Daniel Jeremiah Mock 3.0...

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Daniel Jeremiah 2023 NFL mock draft 3.0: Bucs, Colts, Panthers, Texans, Vikings pick QBs in Round 1

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Daniel Jeremiah 2023 NFL mock draft 3.0: Bucs, Colts, Panthers, Texans, Vikings pick QBs in Round 1

Published: Mar 21, 2023 at 09:54 AM

 

Daniel Jeremiah

NFL Media analyst

After a wild opening wave of free agency -- with signings, releases and trades reshaping rosters across the league -- it's time to assess the impact on the 2023 NFL Draft. Here's my updated forecast for the first round.

NOTES:

1. The NFL announced in August that the Miami Dolphins will forfeit their 2023 first-round pick and 2024 third-round pick following an investigation into whether the team violated league policies pertaining to the integrity of the game.
2. Check out NFL+ for more in-depth analysis on Daniel Jeremiah's third mock draft and live coverage of pro days beginning on March 22.

 

Pick

1

 

Carolina Panthers

(via CHI)

 

Bryce Young

Alabama · QB · Junior

The Panthers will do their homework on this year's top quarterback prospects over the next month, but I believe Young is the best of the bunch and will emerge as their target. 

 

Pick

2

 

Houston Texans

 

 

C.J. Stroud

Ohio State · QB · Sophomore (RS)

The Texans have some quality pieces in place on offense (including a franchise left tackle who just agreed to a contract extension) and Stroud should be able to hit the ground running as the Week 1 starter. 

 

Pick

3

 

Arizona Cardinals

 

 

Will Anderson Jr.

Alabama · Edge · Junior

I won't be surprised if the Cardinals trade this pick to Indianapolis, Seattle or Las Vegas. If they stay here, Anderson makes the most sense for a team that desperately needs a difference-maker on the defensive line. 

 

 

Pick

4

 

Indianapolis Colts

 

 

Anthony Richardson

Florida · QB · Sophomore (RS)

Will Levis could easily be the pick here, but Richardson’s unbelievable athleticism would be a fun fit in Shane Steichen’s offense. 

 

Pick

5

 

Seattle Seahawks

(via DEN)

 

Jalen Carter

Georgia · DT · Junior

The off-field concerns with Carter have been documented. On the field, he is the most talented player in this draft class and would provide Pete Carroll’s defense with a dynamic interior disruptor. 

 

Pick

6

 

Detroit Lions

(via LAR)

 

Devon Witherspoon

Illinois · CB · Senior

Witherspoon doesn’t have ideal size (5-foot-11 1/2, 181 pounds), but his game is very similar to that of Denzel Ward, who, like Witherspoon, played his college football in the Big Ten. Detroit has some difference-makers on the defensive front and has made some nice additions to the secondary this offseason, but Witherspoon’s instincts and ball skills would fit beautifully in the back end.

 

Pick

7

 

Las Vegas Raiders

 

 

Tyree Wilson

Texas Tech · Edge · Senior (RS)

I could still see the Raiders taking a quarterback here, even after signing Jimmy Garoppolo. However, Wilson would be a welcome addition opposite of Maxx Crosby. Chandler Jones failed to provide the desired impact after joining the Raiders last season. 

 

Pick

8

 

Atlanta Falcons

 

 

Christian Gonzalez

Oregon · CB · Junior

The Falcons ranked 31st in third-down defense last season. Gonzalez would team up with A.J. Terrell to give Atlanta one of the biggest and most athletic cornerback duos in the league.

 

 

 

Pick

9

Chicago Bears

(via CAR)

 

Peter Skoronski

Northwestern · OL · Junior

I love this pick for the Bears. Skoronski would be an immediate upgrade at right tackle for Justin Fields. 

 

Pick

10

 

Philadelphia Eagles

(via NO)

 

Lukas Van Ness

Iowa · Edge · Sophomore (RS)

The Eagles always focus on the line of scrimmage, and Van Ness has the versatility to play inside or outside. Brandon Graham and Fletcher Cox both were re-signed this offseason, but they’re playing on one-year deals.

 

 

Pick

11

 

Tennessee Titans

 

 

Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Ohio State · WR · Junior

The Titans need to add some playmakers on offense. Smith-Njigba is a pure route runner who's ready to make an immediate impact. 

