The 2023 quarterback class will be fascinating because of the different flavors provided at the position. Bryce Young is poised beyond his years, but doesn't possess traditional top-pick size or traits. Meanwhile, Will Levis and Anthony Richardson have issues with accuracy and decision-making yet are monster athletes with enormous arms.
Then there's C.J. Stroud, who sits in the middle of those three prospects from skill and trait perspectives.
In this mock, we get two trades inside the top 10 for passers.
One other thing, and this is important: The draft order below is now the official order through pick No. 30. Picks No. 31 and 32 will be determined at Super Bowl LVII.
Let's get to the picks!
For more extensive draft content, check out our latest prospect rankings and mock drafts, as well as our new weekly podcast, "With the First Pick," featuring former Vikings general manager Rick Spielman.
NFL Mock Draft
Round 1
Mock Trade from
Chicago Bears
Round 1 - Pick 1
The Colts have been aggressive at quarterback of late, but the last two veteran quarterback acquisitions have flopped. It's time to get a youthful passer in Indianapolis, and Levis, while far from perfect, has No. 1 overall pick traits.
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Round 1 - Pick 2
The Texans upgrade the quarterback position in a big way with Young, who has all the improvisational brilliance to succeed in today's NFL.
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Round 1 - Pick 3
Carter is the ideal replacement for the retiring J.J. Watt. He's a long, hyper-athletic interior rusher who's disruptive on three downs.
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Round 1 - Pick 4
Anderson gives me serious Khalil Mack vibes, which makes this perfect for the Bears, particularly after trading back. In the trade, the Bears get this pick, the Colts' selections in Round 2 and Round 4 along with a 2024 first-round pick and third-round pick plus a 2025 second-round choice.
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Mock Trade from
Seattle Seahawks
Round 1 - Pick 5
To get ahead of the Lions and Raiders, the Panthers make an assertive move with the Seahawks, who don't love how the board fell with Carter and Anderson off the board. Stroud is such a polished pocket passer.
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From
Los Angeles Rams
Round 1 - Pick 6
Witherspoon looks like a supreme athlete, and his 2022 film was squeaky clean. He could ascend to the first cornerback off the board in this class.
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Round 1 - Pick 7
Richardson isn't exactly the type of quarterback Josh McDaniels has worked with in the past but it's time for the Raiders offense to evolve. Richardson has big-time abilities and can be scary good if those abilities are harnessed.
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Round 1 - Pick 8
Wilson is a long, athletic pass-rushing specialist. Music to the ears of GM Terry Fontenot.
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Mock Trade from
Carolina Panthers
Round 1 - Pick 9
Murphy is not a finished product. When he is, if he learns how to utilize his hands as weapons as a pass rusher, he can be an All-Pro type. The Seahawks adore freaky athletes. In the move back, the Seahawks get Carolina's second Round 2 pick (No. 62 overall) and a fourth-round selection.
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From
New Orleans Saints
Round 1 - Pick 10
Van Ness is going to be a major riser during the pre-draft process. He's long, plays with a non-stop motor and has pass-rush moves to go along with smooth athleticism. The Eagles have to reload along the defensive line.
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Round 1 - Pick 11
The Titans want to control the line of scrimmage and had problems doing that this season. Skoronski is one of the safer prospects in this class.
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From
Cleveland Browns
Round 1 - Pick 12
Addison can either learn lots from the similarly sized Brandin Cooks in Year 1, or act as his instant replacement. With Young and Addison, this is a quality first-round haul for Houston.
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Round 1 - Pick 13
Could the Jets be major players on the veteran QB market? I think they will. So for the draft, they build the offensive line with Johnson, a super-steady tackle prospect.
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Round 1 - Pick 14
Yes, Bill Belichick dipping back into Round 1 wide receiver waters with the imposing, long-striding Johnston, who'll instantly be a threatening deep threat in the NFL.
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Round 1 - Pick 15
Branch did everything on the back seven of Alabama's defense this past season. He'll be a welcomed addition to the Packers roster.
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Round 1 - Pick 16
The Commanders have to get better play out of the outside cornerback position. Smith is a big, physical, dynamic athlete at the position.
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Round 1 - Pick 17
Another Joey Porter in Pittsburgh. This one is a lanky, twitched-up perimeter corner who plays the ball well in the air.
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Round 1 - Pick 18
The Lions get an instant T.J. Hockenson replacement in Mayer, who joins a fun offense in Detroit.
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Round 1 - Pick 19
Jones isn't ready to be a high-caliber NFL blocker right now. He has to get stronger and play with better balance. His movement skills give him plenty of upside.
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Round 1 - Pick 20
He's not consistent, but Bresee's flashes are jaw-dropping. He's the big-body type the Seahawks need along their defensive line. Murphy and Bresee in Round 1 for Seattle would be fantastic for this team's future.
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Round 1 - Pick 21
New offensive coordinator Kellen Moore will allow Justin Herbert to push the ball downfield more frequently than the QB did with Joe Lombardi. So it's time to get Herbert a serious vertical weapon. That's precisely what Hyatt is.
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Round 1 - Pick 22
The Ravens add youth to their secondary with Gonzalez, whose film was super clean in 2022.
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Round 1 - Pick 23
Kancey's a smaller defensive tackle, but has major juice and a developed set of pass-rush moves. He's the type Minnesota needs on the interior.
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Round 1 - Pick 24
The Jaguars add to the offensive front to protect Trevor Lawrence. Harrison is a masher on the outside.
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Round 1 - Pick 25
The Giants added in the trenches early in the 2022 draft. This time, they go receiver in Round 1. Smith-Njigba is a deceptive YAC type when healthy.
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Round 1 - Pick 26
The Cowboys could be extremely multiple with Sanders on the defense next to Micah Parsons. Sanders is a long, athletic off-ball/edge hybrid.
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Round 1 - Pick 27
The Bengals dip into the defensive back well early in the draft again because Forbes is a big play waiting to happen at corner.
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From
Denver Broncos
Round 1 - Pick 28
With Marcus Davenport set for free agency and Cam Jordan the highest cap hit on the team in 2023, it's time for the Saints to reload at the edge rusher spot. Carter is a long, active, athletic defender.
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Round 1 - Pick 29
Washington, the Nittany Lions' leading receiver in 2022, adds a much-needed YAC weapon to Josh Allen's arsenal.
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Round 1 - Pick 30
The Chiefs again pick a late first-round edge in hopes of eliminating some pressure from Chris Jones on the inside.
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Round 1 - Pick 31
Robinson running behind the league's best offensive line? Sounds like a blast for Philadelphia. Not so much for Eagles opponents.
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