2023 NFL Mock Draft: Anthony Staggs' Final Mock Draft 2.0
We have finally arrived; the draft is upon us and there are no more mocks to be written. Draftniks and sports bettors far and wide have locked in most of their sheets and now it's time to see it all unfold. While there seems to be a 99% lock at the top of the draft, the rest is still up for debate until the cards start walking across the stage after Roger Goodell’s yearly chorus of boos flood the stage.
Kansas City is set to host the festivities and there a still a few bombshells set to go off, but that’s what makes the event so exciting. The unknown. The possibilities. The chance for one franchise-altering player to rewrite your team’s future.
2023 NFL Mock Draft
Last Updated: April 26th, 2023
1. Carolina Panthers: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
Once this pick was announced there was major line movement to the QB out of Ohio State who had one of the most impressive throwing sessions at the combine I have ever seen. Since then as the dust settled the team has landed back on college football’s best passer of the last two seasons. While Young does not possess the prototypical size and will be one of the smallest quarterbacks ever drafted, let alone a first-round pick, he does have the kind of movement in the pocket skills that made shorter guys like Flutie and Brees successful at the NFL level.
Young has an innate ability to keep his eyes downfield while moving in the pocket and getting the ball out to his playmakers with space to run. In comps, people go across sports to guys like Steph Curry to describe the kind of pinpoint passing Young possesses. Young will however have to prove he can be the engine of an offense rather than a cog in the wheel surrounded by great players, especially at the skill positions as the Panthers are bare there after trading away Christian McCaffrey and D.J. Moore in separate deals in the last season.
2. Houston Texans: Will Anderson, EDGE, Alabama
While a QB with the upside of Anthony Richardson or C.J. Stroud is tempting for new head coach DeMeco Ryans and his six-year deal would seemingly give him more security than his predecessors, the Texans play it “safe” and take a clean edge prospect out of Alabama. In the first four rounds last season, the Texans selected five different players from the SEC and two of them from Alabama, and that was prior to DeMeco’s Alabama connection even existing. Anderson didn’t blow the doors off the combine but still moved to the tune of 4.6 in the forty at 253 pounds.
Anderson has been hyper-productive at the collegiate level and is a fairly “clean” prospect when searching for cons. There were rumors this offseason of the Texans even having a perfect grade on Anderson in this draft process. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein who has connections all over the Texans organization has been saying that this choice is down to Stroud, Anderson, and Tyree Wilson (this is knowing Young is off the board).
3. Arizona Cardinals: Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State
The Cardinals get the perk of choosing between the best non-QB prospect in the draft should they stick in this spot. But with teams potentially willing to move up for their preferred passer of Richardson, Stroud, and Levis, this is also a prime trade-out spot. The issue is, if the Cards don’t back off what they think is fair value (or chart value) for this pick they may end up stuck here. In this scenario, the Cardinals stick and add what could be their left tackle of the future.
Paris Johnson is one of the longest tackles ever measured at the NFL combine and his feet are good enough to play the blindside at the NFL level. In the run game, Johnson is better on the move rather than road grading what is right in front of him, but his work in the pass game is where his bread is buttered. Paris could start the Cardinals' offensive line overhaul and provide elite-level play at whatever spot they put him as he has multi-position versatility for early in his career.
4. Indianapolis Colts: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
The Indianapolis Colts are in the quarterback market, and that's a secret to no one. With only Bryce Young off the board at this point, the Colts get their pick of the rest of the liter. Enter Shane Steichen and his recent success working with Jalen Hurts and any of the quarterbacks that are still up for grabs. But word on the street is they love Will Levis, and he fits their prototypical size and pro-style offense profile that exists with Ballard.
Levis has all the tools to be a plus NFL passer but hasn’t shown an ability to put it all together for long stretches of time. Levis has plus size, athleticism, and arm strength but struggled after losing nearly all of his offensive firepower this last season and battling injuries.
