It’s officially draft season in the NFL and teams are looking into every player and seeing what they bring to the table. We’ve seen a major shake-up with the Carolina Panthers moving up to the #1 pick and rumors are that there could be more movement inside the top 10. The draft is coming fast, so let’s take a look at Couture’s 2023 NFL Mock Draft 2.0.
1. Carolina Panthers: Alabama QB Bryce Young
Panthers grab their QB of the future in Alabama QB Bryce Young. Reports have suggested the Panthers haven’t been set on which QB they should take, but the answer is clear… It’s Bryce Young. The Alabama QB has been given comparisons of a smaller Patrick Mahomes. If he can even come close to that, he’ll be a major hit for Carolina.
2. Houston Texans: Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud
Texans add CJ Stroud as they look to find their next franchise QB. Stroud fits well into new offensive coordinator, Bobby Slowik’s style that relies heavily on accuracy and good decision making. He moves well, makes good decisions and has everything you look for in a first round quarterback.
3. Arizona Cardinals: Alabama DE Will Anderson Jr
Jonathan Gannon starts his tenure as Cardinals Head Coach with a defensive-minded approach and he lands Arizona’s JJ Watt replacement. Will Anderson Jr has been a projected top-five pick for over two years now. He will be a day-one impactful starter for a defense that desperately needs it.
4. Indianapolis Colts: Kentucky QB Will Levis
The Colts take their shot at landing their next franchise QB in Will Levis. The upside for Levis is one of the best in the class, but he has a lot of work to do before being able to be a quality NFL passer. Nevertheless, the Colts and new Head Coach Shane Steichen look to turn Levis into a star.
5. Seattle Seahawks: Georgia DL Jalen Carter
A month ago, Jalen Carter was being talked about as the potential 1st overall pick to the Bears. Now after the Panthers moving up and Carter’s off-field issues, he falls into the laps of the Seahawks. Carter brings an immediate presence to Seattle’s interior defensive line.
6. Detroit Lions: Illinois CB Devon Witherspoon
The Lions have slowly but surely built themselves into a quality football team. Now on the brink of contention, they continue to build through the draft by adding a lockdown corner in Devon Witherspoon.
7. Las Vegas Raiders: Northwestern OT/G Peter Skoronski
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After letting Derek Carr leave, replacing him with Jimmy G, and trading TE Darren Waller to the Giants, the Raiders offense is getting a shake-up. With the 7th pick, they add one of the safest first-round picks in the draft. It’s to be determined if Peter Storonski will end up at tackle or guard, but one way or another Skoronski will be a high quality offensive lineman.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Texas Tech DE Tyree Wilson
The Falcons add a true monster to the defensive line in Tyree Wilson. At 6’6, and 271 pounds, Wilson is as big as it gets for a defensive end. He uses that size and strength to overpower offensive tackles and creates chaos for a quarterback
9. Chicago Bears: Ohio State OT Paris Johnson Jr.
Chicago comes on the clock and runs to the podium with their pick. After moving back from 1st to 9th overall and adding WR DJ Moore, the next biggest need is protecting Justin Fields. Paris Johnson Jr. would be a plug-and-play left tackle. He comes into the NFL with great balance and hands that allow him to consistently show up at a high level. He’s my #1 ranked offensive tackle and he should be yours too.
10. Philadelphia Eagles: Texas RB Bijan Robinson
The defending NFC champions enter the draft with two first-round picks and have the ability to take a swing or two for a home run pick. Insert, Bijan Robinson. A first-round running back is never a fan favorite, but the Eagles simply can’t pass up the chance to add Robinson alongside the newly extended Jalen Hurts. That combo, in addition to A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, will cause nightmares for opposing defenses.
11. Tennessee Titans: Florida QB Anthony Richardson
After exploring options to move up to 3rd overall, the Titans stay at #11 and let the board fall to them. At this pick, they add what they’ll hope to be their next franchise QB. Tennessee offers Anthony Richardson an ideal situation. With the Titans in a regrouping phase after unloading numerous major pieces, Richardson can sit and learn behind Ryan Tannehill early on. The physical tools are there for Richardson, but he needs to improve in many important aspects of his game. That’ll take time and the Titans offer that.
12. Houston Texans: Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba
The Houston Texans add my WR1 of the class at 12th overall. Jaxon Smith-Njigba would join Houston and would catch passes from the same guy he has been for the past two seasons. Teaming up with Stroud and JSN would create a seamless and ideal scenario for any young duo entering the league.
13. New York Jets: Georgia OT Broderick Jones
After having arguably the best overall draft in 2022, the Jets look to hit again in 2023. One major need is the tackle position and specifically the one protecting their QB’s blind side. Whether that will be Aaron Rodgers or someone else, that’s to be determined. Either way, Broderick Jones would head to New York ready to help on day one. He has room to improve but the Georgia offensive tackle is a force in all aspects of the position.
