With the Superbowl now complete, and the Chiefs as champions, the NFL offseason is underway. This is our bread and butter and our favorite time of year. In honor of this, we are releasing our 2023 NFL Mock Draft 1. There are no trades yet although we mention a couple situations where they are likely. Our graphic also has the Eagles picking 31 as we released it yesterday before the Superbowl. For this article it has been adjusted, but the picks remain the same for those two teams.
1. Chicago Bears: Jalen Carter, DL, Georgia
Jalen Carter is a prospect on his own planet in this draft. He is by far the best in the draft, and unless the Bears covet a flexible linebacker who can drop back in coverage (or trade out if we were projecting trades), this should be an easy pick. Carter has a developed pass rush feel as well as being a massive presence in the run game and he should be a pro bowl caliber player from the jump.
2. Houston Texans: Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson
Murphy seems to be projected anywhere from top five to the end of the first. To us, his college production does not match his potential. He has ELITE burst with a capital E. His jump off the snap is one of the best you will see. He has multiple pass rush moves and counter moves, will be productive enough in the run game, and is our top rated EDGE in this draft.
3. Arizona Cardinals: Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Alabama
Will Anderson has a ton of potential, let us state that right now. He has great burst and can play multiple different roles on a defense. However, despite his gaudy production, his pass rushing moves are not as developed as one may think. He needs to get a better feel for the technical points of rushing when his athleticism will not be as unique at the next level.
4. Indianapolis Colts: CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State
We assume the Colts make the jump up to one to make this pick to be honest. Stroud is our QB1 and it is not too close in our eyes. He is a nice mix of upside and floor. This does not mean he is a cannot miss prospect, and our comp for him is Winston, but he has a big arm and decent mobility that translates to the next level.
5. Seattle Seahawks(VIA Denver Broncos): Bryan Bresee, DL, Clemson
This is another instance where we see a trade happening. Seattle probably moves back for more picks here. If they stay though, they desperately need interior defensive line help. Bresee did not have impressive college production, and had multiple injuries, but has a lot of upside. We do not necessarily feel he is worth a top five pick, but he also has potential to be worth this pick.
6. Detroit Lions(VIA Los Angeles Rams): Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
Gonzalez is our #1 CB. Detroit can’t ignore that their cornerbacks room is less than ideal. Gonzalez could use some work as he’s still pretty raw with room to grow, but should still be able to step in and be their CB1 right off the bat.
7. Las Vegas Raiders: Paris Johnson Jr., OT/G, Ohio State
Yes, Anton Harrison is my No.1 OT prospect this year. I think the Raiders take Johnson in this situation though. I feel like they could use help at guard and tackle, and Johnson provides the flexibility to do both at a high level.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
We made this pick jokingly at first, but the more we thought about it the more we felt it makes sense. Yes, they drafted London and Pitts in the top ten the last two years. So what? They still have a rough group of receivers beyond those two, and Johnston brings a different skill set than London. Johnston’s speed and RAC ability will pair very well with London’s jump ball skills.
9. Carolina Panthers: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
People are going to call for Bryce Young here, but we have a few issues with that. First and foremost, we do not hold Young in very high regards as a prospect. He has a high floor, but a low ceiling. Second, the Panthers have had middling QB play for far too long. Third, a new coaching staff should have time to properly develop a prospect if they want, and should therefore shoot for the stars with their choice (in which Richardson’s upside is unmatched in this draft by most). Lastly, Carolina fans can really get behind Richardson seeing as he has a similar play style to Cam Newton (although their NFL readiness are nowhere near the same and Richardson needs a lot of time to develop)
10. Philadelphia Eagles(VIA New Orleans Saints): Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma
Rumor has it, if the Eagles win they could be losing Kelce and Lane. They drafted Kelce’s replacement last year, and now they get their Johnson replacement.
11. Tennessee Titans: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
Sources suggest (mostly Lewan himself) Taylor Lewan could be on his way out. Jones will slide right into his spot if Lewan is cut. Jones is still pretty raw in his technique, and still plays at a high level. He will slide into a run-heavy offense like the Dawgs ran.
12. Houston Texans(VIA Cleveland Browns): Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
Our wide receiver 1. He has elite route running, speed, hands, and more. With Brandon Cooks wanting out, Houston has a massive void at wide receiver. Flowers is compared to Antonio Brown in our eyes. He is undersized, but his play strength is better than almost any receiver in this class.
13. New York Jets: Drew Sanders, LB, Arkansas
CJ Mosley could find himself as a cap casualty this offseason. Even if he doesn’t, Mosley is pretty much all alone in the Jets LB room. Sanders is the best linebacker I’ve scouted in the last two years, and should be a huge upgrade in the middle of the Jets defense. I also think Sanders will remind Saleh of his guy in San Fran… Fred Warner.
