• Colts go off script, select Kentucky QB Will Levis: After a mock trade up to No. 1, Indianapolis makes Levis the top signal-caller taken in the 2023 NFL Draft.
• Jalen Carter falls to Chicago at No. 4: Thought of as a potential top-two pick, Jalen Carter drops to the Bears, who trade down to No. 4 and still get their guy.
• Bijan Robinson caps the first round as 32nd pick: The Texas bruiser heads to the Philadelphia Eagles as the clear top running back in the draft class.
Estimated Reading Time: 12 mins
1. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: QB WILL LEVIS, KENTUCKY
via mock trade with Bears
PFF Big Board Rank: 3
The Colts are in desperate need of a franchise quarterback and can’t afford to wait and see who's available at No. 4. Instead, they move up to No. 1 and take Will Levis. Bryce Young is the more polished (and probably better) quarterback, but general manager Chris Ballard loves traits, and that’s what Levis has going for him. It’s a risky pick, but the Colts must swing for the fences to compete in the AFC South moving forward.
2. HOUSTON TEXANS: QB BRYCE YOUNG, ALABAMA
PFF Big Board Rank: 1
Getting Bryce Young at No. 2 would be the ideal situation for the Texans. Sure, they could try to trade up one spot to ensure he's on the board, but there’s also a chance he falls into their lap, as not every team is going to be in love with him due to his lack of prototypical size. Young would give Houston a face to their franchise and a player to build around for the next decade.
3. ARIZONA CARDINALS: EDGE WILL ANDERSON JR., ALABAMA
PFF Big Board Rank: 4
Getting the best player in the draft at No. 3? That would be a home run for the Cardinals, as no one in college football has been more dominant than Will Anderson Jr. over the past two years. Arizona has one of the weakest pass rushes in the league, especially now that J.J. Watt is retiring. But Anderson could help turn this unit around in Year 1 after racking up a Power Five-leading 147 pressures since 2021.
4. CHICAGO BEARS: DI JALEN CARTER, GEORGIA
via mock trade with Colts
PFF Big Board Rank: 2
If the Bears fail to find a trade partner at No. 1, they might go with Jalen Carter. But in this mock, they are able to trade down and still get the generational defensive tackle prospect. Carter is a highly disruptive defensive tackle who can be nearly unblockable in one-on-one situations. The Bears have a long way to go on defense, but adding a talent like Carter would speed up the rebuild.
5. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (VIA BRONCOS): EDGE TYREE WILSON, TEXAS TECH
PFF Big Board Rank: 7
The Seahawks love to draft traits, and no player in this class has more insane measurements. Wilson has some of the longest arms you’ll ever see from an edge rusher (35.5-inch arms) and can play all over the defensive line. Seattle has to improve up front, and Wilson joining the fray would be a fantastic start.
6. DETROIT LIONS (VIA RAMS): DT BRYAN BRESEE, CLEMSON
PFF Big Board Rank: 8
The Lions are close to being a real contender in the NFC, but they’ll need improvements along the front seven of their defense. Aidan Hutchinson was fantastic as a rookie, but they need more help on the interior. While Bresee doesn’t have the production of a top-10 pick, he is a unique athlete with incredible size and strength. The best part is that he plays incredibly hard, which is a must for head coach Dan Campbell.
7. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS: QB C.J. STROUD, OHIO STATE
PFF Big Board Rank: 5
If the Raiders don’t add Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers in the offseason, look for them to explore the idea of selecting a quarterback at No. 7. Stroud might be the best fit of all the quarterbacks with head coach Josh McDaniels, as he can win in the pocket with his accuracy and ball placement. Stroud would be an excellent value for Las Vegas here as they look to replace Derek Carr.
8. ATLANTA FALCONS: EDGE MYLES MURPHY, CLEMSON
PFF Big Board Rank: 6
There wasn’t a team in the NFL with a worse pass rush than the Falcons last season. While they were playing several rookies and young players, it's a unit that needs to improve. Murphy is less talented than Will Anderson Jr. or Tyree Wilson, but he is worth a top-10 pick since he can play both defensive end and defensive tackle in sub-packages.
9. CAROLINA PANTHERS: QB ANTHONY RICHARDSON, FLORIDA
PFF Big Board Rank: 11
The Panthers have taken too many chances on low-upside starters over the past few years, including Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield. It's time for them to fill the position with some serious upside, with a player who can change the franchise's outlook. Anthony Richardson is the most talented quarterback in this class, but he needs a lot of work. If the Panthers can be patient with Richardson and give him time, he could be their next Cam Newton.
10. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (VIA SAINTS): CB DEVON WITHERSPOON, ILLINOIS
PFF Big Board Rank: 12
James Bradberry is scheduled to be a free agent at the end of the year, and Darius Slay just turned 32. The Eagles would be wise to add more talent to their cornerback room, and Witherspoon is one of the top cornerbacks in this class. He allowed just 206 yards on 63 targets this season to go along with three interceptions.
11. TENNESSEE TITANS: OT PARIS JOHNSON JR., OHIO STATE
PFF Big Board Rank: 9
There wasn’t a worse offensive line in the NFL by the end of the year than that of the Titans. Both offensive tackle spots were a disaster, and Taylor Lewan‘s long-term future is up in the air amid injury troubles. Johnson played both left tackle and right guard at Ohio State, so the Titans shouldn’t have any problem finding him a spot in the starting lineup as a rookie.
12. HOUSTON TEXANS (VIA BROWNS): WR JORDAN ADDISON, USC
PFF Big Board Rank: 231
After adding Bryce Young with the No. 2 pick, the Texans grab a receiver to pair with him. Addison isn’t overly big or fast, but he gets open and can play all over the field. With Brandin Cooks likely to be traded this offseason, Addison could be a Day 1 starter to pair with Nico Collins and John Metchie III.
13. NEW YORK JETS: OT PETER SKORONSKI, NORTHWESTERN
PFF Big Board Rank: 13
The Jets had a lot of success taking a short-armed offensive tackle around this spot in 2021 in Alijah Vera-Tucker, so why not do it again? Skoronski is expected to measure in with sub-33-inch arms, but he was still one of the best offensive tackles in the country. Considering he can play four different spots on the offensive line, this would be another smart pick by general manager Joe Douglas and the Jets as they continue to invest in their offensive line.
14. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: EDGE LUKAS VAN NESS, IOWA
PFF Big Board Rank: 16
The Patriots got fantastic play from Matt Judon and Josh Uche last year, but they could use more size and power on the defensive line. Van Ness is one of the best power rushers in this class, as he can bully offensive tackles back into the laps of quarterbacks. He would be a perfect fit in a New England defense that likes to utilize different types of pass rushers.
15. GREEN BAY PACKERS: CB CAM SMITH, SOUTH CAROLINA
PFF Big Board Rank: 25
Of all the cornerbacks in this class, no player is better when the ball is in the air than Cam Smith. He racked up four interceptions and 15 pass breakups over the past four years. The Packers are already mostly set in the secondary, but Smith is too good of a player to pass up here at No. 15.
16. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS: CB CHRISTIAN GONZALEZ, OREGON
PFF Big Board Rank: 14
Cornerback was a major issue for the Commanders for most of the season after they moved on from William Jackson III. But in a deep cornerback draft, expect them to target one early. Gonzalez would be an ideal pick here — he possesses the size, speed and ball skills you want from a Round 1 cornerback. He’s got all the traits to develop into a No. 1 cornerback in the NFL.
17. PITTSBURGH STEELERS: CB JOEY PORTER JR., PENN STATE
PFF Big Board Rank: 26
This one is almost too easy, right? Pittsburgh loves to draft local players, but they love elite bloodlines even more. Joey Porter Jr. is one of the top cornerbacks in this class and would solve one of Pittsburgh’s biggest needs. This feels like a near-lock to happen in April.
18. DETROIT LIONS: S BRIAN BRANCH, ALABAMA
PFF Big Board Rank: 10
Another safety for the Lions? Yep. Kerby Joseph was fantastic as a rookie, but they could always use another to pair with him for the next few years. And Branch is so much more than just a typical safety. He can play in the slot, in the box or even at cornerback. This would be a gamble on talent, as Branch is one of the best 10 or 12 players in this class.
19. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: OG O’CYRUS TORRENCE, FLORIDA
PFF Big Board Rank: 27
Luke Goedeke was a disaster last season, earning a 43.7 PFF grade as the Buccaneers struggled to find any reliable play at left guard. Torrence is the best pure guard in the NFL and would be a massive upgrade on an offensive line that could use an injection of youth.
20. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: WR QUENTIN JOHNSTON, TCU
PFF Big Board Rank: 15
Do the Seahawks really need another big, athletic receiver? Why yes, yes they do. Johnston is a physical freak who is the best receiver in this class after the catch. If the Seahawks want to compete with the rest of the NFC, they need to get even more explosive on offense. Johnston, whose 7.6 yards after the catch on average was a top-15 mark in the Power Five in 2022, will help them do that.
