Excitement is constructing for the 2023 NFL Draft, and our group communities have you ever coated with the entire predictions, evaluation, and scouting experiences you could prepare for the large weekend. That consists of our SB Nation Team Communities Mock Draft.
If you’ve someway missed the previous 16 years of this mock draft, let’s get you on top of things: Our 32 NFL communities (properly, those that cowl groups with first-round picks, anyway) choose the participant(s) they assume take advantage of sense for his or her groups to draft and share the thought course of behind these picks. We gather all of these picks right here, linking out to the complete evaluation on every website.
Following the Panthers’ blockbuster commerce with the Bears that put them within the No. 1 spot for the 2023 draft, Cat Scratch Reader held the No. 1 decide. We know the Panthers are going to take a quarterback, however which one?
No. 1: Panthers choose C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
While the Panthers are mum on who they wish to take at No. 1 as of this writing, we imagine they have already got their minds made up, and that’s for former Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud. Stroud posted a stat line of 575 completions on 830 makes an attempt for 8,123 passing yards and 85 touchdowns with solely 12 interceptions as just about the consensus finest pocket passer on this draft. One of the principle considerations with Stroud pre-draft is making performs outdoors of construction and utilizing his legs, nevertheless he demonstrated there’s extra to his recreation there in opposition to Georgia within the Peach Bowl final season. – Brian Beversluis, Cat Scratch Reader
No. 2: Texans choose Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
… he may flourish positioned behind the very best paid left sort out within the NFL, Laremy Tunsil, and guarded by the remainder of the rebuilt Houston offensive line. Handing the ball off to the 1-2 punch of Dameon Pierce and Devin Singletary. Throwing the ball to Nico Collins, John Metchie and whomever the Texans draft after Young. Hitting his security valve Dalton Shultz in stride for main first downs. It’s time to lastly think about a potent Houston Texans offense, and drafting Bryce Young makes that imaginative and prescient doable. – Mike Bullock, Battle Red Blog
No. 3: Cardinals choose Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Alabama
The 21-year-old Anderson is among the best move rushers in school soccer historical past and had one of many single finest seasons in 2021 when he posted an astounding 17.5 sacks, 31 tackles for loss and 101 whole tackles and completed fifth within the Heisman voting.
We tried to speak with the Indianapolis Colts, Seattle Seahawks, and Las Vegas Raiders to commerce again within the first spherical, however nobody needed to chunk. – Seth Cox, Revenge of the Birds
No. 4: Colts choose Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
His ground?
It may very well be actually unhealthy. He has little or no beginning expertise at Florida and can seemingly want time to regulate to the NFL recreation and the complexity of NFL schemes. His accuracy has been mentioned constantly. Those reviewing the tape usually conclude that these points are overstated, however maybe that’s simple to do with such a powerful athlete. …
His ceiling? Lamar Jackson joined Tom Brady as a unanimous NFL MVP in his second season. Richardson is unlikely to get to that stage so quick, however he’s larger and stronger than Jackson, has the identical form of athleticism, has an even bigger arm than Jackson, and will grow to be a greater participant than Jackson. If Jackson received an MVP, it’s not outlandish to counsel that if Richardson reaches his ceiling, he may very well be probably the greatest quarterbacks within the NFL for a very long time. – Brett Mock, Stampede Blue
No. 5: Seahawks choose Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech
They want defensive linemen, dammit!
Seriously! They let go of Shelby Harris, Al Woods, Quinton Jefferson, and (up to now) haven’t re-signed Poona Ford. Their solely defensive linemen are Myles Adams, Bryan Mone (out with a torn ACL), Jarrod Hewitt, Dre’Mont Jones, and Jarran Reed.
They’re not quick on outdoors linebackers (e.g. Darrell Taylor, Boye Mafe, Uchenna Nwosu) however I don’t assume Wilson finest tasks as an outdoor linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. I can’t think about being this skinny alongside the defensive position and never utilizing at the very least one first-round decide at that place. – Mookie Alexander, Field Gulls
No. 6: Lions choose Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
Blessed with an elite mixture of energy and athleticism, Carter has the distinctive capacity to be impactful as each a move rusher and run defender. He possesses a next-level first step and is rapidly into his first move rush transfer whereas the offensive lineman remains to be working to get out of his stance. He is devastatingly correct along with his hand placement and his decrease physique energy enhances this in a gorgeous symphony of destruction.
