2023 NFL Mock Draft 5.0: Four Quarterbacks Picked in Top Seven

Our first mock draft since the Panthers traded up for the No. 1 pick now has a run of QBs going early.

The new league year is officially underway, which means an initial and significant wave of roster moves—signings and cuts—is complete. The transactions completed to this point provide additional clarity on team needs addressed, or created, and what NFL teams may do in the draft.

Uncertainty remains for some high-profile players, however, as we continue to move closer to the draft.

For example, Aaron Rodgers emerged from his darkness retreat by sharing his intention to play for the Jets, and the two franchises seem intent on making that a reality, but the compensation has yet to be finalized. It’s also yet to be seen what will happen with Lamar Jackson, who was designated with the nonexclusive franchise tag.

Based on what we know now, here’s how the first round could shake out at the end of April.

Note: There are only 31 picks, because the Dolphins have forfeited their first-round pick in 2023.

Scouts are torn on which QB is the better prospect, but our mock draft has a new one going first :: Kyle Robertson/Columbus Dispatch/USA TODAY Network (Stroud); Gary Cosby Jr.-/USA TODAY Sports (Young)

1. Carolina Panthers (via CHI): C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State

None of the three quarterbacks who started at least five games for the Panthers last season (Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield and P.J. Walker) remain on the current roster. After several failed attempts to upgrade the position via free agency over the past few offseasons, Carolina’s aggressive move, trading up with the Bears to get to the top of the draft, has provided the team with an opportunity to reset with its choice of rookie quarterback.

Stroud benefited from playing alongside an elite group of wide receivers, but he throws with outstanding accuracy, touch and anticipation from the pocket. There weren’t many examples of Stroud making plays outside of structure before his final game against Georgia, but the athleticism and off-script improvisational skills he showcased in that game provide a promising glimpse of what he can do when plays break down.

2. Houston Texans: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama

Young checked the box by weighing in at 204 pounds at the combine, even if he won’t play at that weight. Despite his outlier size, Young is my top-ranked quarterback in this class. The true junior is always composed, processes information quickly and is accurate to all three levels. His ability to make plays outside of structure stands out, and he elevates the play of those around him.

3. Arizona Cardinals: Will Anderson Jr., edge, Alabama

J.J. Watt (12.5 sacks in 2022) and Zach Allen (5.5) accounted for half of the Cardinals’ 36 sacks last season but are no longer on the roster. While Anderson’s stats dipped in ’22, he is leaving Tuscaloosa with three years of elite production—34.5 career sacks and 62 tackles for loss. He uses his power, length and burst to impact the game as a pass rusher and run defender. He’s the ideal prospect for a new general manager (Monti Ossenfort) and coach (Jonathan Gannon) making their first pick, given his combination of production, traits and character.

4. Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida

Richardson is relatively raw and inexperienced as only a one-year starter, but he has the most upside of any quarterback in this draft class due to his combination of size (6'4" and 244 pounds), speed (4.43 40-yard dash) and arm strength. After coordinating an offense led by Jalen Hurts in Philadelphia the past two seasons, new Colts coach Shane Steichen may be ideally suited to help Richardson reach his potential even if he sits for a year behind Gardner Minshew, who recently rejoined Steichen in Indianapolis.

5. Seattle Seahawks (via DEN): Tyree Wilson, edge, Texas Tech

After the season, Pete Carroll said the Seahawks “have to become more dynamic up front.” Drafting Wilson here, after signing Dre’Mont Jones and Jarran Reed in free agency, would help Seattle do just that. Wilson finished his most productive season with 61 tackles, 14 TFLs and seven sacks despite a foot injury that cut it short. He has an excellent combination of size, length and power, and inside-outside versatility.

6. Detroit Lions (via LAR): Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon

Even though the Lions signed Cameron Sutton, Emmanuel Moseley and the versatile C.J. Gardner-Johnson in free agency, they have a decision to make on Jeff Okudah’s fifth-year option (for the 2024 season). In other words, I think Gonzalez remains in play here for Detroit. He is a fluid athlete with smooth change-of-direction ability and outstanding speed. Gonzalez finished the ’22 season with four interceptions.

7. Las Vegas Raiders: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky

The Raiders will enter the 2023 season with Jimmy Garoppolo as the starter, but his signing shouldn’t rule out the prospect of Levis as a long-term solution. The ’22 season did not go as well for Levis as hoped, but he battled injuries throughout the season. His physical traits—prototypical size, arm talent and mobility—combined with his intangibles and toughness, could entice Josh McDaniels to take a chance on his upside.

8. Atlanta Falcons: Jalen Carter, IDL, Georgia

It’s still unclear how far Carter, once viewed as the potential top pick, may fall after his March 1 arrest for reckless driving and racing (he pleaded no contest to the misdemeanor charges), as well as an underwhelming workout at Georgia’s March 15 pro day. On the field, however, Carter was the most talented prospect on a team that yielded five first-round picks last year and has won back-to-back championships. He has a special blend of power, short-area quickness and lateral agility to be equally disruptive against the run and the pass.

