NFL 2023 mock draft: Quarterbacks C.J. Stroud, Bryce Young go 1-2 in latest projection
We’re a month into football season, and that means we’re starting to learn more about teams and players at both levels, and how they might converge when the 2023 NFL draft rolls around.
We’ve seen draft stock move in either direction for big names and sleeper prospects alike through the first few weeks of the college football season, while the NFL campaign has already delivered a few surprises in the win/loss columns, as well as projected team needs.
Keeping all that in mind, here’s an updated look at how the first two rounds of next year’s draft could shake out, using the latest power rankings from Touchdown Wire to determine the draft order:
NOTE: The Miami Dolphins forfeited their first-round pick in next year’s draft as a result of the NFL’s investigation into tampering violations.
1. Houston Texans: C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
If the Texans were hoping that Davis Mills would make a second-year leap that would keep them from having to spend this pick on a quarterback, the early returns haven’t been encouraging. If it keeps trending this way, don’t be surprised if Houston targets this year’s top passer. Right now, that’s Stroud.
2. Carolina Panthers: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
The Panthers have two top-three picks in their quarterback room, and if you combined them into one player, they’d still need to spend this pick on a replacement. Concerns about Young’s lack of size should be far outweighed by his impressive combination of physical tools, mental prowess and leadership.
3. Philadelphia Eagles (from Saints): Will Anderson, EDGE, Alabama
The only undefeated team left in the NFL gets the best overall player in the draft? That just doesn’t seem fair. Alas, that’s what could happen if the Saints don’t turn things around, because their first-round pick already belongs to the Eagles. Anderson is an elite pass rusher who only falls this far because quarterbacks are just too valuable.
4. Washington Commanders: Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern
Washington may have landed a steal in fifth-round pick Sam Howell, who could end up being their starter (and an upgrade over Carson Wentz) next season. The bigger need is up front, where the Commanders could use a dominant tackle like Skoronski, who has lived up to the hype so far this season.
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5. Seattle Seahawks: Jalen Carter, DL, Georgia
If the Seahawks end up picking this high, they should be targeting overall talent more than any particular positional need. Lucky for them, in this scenario they get a huge bargain with one of the most dominant defensive prospects in the entire draft. Even with last year’s loaded class of Bulldogs, Carter might have been the best of the bunch.
6. Atlanta Falcons: Jordan Addison, WR, USC
Sure, the Falcons have spent their last two first-round picks on athletic pass-catchers, but maybe that’s exactly why they should take another one. Opposing defenses would have quite the time trying to defend Addison, Kyle Pitts and Drake London — and Desmond Ridder should have a blast throwing to them.
7. Detroit Lions: Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
Jared Goff might be fighting off the need for a new quarterback, and if so the Lions desperately need to spend this pick upgrading their defense. The best value in this scenario comes at corner, where they grab an athletic playmaker with size and length to pair with the resurgent Jeff Okudah.
8. Las Vegas Raiders: Bryan Bresee, DL, Clemson
The Raiders have one of the NFL’s best edge-rushing tandems in Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones, but the interior of their defensive front needs a player that can make a similar impact. Bresee is a rare athlete for his size and would bring plenty of disruption to the heart of this defensive line.
9. Chicago Bears: Jaelyn Duncan, OT, Maryland
The Bears are wasting their franchise quarterback in Justin Fields, and next offseason simply has to be spent giving him as many resources as possible. That starts up front, where Fields desperately needs an upgrade at pretty much every offensive line spot. Duncan has all the traits to become a franchise left tackle, and would be an immediate upgrade.
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10. Houston Texans (from Browns): Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson
After landing their franchise quarterback at No. 1 overall, the Texans can shift their focus to the defense. Lovie Smith’s scheme doesn’t work well without consistent pressure from the defensive front, and landing a steal like Murphy would be a huge win for that group.
11. Seattle Seahawks (from Broncos): Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia
After landing one stud Bulldog for the interior of their defensive front, the Seahawks land another one here — this time for the edge. Smith’s skill set would be a perfect fit in this defense, and he could have easily been yet another first-round pick from this defense in this year’s draft.
