With the Combine and most of the Pro Days completed, we’re starting to get a clearer picture of how this draft could shake out.
We already saw a blockbuster trade with Panthers acquiring the No. 1 pick, and they’re looking for their next quarterback. That won’t be the only team looking for their next star behind center, and we could see several teams try to move up.
This will be a busy first round, and I have added several trades that could help fill the position that teams need.
Supowitz’s Mock Draft with Trades 3.0
Here is my Mock Draft 3.0:
No. 1 Carolina Panthers (Trade with Bears): C.J. Stroud (QB – Ohio State)
The trade we all knew would happen came very early to the draft, but the Panthers are now on the clock.
When you watch his tape, Stroud already looks like an NFL quarterback. He put on a stellar throwing performance at the Combine and got better throughout the drills. His Pro Day continued to prove he is the guy that can lead a franchise.
No. 2 Houston Texans: Bryce Young (QB – Alabama)
In no way should getting Young be considered a consolation prize for Houston.
Despite the height issues and not throwing at the Combine, Young is still one of the more talented quarterbacks in the draft. His athleticism and playmaking ability make him unique.
He proved in his time at Alabama that he is a born leader, and the efficiency of that offense dipped when he missed time last season. The Texans are in good hands by giving the keys to the former Heisman Trophy winner.
No. 3 New England Patriots (Projected Trade with Cardinals): Anthony Richardson (QB – Florida)
The reports are that Belichick is shopping Mac Jones. Was Jones the problem? Maybe, but having no legitimate wide receivers and a former defensive coordinator calling the offensive plays might have played a part.
Belichick brought his former OC Bill O’Brien back to handle the offense. Look at the last quarterback O’Brien coached in the NFL. Deshaun Watson and Richardson are similar in size and had almost identical Combine results. Both have strong arms and can move the sticks with their legs.
Richardson confirmed that he did have a formal meeting with Patriots during the Combine.
Richardson’s athleticism could help him do much more with less, which Jones can’t do. This would be an un-Belichickian move, but it’s essential in a division where they could have the fourth-best quarterback if they don’t.
No. 4 Indianapolis Colts: Will Levis (QB – Kentucky)
The Colts could make a move to grab Lamar Jackson, but the price is very high between the contract Jackson wants and the picks, so it doesn’t seem likely.
Levis’ numbers regressed from 2021, but he has the physicality and raw talent of a first-round quarterback. He was turnover-prone last season but did not have his complete offensive line or skill players.
He had an outstanding Combine and Pro Day, especially during his throwing drills, and sent some balls to the rafters. Unfortunately, Richardson was so much better that it moved the former Kentucky quarterback down in the rankings.
No. 5 Seattle Seahawks (from Denver Broncos): Will Anderson (EGDE – Alabama)
You can argue that Anderson is the best non-quarterback on the board. If he could have come out last year, he would have been a lock for the top spot.
He is a dynamic player on the line and has the talent to move anywhere on the defensive front. He will become a player an offense will have to plan for specifically.
No. 6 Detroit Lions: Tyree Wilson (EDGE – Texas Tech)
In my first two mock drafts, I had the Lions grabbing Christian Gonzalez, but with them signing Cameron Sutton and Emmanuel Moseley in free agency, they’re set at the cornerback spot.
Wilson has a high motor, a long frame, and a significant first step. If he adds some weight, he could become that guy that takes over games.
A defensive front with Aidan Hutchinson, James Houston, and Wilson could be dangerous for years to come.
No. 7 Las Vegas Raiders: Peter Skoronski (OT – Northwestern)
The Raiders need a quarterback, but at this position, they should try to find someone on Day 2 instead of reaching.
Skoronski is the 2022 Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year and comes in as one of the top prospects at his position.
He has the power and technique to play right away, and the size concern some scouts have shouldn’t matter.
No. 8 Atlanta Falcons: Christian Gonzalez (CB – Oregon)
A.J. Terrell and Christian Gonzalez in the secondary could pose problems for a long time. Gonzalez is the best physical corner in this draft. He tracks the ball, has the stellar ability to mirror his assignment’s route, and isn’t afraid to get physical to contest a throw.
No. 9 Chicago Bears (Trade with Panthers): Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR – Ohio State)
The Bears have many needs with one of the league’s worst defenses and offensive lines, but in this pre-draft process, Smith-Njigba has shown to be an elite talent.
