The 2023 NFL Draft is now barely two days away! All the hype, speculation, prognostication and information overload is coming to a head.
Soon we will know who the No. 1 overall pick is, how the always-important QB prospects slot and, most importantly in these New England parts, we’ll find out the latest and greatest addition to the Patriots depth chart.
But before it all kicks off in prime time Thursday night in Kansas City, every self-respecting reporter, blogger, radio personality or NFL information maven has to put out a mock draft. So, indeed it’s that time for WEEI’s “6 Rings” podcast boys – Andy Hart, Nick “Fitzy” Stevens and Chris Scheim, along with frequent guest and NFL insider Mike Giardi – to offer up their view of what just might unfold for all the football-loving world to see later this week. No trades were allowed. Every pick is exactly as you’ll hear it from Commissioner Roger Goodell. Thirty-one picks with 31 potential-filled future NFL stars penciled in by our rotating panel of “experts.”
And it comes with a money back guarantee. If this isn’t he most accurate mock draft you read this week you’ll get your money back! (Joke’s on us, you’re actually reading this invaluable gridiron gold for free!)
Without further ado here is the one-and-only “6 Rings” 2023 NFL Mock Draft!
1 Carolina Panthers (via Chicago) - Alabama, QB, Bryce Young (Andy Hart): Young’s biggest shortcoming is that he’s short and light. But size doesn’t matter as much as it used to at NFL QB and he can process the game and make plays at a truly elite level. He’s not “can’t miss” but he’s pretty damn good.
2 Houston Texans - Texas Tech, Edge, Tyree Wilson (Mike Giardi): You were thinking QB but with Caleb Williams and Drake Maye draft eligible next year, and knowing that his team is still a long way away, Nick Caserio grabs the highest rated player on his board (assuming Wilson’s foot checks out medically). Dude has crazy arm length and wingspan, is built like a Greek god and his best football is ahead of him. A great building block for new coach DeMeco Ryans.
3 Arizona Cardinals - Illinois, CB, Devon Witherspoon (Chris Scheim): This is probably a spot the Cardinals would want to trade out of knowing there’s still three quarterbacks on the board, but alas we aren’t doing trades here so they make the pick! The Cardinals need a ton of help and the building will start in the secondary for new head coach Jonathan Gannon. Witherspoon plays with great anticipation and feel for routes and sets a strong defensive tone with his snarl and edge that is perfect for a team that needs a total overhaul.
4 Indianapolis Colts - THE Ohio State, QB, CJ Stroud (Nick “Fitzy” Stevens): Finally! Indianapolis gets off the “aging veteran on a one-year deal with a Wild Card Round ceiling” merry-go-round and grabs a promising young talent to develop. Without having to move up or expend draft capital, new coach Shane “Spikeman” Steichen, who has a safety net in familiar vet Gardner Minshew, now grabs a QB of the future to work with in Stroud, who could be ready to challenge veteran Minshew for the starting job on Day One. While Stroud doesn’t have “the processing speed” of Bryce Young, he does have the tool kit - arm strength, athletic ability and high leverage collegiate experience - necessary to win with his arms and legs, as showcased in an awesome performance in the College Football Championship semis vs Georgia.
5 Seattle Seahawks (via Denver) — Florida, QB, Anthony Richardson (AH): Richardson might be the best all-around athlete in the draft. The question is can a 50-percent passer with limited college snaps be an NFL franchise QB? Pete Carroll and Co. are about to find out, with Geno Smith in place to give time for Richardson to develop his skills.
6 Detroit Lions (via LA Rams) - Alabama, Edge, Will Anderson (MG): Toyed with the notion of going cornerback here but Anderson’s pedigree is too good to pass up. Him on one side and Aidan Hutchinson on the other? Awwww yeah. Anderson may not be as twitchy an athlete as the college stats say but he is a productive pass rusher and very sound against the run. Another nice building block for Dan Campbell.
7 Las Vegas Raiders - Oregon, CB, Christian Gonzalez (Scheim): Quarterback here was definitely an option, but I don’t believe the Raiders are all that high on Will Levis after signing Jimmy Garoppolo in the offseason. Instead, they grab the most athletic corner in the draft who excels in man coverage and could be a cornerstone for a secondary that needs serious improvements.
8 Atlanta Falcons - Georgia, DT, Jalen Carter (Fitzy): Though the Falcons might need outside linebacker/EDGE help more, a talent like Carter is too great to pass up at this spot. Atlanta added David Onyemata and Calais Campbell to help beef up their defensive line this season, but Campbell is closer to AARP than NCAA now. While off-field concerns stemming from a fatal car crash are legitimate and likely lead to Carter dropping a few spots, they won’t prevent the Falcons from taking a chance on the two-time National Champion and Pro Bowl talent-in-waiting from anchoring their D-line for years to come.
