2023 NFL Mock Draft: Predicting Each of the First Two Rounds

2023 NFL Mock Draft: Predicting Each of the First Two Rounds

Mock draft season is always upon us, so let's explore where the top prospects will go in this latest mock using a combination of team draft compensation, weaknesses, and player talent. Unfortunately, knowing how each general manager will react to a draft board can be difficult. Thankfully, Matt MacKay is here to do the dirty work to form an accurate landscape of the 2023 draft class. So let's find out what the future of the NFL will look like in April 2023.

2023 NFL MOCK DRAFT PREDICTIONS

ROUND 1

1. TEXANS: C.J. STROUD, QB (OHIO STATE)

Houston may have found something good in second-year quarterback Davis Mills, but they cannot pass up the opportunity to draft a generational arm talent possessed by C.J. Stroud. The Texans secure the cornerstone of their franchise after Stroud threw for over 4,400 yards with a blistering 7:1 TD/INT ratio in 2021.

2. FALCONS: WILL ANDERSON, DE (ALABAMA)

Atlanta always finds themselves in a shootout, so they bolster their defensive rush by selecting Will Anderson from the University of Alabama. He's 6-4, 243-pounds and has incredible hand speed and quickness, allowing him to finish with over 80 pressures and 17.5 sacks in 2021.

3. JETS: JALEN CARTER, DT (GEORGIA)

The Jets know that the Bulldogs have established a pipeline of defensive linemen and can select Jalen Carter to join Quinnen Williams in the middle of their front-seven unit. Carter only had three sacks, but he's an elusive tackle despite his 6-3, 310-pound frame.

4. LIONS: BRYCE YOUNG, QB (ALABAMA)

Fresh off of a Heisman-winning season, Bryce Young will wind up a top-five pick. Detroit has utilized Jared Goff for two years to bridge the gap, but they land arguably the top overall quarterback prospect picking outside of the top three.

5. JAGUARS: JAXON SMITH-NJIGBA, WR (OHIO STATE)

Jaxon Smith-Njigba is not the biggest or fastest wide receiver, but he's a complete route-runner and has reliable hands in all situations. The Jaguars land their ace wideout at fifth overall, marveling over his 15-347-3 stat line in a memorable Rose Bowl victory.

6. PANTHERS: KELEE RINGO, CB (GEORGIA)

Carolina needs help in many areas, but they settle for the top cornerback prospect in the 2023 draft class, selecting Kelee Ringo out of the University of Georgia. Ringo looked solid during his freshman season, totaling 34 tackles, eight pass deflections, and two interceptions, including a pick-six.

7. GIANTS: JAQUELIN ROY, DL (LSU)

The Giants favor a disruptor on the defensive interior, drafting Jaquelin Roy out of LSU. Roy is a 6-4, 295-pound tackle that earned his stripes in 2021, finishing with 30 tackles, six TFLs, and 1.5 sacks in 12 games despite a down year for the Tigers.

8. SEAHAWKS: TANNER MCKEE, QB (STANFORD)

Seattle plans to head into training camp with Drew Lock and Geno Smith in a firm competition. However, this is not a sustainable long-term solution, so the Seahawks try their hand with Tanner McKee out of Stanford. McKee finished with a 65.4 completion percentage with 15 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 10 games during his 2021 campaign.

9. BEARS: KAYSHON BOUTTE, WR (LSU)

LSU has produced elite wide receiver talent over the years, and Kayshon Boutte is the latest in that conversation. Boutte saw his receptions and yardage dip in 2021, but his touchdowns spiked from five to nine due to running more intermediate and goal-line routes.

10. COMMANDERS: ELI RICKS, CB (ALABAMA)

Cornerbacks are becoming increasingly more important for a team's Super Bowl aspirations, so Washington wastes no time drafting Eli Ricks off the board at 10th overall. Ricks suffered a shoulder injury in 2021 but finished with an 85.6 coverage grade in 2020 at LSU, per PFF.

11. STEELERS: ANTON HARRISON, OT (OKLAHOMA)

Despite still garnering quality players on their depth chart, Pittsburgh finds itself in the midst of a rebuild. Protecting Mitchell Trubisky or Kenny Pickett is vital for their success in 2023, so the Steelers draft Anton Harrison as the first offensive lineman off the board.

