2023 NFL Mock Draft: Connor Allen's 4.0
I wish that I could say I felt significantly better about my Mock Draft today than I did in version 3.0. There will be some similarities but the uncertainty at the top is tough to handle. With Houston not leaking anything and the Cardinals desperately looking to trade back, both teams are making it extremely difficult to predict what will happen heading into the 2023 NFL Draft.
For the record, this is a mock draft of what I think will happen, not what I would do. Leading up to the NFL Draft I dissect as much information as possible from reputable sources to try and figure out where players will land.
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2023 NFL Mock Draft
1. Carolina Panthers (Via CHI) – Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
There has been a nonstop drumbeat for the past three weeks that the Panthers want Bryce Young. The random Reddit campaign from “AgreeableSale28494” was funny but an obvious troll.
2. Houston Texans – Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
There are rumors that the Texans won’t take a quarterback second overall which I struggle to believe. If they don’t pick a quarterback, Nick Caserio will see himself out the door by this time next year. By all accounts, they prefer Will Levis to CJ Stroud so if they do select a quarterback, it will likely be Levis. We also have to factor in that ownership may overrule Caserio on any decision and give the Texans a new face of the franchise. Betting markets favor Levis as I’m writing this but there is still tons of uncertainty surrounding the pick.
3. Arizona Cardinals – Paris Johnson Jr, OT, Ohio State
The Cardinals are very, very likely to trade down. If they aren’t able to, this pick comes down to Paris Johnson or Tyree Wilson based on reports. If they fell in love with Paris thinking they can get him on a trade down, it wouldn’t be unthinkable for them to add a premium position that their quarterback has been caping for.
4. Indianapolis Colts – Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
The Colts are one of the most desperate teams for a QB right now with just Gardner Minshew on the roster and a rotation of failing veterans leading the way for them post-Andrew Luck. Chris Ballard has preferred a certain stature during his tenure (every quarterback has been 6’1 or taller) and recently said they have “stringent” height requirements. Richardson is a bit of a project but Shane Steichen, their new head coach comes from Philadelphia where he worked with a mobile QB in Jalen Hurts and had fruitful success. I think Levis is their top quarterback on the board but in this instance, he is already gone.
5. Seattle Seahawks – Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
*Sigh*
After buying into all of the media suggestions about Seattle focusing on character, they are reportedly extremely high on Carter. High enough that they select him over Will Anderson and Tyree Wilson. A sharp betting group steamed Carter from +400 to -200 in the past two days and I fully expect him to be the selection here.
6. Detroit Lions – Will Anderson, EDGE, Alabama
The Detroit Lions were jumping for joy when they landed Penei Sewell a few years ago and now land arguably the best player in the draft. Anderson could go as high as second overall but I anticipate his slide stopping here with the Lions.
7. Las Vegas Raiders – Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
From my understanding, the Raiders are very interested in selecting a cornerback here. Tyree Wilson may be in the discussion but ultimately Witherspoon wins out.
8. Atlanta Falcons – Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech
I really think they like Bijan Robinson but when a player like Tyree Wilson is staring them in the face at pick No. 8 it’s tough to ignore.
9. Chicago Bears— Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
The Bears have been interested in Jalen Carter and Darnell Wright specifically throughout the draft process and in this situation, get to select a plug-and-play right tackle that can protect Justin Fields.
10. Philadelphia Eagles – Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia
Nolan Smith is rumored to be high on their board along with Lukas Van Ness. I believe the sentiment about them wanting to trade up and we could see them make a move in this exact scenario for Will Anderson or Tyree Wilson.
11. Tennessee Titans – CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State
There has been an onslaught of negative reports about CJ Stroud the past two weeks from his S2 score, ghosting the Manning Academy, bombing interviews, and being “hard to coach.” I have no idea how true any of that is but the NFL seems to buy some of it. The Titans have new leadership, holes all over, an aging quarterback, and nearly everyone worth anything has been rumored to be on the trade block.
12. Houston Texans – Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
There comes a point where teams will look at the Big Board and forget about positional value. In this situation, they can’t pass up on Bijan even with Dameon Pierce playing admirably as a rookie.
13. Green Bay Packers– Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
The Packers clearly added the first-round pick swap from 13-to-15 for a reason and could be looking to target a wideout here ahead of New England. Jordan Love needs all the help he can get in what will be his first year as the starter with Rodgers gone.
14. New England – Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
The Patriots rarely do anything we expect them to in the draft but in this instance would be ecstatic to add an athletic cornerback who could have easily gone much higher in the draft.
15. New York Jets – Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern
The Jets are one of the teams who view Skoronski as a tackle and aren’t bothered by his length.
16. Washington Commanders – Lukas Van Ness, EDGE
The Commanders didn’t pick up Chase Young’s fifth-year option yesterday and may be looking to trade him. They are rumored to be interested in Van Ness, cornerback, and offensive line.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers – Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
The Steelers need help at cornerback and offensive line. Broderick would come in and be able to make an instant impact for the Steelers.
18. Detroit Lions – Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
There are rumors that they are targeting a tight end for one of their picks after trading away T.J. Hockenson last year.
19. Tampa Bay Bucs – Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma
This is the high-end of Harrison’s range but I like his odds of being selected in the first round.
20. Seattle Seahawks – Brian Branch, DB, Alabama
The Seahawks need help in the secondary and they could use a massive upgrade at slot corner.
21. Los Angeles Chargers, Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
The Chargers need to continue adding weapons for Justin Herbert and Kincaid would be a great fit after catching 70 passes as a senior at Utah. He could go higher than this.
22. Baltimore Ravens –Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland
The Ravens always seem to have a top talent fall into their laps and Banks is liked by some teams significantly more than Porter.
23. Minnesota Vikings – Jordan Addison, WR, USC
The Vikings desperately need some speed opposite Justin Jefferson to open up the field. They also released Adam Thielen and have a gap at their second wide receiver position. I expect them to take a receiver here but it’s unclear which one they prefer. Addison would be a great pairing alongside Jefferson.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars – Matthew Bergeron, OT, Syracuse
Bergeron has been reportedly shooting up boards and would be a great fit for Jacksonville who will now be without Cam Robinson for a portion of the season due to suspension.
25. New York Giants – Joey Porter Jr, CB, Penn State
The Giants could go in a variety of directions here but need help at corner and interior offensive line.
26. Dallas Cowboys – Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
I have a feeling the Cowboys make a splash here. They tend to draft guys who have taken visits and three skill players who have done so are Mayer, Kincaid, and Flowers. The latter is the only remaining.
27. Buffalo Bills – Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State
The Bills are fine continuing to add depth at premium positions. They are also very much in the market for Deandre Hopkins.
28. Cincinnati Bengals –Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson
I think it'll be secondary or defensive line for the Bengals in this spot. Murphy has been dinged by a few teams but the Bengals would be happy to scoop him up in this situation.
29. New Orleans Saints – Calijah Kancey, DT, Pittsburgh
The Saints are currently relying on Khalen Saunders and Nathan Shepherd at DT and Kancey is a great fit.
30. Philadelphia Eagles – Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama
The Eagles passed on Bijan but are one of the teams in the back end of this draft very interested in Gibbs.
31. Kansas City Chiefs – Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
There’s a decent chance Johnston goes higher than this but there were recently videos surfacing of him working out with Patrick Mahomes. If he liked what he saw I’m sure that has some sway in this decision.
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