9 Chicago Bears (via Carolina) - Northwestern, G/T, Peter Skoronski (AH): After trading down, the Bears get the best offensive lineman in the draft to put in front of Justin Fields for the next decade. The local college product probably bumps inside to guard, but is a sure-fire NFL Pro Bowl blocker. I wanted to pull the trigger on Bijan Robinson but I chickened out.
10 Philadelphia Eagles - Texas, Bijan Robinson, RB (MG): So wait, the Eagles came within a whisker of winning a Super Bowl and now they can add one of the best PLAYMAKERS in the draft? Let's go. Robinson is all that. Speed. Power. Balance. Catches the ball. Just can't say no to this. So take that all you anti-running backites!
11 Tennessee Titans -Tennessee, OT, Darnell Wright (Scheim): Mike Vrabel loves players with size and aggression and gets all that and more here. Wright can slide in and start right away at right tackle and he’ll be looking to blow up NFL linebackers on every play. The Titans get back to basics and begin rebuilding the foundation of physicality and toughness that made them a tough out in the AFC just a few years ago.
12 Houston Texans (via Cleveland) - THE Ohio State, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR (Fitzy): In adding who most believe to be the draft’s best overall receiver, the Texans would enter the 2023 season with not one but two vaunted first-year receivers with JSN pairing up alongside Alabama’s John Metchie, forced to miss his rookie season in 2022 due to treatment for leukemia. Word is Metchie is in good health, as would be the Texans receiving corps after trading Brandin Cooks to the Dallas Cowboys. If Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, both standout Ohio State receivers who had excellent 2022 rookie campaigns in the NFL, say JSN is the best of the three then they might have a steal here. Who’s throwing him the ball to make plays is a different story.
13 Green Bay Packers - Notre Dame, TE, Michael Mayer (Scheim): In a draft that lacks the top end receiver talent of previous years and the #1 receiver already off the board, the official start to the tight end run kicks off with Green Bay grabbing the best overall tight end in the draft. Mayer has a solid blocking foundation and a knack for contested catches that will help an inexperienced quarterback like Jordan Love in big spots.
14 New England Patriots - Ohio State, Paris Johnson, LT (MG): The Patriots have a handful of tackles and only one, Conor McDermott, is under contract beyond this year. In Johnson, they get the most ready left tackle in the draft.
15 New York Jets - Georgia, OT, Broderick Jones (AH): Coming off a crazy-good 2022 draft, the Jets try to keep the prospect ball rolling with one of this year’s top tackle prospects. Jones may not have elite length, but he blocks with the kind of aggressive violence and athleticism that will carry him to success in front of newly-acquired HOF QB Aaron Rodgers.
16 Washington Commanders - Penn State, CB, Joey Porter, Jr. (Fitzy): Washington got what it’s needed for ages this offseason: a change in ownership. Now it can focus its energies away from the drama and back on the football field. With needs along the offensive line, at tight end and the secondary, Ron Rivera’s Commanders snag a tough, competitive potential shutdown corner who held his own against top competition in the Big 10 and has football in his blood, literally. Porter’s combo of size, toughness and speed make him a great add to combat the offenses of the NFC East.
17 Pittsburgh Steelers - Iowa, EDGE, Lukas Van Ness (AH): Van Ness never started a game for the veteran-loyal Hawkeyes, but he’s got versatile upside with a high motor that should make him a better NFL playmaker than he even was in college. Pittsburgh knows how to find impactful front seven defenders in the draft and Van Ness will join the list, getting a chance to play in the shadow of T.J. Watt.
18 Detroit Lions - Utah, TE, Dalton Kincaid (MG): As has been the case, Scheim keeps picking the wrong players. The Lions hope this holds true, adding a player multiple scouts believe is the best “pass catcher” in the draft. Kincaid is a matchup nightmare, too quick for LBs and big enough to put safeties on his back, that is if they can stay with him to begin with. Another weapon for Jared Goff and whoever the QB of the future will be in Detroit rock city.
19 Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Oklahoma, LT, Anton Harrison (Scheim): The only thing on the mind of the Buccaneers organization is “Tank for Caleb Williams.” Tom Brady left them with the likes of Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask so the only option is to prepare for the next “guy”. To do that, you need to start on the offensive line and Harrison is the best tackle available and some would say he hasn’t been getting the respect he deserves.
