X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

2023 NFL Mock Draft

Who will be drafted first in the 2023 NFL Draft? Do the Colts go quarterback? Will the Bears trade down? Where will Jalen Carter fall to after his arrest warrant?

The NFL Draft countdown begins as April ticks by and the NFL Scouting Combine is already in the books. The combine results, pro days, and individual meetings with teams are sure to shake up big boards around the league as they always do, so I tried to projectthose results into this first go-around at a mock.

Blockbuster trades are destined to rattle the first round, as last year we saw draft capital movement along with massive deals including A.J. Brown and Marquise Brown on draft night. I included the blockbuster Chicago-Carolina trade involving the overall number-one pick, but tried to stay away from projected trades for now in later picks.

While the offseason goes on and things start to shake out through free agency and trades, we will start to see a clearer picture of how the NFL landscape will look heading into 2023 and it will become easier to see what needs certain teams will be trying to address on draft night. For now, everything is a mere projection as to how teams may manage their assets. Let's dive in:

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

2023 NFL Mock Draft - Round 1

1. Carolina Panthers

Anthony Richardson - QB, Florida

The Panthers fall in love with athletic freak Anthony Richardson after a mouthwatering combine and see flashes of Josh Allen in his game. They orchestrate a blockbuster deal with the Chicago Bears and trade up to select their quarterback of the future that they feel will be the true heir to Cam Newton. This decision splits the Panthers’ fanbase, with more proven QBs like Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud available.

 

2. Houston Texans

C.J. Stroud - QB, Ohio State

Houston goes quarterback at pick number 2, bringing in Ohio State prospect C.J. Stroud as the quarterback of the future. Following a gutsy performance in the semifinal playoff game against eventual champion Georgia, Stroud silenced any doubts that scouts had about his toughness and mentality towards the game. His 6-3 frame leads Houston to opt for him over Bryce Young.

 

3. Indianapolis Colts

Projected trade with Arizona Cardinals - IND receives 2023 first-round pick (3) - ARI receives 2023 first-round pick (4), 2024 first-round pick

Bryce Young - QB, Alabama

Indianapolis sees their guy fall to pick three and they don’t want to risk another team trading up into the spot, so they offer up their first-rounder for next season to move up just one spot in the pecking order and select Alabama QB Bryce Young. While Young has a small frame, new coach Shane Steichen is enamored with his athleticism and ability to improvise. He sees flashes of his former quarterback Jalen Hurts and convinces Jim Irsay to go all-in.

 

4. Arizona Cardinals

Projected trade with Indianapolis Colts - IND receives 2023 first-round pick (3) - ARI receives 2023 first-round pick (4), 2024 first-round pick

Will Anderson Jr. - EDGE, Alabama

Arizona makes the deal of the draft, moving down just one slot and acquiring an extra first-rounder while still getting their guy at pick 4. Alabama prospect Will Anderson Jr. is the menacing type of talent that any franchise would love to add to their pass-rushing corps, and Jonathan Gannon’s vision for the Arizona defense starts to shape up around freak athletes Isaiah Simmons, Budda Baker, and Will Anderson.

 

5. Seattle Seahawks

Tyree Wilson - EDGE, Texas Tech

Seattle is happy to add Tyree Wilson at pick 5, with the Texas Tech’s measurables popping off the charts. Seattle’s retooling defense could use a burst of youth in the pass-rushing department and Wilson brings just that to the table.

 

6. Detroit Lions

Brian Branch - S, Alabama

The third Alabama player off the board in the top 6 picks, Brian Branch joins a Detroit defense that started to come into form over the latter part of the season. The pass defense was susceptible to getting burnt early on in the season, but pairing second-year stud Kerby Joseph with Branch creates a dangerous safety duo.

 

7. Las Vegas Raiders

Quentin Johnston - WR, TCU

TCU receiver Quentin Johnston gives newly-signed Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo another big-bodied but athletic target who should quickly slot in beside Davante Adams. Johnston never recorded eye-popping statistics in college, but he had a number of jaw-dropping plays and his size and skillset should translate to being a top-flight WR in the league.

 

8. Atlanta Falcons

Will Levis - QB, Kentucky

Atlanta lucks out by staying at pick 8 and grabs a top QB prospect in Will Levis. The Desmond Ridder experiment falls short and the Falcons are left searching for their new franchise guy. Levis has all the measurables and could be eased into the league in Arthur Smith’s run-first offense.

