With the NFL Combine wrapped up, we have some more recent insight into whether or not these prospects possess the athleticism they showed on tape. There were definitely winners and losers from the NFL Combine this year. Let’s dive in to see what has changed in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft.
Check out our 2023 Draft Guide here and also dive into these other outstanding mock drafts from our staff below:
- Thor Nystrom’s Mock Drafts
- Matthew Freedman’s Mock Drafts (1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 4.0)
- Kent Weyrauch’s Mock Drafts (1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 5.0)
- Matthew Jones’s Mock Drafts (1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 5.0)
- Andrew Erickson’s Mock Drafts (1.0)
- Mike Fanelli’s Mock Drafts w/ Trades (1.0 | 2.0)
- John Supowitz’s Mock Drafts (1.0 | 2.0)
Kent Weyrauch has been a top-30 most accurate NFL Mock Drafter for each of the last two years.
Check out all of our 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Reports & Prospect Profiles 
2023 NFL Mock Draft
Round 1
1. Indianapolis Colts (From Bears): Bryce Young (QB – Alabama)
Trade Alert! Colts send 4, 2024 1st and 2nd, 2025 2nd to the Bears for the 1st overall pick
This is the same scenario as my last mock draft, but with the asking price dialed back a bit. Bryce Young measured up at 5’10 1/8″ and 204 pounds at the NFL Combine — a size we roughly expect, with some added water weight. Young will likely play lighter than this, but due to the fact that he was not historically small, Young punched his ticket to the first overall position.
2. Houston Texans: CJ Stroud (QB – OSU)
A no-brainer pick here for a prospect that can at least hold a candle to Bryce Young. C.J. Stroud showed off incredibly precise passing with buttery smooth throwing mechanics during drills at the Combine.
3. Carolina Panthers (From Cardinals): Anthony Richardson (QB – FLA)
Trade Alert! The Carolina Panthers trade 9, 93, 2024 1st and 2nd for 3
There isn’t a scenario where the Panthers can wait on quarterback anymore, so they trade up for the biggest winner of the NFL Combine. Anthony Richardson absolutely showed out during the athletic testing with a perfect 10.0 RAS (via @MathBomb on Twitter). And while his passing drills were still shaky at times, his value, as perceived by his upside, definitely skyrocketed over the weekend.
Florida's Anthony Richardson is listed as having the highest relative athletic score amongst quarterbacks all-time pic.twitter.com/urawcEHxTA
— SumerSports (@sumersports) March 6, 2023
4. Chicago Bears (from Colts): Will Anderson Jr. (EDGE – Alabama)
With their additional draft capital in hand, the Bears can waltz their way to turn in the card for Will Anderson. His Combine performance this weekend wasn’t notably spectacular, but it was solid enough to maintain his top spot in this year’s EDGE class.
5. Seattle Seahawks: Jalen Carter (DL – UGA)
Jalen Carter’s situation is still an enigma, until there is more news in either direction, he will remain a top-five pick for me.
6. Detroit Lions: Christian Gonzalez (CB – Oregon)
Now here’s a guy™ who solidified his draft stock at the NFL Combine. At 6’1 3/8″ and 197 pounds, Gonzalez blazed through his 40-yard dash with a time of 4.38 seconds. Then he went on to showcase his explosive athleticism with 41.5″ vertical and 11’1″ broad jumps.
Christian Gonzalez looked the part of a first-round pick during the Combine. 🔥@chrisgonzo28 | @OregonFootball
📺: #NFLCombine continues at 1pm ET on @nflnetwork
📱: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/HiuNb7FCsj— NFL (@NFL) March 4, 2023
7. Las Vegas Raiders: Will Levis (QB – Kentucky)
Honestly, I thought Will Levis had a solid Combine performance. He showed teams his arm cannon and presented with some moxie during interviews. Things may change through free agency, but as of right now, he does feel like the odd quarterback out at the top of the class.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Tyree Wilson (EDGE – Texas Tech)
Tyree Wilson showed up to the NFL Combine interviews looking very, very long. And that translates on the tape — he wraps up opponents and finished tackles with immense strength. There has been a lot of buzz on Wilson throughout the combine, with some even potentially taking him over Will Anderson.
9. Arizona Cardinals (From Panthers): Devon Witherspoon (CB – Illinois)
Like Levis, Witherspoon had a solid Combine showing, but compared to Gonzalez, it might appear lacking — it certainly wasn’t. His draft process hype is settling a bit, but he’s still a top-15 player, without a doubt.
10. Philadelphia Eagles: Bijan Robinson (RB – Texas)
No change here, this remains one of the strongest locks in the first round. The hype on Bijan Robinson is real. While there are arguments to be made about the position, Bijan Robinson possesses no such question marks. His game is strong and complete. The Eagles make a luxury pick in an effort to run it back to the Super Bowl next February.
