The 2023 NFL Mock Draft 

By Bill Murphy

1.  Carolina Panthers – Bryce Young QB Alabama- The Panthers have been searching for a franchise Quarterback since Cam Newton left. They tried Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, and PJ Walker last year, and they’re gone. Frank Reich has succeeded with QBS, such as Andrew Luck, Philip Rivers, and others. 
2. Houston Texans – CJ Stroud – QB Ohio State -Demeco Ryans might want A QB that is not Davis Mills.
3. Arizona Cardinals Will Anderson – Alabama Edge Rusher The Arizona Defense will have some holes in its season with the absence of their sack leaders of the last three seasons (Heason Reddick, Marcus Golden, and JJ Watt ). There is also a chance this pick will be traded. Anderson has a stat of 24.5 sacks at Alabama. 
4. Colts – Will Levis QB – Kentucky – Let’s Just admit the Matt Ryan Experiment was a failure. Since Andrew Luck retired, the Colts have been searching for a long-term solution at Quarterback. With Shane Steichen at the reigns of the Colts, he has a good track record with young QBS, such as Phillip Rivers, Justin Herbert in San Diego / Los Angeles, and Jalen Hurts in Philadelphia. 
5. Seattle Seahawks -Tyree Wilson EDGE -Texas Tech Last year, Uchenna Nwosu and Darrell Taylor both had 9.5 sacks which led the Seahawks. Wilson, in his 23 games at Texas Tech, wracked up 14 sacks, 62 solo tackles, and 27.5 tackles for loss. If the Seahawks draft Wilson and the free agent signings of Bobby Wagner, Devin Bush, and Dre’mont Jones, the Seahawks defense could be a force to be reckoned with.  
6. Detroit Lions -Christian Gonzalez CB – Oregon- Christian Gonzalez stats from last year he had four interceptions. In his three years at Oregon, he had 17 passes defended. 
7. Las Vegas Raiders -Peter Skoronski OT Northwestern – Skoronski can play all five offensive-line positions, making him the most flexible player in the draft. Skornoski can be the best protection for Jimmy Garroplo, only giving up on pressure 2.1 %of the time at Northwestern.
8. Atlanta Falcons- Nolan Smith Edge Rusher Georgia -Smith would be under the mentorship of veteran Calais Campbell. The Falcons could keep the Georgia boy at home. 
9. Chicago Bears – Paris Johnson Ohio State OT – The Chicago Bears have the worst pressure allowed percentage at 39.5 percent, and Field was sacked 55 times last year despite his running abilities. Johnson could protect Fields from opponents’ defense and Reunite Justin Fields with his old college teammate. 
10. Philadelphia Eagles- Jalen Carter – The Eagles are in a position where they don’t have a lot of holes. The Eagles could boost up their Defensive Line with the best player available. So despite Carter’s off-field escapades, he can be a real asset to the Eagles Defensive line. 
11.  Tennessee Titans -Anthony Richardson QB – Tannehill’s fate is uncertain with him heading into the final year of his contract. The Titans have reportedly lost faith in Malik Willis, who had a lackluster rookie season scoring no touchdowns and throwing three interceptions. Richardson threw 2,549 yards and 17 touchdowns last year.
12. Houston Texans -Quentin Johnston WR TCU – Johnston had his best season last year with 60 catches, 1,069 yards, and six touchdowns. With the Texans losing Brandin Cooks to Dallas, they need another weapon. 
13. Green Bay Packers- Lukas Van Ness Edge Iowa – Over the last two seasons, Van Ness put in 13.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss and blocked two punts last year against Iowa State. Van Ness would help a Packer defense that underachieved last year. 
14. New England Patriots – WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State- He gives Mac Jones a new weapon in 2021. Smith – Njigba wracked up 95 receptions, 1,606 yards, and nine touchdowns. In 2022 he played three games before hurting his hamstring, and he decided to sit out the rest of the season. 
15. New York Jets- Georgia – Broderick Jones OT – With the addition of Aaron Rodgers, the Jets would need a solid offensive line to protect him. Last Year Jones didn’t give up a sack. 
16. Washington Commanders Joey Porter CB -Last year, Porter wracked up 21 solo tackles with six assists, the most tackles in a season. 
17. Pittsburgh Steelers – Calijah Kancey Pittsburgh DL – Cam Heyward will be 34 years old next month. Kancey was unbelievable at the combine. After taking the Pitt QB last year, the Steelers could stay in the same area here. 

18. Detroit Lions -Myles Murphy Clemson edge – During his last two seasons in Clemson, he had 14.5 sacks and 25.5 tackles for loss. He would be dangerous to quarterbacks, along with Aidan Hutchinson  

19 Tampa Bay Bucs, Brian Branch, Alabama Safety – The Bucs dropped from 3rd to 15th in run defense in the league. With the Bucs losing Keanu Neal, Mike Edwards, and Logan Ryan to free agency, Branch missed four out of 174 tackles. 

20. Seattle Seahawks – Jordan Addison WR-USC -Addison would be an excellent addition to Lockett and Metcalf as a wide receiver. Addison won the Biletnikoff Award in 2021, given to the best receiver in College Football.

21. Los Angeles Chargers -Bijan Robinson RB Texas- Austin Eckler requested a trade; Robinson would be the best replacement with 1,580 yards and eight touchdowns last year. 

22. Baltimore Ravens -Jaxson Kirkland- OT- Washington – The key to the Ravens is having Lamar Jackson back. With the addition of Odell Beckham, if the Ravens want to keep Lamar upright, Kirkland can help.

23. Minnesota Vikings – Cedric Tilman – WR – Tennessee – Adam Thielen was cut during the offseason. Tillman gives Kirk Cousins another weapon across from Justin Jefferson. 

24. Jacksonville Jaguars – Darnell Wright OT -Tennessee – Wright, along with Cam Robinson, will be the premier tackle for Trevor Lawrence.

25. New York Giants – Zay Flowers- WR – Boston College Flowers will add to the wide receiver group of Darius Slayton, Isiah Hodgins, and Sterling Shepard. This pick gives Daniel Jones another weapon. 

26. Dalton Kincaid TE – Utah Dallas Cowboys – Dalton Schultz walked in free agency. Kincaid gives Dak a nice security blanket. 

27. Buffalo Bills Deonte Banks CB Maryland – 83 tackles, 0.5 sacks, two interceptions, and 11 passes defended. He’s a strong and versatile tackler. He has a good size for a corner.

28 Cincinnati Bengals – Keion White – EDGE Georgia Tech – An athletic edge rusher to play with Sam Hubbard and Trey Hendrickson. 

29. New Orleans Saints – Parker Washington WR – Excellent after the catch, similar to his former teammate Jahan Dotson. Pairing him with Chris Olave could give Derek Carr two solid young receivers. 

30. Philadelphia Eagles-Will McDonald IV Edge Iowa State – Brandon Graham signed a one-year deal but is another year older. McDonald could benefit from playing for a team with a ton of depth. He is very explosive, and the Eagles could mold him. 

31. Kansas City Chiefs – Jahmyr Gibbs RB – Alabama -The benefit of being Super Bowl Champs. Clyde Edwards – Helaire hasn’t panned out, and Jerrick Mckinnon is a free agent. Gibbs and Isiah Pacheco could be a tremendous running-back duo.