One Last 2023 Mock Draft

Mock drafts never amount to much. Every year analysts spend countless hours over stat books, Vegas odds, and prospect rankings, all for the actual draft to play out in an entirely different way than they expected. I anticipate this year to be no different, if anything more so, but I decided to put together one last mock to hold everyone over until tonight. So, here we go.

#1 Carolina Panthers - Bryce Young (QB)

This should come as no surprise. The Panthers traded for the first round pick with the Bears, and they are going to use it to get the best quarterback in this year’s class.

#2 Houston Texans - Will Anderson Jr. (EDGE)

You know it's an interesting draft when we are only at pick two and it's already getting difficult to predict. Texans could go QB here, but I have them going edge rusher here. The hype around Tyree Wilson has been growing as of late, but I still like Anderson as the stronger prospect.

#3 Arizona Cardinals - Tyree Wilson (EDGE)

I could see the Cardinals trading down here, but with either Anderson or Wilson nearly guaranteed to be on the board at three, I find it hard to believe they will pass on the opportunity to pick up an elite pass rusher. In this mock I have Anderson going first followed by Wilson, but these two could easily be swapped around.

#4 Indianapolis Colts - Will Levis (QB)

Here the Colts have their pick from a few of the top QB prospects, and I have them going with Levis. With Stroud’s draft stock falling as of late, there has been a lot of buzz around Levis to the Colts. Seems like a good fit to me.

#5 Seattle Seahawks (via DEN) - Jalen Carter (DT)

It wasn’t too long ago we were talking about Carter as a top three pick. Instead he falls into Seattle’s lap at five, where he will have the chance to make an immediate impact.

#6 Detroit Lions (via LAR) - Christian Gonzalez (CB)

Detroit is in need of secondary help after trading Okudah to the Falcons, and Gonzalez would be a great replacement. His speed and athleticism will be put to good use in Detroit.

#7 Houston Texans (via LV) - CJ Stroud (QB)

Our first trade of the draft comes at pick seven. After seeing Stroud still on the board, the Texans can’t help but jump ahead of the Titans and Falcons for their quarterback. The Texans now finish round one with a top pass rusher and Stroud, making out like bandits. The Raiders could draft Stroud themselves here, but something tells me they are content with Jimmy G for now, especially if the Texans give them an offer they can’t refuse.

#8 Atlanta Falcons - Bijan Robinson (RB)

I spent a lot of time mulling between Richardson and Robinson at this pick. I have them taking the safer option. Robinson is premier talent, and pairing him with Pitts and London makes for a dangerous offense. This also surrounds Ridder with an elite squad of guys, giving him a chance to prove he can be their QB of the future.

#9 Chicago Bears - Paris Johnson Jr. (OT)

There are a lot of different ways this pick could go, however protecting Fields should be the Bear’s top priority. I can’t think of a better way for them to do that than by grabbing arguably the best tackle in the draft.

#10 Philadelphia Eagles - Devon Witherspoon (CB)

Seems almost unfair that a super bowl team gets a top ten pick. Anyway, had Atlanta gone for Richardson I’m sure the Eagles would have made a move for Robinson, but with him off the board, I have them recouping some of the defensive talent they lost in the offseason. Witherspoon could have been the first corner off the board, so this is a great pick.

#11 Tennessee Titans - Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR)

Could the Titans draft Richardson here? Sure, but that seems too reminiscent of the Malik Willis pick, one that has not reaped any benefits thus far. I have the Titans avoiding deja vu by taking the best receiver in the draft. Titans fans might not like seeing Tannehill as the starter entering the season, but something tells me that's where we are headed.

#12 Las Vegas Raiders (via HOU) - Peter Skoronski (OT)

Las Vegas has a lot of needs to fill in this draft. Luckily the trade with Houston gave them the capital to address some of them. With the top two corners of the board, I don’t like any of the other cornerbacks this high. This draft is full of O-line talent, so I have the Raiders grabbing one of the best prospects on the board, preparing themselves for an aggressive round two.

#13 Seattle Seahawks (via GB) - Anthony Richardson (QB)

This is where things get a bit dicey, but it's a mock so I’m allowed to have a little fun. After Richardson falls out of the top ten, Seattle gets antsy. Geno is not a long term solution at quarterback, and Richardson is the perfect prospect to sit behind a veteran for a season or two. It’s been rumored Green Bay is looking to trade down, so Seattle makes the call and they move up to get their guy.

