2023 Mock Draft 4.0: Lions have Dream First Round!

 Less than a month to go until the NFL draft officially kicks off and after a wild few weeks of free agency since my last mock draft, I decided it was time to drop my 4.0. edition to reflect all the changes now that teams have reloaded during the period. I am also projecting a new big trade inside the top 3!

1. Carolina Panthers (via CHI) select: CJ Stroud, Quarterback, Ohio State

A few weeks after the Panthers moved up to no. 1 and I still see them taking CJ Stroud. I personally would take Bryce Young here, but all I am hearing points to Stroud. The Panthers loaded UP in FA on the offensive side of the football, adding stud talents in RB Miles Sanders, WR DJ Chark among others. Stroud is a very day 1 ready prospect who should be elite pretty quickly. Stroud possesses great arm talent and accuracy, and is a lot more mobile than given credit for. This feels like a very safe pick for a team who hopes they have finally found their signal caller of the future here at 1.

2. Houston Texans select: Bryce Young, Quarterback, Alabama

The Texans remain ecstatic here as the guy who I have heard they have firmly atop their board in Bryce Young falls to them at 2. Sure, we all know he is undersized at 5'10 and 200 pounds, but man is he ELITE in every other aspect. He reminds me a bit of a smaller Patrick Mahomes, with that arm talent, poise, and ability to create plays off-script. The Texans have their QB of the future and DeMeco Ryans could not be more thrilled if it works out this way.

MOCK TRADE: Arizona Cardinals send pick #3 to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for pick #7, pick #38, and a 2024 first-round pick

3. Las Vegas Raiders (via MOCK TRADE w/AZ) select: Anthony Richardson, Quarterback, Florida

The Raiders have been a little TOO quiet in the QB market this off-season, and I think it all boils over when they make a last minute MEGA-DEAL to move up 4 spots to #3 and get the guy they want for the future. Jimmy Garopollo's deal is essentially a two-year deal (with an easy out on the third year). I doubt Josh McDaniels views him truly as the franchise QB of the future. It is rare for the Raiders to be picking as high as 7, so they are in a better position than ever to move up, even though it still costs them a TON. Anthony Richardson is one of the craziest athletic QB prospects we've ever seen. McDaniels will see his cannon of an arm and the way he can possibly mold him into a unicorn at the next level, while playing in an offense with All-Pros Josh Jacobs and Davante Adams. Richardson will get to sit and learn behind Garopollo for as long as he needs. A perfect landing spot for AR-15!

4. Indianapolis Colts select: Will Levis, Quarterback, Kentucky

I think the Colts are less than thrilled to see the Raiders jump ahead of them and take the guy they probably wanted, but that is how it works sometimes in the NFL and they pivot. Will Levis is gaining some more hype of late, and the Colts don't really have a choice but to take him here and hope for the best. Levis possesses a riveting skill-set at 6'5, with one of the biggest arms we've seen in years and elite athleticism that could give him a Josh Allen-like ceiling. With a talented offensive core around him, Shane Steichen and co. will hope they can develop Levis into the NEXT Josh Allen!

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

The way the board breaks here would be the dream scenario for Seattle. Four QBs go ahead of them allowing them to get the best player in the draft, edge rusher Will Anderson. Anderson is one of the best pass rushing prospects we've seen in the 2000s. He has racked up over 30 sacks at Alabama while facing the best competition in college. He also is already an elite run stopper. Seattle's biggest need is elite talent along a bad defensive line, and Anderson instantly fits that bill. If they add Anderson, there is truly no better way this off-season could have gone for Seattle who already added amazing talents Dre'Mont Jones, Bobby Wagner, and more!

6. Detroit Lions (via LAR) select: Jalen Carter, Defensive Tackle, Georgia

For those who don't agree with this selection, I get it. Cornerback is clearly the biggest need for the Detroit Lions. However, this team under Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes has been known to pretty much just go best player available, and I can certainly see them doing that here again with Jalen Carter falling to them at 6. Carter might be the best player in this class, and is only falling in projections due to off the field character issues. Those types of players have not scared the Lions in the past, so I doubt it does here. Detroit still needs to beef up its DL greatly, especially the interior. Adding Carter to a line that already has Aidan Hutchinson is dreamy as this Lions team looks to enter a contention window for the next 5+ years!

