With the 2023 NFL Draft less than six months away, it’s time to take an early look at how the top-15 picks of the first round could be shaping up. In the coming weeks, we’ll get deeper into the draft and see which other prospects might come off the board in the first and which teams may be considering them. So be sure to check back in later!
As always, feel free to post any suggestions in the comments below, or contact me on Twitter @draftexaminer to let me know what you think!
1. Houston Texans – Bryce Young (QB – ALA)*
Davis Mills is currently ranked 30th in the league in QBR. So if the Texans have an opportunity to draft a quarterback here, the only question is who they prefer. I wonder if general manager Nick Caserio’s connections to Alabama would lead him to opt for Bryce Young, a dynamic playmaker, over C.J. Stroud, arguably the safer pick.
2. Las Vegas Raiders – Jalen Carter (DT – UGA)*
Bill Belichick has favored Georgia players for years, so it’s possible Josh McDaniels and defensive coordinator Patrick Graham might feel the same way. Although Will Anderson is the top defender in the draft, the Raiders are set on the edge after just investing heavily in Chandler Jones and Maxx Crosby.
3. Carolina Panthers – CJ Stroud (QB – OSU)*
Whichever quarterback the Texans don’t take would likely be the pick here, barring a trade up or unless the Raiders surprisingly decide to dump Derek Carr. Of all the quarterbacks in the class, Stroud may be the safest option, and would give Carolina their first franchise quarterback since Cam Newton left following the 2017 season.
4. Philadelphia Eagles (from Saints) – Will Anderson (DE – ALA)*
It would be absurd if the league’s best team managed to land the draft’s best prospect. The Eagles recently acquired Robert Quinn, but he will be 33 next season and is currently in a contract year, while Brandon Graham will turn 35 in April and has just one year left on his deal. Philadelphia builds through the trenches.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars – Peter Skoronski (OT – NU)*
Tyson Campbell has been pretty good this season, and having recently signed Shaquill Griffin in free agency; I don’t think this pick is too likely to be a corner. Cam Robinson just signed a big deal, but Jawaan Taylor is set to hit the market, so maybe a tackle here would work. Bryan Bresee is another strong consideration.
6. Chicago Bears – Myles Murphy (DE – CLEM)*
No quarterback has been sacked more than Justin Fields this year, but with rookie Braxton Jones playing well at left tackle and Riley Reiff on the right, I don’t think this will be a tackle. The Bears are seriously lacking front-seven talent, and when Matt Eberflus was the coordinator there, the Colts typically prioritized big ends.
7. Seattle Seahawks (from Broncos) – Bryan Bresee (DT – CLEM)**
Stopping the run has been a problem for the Seahawks this season; they currently rank 28th in the league against the run, and with solid veteran Al Woods set to hit free agency and Poona Ford dropping off this year, maybe they’d like to grab a stud like Bresee to pair with the always-reliable Shelby Harris on the interior.
8. Detroit Lions (from Rams) – Cam Smith (CB – SC)*
This pick probably has to be on the defensive side of the ball. Jeffrey Okudah‘s career hasn’t been developing as planned, and Amari Oruwariye has been exploited this season. So perhaps defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn would like to draft a stud capable of playing press-man coverage.
9. Houston Texans (from Browns) – DE Tyree Wilson (TTU)
The Texans should focus on defense from here on out. Their run defense ranks last in the league, and their middling pass rush is largely the product of scheming, rather than elite talent. Jerry Hughes is the team’s top rusher, but he will be 35 years old by the beginning of next season and is entering a contract year.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers – Paris Johnson (OT – OSU)*
Having drafted Kenny Pickett, the Steelers would be wise to prioritize providing him with better protection. Currently, Pittsburgh is starting Dan Moore Jr. and Chukwuma Okorafor at left and right tackle, respectively, so drawing from a Buckeyes program that’s served them well in the past might be a good option.
11. Detroit Lions – Kelee Ringo (CB – UGA)*
Will Levis is still available, but Jared Goff is having a nice year, and if Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell manage to retain their jobs, they’ll be entering a make-or-break season, so it’s likely fixing the team’s defense would be a priority. Smith and Ringo would give them an exciting pair of ultra-physical cornerbacks to build around.
12. Atlanta Falcons – Quentin Johnston (WR – TCU)*
Would drafting Desmond Ridder last season prevent the Falcons from going with a quarterback here? I’d like to see what he has to offer before projecting a passer here. A pass-rusher like Nolan Smith is a definite possibility, but completing their receiver rebuild by pairing Drake London with Quentin Johnston might be a better value.
13. Arizona Cardinals – Nolan Smith (DE – UGA)
This year has been a struggle for the Cardinals to rush the passer. We haven’t seen enough of Cameron Thomas and Myjai Sanders to say edge is a definite need. Still, given the lack of ideal value along the offensive line and at cornerback, maybe Steve Keim would draft one of the freakiest rushers available.
14. Green Bay Packers – Michael Mayer (TE – ND)*
Christian Watson just had a breakout game last week, so the Packers might finally have a lead receiver to pair with Romeo Doubs and Allen Lazard. Drafting Michael Mayer would allow the Packers to continue establishing a smashmouth identity on offense while providing Rodgers with a different kind of weapon.
15. Indianapolis Colts – Will Levis (QB – KU)
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