Welcome to my first NFL mock draft for 2023. I am hoping I can get at least a couple more versions out but for now, please enjoy this first draft. This year’s draft class has the strongest tight end group in years. The crop of QBs also has consistency and while there are clear cut first round QBs, it’s easy to see some of the Round 2 or 3 QBs have equal or more success than the first rounders.

1. Chicago Bears: Jalen Carter – DL (Georgia)

Needs: Edge, DL, OL

The Bears lost their two prime pass rushers by the end of the trade deadline. Bringing in Carter to build Eberflus’ defense around will help make the Bears a competitor again. 

2. Houston Texans: Bryce Young – QB (Alabama)

Needs: QB, OL, DL

Bryce Young won’t be forced to start week 1 as current QB Davis Mills can hold the position down to start the season. When Young does take the field as QB1, he brings explosion, accuracy and mobility to the position that was last seen by Deshaun Watson. 

3. Arizona Cardinals: Will Anderson Jr – Edge (Alabama)

Needs: OL, Edge, CB

In the last two seasons, the Cardinals lost their star pass rushers in Chandler Jones and J.J. Watt. New HC Jonathan Gannon built the Eagles to the 8th overall defense and what helped bring the Eagles to that ranking were strong Edge rushers. Anderson Jr is a great player to build a defense around. 

4. Indianapolis Colts: C.J. Stroud – QB (Ohio State)

Needs: QB, OL, WR

New HC Shane Steichen finds his QB of the future in C.J. Stroud. Stroud is not as strong of a mobile QB as Jalen Hurts but he has similar arms strength and accuracy. The Colts have been searching for their franchise QB for years and now the search is over. 

5. Seattle Seahawks (Via DEN): Tyree Wilson – Edge (Texas Tech)

Needs: Edge, DL, QB

Wilson possesses a high motor and length to become a disruptive player for the Seahawks. His play recognition and speed are great tools to play opposite of Shelby Harris. He needs to add more tools to his arsenal but his baseline abilities shows a ton of promise. 

6. Detroit Lions (Via LA Rams): Bryan Bresee – DL (Clemson)

Needs: DB, DL, LB

The Lions aced their first round pick last year in Aiden Hutchinson, now it is time to bring him a running partner. Bresee is powerful and able to shoot into the gaps in a blink. Bresee is a Dan Campbell guy in gritty, aggressive and a playmaker.  

7. Las Vegas Raiders: Will Levis – QB (Kentucky)

Needs: QB, OL, Edge

HC Josh McDaniels finds his franchise QB in Levis. McDaniel’s system flourishes when a QB with a big arm, accuracy and touch is in control. The Raiders gave the reins to backup QB Jarrett Stidham for the last two games of the year. While Stidham lost those games, he showed a lot of promise. Insert Levis and fans will see Josh McDaniel’s system at its full potential.  

8. Atlanta Falcons: Jaxon Smith – Njigba – WR (Ohio State)

Needs: Edge, QB, WR

The Falcons continue to rebuild their offense with the addition of Smith – Njigba. They added height with draft picks Drake London and Kyle Pitts but Smith-Njigba has speed and is an excellent route runner. If HC Arthur Smith’s system can continue to build around the run, to set up the pass, then Smith-Njigba is going to do some damage for the Falcons. 

9. Carolina Panthers: Anthony Richardson – QB (Florida)

Needs: QB, CB, TE

Anthony Richardson is the definition of raw but his potential is beyond the charts. After showing off his athletic ability and arm strength at the Combine, the Panthers go back to what works and get a mobile QB. Ideally, Richardson would sit behind Sam Darnold and learn the position but if Richardson supersedes Darnold, fans will not be upset.

10. Philadelphia Eagles (Via NO): Devon Witherspoon – DB (Illinois) 

Needs: DB, Edge, DL

While Bradberry has been crucial for the Eagles on the road to the playoffs, he is closer to 30. Witherspoon has great instinct and is not afraid of hitting someone. His nose for the football is very decisive knows how to wreck plays for the opposing offense. 

