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The Bears Trade The First Pick To Seattle?
Mock Draft 2.1 is here; in our last edition, the Bears traded Justin Fields to the Falcons and drafted C.J. Stroud. In version 2.1, the bears trade the number one overall pick to the Seattle Seahawks, picking up both 2023 1st-round picks with additional future draft capital.
The Seahawks Have A Bridge QB In Place
Seattle is in the best position to draft a developmental QB after signing QB Geno Smith to a 3-year deal.
Houston Takes C.J. Stroud #2 Overall
Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud goes number two overall to the Houston Texans. After an excellent display of his mechanics and accuracy at the NFL Combine, the Texans select C.J. Stroud 2nd overall.
The Carolina Panthers Trade Up To Draft Bryce Young
In a draft day surprise, the Carolina Panthers trade up to grab Bryce Young ahead of the Indianapolis Colts. In a draft day surprise, the Panthers trade a future 1st round pick with their 2023 1st round pick and additional future draft capital to move ahead of the Colts.
The Colts Still Draft A QB at 4th Overall
In back-to-back mock drafts, we have 4 QB's going in the top 5 again, a trend we believe will continue in many mock drafts leading up to the 2023 NFL Draft.
The Packers Trade Aaron Rodgers
The New York Jets trade their 2023 1st round pick to the Green Bay Packers with additional future draft capital. The Jets are a young and talented team that is a QB away from being a threat to contend in the AFC.
First Round 2023 NFL Mock Draft
(1). Seattle Seahawks (Via CHI) Select: QB Anthony Richardson | Florida
Team Needs: G, C, DL
Pending Free Agents: QB Geno Smith, RB Rashaad Penny, DL Poona Ford, OG Phil Haynes, QB Drew Lock
Analysis: Anthony Richardson goes number one overall after a spectacular NFL Combine performance. He will sit behind Geno Smith, who just signed a three-year contract, and get a chance to develop.
(2). Houston Texans Select: QB C.J. Stroud | Ohio State
Team Needs: QB, C, DL
Pending Free Agents: TE O.J. Howard, EDGE Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, DL Rasheem Green, TE Jordan Akins
Analysis: Houston gets their QB of the future. Stroud had a phenomenal NFL Combine where he showed off his mechanics and accuracy.
(3). Carolina Panthers (via AZ) Select: QB Bryce Young | Alabama
Team Needs: QB, RB, TE, ED
Pending Free Agents: QB Sam Darnold, DL Matthew Ioannidis, C Bradley Bozeman, LB Cory Littleton
Analysis: In a trade with the Cardinals, The Panthers skip past the Indianapolis Colts to snag their QB of the now and the future.
(4). Indianapolis Colts Select: QB Will Levis | Kentucky
Team Needs: QB, OL
Pending Free Agents: EDGE Yannick Ngakoue, WR Parris Campbell, OG Matt Pryor, LB Bobby Okereke, E.J. Speed
Analysis: New Indianapolis Colts Head Coach Shane Steichen lands a high-ceiling QB. Will Levis would fit perfectly in a similar style of offense as Jalen Hurts.
(5). Chicago Bears (via SEA) Select: EDGE Will Anderson Jr. | Alabama
Team Needs: WR, TE, OL, DL, LB, DB
Pending Free Agents: RB David Montgomery, C Sam Mustipher, WR N'Keal Harry, WR Dante Pettis
Analysis: The Bears are in a perfect position to draft an elite edge rusher.
(6). Detroit Lions Select: CB Christian Gonzalez | Oregon
Team Needs: DI, LB, CB
Pending Free Agents: WR DJ Chark, RB Jamaal Williams, LB Alex Anzalone, OG Evan Brown, CB Mike Hughes
Analysis: The Lions could draft Jalen Carter as they did in my mock 2.0, but the 2.1 version considers his recent indiscretions, and the Lions get cold feet. Carter has been the number one overall pick on our board since November. The Lions decided to take the top CB on the board instead.
(7). Las Vegas Raiders Select: CB Devon Witherspoon | Illinois
Team Needs: QB, OL, DB
Pending Free Agents: RB Josh Jacobs, CB Rock Ya-Sin, LB Denzel Perryman, WR Mack Hollins, EDGE Clelin Ferrell
Analysis: The Raiders are in a bit of no man's land and need a QB. The way the board has fallen, the Raiders could be in the market for a free-agent QB, or they might have to roll with Jarrett Stidham. In this scenario, the Raiders could trade back if someone is interested, or they can fill their need at defensive back.
(8). Atlanta Falcons Select: Edge Nolan Smith | Georgia
Team Needs: WR, TE, OL, DL, LB, DB
Pending Free Agents: RB David Montgomery, C Sam Mustipher, WR N'Keal Harry, WR Dante Pettis
Analysis: Nolan Smith jumped back into the top ten of our rankings after his elite NFL Combine performance. The Falcons get the versatile edge rusher that they desperately need.
