The 2022 NFL season is officially over, as the Kansas City Chiefs won Super Bowl LVII. Here, we take a look at a full two-round 2023 NFL Mock Draft.
With Super Bowl LVII in the books, all attention now turns to the 2023 offseason, and that includes the ever-important 2023 NFL Draft. Many teams are in the market for franchise quarterbacks, while others will look to bolster their defense, but either way, there should be plenty of action across this three-day event.
With that said, here is our full two-round 2023 NFL Mock Draft.
*Draft order per tankathon.com
2023 NFL Draft: Full two-round mock after Super Bowl LVII
When all is said and done, there is a real likelihood that the Chicago Bears will trade away this pick, as they could net so many good assets back in return. However, this is going to be a mock draft that does not include trades, so with the No. 1 overall selection, they bring in an edge rusher that will be an anchor of this defense for years to come.
In the entire 2023 NFL Draft class, Will Anderson is considered by most to be the best player available, and more than deserving of hearing his name called first overall. Anderson has the size and skill to fill many voids on a Bears defense that has more than a few holes to fill this offseason in Year 2 of Ryan Poles as GM.
The big debate is going to come at No. 2 overall if the Chicago Bears hold onto the first pick, as the decision will have to be made between Bryce Young and CJ Stroud. Both quarterbacks are considered 1A and 1B in this draft class, so it will depend on how the front office feels about each player.
For Houston, they are hitting the reset button all over the place, as it started with a new head coach, and will continue with them bringing in a new quarterback. For now, Bryce Young is the first signal-caller off the board, but do not be surprised if Stroud ends up being the first quarterback talent, either.
Here is another spot where we could see a ton of movement before the first round kicking off, as the Arizona Cardinals do not need a quarterback this offseason. They are all-in on Kyler Murray, and for quarterback-needy teams looking to move up in the first round, the Cardinals’ No. 3 overall pick is a desirable one.
So where does Arizona go from here? Well, they need help on both sides of the ball, and it is clear that Murray is going to need more weapons on offense. However, Myles Murphy is a punishing edge rusher that should land within the first five picks, and after losing JJ Watt to retirement, he comes right in to fill that void.
The Indianapolis Colts are a quarterback-needy team, and when all is said and done, they could navigate their way to the No. 1 overall pick. In this mock draft, with Chicago and Arizona standing firm, they will be able to get either Bryce Young or CJ Stroud without moving up, landing Stroud here at No. 4.
Stroud is an NFL-ready quarterback who had a ton of success at Ohio State, and for a franchise looking for a long-term solution at the position, he is a perfect fit. Indianapolis will have Philadelphia’s former OC Shane Steichen as head coach in 2023, and after what we saw him do with the offense in Philly, Colts fans should be very excited about his arrival.
When it comes to this year’s draft class, some experts believe that the best overall player is a defensive tackle. That defensive tackle is Jalen Carter, who rounds out our top 5 picks by going to the Seattle Seahawks, who are fresh off an appearance in the playoffs in their first season without Russell Wilson.
Seattle picks at No. 5 thanks to the trade they made with Denver for this pick, and with it, they instantly improve their defensive front. Carter was a menace playing for Georgia, helping them to multiple national titles, and in Seattle, he gets a great mentor in Pete Carroll as his head coach.
The Detroit Lions may have been the second-best team in the NFC down the stretch of the 2022 NFL season, so the future is bright in the Motor City. Head coach Dan Campbell has them playing a nasty brand of football, though issues remain on the defensive side of the ball going into this offseason.
With a No. 6 overall pick thanks to the Los Angeles Rams being terrible this past season, the Lions nab arguably the best defensive back in this draft class. Joey Porter Jr. is an NFL legacy, as his father dominated as a linebacker in the league for many years, and fixes a cornerback issue in Detroit.
The Las Vegas Raiders have dominated the headlines in recent weeks, as a lot of the noise surrounding the team has focused on Derek Carr. After all, is said and done, Carr will be released, and while they could go quarterback with pick No. 7 overall, revamping the defensive backfield is probably the better move.
Las Vegas could certainly move up to get Stroud or Young if they want to send away a bunch of assets, but instead, Christian Gonzalez from Oregon is the pick. Playing in a division with Russell Wilson, Justin Herbert, and Patrick Mahomes is no fun for a Raiders team who has been atrocious against the pass.
