We are quickly approaching the 2023 NFL Draft and there are a lot of unknowns as we get closer. How many QBs go in the first round? Who will trade up? With all the unknowns I will give you the draft locks for each NFL team.
Arizona Cardinals:
The Cardinals are a lock to draft a defensive player with their first pick. Even if they trade out of pick three, they will land a top defender in round one.
Atlanta Falcons:
Atlanta will select at least four offensive players in the draft. The Falcons have seven picks and used free agency to address the defense. Now they will use the draft to address the offense.
Baltimore Ravens:
The Ravens will draft a defensive player in the first round. With needs at Corner Back and the Defensive Line, Baltimore has to address the defense in the draft. They only have five picks this year, they could use all of them on defense.
Buffalo Bills:
Buffalo will draft a Wide Receiver with their first pick. The Bills could trade out of the first round to add picks, but they will add a weapon at receiver when they make their first pick.
Carolina Panthers:
With the first pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Carolina Panthers select… Bryce Young, QB, Alabama.
Chicago Bears:
Chicago needs to protect their QB and open holes for their Running Backs. The Bears will take an Offensive Lineman with their first pick. Likely, it will be Northwestern OT Peter Skoronski.
Cincinnati Bengals:
The Bengals will draft Alabama Safety Jordan Battle before the draft is over.
Cleveland Browns:
Cleveland will draft a Punter this year. I am unsure which one, but Michigan State’s Bryce Baringer has cold weather experience and would be a great fit.
Dallas Cowboys:
The Cowboys will select a Running Back by the end of day two. They could try to get Bijan Robinson in the first, but will likely wait until day two to address their running back need.
Denver Broncos:
Denver will use four of their five picks on defensive players. They need to strengthen the D and will focus there in the draft.
Detroit Lions:
With two picks in the first round, the Loins will select a Tight End with their second pick.
Green Bay Packers:
The Packers will not select a Wide Receiver in round one. They simply find great WRs in round two.
Houston Texans:
With the second pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans select… CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State.
Indianapolis Colts:
The Colts will draft at least two Corner Backs in the draft this year. One of them will be on day two of the draft.
Jacksonville will draft Tight End Luke Musgrave in round two.
Jacksonville Jaguars:
Kansas City Chiefs:
With the best QB in the league, we know the Chiefs are not looking for a franchise QB, but they will select a QB on day three of the draft. Tanner McKee from Stanford and Aidan O’Connell of Purdue would fit in my opinion.
Las Vegas Raiders:
The Raiders will not select a QB with their first pick. This staff is in win-now mode, they are not worried about the future.
Los Angeles Chargers:
The Chargers will go offense with their first-round pick. If Bijan Robinson is there, he will be the pick, if he is gone, look for a TE to go off the board to the Bolts.
Los Angeles Rams:
The Rams will trade up three times in the draft. They have three picks in both the fifth and sixth rounds and two more in the seventh. They will work to move up several times.
Miami Dolphins:
Miami will draft a defensive player from Clemson in the draft. They only have four picks.
Minnesota Vikings:
Minnesota has several needs this year and only five selections. At pick 24 in the first round, they will select a Wide Receiver.
New England Patriots:
The Patriots will make a surprise pick in the first round. Could be a reach for a Defensive Lineman, or a player projected to go in the second round.
New Orleans Saints:
The Saints will select defensive players with their first two picks.
New York Giants:
The Giants will trade up in the first round. Sitting at 26 they will try to move up to the late teens.
New York Jets:
New York will try to appease their new headache at QB and go offense heavy in the draft.
Philadelphia Eagles:
The Eagles will draft a Corner Back with one of their two first-round picks.
Pittsburgh Steelers:
Pittsburgh will have a player fall into their laps in the first round. A projected top ten prospect will fall to them at 17.
San Francisco 49ers:
With eleven picks starting in round three, the 49ers will trade picks and end up with seven selections.
Seattle Seahawks:
Seattle will draft Georgia’s Jalen Carter in the first round. The UGA product has some legal issues, but more concerning are questions about his motor. Carter is a phenomenal player, and the Seahawks get him as a value pick if he comes ready to play.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
Tampa will acquire a second first-round pick. With Devin White looking to get out, and several needs on this roster, the Buccaneers will work to add another top pick.
Tennessee Titans:
The Titans will draft QB Will Levis in round one. Levis fits into the system that has worked for Ryan Tannehill.
Washington Commanders:
New ownership will want to make a splash. The Commanders will get a QB during round one. They will either trade for Lamar Jackson or draft Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker.
Vince has been previewing the NFL Draft on his show The Sports Stove Podcast. Follow him on Twitter for more NFL Draft opinions.
