Welcome to the 2023 NFL Mock Draft 2.0. This mock comes as the initial waves of free agency subsides and the NFL gets ready for the Draft. There are some prospects that make the first round from their performance at the Combine and their Pro Day. Overall this exercise is always challenging but so much fun. Enjoy!

1. Carolina Panthers (Via CHI): C.J. Stroud – QB (Ohio State)

Needs: QB, CB, Edge

New Panthers HC Frank Reich gets something he never had while in Indianapolis, a young QB to conduct his high powered offense for years to come. Stroud is no Andrew Luck but he does have the arm strength to make the throws and when needed, run over a linebacker.

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

Needs: QB, WR, Edge

Young might not have the ideal size but he has playmaking ability and mobility. Young will give new HC DeMeco Ryans a franchise QB to grow around. A bonus is that he can be patient with Young’s development and let QB Davis Mills start this season.  

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

Needs: CB, Edge, WR

The Cardinals’ pass rush took a nosedive when J.J. Watt went down with an injury. Bring in Anderson Jr and have him be the centerpiece of new HC Jonathan Gannon’s defense. Gannon can coach Anderson Jr to have the same production as 2022 standout Josh Sweat, who racked up 11 sacks last season and tied for second best on the team. 

4. Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Richardson – QB (Florida)

Needs: QB, TE, CB

The Colts signed Gardner Minshew to be the starter heading into the 2023 season. While Minshew can be a serviceable short term starter, he isn’t a reliable long term answer. Richardson is raw and needs time to develop. New HC Shane Steichan got this position because of the work he did with a QB that is a strong runner with a powerful arm.

5. Seattle Seahawks (Via DEN): Jalen Carter – DL (Georgia)

Needs: DL, LB, WR

The Seahawks added DE Dre’Mont Jones in free agency. Carter has legal issues he needs to resolve but when he can put his full effort to football, he can win games. With the addition of Jones and Carter, the Seahawks are primed to dethrone the 49ers for top of the division.

6. Detroit Lions (Via LA Rams): Tyree Wilson – Edge (Texas Tech)

Needs: CB, DL, LB

DE Aiden Hutchinson exceeded all expectations in his rookie year. Drafting Wilson to play opposite of Hutchinson increases the Lions’ chances of winning the division. Wilson also reinforces Dan Campbell’s philosophy of grit and fighting until the end. He and Hutchinson chasing down QBs will make the Lions a problem to deal with for years to come.

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

Needs: CB, Edge, QB

Levis is another raw prospect that can benefit from time to learn. Levis will get that as he will be watching QB Jimmy Garoppolo for at least the next three seasons. Levis has a strong arm and just enough mobility to give the receivers time. When Levis is ready to take over, he has the tools to run HC Josh McDaniel’s system to its fullest.

8. Atlanta Falcons: Christian Gonzalez – CB (Oregon)

Needs: CB, LB, Edge

The Falcons signed FS Jessie Bates III during free agency drastically improving their backfield. CB AJ Terrell has been a game changer for the Falcons but he can use support on the other side. Gonzalez dazzled at the combine showing off his speed and quick change of direction. Gonzalez also fights for the football any chance he can.

9. Chicago Bears (Via CAR) : Lukas Van Ness – Edge (Iowa)

Needs: OT, Edge, CB

Insert Van Ness and the Bears have a pass rushing specialist they can rebuild their defense around. Van Ness has the power to run through a guard or tackle, and the length to create separation and read the backfield play. Van Ness also knows how to play well in the cold coming from Iowa. 

10. Philadelphia Eagles (Via NO): Brian Branch – S (Alabama)

Needs: DB, Edge, DL

The Eagles have reloaded at cornerback this offseason. This moves the need for that position down the priority list and shoots the need at a verstal safety up. Draft Brian Branch and you have a safety that loves contact. He can read plays in a flash and knows whether he will have an interception or is going to break up a pass. 