7. Arizona Cardinals (via MOCK TRADE w/LV) select: Tyree Wilson, Edge Rusher, Texas Tech

What a job by the new front office here. The Cardinals trade down 4 spots and pick up multiple 1st and 2nd round picks in the process, and ultimately land a guy they may have taken at 3. I do think Will Anderson is slightly better of a prospect than Wilson, but it is close. The Cardinals have holes everywhere and need the extra capital, and again, they still get Tyree Wilson! Wilson is a freaky athlete, reminding me a lot of last year's top pick Travon Walker. Wilson can play inside and outside on the DL, and maybe even a little bit of LB. His wingspan is huge and he is already a huge producer in both the pass rush and run defense. Strategic move from the Cards to get Wilson AND an extra first rounder in 2024!

8. Atlanta Falcons select: Nolan Smith, Edge Rusher, Georgia

Not a great breaking of the board for the Falcons, but Nolan Smith is no consolation prize. He is a damn good prospect! I think Atlanta was hoping to see Tyree Wilson or Jalen Carter fall here, but Smith still offers a very good skillset that they need on their roster. The Falcons are bone-dry on the DL aside from Grady Jarrett and absolutely need juice off the edge. That is the name of the game for Smith, as he is one of the most athletic and flashiest edge rushers we've seen over the last few years. He ran a forty time in the frickin' 4.4s! At 240+ pounds! The Falcons keep Smith in Georgia as the future of their defensive line.

9. Chicago Bears (via CAR) select: Paris Johnson Jr., Offensive Tackle, Ohio State

I am pretty sure the Bears will go OT here, it is really just a matter of figuring out which one they like the best. While I am not fully sure it is Johnson, he seems to make the most sense before I hear any new information. Johnson might have the highest ceiling of any of the OTs in this class. A younger prospect, Johnson has been a NASTY blocker in Columbus over the last few years and is even a former TEAMMATE of Justin Fields, which makes this pick make even more sense. The Bears spent a lot of money bringing in talent all over the roster to improve, but they could still use another bookend tackle for the future which is exactly what is being done here with this top 10 pick. 

10. Philadelphia Eagles (via NO) select: Peter Skoronski, Offensive Tackle, Northwestern

This couldn't have worked out any better for the Eagles. I think Peter Skoronski is the guy they have their eye on the most right now, and he falls just to them at 10! Corner was the biggest need here, but with the re-signing of James Bradberry and the extension of Darius Slay, I think they are set there for the time being. The real uncertainty is the OL. While Jason Kelce, Lane Johnson, Jordan Mailata, and a few others are back, they did lose Isaac Semaulo which is a bigger loss than people might think. Skoronski might have the best college tape of any tackle in the draft but due to his shorter arm size, teams are worried he may have to be relegated to only guard at the next level. The Eagles could take him and plug him in at guard for now, and then when the inevitable happens of Lane Johnson retiring, they could move him outside to tackle when he has more experience. This pick would make a lot of sense.

11. Tennessee Titans select: Broderick Jones, Offensive Tackle, Georgia

The run on tackles continues as the Titans join in! I considered having them move down here, but I realized OT is their main need and if they were to move down, it would be for another team likely moving up to get one. Tennessee is tearing it all down and with this borderline top 10 pick, it makes a lot of sense to start building up the trenches for the future. Jones is a behemoth of a man, and he has that Titan/Vrabel edge and style about him while laying down nasty blocks. This is a Titans type player, and a true building block for the future.

