The NFL Stock Exchange podcast's latest episode features a two-round 2023 NFL Mock Draft following testing results from the NFL combine. Below is a recap of the picks made by hosts Trevor Sikkema and Connor Rogers, in addition to snippets of analysis. For full context and analysis, watch the episode below:
ROUND 1
1. Houston Texans (via Bears): QB Bryce Young, Alabama
“Bryce Young's combine weight measurement did not really matter unless he was going to be terribly historic. … He's not, even though his playing weight is going to be lower. He's the best player in college football over the past two years.” — Trevor Sikkema
2. Carolina Panthers (via Bears, via Texans): QB C.J. Stroud, Ohio State
“Great [combine] week for C.J. Stroud. Great year for C.J. Stroud. Stroud developing under [head coach Frank] Reich, [quarterbacks coach Josh] McCown, that staff — the offensive line is on the come up, D.J. Moore is going to be a 1,000-yard guy again — I love everything about this fit.” — Connor Rogers
3. Arizona Cardinals: EDGE Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech
“Tyree Wilson is getting the Travon Walker type of treatment, where you look at the tape, you look at how much potential he has, you look at [his production], and the NFL takes Travon Walker No. 1 overall.” — Sikkema
4. Indianapolis Colts: QB Anthony Richardson, Florida
“If you are comparing Will Levis' traits versus Anthony Richardson's traits, Richardson has him beat out. And if you look at both of these quarterbacks, accuracy and decision-making concerns are both there for them. You are going to have to improve both of these guys in their consistency. So if you're going to do that, do that with the one who might have the overall higher ceiling.” — Sikkema
5. Seattle Seahawks: DI Jalen Carter, Georgia
“[The Seahawks] are a franchise that has no fear of taking guys with question marks, because they are talented. … They have a need at interior defensive line. … So I go with Jalen Carter, and your defensive line is changed entirely.” — Rogers
6. Detroit Lions: EDGE Will Anderson Jr., Alabama
“As much as Christian Gonzalez would make for an easy mock draft over the next couple of picks, if Will Anderson Jr. is there at No. 6, the Lions are picking Will Anderson Jr.” — Sikkema
7. Las Vegas Raiders: QB Will Levis, Kentucky
“They need a franchise quarterback. If Levis fell to No. 7, they didn't need to move to get him, I do think that's the route they can go. … Until the [free agency] market passes us by, this is going to be a popular destination for WIll Levis.” — Rogers
8. Atlanta Falcons: CB Christian Gonzalez, Oregon
“Christian Gonzalez would be on one side, A.J. Terrell is on the other — you've got an incredible cornerback duo. … There's not really a pass rusher that tempts me here more than them getting Christian Gonzalez.” — Sikkema
9. Chicago Bears (via Panthers): OT Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio State
“This dude came into the combine, and the measurements are just out of this world. … He's built in a lab as an offensive tackle, and that's huge for Justin Fields.” — Rogers
10. Philadelphia Eagles: CB Devon Witherspoon, Illinois
“Couldn't sprint this bad boy in any faster — Devon Witherspoon sitting here at No. 10. … If [the Eagles] let James Bradberry walk, you've got Darius Slay on one side and Devon Witherspoon on the other. If Devon Witherspoon is your CB2, you've got a hell of a CB duo.” — Sikkema
11. Tennessee Titans: OT Peter Skoronski, Northwestern
“Talent-wise, or pro-readiness, tells me Skoronski. A guy that will check every box for every offensive line coach and staff is Broderick Jones, because of that arm length. I'll go with Skoronski here. I wouldn't be floored if this changes.” — Rogers
12. Houston Texans: WR Quentin Johnston, TCU
“Quinton Johnston is the guy that you bet on, 100%. He's got the size, he's got the athleticism. I really do believe that he was held back by quarterback play this past year, with all due respect to Max Duggan.” — Sikkema
13. New York Jets: OT Broderick Jones, Georgia
“The Jets are obsessed with athleticism on their offensive line. … Broderick Jones, a great athlete, and the Jets need help [at offensive tackle], so no-brainer.” — Rogers
14. New England Patriots: CB Joey Porter Jr., Penn State
“Their corner locked into a contract right now is Jalen Mills. Jonathan Jones is a free agent. They have Jack Jones, of course, who was really good as a rookie. [Devin] McCourty is a free agent. I think they're going to take a corner.” — Rogers