5. Seattle Seahawks: Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech
The Seahawks are in another pivot position with only one quarterback who people view as a potential long-term starter available for selection at this point in the draft. But with major needs for defensive pressure, the Seahawks dip back to Texas Tech and add a long strong edge. With Geno re-upping for a few seasons, the Seahawks consider taking a QB of the future but pass in favor of building a defense to stop the 49ers run on top of the division. Wilson is a raw power rusher who has questionable get-off and underwear speed, but whose length can disrupt the run game on its own just seems like a Seahawk type. Wilson has the type of physical profile that jumps off the page much like Travon Walker last year’s No. 1 overall selection.
6. Detroit Lions: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
The Lions look to continue adding pieces to a hopeful playoff team entering the 2023 Season and Devon Witherspoon is a corner that can make an instant impact. Witherspoon is a long and rangy corner with the ability to thrive in off-coverage and drive on the ball in front of him. Witherspoon could step in as a nickel in his rookie season or get thrown into the fire on the outside in a division that now has D.J. Moore to go with Justin Jefferson. The Lions get an instant impact player after allowing the second-most yards to opposing wide receivers last year. The Lions have added several interesting pieces in the secondary this offseason, but Witherspoon would be the jewel in the crown.
7. Las Vegas Raiders: CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State
The Raiders seem to be having an identity crisis, signing Jimmy Garoppolo who is just a different kind of stopgap quarterback than the recently jettisoned Derek Carr, and moving on from Darren Waller via trade. With solid offensive skill players, Jimmy G. is set up for success but still has major question marks on the offensive line and nearly the entire defense. With McDaniels' long-term job seemingly already being questioned, an injection of talent at the quarterback position could buy him some time, especially with a guy like C.J. Stroud who at one point was considered the second-best passer in this class.
Stroud had a great start to draft season coming off the most impressive throwing sessions at the combine I have ever seen. Couple that with his highlight-filled four-touchdown performance against the vaunted Georgia defense and strong interviews, and Stroud looks primed to be a top-five draft pick. Since then, stories about the Manning passing academy and 18th percentile S2 scores have arisen and seemingly tanked his stock, but the Raiders take a shot at a profit. Stroud has been compared to players like Joe Burrow and Dak Prescott and his ball placement was superb at the college level showing pinpoint accuracy in all areas of the field.
Stroud could be worked in slowly with good surrounding receivers and running backs as long as he can handle the pressure behind an offensive line that would likely be upgraded if they started all five players from Stroud’s Alma Mater Ohio State.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia
The Atlanta Falcons had the lowest pressure percentage in the league and generated just 21 sacks last season, and 39 over the last two seasons. Based on his combine, Nolan Smith could go as high as top-10 due to his crazy speed and athleticism for an edge player. Smith is a former top overall recruit and shocked the combine by running a sub 4.4 forty and posting huge jump numbers. Smith weighed just 238 pounds, but that’s not far off from where Von Miller was at the combine (246).
New defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen is expected to run a multiple front and Smith would give them a speed presence off the edge they currently do not have to go with their beefy interior that just added Calais Campbell and David Onyemata to the excellent Grady Jarrett. While many have this as a spot for Bijan Robinson, the Falcons were able to produce one of the most efficient run games in the NFL last season without a high-profile runner, so what is the incentive to add one for only marginal gain?
9. Chicago Bears: Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern
The Chicago Bears finally got a king’s ransom for the No. 1 overall pick that included wide receiver D.J. Moore who fills one of the team’s biggest needs. The Bears do have massive holes along their entire defensive line but this season is going to be all about getting to see if Justin Fields is the long-term answer at quarterback. With an astronomically high sack rate, the team must derive how much of that is on Fields and how much is on an offensive line that showed flashes at times last season but is far from complete.
The Bears did add Nate Davis in free agency and they are rumored to be moving former second-round pick Teven Jenkins to left guard and Cody Whitehair back to center, but the most glaring hole is right tackle where former fifth-round pick Larry Borom is a better swing tackle. Enter Peter Skoronski a local kid the Bears know intimately since his days at Maine South. Skoronski could play right tackle for the Bears and instantly improve the group and the team can then properly judge Fields’ play.
