Five bold predictions for 2023 NFL Draft

The 2023 NFL Draft is just over a month away. After the ground-breaking trades and free agency moves over the past few weeks, we’re finally into draft season.

Teams from across the league will have a clearer understanding on the college prospects they want to select and the areas they need to improve at.

We can usually predict a lot, particularly at the very top of the order. But given the jostling for position and the uncertainty always at the event, there will likely be a lot of surprises again this time around.

Here are five bold possibilities for the upcoming draft:

Panthers trade #1 overall pick from Bears to the Colts

The Carolina Panthers gave up a haul to move to first overall in the upcoming draft. They gave up wide receiver DJ Moore, their ninth overall selection this year, a 2023 second rounder, a 2024 first rounder and a 2025 second rounder in the trade to the Chicago Bears. But the move means the Panthers will have their pick of quarterbacks at the draft this year.

Yet, there have been rumours that the team now considering moving down from number one have been mumbling since they made the trade. Carolina are said to be ‘enamored‘ (per Dov Kleiman) with Florida QB Anthony Richardson and are seriously considering him as their favoured option. Given the interest for CJ Stroud and Bryce Young and the continued speculation that either one of the two will be going first overall, this may be a win-win for the Panthers.

It’s unlikely, but the Panthers may see value in trading down to another team in need of a new franchise QB, such as the Colts.

The Vikings trade into the top ten

The Minnesota Vikings’ future at quarterback is up in the air and with Kirk Cousins’ contract expiring after this season, it seems likely that the franchise will be moving on.

With that in mind, it isn’t totally out of the question to see them trade up to select one of the top four QBs available. A trade with one of the Raiders, Seahawks or Lions would be plausible, and Kentucky’s Will Levis, an ideal successor to Cousins, should still be available at each of those positions.

It’s a bold prediction, given that the QB class of 2024 is shaping up to be very strong. But the Vikings could benefit from adding a young quarterback like Levis now, sitting behind Cousins and learning Kevin O’Connell’s system for a year.

More cornerbacks selected in first round than any other position

There are a lot of teams in need of new CB1 in 2023. Luckily, this draft class is loaded at the position.

One, two or even all three of Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez, South Carolina’s Cam Smith and Devon Witherspoon of Illinois are most likely top-10 picks, while Joey Porter Jr. and Kelee Ringo are not far behind.

We saw how successful the New York Jets were in drafting Sauce Gardner so early in 2022, and many teams will be desperate to find similar success. We’re predicting as many as seven corners taken before pick 33 in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Bijan Robinson lasts until the second round

Yes, Robinson is an incredible talent, probably the best running back out of college since Saqoun Barkley. He’ll come in as one of the best players in the position from the off in year one.

But NFL franchises aren’t willing to invest in an expensive first-round RB anymore. This year’s strong running back class encourages teams to wait, as there is so much more value in holding off and addressing other needs first.

Robinson is, deservedly so, highly ranked on overall player boards against the NFL landscape. He is an exciting prospect who will be a threat when matched up against linebackers and can make plays at all three levels in the passing game and, bringing another dimension to any offense. 

But given the declining value of his position, it wouldn’t be surprising if Robinson doesn’t get taken in the opening round this year.

The Ravens draft a QB

The saga of Lamar Jackson and his relationship with the Baltimore Ravens continues, and we still no nearer to knowing whether he will be leaving the team, when he was franchise tagged earlier in March.

If Lamar is traded before the draft, the Colts and the Falcons seem likely destinations. Both are in the top ten of the draft, so in this scenario, Baltimore will be in a great position to replace Jackson with the picks they’ll acquire in exchange. And if Lamar ends up in Indianapolis, the Ravens will be able to take one of the top four quarterbacks available, like Anthony Richardson.

Even in the event that Jackson doesn’t leave before the draft, the Ravens would be wise to select an insurance policy, while also taking a decent backup. Hendon Hooker is a great option who should be available even into round two, and fits the mould of replacing Jackson.

Agree with any of those? Let us know your NFL Draft bold predictions in the comments!