The 2023 NFL Combine is in the books and we’re riding in the fast lane from here until the start of the 2023 NFL Draft. While we obviously learned a lot about the physical skill sets of the hundreds of players in attendance, the rumors and rumblings around Indianapolis were also quite valuable. Let’s put all that new info together and break down how the 2023 NFL Draft could play out in my brand new 2023 NFL Mock Draft.
2023 NFL Mock Draft: Eisner 3.0
1. Indianapolis Colts (via CHI)*
Anthony Richardson QB, Florida
TRADE
IND receives: Pick No. 1
CHI receives: Pick No. 4, Pick No. 36, Pick No. 107, 2024 1st-round pick
There’s no denying the buzz surrounding Anthony Richardson coming out of the 2023 NFL Combine. He’s a freakish athlete, built like a tank, and oozes confidence every time he speaks. My colleague Damian Parson has been pounding the table for Richardson for months, and after seeing him in Indianapolis, I’m finally on board. There’s reason to believe the Colts will be too, as they search for a new face of the franchise.
2. Houston Texans
Bryce Young QB, Alabama
There will be a debate about whether or not the Texans are “ready” to take a quarterback, but I feel that will only be a talking point outside of the organization. There are indications that Houston’s new coaching staff loves Bryce Young and would be more than happy to hand him the keys to the franchise—especially if they don’t have to part with draft capital to move up.
3. Arizona Cardinals
Will Anderson Jr. EDGE, Alabama
The uncertainty surrounding Jalen Carter at the time this is published complicates things. But if we live in a world where Jalen Carter is no longer at the tippy top of some teams’ draft boards, it will be hard for Arizona to trade out of this spot—even if new GM Monti Ossenfort said he’d listen to calls. Will Anderson Jr. is a blue-chip prospect and a game-changer on defense. The Cardinals can’t pass that up to trade back.
4. Chicago Bears (via IND)*
Myles Murphy EDGE, Clemson
TRADE
CHI receives: Pick No. 4, Pick No. 36, No. 107 pick, 2024 1st-round pick
IND receives: Pick No. 1
Once again, the legal issues facing Carter at the moment complicate his draft stock. If Ryan Poles and Co. don’t feel comfortable taking the Georgia DT, then they may pivot to the next-best defensive player on the board, Myles Murphy. Murphy has the size and versatility to make an impact anywhere, but especially on a Bears team that struggled to put pressure on QBs all last season.
5. Seattle Seahawks (via DEN)
Jalen Carter IDL, Georgia
Will the Seahawks pass on this kind of talent at an area of need considering they still have another top-20 pick at their disposal? I don’t think so. Recent developments aside, from a strictly football perspective, Carter may be the 2023 class’ best overall player. His athleticism and upside are tremendous and he’d be a high-level impact starter for Seattle right away.
6. Detroit Lions
Tyree Wilson EDGE, Texas Tech
A deep corner class may be the tie-breaker that allows Brad Holmes to take the last player in the top tier of EDGEs, Tyree Wilson. Wilson’s wingspan made headlines at the NFL Combine and he would be a great addition to Detroit’s young pass-rush group. Wilson and Aidan Hutchinson can wreak havoc for years to come with James Houston IV serving as fresh legs on passing downs.
7. Las Vegas Raiders
C.J. Stroud QB, Ohio State
Until the Raiders actually sign a veteran quarterback, let’s not assume they’re out of the QB market for this NFL mock draft. Las Vegas is doing its due diligence on the top QBs and rumor has it they like three passers in particular. While we don’t know who those players are at this stage, C.J. Stroud is a nice fit. Stroud’s instincts and accuracy are plus traits and his measurables check out for the position. He had a strong NFL Combine as well.
8. Baltimore Ravens (via ATL)*
Christian Gonzalez CB, Oregon
TRADE
BAL receives: Pick No. 8, Pick No. 45, 2024 1st round pick, 2024 2nd round pick
ATL receives: Lamar Jackson
There was not a shred of good news about the Lamar Jackson situation—or the Ravens’ franchise in general—at the NFL Combine. So, in this NFL mock draft, let’s consider what a Jackson trade might look like. Getting two firsts and two seconds is a more than reasonable ask, and I can see other picks getting thrown in as well. The Falcons land a star QB to help them rise to the top of the NFC South, and the Ravens get a chance to reset after not coming to terms with Jackson.