9. Chicago Bears (via CAR): Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State

The Bears have added high future picks—first- and second-rounders in 2024 and ’25, respectively—to their draft capital following their trade with the Panthers. While that provides GM Ryan Poles greater flexibility in the future, adding DJ Moore via the trade with Carolina and then Johnson with this pick would put Justin Fields in a better position to succeed in the upcoming season. Johnson is ideally suited to play left tackle, given his combination of size, length and athleticism, but he started at both right guard (’21) and left tackle (’22) for Ohio State.

10. Philadelphia Eagles (via NO): Myles Murphy, edge, Clemson

Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon is still an option here, even though the Eagles have re-signed James Bradberry and extended Darius Slay, but Howie Roseman’s propensity to build through the trenches is reflected here. Murphy’s combination of size, power and athleticism earned him a spot near the top of The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman’s annual preseason Freaks List. He has inside-outside versatility and is a good run defender.

11. Tennessee Titans: Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern

Titans left tackle Taylor Lewan was released after the season, and right guard Nate Davis signed a three-year deal with the Bears in free agency. Skoronski was a three-year starter at left tackle after taking over for Rashawn Slater as a true freshman. The former Wildcat is technically sound with smooth and balanced footwork, and is one of the safest prospects in this draft class. Skoronski’s arm length (32 ¼") could kick him inside at the next level, which may make sense in this scenario since the Titans signed Andre Dillard to a three-year deal in free agency.

12. Houston Texans (via CLE): Lukas Van Ness, edge, Iowa

“Hercules” has inside-outside versatility, and, after primarily aligning inside in 2021, he was primarily an edge defender this past season. Van Ness can win with his blend of power, length and relentless effort, but his athleticism was on full display at the combine, where he ran a 4.58 40-yard dash at 272 pounds. Van Ness has a total of 19.5 TFLs and 13.5 sacks over the past two seasons. His best football is ahead of him.

13. New York Jets: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia

Tackle Duane Brown is returning for a 17th NFL season (his second in New York), and Mekhi Becton has slimmed down, but the 2020 first-rounder has missed 33 consecutive games due to injury. Jones has the length, athleticism and potential to provide long-term stability at left tackle as he continues to grow into his frame and refine his technique.

14. New England Patriots: Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee

Wright is coming off his best season and has followed that up with impressive performances at the Senior Bowl and combine. The former five-star recruit is a massive and powerful right tackle prospect who offers some positional versatility. Over the past four seasons, Wright has made a total of 42 starts—27 at right tackle, 13 at left tackle and two at right guard.

15. Green Bay Packers: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame

Wide receivers Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs are coming off productive rookie seasons. While TE Robert Tonyan signed a free-agent deal with the Bears, Mayer would provide Jordan Love (assuming Rodgers becomes a Jet) with another weapon in the passing game. Mayer isn’t an elite athlete, but he has an all-around skill set and was the focal point of Notre Dame’s passing offense, leading the team in receiving in each of his three seasons in South Bend.

16. Washington Commanders: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois

Witherspoon didn’t start playing football until his junior year in high school, but he was a three-year starter for the Illini. He’s a confident, smart and physical cornerback with outstanding ball skills. Witherspoon finished last season with three interceptions and 14 pass breakups.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State

The Steelers signed Patrick Peterson to help replace the loss of Cameron Sutton in free agency, but Peterson will turn 33 in July. The son of the former linebacker and coach (and Steelers great), Porter is a physical corner with excellent size, length and speed. Although he had only one career interception at Penn State, he is disruptive at the catch point and finished 2022 with a career-high 11 passes defended.

18. Detroit Lions: Bryan Bresee, IDL, Clemson

Rookies Aidan Hutchinson (9.5) and James Houston (eight) combined for 17.5 sacks last season, but the Lions still ranked last in total defense (392.4 YPG allowed) and 28th in Football Outsiders’ defense DVOA metric. If they let Jalen Carter slide past their first pick, Bresee could be the target with their second. Injuries have slowed Bresee over the past two seasons, but he has the power and quickness to be a disruptive presence inside for the Lions.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Nolan Smith, edge, Georgia

Smith was the top-ranked national recruit in 2019, and he was really coming into his own as a leader for the Bulldogs before a pectoral injury ended his ’22 season prematurely. Even though he’s undersized, Smith is an outstanding run defender. He’s a high-character leader with explosive athleticism (4.39 40-yard dash and 40.5" vertical at the combine) who should develop into a more impactful pass rusher at the next level.