 

Pick

12

 

Houston Texans

(via CLE)

 

Myles Murphy

Clemson · Edge · Junior

The Texans landed their franchise quarterback with their first selection, and now they can add a dynamic piece to their defensive front. Murphy has tremendous upside. 

 

Pick

13

 

New York Jets

 

 

Nolan Smith

Georgia · Edge · Senior

The Jets will likely lose Bryce Huff after next season and Carl Lawson is a potential salary cap casualty. Smith is the most explosive edge rusher in the draft. 

 

Pick

14

 

New England Patriots

 

 

Bijan Robinson

Texas · RB · Junior

The Patriots don’t think like every other franchise. I believe they could see Robinson as a valuable addition instead of a player at a non-premium position. He would team up with Rhamondre Stevenson to give New England one of the best backfields in the NFL. 

 

Pick

15

 

Green Bay Packers

 

 

Paris Johnson Jr.

Ohio State · OT · Junior

The Packers are set to begin the Jordan Love era this fall, and Johnson will start immediately at right tackle while providing insurance at left tackle. 

 

Pick

16

 

Washington Commanders

 

 

Dalton Kincaid

Utah · TE · Senior

I wouldn’t rule out a quarterback with this selection, but I love the idea of adding a dynamic tight end to Washington's impressive wide receiving corps. I’m excited to see what Sam Howell can do as the starter for the Commanders. 

 

 

 

Pick

17

 

Pittsburgh Steelers

 

 

Broderick Jones

Georgia · OT · Sophomore (RS)

This would be a dream scenario for the Steelers as they continue to overhaul their offensive line this offseason. 

 

 

Pick

18

 

Detroit Lions

 

 

Calijah Kancey

Pittsburgh · DT · Junior (RS)

Lions GM Brad Holmes spent a lot of time around Aaron Donald during his previous stop as the Rams’ director of college scouting. Kancey isn’t on Donald’s level -- nobody is -- but his explosive quickness would beautifully complement Detroit’s young edge rushers to give the Lions a fearsome pass-rush group. 

 

Pick

19

 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

 

 

Will Levis

Kentucky · QB · Senior (RS)

If Levis starts to slide, I believe a team like Tampa Bay will trade up to get him. In this scenario, he falls right into the Bucs' lap. Levis would compete with Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask for the starting job.  

 

Pick

20

 

Seattle Seahawks

 

 

Jordan Addison

USC · WR · Junior

Addison would be the perfect complement to the Seahawks’ talented receiver duo of DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. He’s a smooth route runner with outstanding ball skills and speed after the catch. 

 

Pick

21

 

Los Angeles Chargers

 

 

Zay Flowers

Boston College · WR · Senior

The Chargers prefer bigger wideouts, but Flowers would add an explosive element currently lacking in the passing attack. 

 

Pick

22

 

Baltimore Ravens

 

 

Joey Porter Jr.

Penn State · CB · Junior (RS)

How fun would this be? Joey Porter to the Ravens. That just sounds amazing. He would be a tremendous value at a position of need for Baltimore. 

 

Pick

23

 

Minnesota Vikings

 

 

Hendon Hooker

Tennessee · QB · Senior (RS)

The Vikings have been doing their homework on this quarterback class. Hooker is well-liked around the league and he could sit for a year behind Kirk Cousins before taking over and ushering in a new era for Kevin O’Connell. 

 

Pick

24

 

Jacksonville Jaguars

 

 

Deonte Banks

Maryland · CB · Junior (RS)

Banks crushed his NFL Scouting Combine workout and his tape is really solid, too. Jacksonville needs to get better on the back end and Banks is ready to play right away.

 

 

Pick

25

 

New York Giants

 

 

Joe Tippmann

Wisconsin · IOL · Junior (RS)

The Giants did a nice job adding some much-needed speed to the skill positions in free agency. Tippmann would team up with two young, talented offensive tackles to protect Daniel Jones for the foreseeable future. 

 

Pick

26

 

Dallas Cowboys

 

 

Mazi Smith

Michigan · DT · Junior (RS)

Smith has generated a lot of buzz in personnel circles for his combination of athleticism and power. His best football is ahead of him and he’d fill a need in Dallas. 

