With the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine in the rearview mirror, we take a look at an updated full two-round 2023 NFL Mock Draft.
The 2023 NFL Scouting Combine wrapped up last week from Indianapolis, and for many players, it was a step in the right direction in terms of their draft stock. The quarterback group showed out, showing a combination of athleticism, and passing accuracy, and there is a good chance we see as many as four go in the top 5 picks.
Here, we take a look at what the first round of the NFL Draft could look like, factoring in some trades after the performances down in Indy.
2023 NFL Mock Draft: Post-NFL Scouting Combine
The 2023 NFL Scouting Combine was kind to the quarterbacks, as they put on a display and nailed the interview process. For CJ Stroud, he had one of the better passing efforts we have seen in quite some time, cementing himself as one of the first players to come off the board this April.
On Friday, the Carolina Panthers swung a monster deal with the Chicago Bears for the first overall pick, sending pick No. 9 and a host of other draft capital in exchange. With the pick, Carolina selects Stroud, hitting the reset button at the quarterback position for the long haul.
Staying with the AFC South, the Houston Texans hold the No. 2 overall pick, and if CJ Stroud is gone by the time they pick, the selection will be Alabama star quarterback, Bryce Young. In this draft class, the overall thought is that Young and Stroud are QB1A and QB1B, so the Texans really cannot lose picking where they are this draft season.
Young may not have the prototypical size you look for in an NFL quarterback, but he is the complete package and allows the Texans to hit the reset button at the most important position in sports. Houston plays within a division that could be wide open in 2023, and in Young, they get the kind of playmaking quarterback they have not had since Deshaun Watson.
The Las Vegas Raiders have to find a way to fix the quarterback spot after releasing Derek Carr, and for the most part, this offseason has not worked out in their favor. They were rumored to be in on veterans like Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers, but as we enter the middle of March, they have only one quarterback under contract for 2023, Chase Garbers.
After the display Anthony Richardson put on at the Combine, it is going to be hard for him to slip to No. 7, so Las Vegas will have to trade up if they hope to get him. Here, they move up four spots, giving the No. 7 pick, and a second-round selection to the Arizona Cardinals for pick No. 3, a pick they use on AR15.
The Indianapolis Colts are another AFC South team that will be hitting the reset button at the quarterback position this offseason, and they do so with the No. 4 overall pick. The Colts have tried to fix this position since Andrew Luck retired years ago, but have yet to find someone who could be there for the long haul.
At pick No. 4, the Colts select strong-arm quarterback Will Levis, who is another player who put on a show at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Levis has all the tools to be a franchise quarterback at the next level, and the Colts are desperately trying to find someone that can get them back to the top of the AFC South.
The 2023 NFL Scouting Combine was supposed to be a joyous time for defensive tackle Jalen Carter, who went into Indianapolis considered a can’t-miss prospect. Instead, off-the-field news has threatened to derail his chance to go early in the 2023 NFL Draft, but he still lands in the top 5 of our latest mock draft.
By the time the draft rolls around, we will have a better idea of what the future holds in terms of the law for Carter, but for now, he remains a top player in this draft class. He is everything you look for in an absolute mauler on the interior of the defensive line, and Seattle certainly could use some help up front.
The Detroit Lions finished the 2022 NFL regular season on a high note, proving to be one of the best teams in the NFC. However, they got out to too slow of a start to make it to the playoffs but heading into the 2023 NFL season, you have to think they are going to be a team to watch coming out of that conference.
Luckily for the Lions, they also hold some solid draft capital, as they continue to stack talent from the Matthew Stafford trade with the Los Angeles Rams a few years back. With the Rams’ No. 6 overall pick, Detroit selects the best cornerback in this draft class in Christian Gonzalez, solidifying one of the weaker parts of their defense.
In our latest mock draft, the Arizona Cardinals move down a bit in the first round, trading with the Las Vegas Raiders within the first ten picks. Arizona has their franchise quarterback in Kyler Murray, and with a new head coach at the helm, getting a huge injection of talent on the roster this offseason has to be priority No. 1.
Jonathan Gannon is a defensive-minded coach, so it would make sense for him to use his first draft selection on that side of the ball. Will Anderson Jr. is widely considered the best overall player in this draft class, so getting him at No. 7 overall could be the steal of the first round.
