The most wonderful week of the year is here, and what better way to celebrate than with a full, 7-round mock draft…WITH trades included!

With 259 picks to list, all commentary is reserved for the team-by-team recaps at the bottom of the article. I also encourage readers to check out my 3-round mock draft posted last week, which included notes on all players pegged in Round 1 of that exercise.

• Thor Nystrom’s 2023 NFL Draft Big Board: Top 500
• Final Mock Drafts: Freedman | Jones | Weyrauch | Erickson | Nystrom
• NFL Draft Needs for Every Team
• Historical Draft Picks of All 32 Teams
• NFL Draft Prop Bet Cards: Freedman | Weyrauch | Erickson
• 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Reports & Prospect Profiles

ROUND 1

1. Carolina Panthers: Bryce Young (QB – Alabama)

2. Houston Texans: Will Anderson (EDGE – Alabama)

3. Indianapolis Colts (TRADE): CJ Stroud (QB – Ohio State)

INDIANAPOLIS receives: Pick 3

ARIZONA receives: Pick 4, Pick 79, 2024 Round 3 Pick

4. Arizona Cardinals (TRADE): Christian Gonzalez (CB – Oregon)

ARIZONA receives: Pick 4, Pick 79, 2024 Round 3 Pick

INDIANAPOLIS receives: Pick 3 

5. Seattle Seahawks: Nolan Smith (EDGE – Georgia)

6. Pittsburgh Steelers (TRADE): Paris Johnson Jr (OT – Ohio State)

PITTSBURGH receives: Pick 6, Pick 152

DETROIT receives: Pick 17, Pick 32

7. New England Patriots (TRADE): Jalen Carter (DT – Georgia)

NEW ENGLAND receives: Pick 7

LAS VEGAS receives: Pick 14, Pick 76, 2024 Round 3 Pick

8. Atlanta Falcons: Anthony Richardson (QB – Florida)

9. Chicago Bears: Bijan Robinson (RB – Texas)

10. Philadelphia Eagles: Peter Skoronski (OT – Northwestern)

11. Tennessee Titans: Darnell Wright (OT – Tennessee)

12. Houston Texans: Tyree Wilson (EDGE – Texas Tech)

13. Green Bay Packers: Deonte Banks (CB – Maryland)

14. Las Vegas Raiders (TRADE): Michael Mayer (TE – Notre Dame)

LAS VEGAS receives: Pick 14, Pick 76, 2024 Round 3 Pick

NEW ENGLAND receives: Pick 9

15. New York Jets: Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR – Ohio State)

16. Minnesota Vikings (TRADE): Will Levis (QB – Kentucky)

MINNESOTA receives: Pick 16, Pick 47, Pick 150

WASHINGTON receives: Pick 23, 2024 Round 1 Pick

17. Detroit Lions (TRADE): Devon Witherspoon (CB – Illinois)

DETROIT receives: Pick 17, Pick 32

PITTSBURGH receives: Pick 6, Pick 152

18. Detroit Lions: Drew Sanders (LB – Arkansas)

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Anton Harrison (OT – Oklahoma) 

20. Tennessee Titans (TRADE): Hendon Hooker (QB – Tennessee)

TENNESSEE receives: Pick 20

SEATTLE receives: Pick 41, 2024 Round 2, Caleb Farley, Malik Willis

21. Los Angeles Chargers: Zay Flowers (WR – Boston College)

22. Kansas City Chiefs (TRADE): Broderick Jones (OT – Georgia)

KANSAS CITY receives: Pick 22, Pick 124

BALTIMORE receives: Pick 31, Pick 63, Pick 178

23. Washington Commanders (TRADE): Luke Musgrave (TE – Oregon State)

WASHINGTON receives: Pick 23, 2024 Round 1 Pick

MINNESOTA receives: Pick 16, Pick 47, Pick 150

24. Jacksonville Jaguars: Quentin Johnston (WR – TCU)

25. New York Giants: Myles Murphy (EDGE – Clemson)

26. Houston Texans (TRADE): Lukas Van Ness (EDGE – Iowa) 

HOUSTON receives: Pick 26

DALLAS receives: Pick 33, Pick 104

27. Buffalo Bills: Darnell Washington (TE – Georgia)

28. Cincinnati Bengals: Emmanuel Forbes (CB – Mississippi State)

29. New Orleans Saints: Adetomiwa Adebawore (EDGE – Northwestern)

30. Las Vegas Raiders (TRADE): Joey Porter Jr (CB – Penn State)

LAS VEGAS receives: Pick 30

PHILADELPHIA receives: Pick 38, Pick 100

31. Baltimore Ravens (TRADE): DJ Turner (CB – Michigan)

BALTIMORE receives: Pick 31, Pick 63, Pick 178

KANSAS CITY receives: Pick 22, Pick 124

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ROUND 2

32. Detroit Lions (TRADE): Brian Branch (S – Alabama)

DETROIT receives: Pick 17, Pick 33

PITTSBURGH receives: Pick 6, Pick 152

33. Dallas Cowboys (TRADE): Steve Avila (OG – TCU)

DALLAS receives: Pick 33, Pick 104

HOUSTON receives: Pick 26

34. Arizona Cardinals: Will McDonald IV (EDGE – Iowa State)

35. Indianapolis Colts: Kelee Ringo (CB – Georgia)

36. Los Angeles Rams: Derick Hall (EDGE – Auburn)

37. Seattle Seahawks: John Michael Schmitz (C – Minnesota)

38. Philadelphia Eagles (TRADE): Bryan Bresee (DT – Clemson)

PHILADELPHIA receives: Pick 38, Pick 109

LAS VEGAS receives: Pick 30

39. Carolina Panthers: BJ Ojulari (EDGE – LSU)

40. New Orleans Saints: Jalin Hyatt (WR – Tennessee)

41. Seattle Seahawks (TRADE): Jahmyr Gibbs (RB – Alabama)

SEATTLE receives: Pick 41, 2024 Round 2, Caleb Farley, Malik Willis

TENNESSEE receives: Pick 20

42. Green Bay Packers: Dalton Kincaid (TE – Utah)

43. New York Jets: Mazi Smith (DT – Michigan)

44. Atlanta Falcons: Keion White (EDGE – Georgia Tech) 

45. Green Bay Packers: Felix Anudike-Uzomah (EDGE – Kansas State)

46. New England Patriots: Jordan Addison (WR – USC)

47. Minnesota Vikings (TRADE): Cody Mauch (OG – North Dakota State)

MINNESOTA receives: Pick 16, Pick 47, Pick 150

WASHINGTON receives: Pick 23, 2024 Round 1 Pick

48. Detroit Lions: O’Cyrus Torrence (OG – Florida)

49. Pittsburgh Steelers: Keeanu Benton (DT – Wisconsin)

50. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Julius Brents (CB – Kansas State)

