Nate Lunak’s 2023 NFL Mock Draft Round 1: Part 1
The 2022 NFL season is now over, and all eyes are now on 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.
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 Nate Lunak’s part one of a first-round mock draft for 2023:
1. Chicago Bears
Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
Jalen Carter is in many people’s eyes the best player in this year’s draft. The Bears get a player who will be a mainstay at the defensive line for years to come.
2. Houston Texans
Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
Will Levis is a player with massive arm talent and extreme football IQ. Houston is one team who could look to refine his mechanics to become a generational talent at QB.
3. Arizona Cardinals
Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Alabama
Anderson Jr. has been a blue-chip prospect since coming out of high school. With the cardinals needing lots of help on the EDGE, this pick feels like a no-brainer.
4. Indianapolis Colts
Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
This pick comes down to the Colts needing a QB and Bryce Young being the most NFL-ready. There are questions about his smaller frame being able to hold NFL playstyle but there is no denying his talent.
5. Seattle Seahawks (via trade with Denver Broncos)
Tyree Wilson, DE, Texas Tech
At 6’6” and 275 pounds, Tyree Wilson is someone who will wreak havoc on any offensive line. He is someone who will have an immediate impact in run defense for any team that gets him.
6. Detroit Lions (via trade with Los Angeles Rams)
Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson
Myles Murphy has an amazing combination of size and speed that is hard to match up against. With improvement in pass-rushing techniques, he has one of the highest upsides in this year’s draft.
7. Las Vegas Raiders
CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State
Plain and simple the Raiders need a QB. CJ Stroud is someone who might need a year or two on the bench before becoming a starter but is still a top 3 QB prospect in this draft.
8. Atlanta Falcons
Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson
Bresee is an amazing pass rusher despite being placed at DT during college. If he improves his run defense, he has all the potential to go on and have a good NFL career.
9. Carolina Panthers
Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
Here, Witherspoon is the first defensive back to taken off the board. With amazing man coverage and ball-hawking skills, he is someone who projects into the NFL very well.
10. Philadelphia Eagles (via trade with New Orleans Saints)
Lukas Van Ness, DL, Iowa
Van Ness is one of the rawest prospects in this first round. With overwhelming power, he is someone who with improvement in his mechanics and football IQ could be a force within the NFL.
11. Tennessee Titans
Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State
The most well-rounded OT in the draft. Paris may not be the most physically gifted or technically sound but is an amazing combination of both.
12. Houston Texans (via Cleveland Browns)
Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern
Skoronski on the other hand is easily the best mechanically out of any OT in this draft. With shorter arms, he would fit better as an OG in the NFL.
13. New York Jets
Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
The third tackle to go in a row, Jones is the last OT in the small run just taken. Physically, he looks to be in fantastic shape, possibly the most gifted player in the draft. With more work on becoming a sound blocker, he could easily be the best player from this draft.
14. New England Patriots
Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Mayer seems to be a unanimous pick to be the top TE in this draft. He is an extremely well-rounded player who should have an immediate impact in the NFL.
15. Green Bay Packers
Brian Branch, S, Alabama
Branch is a safety whose primary job in college was covering the TE and slot. He is an amazing run defender that the Packers could utilize in many different ways.
16. Washington Commanders
Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
Easily the rawest QB prospect in this year’s draft. With outstanding arm strength and running ability, he has the tool to be a successful QB in this era of the NFL. It will mostly be about whether he could progress as a passer.
