NFL Draft 2023: Selection Order and Projections for Hottest Prospects

Quite a few teams should be in the market for a quarterback in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft. The Chicago Bears are unlikely to be one of them.

It's hard to imagine the Bears will take a QB at No. 1, as Justin Fields showed tremendous progress in 2022, his second year in the league. But other franchises with early picks, such as the Houston Texans (No. 2), Indianapolis Colts (No. 4) or Las Vegas Raiders (No. 7) could select a quarterback on April 27, the opening night of the draft.

There are a lot of talented players in this year's draft class, including at the QB position. With more than three months to go until the draft, it's tough to project who may get selected at which pick. But it's a bit easier to predict now, with the first 18 selections locked in.

Here's a look at the current order for the 2023 NFL draft, followed by several predictions featuring some of the class' top prospects.

Current NFL Draft Order

Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

ATLANTA, GA JANUARY 08: The NFL logo during the NFL game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Atlanta Falcons on January 8th, 2023 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

1. Chicago Bears

2. Houston Texans

3. Arizona Cardinals

4. Indianapolis Colts

5. Seattle Seahawks (via Denver Broncos)

6. Detroit Lions (via Los Angeles Rams)

7. Las Vegas Raiders

8. Atlanta Falcons

9. Carolina Panthers

10. Philadelphia Eagles (via New Orleans Saints)

11. Tennessee Titans

12. Houston Texans (via Cleveland Browns)

13. New York Jets

14. New England Patriots

15. Green Bay Packers

16. Washington Commanders

17. Pittsburgh Steelers

18. Detroit Lions

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

20. Seattle Seahawks

21. Forfeited pick (via Miami Dolphins)

22. New York Giants

23. Los Angeles Chargers

24. Baltimore Ravens

25. Jacksonville Jaguars

26. Dallas Cowboys

27. Cincinnati Bengals

28. Minnesota Vikings

29. Denver Broncos (via San Francisco 49ers)

30. Buffalo Bills

31. Kansas City Chiefs

32. Philadelphia Eagles

Picks 1-18 are locked in. Projections for Picks 19-32 via Tankathon.com.

Colts Will Trade Up to No. 1 to Get Young

AP Photo/Butch Dill

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass during the second half of the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game against Kansas State, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

If the Texans had lost to the Colts in Week 18, they would have had the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL draft. And even if the Bears don't select a quarterback, they could prevent Houston from having its pick of every QB in the class, as Chicago could be open to trading down.

If the Bears trade the top pick to a team that has a selection just a bit later, they could stockpile some impressive draft capital and still get a top-tier player from this year's class. That's why it would make a lot of sense for Chicago to send the No. 1 selection to a team like Indianapolis.

The Colts need a new franchise quarterback. Neither Matt Ryan nor Nick Foles are long-term answers at the position, while Sam Ehlinger didn't fare too well in his sophomore campaign in 2022. Indianapolis will be bringing in a new head coach, and he'll need a QB who can be the centerpiece of the team's core.

There are several quarterbacks who could be in the mix to be the first player selected. But Alabama's Bryce Young was so impressive over the past two seasons for the Crimson Tide that he should be the first QB taken.

Young could be the answer to the Colts' quarterback problem, as he'd be the most talented QB the franchise has had since Andrew Luck retired prior to the 2019 season.

Texans Will Turn to Stroud at No. 2

AP Photo/Danny Karnik

Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) passes against Georgia during the first half of the Peach Bowl NCAA college football semifinal playoff game, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)

Even if a team jumps ahead of the Texans in the draft order, there will still be plenty of strong quarterbacks available when they're on the clock at No. 2. So maybe they wouldn't get Young in that scenario, but they could still acquire a new franchise QB.

The prediction here is that after the Colts trade up to land Young, then the Texans will have an easy choice at No. 2, where they'll select Ohio State's C.J. Stroud. Some may consider the former Buckeyes quarterback a prospect with a higher ceiling. But even if that's not the case, he's still a talented player who is capable of having success in the NFL.

Houston needs a better QB if the franchise is going to get back on track. Davis Mills has started 26 of the Texans' 34 games over the past two seasons, and it's clear he isn't going to take their offense to the next level.

Stroud is capable of doing that for Houston. And with Young off the board, it will be an easy decision for the Texans to make with their first draft pick.

Bears Will Still Get Either Davis or Anderson at No. 4

AP Photo/Ashley Landis

Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter (88) waves to the crowd before the national championship NCAA College Football Playoff game between Georgia and TCU, Monday, Jan. 9, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

It makes a lot of sense for the Bears to trade down, if they can still end up with the No. 4 pick. The Colts and Texans will obviously take quarterbacks at Nos. 1 and 2. Then, the Arizona Cardinals may draft the best player available at No. 3, which should be either Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter or Alabama linebacker Will Anderson Jr.

If the Bears are at No. 4, they'll still be able to take either Carter or Anderson, whichever one remains on the board. Chicago likely would have selected one of those two at No. 1, so it'll work out even better that it will come away with one and build up its draft capital in the process.

Carter and Anderson are both top-tier defensive prospects who would greatly improve the Bears' defensive front, which needs to be strengthened. They recorded an NFL-low 20 sacks in 17 games during the 2022 season.

If for some reason both Carter and Anderson are available when Chicago is on the clock in this scenario, then the team would have a tougher decision to make. Either way, though, it will be getting a player who can be the leader of its defense for years to come.