12. EAGLES: BIJAN ROBINSON, RB (TEXAS)

Bijan Robinson fits Nick Sirriani's scheme in Philadelphia, profiling as a big-boded running back with elite speed. Robinson has a nice one-cut jump that finds lanes and also allowed him to rack up 11 rushing touchdowns during his sophomore season for the University of Texas.

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13. VIKINGS: BRYAN BRESEE, DL (CLEMSON)

Minnesota's identity has shifted from defense to offense, so it uses first-round draft capital to acquire 6-5, 300-pound Bryan Bresee out of Clemson. Tore his ACL in 2021 but was also the top defensive lineman in his 2020 draft class.

14. PATRIOTS: PARIS JOHNSON JR., OT (OHIO STATE)

New England preserves Mac Jones' health and durability for 2023 and beyond by selecting Paris Johnson Jr. out of Ohio State. He's a 6-6, 315-pound tackle who is versatile along the offensive line and should only get better with time in an aggressive run-centric offense.

15. EAGLES: ISAIAH FOSKEY, DL (NOTRE DAME)

Philadelphia uses its second first-round pick to add depth to their defensive line, selecting Isaiah Foskey out of Notre Dame. He's a 6-4, 257-pound defensive tackle who racked up 52 tackles, 10 sacks, and 9.5 TFLs in 2021.

16. RAIDERS: TRENTON SIMPSON, LB (CLEMSON)

Las Vegas has an underrated defense, but their linebacking corps is its weak point, so they opt to take Trenton Simpson out of Clemson. The 6-3, 225-pound linebacker improved from his freshman to sophomore season, tripling his tackles (65) and adding 6.5 sacks in 2021.

17. DOLPHINS: NOLAN SMITH, DE (GEORGIA)

The Georgia defensive line stays hot in 2023, seeing edge rusher Nolan Smith go to Miami at 17th overall. Smith has elite playmaking ability and vision to be an asset defending the run and the pass.

18. TITANS: WILL LEVIS, QB (KENTUCKY)

Will Levis transferred from Penn State to the University of Kentucky in 2021, and it paid off, as the 6-3 quarterback finished with a 233-2,826-24 stat line. Tennessee just drafted Malik Willis out of Liberty, but Ryan Tannehill's regression and lack of development in Willis force the Titans to take their shot on Levis.

19. CARDINALS: JORDAN ADDISON, WR (PITTSBURGH)

Kyler Murray just landed his former college teammate, Marquise "Hollywood" Brown, but more weapons are needed to get Arizona deep into the postseason. Cardinals' general manager Steve Keim selects Jordan Addison, a smaller wideout who completed 100 receptions, 1,593 yards, and 17 touchdowns with the Panthers during his sophomore campaign.

20. RAVENS: KRIS ABRAMS-DRAINE, CB (MISSOURI)

Baltimore rolls with a versatile cornerback, Kris Abrams-Draine, out of Missouri with their first pick of the 2023 draft. He earned grades of 83 in coverage and his overall grade, per PFF, and could challenge Kyle Fuller for the nickel-back role.

21. COLTS: PETER SKORONSKI, OT (NORTHWESTERN)

The Colts have a talented but aging offensive line, so they address it by drafting Peter Skoronski out of Northwestern. He's a smaller tackle at 6-4 and 294-pounds, but he earned PFF grades of 81.4 and 83.8 during his first two seasons as a starter for the Wildcats.

22. BENGALS: NOAH SEWELL, LB (OREGON)

Oregon has developed into the premier defensive pipeline in the Pac 12, which is where Cincinnati elects to go with their first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Noah Sewell racked up 114 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, five pass deflections, four sacks, and an interception for the Ducks in 2021. He'll be a quality, high-motor player in the middle of the Bengals' defense.

23. COWBOYS: MALACHI MOORE, S (ALABAMA)

Malachi Moore started as a freshman at Alabama and offers a ton of experience to upgrade the Cowboys' secondary in 2023. He saw his production dip during his sophomore season with the Crimson Tide, but Moore possesses the strength and playmaking ability to elevate his draft stock into the first round.