The Atlanta Falcons have numerous pressing needs heading into this offseason, but the hope for the franchise is they found their starting quarterback last draft season in Desmond Ridder. After the Marcus Mariota experiment did not work out, Ridder started some games down the stretch, giving him something to build on this offseason.
When it comes to picking No. 8 overall, the Falcons have to do something to get better along the defensive line, especially coming off the edge. Tyree Wilson has incredible quickness, racking up 14 sacks and 27.5 tackles for a loss across the past two seasons, so he should be a Day 1 starter in Atlanta.
The nightmare the Carolina Panthers have been going through at the quarterback position will hopefully end this offseason, as guys like Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield were not the answer last season. With Frank Reich coming into assume head coaching duties, he is going to want to find a long-term answer at the position and could get it by selecting Will Levis.
Based on his physical gifts, Levis could have the highest ceiling of all the quarterback prospects in this draft class, so Carolina would be striking gold at pick No. 9 overall. Reich has done an outstanding job with quarterbacks during his coaching career, so this would be a perfect landing spot for Levis.
The Philadelphia Eagles proved themselves to be the best in the NFC this past season, making it all the way to Super Bowl LVII. Unfortunately for them, the Kansas City Chiefs won the game by three, aided by a holding call on James Bradberry late in the fourth quarter that gave Kansas City a chipshot field goal to win it.
Staying with Bradberry, he is one of a few key defensive backs that will hit free agency for the Eagles this offseason, making cornerback a priority. Devon Witherspoon is one of the top 3 cornerbacks in this draft class, and with a good combine, could end up being selected in the first ten picks.
The quarterback spot in Tennessee should change hands in the upcoming season, as the likelihood is the team will move on from Ryan Tannehill. That means that second-year quarterback Malik Willis will assume starting duties from Week 1 on, and building around him will be paramount to his development.
At pick No. 11 overall, Tennessee should look to add talent along the offensive line, and that means Paris Johnson Jr. from Ohio State. Johnson is widely considered the best overall offensive lineman in this draft class, and in Tennessee, he would slide in at left tackle if the team parts ways with Taylor Lewan.
After selecting Bryce Young with the No. 2 overall pick, the Houston Texans are back on the clock at No. 12, this thanks to the Deshaun Watson trade. After adding their franchise quarterback, Houston dips right back into the fray and gets him a weapon, selecting TCU star wide receiver, Quentin Johnston.
Johnston has everything you look for in a prototypical WR1 at the next level, possessing incredible size, speed, and catching ability. Houston needs help on the outside, and Johnston could be the wideout in this draft class with the highest ceiling of them all.
The New York Jets are another team with a big decision to make at the quarterback position, but all signs point to them bringing in a veteran this offseason. Whether that is a trade for Aaron Rodgers, or getting Derek Carr in free agency, the team cannot afford another season with Zach Wilson as the starter, especially with Robert Saleh on the hot seat.
No matter who the quarterback is in 2023, they need help along the offensive line, and at pick No. 13, they add Northwestern mauler, Peter Skoronski. Most feel the team will move on from Mekhi Becton this offseason, and in Skoronski, they get a guy they can plug in at left tackle as a rookie.
It was a down season for Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots, but coaches and franchises like them won’t stay down for long. They should be a player in the AFC East as soon as next season, but before that will happen, they have to figure out whether or not it will be Bailey Zappe or Mac Jones at quarterback in 2023.
In terms of weapons on offense, New England has some deficiencies, and a revamp at tight end could be coming this offseason. Hunter Henry will likely be gone in free agency, so at pick No. 14, the team adds “Baby Gronk,” selecting Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer, by far the best player at his position in this draft class.
The Green Bay Packers have a big decision looming in terms of Aaron Rodgers, as they could be ready to turn the page on the future Hall of Famer. That would mean it will be the Jordan Love Show next season, and while he was a first-round draft pick, there could be some growing pains in Year 1 as the starter.
One of the best ways to help a young quarterback is to have a strong defense, and at pick No. 15, Green Bay adds the premier safety in this class in Brian Branch. Green Bay only has Darnell Savage and Tariq Carpenter under contract for 2023, which means Branch would be the best safety on the roster immediately.
