With NFL free agency underway, we’re seeing team needs evolving as we head toward the 2023 NFL Draft.

With that in mind, let’s look at a three-round 2023 mock draft with some of the new team needs across the NFL. We start with the No. 1 overall pick, which the Carolina Panthers use to select Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud.

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Round 1

1. Carolina Panthers (via CHI): QB C.J. Stroud, Ohio State

The Panthers will have their pick of the quarterbacks. Stroud seems to be trending toward the pick, as he is the premier pocket passer who fits what head coach Frank Reich gravitates toward.

2. Houston Texans: QB Bryce Young, Alabama

The Texans can’t be too upset about not having the top pick if they end up with Bryce Young. The Alabama product presents true franchise-quarterback playmaking ability, which Houston should jump at.

3. Arizona Cardinals: ED Will Anderson Jr., Alabama

The Cardinals could easily trade down here, but after losing Zach Allen in free agency, they badly need to shore up the defensive line. They won’t want to trade down too far, especially when they could have a player like Anderson in the top three.

4. Indianapolis Colts: QB Anthony Richardson, Florida

The Colts will face plenty of pressure to land their quarterback of the future in this draft. We know it won’t be at No. 1, and we figure it won’t be at No. 2, either. It will be a big win if they can stay at No. 4 and still get a top-tier talent like Richardson.

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5. Seattle Seahawks (via DEN): ED Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech

Look for the Seahawks to continue to boost the talent on their defensive line, even after free agency. Wilson brings a very unique and alluring skillset at 6-foot-6, 275 pounds. Seattle has a type, and it is big, long athletes.

6. Detroit Lions (via LAR): CB Christian Gonzalez, Oregon

After a stellar showing at the scouting combine, Gonzalez is poised to be the top cornerback taken in this draft. Even after signing a few free-agent defensive backs, Detroit could still look to target cornerback at No. 6.

7. Las Vegas Raiders: QB Will Levis, Kentucky

After signing Jimmy Garoppolo, the Raiders likely won't be trading up for a quarterback. However, there is still a chance they could wait at No. 7 to see if one falls to them. Here, Levis does.

8. Atlanta Falcons: CB Joey Porter Jr., Penn State

The Falcons are looking for the best players they can add. They already brought in Jessie Bates III in free agency, but they still need more talent at cornerback. Porter has the NFL legacy and some unique measurables with his 34-inch arms. He’d create a nice cornerback duo with A.J. Terrell.

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**9. Chicago Bears* (via CAR): DL Jalen Carter, Georgia**

Who knows where Jalen Carter will be picked at this point? His off-the-field situation is clouding his entire draft projection. He's one of the most talented players in this class, but there’s a chance he could be picked at the back end of the top 10 or even outside it.

10. Philadelphia Eagles (via NO): CB Devon Witherspoon, Illinois

After some uncertainty, the Eagles are keeping Darius Slay to re-pair with James Bradberry opposite him. That being said, investing in a long-term option who can play inside and outside and cornerback would be smart, and Witherspoon fits that bill.

11. Tennessee Titans: OT Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio State

With Taylor Lewan no longer in the building, the Titans would be wise to invest in the offensive trenches, especially if they have their pick of any in this class. If they do, I expect Paris Johnson Jr. to be their choice.

12. Houston Texans (via Cleveland): OT Peter Skoronski, Northwestern

With rumors of Laremy Tunsil potentially on the trade block — and even without them — the Texans should look to the trenches with their second first-round pick. Whether it’s at tackle or guard, Skoronski has the tape to suggest he's a starter at the next level.

13. New York Jets: OT Broderick Jones, Georgia

With all signs pointing to Aaron Rodgers on his way to New York, the Jets will need to make sure the offensive line is as good as it can be. Jones doesn’t have a ton of starting experience to his name, but what he’s shown has already been promising.

14. New England Patriots: S Brian Branch, Alabama

With the three top offensive linemen off the board, look for Belichick to invest in his secondary with one of the smartest and most reliable players in this class. Branch can be a slot stud and can also give you some good reps on the back end as a true safety.

15. Green Bay Packers: ED Lukas Van Ness, Iowa

The Packers can go a handful of directions here, but if Van Ness is still around, I think he will be high on their board. He has experience playing on the interior and the speed to play on the edge. Given the lack of starting experience, he's a bit green, but he has shown flashes of impact ability.

