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2023 NFL Mock Draft: 6 Blockbuster trades shake up first round selections

By Sayre Bedinger

2023 NFL mock draft: Hendon Hooker of Tennessee poses for a portrait during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images)
2023 NFL mock draft: Hendon Hooker of Tennessee poses for a portrait during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images) /
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2023 NFL mock draft
2023 NFL mock draft – Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Chicago Bears: Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State

The Chicago Bears invested in Justin Fields by trading off the first overall pick. I don’t know what justification they could make for not taking an offensive tackle at this slot, even with Jalen Carter and Christian Gonzalez on the board. Given what’s been out there rumor-wise about Paris Johnson Jr., maybe he won’t even be on the board with this pick.

10. Las Vegas Raiders (from Eagles): Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern

The Las Vegas Raiders move down from that 7th overall pick and they still end up passing on Anthony Richardson, who’s just sitting there at this point waiting to have his massive upside taken off the board. Instead, the Raiders go after Northwestern offensive tackle Peter Skoronski, who might end up playing guard at the next level. I’m sure Las Vegas fans would be thrilled by this.

11. Arizona Cardinals: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon

This would be a bit of a family reunion for Christian Gonzalez, whose brother-in-law is Cardinals backup QB David Blough. Blough is married to Gonzalez’s sister Melissa, a track and field athlete. The Arizona Cardinals move down, get more picks, and end up getting the guy a lot of people felt like they have been gearing up to take anyway. Gonzalez can be a centerpiece of Jonathan Gannon’s rebuild of Arizona’s defense.

12. Houston Texans: Jalen Carter, DL, Georgia

The Houston Texans landing both Jalen Carter and Will Anderson Jr. in the NFL Draft would be absolutely bonkers. I don’t know if there’s a more “ideal” scenario for any team in the entire 2023 NFL Draft than this. Could they decide they like Anthony Richardson enough here if he falls, reuniting him with Dameon Pierce? They could, but I think the first order of business in the DeMeco Ryans era is to legitimize the defense. Adding Will Anderson Jr. and Jalen Carter could do just that.

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