Mock Draft 1.0 (Harris)

1. Carolina Panthers

Traded from Chicago Bears

Anthony Richardson | Florida, QB

David Tepper almost always makes a splash in the offseason and now sits in a horrible cap situation for the first time since taking over. The Scott Fitterer experiment has been nothing short of horrible, but Tepper now grants him one last chance to move some capital to lock down his QB of choice. Richardson carries far and away the most upside out of this group but also might be the riskiest pick in the top of the first round.

2. Houston Texans

CJ Stroud | Ohio State, QB

As the QB dominos fall, the Texans make their first high QB pick since taking Deshaun Watson 12th in 2017. The former Buckeye is a top dog on more boards than you’d think and could be one of the hottest commodities come draft day. Expect the Texans to stay put and select the QB of their future.

3. Arizona Cardinals

Will Anderson | Alabama, Edge

The Cardinals will lose several defensive lineman heading into next season, but land one of the most dominant college football players we have seen in the last couple seasons. Despite lacking ideal size and length, Anderson packs a punch and brings an elite first step to the Cardinals.

4. Indianapolis Colts

Bryce Young | Alabama, QB

The Colts QB carousel continues to spin, but can they finally make a lasting shot and bring in a rookie that becomes the face of the future? Unfortunately for the Colts, Levis is a big time boom or bust prospect and their outlook may remain cloudy.

5. Seattle Seahawks

Jalen Carter | Georgia, DT

There’s a ton of controversy surrounding Jalen Carter but I think the upside alone will keep him inside the top 10 picks. The Seahawks have been one of the best drafters in the last decade and add another elite level defender to their franchise.

6. Detroit Lions

Tyree Wilson | Texas Tech, Edge

Last year, the Lions selected a high caliber edge rusher with exceptional technical skills and bend at 2nd overall. Here, they take the freaky athlete with exceptional power and upside to create one of the best 1-2 punches in the NFL.

7. Las Vegas Raiders

Will Levis | Kentucky, QB

The Raiders said goodbye to Derek Carr this offseason and sit at a tough spot at 7th overall. If Levis is still on the board, the Raiders could land a high caliber project that can could find phenomenal success in Josh McDaniels’s offensive scheme with an arsenal full of impressive weapons.

8. Atlanta Falcons

Broderick Jones | Georgia, OT

It’s a cheap move to pair the Falcons with a Bulldog…but with the pure numbers of exceptional prospects from UGA we are bound to see it happen. Falcons RT Kaleb McGary had a slow start to his career but finished 2022 as PFFs 4th rated offensive tackle and is unlikely to return following an inflated market value. Instead, the Falcons can bring in their pick from the solid class.

9. Chicago Bears (from CAR)

Paris Johnson Jr. | Ohio State, OT

Despite Jones going one pick ahead, the Bears land their favorite OL pick of the class with the versatile lineman out of Ohio State. Johnson had an exceptional 2022 season at LT but also was even better at RG prior to making the change. The Bears OL has been in a constant state of flux but adding a versatile lineman can help ease other players into a more steady role, wherever that may be.

10. Philadelphia Eagles

Lukas Van Ness | Iowa, Edge

The Eagles top 4 free agents are all 30+ year old defensive lineman that will command over $13M a year, which means they will likely lose 4 of their key rotational pieces. Here, they are almost certainly in line to replace those lost veterans with a prospect that can immediately jump in and help out. Despite never starting a game at Iowa, scouts love the size and upside of Van Ness and view him as having one of the highest ceilings in the class. Van Ness has been frequently comped to having the potential of a JJ Watt type defensive lineman.

11. Tennessee Titans

Peter Skoronski | Northwestern, OT

Skoronski has been dinged for less than stellar size to play on the outside but that is becoming less of an issue in this day and age of the NFL and recent success from former Northwestern teammate Rashawn Slater only helps the situation. Skornski is one of the most technical OL prospects in the draft and likely can fill in anywhere that he is needed on the line.

12. Houston Texans

Jaxon Smith-Njigba | Ohio State, WR

Recent reports from begrudged draft analysts such as Todd McShay suggest that JSN belongs nowhere in the 1st round but his phenomenal tape from the 2021 season and high caliber traits for the position lead me to believe there is a high probability he could be the first receiver off the board. Will Brandin Cooks likely out this offseason, JSN can takeover the inside spot and be a big time developmental piece for Bryce Young.

13. Green Bay Packers (from NYJ)

Myles Murphy | Clemson, Edge

Murphy has gotten serious top 5 hype but I believe his unpolished toolbox of edge rushing skills in a career full of experience has some scouts less than pleased. Murphy has exceptional size and athleticism but he may never be a double digit sack player without taking a huge step forward in the NFL. I’ve got the Packers trading Rodgers here and secure their second top 15 pick.

14. New England Patriots

Drew Sanders | Arkansas, OLB

Sanders is a natural fit for Belichick’s defensive scheme and a do-it-all linebacker that can succeed at everything from pass rush to coverage. The Alabama transfer made waves this year at Arkansas and became one of the most feared defenders in the SEC.