 

9. Chicago Bears

Jaxon Smith-Njigba - WR, Ohio State

After acquiring this pick (and many more), as well as D.J. Moore from the Carolina Panthers, the Chicago Bears will continue to solidify their receiving corps by selecting WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who immediately fills in as another weapon for Justin Fields in the passing game. Smith-Njigba has all of the tools from crisp route running to speed and separation that should make him a special receiver in this league.

 

10. Philadelphia Eagles

Lukas Van Ness - EDGE, Iowa

What a luxury pick for the Eagles! Having the number 10 pick fresh off of a Super Bowl appearance is a product of great management, and Philly adds another piece to their stacked pass rushing unit in Iowa EDGE Lukas Van Ness. The mix of size and college production gets Eagles’ fans excited for their new mainstay on the defensive line.

 

11. Tennessee Titans

Paris Johnson Jr. - OT, Ohio State

The Titans released Taylor Lewan as a cap casualty, and draft his replacement in Ohio State offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. Johnson had tremendous success at Ohio State in both pass blocking and run blocking and fills in nicely from Day 1 on the Tennessee line.

 

12. Houston Texans

Jordan Addison - WR, USC

Fresh off adding their next face-of-the-franchise in C.J. Stroud, Houston goes and gets him a buddy in former Biletnikoff winner Jordan Addison. Addison has drawn comparisons to Stefon Diggs and should build a rapport with Stroud immediately, while Houston ships off incumbent WR Brandin Cooks to a contending team.

 

13. New York Jets

Jalen Carter - DL, Georgia

New York swings for the fences and drafts Georgia standout Jalen Carter. An arrest warrant was issued for Carter just this morning for reckless driving and racing and left the combine to go home to Georgia. Carter put a statement out, saying that “there is no question in [his] mind that when all of the facts are known that [he] will be fully exonerated of any criminal wrongdoing.” New York does its due diligence and opts to select Carter with hopes that the legal situation works itself out. If so, they nab a player at pick 13 who otherwise would have been a surefire top 5 selection.

 

14. New England Patriots

Peter Skoronski - OT, Northwestern

New England is far from a complete team, and they opt to build from the trenches with Northwestern tackle Peter Skoronski. Skoronski was a stud in pass protection in college and slots in as an immediate replacement for Isaiah Wynn, who departs via free agency.

 

15. Green Bay Packers

Devon Witherspoon - CB, Illinois

Green Bay is likely a rebuilding team with rumblings of a Packers-Rodgers divorce growing louder. They nab Illinois standout Devon Witherspoon here, who can form an elite defensive backfield comboed with Jaire Alexander and Eric Stokes. Witherspoon draws comparisons to Sauce Gardner, who just had a historically great rookie season, and if he can come anywhere close to that Green Bay fans will be ecstatic. 

 

16. Washington Commanders

Calijah Kancey - DL, Pittsburgh

Washington already has a loaded defensive line, but sees a potential game-wrecker fall down the board and cannot resist selecting Pittsburgh defensive lineman Calijah Kancey. Ron Rivera follows the mold of other NFC powerhouses such as San Francisco and Philadelphia in building a deep, effective pass rushing unit with this selection.

 

17. Pittsburgh Steelers

Christian Gonzalez - CB, Oregon

Pittsburgh’s pass defense was horrendous a season ago, but adding Oregon standout Christian Gonzalez should provide immediate production. Gonzalez immediately becomes the most physically talented player in the Steelers’ secondary and fans question how the 6-2 athletic freak fell to them at pick 17.

 

18. Detroit Lions

Dalton Kincaid - TE, Utah

“But it’ll be different this time, right?” - Lions fans after selecting yet another tight end in Round 1. Dalton Kincaid truly could be different, however. The Utah tight end was a superstar on the field and was by far the most dependable target in his offense. After trading T.J. Hockenson a year ago, Detroit doesn’t have much to work with at the position. Kincaid immediately steps in and becomes a security blanket for Jared Goff in a highly-efficient Detroit offense. Picture him in a Dallas Goedert type of role.

 

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Broderick Jones - OT, Georgia

Tampa Bay was banged up all year long and ultimately is entering a new era with the retirement of Tom Brady. Broderick Jones is a safe pick who should shore up what was an inefficient although injured offensive line in 2022. The Georgia product possesses loads of athleticism and should be ready to pave the way for whoever is under center in Tampa in 2023.