51. Miami Dolphins: Tucker Kraft (TE – South Dakota State)

52. Seattle Seahawks: Quan Martin (CB – Illinois)

53. Chicago Bears: Dawand Jones (OT – Ohio State)

54. Los Angeles Chargers: Zach Charbonnet (RB – UCLA)

55. Detroit Lions: Clark Phillips (CB – Utah)

56. Jacksonville Jaguars: Matthew Bergeron (OT – Syracuse)

57. New York Giants: Cam Smith (CB – South Carolina)

58. Dallas Cowboys: Sam LaPorta (TE – Iowa)

59. Buffalo Bills: Jack Campbell (LB – Iowa)

60. Cincinnati Bengals: Calijah Kancey (DT – Pittsburgh)

61. Chicago Bears: Tyrique Stevenson (CB – Miami)

62. Philadelphia Eagles: Tuli Tuipulotu (EDGE – USC)

63. Baltimore Ravens (TRADE): Jonathan Mingo (WR – Mississippi)

BALTIMORE receives: Pick 31, Pick 63, Pick 178

KANSAS CITY receives: Pick 22, Pick 124

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ROUND 3

64. Chicago Bears: Joe Tippmann (C – Wisconsin)

65. San Francisco 49ers (TRADE): Israel Abanikanda (RB – Pittsburgh)

SAN FRANCISCO receives: Pick 65

HOUSTON receives: Trey Lance

66. Arizona Cardinals: Jammie Robinson (S – Florida State)

67. Denver Broncos: Luke Schoonmaker (TE – Michigan)

68. Denver Broncos: Chandler Zavala (OG – NC State)

69. Los Angeles Rams: Tyler Scott (WR – Cincinnati)

70. Las Vegas Raiders: Daiyan Henley (LB – Washington State)

71. New Orleans Saints: Devon Achane (RB – Texas A&M)

72. Tennessee Titans: Josh Downs (WR – North Carolina)

73. Houston Texans: Luke Wypler (C – Ohio State)

74. Cleveland Browns: Trenton Simpson (LB – Clemson)

75. Atlanta Falcons: Sydney Brown (S – Illinois)

76. Las Vegas Raiders (TRADE): Jaelyn Duncan (OT – Maryland)

LAS VEGAS receives: Pick 14, Pick 76, 2024 Round 3 Pick

NEW ENGLAND receives: Pick 9

77. Los Angeles Rams: Kendre Miller (RB – TCU)

78. Green Bay Packers: Marte Mapu (S – Sacramento State)

79. Arizona Cardinals (TRADE): Braeden Daniels (OT – Utah)

ARIZONA receives: Pick 4, Pick 79, 2024 Round 3 Pick

INDIANAPOLIS receives: Pick 3

80. Pittsburgh Steelers: Cedric Tillman (WR – Tennessee)

81. Detroit Lions: Siaki Ika (DT – Baylor)

82. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Darius Rush (CB – South Carolina)