This past week, word came down that the Washington Commanders are handing the keys to Sam Howell this offseason to enter camp as QB1. A fifth-round pick in 2022, Howell must have shown Ron Rivera something across during his Week 17 start against Dallas, a game the Commanders won 26-6, and Howell threw and rushed for a touchdown.
With their quarterback in place, hopefully, for the long-term, Washington needs to address some pressing needs, like the defensive backfield. One player who will shoot up draft boards during the draft process is Kelee Ringo, a player who can play both safety and cornerback, stands 6-foot-4 tall, and should be a punishing presence at the next level.
The Pittsburgh Steelers started the 2022 NFL season with Mitchell Trubisky at quarterback, but by the end of the year, Kenny Pickett emerged as the future at the position. Head coach Mike Tomlin somehow took a down Steelers team and once again finished above .500, a true testament to just how special he is at the position.
Going into 2023, Tomlin will stop at nothing to get this team back to the playoffs, and at pick No. 17, he can add a dynamite interior defensive lineman to the mix. Bryan Bresee would take a lot of the pressure off of TJ Watt coming off the edge, giving them a solid presence to take up space in between the tackle.
The Detroit Lions are in great shape heading into the 2023 NFL Draft, as they hold two first-round picks, and two more in the second round. This is after a strong close to the 2022 NFL season, so expect the Lions to make some big noise in the NFC North next year, and for the foreseeable future.
After adding a defensive back with pick No. 6 overall, the Lions continue to bolster the defensive side of the ball here at No. 18. This pick, edge rusher Isaiah Foskey is seen as a fringe first-round pick by many, but after covering him at Notre Dame, he has all the talent you look for in a Day 1 prospect.
One of the biggest stories of the 2023 offseason so far has been the retirement of Tom Brady, who brought a Super Bowl to Tampa Bay in his three seasons as the starting quarterback. With Brady retired, Tampa Bay will now turn to Kyle Trask, their second-round pick from the 2021 NFL Draft that has been learning behind the legend the last two seasons.
Looking at team needs, the Bucs have a ton of them, but bolstering the defense may be the No. 1 priority, especially in the defensive backfield. Dak Prescott shredded Tampa Bay in the playoffs, so by adding Cam Smith at cornerback, they can at least start to build back up the secondary.
The Seattle Seahawks are another NFC team in great shape heading into the offseason, this after making the playoffs behind a strong comeback season from Geno Smith. Already holding a top-10 pick, Seattle will pick later in round one as well, and that selection should be used on fixing some of the issues along the offensive line.
When it comes to interior offensive linemen in this draft class, few stand out more than Florida All-SEC player, O’Cyrus Torrence. He can play all over the offensive line at the next level, but Seattle needs help in the interior, and this would be a solid get at No. 20 overall.
The Miami Dolphins would have held the No. 21 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, but following an investigation that they violated the policies that deal with the integrity of the game, they will not be picking in this spot.
Team owner Stephen Ross was fined 1.5 million dollars and the team lost not only this pick but also a 2024 third-round pick. Miami will have their first pick this April on Day 2, where they will hold the No. 52 overall selection.
The Los Angeles Chargers have one of the best young quarterbacks in the game in Justin Herbert, who could be in line for an extension this offseason that would net him close to $50 million a season. Unfortunately, Los Angeles has not had much success in terms of making the playoffs with Herbert at the helm, finally making it as a Wild Card this past season.
When it comes to this offseason, the Chargers have a lot of decisions to make in terms of the roster, as they are in salary cap hell. If they need to move on from Keenan Allen, it would be a huge hit to the offense, but by adding Jordan Addison at No. 22 overall, they get a playmaker who is a real threat as a rookie.
The Baltimore Ravens will have a huge decision to make this offseason in terms of the quarterback position, as some believe they could actually move on from Lamar Jackson. The likelihood is that Jackson will be back with the team on an extension, but if they do bring him back, they need to stack some more weapons around him.
One player who will be selected in the first round this April is Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who some consider the best wide receiver in this draft class. After what he did at Ohio State, and with a good combine, Smith-Njigba could be gone by now, but if not, he instantly becomes WR1 in Charm City in 2023.
The Minnesota Vikings were one of the best teams in the NFC all season long, and for a short time, some felt they had the talent to be a Super Bowl favorite. However, they struggled in a big way down the stretch, and in the playoffs, the New York Giants eliminated them in the Wild Card round.