#14 New England Patriots - Lukas Van Ness (EDGE)

This just feels like a good fit. The Patriots want D-line help, and Van Ness is the piece to the puzzle. His skill set will be a valued addition in Belichick’s scheme.

#15 New York Jets - Darnell Wright (OT)

What more could the Jets want? They already checked off the only thing on their offseason wish list. The best thing to do here is keep their shiny new quarterback smiling by getting him some protection.

#16 Washington Commanders - Joey Porter Jr. (CB)

Two cornerback fly off the board back to back here, starting with Joey Porter Jr.

#17 Pittsburgh Steelers - Donte Banks (CB)

These two could be flipped in a different mock, I just happen to like Porter a little better. I don’t think it would be a surprise to see both of these teams go corner if these guys are still available.

#18 Detroit Lions - Brian Branch (S)

If I'm the Lions I’m not hesitating with this pick. Already in this round you are able to give your secondary a massive boost by grabbing two elite dbs. Brian Branch is my draft crush this year so I would love to see him go to the Packers, but I don’t see a situation where it will make sense for them to pick him at 13.

#19 New York Giants (via TB) - Jordan Addison (WR) Giants trade up with Tampa to try to get a head start on the run at receiver. There are a few guys they could take here, but I like Addison the best due to his route running ability.

#20 Green Bay Packers (via SEA) - Michael Mayer (TE)

There was a strong temptation to go for one of the receivers on the board, but I just don’t see it happening, even at 20. Instead, the Packers take the first tight end off the board, filling a much needed hole. I think Mayer is a great fit here, but I could also see Kincaid being the one headed to Wisconsin if I gave it more thought.

#21 Los Angeles Chargers - Zay Flowers (WR)

The Chargers are in need of a receiver, especially with Keenan Allen close to the end of his career. Herbert gets a new toy to use on offense, one that comes with incredible speed and playmaking ability.

#22 Baltimore Ravens - Myles Murphy (EDGE)

Ravens could go receiver too here, but something tells me they have their eyes on Hopkins. Myles Murphy seems like the pick here, the Ravens taking him to bolster their D-line.

#23 Minnesota Vikings - Cam Smith (CB)

I’ve been hearing some quiet chatter about the Vikings going quarterback, and it makes a lot of sense. Henson Hooker could learn a lot sitting behind a guy like Cousins, and this would provide a smooth transition for the team once it's time for a QB change. At the end of the day though, the Vikings secondary was horrendous last year, and they may be desperate enough to make a slight reach for someone like Cam Smith.

#24 Jacksonville Jaguars - Broderick Jones (OT)

I wanted to go O-line here and with Brodrick Jones still on the board, I would be shocked if the Jags, a team who had a questionable line last year, left this talent on the board.

#25 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (via NYG) - Henson Hooker (QB)

The Bucs need a lot of help. A lot. Lucky for them they can start by drafting a qb if the Baker experiment doesn’t pan out.

#26 Dallas Cowboys - Dalton Kincaid (OT)

With the loss of Dalton Shultz, the Cowboys are in need of a tight end replacement. Kincaid fits the bill here.

#27 Buffalo Bills - Quenton Johnston (WR)

The Bills exit round one with their number two receiver to Diggs. I don’t love the fit, but it's the best receiver left on the board and I don’t see the Bills passing on him here.

#28 Cincinnati Bengals - Darnell Washington (TE)

A guy a lot of people thought would still be on the board till the second round, the Bengals build upon their elite offense by drafting the most physical tight end in the class.

#29 New Orleans Saints - Brian Bresee (DL)

There are a ton of ways this pick could go, but I went with the safest and most likely choice at D-line.

#30 Philadelphia Eagles - Calijah Kancey (DT)

In my opinion one of the most slept on prospects in the draft. Kancey will be a great fit on what will continue to be a feared D-line this season.

#31 Kansas City Chiefs - Anton Harrison (OT)

They may reach for a receiver here, but you can never go wrong with protecting Patrick Mahomes, whose line faltered a bit last season.

Is this how the draft will play out, possibly. I’m also readying myself for the comments I’ll receive when the board tonight takes a completely different path. Regardless, it’s an exciting time for football fans, and trying to predict how the draft will play out is half the fun. The fans are expecting a wild night, and I have no doubt it’s going to deliver.