83. Seattle Seahawks: Zacch Pickens (DT – South Carolina)

84. Miami Dolphins: Jaquelin Roy (DT – LSU)

85. Los Angeles Chargers: Jordan Battle (S – Alabama)

86. Baltimore Ravens: Cory Trice (CB – Purdue)

87. Minnesota Vikings: Isaiah Foskey (EDGE – Notre Dame)

88. Jacksonville Jaguars: YaYa Diaby (EDGE – Louisville)

89. New York Giants: Ji’Ayir Brown (S – Penn State)

90. Dallas Cowboys: Tyjae Spears (RB – Tulane)

91. Buffalo Bills: Gervon Dexter (DT – Florida)

92. Cincinnati Bengals: Antonio Johnson (S – Texas A&M)

93. Carolina Panthers: Zach Evans (RB – Mississippi)

94. Philadelphia Eagles: Marvin Mims (WR – Oklahoma)

95. Kansas City Chiefs: Isaiah McGuire (EDGE – Missouri)

96. Arizona Cardinals: Byron Young (EDGE – Tennessee)

97. Washington Commanders: Tyler Steen (OT – Alabama)

98. Cleveland Browns: Kyu Blu Kelly (CB – Stanford)

99. San Francisco 49ers: Blake Freeland (OT – BYU)

100. Philadelphia Eagles (TRADE): Jakorian Bennett (CB – Maryland)

PHILADELPHIA receives: Pick 38, Pick 100

LAS VEGAS receives: Pick 30

101. San Francisco 49ers: Jayden Reed (WR – Michigan State)

102. San Francisco 49ers: Zach Harrison (EDGE – Ohio State)

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ROUND 4

103. Chicago Bears: Aidan O’Connell (QB – Purdue)

104. Dallas Cowboys (TRADE): Byron Young (DT – Alabama) 

DALLAS receives: Pick 33, Pick 104

HOUSTON receives: Pick 26

105. Arizona Cardinals: Tank Bigsby (RB – Auburn)

106. Indianapolis Colts: Rashee Rice (WR – SMU)

107. New England Patriots: Michael Wilson (WR – Stanford)

108. Denver Broncos: Riley Moss (CB – Iowa)

109. Las Vegas Raiders: Tanner McKee (QB – Stanford)

110. Atlanta Falcons: AT Perry (WR – Wake Forest)

111. Cleveland Browns: Juice Scruggs (C – Penn State)

112. New York Jets: Nick Saldiveri (OT – Old Dominion)

113. Atlanta Falcons: Cameron Young (DT – Mississippi State)

114. Houston Texans: Demarvion Overshown (LB – Texas)

115. New Orleans Saints: Karl Brooks (DT – Bowling Green)

116. Green Bay Packers: Dontayvion Wicks (WR – Virginia)

117. New England Patriots: Dylan Horton (EDGE – TCU) 

118. Washington Commanders: Terell Smith (CB – Minnesota)

119. Minnesota Vikings: Trey Palmer (WR – Nebraska)

120. Pittsburgh Steelers: Rejzohn Wright (CB – Oregon State)

121. Jacksonville Jaguars: Garrett Williams (CB – Syracuse)

122. Kansas City Chiefs: Anthony Bradford (OG – LSU)

123. Seattle Seahawks: Nick Herbig (LB – Wisconsin)

124. Kansas City Chiefs (TRADE): Jaren Hall (QB – BYU)

KANSAS CITY receives: Pick 22, Pick 124

BALTIMORE receives: Pick 31, Pick 63, Pick 178

125. Los Angeles Chargers: KJ Henry (EDGE – Clemson)

126. Cleveland Browns: Tank Dell (WR – Houston)

127. Jacksonville Jaguars: Carter Warren (OT – Pittsburgh)

128. New York Giants: Ricky Stromberg (C – Arkansas)

129. Dallas Cowboys: JL Skinner (S – Boise State)

130. Buffalo Bills: Roschon Johnson (RB – Texas)

131. Cincinnati Bengals: Davis Allen (TE – Clemson)

132. Carolina Panthers: Eku Leota (EDGE – Auburn)

133. Chicago Bears: Nick Hampton (EDGE – Appalachian State)

134. Kansas City Chiefs: Jason Taylor (S – Oklahoma State)

135. New England Patriots: Nic Jones (CB – Ball State)

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ROUND 5

136. Chicago Bears: Jordan McFadden (OG – Clemson)

137. Buffalo Bills: Christopher Smith (S – Georgia)

138. Indianapolis Colts: Wanya Morris (OT – Oklahoma)

139. Denver Broncos: Brandon Hill (S – Pittsburgh)

140. Cleveland Browns: Jake Haener (QB – Fresno State)

141. Las Vegas Raiders: McClendon Curtis (OG – Chattanooga)

142. Cleveland Browns: DJ Johnson (EDGE – Oregon)

143. New York Jets: Joey Fisher (OT – Shepherd)

144. Las Vegas Raiders: Xavier Hutchinson (WR – Iowa State)

145. Carolina Panthers: Andrew Vorhees (OG – USC) 

146. New Orleans Saints: Thomas Incoom (EDGE – Central Michigan)

147. Tennessee Titans: Ivan Pace (LB – Cincinnati)

148. Chicago Bears: Jalen Redmond (DT – Oklahoma)

149. Green Bay Packers: Keondre Coburn (DT – Texas)

150. Minnesota Vikings (TRADE): Starling Thomas (CB – UAB)

MINNESOTA receives: Pick 16, Pick 47, Pick 150

WASHINGTON receives: Pick 23, 2024 Round 1 Pick

151. Seattle Seahawks: Darrell Luter (CB – South Alabama)

152. Pittsburgh Steelers (TRADE): Yasir Abdullah (LB – Louisville)

DETROIT receives: Pick 17, Pick 33

PITTSBURGH receives: Pick 6, Pick 152

153. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Chase Brown (RB – Illinois)

154. Seattle Seahawks: Mike Morris (EDGE – Michigan)

155. San Francisco 49ers: Dorian Thompson-Robinson (QB – UCLA)

156. Los Angeles Chargers: Tre Hodges-Tomlinson (CB – TCU)

157. Baltimore Ravens: DeWayne McBride (RB – UAB)

158. Minnesota Vikings: Mohamed Ibrahim (RB – Minnesota)

159. Detroit Lions: Noah Sewell (LB – Oregon)

160. New York Giants: Chris Rodriguez (RB – Kentucky)

161. Houston Texans: Rakim Jarrett (WR – Maryland)

162. Indianapolis Colts: Payne Durham (TE – Purdue)

163. Cincinnati Bengals: Lonnie Phelps (EDGE – Kansas)

164. San Francisco 49ers: Henry To’oTo’o (LB – Alabama)

165. New Orleans Saints: Jordan Howden (S – Minnesota)

166. Kansas City Chiefs: BJ Thompson (EDGE – Stephen F. Austin) 

167. Los Angeles Rams: Clayton Tune (QB – Houston)

168. Arizona Cardinals: Daniel Scott (S – California) 

169. Dallas Cowboys: Jarrett Patterson (C – Notre Dame)

170. New York Jets: Ventrell Miller (LB – Florida)

171. Los Angeles Rams: Kobie Turner (DT – Wake Forest)

172. New York Giants: Andrei Iosivas (WR – Princeton)

173. San Francisco 49ers: Cameron Latu (TE – Alabama)

174. Las Vegas Raiders: Eli Ricks (CB – Alabama)

175. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Owen Pappoe (LB – Auburn)

176. Indianapolis Colts: Atonio Mafi (OG – UCLA)

177. Los Angeles Rams: Jon Gaines (OG – UCLA)

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ROUND 6

178. Baltimore Ravens (TRADE): Kayshon Boutte (WR – LSU)

BALTIMORE receives: Pick 31, Pick 63, Pick 178

KANSAS CITY receives: Pick 22, Pick 124

179. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Josh Whyle (TE – Cincinnati)

180. Arizona Cardinals: Kei’Trel Clark (CB – Louisville) 

181. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Elijah Higgins (WR – Stanford)

182. Los Angeles Rams: Zach Kuntz (TE – Old Dominion)

183. Detroit Lions: Jake Moody (K – Michigan)

184. New England Patriots: Warren McClendon (OT – Georgia)

185. Jacksonville Jaguars: Colby Wooden (DT – Auburn)

186. Tennessee Titans: Viliami Fehoko (EDGE – San Jose State)

187. New England Patriots: Tyrus Wheat (EDGE – Mississippi State)

188. Houston Texans: Moro Ojomo (DT – Texas)

189. Los Angeles Rams: Carrington Valentine (CB – Kentucky)

190. Cleveland Browns: Cameron Mitchell (CB – Northwestern)

191. Los Angeles Rams: Brodric Martin (DT – Western Kentucky)

192. New England Patriots: Isaiah Moore (LB – NC State)

193. Washington Commanders: Dorian Williams (LB – Tulane)

194. Detroit Lions: Caleb Murphy (EDGE – Ferris State)

195. Denver Broncos: Sean Tucker (RB – Syracuse)

196. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Nick Broeker (OG – Mississippi)

