Cowbell Corner's 2023 NFL Mock Draft: Three Quarterbacks Taken In Top Five, Teams Stock Up On Defense
There are just a little over two weeks to go before NFL teams convene in Kansas City, Missouri for the 2023 NFL Draft.
There are several teams looking for a quarterback for the future, while several key defensive playmakers could drafted in the top ten. In this mock draft, big offensive playmakers are drafted in the top ten along with a string of defensive backs and defensive line prospects being taken up.
Without further ado, let's get into it.
Pick 1: Carolina Panthers (via Chicago Bears)
C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
For first overall, it’s realistically between Stroud and Bryce Young, and both are without a doubt the best quarterback prospects in the draft. However, the Panthers in this scenario take the best pocket passer in FBS from last season. The only thing Carolina needs to worry about is getting him a supporting roster so he can succeed from day one.
Pick 2: Houston Texans
Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
If the Texans had lost back in Week 18 of last season, they probably would be drafting Stroud. However, there is nothing to complain about with Young, who might go down as one of the best quarterbacks to ever put on the crimson and white. Despite the concerns with his size, his athleticism and passing ability still make him very hard to pass on.
Pick 3: Arizona Cardinals
Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Alabama
There is a possibility the Cardinals will trade down for draft capital, especially with quite a few teams looking to fill major holes. However, the Cardinals in this scenario will stay put and draft the best edge rusher prospect in the draft, adding an impact defensive player to new Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon’s system.
Pick 4: Indianapolis Colts
Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
The Colts are desperate for a quarterback and not wanting to play musical chairs at the position any longer, they draft Richardson here at fourth overall.
While Richardson had an inefficient season last year, he has a skillset that has impressed a lot of scouts, quickly gaining traction in draft boards and is potentially close to being a top five draft pick. While the Colts could try to get Lamar Jackson in his free agency sweepstakes, in this scenario, they draft Richardson, who would best fit the style of new Colts head coach Shane Steichen.
Pick 5: Seattle Seahawks (via Denver Broncos)
Jalen Carter, DL, Georgia
Despite the off the field concerns, there aren’t many people around the league who think Carter will fall far in the first round of the draft, and the Seahawks, who need to add to their defensive line unit, is the right team to get the most out of him.
Pick 6: Detroit Lions (via L.A. Rams)
Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech
Wilson has the traits needed to potentially be a deadly pass rusher, but couldn’t work out much in front of scouts due to a foot injury. However, the talent is there for a team in the top ten to take him, such as the Lions in this scenario.
Pick 7: Las Vegas Raiders
Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
Here, the Raiders won’t be drafting a quarterback, opting to stick with Jimmy Garoppolo, who they picked up in free agency. Instead, they will be drafting one of the best defensive prospects available in the draft to help improve a defense that has ranked in the bottom half of the league for a while.
Pick 8: Atlanta Falcons
Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson
The Falcons ranked dead last in the league in pressure rate and sacks last season, and they desperately need to address this through the draft. There are a few options the Falcons can go with here, but in this scenario, they choose the pass rusher out of Clemson. While not as polished as other prospects, Murphy has the defense and athleticism to potentially be a top ten pick going into the draft.
Pick 9: Chicago Bears (via Carolina Panthers)
Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State
The Bears have a lot of holes to fill, especially of defense, but here they address the offensive line position. Johnson Jr. is arguably the best offensive line prospect available in the draft. While there are several directions the Bears can take with this pick, in this scenario, they decide to take an offensive tackle to protect Justin fields, their quarterback for the foreseeable future.
Pick 10: Philadelphia Eagles (via New Orleans Saints)
Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
The Eagles are looking to add on defense after losing some key defensive pieces from last season’s Super Bowl run. Witherspoon has the potential and ceiling to be a top 10-15 pick this year. He has an excellent defensive skill set and is super speedy as a defensive back, which is exactly what the Eagles are looking for.
Pick 11: Tennessee Titans
Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern
While the Titans have some question marks for the future, here they look to improve their offensive line through Skoronski. While he doesn’t have elite strength, Skoronski makes up for it in pretty much every other aspect as an offensive lineman. He will be a solid addition to the team’s offensive unit.
Pick 12: Houston Texans (via Cleveland Browns)
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
With the Texans’ quarterback of the future secured, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to give him some more weapons. Smith-Njigba has the speed and skill set to be a future wide receiver one, but had an injury plagued season last year with Ohio State, appearing in just three games for the Buckeyes. Nevertheless, the talent is there for a team to take him up in the first round of the draft.
Pick 13: New York Jets
Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
Regardless of their quarterback situation and their talks with Aaron Rodgers, the Jets need to bolster their offensive line unit for whoever their signal caller ends up being next season. Jones is athletic and has a lot of upside to be worth a pick here.
Pick 14: New England Patriots
Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
Patriots quarterback Mac Jones struggled last season due to some bad offensive play, and it would be wise to get him a solid wide receiver for the future. Flowers is the speediest wide receiver available and is from in-state. He would fit nicely in Patriots’ new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien’s system.
