(Audacy) Days before commissioner Roger Goodell takes the stage in Kansas City and announces the start of the 2023 NFL Draft, there remains great uncertainty as to how it will unfold.
The Panthers, who traded up with the Bears to claim the No. 1 overall pick, have yet to publicly affirm their selection to open this draft. The Texans, who lost out on the top selection with a win in the final week of the regular season, are a mystery with the No. 2 pick – and will set off a domino effect at the top of the first round.
The Cardinals, owners of the No. 3 pick, could still seek a trade down with a team seeking a quarterback – or Arizona may just stand pat and select the best defensive player available. The Colts are looking to secure their future at quarterback with the No. 4 selection, while the Raiders, Titans, Buccaneers and others could make a move for a quarterback as well.
There's also little clarity as to where embattled Georgia defensive lineman prospect Jalen Carter will land. There's a group of talented offensive tackles who are difficult to differentiate and several wide receivers who could become game-changing players at the next level. It's a draft that's deep and fascinating from the first pick on down.
Here's how this intriguing 2023 NFL Draft could take shape with the first round set to begin Thursday evening.
Be sure to follow along with Audacy Sports' coverage of the NFL Draft.
Note: For the purpose of clarity, this mock draft doesn't include any trades.
1. Carolina Panthers – quarterback Bryce Young, Alabama
Getty ImagesThe Panthers seemed to trade up to No. 1 overall without a clear-cut choice in mind. That decision now seems to be made, as Young is expected to be the top selection. Though he's undersized, Young proved himself at Alabama as the Heisman Trophy recipient in 2021 and All-American and the SEC Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2022.
2. Houston Texans – quarterback Will Levis, Kentucky
Getty ImagesThe Texans entered the regular-season finale in January with the inside track to land the No. 1 overall pick before connecting on a wild touchdown on fourth-and-20 late in a win against the Colts, which caused them to lose out on the top pick. Houston will now go for the second quarterback in Levis.
3. Arizona Cardinals – linebacker Will Anderson, Alabama
Getty ImagesThis draft truly becomes interesting at No. 3, as the Cardinals are secured at quarterback with Kyler Murray. Arizona is seeking a potential trade partner in need of a quarterback and could execute a deal down for a team interested in either C.J. Stroud or Anthony Richardson. But the Cardinals can't go wrong by selecting the top defensive player in the class — the dynamic Anderson.
4. Indianapolis Colts – quarterback C.J. Stroud, Ohio State
Getty ImagesColts general manager Chris Ballard has struggled to solidify the quarterback position since the sudden and stunning retirement of Andrew Luck just prior to the 2019 regular season. Indianapolis will be pleased to come away with Stroud, a two-time Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year with the Buckeyes.
5. Seattle Seahawks – defensive lineman Jalen Carter, Georgia
USA Today SportsSuper-agent Drew Rosenhaus has made it clear to the NFL world that his embattled client Carter will be selected in the top 10. Once considered a prized prospect, Carter was charged with reckless driving in connection with a fatal crash in January. It will take a team with great stability to bring in Carter, and the Seahawks boast that with head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider.
6. Detroit Lions – cornerback Devon Witherspoon, Illinois
USA Today SportsWitherspoon is considered a dynamic playmaker at cornerback, and that's just what the Lions need after seeing their playoff hopes gashed by a bottom-dwelling defense. Witherspoon was an All-American at Illinois and immediately would transform Detroit's secondary.
7. Las Vegas Raiders – quarterback Anthony Richardson, Florida
Getty ImagesThe surprising turn of events with the quarterbacks at the top of this draft left Richardson to fall — but not too far. The Raiders made the bold decision to part ways with quarterback Derek Carr this offseason and will find their long-term future at quarterback in Richardson with the No. 7 overall pick.
8. Atlanta Falcons – edge rusher Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech
USA Today SportsIt's possible that Wilson could land with the Texans at No. 2 if Houston elects not to select a quarterback. The Falcons certainly would be thrilled to see him still on the board at No. 8, as he'll bring Atlanta a dynamic presence on its defensive front.
9. Chicago Bears – offensive lineman Peter Skoronski, Northwestern
USA Today SportsBears general manager Ryan Poles has prioritized taking the best player available, and that would be Skoronski here. Though it's unclear whether Skoronski's future in the NFL is at guard or tackle, Chicago is focused on selecting a blue-chip player rather than addressing a certain position. There's a strong case to be made that Skoronski has the highest floor of any player in this draft class.
10. Philadelphia Eagles – offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio State
USA Today SportsThe Eagles have done excellent work over the years building contenders through the trenches. There are a number of ways for general manager Howie Roseman to go, but Philadelphia is best suited selecting the top offensive lineman available. That would be Johnson, a three-year starter at Ohio State and an All-Big Ten tackle.
11. Tennessee Titans – wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State
Getty ImagesThe Titans could look to trade into the top 10 and select a quarterback – perhaps with the Cardinals at No. 3 or with the Bears at No. 9 if a quarterback they like has fallen that far. But Tennessee needs weapons if Ryan Tannehill is returning as the starter. In Smith-Njigba, the Titans get the top wide receiver on the board.
12. Houston Texans – wide receiver Quentin Johnston, TCU
USA Today SportsAfter landing Levis with the No. 2 overall pick, the Texans will add a weapon for him at wide receiver in the TCU standout Johnston, who boasts prototypical size at 6-foot-3 and blazing speed to match. Suddenly, Houston has building blocks in place on offense.
