2023 NFL MOCK DRAFT – FINAL, MOST INTRIGUING EVER

Well the 2023 NFL Draft is here and this is my 2023 NFL Mock Draft Final. Leave a comment and follow on Twitter.

Just to clear up what I believe about certain teams in need of a QB in the 2023 NFL Draft:

Las Vegas Raiders – They signed Jimmy Garoppalo to a lucrative deal because Josh McDaniels needs someone comfortable in his system for it to work. I do not understand the love for Jimmy G considering his injury history and his single successful season with the Patriots when Brady was out for the year. Who is the back up? None other than Bryan Hoyer. I don’t believe that Josh McDaniels is in the business of developing QB’s, and I don’t think he can afford to wait on one.
Washington Commanders – You can look at the Commanders roster all day long and ask yourself, do they need a QB? They signed Jacoby Brissett as a back up with the intention that Sam Howell would start the season after an off season to develop and know the playbook. Sam Howell is no slouch. The reason he went in the 5th round is because the personnel with all the talent for the Tarheels left for the NFL or graduated. The start of his senior season, Howell was being touted as a Heisman candidate and potentially first overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Give the kid a break and let him go out and play.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Before Tom Brady decided to come to the Bucs, Tampa drafted Kyle Trask, a QB from Florida. Trask has, however, been sitting and learning under the legend Tom Brady. I don’t think the only thing that Trask learned was to leave your wife and kids to play football. The Bucs also went and signed Baker Mayfield to a one year deal at $4M. Mayfield is becoming the next Sam Bradford. Regardless, it’s important to see if Kyle Trask is going to amount to anything considering the draft capital spent. Especially after the time he has had to adapt to the NFL and learn from the greatest of all time.
Tennessee Titans – In 2022, the Tennessee Titans draft Malik Willis out of Liberty who demonstrated a lot of “potential”, but now Tennessee fans have said he should not be the starter when Tannehill is done, which is likely next year due to his salary cap hit. Tennessee has a power run game and if Derek Henry is traded, you might see more of Tannehill instead of an offense manager. Regardless, I don’t think the Titans are in the running for a QB this draft class and it might be one that you don’t necessarily think of right away.

2023 NFL Mock draft – final

by Michael Campbell, Mock Draft Expert

Carolina Panthers – Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
The Panthers traded up with the Chicago Bears to ensure they get their guy, which means they have had their guy for quite some time. There is a lot of speculation about whether it’s Stroud or Young, but the Vegas odds shifted in a single day from +240 to -1000 that the Panthers are going to take Bryce Young with the 1st overall pick. I continue to hear about his size, but look back at a lot of QB’s that were limited on their height. The bottom line is simple, Bryce Young is a marquee player at a marquee position with excellent vision, anticipation and instincts and can play with not a lot around him. If size is going to be the limiting factor for any player with loads of talent, you might be out of a job.
Houston Texans – Tyree Wilson, Edge, Texas Tech
I overlooked this pick because I fell into the QB hype and I forgot that, the new HC is a defensive minded guy. The other point is, that I had Will Anderson Jr., at this pick up until yesterday, but my gut feeling was that Wilson had more traits that matched what Ryans was doing in San Francisco which would make him want to mimic that in Houston. Wilson is a lengthy edge rusher with the ability to play wide or slide down to a 5 or 3 tech. He has a good initial punch and can also use his length for a good bend around the outside. It’s a toss up, but I think Wilson is the better scheme fit.
Arizona Cardinals – Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State
Kyler Murray asked the Cardinals to take Paris Johnson Jr with the 3rd overall pick. Murray is your franchise QB and he needs protection, so that must have some weight to it. Las Vegas even changed the odds that Arizona would pick Johnson at 3 overall to +240. Johnson is a smooth OT with good footwork and long arms which allow him to handle initial punches and reset and anchor against a defender. He is moderately good in run blocking, but his pass blocking is near elite and likely the best in the draft.
Indianapolis Colts – C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
I am not sure what to think about this S2 debacle and really take anything away from it. It’s difficult enough to go through a college football season, while going to school, and perform at the levels these prospects do. But when I look at game tape of C.J. Stroud, no matter what the score of his S2 test was, his game tape supercedes any cognitive behavioral test. If Chris Ballard is smart, he takes C.J. Stroud in this scenario and moves forward with the intention that Stroud will now play with a chip on his shoulder. That is the kind of QB you want.
