The 2023 NFL Draft has finally arrived. The rumors swirling around the top five picks are nearly impossible to track at this point and the biggest variables of course are the quarterbacks and how aggressive teams will be to land them.
Yet, championships are still won beyond the first round. Stars are scattered all over Day 2 and plenty of teams will specifically wait out the running back and wide receiver groups until Friday. Let’s dive into not just one, but how the first three rounds could play out and it’s important to note that I did not include any trades as part of this mock draft.
Rogers’ NFL Mock Draft 2.0
1. Panthers: Bryce Young, QB. Alabama
The Panthers land their franchise quarterback with the undersized, yet brilliant and accurate passer in Young.
2. Texans: Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech
New head coach DeMeco Ryans gets what he believes is a cornerstone for what makes his defense successful: a gifted pass rusher with unique traits.
3. Cardinals: Will Anderson, EDGE, Alabama
I’ve been hearing the Cardinals care more about a prospect’s floor if they are stuck in this slot. Anderson’s production in the SEC throughout his college career speaks for itself.
4. Colts: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
There has been so much smoke about Will Levis and the Colts that I’m not even buying it anymore. Chris Ballard loves traits and home run swings at the quarterback position and no player fits that better than Richardson.
5. Seahawks: C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
A surprise for the Seahawks, but how do you pass on Stroud falling into your lap? With the structure of Geno Smith‘s contract, finding the long-term future with huge upside under center can be done now.
6. Lions: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
The Lions love Will Anderson and Witherspoon at the top of this draft. Jalen Carter would also certainly solve a need and is as talented as any player in this draft, but would Dan Campbell sign off on that pick? I lean Witherspoon, who can be a true shutdown corner anywhere you play him.
7. Raiders: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
The Raiders’ secondary needs a difference maker and Gonzalez has the size and athleticism to fill that void. He got even better after transferring from Colorado to Oregon.
8. Falcons: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
The Falcons spent a lot of money in free agency to rebuild their defense. Does Arthur Smith get his wish and land a superstar playmaker through the draft on offense? This is obviously early for any running back and could be a key trade up spot.
9. Bears: Jalen Carter, DL, Georgia
Finally Carter comes off the board. There is clear risk here, but Ryan Poles lands a game wrecker for the middle of Chicago’s defense. The Bears have a lot of draft ammo accumulated which could increase their comfort with this roll of the dice.
10. Eagles: Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State
Johnson started at guard for Ohio State in 2021 before moving to tackle in 2022. He could have a similar trajectory in Philadelphia, giving its offensive line short and long-term help.
11. Titans: Peter Skoronski, OL, Northwestern
The Titans need to revamp their offensive line and GM Ran Carthon has time to figure out the long-term answer at quarterback. Skoronski, at a minimum, should be a stellar guard.
12. Texans: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
If there were trades in this mock, I’d have Houston come back up to grab Levis. But in this scenario, he falls to them at No. 12 anyways. Regardless, one of the top-four signal callers should fit into the Texans’ plans, if they do end up pass on them with the No. 2 overall pick.
13. Packers: Lukas Van Ness, EDGE, Iowa
Pass-catcher at both tight end and wide receiver have been popular choices here, but the Packers’ draft trends point to the power rusher in Van Ness for Round 1. They will get Jordan Love help later on.
14. Patriots: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
With JuJu Smith-Schuster in the fold, the Patriots continue to add talent to their receiving group. Smith-Njigba is excellent in the middle of the field and will give a target for Mac Jones to lean on.
15 Jets: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
The Jets could surprise here if they have confidence in Duane Brown, but they also need to be thinking about this position beyond the 2023 season. Jones’ athleticism and length bring plenty of promise.
16. Commanders: Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland
Ron Rivera gets an outside corner with size and high-end athleticism. This should give his talented front four time to get after opposing quarterbacks.
17. Steelers: Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
Wright’s size and demeanor would make the Steelers a tougher group up front. They made their bet on Kenny Pickett, now it’s time to make his life easier.
18. Lions: Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia
The Lions team speed gets a huge upgrade on defense with Smith playing across from last year’s first-rounder in Aidan Hutchinson. With Witherspoon (who was selected earlier) in coverage, this unit is starting to look scary.
19. Buccaneers: Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma
This might feel early for Harrison, but the Bucs don’t even have a left tackle right now. His growth from 2021 to 2022 is a promising trend for him to be a long-term answer.
20. Seahawks: Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson
Murphy’s size, athleticism and stout run defense is exactly what the Seahawks know they need to add to their front.
21. Chargers: Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
The Chargers are in on adding a key weapon for Justin Herbert. It will just depend how the board breaks. In this situation they grab Kincaid, who is a unique mismatch threat at tight end.
22. Ravens: Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
The signing of Odell Beckham Jr. gives the Ravens some flexibility here. They could still add to their wide receiver room for Todd Monken‘s pass game, but corner is a big priority for them as well.
23. Vikings: Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State
The Vikings have needs both up front and on the back end of their defense. While there’s been rumors they will take Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker here, I think they look to add someone who can make an impact in 2023 because the NFC North is very much up for grabs.
24. Jaguars: Brian Branch, SAF, Alabama
If Myles Murphy made it to this spot, he makes a ton of sense for Jacksonville. Georgia Tech EDGE Keion White could be the backup plan if they are dialed in on pass rushers, but Branch is a great player at a different need.
