Todd McShay 2023 Mock Draft: Notable Picks from ESPN Expert's Final Predictions

The most unpredictable NFL draft in recent memory is finally upon us.

While Bryce Young has seemingly solidified his spot as the Carolina Panthers' next starting quarterback, no one seems to quite have a handle on the rest of the first round. Todd McShay of ESPN made his final attempt to break down Thursday's action, with Texas Tech edge rusher Tyree Wilson surprisingly moving up to the No. 2 slot.

1. Carolina Panthers: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
2. Houston Texans: Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech
3. Tennessee Titans (mock trade with Arizona Cardinals): C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
4. Indianapolis Colts: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
5. Seattle Seahawks: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
6. Detroit Lions: Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Alabama
7. Las Vegas Raiders: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
8. Atlanta Falcons: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
   
9. Chicago Bears: Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
   
10. Philadelphia Eagles: Nolan Smith, OLB, Georgia

Should McShay's mock draft play out, it would mark the first time in NFL history quarterbacks have gone with four of the first five picks.

The Houston Texans at No. 2 hold the key to the draft, as surprisingly no heavy favorite has emerged. Will Anderson is currently DraftKings Sportsbook's odds-on favorite at -140, but Wilson (+275), Stroud (+300) and Levis (+350) are all close behind. Those odds do account for the potential of another team trading with the Texans to move up for a quarterback, but the pick seems mostly unknown to anyone outside the Houston front office.

Anderson and Wilson have greatly increased their odds as the draft has drawn closer, with there seemingly being fire to the smoke that the Texans front office is not sold on any of the quarterbacks in this class besides Young. When it appeared the Panthers would be taking Stroud with the No. 1 pick in the weeks after their trade-up with the Chicago Bears, the odds portrayed a mortal lock for QBs going 1-2.

The quarterback-heavy outlook of McShay's final mock also requires a team to make a deal with the Cardinals at No. 3. Arizona will not be taking a quarterback a year after handing Kyler Murray a massive contract extension and has needs all over its roster, so it could be primed for a trade back. Given Murray's recovery from an ACL tear will likely carry over into the 2023 season, the Cardinals could fortify their roster around the young quarterback if the right trade presents itself.

The Seahawks taking Richardson at No. 5 would be a bit of a risk given his high ceiling and low floor, but Seattle could be a perfect fit. Geno Smith is in place as a solid stopgap starter, and his three-year contract could wind up being a one-year deal if the Seahawks choose to move on in the offseason.