2023 NFL Mock Draft 4.0: Two Rounds

April 19, 2023

Here’s the latest 2023 NFL Mock Draft from NFL Trade Rumors. There are two rounds so be sure to click the link at the bottom for round two!

There are only 31 picks in the first round this year as the Dolphins forfeited their pick this year for tampering.

2023 NFL Mock Draft

1 – Carolina Panthers (CHI): Alabama QB Bryce Young

All indications and reports are that the Panthers are set on taking Young with the No. 1 overall pick. It’s still possible they go in a different direction, but it would be a major surprise at this point if Young isn’t the first player to come off the board.

2 – Houston Texans: Alabama DE Will Anderson

Buzz has been growing for over a week now that the Texans aren’t sold on taking a quarterback at No. 2 overall and could instead focus on selecting a top defensive prospect before addressing quarterback later on.

Anderson has been the consensus top edge rusher for some time now and would likely be a day-one starter for Houston.

3 – Arizona Cardinals: Texas Tech DE Tyree Wilson

This is the prime spot to watch in round one for a potential trade up involving a quarterback. It remains to be seen whether a team like Seahawks, Raiders or Titans are willing to jump ahead of the Colts at No. 4 overall.

However, should the Cardinals hold on to the pick, getting a premier player at a premium position that happens to be an obvious need is an amazing outcome for Arizona.

There has been some real buzz regarding Wilson, due to his length and athleticism. He possesses an all-around game and would be a great addition to the Falcons’ defense.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compares him to Ezekiel Ansah.

4 – Indianapolis Colts: Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud

The Colts really need to get out of the retread cycle at quarterback and find someone they can build around in the years to come. The Colts have gone with veteran pocket passes the last few years, but they emphasized the importance of athleticism at quarterback last year after benching Matt Ryan.

Stroud has really impressed during the draft process and checks a lot of boxes as a quarterback.

5 – Seattle Seahawks (DEN): Florida QB Anthony Richardson

Seattle has done a lot of work on quarterbacks this year and while they have Geno Smith signed to a multi-year deal, the opportunity to get a high-upside quarterback who could play off of their offensive run focus may be hard to pass.

Richardson possesses the highest ceiling for quarterbacks in this year’s draft, even though there are currently some deficiencies to work around.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compares Richardson to Cam Newton.

6 – Detroit Lions (LAR): Georgia DT Jalen Carter

I could see Detroit going corner here, even though they signed two in free agency.

However, Carter is considered by a number of draft experts to be the most talented player in this year’s draft. There are some obvious concerns regarding Carter that have led to buzz he could drop in round one, but he could be the center piece of a great defensive front for the foreseeable future.

7 – Las Vegas Raiders: Oregon CB Christian Gonzalez

A quarterback is certainly a possibility here for the Raiders, even though they QB Jimmy Garoppolo in free agency.

Even so, getting a top cornerback prospect would be a welcomed addition to the team’s defense. Gonzalez put up some impressive numbers at the combine and would give the Las Vegas an impressive outside corner to add to their secondary.

8 – Atlanta Falcons: Georgia DE Nolan Smith

Smith had a great combine from a testing perspective, but didn’t produce high-end statistics at Georgia. He can rush the passer and play in space, so there’s some versatility to his game.

The Falcons desperately need help at edge rusher. Right now, they have Lorenzo Carter and a lot of question marks beyond that. Smith can rush the passer and hold his own in space so there’s some versatility here.

9 – Chicago Bears (CAR): Northwestern OL Peter Skoronski

The Bears have needs at OL, EDGE and DL so they could go a number of ways at No. 9. It wouldn’t be surprising if they tried to trade back again from here for more picks.

Although, should they keep the pick, addressing the offensive line would make a good deal of sense to me. There has been some talk about Skoronski playing guard, but he held up great at left tackle for Northwestern and could serve as the Bears’ long-term solution at the blindside.

