Post Super Bowl Two-Round Mock Draft

In Richie Bradshaw's 2023 NFL Draft mock 3.0, there are trades galore as teams look to acquire their quarterbacks of the future.

Richie Bradshaw | Feb 13, 2023

The 2022 season has come to a close and the 2023 offseason is underway and as such, it's time to focus solely on the 2023 NFL Draft.

And my goodness, will it be a crazy process between now and April 27.

For my third mock draft of the process, I have done something I normally don't do - I have included trades. I simply do not have any belief that the Chicago Bears will sit tight with the number one pick and believe there will be lots of movement for quarterbacks to come. Henceforth, this is my first mock draft with trades included.

This is also a two-round mock draft, so enjoy everything I put together, and be sure to roast me accordingly.

With that being said, we have a trade for the number one overall pick...

Round 1

1. Indianapolis Colts: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky

Trade:

Chicago receives picks four, 35, 105, and a 2024 first-round pick

Indianapolis receivers pick one

For what it's worth, I would be taking Bryce Young first overall, but NFL groupthink likes Levis' traits more. Here, the Colts aren't afraid to mortgage some picks to get the young quarterback they haven't had since Andrew Luck. The Bears don't mind capitalizing and stashing great value to add to arguably the league's worst roster.

2. Houston Texans: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama

Don't count the Texans out for moving up a spot to secure their guy, whoever that may be. Thankfully for them, they can happily sit at pick two and land Young. While Young won't be everyone's cup of tea (for size reasons alone), he is my personal QB1 and will give the Texans their franchise quarterback of the future. Don't sleep on them adding a veteran quarterback prior to the draft and then drafting a defensive cornerstone for new head coach DeMeco Ryans, however.

3. Arizona Cardinals: Will Anderson, EDGE, Alabama

This is the dream for the Cardinals. Two quarterbacks go with the first two picks and allow the team to pick between their preferred choice of Anderson and Jalen Carter. I have the Cardinals going with a more premium position at edge than defensive tackle, but you can't go wrong either way. Both players feel like generational talents.

4. Carolina Panthers: C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State

Trade:

Chicago receives picks nine, 61, and a 2024 second-round pick

Carolina receives pick four

The Bears could absolutely sit tight at four and take Carter, but another opportunity to trade down a few spots and keep adding ammo is also a great idea. The Panthers, meanwhile, move up to get the quarterback they've desperately needed. Stroud doesn't wow many, but as a pure passer, there are few things to dislike. He makes the Panthers contenders for the NFC South.

5. Seattle Seahawks: Jalen Carter, IDL, Georgia

I thought about having the Seahawks take one of the big, athletic edge rushers, but how can you pass Carter? Even at defensive tackle, Carter is arguably the best player in this draft and the Seahawks have a desperate need for a presence along the interior of their defensive line. This is the steal of the draft.

6. Detroit Lions: Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech

James Houston was a lovely surprise in the sixth round of last year's draft for the Lions, but imagine if they could keep him in his role as a part-time player to keep him fresh. Now imagine Wilson across from Aidan Hutchinson attacking he quarterback with Houston coming in for blitz packages. Those three alone create a high-upside and youthful pass rush for the Lions.

7. Green Bay Packers: Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson

Trade:

Las Vegas receives Aaron Rodgers

Green Bay receives pick seven, a 2024 first-round pick, and Darren Waller

I am not sure how I feel about trading Aaron Rodgers, but getting two first-round picks and a Pro Bowl tight end is difficult to pass on. Murphy ends the stretch of Georgia Bulldogs taken in the first round by the Packers, but his athletic upside paired with Rashaan Gary and Preston Smith is nasty to think about.

8. Atlanta Falcons: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida

The Falcons may have to move up to get their quarterback, but in this mock, they sit firm and still land Richardson, who might have the highest upside of any quarterback in this class. It's certainly a dice roll, but Richardson will have the weapons at his disposal to progress quickly and hopefully reach his ceiling early in his career.

