2023 NFL MOCK DRAFT 2.0

BY ADAM GREENE

It’s been a month and a half since our first mock draft and, of course, all of our perceptions have flipped. 

The NFL Combine always does that. The league’s annual meeting where every general manager and scout ignore everything they’ve seen on the game film from all these NCAA athletes and instead push them up their draft boards just because they exercised real good in their spandex shorts. It’s never made any sense to me.

Then, you had the Carolina Panthers jumping up to the first overall pick to take a quarterback while simultaneously trading away that new quarterback’s best passing target in DJ Moore.

As usual, at this point I don’t factor in made up trades in Mock Draft 2.0. Yes, everyone else does and I defy you to point out to me, even one time in any year’s Mock Draft process, where any of the proposed trades from sportswriters actually happened. Just a single instance would be great.

What follows is what I think each team will do with its selection (if they don’t trade them away), not what I think they should do. I would not take any quarterback outside of CJ Stroud and Bryce Young in the first round. And, yes, I write that knowing there’s a serious danger that Anthony Richardson could go No. 1 overall. If that happens, you will see the Houston Texans tear an ACL to charge the stage and turn in Stroud’s card while the Indianapolis Colts frantically work the phones to attempt to trade up a single spot to No. 3 just to keep from getting jumped for Bryce Young.

1. CAROLINA PANTHERS (trade with Chicago Bears) – CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State

2022: 6-3, 215 pounds, 66.3 completion percentage, 3,688 yards, 41 touchdowns, six interceptions, 108 rushing yards

Odds to be 1^st Overall Pick: -150

Odds to be 2^nd Overall Pick: +150

Odds to be 3^rd Overall Pick: +1200

The Panthers pulled the trigger on a blockbuster trade for the No. 1 overall selection and now have their pick of all the quarterbacks in the draft. There’s no reason they shouldn’t do their due diligence on every signal caller, but the idea that this decision won’t come down to CJ Stroud or Bryce Young is ridiculous. You don’t trade up this high, give up this much, on a project like Anthony Richardson. Stroud is the best QB in this draft and should go first. Previous pick: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky

2. HOUSTON TEXANS – Bryce Young, QB, Alabama

2022: 6-0, 194 pounds, 64.5 completion percentage, 3,328 yards, 32 touchdowns, five interceptions, 185 rushing yards, four rushing touchdowns

Odds to be 1^st Overall Pick: +100

Odds to be 2^nd Overall Pick: -150

Odds to be 3^rd Overall Pick: +2000

With Stroud gone, the Texans turn in the card with Young’s name and just hope he holds up better than the last couple of first round quarterbacks that were roughly around his size. Talent wise, this is a no brainer. But it’d still cover him in bubble wrap when he’s not on the field. Previous pick: CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State

3. ARIZONA CARDINALS – Will Anderson, Edge, Alabama

2022: 6-4, 235 pounds, 51 tackles, 17 for a loss, 10 sacks, one interception

Odds to be 1^st Defensive Player selected: -325

Odds to be 2^nd Overall Pick: +625

Odds to be 3^rd Overall Pick: +290

There’s every chance that some team will mortgage its future to jump into this spot and keep the Indianapolis Colts from taking Anthony Richardson. Hell, the Colts could make the trade just to keep from being hopped. If Arizona does keep the pick (or move one spot down), they should take Anderson, the guy that would go No. 1 overall if teams weren’t so desperate for QBs. Previous pick: Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern

4. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS – Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida

2022: 6-4, 235 pounds, 53.8 completion percentage, 2,549 yards, 17 touchdowns, nine interceptions, 654 rushing yards, nine rushing touchdowns

Odds to be 1^st Overall Pick: +1200

Odds to be 2^nd Overall Pick: +1400

Here he is. Our coach and general manager killer himself. While there’s a very intelligent argument for the Colts to get into the surprisingly quiet Lamar Jackson sweepstakes, I think Jim Irsay wants to draft his next guy after it worked out pretty well for him the last two times (Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck) he did it. Trades and free agent additions have been significantly less successful for Indy. Previous pick: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama

5. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (from the Denver Broncos) – Jalen Carter, DL, Georgia

2022: 6-3, 310 pounds, 32 tackles, seven for a loss, three sacks, three passes defended, two forced fumble

Odds to be 1^st Defensive Player selected: +400

Odds to be 3^rd Overall Pick: +3300

No change in this pick from my first mock draft. There’s a chance Carter’s off the field issues, as they are, might dop him more. But Seattle is exactly the kind of organization he could thrive in. Previous pick: Same

6. DETROIT LIONS (from the Los Angeles Rams) – Will Levis, QB, Kentucky

2022: 6-3, 222 pounds, 65.4 completion percentage, 2,406 yards, 19 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, two rushing touchdowns

Odds to be 1^st Overall Pick: +5000

Odds to be 3^rd Overall Pick: +650

Jared Goff had a solid season in 2022 and nearly got the Lions into the playoffs. I don’t think they should use a first round pick on a quarterback and definitely don’t think anyone should take Levis on Day One. But, it’s what I think they’ll do and the only reason they won’t take Levis (or Richardson if he falls to them) is because both guys are gone before six. Previous pick: Myles Murphy, DL, Clemson

7. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS – Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern

2022: 6-4, 315 pounds, PFF pass blocking grade: 93, run blocking grade 89.3

Odds to be 1^st Offensive Lineman selected: +175

In my second draft the Raiders stay on the offensive line, grabbing Skoronski thanks to the QBs pushing everyone down the draft board. Previous pick: O’Cyrus Torrence, OL, Florida

8. ATLANTA FALCONS – Lukas Van Ness, Edge, Iowa

2022: 20 tackles, 10.5 for a loss, six sacks

Atlanta needs everything, but if you can’t rush the passer on defense, you don’t have much a of a defense. That’s probably where they should start. Also, the fact that they’ve not already worked up a contract for Lamar Jackson is simply franchise malfeasance. And to announce they weren’t even interested when Jackson first became available should get everyone in this front office fired once this season ends with a losing record once again. Previous pick: Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina

9. CHICAGO BEARS (from the Carolina Panthers) – O’Cyrus Torrence, OL, Florida

2022: 6-5, 347, PFF Grade 88.0

The Bears have plenty of picks to work with in this draft and for drafts to come. They need to start building up their offense and should start up front with the offensive line. Torrence offers a versatile pick that should start at tackle or guard immediately. Previous pick: Will Anderson, Edge, Alabama

10. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (from the New Orleans Saints) – Brian Branch, Safety/Cornerback, Alabama

2022: 6-0, 190 pounds, 90 tackles, 14 for a loss, three sacks, two interceptions, seven passes defended

Odds to the 1^st Cornerback selected: +2000

Thanks to a new QB heavy run atop the draft, great players get pushed down and Branch, who is shooting up draft boards, lands on the NFC Champions’ roster. With Marcus Epps departing the team in free agency, there’s no reason not to replace him at safety in the draft with one of the top players of 2022. Previous pick: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame

11. TENNESSEE TITANS – Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU

2022: 6-4, 193 pounds, 60 receptions, 1,069 yards, six touchdowns

Odds to be 1^st Wide Receiver selected: +500

I could do this draft over 50 times and I’d still have the Titans taking a wide receiver here. Of course, this could be a trade down scenario if they do (stupidly) trade away Derrick Henry before the draft. They’ll need to look for his replacement in the end of the first round and won’t have a shot at the best RBs (Bijan Robinson out of Texas and Jahmyr Gibbs from Alabama) if they stick with No. 42 overall. Previous pick: Same

12. HOUSTON TEXANS (from the Cleveland Browns) – Tyree Wilson, Edge, Texas Tech

2022: 6-6, 275 pounds, 61 tackles, 14 for a loss, seven sacks, one fumble recovery, one forced fumble