Seattle Seahawks – Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
Jalen Carter is considered the best and most talented player in the draft. For the Seahawks to land him at 5th overall, I guess hell did get a frost warning. If there is one team to consider a player on his game tape and recognize that, the mental hiccups that come with Carter can be worked with. There are enough locker room good character guys to bring him along. With that said, Carter will be an immediate impact on the defensive line and will allow for the young edge rushers to have advantages with one on one match ups. Carter alone would make the Seattle front quite scary.
Detroit Lions – Will Anderson Jr., Edge, Alabama
Detroit has the likes of Aidan Hutchinson who had very good rookie season for the Lions, but given the opportunity to take another edge rusher here, especially the best in the country, Dan Campbell and the Lions won’t pass up on that kind of opportunity. You can never have too many edge rushers and this puts the defense of the Lions a huge edge when it comes to pass rushing against teams that struggle to run the ball, and this can give Detroit a notch towards being the favorite for the NFC North.
Las Vegas Raiders – Peter Skoronski, T/G, Northwestern
I think that Josh McDaniels has too much time to worry about getting the Raiders to a winning team than he does about solving his QB problems in this draft. He has Jimmy G on basically a one year deal with Bryan Hoyer to back him up. McDaniels would not be the guy who wants an athletic freak that cannot hit the side of a barn consistently. For that reason, in order to protect Jimmy G and let the offense actually work with a competent QB, the Raiders take an offensive lineman that is likely the safest in the class and arguably the best technically as well. Skoronski might fit at RT or slide into G, but it is a position of need for the Raiders.
Atlanta Falcons – Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
I am not the guy who thinks that Atlanta needs a QB. Desmond Ridder has barely stepped into the role and people are writing him off. If anything, Atlanta just released Casey Hayward, and traded for Jeff Okudah, former first round pick for the Lions who couldn’t seem to put it all together in Detroit. What Witherspoon offers is a blue collar mentality in being physical and working hard. Witherspoon is a smaller CB but he makes up for that in other areas of his game. He likes to play man press and be extremely physical with receivers regardless of size.
Chicago Bears – Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
The emergence of Justin Fields makes this pick important to acquire offensive lineman to protect the Bears franchise QB. I think Chicago would hope to get the local guy in Peter Skoronski, but with him gone, and Paris Johnson Jr. gone, they have to ensure they can protect their QB and with that they bring in a massive OT in Darnell Wright. Reports have said that the Bears love Wright and he would be a solid LT for a long time. He is light on his feet in getting to his spots and can move guys around with ease.
Philadelphia Eagles – Nolan Smith, Edge, Georgia
The Eagles could end up trading out of this spot if a team that needs or wants a QB is willing to move up. I don’t foresee that happening, but it could. If they stay put, the Eagles grab a Georgia edge rusher to go along with Jordan Daivs and Nkobe Dean, two former Georgia defensive players with which Smith has played with. There is nothing like having team chemistry so adding Smith to this defense will give an explosive and talented pass rush. Smith is quick off the edge and keeps his head to where the ball is to shed blocks and be effective in the run game as well.
Tennessee Titans – Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
I don’t think the Titans can go into this season thinking they have to take or even need to take a QB early. Tannehill is still under contract and they just drafted Malik Willis in 2022. What they do need is competent WR’s. JSN is arguably the best in the draft and could line up at any WR position. Having Njigba could take pressure off of the running game and actually allow Treylon Burks to develop more. JSN is a smooth route runner with speed, has great hands, and works any part of the field. An impactful target for the Titans.
Houston Texans – Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
I am sure that Demeco Ryans understands that Davis Mills cannot be the starter for another entire season. This pick allows the Texans to grab their franchise QB. Levis has all the traits and is built to be an NFL QB. He needs some refinement and work on little things, but he has a quick release and elite arm strength. He has leadership experience and has 2 years of starting experience under his belt. Many think he is arrogant, but I think he just tends to be overconfident.
Green Bay Packers – Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
This TE class is fairly deep with good talent all the way through. Kincaid and Meyer could be interchangeable pick wise but Kincaid is just the better and quicker receiving threat, which is what the Packers need for Jordan Love as he makes his start of his career. Kincaid has emerged as a top TE because of his smooth route running and soft hands. He has the ability to separate and uses precise breaks to find open areas of the field. He will help Love develop into the starter Green Bay expects him to be.