While on the sector, Carter is a clear prospect, current off-the-field occasions—misdemeanor prices of reckless driving and racing in an incident that concerned two fatalities, in addition to a poor efficiency at his professional day—have raised potential crimson flags surrounding his character. The Lions have scheduled Carter for a high 30 go to, and his clarification of the occasions may go a good distance in figuring out if he stays on the Lions’ draft board. – Erik Schlitt, Pride of Detroit
No. 7: Raiders choose Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
Meanwhile, Gonzalez had 4 picks in 12 video games for Oregon final season, so he’s a ballhawk the Raiders protection wants proper now. Head coach Josh McDaniels stated as a lot on the NFL Combine, stating:
“When you talk about certain players that you’re trying to add to your roster, you know, explosive players on offense or defense, I mean, that’s what our league is now. … It’s more of an ability to make plays with the ball in your hands or to create disruptive plays on defense.”
Gonzalez additionally has glorious ball expertise outdoors of simply creating turnovers. He racked up seven move breakups in Eugene final fall, which is one thing else the Raiders’ defensive backs are missing. – Matt Holder, Silver & Black Pride
No. 8: Falcons choose Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
Adding Bijan to Atlanta’s offense would give the Falcons three potential stars: Kyle Pitts at tight finish, Drake London at huge receiver, and Bijan Robinson at working again. He wouldn’t have to hold a large workload as a runner due to the presence of Tyler Allgeier—who ought to nonetheless obtain a great portion of the snaps. That ought to assist prolong his profession versus the normal “run him into the ground” technique employed by most groups. Bijan would convey a lot dynamic athleticism to the backfield and the receiving recreation. Given Arthur Smith’s inventive utilization of Cordarrelle Patterson, I’ve little question that Bijan would get loads of alternatives within the passing recreation.
It’s not the largest want for the Falcons, and it’s not the very best “value” on the board in a conventional sense. But Bijan is, objectively, probably the most proficient participant out there and would slot proper into an offense that might take full benefit of his skills. No different offensive participant would “move the needle” for the Falcons offense greater than Bijan Robinson in 2023, and I can’t consider a greater option to take strain off of Desmond Ridder than to provide him the NFL’s finest RB tandem. – Kevin Knight, The Falcoholic
No. 9: Bears choose Paris Johnson, OT, Ohio State
Johnson manned the left sort out spot for the Buckeyes in 2022, however in 2021 he began 13 video games at proper guard, and he performed in 5 video games at guard as a real freshman in 2020. His size means he’s almost definitely an NFL sort out, however his versatility is a plus, as is a whole season working from a right-handed stance. The Bears had been comfy with rookie Braxton Jones at left sort out a season in the past, however they aren’t married to the notion that he stays on the left with a rookie beginning on the proper aspect. …
If Johnson is Chicago’s first-round draft decide, he’d instantly slot right into a beginning sort out spot, and whether or not it’s the proper or left aspect, he’ll have a full offseason to hone his approach and prepare for the 2023 season. – Lester Wiltfong Jr., Windy City Gridiron
No. 10: Eagles choose Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia
There are some questions on how Smith tasks to the NFL contemplating his measurement. But he’s solely an inch shorter and eight kilos lighter than Micah Parsons’ listed measurements from the NFL Combine. Smith’s truly an inch taller than Haason Reddick and simply two kilos lighter. There’s purpose to imagine he can comply with of their footsteps and make the most of his elite athleticism to wreak havoc as each a move rusher and run defender.
There’s additionally purpose to imagine in his character. The Eagles have made good bets on prospects like this lately. Jalen Hurts is a canine. DeVonta is a canine. Those are simply two examples of dudes you don’t want to wager in opposition to. They ooze Big Winner Energy. By all accounts, Smith checks all of the bins in that regard. Just have a look at the depth and fervour he performs with. He’s fearless. That’s a man you need in your group. – Brandon Lee Gowton, Bleeding Green Nation
Stay tuned for the remainder of our first-round picks!