NFL MOCK DRAFT 2023 - THE ONE AND ONLY
Another year, another NFL Mock Draft. Another opportunity to mock an offensive weapon to the Packers, as well as the fastest 40 time combine guy getting drafted by the Raiders in the Top 10. I’ll save my Packers soap box for #13, let’s get this show on the road! With the first pick in the NFL Draft, the Carolina Panthers select…….
Carolina Panthers - Bryce Young, QB - Alabama
F*** the size, this guy can play and that’s what matters. Won the Heisman in 2021 and has made countless NFL level throws and reads throughout his career at Bama, capped off with a 32/5 TD:INT ratio senior year.
Houston Texans - CJ Stroud, QB - Ohio State
Stroud threw for 44 and 41 TDs in his two years as the Ohio State starter, with only 6 INTs each season, breaking the Big Ten record for TD passes in a two year span. Stroud helps jumpstart the Texans rebuild with a leader and cornerstone QB at #2, something they desperately need to move on from the Deshaun Watson era with an opportunity to get another offensive weapon at #12. Would not be surprised if they go Will Anderson JR. here at #2 if they think they can get their franchise QB at #12 instead.
Arizona Cardinals - Will Anderson Jr., DE/OLB - Alabama
Arizona gets the top overall talent in the draft to bolster their defense with someone who was an absolute terror on Nick Saban’s defense, tallying 29 sacks over his last two seasons and a two-time Nagurski Award winner. Very easily could be a trade out situation for the Cardinals if the price is right for someone wanting to jump Indy at #4 and get their franchise QB.
Indianapolis Colts - Anthony Richardson, QB - Florida
Richardson shot up the draft boards after an unreal combine performance, but he could be a perfect fit in Indy’s offense with a top tier O-line and new head coach and ex-Eagles OC Shane Steichen and bring that similar scheme to Indy. Imagine Richardson and Jonathan Taylor in the backfield running a read option with Quenton Nelson pulling and leading the way, plus the development of Pittman at wideout helps give Richardson a go-to guy.
Seattle Seahawks - Jalen Carter, DT - Georgia
Seattle gets best defensive player available in Carter, with another first round pick at #20 and two in the second round they’re not in a rush to get a potential post-Geno QB replacement and have plenty of options for their later picks.
Detroit Lions - Tyree Wilson, DE/OLB - Texas Tech
Wilson is another late riser up the draft board and a great complement to Aidan Hutchinson on a tough young Lions defense with another pick at #18 to build on their solid future core.
Vegas Raiders - Devon Witherspoon, CB - Illinois
I was torn between Christian Gonzalez here with Atlanta following at eight but both are top tier corners who can make an impact early. Biggest hesitancy here with Witherspoon at seven is if there’s a chance Anthony Richardson is available, he could sit under Jimmy G for a year and learn the ropes and really take off with Vegas.
Atlanta Falcons - Christian Gonzalez, CB - Oregon
Atlanta is a sneaky trade candidate if they don't like what they have at eight, but I think they go corner and take either Witherspoon or Gonzalez. Gonzalez ran a 4.38 40-yard dash at the combine and was second team All-American this past season, filling a big need for Atlanta.
Chicago Bears - Peter Skornowski, OT - Northwestern
Love/Hate this pick for Chicago - love what it does for the Bears and Fields, hate what it does for Green Bay. Coming from right up the road, Skornowski brings a solid tackle to help protect QB Justin Fields and their franchise guy.
Philadelphia Eagles - Luke Van Ness, DE/OLB - Iowa
When I mocked this pick, I almost threw up because the thought of the Eagles even having this pick let alone taking another great pass rusher in LVN makes me nauseous and terrified to face that Eagles defense. That being said it makes complete sense for the Eagles, reloading younger pass rushing talent with Brandon Graham and Fletcher Cox as they near the end of their careers. Jordan Davis and Luke Van Ness is a scary thought on that front seven line.
Tennessee Titans - Paris Johnson, OT - Ohio State
Titans could be a team to move up and take a QB, but Tennessee goes with offensive line help after Lewan’s departure and sets up Tannehill for this season and whoever the next QB is in Tennessee after him. Johnson protected CJ Stroud’s blindside allowing him to throw for 85 touchdowns in two seasons, I’m sure Stroud would say Johnson played a big part in that!
Houston Texans - Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR - Ohio State
Pair your franchise rookie QB with his favorite receiver from college? Yeah absolute no brainer here and the Packers just nearly got their top offensive weapon prospect!
Green Bay Packers - Dalton Kincaid, TE - Utah
RODGERS SOAP BOX TIME: It’s impossible to say that I want Aaron to play and retire with another team, I don’t. He’s given me so much joy and happiness as a Packers fan since 2010 and I can’t thank him enough for those great seasons. HOWEVER, Aaron was ready to move on, Packers were ready to move on, and the Packers were able to work out a trade with the Jets. Everyone’s happy now and we’ll move on with a pick swap to get Green Bay to #13 as well as a conditional 2024 2nd rounder that can turn to a first if Rodgers plays more than 65% of the snaps for the Jets this upcoming season. Really love what Gutey was able to get in return for the trade and allows for picks this draft AND next draft!
Packers go with a hilarious spite pick after trading Rodgers after not selecting a WR/TE in the first round during his entire tenure with Green Bay, and 4 days later, go with the highest potential tight end in Kincaid from Utah. Guy caught 16 passes against USC in a game this season so we know he’s capable as a pass catcher and sits in that Kelce/Kittle like athletic frame, giving young QB Jordan Love a nice weapon to pair with Christian Watson for the future.
New England Patriots - Broderick Jones, OT - Georgia
The Patriots fill an offensive line need with a great talent in Jones, who gave Stetson Bennett more than enough time to pick apart defenses this season and should be solid for Bill and the Patriots offense.