10 – Philadelphia Eagles (NO): Illinois CB Devon Witherspoon

The Eagles have, arguably, the deepest roster in the NFL, so it’s quite the luxury to have a top-10 pick to work with.

Philadelphia doesn’t need a player to step in and be a starter right away, so it would make sense for them to add key depth at position. Darius Slay and James Bradberry will obviously serve as starters for them, but they’re both in their 30s and Witherspoon could work his way into a larger role.

11 – Tennessee Titans: Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba

I nearly gave the Titans an offensive lineman here, but Tennessee’s receiving corps is one of the worst in the NFL.

Some view Smith-Njigba as more of a slot receiver, but he has the ability to work outside and play opposite Treylon Burks.

12 – Houston Texans (CLE): Kentucky QB Will Levis

The Texans get their quarterback at No. 12 overall after passing on the position with the No. 2 pick.

Levis is generally considered to be the fourth-best quarterback in this year’s class, but I’m sure they are some teams that are much higher on him. Levis could push to start for Houston this summer.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compares Levis to Jay Cutler.

13 – New York Jets: Ohio State OT Paris Johnson

The Jets are still working to get their offensive line solidified and while they have made attempts in the past to shore things up, particularly at left tackle, there are questions about Mekhi Becton and where he’ll play moving forward.

Johnson is an impressive athlete who could give the Jets a long-term solution at left tackle, even if he starts out playing right tackle for New York.

14 – New England Patriots: TCU WR Quentin Johnston

The Patriots have been linked to potential receiver options this offseason including DeAndre Hopkins, but as of now, there are some real questions about the unit even after adding Juju Smith-Schuster.

Johnson is an impressive athlete who would give them a receiver capable of stretching the field as a vertical threat.

15 – Green Bay Packers: Clemson DE Myles Murphy

Green Bay’s most obvious need is at tight end and while this is a great class for tight ends, there’s a case to be made for waiting until round two before addressing the position.

If it were up to me, I’d be looking to either bolster their offensive line or add another edge rusher, which is why I went with an edge rusher here.

Murphy offers both size/traits and was a consistently productive player at Clemson. He will need some work at the next level, but there is high upside here.

16 – Washington Commanders: Penn State CB Joey Porter Jr.

Washington was a candidate to draft a cornerback high last year and the position still stands out as an obvious need.

Porter is a long, physical and athletic corner who could use some refinement, but would give Washington’s secondary an impressive player to work with in the years to come.

17 – Pittsburgh Steelers: Georgia OT Broderick Jones

Offensive tackle stands out as a clear area of need for the Steelers entering the draft.

Jones is a high-upside player and the Packers clearly scout Georgia pretty hard, given that they’ve taken players from there in the first round of the last two drafts.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compares him to Andrew Thomas.

18 – Detroit Lions: Notre Dame TE Michael Mayer

I gave the Lions a defensive tackle earlier, but this seems like a great point to match the best available players and a position of need.

Tight end really sticks out when you look at the Lions’ depth chart. Mayer is a well-rounded prospect who has been talked about as the best tight end prospect in this year’s class for some time now.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compares him to Jason Witten.

19 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tennessee OT Darnell Wright

The Buccaneers have real questions at offensive tackles right now, even if they opt to move Tristan Wirfs to the blindside.

Wright is a large upside prospect who possesses impressive athleticism for his size. There has been some growing buzz about him since the Combine and at this point in round one, there figures to be a drop-off at the position.

20 – Seattle Seahawks: Iowa DE Lukas Van Ness

I’m sticking with another defensive line upgrade here for the Seahawks. Van Ness is an intriguing prospect, as he didn’t start at Iowa, but is a high-upside prospect who displayed impressive athleticism at the Combine.

The Seahawks wouldn’t need to rush him, but he should be able to be at least a rotational edge rusher out of the gate before taking on a much larger role from there.