The Atlanta Falcons are turning all of their attention to quarterback Desmond Ridder this offseason, as they released veteran Marcus Mariota a few weeks back. Mariota was the Week 1 starter in Atlanta last season, but Ridder came on strong in the second half, and now gets the keys to the car going into Year 2.
Looking at the needs of this Atlanta football team, they have gaping holes on both sides of the ball, including coming off the edge on defense. Tyree Wilson is a player who has the potential to be a double-digit sack guy at the next level, and this Falcons’ defense needs that kind of production in the worst way.
The Chicago Bears traded the No. 1 overall pick to the Carolina Panthers, getting a ton of draft capital and wide receiver DJ Moore in return. The Bears under Ryan Poles as the general manager are definitely playing the long game, and with Justin Fields as their QB1, they had the luxury of moving out of the top spot.
With the No. 9 overall pick, the Bears bolster their pass rush, adding Myles Murphy from Clemson. Had Will Anderson Jr. not been in this draft, Murphy would be the premier edge rusher in this draft class, and on the Bears, he helps anchor a revamped defense in the Windy City.
Incredibly, the Philadelphia Eagles will pick within the top 10 this NFL Draft season, even after making it to the Super Bowl this past season. The Eagles hold the No. 10 overall pick that they received from the New Orleans Saints, and with it, they address what should be some major issues in their defensive backfield.
Philadelphia is expected to lose James Bradberry in free agency this offseason, leaving them with a huge need at the cornerback position. Georgia’s Kelee Ringo is a top 3 cornerback in this draft class and based on his physical traits, and ball-hawking ability may find himself selected within the first ten picks this April.
The Tennessee Titans have a big decision to make this offseason in terms of the quarterback position, as word is they may move on from Ryan Tannehill. That would make Malik Willis the starter in Week 1 next season, and if that is the case, they need to do everything they can to bolster the offensive line in front of him.
Looking at the offensive tackles in this draft class, Paris Johnson Jr. from Ohio State stands out above the rest. Johnson would be a plug-and-play starter for the Titans, who recently released former Pro Bowl player Taylor Lewan, starting a new era for the franchise at the left tackle position.
The Houston Texans are a team with significant draft capital this April, and the new regime has to make sure they capitalize on it. Houston holds not only their No. 2 overall pick but also the No. 12 selection in the first round, thanks to the trade they made with the Cleveland Browns for quarterback Deshaun Watson.
With this pick, Houston adds a weapon to the wide receiver room, bringing in TCU star Quentin Johnston to be Bryce Young’s No. 1 target in the passing game. Houston is moving on from Brandin Cooks this offseason, and Johnston slides right in to be the team’s new WR1 as a rookie.
The New York Jets are alive and well in terms of the Aaron Rodgers sweepstakes, and appear to be the front-runner to land the future Hall of Fame quarterback. Last season, New York had one of the best defenses in the NFL, but the quarterback spot was atrocious, so Rodgers is seen by many as the final piece of the puzzle.
If the team does land Rodgers, or even if they do not, they need to do something about the offensive line. Mekhi Becton is not the long-term answer at left tackle, so at No. 13 overall, the Jets take a swing at Peter Skoronski, considered by many to be a top-2 offensive tackle in this draft class.
The New England Patriots had one of those rare down years in 2022, as they failed to make the playoffs and really struggled on both sides of the ball. While the rest of the NFL would like to hope that will continue, the likelihood is they will be right back in the mix in the AFC East next season, but there is some work to do on this roster.
One area that struggled last season was the defensive backfield, and they could lose some key members in free agency this offseason. Picking at No. 14 this April, Joey Porter Jr. would be an outstanding addition at cornerback, as he is one of the more NFL-ready players in this draft class, and has an NFL legacy.
It appears that the Green Bay Packers are going to turn the page on the Aaron Rodgers era, and what an era it was. Rodgers led the team to a Super Bowl title, won numerous MVP awards, and when all is said and done, will go down as one of the best quarterbacks in the history of the game.
With the team turning to Jordan Love, getting him some weapons has to be a priority, and they get a good one here in Jordan Addison from USC. Addison is the kind of player who can stretch the field and based on Love’s arm strength, that is exactly the kind of weapon they need to go after this offseason.
The Washington Commanders are making a real commitment to Sam Howell this offseason, this after seeing him start one NFL game this past season. Howell did a tremendous job in that start, beating the Dallas Cowboys, so maybe they have found something in the former North Carolina Tar Heel.
