C.J. Stroud is back at No. 1 in our latest 2023 NFL Mock Draft and the Dallas Cowboys go in a different direction than previously expected
The NFL season is winding down as the College Football Playoffs are underway. That means even more attention will be on the upcoming NFL Draft as the top collegiate players are in the spotlight and most NFL fan bases are now thinking about next year.
With all that being said, we’re looking ahead as well with our latest 2023 NFL Mock Draft. The order is determined by Tankathon, which brings us to the No. 1 pick — owned by the Houston Texans.
2023 NFL Mock Draft
1. Houston Texans: C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
It’s really hard to watch Bryce Young and not be enamored with him — which is why he’s often mocked as the No. 1 overall pick. However, his size is just so concerning. Young is listed at 6-foot-0 and 194-pounds but he’s likely going to measure under that at the combine.
His stature makes it hard to count on him and while he doesn’t miss a lot of time, it could become a concern at the next level.
For a team such as the Houston Texans, they might be hesitant to take any risks. That’s why they go with Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud in our latest mock. Stroud has the ideal stature for an NFL quarterback at 6-foot-3 and nearly 220 pounds. Even if he doesn’t turn out to be as good as Young, he’s still a dangerous quarterback who can do it all.
The only concern now will be whether or not this front office can actually build a solid roster around him.
2. Chicago Bears: Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before — the Chicago Bears are in need of an overhaul on their roster.
For whatever reason, this franchise can’t get out of its own way. Somehow, they’ve built a strong enough roster in the past to get Rex Grossman into the Super Bowl and then had a winning record with Mitchell Trubisky. But then when they get a legit quarterback, they can’t figure out how to build around him.
That’s where they are now as Justin Fields is making strides as a player but has no help. In order to contend, they need to surround him with — everything. They also need to fix their entire defense after trading all their best players this year.
With needs all over the place, they go with the top player on the board which is Jalen Carter. He won’t be able to fix everything on his own but since they traded their pick in Round 2 already, they’re going to hope he can.
3. Seattle Seahawks (via Denver Broncos): Will Anderson, Jr., EDGE, Alabama
It’s going to be tempting for the Seattle Seahawks to take Bryce Young at this spot but they did well enough with Geno Smith that they might elect to go for an elite defender and see if someone falls to them at No. 13.
Using that strategy, they bring in Will Anderson, Jr. from Alabama who is the best pass rusher in this class. Seattle has used several picks on the edge but Anderson will be the one who turns into a star for them.
4. Arizona Cardinals: Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson
J.J. Watt decided to hit social media following the Arizona Cardinals’ final home game to announce he would be done after this season. This announcement was a surprise for head coach Kliff Kingsbury, but even so, the Cards knew they needed to target a defensive end early considering Watt’s age, his pending status as a free agent, and the fact that they have no other great options.
Enter Myles Murphy, one of the top prospects at the position. Listed at 6-foot-5 and 275-pounds, Murphy would be capable of playing on either a three-or-four man line depending on how Arizona wanted to use him.
5. Indianapolis Colts: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
It would be a surprise to see Bryce Young slide to No. 5 as someone would surely make a huge trade to fix their quarterback issues. One team that could do that is the Indianapolis Colts, who need to stop getting veterans who are on their last leg.
In this mock, they don’t have to move up as Young is there for the taking. As mentioned earlier, there have to be some concerns about his size but Indy has to take the chance and hope to finally get the most important position figured out.
6. Atlanta Falcons: Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
Depending on who you talk to, Jared Verse is either going to be a top-10 selection or taken near the end of Round 1. While most agree he should be a day-one pick, there’s no consensus as to where exactly that will be.
Here, he ends up coming off the board at No. 6. Formerly a standout for Albany, Verse transferred to Florida State and was just as effective. He recorded nine sacks and 16.5 sacks, showing he can be a major headache for opposing offensive linemen to deal with.
The Atlanta Falcons need exactly what he has, which is an explosive first step and the ability to be a force on the edge.
7. Detroit Lions (via Los Angeles Rams): Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson
Aidan Hutchinson has been a solid addition for the Detroit Lions — who have been one of the surprise teams this season. Detroit now adds another versatile player on the defensive line in Bryan Bresee from Clemson.
Bresee has all the measurables scouts desire and is an incredible athlete. He’s only scratched the surface of what he can do and once he hits his potential, he could wind up being deadly. Especially when lining up on the same line as Hutchinson.
