This is my first 2023 NFL Mock Draft of the year, and obviously not my last. Some surprises but also some predicables. The draft order is taken from the most current off of Tankathon.
I had wanted to get this out sooner, but I have been lazy.
1.
C.J. Stroud
QB | OHIO STATE
With Matt Rhule being fired, which was expected if Carolina didn’t play well, the Panthers will start over with a new coach, which means new QB.
2.
WILL ANDERSON JR.
EDGE | ALABAMA
Much like what happened in 2022, the best pass rusher falls in the lap of the 2nd overall pick. In this case, its because the 1st overall pick is out of need. Will Anderson is the best pass rusher in the draft and the Raiders need to add premiere pass rusher to take the pressure off Maxx Crosby from doing everything.
3.
BRYCE YOUNG
QB | ALABAMA
Alabama does not produce NFL QB’s. I would like to believe that Bryce Young is different but that would be saying Tua, and Mac Jones, and the others that came before them are different. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Young has tremendous talent, but he is a bit undersized and he needs to show that he can toughen up to be an NFL QB. Someone has to break the curse of Tuscaloosa.
4.
MYLES MURPHY
EDGE | CLEMSON
Houston took Derek Stingley with the 3rd pick overall in 2022 but considering value here, the best player available might just be another CB. WIth another pick in the first round, Houston can be aggressive in the draft to improve their team.
5.
JALEN CARTER
DT | GEORGIA
At this point in the season the Saints probably wish they had this pick back from the Eagles, because QB is looking more like a need than ever for New Orleans. The Eagles have one of the best defenses in the league and adding another piece to replace Fletcher Cox will make the Eagles that much more dangerous for years to come. Carter has been mentioned as the best Georgia defender on their national championship team.
6.
JAXSON SMITH-njIGBA
WR | OHIO STATE
Houston drafted Nico Collins in 2021 but he has yet to truly break out. Houston also traded for Brandin Cooks who will be 30 before the end of the season. Neither Collins nor Cooks have shown to be elite or close to WR1 material as of late. If Houston sticks with Davis Mills after 2022, JSN will be a strong addition to the WR corps and immediately slot to WR1 for the Texans.
7.
BRYAN BRESEE
DT | CLEMSON
Seattle has displayed some promise from utter demise the last few years, which, should continue through the 2023 NFL draft. In this case, the defensive line needs an anchor in the middle as a 3-Tech or 1-Tech. Bryan Bresee is just that kind of player. A high motor guy who sometimes drew triple teams to handle his level of penetration.
8.
kelee ringo
CB | GEORGIA
The Steelers defense has been ravaged by injuries this season, especially in the secondary. Even then, the secondary needed to add shutdown corners to their roster. Ringo is just that kind of player. An effective man press corner that excels with physical contact, the mentality the Steelers like in their CB’s.
9.
PARIS JOHNSON JR.
OT | OHIO STATE
If there is a single piece that could make the Cardinals better, it would be an offensive tackle. Kelvin Beachum has played at RT for the Cardinals for the last 3 seasons and has seen a steady decline among them. They took Josh Jones in 2020 but he is not showing much progress in taking a spot on the starting line up. Cardinals grab the replacement here and solidify the bookend tackles.
10.
PETER SKORONSKI
OT | NORTHWESTERN
Jacksonville has been on an up and down ride this season, and while they continue to improve, the offensive line needs some work. Cam Robinson is proving to be a liability and if the Jaguars have the option to upgrade their LT position, the should. Skoronski is a true LT and has all the skills to lock down the position for the Jaguars. This would give a solid blocking option for Trevor Lawrence with the potential to develop into the franchise QB he has the potential to be.
11.
JORDAN ADDISON
WR | USC
Justin Fields seems to be under a slow progression than what the expectation was for what the Bears had hoped. Part of this issue is the lack of receiving options and a lack luster offensive line. In this position the offensive line options are not available, but one of the best WR’s in the class is available. Addison is a sharp route runner and has the ability to sell routes which will make him very valuable for the progression of Justin Fields.
12.
WILL LEVIS
QB | KENTUCKY
This Commanders team is so bad, and its worse that their front office is hell bent on proving people wrong. They got fleeced by the Colts in trading for Carson Wentz, who, gave the Commanders a major break by being injured and is out 4-6 weeks. This puts in Tyler Heinicke, who might just put the Commanders in the win column once or twice in Wentz’s absense. But, if things still go south, the Commanders need to drop Wentz, fire the front office and start fresh with a new QB. Levis is probably the most pro ready QB, but his consistency is not consistent. Has the arm, size, and release for the NFL.
13.
BIJAN ROBINSON
DT | CLEMSON
Atlanta didn’t have a true running game when they put Cordarelle Patterson in the backfield. After drafting Tyler Allgeier Patterson got injured and the Falcons running game is non existent. Robinson could change all of that being drafted by the Falcons. He is the premier RB in the country.
14.
CAM SMITH
CB | SOUTH CAROLINA
The Seattle secondary is a far cry from what they were known for a short time ago. In this position in the draft, taking a guy like Cam Smith is exactly the player Seattle could use. He has size, is aggressive, and has length. Smith is a phyiscal presence who can play the boundary very well and would be an instant upgrade to the Seahawks secondary.
15.
JOEY PORTER JR.
CB | PENN STATE
On the surface the secondary for the Bengals is solid, but Eli Apple cannot still be on the roster can he? Well, he is, but in this 2023 draft class, the CB position is deep, and Cincinnati could go after a shut down corner with the name that haunted them for a decade. Porter is a solid man press cover with good instincts.
