- 7-round mock
- Schrager 1.0
- Jeremiah 3.0
- Brooks 3.0
- MJD 1.0
- Davis 2.0
- Lewis 1.0
- Zierlein 3.0
- Rank 1.0
- Frelund 2.0
- Edholm 2.0
EDITOR'S NOTE: This mock was published prior to the Packers agreeing to trade Aaron Rodgers to the Jets in a deal that involves several 2023 draft picks.
Related Links
- 2023 NFL Draft: Pro execs, scouts, coaches rank and evaluate the QB class
- Five Round 1 slots that could change the direction of the 2023 NFL Draft
- Peter Schrager 2023 NFL mock draft 1.0: Texans trade out of No. 2; five QBs taken in first 12 picks
- 2023 NFL Draft: Which prospect might not be a first-round pick, but SHOULD be?
- NFL draft: Ranking every quarterback class since 2000
- 2023 NFL Draft: First-round order, top three needs for all 32 teams
The intrigue heading into the 2023 NFL Draft revolves around the top quarterback prospects. Alabama QB Bryce Young's decision to cancel his remaining pre-draft visits earlier this week has fueled speculation that Carolina favors the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner at No. 1 overall. Chatter that the Texans might not pick a passer with the second overall selection has muddied the draft waters a bit.
Surprises seem to abound in the draft when the QB pecking order is not quite set in stone with the event just around the corner. So, in this seven-round mock, I project some potential shockers that could prove to be prophetic (or way off base) as more information trickles out leading up to the draft.
NOTE: The NFL announced in August that the Miami Dolphins will forfeit their 2023 first-round pick and 2024 third-round pick following an investigation into whether the team violated league policies pertaining to the integrity of the game.
- Round 1
- Round 2
- Round 3
- Round 4
- Round 5
- Round 6
- Round 7
Pick
1
Carolina Panthers
(from CHI)
Bryce Young
Alabama · QB · Junior
The Panthers choose an intelligent, humble leader in Young, who will make plays from the pocket despite his lack of size while also evading pressure and finding targets downfield on the run.
Pick
2
Houston Texans
Will Levis
Kentucky · QB · Senior (RS)
If Houston is more interested in Levis than C.J. Stroud or Anthony Richardson, then brass should select him at No. 2 instead of hoping he's available when the Texans come back on the clock with the 12th pick -- or using draft capital to move back into the top 10 for his services.
Pick
3
Arizona Cardinals
Will Anderson Jr.
Alabama · Edge · Junior
The Cardinals secure the pass rusher they desperately need. Anderson's strength at the point of attack and closing speed make him a formidable foe. A team may procure this pick in a trade with Arizona at some point between now and next Thursday, but in recent years, movement within the top-six selections has happened well in advance of the draft.
Pick
4
Indianapolis Colts
C.J. Stroud
Ohio State · QB · Sophom*ore (RS)
Stroud's accuracy and strength from the pocket should make him the young starter the Colts desire, but only if they improve their offensive-line play and receiving corps.
Pick
5
Seattle Seahawks
(from DEN)
Tyree Wilson
Texas Tech · Edge · Senior (RS)
Wilson's length, athleticism and versatility give him a chance to excel in a Seahawks defense that transitioned to a multiple-front scheme last year.
Pick
6
Detroit Lions
(from LAR)
Devon Witherspoon
Illinois · CB · Senior
Trading Jeffrey Odukah to Atlanta opens a spot for Witherspoon in a revamped Lions secondary in 2023. His competitive fire has to be appreciated by head coach Dan Campbell.
Pick
7
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders have long been looking for a stopper in the secondary. Gonzalez's ball skills and supreme athleticism give him a chance to earn that title early in his NFL career.
Pick
8
Atlanta Falcons
Bijan Robinson
Texas · RB · Junior
General manager Terry Fontenot continues to draft offensive playmakers in the top 10, adding a star running back to complement tight end Kyle Pitts (No. 4 overall in 2021) and wide receiver Drake London (No. 8 overall in 2022).