9. Chicago Bears: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia

The Bears moved down twice from the number one pick and yet still stayed in the top ten and got their pick of the available offensive tackles to protect Justin Fields's blindside. Jones looks like a prototypical left tackle with a nasty edge in the run game. He'll fit right into an offense that likes to ground and pound the ball.

10. Philadelphia Eagles: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon

The Eagles just played in the Super Bowl and somehow have a top-10 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft... That is simply unfair. James Bradberry played great ball in 2022 but he is a free agent and is in his 30s, as is returning starter Darius Slay. Gonzalez might be the best cornerback in the 2023 NFL Draft class and he can be a day-one starter for the Eagles no matter who returns for 2023.

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

A wide receiver makes sense here, but adding offensive line talent is an absolute must. If the team decides to bring back Taylor Lewan, they can slide Johnson Jr. at guard in year one and have him be the eventual successor to the Pro Bowler. If they cut Lewan, then Johnson Jr. gets to be the new left tackle. Win-win if you ask me.

12. Houston Texans: Lukas Van Ness, EDGE, Iowa

DeMeco Ryans won't leave the 2023 NFL Draft without a defensive cornerstone and Van Ness is skyrocketing up draft boards with his high upside potential. The Texans need help all along the front seven of the defense and Van Ness's value and potential could make this one of the better picks with eventual hindsight.

13. New York Jets: Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern

There are no quarterbacks worth taking in the first round at this point in the draft and I won't count the Jets out of the Aaron Rodgers sweepstakes or signing a veteran like Derek Carr. Instead, the team invests in its offensive line to continue making life easier for whoever is throwing the rock in 2023 with Skoronski, who has Pro Bowl upside if he gets moved to guard or can remain a good option at left tackle. Whatever you decide to do with him, the most important thing to do is get him on the field.

14. New England Patriots: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois

Who is the number one cornerback in the 2023 NFL Draft is up for discussion and Witherspoon has a terrific case for that distinction. The Patriots will be facing a retooling in their secondary with the likely departure of Jonathan Jones. Witherspoon can be a lockdown corner for the team and get this pass defense back to top-tier status sooner rather than later.

15. Green Bay Packers: Bryan Bresee, IDL, Clemson

Bresee is the former number-one prospect in the 2020 recruiting class, but he had trouble living up to his potential thanks to injuries. And yet he remains one of the 2023 NFL Draft's top prospects because when he did play, he was as dominant as advertised. This is certainly a gamble for the Packers, but a defensive line of Bresee, Kenny Clark, and Devonte Wyatt is terrifying for opposing offenses. Couple that with the edge-rushing investment from earlier, and this looks like a doomsday defense.

16. Washington Commanders: Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia

Ringo is a high-upside gamble that will deter a lot of teams. Still, his ball-hawking potential should have teams willing to take the risk. The Commanders are in need of a number one corner and will gladly take the chance on Ringo to lock down opposing receivers and make huge plays on the football.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State

I so badly wanted to continue mocking Joey Porter Jr. to the Steelers, but Jones's draft stock is soaring after a dominant Senior Bowl week and the dire need on the offensive line is too much to ignore for the team. With Kenny Pickett's terrific second-half of the season, giving him as much help as possible is a must. The legacy pick feels good, but the offensive line investment is the smarter decision.

18. Detroit Lions: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas

Is this a luxury pick? It could be, but D'Andre Swift can't stay healthy and may be best suited as a change-of-pace running back. Robinson, meanwhile, is one of the best prospects in this draft that just so happens to play a devalued position. Nonetheless, Robinson would take this offense to new heights and give the Lions unbelievable potential for an elite offense.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State

The Buccaneers need a quarterback following Tom Brady's retirement, but there aren't any worth taking. The team needs to reload their secondary with the anticipated departure of several players including Jamel Dean. Porter Jr. is yet another cornerback who can be argued as the top in the class and his shutdown potential makes him a great value a 19.