20 Seattle Seahawks - Georgia, EDGE, Nolan Smith (Fitzy): The Seahawks can score the ball, and while it might be tempting to find Tyler Lockett’s replacement here, they need some defensive help. The idea of grabbing someone who can improve their pass rush is too tempting, and Smith can do just that and then some. He’ll help generate pressure on the QB as well as lend some help in stopping the run. Smith, an Anthony Munoz Lineman of the Year finalist his senior season, will bring energy, leadership and ferocity aplenty to the ‘Hawks.
21 Los Angeles Chargers - Boston College, WR, Zay Flowers (AH): Not sure if I’m making this pick more for myself or Justin Herbert. Flowers can be a special playmaker in the NFL. Pairing him with a guy like Herbert should be fun to watch as the Chargers get younger at receiver.
22 Baltimore Ravens - Clemson, EDGE, Myles Murphy (MG): Toyed with the idea of QB here because of the uncertainty about you know who but the Ravens have long been built on how they play defense. In Murphy, they get a player straight out of central casting. Crazy wingspan, power and sound versus both pass and run. And guess what? There’s more to be uncovered.
23 Minnesota Vikings - Maryland, CB, Deonte Banks (Scheim): The Vikings are currently retooling nearly their entire defense in order to have another successful season and try and repeat as NFC North champs. Deonte Banks should fit in swimmingly with new defensive coordinator Brian Flores. Banks is great in man coverage with excellent athleticism that could set him up for a solid NFL career.
24 Jacksonville Jaguars - Alabama, Safety, Brian Branch (Fitzy): As the safety position evolves and defenses become more “positionless” (drink!) in the NFL, defenders like Branch will continue to be more prevalent, more valuable. Branch can play all over the secondary, both deep and box safety. He has played in the slot and as a hybrid linebacker. And he and his high motor have been effective all over. For a defense looking to improve all over, especially in the secondary, this 2nd Team All-American with pass breakups, run stuffs, INTs and sacks aplenty on his resume will be an immediately welcome addition.
25 New York Giants - Mississippi St., CB, Emmanuel Forbes (AH): If the 6-1 Forbes didn’t weigh in at 166 pounds, he’d be a much higher selection given his elite production in the SEC (14 INT the last three years, including six returned for TD). Forbes is a true ball hawk and the Giants need a playmaking corner. I’ve told myself all my life it’s not about size but what you do with it, so that might as well be my draft philosophy too!
26 Dallas Cowboys - Alabama, RB, Jahmyr Gibbs (MG): Jerry Jones finally saw the light and let his binky go, releasing Zeke Elliott. But with Tony Pollard on the franchise tag and coming off injury, the Alabama product makes a ton of sense here. Tremendous hands and good route running ability make Gibbs not just a fit in the backfield but he could do some work in the slot as well.
27 Buffalo Bills - USC, WR, Jordan Addison (Scheim): I think tackle would be the preferred pick here but with all the good ones drafted already, helping Josh Allen as much as possible is the next best solution. Gabe Davis didn’t quite live up to what the Bills had hoped and Addison will help add another reliable receiving option after Stef Diggs and hopefully Allen won’t feel the need to be superman every single week.
28 Cincinnati Bengals - Pitt, DL, Calijah Kancey (Fitzy): Safety would be a priority look after their starting safety duo was pilfered in free agency, and tight end would, should some of the players taken previously tumble to them at 28. But if we’re taking best available on the board then Kancey, who pops on tape and at the Combine, would be a welcome addition. He can play the run and rush the passer and immediately adds to a solid defensive line featuring Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard.
29 New Orleans (via Denver via Miami via SF) - Oregon St., TE, Luke Muskgrave (AH): Musgrave has elite athletic and playmaking upside at the tight end position. Joining forces in New Orleans with a QB like Derek Carr who knows a little something about making use of a pass-catching tight end makes a lot of sense for both the team and the player.
30 Philadelphia Eagles - Clemson, DT, Bryan Bresee (MG): Eagles GM Howie Roseman has done a terrific job building and retaining his offensive and defensive lines. But with Javon Hargrave having departed via free agency and Fletcher Cox another year older, it makes sense to select the heavy-handed and powerful Bresee, assuming his medical checks come out fine.
31 Kansas City Chiefs - TCU, WR, Quentin Johnston (Scheim): As Patrick Mahomes continues to ascend, the Chiefs will want continue to supplement the offense in cheap but efficient ways and adding one of the top receiver prospects in the draft that has a style unlike anything on the KC roster is the perfect way to do that. Played with the idea of drafting an EDGE player opposite George Karlaftis but felt that the position is so deep in the 2nd/3rd round that receiver was the better pick.
*Dolphins forfeited first-round pick for violating league policies