The Dallas Cowboys need to replace Kelvin Joseph and the Seattle Seahawks need a new quarterback. They both get the job done in this 2023 NFL Mock Draft.
We’re heading into Week 16 and that means there are only a few games remaining in the regular season. Many fanbases are already looking ahead to the offseason thanks to their team being out of the playoff race, but even those who are contending have one eye on the slew of 2023 NFL Mock Draft pieces available.
With that being said, we have another offering here which includes the Dallas Cowboys replacing a struggling defensive back as well as the Seattle Seahawks landing their quarterback of the future.
2023 NFL Mock Draft
1. Houston Texans: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
In recent weeks, the Houston Texans have really been impressive. They took the Dallas Cowboys to the wire in Week 14 and then in Week 15, the Kansas City Chiefs needed overtime to defeat them.
Those games will do wonders for the confidence of the younger players on the team and will only help when they do land a franchise quarterback — and fill a few other holes. As for the signal-caller, they take care of this with the first pick in 2023, bringing in Bryce Young from Alabama.
Young’s only question comes down to his size as he stands 6-foot-0 and weighs just 194 pounds. As long as teams are comfortable that he can hold up in the NFL, he should be the top pick.
In Houston, he’s going to have a tough task since they’ve struggled for so long but he can quickly become a hero for a franchise that has really been starved at quarterback for most of their existence.
2. Chicago Bears: Will Anderson, Jr., EDGE, Alabama
Back-to-back Alabama players come off the board as Will Anderson, Jr. is taken by the Chicago Bears at No. 2 overall. Chicago traded away both Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn this year, which seriously depleted their pass rush. They also sent Roquan Smith to the Ravens which means they’re really going to have to find some new defensive stars to build around.
Anderson gives them that as he’s arguably the No. 1 player on the board this year. Listed at 6-foot-4 and 235-pounds, he’s best suited for a stand-up pass-rush position which is something the Bears can accommodate.
Chicago still needs to build around Justin Fields but they’re going to bank on Chase Claypool being a difference-maker with a full offseason to work with his new quarterback.
3. Seattle Seahawks (via Denver Broncos): C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
Geno Smith has been a pleasant surprise this season, completing 71.4 percent of his attempts for 3,671 yards with 26 touchdowns and just eight picks. The problem is, he’s 32 years old and this year has been the anomaly for his career.
With that being said, the Seattle Seahawks can’t pass on C.J. Stroud at No. 3 overall just to stick with Smith. Stroud could easily be the No. 1 overall pick — and likely would have been in nearly any other draft.
As it stands, Bryce Young lands in the top spot and Seattle is the winner because of it.
4. Detroit Lions (via Los Angeles Rams): Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
Suddenly, the Detroit Lions are one of the hottest teams in the NFL. They’ve gone 6-1 in their past seven games — which is quite the follow-up to a 1-6 start. They also don’t have another opponent with a winning record left on their schedule which could lead to quite the finish as they hope to sneak into the postseason.
What’s more interesting is the fact that they’re in line for a top-five pick even with their rise. That’s thanks to the Los Angeles Rams falling off the map this season, one year after winning the Super Bowl with Matthew Stafford. They still owe Detroit one more pick in Round 1, which comes due at No. 4 in this mock.
The Lions decide to add Jalen Carter with that selection, bringing in the stud defensive tackle from Georgia. Aidan Hutchinson has been a great addition for them this season and Carter will give them an even strong defensive line.
5. Arizona Cardinals: Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson
J.J. Watt had a throwback game in Week 15 with three sacks but he’s going to be 34 years old in 2023 so the Arizona Cardinals would be wise to find a younger pass rusher to build around.
Enter Myles Murphy from Clemson. A 6-4, 275-pound defensive end, Murphy has 116 tackles and 18.5 sacks in three seasons. He’s exactly what the Cardinals need to start rebuilding their defense.
6. Indianapolis Colts: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
The Indianapolis Colts need to make some major changes this offseason. It’s clear that Matt Ryan has nothing left in the tank, especially now that he’s being replaced by Nick Foles for the remainder of the year.
They also need to admit their mistake in hiring Jeff Saturday as their interim coach and make sure he doesn’t return next year. Sure, he somehow led them to a win over Las Vegas but since then his squad surrendered 33 points in an 11-minute stretch against Dallas and was on the wrong side of the largest comeback in NFL history.
In an effort to turn the page on a horrific year, they bring in Will Levis from Kentucky with the No. 7 overall pick. He won’t be able to turn it all around on his own, but he has to be better than Ryan at this point.
7. Atlanta Falcons: Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech
A transfer from Texas A&M, Tyree Wilson has put together back-to-back seven-sack campaigns for Texas Tech. A massive defensive end at 6-foot-6 and 275-pounds, Wilson can play on the edge but can also slide inside on passing downs.
