Mock Draft 2.0 (Harris)

1. Carolina Panthers

Traded from Chicago Bears

Bryce Young | Alabama, QB

Young and Stroud are 1a and 1b for me in the 2023 QB Class and I certainly think this decision will go down to the wire. Don’t expect to know who the Panthers are going to pick ultimately until they make their selection on draft night. I’ve got both players graded as a 95 overall and firmly ahead of the other two first round prospects. For me, Young seems to possess the intangibles you look for in your franchise signal caller and if size really was a real concern, then we wouldn’t be hearing about him as a top 2 lock. As of March 27, 2023…Young is the guy I think Tepper decides on.

2. Houston Texans

CJ Stroud | Ohio State, QB

The Texans are likely content with either of the two top QBs and likely will not move up to 1 unless they see a clear upside in one of the prospects. As of now, they seem to both have their pros and cons and neither being a bulletproof prospect. Stroud here gives the Texans a clear day 1 starter who can replace what they lost in Deshaun Watson.

3. 🚨TRADE🚨 Tennessee Titans (from ARI)

Anthony Richardson | Florida, QB

The QBs in this class will fall FAST and the drop-off from 3 to 4 is substantial. Tannehill has proven that he is not the guy and their window is close to being slammed shut. After seeing their peak being squandered by the young superstar QBs in the AFC, the Titans look to identify their own here.

4. Indianapolis Colts

Will Levis | Kentucky, QB

The Colts have swung and missed over and over in the veteran QB market and now with a top 4 pick, it is officially time to draft their guy of the future. Since 2018, the Colts have had just one 1st round pick, which was the 21st overall and used on Edge Kwity Paye in 2021. Levis brings the Colts a high caliber project that can dominate the QB room that is filled with other notable personalities, Gardner Minshew, Nick Foles and Sam Ehlinger.

5. Seattle Seahawks

Will Anderson | Alabama, Edge

The Seahawks have built an impressive young defense, but adding another dominant edge threat like Will Anderson would be a huge W at 5. By potentially landing the top overall player in the class, Seattle could potentially be the winners of back-to-back drafts.

6. Detroit Lions

Christian Gonzalez | Oregon, CB

I HATE picking cornerbacks in the top 10 but Gonzalez is a silky smooth cornerback who is one of the best movers I have ever evaluated. He checks boxes with size, speed and length and could be the lockdown corner the Lions have been looking for.

7. Las Vegas Raiders

Peter Skoronski | Northwestern, OT

The Raiders addressed their needs at QB with Jimmy G and reunited Josh McDaniels with his former fill-in. His 3 years/$73M contract is one of the league’d friendliest considering the fact that he has made two NFC Championships in the last four seasons, as well as a 7-3 start to the 2022 season before getting injured. Now with their QB set, the Raiders need to fortify the offensive line in order to give the offense a fighting chance to win one of the most competitive divisions in football.

8. Atlanta Falcons

Jalen Carter | Georgia, DT

The Falcons finished 31st in the league last year in sacks and average just 1.2 on a per game basis. Tyree Wilson, Lukas Van Ness or Myles Murphy would make a lot of sense, but they also could get a future superstar here in Jalen Carter. If Carter is still on the board, he is a MUST DRAFT prospect for the Falcons.

9. Chicago Bears (from CAR)

Paris Johnson Jr. | Ohio State, OT

The Bears roster is filled with holes and you could make a case for any position here, but the one obvious seems that they likely won’t be replacing Justin Fields just yet. Instead, now with pick 9, they can land one of the top offensive lineman at the perfect spot to do so. Paris Johnson Jr. dominated all over the line in his time at Ohio State and had extension experience at both right guard and left tackle. If Justin Fields is ever going to develop into a legitimate NFL passer, then bringing in a versatile offensive lineman here is a must.

10. Philadelphia Eagles

Tyree Wilson | Texas Tech, Edge

The Eagles 2022 success primarily revolved around having the most stacked front 7 in football and a full rotating cast of lineman who could be rush the passer and shut down the run game. After losing several big names, the Eagles must turn back to the draft to once again.

11. Arizona Cardinals

Bijan Robinson | Texas, RB

The Cardinals lost their top two pass rushers from last season and are in desperate need of adding strength to their defensive line but drafting for needs is what gets you fired in the NFL! The flashy play here would be to lock down one of the top RB prospects of the last decade and maybe Robinson can do the unthinkable and make Kyler into a high caliber QB that can make some noise.

12. Houston Texans

Broderick Jones | Georgia, OT

The Texans are rich in draft capital over the near future thanks to their big time trades. After landing the QB of their future, the Texans can now lock down their offensive line and build around C.J. Stroud.

13. 🚨TRADE🚨Green Bay Packers (from NYJ)

Lukas Van Ness | Iowa, Edge

At this point, who knows when the Aaron Rodgers deal will be completed. You’d have to imagine that the closer the draft gets, the more leverage the Packers will have. If I had to put a number on it, I’d say there is a 75% chance that this pick belongs to GB, which would allow for them to double down on rebuild pieces. Lukas Van Ness never started a game at Iowa, but the freak athlete possesses major NFL pass rushing potential.

14. 🚨TRADE🚨Carolina Panthers (from NE)

Jaxon Smith-Njigba | Ohio State, WR

In the most shocking move of the class, Carolina again takes a shot at moving up with the New England Patriots to draft their WR1. Following the departure of DJ Moore, Carolina has plugged holes with Adam Theilen and DJ Chark, but still are in search of their franchise alpha who can grow alongside Bryce Young.