MOCK TRADE: Houston Texans send pick #12 to the New England Patriots in exchange for pick #14 and pick #117

12. New England Patriots (via MOCK TRADE w/HOU) select: Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee

The always active Patriots swing a deal here, moving up just two spots and parting with a fourth rounder to move ahead of the division rival Jets and snag the last true first round caliber OT in this class. The Jets are also in desperate need of the position, and the Pats do not let them get their guy. Darnell Wright has been a late riser after an elite combine, and now some are even labeling him as the best RT prospect in the class. Wright was rock solid against elite level SEC competition at Tennessee and would fill an instant hole starting on the Pats OL right away. This is a class Bill Belichick move and player.

MOCK TRADE: New York Jets send pick #13 to the Detroit Lions in exchange for pick #18 and pick #81

13. Detroit Lions (via MOCK TRADE w/NYJ) select: Christian Gonzalez, Cornerback, Oregon

Now this is truly the dream scenario for the Lions. After swallowing their pride and slightly picking Jalen Carter over Christian Gonzalez at 6, they see him falling down the board and move up to snag him too! Gonzalez is probably a top 5-7 overall player in this class. He has everything you look for in an elite CB prospect these days. Size and length. Check. He's 6'2. Ball skills. Check, he had multiple INTs last year. This is overall just a smart player with sticky coverage skills, elite speed/athleticism, and the size you covet in the position. The Lion D is SO much better since the start of the off-season now, adding CB Cam Sutton and S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson in FA and THEN getting both Carter and Gonzalez in this first round. Props.

14. Houston Texans (via MOCK TRADE w/NE) select: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Wide Receiver, Ohio State

The Texans made the smart call to move back a few picks and get even more draft capital as they assumed their guy would still be there. To their luck, he was, as they take the first wideout off the board in Jaxon Smith-Njigba. While he was injury prone in his final year at OSU, the talent was on full display whenever he was on the field. He is a great route runner, with silky smooth mechanics, and has a 1500 yard season to his name in 2021. The Texans get new franchise QB Bryce Young his guy for the future in JSN, who is rising up boards after tearing up his pro day a week or so ago.

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). Mayer didn't go crazy at the combine, but he is a known entity, and would be a huge addition to the potentially new look Packer O. Classic Green Bay pick here.

16. Washington Commanders select: Devon Witherspoon, Cornerback, Illinois

The board falls incredibly well here for the Commanders, as their potential CB1 in the class falls to them at 16. In past mocks, I have had the Commanders barely winding up with a first round caliber CB, or feverishly trying to move up for one. Today, Witherspoon falls right into their laps. While undersized for the position, there isn't many other knocks on this guy. Witherspoon is the stickiest cover corner in the entire class and had the lowest passer rating allowed in the country. The Commanders have found their much needed CB1 of the future.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers select: Joey Porter Jr., Cornerback, Penn State

I think the Steelers have had their eye on Joey Porter Jr., son of their former star LB Joey Porter Sr., all off-season, and he luckily falls right to them here. With no run on corners, Porter Jr. was there for the taking, and the CB needy Steelers are thrilled to wind up with him. While he can tend to be a little grabby, there is a lot to like here with junior. He has elite length and athleticism for the position and has demonstrated some great sticky coverage throughout his college career. With Patrick Peterson now in Pittsburgh, he will be the perfect mentor for Porter Jr. as he grows into his eventual role as CB1 for the Steelers.

18. New York Jets (via MOCK TRADE w/DET) select: Anton Harrison, Offensive Tackle, Oklahoma

Harrison does not quite grade out as a first round caliber tackle to me personally, but after trading down once, the Jets are fine with making a bit of a reach to fill a major position of need. Harrison is quite athletic for such a big guy at OT, but he is pretty raw in terms of his actual technical blocking. There will be some learning to do in the big apple, but he could develop into a very nice exterior protector for the Jets' future.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers select: Lukas Van Ness, Edge Rusher, Iowa

The Bucs are one of the hardest teams to mock for. They have a lot of small needs but no really huge GLARING ones other than QB, which they won't be able to get here at 19 without reaching. With that said, I have them going best player available (aside from a certain RB prospect) and getting Lukas Van Ness. Van Ness is probably a top 10 overall talent in the class, as he brings unreal strength to the edge rushing position. This guy is built like a truck and will simply overwhelm opposing tackles with his bull rush. Adding Van Ness to a DL that already has Shaq Barrett, Vita Vea, and Joe Tryon is pretty damn good for defensive minded HC Todd Bowles.