13. New York Jets – offensive tackle Darnell Wright, Tennessee
USA Today SportsThe Jets seem almost certain to take a tackle with the No. 13 pick — it's a just a matter of which one. Wright could land with the Bears at No. 9 but would also be a strong fit for the Jets, who need protection for their quarterback. Speaking of which, look for Aaron Rodgers to land in New York by the second day of the draft – better late than never.
14. New England Patriots – edge rusher Lukas Van Ness, Iowa
Getty ImagesAs Bill Belichick and the Patriots look to reboot as a contender this season, they'll find a promising piece for their defense in Van Ness. Though he never started a game at Iowa, Van Ness emerged as one of the brightest defensive prospects in this draft class.
15. Green Bay Packers – tight end Michael Mayer, Notre Dame
Getty ImagesAs the Packers begin the Jordan Love era, they'll need to give him a chance at immediate success. Mayer is the most polished tight end prospect in this draft class and could bring instant impact for Love and the Packers' offense.
16. Washington Commanders – cornerback Christian Gonzalez, Oregon
USA Today SportsThere's a good chance Gonzalez will be selected prior to the Commanders going on the clock at No. 16, but Washington certainly wouldn't hesitate if he was still available. Gonzalez has 4.38 speed and prototypical size, and he's considered nearly even with Witherspoon as the top cornerback in this class.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers – defensive tackle Calijah Kancey, Pittsburgh
Getty ImagesFor a second straight year, the Steelers will select a Pitt Panther in the first round. They went with quarterback Kenny Pickett in 2022 and now Kancey with the No. 17 pick. He's an undersized defensive tackle out of Pittsburgh who brings explosiveness and a high motor to the NFL. Does that sound familiar?
18. Detroit Lions – running back Bijan Robinson, Texas
Getty ImagesThe Lions could be the top team in the NFC North in 2023. In selecting Robinson with the 18th pick, Detroit would leave little doubt of its place as a contender. Many believe that Robinson will immediately be one of the top running backs in the NFL.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – offensive tackle Broderick Jones, Georgia
USA Today SportsThe Buccaneers have a number of ways they could go here but will find the upside of Jones as a building block for their future. He's a developmental prospect with plenty of promise for Tampa Bay.
20. Seattle Seahawks – edge rusher Nolan Smith, Georgia
USA Today SportsAfter landing Carter with the No. 5 overall pick, the Seahawks will make another investment in their defensive front by adding the exciting athleticism of Smith. At 6-foot-2 and 238 pounds, Smith logged a 4.39 time on the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.
21. Los Angeles Chargers – wide receiver Jordan Addison, USC
USA Today SportsThis isn't so much a draft pick as a plea for the Chargers to get prized quarterback Justin Herbert the help he needs on offense to continue his evolution. Los Angeles can't go wrong in bringing in the gifted USC product Addison.
22. Baltimore Ravens – cornerback Joey Porter Jr., Penn State
Getty ImagesCould the Ravens be a team to shake up the draft with a trade up for a quarterback? Given the uncertainty surrounding Lamar Jackson's future in Baltimore, it's a looming possibility. Instead, the Ravens add to their secondary with Porter, the son of former rival Joey Porter Sr.
23. Minnesota Vikings – cornerback Deonte Banks, Maryland
USA Today SportsRather remarkably, the Vikings finished with a minus-3 point differential despite a 13-4 record in the 2022 regular season. It means Minnesota needs to add to its defense, and Banks is the type of player who can offer needed upgrade.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars – edge rusher Myles Murphy, Clemson
USA Today SportsThe Jaguars broke through as the AFC South winners last season in part due to a loaded defensive front. That unit can continue to ascend with the selection of Murphy, a first-team All-ACC pass rusher at Clemson in 2022.
25. New York Giants – wide receiver Zay Flowers, Boston College
Getty ImagesAfter making a long-term investment in quarterback Daniel Jones, the Giants can bolster their arsenal by selecting Flowers, who was an All-ACC wide receiver with nine touchdowns last season. He'd be an ideal fit in New York's budding offensive identity.
26. Dallas Cowboys – defensive lineman Bryan Bresee, Clemson
USA Today SportsIt would be surprising if the Cowboys attempted an aggressive trade into the middle of the first round to select the prized running back Robinson. But if Dallas does stand pat at No. 26, Bresee would be an impact addition to the defensive line.
27. Buffalo Bills – safety Brian Branch, Alabama
USA Today SportsThe Bills seem well set in the secondary with Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer at safety, but they won't shy away from a game-changing talent in Branch who can play a versatile role as a rookie in Buffalo's secondary.
28. Cincinnati Bengals – tight end Dalton Kincaid, Utah
USA Today SportsThe Bengals are preparing to break the bank for quarterback Joe Burrow. With that comes the pressure to build a young, cost-controlled core around him. Kincaid was an All-Pac-12 tight end who posted 70 receptions for 890 yards and eight touchdowns in 2022.
29. New Orleans Saints – cornerback Emmanuel Forbes, Saints
USA Today SportsUnder the watch of head coach Dennis Allen, the Saints have built a top-10 defense. Forbes would bring New Orleans a potentially promising player for that defensive identity. He had six interceptions last season, including three returned for a touchdown.
30. Philadelphia Eagles – guard O'Cyrus Torrence, Florida
Getty ImagesThe Eagles will go with a second offensive lineman in the first round in Torrence, who played his entire college career without allowing a single sack. He'll be another important addition for Philadelphia to keep its offensive line sustainable for the long term.
31. Kansas City Chiefs – wide receiver Josh Downs, North Carolina
Getty ImagesChiefs general manager Brett Veach has done excellent work keeping a strong cast around superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes. With the last pick of the first round, the Chiefs could deal down – but will give Mahomes another weapon in the wide receiver Downs.
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