16. Washington Commanders: OT Anton Harrison, Oklahoma

Even with the Commanders signing right tackle Andrew Wylie, Charles Leno Jr. is 32 years old and is entering the more experienced two seasons of his contract. They could draft his eventual replacement while not having to throw the rookie out there right away.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers: OT Dawand Jones, Ohio State

Mike Tomlin was front and center for Dawand Jones as he was throwing defenders out of drills at the Senior Bowl (in a good way). Drafting him to play right tackle would allow the Steelers to move Chukwuma Okorafor back to left tackle, where he played in college.

18. Detroit Lions: ED Nolan Smith, Georgia

Dan Campbell is going to love Nolan Smith. I know edge rusher isn’t their biggest area of need, but if Smith makes it this far in the order, I have a hard time believing he wouldn’t be a Lion. Smith is passionate about football, has elite athletic traits and will defend the run until his last breath.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: OT Darnell Wright, Tennessee

With longtime left tackle Donovan Smith no longer on the team, the Bucs will need to make some changes. If they have the chance to draft the talented and tested Darnell Wright, they could play Wright at his natural right tackle spot while sliding their All-Pro offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs over to left tackle.

20. Seattle Seahawks: WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State

Smith-Njigba is one of the smoothest and most productive receivers in this draft class. He would form quite the trio in Seattle with Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf.

21. Los Angeles Chargers: ED Will McDonald IV, Iowa State

The Chargers’ lack of depth at edge rusher was exposed this season when Joey Bosa was out of commission. They need new juice in their defensive line, regardless of whether Bosa and Khalil Mack are healthy.

22. Baltimore Ravens: CB Deonte Banks, Maryland

The Ravens could still add some secondary help during free agency. But until they do, the outside corner remains their top need. Banks put on a show at the combine, proving he has the athleticism we see in his tape.

23. Minnesota Vikings: WR Quentin Johnston, TCU

With Adam Thielen officially gone, the Vikings could very well be in the wide receiver market in the first round, especially if a player like Quentin Johnston is available. Johnston is one of the few in this class who gives you a size and speed combination as an outside receiver.

24. Jacksonville Jaguars: CB Cam Smith, South Carolina

With the release of Shaquill Griffin, it became official that CB2 was a top need for the Jags. Even with a handful of cornerbacks off the board, the Jags should still have a chance to select a starting-caliber player at the back end of the first round. They’ll love Smith’s fearless mentality.

25. New York Giants: WR Zay Flowers, Boston College

Though the Giants would probably like to get a bigger-bodied wide receiver, what they really need is just more playmaking ability from the position. Flowers, while small in size, brings that electric playstyle as an outside receiver and slot player.

26. Dallas Cowboys: RB Bijan Robinson, Texas

The Ezekiel Elliott era is over in Dallas, and though Tony Pollard will be around one more year with the franchise tag, he’ll be coming off an injury. Some Cowboys fans might roll their eyes at releasing Zeke just to draft a running back in the first round, but it is certainly possible.

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27. Buffalo Bills: OG O’Cyrus Torrence, Florida

Buffalo needs to upgrade the beef up front. They were not as good as they needed to be, especially on the interior. Torrence, as one of the best offensive linemen in the country last year, could be an instant upgrade and will hopefully be a Week 1 starter.

28. Cincinnati Bengals: TE Darnell Washington, Georgia

The Bengals could be looking for some offensive line help at the back end of Round 1, but they’ll also need to address the tight end position with Hayden Hurst now out of Cincinnati. They can touch on both needs with the selection of Darnell Washington, a massive 6-foot-7, 270-pound tight end who is a rare athlete for his size and almost like a sixth offensive lineman on the end of the line of scrimmage.

29. New Orleans Saints (via SF): DI Calijah Kancey, Pittsburgh

The 6-foot, 280-pound interior defensive lineman Kancey has one of the most unique scouting profiles. He’s incredibly disruptive as a quick penetrator on the interior at the 3-tech position, but he’s one 6-foot, 280 pounds. The Saints don’t normally go for his type, but his pass-rush ability might be enough for them to make an exception.

30. Philadelphia Eagles: ED Adetomiwa Adebawore, Northwestern

Adebawore was one of the best athletes at the combine. He ran a faster 10-yard split and 40-yard dash than Travon Walker while weighing 10 pounds heavier. His size allows him to play anything from a 3-technique to a 5-technique. Even with Fletcher Cox back, the Eagles gravitate toward such versatile athletes in the trenches.

31. Kansas City Chiefs: TE Dalton Kincaid, Utah

With JuJu Smith-Schuster gone, the Chiefs could try to replace him with one of the wide receivers left. But the best options on this board are players of smaller size, which the Chiefs still have. Instead, they could switch it up and take a chance on a receiving tight end to pair with Travis Kelce. I like the size option with Kincaid.