KANSAS CITY, MO – With the 2023 NFL Draft roughly 72 hours away, there are many unexpected things that can happen between now and when Roger Goodell steps on the stage. With it being silly season and teams throwing up smokescreens, here is my pre-draft mock, via Pro Football Network’s simulator before heading off to KC!
As stated, the 2023 NFL Draft opens with a bang as I have four quarterbacks going in the top five with 2021 Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young going to Carolina with the first pick overall, followed by CJ Stroud going to Houston at No.2, Will Levis going fourth to the Indianapolis Colts and Anthony Richardson going to Seattle at No.5
Picks 6-10, I see Detroit going CB after trading Jeff Okudah to the Falcons, and facing the likes of Justin Fields, Kirk Cousins and Jordan Love twice a year. Witherspoon makes the most sense. Same thing about Gonzalez going to a pass-happy division that has reigning Super Bowl MVP in Patrick Mahomes, Russell Wilson and Sean Payton and Justin Herbert.
Yes, I know Robinson at No.8 to the forementioned Falcons is a reach, but Atlanta needs a feature tailback to take the pressure off of whomever is under center. Jalen Carter slides all the way down to No.10 in Philadelphia, reunited with former UGA teammate,
Picks 11-15 is a bit of a cluster bomb as You have Tennessee needing to supplement Jaylen Burks on the outside–as well as properly replace AJ Brown–in giving soon-to-be free agent Ryan Tannehill another target to throw to. No.12 is where could get very interesting, depending on what Houston decides to do. Do they give Stroud/Young a target to throw to, or do they decide to fortify the line for current QB in Davis Mills? Aside from New England snatching up a falling Tyree Wilson, pay attention to picks No.13 and No.15. Dont be shocked if these are made as part of the pending Rodgers move to Gotham City.
But for now, I have Gang Green giving Rodgers–or whoever–some help up front in OT Paris Johnson Jr. and the Acme Packing Company selecting WR Quentin Johnston to help our Jordan Love.
Picks 16-20 is where the draft could really get interesting as we have arguably the biggest shocker of the draft in former Tennessee Vols standout Hendon Hooker. While these may be a surprise to many, Hooker has a high ceiling and more potential upside than Sam Howell, and unless the Commanders want to tank from DMV native in 2022 Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams, then they should take a chance on the former Virginia Tech graduate transfer. Porter Jr. to Pittsburgh is both a good fit and a legacy selection as Junior gets to wear the same storied uniform as his two-time Super Bowl champion dad.
Don’t look now, but Detroit is putting together a nasty defensive line, anchored by Aidan Hutchinson on one side and a sliding Nolan Smith on the other. That after picking Witherspoon to hold down the back end, and the Lions could become the new kings of the NFC North.
Picks 21-25 could see a heavy run on edge rushers and DB’s starting with the Chargers selecting Cam Smith out of South Carolina. With a division that is loaded with Mahomes, Wilson and Garrapolo, you can never have enough defensive backs. Baltimore losing DE Calais Campbell enables the Ravens to select an under-the-radar edge rusher in Adebawore. Once again, the Ravens are true masters of the draft! The Vikings nab a potential sleeper pick in former Iowa State edge rusher early, but in the era of hunting the QB, you can never have enough pass rushers to chase down Justin Fields, Jared Goff and Jordan Love.
Picks 26-30 is highlighted by the Cowboys selecting Zeke’s replacement in Alabama tailback Jahmyr Gibbs to pair with Tony Pollard down in Big D. While there is an outside chance that Elliott could come back to the Cowboys on a veteran minimum deal, Gibbs lands in a good spot in Dallas. Buffalo nabs their Tremaine Edmunds replacement in Clemson LB Trenton Simpson at No.27, the Bengals take care of Joey B in nabbing arguably one of the top tight ends in former Oregon State star, Luke Musgrave. The Saints give Derek Carr some help up front in nabbing Florida gators guard O’Cyrus Torrence and the Eagles keep playing chess while the league is playing checkers in grabbing Kansas State EDGE Felix Anudike-Uzomah.
Last but certainly not least, the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs nab Boston College Eagles WR Zay Flowers to replace Juju Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman. Shifty, agile and quick, Flowers is a perfect fit in Andy Reid’s system and should make an immediate impact in 2023.