11. Tennessee Titans: Paris Johnson Jr (OL – OSU)
12. Houston Texans: Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR – OSU)
The odds now favor Jaxon Smith-Njigba being the first wide receiver off the board, and for good reason. While Smith-Njigba didn’t run a 40-yard dash, likely due to knowing that he would be “slow”, he absolutely aced all the other testing. If the Texans nab both Stroud and Smith-Njigba, they will be very happy.
The WR flip has occurred. JSN now the favorite to be the 1st WR off the board. pic.twitter.com/2SPehwHzxn
— Kent Weyrauch (@KentWeyrauch) March 8, 2023
13. New York Jets: Peter Skoronski (OT – Northwestern)
Many people argue that Peter Skoronski projects as a guard at the NFL level, but I am not in that camp. That being said, there are a few question marks with the Jets’ line, so his versatility may benefit them. Skoronski allowed just six pressures on 474 pass-blocking snaps for Northwestern this season, per PFF.
14. New England Patriots: Quentin Johnston (WR – TCU)
Word on the street is that Jakobi Meyers will likely not be re-signing with the Patriots, and will instead test his value in free agency. The Patriots will turn around and select arguably the best all-around receiver in this class — Quentin Johnston.
I truly believe that TCU wide receiver Quentin Johnston has the potential to become a more athletic Davante Adams.
He's advanced at the LOS, dominant above the rim and a massive weapon after the catch. Stellar potential.pic.twitter.com/NjkSiG9Y58
— Luca Sartirana (@SartiranaLuca) March 5, 2023
15. Green Bay Packers: Lukas Van Ness (EDGE – Iowa)
Lukas Van Ness is a twitchy pass-rusher with excellent agility and instincts. He needs to refine some of his pass-rush moves but makes up for that with his length. Van Ness brings versatility that could greatly assist a defense that needs revamping. Van Ness would make an excellent rotational piece with the traits to become a bonafide starter down the line.
16. Washington Commanders: Joey Porter Jr (CB – Penn State)
The top of this cornerback class got a lot of coverage during the NFL Combine, which was for a good reason. Joey Porter Jr. is no exception. He measured up as the third-tallest corner and was tied for the longest arms in this class.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Broderick Jones (OT – Georgia)
The Steelers need to replace Dan Moore at left tackle. He’s allowed seven sacks in each of his first two seasons. Broderick Jones is a former five-star recruit that allowed just nine pressures (and zero sacks) this season for the Bulldogs.
18. Detroit Lions: Calijah Kancey (DT – Pittsburgh)
Despite coming in at 6’0 1/2″ tall, Calijah Kancey ran a 4.67 40-yard dash at 280 pounds! His speed shows well as a line-penetrating 3-technique, and he can use that to make up for his lack of natural size.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Myles Murphy (DE – Clemson)
I feel as though there is some prospect fatigue going on with the NFL Draft community right now regarding Myles Murphy. His stock is dropping because he is waiting until his Pro Day to complete drills for NFL scouts, but the tape shows a first-team All-ACC monster with speed, power, and a pass-rushing toolkit.
20. Seattle Seahawks: Nolan Smith (DE – Georgia)
Talk about another prospect who had a monster NFL Combine performance. Nolan Smith ran a 4.39-second 40-yard dash at 238 pounds! As an edge rusher, he’s quite polished technically and can use his quick-twitch speed to rush the quarterback before they know what hit them.
Probably the biggest winner of the Combine on day one was Nolan Smith. Ridiculous explosion and speed numbers, you've only got to worry about his size. #RAS is even higher compared to LBs. pic.twitter.com/E7G17bSBoW
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 3, 2023
Miami Dolphins forfeited their pick.
21. Los Angeles Chargers: Jordan Addison (WR – USC)
The days of Smith-Njigba falling to the Chargers are long gone, but I don’t think they would be disappointed to land Jordan Addison. Unfortunately, Addison weighed in at just 173 pounds despite standing 5’11 1/8″ tall. Still, his tape is really solid, and his scoring production is second to none in this class.
22. Baltimore Ravens: Deonte Banks (CB – Maryland)
I’ve been aiming for a wide receiver in this draft slot for a while, but this draft board doesn’t fall quite as nicely for the Ravens. Instead, they hone in on Maryland’s Deonta Banks — a smart a versatile cornerback that excels in zone coverage.
23. Minnesota Vikings: Cam Smith (CB – South Carolina)
The top of this cornerback class is so good – and Cam Smith is no exception. He logged over 1,300 defensive snaps for the Gamecocks over four seasons. Over his last two seasons, Smith allowed a catch percentage of 47.1% in coverage.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars: O’Cyrus Torrence (OG – Florida)
The big man out of Florida heads to the Jaguars in an effort to bolster their offensive line. O’Cyrus Torrence is a four-year starter, though he transferred from Louisiana after his junior season. In his college career, he was not credited with a single sack allowed.
25. New York Giants: Michael Mayer (TE – Notre Dame)
Michael Mayer is currently ninth on Jack Lichtenstein’s aggregating big media boards. Now that we know Daniel Jones will be the starter for the Giants, they will bring in some fresh receiving weapons to ensure the passing game’s success.