Odds to be 1^st Defensive Player selected: +300

Odds to be 2^nd Overall Pick: +4500

Odds to be 3^rd Overall Pick: +2800

The Texans not only get their franchise quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick, at 12 they get a decades worth of sack potential. Wilson is a guy that people have going anywhere from the Top Five to slipping out of the Top 20. I think Houston gets lucky that he falls to him here. Previous pick: Same

13. NEW YORK JETS – Paris Johnson, Jr., OT, Ohio State

2022: 6-6, 310 pounds, PFF grade 83.1

Odds to be 1^st Offensive Lineman selected: -150

There’s a chance the Jets might not own this pick on draft day thanks to the impending Aaron Rodgers trade. New York seems pretty intent in not giving up a first rounder to Green Bay in exchange for Rodgers and his ayahuasca enema contraption. If the Jets do hold on to pick 13, they need to take someone who can help keep Rodgers upright. Previous pick: Brian Branch, Safety/Cornerback, Alabama

14. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS – Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame

2022: 6-4, 249 pounds, 67 receptions, 809 yards, nine touchdowns

Odds to be 1^st Tight End selected: +130

It’s been a solid while since the Patriots had a playmaking tight end. They need plenty of players all over and field one of the weakest rosters in the AFC East. They also seem to have some issues at quarterback and the rumor is they’re openly shopping Mac Jones. Whether Jones gets the keys again or it’s Bailey Zappe, either guy will benefit by adding Mayer as a pass catcher. Previous pick: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon

15. GREEN BAY PACKERS – Jordan Addison, WR, USC

2022: 6-0, 175 pounds, 59 catches, 875 yards, eight touchdowns

Odds to be 1^st Wide Receiver selected: +900

There’s no change from the first mock draft here. And, yes, it remains humorous that the Pack never took a receiver in the first round while Aaron Rodgers was their quarterback, but I think they will the first year he’s gone. Jordan Love’s era will begin with a solid, and young, receiving corps. Previous pick: Same

16. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS – Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina

2022: 6-1, 187 pounds, 27 tackles, one for a loss, one interception, five passes defended

While the Colts can talk themselves out of a Lamar Jackson trade thanks to their draft position and the Falcons can just be complete idiots by bowing out before the bidding even began, the Commanders should be blowing up the Ravens free agent QB’s DMs right now. If they keep this pick, Smith (or some other top rated cornerback) should be the selection. Previous pick: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois

17. PITTSBURGH STEELERS – Joey Porter, Jr., CB, Penn State

2022: 6-2, 195 pounds, 27 tackles, 11 passes defended, one fumble recovery

Odds to the 1^st Cornerback selected: +1200

I could have shuffled this pick some, put Christian Gonzalez here, but Porter is the perfect pick for the Steelers and, for the second draft in a row, they please their fanbase by adding a “local” kid.  Previous pick: Same

18. DETROIT LIONS – Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon

2022: 6-2, 200 pounds, 50 tackles, one for a loss, four interceptions, seven passes defended

Odds to be 3^rd Overall Pick: +1800

Odds to the 1^st Cornerback selected: -115

Instead of taking a cornerback way too early, the Lions instead let Gonzalez fall right to them at No. 18. The NFC North will look very different next season and Gonzalez could turn into a star thanks to generous contributions from Jordan Love, Justin Fields and Kirk Cousins pretty quickly. Previous pick: Kalee Ringo, CB, Georgia

19. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS – Nolan Smith, Edge, Georgia

2022: 18 tackles, seven for a loss, three sacks, one pass defended

The Buccaneers current starting edge rushes had a combined seven sacks last season. Smith might be a tad overrated at this point, but edge rushers are like quarterbacks. Sometimes you’ve got reach for one. Tampa has other holes, on the offensive line and all over the defense, but I think they should go with their defensive front with this pick. Previous pick: Siaki Ika, DL, Baylor

20. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS – Myles Murphy, DL, Clemson

2022: 6-5, 275 pounds, 40 tackles, 11 for a loss, 6.5 sacks, two passes defended, one forced fumble

