2023 NFL Mock Draft 8.0: A Top QB Falls to the Buccaneers at No. 19

The No. 1 pick by the Panthers seems to be either Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud or Alabama’s Bryce Young. Where the other signal-callers land is anyone’s best guess.

Only 14 days until the Panthers go on the clock for the first round of the 2023 NFL draft.

Until then, everybody takes their best guess as to how things play out. What do we know, though? What’s a given fact?

For starters, two quarterbacks—Alabama’s Bryce Young and Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, in some order—will go off the board in the first two picks. After that, the Cardinals—should they stay at No. 3—will almost certainly take a defensive talent. Then, the Colts will think long and hard about a quarterback for themselves.

Essentially, the draft starts with the Seahawks at No. 5. They could take a quarterback or further shore up their defense.

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Young and Stroud will almost certainly be the top two picks in the draft in some order :: Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports (Young); Orlando Ramirez/USA TODAY Sports (Stroud)

With that information as a backdrop, let’s get to Sports Illustrated’s latest 2023 NFL mock draft.

1

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

Stroud is a fantastic prospect who threw for 85 touchdowns and only 12 interceptions over the past two seasons with Ohio State. In his last collegiate game, the junior showed why he’s worthy of the top pick, throwing for 348 yards and four touchdowns against the national champion Georgia Bulldogs. 

2

Houston Texans: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama

Houston would be thrilled to get Young, who is coming off a Heisman-winning campaign for the Crimson Tide. Young has 8,200 passing yards and 79 touchdowns since 2021, firmly entrenching himself as a potential franchise quarterback. 

3

Arizona Cardinals: Will Anderson Jr., edge, Alabama

Another Alabama man, this time on the defensive side, and Arizona is in dire need of talent. Anderson is the easy choice, coming off a year when he posted 10 sacks. In 2021, Anderson totaled a career-high 17.5 sacks.

4

Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida

This is where the intrigue really starts. Do the Colts value the remaining quarterbacks highly enough to draft them here? Unless Indianapolis is willing to either sign Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson to an offer sheet or waste another season, it might not have a choice. Richardson is the right pick.

5

Seattle Seahawks (via DEN): Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia

The questions are obvious with Carter. He was out of shape and struggled through a hideous Georgia pro day. He also has significant off-field concerns, mostly stemming from an incident that saw a Georgia player and a staffer lose their lives. How far does he fall?

6

Detroit Lions (via Rams): Tyree Wilson, edge, Texas Tech

The Lions have Aidan Hutchinson on one edge, but could use another threat opposite him. Wilson was a force in the Big 12, playing four years for the Red Raiders and starting for two. Detroit is remaking its defense around youth in the front seven, and this is another step in the right direction.

7

Las Vegas Raiders: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon

It’s time to fix the defense. The Raiders have Maxx Crosby on the edge and literally no other building blocks. Gonzalez would provide a potential top-tier corner on a rookie deal and give coach Josh McDaniels someone to anchor the secondary.

8

Atlanta Falcons: Lukas Van Ness, edge, Iowa

After adding safety Jessie Bates III and defensive tackle David Onyemata in free agency, Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot continues the face-lift with Van Ness, who had 19 tackles for loss and 13 sacks over the past two seasons for the Hawkeyes.

9

Chicago Bears (via CAR): Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern

Predictably, the Bears spent lavishly in free agency. Still, there are ample holes with tackle being among them. Skoronski is a local product who can play tackle, or even kick inside if need be. The Bears would do well to scoop him up. 

10

Philadelphia Eagles (via NO): Nolan Smith, edge, Georgia

The Eagles love to build on both lines of scrimmage. They also need an eventual replacement for Brandon Graham, who is on a one-year deal and 35 years old. General manager Howie Roseman and the front office also love the Georgia defense, taking linebacker Nakobe Dean and defensive tackle Jordan Davis last year.

11

Tennessee Titans: Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State

It’s rebuilding time for the Titans. First-year general manager Ran Carthon released left tackle Taylor Lewan and signed Andre Dillard this offseason. However, he still needs another tackle. Adding Johnson would allow Tennessee to fix both tackle spots.

12

Houston Texans (via CLE): Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State

If the Texans plan on Young having any chance, he needs help on offense. After trading Brandin Cooks to the Cowboys, there’s a glaring need on the outside. Smith-Njigba was a force with the Buckeyes, amassing 95 catches for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns in 2021 before being limited to three games last year with a nagging hamstring injury.

13

New York Jets: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia

Maybe this pick ends up with the Packers for Aaron Rodgers, but for now, the Jets help their eventual quarterback by upgrading at tackle. The offensive line has been a problem for years in New York, and Jones is worth another attempt at fixing it.

14

New England Patriots: Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State

The Patriots have a young, promising secondary headlined by Jack Jones and Jonathan Jones. Porter would be a great fit and is a terrific athlete, who ran a 4.46 40-yard dash. Porter started the past two years for the Nittany Lions, and has an argument for the best corner in this class outside of Gonzalez. 