 

20. Seattle Seahawks

Bryan Bresee - DL, Clemson

Seattle goes defensive line again with their second first rounder, picking Clemson product Bryan Bresee. Bresee’s size and physicality should translate to NFL success and in Seattle he can learn from a physical specimen in Al Woods.

 

21. Los Angeles Chargers

Jalin Hyatt - WR, Tennessee

This is a pick that will excite fantasy football managers everywhere. The 2022 Biletnikoff Award winner became a household name when he torched Alabama for four touchdowns, and dazzled all season long with his playmaking ability. Justin Herbert is in need of a vertical threat and here, he gets his guy.

 

22. Baltimore Ravens

Joey Porter Jr. - CB, Penn State

Baltimore has always built through defense. With Marcus Peters heading to free agency, the Ravens replace him effectively with Joey Porter Jr. Porter offers the size and football IQ to be a top corner in the league and Baltimore is pumped to pair him with Marlon Humphrey and Kyle Hamilton in the defensive backfield.

 

23. Minnesota Vikings

Cam Smith - CB, South Carolina

Minnesota had one of the worst defenses in the league in 2022 and they shoot for a player that they hope can evolve into a shutdown corner in South Carolina prospect Cam Smith. Smith played with physicality while covering top SEC receivers successfully. Minnesota hopes by instilling his aggression into their defense they can start to build something defensively.

 

24. Jacksonville Jaguars

Michael Mayer - TE, Notre Dame

Evan Engram is set to walk out the door in free agency. Enter Michael Mayer. The Notre Dame prospect played at a high level since his freshman season and while he doesn’t possess elite athleticism or blocking, he does possess elite football IQ and is a guy that can become Trevor Lawrence’s version of Rob Gronkowski.

 

25. New York Giants

Mazi Smith - DL, Michigan

Brian Daboll took a patched-together New York roster and made the Divisional Round in his first year as a head coach. Here, the Giants grab an elite interior defensive lineman and athlete in Mazi Smith who should absolutely wreck opposing interior lines while paired with Dexter Lawrence.

 

26. Dallas Cowboys

Bijan Robinson - RB, Texas

This is the pairing we can all see coming. While there have been rumblings of Dallas bringing back both Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard, the smarter move financially might be to move on from both and turn to the draft to bring a replacement in. Bijan Robinson is the best running back prospect we have seen since Saquon Barkley and he would excel in a Dallas uniform.

 

27. Buffalo Bills

Nathaniel Dell - WR, Houston

Buffalo hopes to score their version of Tyreek Hill in Houston receiver Nathaniel Dell. Every year a player rises up the board with a fast 40 time at the combine, and this year it could be Dell. He offers a similar build to Hill along with strong college production. Buffalo would love to add another playmaker to the offense and elects for Dell with this luxury pick.

 

28. Cincinnati Bengals

Nolan Smith - EDGE, Georgia

Cincinnati has a lot of expiring contracts to deal with defensively, mostly in the defensive backfield, but elects to add Georgia product Nolan Smith with this pick. Smith is unique in the sense that he can play both EDGE and linebacker, although his NFL skillset projects him as more of an edge rusher, and he could add versatility in the Bengals’ defense with his ability to drop back into coverage.

 

29. New Orleans Saints

Myles Murphy - EDGE, Clemson

The Saints are back in the first round after trading away former head coach Sean Payton to Denver, and here they go with Clemson product Myles Murphy. New Orleans has needs all over the field on both sides of the ball before they are again a contending club, so they opt for the best-on-the-board approach. Murphy was once viewed as a top-10 prospect for this draft class and the talent is still there. He can learn from one of the best in Cameron Jordan.

 

30. Philadelphia Eagles

O'Cyrus Torrence - OG, Florida

Philadelphia grabs a plug-and-play guard in O’Cyrus Torrence and can slot him in on the line in place of Isaac Seumalo immediately, saving some cap room for free agency. Torrence has the size and ability to make an immediate impact, especially on a loaded offensive front like that of the Eagles’.

