlando Brown in Free Agency and this gives them insurance on that potential hole.

29.) New Orleans Saints (PROJECTED TRADE via DEN): Jahmyr Gibbs HB, Alabama

Saints receive: Picks No.29 and No.69
Broncos receive: HC Sean Payton

There’s no doubt in my mind that Sean Payton will be back in 2023. I would’ve loved to see him in Los Angeles with Justin Herbert but Payton with  Russell Wilson isn’t that bad either. With question marks surrounding Alvin Kamara’s status with New Orleans, the Saints draft his replacement and could look to shop Kamara if needed.

30.) Buffalo Bills: Antonio Johnson SAF, Texas A&M

With Jahmyr Gibbs off the board, the Bills select a position of need. Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer have been a fantastic duo over the past few years. However, they’re getting to the age where drafting a replacement isn’t a bad idea if they’re still on the team. That’s what this selection is.

31.) Cincinnati Bengals (PROJECTED TRADE via KC): Darnell Washington TE, Georgia

The Bengals aren’t able to land Michael Mayer but they are in desperate need of an offensive tackle and a tight end. Darnell Washington can potentially be both in one draft pick. Washington stood out in the National Championship game as his speed and blocking ability was showcased around the world.

32.) Philadelphia Eagles: Nolan Smith EDGE, Georgia

Philadelphia fills two holes in the first round with the selections of Oregon cornerback, Christian Gonzalez and now Georgia pass rusher, Nolan Smith. Nolan Smith pairing up with former Georgia teammate Jordan Davis is a tremendous fit for the Eagles. The best pass-rushing defense in the NFL gets even better.

New – Mock Draft 4.0

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• 2023 Class Preview
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