11. Tennessee Titans: Jaxon Smith-Njigba – WR (Ohio State)

Needs: WR, CB, QB

The Titans’ passing attack suffered following the trade of A.J. Brown. 2022 first Rounder WR Treylon Burks had a rough first year so bring in Smith-Njigba to inject some life into that group. Smith-Njigba’s speed can make him the deep threat while Burks does his work in the short to medium routes. Hopefully this also lightens the box for Derrick Henry when he runs the ball. 

12. Houston Texans (Via Browns): Peter Skoronski – T (Northwestern)

Needs: QB, OL, DL

The Texans secured their LT in Laremy Tunsil to a three year contract. Skoronski can come in and anchor the right tackle position. The Texans have been making moves to rebuild the offensive line this offseason. The addition of Skoronski will make new QB Bryce Young feel more comfortable. 

13. New York Jets: Broderick Jones – T (Georgia)

Needs: OT, TE, DL

The Jets have been shopping  LT Mekhi Becton for the last couple years. If they are able to move him then Jones will immediately slide into that starting spot. If the Jets keep Becton, then putting Jones at the other end is another solution to a poor line. 

14. New England Patriots: Darnell Wright – T (Tennessee)

Needs: WR, OT, S

The Patriots signed OT Riley Reiff to a one-year contract. While this places Reiff as the starting right tackle, Wright has the tools to be the long term answer at the position. Wright has upper body violence and enjoys throwing defenders around. Wright’s pass protection can use improvement but he has the building blocks of an excellent tackle.

15. Green Bay Packers:  Quentin Johnston – WR (TCU)

Needs: WR, DL, TE

The addition of Johnston will give the Packers two burners on the outside with Romeo Doubs in the slot. Johnston has the strength to out-wrestle the defender for contested passes and the speed to take a slant route for a touchdown. Whoever is QB this season for the Packers, they are going to have an easier time throwing the ball with Johnston there.

16. Washington Commanders: Devon Witherspoon – CB (Illinois)

Needs: OL, CB, LB

The Commanders sprint to the podium to submit this draft ticket. Witherspoon falls to them and can immediately play opposite of Kendall Fuller. Witherspoon is excellent in coverage and has closing speed to get to the ball carrier. He also has the swagger that the Commanders’ secondary needs. 

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

Needs: CB, S, OT

The Steelers signed CB Patrick Peterson this offseason. Peterson had an excellent 2022 campaign with the Vikings but he is far removed from the top tier playmaker he used to be. Porter Jr, son of Steeler great Joey Porter, carries the same confidence his dad had and that is what the Steelers are missing. Porter Jr has the wingspan to shut down any pass that comes his way. 

18. Detroit Lions: Darnell Washington – TE (Georgia)

Needs: CB, DL, LB

The Lions surprised everyone in the latter half of the season when they won the last 8/10 games (including a sweep of the Packers) but barely missed the playoffs. While they had some success at the tight end position, bringing in Washington to compete for the starting spot will help the team get over the hump and into the playoffs. 

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Myles Murphy – DL (Clemson)

Needs: OT, RB, TE

The Bucs won a Super Bowl title with a fierce and relentless pass rush. They struggled last season with poor production from their LBs and an inconsistent pass rush. Murphy can take some of the attention off DT Vita Vea and create more one-on-one situations instead of double teams. Murphy has power but Vea can help him sharpen his tools. 

20. Seattle Seahawks: O’Cyrus Torrence – IOL (Florida)

Needs: DL, LB, WR

The Seahawks signed QB Geno Smith to a three year contract this offseason. The next item on the list is to improve the protection in front of him and bringing in Torrence is a great start. Along with improvement on protection, Torrence can also open up running holes for RB Kenneth Walker II. There are numerous ways drafting Torrence will help this offense.

21. Los Angeles Chargers:  Bijan Robinson – RB (Texas)

Needs: RB, LB, DL

The NFL world was shocked when workhorse RB Austin Ekeler requested a trade. Regardless of this request, the Chargers need another playmaker at the position. Robinson has tremendous patience when running the ball and when he hits the hole, he is gone. Robinson is shifty and hard to bring down. He is also a high quality pass catcher either out of the backfield or split wide.