 

Pick

27

 

Buffalo Bills

 

 

Quentin Johnston

TCU · WR · Junior

Opinions vary quite a bit from team to team when it comes to the wide receivers in this year’s class. Johnston could be the first one taken or slide down to the bottom of the first round. He would give Josh Allen a big, explosive weapon to complement Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis.

 

Pick

28

 

Cincinnati Bengals

 

 

Darnell Wright

Tennessee · OT · Senior

Wright would plug and play at right tackle. Recent LT signee Orlando Brown Jr. is only 26 years old. Brown and Wright could hold down the bookend spots to protect Joe Burrow for quite a long time. Also, this pick would allow the Bengals to deal Jonah Williams for draft capital now that he has requested a trade. 

 

Pick

29

 

New Orleans Saints

(via SF through MIA, DEN)

 

Michael Mayer

Notre Dame · TE · Junior

Mayer would be an excellent value pick at this point in Round 1. He is a complete tight end, and Derek Carr would have a reliable security blanket on third down. 

 

Pick

30

 

Philadelphia Eagles

 

 

Felix Anudike-Uzomah

Kansas State · Edge · Junior

The Eagles double down on defensive linemen. Anudike-Uzomah is a gifted edge rusher and posted excellent numbers over the last two seasons. GM Howie Roseman doesn’t believe you can have too many pass rushers. 

 

Pick

31

 

Kansas City Chiefs

 

 

Will McDonald IV

Iowa State · Edge · Senior (RS)

McDonald is an elite bender coming off the edge. The Chiefs moved on from Frank Clark this offseason and need to add more firepower to their pass rush. 

 

[Obrien2Toon]

Will Anderson and smith-njigba are going to be the two best from this draft 

[32EBoozer]

18 minutes ago, Obrien2Toon said:

Will Anderson and smith-njigba are going to be the two best from this draft 

As we know all too well, the development of a WR is greatly dependent on the QB getting him the ball. Tenn. offense will continue to struggle this year.

[varjet]

• I am expecting the unexpected in this draft.
• Each year we fans try and predict who the Jets will draft, and focus on the team needs.  Oftentimes we are surprised/disappointed when the Jets pick “the best available player,” or something like that.  
• If the Jets get Rodgers, which I think they will (because if the Packers don’t trade him they are basically up the creek for the next 4 years), they will be in a win-now scenario.  Getting players who can step in, start and star will be at a premium.  A developmental LT may not do that.  I can see them taking a player who will make more of a different, taking a chance on others on the roster (like Becton, Brown and Mitchell) and potentially trading down so they can draft more LB, DT, S, and C.  

[Copernicus]

"Jets will likely lose Bryce Huff next year."

So Huff, who has a high level of potential with some insane numbers to back it will most likely not be resigned?

And how exactly could you ever predict that?

[Augustiniak]

The difference between taking an edge at 13 and an OT is becton.  

[Bobby816]

Why are we likely losing Huff?

For a guy that is buddies with JD, he's pretty clueless. 

[Augustiniak]

8 minutes ago, Bobby816 said:

Why are we likely losing Huff?

For a guy that is buddies with JD, he's pretty clueless. 

Wanted a contrarian pick, so he needed to justify it.

[FidelioJet]

10 minutes ago, Bobby816 said:

Why are we likely losing Huff?

For a guy that is buddies with JD, he's pretty clueless. 

 I can see where he’s coming from.  
He is the teams best pass rushing edge and used in about 20% of plays.  It’s tough to justify paying big bucks for that. 

Some other, more creative team,  will project him to be on the field far more often and therefore put a much larger value on him.  

I agree, the Jets are likely to lose him next year. 

[Jethead]

I would be very happy with this pick. Smith is a terrific player at an essential position for the Jets D scheme.

[JustInFudge]

Now this is a mock I dig...

[football guy]

I don’t think it’ll happen, but would be thrilled with Nolan Smith. Between his skill, intelligence, leadership, and dedication to the game, he’s could be a highly effective player for 12+ years

[rangerous]

1 hour ago, Copernicus said:

"Jets will likely lose Bryce Huff next year."

So Huff, who has a high level of potential with some insane numbers to back it will most likely not be resigned?

