It’s that time again. Time to produce another 2023 NFL Mock Draft! With more teams being eliminated from playoff contention, the majority will now turn their focus on NFL draft positioning. So let’s dive in to see what those teams do, but also how the playoff teams upgrade their rosters as well.
2023 NFL Mock Draft
The NFL draft order for this 2023 mock is taken from the current NFL standings as of Dec. 24. Check the PFN Mock Draft Simulator after every NFL game to see the most up-to-date draft order, and each subsequent mock draft will indicate the rapidly changing environment that is the 2023 NFL Draft.
1) Houston Texans: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
If teams can look past the size concerns, the talent should ease them. Bryce Young can ball, and there’s not much that can rattle him. Young’s poise and composure in big moments will help him succeed in the NFL, and his ceiling — regardless of size — should be enough to attract teams to his game.
2) Chicago Bears: Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Alabama
He won’t be able to protect Justin Fields, but he’ll disrupt the opposing quarterback. Will Anderson Jr. dominated in most facets of the game this year, and he should give Bears fans flashbacks to the Khalil Mack days.
3) Seattle Seahawks (From DEN): Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
Jalen Carter could be considered the top prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft, and any team would love to take him. The Georgia defensive tackle brings a unique blend of power and athleticism to the inside of the defensive line, and Seattle gets an instant upgrade by adding him to their roster.
4) Detroit Lions (From LAR): Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
Unless teams trade above the Lions, they’ll have plenty of options at quarterback. Anthony Richardson brings unique talent to the next level, and Detroit might believe they can develop him.
In this 2023 NFL Mock Draft, the Lions bet on his ceiling, and that could mean great things. A rocket for an arm with the ability to snatch ankles on the run, Richardson has thrilling potential.
5) Arizona Cardinals: Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson
Arizona needs help on the defensive line, so they’ll have their pick of prospects at this spot. Carter’s been a popular pick for them, but they could also go to the edge.
MORE: 2023 NFL Draft Big Board
Myles Murphy stands 6’5″, 275 pounds, and brings tremendous talent to the NFL. A violent player with great athleticism, Murphy should elevate Arizona’s defense.
6) Indianapolis Colts: C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
A tough end to the 2022 season hurt C.J. Stroud’s draft stock, but there’s still hope if the College Football Playoff goes well. The Colts need help in many areas — as evident by their meltdown against the Vikings — and producing on offense outside of Jonathan Taylor is a big need.
7) Atlanta Falcons: Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
If Desmond Ridder turns out to be the guy, the Falcons can address other needs. Providing Kyle Pitts with some assistance would be a good start.
Quentin Johnston gives the Falcons another big pass catcher who has unique abilities. Pitts and Johnston have incredible athleticism, so Ridder might be able to just throw passes in general vicinities and let his playmakers do the rest.
8) Carolina Panthers: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
Carolina may not need a quarterback if they feel comfortable enough with Sam Darnold, but it also might be tough to pass on Will Levis. The Kentucky star brings plenty of exciting traits to the NFL, but there are several questions that need answers too. The arm talent remains enticing, so the Panthers could pull the trigger.
9) Philadelphia Eagles (From NO): Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson
There are rumors that Bryan Bresee continues considering a return to Clemson, and it’s easy to see why. Injuries hampered Bresee’s season, and teams might be hesitant to take him in Round 1 because of it. Still, drafting a 6’5″, 300-pound defensive tackle with incredible athleticism remains incredibly tempting.
10) Las Vegas Raiders: Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State
Talks about moving on from Derek Carr should be put on the back burner for now, given the number of needs on the Raiders’ roster. Drafting some protection for him should help. Paris Johnson Jr. is a stone wall at times protecting Stroud, and he’d do the same for Carr.
11) Houston Texans (From CLE): Jordan Addison, WR, USC
Jordan Addison announced that he would sit out of the Cotton Bowl to rehab his ankle injury, but it shouldn’t affect his draft stock. Addison’s great at creating separation when on the field, and the Texans give their new franchise QB a go-to option downfield.
12) Pittsburgh Steelers: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
Christian Gonzalez brings his 6’2″, 200-pound frame to a Steelers team with an exciting defense. Putting him in a secondary with Minkah Fitzpatrick would make teams think twice before testing Pittsburgh through the air.
Gonzalez is not a polished product, but he’s a prospect on the rise. Allow him to learn from Mike Tomlin, and the rise continues.
13) Green Bay Packers: Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
Many put Jared Verse late in the first round, but the Packers don’t want to wait to take him in this 2023 NFL Mock Draft. Verse has the frame that teams want, and he’s an explosive playmaker with great bend and power around the edge.
14) Jacksonville Jaguars: Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
Jacksonville needs a few things addressed in this 2023 NFL Mock Draft, and they go with the best player available here. Trevor Lawrence needs some help offensively, but defending the pass is a need too.
MORE: Christian Gonzalez and Kelee Ringo Are the Top CBs in the 2023 NFL Draft
Kelee Ringo‘s faced a number of NFL prospects in his tenure at Georgia, and he’s found ways to win in each of those matchups. At 6’2″, Ringo has the size to match up well in the NFL, and the Jaguars will love that he fell this far.
15) New York Jets: Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
Sauce Gardner and Joey Porter Jr. together? Oh, how impossible it would be to throw on the Jets. Gardner’s one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, and New York adds another big corner to help him. Porter’s a fluid CB with good length, and his physicality would rival Gardner’s.