With Howell assuming QB1 duties for 2023, the Commanders have to do a good job this offseason of building around him. Going with Broderick Jones in the first round is a good way to do that, as he is an elite offensive tackle prospect, and fills a major void up front along this Washington offensive line.
The Pittsburgh Steelers hold the No. 17 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, and they are going to have a lot of work to do along the defensive line this offseason. That is why Bryan Bresee from Clemson makes a lot of sense for them, as he could fill the void left by Chris Wormley in free agency.
Bresee is one of the better defensive linemen in this draft class and is coming off a tremendous career at Clemson. He showed at the NFL Scouting Combine that he is healthy enough to be ready to produce as a rookie next season, and based on his skill set and passion, he would fit right in with the Steelers franchise.
The Detroit Lions hold two first-round picks in the 2023 NFL Draft, one from the Los Angeles Rams, and the other at No. 18, their own selection. After going defense early in round one, picking cornerback Christian Gonzalez at No. 6 overall, Detroit turns their attention to the offensive side of the ball here in the middle of the first.
When it comes to the tight end position, Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer is the cream of the crop, and he put on quite a display at the NFL Scouting Combine. He is someone who should dominate as a rookie, and in Detroit, he becomes a security blanket for Jared Goff on a team that traded away TJ Hockenson last season.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers appear to be rolling with Kyle Trask as their quarterback next season, so there is no need for them to trade up in the first round of this mock. Instead, they stand pat at No. 19 overall, going with one of the premier defensive backs in this draft class in cornerback Devon Witherspoon from Illinois.
Some mock drafts have Witherspoon as the No. 1 cornerback in this draft class, so this pick could prove to be a real steal for the Bucs. Head coach Todd Bowles is on the hot seat entering the 2023 NFL season, and if he does not fix his issues on defense, he may not make it through the entire year.
The Seattle Seahawks are another NFC team that holds multiple first-round picks in 2023, and they appear to be a franchise ready to take it to the next level. They have already locked up quarterback Geno Smith on a new deal, this after his breakout season in 2022, and that enables them to capitalize on some elite draft capital this April.
After selecting a defensive tackle in Jalen Carter at No. 5 overall, the Seahawks go back to the defensive side of the ball at No. 20, bringing in an elite edge rusher in Lukas Van Ness. This is a kid who could be a three-down player at the next level, filling a void at defensive end, and even linebacker for the Seahawks.
The No. 21 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft was supposed to belong to the Miami Dolphins, but they will not be making their first pick until Day 2. The Dolphins were found to have violated some policies that had to do with the integrity of the game, and the league came down hard on team owner, Stephen Ross.
Not only did the Dolphins lose the No. 21 overall pick, but they were fined $1.5 million, and also will lose a third-round pick in the next draft cycle. Miami has a lot of needs going into this offseason, so losing this pick is a very big deal.
That means that the Los Angeles Chargers will pick at No. 21 overall, moving up a spot and selecting one of the best wide receivers in this draft class. For some, Jaxon Smith-Njigba is the No. 1 wideout this draft class has to offer, so to get him this late in round one would seem like a stroke of genius for Brandon Staley and company.
Smith-Njigba was a key weapon for an Ohio State offense that was almost impossible to stop during his time with the Buckeyes and has everything you look for in a legitimate WR1 at the next level. Los Angeles has a lot of changes coming due to cap space, and Smith-Njigba allows them to move on from Keenan Allen if need be down the road.
All eyes are on the Baltimore Ravens right now, as they placed a non-exclusive franchise tag on Lamar Jackson this past week. Could that spell the end of the LJ8 era in Charm City? The likelihood is the team will try everything to get it done, as hitting the reset button at the position when you already have an elite option is not a great idea.
If Jackson stays, Baltimore needs to get him some weapons, and while first-round running backs may be considered taboo, Bijan Robinson is worth the raised eyebrows. Robinson has NFL running back written all over him, as he is big, fast, and powerful, and would be a fan favorite in Baltimore.
The Minnesota Vikings made a huge move this past week, as they released one of their best defensive players in linebacker Kyle Hendricks. A former All-Pro for the Vikings, Hendricks was the heartbeat of this Vikings defense for years, so replacing him is not going to be an easy task this offseason.