He lands with the Atlanta Falcons here, who need some serious help on their defensive line. Outside of Grady Jarrett, they don’t have much talent and Wilson can help fix that problem.
8. Carolina Panthers: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
Last season, there was just one quarterback to go in Round 1. Kenny Pickett wound up with the Pittsburgh Steelers as the 20th selection overall and no one else was taken until Round 3 when Desmond Ridder and Malik Willis found their homes.
That shouldn’t be the case this season and in our mock, Anthony Richardson becomes the fourth signal-caller taken in the first eight picks. He and Will Levis have plenty of questions but desperate teams can talk themselves into any quarterback, which is what the Carolina Panthers do here.
Richardson is an incredibly talented athlete but he leaves a lot to be desired as a quarterback. Still, he’s better than anything they have on their roster now. So that’s something.
9. Philadelphia Eagles (via New Orleans Saints): Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
The best team in the NFL this season is the Philadelphia Eagles and thanks to a weird trade made by the New Orleans Saints, they also have a top-10 pick in 2023. New Orleans moved up in the first round before even knowing who would be on the board, and now owes Philly this selection — which is a premium one since they’ve been awful this year.
Philly added a couple of Georgia defenders last year in Jordan Davis and Nakobe Dean. Now, they bring in another with Kelee Ringo joining the ranks. Ringo would give them another starter opposite Darius Slay, making this one of the more impressive secondaries in the NFL.
10. Las Vegas Raiders: Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson
In Week 15, the Las Vegas Raiders were winners against New England, in what was one of the wildest finishes in recent memory. That win improved them to 6-8 on the year which is a far cry from what was expected of them this season.
In an effort to improve next season — and not have to count on the opponent throwing them the ball on accident — they start to beef up their defense. At No. 10, they bring in Clemson linebacker Trenton Simpson.
One of the more athletic players in this class, Simpson can deliver hits as well as any linebacker but also has a background as a safety, so he’s no slouch in coverage.
11. Houston Texans (via Cleveland Browns): Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
Bryce Young was added with the No. 1 pick, but he’s going to need a No. 1 wideout in order to succeed. Right now, the Texans have Brandin Cooks but he’s been upset with the front office. He wanted out at the trade deadline and it would be a surprise to see that relationship salvaged.
That’s why they use this selection — courtesy of the Cleveland Browns — on Quentin Johnston from TCU. Johnston is a huge target at 6-foot-4 and 193-pounds and can stretch the field with his long strides.
He’s also great at high-pointing the ball, making him an ideal weapon on the outside for a team that needs weapons everywhere.
12. Pittsburgh Steelers: Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern
With Kenny Pickett under center, the Pittsburgh Steelers have shown some flashes. However, a recent concussion highlights the fact that he needs more help — especially on the offensive line.
That’s why Peter Skoronoski is the choice at No. 12. It’s not a given he’s going to be the first offensive lineman off the board but he’s right there with the top tackles in this class. For the Steelers, they need to reinforce their line which hasn’t done a great job at protecting Pickett or opening running lanes.
The jury is still out on their young quarterback but they need to make sure to give him a real chance. Skoronski helps in that endeavor.
13. Green Bay Packers: Jordan Addison, WR, USC
Christian Watson has turned things around following a slow start to the season, which is a huge plus for the Green Bay Packers. Even with him starting to look like a potential No. 1 wideout, the Packers can use more depth at the position, which they get in Jordan Addison.
A former standout at Pitt, Addison transferred to USC this year and had another strong campaign. While Aaron Rodgers continues to talk as though he’s unsure about his future, he’s likely coming back for at least one more season, and having Addison and Watson could be what it takes to get their offense back on track.
14. Jacksonville Jaguars: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
The Jacksonville Jaguars just won their third game in a row, knocking off the Jets 19-3. They also beat the Dallas Cowboys in overtime — in a huge comeback win — and the Tennessee Titans the week before that. Other impressive wins include a 38-10 victory over the Chargers and a one-point win over Baltimore.
At 7-8, they’ve made huge strides from where they were a season ago and with their roster being so young, their success should be sustainable.
While all that’s true, they really need to find a stud for the back end of their defense, which is what they get in Christian Gonzalez. He’s had a solid career but really improved his ball skills this season which leads to him cracking the top 15.
15. New York Jets: Paris Johnson, OT, Ohio State
It seems clear at this point that Zach Wilson isn’t the answer for the New York Jets. It was a head-scratcher that he went ahead of Justin Fields anyway, and the Jets are now seeing why that surprised some.