26. Dallas Cowboys: Bryan Bresee (DT – Clemson)
This stout yet athletic defensive tackle was a five-star recruit in both 247 Sports and ESPN’s ratings. Bresee suffered an ACL injury during his sophomore season but rebounded with 330 defensive snaps and 24 pressures from the interior this year.
27. Buffalo Bills: Brian Branch (S – Alabama)
Brian Branch likely starts as a slot cornerback that rotates in as a box defender, then hones his coverage skills to contribute as a versatile safety. The Bills already have a strong secondary, and adding Branch to that would make things quite scary for opposing passers.
28. Cincinnati Bengals: Darnell Washington (TE – Georgia)
One of the other biggest winners of the NFL Combine weekend was UGA’s Darnell Washington. Only two prospects had a faster 20-yard shuttle than Washington, and they were a receiver and a cornerback. His blocking ability is (literally) huge, and his tools as a receiver are nothing to sneeze at either.
29. New Orleans Saints: Zay Flowers (WR – Boston College)
Zay Flowers had a breakout season as a true sophomore with 892 yards and nine touchdowns on just 56 receptions. The Boston College prospect joins a Saints team that will likely be looking to replace Michael Thomas, who is expected to be cut in the coming weeks. Flowers’ route-running and ball-tracking skills should boost their offense on day one.
30. Houston Texans (From Eagles): Dalton Kincaid (TE – Utah)
Daniel Jeremiah lit the world on fire a few weeks back by placing Dalton Kincaid in his top 10. And frankly, after review, I can see the hype. Across his time at San Diego and Utah, Kincaid hauled in 2,484 receiving yards and 35 touchdowns.
My TE order as of JAN-26
1) Dalton Kincaid (Utah)
2) Darnell Washington (UGA)
3) Michael Mayer (ND)
4) Luke Musgrave (Oregon St)
5) Sam LaPorta (Iowa)As of today, 6 TE's in my top 50
Excellent class!— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) January 26, 2023
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Darnell Wright (OT – TENN)
Darnell Wright is one of the best true right tackles in this class. His stock has risen considerably through the draft process, and the Chiefs are uncertain with their offensive tackles for the 2023 season.
Round 2
32. Pittsburgh Steelers: Drew Sanders (LB – ARK)
33. Philadelphia Eagles (From Texans): Kelee Ringo (CB – UGA)
34. Arizona Cardinals: Keion White (EDGE – GT)
35. Indianapolis Colts: Anton Harrison (OT – OU)
36. Los Angeles Rams: B.J. Ojulari (EDGE – LSU)
37. Seattle Seahawks: Jalin Hyatt (WR – TENN)
38. Las Vegas Raiders: Dawand Jones (OT – OSU)
39. Carolina Panthers: Will McDonald (EDGE – ISU)
40. New Orleans Saints: Mazi Smith (DT – MICH)
41. Tennessee Titans: Emmanuel Forbes (CB – MSST)
42. Cleveland Browns: Josh Downs (WR – UNC)
43. New York Jets: Trenton Simpson (LB – CLEM)
44. Atlanta Falcons: Jahmyr Gibbs (RB – ALA)
45. Green Bay Packers: Antonio Johnson (S – TAMU)
46. New England Patriots: Isaiah Foskey (EDGE – ND)
47. Washington Commanders: Steve Avila (OG – TCU)
48. Detroit Lions: Clark Phillips III (CB – UTAH)
49. Pittsburgh Steelers: Tuli Tuipulotu (DT – USC)
50. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Luke Musgrave (TE – ORST)
51. Miami Dolphins: Felix Anudike-Uzomah (EDGE – KSU)
52. Seattle Seahawks: Jack Campbell (LB – IOWA)
53. Chicago Bears: John Michael Schmitz (IOL – MINN)
54. Los Angeles Chargers: D.J. Turner (CB – MICH)
55. Detroit Lions: Cody Mauch (OG – NDSU)
56. Jacksonville Jaguars: Tyrique Stevenson (CB – MIA)
57. New York Giants: Luke Wypler (IOL – OSU)
58. Dallas Cowboys: Julius Brents (CB – KSU)
59. Buffalo Bills: Adetomiwa Adebawore (EDGE – NW)
60. Cincinnati Bengals: Matthew Bergeron (OT – SYR)
61. Carolina Panthers: Zach Charbonnet (RB – UCLA)
62. Philadelphia Eagles: Sydney Brown (S – ILL)
63. Kansas City Chiefs: Keeanu Benton (DT – WIS)
Beyond our fantasy football content, be sure to check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you prepare for your draft this season. From our free mock Draft Simulator, which allows you to mock draft against realistic opponents, to our Draft Assistant, which optimizes your picks with expert advice, we’ve covered this fantasy football draft season.
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Beyond our fantasy football content, be sure to check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you prepare for your draft this season. From our free mock Draft Simulator, which allows you to mock draft against realistic opponents, to our Draft Assistant, which optimizes your picks with expert advice, we’ve covered this fantasy football draft season.