12. Pittsburgh Steelers: Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State
Offensive tackle wasn’t a position the Steelers valued in the first round during Kevin Colbert’s tenure, but maybe that will change under new management with Omar Khan. It’s easily the team’s most pressing need, especially if they want Kenny Pickett to succeed, and Johnson has all the tools to quickly develop into an impact player.
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13. New York Jets: Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
Offensive tackle is the bigger need, but Robert Saleh would throw things if the Jets reached for one here despite all the defensive talent still on the board. Sauce Gardner already looks like a grand-slam pick, but pairing him with another athletic playmaker with size and length would solidify the corner position for years to come.
14. Jacksonville Jaguars: Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
You can never have too many explosive weapons for your young franchise quarterback, so the Jags would be wise to grab one of the talented pass-catchers still on the board here. Trevor Lawrence has one big-play threat in Christian Kirk, but Johnston’s big frame and physical playing style would be the perfect complement.
15. New England Patriots: Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
The Patriots have let multiple Pro Bowl corners walk recently in J.C. Jackson and Stephon Gilmore, and they need that shutdown presence back on the perimeter. Smith is a physical, athletic cover man with great instincts and ball skills — giving him limitless upside.
16. Indianapolis Colts: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
Matt Ryan was never going to be a long-term solution for the Colts at quarterback, and he might not even be a short-term one. Levis will likely go much higher than this thanks to some intriguing tools, but he’s still got plenty of development ahead of him before he’s ready to be a franchise passer at the next level.
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17. Arizona Cardinals: Bijan Robinson, RB, Cardinals
Now that the Cardinals have fully committed to Kyler Murray with a massive contract extension, they need to surround him with as much help as possible. Offensive line is a strong possibility, but don’t be surprised if they pull the trigger on the rare running back prospect worthy of first-round consideration. Robinson, an Arizona native, would be a dangerous three-down weapon in this offense.
18. New York Giants: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
Few quarterbacks in this class came into the season with more hype, but Richardson’s start to the 2022 season has proven just how much refinement he still needs. That said, it’s hard not to watch him play and see shades of Josh Allen’s college tape, so what better spot for him to develop than in New York with Brian Daboll?
19. Miami Dolphins (from 49ers): Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson
This defense already has some promising pieces at every level. But if they get a chance to land Simpson, he could bring a whole other dimension to the unit. A versatile playmaker who can line up all over the field, Simpson has a nose for the ball and a knack for making big plays against both the run and pass.
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20. Los Angeles Chargers: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
Even when Rashawn Slater returns from injury, the Chargers will still need a long-term solution for the other offensive tackle spot. Jones has a sky-high ceiling thanks to his impressive athleticism and physical tools, and could give Justin Herbert a strong pair of bookends to keep him protected.
21. Tennessee Titans: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Replacing A.J. Brown with Treylon Burks was helpful, as was the addition of veteran Robert Woods, but this offense needs a versatile tight end who can help balance their attack. Mayer is a capable blocker who can help clear things out for Derrick Henry, and would give the Titans a much-needed presence in the passing game that they lack at tight end right now.
22. Minnesota Vikings: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
Adam Thielen isn’t getting any younger, and the Vikings could use a young understudy to pair with Justin Jefferson for the long haul. Smith-Njigba has been limited by injuries so far this season, and this feels more like his range than the early top-10 projections. Even so, he’d be a fantastic addition to this offense.
23. Dallas Cowboys: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
Trevon Diggs is obviously one of the best playmaking corners in the NFL right now, but if opposing quarterbacks want to avoid him, they can find success on the other side of the field. Gonzalez is enjoying a breakout campaign after transferring from Colorado, and has the size, length and athleticism to be the perfect pairing with Diggs.
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24. Detroit Lions (from Rams): Antonio Johnson, S, Texas A&M
More reinforcements are needed for the Lions’ porous defense. And in this scenario, the best marriage of fit and value comes on the back end. Johnson is a big, rangy playmaker with an impressive combination of instincts, athleticism and ball skills — and can make big plays in coverage or in run support.
