Today’s the day. What can we expect during the 2023 NFL Draft? Likely a lot of madness. This year’s draft is considered by many to be one of the most unpredictable in recent years, so buckle up. In order to adequately appreciate the craziness of the NFL Draft, you’ve got to immerse yourself in some speculation, right? This 2023 NFL mock draft scenario is going to do exactly that.
What kinds of trades can we expect after we’ve already seen so many big ones go down, affecting the first-round order, including the top pick overall? Let’s look at a 2023 NFL mock draft scenario with five blockbuster trades going down, shaking up conventional thinking in some instances.
Trade-loaded 2023 NFL mock draft
1. Carolina Panthers: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
At this point, it seems to be a foregone conclusion that the Carolina Panthers are taking Bryce Young with the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. This selection is obviously massive for the present and future of the Carolina Panthers, who play in a very “winnable” division with an outstanding new coaching staff, led by Frank Reich. Together with Reich and his outstanding staff, Bryce Young could end up being an overnight success in the NFL.
2. Houston Texans: Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Alabama
The closer we are to the 2023 NFL Draft, the more I question what the Texans are actually doing. I think the rumors about the team not taking a quarterback are definitely for real, but what about the Tyree Wilson rumors? I just have a hard time buying Wilson over Will Anderson Jr. I think that kind of smoke is out there and it could end up being real, but I’m sticking with my gut here and projecting the Texans to take Anderson.
3. Tennessee Titans (from Cardinals): CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State
TRADE:
Titans receive:
- 3rd overall pick
Cardinals receive:
- 11th overall pick
- 41st overall pick
- 2024 1st-round pick
The Tennessee Titans are a rare team in a position to really make a push for one of the top quarterbacks in this year’s draft and certainly, someone they can build around going forward. The Titans have oddly been in contention for the last handful of years since Ryan Tannehill took over the operation midway through the 2019 season. They have simply played exceptionally well for head coach Mike Vrabel and I think Vrabel goes back to his Ohio State roots, banking his future (along with new GM Ran Carthon) on Stroud.
4. Indianapolis Colts: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
Although the Colts were jumped in this scenario by their division rivals in Tennessee, I think they end up with the guy they want the most anyway. Will Levis is a bit out there in some ways, but how much of it is just an act? This is a guy who was offered scholarships to every Ivy League school there is, and he has all the physical attributes in the world. He also has an endorsement from the Manning family, which might just seal the deal for Jim Irsay and the Colts.
5. Seattle Seahawks: Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech
Some have Jamal Carter going in this slot, and with a pair of first-round picks, the Seahawks could justify the risk. I simply don’t know if the NFL is going to make Carter a top-five draft pick after all that we’ve heard in the last 4-6 weeks. Tyree Wilson is a big-time athlete with length, strength, and versatility to play all over the defensive front.
6. Detroit Lions: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
For the longest time, I think many have projected Devon Witherspoon to the Lions as a perfect fit not just in terms of the Lions needing cornerback help, but the style with which Witherspoon plays. He’s aggressive, he’s physical, and he’s confident. In this 2023 NFL mock draft scenario, he joins a revamped group of cornerbacks in Detroit including veterans Cameron Sutton and Emmanuel Moseley.
7. Philadelphia Eagles (from Raiders): Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
Eagles receive:
- 7th overall pick
- 141st overall pick
Raiders receive:
- 10th overall pick
- 94th overall pick
The Philadelphia Eagles pull off a first in the Howie Roseman era — drafting a running back in round one. Not that he hasn’t wanted to in the past, apparently (Christian McCaffrey). Bijan Robinson is a rare playmaker, and the Eagles can slightly “abandon” their typical brand and add arguably the best non-QB in this entire draft class in Bijan Robinson to an offense that already features Jalen Hurts, AJ Brown, and Devonta Smith.
When you’re in a championship window, why not?
8. Atlanta Falcons: Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia
The Atlanta Falcons miss out on Bijan Robinson, but they add a desperately-needed presence off the edge in Nolan Smith. Smith’s stock has been on the rise ever since he blew up at the 2023 NFL scouting combine, but real ones already have been talking about this guy as a top-10 pick since about a year ago. Smith is a “safe” pick and I think gives new DC Ryan Nielsen a presence off the edge that can close out games.
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.
13. Green Bay Packers (from Jets): Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
Aaron Rodgers leaves and Brian Gutekunst sends him a little middle finger by drafting a wide receiver in the first round of this class. The Packers just so happen to be making Jaxon Smith-Njigba the WR1 of this class, and because he’s kind of becoming the undisputed WR1, perhaps we’ll see some teams jockeying to try to trade up for him.
14. Minnesota Vikings (from Patriots): Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
Vikings get:
- 14th overall pick
Patriots get:
- 23rd overall pick
- 2024 2nd-round pick
The Minnesota Vikings are about to usher in a new era. Kirk Cousins is entering a contract year, and Justin Jefferson will soon replace him as the highest-paid player on the team. The Vikings need to start grooming the future now, and they’ve done a ton of work on Richardson. Kevin O’Connell and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah get their guy moving up almost 10 spots in the order.
15. New York Jets (from Packers): Jordan Addison, WR, USC
So you took a wide receiver in the first round last year…who cares? The New York Jets have officially entered into a “window” of opportunity with Aaron Rodgers, and they need to be as aggressive about adding playmakers as humanly possible. Yes, they have Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard, and Mecole Hardman. I don’t think that prevents them from going after someone like Jordan Addison.