And how exactly could you ever predict that?

could it be that johnson is being packaged in the trade for rodgers so they will need an edge guy to replace? especially if they cut lawson.  i don't see the patsies drafting a rb that high.

[maury77]

I'm not a fan of Nolan Smith to the Jets. Bryce Huff weighs 255 lbs and has issues with defending the run. Nolan Smith (at 238 lbs) is almost 20 pounds lighter than Huff. Smith isn't going to be able to play the edge in a 4-3 and I don't see the Jets picking Smith to play WILL. 

[Copernicus]

49 minutes ago, rangerous said:

could it be that johnson is being packaged in the trade for rodgers so they will need an edge guy to replace? especially if they cut lawson.  i don't see the patsies drafting a rb that high.

This is a popular topic on YouTube content right now. I agree with Ryan @Blah! Blah! Blah! , Greenbean @Green Bean , and Matt O'Leary that I would be extremly surprised that Joe Douglas, after working teams for hours during the draft, to finally getting a team to agree and trade back into the 1st round for Johnson, only to trade him after year one on a cheap rookie contract. I just don't see JJ (or Huff) in any trade package. 

[peekskill68]

At what point does Douglas start addressing LB?  Other than a couple of Day 3 picks who have barely seen the field,  he has relied on the FA scrap heap for 3+ years.  Mosley's replacement needs to be found and developed. 

[Jimmy 2 Times]

Can’t go wrong with edge, receiver, or tackle in the first every year.  Get a pipeline of comp picks going.

[Copernicus]

8 minutes ago, peekskill68 said:

At what point does Douglas start addressing LB?  Other than a couple of Day 3 picks who have barely seen the field,  he has relied on the FA scrap heap for 3+ years.  Mosley's replacement needs to be found and developed. 

Might already have him in Sherwood. Just couldnt get on the field because Mosely played so well. But I agree, we could add some more.

[nycdan]

12 minutes ago, peekskill68 said:

At what point does Douglas start addressing LB?  Other than a couple of Day 3 picks who have barely seen the field,  he has relied on the FA scrap heap for 3+ years.  Mosley's replacement needs to be found and developed. 

One could argue that the FA scrap heap has done very well for us.  Quincy and Kwon were pleasant surprises. The focus on investment is the DL and secondary.  LB generally isn't going to get Day 1 or even Day 2 picks unless something jumps out.  Mosley is usually a beast, and I'd love him to stay as long as possible, but he doesn't need to be the star of this defense anymore.

[BurntDice]

What’s the deal with bj ojulari? He a second round pick? He seems like an ideal fit in Salehs scheme. Has potential to be an elite pass rusher. LT in the first, Ojulari in the second, and C in the third is my ideal first 3 rounds 

[PepPep]

I'm not going to go into the details of a trade down. Of course JD could trade down, or trade up, if the offer is there. But as hard as it is to predict what position they may address in Rd. 1, its that much harder to predict trades.

So if the Jets stand pat at 13, they can go a number of ways. Edge is certainly one of them. 

However, even if we assume Rodgers is the QB. JD can't just draft around Rodgers. He has to draft with the overall good of the Franchise in mind. That may not mean taking a guy who will make the biggest impact year one. It may mean taking a guy who will make the biggest impact down the line.

In this case, it will be extremely tempting to take Levis. Rodgers would absolutely hate that. But if Jet brass and coaching staff fall in love with the prospect and he is sitting there at 13, after the failed Zach Wilson experiment and what is certainly going to be a max. of 2 years of Rodgers, I dunno, very tempting. 

However, OT makes the most sense. Especially with Browns age and the uncertainty of Bectons place with the Jets in the near future (both because of his injury-riddled past and looming 5th year option). They simply don't have a LT who they can confidently say will be their starter after this year. A crucial position, and an expensive one to fill in FA. In this mock, at 13, they have their pick of B.Jones or P.Johnson. Two of the 'top 3'. It just makes too much sense, IMO.

Now, if the top 3 OTs were off the board. Sure, go pass rusher, or WR or even safety- yes I said safety (Branch is still available). Take a DT is that is the best player on the board (Carter- in this mock he is gone). Guess what? I would not hate it of we drafted Bijon Robinson. He is a game changer and not only would he help Rodgers but allow Hall to ease back in with limited reps this season. Etc., Etc.