197. Miami Dolphins: Kenny McIntosh (RB – Georgia)

198. Seattle Seahawks: Parker Washington (WR – Penn State)

199. Baltimore Ravens: Anthony Johnson (CB – Virginia)

200. Los Angeles Chargers: Mohamoud Diabate (LB – Utah)

201. Houston Texans: Charlie Jones (WR – Purdue)

202. Jacksonville Jaguars: Deneric Prince (RB – Tulsa)

203. Houston Texans: Jose Ramirez (EDGE – Eastern Michigan)

204. Las Vegas Raiders: Chamarri Conner (S – Virginia Tech)

205. Buffalo Bills: Justin Shorter (WR – Florida)

206. Cincinnati Bengals: Eric Gray (RB – Oklahoma)

207. Green Bay Packers: Anthony Johnson (S – Iowa State) 

208. Jacksonville Jaguars: Mekhi Blackmon (CB – USC)

209. New York Giants: Jerrod Clark (DT – Coastal Carolina)

210. New England Patriots: TJ Bass (OG – Oregon)

211. Minnesota Vikings: Isaiah Land (LB – Florida A&M)

212. Dallas Cowboys: Deuce Vaughn (RB – Kansas State)

213. Arizona Cardinals: Jaylon Jones (CB – Texas A&M)

214. Las Vegas Raiders: Olu Oluwatimi (C – Michigan)

215. Washington Commanders: Emil Ekiyor (OG – Alabama)

216. San Francisco 49ers: Ronnie Bell (WR – Michigan)

217. Kansas City Chiefs: Will Mallory (TE – Miami)

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ROUND 7

218. Chicago Bears: John Ojukwu (OT – Boise State)

219. Philadelphia Eagles: Jake Witt (OT – Northern Michigan)

220. Las Vegas Raiders: Andre Carter (EDGE – Army)

221. Indianapolis Colts: Tre Tucker (WR – Cincinnati)

222. San Francisco 49ers: Tavius Robinson (EDGE – Mississippi)

223. Los Angeles Rams: Puka Nacua (WR – BYU)

224. Atlanta Falcons: Keaton Mitchell (RB – East Carolina)

225. Atlanta Falcons: Stetson Bennett (QB – Georgia)

226. Jacksonville Jaguars: Tyler Lacy (EDGE – Oklahoma State)

227. New Orleans Saints: Jay Ward (CB – LSU)

228. Tennessee Titans: Jacob Copeland (WR – Maryland)

229. Cleveland Browns: Sidy Sow (OG – Eastern Michigan)

230. Houston Texans: Asim Richards (OT – North Carolina)

231. Las Vegas Raiders: Cam Jones (LB – Indiana)

232. Green Bay Packers: Evan Hull (RB – Northwestern)

233. Washington Commanders: Bryce Ford-Wheaton (WR – West Virginia)

234. Los Angeles Rams: Adam Korsak (P – Rutgers)

235. Green Bay Packers: Earl Bostick (OT – Kansas)

236. Indianapolis Colts: Art Green (CB – Houston)

237. Seattle Seahawks: Dee Winters (LB – TCU)

238. Miami Dolphins: Trevor Reid (OT – Louisville)

239. Los Angeles Chargers: Alex Austin (CB – Oregon State)

240. New York Giants: SirVocea Dennis (LB – Pittsburgh)

241. Pittsburgh Steelers: Brenton Strange (TE – Penn State)

242. Green Bay Packers: Scott Matlock (DT – Boise State)

243. New York Giants: Jalen Wayne (WR – South Alabama)

244. Dallas Cowboys: Max Duggan (QB – TCU)

245. New England Patriots: DJ Dale (DT – Alabama)

246. Cincinnati Bengals: Bryce Baringer (P – Michigan State)

247. San Francisco 49ers: Demario Douglas (WR – Liberty)

248. Philadelphia Eagles: Kahlef Hailassie (CB – Western Kentucky)

249. Kansas City Chiefs: Jeremy Banks (LB – Tennessee)

250. Kansas City Chiefs: Arquan Bush (CB – Cincinnati)

251. Pittsburgh Steelers: Robert Beal (EDGE – Georgia)

252. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Ronnie Hickman (S – Ohio State)

253. San Francisco 49ers: Dante Stills (DT – West Virginia)

254. New York Giants: Tommy DeVito (QB – Illinois)

255. San Francisco 49ers: Chad Ryland (K – Maryland)

256. Green Bay Packers: Sean Clifford (QB – Penn State)

257. New Orleans Saints: CJ Johnson (WR – East Carolina)

258. Chicago Bears: Brandon Joseph (S – Notre Dame)

259. Houston Texans: Tyson Bagent (QB – Shepherd)

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Team-by-Team NFL Mock Draft Analysis

Arizona Cardinals

• Christian Gonzalez (CB – Oregon)
• Will McDonald IV (EDGE – Iowa State)
• Jammie Robinson (S – Florida State)
• Braeden Daniels (OT – Utah)
• Byron Young (EDGE – Tennessee)
• Tank Bigsby (RB – Auburn)
• Daniel Scott (S – California)
• Kei’Trel Clark (CB – Louisville)
• Jaylon Jones (CB – Texas A&M)
• 2024 Round 3 Pick (IND)

Calling what lies ahead for the Arizona Cardinals a “rebuild” would be an insult to other rebuilds. They need help EVERYWHERE, and this defense-heavy collection of prospects – plus a future pick by moving back one spot with the Colts – would be a good start. If Monti Ossenfort and Jonathan Gannon are able to move off Pick 3 and still land Christian Gonzalez, that would be excellent work. 

Atlanta Falcons

• Anthony Richardson (QB – Florida)
• Keion White (EDGE – Georgia Tech)
• Sydney Brown (S – Illinois)
• AT Perry (WR – Wake Forest)
• Cameron Young (DT – Mississippi State)
• Keaton Mitchell (RB – East Carolina)
• Stetson Bennett (QB – Georgia)

Remember all of 1-2 weeks ago when the trendy outcome atop mock drafts was having QBs go with every Pick 1 through 4? Me too, and now I have the QB3 getting selected at Pick 8. While I don’t think the Falcons are necessarily lying about their confidence in Desmond Ridder as the Week 1 starter, they are still doing their homework on the top QBs in this class and, if Anthony Richardson does slide all the way to them, I think they’d be swayed by his potential in the center of Arthur Smith’s offense. He’d also be the third consecutive 20-year-old taken by the Falcons in Round 1, following Kyle Pitts and Drake London.

Baltimore Ravens

• DJ Turner (CB – Michigan)
• Jonathan Mingo (WR – Mississippi)
• Cory Trice (CB – Purdue)
• DeWayne McBride (RB – UAB)
• Kayshon Boutte (WR – LSU)
• Anthony Johnson (CB – Virginia)

I love the fit of the massively underrated DJ Turner with Baltimore. Turner starred in Ravens DC Mike Macdonald’s defense at Michigan in 2021, and his 4.26 40 speed would nicely complement Marlon Humphrey’s bullying approach to cornerback. By trading back in Round 1 with the Chiefs, Baltimore gets back into Round 2 and grabs Mingo – the 220lb wideout whose stock is rapidly rising.

Buffalo Bills

• Darnell Washington (TE – Georgia)
• Jack Campbell (LB – Iowa)
• Gervon Dexter (DT – Florida)
• Roschon Johnson (RB – Texas)
• Christopher Smith (S – Georgia)
• Justin Shorter (WR – Florida)

Don’t expect the Bills to come out in 2023 with the same identity after getting steamrolled at home by the Bengals in the playoffs. If they are looking to get tougher between the tackles on defense and embrace a more balanced offensive approach with greater emphasis on running the ball and heavier personnel groupings, then this draft class would bring them much closer to that. 