New England Patriots – Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
New England would be likely to trade back here, but if not, they take arguably the best CB in the draft. I have Weatherspoon going earlier because of the scheme fit and nature of his play, but Gonzalez is just a quicker, lengthy CB with great ball skills, ideal size and speed. While CB is a big need for the Patriots, when the NFL goes one way, Belicheck tends to go the other way. It’s anybody’s guess here.
New York Jets – Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
At the start of the 2022 season, Mekhi Becton seemed to have found his form and was set to have a come back after being on the IR in 2021. Then he tore his ACL again which shelved him for 2022. The Jets did sign Duane Brown at the last moment to fill the spot, but now that Aaron Rodgers is a New York Jet, the offensive line, especially the LT position, needs to be healthy. Broderick Jones brings a level of aggression to his position and is a much better run blocker than pass blocker, but still does well in pass protection. He uses his lower body to gain leverage to absorb initial punches and reset. Could hold the LT spot for years.
Washington Commanders – Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
2022 showed just how vulnerable the Commanders secondary is. Benjamin St. Juste seems to be developing nicely, but the rest of the cornerbacks seem to be pretty far back in terms of development, outside of Danny Johnson. But make no mistake, Johnson is not a starting CB by any stretch. This CB class is not that deep so Washington would be well served to strike early to get the best amount of talent. Porter is a lengthy CB that has the ability to stay with any receiver. He has fluid hips and plays better shadow or trail position than man press but can be physical if needed.
Pittsburgh Steelers – Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland
If all the offensive tackles are off the board when the Steelers pick, then CB becomes a big priority. I personally believe that Deonte Banks has better athletic ability than Joey Porter Jr., but just didn’t have the success that Porter does, or the lineage. Banks will solidify a secondary that is above average and give the Steelers an athletic corner that likes physical press man and being involved in the run.
Detroit Lions – Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
Detroit takes the best RB in the class. D’Andre Swift is explosive but he is a little small to carry the full load of the running game for the Lions. With Jamaal Williams now in New Orleans, the Lions did sign David Montgomery, who is also not a full time carry back. Robinson would instantly impact the running game and pairing with Swift allows for rotation and not over use. This will also take a lot of pressure off Jared Goff.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Lukas Van Ness, Edge, Iowa
As mentioned in the primer, I don’t think that Tampa is in the market for a QB. They have Kyle Trask whom they have yet to really see what he’s about and they just signed Baker Mayfield. Even with Anthony Richardson on the board, there are too many issues with the Bucs to bring on a project at QB. In this case, the Bucs go for a high motor prospect in Lukas Van Ness. He was not a full time pass rusher at Iowa, but still amassed 6.5 sacks for the Hawkeyes. At 6’5, 240 lbs, Van Ness is a twitchy bender with good hands and leverage.
Seattle Seahawks – Myles Murphy, Edge, Clemson
After adding Jalen Carter to the defensive line with the 5th pick, the Seahawks add a premier pass rusher to go with Boye Mafe who they drafted in the first round in 2022. Adding this kind of pass rush to the Seahawks defense instantly makes them a solid favorite in the NFC West. The offense is settled, and now the pass rush looks scary. Stopping teams down the stretch is what really prevented Seattle from winning more games and making the playoffs. With an improved defense and Geno Smith being solid at this point in his career, the Seahawks are a team on the move.
Los Angeles Chargers – Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
I had originally mocked Bijan Robinson to the Chargers with this pick, but with Austin Ekeler still on the roster, and then they drafted Isaiah Spiller in the 4th round in 2022, I figured it was about time that Spiller get more of a role, at least when thinking about what the Chargers might do. Because of this, adding Michael Mayer would supercede any TE they have on the roster. He is not a speedy TE but he has soft hands and can block inline. He is also a big body who takes up a lot of target space and could be a good red zone target much like Mark Andrews in Baltimore.
Baltimore Ravens – Jordan Addison, WR, USC
The knock on Baltimore is they don’t have any WR talent and have avoided giving any to Lamar Jackson in his tenure as QB. This season might change that. The WR class is fairly deep in 2023, and if they could double dip in the position, the Ravens could have a happy Lamar Jackson on their hands. Jordan Addison is not all that tall at 5’11, but he has the ability to be a deep threat as well as over the middle. He does well with all the routes in the route tree and has such precise breaks in and out of the route. Plus he has the ability to turn and catch to make a play.
