2023 NFL mock draft: Lamar Jackson, Aaron Rodgers blockbuster deals
2. Atlanta Falcons: CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State
player. Scouting Report. QB. Ohio State. 2. Pick Analysis. C.J. Stroud. 46
Projected trade with Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears come away with another haul here as they trade down with the Indianapolis Colts, who are targeting CJ Stroud. First, let’s look at this move from Indianapolis’ perspective.
You’ve got some weapons on offense and you’ve got a decent defense. The Colts certainly have work to do on the rest of their roster right now but the quarterback position has been a no man’s land for them since Andrew Luck retired. Whoever the next head coach of the Colts is, they are going to need a quarterback to build around and Stroud looked like an absolute star against Georgia.
3. Arizona Cardinals: Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Alabama
Alabama. 32. Pick Analysis. EDGE. Will Anderson, Jr.. 3. player. Scouting Report
The Arizona Cardinals undoubtedly need help off the edge, and new GM Monti Ossenfort has actually inherited a bit bigger of a mess than meets the eye. What Steve Keim and Kliff Kingsbury left behind is a bit of a mess, including the fact that their franchise QB just tore his ACL late last season.
The Cardinals could be in for a rebuilding/reloading year, but there’s no better way to keep the ship afloat and perhaps sneak into the playoffs than having a competitive and competent defense. We’ll see who this team hires at head coach (not determined at the time of this post being made) but whoever it is will probably love to have Will Anderson and his impact coming off the edge.
Getting elite play off the edge is the quickest way to turn around your team’s defense. Look at the Denver Broncos in 2011 after they got Von Miller. Look at the Dallas Cowboys in 2021 after they got Micah Parsons. And plenty of other examples. Anderson can be a star quickly and the Cardinals desperately need him.