Pick 15: Green Bay Packers
Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
With Aaron Rodger’s potential exit on the horizon, it looks like it could be Jordan Love behind center for the Packers next season. However, his current wide receiver one as of this writing is the second year Christian Watson, so the Packers definitely could use another weapon to help Love. Johnston has some size to him and can help get the ball downfield. He would be a solid pick up for the Packers at this spot.
Pick 16: Washington Commanders
Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland
Banks is a solid defensive back prospect who has been getting a lot of looks since working out at the combine, where he ran a 4.35 in his 40-yard dash. He is also impressive as an athlete, having everything you would want in a cornerback, including speed, length, and ball skill.
Pick 17: Pittsburgh Steelers
Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
Aside from the fact that the Steelers drafted Joey Porter’s son, the Steelers also get an aggressive and skillful cornerback that addresses one of the team’s needs. Porter Jr. brings incredible length and energy to the Steeler’s secondary.
Pick 18: Detroit Lions
Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
The Lions look to boost their offense through drafting Mayer here. Mayer is an explosive offensive piece with high production coming out of Notre Dame. He could end up being the best tight end in the entire draft.
Pick 19: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
With Tom Brady in retirement for good, the Buccaneers should probably invest in a quarterback, with Levis being the best available at this point. In this draft scenario, Levis falls to the Buccaneers due to the rise of Anthony Richardson as well as being passed on in favor for other picks. While he had some bad production from last season with the Wildcats, he has a cannon for an arm and could still be seen a first-round pick for a team needing to pick up a new signal caller.
Pick 20: Seattle Seahawks
Calijah Kancey, DT, Pittsburg
The Seahawks could really continue to add to their defensive front, so here they draft Kancey, who is raw as a prospect and has a smaller frame compared to others, but he also has tremendous upside. Kancey could be a solid depth piece for the struggling defensive line unit on the Seahawks.
Pick 21: L.A. Chargers
Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
With Austin Ekeler requesting a trade, it would be a good move for the Chargers to invest in a running back, and what better way than to draft the best running back prospect of this draft. Robinson was a tank with Texas and has the potential to tear up run defenses with his insane athletic ability.
Pick 22: Baltimore Ravens
Luke Van Ness, DL/EDGE, Iowa
Assuming the Ravens and Lamar Jackson negotiate a long-term deal to keep him in Baltimore, they don’t have to worry about drafting a potential quarterback replacement in this scenario. Instead, they build on defense by drafting Van Ness. The product out of Iowa is a bit raw as a prospect, but impressed a lot of teams in the combine. Expect Van Ness to get a lot of first round buzz entering the draft.
Pick 23: Minnesota Vikings
Jordan Addison, WR, USC
The Vikings could be looking for a new wide receiver with Adam Thielen departing during free agency, and Addison would be a great choice here. Addison has incredible route running ability and a skillset that would make him a dangerous weapon next to Justin Jefferson in the Vikings’ offense.
Pick 24: Jacksonville Jaguars
Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
The Jaguars like to invest in defensive pieces with upside and depth, and Ringo is a player that fits all of that. While there may be more polished players of his caliber, Ringo is an athletic freak with the size, speed, and ball skills that the Jaguars are looking for. Ringo could be a steal here if he develops as a lockdown cornerback.
Pick 25: New York Giants
Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee
Hyatt has one of the best deep threat abilities available in the draft and could do wonders for Giants quarterback Daniel Jones. His speed and play making ability would make him a perfect fit for the Giants’ wide receiver room.
Pick 26: Dallas Cowboys
Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
The Cowboys need another offensive playmaker with Dalton Shultz leaving in free agency. Kincaid has a dynamic route running and separation ability along with a solid YAC with him. Kincaid gives Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott a dangerous mid-field threat on the offensive front.
Pick 27: Buffalo Bills:
Nolan Smith, DE/OLB, Georgia
The Bills could use some more depth at pass rushing with Von Miller’s status in question, so they add to it in the first round by drafting Smith. While he is a bit undersized, Smith is explosive as a pass rusher and could potentially be lethal if he develops in the pros.
Pick 28: Cincinnati Bengals
Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
The Bengals have a hole to fill at the tight end position with Hayden Hurst leaving in free agency. Washington is a strong pass-catcher and blocker, with a massive build for a tight end. He has the ability to become an elite weapon for Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and his crew.
Pick 29: New Orleans Saints (via San Francisco through Miami and Denver)
Bryan Bresee, DL, Clemson
Now the Saints have a few roster needs, so it’s really up in the air what they decide to do in the first round. In this scenario though, they address their defensive line after losing quite a few pieces to their defensive line unit through free agency. Bresee's size and athleticism brings versatility to the defensive line and could cause some serious headaches for the opposing team’s offense.
Pick 30: Philadelphia Eagles
Brian Branch, S, Alabama
Branch was one of the most unique defensive pieces in Alabama’s secondary. While he can improve in some areas, Branch has the range and ability to play as a nickel corner and a safety. He is one of the more exciting defensive prospects entering the draft.
Pick 31: Kansas City Chiefs
Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
The defending Super Bowl champions signed Juwan Taylor in free agency to replace Orlando Brown, but they could also use some depth at right tackle. Wright has massive size to him and would bring incredible power and pass protection to an already-elite Chiefs offensive line.
