Happy Draft Day!
With the draft here, it’s time for the final mock draft to see how right or wrong we all were. I’ve made changes in some spots, and I’ve stuck to my opinion about where certain players are going. Lastly, I’ve added another trade.
Check out Mock Draft 4.0
- Thor Nystrom’s 2023 NFL Draft Big Board: Top 500
- Final Mock Drafts: Freedman | Jones | Weyrauch | Erickson | Nystrom
- NFL Draft Needs for Every Team
- Historical Draft Picks of All 32 Teams
- NFL Draft Prop Bet Cards: Freedman | Weyrauch | Erickson
- 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Reports & Prospect Profiles
Join us LIVE for the First Round of the 2023 NFL Draft! 
No 1 Carolina Panthers (Trade with Bears): QB C.J. Stroud, Ohio State
I’m not swaying with this pick, no matter what rumors we hear, scores on a test we’re learning are untrue, or a camp he ghosted which was also inaccurate. Stroud is the best quarterback in this draft and deserves to be the No. 1 overall pick.
It’s also worth noting who is coaching the Panthers. Frank Reich is known as the “quarterback whisper,” and you have to look at some of his past quarterbacks. Andrew Luck, Philip Rivers, Carson Wentz, and Matt Ryan are all big-bodied pocket passers, and he fits the bill at 6’3″ and 218 pounds.
He has a physical presence and technical skills that a team can build with.
No. 2 Houston Texans: QB Bryce Young, Alabama
The odds have Young as the heavy favorite to go first, but unless it’s a different team, he’s not the guy for Carolina.
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 Tennessee Titans (Projected Trade with Cardinals): QB Anthony Richardson, Florida
With Ryan Tannehill being 35 years old and in the last year of his deal, and Malik Willis not looking like the future, they need to find it here.
With just one season of starting experience in college, this would be an excellent opportunity for Richardson to hold the clipboard and get a year to learn.
No. 4 Indianapolis Colts: QB Will Levis, 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.
No. 5 Seattle Seahawks: (From Denver Broncos) EDGE Will Anderson, Alabama
Rumors are swirling that Seattle might be in line to grab one of those quarterbacks if any were to fall to five, we’ll have to see if that happens.
It’s hard to 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: (From LA Rams) DL Jalen Carter, Georgia
His Pro Day was horrendous, but you can’t ignore what’s on the tape. This is one of the more imposing defensive linemen we’ve seen recently. Scouts look at him and believe opposing teams must plan for him as they prepare for Aaron Donald. That’s certainly a compliment.
No. 7 Las Vegas Raiders: OT Peter Skoronski OT, Northwestern
With Jimmy G as the new quarterback, what helped in his time at San Francisco was having all pro linemen, and the Raiders need to build protection.
Skoronski is the 2022 Big Ten offensive lineman of the year and comes in as one of the top prospects in 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: RB Bijan Robinson, Texas
Robinson is a generational talent, and while they have Tyler Allgeier, he’s too hard to pass up for the Falcons trying to build with a young offense. He 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. 9 Chicago Bears (Trade with Panthers) EDGE Tyree Wilson Texas Tech
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.
No. 10 Philadelphia Eagles (from Saints): CB Christian Gonzalez, Oregon
The Eagles are set at corner currently, but this is a pick for the future. 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. 11 Arizona Cardinals (Trade with Tennessee Titans): EDGE Nolan Smith, Georgia
Smith has proved in this process that he is worthy of a top-15 pick. He is a little smaller than some of the other EDGE prospects, but he makes up for his explosiveness off the line, and his performance at the combine showed that.
No. 12 Houston Texans (From Cleveland Browns) EDGE Myles Murphy, Clemson
Murphy impressed at his Pro Day, running a 4.52 40-yard dash, 31″ vertical, and 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 on.
No. 13 Green Bay Packers (From New York Jets): TE Michael Mayer, 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. 14 New England Patriots: CB Devon Witherspoon, 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 in the secondary.