10. Philadelphia Eagles: Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
Howie Roseman is a master of moving up and down the board during the draft to get the guys he wants and acquire future picks. Carter would be an enticing option for the Eagles should he slip out of the top five and the Eagles would likely have to jump the Bears for his services which is something I think will happen. The Eagles have a deep roster with playmakers all over the offense and defense, making their needs look further down the line. With the pick acquired from the Saints for last season’s No. 1, the Eagles add Jalen Carter who some have as the top player in this class even after recent police activity and mentions of character issues.
Carter would provide the Eagles with an interior force that is so important in their defensive scheme that has long been centered around Fletcher Cox. The Eagles have an established locker room full of leaders and have a former position group teammate from Georgia Jordan Davis to help his transition and teach him the pro game. Should a player the Eagles don’t value highly not be in this spot, they are also a trade-back candidate as always.
11. Tennessee Titans: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
The Titans are in a bit of a quandary with Derrick Henry quickly approaching 30 and Ryan Tannehill on the last year of his contract, there are questions as to whether they should push their chips in for one run but the AFC gauntlet of QBs has only gotten tougher with the Jets recent addition of Aaron Rodgers. Further complicating matters is the Titans have holes at several spots and only three picks in the top 146. The Titans have a major hole at wide receiver with their second-best pass catcher being Chris Moore.
Enter Jaxon Smith-Njigba. JSN is a pristine route runner who is quicker than fast but just always seems to be open. While the Titans do love to draft beef, the Titans just can’t pass up on the top option still being on the board, and that’s straight from the mouth of Garrett Wilson. Smith-Njigba could be a target hog for the Titans in the slot or out wide as Treylon Burks also made a similar transition last season. His skills also complement Burks’ and would give Ryan Tannehill or a young quarterback several weapons to throw to.
12. Houston Texans: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
The Texans follow their board with the second overall pick and take the player they view as the best in the draft. But at 12 with one of the top quarterbacks still on the board, the Texans must grab Stroud and ignore all of the recent chatter, but maybe the Texans are the ones starting that chatter trying to get this exact scenario to happen. Anthony Richardson put on a show at the combine, weighing more than expected and running fast at that weight while also jumping out of the gym.
Richardson showed his athletic ability while at Florida and also displayed a big arm and nearly unapparelled velocity to push the ball into tight windows. Richardson did struggle with accuracy issues but I have started to come around to coaches being able to improve accuracy when they play to their quarterbacks' strengths.
13. Green Bay Packers: Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
The Packers finally made the move and sent Aaron Rodgers to the Jets and with it, get a pick swap here in the first round. General Manager Brian Gutekunst mentioned that this was a big piece of the deal and jumping the Patriots and getting their pick of the litter at wide receiver or one of the remaining tackles may be the reason why. Wright is a mountain of a man who went to Tennessee as a former top-10 recruit and is a plug-and-play right tackle who can help in both the run game and pass game right away.
Wright struggles to sustain blocks at times and is labeled as a right tackle only, but does have experience playing all over the line. Some people have Wright as their OT1 while others are reporting that he doesn’t want to work and that will only get worse at the NFL level. Wright could provide elite-level play at whatever spot they put him with the potential to even be the left tackle of the future for a team that has seemingly had good offensive line play for a decade.
14. New England Patriots: Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
Listen, I do not think that Zay Flowers is going to be the first wide receiver drafted, or maybe even the second, but I do think the fit makes too much sense. The Patriots are a team notorious for trading back and with a guy like Christian Gonzalez still on the board along with the pick of the litter at wide receiver, this is a prime trade-back slot. Flowers is just a different level of receiver than what the team currently has on the roster. He can be an instant impact YAC player but is also among the best in this class at vertical separation, something the Pats wide receivers have lacked the last few seasons.