Now, they have to really make it a point to fix this defense, as they have plenty of playmakers on the offensive side of the ball. Lukas Van Ness is likely to be one of the first linebackers off the board in April, so while Minnesota needs help in the secondary, Van Ness may be too good to pass up here.
What a season it was for the Jacksonville Jaguars, as they eliminated the memory of the failed Urban Meyer experiment, and made the playoffs in Year 1 under Doug Pederson as head coach. Pederson’s arrival helped in the development of quarterback Trevor Lawrence as well, as he is starting to look like a No. 1 overall pick.
Now the Jags have to begin the process of building around Lawrence, and at pick No. 25, they get a talented wide receiver in Boston College star, Zay Flowers. Imagine Lawrence throwing to the two Zays next season in Flowers and Jones, as Jacksonville continues their march to be perennial playoff contenders.
One big thing that came out of the 2022 NFL season for the New York Giants was the fact that Daniel Jones should be their starting quarterback for a long time. Danny Dimes had a breakout season under head coach Brian Daboll and is in line for a big pay raise this offseason.
With that said, New York now has to go out and get him some talent at wide receiver, and Jalin Hyatt from Tennessee is a promising young playmaker. Hyatt won the Fred Biletnikoff Award, given to the best collegiate wide receiver in the country, and was voted a unanimous All-American in 2022.
The Dallas Cowboys have a real issue on their hands in terms of salary cap this offseason, as they are paying way too much for a No. 2 running back in Ezekiel Elliott. With their uninspiring exit from the playoffs in the rearview, team owner Jerry Jones has to get this team better on both sides of the ball, especially on defense.
Linebacker is a real issue for the Cowboys next season, especially if Leighton Vander Esch leaves via free agency, but they can get an instant starter here at No. 27. Many feel Trenton Simpson is the best overall linebacker in the class, and his ability to play off the edge, as well as linebacker, makes him a solid add for the Boys.
The Buffalo Bills have been a real player in the AFC for a few years now, but the time has come for Josh Allen to finally get this team to the big game. They have way too much talent on both sides of the ball to end up losing in title games, or even the Divisional Round, so expect some changes this offseason in Western New York.
In the first round, the Bills actually add a playmaker to go along with Allen, selecting University of Texas star running back Bijan Robinson. Sure, running backs in the first round may be considered a no-no, but Robinson is that good, and he fills one of the bigger voids on one of the best overall rosters in football.
The Cincinnati Bengals were on the doorstep of punching their ticket to its second consecutive Super Bowl this past Divisional Round but came up short to the Kansas City Chiefs. However, the loss does not minimize what this team has been able to accomplish since bringing in Joe Burrow with the No. 1 overall pick a few years back, and they remain a team to beat heading into next season.
If Burrow is to continue his ascent into being one of the best in the game, they have to do a better job of protecting him moving forward. He gets hit way too much, so with pick No. 29, the Bengals add Broderick Jones, a punishing left tackle prospect who makes them a lot better up front.
The New Orleans Saints are a team rumored to be in the Derek Carr market this offseason, as they look to turn the page on Andy Dalton and Jameis Winston. While Carr could come in and start right away in the Bayou, that does not mean they shouldn’t take a serious look at Anthony Richardson this draft season.
Truth be told, Richardson has all the tools to be an elite quarterback at the next level, and with the right system, could start early on. Dennis Allen has started rookies before, like when he started Carr back in 2014 with the Raiders, so this pick should not surprise anyone if it happens.
The Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs put on a show in Super Bowl LVII, and while they may have lost the game, the Birds look like they are here to stay. The 2023 NFL Draft will be a good one for them, as they hold two first-round picks, and they can bolster the secondary with both of them here.
After adding a cornerback in Devon Witherspoon early in round one, they get a safety here, selecting Texas A&M star Antonio Johnson. Philadelphia could lose both James Bradberry and Chauncey Gardner-Johnson in free agency this offseason, so by selecting Johnson here, they get rookies to fill both roles.
Patrick Mahomes has brought his Kansas City Chiefs back to the top of the mountain, winning his second Super Bowl in three tries. Mahomes has been the best quarterback in the NFL since taking over starting duties from Alex Smith, and it even with a revamped roster in 2022, he was still able to get the job done.
Now the attention turns to him winning his third ring, though a lot of work will go into the roster before he gets there. Closing out the first round, Kansas City adds to their defense, selecting a versatile linebacker in BJ Ojulari, who can play off the edge as well.
