Hendon Hooker had a shot at being a top-10 pick but a torn ACL ended his final season at Tennessee. It also sends him down the board in this 2023 NFL Mock Draft.
Bowl games are just around the corner as the college football season comes to a close. As is always the case, it flew by way too fast but that also means we can look ahead to the 2023 NFL Draft — as if we weren’t already.
In our latest 2023 NFL Mock Draft, Hendon Hooker slides due to his ACL tear suffered against South Carolina but still lands in Round 1. As is often the case, we use our latest NFL Power Rankings to determine the order so the Houston Texans are on the clock.
2023 NFL Mock Draft
1. Houston Texans: C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
The Houston Texans will face Deshaun Watson in Week 13, which will be a game full of storylines. One will be the fact that they chose to move on from Watson and landed a ton of picks from Cleveland but still have yet to replace him. That changes here as they bring in C.J. Stroud as the new face of the franchise.
2. Carolina Panthers: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
Carolina has two Round 1 picks at quarterback in Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold. Neither has been good for them. This feels like the easiest pick in the world as they add Bryce Young to finally give them a solid starter.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
The Jacksonville Jaguars continue to struggle but there’s some hope. Then again, there always seems to be a glimmer of hope but nothing comes from it. Maybe that can change as they bolster their defensive line with Jalen Carter from Georgia.
4. Seattle Seahawks (via Denver Broncos): Will Anderson, EDGE, Alabama
The Denver Broncos surely lost their trade with the Seattle Seahawks. Not only has Geno Smith been better than Russell Wilson this season but the Seahawks also didn’t have to fork out the huge money to let Russ cook.
They also still have another Round 1 pick owed to them, which they use on Will Anderson from Alabama. One of the top overall players in the draft, Anderson should be good for 10-plus sacks nearly every season.
5. Detroit Lions (via Los Angeles Rams): Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
With Hendon Hooker sliding, Will Levis moves into the top five and the Detroit Lions bring him in. It’s not a guarantee he will be any better than Jared Goff but the Lions have to get better under center. That’s why they roll the dice on Levis.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers: Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State
Pittsburgh’s offensive line has been a mess so they add Olumuyiwa Fashanu, a 6-foot-6, 308-pounder from Penn State. We don’t know yet whether or not Kenny Pickett will be the guy but they have to give him the right tools to succeed. Having a better pocket to stand in would go a long way.
7. Houston Texans (via Cleveland Browns): Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
After getting their quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick, the Texans now add Quentin Johnston from TCU at No. 7 — thanks to the Cleveland Browns.
Johnston is a huge target that can stretch the field with his speed. Him and Stroud working together will completely change this offense. And that’s a good thing.
8. Chicago Bears: Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern
Adding Chase Claypool should help Justin Fields but they still need more offensive talent. It’s tempting to go wide receiver here and if Quentin Johnston wasn’t just taken, that would be the play. However, they decided to go with an offensive tackle in Peter Skoronski.
Skoronski should give Fields more time to operate and if they can swing a wideout in free agency, it could lead to a leap for the former first-round selection.
9. Arizona Cardinals: Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech
J.J. Watt is going to be a free agent in the offseason and the Arizona Cardinals have to get younger at that position. That’s why they target Tyree Wilson, who is a massive human just as Watt is,
Wilson stands 6-foot-6 and weighs 275 pounds. He has 14 sacks over the past two seasons and would be a great fit in the Cards’ three-man line. And if they do bring back Watt, he would have quite the mentor.
10. Green Bay Packers: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
Aaron Rodgers will surely want a wide receiver. That means the Green Bay Packers go with an offensive tackle in Broderick Jones. Great player and will help, but there will be even more subtle media shots if this does happen.
11. Las Vegas Raiders: Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson
A jack of all trades, Trenton Simpson is able to help in a myriad of ways. He’s a chess piece at linebacker and has the coverage skills of a safety. The Las Vegas Raiders need such a player on defense.
12. Philadelphia Eagles (via New Orleans Saints): Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
Over the past couple of weeks, the Philadelphia Eagles have looked human. Even so, they’re one of the best teams in the NFL and they’re very young. Howie Roseman has been excellent when it comes to drafting as of late and he has an extra first-rounder thanks to New Orleans.
Philly uses that pick on Kelee Ringo as they get younger and more athletic at cornerback
13. Indianapolis Colts: Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson
No one knows what direction the Indianapolis Colts take this offseason but we do know they could use more help on the defensive line. That’s why Myles Murphy is the selection as they strengthen the edge.
14. Detroit Lions: Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
Aidan Hutchinson has been a solid find at defensive end and now the Lions add Jared Verse to give them two forces on the end of their D-line. In a division with Aaron Rodgers, Kirk Cousins, and Justin Fields, it’s probably not a bad idea to be able to apply pressure.
15. New York Jets: Paris Johnson, OT, Ohio State
There are already calls to replace Zach Wilson and while it would make sense, the Jets are most likely going to give him one more season. They could stand to add more talent on the O-line in an effort to accurately gauge what Wilson gives you, which leads to the selection of Paris Johnson from Ohio State. At this point, Wilson seems like a bad pick but they have to try everything considering the investment they made.
