Last Minute 2023 NFL Mock Draft

We are two days away from the 2023 NFL Draft and I can safely say that nobody has a clue what is going on past pick number one. Needless to say, it has been utter chaos. For this mock draft, I’ve done the first round and included several potential trades. Overall, this is my attempt at trying to be as accurate as I can be. This is not a reflection of necessarily what I would do if I was the general manager, but what I truly think will happen.

After creating more than 50 mock drafts and running every idea through my head this is what my chaos looks like. Continue reading for my 2023 NFL Mock Draft.

1) Carolina Panthers (via CHI) – Bryce Young, QB, Alabama

There is no secret here. At the time of writing this Young is currently at -1400 odds in Las Vegas to go number one. He has everything you need in a franchise quarterback. His ability to process information quickly on the field is in my opinion the best we have seen since Peyton Manning at Tennessee. Furthermore, he is masterful at feeling when there is pressure and always seems to make the correct play. If Young was 6’3 220 pounds we would be talking about him like we did Trevor Lawrence, Andrew Luck, Peyton Manning, and John Elway. All in all, he is that type of player on the field.

2) Houston Texans – Will Anderson, EDGE, Alabama

There are a lot of rumors about taking a quarterback here. I don’t think it is a good idea when you have a first-time head coach to throw a rookie in that environment with the lack of talent they have on that offense. I think this is the smart move and the right move. You take Anderson who is quite simply one of the most productive defensive players in NCAA history. He has been the best defensive player in college football since he stepped on the field in 2020.

3) Las Vegas Raiders (PROJECTED TRADE via ARI) – CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State

Raiders get: Pick #3

Cardinals get: Picks #7 & #38

I picture Stroud on the back of a Raiders jersey and it just looks right to me. It belongs. Head coach Josh Mcdaniels’ job is on the line. He cannot go into the year depending on Jimmy Garapollo to save his job. Garapollo has played a full season just one time in the last six years. In the end, he is a bridge quarterback. Stroud makes a ton of sense here. He instantly gets a First Team All-Pro running back in Josh Jacobs and one of the best wide receivers in the game Davante Adams. All in all, not a bad way to start your career.

4) Indianapolis Colts – Will Levis, QB, Kentucky

Levis is the most polarizing player in the draft. The community doesn’t like him but the NFL seems to love the guy. His tape last year was almost as disastrous as the team around him. He was under constant pressure behind one of the worst offensive lines in college football. He had very little help with the talent around him. He was in a system that wasn’t conducive to putting up big numbers in college. He had a lot going against him. I think it will ultimately come down to how hard he is willing to work because the traits are there to be successful. The Colts have to take a quarterback and the rumors point towards Levis.

5) Seattle Seahawks (via DEN) – Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech

Seattle needs help on the defensive line. Wilson is my number-one edge defender in this class. He is a 6’5 and 271 pound monster with an 84.5” wingspan. His wingspan is as long as Giannis Antetokounmpo’s. Let that sink in. Wilson needs refinement even as a fifth-year senior. He needs to develop some more pass rush moves and despite having long arms he doesn’t get a lot of batted balls. However, he has the size, length, and athleticism to be an elite pass rusher in the NFL. You cannot teach what he possesses.

6) Detroit Lions (via LAR) – Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois

Detroit needs corner help badly. Jeff Okudah was a huge bust and leaves a massive hole in an already talent-depleted secondary. Devon Witherspoon is one of the best corners in this draft and is my number one corner on the board. Despite being only 180 pounds, he was an absolute animal in press coverage last season allowing only one catch all year. He also allowed only one reception of 20 or more yards his entire senior year.

Furthermore, Witherspoon can line up in the slot or on the outside. I could see them going defensive line here in the form of Jalen Carter because they do have another pick in the middle of this round and could address the cornerback position at pick 18 instead. Witherspoon is the best corner and fills the biggest need they have so we are going to stick with him at pick number six.

