2023 NFL Mock Draft: Predictions for Under-the-Radar 1st-Round Prospects

By the end of Sunday, the 14-team NFL playoff field will be set. It will also be known which 18 teams won't be heading to the postseason and can begin looking toward the offseason and beyond.

For those non-playoff franchises, their spots in the 2023 NFL draft order will be locked in. These teams will have the best opportunities to land the top players who will be available in this year's draft, which is set for April 27-29 in Kansas City.

The No. 1 pick will go to either the Houston Texans or the Chicago Bears, depending on what happens during Week 18. But there will be talented players on the board throughout the opening round, as well as on the second and third days of the event.

Here's an early first-round mock for this year's draft, along with a closer look at some under-the-radar prospects who could get taken among the first 31 selections.

First-Round Mock Draft

AP Photo/Butch Dill

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young warms up before the start of the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game against Kansas State Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

1. Houston Texans: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama

2. Chicago Bears: Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Alabama

3. Seattle Seahawks (via Denver Broncos): Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia

4. Arizona Cardinals: Myles Murphy, DL, Clemson

5. Indianapolis Colts: C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State

6. Detroit Lions (via Los Angeles Rams): Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia

7. Atlanta Falcons: Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State

8. Las Vegas Raiders: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky

9. Carolina Panthers: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida

10. Philadelphia Eagles (via New Orleans Saints): Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State

11. Tennessee Titans: Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU

12. Houston Texans (via Cleveland Browns): Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech

13. New York Jets: Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern

14. Washington Commanders: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois

15. Pittsburgh Steelers: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia

16. Green Bay Packers: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State

17. Detroit Lions: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame

18. Forfeited pick (via Miami Dolphins)

19. Seattle Seahawks: Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma

20. Jacksonville Jaguars: Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina

21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State

22. New England Patriots: Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson

23. New York Giants: Jordan Addison, WR, USC

24. Baltimore Ravens: Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia

25. Los Angeles Chargers: Bryan Bresee, DL, Clemson

26. Cincinnati Bengals: O'Cyrus Torrence, OL, Florida

27. Minnesota Vikings: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon

28. Dallas Cowboys: Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee

29. Denver Broncos (via San Francisco 49ers): Drew Sanders, EDGE, Arkansas

30. Buffalo Bills: Antonio Johnson, S, Texas A&M

31. Kansas City Chiefs: Siaki Ika, DL, Baylor

32. Philadelphia Eagles: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas

Projected order via Tankathon.com

Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois

AP Photo/Doug McSchooler

Illinois defensive back Devon Witherspoon (31) during an NCAA football game against the Indiana on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, in West Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)

This year's draft class is loaded with talented cornerbacks, but Devon Witherspoon shouldn't be overlooked. The 22-year-old started games in each of his four seasons at Illinois and continually improved throughout his college career.

In 12 games during the 2022 season, Witherspoon collected 41 tackles and set career highs in interceptions (three) and passes defended (14). He was the first Illinois defensive back to be named a consensus All-American, and he could become the first Fighting Illini player to get taken in the first round of the NFL draft since 2012.

A strong potential fit for Witherspoon could be with the Commanders, who don't have many impactful cornerbacks beyond Kendall Fuller on their roster. Washington also needs more defensive playmakers, as it has only 16 takeaways this season, tied for the fourth-fewest in the NFL.

Witherspoon has shown that he can make big plays, such as when he notched two interceptions in Illinois' win over Northwestern on Nov. 26. He's the type of player who could take a solid Commanders defense to the next level.

Prediction: No. 14 to Washington

O'Cyrus Torrence, OL, Florida

AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack

Florida offensive lineman O'Cyrus Torrence (54) sets up to block during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Eastern Washington, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

The Bengals still need to do a better job of protecting quarterback Joe Burrow. They've allowed 42 sacks this season, tied for the 11th most in the NFL. Burrow is among the best QBs in the league, so the more often he can stay up, the better Cincinnati can do.

That's why it could be wise for the Bengals to target an offensive lineman such as Florida's O'Cyrus Torrence late in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft, if he's still on the board when Cincinnati is on the clock. Torrence was a three-year starter at Louisville, then transferred and started 11 games for the Gators this season.

A consensus All-American in 2022, Torrence played at right guard in his lone year at Florida. But his 6'5", 347-pound frame could fit at various positions on the offensive line.

With the Bengals just needing to get better up front as a whole, they could use a potentially flexible player such as Torrence. However, if his stock rises during the buildup to the draft, it's possible Cincinnati could miss out on him, depending on where it ends up picking.

Prediction: No. 26 to Cincinnati

Drew Sanders, EDGE, Arkansas

AP Photo/Michael Woods

Arkansas linebacker Drew Sanders (42) against Missouri State during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)

Over his first two college seasons at Alabama, Drew Sanders didn't get many opportunities to contribute for the Crimson Tide's defense. He then decided to transfer to another SEC program, leaving for Arkansas and joining the Razorbacks as a junior for the 2022 season.

With his new program, Sanders had an impressive showing. In 12 games, he had 103 tackles, 9.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, one interception and six passes defended. The 21-year-old is now heading to the NFL, and he shouldn't get lost among all the strong pass rushers in this year's draft class.

Sanders could get selected in the opening round, especially with a team like the Broncos (who own the 49ers' first-round pick) drafting near the end of the order. Denver has only 35 sacks this season (tied for the 11th fewest in the NFL) and needs more impact players among its defensive front seven.

If the Broncos can land Sanders, it should bring an immediate boost to their pass rush, because he seems poised to have a smooth transition to the NFL level.

Prediction: No. 29 to Denver