2023 Mock Draft 2.0 (with trades!): MULTIPLE Moves within Top 3??

 Mock draft season is really upon us now! About a month ago following the conclusion of the regular season, I dropped my mock draft 1.0., but now its getting real with the off-season underway for all 32 teams and the order set! In that first mock I also did not include mock trades, but for today's, I will have them! This is going to be fun, and the first of many this off-season. I'm excited to look back at this when making my final mock in April before the draft and seeing how much it has changed in just the matter of off-season months with the combine, workouts, rumors, trades, FA signings, and more! Lets get into this one, and we will kick it off with a TRADE for pick 1!

MOCK TRADE: Chicago Bears send pick #1 and a 2024 sixth rounder to the Indianapolis Colts for pick #4, 2023 fifth rounder, and a 2024 first round pick

1. Indianapolis Colts (via CHI) select: Bryce Young, Quarterback, Alabama

It is no secret that the Bears are looking to trade out of the first pick in the 2023 draft, as they have their franchise QB already and know they can get a ransom from a team that is in need of one. The Colts are that team, as they have not been quiet about their desire to not only draft a QB, but move up if needed to get that guy. In this case, they pay a hefty price, but move up from #4 to #1 and get Bryce Young, who is widely considered as QB1 in this draft. Young is undersized at about 5'11 and 190 pounds, but man does he have EVERYTHING else. He is mobile as hell, can make off-script plays and throws, can carry a team, and is a great leader (especially in big moments). He certainly has the 'IT' factor. New HC Shane Steichen might see a little Jalen Hurts in him, and if he is able to turn him into anything like Hurts, this will be a home run for Indy.

2. Houston Texans select: C.J. Stroud, Quarterback, Ohio State

While I shouldn't be so quick to say that Young and CJ Stroud are the consensus QBs 1 and 2 in this class, that is the way that most people see it. While this certainly could change, right now, I would expect the Texans to go with Stroud over other options like Will Levis or even Anthony Richardson. Stroud is a great QB prospect. He has a pretty good arm, nothing insane, but a very accurate passer who can go deep. He isn't the same off-script guy as Young, which could worry some, but he has a great frame for the modern day NFL, and is mobile when willing to leave the pocket. The way he torched the top ranked Georgia defense in the air on the ground in the 2023 playoff really really helped his stock. The Texans are ready to find their long term Deshaun Watson replacement, and DeMeco Ryans and co. will be thrilled to build around a guy like Stroud.

MOCK TRADE: Arizona Cardinals send pick #3 to the Carolina Panthers for pick #9, 2023 & 2024 fourth round picks, and a 2024 first round pick

3. Carolina Panthers (via ARI) select: Anthony Richardson, Quarterback, Florida

BOOM! While the Colts trading up to no. 1 isn't a huge shocker, this one IS! Not only do the Panthers shock the world by giving up an absolute ransom to get to pick 3, but then they go ahead and take Anthony Richardson over Will Levis! I think this is a player you are going to start see creeping up boards all over the place. While Richardson was not amazing by any stretch of the imagination in his one season as a starter at Florida, the potential is off the charts. Richardson is HUGE at 6'5, 235 pounds and has an absolute cannon for an arm. Not only that, but he is one of the best rushing prospects in recent memory from the QB position. He reminds me a LOT of Josh Allen. While he is raw and needs a lot of coaching up, the potential is sky-high for this guy, and Frank Reich is the QB whisperer and will take one look at Richardson in person and instantly be on the phones trying to move up here.

4. Chicago Bears (via IND) select: Jalen Carter, Defensive Tackle, Georgia

This is a dream scenario for the Bears. They get a haul to move down three spots with the Colts, and then they go right ahead and get the guy they would have taken at 1 in there new spot! Jalen Carter is a monster. He is probably my no. 1 player in the class. Everyone knows how rare it is to find a defensive tackle who can truly rush the passer, and Carter has that potential. People were raving about Carter's teammate from last season Jordan Davis going into the 2022 draft, multiply that by about 5 to 10 for Carter! The Bears have needs everywhere, but with more draft capital now, they can start by getting the best player in the draft for their DL in Carter!

