The first-round of the 2023 NFL Draft will be getting underway later this evening so it’s time for me to release my annual stab as to how I think Thursday night and specifically, how the first 31 selections might ultimately go.
I usually don’t bother predicting trades in these mocks. I did last year and now am reverting back to my usual style.
I once again find this year’s draft class very meh overall. I do, however, like the depth and overall quality at the cornerback, wide receiver, edge and tight end positions this year. The quarterback class is much more exciting than it was last year, and I feel good that at least three will go in the first round this year and possibly as many as five.
Like last year, I understand why we are seeing reports of several teams wanting to trade down in the first round on Thursday night. Maybe this willingness, if indeed true, will somehow play into the hands of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Maybe they will move up this year. However, the highest I can see them moving is to the ninth overall spot where the Chicago Bears currently sit. Personally, the 12th overall spot, where the Houston Texans currently sit, might be the best spot for a potential move up by the Steelers.
I think it will be interesting to see where the top two or three tackles come of the board. Specifically, when Northwestern tackle Peter Skoronski comes off the board and if that happens before the Steelers selection.
More than anything else, my goal is to correctly identify as many of the first-round selections as I can, regardless of the order, in addition to matching up as many selections as possible to the teams that do not trade out of their spot.
So, with that, here is my mock of the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Feel free to add your mock of the first-round in the comments below and once again, Merry Draftmas to all of yinz. It should be a fun next few days.
Bryan: 2022 NFL Draft First-Round Mock
Bryan: 2021 NFL Draft First-Round Mock
Bryan: 2020 NFL Draft First-Round Mock
Bryan: 2019 NFL Draft First-Round Mock
Bryan: 2018 NFL Draft First-Round Mock
Mock of 2023 First Round
1.Carolina Panthers – Alabama QB Bryce Young
2. Houston Texans – Ohio State QB CJ Stroud
3. Arizona Cardinals – Alabama EDGE Will Anderson
4. Indianapolis Colts – Florida QB Anthony Richardson
5. Seattle Seahawks – Georgia DT Jalen Carter
6. Detroit Lions – Oregon CB Christian Gonzalez
7. Las Vegas Raiders – Texas A&M EDGE Tyree Wilson
8 Falcons – Illinois CB Devon Witherspoon
9. Chicago Bears – Northwestern T Peter Skoronski
10. Philadelphia Eagles – Texas RB Bijan Robinson
11. Tennessee Titans – Kentucky QB Will Levis
12. Houston Texans – Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba
13. Green Bay Packers – Clemson EDGE Myles Murphy
14. New England Patriots – Tennessee T Darnell Wright
15. New York Jets – Ohio State T Paris Johnson Jr.
16. Washington Commanders – Florida G O’Cyrus Torrence
17. Pittsburgh Steelers – Georgia T Broderick Jones
18. Detroit Lions – Utah TE Dalton Kincaid
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Maryland CB Deonte Banks
20. Seattle Seahawks – Iowa DL Lukas Van Ness
21 Los Angeles Chargers – Clemson DT Bryan Bresee
22. Baltimore Ravens – Penn State CB Joey Porter Jr.
23. Minnesota Vikings – USC WR Jordan Addison
24. Jacksonville Jaguars – Oklahoma OT Anton Harrison
25. New York Giants – TCU WR Quentin Johnston
26. Dallas Cowboys – Notre Dame TE Michael Mayer
27. Buffalo Bills – Clemson LB Trenton Simpson
28. Cincinnati Bengals – Georgia CB Kelee Ringo
29. New Orleans Saints – Michigan DT Mazi Smith
30. Philadelphia Eagles – Alabama S Brian Branch
31. Kansas City Chiefs – Boston College WR Zay Flowers