15. New York Jets: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
After moving down slightly due to the Aaron Rodgers acquisition the Jets are elated to still land a tackle who ranks highly on their board. We should expect them to add a tackle to either replace Mekhi Becton or play across from him, and Broderick Jones just makes this offense better in the long term. Enter a blue-chip tackle prospect in Jones to replace aging Duane Brown in the future or slot in on the right side. The former Bulldog is a long tackle who can move people in the run game while being able to play the blind side in pass protection. Jones could complete the Jets' offensive line overhaul and provide elite-level play at whatever spot they put him giving Aaron Rodgers time to throw to Garrett Wilson and company.
16. Washington Commanders: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
Washington is in a season of flux, with Sam Howell slated to be the starting quarterback and their door of revolving quarterbacks seemingly closed for at least a season. This is a dream scenario for the Commanders as corner is one of their major roster holes and Gonzalez is one of the few players in this class with a consensus first-round grade. The Commanders currently seem to lack the blue-chip players on both sides of the football to compete with the class of the NFC East, and Christian Gonzalez is a corner that can make an instant impact.
He's is a smooth operator who can break on the ball with the best of them. The Colorado transfer also smashed the combine which was just the cherry on the top of his resume. Gonzalez possesses good recovery speed at 4.38 and can jump with the best of them. The Commanders get an instant impact player in Gonzalez, one who likely should have been taken in the top 10.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
The Pittsburgh Steelers end up with a fallback option that fans will immediately recognize due to his father’s legacy. They have a massive need at tackle and with many of the top options lasting into the early teens, could be a team that looks to move up in order not to miss out on one of the surefire first-rounders. Joey Porter Jr. possesses elite play strength to go along with his 4.46 forty and strong explosiveness. Porter can fill in Cam Sutton’s snaps and add some physicality to the Steelers' back end to more closely mirror their front seven. Joey Porter Jr. excels in press man and his ability to stick on wide receivers early allows time for T.J. Watt and company to get after the quarterback.
18. Detroit Lions: Lukas Van Ness, EDGE, Iowa
Last season the Lions spent the second overall pick on an edge rusher from a big-time program and go back to the well with Lukas Van Ness who was a productive EDGE in limited snaps at Iowa. Van Ness has solid size and a quick first step to get after the quarterback from wherever he is lined up. Van Ness is a staunch run defender who crashes down hard on the back side but doesn’t have a ton of pure pass-rushing snaps. He's a physical presence who can convert speed to power and can pair with Aidan Hutchinson as the Lions add two defensive studs to an already up-and-coming defense in their search for owning the NFC North.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma
In a world post-Tom Brady, the Bucs now have a roster with a few holes, but the biggest is the one under center and they really aren’t in a position to draft one. But they could move back to acquire assets for a 2024 Draft attack. If not, the Bucs have a massive hole along the offensive line with the release of Donovan Smith that Anton Harrison can help fill, assuming on the right side, as Tristan Wirfs finally gets his chance to protect the blind side.
Harrison is a true left tackle so the team would have the option of keeping Wirfs on the right side but that can all be sorted in camp. The Bucs are one of the teams that have loved having star power at the running back position and could be a landing spot for Bijan Robinson, but cooler heads prevail, and Harrison solves their biggest issue making both the run and the pass games better.
20. Seattle Seahawks: Calijah Kancey, DL, Pittsburgh
The Seahawks have been making some shrewd moves in free agency to bolster their defensive line and did so with their first pick, but Calijah Kancey just reminds Pete Carroll too much of Aaron Donald to not take a shot. Calijah Kancey posted some ridiculous speed for the defensive tackle position, Kancey ran the fastest forty time of any defensive tackle ever at the combine, and his ability to use that first step quickness helps him dart around interior linemen. Kancey is a penetrator who due to a lack of size can get pushed around in the run game, but his ability to get after the quarterback from the interior can’t be ignored by a coach who knows Aaron Donald’s game well and has seen him end up folding his quarterback too many times.
21. Los Angeles Chargers: Jordan Addison, WR, USC
The Chargers add another receiving option for Justin Herbert with Keenan Allen entering his age 31 season and playing in only 10 games last year. While many may clamor for a wide receiver with a little more field-stretching ability, the Chargers just can’t pass up on the top option still being on the board. Addison could be a versatile piece of the offense playing both inside and outside, and his ability to run after the catch, make contested catches, and win vertically from the slot with his 4.49 speed add to his allure.