Carolina Panthers

• Bryce Young (QB – Alabama)
• BJ Ojulari (EDGE – LSU)
• Zach Evans (RB – Mississippi)
• Eku Leota (EDGE – Auburn)
• Andrew Vorhees (OG – USC)

In last week’s mock draft, I had Carolina and Houston swap picks atop the draft, resulting in Bryce Young going to the Texans and CJ Stroud going to the Panthers. I still love that idea – and maybe that’s because Stroud is my QB1 – but it would be a disservice to the accuracy of the rest of the mock draft at this point not to have Young going to Carolina at 1.

Chicago Bears

• Bijan Robinson (RB – Texas)
• Dawand Jones (OT – Ohio State)
• Tyrique Stevenson (CB – Miami)
• Joe Tippmann (C – Wisconsin)
• Aidan O’Connell (QB – Purdue)
• Nick Hampton (EDGE – Appalachian State)
• Jordan McFadden (OG – Clemson)
• Jalen Redmond (DT – Oklahoma)
• John Ojukwu (OT – Boise State)
• Brandon Joseph (S – Notre Dame)

Some Bears fans out there might not take kindly the projection of Bijan Robinson – the dreaded Round 1 running back – at Pick 9 after entering this offseason with the top overall pick, but exiting this Draft with one of its few blue-chip players AND DJ Moore AND a future Round 1 pick AND two Round 2 picks…that’s a compelling case for a job well done by Ryan Poles. I’d get it if the Bears’ brass is convinced that this team’s contention window will open in 1-2 years right as Bijan is peaking, kind of like what happened with the 2017-2018 Rams with Todd Gurley. I also love the fit of Dawand Jones to Chicago in Round 2.

Cincinnati Bengals

• Emmanuel Forbes (CB – Mississippi State)
• Calijah Kancey (DT – Pittsburgh)
• Antonio Johnson (S – Texas A&M)
• Davis Allen (TE – Clemson)
• Lonnie Phelps (EDGE – Kansas)
• Eric Gray (RB – Oklahoma)
• Bryce Baringer (P – Michigan State)

I have a hunch that slotting Calijah Kancey at Pick 60 will come across as one of the more eyebrow-raising decisions of this mock draft, but candidly I do believe that is closer to his final pick spot than the mock drafts that include him in the teens. Sometimes teams are coy with their Top 30 visits and try not to tip off their draft crush to the rest of the league, but I don’t see that as the case with Kancey – who’s had no reported visits. A freefalling player who was hyped up by the media during the pre-Draft process is less rare than an actual team making an exception to their internal standards of player measurables – and Kancey is THAT small. I don’t even love the fit with the Bengals to be honest since they just used a Round 3 pick on the 282lb Zach Charter last year, but at least there’s proof that they are open-minded to small DTs.

Cleveland Browns

• Trenton Simpson (LB – Clemson)
• Kyu Blu Kelly (CB – Stanford)
• Juice Scruggs (C – Penn State)
• Tank Dell (WR – Houston)
• Jake Haener (QB – Fresno State)
• DJ Johnson (EDGE – Oregon)
• Cameron Mitchell (CB – Northwestern)
• Sidy Sow (OG – Eastern Michigan)

Trenton Simpson doesn’t do it for me as a prospect, but I can put my personal evaluation aside to acknowledge that Cleveland landing a player who’s had some Round 1 buzz during this process would be a solid outcome. The Browns appear to have pulled off a heist by drafting Martin Emerson in Round 3 last year, and this time around they could try for another steal with Kyu Blu Kelly – who measures very similarly.

Dallas Cowboys

• Steve Avila (OG – TCU)
• Sam LaPorta (TE – Iowa)
• Tyjae Spears (RB – Tulane)
• Byron Young (DT – Alabama)
• JL Skinner (S – Boise State)
• Jarrett Patterson (C – Notre Dame)
• Deuce Vaughn (RB – Kansas State)
• Max Duggan (QB – TCU)

Trading out of Round 1 just to take a guard atop Round 2 definitely wouldn’t be the sexiest move, but that’s typically how the Cowboys of late have played the Draft and it’s gone rather well for them. It would also be on brand for Dallas to let Dalton Schultz walk and cut 28-year-old Ezekiel Elliott just to immediately upgrade on both of them in the Draft with Sam LaPorta and Tyjae Spears.

Denver Broncos

• Luke Schoonmaker (TE – Michigan)
• Chandler Zavala (OG – NC State)
• Riley Moss (CB – Iowa)
• Brandon Hill (S – Pittsburgh)
• Sean Tucker (RB – Syracuse)

A young tight end duo of Greg Dulcich and Luke Schoonmaker would be a lot of fun for the Broncos, and I’d advise in favor of any roster decision that brings Denver one step closer to Russell Wilson spending less time figuring out what to do with the ball in 3+ receiver sets. Chandler Zavala near the top of Round 3 might seem like a reach compared to most big boards, but this is the same team that just paid hefty sums to both Mike McGlinchey and Ben Powers. Sean Payton didn’t end his football hiatus to deal with a bad offensive line.

Detroit Lions

• Devon Witherspoon (CB – Illinois)
• Drew Sanders (LB – Arkansas)
• Brian Branch (S – Alabama)
• O’Cyrus Torrence (OG – Florida)
• Clark Phillips (CB – Utah)
• Siaki Ika (DT – Baylor)
• Noah Sewell (LB – Oregon)
• Jake Moody (K – Michigan)
• Caleb Murphy (EDGE – Ferris State)

Unless Will Anderson miraculously falls to Pick 6, I have an impossible time trying to figure out what the Lions would do if forced to pick in that spot. (I think they’d entertain trading up if Anderson makes it to Pick 3 too.) So I have them trading back in a reasonable deal with the Steelers that nets Detroit the first pick of Round 2, leaving them with 5 total picks between 17 and 55. Chasing a superstar in the Top 10 of the Draft is fun, but so is hauling 5-6 guys who’ve been rumored as Round 1 players at some point.

Green Bay Packers

• Deonte Banks (CB – Maryland)
• Dalton Kincaid (TE – Utah)
• Felix Anudike-Uzomah (EDGE – Kansas State)
• Marte Mapu (S – Sacramento State)
• Dontayvion Wicks (WR – Virginia)
• Keondre Coburn (DT – Texas)
• Anthony Johnson (S – Iowa State)
• Evan Hull (RB – Northwestern)
• Earl Bostick (OT – Kansas)
• Scott Matlock (DT – Boise State)
• Sean Clifford (QB – Penn State)

Cornerback is seldom mentioned as a need for the Packers but, while it might not be their top need, they are thin at the position and could use extra flexibility on defense. Banks is just a stud too, and Green Bay is famously one of the top “best player available” teams. Very few mock drafts have Dalton Kincaid falling to Round 2, but I think it’s possible with his age, back injury, and lack of athletic testing. Packers fans – and officially Jordan Love now – wouldn’t beg for a slot receiver as much with Kincaid in the fold.