8. Carolina Panthers: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
Will Levis could end up being a decent starter, but he screams Blaine Gabbert to me. He has the height, the arm, and simply looks the part. The issue is, he struggles with pressure and his pocket awareness hasn’t been great. He would be an excellent pick on day two as a developmental prospect but since quarterbacks are always over-drafted, he lands with the Panthers at No. 8.
Carolina went through several quarterbacks this season including Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, and P.J. Walker. They need some consistency and will hope Levis can bring that. Unfortunately, this doesn’t feel like a situation where he’s going to have time to refine his game before being thrown into the fire.
9. Las Vegas Raiders: Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech
The Las Vegas Raiders are having quite the finish to their 2022 campaign. Derek Carr has been benched for Jarret Stidham and left the team so he wouldn’t be a distraction. That doesn’t sound like the way to handle being demoted, but who can blame a guy for not wanting to show up to work when Josh McDaniels is your boss?
Stidham won’t be the guy either, and since McDaniels is the guy who drafted Tim Tebow it’s not likely that he’s going to figure things out under center.
The good news is they can land a talented and versatile playmaker at No. 9, which is what happens here. Tyree Wilson is huge at 6-foot-6 and 275 pounds and uses that size to bully offensive linemen.
Wilson should be a success as a pro but the only question is where he needs to play. He might be best served to move inside as a 3-tech, but can still play on the edge on early downs.
10. Philadelphia Eagles (via New Orleans Saints): Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
Not only are the Philadelphia Eagles the team with the best record entering Week 17 but they also have a top-10 pick at the moment thanks to a trade with the New Orleans Saints last year. New Orleans was stockpiling picks to move around in the 2022 NFL Draft. They then went out and had a rough season, which is a win for Philly.
At No. 10 in this mock, the Eagles add Kelee Ringo from Georgia. The top cornerback on the board, Ringo joins former teammates Jordan Davis and Nakobe Dean, who were selected by Philadelphia in 2022.
He also gets to work alongside Darius Slay, Jr. who is one of the best corners in the game. Picking his brain will only help Ringo reach his potential and develop into a No. 1 cornerback in the future.
11. Houston Texans (via Cleveland Browns): Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
They got their quarterback at No. 1 overall, and now the Texans are back on the clock thanks to their trade with the Cleveland Browns. With this selection, they add Quentin Johnston from TCU. A huge target at 6-foot-4, Johnston fills the largest need on the roster outside of quarterback.
Should he and C.J. Stroud both reach their potential, this offense could be vastly improved in 2023.
12. Tennessee Titans: Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern
The Tennessee Titans have been hit hard by the injury bug this season. One injury that left a mark is the loss of Taylor Lewan. Without him protecting the blindside, the entire offensive game plan has struggled for Tennesee.
He’s going to be 32 next year so they’re not in a hurry to move on from him but he’s missed time in every season since 2017 — and had excessive missed time in 2020 and 2022. That’s why Peter Skoronski is the selection at No. 12.
Skoronski might start on the right side when Lewan is healthy but he still gives them someone capable of taking over whenever needed on the left.
13. Seattle Seahawks: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
Once again, it’s time to discuss over-drafting quarterbacks.
Anthony Richardson is an athletic freak — and he’s huge at 6-foot-4 and 236 pounds. He’s also incredibly raw as a passer. This season, he completed just 5.8 percent of his attempts and entered the year with just 66 attempts on his resume.
Having said that, Seattle might be the perfect place for him to land. Should the Seahawks bring Geno Smith back for another year or two, they can take their time with Richardson. If they can get his passing cleaned up, this could be a home run.
14. New England Patriots: Paris Johnson, OT, Ohio State
Many mocks are calling for the New England Patriots to bring in a wide receiver in the first round. That would be a wise move but they’ve been awful when it comes to taking receivers early in the draft. That might be enough to deter Bill Belichick from pulling the trigger. So instead, they go with Paris Johnson from Ohio State.
Johnson feels like a safe bet and also fills a huge need. The Pats’ offensive line hasn’t been great this season and they can use an upgrade at left tackle. Johnson should have no problem starting from day one.
15. New York Jets: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
A run on offensive tackles begins as the New York Jets follow their divisional rivals’ lead by adding a new bookend. Broderick Jones has been a stud on the left side of the line for the Georgia Bulldogs where he handled some of the best pass rushers in the nation.
New York has had terrible luck on the line this season with Mekhi Becton and Alijah Vera-Tucker both n the IR. Should they get them back to full health and add Jones, there should be some visible improvements.
The only question after that will be who stands behind them. Zach Wilson isn’t the guy and Mike White can’t stay healthy. They might need a bridge player if they don’t trade up, but at least they could have a strong line in this scenario.
