2023 NFL Mock Draft – 8/11/22

If Desmond Ridder completely falls on his face, this pick could easily be quarterback. However, the Falcons know the rebuild has a long way to go, and Will Anderson Jr. is the best prospect in this class. He is a pass rushing dynamo with the agility and skills to become a complete defender. A great building block.

Davis Mills is not all that terrible, but Houston has the chance to add a true franchise quarterback to the roster, and should not pass on that opportunity. CJ Stroud and Bryce Young are very different quarterback prospects, but I give the slight edge to Stroud right now thanks to his NFL ready game and size.

The Bears simply need talent, and Jalen Carter might have the most in this class. Carter is better than every Georgia defender that was drafted in 2022, including first overall pick Trevon Walker. Despite “only” three recorded sacks, Carter earned elite pass rushing grades to go along with his stout run defense. A complete lineman.

Carson Wentz is on his third team in three years, and I seriously doubt he is anyone’s long term option at this point. Picking this high would be a blessing for Washington. The only knock on Bryce Young is his size. He is a very good athlete, a true leader and can absolutely make all of the throws.

After a promising rookie season, former Jets first rounder Mekhi Becton’s career has been setback after setback, and he no longer looks like a real option going forward. Paris Johnson Jr. is moving to left tackle for the Buckeyes as a junior, and definitely looks the part. The former top recruit is still raw, but has the look of a top ten pick.

Clemson was bad in 2021, but that was not the fault of the defense, which was led by stud sophomore Myles Murphy. He is built like a defensive tackle but can move and get after the quarterback like an end. He would be a great fit for a Seattle defense that likes to move its defenders around.

The Patriots are the worst drafting team in the NFL, and for a team that doesn’t resign free agents, that has really come back to bite them. Kelee Ringo would immediately step in and become New England’s best cornerback. He has it all; size, strength and ability. The only thing lacking is experience, as he is just a redshirt sophomore, but playing for the 2021 Georgia Bulldogs could count as a year and a half of real experience. I am not worried.

I do not think the Treylon Burks pick will age very well, and the Titans will have even more of a need for talent at receiver this time next year. Jaxon Smith-Njigba is getting all of the pub righ tnow, but I still put Kayshon Boutte ahead of him as far as prospects go. Boutte is the better athlete, and that matters. The LSU quarterbacks have done him no favors, but I love his strength/speed combo and think he will be a very good professional.

The Lions are building up the roster quite nicely, but defense is still a monster need. I am anxious to see how Bryan Bresee can bounce back from his serious injury. The former number one overall recruit has not quite set the college football world on fire, but the talent is extremely evident. If he can recover as a junior and show his pass rushing chops, he will be in high demand.

The Jaguars signed Christian Kirk and Evan Engram, but I still believe major talent is needed at the receiver positions. Michael Mayer over Jaxon Smith-Njigba might be a bit controversial, but I think Mayer has a chance to be special. Notre Dame pumps out tight ends, and Mayer is the best of the bunch. He is a target hog who is very tough and good after the catch.

It is no secret that the Vikings, despite using several first round picks on the position, still need cornerbacks. I think Eli Ricks is more name than game at this point, but he has great press ability and the potential to be a solid tackler.

FROM SF
The Dolphins will lose their own first round pick in 2023 but still own San Francisco’s selection. Nolan Smith could have followed most of Georgia’s defenders to the 2022 draft, but chose to further work on his game, and I think that will pay off. The top overall recruit of 2019 has not developed into as strong of a pass rusher as hoped, but he is still good in that department. What sets him apart is his complete game and ability to play multiple spots along the defense. He would be another great addition to a strong, versatile Miami defense.

Bijan Robinson is an interesting case. He is undoubtedly the best running back prospect in years, but after seeing former top five guys like Saquon Barkley and Leonard Fournette not justify the draft position, he might slip a bit. The mid-first round is a great spot for him. He’s built, but quicker than expected, and has the ability to be a strong pass catcher as well. A true three down back is still very valuable to have, and he would be a huge upgrade over James Connor for the Cardinals.

The Steelers always seem to draft players who slip through the cracks, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba is the latest. He is not the biggest, and his 40 time will leave a bit to be desired, but his hands are elite and he is simply productive. He would be the best of a nice, deep group of receivers for Kenny Pickett to throw to.