5. Seattle Seahawks (via DEN) select: Will Anderson Jr., Edge Rusher, Alabama

The flurry of trades really works out for Seattle here. With Geno Smith likely re-signing, QB is not a priority for the 'Hawks here. Instead, they want to address their D-line, which was atrocious to end the season. With Jalen Carter and Will Anderson being the two blue chip guys on the DL in this class, the run on QB pushes them down the board and Anderson falls right into their laps! This is an edge rushing prospect of the same caliber as a Myles Garrett, Nick Bosa, or Jadeveon Clowney. Anderson should have probably won the HEISMAN in 2021, and then followed that up with another elite season in 2022. Anderson is a relentless rusher who can say he has sack production in college and not just a guy going off of potential. Seattle is in dire need of consistent pass rush and this gets them it. 27 sacks in the last two years is pretty damn good from Anderson.

6. Detroit Lions (via LAR) select: Devon Witherspoon, Cornerback, Illinois

CB is bound to be the most talked about position in this class leading up to the draft. There is no one singular INSANE prospect like Sauce Gardner last season, but there are a lot of really good players. While there seems to be no real consensus on who is the best guy right now, my personal pick is Devon Witherspoon from Illinois, and he would fill a massive need for the Lions. Detroit was awful in the back-end last season, and other than injury prone Jeff Okudah, they have nothing at the corner spot. Witherspoon allowed just a singular YARD in press coverage last season (what Detroit likes to run most) and an overall passer rating allowed of just 25.3! That is ridiculously good. He didn't allow a TD on the year either. At 6'0, Witherspoon also has ideal length for the position right now. His toughness and mean press skills will be a perfect fit on Dan Quinn's team.

7. Las Vegas Raiders select: Will Levis, Quarterback, Kentucky

The accuracy of these mock drafts will become much clearer in the coming weeks once we know which teams actually sign or trade for veterans, and won't be needing to pick a guy in the 2023 draft. With the uncertainty at the current moment of what the Raiders will do at QB, and Will Levis sitting there at 7, I have to make the pick right now. Levis is quite an intriguing prospect. He stands 6'4, 230 pounds, and has an insane arm. He is also quite agile and tough for a QB. A lot of people like to compare him to a younger Josh Allen. The problem is, while he has all the physical tools to be great, he has not really shown us much yet while at Kentucky. This is a guy who will have to be developed, but if done right, could be a superstar in the league in due time. The Raiders need a QB.

8. Atlanta Falcons select: Tyree Wilson, Edge Rusher, Texas Tech

The cards fall extremely well for the Falcons here, as an easy top 5 prospect in my opinion, falls to them at 8. The Falcons are in a weird spot right now between rebuilding and trying to win, but snagging a freaky edge talent like Wilson will push them in the winning direction. Wilson is a huge edge rusher, but has versatility, strength, and explosiveness to play either inside or out on the DL. He is already quite polished as a pass rusher AND a run defender. The Falcons are in need of all things DL, and Wilson sort of fills multiple needs at once. This is a very comparable prospect to Jacksonville's Travon Walker!

9. Arizona Cardinals (via CAR) select: Peter Skoronski, Offensive Tackle, Northwestern

The first big move of the new front office is making the big move down with the Panthers. They should be thrilled when they get their pick of the litter in terms of offensive linemen with this 9th overall pick. While of the big 3 OT prospects, Peter Skoronski usually finds himself being the third ranked, he is the best fit for the Cardinals. Arizona has needs all across the line and so while drafting some of the other OTs would give them a plug and play at tackle, Skoronski has guard flexibility as well. In fact, some think Skoronski will be best suited to be a guard in the NFL because of his shorter arms. I personally think he can and will play both inside and outside at a high level in the NFL, and the Cardinals will be happy to line him up wherever they need most with quite the lackluster offensive line in place. I would say Skoronski is the most NFL ready of the prospects in this class too, which is big for these Cardinals.