With linebacker now being an issue, the Vikings have a bunch of worries on defense, including in the secondary. Cam Smith may not be available this late in round one, but he is in our mock draft, and for the Vikings, he fills one of the biggest holes on their defense, giving them a legitimate cornerback to top their depth chart.
One team to keep an eye on in the AFC next season is the Jacksonville Jaguars, who could run away with the AFC South and make a serious run in the playoffs. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence took the major step forward the franchise was hoping he would this season, and with a host of weapons around him, he could be in for a career year in his third season at the helm.
While the Jaguars’ offense has some elite talent, the defense has some major concerns, one being the cornerback position. With pick No. 24, Clark Phillips III from Utah is the selection to help bolster that position group, as Jacksonville tries to match the talent level on offense with a punishing defense this offseason.
For weeks, we have been hearing about the potential contract for New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones, and the number kept getting bigger. At one point, it was rumored that Jones’s camp wanted more than $45 million per season, a wild price for a guy who threw only 15 touchdown passes last season.
The two sides finally agreed on $40 million a season, and with that, they also placed the franchise tag on running back Saquon Barkley. Now, the team needs to get some wide receiver help for this offseason, and they use the No. 25 overall pick on Tar Heels star Josh Downs, one of the more electric playmakers at the position in this draft class.
The Dallas Cowboys have a lot of work to do in terms of the salary cap this offseason, and it remains to be seen whether or not they will cut ties with Ezekiel Elliott at running back. They have already placed the franchise tag on Tony Pollard, looking to make him the long-term solution at the position, so Elliott could be on his way out in Dallas.
On the other side of the ball, Dallas has an elite playmaker in linebacker Micah Parsons, widely considered one of the best defensive players in the game. Imagine then adding a talent like Trenton Simpson to the linebacker room this April, a player who should be the first off the board at his position group.
For the past few seasons, the Buffalo Bills have been one of the best teams in the AFC, but have they missed their window to win a Super Bowl? Sure, Josh Allen is still very young, and an elite quarterback, but the truth is, they could lose a ton of talent on the defensive side of the ball to free agency this offseason.
One area where they could lose a top-level talent is at safety, where Jordan Poyer is expected to find a new home this offseason. Replacing him will be tough, but Brian Branch from Alabama is the best safety in this draft class and is considered a Day 1 starter at the next level, easing the loss of Poyer.
The Cincinnati Bengals are one of the best teams in the AFC, and it is clear that eventually, Joe Burrow is likely to win the franchise its first Super Bowl. However, before we can get there, they have to bolster the offensive line, something I believe the franchise would be better off doing with veterans this offseason.
If Cincinnati goes the veteran route to fix the offensive line, the tight end position should be the target in free agency. Outside of Michael Mayer, Darnell Washington is the best tight end in this draft class, and at the next level, he has the potential to be one of those playmaking tight ends every elite team needs.
The New Orleans Saints have found their quarterback, as they recently inked Derek Carr to a four-year/$150 million deal. Carr instantly makes the Saints the best team in the NFC South, now, they have to figure out what they can do to fix the cap number while continuing to bolster the roster around him.
One thing Carr did not have in Las Vegas or Oakland was a good defense, as it ranked No. 32 in the NFL overall across his nine seasons. Because of that, New Orleans should focus on that side of the ball this offseason, and Nolan Smith certainly bolstered his draft stock during the NFL Scouting Combine.
The team that represented the NFC in the Super Bowl this past season will hold two first-round picks in the 2023 NFL Draft first round, as the rich get richer. With the No. 10 overall pick, the Eagles added an elite SEC cornerback in Kelee Ringo from Georgia, and here, at No. 30, they bring in a playmaking offensive SEC player in Jahmyr Gibbs.
To say that Gibbs can do it all with the football in his hands would be an understatement, as he is a threat to hurt defenses on the ground, through the air, and in the return game. For Philadelphia, if they decide to move on from Miles Sanders, he instantly goes in and becomes RB1 as a rookie.
We close out the first round with the Kansas City Chiefs, who beat the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl in February and have been making some tough decisions ever since. One big decision was that it appears Frank Clark will be a cap casualty this offseason, and he leaves the organization as a legend in Kansas City.
Clark’s production off the edge will be tough to match, but the Chiefs use their first-round pick on an edge rusher to do just that. Isaiah Foskey from Notre Dame is the Fighting Irish’s all-time leading sack man and has the size and speed to be an elite edge rusher at the next level as well.
