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The Bears Trade The First Pick To The Carolina Panthers?
In a real-life trade, the Panthers traded with the Chicago Bears to acquire the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, according to ESPN and NFL Network. The Bears will receive the No. 9 and No. 61 picks in the 2023 draft, a first-round pick in 2024, and a second-rounder in 2025, and they will also receive wide receiver DJ Moore, according to ESPN.
Who Will Draft Will Levis?
Levis is the 4th QB off the board unless we are all being duped. Levis possesses a massive ceiling with comparable traits to Josh Allen, but is he worth giving up draft capital to move up? At this point, for him to go top five, the Colts or the Texans have to love him, or the Cardinals would have to trade back to someone hell-bent on moving up to draft a QB.
The Packers Trade Aaron Rodgers To the Jets
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). Carolina Panthers (Via CHI) Select: QB C.J. Stroud | Ohio State
Team Needs: QB, RB, TE, ED
Pending Free Agents: QB Sam Darnold, DL Matthew Ioannidis, C Bradley Bozeman, LB Cory Littleton
Analysis: The Panthers should have taken Justin Fields in the 2021 NFL Draft. In 2023, they aim to make up for that by trading the farm to get their future QB. The two names that make the most sense are C.J. Stroud and Anthony Richardson. The only concern is that the Panthers need a bridge QB to allow Richardson to develop without needing to start as a rookie. C.J. Stroud can walk in and be a day-one starter, but the Panthers traded their number one WR, D.J. Moore, to Chicago, making life even more challenging for a rookie QB.
(2). Houston Texans Select: QB Bryce Young | Alabama
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. Young is a safe bet with a high floor that can make an impact right away.
(3). Las Vegas Raiders (via AZ) Select: QB Anthony Richardson | Florida
Pending Free Agents: RB Josh Jacobs, CB Rock Ya-Sin, LB Denzel Perryman, WR Mack Hollins, EDGE Clelin Ferrell
Analysis: The Raiders need a QB, so they must trade the farm to acquire one of the top four QB's in the 2023 NFL Draft class. The Raiders will pair Anthony Richardson with Josh McDaniel in this mock draft.
(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). Seattle Seahawks Select: Edge Will Anderson Jr.| Alabama
Team Needs: G, C, DL
Pending Free Agents: QB Geno Smith, RB Rashaad Penny, DL Poona Ford, OG Phil Haynes, QB Drew Lock
Analysis: Seattle wins the lottery in this spot by procuring arguing the most dominant defender in the 2023 NFL Draft.
(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 2.2, like the 2.1 version, considers the recent events, 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). Arizona Cardinals Select: IDL Jalen Carter | Georgia
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: The Cardinals traded back with the Las Vegas Raiders and will have a shot to draft the best edge, IDL, or CB at pick number 7 while acquiring additional draft capital.
(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). Chicago Bears 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: This would be a complete 180 for a Bears offense that lacked skill position talent in previous seasons. After a blockbuster trade with the Carolina Panthers, the Bears acquired D.J. Moore, and with the 9th overall pick, they grabbed an elite RB to pair with Justin Fields.
(10). Philadelphia Eagles Select: CB Devon Witherspoon | Illinois
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: I have recently mocked Christian Gonzalez or Devon Witherspoon to the Eagles. The Eagles have a deep and talented roster, but they need CB.
(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: Edge Tyree Wilson | Texas Tech
Team Needs: QB, C, DL
Pending Free Agents: TE O.J. Howard, EDGE Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, DL Rasheem Green, TE Jordan Akins
Analysis: After drafting a QB at pick 2, the Texans get an athletic freak to bolster the edge of their defense.
(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: Jaxon Smith-Njigba | Ohio State
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: Joey Porter Jr. | Penn 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 Myles Murphy | 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 could use an interior defender or another edge defender.
(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). Seattle Seahawks Select: IDL Calijah Kancey| Pitt
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 Seahawks have bolstered their front 4 with Anderson and Kancey in round one.
*Dolphins Forefeit Pick
(21). Los Angeles Chargers Select: WR Jordan Addison | USC
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 Kelee Ringo| Georgia
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 Emmanuel Forbes | Mississippi State
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.
(24). Jacksonville Jaguars Select: S/CB Brian Branch | Alabama
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 need interior OL but take the best nickel safety available.
(25). New York Giants Select: WR Zay Flowers | Boston College
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: IOL O'Cyrus Torrence | Florida
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: IDL Mazi Smith | Michigan
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 Lukas Van Ness | Iowa
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.