14. New England Patriots: Jordan Addison, WR, USC
Addison brings a skill set that the Patriots desperately need. Speed first and foremost. We do not feel he necessarily has the ability to be a true alpha, but he can be a lesser number one or a great number two, and right now New England needs this. But, in reality it is probably an offensive lineman because, Patriots.
15. Green Bay Packers: Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
How funny would it be that the Packers trade Rodgers, and then take a weapon in the first round. Much like Seattle finally drafting an offensive lineman after Wilson left. We do not think the upside of Kincaid (or even Mayer) is matched by any of the receivers available. Kincaid is a dynamic weapon and is also a decent blocker. He can be a go to target for Love, as well as a blocker for the offense.
16. Washington Commanders: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
The Commanders secondary is rough. Fuller is fine, but he could use a partner in crime. Witherspoon will step in on day one and have an immediate impact on their defense.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Peter Skoronski, OT/G, Northwestern
Much like Paris Johnson, I feel like Skoronski has guard/tackle flexibility. Pickett didn’t look that bad, and they need to keep him protected. Skoronski should help with that.
18. Detroit Lions: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Mayer screams Dan Campbell. He is reminiscent of Jason Witten. He can be a good blocker and a check down option and a very good receiver. The Lions have other needs, but also cannot go into the season with Brock Wright as their starting tight end.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
Does Young actually fall this far? Probably not, but it is possible. We do not expect him to test very well at the combine or measure in at anything good. In reality, we feel Tampa could trade up to get him. Young needs a strong cast to support him and succeed, and Tampa fits this perfectly.
20. Seattle Seahawks: Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
Last year Seattle drafted a projected CB(Woolen) in the 5th round. It panned out as Woolen became one of the best rookie CBs in recent memory. I think they do it again this year with Ringo, and give Seahawks fans a CB duo that reminds them of the Legion of Boom days.
21. Los Angeles Chargers: Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee
Hyatt is being projected all over. His speed is next level, but he does not have much experience beating press or needing to use other methods besides speed to win. He has a lot of upside physically, and he can bring skills that the Charger room is severely lacking. Imagine Herbert throwing to a receiver with 4.2 speed.
22. Baltimore Ravens: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
He is not the WR1 in this class. If you disagree that is completely fine. We have major concerns about his athleticism and ability to separate. He is most likely going to be relegated to the slot, but luckily for Baltimore, that is just what they need.
23. Minnesota Vikings: Siaki Ika, DL, Baylor
Vikings will most likely lose Dalvin Tomlison, and could use a big bodied d lineman in the middle. Ika is more than just a run blocker though, as he has some juice to get a couple sacks here and there.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars: Andrew Vorhees, OG, USC
After looking at the Jags depth chart, we discovered this is kind of a luxury pick for Doug Pederson and the Jags… Who would’ve thought lol. We said it a million times last off season, “You need to protect Lawrence.” Vorhees should step in as a day one starter.
25. New York Giants: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
In this scenario, we think the Giants let Barkley walk and use the savings to get a couple wide receivers. If this happens, then they replace Barkley with a great prospect (although not quite at Barkley’s level). The more likely outcome is they re-sign Barkley for a discount and then trade up for a wide receiver.
26. Dallas Cowboys: Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia
Dallas likes to shoot for upside and Smith has it. If he was not injured he probably would be taken higher than this.
27. Buffalo Bills: Christopher Smith, S, Georgia
It sounds like Jordan Poyer has played his final snap for the Bills and it seems like Micah Hyde probably isn’t far behind. The Bills continue to strengthen the secondary with our No. 1 safety.
28. Cincinnati Bengals: Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
Awuzie will be coming off an ACL tear, and Eli Apple will be coming off another Eli Apple season, which involves him playing extremely average football at best, while talking sh*t like he’s Jalen Ramsey. Mike Hilton needs help at CB, he can’t keep doing it himself.
29. New Orleans Saints(VIA DEN-VIA MIA-VIA SF): Cody Mauch, OL, North Dakota State
He’s toothless and ruthless… that is all you need to know.
30. Philadelphia Eagles: Isaiah Foskey, EDGE, Notre Dame
Philly has three big needs in this draft; offensive line, defensive line, and wide receiver. We have them getting O line and EDGE with their first two picks.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
This is the pick we are most excited about. Darnell Washington is one of two prospects with an insane ceiling and a low floor. But, this is the perfect landing spot. To learn from Kelce and Reid, where he is not expected to produce right away, Washington could become a monster.