25. Baltimore Ravens: Kayshon Boutte, WR, LSU
The Ravens desperately need to open up their offense and take full advantage of Lamar Jackson’s rare skill set — instead of limiting his ability to shine as a passer. That will require getting him more weapons, and Boutte would bring a well-rounded skill set that would pair well with Rashod Bateman on the outside.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Daiyan Henley, LB, Washington State
Tampa Bay has perhaps the NFL’s best inside linebacker tandem with Lavonte David and Devin White. But as much as it pains Bucs fans to think about, David’s career is entering its twilight. Now would be the time to spend a high pick on his understudy, and Henley has all the skills to be a star in Todd Bowles’ defense.
27. Green Bay Packers: Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
Wide receiver is still a popular pick here, but offensive line is the more pressing need if the Packers want to maximize what’s left of Aaron Rodgers’ career. Fashanu has been one of the nation’s fastest-rising prospects over the last few weeks, and could easily come off the board much earlier if he keeps up his current level of play.
28. Cincinnati Bengals: Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
We all know about the offensive line struggles, but the Bengals’ biggest problems are scheme-related more than personnel right now. One addition that could help make Joe Burrow’s life easier would be a big-play threat at tight end, and Washington brings a rare combination of size, athleticism and explosiveness.
29. Buffalo Bills: Andrew Vorhees, OT, USC
There aren’t many glaring holes on this roster, but the Bills have a couple of different directions they could go here. Safety could be a need depending on what happens in free agency, but protecting Josh Allen should be the top priority. That could lead them to Vorhees, who could be an immediate upgrade along the interior.
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30. Kansas City Chiefs: Isaiah Foskey, EDGE, Notre Dame
The Chiefs landed two pro-ready prospects in the first round of this year’s draft, and this scenario would give them another with fantastic value. If Foskey falls this far, he would give Kansas City a terrific tandem with George Karlaftis for the foreseeable future.
31. Philadelphia Eagles: Noah Sewell, LB, Oregon
Yes, we know Howie Roseman doesn’t spend first-round picks on linebackers. But maybe he should. Nakobe Dean was a bargain in this year’s draft, but the Eagles could still use another three-down playmaker at the second level. Sewell would be a steal this late, too.
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2023 NFL second-round mock draft
32. Houston Texans | Texas Tech EDGE Tyree Wilson
33. Carolina Panthers | North Carolina WR Josh Downs
34. New Orleans Saints | Washington State QB Cameron Ward
35. Washington Commanders | Alabama DB Brian Branch
36. Seattle Seahawks | Alabama CB Eli Ricks
37. Atlanta Falcons | LSU EDGE BJ Ojulari
38. Detroit Lions | Alabama LB Henry To'o To'o
39. Las Vegas Raiders | Florida OL O'Cyrus Torrence
40. Chicago Bears | SMU WR Rashee Rice
41. Cleveland Browns | Army EDGE Andre Carter II
42. Seattle Seahawks (from DEN) | Maryland WR Rakim Jarrett
43. Pittsburgh Steelers | Baylor DL Siaki Ika
44. New York Jets | Oklahoma OT Anton Harrison
45. Jacksonville Jaguars | Florida DL Gervon Dexter
46. New England Patriots | Arkansas LB Drew Sanders
47. Indianapolis Colts | Mississippi State CB Emmanuel Forbes
48. Arizona Cardinals | Ohio State OT Dawand Jones
49. New York Giants | Florida State EDGE Jared Verse
50. San Francisco 49ers | Arizona State OL LaDarius Henderson
51. Miami Dolphins | Alabama RB Jahmyr Gibbs
52. Los Angeles Chargers | Boston College WR Zay Flowers
53. Tennessee Titans | Kansas State EDGE Felix Anudike-Uzomah
54. Minnesota Vikings | Stanford QB Tanner McKee
55. Dallas Cowboys | Syracuse OT Matthew Bergeron
56. Los Angeles Rams | Minnesota OL John Michael Schmitz
57. Baltimore Ravens | Tennessee OT Darnell Wright
58. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Utah CB Clark Phillips III
59. Green Bay Packers | Notre Dame S Brandon Joseph
60. Cincinnati Bengals | Oregon LB Justin Flowe
61. Buffalo Bills | Alabama S Jordan Battle
62. Kansas City Chiefs | Wake Forest WR A.T. Perry
63. Philadelphia Eagles | Mississippi RB Zach Evans