2023 NFL Mock Draft: 1st-Round Predictions For Every Team Ahead of Super Bowl
For the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles, there's still one game to be played. For the rest of the league, it's on to free agency and the NFL draft.
The pursuit of a Lombardi Trophy is a year-round venture for the 32 NFL franchises. As soon as one season ends, another begins. And the draft is the lifeblood of that pursuit.
This year's event figures to be as unpredictable as ever. The quarterback class is a blend of proven college stars and projectable projects who have the tools to excel as NFL passers.
With the Senior Bowl and other college all-star games behind us, the pre-draft process is well underway.
Here is a complete first-round projection as we head into the Super Bowl, along with a look at some of the more intriguing prospects who could shake up the first round.
2023 NFL Mock Draft
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1. Chicago Bears: DL Jalen Carter, Georgia
2. Houston Texans: QB C.J. Stroud, Ohio State
3. Arizona Cardinals: Edge Will Anderson, Alabama
4. Indianapolis Colts: QB Will Levis, Kentucky
5. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver): Edge Myles Murphy, Clemson
6. Detroit Lions (from LA Rams): CB Joey Porter Jr., Penn State
7. Las Vegas Raiders: QB Bryce Young, Alabama
8. Atlanta Falcons: Edge Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech
9. Carolina Panthers: QB Anthony Richardson, Florida
10. Philadelphia Eagles (from New Orleans): DL Bryan Bresee, Clemson
11. Tennessee Titans: OT Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio State
12. Houston Texans (from Cleveland): WR Quentin Johnston, TCU
13. New York Jets: IOL Peter Skoronski, Northwestern
14. New England Patriots: WR Jordan Addison, USC
15. Green Bay Packers: Edge Nolan Smith, Georgia
16. Washington Commanders: IOL O'Cyrus Torrence, Florida
17. Pittsburgh Steelers: OT Broderick Jones, Georgia
18. Detroit Lions: CB Cam Smith, South Carolina
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: TE Michael Mayer, Notre Dame
20. Seattle Seahawks: IOL Darnell Wright, Tennessee
21. Los Angeles Chargers: WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State
22. Baltimore Ravens: Edge BJ Ojulari, LSU
23. Minnesota Vikings: CB Christian Gonzalez, Oregon
24. Jacksonville Jaguars: S Brian Branch, Alabama
25. New York Giants: LB Trenton Simpson, Clemson
26. Dallas Cowboys: DL Siaki Ika, Baylor
27. Buffalo Bills: S Antonio Johnson, Texas A&M
28. Cincinnati Bengals: CB Devon Witherspoon, Illinois
29. New Orleans Saints (from DEN via SF and MIA): RB Bijan Robinson, Texas
30. Kansas City Chiefs: Edge Andre Carter II, Army
31. Philadelphia Eagles: TE Darnell Washington, Georgia
The Miami Dolphins forfeited pick No. 21 due to tampering.
QB Bryce Young, Alabama
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If Bryce Young were a few inches taller and a few pounds heavier, he would be the obvious No. 1 quarterback in this class.
The 21-year-old is listed at 6'0", 194 pounds by Alabama. But looking at him alongside a quarterback such as Stetson Bennett, who is listed at 5'11", it might be generous to call him a six-footer.
Young would be the first sub-200 pound quarterback to be taken in the first round since Jim McMahon in 1982.
When you throw on the film of the Crimson Tide star, though, his ability to make all the throws, create plays outside of structure and deliver an accurate ball is enough to make people see beyond the size.
However, not all NFL executives might be so easily convinced.
Former NFL general manager Randy Mueller told The Athletic Football Show that there might be a discrepancy between how the fans and media look at Young against NFL teams' evaluations of the Alabama quarterback.
So while the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner is likely to be a consensus top-two QB on most mock drafts, it won't be a shock if someone with more prototypical size like Kentucky's Will Levis or Florida's Anthony Richardson is taken before him.
That doesn't mean it's a wise decision on the part of NFL teams, as Young is a unique talent who could easily overcome his slighter build. But it shouldn't be a surprise if he slides out of the top five.
QB Anthony Richardson, Florida
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Anthony Richardson is the antithesis of Bryce Young as a prospect.
While the Alabama star has a successful career full of good film from his time in Tuscaloosa, the Florida product is far from the finished article after his career in Gainesville.
Richardson is going to be a test in how much risk a team is willing to take on at the quarterback position. At 6'4" and 232 pounds, he has the prototypical size to be a running threat while taking the punishment of being an NFL quarterback.
Then there's his arm. He has the strength to push the ball to all areas of the field with velocity.
The thing that the 21-year-old is going to have to work on is his decision-making and accuracy. B/R NFL scout Derrik Klassen called his decision-making "robotic" while also noting he's "prone to a few bizarre misfires per game."
Those are cardinal sins for any NFL quarterback, but they are also things that can improve with coaching. The more time he spends in an offense, the more likely it is his decisions improve. Accuracy can be improved with better mechanics.
NFL coaching staffs are often confident in their ability to get the most out of a player. We see names drafted higher than expected all the time based on their potential and physical tools.
That's what drives the prediction Richardson will be a top-10 quarterback come April 27. After dealing with several aging veterans, new Carolina Panthers head coach Frank Reich should be excited to work with this young project.
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RB Bijan Robinson, Texas
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Bijan Robinson is one of the hardest prospects to project in this year's class.
Where the first running back will be drafted is always an interesting point of contention, but the Texas product is bound to spark fiercer debate than usual.
Robinson was ranked as the No. 4 overall prospect on Bleacher Report's latest big board. B/R Scout Derrik Klassen compared him to a "supercharged Breece Hall". Mind you, Hall just averaged 5.8 yards per carry and had 19 catches for 218 yards in seven games before an injury ended his rookie campaign prematurely.
The 21-year-old has all the tools to be an impact player right away. He can run for power between the tackles, but he also has the speed to hit the home run. He is a strong receiver with natural hands, is comfortable running routes and can help in pass protection.
In short, he's the kind of player who could be a Pro Bowler as a rookie.
But how much is that worth to teams?
Last year, Hall was the first running back off the board at 36, while Najee Harris was the first selected in 2021 at No. 24.
As good as Robinson is, it's hard to see him getting taken before the 20s. In this mock, he winds up as the heir apparent to Alvin Kamara. The Saints have an out in his contract after the 2023 season.
The running back turns 28 in July and is facing a suspension to start the 2023 campaign. Dennis Allen is a defensive-minded coach, so nabbing a running back who can anchor the offense might be appealing to him and worth a first-round pick.
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