We kick off the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft with the Pittsburgh Steelers, a selection they got from the Chicago Bears for wide receiver Chase Claypool. That trade looks like an absolute steal for the Steelers, and with the pick, they bolster the offensive line in front of second-year starter, Kenny Pickett.
Anton Harrison from Oklahoma could end up being a Day 1 pick when all is said and done, and in any other year, going No. 32 overall would mean you are the last pick in the first round. However, he lands in Pittsburgh to keep a revamp along the offensive line, one that could lead them back to being a real player in the AFC North next season.
In the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans picked up not only their franchise quarterback in Bryce Young but also a weapon for him in Quentin Johnston from TCU. With those two ready to connect for touchdowns for years to come, Houston now turns their attention to the offensive line, adding Ohio State mauler, Dawand Jones.
Jones is another borderline first-round talent and one that fills an immediate void along the Houston offensive line. The Texans are a team that could struggle in 2023, but with three of the first 33 selections, you have to like the direction this franchise could be headed in a year or so.
The Arizona Cardinals must be on a mission to improve their defense this offseason, and if this mock is any indication, that is certainly the goal. Arizona traded back with the Las Vegas Raiders in the first round, selecting edge rusher Myles Murphy from Clemson, and here, they get him some help in the interior of that defensive line.
Siaki Ika is a punishing defensive tackle and would be an excellent fit in Jonathan Gannon’s defense in Arizona. He has incredible size, but is also nimble enough to give quarterbacks fits, and would be an anchor on this new-look defense in the desert.
With their new starting quarterback being picked at No. 4 overall, the Indianapolis Colts use an early second-round pick on a wide receiver. When it coms to the 2023 NFL Draft class, the wide receiver position is pretty deep, and Jalin Hyatt from Tennessee is just as good as anybody who has gone before him in this mock draft.
Hyatt is a speedy wide receiver who can stretch the field, and with the team bringing in Will Levis, you can expect a lot of deep balls. The Colts are in the process of revamping their offense after a lost season with Matt Ryan at the helm, and Hyatt could have a major impact in Year 1.
The Los Angeles Rams traded away their 2023 first-round pick a few years ago in the trade that landed Matthew Stafford in La La Land. Stafford then proceeded to lead the Rams to a Super Bowl title, but only a little over a calendar year later, the franchise appears poised to send him packing in another trade.
Because of the trade, the Rams won’t pick in April until the second round, and they bolster the secondary with the selection of Antonio Johnson. Widely regarded as a top-2 safety in this draft class, Johnson would be a big help to a defensive backfield that is likely to lose Jalen Ramsey this offseason.
The Seattle Seahawks continue to stack talent in the 2023 NFL Draft, as they have some of the better draft capital of all the teams heading into this draft season. The franchise recently spent big money to keep Geno Smith as their starting quarterback, and with pick No. 37 overall, they get him some protection.
O’Cyrus Torrence is an interior offensive lineman who is picking up steam this draft season, and he absolutely dominated in the SEC this past collegiate season. He is a plug-and-play offensive guard at the next level, and for Seattle, protecting their latest investment in Smith has to be a huge priority this offseason.
The Arizona Cardinals would have some serious Day 2 draft capital if this mock draft was real life, as the trade they made with the Las Vegas Raiders in the first-round nets them the No. 38 overall pick on Day 2. The Cardinals have a bit of a theme in this two-round mock draft, as they are going all-defense, and they get a great defensive back here in Emmanuel Forbes.
Forbes is another player who is shooting up draft boards, but when all is said and done, I believe he should be a second-round pick. With the added draft capital, Arizona can bring in a cornerback that could start on Day 1, as Gannon continues to stockpile talent on that side of the ball.
On Day 1, the Carolina Panthers traded away a ton of draft capital to move up to the No. 1 overall selection, taking Ohio State star quarterback CJ Stroud. In the second round, they get him a weapon, adding a speedy wideout from LSU that can really stretch the field.
Kayshon Boutte is someone who has been mocked as a first-round pick for some time now, but a loaded wide receiver class causes him to fall to Day 2 in this mock. Boutte has soft hands, and is an excellent route-runner, giving Stroud the kind of talent he needs with DJ Moore heading to Chicago.