We kick off the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who received the Chicago Bears selection by trading away Chase Claypool before the deadline. Pittsburgh added to their defensive line by taking Bryan Bresee in the first round, and continue to stack talent on that side of the ball here at No. 32 overall.
That selection is Clark Phillips III, who some belief will be a Day 1 pick, but falls into the Steelers’ lap here. Phillips is a great cover corner, and with Cameron Sutton possibly leaving Pittsburgh via free agency, the Steelers get someone to fill his role with a pick number usually assigned to the first round.
The Houston Texans held two first-round picks in our mock draft, and with those selections, they got their quarterback, and someone to throw the football to. On Day 2, they look to the other side of the ball, selecting Georgia linebacker Nolan Smith to bolster the defense under DeMeco Ryans.
Smith is a 22-year-old linebacker who won two national titles at Georgia but is also coming off an injury after a torn pectoral muscle ended his final season with the Bulldogs. That is the reason he falls to the second round, but his play will look more like a first-rounder once he gets healthy.
The Arizona Cardinals named Jonathan Gannon their new head coach this past Tuesday, which is a big change from the offensive-minded Kliff Kingsbury. Gannon is fresh off leading a stout Philadelphia defense to the Super Bowl, so it would make sense his first two selections as head coach would come from that side of the ball.
Truth be told, the Cardinals need all the help they can get on defense, so after adding Myles Murphy to the edge in round one, they get secondary help here at pick No. 34 overall. Deonte Banks is a big and physical cornerback who will have no issues adapting to the pro game, even as a rookie.
The Indianapolis Colts got their franchise quarterback in the first round, as Ohio State star CJ Stroud fell to them at No. 4 overall. In the second round, they continue to look for talent from Columbus, Ohio, selecting Stroud’s left tackle, Dawand Jones at No. 35 overall.
Jones has had no issues protecting Stroud in the past, and having him in the huddle would enable the young quarterback to feel more comfortable right away at the next level. Jones is also a mountain of a man and has more than enough size and strength to start in Year 1.
The Los Angeles Rams will make their first pick of the 2023 NFL Draft on Day 2, as their first-round pick will be selected by the Detroit Lions at No. 6 overall. With this pick, Los Angeles starts to build back up the defensive line, adding edge rusher Will McDonald IV from Iowa State.
It has been a solid offseason so far for the franchise, as head coach Sean McVay will return in 2023, as will all-world defensive tackle, Aaron Donald. Winning in 2023 will be paramount for this team, and McDonald should thrive on a defensive line where the focus is on the future Hall of Famer in Donald.
The Seattle Seahawks hold three of the first 37 selections in the 2023 NFL Draft and will pick four times overall across the first rounds. After seeing Russell Wilson perform in 2022, and making the playoffs themselves, the early return is that they won the trade with the Denver Broncos, but we will see how Wilson performs with Sean Payton in Denver this season.
Regardless, Seattle is in a great spot, and after bolstering both sides of the line with their first two picks, they go linebacker here at No. 37 overall. Drew Sanders transferred from Alabama to Arkansas, became an All-American, and when all is said and done, should be a top-40 pick this April.
Two big issues plague the Las Vegas Raiders going into this offseason outside of who will replace Derek Carr at quarterback. One of those issues was fixed in the first round, as they got cornerback Christian Gonzalez from Oregon, but one remains in the offensive line, especially at right tackle.
That is where Anton Harrison comes in, as the big fella from Oklahoma should be able to step right in and assume right tackle duties opposite Kolton Miller in Year 1. The jury is still out on general manager David Ziegler after a rough first offseason at the helm, but fixing cornerback and right tackle with his first two picks in 2023 is a great start for Year 2.
The Carolina Panthers were absolutely pathetic on offense at times last season, something that is likely to change with Frank Reich at the helm in 2023. With their first-round pick, the Panthers got their future franchise quarterback in Will Levis, and at pick No. 39 on Day 2, they get him a real playmaking weapon.
The best part about Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs is the fact that he can hurt you in so many ways. During his time with the Crimson Tide, and with Georgia Tech, Gibbs was a factor on the ground, through the air, and even as a return man, making him one of the more versatile players in this draft class.