MOCK TRADE: Seattle Seahawks trade pick #20 to the New York Giants in exchange for pick #25, pick #89, and pick #128

20. New York Giants (via MOCK TRADE w/SEA) select: Quentin Johnston, Wide Receiver, TCU

The Seahawks love to trade back, and with no consensus player they wanted at 20, they were thrilled to move back with the Giants, who wanted to get ahead of 3 teams who may go WR in front of them. While I had a hard time predicting exactly WHICH WR the G-men might take after moving up, I eventually settled on the X-factor that is Quentin Johnston. While Jordan Addison and Zay Flowers might be more silky players who have better mechanics, there is All-Pro potential in Johnston that I might not see in those others. Johnston is true WR1 material as he is huge at 6'4, 215 pounds and can fly. With Wan'Dale Robinson and Paris Campbell already in the fold for the Giants, they need that bigger, go-up-and-get-it deep threat for Daniel Jones. After making this pick, Jones' supporting cast looks like this: Saquon, Darren Waller, Johnston, Wan'Dale, and Paris Campbell. Pretty damn good if you ask me.

21. Los Angeles Chargers select: Bijan Robinson, Running Back, Texas

Bijan to LA is gaining a lot of steam lately. Even though Robinson is probably a top 5 overall talent in this class, he probably isn't going inside the top 15-20 just due to positional value. However, the 20-30 range is very interesting. With trade rumors swirling for aging and expensive RB Austin Ekeler, I could see the Bolts going with the best player on the board who can truly do it ALL out of the backfield in Robinson, to pair up with Justin Herbert for the future. It would give them the best RB duo in all of football this season, and then an easy out and transition in 2024. While WR is a need, Robinson brings you a little of that out of the backfield as well. I like this fit a lot.

22. Baltimore Ravens select: Jordan Addison, Wide Receiver, USC

I'm not sure what the resolution will be in the Lamar Jackson situation right now, but regardless, the Ravens need WR. They luck out here at 22 as the potential WR1 of the class in Jordan Addison is ripe for the picking. Addison is a deep threat. He has good hands but is a very good route runner who can just create easy separation. The Ravens don't have a lot of guys like that right now. Pairing him with Rashod Bateman and Mark Andrews gives Jackson (or someone else) a very formidable core to throw to in a loaded AFC.

23. Minnesota Vikings select: Deonte Banks, Cornerback, Maryland

Even though they made a splash by signing Bryon Murphy at CB during FA, the Vikings are still in dire need of CB help. Patrick Peterson is gone, so they are essentially right back where they started with Murphy filling his void. Enter Banks, one of my favorite prospects in the whole class. I feel like it is discounting how good it is as I keep talking about these lengthy corners with elite athleticism, but that is just how good this CB class is. Banks is 6'2 and ran in the frickin' 4.3s. He was a great man cover corner for Maryland and should bring all of that with him to Minnesota. Suddenly the Vikings have a young and elite CB duo in Murphy and Banks for the future.

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

Jacksonville is another tough team to mock for like the Buccaneers. They do not have many glaring needs, mostly just smaller holes to fill. With that said, I have them able to make a slight reach and take an absolute unicorn in Darnell Washington. Washington is everyone's favorite 6'7, 260 pound TE who moves with 4.6 speed and is the best blocking TE in multiple drafts. Evan Engram is basically a WR for the Jags, and so adding a 6th lineman that can catch passes only adds another wrinkle to Doug Pederson's amazing offense. Trevor Lawrence is now set up with one of the best supporting casts in football, he will love Washington!