(9). Arizona Cardinals (Via CAR) Select: Edge Tyree Wilson | Texas Tech
Team Needs: G, C, ED, CB
Pending Free Agents: EDGE J.J. Watt, WR A.J. Green, OT Kelvin Beachum, CB Byron Murphy, C Rodney Hudson
Analysis: Edge rusher Tyree Wilson could be the top edge rusher in the class when it's all said and done. Getting him at nine overall is an incredible value.
(10). Philadelphia Eagles Select: IDL Jalen Carter | Georgia
Team Needs: WR, G, C, IDL
Pending Free Agents: DL Javon Hargrave, CB James Bradberry, RB Miles Sanders, C Jason Kelce, DL Fletcher Cox
Analysis: Stop the steal. The Eagles arguably get the top defender in the draft. Jalen Carter is considered the top interior defender and will fill a massive need.
(11). Tennessee Titans Select: OT Paris Johnson Jr. | Ohio State
Team Needs: WR, T, ED
Pending Free Agents: TE Austin Hooper, OG Nate Davis, TE Geoff Swaim, LB David Long, DL Teair Tart
Analysis: The Titans need an OT to replace Taylor Lewan. They could go with an edge rusher in this spot.
(12). Houston Texans Select: WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba | Ohio State
Team Needs: QB, C, DL
Pending Free Agents: TE O.J. Howard, EDGE Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, DL Rasheem Green, TE Jordan Akins
Analysis: The Texans drafted their QB of the future. Now they pair him with one of his favorite targets in college.
(13). Green Bay Packers (Via NYJ) Select: EDGE Myles Murphy | Clemson
Team Needs: WR, TE, ED, LB
Pending Free Agents: WR Allen Lazard, TE Robert Tonyan Jr., OT Elgton Jenkins, S Adrian Amos, DL Dean Lowry
Analysis: The Packers now have two first-round picks after trading Aaron Rodgers.
(14). New England Patriots Select: WR Jordan Addison | USC
Team Needs: QB, T, ED
Pending Free Agents: OT Isaiah Wynn, RB Damien Harris, CB Myles Bryant, CB Jonathan Jones, WR Jakobi Meyers
Analysis: The Patriots need to draft a WR, Bill will find a way to pass on a WR for the best available DB or OL, and then he will shock the world and draft Stetson Bennett in the 2nd or 3rd round.
(15). Green Bay Packers Select: WR Quentin Johnston | TCU
Team Needs: WR, TE, ED, LB
Pending Free Agents: WR Allen Lazard, TE Robert Tonyan Jr., OT Elgton Jenkins, S Adrian Amos, DL Dean Lowry
Analysis: Drafting a WR in this spot to support Jordan Love in the post-Aaron Rodgers era will be the likely route here. Many believe this will be a TE like Michael Mayer, and rightfully so, but Johnston has a true WR1 upside that could create a nice dup at WR with Christian Watson.
(16). Washington Commanders Select: Peter Skoronski | Northwestern
Team Needs: QB, G, C, LB
Pending Free Agents: DL Daron Payne, QB Taylor Heinicke, OG Wes Schweitzer, LB Cole Holcomb, OG Trai Turner
Analysis: Skoronski measured more like an interior guard than an OT, but he does bring positional versatility and can flip inside or outside as needed.
(17). Pittsburgh Steelers Select: OT Dawand Jones | Ohio State
Team Needs: T, LB, CB
Pending Free Agents: DL Larry Ogunjobi, LB Devin Bush, DL Chris Wormley, CB Cam Sutton, QB Mason Rudolph
Analysis: With essentially two first-round picks after the Dolphins forfeited pick, the Steelers have an excellent opportunity to capitalize. With apparent needs on the offensive line, they can also grab a top cornerback.
(18). Detroit Lions Select: EDGE Bryan Bresee | Clemson
Team Needs: DL, LB, CB
Pending Free Agents: WR DJ Chark, RB Jamaal Williams, LB Alex Anzalone, OG Evan Brown, CB Mike Hughes
Analysis: After getting a lockdown CB with their first pick, the Lions grab a freakish interior defender who can play all along the front.
(19). Tampa Bay Bucs Select: OT Broderick Jones | Georgia
Team Needs: QB, TE, G, C, DI
Pending Free Agents: QB Tom Brady, LB Lavonte David, DL Akiem Hicks, WR Julio Jones, CB Sean Bunting, S Mike Edwards
Analysis: Whoever is under center in 2023 will need to be better protected than Brady was in 2022. Drafting an OL here makes sense, but you must start rebuilding the defense.