7) Arizona Cardinals (PROJECTED TRADE via LV) – Paris Johnson, LT, Ohio State

Rumors are circling that Kyler Murray wants Paris Johnson and Arizona could definitely use help on the offensive line. Johnson is your prototypical franchise left tackle. He is 6’6 and 313 pounds with 36” arms and is a great athlete at the position. Additionally, he only has one season of playing tackle but showed he was more than capable of protecting CJ Stroud’s blindside. He could also move into right guard where he played 13 games in 2021. He should provide much-needed protection for Kyler Murray for years to come.

8) Atlanta Falcons – Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas

Here it is, the fantasy football dream pick. Top ten draft capital, in a run-heavy scheme. Move over Tyler Allgeier, Bijan is in town. This guy is just amazing. His jump cuts are a thing of beauty. He is a fantastic receiver who can also line up in the slot if you want him to. He has everything. He truly is the type of talent that falls in line with guys like Saquon Barkley, Adrian Peterson, and Reggie Bush as prospects. He is just special. Tyler Allgeier is nice but do not think for a moment that a 5th round pick is going to be a reason why Atlanta passes on this guy.

9) Chicago Bears (via CAR) – Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia

This makes the most sense. Bears need help everywhere and should be willing to take the risk on this guy. Matt Eberflus’ defense works best with a great 3-technique and that is exactly what Carter is. He is one of the three or four blue-chip prospects in this draft class. This is a dream scenario for Chicago.

10) Minnesota Vikings (PROJECTED TRADE via PHI) – Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida

Eagles get: Pick #23, a 2024 1^st, and Dalvin Cook

Vikings get: Pick #10

We have to make this happen. It is the perfect situation for Anthony Richardson. He gets to sit behind one of the most accurate quarterbacks in NFL history for a year. Additionally, he gets the best receiver in the league, a top-five tight end, two franchise tackles, and he gets a head coach who was a qaurterback in the NFL. Furthermore, he will be running a Sean McVay-style offense that won’t be going anywhere.

Minnesota gives up Dalvin Cook to the Eagles here which makes a ton of sense because they cannot count on Rashaad Penny to stay healthy. It also allows the Eagles to still have two first-round picks in this draft.

11) Pittsburgh Steelers (PROJECTED TRADE with TEN) – Broderick Jones, LT, Georgia

Titans get: Picks #17 & #80

Steelers get: Pick #11

After Tennessee is unable to trade up and land a quarterback they decide to trade down. Pittsburgh trades up because they need to get ahead of the Texans, Patriots, and Jets to get the tackle they want. Jones is a fantastic athlete and in my opinion, has the most upside of any offensive lineman in the draft. He needs development but I think every offensive lineman in this class needs that. He has the tools to be a book-end tackle for Kenny Pickett for years to come.

12) Houston Texans (via CLE) – Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State

This is a great pick by Houston after trading Brandin Cooks to the Cowboys. Smith-Njigba can step right in and fill that role in the slot. His route running is phenomenal, he destroys zone coverage, and he has great hands. The only knock I have on him is that he lacks breakaway speed as we have seen him get caught from behind multiple times. His agility numbers at the combine were truly elite with a shuttle time of 3.93 seconds and a three-cone time of 6.57 seconds. I think he could play on the outside, but we just haven’t seen it.

13) Green Bay Packers (via NYJ) – Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame

Green Bay has moved on from Aaron Rodgers and now they will attempt to give Jordan Love everything he needs to be successful. Green Bay is starving for a tight end and they get themselves a good one. Mayer is just good at everything. Good hands, good routes, good blocker, he is just good. He can play inline and he can play in the slot. He is coming from a school known for producing tight ends and he is arguably the best in Notre Dame history.

14) New England Patriots – Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College

I am not the highest on Zay Flowers but the rumors are there that the Patriots love him. Flowers is on the smaller side at 5’9 and 182 pounds, but the Patriots need all the help they can get here. Despite being small he did play on the outside and had success there. He has great short-area quickness and uses his quick acceleration to release quickly. He does project as a slot receiver in the NFL where he will be able to use his quickness to get open.