16) Seattle Seahawks: Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech
It feels like the rise of Tyree Wilson might balance out as we get closer to the NFL draft, but for now, he’s pushing the top 10. At 6’6″, 275 pounds, Wilson’s length and size make him an intriguing prospect. His explosiveness would pair well with their earlier pick of Carter and gives the Seahawks one of the most exciting DL duos in the draft.
17) New England Patriots: Noah Sewell, LB, Oregon
Can you imagine trying to block Noah Sewell in high school? Imagine a tough day at class on Friday, and you have to block a 6’3″, 250-pound missile every play. Well, those kids shouldn’t feel bad, because Sewell’s been doing it to grown men in college too. Now, he joins a Patriots roster that could use a tone-setting linebacker.
18) Detroit Lions: Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
Detroit’s playing like a different team lately, and that momentum could help build toward the future. Jeff Okudah’s played well this year, and the defense continues flying around the field. Cam Smith gives them another prospect who can compete at a high level and makes the team question what they want to do in the passing game.
19) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Rashee Rice, WR, SMU
With all the first-round worthy quarterbacks off the board, Tampa Bay looks elsewhere with this pick. Rashee Rice has proved his worth all year, and he might just work his way into the Round 1 with a good offseason. Rice is an elite playmaker who can come down with any pass at any level, and Tom Brady will love having that option.
20) Tennessee Titans: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
Broderick Jones can play bully ball, and that’s the tone that Mike Vrabel wants to set every game. Opening up running lanes for Derrick Henry remains a big key for the Titans’ offense, and Jones helps them meet that goal.
21) Washington Commanders: Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson
Washington boasts one of the most explosive defensive fronts in the NFL, they just need some upgrades behind them. Trenton Simpson‘s a supremely athletic linebacker who can make plays sideline to sideline.
MORE: Why PFN Is Lower on Will Levis, Higher on Trenton Simpson
With Sewell off the board, the Commanders take the next best option in this 2023 NFL Mock Draft. Simpson can still develop as a player, but he has exciting potential.
22) Los Angeles Chargers: Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina
Hopefully, the debate surrounding Justin Herbert is over (not sure why it even began), so we can focus on the addition of a big-time playmaker to the Chargers’ offense. Josh Downs is a winner through and through, and he gives Herbert yet another weapon to utilize.
Downs can command attention on underneath to immediate routes, which opens up the offense for everyone.
23) New York Giants: Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern
New York needs help on the line, specifically at guard. So while Peter Skoronski is listed as a tackle, he’s most likely moving into guard at some point in his career. The Giants get some depth and versatility by drafting him in this 2023 NFL Mock Draft, bolstering their line.
24) Baltimore Ravens: Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah
At face value, Clark Phillips III just looks like a Baltimore Raven. While he’s undersized for a corner, his competitiveness will win teams over in a heartbeat. He doesn’t rely on his natural talent.
Phillips is an explosive player who can run with anyone, but he relies on off-the-field preparation and tenacity to win his matchups. Baltimore’s secondary has great talent, and their new addition fits in quite well.
25) Denver Broncos (From SF via MIA): BJ Ojulari, EDGE, LSU
Denver’s strength on defense isn’t getting after the quarterback. In fact, just four players have more than four sacks this year. One of them is Bradley Chubb, who’s not on the team anymore.
So adding BJ Ojulari just makes sense. Ojulari resembles a lot of what made Chubb so explosive, and he gives the Broncos’ defense a potentially bright future.
26) Dallas Cowboys: Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State
Trevon Diggs continues to thrive for the Cowboys, but he could use some help. Emmanuel Forbes isn’t a consensus first-round pick, but Dallas likes what they see in this 2023 NFL Mock Draft. A natural playmaker who thrives at taking the ball away from the opposing offense, Forbes would be a welcomed addition to this defense.
27) Cincinnati Bengals: O’Cyrus Torrence, G, Florida
While protecting Joe Burrow has improved since last year, Cincinnati must add more talent. O’Cyrus Torrence is a bull in the trenches, and he gives the Bengals a force on the inside. We saw what happened in the Super Bowl last year, and Torrence ensures that it won’t happen again.
28) Kansas City Chiefs: Ruke Orhorhoro, DT, Clemson
There aren’t many prospects that improved their draft stock this year more than Ruke Orhorhoro. His power in the trenches stood out with Bresee missing time due to injury, and that increase in playing time could make him a first-round pick.
29) Minnesota Vikings: Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
The more I watch the Vikings, the more obvious it becomes that they need help protecting Kirk Cousins. Insert Darnell Wright, a player who’s worked his way into Round 1 this year.
Cousins isn’t mobile in the pocket, so he needs time to throw. If Wright provides enough value to this offense, the Vikings will be even more difficult to stop.
30) Buffalo Bills: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
It’s tough to project the Bills with any other player in this 2023 NFL Mock Draft. If Bijan Robinson falls to them with this pick, how can they not take him?
Robinson is a luxury to have in any offense, but Buffalo becomes even more of a nightmare to defend next year with Robinson at running back.
31) Philadelphia Eagles: JL Skinner, S, Boise State
Philadelphia continues to have the luxury of multiple first-round picks, and it’s tough to make a bad pick in this draft. The Eagles’ secondary doesn’t need much help, but it wouldn’t be a bad idea to add some youth to the back end of their defense.
JL Skinner‘s a natural playmaker who can play at all levels of the defense. Skinner can drop deep and make a play on the ball, and he has a physical mentality that allows him to thrive in the trenches as well.