Serritella: 2023 NFL Mock Draft (Post-Combine Edition)
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The NFL Scouting Combine is now in our rear view mirror. It’s time for NFL organizations to lock in their draft boards and finish up player cross-checks. There are countless scenarios that can play out over the next several weeks, between the upcoming free agent frenzy and quarterback needy teams looking to move up.
Here’s a stab at how the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft could shape up. Note: The NFL announced that the Miami Dolphins have forfeited their first round pick due to tampering chargers from last offseason.
*The 2023 Official NFL Draft Bible pre-order is now available, in both PDF and limited edition hard copy (250) for All Access subscribers.
1. [TRADE UP] Houston Texans: QB CJ Stroud, Ohio State – Holding the No.2 and No.12 overall picks, Houston can create the most lucrative package, in order to move up and ensure ‘their guy.’
2. [TRADE w/ HOU] Chicago Bears: EDGE Will Anderson, Alabama – The Bears pick up a cornerstone player by selecting Anderson, in addition to acquiring a surplus of draft picks.
3. [TRADE UP] Carolina Panthers: QB Bryce Young, Alabama – An opportunity to nab a young franchise quarterback for new head coach Frank Reich to develop is too good to resist.
4. Indianapolis Colts: QB Will Levis, Kentucky – Finally, Indianapolis puts an end to the game of veteran quarterback musical chairs with the selection of Levis, who has all the tools in the shed.
5. Seattle Seahawks (via DEN): DT Jalen Carter, Georgia – It’s difficult to gauge how the pending legal situation surrounding Carter will ultimately play out but Seattle could be one to pounce, should he slide.
6. Detroit Lions (via LAR): CB Joey Porter Jr., Penn State – Fitting in with the ‘tough-guy’ mantra that the Lions preach on defense, the physical Porter Jr. would be an ideal fit in the secondary.
7. Las Vegas Raiders: CB Devon Witherspoon, Illinois – The Raiders need reinforcements in the secondary and Witherspoon can be that fire extinguisher they need.
8. Atlanta Falcons: QB Anthony Richardson, Florida – A tantalizing prospect, the NFL has never seen a rifled-armed quarterback so big and athletic. Richardson possesses too much upside to pass up.
9. [TRADE w/ CAR] Arizona Cardinals: DE Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech – New defensive-minded head coach Jonathan Gannon will be seeking an impact pass-rusher and Wilson clearly fits the bill.
10. Philadelphia Eagles (via NO): RB Bijan Robinson, Texas – While Eagles general manager Howie Roseman doesn’t tend to draft running backs in round one, he also believes in premium value.
11. Tennessee Titans: OT Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio State – Tackle was a revolving door last season, as Taylor Lewan dealt with injuries. Both Nicholas Petit-Frere and Jamarco Jones are free agents.
12. [TRADE w/ HOU] Chicago Bears: WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State – Reuniting Smith-Njigba with quarterback Justin Fields would be an encore act the NFL didn’t know it needed.
13. New York Jets: OT Broderick Jones, Georgia – The Jets offensive line was ravaged by injuries, which resulted in a patchwork unit. Adding Jones would immediately provide stability.
14. New England Patriots: OT Peter Skoronski, Northwestern – The Patriots have so many pending free agents along the offensive line, especially at tackle and Skoronski can help mitigate some losses.
15. Green Bay Packers: SS Brian Branch, Alabama – With free agent Adrian Amos expected to fetch big money on the open market, Branch would be a natural replacement.
16. Washington Commanders: OT Darnell Wright, Tennessee – One of the cleanest players in the draft, Wright is a plug-and-play upgrade at right tackle who can provide great protection.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers: OT Dawand Jones, Ohio State – The Steelers did a phenomenal job in the development of Alejandro Villanueva and Jones is eerily similar in size, length and potential.
18. Detroit Lions: TE Michael Mayer, Notre Dame – The Lions wideouts came on strong last season, adding Mayer to the mix would provide quarterback Jared Goff with a safety valve underneath.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: OLB Nolan Smith, Georgia – A fast-riser coming off his combine performance, Smith can help shore up some of the Buccaneers pass-rush needs.
20. Seattle Seahawks: C John Michael-Schmitz, Minnesota – One of the more polished players in the draft, Michael-Schmitz brings a wrestling background as a grappler and will immediately start.
21. Los Angeles Chargers: TE Darnell Washington, Georgia – Yes, wideout is a big need but the thought of injecting Washington as a seem route option in this offense would seem mesmerizing.
22. Baltimore Ravens: WR Quentin Johnston, TCU – Adding weapons on the boundary is a top priority for the Ravens this offseason. Help in both free agency and the draft should be on the agenda.
23. Minnesota Vikings: CB Christian Gonzalez, Oregon – A lengthy, fast cornerback can go a long way towards strengthening the backend of the Vikings secondary.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars: CB Kelee Ringo, Georgia – We are likely to see a run on cornerbacks at some point in round one and the Jaguars are one of numerous teams in need.
25. New York Giants: WR Jordan Addison, USC – It has been a while since the Giants had a playmaker at wide receiver who can stretch the field vertically, a welcomed addition to the offense.
26. Dallas Cowboys: LB Trenton Simpson, Clemson – With Leighton Vander Esch and Anthony Barr hitting free agency, Dallas finds a new running mate alongside Micah Parsons.
27. Buffalo Bills: OG O’Cyrus Torrence, Florida – The Bills have a huge void on the interior of their offense line and Torrence is a straight mauler.
28. Cincinnati Bengals: DE Lukas Van Ness, Iowa – By adding Van Ness to the defensive line rotation, the Bengals would benefit from another situational pass-rusher to terrorize quarterbacks.
29. New Orleans Saints (Via SF<-MIA<-DEN): DT Calijah Klancey, Pittsburgh – With three defensive tackles set to test the market, there will likely be a big hole, which Klancey can fill.
30. Philadelphia Eagles: CB Deonte Banks, Maryland – An athletic freak with coverage ability, Banks brings size, athleticism, speed and would be a replacement for James Bradberry, who is expected to depart.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: DE Myles Murphy, Clemson – There is talk that Frank Clark could become a cap casualty and Carlos Dunlap is a free agent, making Murphy a worthwhile selection for the world champions.
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