15) New York Jets (via GB) – Peter Skoronski, G/T, Northwestern

A little low for Skoronski but I believe he is a guard and not a tackle. I don’t believe he has the arm’s length to be a great tackle. I do believe that he can be an all-pro level guard with the ability to fill in at tackle. He is extremely versatile as he has played every position on the offensive line and that is exactly what the Jets need. Mekhi Becton has played one game in two years and is a complete unknown at this point. If he is healthy then Skoronski can kick into guard. If Becton is unavailable Skoronski can kick out to tackle.

16) Washington Commanders – Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon

Gonzalez is a great scheme fit for a team that needs help at corner. If I can think of one word to describe Gonzalez it would be “smooth.” A great athlete with great size. He didn’t have a single interception in 2020 or 2021, but he had four last year in 2022. He is scheme versatile he can play press-man as well as zone equally well. He is a lot of people’s number one corner and for good reason. This is a great value pick on a guy whose talent is worthy of going in the top ten.

17) Tennessee Titans (PROJECTED TRADE via PIT) – Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee

Tennessee can’t land one of the big four quarterbacks so they trade down and take Hendon Hooker. I am not a Hendon Hooker believer, but I think this makes sense for them. There is a lot of smoke about Hooker going in round one and I think where there is this much smoke there is bound to be fire. He gets to stay in Tennessee and sit behind Ryan Tannehill for a year and heal. He will battle Malik Willis for the starting job in 2024.

18) Detroit Lions – Calijah Kancey, DT, Pittsburgh

Detroit got their corner earlier and now they get their defensive lineman. I have Bryan Bresee as my number two interior defender, but there have been rumors circulating that Kancey is someone who is expected to go higher than the media may be letting on. His tape is phenomenal. He is the Bryce Young of defensive tackles. If he was 6’3, 300 pounds he would probably be going towards the top of round one. Detroit’s defense just keeps getting better and better.

19) Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia

Next, Tampa Bay takes Nolan Smith who is another undersized freak athlete (can you sense a theme with this class?). Shaq Barrett is coming off a torn Achilles and is an unknown. Smith to me steps right into his role. Additionally, Smith plays bigger than his frame suggests. Furthermore, is great against the run and plays with the functional strength of someone much larger than him. I believe he is also worthy of going top ten and falls in this mock. Excellent pick here for the Bucs at 19.

20) Seattle Seahawks – Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson

Seattle added Tyree Wilson earlier and now Bryan Bresee. The defensive line has been replenished and if both of these picks hit then that team is going to cause some serious damage after a fantastic draft class last year as well. Bresee is a former number one overall recruit out of high school. Great athlete who has run into hard times and had to overcome them. He was a consensus top 10 pick to start the college year and I think the reason why he was is still true to this day. Insane value pick for Seattle.

21) Los Angeles Chargers – Jordan Addison, WR, USC

The Chargers need a receiver. The Chargers wide receivers coach Chris Beatty recruited Addison to Maryland, then to Pittsburgh. It would make sense that he also wants him on the Chargers. He fills a need, knows his wide receiver coach, and the coach likes what he does. Overall, a home run pick for the Chargers.

22) Baltimore Ravens – Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU

Another polarizing player. Baltimore added some offensive pieces this off-season but they do not have anyone that can be an alpha for Lamar Jackson. When it comes to Johnston there is a lot to love and a lot to dislike. The good: Great athlete, great size, phenomenal after the catch. The bad: Doesn’t use his size to his advantage, drops are a problem, body catches too much. He just doesn’t have that dog in him. He doesn’t use his size to go up and strong hand the ball and decide that this ball is mine and I will go get it. He doesn’t have that. The upside is tremendous but he is truly a boom or bust player.

23) Philadelphia Eagles (PROJECTED TRADE via MIN) – Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State

Philadelphia trades down with Minnesota and gets a fantastic corner. Great athleticism, NFL pedigree, and can play press man at an elite level due to his outstanding length. He’s played man-to-man against NFL talent for years (Garrett Wilson, Marvin Harrison Jr., etc.) I have zero worries about Porter Jr. All that being said, he is one of my favorite players in this class. Great value at number 23 for the Eagles.