16. Pittsburgh Steelers: Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma
That’s three in a row as the Pittsburgh Steelers also bring in an offensive tackle with their first pick. They land Anton Harrison from Oklahoma, who has a ton of experience at left tackle. He might not be as powerful or refined as the players taken ahead of him but he has very few holes in his game and has more than enough confidence thanks to his 2,000-plus snaps at the position.
Harrison stands out in pass protection and while the Steelers like to run the ball they do need to make sure they give Kenny Pickett enough time in the pocket to make his reads.
17. Green Bay Packers: Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
Darnell Washington isn’t the tight end with the most production in this class. He’s also not the most refined. But he’s by far the most intriguing.
At 6-foot-7 and 265 pounds, the man is a tank. He’s also able to get downfield, evidenced by his 17.1 yards per reception average.
In this mock, he lands with the Green Bay Packers which could be a lot of fun to watch. With Christian Watson coming into his own as the season goes along, they seem to have found their No. 1 wideout. Add a bulldozer in the middle of the field and a whole new dynamic enters the equation.
18. Detroit Lions: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Michael Mayer is the tight end that comes in with the numbers and the refined game. He sat out his team’s final game against South Carolina in preparation for the draft. He finished his career with the Irish by hauling in 180 catches for 2,099 yards with 18 touchdowns.
Here, he joins the Detroit Lions who had a second half of the season to remember. Suddenly a team to watch in 2023, Mayer joins Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams to give the Lions a promising aerial attack. That’s a huge change from just a couple of years ago when there was no one they could truly depend on outside of T.J. Hockenson (who Mayer will now be replacing).
19. Jacksonville Jaguars: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
Another team that really turned it up a notch in the second half of the year is the Jacksonville Jaguars. They’ll be playing for the AFC South title in Week 18 against Tennessee, which no one saw coming when they were 2-7 and on a six-game losing streak at midseason.
Doug Pederson has done wonders for the offense but on defense, they still need some help — especially in the secondary. That’s why they target Christian Gonzalez from Oregon at No. 19.
Gonzalez was a decent player for Colorado but really took off in 2022 when he moved to Oregon. He had 50 tackles, seven pass defenses, and four picks as he put his name among the best corners in the class.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: O’Cyrus Torrence, OG, Florida
There could be some big changes ahead for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who might not get Tom Brady back in 2023. They might feel comfortable turning to Kyle Trask but it will be an interesting storyline no matter how it unfolds.
As for their direction in this mock, they add O’Cyrus Torrence from Florida. A standout at Louisiana, Torrence followed his coach to the SEC and was even better against elite competition. That’s why he’s the No. 1 guard in this class and should be able to get Tampa’s offensive line back on task.
21. Washington Commanders: Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson
The final two games of the season are going to be huge for the Washington Commanders. They control their own fate and winning out will get them into the playoffs. However, they’re 0-2-1 in their past three games and just benched Taylor Heinicke in favor of Carson Wentz — who was unable to get a win in a similar situation for the Colts last year.
Even if they don’t make it, this was a much better season than expected thanks in large part to a defense that’s fourth in yardage and 11th in points. With this pick, they add more talent to that side of the ball as they bring in Trenton Simpson from Clemson.
The most versatile linebacker in this class, Simpson can bring a new element to this defense as they look to continue to make strides in the NFC East.
22. New York Giants: Isaiah Foskey, EDGE, Notre Dame
The New York Giants added Kayvon Thibodeaux this offseason and already had Azeez Ojulari. However, Ojulari has struggled with durability so it might be best to look for another player to play on the edge.
That’s why they turn to Isaiah Foskey, who recently broke a Notre Dame record held by a long-time Giant. Foskey became the all-time sack leader for the Fighting Irish, surpassing Justin Tuck this year. New York had plenty of success with Tuck, who they took in the third round back in 2005.
Foskey is able to play in the two or three-point stance and while he needs work in the run game, he’s going to be a problem as a pass rusher from day one.
23. Los Angeles Chargers: Jordan Addison, WR, USC
Keenan Allen and Mike Williams are more than talented enough to carry an offense but if the Los Angeles Chargers really want to make a run with Justin Herbert, they shouldn’t hesitate to pull the trigger if Jordan Addison is on the board at 23.
Addison is a deep threat that can hit the home run on every play. His addition wouldn’t just give them more speed on offense but would help protect them should they continue to see their top wideouts struggle with health as they have this season.
24. Baltimore Ravens: Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
The Baltimore Ravens have a strong secondary and that’s because they don’t mind adding talent whenever they can. They do this again as Cam Smith is still on the board at No. 24.