10. Philadelphia Eagles (via NO) select: Christian Gonzalez, Cornerback, Oregon

The Eagles have the rare luxury of playing in the Super Bowl and then picking top 10 in the off-season directly after it. Thanks to the Saints, the Eagles have this pick, and with a pretty figured out roster, can make a pick that is more of a luxury for them than a need. With James Bradberry likely having priced his way out of returning, Philly is in dire need of a CB2 opposite of Darius Slay. They would be thrilled to snag Oregon's Christian Gonzalez. Gonzalez has ELITE length, at 6'2, and is a ball-hawk for the position. His 40 time is going to be off the charts as well. I expect Gonzalez and Witherspoon to be the top 2 corners in the class by the time April rolls around.

11. Tennessee Titans select: Paris Johnson Jr., Offensive Tackle, Ohio State

I think OT or WR is the pick here for the Titans, and while it was close, I went with OL just based on the fact that Tennessee went WR in the first last year (and could be players in the DeAndre Hopkins sweepstakes). The Tennessee OL needs some rebuilding, and it would go a long way towards doing that by adding the athletic Paris Johnson. He definitely has some growing to still do in certain aspects of his game, but we have seen him look dominant as anyone at times at Ohio State, against great competition. Johnson is also tackle/guard versatile which could be big for the Titans. Derrick Henry will be a fan of this one, Johnson is a mauler!

12. Houston Texans (via CLE) select: Quentin Johnston, Wide Receiver, TCU

What a perfect pairing for the Texans. With pick no. 2, they got their franchise QB in CJ Stroud, and now conveniently with their 2nd first rounder, they snag Stroud's potential WR1 of the future in Quentin Johnston. While I think the race for being considered WR1 in this class is tight between Johnston and USC's Jordan Addison, I like Johnston's fit better in Houston. He is a perfect X WR, with a huge body at 6'4 and amazing jump ball skills. He can also flat out FLY! He reminds me a bit of AJ Brown or even a slightly less freaky DK Metcalf. The Texans will be thrilled to trot out this QB/WR pairing as they can develop with one another from the start!

13. New York Jets select: Broderick Jones, Offensive Tackle, Georgia

Robert Saleh is going to do whatever he can to turn this team into a contender and keep his job at the same time. While the Jets will likely have to acquire their new signal caller via free agency or trade, this pick can be used to ensure that whoever that QB is, will have the best chance to win. With Mekhi Becton a walking injury and George Fant aging, OT is a MAJOR need for the Jets. Broderick Jones is the arguable OT1 in the class (I have Paris Johnson ahead, but slightly). Jones has dominated at Georgia, playing some of the best competition in college week-in and week-out. He would slot right into the starting lineup and give their next QB an anchor in the trenches.

MOCK TRADE: New England Patriots send pick #14 to the Detroit Lions for pick #18, a 2023 sixth round pick, and a 2024 third round pick

14. Detroit Lions (via NE) select: Drew Sanders, Linebacker, Arkansas

The Lions get aggressive, moving up their second first rounder four spots with the Patriots in order to ensure they can snag freakish LB prospect Drew Sanders from Arkansas. Sanders is quickly rising up boards and is one of my favorite guys in this draft. This guy can do everything, and is a true MLB at 6'5!! He had 9.5 sacks, 100 tackles, 3 FFs, and an INT this year! He can lineup off the edge sometimes as well. The Lions are looking for aggressive players like Sanders to fill out their defense, and with linebacker a massive hole on the roster, Sanders comes in and fills it in a big way! Adding Devon Witherspoon and then Drew Sanders makes this defense miles better in just one night. These are true Dan Campbell guys! Love this fit so much.