25. Giants: Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
Big Blue’s wide receiver room is extremely small right now. Darren Waller brings size as a target for Daniel Jones, but Johnston gives the offense a true X receiver.
26. Cowboys: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Dalton Schultz out, Michael Mayer in. He’s a monster when it comes to moving the chains and can play both on the line of scrimmage or in the slot.
27. Bills: Jordan Addison, WR, USC
Brandon Beane is no stranger to making aggressive moves in the draft, but in this situation a versatile wide receiver falls right to Buffalo. Addison is a smooth separator who would work well with Stefon Diggs.
28. Bengals: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama
It should no longer come as a surprise to see two running backs in Round 1 as teams are completely sold on Gibbs’ explosive talent. He doesn’t have the size for an early heavy workload, but he makes the most of his touches on the ground and through the air.
29. Saints: Bryan Bresee, DL, Clemson
The Saints were active in free agency to supplement their defensive line, but Bresee is an addition with long-term thinking in mind. However, he needs to stay healthy to prove he can be a true difference maker up front.
30. Eagles: Calijah Kancey, DL, Pittsburgh
The thought of Jordan Davis and Calijah Kancey playing alongside each other from a contrast perspective alone is amazing. Kancey is simply too explosive and quick for interior offensive lineman to handle in pass protection. The Eagles beat teams in the trenches and they will have knocked it out of the park in this first round with the additions of Johnson and Kancey.
31. Chiefs: Will McDonald IV, EDGE, Iowa State
McDonald brings burst and speed to a front that already has power from Chris Jones and George Karlaftis. He’d step right into Frank Clark‘s role.
Round 2
32. Steelers: Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
33. Texans: Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
34. Cardinals: Steve Avila, IOL, TCU
35. Colts: O’Cyrus Torrence, OG, Florida
36. Rams: BJ Ojulari, EDGE, LSU
37. Seahawks: John Michael Schmitz, OC, Minnesota
38. Raiders: Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State
39. Panthers: Cedric Tillman, WR, Tennessee
40. Saints: Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee
41. Titans: Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina
42. Packers: Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
43. Jets: Keeanu Benton, DL, Wisconsin
44. Falcons: Keion White, EDGE, Georgia Tech
45. Packers: Jonathan Mingo, WR, Ole Miss
46. Patriots: DJ Turner, CB, Michigan
47. Commanders: Matthew Bergeron, OL, Syracuse
48. Lions: Mazi Smith, DL, Michigan
49. Steelers: Jack Campbell, LB, Iowa
50. Buccaneers: Sam LaPorta, TE, Iowa
51. Dolphins: Tucker Kraft, TE, South Dakota State
52. Seahawks: Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee
53. Bears: Joe Tippmann, OC, Wisconsin
54. Chargers: Tyrique Stevenson, CB, Miami
55. Lions: Luke Musgrave, TE, Oregon State
56. Jaguars: Cody Mauch, OL, North Dakota State
57. Giants: Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
58. Cowboys: Felix Anudike-Uzomah, EDGE, Kansas State
59. Bills: Drew Sanders, LB, Arkansas
60. Bengals: Adetomiwa Adebawore, DL, Northwestern
61. Bears: Julius Brents, CB, Kansas State
62. Eagles: Antonio Johnson, SAF, Texas A&M
63. Chiefs: Marvin Mims, WR, Oklahoma
Round 3
Bears: Tuli Tuipulotu, EDGE, USC
Texans: Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson
Cardinals: Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah
Broncos: Darius Rush, CB, South Carolina
Broncos: Chandler Zavala, OG, North Carolina State
Rams: Tyler Steen, OL, Alabama
Raiders: Siaki Ika, DL, Baylor
Saints: Jartavius Martin, SAF, Illinois
Titans: Nick Saldiveri, OT, Old Dominion
Texans: Luke Wypler, OC, Ohio State
Browns: Jordan Battle, SAF, Alabama
Falcons: Cory Trice, CB, Purdue
Patriots: Nick Herbig, EDGE, Wisconsin
Rams: Daiyan Henley, LB, Washington State
Packers: Sydney Brown, SAF, Illinois
Colts: Riley Moss, CB, Iowa
Steelers: Gervon Dexter, DL, Florida
Lions: Tank Dell, WR, Houston
Buccaneers: Zach Charbonnet, RB, UCLA
Seahawks: Anthony Bradford, OG, LSU
Dolphins: Blake Freeland, OT, BYU
Chargers: DorIan Williams, LB, Tulane
Ravens: Jayden Reed, WR, Michigan State
Vikings: Michael Wilson, WR, Stanford
Jaguars: Garrett Williams, CB, Syracuse
Giants: Henry To’oTo’o, LB, Alabama
Cowboys: Devon Achane, RB, Texas A&M
Bills: Israel Abanikanda, RB, Pittsburgh
Bengals: Marte Mapu, SAF, Sacramento State
Panthers; Tyjae Spears, RB, Tulane
Eagles: Tank Bigsby, RB, Auburn
Chiefs: Kobie Turner, DL, Wake Forest
Cardinals: Isaiah McGuire, EDGE, Missouri
Commanders: Ivan Pace Jr., LB, Cincinnati
Browns: Zacch Pickens, DL, South Carolina
San Francisco: Jakorian Bennett, CB, Maryland
Raiders: Derick Hall, EDGE, Auburn
San Francisco: Wanya Morris, OT, Oklahoma
San Francisco: Sidy Sow, OG, Eastern Michigan