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2023 NFL Mock Draft: Atlanta Falcons land C.J. Stroud

By Randy Gurzi

Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud throws a pass during the fourth quarter of the Rose Bowl against the Utah Utes in Pasadena, Calif. on Jan. 1, 2022.Syndication The Columbus Dispatch
Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud throws a pass during the fourth quarter of the Rose Bowl against the Utah Utes in Pasadena, Calif. on Jan. 1, 2022.Syndication The Columbus Dispatch /
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In another way-too-early 2023 NFL Mock Draft, the Atlanta Falcons kick things off by adding Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud at No. 1 overall

The NFL Draft brings hope — and if we are being honest, some teams are already looking forward to the hope of the upcoming draft.

There are several teams in the mix for a championship this coming season but arguably just as many are worried about how they can fix their roster going forward. This piece is geared more toward them — although fanbases of contenders could also enjoy seeing who else is in the mix for their respective clubs.

Here, we try and keep the contenders in their spot and help the rest improve their talent in this way-too-early 2023 NFL Mock Draft.

2023 NFL mock draft, 1st overall pick

2023 NFL Mock Draft
Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud celebrates after a touchdown during the Buckeyes’ comeback win over Utah on Saturday in the Rose Bowl. /

44. QB. Ohio State. C.J. Stroud. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 1

Atlanta Falcons: C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State

Anyone trying to sell Marcus Mariota as the face of the Atlanta Falcons is fooling themselves. Mariota was the No. 2 pick in the 2015 NFL Draft but never proved to be the guy for the Tennessee Titans. He then spent the past couple of seasons as a reserve for the Las Vegas Raiders before Atlanta brought him in after trading away Matt Ryan.

With all the dust settled, it’s easy to see what Mariota is for the Falcons — the guy filling in until they find their guy. Here, they find that guy in C.J. Stroud from Ohio State.

Seen as the No. 1 quarterback in this class, Stroud could be the player to turn things back around for the Dirty Birds.

Scouting Report. Alabama. Bryce Young. 2. player. Pick Analysis. QB. 10

2023 NFL mock draft, 2nd overall pick

Houston Texans: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama

The Houston Texans are another team with a lame-duck under center in Davis Mills. Expecting him to do more than getting them through the season would be a mistake — but he could at least help them get into place for a potential franchise quarterback.

That’s what happens here as they land Bryce Young from Alabama. There are those who aren’t sold on Young but it’s easy to see him as an upgrade over Mills and he could help the Texans get back on the map.

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