11. Tennessee Titans: Paris Johnson Jr. – T (Ohio State)

Needs: OL, WR, TE

The Titans cut stallworth T Taylor Lewan after losing him for the second half of the 2022 season. The Titans will have to do more work to rebuild that offensive line but bringing in Johnson Jr gives HC Mike Vrabel a nasty young tackle to build his new offensive line around. 

12. Houston Texans (Via Browns): Zay Flowers – WR (Boston College)

Needs: QB, OL, DL

The Texans got their franchise QB in Bryce Young with the second overall pick, now it’s time to give him a receiver to grow with. Flowers might not be the biggest receiver in the draft but he has excellent hands and is always a threat for a big play. Pairing him with either Brandin Cooks or a FA veteran will help Flowers on his way to being the top receiver. 

13. New York Jets: O’Cyrus Torrence – IOL (Florida)

Needs: OL, S, QB

The Jets lost second year stud Alijah Vera-Tucker to a torn tricep last season. Depending on where he is in his recovery, Torrence can step in until Vera-Tucker is fully healed. Once he is fully recovered, then placing him on the other side of C Connor McGovern will help RB Breece Hall in his power run game. 

14. New England Patriots: Peter Skoronski – T (Northwestern)

Needs: OT, WR, DB

Injuries have plagued T Isaiah Wynn since he was drafted by the Patriots in 2018. This could prevent him from being resigned. The Patriots have been searching for a mauler of a tackle to pair him with Trent Brown (or replace Brown if he leaves via Free Agency). Skoronski locks into his defenders during pass blocking and is violent with his hands in run blocks. Just watch his game film against Michigan and his matchups against Aiden Hutchinson and David Ojabo. 

15. Green Bay Packers: Darnell Washington – TE (Georgia)

Needs: S, TE, Edge

Washington erupted during the Combine with his elite speed, strength and catching radius. His metrics match those of current Packer TE Marcedes Lewis, but he is faster. Whether it is Aaron Rogers or Jordan Love throwing the ball this season, they will have fun watching defenses try and guard these two giants while also trying to defend the receivers on the outside.

16. Washington Commanders: Hendon Hooker – QB (Tennessee)

Needs: QB, CB, OL

At one time this past season, Hooker led the Volunteers to a #1 in the CFP Polls. What looked like a promising season for the Volunteers ended up with Hooker tearing his ACL. Hooker is older than some of his QB rookies (he is 25) but he has command in the huddle and can operate an NFL offense. For at least the 2023 season, Hooker can continue to recover while watching and learning from QB Sam Howell.

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

Needs: OL, CB, DL

The Steelers top CB Cameron Sutton is set to hit free agency. If the Steelers lose him, they can bring in Porter Jr to lock down the other side. Porter Jr has the talent and the quick play recognition to warrant the bravado and aggressiveness. Along with Minkah Fitzpatrick, Porter Jr can help rebuild the tough defense the Steelers were known for.

18. Detroit Lions: Christian Gonzalez – DB (Oregon)

Needs: DB, DL, LB

The Lions were the definition of under the radar last season. They were a game short of the playoffs but ended the season with a win over the rival Green Bay Packers. The Lions pick up the seventh fastest cornerback in Gonzalez. Outside of his speed, Gonzalez has quick play recognition that makes him difficult to throw against. The Lions need help in the secondary in order to compete with the talented receivers in the division.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: John Michael Schmitz – OL (Minnesota)

Needs: QB, DB, OL

OL Ryan Jensen missed sometime this season due to a serious knee injury. Bring in Schmitz to anchor the left guard spot (and be an emergency back up center) and the Bucs can return to having a nasty offensive line that led them to a Super Bowl championship.

20. Seattle Seahawks: Lukas Van Ness – Edge (Iowa)

Needs: Edge, DL, QB

The Seattle Seahawks double dip on Edge rushers and get Lukas Van Ness. Van Ness knows how to use his power to go through tackles but when to use his speed to hit an open hole. Pair Van Ness with early first rounder Wilson and the Seahawks are getting back to their roots of hitting the QB and asking questions later. 