16.
keyshon boutte
WR | LSU
New England might have a QB controversy on their hands at the end of the 2022 season, but that QB will need weapons to throw to. Jakobi Meyers is the most productive WR but he is inconsistent in terms of staying healthy. Boutte is a physical receiver that can play the boundary or work the middle.
17.
FORFEITED
18.
malachi moore
S | ALABAMA
Adrian Amos has seen better days in the NFL and the Packers could look to upgrade the in box position. Moore is a physically dominant safety who thrives on contact and likes to play up in the box. Moore should take pressure off Darnell Savage.
19.
TRENTON SIMPSON
OLB | CLEMSON
The Dolphins acquired Melvin Ingram at 33 years old and is on his 5th NFL roster. If the Dolphins are able to get younger at the position with a rush linebacker, Simpson would be it. Simpson is an explosive LB for Clemson with great instincts and quickness.
20.
NOAH SEWELL
LB | OREGON
The Bucs defense could use some youth infusion at LB with Lavonte David being 32. At least in a rotational position to start. Noah Sewell is the younger brother of Penei Sewell, the OT in Detroit. Sewell is a tackling machine and has elite instincts for getting after ball carriers.
21.
JOSH DOWNS
WR | NORTH CAROLINA
Baltimore’s leading pass catcher and target is typically Mark Andrews, a TE. While they drafted Rashod Batemen in 2021 in the first round, he has not really amounted to that expectation. Duvernay looked to be on track but has fizzled out in 2022. One of the weaker points for the Ravens offense is their talent for pass catchers. Downs has been slowly creeping up the boards with crazy speed and shifty breaks in his routes, he reminds me a lot of Desean Jackson.
22.
Antonio Johnson
S | TEXAS A&M
Detroit has 2 picks in the first round of the draft, one of which they use on a QB. This pick would give Detroit a versatile safety that is physical but can also drop into coverage. Johnson has the ability to drop into coverage but still attack downfield in a hurry.
23.
KYU BLU KELLY
CB | STANFORD
Indy has a solid defense but has issues in the secondary with a couple of veteran players. The Colts could add a corner to their secondary who could likely be a starter on day one. Kelly is a lengthy corner with ball tracking skills and can turn and run while pressing on the line.
24.
FELIX ANUDIKE-UZOMAH
EDGE | KANSAS STATE
When the Titans played the Commanders it was pretty clear that the Titans didn’t have much of a pass rush against an injured and battered offensive line. Anudike-Uzomah should be able to change a portion of their pass rush with his ability to get after the passer.
25.
MICHAEL MAYER
TE | NOTRE DAME
If the Chargers need an improvement on offense it has to be at the TE position. Gerald Everett has not really lived up to expectations since being drafted and its important that Herbert have that consistent play maker to get the tough yards to move the chains. Mayer is the best TE to be in consideration in quite some time. Mayer would find a lot of success in the Chargers offense with Justin Herbert at QB.
26.
BRODERICK JONES
OT | GEORGIA
With Mechi Becton landing on IR for the 2nd year in a row, the Jets need to move on from him and get a starting LT who can stay healthy. Jones is a monster LT with great techniques and use of feet and hands to disrupt pass rushers.
27.
BRANDON JOSEPH
S | NOTRE DAME
Dallas has some issus with the secondary, especially in the S position. With this draft class, the S position is loaded at the top end of the class. Dallas can take a top 5 safety with this pick. Joseph is a physical Safety who explodes downhill after the snap.
28.
QUENTIN JOHNSTON
WR | TEXAS CHRISTIAN
The Giants have sort of a hodge podge at WR. Kenny Golladay is the overpaid injured guy, Sterling Shepard is injured as is Kadarius Toney. Wan’Dale Robinson has been a solid addition, but they really need a consistent pass catching WR with size to off set the entire WR corps. Johnston is 6’4 with some weight to him which is what the Giants really need at the WR position.
29.
KYU BLU KELLY
CB | STANFORD
The Chiefs have been a little lackluster and dominating this season. While they are still considered a favorite to go deep into the playoffs, their secondary is lacking any kind of a press cover corner. Being able to add a player like Kelly, who has length and plays very physical at the line of scrimmage will make it hard for offenses to navigate passing lanes or routes on the Chiefs defense.
30.
JALEN CATALON
S | ARKANSAS
I am not sure how much Harrison Smith has left in his tank but the Vikings could avoid signing him to a large contract in this Safety heavy class. Catalon is such an athlete and has an unbelievable motor. He has a knack for being around the ball and is twitchy enough to avoid being blocked out of a play. Catalon has a high ceiling based on evaluations.
31.
CLARK PHILLIPS III
CB | UTAH
This Buffalo team is poised to make a championship run in 2022, but their nickel corner spot might be lacking or at least some of their depth at CB. Phillips plays much bigger than he is and certainly does well in shadowing receivers. He has amazing recovery speed and plays great angles on the ball. He has been doing this since he was a freshman. Could start as a boundary corner for the Bills.
32.
ISAIAH FOSKEY
EDGE | NOTRE DAME
With the 2nd pick in the first round for the Eagles, they add an edge rusher to their defense. Foskey could likely go higher than this pick, but the Eagles at this moment would get an Edge rusher that has speed, twitch and makes plays to force turnovers. Foskey has all the tools to be a double digit sack rusher at the next level.