The problem is, they’ve been too good to replace him with a draft pick, so they’re likely going to have to find a bridge option such as Jacoby Brissett — and no, Mike White can’t be the guy because he seems to get hurt every time he gets a shot.
What they can do, is try and fix their struggling offensive line. Paris Johnson from Ohio State would be a major upgrade for them as a plug-and-play starter.
16. Seattle Seahawks: Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
Darnell Washington is a tank.
The Georgia tight end is incredibly raw with just 43 career receptions and three touchdowns but he’s 6-foot-7 and 265 pounds. He’s also incredibly athletic for such a large man, and recent rumors suggest that he’s going to go much higher in the draft than expected.
That’s what happens here as he not only lands with the Seahawks at No. 16 but he winds up surpassing Michael Mayer as the first tight end off the board. In Seattle, he would be a major problem, especially if defenses focus too much on D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett.
17. New England Patriots: Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson
Another player taken for his raw talent is Bryan Bresee. The Clemson product hasn’t put up insane numbers but he’s an athletic freak that could become a star at the next level according to Josh Edwards of CBS Sports.
"“He can do a better job of exploding out of his stance and packing more pop in his punches. After suffering a torn ACL in 2021, Bresee is one to watch as a prospect who could achieve draft stardom.” — CBS Sports NFL Draft analyst Josh Edwards"
If anyone knows how to get the most out of a player, it’s Bill Belichick who brings Bresee to the New England Patriots at No. 17.
18. Detroit Lions: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Darnell Washington ended up leapfrogging Michael Mayer but that doesn’t mean Mayer isn’t as good as advertised. Instead, it’s a sign that teams oftentimes overlook those who aren’t flashy and go for the home run with raw talent.
Washington is exactly that, raw talent, whereas Mayer is the opposite. The Notre Dame tight end is a polished player who won’t blow anyone away with his testing but he’s about a sure thing. Here, he lands with the Lions, who need to replace T.J. Hockenson, their former first-rounder that was traded to Minnesota.
In three seasons at South Bend, Mayer has 180 receptions for 809 yards and 18 touchdowns. A great technician when it comes to route-running, he should have no problem continuing to put up solid performances at the next level.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
There have been several things that have negatively affected the Tampa Bay Bucs this season but the offensive line might be the worst of those. They haven’t been good at all which is why Broderick Jones from Georgia comes in at No. 19.
Jones should be able to start at left tackle and with Tristan Wirfs still manning the right side, they should be much better going forward. They could still use some improvement along the interior but fixing this spot is priority No. 1.
20. Tennessee Titans: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
Trading A.J. Brown to the Eagles was a mistake for the Tennessee Titans, which is a huge reason general manager Jon Robinson was fired during this season. Brown has continued to thrive whereas Treylon Burks has just 25 receptions for 359 yards and a single touchdown.
It’s too early to call him a bust but he needs help around him — and Tennessee would be foolish to stay the course at receiver. Instead, they roll the dice on Jaxon Smith-Njigba from Ohio State.
Easily one of the best route-runners in the nation, Smith-Njigba outperformed Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave in 2021. This year, he’s been a non-factor due to injury which has to be concerning entering the NFL. For Tennessee, they have to take the gamble since he could wind up being the best wideout in this class.
21. Washington Commanders: Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
Ever since Carson Wentz left the lineup, the Washington Commanders have been impressive. They went 0-1-1 in their past two games against the Giants — although a terrible missed pass interference helped them suffer the loss — which dropped them to 7-6-1. Still, they’re playoff contenders and should be again in 2023, especially if they improve their secondary with a player such as Cam Smith.
South Carolina has produced some talented defensive backs over the years and Smith looks to be the next long-term starter. He’ll have his hands full in the NFC East with CeeDee Lamb and A.J. Brown, but he’s confident enough to take on the best in the business.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina
At first glance, wide receiver might not be a pressing need for the Los Angeles Chargers. With Mike Williams and Keenan Allen, they seem to have two potential No. 1 wideouts. Throw in Joshua Palmer who has 714 yards through the first 14 games of the year and they seem deep.
The problem is, Palmer’s the only one who has been able to stay healthy — and with Allen now over 30, it might not be wise to bank on him becoming more durable. That’s why Josh Downs is the selection here as they add another weapon in order to really take advantage of the talent Justin Herbert possesses.
Los Angeles continues to be on the brink of being a contender and selling out on offensive firepower might be what it takes to get over the top.
23. New York Giants: Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah
It would be a good move for the New York Giants to try and move up in the 2023 NFL Draft in order to replace Daniel Jones. It won’t be easy and in the end, it might be too costly — meaning they would have to go with a bridge starter and hope to figure something out.
As for their direction in this mock, they add Clark Phillips III to their secondary, giving them a cornerback capable of developing into a No. 1 guy.