No. 15 New York Jets (From Green Bay Packers): OL Paris Johnson, Ohio State
Aaron Rodgers has come out of the darkness and into Easter Rutherford, and one thing he will need is protection.
Johnson has experience at guard and tackle with incredible technique to be an immediate starter.
No. 16 Washington Commanders: WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State
If they’re going with Sam Howell as their quarterback, they need to give him weapons. Smith-Njigba is one of the most dynamic pass-catchers in this draft. To have him, Jahan Dotson, and Terry McLaurin as options would be dangerous.
No. 17 Pittsburgh Steelers: WR Jordan Addison, USC
Addison said he would love to reunite with his Pittsburgh teammate Kenny Pickett during his combined interview.
Addison is a significant reason why Pickett excelled last season and how he was ultimately trusted to be the franchise quarterback. 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: WR Quentin Johnston, 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 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) WR Zay Flowers, Boston College
The Giants need to add more wide receiver depth, and Flowers would be an ideal pick. There are a couple of teams you believe would take 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 invested all this money in Daniel Jones, and they need to give him the pieces to succeed.
No. 20 Buffalo Bills (Trade with Seattle Seahawks): Dalton Kincaid, Utah
I certainly believe the Seahawks were in the Flowers sweepstake, 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 got one, they would 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 motions, and at his size, moves well in the open field.
No. 21 Los Angeles Chargers: EDGE Bryan Bresee
Breese was once regarded as top half 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 ten 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: CB Joey Porter Jr., Penn State
The Vikings might have needs at other important positions in the future, but they need to focus on what is essential tonight. That’s defense, which 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, but he also has the tracking ability to cover in zone.
No. 24 Jacksonville Jaguars: EDGE Lukas Van Ness, Iowa
Van Neese 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 that allows him to be an impactful player early on.
No. 25 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Trade With New York Giants): CB Deonte Banks, 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 other players in this position, but the raw athleticism is worth the pick.
No. 26 Dallas Cowboys: RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama
I’m unsure if the Cowboys are ready to make Pollard their every down back, and the smart move could be to have two playmakers.
Gibbs came in at a solid 220 pounds at just 5’9″. 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. 27 Seattle Seahawks (Trade With Buffalo Bills) DL Calijah Kancey, 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: TE Sam Laporta, Iowa
The Bengals could go offensive line, but adding someone like LaPorta, who is a great blocking tight end and excels as a pass catcher, is someone you can’t pass up for Joe Burrow and this offense.
No. 29 New Orleans Saints (from San Fransisco 49ers through Miami, Denver): DT, Mazi Smith, 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 Miami Dolphins (From Philadelphia Eagles): TE Darnell Washington Georgia
I fully believe the Eagles would have gone with Gibbs with this pick, but with him being off the board, they’ll slide down.
With Mike Gesicki gone, the Dolphins need a tight end. Washington is a physical specimen and is an elite blocker in this position. While he wasn’t deeply involved in the passing attack, he looms large and is someone you can throw to in the middle of the field. Although he doesn’t have a second gear in the open field, he’s still tough to take down.
No. 31 Kansas City Chiefs: Jalin Hyatt, Tennessee
Hyatt had a breakout season for Tennessee and is shown to have speed, quick bursts, and reliable hands. The champs would love to add another weapon to the receiving core, and getting a big play guy like Hyatt would be a vertical dynamic that the Chiefs need.
More Mock NFL Drafts
- Thor Nystrom’s Mock Drafts (1.0 | 2.0)
- Matthew Freedman’s Mock Drafts (1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 9.0 | 10.0 | 11.0 | 12.0 | 13.0)
- Kent Weyrauch’s Mock Drafts (1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 9.0 | 10.0)
- Matthew Jones’s Mock Drafts (1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 9.0)
- Andrew Erickson’s Mock Drafts (1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 7.0)
- Mike Fanelli’s Mock Drafts w/ Trades (1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 5.0)
- John Supowitz’s Mock Drafts (1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 4.0)
- Russell Brown (1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 4.0)
- Ken Zalis (1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0)
- PJ Moran (1.0 | 2.0)
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