15. Green Bay Packers select: Michael Mayer, Tight End, Notre Dame

While the Packers continue their streak of passing on WR in the first round, they DO take a pass catcher this time around, but he's a TE. This is not just any TE prospect though, this is one of the rare elite ones that seem to come around only every couple of seasons. Mayer simply gets it DONE. He is a steady pair of hands in the middle of the field and can bowl over anyone in space. He reminds me a little bit of Rob Gronkowski. The Packers love their blocking TEs too, and Mayer is a more than capable blocker at the position which will be music to Matt LaFleur's ears. I can see the Packers being all over Mayer to add to a promising young pass catching group with Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs (whether its Rodgers OR Love under center next season).

16. Washington Commanders select: Joey Porter Jr., Cornerback, Penn State

Joey Porter Jr.'s dad, Joey Porter, used to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Commanders ruin that potential reunion one pick ahead of the Steelers! The NFL is a cold business. The Commanders are in dire need of cornerback help. They have virtually no one back there and I have a very strong hunch they go that way with this pick. Porter Jr. is a great CB prospect. This is another CB prospect with extremely elite length (6'2) and speed combination in this draft. While he could clean-up his PI's a bit, and he will, this is a very good corner prospect with elite CB1 potential in the NFL.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers select: Brian Branch, Defensive Back, Alabama

Sure, Brian Branch is not your prototypical cornerback, but he can certainly play it if needed. While traditionally more of a Safety/Slot Corner, Branch is one of the best athletes in this entire draft and I know he can play anywhere he is needed. This is a special player. He is a rare elite tackler for a DB, missing just 4 tackles on over 170 attempts on the season. That is rarefied air, that level of consistency tackling for ANY player, let alone a DB. Mike Tomlin knows special talent when he sees it, and that is what you have here with Brian Branch. This is best player available, and the Steelers don't give him a chance to fall anywhere else.

18. New England Patriots (via DET) select: Calijah Kancey, Defensive Tackle, Pitt

After trading down (like they always do), the Patriots take a bit of a flier on an underrated player (like they always do). Calijah Kancey is a guy I see getting some first round hype, but not a lot. Still, he is a really great prospect who has a chance to be a superstar at the next level. Kancey was one of the few ELITE pass rushers from the DT spot in the nation this season. With 7 sacks in each of the last two seasons at Pitt, he has proven that. PFF also gave him a 92.4 pass rushing grade which is the best in this class. The problem with Kancey is he is a bit undersized for the position, at 6'0, 280 pounds, but the absolute juice and athleticism he plays with should translate to the next level. This is a classic Patriots pick here, and its a good one.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers select: Bijan Robinson, Running Back, Texas

Tampa was a really tough spot to mock for here. QB is their biggest and really only glaring need with Tom Brady gone, but there are no QBs worth taking here at 19 with the top 4 guys already off the board earlier. There are some good DL options, but the Bucs are pretty stacked there. Instead, I'm giving them best player available which is Bijan Robinson. Robinson is one of the rare, S-tier RB prospects like Saquon Barkley and Ezekiel Elliott were. They don't come along often. No one forced more missed tackles in college than Robinson, and he is elite on the ground and as a receiver out of the backfield. While the QB situation needs to be figured out, adding Robinson as another amazing offensive piece will just make life even easier for whoever that signal caller ends up being. This is a luxury pick here for the Bucs, but a damn good one!

