It’s finally here. It’s draft week and NFL fans from all teams are excited to see what their team will do. Rumors are swirling that the top 10 could see a ton of movement on draft night. In Couture’s Final 2023 NFL Mock Draft, I take one last swing at predicting how things will play out. Take a look at my three-round mock draft.

1. Carolina Panthers: Alabama QB Bryce Young

The Panthers keep it simple and take the best available player and QB in Bryce Young.

2. Houston Texans: Alabama DE Will Anderson Jr

The Texans take a risk and pass on a QB. At #2 they add a dominant DE in Will Anderson Jr. He has been a projected top-five pick for two years now.

3. Indianapolis Colts: Kentucky QB Will Levis

The Colts send #4, #79, and their 2024 3rd for #3 overall. They slide up a spot to avoid being jumped by another team. In the end, they finally land their guy in Will Levis.

4. Arizona Cardinals: Ohio State OT Paris Johnson Jr

Arizona slides down a spot, adds two-thirds, and picks up the rumored preferred pick of their QB Kyler Murray. Paris Johnson Jr is a day-one starter at LT.

5. Seattle Seahawks: Georgia DT Jalen Carter

Arguably the best defensive player in the draft, Jalen Carter will head to Seattle in hopes to stay focused and live up to his potential.

6. Tennessee Titans: Ohio State QB CJ Stroud

Titans send #11, #41, and their 2024 4th round pick for #6 and #81. They make their move to land their QB of the future in CJ Stroud.

7. Las Vegas Raiders: Illinois CB Devon Witherspoon

Raiders could go a variety of paths here, but ultimately they decide to go with the best corner in the draft. Devon Witherspoon is a future lockdown corner.

8. Atlanta Falcons: Oregon CB Christian Gonzalez

Atlanta follows the game plan of Las Vegas and lands what they hope will also be a shutdown corner in Christian Gonzalez.

9. Chicago Bears: Georgia OT Broderick Jones

After moving back from the first overall pick and adding veteran WR DJ Moore, the Bears look to fortify their OL by adding the high-upside Broderick Jones.

10. Philadelphia Eagles: Texas Tech DE Tyree Wilson

Eagles fans cheer as they land arguably a top-five talent here in Tyree Wilson. The Texas Tech native is a monster in size and will wreak havoc on quarterbacks.

11. Detroit Lions: Maryland CB Deonte Banks

The Lions take a swing here on the talented Deonte Banks. He has some work to do in terms of development but the size and athleticism are clear.

12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Florida QB Anthony Richardson

Tampa Bay makes their move, sending #19, #82, and their 2024 2nd-round pick to move up to #12. Anthony Richardson wouldn’t be rushed into action and can develop into the star the Bucs hope he can be.

13. Green Bay Packers: Notre Dame TE Michael Mayer

After trading Aaron Rodgers away and moving up to #13 in the process, the Packers add the top tight end off the board. Michael Mayer is a well-rounded and complete player who can help in all aspects of the game.

14. Los Angeles Chargers: Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Chargers send #21 and #54 for #114 and #135. The Chargers land their guy and potential successor to Keenan Allen. Jaxon Smith-Njigba is a star in the making and will be able to help Justin Herbert take that next step as a QB.

15. New York Jets: Tennessee OT Darnell Wright

Jets fans have had an exciting last 12 months and the future might finally look bright after the addition of Aaron Rodgers. With this selection, they look to fortify protecting their new 39-year-old QB by adding Darnell Wright to the mix.

16. Washington Commanders: Clemson DE Myles Murphy

Washington adds another potential major piece to their defensive line in Myles Murphy. A lot of uncertainty looms for former top pick Chase Young and they would potentially signal a soon departure.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Penn State CB Joey Porter Jr

Joey Porter Sr is delighted to see his former team add his son to the mix. Joey Porter Jr has lockdown corner potential and would fill a major need on the Pittsburgh defense.

18. Detroit Lions: Utah TE Dalton Kincaid

After trading away TJ Hockenson during the 2022 season, the Lions use this pick to replace him. Dalton Kincaid is a great pass catcher with great upside.

