NFL mock draft 2023: Updated first spherical projection after NFL Combine

The NFL Combine has come and gone, and now groups are coming into the ultimate stretch of the NFL Draft preparation. The greatest choice makers for every franchise got here to Indianapolis and never solely watched draft prospects, but additionally to debate the free agent class and potential trades as nicely.

Now that the Combine has ended, we have now one other mock draft for you, with free company looming within the upcoming days.

What do the Bears do with the primary choose?

It’s been clear from the second the common season ended: Chicago has the primary total choose, however they actually don’t need to use it. Bears GM Ryan Poles is assured within the worth of the primary total choose, and has informed Peter King that he thinks he can get a primary spherical choose in 2024 and 2025 from the highest total choose. With the worth of every of the QBs rising, the Bears might find yourself getting some good worth from the highest choose, to rebuild their franchise round QB Justin Fields.

However, the Bears may be asking for an excessive amount of. A 2024 and 2025 first spherical draft choose is investing loads of future capital right into a QB, and until a group believes that they will win within the fast future, these picks could possibly be untouchable. Even although the worth of every QB is rising, there isn’t a consensus QB1 on this draft. The prime QB on every groups’ board might range, and the kind of QB you need might differ from one other. There’s a really actual risk that the Bears find yourself sticking with the highest choose, however on this mock, the Colts go up and get their man.

Alabama QB Bryce Young is likely to be probably the most optimum match for the Colts offense below Shane Steichen. In a shotgun-heavy offense, Young would be capable of see the sector higher regardless of his top, and his fast timing and playmaking can be excellent for an RPO-based offense. The QB run recreation wouldn’t be practically as heavy with Young at QB, however Steichen has labored with guys like Phillip Rivers earlier than, so it’s not too loopy.

Houston stays at 2 and is ready to choose up arguably the perfect pocket passer within the draft in Ohio State’s CJ Stroud. With Stroud’s skill to course of and throw the ball with excessive contact and accuracy to the intermediate ranges of the sector make his slot in a Shanahan type, play action-based offense the perfect of any QB within the class. Houston would possibly REALLY need Young, however Stroud is correct behind him.

Now, Chicago is at 4 however then they commerce again once more with the Carolina Panthers, who come up and take Florida QB Anthony Richardson. We knew Richardson would check nicely, however testing traditionally nice for the place was insane to see. Richardson has some methods to go together with mechanics; his ft can get too far beneath him, inflicting him to lose accuracy, however his pure arm expertise and his underrated processing skill and pocket navigation below stress make him a tantalizing prospect. Pairing him with a QB guru like Frank Reich, with a growing offensive line and a star receiver in DJ Moore might assist him probably the most in his growth.

Kentucky QB Will Levis finally ends up with the Raiders at 7, the place Josh McDaniels will get a giant, robust armed prospect who can thrive in a standard dropback setting. Levis has kind of an odd launch, however it’s fast and when he will get his complete physique lined up he can ship balls with accuracy. His choice making is likely to be a difficulty (he additionally tries to be the hero an excessive amount of), however in Vegas he has the guiding hand of McDaniels, plus some guys named Davante Adams, Hunter Renfrow and Darren Waller to throw the ball too.

Here’s in the end what the Bears ended up with:

Chicago trades: 2023 1st spherical choose(1st total)

Indianapolis trades: 2023 1st spherical choose(4th total), 2023 third spherical choose(79th total), 2024 first spherical choose

Then:

Chicago trades: 2023 1st spherical choose(4th total)

Carolina trades: 2023 1st spherical choose(ninth total), 2023 2nd spherical choose(thirty ninth total), 2023 third spherical choose(93rd total)

Chicago wanted to build up picks, and with these trades they keep in place to get a prime expertise whereas gaining extra pictures on the dart board all through the draft. They even acquired a 2024 first rounder out of it as nicely. Chicago finally ends up taking Iowa EDGE Lukas Van Ness right here, a man who matches the athletic profile of EDGEs Eberflus has coached in Indianapolis as their defensive coordinator.

Rodgers goes to the Big Apple

I believe the Aaron Rodgers period in Green Bay is over. Yesterday, information broke that the Packers QB has been speaking with the Jets and the Packers are permitting this to occur. With the Packers placing an emphasis on Jordan Love getting in-game reps as the subsequent step in his growth, the writing is on the wall for Rodgers to finish up in New York.

Now, what sort of compensation would a QB like Rodgers get? Well we will take a bit from the Broncos buying and selling for Russell Wilson and attempt to piece collectively what it might probably appear to be. Last 12 months, the Broncos traded three gamers, a 2022 and 2023 first spherical draft choose, a 2022 and 2023 second spherical choose and a 2022 fifth spherical choose to the Seahawks for Wilson and a 2022 fourth spherical choose. Rodgers goes to be 39 coming into this season, so the Packers won’t get the identical quantity that the Seahawks acquired for Wilson in sheer amount, however the worth of the picks Green Bay will get ought to look one thing like:

Green Bay Packers obtain: 2023 first spherical choose (thirteenth total), 2023 second spherical choose (forty third total), 2024 first spherical choose

New York Jets obtain: QB Aaron Rodgers

With these picks in tow, the Packers now have sufficient to revamp their secondary and receiving corps, which they do by taking Alabama security Brian Branch and TCU vast receiver Quentin Johnston.

Making sense of the Jalen Carter scenario

Georgia DT Jalen Carter is among the finest gamers on this complete draft class. His lateral quickness, energy and explosiveness are uncommon, and his skill to be a gamewrecker is nearly unparalleled on this draft class.

However, on the Combine, information broke that Carter was concerned within the automobile accident that took the lifetime of Georgia OL Devin Willock and employees member Chandler LeRoy. Carter was discovered to be racing the automobile that led to the crash. Carter is dealing with costs of reckless driving and racing in reference to the crash. Carter has mentioned that he shall be exonerated, and is working with the police within the investigation.

How far Carter falls might doubtlessly be depending on the result of the investigation. If the costs are certainly true and Carter had involvement, his inventory might tumble. For now, he solely takes a slight dip to Seattle at 5.

Mock drafting for groups and not using a first-round draft choose

With draft picks being dealt like by no means earlier than, there are 5 groups and not using a first-round choose that we needed to provide their followers one thing to examine. In this mock draft, the Rams get a substitute for Jalen Ramsey in case he’s traded this 12 months or subsequent. The Cleveland Browns discover a versatile defensive lineman in Tuipulotu whereas the Miami Dolphins and Denver Broncos catch falling defensive linemen on account of dimension (Kancey) and lack of manufacturing in faculty (Smith).

The final group to have their first choice is the 49ers who seize an fascinating receiver prospect in Reed a 12 months earlier than Brandon Aiyuk is about free of charge company. Getting a participant who may help produce straight away at choose #99 is hard by John Lynch does so right here.