The New Orleans Saints bolstered their offense in a big way already in free agency, as they signed Pro Bowl quarterback Derek Carr to a four-year deal. During his time with the Raiders, Carr had the worst defense in the NFL on his team for much of it, which is why the Saints need to go all-in fixing that side of the ball this draft season.
After adding linebacker/edge rusher Nolan Smith in the first round, New Orleans gets a premier defensive tackle here at No. 40, selecting Florida’s Gervon Dexter. New Orleans is likely to lose some key defenders due to cap issues this offseason, which is why they go defense twice in a span of 12 picks.
The Tennessee Titans are using early draft capital to put Malik Willis in a position to succeed in Year 1 as a starter in our latest mock draft. In the first round, the Titans added the best offensive tackle in this class in Paris Johnson Jr., and here, they bring in a wide receiver with legitimate Day 1 potential.
Zay Flowers is a prospect that continues to get mocked in the first round, especially after putting on quite the display during the NFL Scouting Combine. He is not a big wide receiver, but is incredibly fast and has some of the best hands in this draft class, and fills a big void in Tennessee.
The Cleveland Browns’ first pick in the 2023 NFL Draft will come at selection No. 42 overall, as they lost their first-round pick in the Deshaun Watson trade. Cleveland will have some big decisions to make in terms of their current free agents, and linebacker could be a spot that is left vacant this offseason.
When it comes to NFL-ready players in this class, BJ Ojulari is certainly one of them, and he would be an excellent addition alongside Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah as young linebackers for this franchise. Cleveland will be expecting to take a big step forward in Watson’s first full season at the helm, but the defense needs an overhaul.
The New York Jets’ defense was one of the best in football last season, so why not try and make an outstanding group even better this offseason? They have already swung a trade to bolster their secondary, and in the second round of our mock draft, they add a talented linebacker in Henry To’oTo’o from Alabama.
To’oTo’o is widely considered one of the best linebackers in this draft class, and some believe he could end up with a first-round grade before all is said and done. Joe Douglas hit a home run with his Day 1 and 2 picks in last year’s draft, and by adding To’oTo’o and Peter Skoronski to problem areas on the roster in 2023, he does it again.
The Atlanta Falcons were a team that some felt should be in on the Lamar Jackson Sweepstakes, but they immediately shot down those rumors before they picked up steam. It is clear that the franchise loves what they have in Desmond Ridder, and while they could get him some help on offense here, we continue to fix their defensive woes.
The Falcons went with Tyree Wilson on Day 1, an explosive edge rusher from Texas Tech, and we pair him with one of the elite cornerbacks in this class in Deonte Banks at No. 44 overall. Banks is a playmaker, possessing excellent coverage skills and instincts, a skill set that could lead to him being gone by pick No. 44 this April.
In direct contrast to what the franchise did with Aaron Rodgers at the helm, Green Bay not only picks an offensive playmaker on Day 1, adding USC star wideout Jordan Addison, but they go back to the well here on Day 2. With Addison at wideout, the Packers turn their attention to tight end, bringing in Luke Musgrave from Oregon State.
Musgrave is another one of those incredibly athletic tight ends that this draft class has to offer, and would be an excellent security blanket for Jordan Love in Year 1 as the starter. It is clear Rodgers is going to play elsewhere in 2023, so if they want Love to succeed, using two early picks on weapons is not a bad idea.
The New England Patriots are seemingly getting the full-court pressure from the Las Vegas Raiders when it comes to quarterback Mac Jones. According to ESPN, Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels wants Jones in the desert with him next season, but the Pats want a ton for him, so I do not see that happening.
With their quarterback in place, New England can afford to use their first two picks on the defense, and at No. 46, they select Arkansas linebacker, Drew Sanders. In the first round, New England brought in an elite cornerback in Joey Porter Jr., so the emphasis is certainly on the defense in our latest mock.
Last season, the NFC East was well-represented in the NFC Playoffs, as three of the four teams that play in that division made the postseason. Unfortunately for the Washington Commanders, they were the odd man out, something head coach Ron Rivera would like to forget going into this offseason.
Rivera has gotten a jump on the offseason, naming Sam Howell as the starter for 2023, and our mock shows that he plans to put a moat around him along the offensive line. With Broderick Jones heading to DC in the first round, John Michael Schmitz is the second-round selection, two young offensive linemen that will anchor the revamping of the line in front of Howell.