Minnesota Vikings – Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
The Minnesota Vikings are probably the best team for Richardson to land with. Kirk Cousins is about to run out of his guaranteed contracts with Minnesota, and that means that Richardson could take over, but he will have some development so long as Cousins is able to play in Minnesota. We all know about what Richardson can do at the scouting combine, but any scout will tell you the combine is a structured show. Richardson really just needs experience but he also needs to put in the work and shadow Cousins any change he can get. Huge Cieling, but extremely low floor.
Jacksonville Jaguars – Brian Branch, S, Alabama
Jacksonville made the playoffs for the first time in 20 years it seems like. But at least things are looking up for the Jags. One of the areas missing for the Jags is a back end enforcer. Brian Branch is technically a DB because he can play corner and safety, but for the Jags he would likely move to Safety. He has incredible tackling skills and is able to sniff out plays easily. Could work on anticipation, but his ability to get to the bal carrier is fast and not comparable.
New York Giants – Quentin Johnston, WR, Texas Christian
So the Giants were able to make some headway in the Daniel Jones era. So much so, he got a fat contract, but the funny thing is, he doesn’t have solid WR’s that he can play pitch and catch with. At this point in the draft, unless the Giants look to trade up for a WR, they have to sit tight and evaluate their options as the draft unfold. Luckily, a WR falls to the Giants and they pick him up. Johnston has that rare combination of size and speed for a receiver. He also has large hands with a large target radius. His experience with the route tree is minimal and his ability to come in and out of breaks can be rounded and sloppy at times. Fixable and WR1 for the Giants.
Dallas Cowboys – Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson
Bresee is a 6’5 300lb defensive tackle who has a big presence on the field. When he was healthy, he can get a lot of pressure in the gaps, but at times, teams had to triple team him just to keep him from penetrating gaps. Bresee can play a 3 or 5 tech depending on the scheme but should be an every down player. He gives 110% on every play and looks to be around the action on every play. Adding Bresee to the defensive line in rotation might open up more pass rushing opportunities for Micah Parsons.
Buffalo Bills – O’Cyrus Torrence, OG, Florida
Torrence could immediately become the team’s starting right guard since incumbent offensive guard Connor McGovern can play as a center or a left-sided guard. In part this is due to the Bills trading for Ryan Bates from Philly, but he has only started 4 games in 3 seasons with the Bills. McGovern and Torrence at both G positions would give a huge impact to the interior offensive line and bolster a running attack from Jared Cook and newly acquired David Montgomery. Torrence might be able to help the Bills get over that proverbial hump in the playoffs with solid protection and road grading run blocking.
Cincinnati Bengals – Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma
Offensive tackle Jonah Williams was moved to RT with the acquisition of Orlando Brown, which of course is not the position he wanted to play. Williams has requested a trade from the Bengals and many think that he could be a draft day trade. Even still, Cincinnati could draft his replacement at pick 28 in Anton Harrison. A better pass blocker than run blocker, Harrison is capable of playing both sides of the line.
New Orleans Saints – Calijah Kancey, DT, Pittsburgh
The past 2 seasons at Pitt, Kancey had incredible years. Even though he is a bit undersized (6’0, 275), Kancey is an energetic and quick body with an explosive first step. His size allows him to gain leverage against taller offensive lineman which allows him to win at one on one blocking. Kancey ammassed 14.5 sacks as a defensive tackle as well as totalling 34.5 tackles for loss for the Pitt Panther. He will have to get stronger and develop better technique for the NFL, but the potential is there.
Philadelphia Eagles – Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State
At Mississippi State, Forbes was a solid cover corner with excellent ball skills and coverage ability. In 2022, Forbes had 6 interceptions, 3 of which, were returned for touch downs. The Eagles get a solid player in Forbes who would primarily back up Slay and Bradberry, but could eventually take over for Bradberry midway through the season. Forbes also had 10 pass deflections and added greater than 45 tackles in each of his 3 years at Mississippi State.
Kansas City Chiefs – Will McDonald IV, Edge, Iowa State
Kansas City may be Superbowl champions, but they still need a better pass rush. George Karlaftis, their first pick in 2022, started to catch on midway through the season for the Chiefs, but the Chiefs are going to need more from the other side. Will McDonald IV really made a name for himself from the combine and Senior Bowl practices. He set records in the Big 12 for total sacks (34), forced fumbles (10), and tackles for loss (41). A high energy player, he will benefit with one on one pass rushing against right tackles in the NFL.