 

31. Kansas City Chiefs

Dawand Jones - OT, Ohio State

Kansas City has had strong offensive line play the past few seasons, but Andrew Wylie is an impending free agent. Here, they add the physically gifted freak out of Ohio State in Dawand Jones. Jones’ 6-8, 350-pound frame will allow him to dominate on a gifted line while protecting for Patrick Mahomes.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!

More Fantasy Football Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Tyler Soderstrom

Returns to A's Lineup
Tyler Warren

Sidelined on Wednesday with Toe Injury
Jaylen Waddle

Questionable for Week 3 Against Buffalo
Joe Burrow

Bengals Not Closing the Door on Joe Burrow Returning This Year
CFB

LaNorris Sellers to Play Against Missouri?
Kyle Tucker

Progress has "Plateaued"
Isaac Paredes

has "Outside Chance" to Return This Weekend
CFB

Kaidon Salter Expected To Start for Colorado on Saturday
Willson Contreras

Goes on 10-Day Injured List, Done for Season
Justin Fields

Ruled Out for Week 3 Due to Concussion
Jayden Reed

Out Indefinitely After Foot and Shoulder Surgery
Washington Commanders

Preston Smith Signs With Commanders
Trey Jemison III

Joins Knicks on Two-Way Contract
Kevin McCullar Jr.

Signs New Two-Way Deal With Knicks
Matt Ryan

Returns to Knicks on Exhibit 10 Contract
New York Knicks

Alex Len Signs Exhibit 9 Deal With Knicks
Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Expected to Take on Larger Offensive Role With Hawks
Thomas Sorber

Undergoes Surgery
Dominic Canzone

Has Five-Hit, Three-Homer Game Tuesday
Cal Raleigh

Sets Single-Season Home Run Record for a Switch-Hitter
Jayden Reed

Undergoes Clavicle and Foot Surgeries, Out for Foreseeable Future
Bo Bichette

to Miss Rest of Regular Season
Zach Neto

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Hand Injury
Yordan Alvarez

Out on Tuesday, Dealing With "Significant" Ankle Sprain
Aaron Jones Sr.

Vikings Place Aaron Jones Sr. on Injured Reserve With Hamstring Injury
CFB

Diego Pavia Refutes Report of Seeking Seventh Collegiate Season
Christian Kirk

Expected to Return in Week 3
CFB

Diego Pavia Seeking Another Year of Eligibility
Tarik Skubal

on Track to Start Thursday
CFB

Kevorian Barnes Questionable Against SMU
Bo Bichette

has Short-Term Knee Injury, Could Return for Postseason
Tosan Evbuomwan

Joins Knicks
NBA

Kai Jones Links Up With EuroLeague Team
Bismack Biyombo

Returns to Spurs
Bones Hyland

Rejoins Timberwolves
Kobe Bufkin

Moves to Brooklyn
Trey Yesavage

Sets Franchise Strikeout Record On Monday
Yordan Alvarez

To Receive MRI For Sprained Left Ankle On Tuesday
Willson Contreras

Exits Early Monday With Right-Biceps Tightness
Yordan Alvarez

Exits With Ankle Sprain
Brock Bowers

Officially Active on Monday Night
Jauan Jennings

Day-to-Day With Ankle Injury
Logan O'Hoppe

Activated Off Seven-Day Injured List
CBJ

Denton Mateychuk Dealing With Groin Issue
Bo Horvat

Fine for Training Camp
Kirby Dach

on Track to Be Ready for Opening Night
Jose Altuve

Returns Against Rangers
J.J. McCarthy

Expected to Miss 2-4 Weeks With High-Ankle Sprain
J.J. McCarthy

Likely Out for Week 3 With High-Ankle Sprain
Jean Silva

Gets Finished For The First Time In His Career
Aaron Jones Sr.

Unlikely to Play in Week 3 Due to Hamstring Injury
Diego Lopes

Returns To The Win Column
Jayden Daniels

' Week 3 Status in Doubt
Rob Font

Outclassed In The Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
David Martinez

Wins His Second UFC Fight
Jared Gordon

Suffers Brutal TKO Loss At Noche UFC 3
Rafa Garcia

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Brian Thomas Jr.