Addison is a silky-smooth route runner who will be in the spot when Herbert is ready to let it rip. The former Pittsburgh Panther is great at picking up yards after the catch while also being able to create space with his suddenness. Addison’s ability to get open against man and zone and in the short to intermediate areas would be a welcome addition to a Chargers receiving corps that needs an injection of juice. The Chargers also have intimate knowledge of Addison as their wide receivers coach Chris Beatty was the Pitt Panthers wide receiver coach when Addison won the Biletnikoff Award.
22. Baltimore Ravens: Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland
The Ravens have always valued corners heavily and currently have Brandon Stephens, a hybrid safety/big nickel type, as their second corner. The Ravens stick close to home and draft the explosive corner out of Maryland. Deonte Banks absolutely demolished the combine posting a perfect 10 Relative Athletic Score based on his elite first step, size for his position, and elite jumps. Banks would give the Ravens a pair of young athletic corners to try and keep up with the duo of receivers in Cincinnati. Adding Odell Beckham Jr. makes a receiver here unlikely, and the Ravens also love value so if anyone slips, the Ravens will be there to snap them up.
23. Minnesota Vikings: Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson
The Minnesota Vikings have had an offseason of defensive transition and their talent level on that side of the ball is just lacking. Enter Myles Murphy who has a similar athletic profile to Packer EDGE Rashan Gary. Last season the Vikings spent a bunch of their picks on the defensive backfield and avoided the EDGE, but Murphy is just too much value to pass up for an analytical GM like Kwesi even if they feel like corner is a bigger need.
Murphy is a rusher from a big-time program who has solid size and a quick first step to get after the quarterback from wherever he is lined up. Murphy has a bag of pass-rush moves and is a staunch run defender who crashes down hard on the backside. Myles is a former top recruit who could play a variety of positions
24. Jacksonville Jaguars: Brian Branch, S, Alabama
The Jaguars made the playoffs with a young roster but still have some holes to fill whether it be on the offensive line, the defensive interior, or the defensive backfield. The Jaguars biggest need may be at corner but they can’t pass up the versatility and steadiness of Brian Branch. Branch could be the leader of this defensive backfield and help erase some of the tight ends in the AFC playoffs. This is also a spot where need lines up perfectly with the board, as Branch is a general on the field who can hopefully be the centerpiece of a defense that attacks opposing quarterbacks. Branch can play at all levels and has corner-like ball skills when the ball is in the air. He's sticky in coverage and can play a hybrid safety role for the Jags that is becoming more and more popular in the NFL.
25. New York Giants: Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State
The Giants have some massive holes in their defensive backfield where I am just going to use this opportunity to type the name Cor’Dale Flott who just so happens to be their second corner. Interestingly enough Flott himself was a third-round pick of this regime and weighed in super light at 175 pounds just last season. Emmanuel Forbes has a much better athletic profile and clocked in a forty of 4.35 and also has a much better production profile where his six career pick-sixes are an NCAA record. Forbes is long and can take the ball away which is important for a team that had only six interceptions last season.
26. Dallas Cowboys: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
The Cowboys just let Dalton Schultz walk in free agency and have been linked to every tight end under the sun. While there are four strong candidates for the top tight end in this year’s class, Mayer is the most well-rounded as a blocker and pass catcher. Mayer has produced every season at the collegiate level from the second he stepped on campus and left as the school’s all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns by a tight end.
Mayer gives the Cowboys an instant upgrade over a now lackluster tight end group and provides a red zone target the team currently lacks as they may now need to pass for a higher percentage of their touchdowns after letting Zeke’s 12 touchdowns go this offseason. Mayer has seemingly endlessly been compared to Jason Witten and going to the same franchise makes the transition seamless. With Bijan Robinson, Michael Mayer, Dalton Kincaid, and maybe even Quentin Johnston still on the board, the Cowboys would have a very difficult decision to make in this case.
27. Buffalo Bills: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
Listen, Bijan is amazing, he has wide receiver-like skills and speed mixed in with great size. He sets records in terms of missed tackles. He was uber-efficient at the University of Texas and will go higher than this. I just don’t know to who as I am not believing the rumors of Atlanta and Philadelphia as they were two of the most efficient run games in the NFL, why look for just a marginal gain? Bijan will likely go in the teens, and it may be one of these playoff teams looking for the final piece that goes up and gets him.
Robinson is arguably a top-5 player in this class and teams have learned the value of no first-round running backs, but this late in the first for a team that likely wants to start reducing some of Josh Allen’s rushing load he'll be near impossible to pass up. Robinson is the best running back prospect since Saquon Barkley and can excel in any scheme and at whatever he is asked to do, and in Buffalo there is a perfect opportunity to ask him to do it all.
28. Cincinnati Bengals: Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
Sorry NFL, the Bengals are just getting Joe Burrow maybe the best move tight end in the draft, and with Hayden Hurst leaving this is a major position of need. Dalton Kincaid has only played football for about five seasons and just topped off his senior year with 70 receptions for 890 yards and eight touchdowns. Kincaid is a smooth mover who can stretch defenses vertically up the seam with his speed and catch radius while also being refined enough as a route runner to separate from defenders underneath. With the two receiving weapons on the outside who both love to get vertical, Kincaid’s underneath shimmy will get shown off a lot. Kincaid would just add a layer to the offense that no other tight end in this class can, but do the Bengals want more of a guy who can also set the edge in the run game? That is up for debate, but Kincaid is the answer in this scenario.
29. New Orleans Saints: Will McDonald, EDGE, Iowa State
After losing Marcus Davenport to free agency, the Saints have a major need on the edge, especially considering their best pass rusher Cam Jordan will be entering his age 34 season. Will McDonald possesses elite speed and bend around the edge and put on a show at his pro day running a 4.66 forty and 6.79 3-cone time. Despite weighing just 239 pounds for an EDGE McDonald will likely have a RAS in the 97% percentile. He started playing football as a junior in high school and has lots of room to grow but does display an excellent spin move to get away from tackles.
30. Philadelphia Eagles: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama
This pick has a few layers for me honestly, do I think Gibbs ends up as an Eagle? Not exactly. But I do think that the steam on Gibbs being a first-rounder is real and that he will likely go there. Could the Eagles use a back like Gibbs to show off his speed around the edge while Jalen Hurts finishes his play fake around the other? Absolutely, it would be great football. I'm not sure the league has thought about how speedy backs with big play potential are actually the perfect fit next to these new-age passers that can run the rock, but if there is a team that has, it is the Eagles.
This pick also provides some mock draft scoring insulation in the form of a hedge against Bijan Robinson becoming an Eagle. Gibbs would absolutely be a luxury pick but his work as a pass catcher was amazing and he literally broke some stats for RB efficiency as a pass catcher. Gibbs is most often compared to Dalvin Cook and Alvin Kamara who were second and third-round picks respectively, but this is considered a bad draft and home run ability is still something that is highly coveted at the NFL level.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
The opinions on this wide receiver class vary widely among many draftniks and while some in the fantasy football community love Johnston for his blend of size and speed, he is not without his warts. Johnston would give the Chiefs a presence they don’t have at wide receiver and can win vertically down the field while also being able to turn screens into touchdowns.
Johnston has been seen working out with Patrick Mahomes over the last few weeks and despite his public attempts on Twitter to get Zay Flowers, he is grinning from ear to ear with the addition of Johnston. In each of the last three seasons, five or six wide receivers have been drafted on day one, and Johnston would just be the fourth in the draft, but I find it hard to believe that at least four don’t go Thursday Night.
Come join me and the team tomorrow night to watch the NFL Draft LIVE!
Starting at 7:30 PM EST on Thursday, @4for4_John, @notJDaigle. @staggsNFL, and @ScottSmithFF will be breaking down every pick 👀 Join the watch party, here!