For those keeping track, the Detroit Lions have a ton of elite draft capital heading into the 2023 NFL Draft, and they already have a solid roster to work with. Detroit would have been a tough out in the NFC Playoffs had they made it last season, as the train was certainly pointed in the right direction.
With so many early picks, Detroit could go several different ways, but our latest mock has them spreading the wealth on both sides of the ball. The first round brought them the best cornerback in this class in Christian Gonzalez, and the best tight end in Michael Mayer, while pick No. 48 lands them an elite edge rusher in Felix Anudike-Uzomah from Kansas State.
The Pittsburgh Steelers currently hold two second-round picks, and after going offensive tackle to start the action on Day 2, they could certainly look at other position groups at No. 49 overall. However, they continue to stack talent in front of Kenny Pickett, showing that they are making a long-term investment in their young signal-caller.
With pick No. 49, the Steelers roll the dice on another young offensive tackle, selecting Darnell Wright from Tennessee. The combination of Wright and Anton Harrison would give the Steelers bookends at the offensive tackle spots for years to come, providing Pickett with stability in two very important spots.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers continue to bolster the defensive side of the ball in this mock draft, adding Auburn star edge rusher, Derick Hall. In recent weeks, Hall has generated a lot of first-round buzz, and in Todd McShay’s latest mock draft for ESPN, the draft expert had him landing in Kansas City in the first round.
Hall is a tremendous player, and with a head coach like Todd Bowles, he would be put in the right spot from Day 1 with the Bucs. Tampa Bay plays in a wide-open NFC South, and while they have question marks on offense, especially at quarterback, drafting Hall on Day 2, and Devon Witherspoon on Day 1 certainly improves the defense.
The Miami Dolphins are making it clear that the plan is to roll with Tua Tagovailoa, as they were another possible QB-needy team that was out on Lamar Jackson this week. The problem with that is Tua suffered multiple concussions this past season, and at some point, you have to put the player’s safety above the team.
In the second round, Miami’s first pick due to losing their first-round pick thanks to a violation of league rules, the Dolphins get Tua a weapon at tight end. All signs point to Mike Gesicki being done in South Beach, so Dalton Kincaid steps right in and starts as a rookie.
With pick No. 52, the Seahawks pick for the fourth time in this mock draft, and use the selection on a talented cornerback from the U. Tyrique Stevenson was a top-10 cornerback coming out of high school, and after running a 4.46 40-yard dash as the Scouting Combine, his stock is solidified as a Round 1 or 2 pick this April.
Seattle was a playoff team last season, and with this kind of draft capital, they should stay so as they enter a new era of football under head coach Pete Carroll. Geno Smith proved he could be a productive quarterback last season, and with these four players coming from the college ranks, expect Seattle to challenge for an NFC West title in 2023.
If the Chicago Bears are to truly roll with quarterback Justin Fields, big-time changes have to come on both sides of the ball this offseason. On offense, even with the dynamic Fields under center, the Bears struggled to move the ball in any kind of consistent fashion, mostly due to shoddy offensive line play, and a lack of weapons.
In our latest mock draft, we already got Fields a weapon on the outside, and here in the second round at pick No. 53, we get him some offensive line help. Cody Mauch is big, strong, and athletic, and in Chicago, would be the left tackle for Fields in 2023, and for the foreseeable future.
The Los Angeles Chargers are doing everything they can this offseason to fix their salary cap, and recently, star wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams restructured their contracts to give them more space. For the Chargers, that is huge news, as they have one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL in Justin Herbert, and the hope is that he can finally win a playoff game next season.
To do so, Los Angeles will need to bolster the offensive line, and they get Rashawn Slater some offensive tackle help here at No. 54 overall. Jaelyn Duncan from Maryland has everything you look for in a starting right tackle at the next level, and his mauling presence upgrades Herbert’s front side.
The Detroit Lions continue to pick in our latest 2023 NFL Mock Draft, as they hold four of the first 55 picks this April. In our mock, we have seen them add a quality cornerback, a star tight end, and an edge rusher, so why not go with another position group with their final pick of this mock draft?
With pick No. 55 overall, the Lions select Boise State safety JL Skinner, considered by most experts as a top-5 safety in this draft class. The best thing about Skinner is his ability to play the position big, as he stands 6-foot-4, providing Detroit with a menacing presence in the middle of their defensive backfield.