21 – Los Angeles Chargers: USC WR Jordan Addison

It seems like the Chargers always have receivers ready to step in and take on a larger role, but that appears to have changed this year, as their depth behind veterans Mike Williams and Keenan Allen is questionable.

Addison is a fun player who would give the Chargers a crafty route-runner and a long-term prospect to take over for Keenan Allen.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compares him to Tyler Lockett.

22 – Baltimore Ravens: Boston College WR Zay Flowers

It remains to be seen whether Lamar Jackson will be throwing to receivers in Baltimore. The Ravens signed Odell Beckham Jr to a contract recently, but he got just a one-year deal and they could still use a long-term prospect at the position.

Flowers is a bit undersized for the position, but he’s an exciting player who could give the Ravens a big-play threat element to their new offense under Todd Monken.

23 – Minnesota Vikings: Tennessee WR Jalin Hyatt

The Vikings have, arguably, the best receiver in the NFL on their roster, but depth beyond that remains a question.

Hyatt could give the Vikings an impressive tandem of receivers in the long run, as he possesses very good speed and athleticism.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compares him to DeSean Jackson.

24 – Jacksonville Jaguars: South Carolina CB Cam Smith

Getting a player like Cam Smith is pretty good at this point in the draft. He’s a long corner with good athleticism and ball skills, which would be a great addition to the Jaguars’ secondary long-term.

25 – New York Giants: Alabama DB Brian Branch

The Giants’ secondary has some question marks right now.

Branch is a versatile player who could play slot or possibly even some safety for the Giants, depending on how they want to deploy him. While his testing numbers weren’t amazing, his production and play-making at Alabama would be a great fit for a lot of teams.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compares him to Minkah Fitzpatrick.

26 – Dallas Cowboys: Clemson DT Bryan Bresee

Bresee has great athleticism and would be a solid addition to most defensive lines. He can take on double teams and still get some interior penetration.

The Cowboys have been trying to solidify their interior defensive line for years now and Bresee is the kind of prospect who could possibly do just that for Dallas.

27 – Buffalo Bills: Texas RB Bijan Robinson

The Bills went out and signed Damien Harris in free agency, but they signed him to just a one-year contract. They also have James Cook, who flashed late last season on their roster, but getting one of the best running back prospects in several years this late is just too good to pass up.

Buffalo has been trying to get a consistent rushing attack going and Robinson could do that and more for the Bills’ offense. It would not be shocking if we were talking about Robinson being a top-5 running back in the NFL heading into his second season.

28 – Cincinnati Bengals: Utah TE Dalton Kincaid

The Bengals went out and signed Irv Smith Jr. recently, but Kincaid would give them another intriguing receiving threat from the tight end position long-term.

Kincaid could step in a fill the role Hayden Hurst had last year.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compares him to Zach Ertz.

29 – New Orleans Saints (SF, via MIA & DEN): Michigan DT Mazi Smith

The Saints’ roster isn’t in that bad of shape and they should be able to compete for the NFC South title this year. One area where they could use some depth is at interior defensive line.

Smith has both size and quickness to offer teams. It wouldn’t be surprising if he comes off the board in late round one or earlier round two.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compares him to Dontari Poe.

30 – Philadelphia Eagles: LSU EDGE B.J. Ojulari

Once again, the Eagles can draft for depth moving forward, due to the strength of their roster.

Ojulari needs some refinement to his game, but rushing the passer is his clear strength. The Eagles will need some more depth down the road and getting Ojulari to come in as a rotational player early on could pay off in the long run.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compares him to Harold Landry.

31 – Kansas City Chiefs: Iowa State EDGE Will McDonald IV

The Chiefs parted ways with Frank Clark this offseason, which leaves their pass rush a little thin.

Foskey is an upside pick who could work his way into the rotations before taking on a larger role at a later point. He showed some solid athleticism at the combine, which included a 4.58 40-yard dash and a 125″ broad jump.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compares him to Yannick Ngakoue.