25. Seattle Seahawks (via MOCK TRADE w/NYG) select: Zay Flowers, Wide Receiver, Boston College

The 'Hawks luck out with their small moveback, as they get the guy they may have taken at 20 here at 25, while adding more mid-round picks! Zay Flowers is the perfect prospect to fill the hole the Seahawks have missed in their receiving game for YEARS. They just do not have a RAC type of player, and that is the name of Flowers' game. With DK outside and Lockett as more of an intermediate threat, Flowers will add yet another dimension to a dynamic Seattle offense as he can make guys miss after a short catch and take it the distance. With Flowers in the fold, the 'Hawks have their own Deebo Samuel. Their offense would now feature Geno, DK, Lockett, Zay Flowers, Kenneth Walker, and Noah Fant. Man that looks good.

26. Dallas Cowboys select: Jalin Hyatt, Wide Receiver, Tennessee

The board does not break amazingly for the Cowboys here, and while I was torn up about what to do here for them, I ultimately went with the explosive Jalin Hyatt to give them even more outside. The biggest issue this season for Dallas was moving the football through the air. With Amari Cooper gone, Dak Prescott struggled only having CeeDee Lamb and Dalton Schultz to really throw to. Even with the addition of Brandin Cooks, I still think the 'Boys need more outside. Hyatt tore up the combine, putting his athleticism on full display and is coming off a season in which he was named the Nation's Best WR. Prescott won't have Schultz still, but now he will have Cooks and Hyatt in addition to CeeDee Lamb. This new look WR core will be impossible to defend for opposing defenses.

27. Buffalo Bills select: Calijah Kancey, Defensive Tackle, Pittsburgh

Buffalo is loaded, and does not have many pressing needs. However, DT could use some help and a lot of their current guys are entering contract years. The Bills simply cannot pass up on the value of Kancey here, as they go best player available to fill a potential future need. Kancey is not much in the run defense game, but he is an amazing pass rusher from the interior spot. That is not something you see from a DT everyday. Buffalo has a swarming defense already, but adding Kancey just brings them EVEN MORE juice!

28. Cincinnati Bengals select: Dalton Kincaid, Tight End, Utah

A THIRD Tight End comes off the board here in the first, as the Bengals continue to add firepower to an already insane pass catching group. OT was definitely a consideration here, but with the top 5 guys already off the board, the Bengals decide they can wait on that and get the best receiving TE in the class. Kincaid was a pass catching machine at Utah, and adding him to a group that already includes Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd, and more is just unfair, with Joe Burrow throwing them the football. The big ticket FA signing of Orlando Brown Jr. also makes passing on OT a much easier pill to swallow here.

29. New Orleans Saints (via SF/DEN) select: Myles Murphy, Edge Rusher, Clemson

With their Sean Payton first rounder, the Saints could go a number of different ways. I think DL will likely be the pick here, and I just gave them the best available option. Myles Murphy could go as high as the top 10, or as low as the second round. His value is projected all over. I think this would be great value here as the Saints look to add to an aging DL. Murphy still has some developing to do as a pure rusher, but he is already a great run defender and would be a day 1 starter in the Big Easy for defensive-minded HC Dennis Allen.

30. Philadelphia Eagles select: Brian Branch, Defensive Back, Alabama

While Branch did not test extremely well at the combine, he is still an unquestioned top 15-20 talent in this class. However, him being a bit of a tweener in terms of a safety/slot corner will make where he goes a bit of a mystery. Branch is overall one of the most underrated guys in this class. For a smaller dude, he can really tackle. He is probably a top 3 overall pure tackler in the class, regardless of position, which is rare to say about a DB. This is an instinctive player that would be a huge add and a great chess piece for any defense. The Eagles are aging in the secondary and could use a CJ Gardner-Johnson replacement. Branch offers them that right away.

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

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 and is one of the largest wingspans in the NFL EVER! 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 lost RT Orlando Brown Jr. in FA but replaced him with Jaawan Taylor. Still, Andrew Wylie, their other tackle from last year, left in FA as well. The Chiefs could easily move Taylor to the left side and plug Jones in right away! 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.