NFL Mock Draft 1.0: Roll Tide! Bears Take Anderson No.1, Texans Select Young

With the 2023 NFL Draft roughly a month and half away in Kansas City, the draft order is fully set, everything between now and then is settled. Or is it. Here is my debut NFL mock draft here at Inscriber magazine on how I think things will go!

1.) Chicago Bears: Will Anderson, Edge, Alabama: Chicago has not had the first overall pick in a while. 76 years to be exact. 1947 was the last time Chicago held the first pick in the draft. In my opinion, there is really only three ways they can go here.

• Trade – Trade down address the many needs they have only into the season.
• Quarterback – Take a QB it is the first pick. You have your choice of any QB you want.
• Take your choice of any of the stud defensive players in this class.

Chicago has a definite need for a pass rusher. The Bears are among the worst in pressure rates in the NFL. Selecting Anderson would bring much needed athleticism and pure speed to the team.

2.) Houston Texans: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama: Houston has many needs but quarterback is the most important and they should have their choice here at this point. Young does have size issues at 5’11” , but makes up for that with arm strength and speed to run if need be.

3.) Arizona Cardinals: Jalen Carter, EDGE. Georgia: Arizona goes with the best defensive player available which is Carter. He’s a great pass rusher and at 300-plus pounds is also good against the run. I could see Arizona considering OL here but it’s hard to pass up a top tier pass rusher.

4.) Indianapolis Colts: CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State: Stroud completed 71 percent of his passes last season. Stroud is extremely accurate and has the check marks you look for in size, arm strength, and accuracy. The Colts are in clear need of a quarterback and may even be a prime trade partner with the Bears.

5.) Seattle Seahawks: Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech: Seattle has the luxury of drafting in the top five thanks to the Russell Wilson trade. Tyree has rare size and length and is surprisingly versatile for a big man. Perfect for what Seattle likes in defensive linemen.

6.) Detroit Lions: Brian Branch, S, Alabama: The Lions are making this pick because of the Matthew Stafford trade with the Rams. Branch is a plug and play defensive back can play nickel can play safety. I compare him to Budda Baker of the Cardinals. Branch has the size and speed that will fit well with Lions who clearly always seem to need pass defense.

7.) Las Vegas Raiders: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas: To me, this is the biggest wildcard pick of the first round. The Raiders could go QB at this pick, but something tells me in this division they need a veteran signal caller to win right now. Robinson is the best running back in this draft and Josh McDaniels loves taking running backs that have versatility. Once upon a time, McDaniels took Knowshon Moreno with a first round pick in Denver. Guess who Robinson compares to? That is right, and he’s a little bit bigger than Moreno.

8.) Atlanta Hawks: Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson: Atlanta always needs defense. This pick could ether be pass rusher or best defensive back on the board. I have Atlanta taking the pass rusher Murphy who had 18.5 sacks in his college career. Myles should really improve Atlanta’s pass rush from day one.

9.) Carolina Panthers: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky: Carolina is another prime team to trade up to take a QB. After the Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold failed experiments, it’s time for the Panthers to finally take their QB of the future. Levis has generational arm strength and good accuracy, he could taken high, depending on where teams have him on their draft board. Last college season, he had a passer rating of 151.9 with 19 touchdowns. This elite arm strength definitely reminds me of Josh Allen.

10.) Philadelphia Eagles: Isaiah Foskey, EDGE, Notre Dame: Philadelphia has the luxury of picking in the top ten thanks to a trade with the Saints. Philly will upgrade their defense especially with veteran defensive lineman’s contracts ending. Foskey is a versatile edge rusher with 12 sacks last year for the fighting Irish, in dominating competition last year and could play end or linebacker in a hybrid role if needed.