24. Baltimore Ravens: Isaiah Foskey, EDGE, Notre Dame
The Baltimore Ravens have made their name on defense and the best defenses have elite pass rushers. Right now, that’s not the case for them as they’ve been leaning on Justin Houston and Jason Pierre-Paul for much of the season. While both have put together great careers, they’re definitely in the twilight of their careers.
Isaiah Foskey ends up being the one they tab here to replace the veterans as the Notre Dame defender comes off the board at No. 24. Foskey is well-built at 6-foot-4 and 257-pounds and has 20.5 sacks the past two seasons.
25. Denver Broncos: (via San Francisco 49ers through Miami Dolphins): Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
The Denver Broncos were hopeful to be Super Bowl contenders after landing Russell Wilson this offseason but that hasn’t happened. Instead, they’ve been one of the worst teams as Wilson’s been spiraling in the wrong direction. Making matters worse, they were without a pick in Round 1 thanks to the trade with Seattle to obtain Wilson.
They did, however, get back into the first round but it cost them Bradley Chubb. And here, all they do is replace Chubb by bringing in Jared Verse. It’s not the perfect way to build a team but they do at least land another edge rusher and he won’t cost as much as Chubb who is about to need a new contract.
26. Cincinnati Bengals: O’Cyrus Torrence, OG, Florida
The Cincinnati Bengals revamped their entire offensive line and the results have been mixed. Joe Burrow is still getting sacked at an alarming rate as players such as La’el Collins and Ted Karras haven’t lived up to expectations. They’re not likely to move on from Collins, or Jonah Williams at left tackle, just yet but they can at least improve their play at left guard.
That’s the plan as they bring in O’Cyrus Torrence from Florida. Arguably the top guard in the class, Torrence followed Billy Napier from Louisiana to the Gators and proved he can still get it done at the SEC. Now, they’re going to hope he might finally slow down some of the opposing defenders who are coming after Burrow.
27. Dallas Cowboys: Joey Porter, Jr., CB, Penn State
Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn likes his cornerbacks to have long arms and the rookie who will likely measure the longest in this draft is Joey Porter, Jr. The Penn State product is 6-foot-2 and 195-pounds and has been a pest to opposing wideouts for years.
He knows how to use his length to break up passes and while he has just one career interception, he broke up 11 passes this past season.
In Dallas, he would replace Kelvin Joseph who has been a major problem for them. With injuries forcing him into action, he was burnt constantly by Jacksonville and there’s a major need for an upgrade.
28. Kansas City Chiefs: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
As long as Patrick Mahomes is under center, the Kansas City Chiefs are going to be a threat. He’s right there with Josh Allen as one of the best quarterbacks in the game right now and gives his team a chance in any game.
Having said that, it’s not a bad idea to bring in some help — especially if it’s someone who can carry the load himself. Bijan Robinson is one such player as the Chiefs add the Texas running back with their first pick in this draft.
Kansas City tried to find an elite running game with Clyde Edwards-Helaire and while that didn’t work, Robinson feels like a much safer pick.
29. Minnesota Vikings: Antonio Johnson, S, Texas A&M
Harrison Smith has been a stud in the secondary for the Minnesota Vikings for years but it might be time to think about adding another young safety to pass the baton to. That’s what Minnesota gets in Antonio Johnson from Texas A&M.
Johnson has great length at 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds and has no problem getting physical. He’s been credited with seven pass breakups but has just one pick, meaning he needs to work on his ball skills. Even with that need, he’s a solid player who has starter written all over him.
30. Buffalo Bills: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama
As is the case with the aforementioned Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen always gives his team a chance to win. The Buffalo Bills hit a home run with Allen in the 2018 NFL Draft as he’s putting together another season that should get him MVP consideration. And like the Chiefs, it would make sense to add another dimension to the offense to take some of the pressure off of Allen.
That’s the plan with Jahmyr Gibbs from Alabama coming off the board here. Gibbs is an elite playmaker that can move the chains on his own and would be a huge help in these cold-weather games.
Sure, they already have Devin Singletary, Nyheim Hines, and James Cook but their run game isn’t consistent enough for them to pass on someone such as Gibbs — who can take the offense to another level.
31. Philadelphia Eagles: Henry To’o To’o, Linebacker, Alabama
The Eagles close out the first round with their second pick in this mock and they again focus on defense. This time, they bring in Henry To’o To’o, who has emerged as one of the best linebackers in the NCAA.
To’o To’o transferred from Tennessee to Alabama and it ended up being a great move for him. He had 201 tackles and 6.5 sacks over the past two seasons, proving his worth on the largest stage.
Now, he joins a stacked defense with some big bodies up front, which will free him up to continue making plays as a pro.