Houston Texans

• Will Anderson (EDGE – Alabama)
• Tyree Wilson (EDGE – Texas Tech)
• Lukas Van Ness (EDGE – Iowa)
• Luke Wypler (C – Ohio State)
• Demarvion Overshown (LB – Texas)
• Rakim Jarrett (WR – Maryland)
• Moro Ojomo (DT – Texas)
• Charlie Jones (WR – Purdue)
• Jose Ramirez (EDGE – Eastern Michigan)
• Asim Richards (OT – North Carolina)
• Tyson Bagent (QB – Shepherd)
• Trey Lance

Yeahhh…I went crazy with this one. But I like it a lot for Houston! And suddenly I don’t see it as THAT unrealistic with the widespread buzz that the Texans might be out on QB at Pick 2. And if they do in fact pass on QB at 2, forget about all of the proposed scenarios where they then take one at Pick 12 or trade up from 12 – that always sounds great but doesn’t happen in actuality. This is a team that still doesn’t have a billboard player entering Year 3 of the Nick Caserio era, and hopefully DeMeco Ryans’ presence in the building puts a stop to that and they just take Will Anderson at Pick 2. There are rumors that the Texans might lean Tyree Wilson over Anderson – which would be one of the worst cases of overthinking in recent NFL Draft history – but in this outcome everyone in NRG Stadium goes home happy with them landing both pass rushers. As a cherry on top, they also trade back into Round 1 here to end the mini-slide of Lukas Van Ness. Is taking three dudes at EDGE with your top three picks overkill? Perhaps, but this is a roster that also has just Jerry Hughes and Jonathan Greenard at the position – both of whom are entering contract years. GIVE ME THE PHOTO OF THE THREE FIRST-ROUNDERS ALL ON STAGE HOLDING THEIR #1 JERSEYS TOGETHER!

I’m mentally prepared for Trey Lance to get dealt during the Draft – more on that in the 49ers section. On top of the obvious yet relevant connection of Lance to DeMeco Ryans and OC Bobby Slowik, Houston might be the only destination where Lance could play out a full season prior to his team needing to make a decision on his guaranteed fifth-year option. For what it’s worth, I’ve been banging this drum for a few weeks now:

My favorite Trey Lance fit is the same team I’ve been harping on to bypass QB in this #NFLDraft: Houston. If anyone trades for Lance, gotta play him right away. If he looks good, well congrats! And if he stinks, decline the 5th year option and you’re picking high again in 2024. https://t.co/hveJL7R95f

— PJ Moran (@PJonDraft) March 20, 2023

Indianapolis Colts

• CJ Stroud (QB – Ohio State)
• Kelee Ringo (CB – Georgia)
• Rashee Rice (WR – SMU)
• Wanya Morris (OT – Oklahoma)
• Payne Durham (TE – Purdue)
• Atonio Mafi (OG – UCLA)
• Tre Tucker (WR – Cincinnati)
• Art Green (CB – Houston)

There are gifts, and then there is Indianapolis grabbing CJ Stroud – my top player in this class – with Pick 4. Even if they have to give up a mid-round pick or two to remove any possible drama of another team jumping them into Arizona’s spot for Stroud, so be it. Chris Ballard has an undeniable preference for the freakiest of athletes, but I’m not so sure that applies to QBs. On top of his documented opinion that accuracy is the most important trait to him in QB evaluation, he has also brought Jacoby Brissett, Phillip Rivers, Matt Ryan, and now Gardner Minshew into town to play the position. Those four aren’t exactly a relay team at a track meet.

Jacksonville Jaguars

• Quentin Johnston (WR – TCU)
• Matthew Bergeron (OT – Syracuse)
• YaYa Diaby (EDGE – Louisville)
• Garrett Williams (CB – Syracuse)
• Carter Warren (OT – Pittsburgh)
• Colby Wooden (DT – Auburn)
• Deneric Prince (RB – Tulsa)
• Mekhi Blackmon (CB – USC)
• Tyler Lacy (EDGE – Oklahoma State)

I’d contend that Quentin Johnston is the biggest victim of the prolonged pre-Draft process that gives fans, media, and teams alike too much time to pick apart the profiles of top prospects. Did he run a bit slower than expected, post a bad 3-cone time, and not come down with every mid-game Hail Mary that Max Duggan threw in his direction? Sure, but the dude still has a menacing combination of size and nimbleness, and he made big plays game-in and game-out for the Horned Frogs. I’m dreaming of him ending up in the same offense as Trevor Lawrence. Landing a new starter at left guard on Day 2 in Matthew Bergeron would also be nice work by the Jags.

Kansas City Chiefs

• Broderick Jones (OT – Georgia)
• Isaiah McGuire (EDGE – Missouri)
• Anthony Bradford (OG – LSU)
• Jaren Hall (QB – BYU)
• Jason Taylor (S – Oklahoma State)
• BJ Thompson (EDGE – Stephen F. Austin)
• Will Mallory (TE – Miami)
• Jeremy Banks (LB – Tennessee)
• Arquan Bush (CB – Cincinnati)

Trading up to snipe Trent McDuffie in last year’s Draft worked well for Brett Veach, so why quit that game plan after winning the Super Bowl? Including trades in mock drafts is a dangerous business, but I feel pretty good about KC getting aggressive for another offensive tackle after losing both of their 2022 starters in free agency. Whether it’s Anton Harrison or Broderick Jones – and I have my suspicion that it could be Jones as the OT5 since he’s the least Day 1 ready – the Chiefs aren’t going to chicken out come Thursday night.

Las Vegas Raiders

• Michael Mayer (TE – Notre Dame)
• Joey Porter Jr (CB – Penn State)
• Daiyan Henley (LB – Washington State)
• Jaelyn Duncan (OT – Maryland)
• Tanner McKee (QB – Stanford)
• McClendon Curtis (OG – Chattanooga)
• Xavier Hutchinson (WR – Iowa State)
• Eli Ricks (CB – Alabama)
• Chamarri Conner (S – Virginia Tech)
• Olu Oluwatimi (C – Michigan)
• Andre Carter (EDGE – Army)
• Cam Jones (LB – Indiana)
• 2024 Round 3 Pick (NE)

With 12 total draft picks, the team in a confusing organizational direction, and the league’s most head-scratching recent draft history, it wouldn’t shock me in the slightest if the Raiders play this NFL Draft the most like a chess game. And honestly, if they are able to move down in Round 1 and then later move back into Round 1 for both Michael Mayer and Joey Porter Jr, I’d say they played the game well. Most people agree that the only true blue-chip prospects in this class are Will Anderson, Bijan Robinson, and (maybe) Jalen Carter, but if I had to guess another player who some teams view in the same light, I’d pick Mayer. Even if he plays tight end and isn’t the toolsiest athlete, true junior prospects with his production and pedigree are rare. As for Porter, I don’t really expect for him to actually fall to Pick 30, but there’s always a popular prospect who unexpectedly slides and the buzz about him has just generally seemed to cool lately. 