During the 2022 NFL season, one team that took a significant step forward was the Jacksonville Jaguars, who now look like a power in the AFC. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence will have no shortage of weapons next season, especially with Calvin Ridley reinstated, but why not give him one more piece to the puzzle here?
Marvin Mims from Oklahoma seems like the entire package, as he has elite speed, which he showed at the NFL Combine, and is one of the better route-runners in this draft class. Jacksonville already has a wealth of wide receiver talent, but with a young quarterback, Mims may be way too good to pass up.
The New York Giants gave Daniel Jones a ton of money this past week, and now have to figure out how they plan to fill the roster around him. Last draft season, the Giants made a tremendous first-round pick in Kayvon Thibodeaux, selecting the star edge rusher from Oregon, and they get him some help here at pick No. 57 in 2023.
Tuli Tuipulotu from USC was downright productive last season for the Trojans, leading the country in sacks, and finishing second overall in tackles for a loss. That is the kind of player this Giants team could certainly use upfront, and in the process, take away some of the double-teams from Kayvon.
The Dallas Cowboys made some big moves on Friday, as they reworked the deals they had in place with both Dak Prescott and Zack Martin. Those two moves enabled the team to free up over $30 million in cap space, something they will use to keep pace with the rest of a powerful NFC East division.
Picking at No. 58, we like the Cowboys to get Prescott some more help on the offensive side of the ball, selecting Tennessee wideout Cedric Tillman. Tillman battled an injury last season, but he is big, strong, and fast, making him an excellent complement to current Cowboys star wide receiver, CeeDee Lamb.
The Buffalo Bills got some safety help in the first round of our 2023 NFL Mock Draft, and here, they get some protection for quarterback Josh Allen. To finally get a Super Bowl ring during Allen’s tenure, they have to continue to stack big bodies in front of him along the offensive line, and they get a versatile player here in the second round.
That player is Jarrett Patterson from Notre Dame, a guy who played everything from center to offensive tackle during his time with the Fighting Irish. Patterson is considered one of the best interior line prospects this draft class has to offer, and in Buffalo, he could certainly bolster the front on offense.
While most experts have the Cincinnati Bengals selecting a ton of offensive linemen this April, maybe they use some free agency money on that group, and draft some elite defensive talent within the first two rounds. Cincinnati used their first-round pick in our mock on Darnell Washington, an elite tight-end prospect, but here, they improve their secondary in a big way with Christopher Smith from Georgia.
This week, word came down that the team would not be re-tagging safety Jessie Bates III, so they are going to have to find someone to team with Dax Hill back there. Smith would be a perfect replacement for Bates, allowing the Bengals to continue to go young at safety without sacrificing too much talent.
With another pick that the Chicago Bears got from the Carolina Panthers in the massive trade that went down on Friday, the franchise continues to bolster the defensive line. When it comes to the NFL Scouting Combine, you would be hard-pressed to find a player who had a better performance than Calijah Kancey, who set the 40-yard dash record for a defensive tackle.
Kancey would be a real anchor along the defensive line in Chicago and enable the Bears to start to tick forward in what should be a wide-open NFC North next season. The Bears have the draft capital and cap space to really fix their issues this offseason, and general manager Ryan Poles seems like the right guy to be a the controls.
2023 NFL Draft: Post-NFL Scouting Combine full two-round mock
The Philadelphia Eagles have a lot of changes coming to their roster, as plenty of their top defensive talent are scheduled to test free agency. On Friday, word came down that the team also planned to allow Darius Slay to test the trade waters, so the Eagles’ defense is going to look a lot different next season.
However, the Eagles also have some incredible draft capital, including two first-round picks, so do not expect a big drop-off in production. At the bottom of the second round, Philadelphia does their best to replace Jason Hargrave, selecting Army star edge rusher Andre Carter II, who is much better than his Combine would indicate.
The last pick of our two-round mock goes to the Kansas City Chiefs, and they get a dynamic pass rusher in Keion White from Georgia Tech. White has the size and speed to be a real menace coming off the edge, as the Chiefs double-dip at the position group in our mock draft.
So there you have it, our post-2023 NFL Scouting Combine two-round NFL Mock Draft. Things are going to change rapidly as teams enter free agency, and make some big trades, so expect the list of needs, and even the draft order to change as we inch closer to April.