15. Green Bay Packers

O’Cyrus Torrence | Florida, IOL

With their second selection in three picks, the Packers can add depth to their reworked offensive line and provide an inside cog for the future. Torrence was the most dominant offensive lineman in college football and made a seamless transition into P5 football last year after transferring along with Billy Napier from Lousianna.

16. Washington Commanders

Devon Witherspoon | Illinois, CB

There will be a major run on cornerbacks at some point in the first round with a class that I have 6 day one grades on. Typically, when a class is this stacked, they will fall to the mid-first due to simple supply and demand. At 16, Witherspoon is an absolute steal that can takeover as the alpha of the Commanders secondary on day one.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers

Joey Porter Jr. | Penn State, CB

The only real knock on Joey Porter Jr. is his less than ideal speed, but his technique and ball skills easily should allow teams to overlook that. I have compared him to James Bradberry and can see him playing similarly as a phenomenal zone corner with press and man upside.

18. Detroit Lions

Christian Gonzalez | Oregon, CB

The Lions took their shot in the top 10 a few years back on Jeff Okudah, who has proved to be a decent depth player but has not lived up to his CB1 hype. Gonzalez is a long and lanky corner with excellent ball skills and could develop into a top NFL shadow corner.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Keion White | Georgia Tech, Edge

Keion White may have top 10 talent but the super senior is 24 years old, which raises speculation about his development and potential. Regardless, he has legit 1st round talent and likely will hear his name called by a team that can afford to take that risk.

20. Seattle Seahawks

Jordan Addison | USC, WR

Tyler Lockett has been one of the most reliable receivers in the league, but is approaching 31 years of age this season and is likely on the downswing of his career. Addison is the best route runner in the class and can grow alongside DK Metcalf to create one of the best receiver groups in the league.

21. LA Chargers

Tuli Tuipuloto | USC, DL

Tuipuloto is one of the biggest sleepers in this class but is finally starting to get the attention he has earned. The issue is that he is a true flex tweener on the DL and is a jack of all trades but master of none.

22. Baltimore Ravens

Quentin Johnston | TCU, WR

The Ravens have one of the most unique offenses in the NFL but it is clear that they need a WR1 that can bring Lamar back to MVP form. Signing Lamar to a longterm extension will remain the top priority but finding him targets should be a close second.

23. Minnesota Vikings

Cam Smith | South Carolina, CB

The Vikings have had a rotating cast of subpar cornerbacks but it appears that vet Patrick Peterson is likely gone, which will create an even bigger hole in the secondary. Cam Smith is a torpedo style tackler who locked down some of the best receivers in college football.

24. Jacksonville Jaguars

BJ Ojulari | LSU, Edge

The Jags took a huge step forward this year but need to bring some depth to their defensive front if they seriously want to compete in the AFC. Ojulari is a talented edge rusher that lacks the elite size that likely will push him back from the top of the group and into the laps of a contender.

25. New York Giants

Jack Campbell | Iowa, ILB

Fans of the Giants will gawk at this one, just as they do at every draft pick that lacks flash. Campbell was the best linebacker in college football last year and is a sideline to sideline tackler that brings tremendous upside to all phases of Wink’s defense.

26. Dallas Cowboys

Bijan Robinson | Texas, RB

This is a brutal year to be a running back without a contract due to both the depth in this draft class as well as the strength of the free agent group. With stars like Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs and Miles Sanders possibly hitting the open market, it’s going to take a flashy team to draft a RB in the 1st round. I predict that the Pollard price tag will be far too high for the Cowboys to pay but expect Jerry Jones to make a high risk move like this.

27. Buffalo Bills

Brian Branch | Alabama, DB

The Bills could lose several key members of their secondary, which makes adding a Swiss Army Knife like Branch ideal. Branch was one of the most improved players in the nation and could play a huge rover-style role similar to the Honey Badger.

28. Cincinnati Bengals

Michael Maher | Notre Dame, TE

Joe Burrow has one of the most incredible casts to throw to but adding a luxury tight end to the mix could really put the Bengals over the top. Maher has been coined “Baby Gronk” since stepping into the TE1 role as an 18 year old that may have tricked you into thinking he was the third Winklevoss brother judging by his roster picture.

29. New Orleans Saints

Bryan Bresee | Clemson, DL

The Saints lost their top 10 pick last year to land Chris Olave but secured the 29th pick after dealing away former HC Sean Payton. Here, they land a versatile defensive line prospect to add to their already strong rotation.

30. Philadelphia Eagles

Emmanuel Forbes | Mississippi State, CB

It’s unlikely that all three of the Eagles high caliber cornerbacks return next season, but with two draft picks Howie Roseman can uncharacteristically bring in a CB in the 1st round. In his career, Forbes was one of the best ballhawks in the nation and hauled in 14 interceptions and 22 pass deflections.

31. Kansas City Chiefs

Isaiah Foskey | Notre Dame, Edge

Great NFL teams know how to restock on their defensive line and the Chiefs are no stranger to drafting pass rushers in the first round. Isaiah Foskey continues to add youth to the Chiefs front 7 in hopes of another Super Bowl run.