Josh Frey’s 2023 NFL Mock Draft (4.0): The Official Prediction
Josh Frey
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Folks, we’ve arrived. The 2023 NFL Draft officially kicks off tonight, and as we get ready in the final hours before the event, here is one final 2023 NFL mock draft: the official predictions for each of the first 31 picks.
1. Carolina Panthers: QB Bryce Young, Alabama
This is the one pick where we truly seem to know what’s going to happen. Bryce Young has been my QB1 since the beginning of this process, and he has more tools at his disposal than any other QB in this class. Carolina runs this pick to the podium, not allowing for any mystery.
2. Houston Texans: QB Will Levis, Kentucky
Buckle up, folks. This is where things start to get wild. As has been widely discussed over the past week or so, the Houston Texans may not be sold on C.J. Stroud as a prospect, but it still seems ridiculous for them to pass on one of the three remaining quarterbacks here with other teams lurking. They snag Will Levis at No. 2.
3. Arizona Cardinals: EDGE Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech
Let’s get real crazy. Amidst all the discussion of Will Anderson Jr. being a potential generational talent, Tyree Wilson has been hanging around with some ridiculous potential that simply hasn’t been realized yet. Well, he’s now the odds-on favorite to be the first defender off the board, and with Arizona’s need for pass-rushing talent they shoot for the moon with this selection.
4. Indianapolis Colts: QB C.J. Stroud, Ohio State
I simply can’t wrap my head around the idea that C.J. Stroud would be the quarterback in this class to fall out of the top 10, despite any concerns with his testing. He’s the safest selection with the highest floor of any of them, and Indianapolis ends his mini-slide down the board at No. 4.
5. Seattle Seahawks: EDGE Will Anderson Jr., Alabama
The Seahawks war room celebrates as the Arizona Cardinals take Tyree Wilson because it means they get to take quite possibly the most sure-thing in this draft with the fifth overall pick. Anderson has every trait suggesting he will be an NFL talent, and he is the new cornerstone of Peter Carroll’s defense.
6. Detroit Lions: CB Devon Witherspoon, Illinois
Detroit made a clear effort to improve one of the worst defensive units in the NFL from 2022 during free agency, and that trend continues in the draft. Devon Witherspoon is an almost perfect CB prospect, and he will be a welcomed addition to the Lions revamped secondary.
Devon Witherspoon scouting report
7. Las Vegas Raiders: DL Jalen Carter, Georgia
There’s an argument to be made for offensive tackle here as well, but taking position value into account, it’s just so tough to find a prospect with as much promise at defensive tackle as Jalen Carter. The Raiders take a chance on him here despite some lingering off-the-field concerns.
8. Atlanta Falcons: RB Bijan Robinson, Texas
I know, I know, Bijan Robinson is a running back. But he’s the best running back prospect we’ve seen since Saquon Barkley. Atlanta needs a consistent runner to take some pressure off QB Desmond Ridder (assuming he will be the starter), and you can’t do any better than Robinson there. He is well worth a selection here for his combination of rushing and receiving ability.
Bijan Robinson scouting report
9. Chicago Bears: OT Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio State
We’ve seen a number of college QB/WR reunions in the NFL lately, but how about a QB/OL reunion? That’s exactly what happens here with the Bears selecting Paris Johnson to help solidify their offensive line to protect QB Justin Fields, who blocked for Fields for five games during the 2020 season, including the CFP National Championship Game.
10. Philadelphia Eagles: CB Christian Gonzalez, Oregon
Sure, the Eagles managed to keep Darius Slay and James Bradberry around for 2023, but they need to get more depth for future years at the position. They have a free chance to grab one of the best corners in the draft thanks to the New Orleans Saints, so they take Christian Gonzalez here.
Christian Gonzalez scouting report
11. Tennessee Titans: OT Peter Skoronski, Northwestern
Regardless of who starts at quarterback this season in Tennessee, the Titans need help at the offensive tackle spot. Peter Skoronski looks like a very similar prospect to Rashawn Slater, who has thrived in the NFL over his first two years, so they snatch him up here.
12. Houston Texans: WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State
Houston is in desperate need of consistent wide receivers, and they could potentially wait to take one until No. 33, but instead, they go ahead and grab Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who looks like the best prospect at the position this year.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba scouting report
13. Green Bay Packers: WR Quentin Johnston, TCU
Aaron Rodgers is officially a New York Jet, so that means the Packers can’t get away with finding production out of middling receivers. Green Bay goes out and grabs the prospect with arguably the highest ceiling by taking Quentin Johnston.
Quentin Johnston scouting report
14. New England Patriots: QB Anthony Richardson, Florida
The Patriots learn their lesson from when Lamar Jackson fell into their laps, and they passed up on him. This time around, they jump at the opportunity to take the single most athletic quarterback we’ve ever seen. Somehow someway, whether it be a trade or sticking at No. 14, I think Anthony Richardson lands in New England.