Pick
9
Chicago Bears
(from CAR)
Jalen Carter
Georgia · DT · Junior
If the Bears can't move out of this pick, they may not be able to pass on Carter’s talent, though they will have to carefully weigh his off-field question marks.
Pick
10
Minnesota Vikings
(from NO)
Anthony Richardson
Florida · QB · Sophom*ore (RS)
PROJECTED TRADE WITH PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has not been shy about trading draft picks since taking on the job last year. Richardson's potential as a dual-threat playmaker validates the hefty price Minnesota pays to jump up the board: the 23rd overall pick, a 2023 third-rounder (No. 87) and a 2024 first-rounder. (The Vikings also probably trade down in the fourth round to regain a selection.)
Pick
11
Tennessee Titans
O'Cyrus Torrence
Florida · OG · Senior
Torrence provides brute force up front in the run game, which should intrigue the run-first Titans -- and yet, his nimble feet belie his 330-pound frame.
Pick
12
Houston Texans
(via CLE)
Nolan Smith
Georgia · Edge · Senior
Smith's speed made headlines at the NFL Scouting Combine, but his surprising power and ability to win with his hands are just as impressive. He'll be a leader and effective pass rusher and run defender for the Texans.
Pick
13
New York Jets
Peter Skoronski
Northwestern · OL · Junior
Skoronski lands in the same draft slot where his former Northwestern teammate, Rashawn Slater, was taken by the Chargers in 2021. The Jets will likely slide this Wildcat inside, however, if they believe second-year pro Max Mitchell is their right tackle of the future.
Pick
14
New England Patriots
Broderick Jones
Georgia · OT · Sophom*ore (RS)
New England needs a left tackle, and Jones is just scratching the surface of his potential on the outside. I project the Patriots to trade two fourth-round picks to the Rams (who currently do not possess a selection between Nos. 77 and 167) to snag Brian Branch in the second round if he falls out of the first, like other former Alabama safeties Landon Collins and Xavier McKinney.
Pick
15
Green Bay Packers
Paris Johnson Jr.
Ohio State · OT · Junior
The Packers' offensive line must be at its best to protect quarterback Jordan Love and give him an effective running game. Johnson can play right guard (where he started in 2021) or tackle this fall if David Bakhtiari is able to play in 2023, then transition to the left side if the veteran moves on after the season. If the Packers aren't able to wrestle the 13th pick away from Jets GM Joe Douglas in a trade for Aaron Rodgers, they settle for New York's two second-rounders (Nos. 42 and 43) and add a pass catcher and defensive lineman.
Pick
16
Washington Commanders
Joey Porter Jr.
Penn State · CB · Junior (RS)
Head coach Ron Rivera finds an outside corner capable of locking down receivers on the perimeter -- ultimately helping the team's pass rush. Porter will also play a strong role in the run game.
Pick
17
Pittsburgh Steelers
Lukas Van Ness
Iowa · Edge · Sophom*ore (RS)
Van Ness' versatility means the Steelers could use him inside or outside. Sometimes he moves like T.J. Watt on the edge, and other times, his game mirrors that of former Pittsburgh star end Aaron Smith.
Pick
18
Detroit Lions
Calijah Kancey
Pittsburgh · DT · Junior (RS)
After passing on Jalen Carter at No. 6, the Lions find a difference-maker on the defensive line at this spot. The comparisons between Kancey and three-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald -- both former Pitt stars -- seem unfair, but I think Kancey has the juice to at least be a very good starter in the league.
Pick
19
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Darnell Wright
Tennessee · OT · Senior
Tristan Wirfs shifts to left tackle for 2023, allowing Wright to handle edge defenders on the right side, as he did last year for the Volunteers.
Pick
20
Buffalo Bills
Jordan Addison
USC · WR · Junior
PROJECTED TRADE WITH SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
The Bills attempt to turbo-charge their offense to keep pace with the Bengals and Chiefs in the AFC, trading the 27th overall pick (along with a third- and fifth-rounder) to the Seahawks to secure Addison. Smooth in his routes and able to slice through defenses, Addison becomes a favorite of Josh Allen by the time next season's playoffs roll around.
Pick
21
Los Angeles Chargers
Dalton Kincaid
Utah · TE · Senior
Justin Herbert played very well his rookie year when he had Hunter Henry as his safety valve at tight end. Kincaid has similar attributes as Henry, who has since moved on to New England, and will pressure defenses that are already worried about covering Keenan Allen and Mike Williams.
Pick
22
Baltimore Ravens
Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Ohio State · WR · Junior
Even after signing OBJ and Nelson Agholor this offseason, the Ravens can't pass up the value of Smith-Njigba at this spot. His crafty route-running, reliable hands and strength and elusiveness after the catch will supersede his average speed to make him an excellent NFL receiver.
Pick
23
Philadelphia Eagles
Adetomiwa Adebawore
Northwestern · DL · Senior
PROJECTED TRADE WITH MINNESOTA VIKINGS
The Eagles could view Adebawore as a defensive end in the Brandon Graham mold or as a 3 technique; he has the athleticism to play either spot.
Pick
24
Kansas City Chiefs
Zay Flowers
Boston College · WR · Senior
PROJECTED TRADE WITH JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
The Chiefs trade a 2023 third-round pick and 2024 fourth-round pick to Jacksonville to move up the board for a receiver. Flowers is a great fit, featuring the ability to win downfield and eat up zone coverage with his quickness after the catch.
Pick
25
New York Giants
Jalin Hyatt
Tennessee · WR · Junior
Daniel Jones gets a downfield weapon in Hyatt, who can work outside or slide inside, depending on how the Giants want to utilize him.
Pick
26
Dallas Cowboys
Trenton Simpson
Clemson · LB · Junior
Simpson excels in attacking plays from off the ball but also flashes the closing speed to chase quarterbacks, spelling Micah Parsons in that role if needed.
Pick
27
Seattle Seahawks
Cody Mauch
North Dakota State · OG · Senior (RS)
PROJECTED TRADE WITH BUFFALO BILLS
Mauch's ability to play all five positions up front will be valued by the Seahawks. He could line up initially at guard, where his athleticism, intelligence and nasty attitude as a blocker will stand out.
Pick
28
Cincinnati Bengals
Michael Mayer
Notre Dame · TE · Junior
Mayer will be an excellent pro, blocking well and providing Joe Burrow a reliable target in the short-to-intermediate passing game.
Pick
29
New Orleans Saints
(from SF through MIA, DEN)
Myles Murphy
Clemson · Edge · Junior
Murphy could very well be the Greg Rousseau of this draft class, possessing good overall athleticism but lacking the dominant play and pure twitch many teams want at the position. The Saints have picked similar defensive ends in the past, though, and Murphy would replace Marcus Davenport.
Pick
30
Las Vegas Raiders
Hendon Hooker
Tennessee · QB · Senior (RS)
PROJECTED TRADE WITH PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Quarterbacks are often pushed up boards by draft enthusiasts, but I'm sticking with Hooker landing in Las Vegas late in Round 1. The trade up costs the Raiders the 38th overall pick, a 2023 fourth-round selection (No. 109) and a 2024 fourth-rounder -- a bundle that could prove to be a bargain if the former Tennessee passer's knee is healthy, and if he becomes as proficient at making plays on the fly as he is working with a clean pocket.
Pick
31
Jacksonville Jaguars
Emmanuel Forbes
Mississippi State · CB · Junior
PROJECTED TRADE WITH KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
By moving down in this swap with the Chiefs, Jacksonville acquires additional picks to assist in its climb up NFL power rankings while still nabbing a much-needed cornerback to replace Shaquill Griffin. Forbes' 166-pound frame could knock him into the second round, but the Jaguars could also be enticed by the way the ball just seems to find him.
- Round 1
- Round 2
- Round 3
- Round 4
- Round 5
- Round 6
- Round 7
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