Justin Fields will have D.J. Moore on the outside, but having someone in the middle of the field that is also a great route runner will fortify this passing attack.
No. 10 Philadelphia Eagles (from Saints): Nolan Smith (EDGE – Georgia)
Smith has proven during this process that he is worthy of a top-10 pick. He is a little smaller than some of the other EDGE prospects, but he makes up for it with his explosiveness off the line, and his performance at the Combine showed that.
The Eagles lost players on the defensive front in free agency, so this has become an essential need.
No. 11 Tennessee Titans: Paris Johnson (OT – Ohio State)
Johnson was another one that came into the Combine as the best prospect at his position.
The Titans will likely need multiple players to fill the offensive line. Johnson has experience at guard and tackle and incredible technique to be a likely starter right away.
The size and agility he showed at the Combine will keep him as the first offensive lineman off the board.
No. 12 Houston Texans (from Cleveland Browns): Myles Murphy (EDGE – Clemson)
Murphy impressed at his Pro Day, running a 4.52 40-yard dash, posting a 31-inch vertical, and accumulating 25 reps on the bench at 268 pounds.
He has the quickness to line up on the edge but the strength to break through the middle. This is an excellent piece for the Texans to build the defense around.
No. 13 New York Jets: Broderick Jones (OT – Georgia)
No matter who the Jets’ quarterback is, they need players to protect him.
Jones is the most athletic offensive lineman in the draft. A crucial part of two national titles, he is an excellent blocker who is tough in the trenches and will give Washington a much-needed boost at the position with a young quarterback to protect.
No. 14 Arizona Cardinals (Trade with New England Patriots): Devon Witherspoon (CB – Illinois)
Witherspoon is someone who knows how to play the position. He has excellent instincts, and although he isn’t as big as some of the other prospects, his football IQ and speed make him one of the best secondary prospects available.
With a former defensive backs coach in Jonathan Gannon at the helm, this is an excellent spot for Witherspoon to develop.
No. 15 Green Bay Packers: Michael Mayer (TE – Notre Dame)
The Packers will be rolling with Jordan Love in 2023, so they must give him as many pass-catching options as possible.
Mayer is an exceptional tight end and could establish himself quickly at the position.
He’s been deemed “Baby Gronk”, and deservedly so because of his abilities as a pass catcher, but you can confidently have him on the line to block.
No. 16 Washington Commanders: O’Cyrus Torrence (OG – Florida)
Torrence transferred from Louisiana to Florida and went with his coach, Billy Napier. The improvement in the competition made him look better, and he was voted First-Team All-SEC.
The guy is a wall and never allowed a single sack in his over 3,000 snaps played and is an above-average run blocker.
It’s essential to have someone who can protect a young quarterback.
No. 17 Pittsburgh Steelers: Jordan Addison (WR – USC)
Addison said he would love to reunite with his Pittsburgh teammate Kenny Pickett during his Combine interview.
Addison is a significant reason why Pickett excelled at Pittsburgh and how he was ultimately trusted to be the franchise quarterback of the Steelers. If Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase are the Coca-Cola of the college QB/WR duos that reunited in the pros, Pickett and Addison could be Diet Coke, maybe Coke Zero.
No. 18 Detroit Lions: Quentin Johnston (WR – TCU)
An Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Johnston trio would be exciting. The Lions need a tight end, but you can’t say no if Johnston is available at this spot.
Whatever Dan Campbell did last year for Jared Goff worked because he was one of the better-performing quarterbacks at the end of the season. Continue to add pass catchers and see how far you can go.
No. 19 New York Giants (Trade with Tampa Bay Buccaneers): Zay Flowers (WR – Boston College)
The Giants need to add more wide receiver depth, and Flowers would be an ideal pick. There are a couple of teams that could have taken him before he landed at 25, so Joe Schoen will make a move to get the guy he wants.
Don’t let his size fool you — he’s quick and one of the best route runners in this draft, so he can potentially line up in different spots. They’ve invested a lot of money in Daniel Jones, and they need to give him the pieces to succeed.
No. 20 Buffalo Bills (Trade with Seattle Seahawks): Dalton Kincaid (TE – Utah)
I certainly believe the Seahawks were in the Flowers sweepstakes, and since they missed out, they will elect to move down. At pick 26, the Cowboys need a tight end, so for the Bills to ensure they get one, they’ll need to move up.
