KANSAS CITY, Mo. — This is my first and only attempt at predicting the first round of the 2023 NFL draft. I will be submitting this one for The Huddle Report to be graded.
Mock drafts have so many unpredictable variables to them that the chances of getting even 10 of the picks correct is considered good. This mock takes into account team need and potentially the best player available for some teams.
1. Panthers - QB Bryce Young, Alabama
The Panthers traded up for the face of their franchise. And it seems like all signs are leading to Bryce Young being the top pick after he canceled visiting teams outside of the top two.
2. Texans - DE Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech
Head coach DeMeco Ryans needs to build to his strength immediately. This draft needs to be about defensive linemen who fit Ryan's brand of pass rush. 2024 is the year to get one of the top quarterbacks or continue building the roster for the final piece at quarterback down the road. Wilson provides them a strong rusher, but question marks on his foot injury will make it interesting to see if he lands at the second overall pick.
3. Cardinals - DE Will Anderson, Alabama
Head coach Jonathan Gannon needs to build up his pass rush. The strength of the Eagles defense with Gannon as defensive coordinator was their front four. Anderson gives them good speed off the edge, which fills a need for the team's defense.
4. Colts - QB Will Levis, Kentucky
The Colts need a long term plan at quarterback. That is the whole reason they hired head coach Shane Steichen away from the Eagles. Steichen helped develop and build an offense that showcased Jalen Hurts and led to a massive pay day for the quarterback.
General manager Chris Ballard needs him to do the same for Levis.
Levis seems to have been linked to the Colts far too often for there not to be legitimate interest. And the Colts have to trust Steichen if he believes Levis is the quarterback he can building a winning team around.
5. Seahawks - DT Jalen Carter, Georgia
Carter is arguably the most athletic defensive lineman in this draft. The Seahawks could use his help along their defensive line. Carter can dominate when he wants to unleash his full athletic ability.
6. Lions - CB Devon Witherspoon, Illinois
Witherspoon fits the aggressive style of play Lions head coach Dan Campbell and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn are building in Detroit.
7. Raiders - OT Peter Skoronski, Northwestern
The Raiders need help on their offensive line after they blew it up the past couple of years. They could use help along the defensive line and at corner, but this gives general manager Dave Ziegler one of the more versatile picks that could play at guard or tackle.
8. Falcons - CB Christian Gonzalez, Oregon
The Falcons pass rush needs help, but the best pick here is Gonzalez. He gives the Falcons an athletic corner that can smoothly turn his hips and help Atlanta stifle the poor passing attacks in the NFC South.
9. Bears - OT Paris Johnson Jr, Ohio State
General manager Ryan Poles needs a franchise left tackle to protect quarterback Justin Fields. Fields is their most important investment and it is time to get the second most important investment; the tackles along the offensive line. Johnson gives them a plug and play offensive tackle with standout athletic ability.
10. Eagles- RB Bijan Robinson, Texas
The Eagles are likely hoping Jalen Carter could fall to within range. Philadelphia has the necessary draft picks to move anywhere they would like for Carter. Since I don't put trades in these mocks, this is where Robinson gets taken. He gives Hurts a premium running back and one-two punch in their run game.
11. Titans - QB CJ Stroud, Ohio State
The Titans may need to trade up for Stroud, but I'm predicting him to end up with Tennessee. Head coach Mike Vrabel is beginning the next phase of their rebuild. The Titans don't have the necessary quarterback on the roster to capture the AFC South. Stroud gives them a fighting chance.
12. Texans - DE Nolan Smith, Georgia
Smith gives the Texans an edge rusher with a high upside because of his athletic ability. He provides the speed to go with Wilson's power on the opposite side of the line. The Packers might also jump the Texans to get Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
13. Packers - WR Jaxson Smith-Njigba, Ohio State
Aaron Rodgers is off to the New York Jets and the Packers immediately draft a wide receiver. That's after Rodgers wanted more weapons on offense during his tenure in Green Bay. The new face of the franchise, quaterback Jordan Love, will need as many weapons as possible to be successful. Smith-Njigba helps the franchise take the next step forward, along with Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs. The Packers may need to jump up to the 10th spot to lock this pick in. Tight end makes a ton of sense here, as well as an offensive tackle for the long term future.
14. Patriots - DE Lukas Van Ness, Iowa
Van Ness feels like a player destined to be a Patriot. He played under Kirk Ferentz, the former offensive line coach for Bill Belichick during Belichick's time in Cleveland. Van Ness would have his best chance at success in the Patriots' 34 scheme.
15. Jets - OT Broderick Jones, Georgia
The Jets need to keep their new franchise quarterback upright. Jones provides them one of the most athletic offensive tackles in the draft who could become a top player at that position. Rodgers can't help the potential high-flying offense score enough points if he is running for his life because of struggles at tackle. New York has a serious chance to topple the Bills and keep the Dolphins at bay if they solidify their offensive line.
16. Commanders - QB Anthony Richardson, Florida
Washington decides to get brave and take their quarterback of the future. Richardson likely isn't ready this year, but gets to learn behind Sam Howell and Jacoby Brissett in new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy's scheme. Another key factor is Richardson can buy the coaching staff time with a new owner coming in. They can sell the new owner on Richardson being the face of their franchise and potentially parlay it into three years of job security.