24. TEXANS: DAWAND JONES, OT (OHIO STATE)

Houston cannot help but gravitate towards 6-8, 360-pound tackle Dawand Jones, out of Ohio State with its second first-round pick. He's still raw, but the size and physicality will be an immense obstacle for some of the league's best edge rushers in 2023.

25. SEAHAWKS: GERVON DEXTER, DL (FLORIDA)

Seattle utilizes a hard-nosed approach on both sides of the football, particularly with defense, so they draft Gervon Dexter to toughen up the interior of their defensive line. Dexter finished with 24 pressures and is a 6-6, 300-pound behemoth with the strength to blow up plays in the backfield.

26. CHARGERS: BRODERICK JONES, OT (GEORGIA)

Justin Herbert needs to be protected at all costs, so the Chargers beef up the edge of their offensive line, selecting Broderick Jones out of Georgia. Jones has strength, versatility, and quality footwork to be a candidate to start Week 1 at the right tackle position.

27. DOLPHINS: SEDRICK VAN PRAN, C (GEORGIA)

Miami understands its obvious weakness, so they draft Sedrick Van Pran out of Georgia. He offers a high motor, strength, and intelligence to command the Dolphins' offensive line in 2023.

28. PACKERS: DONTAY DEMUS JR., WR (MARYLAND)

Dontay Demus Jr. has spent a long time at Maryland, but he will pay dividends on a talented, veteran roster like the one in Green Bay. Demus has never produced eye-popping numbers but he's a towering 6-3, 217-pound prospect who will be an attractive target for Aaron Rodgers in 2023.

29. LIONS: ANDRE CARTER II, DL (ARMY)

Detroit and head coach Dan Campbell draft Andre Carter II out of West Point to strengthen the linebacking depth for the Lions in 2023. Carter is a 6-7, 265-pound linebacker who finished with a whopping 17 TFLs and 14.5 sacks for Army in 2021.

30. CHIEFS: QUENTIN JOHNSTON, WR (TEXAS CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY)

Quentin Johnston is a bit gangly and could add some muscle to his frame; however, Kansas City prefers speed and playmaking ability over the muscle mass. Patrick Mahomes adds another weapon into his arsenal for the 2023 season.

31. BUCCANEERS: JAHMYR GIBBS, RB (GEORGIA TECH)

Running backs tend to go near the end of the first round, and Tampa Bay needs to add depth behind Leonard Fournette and 2022 third-round pick Rachaad White. So they draft Jahmyr Gibbs out of Alabama, who averaged 5.2 yards per carry while adding 35 receptions for 465 yards and two touchdowns as a receiver.

32. BILLS: JOEY PORTER JR., CB (PENN STATE)

Joey Porter Jr. doesn't have elite stats, but his presence is felt everywhere on the field. He's a quality tackler and a big-bodied cornerback, measuring 6-2, 195-pounds, making him a fantastic addition to bolster a talented Buffalo secondary in 2023.

ROUND 2 PREDICTIONS

33. TEXANS: ZACH EVANS, RB (OLE MISS)

Houston's running back depth is lackluster, with veterans Marlon Mack and Rex Burkhead leading the way, so they draft Zach Evans. He's a transfer from TCU and will play at Ole Miss in 2022 after averaging 7.0 YPC and 778 scrimmage yards for the Horned Frogs in 2021.

34. BEARS: MARVIN MIMS, WR (OKLAHOMA)

Chicago continues to build depth at one of their weakest positions on offense, selecting wide receiver Marvin Mims. The burner out of Oklahoma has home-run playmaking ability, turning 32 receptions into 705 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 22 yards per reception.

35. LIONS: TYLER BASS., OG (OREGON)

Detroit has one of the better offensive lines in the league, but that doesn't mean they will pass up drafting a quality interior lineman like Tyler Bass to fortify their run-centric mentality.

36. FALCONS: ROBERT SCOTT JR., OT (FLORIDA STATE)

Atlanta needs to improve the edge of their offensive line, so they invest in Robert Scott Jr. out of Florida State. He's a 6-5, 306-pound tackle who will be integral in developing second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder during his second season with the Falcons.

37. SEAHAWKS: JAVION COHEN, G (ALABAMA)

Alabama offensive linemen are always a quality fit in the NFL, so Seattle drafts road-grader, Javion Cohen, to be Gabe Jackson's counterpart within the interior of the Seahawks' offensive line.