16. Atlanta Falcons: Jordan Addison, WR, USC
Despite his suspension, the Atlanta Falcons were able to move Calvin Ridley as they sent him to the Jacksonville Jaguars this season. They feel good about Drake London as the No. 1 target going forward but can use a No. 2 option.
Enter Jodan Addison who was a star at Pitt before heading to USC. He’s continued to grow after replacing London but now joins him as the Falcons put an impressive duo together.
17. Los Angeles Chargers: Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson
One of the toughest teams in the league to figure out is the Los Angeles Chargers. There are times they look elite but there are also times they look lost.
Right now, they’re in the midst of a 1-3 stretch and lost their second to Kansas City this season. Their roster is solid but just needs a few more pieces — with defensive tackle being one of the spots needing help. They get this with Bryan Bresee from Clemson who can take advantage of the attention Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack command.
18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: O’Cyrus Torrence, OG, Florida
There aren’t many holes on the Tampa Bay Bucs roster but they do need to get better along the interior of the line. They add O’Cyrus Torrence at No. 18, giving them the top guard in this class.
19. Washington Commanders: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
Washington looks like a different team without Carson Wentz. It’s hard to know why this keeps happening, but it’s science at this point.
Here, they improve their defense with the selection of Christian Gonzalez. A Colorado transfer, Gonzalez has been putting it all together this year and could be a lockdown artist.
20. New York Giants: Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee
Hendon Hooker had a fantastic finish to his collegiate career, throwing 58 touchdowns against five picks for Tennesse. He even had his team sitting at No. 1 overall before a loss to Georgia. Another loss, this time to South Carolina, dampened the Vols campaign and ended Hooker’s NCAA career as he tore his ACL.
This could lead to a slide in the draft for him but the New York Giants would be wise to grab him at this spot. Even if he has to sit out most of the 2023 season, he’s a future starter that can take this team to the next level.
21. New England Patriots: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
As good as Bill Belichick is, he’s struggled with drafting rookie wide receivers in the opening rounds. Still, he uses this one on Jaxon Smith-Njigba who is also dealing with injuries this season. If healthy though, he can be an elite option in this offense.
22. Cincinnati Bengals: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
There are explosive wideouts all over the field for the Cincinnati Bengals and now they add Michael Mayer, giving them the best tight end in this class.
23. Denver Broncos: (via San Francisco 49ers through Miami Dolphins): Isaiah Foskey, EDGE, Notre Dame
Miami added Bradley Chubb in a trade with the Broncos and now Denver replaces Chubb with Isaiah Foskey. Another excellent fit as a stand-up pass rusher, Foskey should have no problem starting from day one.
24. Tennessee Titans: Jaelyn Duncan, OT, Maryland
Offensive tackle has been a sore spot for the Tennessee Titans since letting Jack Conklin leave in free agency. Here, they address this with the selection of Jaelyn Duncan from Maryland. He can play on the right side but could also be the heir to Taylor Lewan on the blindside one day.
25. Baltimore Ravens: Felix Anudike-Uzomah, EDGE, Kansas State
There’s a lot of experience on the edge for the Baltimore Ravens this season with Justin Houston and Jason Pierre-Paul. What they need is youth.
Felix Anudike-Uzomah is a 6-foot-3, 252-pounder that has been camping out in opposing backfields.
26. Seattle Seahawks: Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
They bolstered the pass rush with their earlier pick and now the Seattle Seahawks get better in the secondary. Cam Smith has been a great coverage corner for the South Carolina Gamecocks and can help Seattle rebuild their once-powerful defensive back corps.
27. Minnesota Vikings: Noah Sewell, LB, Oregon
Eric Kendricks has been great for a long time but he’s on the wrong side of 30. Minnesota is proactive here as they add Noah Sewell with their first-round pick. He’s the younger brother of Penei Sewell, who plays for Detroit, so they will be able to play one another twice per season.
28. Dallas Cowboys: Joey Porter, Jr, CB, Penn State
Dallas has had a strong defense this season led by Micah Parsons, a first-round pick from Penn State. Now, they go back to the same pipeline and bring in Joey Porter, Jr. — the son of the former Pittsburgh linebacker.
Porter would replace Anthony Brown, who has been a liability this year. It would also mean they can stop trying to push Kelvin Joseph into the lineup.
29. Buffalo Bills: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama
The Bills were in the market for more help at running back, which is why they added Nyheim Hines at the trade deadline. Hines is a good player but he’s not a back capable of taking over a game.
With Josh Allen working through an elbow injury, Buffalo would be wise to add such a player. That’s why Jahmyr Gibbs from Alabama feels like the right choice.
30. Philadelphia Eagles: Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
Dallas Goedert is just fine as the No. 1 tight end but the Philadelphia Eagles add Darnell Washington from Georgia with their second pick in this 2023 NFL Mock Draft. Washington is built like a tank and can bulldoze defenders as a run blocker.
That makes him an appealing selection for the Eagles but he can also cause problems as a receiver — especially on play-action.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
Andrew Wylie hasn’t been the best lineman for Kansas City this season, so they add Darnell Wright from Tennessee at No. 31. Wright should be a plug-and-play starter and is a nice selection to end the opening round.