14. Baltimore Ravens: Oregon CB Christian Gonzalez
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The Ravens make an aggressive play and send #22, #86 and their 2024 2nd-round pick to the Patriots for #14 and #117. After adding Odell Beckham Jr to the WR mix, and Lamar Jackson seemingly more likely to return to Baltimore, the Ravens’ front office makes a splash defensively and adds Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez. Some have Gonzalez as their top-rated corner so he could be a steal for Baltimore. He brings good size, speed, and physicality to be the #1 corner in the NFL.
15. Green Bay Packers: Georgia DE Nolan Smith
Packers could go in a variety of directions here but for this selection, they add the extremely athletic and talented Georgia DE Nolan Smith. Though he spent a big chunk of his 2022 injured, his size and quickness jump out in the 2022 film he does have. Green Bay adds a much-needed pass rusher.
16. Washington Commanders: Clemson DE Myles Murphy
In the middle of a potential sale of the franchise, the Commanders look to improve their roster by adding Myles Murphy. The Clemson defensive end is one of the most established and polished pass rushers in the draft. With an underwhelming and injury-riddled past two seasons from Chase Young, it is unclear what his long-term future is in Washington. They could choose to move on from the former 2nd overall pick and this pick could fast-track that decision.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Tennessee OT Darnell Wright
Pittsburgh finally uses a major asset and addresses their offensive line woes here at the 17th overall pick. Darnell Wright has slowly but surely climbed draft boards and now seems to be a consensus first-round pick. There are questions on whether he will be limited to right tackle, but even if he is, he brings day-one starting capabilities
18. Detroit Lions: Clemson DL Bryan Bresee
After adding cornerback Devon Witherspoon with the 6th overall pick, Detroit continues to build its defense by adding a force up the middle. Bryan Bresee would slide in nicely next to their 2022 first-round pick, Aidan Hutchinson.
19. Los Angeles Chargers: TCU WR Quentin Johnston
The Chargers jump the Seahawks by sending #21 #123 and their 2024 5th-round pick for the 19th overall pick. With this selection, they look to add a dynamic weapon to the mix for Justin Herbert. Rumors early in the offseason speculated that the Chargers could move on from Keenan Allen. For now, it seems that they will keep him for 2023 but clearly, there is a long-term need at the position. Quentin Johnston is a polarizing prospect with high upside and risk.
20. Seattle Seahawks: Florida Guard O’Cyrus Torrence
The Seattle Seahawks surprised most people last year with the re-emergence of Geno Smith. After adding Jalen Carter with the 5th overall pick, they continue to fill holes by selecting arguably the best interior offensive linemen in the draft. O’Cyrus Torrence would slide into either guard spot and be an instant contributor.
21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Pittsburgh DL Calijah Kancey
After moving back to 21st overall, the Buccaneers add Calijah Kancey to the defensive line. Kancey is undersized for the average interior defensive lineman, but that doesn’t stop him from being a dominant force up that middle. He shows great balance and power to get low and overwhelm opposing offensive lines.
22. New England Patriots: Boston College WR Zay Flowers
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After trading back to the 22nd overall pick, the Patriots are still able to add a potential major weapon to the offensive. Zay Flowers stays in the New England area and offers the ability to be a day-one contributor. He’s quick, fast, and shifty while still offering the deep threat speed to take the top off a defense.
23. Minnesota Vikings: USC WR Jordan Addison
The Vikings went into this offseason with the idea of getting younger and revamping the roster. After letting veterans Adam Thielen and Patrick Peterson walk out the door, the Vikings might not be done getting younger. Recent reports are they are considering moving on from running back Dalvin Cook. Either way, the Vikings could go in a variety of directions for this pick. Insert Jordan Addison. After Justin Jefferson, the Vikings have an extremely underwhelming receiving core. Addison would come to Minnesota with plenty of college experience and the talent to become a highly productive weapon for Kirk Cousins.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars: Penn State CB Joey Porter Jr
The Jaguars are a team on the rise and after adding major pieces around Trevor Lawrence over the past two seasons, they look to add a lockdown corner. Joey Porter Jr is an aggressive corner with true top-corner capabilities.
25. Cincinnati Bengals: Iowa DE Lukas Van Ness
The Bengals jump up a few spots by sending #28, #130, and their 2024 5th-round pick to the Giants for the 25th overall pick. Cincinnati has become a consistent contender in recent years and looks to add an athletic defensive contributor to the mix. Lukas Van Ness was a monster for Iowa this past season and still has room to grow as he has only played two years of college football. If he can learn how to use his athleticism better, the sky is the limit for Van Ness.