38. JETS: BYRON YOUNG, DL (ALABAMA)

Byron Young is a versatile defensive lineman who has improved every year at Alabama. The 6-3, 292-pound tackle can also play along the edge, making him an intriguing fit in Robert Saleh's defensive scheme for the Jets.

39. JAGUARS: EMIL EKIYOR, OL (ALABAMA)

Jacksonville has flashy weapons and a franchise quarterback, but they need to protect their assets. The Jags draft Emil Ekiyor as a big-bodied guard who can also play tackle to add depth along a sub-par offensive line.

40. GIANTS: KEVON SLOVIS, QB (PITTSBURGH)

Kedon Slovis transferred from USC to Pitt, but he posted nice numbers, especially in terms of his completion percentage, while his production slipped a bit during his rocky tenure. A fresh start in Pitt will send him up draft boards and into New York to replace Daniel Jones in 2023.

41. PANTHERS: JAHLEEL BILLINGSLEY, TE (TEXAS)

Carolina wastes no time drafting Jahleel Billingsley, who is a big-bodied tight end transferring out of Alabama to Texas to play his senior season in 2022. He produced when given the opportunity for the Crimson Tide, but he never eclipsed 18 receptions during his three seasons, so the increased volume will showcase his full ability.

42. STEELERS: JOHN MICHAEL SCHMITZ, C (MINNESOTA)

Pittsburgh needs to bolster a bad offensive line with little experience, so they opt to draft John Michael Schmitz to command the unit.

43. COMMANDERS: PHIL JURKOVEC, QB (BOSTON COLLEGE)

Washington traded for Carson Wentz and drafted rookie Sam Howell in 2022; however, adding a third competent quarterback in Phil Jurkovec will counter a volatile depth chart. His season was cut short in 2021, but Jurkovec finished 2020 with 2,558 yards and a 3:1 touchdown: interception ratio.

44. VIKINGS: OCHAUN MATHIS, DE (NEBRASKA)

Ochaun Mathis is transferring to Nebraska from TCU, where he made a nice career, totaling 26 TFLs and 12.5 sacks in three years for the Horned Frogs. He'll rejuvenate the Vikings' pressure off the edge.

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45. PATRIOTS: AINIAS SMITH, WR (TEXAS A&M)

New England finally hits on a wide receiver in their early draft, securing Ainias Smith out of Texas A&M. He's a smaller wideout with good route running and nice hands, scoring at least six touchdowns and finishing with 40-plus receptions in his previous two years as an Aggie.

46. DOLPHINS: TYLER GRUBBS, LB (LSU)

Tyler Grubbs had a great season as a freshman linebacker at Louisiana Tech in 2021, finishing with 97 tackles and 10 TFLs. Grubbs will transfer to LSU in 2022 and could see his production and status rise, resulting in the Dolphins drafting him in the middle of the second round.

47. RAIDERS: TANK BIGSBY, RB (AUBURN)

Las Vegas is rumored to be moving off of either Kenyan Drake or Josh Jacobs for their future amid rumors of rookie Zamir White impressing. The new regime under Josh McDaniels drafts Tank Bigsby out of Auburn to add a bruising, north and south runner out of the SEC.

48. TITANS: JAXSON KIRKLAND, OT (WASHINGTON)

Tennessee needs someone to match veteran tackle Taylor Lewan on the right side, so they draft Jaxson Kirkland out of Washington. He's a towering 6-7, 310-pound prospect who can efficiently run-block and pass protect.

49. SAINTS: RAKIM JARRETT, WR (MARYLAND)

Rakim Jarrett elevated his draft stock substantially in 2021 with Maryland, finishing with 62 receptions for 829 yards and five touchdowns. Jarrett is a solid wideout who will compete as the WR4 in New Orleans during the 2023 season.

50. COLTS: ANDREW VORHEES, G (USC)

Quenton Nelson remains a stud, but the right guard position needs addressing in Indy. The Colts take Andrew Vorhees out of USC to shore up the interior of their offensive line to continue churning out running lanes for star running back Jonathan Taylor.