15. Green Bay Packers

O’Cyrus Torrence | Florida, IOL

With their second selection in three picks, the Packers bring in an interior lineman that can add juice to their offense. Torrence has been on of the most productive guards in college football and make a seamless transition from Louisiana to Florida last season.

16. Washington Commanders

Joey Porter Jr. | Penn State, CB

With the top side and depth of CBs in this class, there WILL be a run on the position sometime in the first round. The Commanders have one of the weakest rosters in the league entering the 2023 season, but their defense has some great pieces and would benefit from a CB1 like Joey Porter Jr.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers

Devon Witherspoon | Illinois, CB

As much as the Steelers would love to bring in Joey Porter Jr. to their roster, they land one of the best cover corners from college football. Despite lacking ideal NFL length and size, Witherspoon was an absolute blanket in coverage and held opposing QBs to a 35.5% completion rate in 2022.

18. Detroit Lions

Bryan Bresee | Clemson, DL

Dan Campbell’s Lions were one of the most improved teams in football and transformed the offense into one of the leagues top dynamic passing attacks. This year, defense will be a major focus where they can lock down two valuable starters. Bryan Bresee is an every down defensive tackle that can make in impact all over their defensive front.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Darnell Wright | Tennessee, OT

Naturally with the departure of TB12, the Bucs are no longer a contender in the NFC. It’s tough to start a rebuild at 19, but here they can benefit from drafting one of the top offensive lineman who can protect their future QB, whoever that may be.

20. Seattle Seahawks

Dalton Kincaid | Utah, TE

In a somewhat surprising move here, the Seahawks bring in a TE/WR hybrid that accounted for 1,400 yards and 16 TDs over the last two seasons. By adding a Greg Olsen type player to their offense, the Seahawks can further open the field in order to keep up in one of the most impressive divisions in football.

21. LA Chargers

Myles Murphy | Clemson, Edge

The Chargers could go many ways here, but take advantage of the falling edge from Clemson. Yes, the Chargers have one of the highest powered edge duos in the NFL, but Khalil Mack is 32 with one of the least team friendly deals in the NFL. Murphy is an exceptional value pick here that offers a wide range of versatility for what could be a scary front 7.

22. Baltimore Ravens

Quentin Johnston | TCU, WR

This is such a sucker pick here. Yes, the Ravens need a WR1. However, they need a lot of things right now. Quentin Johnston is a big bodied receiver that is scary after the catch, but injury concerns and an unreliable track record prior to his ’22 breakout should keep him in the 20s.

23. Minnesota Vikings

Kelee Ringo | Georgia, CB

The Vikings lost their alpha captain of their secondary, Patrick Peterson, but are sitting in a great spot to find his potential replacement. Ringo brings you everything you look for in a 1st round cornerback…he has ideal length, size and playmaker abilities.

24. Jacksonville Jaguars

Jordan Addison | USC, WR

The Jags have a cast of several very good receivers but have yet to identify a superstar to pair with Trevor Lawrence. Jordan Addison was the most productive receiver over the last 2 year stretch in college football. Despite lacking ideal size, he runs crisp routes and has the feel of an All Pro receiver like Stefon Diggs.

25. New York Giants

Calijah Kancey | Pittsburgh, DL

An interesting pick here, but Joe Schoen works him magic once again. Thinking from a cap perspective, its clear that the combination of Dexter Lawrence, Leonard Williams and Azeez Ojulari is not likely for a the long term. Good teams reload on the defensive line through the draft and the Giants do just that. Calijah Kancey is a high upside interior lineman that packs a punch as a 3-T pass rusher.

26. Dallas Cowboys

Mazi Smith | Michigan, DL

The Cowboys had an exceptional 2022 season but once again fell short of anything special. QB will likely be the pick next year but here they add another depth piece to their impressive front seven.

27. Buffalo Bills

Drew Sanders | Arkansas, LB

The Bills lost Edmunds to free agency but here they lock down the top inside LB in the class in the late first round. Sanders not only will be a huge force in the run stuffing game, he offers extremely high upside as a pass rusher.

28. Cincinnati Bengals

Deonte Banks | Maryland, CB

Deonte Banks has been one of the largest risers in the class and brings the full package as a cornerback prospect. Banks is one of the best movers in the class, but also packs a punch as a downhill tackler.

29. New Orleans Saints

Brian Branch | Alabama, S

The Saints have taken a clear step back the last few seasons and a large reason why is because of shakey QB play. Now that they have secured Derek Carr, the Saints can focus on strengthening their defense. Brian Branch is a versatile DB that can play all over the field and start out day 1 as a nickel corner.

30. Philadelphia Eagles

BJ Ojulari | LSU, Edge

Double down on pass rushers? The Eagles know how to draft and already have one of the deepest rosters in the NFL…if they could land both Tyree Wilson AND BJ Ojulari, they may have won the 1st round. Ojulari is an exceptional pass rusher with great technique and creativity.

31. 🚨TRADE🚨 Washington Commanders (from KC)

Hendon Hooker | Tennessee, QB

Another trade up for a QB??? After Hooker, there is an enormous drop off in talent. If he last two day 2, there likely will be a ton of chatter and potential a move up early on Friday. The Commanders pay the premium for a guy that WILL beat out Sam Howell with ease.