The New Orleans Saints will pick close to the end of the first round in 2023, and early on in the second round, so they should be able to add two quality starters in that span. After going quarterback in the first round, they turn the focus to the defense here, getting an outstanding pass rusher in Felix Anudike-Uzomah.
Anudike-Uzomah is starting to generate a lot of draft buzz and capped off his Kansas State career by being named the Big 12’s Defensive Player of the Year. He has a motor that does not quit, and for a Saints pass rush that could lose Marcus Davenport to free agency this offseason, he would end up being a quick fix.
There are some very talented tight ends in this draft class, and Darnell Washington is one that many feel could end up in the first round. In our mock, only Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer hears his name on the first day, but Washington does not have to wait long to hear his name called in the second round.
After bringing in a speedy wideout in Quentin Johnston in the first round, Malik Willis gets another weapon here in Washington. The former Georgia Bulldog is going to be outstanding in the red zone, has the size to go over the middle, and will be the ultimate security blanket for Willis in his first full season as the starter.
The Cleveland Browns did not hold a first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, so their first selection comes at No. 42 overall. Cleveland is riding with Deshaun Watson at quarterback for the foreseeable future, so they might as well try to stack a bunch of talented weapons around him.
One name that comes up as a possible first-round pick, or early second, is Josh Downs, who has been outstanding during his career at North Carolina. Even with Sam Howell going to the NFL last offseason, Downs did not lack in production and is one of the more NFL-ready wideouts in this class.
Sure, the New York Jets selected an offensive tackle in the first round, and sure, there are more needs on this roster, but Cody Mauch may be too good an offensive line prospect to pass up here. Mauch played tackle with North Dakota State but is one of those versatile offensive linemen who could play at all three positions at the next level.
The truth is, New York has a nice group of young wide receivers, a young stud at running back, and could possibly be bringing in Aaron Rodgers or Derek Carr this offseason. That makes the offensive line a tremendous priority, and it won’t be adding the only player who gets that unit pointed in the right direction this offseason.
The Atlanta Falcons bolstered their defensive front in a big way in the first round, adding Tyree Wilson from Texas Tech. However, this Atlanta defense is going to need fixes on all three levels, so in the second round, they go back to that side of the ball to bring in a talented cornerback in Emmanuel Forbes from Mississippi State.
Forbes has been a star for Mississippi State since stepping on campus, starting as a true freshman, and making it all the way to being named a first-team All-American this past season. Atlanta plays in an NFC South division that is very winnable going into next season, and by fixing their issues on defense, they could be a real player to win it.
The Green Bay Packers did not add an offensive weapon in the first round, as Brian Branch was selected in this mock draft to fill a safety position that is more than weak going into this offseason. In the second round, they do go out and get a weapon for either Aaron Rodgers or Jordan Love, selecting Dalton Kincaid, an athletic tight end from the University of Utah.
Standing 6-foot-4, Kincaid has the size and speed to be a problem at the next level and was named first-team All-Pac 12 this past season, helping the Utes to the Rose Bowl game. Kincaid would come in and be a real security blanket for the Packers as a rookie, especially if they turn to Love.
The New England Patriots are loading up on offensive weapons in this 2023 NFL Mock Draft, this after adding Michael Mayer, the best tight end in the class in the first round. In the second round, the Pats go out and get a weapon on the outside, bringing in Kayshon Boutte with pick No. 46 overall.
New England could have a big problem on their hands in free agency at the wide receiver spot, as Nelson Agholor and Jakobi Meyers are both able to walk if they want this offseason. In Boutte, they would get a player long been looked at as a first-round talent, and one who could step in and be a possible WR1 as a rookie.
The Washington Commanders are an interesting team to keep an eye on this offseason, as they will make the move to Sam Howell as their starting quarterback. Howell was an outstanding player during his time at North Carolina, and with a full offseason of being the No. 1 guy this year, he should improve on the one start he made a year ago.
Now, if the Commanders are to go with him for the long haul, they have to improve along the offensive line, and they get one of the best interior linemen in the class in John Michael-Schmitz in round two. An All-American this past season for Boston College, Michael-Schmitz has tremendous size and strength and is as equally good against the pass rush, as he is clearing rushing lanes.
The Detroit Lions came close to making the playoffs this past season, and with plenty of draft capital this April, they are only going to be stronger in 2023. During the 2022 season, Detroit traded away star tight end TJ Hockenson, sending him to division rival Minnesota in one of the more surprising deals that occurred.