15

Green Bay Packers: Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah

General manager Brian Gutekunst needs to build around Jordan Love. After allowing tight end Robert Tonyan to leave in free agency for the Bears, Kincaid would be a smart addition. The Utah product caught 70 passes for 890 yards and eight scores in 2022.

16

Washington Commanders: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois

The Commanders need to find help in the secondary. Witherspoon would be a fine addition, with the main concern being his size at 5'10" and 182 pounds. Still, he’s a terrific prospect, who showcased with 14 pass breakups last year.

17

Pittsburgh Steelers: Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee

If the Steelers are going to get the best out of second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett, the offensive line has to improve dramatically. General manager Omar Khan did well to sign guard Isaac Seumalo, but Wright would be a huge addition at tackle.

18

Detroit Lions: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame

After trading T.J. Hockenson to the Vikings last season, the Lions have a gaping hole at tight end. Adding Mayer would be a steal for Detroit, which could pair him with receivers Jameson Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown. In 2022, Mayer posted 67 catches for 809 yards and nine scores.

19

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky

If Levis falls out of the top 10, the Buccaneers could be a team willing to spend a first-round pick on the Kentucky quarterback :: Jordan Prather/USA TODAY Sports

If Levis falls here—and that’s a possibility—the Buccaneers would have a tough time passing on him. The Buccaneers are in quarterback purgatory with Baker Mayfield on a one-year deal, and Levis would provide a high-risk, high-reward choice in the mid-first round.

20

Seattle Seahawks: O’Cyrus Torrence, IOL, Florida

The Seahawks selected Carter with their first pick, and now they move to the other line and take Torrence out of Florida. Considered by most draft experts as the best interior lineman in the draft, Torrence would continue the youth movement on Seattle’s offensive line. 

21

Los Angeles Chargers: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas

Robinson might be a top-five player in this class, but positional value knocks him down into the back half of the first round. With Austin Ekeler in the final year of his deal and wanting a trade, Robinson would be a tremendous replacement. In 2022 for the Longhorns, he amassed 1,894 total yards and 20 touchdowns. 

22

Baltimore Ravens: Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU

Nobody needs a receiver more than the Ravens, and Johnston has a claim as the best in this group. The TCU star has size at 6'3" and 208 pounds and can run. He would provide a big target with fantastic upside for Lamar Jackson.

23

Minnesota Vikings: Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland

The Vikings released Cam Dantzler and allowed Patrick Peterson to leave in free agency. While the addition of Byron Murphy Jr. is a good one, Banks would give Minnesota a tremendous athlete at 6'0" and 197 pounds with 4.35 speed. 

24

Jacksonville Jaguars: Calijah Kancey, DT, Pittsburgh

It’s clear quarterback Trevor Lawrence and coach Doug Pederson are the pillars of an elite offense, but the defense needs help. Taking Kancey would provide some pass rush alongside edge rusher Josh Allen and defensive end Dawuane Smoot. At 281 pounds, Kancey ran a 4.65 at the scouting combine. 

25

New York Giants: Jordan Addison, WR, USC

Addison is a fascinating prospect. With the Trojans, he went for 3,134 receiving yards and 29 touchdowns over three seasons. He also has good speed, running a 4.49 at the combine. The potential problem? He’s 5'11" and 173 pounds. Teams will need to get comfortable with that.

26

Dallas Cowboys: Brian Branch, S, Alabama

With Jayron Kearse and Malik Hooker hitting free agency in 2024, the Cowboys have to plan ahead. While this year’s safety class is weak, Branch is a first-round talent coming from an elite program. He’d be a nice find for the Cowboys at No. 26.

27

Buffalo Bills: Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson

Ed Oliver is scheduled to hit free agency, and even if he’s retained, the Bills need more inside help on the defensive line. Bresee is a consistent run-stuffer who can also push the pocket, notching nine sacks over three years with the Tigers.

28

Cincinnati Bengals: Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia

After losing Hayden Hurst in free agency, the Bengals are in dire need of help at tight end. With Kincaid and Mayer off the board, Washington is the clear choice. At 6'7" and 264 pounds, Washington will be a mismatch nightmare in the red zone, drawing one-on-one coverage in Cincinnati.

29

New Orleans Saints (via SF): Myles Murphy, edge, Clemson

The Saints lost plenty of their defensive front this offseason, including edge rusher Marcus Davenport. General manager Mickey Loomis needs to replenish the unit, and adding Murphy would be a great fit and, at No. 29, tremendous value. Last year for the Tigers, Murphy totaled 11 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.

30

Philadelphia Eagles: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama

With their second pick of the first round, the Eagles can enjoy the luxury of adding a dynamic running back in Gibbs. The former Alabama star averaged 6.1 yards per carry and caught 44 passes in 2022 before running a 4.36 40-yard dash at the combine. He’s an electrifying prospect.

31

Kansas City Chiefs: Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College

Flowers is diminutive at 5'9" and 182 pounds, but the four-year starter at Boston College will entice the Chiefs at this spot. Kansas City has a clear need at receiver, and Flowers gives them an experienced youngster who caught 200 passes at the collegiate level. He can also fly, running a 4.42 40.