2023 NFL Mock Draft: Cowboys bolster defense, CJ Stroud finds new home
By Randy Gurzi
Pick Analysis. Alabama. 2. 87. Scouting Report. QB. Bryce Young. player
2. Carolina Panthers: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
As mentioned earlier, the order in these mocks is determined by our latest NFL Power Rankings, so the Carolina Panthers come in at No. 2. They’ll likely move up thanks to their win over the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday Night Football, but they’re still destined for a top-five selection.
Here, with the second pick, they bring in Bryce Young from Alabama. They know the three options they have now aren’t long-term solutions so they’ll let Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold walk in free agency while bringing Young in from Alabama.
After this move, they then need to make the black helmets they wore in the win over Atlanta permanent because they were sick. And looking good leads to playing good football. It’s science.
QB. 3. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Hendon Hooker. player. 50. Tennessee
3. Detroit Lions: Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee
Hendon Hooker might have lost some of his shine this past weekend when the Tennessee Titans were throttled by Georgia, but he shouldn’t. The Bulldogs are just an elite defense and while the Vols moved into the No. 1 spot, they probably shouldn’t have been there yet.
Even so, they’re a great story this season and should be proud of everything they accomplished thus far. Much of that is due to the poise and leadership of Hendon Hooker, who ends up with the Detroit Lions as the No. 3 pick in this mock.
Hooker stands 6-foot-4 and roughly 240-pounds and has an insane 52-to-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio since transferring to Tennessee. He’s a bit older than most picks will be but quarterback is the one position where that won’t be much of a concern, unless you’re nearly 30 like Brandon Weeden was.