Smith isn’t the most athletic of corners in this class but he’s savvy and very technically sound. With Marcus Peters — who will be 30 next season— and Kyle Fuller — who will be 31 — set for free agency in the offseason, Smith would be able to slide in and start should they decide to go with youth across from Marlon Humphrey.
25. Denver Broncos: (via San Francisco 49ers through Miami Dolphins): B.J. Ojulari, EDGE, LSU
After trading their best pass rusher, Bradley Chubb, to the Miami Dolphins, the Denver Broncos find themselves back in Round 1. They also now find themselves needing more help on the outside — especially with the continued durability concerns Randy Gregory has shown in his first season with the Broncos.
They tab B.J. Ojulari for that role. The younger brother of Azeez Ojulari, B.J. also held his own in the SEC, recording 16.5 sacks in three seasons. He will be an instant impact player as an edge rusher but needs to refine the rest of his game in order to be a three-down player.
26. Cincinnati Bengals: Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
La’el Collins was supposed to take over as the right tackle but there are now questions about his future since he’s struggled mightily this year. They also haven’t seen as much improvement from Jonah Williams as they would like to on the left side.
Whatever they decide to do, it’s clear they’re going to need more talent which is why they take Darnell Wright from Tennessee. Primarily a right tackle, Wright does have experience on the left side. Wherever they decide to play him, he’s likely to be an improvement over what they had in 2022.
27. Dallas Cowboys: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
With the struggles the Dallas Cowboys have had in the secondary in the final weeks of the season, it’s been common to see cornerbacks mocked to them. However, that’s not the only area that’s been a concern.
All year, they’ve struggled to find a consistent wideout opposite CeeDee Lamb. Michael Gallup has yet to return to form after an ACL tear last January and James Washington has made no impact. They’ve also gotten nothing from rookie Jalen Tolbert.
Noah Brown had been their most reliable player outside of Lamb but recently, T.Y. Hilton joined the roster and he’s already shown what they can do with another playmaker in his limited snaps.
With all that being said, Dallas rolls the dice on Ohio State wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba at No. 27. Smith-Njigba has hardly seen the field in 2022 but last year, he outperformed Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave. If he can get healthy, he’s a reliable receiver that could make this unit great once again.
28. Kansas City Chiefs: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
One of the top overall players in this class is Bijan Robinson from Texas but since he plays running back, he could be on the board when the Kansas City Chiefs are ready to make a selection. His fit with the Chiefs would be perfect. Not only would he be capable of taking over the game by himself when he gets rolling on the ground but he’s also a dangerous receiver out of the backfield, which is a huge plus when playing with Patrick Mahomes.
The Chiefs have found success with a stable of backs and didn’t get what they wanted from Clyde Edwards-Helaire when he was made a Round 1 selection. But Robinson is a far better running back and will make an already unstoppable offense that much tougher to deal with.
29. Minnesota Vikings: Joey Porter, Jr., CB, Penn State
This year, the Minnesota Vikings’ offense has been impressive but their defense has let them down. That’s why it makes sense for them to target some help on that side, which is why they turn to Joey Porter, Jr.
A very physical corner, Porter could very well prove to have the longest arms at the Scouting Combine. He’s a very confident player and could become a No. 1 cornerback within a couple of years with the right coaching.
30. Buffalo Bills: Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah
The Buffalo Bills’ pass defense has improved this season from a year ago but they continue to deal with injuries in the secondary. For that reason, they shouldn’t just stand pat but would be wise to keep adding talent — especially if someone such as Clark Phillips is still on the board at No. 30.
Phillips is a ball hawk with six interceptions this season alone. He would be a great fit as the No. 3 cornerback with Tre’Davious White and Kaiir Elam but could also slide into a larger role if injuries continue to be an issue.
You can never have too many players capable of playing cornerback, especially when you know you’re going to have to face Kansas City in the playoffs to get to a Super Bowl.
31. Philadelphia Eagles: Siaki Ika, DT, Baylor
When you’re the best team in the NFL and already made one pick in the first round, you can really make some noise with your second. Philly does that by adding Siaki Ika from Baylor. With several big names set for free agency — like Fletcher Cox and Javon Hargrave — the Eagles could use another starting defensive tackle.
They’ll still have one massive player in Jordan Davis who stands in at 6-foot-6 and 340 pounds. Now, he’s joined by Ika who is 6-foot-4 and 355 pounds. And while it’s not typical to see two players above 340 on the same line, they both offer enough as pass rushers that they can play together.