MOCK TRADE: Seattle Seahawks send pick #20 to the New York Giants for pick #25, pick #57 (rd. 2), and 2023 fourth and sixth round picks

20. New York Giants (via SEA) select: Zay Flowers, Wide Receiver, Boston College

With at least three teams picking ahead of them who could have their eyes on a wideout, the Giants call up the trade happy Seahawks and give them a nice haul to come up five spots and ensure they get the guy they want. To the surprise of many, it is the underrated Zay Flowers! The G-men may have found something in WR Isaiah Hodgins, but that is about all they really have right now at the WR position. With Daniel Jones drastically improving and likely coming back next season, Brian Daboll is going to do whatever he can to add more playmakers around him to this offense. Zay Flowers is one of my favorite risers right now. The 5'10 stud from BC simply gets open. He has shown elite production in college and is one of the best RAC prospects in awhile. Some say he reminds them of Deebo Samuel. Flowers would be a welcome addition to a lackluster WR core in New York. I could see this being Jordan Addison, but I think the electricity of Flowers is too hard for the Giants to pass on. 

21. Los Angeles Chargers select: Jordan Addison, Wide Receiver, USC

This pick almost feels unfair. Jordan Addison, the WR1 in the draft on a lot of boards, falls all the way to 21 to the waiting arms of Justin Herbert. This feels a lot like when CeeDee Lamb fell all the way down to the Cowboys in the mid-first a few years back. While Addison is certainly a completely different player than Lamb, he is very good in his own right. While slender, Addison is blazing fast and is the best route runner in this draft class. With Mike Williams always injured and Keenan Allen potentially being cut, the Chargers NEED another WR for Herbert. This is a dream scenario for both Addison and the Chargers.

22. Baltimore Ravens select: Jalin Hyatt, Wide Receiver, Tennessee

The run on receivers is truly on now! The Ravens were definitely gutted to see Addison go one pick before them, but they quickly pivot to the biggest speedster in the class in Jalin Hyatt. Hyatt was ELECTRIC at UT this season. He won the Biletnikof award for best WR in the nation. He is the definition of a deep threat, and let me say again, the fastest WR in the class. With Rashod Bateman as the underneath threat, Hyatt gives Lamar Jackson a Marquise Brown like speedster who can stretch a defense. This is a much needed pick for B-more.

23. Minnesota Vikings select: Kelee Ringo, Cornerback, Georgia

Even though the world seems to be out on Kelee Ringo right now, I think his stock will recover eventually, and I expect him to still be a first rounder to SOME team. That team is the Vikings in this case, who are desperate for help at the corner position. With Patrick Peterson 32 years old, even if he comes back, he should not be a long term answer at a very important position. While Ringo held up well for much of the season, there were a few games where he looked lost. However, he has the length and speed to be coached into an elite corner some day. Brian Flores will be up for the task. I could see Ringo running the fastest 40 time of any CB at the combine.

24. Jacksonville Jaguars select: Darnell Washington, Tight End, Georgia

The Jags are...well rounded? The sudden emergence of Jacksonville has shocked the world, and it actually is hard to find big holes on their roster. While Evan Engram has had a great season for them and the team arguably has bigger needs, Darnell Washington is too good a prospect for this team in its current position to turn down. Washington labels himself "the 6th linemen" in his Instagram bio as he is MASSIVE at 6'7 and 270 pounds. By that statement, you know he is a good blocking TE, which would be welcome in the Jag offense, but he is also developing into a real threat over the middle. Good luck tackling that. Washington just gives Doug Pederson another X-factor weapon to play with in his developing offense. I love this pick.

25. Seattle Seahawks (via NYG) select: John Michael Schmitz, Offensive Guard, Minnesota

This is a very Seahawks type of pick. Seattle loves its senior bowl stars, and they also love big, proven OL prospects. JMS is all of that. The 'Hawks have seen how the Chiefs and Eagles have succeeded so well by building through the OL, and in their first season of drafting heavy on OL, they saw immediate results with the success of rookie OTs Charles Cross and Abe Lucas. Now plug in JMS at Center or Guard. This guy was arguably the most impressive player of the senior bowl and feels like he could be the next Creed Humphrey type of IOL prospect. Seattle greatly improved their DL with their first pick, and now greatly improves their OL with their second!