17. Steelers - OT Darnell Wright, Tennessee
This is the spot I wrestled between choosing USC wide receiver Jordan Addison and an offensive tackle. Addison would be a good addition here because of his time with quarterback Kenny Pickett. In a way, Addison helped Pickett have enough quality tape to be drafted. But the Steelers depth chart though shows an offense in desperate need of any line help they can get. Pittsburgh needs to build their line up to compete with the Bengals. Wright goes to the Steelers.
18. Lions- DT Calijah Kancey, Pittsburgh
Defensive line is going to be the key for the Lions to push their way into the 2023 playoffs. They were already able to address the need for a cornerback earlier in the draft. With Kancey, they can get a really athletic three tech that can rotate in and cause some opposing quarterbacks fits along with Aidan Hutchinson and James Houston.
19. Buccaneers - DE Myles Murphy, Clemson
Tampa Bay could use help at offensive tackle. They could reach for Anton Harrison or Dawan Jones here. Or they can take an athletic edge rusher for their defensive scheme. The team will likely need to tread water this season until they can find their next franchise quarterback to build around. The NFC South lacks polished quarterbacks, so putting pressure on them could be the difference.
20. Seahawks - WR Jordan Addison, USC
The Seahawks don't need a wide receiver, but when one of the best route runners becomes available in the draft, it is worth the value in this spot. Addison allows Seattle to mix and match their formations with DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Noah Fant and Addison for quaterback Geno Smith.
21. Chargers - TE Dalton Kincaid, Utah
Kincaid is one of the more athletic tight ends and has some highlight reel catches. The knock on him will be his back. The Chargers need to bring in cheaper help for their offense. Keenan Allen and Mike Williams are hurt far too often and Justin Herbert needs a reliable threat to help keep the offense from sputtering. The Chargers also have a habit of taking a risk on injured players. Kincaid lets them move on from Allen or Williams after the 2023 season.
22. Ravens - CB Joey Porter Jr, Penn State
Porter fits perfectly in the Ravens physical style on defense. He is an aggressive corner that likes to impose his will on receivers. It can lead to penalties, but it fits well with Baltimore.
23. Vikings - CB Deonte Banks, Maryland
The Vikings need help at cornerback. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores needs a premium investment at the spot to go with Andrew Booth and Akayleb Evans. Banks gives Flores a corner with good fludity and a player who understands how to use the boundary to his advantage.
24. Jaguars - S Brian Branch, Alabama
The Jaguars could add a big piece here with Branch at safety. His versatility in the slot, nickel, box safety and split safety gives Jaguars defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell a lot of opportunities to create some different looks for opposing quarterbacks. With a high football IQ and one of the better tacklers at the safety spot, Branch is a Swiss Army knife in any secondary.
25. Giants - C John Michael Schmitz, Minnesota
The Giants need help along their offensive line. Schmitz gives them an athletic center with quick feet for reach blocks. He works hard to get into position and wall off defenders. Schmitz just needs help with getting his strength to an NFL level to have a long careet.
26. Cowboys - TE Michael Mayer, Notre Dame
The Cowboys could use help at running back and Jahmyr Gibbs would lethal in their system. Mayer gives them a reliable tight end to help Dak Prescott and the offense keep moving the chains. Mayer reminded me a lot of Rob Gronkowski from a size perspective. He is a mismatch for linebackers and safeties. Mayer pairs well with CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks.
27. Bills - WR Zay Flowers, Boston College
The Bills need to begin to find a replacement for either Stefon Diggs contract long term or the potential departure of Gabe Davis. Flowers gives them a third option if Khalil Shakir can't take over at one of the positions. Flowers can help as the three or four, so Allen is holding the ball and can take as many shots. Buffalo could also use help with their pass rush and at linebacker, but it might be too early here.
28. Bengals - TE Luke Musgrave, Oregon State
The Bengals could use help at cornerback. This draft allows them to get that later with the depth at cornerback in this class. Musgrave may not be there for their next pick. Part of the reason Cincinnati didn't have back to back Super Bowl appearances is because once Tyler Boyd got injured, there wasn't a third option in the offense. The Chiefs were able to take away Ja'Mar Chase and Tee Higgins. There are also potential big contracts on the horizon for Higgins and Boyd after the 2023 season. Cincinnati could use more leverage and a cheaper option athletically.
29. Saints - WR Quentin Johnston, TCU
The Saints may need him with Michael Thomas and Chris Olave on the roster, but the three top tight ends are off the board. Quarterback Derek Carr needs all the support from his receivers. His ability to be able to distribute the ball quickly and find the mismatches will determine the fate of the Saints coaching staff. The team needs to get him what will help them score as many points as possible in the NFC South. It also wouldn't stun me if they went pass rush here to replace Cameron Jordan long term.
30. Eagles - DL Adetomiwa Adebwore, Northwestern
Adebwore gives the Eagles a premium athlete for their three tech position. He has the size to play end if needed, but also kick inside to defensive tackle. General manager Howie Roseman seems to routinely invest in both sides of the line.
31. Chiefs - DT Mazi Smith, Michigan
Smith is arguably the best one-tech in the draft and defensive line coach Joe Cullen can get the most out of him. Smith's presence and strength could help free up the rest of the defensive line.
The first round of the NFL Draft will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 27, in Kansas City, Missouri.
