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
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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
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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:
- 32. Pittsburgh Steelers: Oklahoma OT Anton Harrison
- 33. Houston Texans: Florida OG O’Cyrus Terrance
- 34. Arizona Cardinals: Mississippi State CB Emmanuel Forbes
- 35. Indianapolis Colts: Georgia Tech DE Keion White
- 36. Philadelphia Eagles (Trade w/ Eagles): Ohio State OT Dawand Jones
- 37. Seattle Seahawks: Georgia TE Darnell Washington
- 38. Las Vegas Raiders: Michigan DT Mazi Smith
- 39. Carolina Panthers: Iowa State DE Will McDonald IV
- 40. New Orleans Saints: Northwestern DE Adetomiwa Adebawore
- 41. Detroit Lions (Via trade w/ Titans): Arkansas LB Drew Sanders
- 42. Green Bay Packers: UNC WR Josh Downs
- 43. New York Jets: Minnesota OC John Michael Schmitz
- 44. Atlanta Falcons: TCU OG Steve Avila
- 45. Green Bay Packers: Georgia CB Kelee Ringo
- 46. Los Angeles Rams(Trade w/ Eagles via Patriots): North Dakota State OT/OG Cody Mauch
- 47. Washington Commanders: Oregon State TE Luke Musgrave
- 48. Detroit Lions: Illinois S Sydney Brown
- 49. Pittsburgh Steelers: Wisconsin OC Joe Tippmann
- 50. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Notre Dame DE Isaiah Foskey
- 51. Miami Dolphins: Michigan CB DJ Turner
- 52. Seattle Seahawks: Tennessee WR Jalin Hyatt
- 53. Chicago Bears: Kansas State DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah
- 54: Philadephia Eagles: Kansas State CB Julius Brents
- 55. Detroit Lions: Tennessee WR Cedric Tillman
- 56. Jacksonville Jaguars: Miami CB Tyrique Stevenson
- 57. New York Giants: Utah CB Clark Phillips III
- 58. Dallas Cowboys: Alabama S Jordan Battle
- 59. Buffalo Bills: Iowa LB Jack Campbell
- 60. Cincinatti Bengals: Clemson LB Trenton Simpson
- 61. Chicago Bears: UCLA RB Zach Charbonnet
- 62. Denver Broncos (Trade w/ Eagles): LSU DE BJ Ojurali
- 63. Kansas City Chiefs: Oklahoma WR Marvin Mims
ROUND 3:
- 64. Chicago Bears: Florida DT Gervon Dexter
- 65 Houston Texans: Iowa TE Sam LaPorta
- 66. Arizona Cardinals: Auburn DE Derick Hall
- 67. Philadelphia Eagles (via trade w/ Broncos): Texas A&M RB Devon Achane
- 68. Denver Broncos: Ohio State OC Luke Wypler
- 69. Los Angeles Rams: Wisconsin DE/OLB Nick Herbig
- 70. Las Vegas Raiders: Texas A&M S Antonio Johnson
- 71. New Orleans Saints: Ole Miss WR Jonathan Mingo
- 72. Tennessee Titans: Houston WR Nathaniel Dell
- 73. Houston Texans: TCU Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson
- 74. Cleveland Browns: Wake Forest DL Kobie Turner
- 75. Atlanta Falcons: USC DE Tuli Tuipulotu
- 76. New England Patriots: Florida State S Jammie Robinson
- 77. Los Angeles Rams: South Carolina CB Darius Rush
- 78. Green Bay Packers: Wisconsin DL Keeanu Benton
- 79. Arizona Cardinals: Texas RB Roschon Johnson
- 80. Pittsburgh Steelers: Washington State LB Daiyan Henley
- 81. Tennessee Titans: Syracuse OT Matthew Bergeron
- 82. Houston Texans (trade w/ Bucs): Penn State S Ji’Ayir Brown
- 83. Seattle Seahawks: Illinois S Jartavius Martin
- 84. Miami Dolphins: North Carolina State G Chandler Zavala
- 85. Los Angeles Chargers: Auburn RB Tank Bigsby
- 86. Baltimore Ravens: SMU WR Rashee Rice
- 87. Minnesota Vikings: Stanford WR Michael Wilson
- 88. Jacksonville Jaguars: Tennessee DE Byron Young
- 89. New York Giants: Tulane RB Tyjae Spears
- 90. Dallas Cowboys: North Dakota State TE Tucker Kraft
- 91. Buffalo Bills: LSU WR Kayshon Boutte
- 92. Cincinnati Bengals: Baylor DL Siaki Ika
- 93. Carolina Panthers: Iowa State S Anthony Johnson
- 94. New England Patriots: Alabama OT Tyler Steen
- 95. Kansas City Chiefs: Purdue CB Cory Trice
3rd Round Compensatory Picks:
- 96. Arizona Cardinals: Texas LB Demarvion Overshown
- 97. Washington Commanders: Fresno State QB Jake Haener
- 98. Cleveland Browns: Syracuse CB Garrett Williams
- 99. San Francisco 49ers: Tulane LB Dorian Williams
- 100. Las Vegas Raiders: UCLA QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson
- 101. San Francisco 49ers: BYU OT Blake Freeland
- 102: San Francisco 49ers: Texas DT Moro Ojomo
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