26. Dallas Cowboys select: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Wide Receiver, Ohio State

The Cowboys are suckers for the big name prospects. I'm not trying to say JSN is a bad prospect or bad pick here by that, I'm just pointing it out. I think the 'Boys would be thrilled if he fell into their laps here at 26. Smith-Njigba was probably the best WR in college football a season ago, flashing his athleticism and route-running, but was injured for much of 2022 which has caused some concerns. JSN will thrive most in the NFL out of the slot, which could work in Dallas. It is clear Dak Prescott needs a second very good WR to succeed, as it was rough at times without Amari Cooper this year for Dallas. This is a good fit for both sides.

27. Buffalo Bills select: Lukas Van Ness, Edge Rusher, Iowa

The Bills do not have a ton of major needs on their team, and while I could see a case for Alabama RB Jahmyr Gibbs here, I instead just gave them best player available which is LVN from Iowa. Van Ness is not your typical first round edge rusher. Van Ness was not an every down rusher for the Hawkeyes, more of situational power rusher, but man when he was on the field, he was the best player. Van Ness is a huge power rusher, standing at 6'5, 270 pounds. He has absolutely elite power and could be developed into one of the better bull rushers in the NFL with time and a little more muscle added. With Von Miller aging and suspect production from the rest of the DL, adding Van Ness makes all the sense in the world, where at worst, he could remain an elite situational power rusher.

28. Cincinnati Bengals select: Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, Cornerback, TCU

Here's a name you might not know much about. Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson was one of the best players on the electric TCU team that stormed its way to playing in the National Championship game. While no one played well in that actual game, Hodges-Tomlinson was pretty darn good for the rest of the year. In man coverage last season, THT allowed just 8 catches, 0 TDs, and an extremely low 33.0 passer rating. The Bengals are in dire need of defensive back help and can't rely on Eli Apple to make big plays for them anymore. THT would be a perfect plug and play in a gritty Bengal defense.

29. New Orleans Saints (via DEN) select: Nolan Smith, Edge Rusher, Georgia

Hello Saints! With their new first-rounder from the Sean Payton swap, the Saints focus on improving their defense with freaky athlete Nolan Smith. Smith was the no. 1 ranked player in his class coming out of HS and looked the part before missing a lot of games at Georgia with injury. Still, we know how good he can be when healthy, and he was a projected top 10-15 pick before this injury riddled 2022 season. With Cam Jordan getting older (34) and not much else on the DL, Dennis Allen and co. opt for the sky high potential of Smith and hope to develop him into an All-Pro rusher. No one has better bend than Smith in this class.

30. Philadelphia Eagles select: Myles Murphy, Edge Rusher, Clemson

This was a guy the Eagles definitely would have been considering with their 1st first rounder at pick 10. I've seen Murphy go as high as pick 6 in mocks and as low as the second round. This early in the process it is hard to know where he really stacks up. I'm lower on him than most, as I don't think he is that much of a pass rusher currently. I think he has the potential to get there, but he isn't there now. Still, he's a really good run defender at the moment, and with Philly possibly losing Brandon Graham, Murphy could slot in as a replacement or a guy who learns behind Graham for a year before becoming a 3-down lineman. Either way, this feels like a steal for the reigning NFC champions.

31. Kansas City Chiefs select: Dawand Jones, Offensive Tackle, Ohio State

This feels like a pretty unfair pick for the defending champs. Dawand Jones got his name on the map with his crazy Senior Bowl measurements. People notched him in at SIX FOOT EIGHT with a NINETY INCH wingspan! That is reportedly the average wingspan for someone who is SEVEN FOOT FIVE! If that is confirmed at the combine, Jones would have the largest wingspan ever for an NFL player. While he is certainly a project at OT, he has shown serious flashes of greatness in pass protection and as a straight up mauler. The Chiefs have both of their starting OTs as impending free agents and Jones could be their next OL steal in the draft. Imagine going up against a guy like THIS when trying to get to Patrick Mahomes. The 375 pounder has a larger wingspan than GIANNIS! Good luck beating the Chiefs with him.