20. Seattle Seahawks: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State

Smith-Njigba lacks elite speed, but he excelled in the agility drills by posting combine-best performances in both the three-cone (6.57 seconds) and 20-yard shuttle (3.93). He’s a polished route runner with outstanding ball skills and body control. A nagging hamstring injury forced him to miss nearly all of 2022, but he set the Big Ten receiving record with 1,606 yards in ’21. JSN would be an immediate upgrade over Dee Eskridge, who has only 122 receiving yards to his name through two seasons.

21. Los Angeles Chargers: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas

The Chargers granted Austin Ekeler permission to seek a trade after the two sides failed to reach agreement on an extension as he enters the last year of his contract. Robinson is the best running back prospect in several years and a top-five prospect overall (even though he won’t be drafted that high). He has outstanding size, speed, vision and contact balance, and his 183 missed tackles forced over the past two seasons, per PFF, are 56 more than the next closest back. Like Ekeler, Robinson is also dynamic as a receiver.

22. Baltimore Ravens: Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU

Baltimore’s lack of talent at wide receiver was a glaring weakness last season, especially after Rashod Bateman sustained a season-ending injury. Johnston has had some issues with drops, but his combination of size and speed would provide Baltimore’s offense with a vertical threat it lacked last season.

23. Minnesota Vikings: Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland

The Vikings signed Byron Murphy to a two-year deal, but their top three corners in terms of snaps played last season are no longer on the roster. Banks tested extremely well at the combine, with a 4.35 40-yard dash, 42" vertical and 11'4" broad jump. He’s a willing and reliable tackler who had his most productive season in 2022 with nine passes defended.

24. Jacksonville Jaguars: Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State

While 2021 second-round pick Walker Little may seem like the most logical replacement at right tackle for Jawaan Taylor, who recently signed a four-year contract with the Chiefs, coach Doug Pederson said at the combine that Walker has “value at guard, possibly. He’s got value at tackle, possibly. He can play both sides.” Jones has rare length, and is a massive right tackle prospect and a mauler in the run game.

25. New York Giants: Jordan Addison, WR, USC

The Giants had one of the weakest receiving corps in the NFL last season. Some additions early in free agency shouldn’t deter them from continuing to bolster the group, as only Darius Slayton and Wan’Dale Robinson are under contract beyond 2023. Although Addison was more productive in his Biletnikoff Award–winning season (’21) at Pitt, his speed, route running and ball skills are strengths.

26. Dallas Cowboys: O’Cyrus Torrence, IOL, Florida

The Cowboys have recently added CB Stephon Gilmore and WR Brandin Cooks to their roster, moves that have addressed two of their biggest needs, so they may look to the offensive line here. Guard Connor McGovern departed in free agency. Dallas restructured Tyron Smith’s contract, but he has missed at least three games every year since 2016 (and most of both ’20 and ’22). Both Smith and Zack Martin will turn 33 during the season, and Torrence would inject some youth into the offensive line. The massive guard is a monster in the run game, and Mike McCarthy intends to run the ball more often next season.

27. Buffalo Bills: Brian Branch, S, Alabama

If Branch slides to the end of the first round after a somewhat disappointing 40-yard dash (4.58 seconds), he’d be an ideal fit for the Bills. Buffalo re-signed safety Jordan Poyer in free agency, but he and Micah Hyde are both on the wrong side of 30. The Bills covet versatility in their safeties, and Branch could fill virtually any role in the secondary. He’s an incredibly reliable tackler, and his intelligence and instincts make him one of the safest prospects in this draft class.

28. Cincinnati Bengals: Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah

Kincaid would not only fill the void left by Hayden Hurst, who signed with Carolina this offseason, but he’s an upgrade as a receiving threat due to his route running, run-after-catch ability and outstanding ball skills. He finished 2022 with 70 catches for 890 yards and eight touchdowns.

29. New Orleans Saints (via SF): Calijah Kancey, IDL, Pittsburgh

This pick could be used to address the free-agent losses of defensive linemen David Onyemata and Shy Tuttle. Kancey is undersized and lacks length (30 5/8" arms), but his quick hands and feet allow him to win inside as a pass rusher. He posted a DT-best 4.67 in the 40-yard dash with a 1.64 10-yard split. Kancey has recorded at least seven sacks and 13 TFLs in back-to-back seasons.

30. Philadelphia Eagles: Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia

Teams can never have too many cornerbacks, but the Eagles would have the luxury of not needing Ringo to be a major contributor as a rookie, with James Bradberry and Darius Slay returning as starting boundary corners. The former Georgia cornerback is only 20 years old and possesses an elite combination of size (6'2" and 207 pounds) and speed (4.36 40-yard dash).

31. Kansas City Chiefs: Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College

Tight end Travis Kelce led the Super Bowl champs in receiving, but JuJu Smith-Schuster (78/933/3) led the team’s wide receivers in 2022 and then signed with the Patriots in free agency. Flowers is a quick and smooth athlete who is elusive after the catch with an extra gear. He was highly productive, finishing last year with 78 catches for 1,077 yards and 12 touchdowns.