51. RAVENS: BLAKE FREELAND, OT (BYU)

Baltimore has a lot of good depth in most areas, but they need to bolster the edge of their offensive line to continue performing as an elite run-centric offense. The Ravens draft 6-8, Blake Freeland, out of BYU to be a mauler and road-grader for JK Dobbins and Lamar Jackson in 2023.

52. CARDINALS: AVERY YOUNG, CB (RUTGERS)

Rutgers has a better defense than statistics show, including cornerback Avery Young. He gets drafted to Arizona in order to boost their secondary behind Budda Baker, finishing 2021 with 77 tackles and a couple of sacks as a bigger-framed cornerback.

53. EAGLES: SEAN TUCKER, RB (SYRACUSE)

Philadelphia continues loading up on running backs, drafting Sean Tucker out of Syracuse. He is a powerful, complete runner who managed nearly 1,500 yards and ten rushing touchdowns for the Orange in 2021.

54. BENGALS: MOHAMED IBRAHIM, RB (MINNESOTA)

Mohamed Ibrahim saw his season cut short during a breakout game against Ohio State, where he carried 30 times for 164 yards and two touchdowns. Cincinnati gravitates to his size, power, and speed to improve the depth behind Joe Mixon in 2023.

55. BROWNS: ZACH HARRISON, DE (OHIO STATE)

Zach Harrison stayed in Columbus as a five-star recruit, performing much better than his production indicates. He'll have one more year as a Buckeye to improve his draft stock, but Cleveland relishes his physical tools, so they draft him to add depth to their talented defensive line.

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56. COWBOYS: JARRETT PATTERSON, C (NOTRE DAME)

Ever since Travis Frederick retired from the league due to a medical condition, Dallas has struggled to replace his talent at center. They wind up taking Jarrett Patterson out of Notre Dame due to his physicality and experience playing for the Irish.

57. SEAHAWKS: MERLIN ROBERTSON, LB (ARIZONA STATE)

Merlin Robertson is a start to fill the void left behind by Bobby Wagner in the middle of Seattle's defense. Robertson is 6-3, 240-pounds and has finished with at least 64 tackles in three full seasons with the Sun Devils.

58. 49ers: DEMARCCO HELLAMS, S (ALABAMA)

DeMarcco Hellams is entering his senior season with the Crimson Tide and finished 2021 with 87 tackles and three interceptions. He's a talented ball-hawking safety with the ability to cover the best receivers, making Hellams a good fit in San Francisco.

59. CHARGERS: ZACCH PICKENS, DL (SOUTH CAROLINA)

The Chargers improve the interior of their defensive line by drafting Zacch Pickens out of South Carolina. Pickens finished 2021 with four sacks, five TFLs, and 38 tackles and is incredibly strong and disruptive.

60. RAMS: JORDAN BATTLE, S (ALABAMA)

Alabama has so many talented defenders at every position, so Los Angeles utilizes their late second-round draft pick to improve their safety depth in 2023. Jordan Battle finished 2021 with 85 tackles, three interceptions, three pass deflections, and two pick-sixes.

61. CHIEFS: ZAY FLOWERS, WR (BOSTON COLLEGE)

Zay Flowers is another quick-twitch, versatile burner who can be an asset in the Kansas City wide receiving corps. Flowers finished 2021 with only five touchdowns but averaged 17 yards per reception while also flashing as a ball carrier.

62. PACKERS: CLARK PHILLIPS III, CB (UTAH)

Rasul Douglas had an incredible year for Green Bay in 2021, but the Packers need to prepare for their future. Thus, they draft Clark Phillips III out of Utah. He finished with 61 tackles, 13 pass deflections, and two interceptions during his freshman season and should be much improved when he arrives at Lambeau Field.

63. BUCCANEERS: TONY GRIMES, CB (NORTH CAROLINA)

Tampa Bay needs to find another quality cornerback to prevent the back-end of their defense from being a liability. Tony Grimes enters his junior season with the Tar Heels as a talented defensive back who completed 2021 with 47 tackles and nine pass deflections.

64. BILLS: TYLER BEACH, C (WISCONSIN)

Buffalo doesn't have any pressing needs, so they decide to bolster their offensive line with 6-6, 312-pound Wisconsin center Tyler Beach.