This April, Detroit may look to replace him with a young tight end via the 2023 NFL Draft, and Luke Musgrave is one of the top players available in the position group. Musgrave is coming off a leg injury and did not play one season due to COVID, but when it comes to overall size, skill, and ceiling, he could end up being one of the first three tight ends picked this April.
The Pittsburgh Steelers bolstered their defensive line with their first-round pick, adding Bryan Bresee from Clemson to fill a big hole there. In the second round, they decide to go after the other side of the line, selecting Tennessee offensive tackle Darnell Wright, who is coming off being named first-team All-SEC this past season.
Wright stands 6-foot-6, weighs over 300 pounds, and some believe a good combine and draft season could land him in the first round. With Pittsburgh locked in with Kenny Pickett as their quarterback in 2023 and beyond, protecting him is paramount, and Wright helps them do just that next season and for the foreseeable future.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers hold the No. 50 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, and with the selection, they continue to load up on defensive talent. In the first round, Tampa Bay tabbed cornerback Cam Smith with a top 20 pick, selecting a player who should be a Day 1 impact player in their secondary.
With their second-round pick, Tampa Bay adds a player that many feel could end up being the best overall linebacker to come out of this draft class. Noah Sewell is the younger brother of Lions star offensive tackle Penei, and with Tampa Bay, he could fill the large void left by Lavonte David if the start linebacker decides to leave via free agency.
The Miami Dolphins were a playoff team this past season, an incredible feat considering how badly their quarterback was beaten all season long. Tua Tagovailoa was so beaten up that he could not even participate in the Pro Bowl, after suffering a series of concussions that looked downright scary to watch.
In the 2023 NFL Draft, they have to find a way to bring in some talent to protect him, and Jaelyn Duncan from Maryland is a first-round talent that could slip to Day 2. Remember, Miami forfeited their first-round pick in 2023, so this will be their first selection if things remain the same, so adding offensive line help should be priority No. 1.
The Seattle Seahawks have their fourth pick of the top-52 in this draft class, as a playoff team from the season before continues to add top-level talent. At pick No. 52 overall, they bring in their second defensive lineman of this draft season, teaming Auburn defensive end Derick Hall with Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter.
That is an incredible combination to bring in one draft class, and when you add linebacker Drew Sanders to the haul, you have to think this defense will be outstanding next season. Head coach Pete Carroll is a defensive genius, and he just got three excellent pieces of the puzzle across Days 1 and 2.
The Chicago Bears draft season could look a lot different when all is said and done, as they would receive an absolute haul if they trade away the No. 1 overall pick. That haul would likely include multiple first-round picks and second-round picks in both 2023 and 2024, so stay tuned to what they do with that selection.
If they stay where they are, pick No. 53 belongs to them, and then get an exciting and athletic defensive tackle here in Siaki Ika from Oregon. When all is said and done, Ika will be able to play up and down the line at the next level, and for a Bears team that was almost laughable at times on defense last season, he is more than a welcome addition.
The Los Angeles Chargers will be a team that many keep their eyes on this offseason, as it is really going to be a make-or-break season for Brandon Staley in 2023. This is a guy who has a roster loaded with talent, and most years, are a Super Bowl favorite in the offseason, but he has struggled to get the job done up until this point.
In the draft, he has to look to upgrade the defense, especially if the franchise has to make the hard decision to let Khalil Mack walk due to his high cap number. If that happens, a second-round pick on Henry To’otto’o makes a lot of sense, as the Alabama star can play linebacker, as well as come off the edge as a defensive end.
The Detroit Lions will be a team that dominates the headlines going into the 2023 NFL Draft, as they have put together a ton of draft capital. To make matters even better for the franchise, they exceeded expectations on the field this season, so expect them to be an early favorite to win the NFC North in 2023.
In terms of their draft haul, this mock has already brought them a cornerback, edge rusher, and tight end, so why not bring in a defensive tackle that should make a major impact as a rookie? Tuli Tuipulotu from USC was named Pat Tillman Defensive Player of the Year and a unanimous All-American in 2022 for the Trojans, and with him dropping to the second round in this mock draft, the Lions would be in a great position for Day 2 gem.
One team that could make a deep run in the playoffs next season is the Jacksonville Jaguars, who took a big step forward as an organization this past year. Trevor Lawrence looks like the real deal, and after making it to the Divisional Round this past season, you have to think an AFC title game is in Lawrence’s crosshairs entering Year 3.