21. Los Angeles Chargers: Jordan Addison – WR (USC)

Needs: DB, OL, WR

With Keenan Allen a potential cap casualty, the Chargers don’t have to go far for their next weapon. Addison’s playing style is very similar to Allen’s with his speed and allusiveness with the ball. Addison would come in and immediately compete for the second or third receiver slot. 

22. Baltimore Ravens: Quentin Johnston – WR (TCU)

Needs: CB, WR, Edge

Johnston has the size to be a a true #1 receiver for the Ravens. That was originally designated for second year receiver Rashod Bateman but injuries have derailed that intention. If the Ravens can get a healthy Bateman to pair with Johnston, then new OC Todd Monken has the building blocks for an even offense (versus the run heavy previously under OC Greg Roman). 

23. Minnesota Vikings: Siaki lka – DL (Baylor)

Needs: DB, DL, WR

The Vikings significantly bolster their pass rush with the addition of Ika. He is a huge human being (6’4” 357 lbs) but moves with the speed of an edge rusher. Ika is a disruptor while also leaving a mark on opposing QBs. He has a motor and knows how to hustle until the whistle. 

24. Jacksonville Jaguars:  Broderick Jones – T (Georgia)

Needs: DL, OT, CB

Even if the Jags can re-sign pending free agent Jawaan Taylor, Cam Robinson is still on the mend after a right meniscus injury (causing him to miss the last three games of the season). Jones has the speed to make an excellent lead blocker while also consistently finding someone to block.

25. New York Giants: Michael Mayer – TE (Notre Dame)

Needs: WR, IOL, DB

The Giants turned their season around under first year HC Brian Dabboll and found themselves in the playoffs. What the team was missing is a weapon at the tight end position. Draft a polished route runner and strong blocker in Mayer then start to see receivers get more open.

26. Dallas Cowboys: Luke Wypler – IOL (Ohio State)

Needs: DB, WR, OL

The Cowboys have been trying to replace Travis Frederick since he shocked the NFL world and retired in 2020. Wypler has the power and speed to help the Cowboys rebuild their once highly praised offensive line. 

27. Buffalo Bills: Drew Sanders – LB (Arkansas)

Needs: OL, WR, LB

The Bills are set to lose two starting MLBs through free agency. Sanders has the lateral quickness and gap filling tendency to compete for a starting spot. Put more muscle on Sanders and the Bills won’t miss a beat as they gear up to compete for another playoff run. 

28. Cincinnati Bengals: Brian Branch – S (Alabama)

Needs: DB, OT, TE

The Bengals FS Jessie Bates III is a free agent and if the Bengals cannot re-sign him, drafting Branch can help them stay young and competitive in the secondary. Branch loves contact and while that can ding him, he has quick twitch muscles to attack the ball if it heads his way. He can cover sideline to sideline in a blink. 

29. New Orleans Saints: Bijan Robinson – RB (Texas)

Needs: QB, DL, IOL

While this could be an odd move for the Saints given their other needs but RB Alvin Kamara is facing legal issues, which could affect his availability. Robinson is easily considered the best RB in the draft. He has patience in his running and knows when to turn on the burners and take a potential loss into the endzone. 

30. Philadelphia Eagles: Nolan Smith – Edge / LB (Georgia)

Needs: DB, Edge, DL

Smith ran the fastest 40 yard dash (4.39 seconds) out of the Edge and Linebacker group. The Eagles are set to lose two of their starting LBs through free agency. Bringing in a versatile and fast player in Smith to anchor the outside linebacker position gives the Eagles a deadly weapon to deploy onto opposing QBs.

31. Kansas City Chiefs: Darnell Wright – T (Tennessee)

Needs: OT, WR, Edge

The Chiefs will be needing a new tackle as free agent Orlando Brown Jr will be hitting the market. Bring in Darnell Wright and become the new blindside protector for Patrick Mahomes. Wright has the patience to read the defender and balance to stay upright even if he loses the battle. Wright has strong lateral movement.