22. Baltimore Ravens: Zay Flowers – WR (Boston College)

Needs: WR, OL, Edge

Second year receiver Rashod Bateman was set to take the reins as the teams’ top receiver before being placed on IR with a foot injury. Bateman is set to start the season but bringing in Zay Flowers will set the Ravens up for success for years to come. Flowers has blazing speed and a wide catch radius. New OC Todd Monken will have fun creating plays where both Flowers and Bateman win. 

23. Minnesota Vikings: Cam Smith – CB (South Carolina)

Needs: CB, WR, LB

While they still have second year CB Andrew Booth Jr, bringing in Smith to lock down the other side will lessen the loss of CB Patrick Peterson. Smith is hard-hitting, has a nose for the football with insane instincts that lead to him making the play. For the Vikings to repeat as NFC North champs, they will have to reload their defensive backfield and adding Smith is key.

24. Jacksonville Jaguars: Antonio Johnson – S (Texas A&M)

Needs: CB, S, Edge

The Jaguars defense was picked on often this season and that is in part to their defensive backfield. Johnson is an aggressive and persistent player that fights for the ball, and that is exactly what this defense needs. Johnson’s studying shows as he tends to read offenses prior to the snap and finds himself right next to the ball seconds later.

25. New York Giants: Jordan Addison – WR (USC)

Needs: WR, LB, CB

The Giants made a huge trade this offseason and brought in TE Darren Waller to help with the passing game. Addison can help a receiver group that is yearning for a #1 target. In Addison’s lone year at USC, he racked up 875 yards and 8 touchdowns. Those stats alone eclipse the top producer for the Giants. 

26. Dallas Cowboys: Michael Mayers – TE (Notre Dame)

Needs: RB, TE, OL

The Cowboys lost their top tight end in Dalton Schulz to the Houston Texans this offseason. Drafting Mayers is an immediate upgrade over Schultz as Mayers is a more dynamic catcher and a complete tight end. Mayers can add another layer to the offense under the new offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer. 

27. Buffalo Bills: Trenton Simpson – LB (Clemson)

Needs: WR, LB, Edge

The Bills lost their versatile LB Tremaine Edmunds this offseason and while his production will be missed, Simpson can lessen that drop. Simpson has the speed to play on the outside on one play, then drop into coverage in a blink. The Bills will have a new DC this season and Simpson is the perfect player to build a linebacker group around. 

28. Cincinnati Bengals: Dalton Kincaid – TE (University of Utah)

Needs: S, Edge, OL

The Bengals need a new answer at TE after Hayden Hurst left for Carolina. Kincaid has a large catch radius and strong hands to beat out defenders. He also has deceivable speed that makes him tough to defend when on the line and when lined up wide. Kincaid has the abilities to give the Bengals a true passing threat out of the position.

29. New Orleans Saints: Nolan Smith – Edge (Georgia)

Needs: OL, WR, Edge

The Saints are in need of another playmaker on defense. DE Cameron Jordan always drew the attention of offenses (and yet produced at a pro bowl level year after year). Smith is raw but he has blazing speed that can be deadly coming off the edge or dropping back into coverage. Smith has versatility written all over him as he is a playmaker with his hand in the dirt or standing up.  

30. Philadelphia Eagles: Bryan Bresee – DL (Clemson)

Needs: DL, S, RB

The Eagles resigned Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham, bringing back two key pieces along the defensive line. While those are two players are important, the Eagles need to get younger at the position. Bresee has a consistent motor that leads him to the offense’s backfield. He also has lateral speed that once he gets past the line, he goes straight for the ball carrier.

31. Kansas City Chiefs: Calijah Kancey – DL (Pittsburgh)

Needs: DL, WR, Edge

As the Combine was getting underway, Kancey gained some buzz as his results were starting to look similar to former Pitt star Aaron Donald. Kancey’s game film even looks like Donald’s by the way he blows through offensive lineman and disrupts a play. Put Kancey next to DT Chris Jones and watch Jones’ sack numbers climb.