After drafting its quarterback of the future, the Texans should just go best player available the rest of the way. Siaki Ika is built like a Snorlax mixed with a Machamp, but has rare pass rushing ability for a man his size. Of course, the run stuffing prowess is strong. He could be the central point of Houston’s defense.

My Dolphins have to forfeit this pick because their owner is the biggest buffoon this side of Washington, DC. Hope it was worth it, Stephen Ross.

Secondary remains the biggest need in Cincinnati. I would not be surprised if South Carolina cornerback Cam Smith ends up as the first secondary prospect selected in the 2023 draft. He is a great athlete, a ball hawk and plays much bigger than his listed height.

The Colts have been sticking band-aids on the quarterback problem since Andrew Luck retired, and will eventually have to address it. Right now I have Grayson McCall as my QB3. He has a ton of experience and can make all of the throws. Of course, this could wind up being Tanner McKee, Tyler Van Dyke, Will Levis or a handful of other prospects. I do not like to load mock drafts up with quarterbacks, because there will not be seven or eight selected in the first round like you see elsewhere.

LSU has been a bit of a mess on the field recently, but it is still LSU, and the Tigers always have a plethora of top draft picks on the roster. Jaquelin Roy does not have eye popping stats, but his pass rushing grades as a defensive tackle were nearly as good as Jalen Carter. Tampa Bay has an aging defensive line, and Roy would be a strong fit at end next to Vita Vea.

FROM NO
The Eagles roster has become quite deep and talented, but they could still use more pass rushers. I would have BJ Ojulari a lot higher if he had a more defined position. He is your classic defensive end/linebacker “tweener”. The Eagles employ a deep rotation along the front seven and Ojulari could focus on his job of getting after the quarterback.

The Giants are moving to a 4-3, which would open up a spot for a do-it-all linebacker like Noah Sewell. Sewell is big, strong, fast, a tackling machine and a solid pass rusher. Off ball linebackers are not in the highest demand come draft time, but the brother of Penei is special.

The Raiders finally moved on from the Mike Mayock nightmare, so perhaps they will no longer miss on every first round pick they make. Broderick Jones remains a project, but has five star talent and has played every snap his first two years for the Bulldogs. Offensive line remains a big need for Las Vegas.

FROM DEN
Seattle doubles up on versatile front seven defenders. Felix Anduike-Uzomah came out of nowhere to become one of the top pass rushers in college football last year. Even though he needs to bulk up a bit, his talent is for real.

The Eagles have a deep roster and two first round picks, so they go after the ultimate lottery ticket with Arik Gilbert. Gilbert’s talent is second to none at the tight end position, even ahead of Michael Mayer. There is a lot to unpack here, especially with his decision to transfer from LSU and sit out the entire 2021 season for Georgia. If he can show scouts and teams he is committed, he could be an excellent pro.

Jerry Jones loves to draft big names, and Jordan Addison is just that. He moved on to the bright lights of Los Angeles, and should become even more of a household name than he is right now. He’s undersized, but 160 catches for almost 3,000 yards in two seasons speaks for itself.

I liked the decision to flip the overrated Hollywood Brown for a first round pick, but it left the Ravens with next to nothing at receiver. Quentin Johnston only has 55 catches through his two seasons, but he has turned those into over 1,000 yards. He is a YAC beast, and would be a great fit with the offense Baltimore runs.

The tackle position for Kansas City is in flux, both talent wise and contract wise. Zion Nelson is not an elite prospect, but has a ton of experience and should be a solid plug and play option at right tackle.

FROM LAR
The Lions need to keep adding to that defense. Trenton Simpson is a bit of a man without a defined position, but he is a top athlete who can really get after the quarterback. He could wind up as a very solid middle linebacker for a 3-4 defense.

The Bills might be the deepest team in the league, but they love to rotate their defensive lineman, and Gervon Dexter would be a solid investment. A project to be sure, but his size is elite, and if he ever learns how to consistently get after the quarterback, watch out.

I have not done research, but I can confidently predict there has not been a prospect from Army selected in the first round in any of our lifetimes. Andre Carter II is that special. He exploded for 15.5 sacks as a sophomore, putting forth strong efforts against Wake Forest and Wisconsin. His frame is NFL ready as well. I am fascinated to see if he can duplicate that success and where it will land him in the NFL draft.

The Chargers have wisely invested premium draft capital on the offensive line, but it remains a work in progress. Could they draft an offensive lineman in the first round three straight years? Darnell Wright would be a solid, safe choice at the end of the first round and could slide in at either guard or right tackle.