Anthony Richardson scouting report
15. New York Jets: OT Broderick Jones, Georgia
Mekhi Becton simply can’t be trusted to remain healthy through an entire season at this point, so the Jets opt to grab extra tackle help here to protect their new QB. Broderick Jones is a mauler in the trenches and should be ready to win the LT job right away.
16. Washington Commanders: CB Joey Porter Jr., Penn State
Washington spoils a potential homecoming for Joey Porter Jr., but they have just as much of a need in the secondary as anybody. Porter Jr. has freakish length and can be a stalwart corner for years to come.
Joey Porter Jr. scouting report
17. Pittsburgh Steelers: OT Darnell Wright, Tennessee
If the Steelers can’t go Porter Jr. here, they opt for easily the best offensive tackle remaining on the board. Better yet, he plays primarily right tackle, which is the position that Pittsburgh needs more than any other.
18. Detroit Lions: QB Hendon Hooker, Tennessee
If you’ve got two picks in the top-20 of a draft where there are five QBs considered first-round prospects, you have to take a shot on one of them, right? With Jared Goff still under contract, this isn’t a massive risk for Detroit, either. They can try to work out some of the kinks with Hooker, and if he’s ready to go in 2024, they can throw him into the lineup and deal Goff elsewhere.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: OT Anton Harrison, Oklahoma
Tampa Bay needs to focus on building a roster that allows their eventual QB of the future to shine. With how shallow the tackle position is in this class, Tampa jumps at the chance to take Anton Harrison here.
20. Seattle Seahawks: WR Zay Flowers, Boston College
The Seahawks need more depth at receiver behind Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf, and there isn’t much of a better fit for Seattle’s offense than Zay Flowers. He’s an elite route-runner out of the slot and will give the Seahawks yet another slippery pass catcher.
21. Los Angeles Chargers: WR Jordan Addison, USC
The Chargers still have Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, but how much longer can they rely on this duo to be reliable for Justin Herbert? With the 21st overall pick, they jump at the chance to take a very smooth route-runner in Addison.
Jordan Addison scouting report
22. Baltimore Ravens: EDGE Lukas Van Ness, Iowa
Lukas Van Ness has been a steady riser throughout this draft process due to his terrific athleticism combined with some strong production for a stout Iowa defense. He can add to Baltimore’s squad in the aftermath of Calais Campbell’s release.
Lukas Van Ness scouting report
23. Minnesota Vikings: CB Deonte Banks, Maryland
Had three receivers not flown off the board right before Minnesota’s selection, there could be a case for a receiver in this spot. However, to maximize value, they go with arguably their biggest need right now: a boundary cornerback. Deonte Banks has ideal size and terrific athleticism at the position, and his prowess in press man coverage makes him a great fit in Brian Flores’ defense.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars: EDGE Myles Murphy, Clemson
This could go down as a steal when things are all said and done. Myles Murphy is a freakish athlete at 275 pounds, and he will bring the type of impact in the pass-rush that Jacksonville had hoped to find in Travon Walker last spring.
25. New York Giants: C John Michael Schmitz, Minnesota
The Giants could also use either CB or WR, but any selections from what’s left on the board would feel like a reach, especially considering they have both of their Day 2 picks as well. Center is a big need for them, and with the position not having the same depth, they snatch John Michael Schmitz to bring some beef to the middle of their offensive line.
26. Dallas Cowboys: TE Michael Mayer, Notre Dame
Without Dalton Schultz on the roster, Dallas needs to find another solution at tight end. Mayer may not be a better route runner than Kincaid, but he is the more balanced tight end that can show some blocking chops as well.
27. Buffalo Bills: IOL O’Cyrus Torrence, Florida
If the Bills can’t get a top receiver with this pick, they should turn their focus towards solidifying the interior offensive line. It’s a group that has not been very good for them over the past couple years, and O’Cyrus Torrence is easily the best guard prospect in this class.
28. Cincinnati Bengals: S Brian Branch, Alabama
The Bengals lost both Jessie Bates III and Vonn Bell in free agency this offseason, so they could certainly bear to improve in the secondary. Branch is a ‘do-it-all’ safety that can step into the slot, make plays against the run, or play over the top at the free safety spot.
29. New Orleans Saints: EDGE Nolan Smith, Georgia
The Saints love their uber-athletice pass-rushers, and they get another one with the selection of Nolan Smith out of Georgia. There is a very good chance that he goes much higher than this, but with his extremely slight frame, it’s tough to say which team will actually be willing to take a chance on him rather than other prospects.
30. Philadelphia Eagles: RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama
There’s been a ton of smoke around the Eagles potentially taking Bijan Robinson with the 10th overall pick, but instead, they get arguably the best pass-catching back in the class with the selection of Jahmyr Gibbs here at No. 30.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: EDGE Will McDonald IV, Iowa State
The Chiefs don’t need much following their Super Bowl championship, but they could use another pass-rusher. Will McDonald can step in immediately and make an impact for them in this role.
3 Bold Predictions for the Vikings Draft
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.