2023 NFL Mock Draft: Predicting Every First-Round Pick in the NFL Draft

2023 NFL Mock Draft: Predicting Every First-Round Pick in the NFL Draft

The 2023 NFL Draft is here (pretty much). We're only a few days away from discovering what NFL rosters will look like in 2023. Based on the current draft position of each team, which is only 31 this year due to Miami's forfeited first-round draft pick, let's see where players will land in my late 2023 NFL mock draft.

If you're looking to make any betting picks for this year's NFL Draft, this could be a great tool for Thursday night!

1. Panthers: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama

Based on Bryce Young's current odds of being drafted No. 1 sitting at a ridiculously short -1400, it's safe to say the Panthers land their franchise quarterback in the form of the Heisman-winning signal-caller from Alabama.

2. Texans: Will Anderson Jr., DE, Alabama

Demeco Ryans earning the head coaching gig in Houston will immediately impact how the Texans use both of their top 12 draft picks. After Young is taken by Carolina, Ryans and GM Nick Caserio, opt to continue the run on Alabama prospects and take defensive end Will Anderson Jr. off the board with the second overall pick to bolster their presence off of the edge. Anderson ends up as the first defensive player drafted.

3. Cardinals: Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia

Despite off-the-field incidents marring much of the draft process for Jalen Carter, Arizona needs a total revamp. They take Jalen Carter to provide an immediate spark along the defensive line under first-year head coach Jonathan Gannon, who joins the Cardinals as a former DC for the Philadelphia Eagles.

4. Colts: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky

Despite C.J. Stroud still sitting on the board at fourth, Indianapolis GM Chris Ballard opts to take Will Levis to stabilize the quarterback position for the first time since Andrew Luck's retirement. I'm not the only one who thinks Levis is the pick here. Fourth overall pick odds favor the former Kentucky signal caller

5. Seahawks: Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech

Tyree Wilson has climbed up draft boards in the last few weeks due to his elite size and length, which Seattle desperately needs along the edge of their defensive line. Pete Carroll brings in one of the fastest-rising defensive players in the draft to rejuvenate a stale defense ahead of the 2023 season. Will Anderson is actually the favorite to go fight, according to the latest odds, but he's off the board here.

6. Lions: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon

The departure of Jeff Okudah signals that Detroit isn't done overhauling its secondary, adding top cornerback prospect Christian Gonzalez out of the University of Oregon.

7. Raiders: C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State

After signing Jimmy Garoppolo, Josh McDaniels is still focused on building toward the future, and due to the veteran's injury concerns, he and GM Dave Ziegler select C.J. Stroud at seventh overall as a massive value acquisition, sending Raiders fans into a delighted frenzy.

8. Falcons: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas

We finally see running back return to the top ten, with Atlanta opting to use their top draft pick on Bijan Robinson, who carries high praise and accolades as a generational talent in the backfield. Atlanta needs help just about everywhere, but they are +250 to take Bijan Robinson here.

9. Bears: Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern

GM Ryan Poles has arguably had the best off-season and free agency of any GM in the league, based on the lengthy number of weaknesses Chicago needed to address. Poles continues dominating the draft with the top offensive tackle prospect, landing local talent, Peter Skoronski, and sneaking him inside the top 10, to protect franchise signal-caller Justin Fields more efficiently in 2023.

10. Eagles: Drew Sanders, LB, Arkansas

Eagles fans may wind up disappointed with the selection of linebacker Drew Sanders out of Arkansas. Still, it's a weakness that needs to be addressed in the center of Philadelphia's defense, so GM Howie Roseman selects the rangy, athletic linebacker to be a playmaker on the field. Sanders is -120 to be the first LB selected in the 2023 NFL Draft.

11. Titans: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida

Tennessee patiently waits for its time to draft another quarterback like they did last year, but instead of the failed third-round experiment that was Malik Willis, Mike Vrabel and the front office rejoice by selecting Anthony Richardson, whose athleticism measured off the charts during the NFL Draft combine.

12. Texans: Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee

Houston's decision to pass on C.J. Stroud at No. 2 is rectified by selecting Hendon Hooker with the 12th overall pick. Coming off of a torn ACL, Hooker was a Heisman frontrunner before the injury, so the Texans will take a risk and invest in one of the older prospects in the draft to improve the quarterback position.

13. Packers: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State

Since Aaron Rodgers has officially been traded to the New York Jets, the Green Bay Packers move up two spots in the first round, selecting explosive wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba to give incumbent quarterback Jordan Love a retooled wide receiving corps in 2023. There is a reason why the Packers are favored to draft JSN.

14. Patriots: Keion White, EDGE, Georgia Tech

In typical Bill Belichick fashion, New England addresses a need at edge rusher by taking one of the more under-the-radar prospects with Keion White. White's short-area burst, and physical size can relieve Matt Judon in 2023. The Patriots are +800 to draft a defensive lineman in Round 1, so this could be a good spot to grab some value with your NFL Draft bets

15. Jets: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia

Broderick Jones' versatility playing both tackle positions at Georgia during their National Championship run gets the Jets' front office juiced up, especially with the essential need to upgrade their protection for the arrival of veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, so they take Jones as the second offensive tackle off the draft board.