Los Angeles Chargers

• Zay Flowers (WR – Boston College)
• Zach Charbonnet (RB – UCLA)
• Jordan Battle (S – Alabama)
• KJ Henry (EDGE – Clemson)
• Tre Hodges-Tomlinson (CB – TCU)
• Mohamoud Diabate (LB – Utah)
• Alex Austin (CB – Oregon State)

The mission for the Chargers at the top of this draft is simple but clear: get Justin Herbert a dynamic weapon. Zay Flowers at Pick 21? Mission accomplished. Zach Charbonnet would also add a more bruising element to the Chargers offense and take some of the pressure off Herbert to do everything himself.

Los Angeles Rams

• Derick Hall (EDGE – Auburn)
• Tyler Scott (WR – Cincinnati)
• Kendre Miller (RB – TCU)
• Clayton Tune (QB – Houston)
• Kobie Turner (DT – Wake Forest)
• Jon Gaines (OG – UCLA)
• Zach Kuntz (TE – Old Dominion)
• Carrington Valentine (CB – Kentucky)
• Brodric Martin (DT – Western Kentucky)
• Puka Nacua (WR – BYU)
• Adam Korsak (P – Rutgers)

Only two years removed from winning the Super Bowl, the Rams roster needs…everything. Their current EDGE group is Keir Thomas, Michael Hoecht, Daniel Hardy, and Zach VanValkenburg…yikes. Derick Hall might not be Von Miller but he’s more talented than those guys. The remaining ten picks are spread out across the depth chart, and at least half of these players would probably get meaningful snap shares as rookies for the 2023 Rams.

Miami Dolphins

• Tucker Kraft (TE – South Dakota State)
• Jaquelin Roy (DT – LSU)
• Kenny McIntosh (RB – Georgia)
• Trevor Reid (OT – Louisville)

The Dolphins are sitting out this Draft for the most part, partly by their own choosing and partly as punishment. Tucker Kraft would be a nice consolation prize though, as he should match Mike McDaniel’s vision for his TE1 much closer than Mike Gesicki last season.

Minnesota Vikings

• Will Levis (QB – Kentucky)
• Cody Mauch (OG – North Dakota State)
• Isaiah Foskey (EDGE – Notre Dame)
• Trey Palmer (WR – Nebraska)
• Starling Thomas (CB – UAB)
• Mohamed Ibrahim (RB – Minnesota)
• Isaiah Land (LB – Florida A&M)

This is an admittedly cheeky prediction for the Vikings, but Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has already proved that he’s not going to just idly sit and make his picks in the given spots. With only five total picks right now and Kirk Cousins entering his likely final year in Minnesota, sacrificing the 2024 Round 1 pick would sting for Vikings fans, but it could make for a clever way to kill two birds with one stone. Even if Will Levis absolutely should not be the second overall pick, he’s a fine QB prospect and could have his best chance at pro success with Kevin O’Connell and some time on the bench.

New England Patriots

• Jalen Carter (DT – Georgia)
• Jordan Addison (WR – USC)
• Michael Wilson (WR – Stanford)
• Dylan Horton (EDGE – TCU)
• Nic Jones (CB – Ball State)
• Warren McClendon (OT – Georgia)
• Tyrus Wheat (EDGE – Mississippi State)
• Isaiah Moore (LB – NC State)
• TJ Bass (OG – Oregon)
• DJ Dale (DT – Alabama)

I will be surprised if Seattle picks Jalen Carter at Pick 5. I don’t really expect Detroit to pull that trigger either, and here I have Pittsburgh taking Pick 6 for Paris Johnson Jr instead. So if Carter is still on the board come Pick 7, that’s where the sweepstakes might go down. And if it’s between New England and other suitors trying to trade up, Dave Ziegler and Josh McDaniels are probably going to side with their old boss. Bill Belichick is connected closely enough to Kirby Smart to get his personal vote of confidence in Carter, and Carter passes Belichick’s – we’ll call it “peculiar” – eye test for defensive tackles. As for Jordan Addison falling to Pick 46, clearly I have a feeling that most of the league will pass on his scary size/speed profile with a top pick, but I doubt the Patriots would care that much.

New Orleans Saints

• Adetomiwa Adebawore (EDGE – Northwestern)
• Jalin Hyatt (WR – Tennessee)
• Devon Achane (RB – Texas A&M)
• Karl Brooks (DT – Bowling Green)
• Thomas Incoom (EDGE – Central Michigan)
• Jordan Howden (S – Minnesota)
• Jay Ward (CB – LSU)
• CJ Johnson (WR – East Carolina)

Defensive line depth and speed on offense: that’s a draft plan for the Saints if I’ve ever heard one. Adetomiwa Adebawore could thrive in Dennis Allen’s 4-3 base defense, and Derek Carr would be even happier that he chose New Orleans if he gets to hurl 10+ deep balls every game to Chris Olave and Jalin Hyatt. 

New York Giants

• Myles Murphy (EDGE – Clemson)
• Cam Smith (CB – South Carolina)
• Ji’Ayir Brown (S – Penn State)
• Ricky Stromberg (C – Arkansas)
• Chris Rodriguez (RB – Kentucky)
• Andrei Iosivas (WR – Princeton)
• Jerrod Clark (DT – Coastal Carolina)
• SirVocea Dennis (LB – Pittsburgh)
• Jalen Wayne (WR – South Alabama)
• Tommy DeVito (QB – Illinois)

Despite last season’s surprising playoff berth and Wild Card Round victory, Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll know that this Giants team isn’t actually ready to win the Super Bowl yet. They are set up for another foundational draft, and Myles Murphy as the leader of this group would be another win for Big Blue. Murphy might not ever lead the league in sacks, but he’s a true three-down EDGE who’s good in both phases of the game. Landing possible 2024 starters on Day 3 in Ricky Stromberg and Chris Rodriguez could be steals for the Giants too.

New York Jets

• Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR – Ohio State)
• Mazi Smith (DT – Michigan)
• Nick Saldiveri (OT – Old Dominion)
• Joey Fisher (OT – Shepherd)
• Ventrell Miller (LB – Florida)

I am all about the fit of Jaxon Smith-Njigba to the Jets, and not just because he’d be the first Round 1 receiver for Aaron Rodgers. Joe Douglas needs his top picks to be more like Sauce Gardner and Garrett Wilson and less like Mekhi Becton and Zach Wilson, so who better than Wilson’s former running mate at Ohio State? Though I could see it happening, I don’t agree with the idea of the Jets taking an offensive lineman in Round 1. Their issues up front in 2022 were more about availability than talent, so a versatile mid-round prospect like Nick Saldiveri could suffice for them.