To get there, they will have to address some of their key weaknesses, and after adding an offensive weapon in the first round, they get a quality cornerback here in round two. That cornerback is Tyrique Stevenson, who started his collegiate career and ended it in Miami and certainly looked the part of a top-50 prospect at the Senior Bowl.
The New York Giants will likely pay Daniel Jones a hefty payday to keep him as their quarterback in 2023, and for the foreseeable future. For Jones, his maturity under Brian Daboll was a bright spot, but he also was a quarterback who ran for his life way too much, and that will lead to shortlived success going forward.
After getting Jones an offensive weapon in the first round, they get him some protection here, adding Steve Avila from UCLA at pick No. 57 overall. Avila fills a major void along this New York offensive line, and for a franchise expected to pay both Jones and Saquon Barkley this offseason, getting better up front is a huge priority.
The Dallas Cowboys hold the No. 58 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, and with the pick, they add another quality defensive player to the roster. In the first round, Trenton Simpson was the pick at No. 27 overall, and here, Keion White is brought in to bring some quickness and power to the edge rusher spot.
Dallas has both Dante Fowler and Carlos Watkins entering free agency, and they may decide to let both walk. In White, they not only get a Day 1 starter, but they get a cheaper option, which will help after spending so much money on the offense in recent offseasons.
The Buffalo Bills added an outstanding running back talent in the first round, selecting Bijan Robinson at No. 28 overall to give quarterback Josh Allen a real weapon out of the backfield. Here, they continue to stack talent around their franchise quarterback, this time adding wide receiver Rashee Rice, a playmaker from Ole Miss who would be an excellent fit alongside Stefon Diggs.
Rice was the ultimate producer for the Rebels this past season, leading the FBS in receiving yards per game at 112.9. At 6-foot-2, 203 pounds, Rice has the size you look for in a legitimate NFL wide receiver prospect, and we have all seen what quality wideouts from Ole Miss can do at the NFL level.
The Cincinnati Bengals should have one plan in mind this offseason, and that is to surround Joe Burrow with the best possible offensive linemen available. In our latest two-round mock, we already saw Cincinnati address the offensive tackle spot in the first round, and on Day 2, they get the most versatile interior offensive lineman in this class, possibly.
Jarrett Patterson played all over the line with the University of Notre Dame, a university known for producing elite offensive linemen at the next level. With Cincinnati, he could be a swiss army knife for them up front, providing them with a Day 1 starter, and also someone who could be moved around due to injuries.
The Carolina Panthers hold the No. 61 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft thanks to the trade they made with the San Francisco 49ers during the season. That trade sent elite running back Christian McCaffrey to the Bay Area, a move that worked out for the 49ers, as they made it all the way to the NFC Championship Game.
With the asset the Panthers got in return, they use the selection on an edge rusher that could be an anchor of their defense for years to come. Andre Carter II played his college ball at Army, and has the kind of leadership quality, and drive, that could make him a Pro Bowl player very early in his career.
The Philadelphia Eagles franchise is in a really good spot heading into the 2023 NFL Draft, as they hold two first-round picks, and have a roster in place that was a Super Bowl participant this past season. Finding Jalen Hurts in the second round a few years back was a gem of a get, so the hope is, they can continue to find starting talent outside of the first round.
Looking at the Eagles roster heading into this offseason, changes are coming along the defensive line, and they could look to address those needs here towards the end of the second round. Calijah Kancey is a punishing defensive tackle that will stay in-state after playing his college ball at Pitt, and with Fletcher Cox and Jason Hargrave entering free agency, they may need him in a big way.
The Kansas City Chiefs round out our two-round NFL Mock Draft but adding Mazi Smith to their defensive line. Smith is 6-foot-3 and 337 pounds, and while his size really stands out, it is his athleticism that is going to land him within the first two rounds of this draft.
Kansas City was the Super Bowl champs this past season, but they will have work to do in terms of the roster, and defensive tackle is a spot they must address.
So there you have it, our quick look at what could possibly be the first 63 players taken in the 2023 NFL Draft across the first two rounds. This is a group that should be able to come in and make an instant impact on their respective teams, but as we see every year, it is anybody’s guess what the order will be in these two rounds, and who will land where.