26. Dallas Cowboys: Oklahoma OT Anton Harrison
Though everyone expects Dallas to always make a big surprising move in round one, they make the sensible selection here by addressing the protection issue for Dak Prescott. Anton Harrison is an experienced, well-rounded tackle with the ability to play on both sides of the line. He’d be a major and important addition to the Dallas offense.
27. Buffalo Bills: Maryland CB Deonte Banks
Buffalo comes up at #27 and selects the extremely athletic, Deonte Banks. The Maryland corner ships up to Buffalo with the potential to be a major piece for an already well-established defense. Banks has room to grow as a player and Buffalo would be the perfect spot to sit and develop. He likely won’t be an instant contributor but his long-term potential is one of the best of the class.
28. New York Giants: Minnesota Center John Michael Schmitz
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After sliding down to 28th overall, the New York Giants fill a need on the interior offensive line by adding John Michael Schmitz. He is viewed by most as the best center in the draft and could be a day-one starter for the Giants. Schmitz is an outstanding run blocker with great athleticism. The Giants have made a point to improve their offensive line over the past few years and this is just another piece to fortify that.
29. New Orleans Saints: Alabama S/CB Brian Branch
After trading the rights to Head Coach Sean Payton, the Saints find their way into the first round with the 29th pick. With the addition of Derek Carr and Michael Thomas sticking around, the Saints turn to the other side of the ball here by adding defensive back Brian Branch. The Alabama hybrid DB can play a variety of roles and it’s uncertain exactly where his best fit is. Either way, he’ll find his way to success in the NFL. Branch is one of the safer picks in the first round.
30. Las Vegas Raiders: Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker
Since the management and coaching turnover in Las Vegas last season, the Raiders have been aggressive to build a winning roster. Now looking ahead to 2023 and beyond, the Raiders stay aggressive by sending #38, #108, and their 2024 4th-round pick for the 30th overall pick. With this selection, they take a shot on Hendon Hooker. The Tennessee QB is coming off a torn ACL and is already 25 years old. Nevertheless, the potential is still there and the Raiders see that. Hooker can sit behind Jimmy Garappolo for a year and ideally take over in 2024.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Ohio State OT Dawand Jones
The defending Champions have minimal glaring holes on their roster, but they use this pick to help sure up their right tackle spot. Dawand Jones is a massive physical presence with big hands that allow him to manhandle smaller defensive ends. He would fit nicely across the line from the recently signed Jawaan Taylor.
Round 2:
32. Pittsburgh Steelers: Iowa State ED Will Mcdonald IV
33. Houston Texans: Notre Dame TE Michael Mayer
34. Arizona Cardinals: Mississippi State CB Emmanuel Forbes
35. Indianapolis Colts: Utah TE Dalton Kincaid
36. Los Angeles Rams: South Carolina CB Cam Smith
37. Seattle Seahawks: Northwestern DE Adetomiwa Adebawore
38. Philadelphia Eagles: Wisconsin Center Joe Tippmann
39. Carolina Panthers: Tennessee WR Jalin Hyatt
40. New Orleans Saints: Michigan DL Mazi Smith
41. Tennessee Titans: Alabama RB Jahmyr Gibbs
42. New York Jets: Arkansas LB Drew Sanders
43. (Trade w/ Jets) Green Bay Packers: TE Sam LaPorta
44. Alanta Falcons: UNC WR Josh Downs
45. (Trade w/ Packers) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: North Dakota State T/G Cody Mauch
46. New England Patriots: Georgia CB Kelee Ringo
47. Washington Commanders: Iowa LB Jack Campbell
48. Detroit Lions: Kansas State DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah
49. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kansas State CB Julius Brents
50. Green Bay Packers: Oklahoma WR Marvin Mims
51. Miami Dolphins: Georgia TE Darnell Washington
52. Seattle Seahawks: Notre Dame DL Isaiah Foskey
53. Chicago Bears: Miami CB Tyrique Stevenson
54. Los Angeles Chargers: Michigan CB DJ Turner
55. Detroit Lions: Oregon State TE Luke Musgrove
56. Jacksonville Jaguars: LSU DE BJ Ojulari
57. New York Giants: Tennessee WR Cedric Tillman
58. Dallas Cowboys: Alabama S Jordan Battle
59. Buffalo Bills: Clemson LB Trenton Simpson
60. Cincinatti Bengals: FSU S Jammie Robinson
61. Chicago Bears: Ohio State Center Luke Wypler
62. Philadelphia Eagles: Illinois S Sydney Brown
63. Kansas City Chiefs: Auburn DE Derick Hall
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