Kincaid isn’t the best blocking tight end, but he is fantastic in the passing game. He has excellent hands, catches in motion, and at his size, moves well in the open field.
No. 21 Los Angeles Chargers: Jalen Carter (DL – Georgia)
A key storyline during the draft is the stock of Jalen Carter. I don’t think it’s if he falls, but how far. The off-the-field issues are settled, but you can’t ignore his Pro Day performance.
He came in nine pounds heavier than at the Combine, and it’s not from going hard at the gym and gaining nine pounds of muscle.
He only did position drills and couldn’t finish because he was cramping up and breathing heavily.
The talent that he does present on tape will keep him in the mix for Day 1, but not in the top half.
No. 22 Baltimore Ravens: Bryan Bresee (EDGE – Clemson)
Bresee was once regarded as a top-16 pick, but he tore his ACL tear in 2021, and the following season was very lackluster, with 15 total tackles and 3.5 sacks in 10 games.
This is a huge steal if he can return to where he once was. He can generate power when trying to penetrate the pocket, has fluid hip motion, and can dip down to break into the backfield.
No. 23 Minnesota Vikings: Joey Porter Jr. (CB – Penn State)
The Vikings might have needs at other important positions in the future, but they need to focus on what is essential on April 27, 2023. That’s defense — it regressed from the previous season, especially against the pass.
Porter Jr. has the pedigree to play the position. He’s quick and can play off the press in man coverage, but he also has the tracking ability to cover in a zone defense.
No. 24 Jacksonville Jaguars: Lukas Van Ness (EDGE – Iowa)
Van Ness solidified himself as a first-rounder with how well he tested at 272 pounds. That quickness was already there on tape, and he can break through the pass protection, which would allow him to be an impactful player early on.
No. 25 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Trade With New York Giants): Deonte Banks (CB – Maryland)
Banks put up some stellar numbers at the Combine and finished with a 10 out of 10 Relative Athletic Score. He isn’t as polished as some of the other players at his position, but the raw athleticism is worth the pick.
No. 26 Dallas Cowboys: Bijan Robinson (RB – Texas)
I’m unsure if the Cowboys are ready to make Tony Pollard their every-down back, and the smart move could be to have two playmakers. Robinson was great at the Combine, and he’s receiving glowing reviews from scouts and analysts as one of the best running back prospects in a long time.
He is tough to take down in the open field and is an excellent pass catcher.
No. 27 Seattle Seahawks (Trade With Buffalo Bills): Calijah Kancey (DL – Pittsburgh)
The Seahawks took care of the problem at EDGE, but they must also fill the interior defensive line. Kancey is excellent at this spot. He’s incredible off the ball and knows all maneuvers of an NFL veteran to find the gap, wedge himself through, and come up the middle to the quarterback’s face.
No. 28 Cincinnati Bengals: Darnell Washington (TE – Georgia)
There is a new development in the Joe Mixon aggravated menacing case. We can’t assume they’ll take a running back until we see how it develops.
The Bengals could go offensive line, but adding someone like Washington, who is a great blocking tight end but has the potential to be a pass catcher, is something you can’t pass up for Joe Burrow and this offense.
No. 29 New Orleans Saints (from San Fransisco 49ers through Miami, Denver): Mazi Smith (DT – Michigan)
Smith is a physical specimen that went beast mode with 34 reps on the bench. Well deserving of Bruce Feldman’s top spot on his Freak List, he has so much power but has the tremendous speed to chase down a runner no matter where they break to.
No. 30 Philadelphia Eagles: Jahmyr Gibbs (RB – Alabama)
The Eagles bringing in Rashaad Penny does not mean they won’t grab a running back in the first round. It’s just a one-year deal, and Penny hasn’t played more than 10 games in any of the last four seasons.
Gibbs came in at a solid 200 pounds at just 5-foot-9. For that frame, he moves like he’s floating, can glide through lanes, and explode through the secondary. He’s a two-way player that can run and is an excellent pass catcher.
No. 31 Kansas City Chiefs: Jalin Hyatt (WR – Tennessee)
Hyatt had a breakout season for Tennessee and has shown to have speed, quick bursts, and reliable hands. The champs would love to add another weapon to the receiving corps, and getting a big-play guy like Hyatt would be a vertical dynamic that the Chiefs need.
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