20. Seattle Seahawks: John Michael Schmitz, IOL, Minnesota

The Seahawks should continue to value the trenches and add the 2023 NFL Draft's top center prospect. The team hit on both of their offensive tackle investments a year ago and would be smart to continue turning a once glaring weakness into a strength with Michael Schmitz.

21. Los Angeles Chargers: Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU

Keenan Allen is a serious candidate to be a cap casualty, which would propel the wide receiver position toward the top of the Charger's needs. But even if Allen is somehow back, he won't be a long-term option for the team and his injury history is concerning. It's lucky for them that they get their pick of the liter for the wide receiver class and Johnston checks every box you look for in a number one receiver. Size, speed, ball skills... You name it and he's got it.

22. Baltimore Ravens: Jordan Addison, WR, USC

Addison was banged up in 2022, but he was electric when he was on the field. The Ravens will be happy to land any wide receiver but they should be ecstatic to see Addison available this late. If they add a veteran receiver this offseason, he and Addison will pair wonderfully with Rashod Bateman returning from injury to fix this annually bad passing attack.

23. Minnesota Vikings: Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina

Mike Zimmer may no longer be the head coach of the Vikings, but that doesn't mean the team should stop investing at the cornerback position. The Vikings have taken their fair share of swings at misses at the position, but Smith should be the best option that they've chanced on since Xavier Rhodes back in 2013. Smith is yet another candidate for CB1 in the 2023 NFL Draft class. This pick is a slam dunk.

24. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame

If the Jaguars resign Evan Engram, then this pick might change, but the upside of Mayer is Pro Bowl status and Doug Pederson's offense showed exactly how much they value their tight end position. Mayer is a dynamic prospect who would be an instant difference-maker working with Trevor Lawrence.

25. New York Giants: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State

I believe Smith-Njigba to be the WR1 in this year's pool, but teams could overthink him and allow him to drop further than he ever should. The Giants need a WR1 as badly as anyone else and his route-running savvy will instantly propel him to that status in Brian Daboll's offense.

26. Dallas Cowboys: Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College

CeeDee Lamb is an elite WR1, but he needs a Robin to his Batman. Insert Flowers, who looks to be one of the craftiest receivers after the catch in this year's pool. With Flowers's ability to create with the ball in his hands, the Cowboys' passing attack stays top-notch and gets a definitive upgrade over the guys they had in 2022.

27. Buffalo Bills: Brian Branch, S, Alabama

Jordan Poyer is another year older and a pending free agent. The Bills will have to make a tough decision regarding their future at safety, but Branch should be one of the top players on their board regardless. Branch is a versatile defensive back who can play some nickel and even outside corner. His ability to be a flexible chess piece should attract the Bills.

28. Cincinnati Bengals: Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah

Hayden Hurst was a much more valuable part of the Bengals' offense than people realize, but the team can get younger and cheaper by drafting Kincaid. Kincaid was one of college football's best-kept secrets in 2022 and will likely be the same in the 2023 NFL Draft class. He has seen his stock rise recently and the Bengals would be wise to add him to their top-flight passing attack.

29. New Orleans Saints: Siaki Ika, IDL, Baylor

The Saints have a ton of difficult decisions to make thanks to their salary cap, but an upgrade on the defensive line is a must. Ika is an absolutely massive human being at 6'4" 357lbs., but he is a penetrated and space eater that will help the Saints get back to stuffing the run.

30. Philadelphia Eagles: Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia

The Eagles' pass rush was vicious all year long but a lot of key contributors could be gone from the 2022 squad and youth is desperately needed. Smith missed much of the season due to injury, but it's very likely he will be healthy for the start of 2023, and quite frankly, his value at the end of round one in absurd.

31. Kansas City Chiefs: Derick Hall, EDGE, Auburn

The Super Bowl champion Chiefs will need to think long and hard about whether or not to keep Frank Clark. Even if they do, you can never have too many pass rushers, and getting a running mate for George Karlaftis is a must. Hall has been a steady contributor for Auburn the last couple of years and he could be that bookend pass rusher opposite Karlaftis.