Odds to be 1^st Defensive Player selected: +2200

With the return of Bobby Wagner to the middle of the defense, Seattle’s needs move away from linebacker and to their defensive front. They need some run stop help with the San Francisco 49ers in their division and Murphy adds value as a pass rusher as well. Previous pick: Drew Sanders, LB, Arkansas

21. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS – Siaki Ika, DL, Baylor

2022: 6-4, 350 pounds, 24 tackles, two for a loss, two passes defended

Los Angeles has needs help on both lines and there are solid offensive tackles still on the board. Still, I’m going with the highest ranked defensive lineman available since Brandon Staley is a specialist on that side of the ball and the team is already loaded at the skill positions. They’ll need to hit the O-line in Round 2. Previous pick: Paris Johnson, Jr., OT, Ohio State

22. BALTIMORE RAVENS – Drew Sanders, LB, Arkansas

2022: 6-5, 230 pounds, 103 tackles, 13.5 for a loss, 9.5 sacks, one interception, five passes defended, one fumble recovery, three forced fumbles

Odds to be 1^st Linebacker selected: +125

As of right now, with Lamar Jackson untraded, this is the only first round selection the Ravens currently hold. Considering that Jackson has stated hid desire to move on, that usually means the conscious uncoupling has already begun. For some reason, probably because Jackson is acting as his own agent and is trying to get a full guaranteed contract, no trade or contract offer has materialized. If Baltimore does stick with just this selection, I have them taking the best linebacker off the board. Selecting linebackers has worked out pretty well for Baltimore over the last couple of decades. Previous pick: Antonio Johnson, Safety, Texas A&M

23. MINNESOTA VIKINGS – Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois

2022: 6-0, 170 pounds, 41 tackles, 2.5 for a loss, three interceptions, 14 passes defended

Odds to the 1^st Cornerback selected: -115

If, for some reason (I’m thinking a stiff cup of coffee and introduction to reality) Will Levis doesn’t go earlier in the draft to some over reaching franchise, he’d almost certainly go here to the Vikings. Since Levis is already in Detroit and off the board in this mock draft, we’ll switch it up for one of this class’ top corners. Previous pick: BJ Ojulari, Edge, LSU

24. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS – Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State

2022: 6-0, 197 pounds, five receptions, 43 yards

Odds to be 1^st Wide Receiver selected: -225

This remains very late to see the third wide receiver of the first round come off the board and maybe not in the order that people expect. If JSN can bounce back 100 percent from his injury, the Jags should be set for the next six years at wideout considering they have Christian Kirk and a freshly unsuspended Calvin Ridley hitting the field in 2023. Previous pick: Same

25. NEW YORK GIANTS – Kalee Ringo, CB, Georgia

2022: 6-2, 205 pounds, 42 tackles, two for a loss, two interceptions, seven passes defended, one forced fumble

Odds to the 1^st Cornerback selected: +5000

For the first time in half a decade, the Giants in the 20s after playing above their heads last season. Brian Daboll deserved the Coach of the Year Award, but he has his work cut out for him to keep New York from a serious backslide in 2023. Ringo fills a need and can not only cover well, but doesn’t seem afraid to tackle. Previous pick: Kayshon Boutte, WR, LSU

26. DALLAS COWBOYS – Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee

2022: 6-5, 333 pounds, PFF Grade: 71.4

Odds to be 1^st Offensive Lineman selected: +1299

With their line getting a little long in the tooth, the Cowboys need to start replenishing talent up front. Previous pick: Bryan Bresee, DL, Clemson

27. BUFFALO BILLS – Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia

2022: 6-4, 310 pounds, PFF Grade 78.2

Odds to be 1^st Offensive Lineman selected: +475

Buffalo isn’t quite as close to a championship as most of us thought a season ago. There’s still some holes there, but they’ll benefit by adding Jones to their offensive front and taking a little more pressure off Josh Allen. Previous pick: Same

28. CINCINNATI BENGALS – Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah

2022: 6-4, 242 pounds, 70 receptions, 890 yards, eight touchdowns

Odds to be 1^st Tight End selected: -150

While everybody was busy picking the Bills to be the team to contend with the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC, the Bengals are the team that’s actually doing it. This team is loaded and just gotten better on the offensive line this offseason. Tight end is their only offensive need and there’s no reason not to fill it here. Previous pick: Same

29. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (from the Denver Broncos) – Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee

2022: 6-0, 175 pounds, 67 receptions, 1,267 yards, 15 touchdowns

Odds to be 1^st Wide Receiver selected: +2000

They’ve added Derek Carr, so it might be a good idea to plug in a wide receiver that will actually take the field opposite Chris Olave instead of watch every game in street clothes.

Previous pick: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida

30. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES – Anthony Harrison, OT, Oklahoma

2022: 6-5, 315 pounds, PFF Grade 72.6

Odds to be 1^st Offensive Lineman selected: +2500

With both first round tight ends off the board, the Eagles push that pick to Rounds two or three and instead add the best offensive lineman available to keep that unit, one of the strongest on the team, ready to make another Super Bowl run in 2023. Previous pick: Feliz Anudike-Uzomah, Edge, Kansas State

31. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS – Bryan Bresee, DL, Clemson

2022: 6-5, 300 pounds, 15 tackles, 5.5 for a loss, 3.5 sacks, two passes defended

The Chiefs could very well trade out of this pick, especially if a team wants to jump into the first round and take quarterback Hendon Hooker out of Tennessee to get his fifth year option. As it is, since I don’t factor in imaginary trades in the Mock 2.0, we’re going best player available. Previous pick: Anthony Harrison, OT, Oklahoma

TEAMS WITHOUT A FIRST ROUND PICK

36. LOS ANGELES RAMS – BJ Ojulari, Edge, LSU

2022: 6-3, 244 pounds, 58 tackles, 8.5 for a loss, 5.5 sacks, one fumble recovery, one forced fumble

Los Angeles is remodeling its team, which means they’re trying to put a contender together through the draft and cheap free agents. They have serious needs at edge, corner and offensive line (unless everyone can stay healthy this coming season). Ojulari could offer the same production as Leonard Floyd did a year ago on a rookie second round contract. Previous pick: Isaiah Foskey, Edge, Notre Dame

47. CLEVELAND BROWNS – Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Edge, Kansas State

2022: 6-3, 252 pounds, 46 tackles, 11 for a loss, 8.5 sacks, one pass defended, two fumble recoveries

Luckily for Cleveland, they don’t have a ton of holes. But they could use a little edge rushing help to go with Myles Garrett. Previous pick: Gervon Dexter, Sr., DL, Florida

51. MIAMI DOLPHINS – Gervon Dexter, Sr., DL, Florida

2022: 6-6, 303 pounds, 55 tackles, four for a loss, two sacks, one interception, one pass defended

The Dolphins could still select offensive line here and you couldn’t argue against it. The easiest way to keep Tua Tagovailoa healthy is to keep him upright. Still, I’m going with Dexter at this spot to bulk up their defensive line. Previous pick: Andrew Vorhees, OL, USC

68. DENVER BRONCOS – Isaiah Foskey, Edge, Notre Dame

2022: 6-4, 257 pounds, 44 tackles, 13.5 for a loss, 10.5 sacks, one pass defended, one forced fumble

Foskey probably won’t turn into Bradley Chubb, but the Broncos must get a contributing edge rusher out of this draft. And there’s no reason not to do it with their first pick. Previous pick: Richard Gouraige, OT, Florida

99. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS – Richard Gouraige, OT, Florida

2022: 6-5, 308 pounds, PFF Grade 83.9

The Niners have a stellar offensive line and, at No. 99, you’re probably not picking a day one starter. Gouraige is a role player and a guy that could potentially turn into a future starter. Previous pick: Connor Galvin, OT, Baylor

Follow Adam Greene on Twitter @TheFirstMan.

Connect with us our socials on Twitter and Instagram for the latest sports news, viral moments, betting odds and the occasional memes.