19. Houston Texans: TCU WR Quentin Johnston

After sliding back to 19th overall, the Texans add a potential major weapon to the mix. Quentin Johnston comes with some risk but his upside is real. If he can make strides as a route runner, he could turn into a perennial Pro Bowler.

20. Seattle Seahawks: Georgia DE Nolan Smith

Seattle pairs up Georgia teammates up in Seattle by adding Nolan Smith to the mix. Carter and Smith wreaked havoc in Georgia and will try and do the same for the Seahawks.

21. New England Patriots: Boston College WR Zay Flowers

After sliding back to 21st overall, the Patriots finally land a star wideout to help Mac Jones get back on track. Though undersized, Zay Flowers can help all around the field and be Jones’ #1 target for years to come.

22. Baltimore Ravens: Northwestern OT Peter Skoronski

Baltimore looks to help protect what they hope will be Lamar Jackson for years to come. Peter Skorosnki’s wingspan might limit him to guard in the NFL and that could hinder his draft stock. Nevertheless, his talent is clear, and should be a first-round pick.

23. Minnesota Vikings: Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker

Vikings take their shot at a potential Kirk Cousins replacement. Hendon Hooker is older for a rookie and is coming off an ACL tear, but that could be exactly why he fits for Minnesota. Hooker can get healthy and learn for a year before taking over in 2024.

24. Jacksonville Jaguars: Texas RB Bijan Robinson

Jaguars drop a bomb on everyone and take Bijan Robinson. Travis Etienne has had injuries and inconsistencies in his young career. Plus, the current coaching regime in Jacksonville didn’t draft him. Robinson comes to the Jaguars and creates a lethal 1-2 punch with Etienne.

25. New York Giants: USC WR Jordan Addison

The Giants are thrilled here at #25 overall and land a new weapon for their recently extended QB Daniel Jones. Jordan Addison is a well-experienced college wideout who will almost certainly find success in the NFL. His combine numbers were a bit underwhelming, but his talent is clear and should transition well into the NFL.

26. Dallas Cowboys: Clemson DT Bryan Bresee

Dallas fills one of a few needs here by adding Bryan Bresee to the defensive line. Bresee comes from Clemson with the experience and talent to be a force up the middle.

27. Buffalo Bills: Alabama S Brian Branch

Buffalo has had plenty of movement on their defense in recent years, including their defensive coordinator. With this pick, they add one of the safer picks in the draft in Brian Branch. He can help in a variety of ways and will find success in whatever the Bills ask him to do.

28. Cincinnati Bengals: South Carolina CB Cam Smith

The Bengals look to solidify their secondary by adding the lengthy South Carolina CB Cam Smith. He comes with some risk, but the talent is there to develop into a legit top corner in the NFL.

29. New Orleans Saints: Pittsburgh DT Calijah Kancey

New Orleans use the pick they got from trading former HC Sean Payton and they add a force up the middle. Though undersized for his position, Calijah Kancey brings power and athleticism to his game and would be an instant upgrade to the Saints interior defensive line.

30. New England Patriots: Alabama RB Jahmyr Gibbs

Patriots send #46 and #54 for #30, #94, and Eagles 2024 4th round pick. The Patriots jump back into the first round and land Bill O’Brien’s guy. Jahmyr Gibbs is a very talented back with Alvin Kamara comparisons. There is always risk in taking a first-round running back, though with a player like Gibbs, it’s worth jumping up to secure the talent and the fifth-round option.

31. Kansas City Chiefs: Iowa DE Lukas Van Ness

The defending champs look to replace the recently departed Frank Clark by adding Lukas Van Ness. The Iowa defensive end doesn’t come with a lot of college experience, though his athleticism is clear and offers major upside for the Chiefs.

ROUND 2:

ROUND 3:

3rd Round Compensatory Picks:

For more sports content, visit Belly Up Sports, and follow me on Twitter, @MattCouture5.

About Author

Matt Couture

Massachusetts native and life long Boston sports fan

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *