The Las Vegas Raiders mortgage the future for the No. 1 overall pick and the Dallas Cowboys trade back for more ammunition in this 2023 NFL Mock draft
Two things are clear as we head into the offseason. One, the Chicago Bears are about to load up on draft picks since they don’t need a quarterback at No. 1 overall. Two, the Las Vegas Raiders will be in the market for a new signal-caller after giving up on Derek Carr.
With those stars aligning, the two franchises that once made a massive trade involving Khalil Mack are back at the negotiating table in this 2023 NFL Mock Draft. Vegas ends up surrendering a ton of capital but they get their guy.
Let’s dive into our latest mock and see how things could shake out.
2023 NFL Mock draft shaken up at pick No. 1
1. Las Vegas Raiders (via Chicago Bears): Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
While the Indianapolis Colts will be attempting to move to No. 1, those hopes are flushed down the toilet by Josh McDaniels and the Raiders. Vegas gives up quite a bit as they surrender two first-round picks and two second-round picks in order to move up six picks.
But as we all know, having that quarterback is worth this — and possibly more. Las Vegas has a decent roster, evidenced by the fact they were just in the playoffs following the 2021 season. They believe a quarterback can make all the difference and Bryce Young is the one they go after.
Young joins the AFC West which is full of elite quarterbacks and his ability to move the ball with ease will give them a shot at keeping pace.
2. Houston Texans: C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
Some have speculated that the Houston Texans could be in the market for the No. 1 overall pick but it’s just as likely they stay put and take C.J. Stroud from Ohio State. Stroud doesn’t have as much buzz surrounding him as Young but his final game with the Buckeyes was a perfect example of how talented he is.
He completed 23-of-34 attempts for 348 yards with four touchdowns. He even moved Ohio State right down the field at the end of the game and should have been given a chance to finish the drive, but Ryan Day took his foot off the gas and settled for a long field goal ‚— which sailed wide.
Perhaps if the kick is good and Stroud leads his team to a national title, things would be different. Either way, the Texans land a player with the tools to be great and they keep all their assets, including an extra first-round pick in this draft. If they can hit on their remaining picks, and hire the right coach, this could be a turnaround season for them.
3. Carolina Panthers (via Arizona Cardinals): Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
Desperate for a quarterback, the Carolina Panthers make a jump from No. 9 to No. 3. They surrender a second and fourth-round pick this year and a first in 2024 which will help the Cardinals rebuild under their new coach.
For Carolina, they now have a signal-caller they can build around in Will Levis. One year after Kenny Pickett was the lone quarterback selected in Round 1, there are three in a row off the board in 2023.
4. Indianapolis Colts: Will Anderson, Jr., EDGE, Alabama
After being unable to move up for one of the top three quarterbacks, the Indianapolis Colts make their selection at No. 4 and bring in Will Anderson, Jr. from Alabama.
Anderson is easily one of the top players in this entire class, and had it not been for the quarterback-needy teams already mentioned, he could have been a potential No. 1 overall pick.
As it stands, he ends up being the first defender off the board and gives the Colts someone capable of improving their pass rush off the edge.
5. Seattle Seahawks (via Denver Broncos): Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
Even with the first-round playoff exit, the Seattle Seahawks look to be the clear winners in the Russell Wilson trade. Even if Wilson rebounds now that Nathaniel Hackett is out, the Seahawks still had a solid campaign — better even than their last year with Wilson.
Throw in the fact that they already had one additional first-round pick and now get a top-five selection from Denver, and it looks even better.
Here, they grab Jalen Carter from Georgia, giving them a 6-foot-3, 310-pound interior lineman that knows how to wreck an offensive game plan. Much like Will Anderson, Carter is right there atop the board when it comes to overall talent. Not a bad addition at all for a team that’s already been better than expected.
6. Detroit Lions (via Los Angeles Rams): Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson
It was unfortunate the Detroit Lions were unable to make the playoffs despite their win over the Green Bay Packers in Week 18. They still enjoyed playing spoiler to the Packers, who have been bullying them for years, but they were a lot of fun to watch as they began to gel and it could have been interesting to see them in the postseason.
As it stands, they’re coming off a winning campaign and still own the No. 6 overall pick thanks to the Los Angeles Rams — and will be back on the clock at No. 18 as well. Here, they grab Bryan Bresee from Clemson, giving them an athletic defensive tackle that can generate pressure up the middle. Adding him to a line that was coming into their own as the season ended will only make them more of a problem to deal with in 2023.
7. Chicago Bears (via Las Vegas Raiders): Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
Dropping to No. 7 ends up being a great move for the Chicago Bears. Not only did they stockpile picks, but they’re also able to address their biggest need with Quentin Johnston from TCU. Chicago has to get a No. 1 wideout for Justin Fields and while they did add Chase Claypool, he’s still a No. 2 option.
Johnston, on the other hand, will command double teams due to his ability to threaten in all three areas of the field. TCU’s entire offense struggled when he was out as it was clear how impactful he can be. Chicago does still need help on the offensive line but they have the capital to do that while still adding the top wideout in this class.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson
The best defender on the Atlanta Falcons is defensive tackle Grady Jarrett who they took out of Clemson in 2015. Now, in need of a long-term answer at defensive end they return to the well and select Myles Murphy.
Listed at 6-foot-5 and 275 pounds, Murphy appears to have been built in a factory rather than born like a normal human. He’s the perfect build for playing on the edge and as Kyle Crabbs of The Draft Network says, he can give any type of offensive tackle a hard time.
"“Murphy has the ability to challenge every kind of offensive tackle if he’s successfully able to mature and put things together.” — Crabbs, The Draft Network"
Murphy is an ascending player who has his best football ahead of him and the Falcons will suddenly feel much better about their front four with this addition.
9. Arizona Cardinals (via Carolina Panthers): Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech
J.J. Watt finished his career with the Arizona Cardinals and while he wasn’t the same player he was with Houston, he still did a good job setting the tone on their defensive line. Now, they’ll turn to Tyree Wilson and ask him to take up the mantle.
Wilson is more of a power player, which is how Watt made his money. He stands 6-foot-6 and 275 pounds and had 14 sacks over the past two seasons. He’s versatile enough to play on the edge in a 3-4 line but can also slide inside on a four-man line as well. He’s going to give his team options, and Arizona needs that right now.
10. Philadelphia Eagles (via New Orleans Saints): Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
While the Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions had winning seasons and made the top 10, that still doesn’t feel as unfair as this one. The Philadelphia Eagles had the No. 1 seed in the NFC and were the final remaining unbeaten team this year.
Despite being the best team in football, they have the No. 10 pick in the draft due to a trade with the New Orleans Saints a season ago. That means the rich only get richer as they add Kelee Ringo from Georgia.
Philly already has a strong defense and should only get better the more Jordan Davis — another UGA product — develops. Now, they add Ringo who is an opportunistic cornerback that can learn from one of the best in the game in Darius Slay.
11. Tennessee Titans: Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern
The Tennessee Titans already needed to improve on the offensive line and with the expected release of Taylor Lewan, that need only grows entering the draft. That makes this an easy selection as they have their choice of tackles with none coming off the board through the first 10 picks.
They end up taking Peter Skoronski who is capable of playing several spots. With the Titans, Skoronksi would slide right into the open spot on the left side. With his high football IQ and ability to deal with power and speed rushers, he should lock that position down for at least the next decade.
12. Houston Texans (via Cleveland Browns): Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
They landed their new franchise quarterback at No. 2 overall and now, the Houston Texans are back on the clock. This time, it’s pick No. 12, which is the second of three Round 1 picks they acquired from the Cleveland Browns in exchange for Deshaun Watson. Here, they decide to bring in Michael Mayer from Notre Dame, adding the top tight end in the draft.
Mayer had over 800 yards in each of the past two seasons with 16 total touchdowns. He’s a capable in-line blocker but also offers a great option in the passing game. He can quickly become C.J. Stroud’s best friend as a safety valve in the middle of the field.
13. Washington Commanders: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
It’s clear the New York Jets don’t believe in Zach Wilson which makes it tempting for them to bring in Anthony Richardson. Even so, they’re likely going to give him one more year with a new offensive coordinator, which opens the door for the Washington Commanders to move up to No. 13.
They send their second-round pick as well as No. 16 but then swap a few other picks as well to make it worthwhile. In the end, Washington adds Richardson which might give them their future quarterback. It also might be a bust since he’s an athletic freak but not refined as a passer. Still, he’s easier to believe in than Carson Wentz, so it makes sense to pull the trigger.
14. New England Patriots: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
The New England Patriots are really good at developing cornerbacks and then allowing someone else to pay them. That means they have to constantly stay deep at the position since they recycle through them every few years.
At No. 14, they add Christian Gonzalez to the list. A former Colorado starter, Gonzalez transferred to Oregon and improved his play enough to prove he’s worthy of a first-round pick. For New England, it also means they can keep this defensive back around for five years before seeing someone else break the bank to steal them away.
15. Green Bay Packers: Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
At some point, Aaron Rodgers just morphed into Brett Favre. Not only does he believe he’s more important than the team but he’s been doing the whole “will he or won’t he retire” thing for a couple of years. And now to make the blurred line between the two even more indistinguishable, there are rumors that Rodgers could wind up with the Jets — the same team Favre played for during his first season post-Green Bay.
Whatever happens with Favre, I mean Rodgers, the Packers know they need to add more talent in the pass-catching department. They did start to see Christian Watson turn things around but he can’t do it alone. That’s where Darnell Washington comes in.
The Georgia tight end is huge at 6-foot-7 and 265 pounds and can be a nightmare to tackle when he has the ball. He’s raw and will need time but he’s about to test off the charts and climb into the top 15.
16. New York Jets: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
The Jets dropped down a few spots and still wound up filling their greatest need, and did so by taking the player they would have chosen at No. 13. Broderick Jones is the one player that might be able to supplant Peter Skoronski as the first offensive tackle off the board.
He’s been a left tackle for the Bulldogs but could wind up on the right side with Mekhi Becton already in New York. Whatever they decide, having Jones means they finally have two capable starting tackles. That will help as they hope to get Zach Wilson to reach his potential, but it still might not be enough.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Paris Johnson, OT, Ohio State
Kenny Pickett started out slow but then turned it up as the season went along. He led the Pittsburgh Steelers to five wins in their final six games including back-to-back game-winning drives against the Raiders and Ravens.
His stats overall were only decent but he showed poise when it mattered most. It was enough for Pittsburgh to believe they have their guy. Now, they have to build around him to make sure he has a fair chance to succeed. They end up making a great investment here with Paris Johnson, who can line up as the new blindside protector.
After quarterback, this is arguably the most important position on offense. Shoring this up is a must.
18. Detroit Lions: Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson
Bryan Bresee joining Aidan Hutchinson on the defensive line would make the Detroit Lions front four very tough to slow down. Now back on the clock at No. 18, they add another Clemson product in Trenton Simpson.
The 6-foot-3, 225-pound linebacker is a chess piece that can be moved all over the field. He has experience as a safety and can help in coverage but also can get after the quarterback when asked. With Hutchinson and Bresee occupying several blockers, Simpson would find lanes to get through and continue to make splash plays at the next level.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: O’Cyrus Torrence, OG, Florida
Despite an 8-9 record, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the NFC South and were able to host a playoff game. They wound up being one-and-done as they were thoroughly outplayed by the Dallas Cowboys.
What really stood out, was how their offensive line was bullied throughout the day. They didn’t surrender many sacks, but that was due to Tom Brady’s ability to get the ball out of his hands in a hurry. Brady was still constantly under pressure, and it was right up the middle. On top of that, their run game was non-existence.
In an effort to shore up those areas, they add O’Cyrus Torrence from Florida. A Louisiana transfer, Torrence is the best pure guard in the draft and can help whoever is under center for the Bucs in 2023 feel more comfortable.
20. Seattle Seahawks: Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
They took Jalen Carter with the earlier selection they obtained in the Russell Wilson trade. Now, the Seattle Seahawks add Cam Smith, another SEC defender with a lot to offer at the next level.
Smith looks the part at 6-foot-1 and roughly 190 pounds. He has adequate speed and is very physical but can get too aggressive at times. Even with that being the case, he feels like a starter from day one, and his ability to quickly recognize plays will be a huge asset in the Seattle secondary.
It might be tempting for them to go after offensive firepower but they proved during 2022 that they can hang with most teams. They just have to prevent the score from getting out of control, as it did in their postseason loss to the Niners.
21. Jacksonville Jaguars: Joey Porter, Jr., CB, Penn State
There will be a temptation for the Jacksonville Jaguars to use this selection on a wideout, and with Jordan Addison on the board, it would make a lot of sense. Having said that, they proved in their comeback win over the Chargers that they can put points on the board in a hurry with this roster. That doesn’t mean they won’t add someone in a later round, or even free agency, but they can look at another need in Round 1.
That’s what happens as they add Joey Porter, Jr. from Penn State. If they’re going to consistently contend with teams such as Kansas City and Buffalo, they need a potential shutdown corner and that’s what Porter can develop into.
22. Baltimore Ravens: Isaiah Foskey, EDGE, Notre Dame
Before this point, the Baltimore Ravens need to figure things out with Lamar Jackson. If they thought they could play hardball and pretend they will be fine without him, that ship sailed when a knee injury ended his season early. Tyler Huntley deserves credit for keeping them treading water but treading water doesn’t work in the playoffs.
Assuming they get things figured out with their former MVP, they now add Isaiah Foskey from Notre Dame. A talented edge rusher, Foskey finished his career with more sacks than anyone at Notre Dame and now joins an NFL franchise rich in tradition when it comes to defenders.
Baltimore plays in a tough division but they can continue to make noise, especially if they load up their pass rush.
23. Minnesota Vikings: Jordan Addison, WR, USC
With Adam Thielen likely on the way out this offseason, the Minnesota Vikings are going to need another weapon across from Justin Jefferson. They land a great option at 23 with Jordan Addison.
A Pittsburgh transfer, Addison didn’t have the same numbers with USC that he did as a Panther but he continued to prove he’s a dangerous weapon that can stretch the defense. Minnesota needs help on defense as well, evident by their inability to stop the Giants in the playoffs, but the upside for Addison is too great to pass at this spot.
24. Los Angeles Chargers: Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah
If the Los Angeles Chargers could have just made one more stop, they would have been able to hold off the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Wild Card Round. That didn’t happen and they became the victims of some serious internet trolling — which is going to happen when you blow a 27-0 lead.
They hoped the addition of JC Jackson would have helped but his injury was one of the reasons for their defensive woes down the stretch. That highlighted the need for secondary depth in the AFC which leads to the selection of Clark Phillips III from Utah.
Phillips doesn’t have ideal size but his instincts and ball skills are top-notch. In a division where they’ll face Patrick Mahomes twice per season and have to get past Trevor Lawrence, Joe Burrow, and Josh Allen in the postseason, the ability to create turnovers is even more valuable.
25. Buffalo Bills (via New York Giants): Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
A little bit of positioning goes on here as the Buffalo Bills decide to move ahead of the Dallas Cowboys since both teams have a need at wide receiver. Buffalo added Cole Beasley for their playoff run, not even a full year after releasing him. Now, they decide to get a younger slot receiver in Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
The Ohio State product is arguably the most precise route runner in this class and might have gone much higher had he not missed nearly all of this past season. In all honesty, that could help him land with a better team, which is what happens here as one of the AFC juggernauts gets even stronger.
26. Kansas City Chiefs (via Dallas Cowboys): Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
After the Bills moved up for Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the Dallas Cowboys started to listen to offers. They end up taking a deal from Kansas City as the Chiefs offer up some decent value to drop down four spots. Kansas City ends up taking Bijan Robinson from Texas, which would be an amazing addition to their offense.
Robinson is the best back in the nation and is worthy of going much higher, if not for the lack of love from running backs in today’s NFL. The Texas product is capable of putting a team on his back and that’s a scary thought when Patrick Mahomes is already running the offense.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire didn’t work out but Robinson is a much more promising prospect and will make this offense nearly unstoppable.
27. Cincinnati Bengals: Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma
La’el Collins, Ted Karras, and Alex Cappa were supposed to turn the Cincinnati Bengals’ offensive line around. That didn’t happen as they were still a problem in 2023. Joe Burrow continues to fight through the pressure but it’s only a matter of time before they break him with this group.
That’s why they keep throwing darts, this time landing on Anton Harrison from Oklahoma. Chances are high that he will need to take over for Jonah Williams who was ranked No. 64 by PFF. Then again, Collins came in at 71, so that might be the answer — and Collins was better at guard during his days in Dallas which is another idea to kick around.
28. Denver Broncos: (via San Francisco 49ers through Miami Dolphins): Felix Anudike-Uzomah, EDGE, Kansas State
It might not sound like the best way to build a team but the Denver Broncos basically traded Bradley Chubb in order to now draft Felix Anudike-Uzomah as his replacement. If Anudike-Uzomah can perform as well as Chubb, they will be happy — which is why it might sound like a lateral move should this be the selection.
Having said that, this isn’t the case. Denver decided to make Randy Gregory their high-priced pass rusher and sent Chubb to Miami, where he’s about to get paid. That means they have a replacement on a rookie deal, saving themselves a lot of money while hoping to keep their defense respectable.
29. New York Giants (via Buffalo Bills): Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
The New York Giants moved back a few spots thanks to their trade with the Buffalo Bills but still find a way to add a very talented player in Devon Witherspoon. The Illinois cornerback is a solid tackler who excels in man coverage. Right now, New York has a very talented defense, especially along the front seven. Their safeties are solid as well, but they need help on the boundaries and that’s where Witherspoon thrives.
He’s a solid tackler with good length. He can play in the slot due to his ability to mirror receivers but has ideal traits to excel on an island outside.
30. Dallas Cowboys (via Kansas City Chiefs): Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee
Buffalo moved up earlier for Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who would have been a great fit for the Dallas Cowboys. The good news for them is that they ended up with a solid backup plan with Jalin Hyatt and added a little more draft capital in the process.
Hyatt had a breakout campaign for Tennesse, including a five-touchdown performance against Alabama. In all, he had 67 receptions for 1,267 yards and 15 touchdowns this year and decided to go pro following the performance.
Listed at 6-foot-0 and 175 pounds, Hyatt is a burner and ideal for the slot. He needs to expand his route tree but can still make an impact as a rookie with his speed alone, especially on an offense like the one they have in Dallas where so much attention has to be paid to other pass-catchers.
31. Philadelphia Eagles: B.J. Ojulari, EDGE, LSU
The Eagles are currently last on our mock draft and after adding Kelee Ringo with the No. 10 overall selection, they now add B.J. Ojulari from LSU. Ojulari has NFL bloodlines with his older brother, Azeez Ojulari, playing for the New York Giants.
During 2020, the brothers were on rival teams with BJ playing for LSU as a freshman and Azeez finishing up his career with Georgia. They remain rivals here as NFC East foes.
This class is full of talented pass rushers, and it’s such a strong collection of prospects that Ojulari often gets overlooked. He could afford to add a little more weight but he has all the tools to be a force on the edge and the Eagles are in a position where they can continue to add to this area even though it’s not exactly a weakness.