21. MIAMI DOLPHINS (FORFEITED)
22. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS: WR JAXON SMITH-NJIGBA, OHIO STATE
PFF Big Board Rank: 20
The Chargers can’t count on Mike Williams and Keenan Allen to stay healthy for a 17-game season at this stage of their careers, and so they take the best wide receiver on the board. Smith-Njigba might be a slot-only in the NFL, but he gets open and makes nearly every catch. He would give quarterback Justin Herbert another reliable pass catcher to make the Chargers' offense even more dangerous.
23. BALTIMORE RAVENS: CB KELEE RINGO, GEORGIA
PFF Big Board Rank: 45
The Ravens love to invest in their secondary and draft players with big-time pedigrees. That’s why the selection of Ringo would make so much sense here. Marcus Peters appears to be on his last legs, and the Ravens need to add more depth at the position. Ringo's experience, combined with his size and athleticism, makes him a perfect fit in Baltimore.
24. MINNESOTA VIKINGS: CB DEONTE BANKS, MARYLAND
PFF Big Board Rank: 68
The Vikings got unbelievable play from Patrick Peterson this year, but they can’t count on that going forward, considering he’ll turn 33 this offseason. Banks is another long, physical cornerback who could be a major value in the second half of Round 1 after missing most of the 2022 season. If he had stayed healthy, he could have easily been a top-10 pick given his ability to play sticky man-to-man coverage.
25. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: S ANTONIO JOHNSON, TEXAS A&M
PFF Big Board Rank: 30
The Jaguars spent a bunch of draft capital on their linebackers last offseason, and they still couldn’t stop Travis Kelce in the playoffs. So what about adding a 6-foot-4 safety who can line up against the top tight ends in football? Johnson is one of the most versatile defensive backs in the class and would bolster Jacksonville's secondary with his athleticism.
26. NEW YORK GIANTS: TE MICHAEL MAYER, NOTRE DAME
PFF Big Board Rank: 17
The Giants need to add more weapons around quarterback Daniel Jones, assuming he returns, this offseason. And while it would be ideal to find a No. 1 receiver at Pick No. 25, that's just not likely. Instead, they take one of the best pure pass catchers in this class in Michael Mayer, who has a massive catch radius and the athleticism to be a weapon down the seams. Mayer would be an excellent value pick for the Giants late in Round 1.
27. DALLAS COWBOYS: WR ZAY FLOWERS, BOSTON COLLEGE
PFF Big Board Rank: 19
CeeDee Lamb had a breakout season in 2022, but it’s clear the Cowboys need to get quarterback Dak Prescott more help. Flowers is one of the most underrated receivers in this class, as he can play all over the field and is dynamic with the ball in his hands. The only thing he doesn’t have is size, but he would be a great fit alongside Lamb and Michael Gallup for the next several years.
28. BUFFALO BILLS: LB TRENTON SIMPSON, CLEMSON
PFF Big Board Rank: 29
Tremaine Edmunds is a pending free agent and the Bills appear ready to move on. Simpson is smaller than Edmunds, but he does have great sideline-to-sideline speed. He's also shown the ability to play in space and cover, which Buffalo needs in the middle of its defense.
29. CINCINNATI BENGALS: OT ANTON HARRISON, OKLAHOMA
PFF Big Board Rank: 21
Harrison is one of the best pure pass blockers in this class and would be an outstanding pick for the Bengals here at No. 28. Jonah Williams struggled in 2022 as he dealt with injuries, and La’el Collins tore his ACL late in the year. Harrison could be an instant upgrade at either offensive tackle spot on a team that needs more talent and depth along its front five.
30. DENVER BRONCOS (VIA 49ERS): OT BRODERICK JONES, GEORGIA
PFF Big Board Rank: 24
Tackle Garett Bolles missed most of the 2022 season with an injury, and the rest of the offensive tackles on the Broncos' roster aren’t long-term options. Jones is one of the strongest offensive tackles in this class but is a bit raw after starting just 19 games in college.
31. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: EDGE NOLAN SMITH, GEORGIA
PFF Big Board Rank: 22
The Chiefs spent a first-round pick on an edge rusher last year, but it’s still a spot where they need to get better and younger this offseason. Smith, while coming off a season-ending pectoral injury, will be ready to start the 2023 season and would give the Chiefs even more pass-rush help after posting an elite 25.0% pass-rush win rate in 2022.
32. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: RB BIJAN ROBINSON, TEXAS
PFF Big Board Rank: 18
Make no mistake about it: Robinson is a better player than this. It's just hard to find a good fit for him before the Eagles at No. 32. Robinson is a sure-fire first-round pick and would be a fantastic selection for the Eagles this late. His size, speed and playmaking ability would make their offense even more potent.
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