Philadelphia Eagles

• Peter Skoronski (OT – Northwestern)
• Bryan Bresee (DT – Clemson)
• Tuli Tuipulotu (EDGE – USC)
• Marvin Mims (WR – Oklahoma)
• Jakorian Bennett (CB – Maryland)
• Jake Witt (OT – Northern Michigan)
• Kahlef Hailassie (CB – Western Kentucky)

Three of the top 62 picks in the Draft being trench players to the Eagles – sound accurate enough to you? Howie Roseman will never let those stables empty, and Peter Skoronski/Bryan Bresee/Tuli Tuipulotu is a promising enough trio to replace Lane Johnson/Fletcher Cox/Brandon Graham without skipping a beat.

Pittsburgh Steelers

• Paris Johnson Jr (OT – Ohio State)
• Keeanu Benton (DT – Wisconsin)
• Cedric Tillman (WR – Tennessee)
• Rejzohn Wright (CB – Oregon State)
• Yasir Abdullah (LB – Louisville)
• Brenton Strange (TE – Penn State)
• Robert Beal (EDGE – Georgia)

Paris Johnson Jr at Pick 6 is a bit of a reach, but it’s understandable that the Steelers might want to find their left tackle of the future in the first hour of draft weekend and then figure everything else out from there. Even though Pittsburgh just traded for Allen Robinson, that should not preclude them from taking another wideout. Cedric Tillman in Round 3 would be an awesome value and he totally fits the mold of the Steelers.

San Francisco 49ers

• Israel Abanikanda (RB – Pittsburgh)
• Blake Freeland (OT – BYU)
• Jayden Reed (WR – Michigan State)
• Zach Harrison (EDGE – Ohio State)
• Dorian Thompson-Robinson (QB – UCLA)
• Henry To’oTo’o (LB – Alabama)
• Cameron Latu (TE – Alabama)
• Ronnie Bell (WR – Michigan)
• Tavius Robinson (EDGE – Mississippi)
• Demario Douglas (WR – Liberty)
• Dante Stills (DT – West Virginia)
• Chad Ryland (K – Maryland)

As I previewed in the above Texans section, I have the 49ers dealing Trey Lance during the Draft. I have my skepticism over the notion that the Niners have soured on Lance, but the truth of the matter is that it seems like Brock Purdy is favored over him and that Sam Darnold signed a heavily incentive-laden contract based on first-team reps. Also, with over ten total picks, I expect San Francisco to draft another QB – like Dorian Thompson-Robinson. DTR was a four-year starter at UCLA, just like Purdy was at Iowa State.

Seattle Seahawks

• Nolan Smith (EDGE – Georgia)
• John Michael Schmitz (C – Minnesota)
• Jahmyr Gibbs (RB – Alabama)
• Quan Martin (CB – Illinois)
• Zacch Pickens (DT – South Carolina)
• Nick Herbig (LB – Wisconsin)
• Darrell Luter (CB – South Alabama)
• Mike Morris (EDGE – Michigan)
• Parker Washington (WR – Penn State)
• Dee Winters (LB – TCU)
• 2024 Round 2 Pick (TEN)
• Caleb Farley
• Malik Willis

I haven’t seen Nolan Smith mocked to the Seahawks at Pick 5 anywhere else, but the team has met with him and I just think that Pete Carroll, at this stage of his career, is going to want players on his team that he genuinely loves being around. (For what it’s worth, I think Smith is this caliber of prospect too.) That line of thinking also justifies the Jahmyr Gibbs selection for Seattle early in Round 2. Paired with Ken Walker, that could be the most electric backfield duo in the NFL.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Anton Harrison (OT – Oklahoma)
• Julius Brents (CB – Kansas State)
• Darius Rush (CB – South Carolina)
• Chase Brown (RB – Illinois)
• Owen Pappoe (LB – Auburn)
• Josh Whyle (TE – Cincinnati)
• Elijah Higgins (WR – Stanford)
• Nick Broeker (OG – Mississippi)
• Ronnie Hickman (S – Ohio State)

There might be some temptation for Tampa to pounce on a big-named player or two who slips to Pick 19, but grabbing their left tackle of the future in that spot is too much of a layup for the Bucs to pass up. From there, Jason Licht gets back to his trusted roots of using Day 2 picks on tall, springy defensive backs.

Tennessee Titans

• Darnell Wright (OT – Tennessee)
• Hendon Hooker (QB – Tennessee)
• Josh Downs (WR – North Carolina)
• Ivan Pace (LB – Cincinnati)
• Viliami Fehoko (EDGE – San Jose State)
• Jacob Copeland (WR – Maryland)

Think that two Volunteers in Round 1 would go over well with football fans in Tennessee? Me too, but that’s not why I’m mocking Wright and Hooker to the Titans. In the case of Hooker, it seems like multiple teams would love him in Round 2, so naturally one team might get antsy and move back into Round 1 for him. It makes a ton of sense for the Titans, who would have a clear succession plan at QB1 from Ryan Tannehill to Hooker. 

Washington Commanders

• Luke Musgrave (TE – Oregon State)
• Tyler Steen (OT – Alabama)
• Terell Smith (CB – Minnesota)
• Dorian Williams (LB – Tulane)
• Emil Ekiyor (OG – Alabama)
• Bryce Ford-Wheaton (WR – West Virginia)
• 2024 Round 1 Pick (MIN)

Unless there is a surprising slide to Pick 16, I see Washington as one of the top trade-down teams. With its organizational limbo and a depth chart without many glaring needs, they should load up on assets and practice patience – even if Ron Rivera hasn’t exactly earned it. Luke Musgrave at Pick 23 might seem like a reach, but this front office has taken Jamin Davis and Jahan Dotson earlier than that in the past two Drafts, despite both of them carrying Day 2 grades. It’s also tough to argue that there are 23 players more talented than Musgrave in this class, whose biggest knock is his injury history that is apparently behind him.

More Mock NFL Drafts

• Thor Nystrom’s Mock Drafts (1.0 | 2.0)
• Matthew Freedman’s Mock Drafts (1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 9.0 | 10.0 | 11.0 | 12.0 | 13.0)
• Kent Weyrauch’s Mock Drafts (1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 9.0 | 10.0)
• Matthew Jones’s Mock Drafts (1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 9.0)
• Andrew Erickson’s Mock Drafts (1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 7.0)
• Mike Fanelli’s Mock Drafts w/ Trades (1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 5.0)
• John Supowitz’s Mock Drafts (1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 4.0)
• Russell Brown (1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 4.0)
• Ken Zalis (1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0)
• PJ Moran (1.0 | 2.0)

Check out all of our 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Reports & Prospect Profiles

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