New York Jets - Darnell Wright, OT - Tennessee
A really nice housewarming gift for Rodgers in his new Manhattan pad would be offensive line protection and Joe Douglas & Co. will do just that. First team All-SEC this past season Wright has improved each season at Tennessee capped off with a great performance alongside fellow draftees Hendon Hooker & Jaylin Hyatt.
Washington Commanders - Will Levis, QB - Kentucky
Snyder’s last move before selling the team will either be a massive trade for Lamar Jackson or taking a QB here at #16, honestly helps his selling price as much as I hate to say it. I like Levis’ arm potential and he’d have Terry McLaurin there to throw to and a solid backfield to lean on. I don’t know if he’ll be here at #16 but I don’t see him sliding past Washington if that’s the case, there will be one QB to fall as one does every year.
Pittsburgh Steelers - Joey Porter Jr., CB - Penn State
Joey Porter Jr. going to Steel City where his Dad was a part of some of the best defenses of all time? Sign me up, that's too good to be true!
Detroit Lions - Michael Mayer - TE, Notre Dame
Mayer replaces a solid TE TJ Hockenson and his departure last year via trade to Minnesota. A mountain of a man at six foot five and 249 lbs, Mayer can contribute right away as a pass catcher and blocker in Dan Campbell’s offense. Starting to be some division winner rumbles out in Detroit….
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Myles Murphy, DE/OLB - Clemson
The Bucs miss out on the first round QB sweepstakes, they may look to get someone like Hendon Hooker here or try and get someone later. I think they go best pass rusher available and they’ll get that with Myles Murphy, at one point a top 5-10 prospect.
Seattle Seahawks - Jordan Addison, WR - USC
Seattle goes with best defensive player at #5 and then get newly signed Geno Smith, a weapon in Jordan Addison, who tore up the Pac-12 last season with Caleb Williams as well the season before at Pittsburgh with Kenny Pickett before he left for the NFL. Both QBs have great things to say on Addison and he should be able to make an impact early in Seattle.
Los Angeles Chargers - Quentin Johnston, WR - TCU
Would love this fit for the Chargers, Johnston is a playmaker and a dangerous option for Justin Herbert and can be the long term replacement for Keenan Allen. If they don’t go wideout here, I could see either Bryan Bresee or Calijah Kancey going here as they try to shore up the middle of their front seven.
Baltimore Ravens - Deonte Banks - Maryland
Another homer pick here, Banks and Humphrey with Kyle Hamilton at safety - good lord that’s a scary thought. Fun fact - Banks had only one missed tackle all of the 2022 season. Some sites like CBS have him as high as the #10 overall prospect.
Minnesota Vikings - Emmanuel Forbes, CB - Mississippi State
Forbes is the best available corner in the draft and fills a major need for Minnesota. Would not be surprised if they went WR if they like Zay Flowers he could be a great fit here as well.
Jacksonville Jaguars - Nolan Smith, OLB - Georgia
Jacksonville goes with best available here and I’d be surprised if Smith fell this far, this will be one I regret mocking here but this would be a huge grab for the Jags to continue to build that defense under Dougie Fresh.
New York Giants - Zay Flowers, WR - Boston College
Danny Dimes gets a great talent in Flowers, someone who may be under the radar coming from BC but can potentially be the #1 option right away among a deep but not overly talented WR room with Isaiah Hodgins, Parris Campbell, Darius Slayton, Jamison Crowder, Sterling Shepard, and Wan’Dale Robinson. New addition of Darren Waller helps deflect attention away from Flowers and the Quad God in the backfield.
Dallas Cowboys - Bijan Robinson, RB - Texas
Robinson is a top ten draft talent, but teams will be hesitant to pull the trigger on a running back early after watching the Chiefs win a Super Bowl with Mckinnon and Pacheco in the backfield, a late draft pick and a free agent signing in the offseason. That being said, Mr. Jerry Jones will look to make a splash and give Zeke and Tony Pollard a kick in the butt to be on their best ball this year!
Buffalo Bills - O’Cyrus Torrence, OG - Florida
Buffalo gets the best guard in the draft in Torrence but could go a multitude of ways here but I’ll go best offensive lineman available given most of the first round level corners and wideouts will be gone by this point, but if any of the previously mentioned guys are there still I see them going that route over O-line.
Cincinnati Bengals - Brian Branch, S - Alabama
Cincy would be going absolute nuts if Branch was here at #28, filling a major need and by far the best safety in this draft. He can play either safety spot and learned under the great defensive mind of Nick Saban.
New Orleans Saints - Calijah Kancey, DT - Pittsburgh
Kancey has shot up draft boards over the course of this past season, tormenting offensive lines and quarterbacks in the ACC. Short, undersized with a crazy motor - sound familiar to Panther and LA Rams fans? Yeah I won’t make that same mistake twice, Kancey can make an immediate impact and start for the Saints and he will make the most of it.
Philadelphia Eagles - Bryan Bresee, DT - Clemson
Brandon Graham, Fletcher Cox, Jordan Davis, Luke Van Ness, now add Bresee? Reminds me a lot of what the 2018 SB Winning Eagles had on their front seven - some said it was excessive but they proved us all wrong. With the way Hurts and that offense looked this past season, expect Philly to load the defense and become a runaway NFC favorite.
Kansas City Chiefs - Felix Anudike-Uzomah, DE/OLB - Kansas State
I don’t know what KC will do here, this is a great chance to trade back and get some picks if there’s a team willing to trade up in the last hour of the first round. Felix was the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year this past season and staying in-state to bolster the pass rush with Chris Jones at DT. Gibbs from Alabama at RB would be a great fit here but between defense and offensive line they will most likely go that route.