16. Commanders: Brian Branch, CB, Alabama

Washington's defense under Ron Rivera has been rock solid up front, but their secondary has been a liability, so they waste no time selecting Brian Branch as the first cornerback in the 2023 draft class. Even if they don't take BRanch, they will be looking to go cornerback here, as their +100 odds to select a CB suggest.

17. Steelers: Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State

Pittsburgh has some nice skilled personnel, but the offensive line is sub-par, so they opt to draft Paris Johnson Jr., a versatile offensive lineman at Ohio State, playing interior and both tackle positions successfully. They could go defensive back, but Johnson provides top value here.

18. Lions: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame

Detroit continues addressing their needs by drafting one of the top two tight end prospects following the trade of T.J. Hockenson last year, selecting Michael Mayer to be a quality blocker and pass-catcher for Jared Goff in OC Ben Johnson's scheme in 2023. At +700, you can get great odds on Mayer ending up in Detroit.

19. Buccaneers: O'Cyrus Torrence, G, Florida

The Bucs need help on both lines, and it's reflected in their position-drafted odds. Tampa Bay has a good veteran center and a former first-round pick at tackle, but the interior of their offensive line needs to be built, so the Buccaneers select the first guard prospect and take O'Cyrus Torrence, keeping him in the Sunshine State.

20. Seahawks: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois

Tariq Woolen needs more help in the secondary, so Pete Carroll sticks with the defensive prospects and selects Devon Witherspoon, named the Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year in 2022. Witherspoon is the favorite to be the first CB selected, but in our mock, he falls all the way to 20th overall.

21. Chargers: Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson

It seems to be either wide receiver or defensive lineman here for the Chargers. Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack are two of the best veteran edge rushers in the league, so it may seem like a bad move by the Chargers to take another defensive end, but Myles Murphy has an effective bull rush and motor to add depth and create more pressure up front.

22. Ravens: Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee

Baltimore isn't done adding weapons for Lamar Jackson, selecting speedy slot wideout, Jalin Hyatt, to complement Odell Beckham Jr. in what projects to be a more pass-centric offense under new Ravens OC Todd Monken in 2023. Cornerback is another possibility here, as you can see in their latest NFL Draft odds.

23. Vikings: Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU

Minnesota follows suit and fills the void that Adam Thielen left behind, drafting big-framed Quentin Johnston out of TCU. His size and game differ from Justin Jefferson's, but he can high-point the football and possesses good separation speed downfield. At +900, the Vikings are the favorites to land the former TCU standout.

24. Jaguars: Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State

Jacksonville had an underrated defense in 2022, but they opt to bring more speed in their secondary with Joey Porter Jr. The cornerback was a three-year starter at Penn State and won Most Valuable Defensive Player, while also recording a 4.46 40-yard dash at the combine.

25. Giants: Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College

The wide receiver run is fully underway at this part of the first round, as the New York Giants jump into the mix with Zay Flowers, who profiles as the second-best wideout in this class, revamping a lackluster Giants wide receiving corps. They need help in the secondary as well, but Flowers falls to them in the perfect spot here.

26. Cowboys: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama

It's not Bijan Robison, unfortunately for Dallas fans, but the Cowboys use their first-round draft pick on Jahmyr Gibbs, who is a versatile pass-catcher out of the backfield who also has plenty of elusiveness to scheme up creative run-blocking plays. While the rest of the league gets away from drafting RBs in round one, Jerry Jones decides to double down. At +650, the odds they take a RB here are shorter than any other position.

27. Bills: John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota

Buffalo desperately needs an overhaul on their offensive line, so GM Brandon Beane takes the top center, John Michael Schmitz, off the board to build up the Bills' interior to protect Josh Allen better in 2023. This could also be a defensive lineman, based on the latest NFL Draft odds.

28. Bengals: Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah

Cincinnati adds another high-upside weapon to its offensive personnel, drafting Dalton Kincaid to get Joe Burrow a highly talented tight end who was good enough to have Utah mold their offense around him during his collegiate career. The odds that the Bengals take aTE in Round 1 currently sit at +170.

29. Saints: Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia

This is a little bit off the beaten path, but at +1400 the Saints to draft a CB in Round 1 is great value. New Orleans continues to have plenty of needs to fill, but Kelee Ringo's athleticism and big play-making ability during his tenure at Georgia leaves head coach Dennis Allen and the rest of the Saints' front office impressed enough to use their only first-round draft pick on shoring up their secondary.

30. Eagles: Antonio Johnson, S, Texas A&M

The loss of C.J. Gardner-Johnson to Detroit this offseason has left a glaring need at safety, so Philadelphia and GM Howie Roseman address this need by taking Antonio Johnson, who is a versatile playmaker against the pass or run, blending his physicality and coverage ability to be an asset in the Eagles' secondary in 2023.

31. Chiefs: Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee

Kansas City moved off of Orlando Brown after its Super Bowl win, which means they are left with the necessity of protecting Patrick Mahomes in 2023. GM Brett Veach and the rest of the front office select Darnell Wright, who is a big-bodied mauler capable of setting the tone at the line of scrimmage. They need help on both the offensive and defensive lines, so they can't go wrong with any pick there.