(20). Chicago Bears (via SEA) Select: RB Bijan Robinson | Texas
Team Needs: WR, TE, OL, DL, LB, DB
Pending Free Agents: RB David Montgomery, C Sam Mustipher, WR N'Keal Harry, WR Dante Pettis
Analysis: The Bears snag an elite backfield mate to pair with Justin Fields.
*Dolphins Forefeit Pick
(21). Los Angeles Chargers Select: WR Zay Flowers | Boston College
Team Needs: WR, T, LB, CB
Pending Free Agents: DL Jerry Tillery, S Nasir Adderley, RB Sony Michel, LB Drue Tranquill, TE Donald Parham
Analysis: The Chargers need help at CB and could use a WR. There is an argument that they could draft an edge rusher with Khalil Mack in his 30s and Joey Bosa's injury-plagued 2022; the Chargers need some youthful depth.
(22). Baltimore Ravens Select: CB Joey Porter Jr. | Penn State
Team Needs: WR, ED, CB
Pending Free Agents: CB Marcus Peters, QB Lamar Jackson, OT Ja'Wuan James, CB Kyle Fuller
Analysis: The Ravens grab a lengthy physical DB to solidify their secondary.
(23). Minnesota Vikings Select: CB Kelee Ringo | Georgia
Team Needs: DI, LB, CB
Pending Free Agents: TE Irv Smith Jr., RB Alexander Mattison, CB Patrick Peterson, C Garrett Bradbury, WR Olabisi Johnson
Analysis: The Vikings need help in their secondary. Ringo is a physical DB who can be an impact player in year one.
(24). Jacksonville Jaguars Select: OT Anton Harrison | Oklahoma
Team Needs: G, C, DB
Pending Free Agents: TE Evan Engram, OT Jawaan Taylor, EDGE Arden Key, EDGE Dawuane Smoot, CB Tre Herndon
Analysis: Jags grab the best available OT here.
(25). New York Giants Select: WR Jalin Hyatt | Tennessee
Team Needs: WR, TE, C, LB
Pending Free Agents: QB Daniel Jones, RB Saquon Barkley, DL Dalvin Tomlinson, WR Sterling Shepard, WR Darius Slayton
Analysis: The Giants possess decent draft capital. They have needs at WR and TE. The need a dynamic WR to help them stretch the field.
(26). Dallas Cowboys Select: LB Trenton Simpson | Clemson
Team Needs: WR, DL, LB
Pending Free Agents: TE Dalton Schultz, RB Tony Pollard, OT Terence Steele, WR Noah Brown, LB Leighton Vander Esch
Analysis: The Cowboys could use upgrades on the OL, but they could also add an elite TE in Michael Mayer to pair with CeeDee Lamb. They can also draft a versatile off-ball LB.
(27). Buffalo Bills Select: S/Slot CB Brian Branch | Alabama
Team Needs: G, C, DB
Pending Free Agents: S Jordan Poyer, LB Tremaine Edmunds, QB Case Keenum, C Mitch Morse, OG Rodger Saffold
Analysis: The Bills need to improve their offensive line, but they could also use a pass rusher. If Poyer is moving on, they can go safety in this spot if Brian Branch is still available.
(28). Cincinnati Bengals Select: Jahmyr Gibbs | Alabama
Team Needs: T, DI, CB
Pending Free Agents: S Jessie Bates III, TE Hayden Hurst, CB Eli Apple, S Vonn Bell, RB Samaje Perine
Analysis: With the Bengals front office not likely committing to Joe Mixon, why not grab the speed of Jahmyr Gibbs to pair with Burrow and Chase?
(29). New Orleans Saints Select: Edge Lukas Van Ness | Iowa
Team Needs: QB, DI, CB
Pending Free Agents: DL David Onyemata, EDGE Marcus Davenport, WR Jarvis Landry, RB Mark Ingram, QB Andy Dalton
Analysis: The Saints have options to replace the often-injured Marcus Davenport.
(30). Philadelphia Eagles Select: IOL Steve Avila | TCU
Team Needs: WR, G, C
Pending Free Agents: DL Javon Hargrave, CB James Bradberry, RB Miles Sanders, C Jason Kelce, DL Fletcher Cox
Analysis: The Super Bowl runner-up and a team with many potential pending free agents and Center Jason Kelce, who is mulling the idea of retiring. The Eagles need to find their Kelce replacement in the middle of their offensive line. With other needs at CB and the potential that James Bradberry could move on, the Eagles will have some solid options.
(31). Kansas City Chiefs Select: Edge Keion White | Georgia Tech
Team Needs: WR, DL, EDGE
Pending Free Agents: OT Orlando Brown Jr., WR Mecole Hardman, WR Juju Smith-Schuster, S Juan Thornhill
Analysis: The Super Bowl champs have a young defense with great potential and could use a WR. But after releasing Frank Clark, they need to add another pass rusher.