2023 NFL MOCK DRAFT

BY MIKE RIFKIN

1. Panthers – Bryce Young QB – Alabama – The Panthers moved up to number one to get their franchise guy that they haven’t had since Cam Newton left.
2. Texans – Will Anderson Jr. EDGE- Alabama – I believe the noise that the Texans are passing on a quarterback if Young isn’t here. Anderson is the best edge rusher in the draft and gives new coach Demeco Ryans a shiny new toy on defense. 
3. Colts (Via ARI) – CJ Stroud QB – Ohio ST. I know it’s one spot, but the Colts cannot have this opportunity slip through their fingers. Stroud could be the franchise guy they’ve been searching for since Andrew Luck retired.
4. Cardinals (via IND) – Tyree Wilson – Edge Texas Tech – Wilson had 16.5 sacks in four seasons at Texas Tech. The Cardinals lost their sack leader JJ Watt, to retirement.
5. Seahawks – Jalen Carter – Georgia – Yes, there is off the field troubles with Carter, but if there is a guy who can help him, it’s Pete Carroll. The Seahawks take arguably the best defensive player in the draft with the pick they got in the Russell Wilson trade. 
6. Lions – Devon Witherspoon – CB – Illinois – Jeff Okudah was traded to Atlanta, so there’s a hole at the corner. Witherspoon had 160 tackles and five interceptions in his four years at Illinois.
7. Raiders – Christian Gonzalez – CB – Oregon – The Raiders play in a division with Patrick Mahomes, Russell Wilson, and Justin Herbert. Gonzalez had a solid career at Oregon, including four interceptions last season. 
8. Falcons – Lukas Van Ness – EDGE -Iowa – The Falcons were 31st in the NFL in sacks last season. The Falcons might have something on the defensive line by combining Van Ness with Grady Jarrett and the recently added Calais Campbell.
9. Bears – Peter Skoronski – OT Northwestern – I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a trade if one of the quarterbacks falls. Justin Fields was sacked 55 times last season; that can’t happen. The Bears stay in the city and take one of the top offensive linemen in the draft.
10. Eagles- Myles Murphy – EDGE – Clemson – Brandon Graham is on a one-year deal, and the Eagles love working in the trenches. 
11. Titans- Anthony Richardson – QB – Florida – There’s a report the Titans have lost faith in Malik Willis, and they can get out of Ryan Tannehill’s contract after this season. Richardson has raw ability and will have to wait on the bench.
12.  Texans – Jaxson Smith -Njigba – WR -Ohio St – Again, I have the Texans bypassing quarterback because they could have something up their sleeve (Trey Lance). Whoever the quarterback is, they need receivers to throw to, especially after the Brandin Cools trade. Smith-Njigba was a beast in 2021, with 95 catches, 1,606 yards, and nine touchdowns. 
13.  Packers – Dalton Kincaid – TE – Utah – The irony of using a first-round pick you got for trading Aaron Rodgers and using it on a pass catcher. Kincaid gives Jordan Love an excellent safety valve. Just watch the USC game from October.
14.  Vikings – Will Levis – QB – Kentucky – The Vikings won the NFC North last year but have to look to the future past Kirk Cousins. They could move up and take the Kentucky QB if Levis is still around.
15.  Jets – Paris Johnson – OT – Ohio ST.- The Jets just brought in Aaron Rodgers. Now the goal is to protect him. The other factor for this is Mekhi Becton has yet to be able to prove he can stay healthy. 
16.  Commanders – Joey Porter Jr. – CB – Penn St. – Could fit with Ron Rivera. Porter is a very physical corner and is very long. 
17. Steelers – Broderick Jones – OT -Georgia – Steelers offensive line gave up 38 sacks last season. Jones is very athletic and can develop into a cornerstone at left tackle.
18.  Lions – Bijan Robinson – RB -Texas – I know the Lions need help on defense and added David Montgomery during the offseason, but I can’t pass this up. The Lions last had an elite running back when, Barry Sanders. Robinson will have the Motor in the Motor City.
19.  Bucs – Darnell Wright – OT – Tennessee – The Tom Brady era is over in Tampa. But over the last two years, he was sacked 44 times; Wright can slot in on the right side as they try to fix the offensive line. 
20. Seahawks – Nolan Smith – EDGE- Georgia – Nolan Smith can be to this Seahawks team what Bruce Irvin was to the teams that were great in the 2010s. So the Seahawks, with their two firsts, take two defensive players from Georgia, alright.
21. Chargers – Jordan Addison – WR – USC – Keenan Allen missed some time last season with a hamstring injury, and Mike Williams has also had injury issues. Addison, a former Bilentikoff award winner, could stay in California after one year at USC.
22.  Ravens – O’Cyrus Torrence – Everything here hinges on what happens with Lamar Jackson. Torrence can replace Ben Powers, who left for the Broncos. Torrence could also benefit from the new system new offensive coordinator Todd Monken wants to implement.
23. Patriots – Deonte Banks – CB- Maryland – This could easily be a weapon for Mac Jones, but Bill Belichick opts for defense against the offenses of the Bills, Dolphins, and Jets. Banks will bring in great size and length.
24. Jaguars – Brian Branch -DB – Alabama – The Jags could use another corner cutting Shaq Griffin. Brian Branch played inside at Alabama and has excellent instincts. 
25.  Chiefs (Via NYG) – Zay Flowers – WR – Boston College – Zay Flowers has been working out with Patrick Mahomes. Flowers is a smooth route runner and would give the Chiefs a serious deep threat. So if the Chiefs want him, they must come up to get him.
26. Cowboys – Anton Harrison – OT – Oklahoma – Tyron Smith is another year older and has had some injuries over the past few seasons. If there’s one thing the Cowboys have done well with, it’s drafting O linemen. Harrison could be the Left Tackle of the future.
27.  Bills – Jack Campbell – LB- Iowa – Might not be the most popular pick, but Campbell replaces Tremaine Edmunds, who signed with the Bears. Campbell, 2022, won the Dick Butkus Award for best Linebacker in the country. In four years at Iowa, Campbell had 305 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, 15 passes defended, and five interceptions.
28.  Bengals – Michael Mayer- Do the Bengals need another weapon on offense? Mayer will provide a big-time red zone threat and open up the middle of the field. Mayer is also a good run blocker which could open that up for the Bengals.
29. Saints – Will McDonald – Edge – Iowa ST.- The Saints need a guy opposite Cam Jordan, and McDonald gives them just that. McDonald is very explosive, and he and Cam Jordan could create a dynamic duo for the Saints’ defense.
30. Eagles – Calijah Kancey- Fletcher Cox is back on a one-year deal. Kacey crushed it at the combine and posted 14.5 sacks in two years as a starter. Kacey and Jordan Davis in the middle for a long time could be why the Eagles stay in a state with this pick.
31. Giants (Via KC) – Quentin Johnston – WR – TCU – Johnston is very athletic and has good speed and size. The Giants can give Daniel Jones everything they thought Kenny Golladay was going to give them.