16. Washington Commanders: Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
The Washington Commanders could go cornerback here, but the run on offensive tackles is about to go crazy here in this NFL mock draft. Darnell Wright is a big, powerful option at the right tackle position for new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
Who wouldn’t love to see this? Joey Porter Sr. left a legacy in Pittsburgh as a pass rusher, and his son — Joey Porter Jr. — could fill one of the team’s biggest needs at the outside cornerback position. The Steelers make Dom Torretto proud with this one — it’s all about family.
18. Detroit Lions: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
After trading away TJ Hockenson to their division rivals in Minnesota last year, the Detroit Lions follow up their pick of Devon Witherspoon at no. 6 overall by taking arguably the top overall tight end in a very deep class at the position. Michael Mayer would add yet another layer to the super-talented Detroit offense and perhaps a much-needed additional weapon in the passing game with the unexpected suspension given to Jameson Williams.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
The Buccaneers cut Donovan Smith earlier in the offseason, so it makes some logical sense that they would be trying to replace him with a long-term option here in the first round of the draft. There could be a run on tackles earlier than this, so don’t be shocked if the Bucs have to pivot and go a different direction here. I think Jones being on the board would be a nice haul for them in round one.
20. Seattle Seahawks: Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
Tyler Lockett is getting older and the Seahawks really lack depth at wide receiver in general. Of course, they managed to have plenty of success last season anyway, but adding a playmaker like Zay Flowers here in round one would give the Seahawks another dimension offensively and a vertical threat for Geno Smith to push the ball to.
21. Los Angeles Chargers: Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
The last couple of seasons, we’ve seen just how important the tight end position is in Kellen Moore’s offense with the production and usage of Dalton Schultz. The Chargers surprisingly didn’t go after Schultz in free agency, so you’ve got to think they’ll be in the market for one of Dalton Kincaid or Michael Mayer with this pick.
22. Denver Broncos (from Ravens): Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama
Broncos get:
- 22nd pick
Ravens get:
- WR Jerry Jeudy
Here is a blockbuster similar to the one we saw last year involving the Ravens and Cardinals which sent Hollywood Brown to the Cardinals, or maybe more in the vein of AJ Brown to the Eagles. Jerry Jeudy had a huge stretch late last season where he was absolutely dominant, and the Broncos have a high (first-round) price tag on him going into the NFL Draft.
As players come off the board, I think the Ravens — in an attempt to appease Lamar Jackson — could trade for one of his buddies and give the Broncos and Sean Payton a first-round pick. Sean Payton gets himself a guy who has been compared often to Alvin Kamara, pairing him up with the likes of Javonte Williams (recovering from injury) and free agent pickup Samaje Perine.
23. New England Patriots: Lukas Van Ness, EDGE, Iowa
After trading down, the Patriots take Lukas Van Ness. Could anything be more on-brand for the Pats than this?
24. Jacksonville Jaguars: Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State
I’ve been picking Brian Branch for the Jaguars for the longest time, and I’m sure changing it up now is going to make me look like a fool as the NFL draft unfolds. But Emmanuel Forbes has proven himself to be one of the best ballhawks in this draft and the Jaguars could use him to pair with emerging star Tyson Campbell at the position.
25. New York Giants: Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland
The New York Giants miss out on the top receivers in this class, and I have them passing on Quntin Johnston here to take Maryland cornerback Deonte Banks. If you’re not getting someone you have a 1st-round grade on at WR, you need to pivot to another premium position. The Giants land a top-flight talent in Banks here.
26. Dallas Cowboys: Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma
This would be a really bad/weird situation for the Cowboys. Could they take another tight end option here? Maybe. The Cowboys took Tyler Smith in the first round last year and he ended up doing well as both a left guard and left tackle. We know this Cowboys team is always game for drafting linemen and Harrison might be the best one available here.
27. Los Angeles Rams (from Bills): Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson
Rams get:
- 27th overall pick
- 130th overall pick
Bills get:
- 36th overall pick
- 77th overall pick
The Los Angeles Rams have been sitting on their hands all offseason. They traded Jalen Ramsey and Allen Robinson while watching the rest of the league pull off big moves. It’s a reloading year for the Rams, but that doesn’t mean they have to sit on their hands in the draft. A player like Myles Murphy could be a huge difference-maker in Raheem Morris’ defense.
28. Cincinnati Bengals: Luke Musgrave, TE, Oregon State
Here would be a big surprise pick in round one. Luke Musgrave has been really rising up boards lately and would fill arguably the Bengals’ biggest need offensively. Most important, he helps them keep balance. Of course, Musgrave is a great athlete who can contribute as a receiver, but he’s going to be able to play in-line and block right away as well.
29. New Orleans Saints: Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
At this stage of round one and given who is all available, I don’t know why the Saints would pass on Quentin Johnston unless they just don’t have him on their board. Of course, Johnston comes with some question marks, but he’s 6-foot-3 with some serious speed. You just made a big move to go and get Derek Carr in the offseason, pair this kid up with Chris Olave and Michael Thomas.
30. Philadelphia Eagles: Brian Branch, DB, Alabama
The Eagles lost CJ Gardner-Johnson in free agency (Lions), so here they replace him with maybe the perfect guy to replace him with in a draft class that is kind of loaded with versatile defensive backs. Branch can play all over the place and would be an instant contributor for the Eagles’ secondary.
31. Houston Texans (from Chiefs): Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee
Texans get:
- 31st overall pick
Chiefs get:
- 33rd overall pick
- 161st overall pick
The Houston Texans are a team that’s been pretty heavily rumored to be in on Hendon Hooker as of late, and I kind of like this dart throw for them. In this NFL mock draft scenario, they land Will Anderson Jr., Jalen Carter, and now Hendon Hooker. They get that fifth-year option in this case, and a player who can audition at some point in the 2023 season with perhaps some sights set on the 2024 QB class.