2023 NFL Mock Draft – MJ’s Official 1.0

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With the Super Bowl in the books we can concentrate on the run up to the NFL Draft 2023. Let’s keep the momentum of our initial Draft Talk @ninetynineyards Mock Drafts going.

In my earlier mock draft I stuck to the average number of players taken at each position group over the last 10 drafts. This time there are no restrictions and I’m giving some thoughts on where I think things could be at for each time. This is ahead of any movement during free agency and potential trades which could take place before draft night. Let’s dive in!

Picks 1-8

The picks for Chicago (#1) and Arizona (#3) are straightforward as they take the best two defensive players in this draft. It is Jalen Carter to the Bears and Will Anderson Jr to the Cardinals.

Controversy at quarterback! After the seemingly obvious match of Bryce Young to the Houston Texans things go wild. If Shane Steichen does take over at the Colts how about he looks to replicate the Eagles success with the most dynamic QB out there, Anthony Richardson. To me, Will Levis just feels like a Raiders QB so he goes at #7. 

The Seahawks are all in on athletic edge rusher Tyree Wilson. The Lions upgrade their secondary with first cornerback off the board, Devon Witherspoon. Rounding out the first quarter the Atlanta Falcons are more than happy with edge rusher Myles Murphy falling in their lap.

Picks 9-16

The Panthers, Frank Reich and CJ Stroud feels like a good match and then at #10 the Eagles replenish the secondary with Christian Gonzalez. 

Offensive lineman start to go off the board with the Titans (Paris Johnson Jr), Jets (Peter Skoronski) and Commanders (O’Cyrus Torrence) bolstering their respective trenches.

If the Texans do take a QB with their first pick how about they give him a HUGE target in Quentin Johnston at #12?

Bill Belichick and the Patriots look at Alabama’s versatile Brian Branch as a safe, high-floor first round pick and the Green Bay Packers follow suit with tight end Michael Mayer providing a reliable target down the seams.

Picks 17-24

The Steelers decide to shore up their o-line to protect Kenny Pickett as Darnell Wright heads to Pittsburgh. Then the Lions with their second pick select another super athletic and versatile edge rusher in Keion White. 

Shock of the first round may well be where running back Bijan Robinson goes. Personally I think on the night a team will trade up to get him in the 15-20 range but in this mock we are re-booting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense.

The position of centre should not be undervalued and the Seahawks are building a very solid line, adding John Michael Schmitz at #20. The Chargers may well need to retool at wide receiver so they add Jordan Addison from USC. Cornerbacks Joey Porter JR and Cam Smith then follow to the Ravens and Vikings respectively.

The Jaguars concentrate their attention on providing another option for Trevor Lawrence and the tight end class is top quality this year. Darnell Washington from Georgia is worth a first round pick and will provide protection as well as a receiving option.

Picks 25-31

More receiving depth follows at picks #25 and #26. The Giants need a 1000 yard receiver and Jaxon Smith-Njigba can provide that volume. The Cowboys then make a splash play with perhaps the most dynamic tight end, Luke Musgrave. 

The Bills add quality into their secondary in the best coverage safety in the class Antonio Johnson. The Bengals need a bit more “nasty” in their offensive line and Broderick Jones will add that for certain. 

Bryan Bresee has sipped all the way to #29 and this is off the back of some uncertainty until teams are able to give him the green light from the medical standpoint. In this mock the Saints stop his slide with their pick.

Finally in round 1 the rich get richer. The Eagles use their second pick to add more dynamism and power to their pass rush with Nolan Smith. Then the Chiefs add one of the fastest receivers in the class in Jalin Hyatt. Think Patrick Mahomes might approve?

Their we have it. Still a couple of months of roster moves to get through before the draft. Version 2.0 of this mock will probably look very different! 

Who do you think your team will draft? Any players not mentioned you think will make round 1 – let us know @ninetynineyards and @47yards