With the 2023 NFL Draft three weeks away in Kansas City, there is a lot that can happen between now and when the Carolina Panthers are officially on the clock. With so many off-season storylines ranging from Bryce Young’s height, the sudden rise of SEC dual-threat athletic QB’s Anthony Ricardson and Hendon Hooker to Will Levis’ cannon, there is no shortage of pre-draft drama and hype.

That being said, this mock draft is based on current situations but does not include potential draft day trades, such as Aaron Rodgers–eventually–being traded to the New York Jets, or the possibility of disgruntled Baltimore Ravens QB in 2019 NFL MVP Lamar Jackson being traded, which would make this draft board may look a lot different.

Anyways, here is my new NFL mock draft here at INSCMagazine!

  1. Carolina Panthers: CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State 

Carolina traded for the #1 overall pick in the draft to get their future Franchise QB. I believe Stroud is that guy, with a 4.65 speed to take off when needed and precise throwing ability, I’d say Stroud will be taken with the 1st overall pick. Don’t rule out Anthony Richardson, who draws a lot of similarities to former Carolina Panthers signal caller in Cam Newton.

 

  1. Houston Texans: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama 

Houston will take Bryce Young with the second pick, after failing to lock up the #1 pick by winning in the final week of the regular season. The Texans passed on all three first-round quarterbacks last year, that will not be the case in 2023. Young’s small 5’10” stature raises levels of concern, but his Kyler Murray comparisons scream big upside that Houston cannot pass on this time around.

 

  1. Arizona Cardinals: Will Anderson, DE/OLB, Alabama 

With too many unpredictable trade scenarios, I’ll keep Arizona as the third pick taking the top prospect in this draft class Will Anderson. Arizona lost chandler jones last year to free agency and J.J Watt has decided to hang up his cleats, leaving the Cards in need of a premier defender that will be a huge boost to their pass rush. Back-to-back crimson tide players off the board.

 

  1. Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida 

 

The Colts have tried signing a veteran quarterback in the last couple of years but have failed to find any success. They will draft the Florida Gator to be the guy in Indy moving forward. Richardson has a huge arm and great athleticism. He also had a very good combine compelling the Colts to pull the trigger, taking him with the 4th pick in the first round.

 

  1. Seattle Seahawks: Jalen Carter, DT,  Georgia 

Despite all the off-field issues, I believe the Bulldogs’ defensive prospect will still be a top 10 pick. Carter is a great talent and should help Seattle’s 30th-ranked pass rush. It’s a very high-risk pick with big reward potential.

 

  1. Detroit Lions:  Tyree Wilson, DE/DT, Texas Tech 

Wilson has terrific traits with a huge upside, to help this porous Lions defense. He has been unable to work out due to a foot injury but should be ready to do so after being medically cleared recently.

 

  1.  Las Vegas Raiders:  Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois 

Witherspoon has great speed, which is a trait that the Raiders have a history of going after. Las Vegas has a lot of holes to fill on defense, especially being in the AFC West with the high-powered offenses of Kansas City and LAC.

  1. Atlanta Falcons:  Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon 

If he is still on the board at #8, I have the falcons taking a DB. Gonzalez lined up opposite of A.J Terrell will upgrade Atlanta’s secondary. Atlanta may also be in play for a quarterback, but I believe the one they want will be off the board early, leading to this selection.

 

  1. Chicago Bears:  Paris Johnson, OT/G, Ohio State 

Chicago traded the #1 overall pick to Carolina moving them back in the draft but staying in the top 10 to select one of the drafts top prospects. Amazing value at #9 the Chicago Bears select Paris Johnson to help protect their young franchise quarterback.

 

  1. Philadelphia Eagles: Lukas Van Ness, DE, Iowa 

Luka Van Ness has a high motor and will fit right in with this relentless eagle’s front. Although Losing Hargraves to San Francisco is tough, Philadelphia will get a great player here.  He was a great performer at the combine.

 

  1. Tennessee Titans: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky 

Tennessee gets their franchise QB later in the draft. Levis had a great combine and showed off his strong arm at Kentucky’s pro day. The Titans could also move up to take Richardson, but I see it as unlikely due to the price for a quarterback with very little experience.

 

12  Houston Texans: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State 

Texans will get their young QB some help early in the draft with possibly the best WR in the class still on the board, Jaxon Smith-Njigba has incredible speed and athleticism. He had a huge 2021 campaign, which included a terrific Rose Bowl performance.

 

  1. New York Jets: Broderick Jones, OT/G, Georgia 

Broderick Jones is a raw lineman who showed great upside at the combine. Assuming that New York lands Aaron Rodgers, the Jets will need to get the veteran quarterback some much-needed protection.

 

  1. New England Patriots: Peter Skoronski, OT/G/C, Northwestern 

Mac Jones looked to make a leap in year two after a Pro Bowl rookie campaign, but he seemed to regress due to poor o-line play. Peter Skoronski is an athletic tackle who has kept his quarterback clean. He can play every position up front, though his short arms may have him end up at guard.

 

  1. Green Bay Packers: Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU 

After years of not picking a first-round WR for Rodgers, Green Bay will finally do so for first-year starter Jordan Love. Scouts love Quentin Johnston, who has drawn many comparisons to Julio Jones.

 

  1. Washington Redskins: Brian Branch, CB/S, Alabama 

Washington needs a corner to be able to cover Ceedee Lamb, A.J Brown, & Hodgins in a tough NFC East division. Branch can play anywhere in the secondary and has great cover ability.

 

  1. Pittsburgh Steelers: Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State 

Deja Vu with this pick as Joey Porter Jr. will follow in his father’s footsteps and will be drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Porter Jr has great knowledge of the game and will continue to grow to play alongside veteran cornerback Patrick Peterson.

 

  1. Detroit Lions : Calijah Kancey, DT, Pittsburgh 

Calijah Kancey is a terrific athlete with a huge upside, but he’s raw at the moment. He should still help the Lions bolster that defensive front. Pairing him with Aiden Hutchinson and Tyree Wilson will make the Lions front 4 scary.

 

  1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee 

After cutting Donovan Smith the Buccaneers have a need for an offensive lineman. Darnell Wright didn’t allow a single sack to Hendon Hooker last year. Making sense for the Bucs to take Wright here.

 

  1. Seattle Seahawks: Myles Murphy, DE/DT, Clemson 

Murphy has a big upside potential to play in a 3-4 system but can also play edge in a 4-3. That being said, this is another piece to improve that suspect pass rush in Seattle.

 

  1. Los Angeles Chargers: Mazi Smith, DT, Michigan 

The Chargers run defense has been awful lately, Mazi Smith is a monstrous nose tackle who can generate a pass rush and will help plug up that defensive front.

 

  1. Baltimore Ravens:  Jordan Addison, WR, USC 

Outside of Mark Andrews, the Ravens have struggled to find a consistent pass catcher for Lamar Jackson. Rashod Bateman has struggled to stay in the lineup due to injuries, which calls for them to draft Jordan Addison here. Jordan Addison has game-breaking speed, and he had an incredible 2021 campaign with 17 touchdowns.

 

  1. Minnesota Vikings: Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College 

The defense should be the main focus for this team, but in Kirk Cousins’ final year under contract, the Vikings go all in on offense. Zay Flowers is a small receiver but can go the distance whenever he touches the ball. After losing Adam Thielen the Vikings will look to add some depth to their wide receiver room.

 

  1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Tyrique Stevenson, CB, Miami 

Stevenson is a big cornerback with plus speed, he does carry some character issues. The Jaguars were 32nd in pass defense at one point last year so this pick makes a lot of sense.

 

  1. New York Giants: Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee 

Big Blue gets a skilled WR this late in the draft. Kenny Golladay was a disappointment and they traded away Kadarius Toney to the Chiefs last season.

 

  1. Dallas Cowboys: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame 

The next NFL tight end to come out of Notre Dame, Michael Mayer was a problem for opponents with high production over the middle of the field. The Cowboys also need a TE after losing Dalton Shultz in free agency.

 

  1. Buffalo Bills: Nolan Smith, DE/OLB, Georgia 

After Von Miller went down last season, Buffalo’s defense just looked different. Nolan Smith is a great pass rusher, just needs to get stronger.

 

  1. Cincinnati Bengals: Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah 

Cincinnati needs to find a replacement for Hayden Hurst, Dalton Kincaid is the best TE available at this point. Dalton Kincaid runs great routes and is very athletic.

 

  1. New Orleans Saints: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas 

Robinson is a top-10 pick, I have him falling only because of all the other needs teams have. Alvin Kamara is having some off-season legal issues that may force the Saints to start looking for his replacement.

 

  1. Philadelphia Eagles: O’Cyrus Torrence, G, Florida 

The Eagles lost a key piece of that great offensive line this offseason in Seumalo. O’Cyrus Torrence will be the guy to fill that void. He is a mauler with great interior blocking and athleticism.

 

  1. Kansas City Chiefs: Jaelyn Duncan, OT, Maryland 

Kansas City has a big hole to fill at the offensive line, it will be a priority to get this big athletic tackle and plug him in at right tackle. Patrick Mahomes will be happy with the selection of this selection.

 

  1. 32. Forfeit Pick

 

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