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2023 NFL mock draft: Cowboys, Falcons make massive trades up

By Sayre Bedinger

2023 NFL mock draft: Bijan Robinson #5 of the Texas Longhorns runs the ball while defended by Anthony Johnson Jr. #1 of the Iowa State Cyclones in the first half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on October 15, 2022 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
2023 NFL mock draft: Bijan Robinson #5 of the Texas Longhorns runs the ball while defended by Anthony Johnson Jr. #1 of the Iowa State Cyclones in the first half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on October 15, 2022 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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The biggest waves of 2023 NFL Free Agency have come and gone. It’s officially time to lock our eyes on the 2023 NFL Draft, which will take place from Thursday, April 27-Saturday, April 29. The glorious weekend of NFL Draft festivities will take place in the home of the reigning Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs. Fans from all over the league will gather for what is certain to be an exciting Draft, and we’ve already seen some major fireworks at the top, so get ready for some NFL mock draft madness.

Just before the start of 2023 NFL Free Agency, the Chicago Bears and Carolina Panthers came together on a blockbuster deal that sent the no. 1 overall pick to the Panthers and wide receiver DJ Moore (among other things) to the Chicago Bears.

How many more big trades could we expect, even within the top 10 overall picks? I don’t think it’s out of the question that we could see some major fireworks come late April. Let’s look at a fun 2023 NFL mock draft scenario including a massive trade up the board from the Dallas Cowboys…

2023 NFL mock draft: Cowboys trade up, QBs fly off the board early

2023 NFL mock draft
2023 NFL mock draft: C.J. Stroud #7 of the Ohio State Buckeyes drops back to pass against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium on November 19, 2022 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /

1. Carolina Panthers: CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State

CJ Stroud. 1. player. 87. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. QB. Ohio State

No team in the NFL is better equipped in 2023 to break in a young quarterback than the Carolina Panthers. This team’s coaching staff includes a brain trust of:

  • HC Frank Reich
  • Senior Assistant Jim Caldwell
  • QB coach Josh McCown
  • Offensive coordinator Thomas Brown
  • RB coach/assistant HC Duce Staley
  • Pass game coordinator Parks Frazier

This team is absolutely loaded when it comes to QB developers, and that includes the likes of Brown and Staley who are going to help this team forge a strong running game, along with new running back Miles Sanders.

With an improved offensive line and a stout defense, now under the watch of DC Ejiro Evero, the Panthers are poised to take one of the biggest leaps forward of any NFL team in 2023. As aggressive as GM Scott Fitterer has been, it should come as zero surprise that this is the team that made the trade for the no. 1 overall pick when the Bears put it on the market.

It cost them DJ Moore, but CJ Stroud — or any new QB — is going to be coming in with an elite coaching staff, strong running game to back them up, a strong defense, a good offensive line, and at least a couple of new weapons at receiver in Adam Thielen and DJ Chark who will pair up with Terrace Marshall and Laviska Shenault.

Until the rest of the 2023 NFL Draft, at least…

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