24) Jacksonville Jaguars – Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland

Banks was a bit of an NFL Combine darling. He tested very well athletically. His tape backs it up as well. Additionally, he is strong with legit 4.35 speed. He has the size, speed, and physicality to make it in the NFL. Jacksonville needs to get Tyson Campbell some help and that is exactly what they do.

25) Kansas City Chiefs (PROJECTED TRADE via NYG) – Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama

Giants get: Picks #31 & #95

Chiefs get: Pick #25

Rumors are flying linking the Chiefs with Gibbs. What a dream scenario. I don’t view Gibbs as a traditional running back, and I think they will stick with Isiah Pacheco for that portion of the game plan. Gibbs to me is a slot receiver that can also run the ball. I feel very confident that he is going to end up in a Deebo Samuel-type role. Simply put, he is a fantastic receiver. He can line up in the slot, on the outside, or in the backfield, it doesn’t matter.

Really, Gibbs isn’t a guy who is going to carry the ball 20 times a game. However, he will certainly make a difference in the passing game. Additionally, he needs to work on his pass blocking to be able to stay on the field. Personally, I believe that is his biggest red flag for me and what he needs to work on the most.

26) Dallas Cowboys – Mazi Smith, DT, Michigan

I could see Dallas taking a tight end here. However, I think this is too good of a fit for them to pass up. It isn’t the splashy Jerry Jones pick, but it is the right pick to make. Smith would bring a pass-rush presence inside that Dallas desperately needs. Smith I think is a bit of a sleeper that will go in round one. Additionally, he is athletic and can play nose tackle and three technique. However, I don’t think he is a nose tackle.

Smith is the same size as Baylor nose tackle Siaki Ika, but they carry the weight very differently. Smith is all muscle right in the middle of the defensive line. All in all, he would be a great fit for Dallas and what they want to do on that defensive line.

27) Buffalo Bills – Brian Branch, S/CB, Alabama

This is low for Branch’s talent. Branch reminds me of Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. He can play safety or nickel corner at an elite level. He has great instincts on the field and is great in both man and zone coverage. He doesn’t have elite traits but he is really well-rounded across the board. Buffalo’s safeties are aging and Branch will fill the role nicely and can be placed all over the secondary.

28) Cincinnati Bengals – Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah

The Bengals cannot go into the year with Irv Smith Jr. as their starting tight end. They need help and that is where Kincaid is conveniently available. Kincaid is the best receiving tight end in the class. He led the FBS for tight ends in receiving yards and catches per game. Has a slender frame so I don’t know how good of a run blocker he will be. With Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase on the outside, he should be able to feast over the middle of the field.

29) New Orleans Saints (via SF) – Will McDonald IV, EDGE, Iowa State

The Saints are the favorites to win the NFC South. They are aging on the defense and lost Marcus Davenport this off-season. Will McDonald slides right in to fill that role. A 5^th year senior he was first-team All-Big-12 three years in a row leading his team in tackles for loss and sacks in all three of those years. Altogether, he adds a new fresh pass rusher to this aging defense.

30) Philadelphia Eagles – Lukas Van Ness, EDGE, Iowa

A lot of people have Van Ness going around the top ten. I do not. The Eagles got their corner earlier and now they work on the defensive line. Brandon Graham is getting up there in age and Van Ness would be a great replacement for him next year. Van Ness has the size and athleticism you want in a defensive lineman. Furthermore, he didn’t have a ton of production but as we have seen in the past, the guys with the athleticism at edge seem to work out more often than other positions.

31) New York Giants (PROJECTED TRADE via KC) – John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota

The Giants traded back with the Chiefs and this is where they address their disaster of an interior offensive line. John Michael Schmitz provides them with a mature presence at the center position. Additionally, he was a four-year starter at Minnesota who earned First-Team All-American honors his senior year. Overall, he fills an immediate need on the offensive line.

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