Dealing with Wrist Injury
Dustin Stoltzfus

Drops A Decision At Noche UFC 3
Kelvin Gastelum

Gets Back In The Win Column
Diego Ferreira

Suffers Second-Round TKO
Alexander Hernandez

Extends His Win Streak With A Brutal TKO
Quang Le

Suffers First-Round Knockout
Santiago Luna

Shines In His UFC Debut
Christopher Bell

Earns his First Bristol Cup Series Victory
Alex Bowman

Falls Short of Advancing Through Cup Series Playoffs
Chase Briscoe

Collects his Third Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Ryan Blaney

Strong Top-Five Bristol Performance Advances him to the Playoffs
Corey Heim

Earns his First Career Cup Series Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Leads Greece to Bronze Medal
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Drops 28 Points in EuroBasket Finals
CFB

Indiana's Lee Beebe Jr. Out for Season with Knee Injury
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder Named EuroBasket MVP
Bryce Eldridge

Giants to Promote Bryce Eldridge
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Progressing in Recovery
Jonathan Kuminga

Receives New Offer From Warriors
Kenneth Walker III

Bounces Back with Big Week 2 Performance
Bijan Robinson

Rushes for 143 Yards in Week 2
Justin Fields

Currently in Concussion Protocol
Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Calling Around to Available Free-Agent Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow

to Undergo Surgery, Out at Least Three Months
Emil Heineman

Aiming to Take the "Next Step" This Season
Braeden Cootes

Good to Go for Camp
Ivan Fedotov

Blue Jackets Acquire Ivan Fedotov From Flyers
Garrett Crochet

Punches Out 12 in Win
Cole Ragans

to Return on Wednesday
George Kirby

Strikes Out 14 in Win
Quentin Grimes

Still Not Close to a New Contract Agreement
Joel Embiid

"Looking Slender, Spry and in Positive Spirits"
Ty Gibbs

Has Arguably his Best Career Drive, but Only Finishes 10th
Chase Elliott

Despite Crashing Out at Bristol, Chase Elliott Advances to Round of 12
Austin Dillon

Misses Round of 12 After Extremely Mediocre Bristol Run
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Fails to Advance to Round of 12
Josh Berry

Finishes Last in All Three Round of 16 Races to Fail to Advance
CFB

Ryan Williams Explodes In Return To Field
CFB

Drew Allar Plays Mediocre Game In Blowout Win
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Exits Game In Blowout Loss
CFB

DJ Lagway Tosses Five Interceptions In Loss
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
CFB

CJ Carr Remains Poised In Narrow Loss
CFB

John Mateer Leads Oklahoma In Rout
CFB

Arch Manning Struggles Against UTEP
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
CFB

Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
Ivan Demidov

Turning Heads in Rookie Camp
NHL

Calvin de Haan Signs With Swedish Team
Samuel Girard

Skates With Non-Contact Jersey
Mackenzie Blackwood

Dealing With Injury Ahead of Training Camp
Spencer Knight

Signs Three-Year Extension With Blackhawks
Chris Buescher

May have Another Solid Run at Bristol
Corey Perry

Out 6-8 Weeks Following Surgery
Kyle Busch

Should DFS Managers Roster Kyle Busch at Bristol?
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Too Risky to Consider Rostering at Bristol?
Michael McDowell

Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

Probably Won't Factor in for Bristol Win
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

Needs to Win to Make Round of 12
Ross Chastain

has Never Led at Bristol but Has Been Pretty Consistent
Austin Dillon

Richmond Speed Unlikely to Carry Over to Bristol
Josh Berry

Might Run Well at Bristol, but Almost Certainly Won't Win to Advance
Justin Haley

Bristol One of Justin Haley's Few Recent Bright Spots
CFB

Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Struggles In Fourth Straight Loss
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Dealing With a "Tweak"
BUF

Alexandar Georgiev Joins Sabres on One-Year Deal
Corey Perry

Injured During Pre-Camp Skate
CFB

Antonio Williams Out Against Georgia Tech
CFB

CJ Bailey Flashes Again in Win Over Wake Forest
CFB

Jaxson Moi a Game-Time Decision for Tennessee on Saturday
Jean Silva

A Favorite At Noche UFC 3
Diego Lopes

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Event
Rob Font

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
David Martinez

Set For Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
Rafa Garcia

An Underdog At Noche UFC 3
Jared Gordon

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Dustin Stoltzfus

Looks To Return To The Win Column
Kelvin Gastelum

In Dire Need Of Victory
Diego Ferreira

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Malcolm Brogdon

Heading to Knicks on One-Year Deal
Landry Shamet

Staying with the Knicks

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP