2023 NFL Mock Draft 1.0 (Picks 1-10): Colts trade up, Texans get franchise QB
The 2022 NFL season may just be getting started with the playoffs. But for 18 teams now looking ahead to next year, the season finish will shift their attention onto how to improve in the offseason.
Blockbuster trades and the drama of free agency will be upon us very soon, but the main event of any spring for football fans is the undoubtedly the NFL Draft. Also a special event in any year, this year’s draft should see quarterbacks return to the first-round of selections, while a pair of defensive linemen have a great chance of going number one.
Here is part one of our first mock draft of the new year:
1. Indianapolis Colts (via mock trade with Chicago Bears)
Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
With the first overall selection, the Chicago Bears are in complete control of this draft.
Like their GM Ryan Poles said, it would take something extraordinary to make the Bears take a quarterback here, with Justin Fields making great progress in year two. So unless there is a defensive player that Chicago absolutely falls in love with, it’s highly likely the Bears will trade back.
There are a number of teams who could be willing to trade up, but the Colts are a team in desperate need of transforming their fortunes at quarterback. 2023 has to be the year they get their franchise QB for the future, and they should go all out and get one in Bryce Young.
2. Houston Texans
C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
After winning their way out of the golden #1 spot in the draft, the Texans may have given up the prized pick. But they should still come away with an elite quarterback in the first round.
Young is certainly the consensus QB1 this year, but CJ Stroud is definitely a star player in the making. Despite not having as prolific a year as in 2021, he was exceptional for the Buckeyes in their recent defeat to Georgia in the playoffs.
Will Levis would also be another good alternative, but Stroud would be a great fit for the Texans and their new head coach to work with (whoever it might be).
3. Arizona Cardinals
Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Alabama
After losing J.J. Watt to retirement this year, Arizona will be in desperate need of some help on the pass rush. Anderson Jr., probably the best overall player in the draft, offers just that, and more.
He’s been likened to Khalil Mack and Von Miller, and that’s just the type of player that the Cardinals need. A dominant playmaker, Anderson Jr. is going to take the NFL by storm.
4. Chicago Bears
Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
The Bears will have acquired a haul in their trade with the Colts, and their icing on the cake will be in place to draft the best defensive tackle prospect in years. Cater is an outstanding talent who has exceptional grades on run-defense and pass-rushing. He’ll help to transform the Bears defensive and be a leader for the next decade in Chicago.
5. Seattle Seahawks (via trade with Denver Broncos)
Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson
I wonder how many people in Seattle expected to be drafting the Broncos first-rounder for 2023 at number five, when they traded Russell Wilson just under a year ago.
The Seahawks need help on their defensive line, and Myles Murphy can be their impact rusher on the edge for many years to come.
6. Detroit Lions (via trade with Los Angeles Rams)
Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson
Another team who will be ecstatic to see how high they are with their picks acquired their trade, the Lions have two first rounders to really improve their team. And the should continue to address their defense; given how well Jared Goff has played in recent months, the hole at QB isn’t as large as it once was for Detroit.
They’ve found their edge rushers in Aidan Hutchinson and James Houston, and adding someone like defensive tackle Bryan Bresee to sit inside would give Detroit an elite defensive line. Kelee Ringo or Joey Porter would also be good options here, but the Lions can’t ignore a talent like Breese and not take him.
7. Las Vegas Raiders
Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
You could make a case that Levis goes first overall. He’s a physical quarterback, with a huge arm and an exceptionally quick release. I think that’s too high, considering the other talent available in this class, but teams are going to be very keen on the Kentucky QB.
He can go on to have a long and very successful year as a pro.
8. Atlanta Falcons
Tyree Wilson, DE, Texas Tech
The Falcons will probably miss out on a QB they want if they don’t trade up, so addressing their defense will take priority. Defensive tackle or a cornerback selection could happen, but the Falcons really need someone who can really revolutionise the pass rush, a weakness in 2022 despite drafting two edge rushers last year.
Texas Tech’s Tyree Wilson would be an ideal addition. He would slot in as a starter from day one.
9. Carolina Panthers
Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
The Panthers are in desperate need of a quarterback for the future. Sam Darnold is doing his best to hold the pieces together, but unless Carolina make a significant upgrade at the position, they aren’t going to be troubling many teams any time soon.
Like the Raiders, the Panthers have been linked with a veteran QB. But this could also be the perfect opportunity to really get behind a new franchise quarterback for the foreseeable.
Richardson would give Carolina that. He’s still raw, and there may be some concerns on his short accuracy, but the Florida man has got a ceiling as high as anyone in this class.
If he could sit behind and learn from an experienced player for a year, it could work wonders for all parties.
10. Philadelphia Eagles (via trade with New Orleans Saints)
Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
The Eagles are filthy rich with squad depth in the trenches across so many areas. But, with free agency looming, one impending issue could become the secondary in the offseason. Taking Georgia’s Kelee Ringo, a 6-2, 205-pound coverage ace would certainly ease the blow of potentially losing James Bradberry in free agency.
Philadelphia also need to add a safety, but Ringo is too good of a talent for the Eagles to ignore here.