15. Green Bay Packers: EDGE Lukas Van Ness, Iowa
“Lukas Van Ness would absolutely be in [Green Bay's] wheelhouse.” — Sikkema
“And I think they can get a tight end in Round 2, because I know that's been popular for them.” — Rogers
16. Washington Commanders: CB Deonte Banks, Maryland
“Deonte Banks — insane athlete, one of the best cover corners in this class. And I think he tested incredibly, so even if the ball skills aren't what you want them to be, he's still a phenomenal corner.” — Sikkema
17. Pittsburgh Steelers: OT Darnell Wright, Tennessee
“I know it seems early. It's a little early for me, but the tackles are going to go, and in my opinion he's the guy that makes the most sense for the Steelers. He gives them size, he gives them strength, he's battle-tested.” — Rogers
18. Detroit Lions: S Brian Branch, Alabama
“We are slamming home this selection of Brian Branch. The Detroit Lions coming away with Will Anderson Jr. and Brian Branch — what a first round.” — Sikkema
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: EDGE Nolan Smith, Georgia
“I think Nolan Smith is in play at No. 10. … But ultimately, I think he's a top-20 lock. I don't think the NFL is going to let a football player this athletic and this passionate about the game of football get out of the top 20.” — Sikkema
20. Seattle Seahawks: TE Dalton Kincaid, Utah
“Kincaid hails from the great state of Nevada and grew up focusing most of his attention on the game of basketball,” Trevor reads from a Google search. “I'm picking Dalton Kincaid at No. 20, and there's nothing you can do to tell me otherwise.” — Sikkema
21. Los Angeles Chargers: WR Jalin Hyatt, Tennessee
“I know he was expected to run even better than he did, and I know he was 176 [pounds]. The tape is the tape — the guy can fly on the field.” — Rogers
22. Baltimore Ravens: CB Cam Smith, South Carolina
“I'm basically thinking Jaxon Smith-Njigba or Cam Smith.” — Sikkema
“Cam Smith, if I can guide your hand a little bit with things I heard with Baltimore. They will look for a fast, long corner in that spot.” — Rogers
23. Minnesota Vikings: EDGE Myles Murphy, Clemson
“The Vikings could have questions on the edge, and Murphy can really kick along any alignment on the defensive line. … He's a freak in terms of his athleticism and size and movement, and the Vikings need help in that front seven.” — Rogers
24. Jacksonville Jaguars: CB Kelee Ringo, Georgia
“This board did not break well for the Jags. I thought about Jordan Addison, I thought about Jaxon Smith-Njigba. … I'm confident — Kelee Ringo as your CB2.” — Sikkema
25. New York Giants: WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State
“Giants, amazing situation. Sprint that Jaxon Smith-Njigba card in. Get yourself some wide receiver talent. Gut feeling, he doesn't make it [to this pick], but also there's a chance.” — Rogers
26. Dallas Cowboys: WR Zay Flowers, Boston College
“Until free agency sorts itself out, I don't think running back. I was tempted a little bit by Calijah Kancey — add to the D-line, get some juice in there. But ultimately, I think they really want a wide receiver.” — Sikkema
27. Buffalo Bills: OT Dawand Jones, Ohio State
“I think they want to upgrade at that right tackle spot. I think they are in on offensive line. … In all honesty, I do not like Spencer Brown protecting the right side for Josh Allen so far.” — Rogers
28. Cincinnati Bengals: TE Darnell Washington, Georgia
“Complete alien, folks. Complete alien.” — Sikkema
“Darnell Washington to the Bengals I think is one of the best picks of this mock draft.” — Rogers
29. New Orleans Saints: DI Calijah Kancey, Pittsburgh
“Time is a flat circle — they draft Sheldon Rankins again. I'm just kidding, but kind of not. Rankins is a good player, he was just on the Jets the last two years instead.” — Rogers
30. Philadelphia Eagles: EDGE Adetomiwa Adebawore, Northwestern
“We're picking an absolute freak show of athleticism with Adebawore. … He is a Philadelphia Eagle all the way if he makes it to No. 30.” — Sikkema
31. Kansas City Chiefs: WR Jordan Addison, USC
“If they don't re-sign JuJu [Smith-Schuster], Jordan Addison makes sense here. I'm gonna say that JuJu or Mecole Hardman or both get paid somewhere else, and they take Jordan Addison.” — Rogers
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