2023 NFL mock draft 5.0
Bryce Young of the Alabama Crimson Tide warms up before a game against the LSU Tigers at Tiger Stadium on Nov. 5, 2022, in Baton Rouge, La. Credit: TNS/Jonathan Bachman
1. Panthers: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
Size aside, the former Heisman winner has everything you look for in a franchise QB.
2. Texans: Will Anderson Jr., Edge, Alabama
Houston eschews a QB, instead addressing another need by taking the draft’s top pass-rusher.
3. Cardinals: Tyree Wilson, Edge, Texas Tech
Assuming they don’t trade out with a QB-needy team, the Cardinals land an edge rusher with great size and athleticism.
4. Colts: C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
Stroud’s “slide” ends here. He can start right away in Indianapolis.
5. Seahawks: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
Richardson has athleticism for days, and he can sit behind Geno Smith for a year to refine his game.
6. Lions: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
Detroit adds Witherspoon and his top-notch ball skills to its revamped secondary.
7. Raiders: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
With their QB issue settled in the short-term, the Raiders can inject some much-needed athleticism into their defense.
8. Falcons: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
GM Terry Fontenot historically drafts talent over need, head coach Arthur Smith is a big proponent of the run game and Robinson is the best RB prospect since Saquon Barkley.
9. Bears: Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State
Chicago finds itself in a prime position to find Justin Fields some help up front.
10. Eagles: Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
If Howie Roseman keeps this pick, he could nab an eventual successor to Fletcher Cox and a former Bulldogs teammate of Jordan Davis and Nakobe Dean – assuming Carter’s off-field concerns are answered.
11. Titans: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
If Malik Willis isn’t the heir apparent to Ryan Tannehill, it’s time for the Titans to find one.
12. Texans: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
With the top QBs gone, Houston takes a receiver for whoever they decide to draft in 2024.
13. Packers: Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
The Packers do for Jordan Love what they never did for Aaron Rodgers: draft a playmaking target in the first round.
14. Patriots: Peter Skoronski, OT/OG, Northwestern
There are concerns about his arm length, but technique-wise, Skoronski’s game is very polished.
15. Jets: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
Mekhi Becton last played in the 2021 season opener, and even if he comes back healthy, there’s a need on the right side as well. Jones only has one year of starting experience, but he has all the physical tools to develop into a long-term starter.
16. Commanders: Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
The Commanders bolster their secondary with the son of the former Steelers linebacker.
17. Steelers: Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
Kenny Pickett showed some promise last season. Now it’s time to protect him.
18. Lions: Calijah Kancey, DT, Pittsburgh
The Lions upgrade the interior with Kancey, whose game has shades of another former Pittsburgh product in Aaron Donald.
19. Buccaneers: Nolan Smith, Edge, Georgia
With all the top tackles gone, the Bucs add a tough, speedy edge player to Todd Bowles' attacking defense.
20. Seahawks: Myles Murphy, Edge, Clemson
After taking their QB of the future, Seattle adds a long, explosive edge presence.
21. Chargers: Lukas Van Ness, Edge, Iowa
L.A. needs more defensive playmakers, particularly in the front seven.
22. Ravens: Jordan Addison, WR, USC
No matter what happens with Lamar Jackson, the Ravens need more dynamic receivers alongside Odell Beckham Jr. and Rashod Bateman.
23. Vikings: Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee
Minnesota starts planning for life after Kirk Cousins with this talented QB rehabbing a torn ACL.
24. Jaguars: Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland
Secondary depth is needed, and Banks fits GM Trent Baalke’s mold of tall, fast cornerbacks.
25. Giants: Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
The Giants already have done quite a bit to help Daniel Jones this offseason, but why stop now? Flowers has a similar profile to last year’s second-rounder, Wan’Dale Robinson, in that both are shifty playmakers who thrive off their quickness and separation ability.
26. Cowboys: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
If Mayer lasts this long, Jerry Jones would be hard-pressed to pass on a near-clone of Jason Witten.
27. Bills: Quentin Johnson, WR, TCU
The Bills could use another big downfield threat to help lighten the load for Stefon Diggs.
28. Bengals: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama
Joe Mixon’s future is uncertain, and Gibbs’ versatility suits the Joe Burrow-led Bengals offense.
29: Saints: Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson
The Saints continue fortifying their defensive line with the disruptive Bresee.
30. Eagles: Brian Branch, S, Alabama
Once again, the Eagles could trade out here. If they stay, Branch would be a good replacement for the departed C.J. Gardner-Johnson.
31. Kansas City: Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma
Depending on which side Kansas City wants Jawaan Taylor to play, Harrison can slot in at the opposite tackle spot.
Note: The Dolphins were scheduled to pick 21st overall, but they forfeited their first-round pick this year after the NFL found evidence of tampering involving Tom Brady and Don Yee, the agent for Brady and then-Saints coach Sean Payton.
Nick Klopsis is Newsday.com's sports editor. He often can be found studying NFL and college football film for his latest draft breakdown.
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