Baltimore has a handful of CBs set to reach free agency and they need to find a young complement to Marlon Humphrey. Christian Gonzalez is my CB1 and I think will be the overall CB1 on draft day. His speed and length will be valuable assets for a Ravens team that will need to rely on running the ball and playing defense to survive in the AFC North.
9. Carolina Panthers
Will Levis QB, Kentucky
The Will-Levis-to-Carolina connection has been made for months now. The Panthers need to take a swing at a quarterback soon and there’s a lot to like about Levis. However, Levis will need to be molded to look more like his 2021 self than the 2022 version we saw last season. Will he thrive inside of NFL structure like he did when Liam Coen was his OC? Time will tell, but there aren’t many better people for a QB to work with than Frank Reich.
10. Philadelphia Eagles (via NO)
Devon Witherspoon CB, Illinois
Devon Witherspoon would be a great fit for the city of Philadelphia and for the NFL team that calls it home. Witherspoon is a tone-setter who isn’t afraid of the man-to-man spotlight. He can have success outside or inside and will allow the Eagles to keep a talented secondary on the field despite the number of free agents to be as we sit here pre-free agency.
11. Tennessee Titans
Peter Skoronski OT, Northwestern
Tennessee gets the pick of the litter here at OT despite not having a top-10 pick—a dream scenario. While there are a few different options here, it’s tough to argue against Peter Skoronski when it comes to identifying the best offensive lineman in the class. His arm length may be a concern to some, but I’d play him at tackle in the NFL until and unless he proves he can’t. Skoronski met with the Titans in Indianapolis and fills an immediate need.
12. Houston Texans (via CLE)
Paris Johnson Jr. OT, Ohio State
Laremy Tunsil’s days in Houston could be numbered, and with Young already taken in the NFL mock draft, the Texans need an LT to build around. Paris Johnson Jr. has everything you’d want in a potential LT with a high upside that can be unlocked with more technical refinement from NFL coaching.
13. New York Jets
Broderick Jones OT, Georgia
The tackle run continues in this NFL mock draft, but once again, this pick fills a major need. New York needs reliable pieces on its offensive line for Aaron Rodgers, Derek Carr, or whoever is under center for them in 2023. Broderick Jones plays with a mentality Robert Saleh can appreciate and has a ton of athleticism to boot.
14. New England Patriots
Bryan Bresee IDL, Clemson
Bryan Bresee had a challenging final season at Clemson due to various illnesses and a family tragedy. Let’s not hold that against him. Bresee has the athleticism to play all along the defensive line for Bill Belichick’s defense.
15. Green Bay Packers
Lukas Van Ness EDGE, Iowa
Talk about a physical freak! Lukas Van Ness was highly impressive at the NFL Combine, where his raw athleticism shined. The Packers need more edge rushers to disrupt opposing quarterbacks and Van Ness looks like a future diamond.
16. Washington Commanders
Darnell Wright OT, Tennessee
A strong pass-protector that has had nothing but buzz over the last month, Darnell Wright is a name you need to start talking about in the first-round conversation. Wright has the power and mass to make an impact from day one and has experience playing on both sides of the line. He met with Washington at the NFL Combine and would be a great fit for the Commanders.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers
Julius Brents CB, Kansas State
I’ve been high on Julius Brents throughout this draft process and he firmly established himself in the first-round conversation at the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine. His 34″ arms are stupid long and he plays with desired aggression. He is disruptive to receivers at the line of scrimmage and at the catch point and will stick his nose in the run game.
18. Detroit Lions
Joey Porter Jr. CB, Penn State
I didn’t expect Joey Porter Jr. to fall this far when I began this NFL mock draft, but he can’t slide past Detroit. Forget the name, NFL legacy, etc. The Lions need to upgrade their CB room opposite Jeff Okudah and Porter Jr. is highly talented and has insane length. He has warts in his game that need to be addressed—some teams will have him ranked outside their top tier of corners—but with solid coaching, I think the Lions can get the most out of him.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Brian Branch SAF, Alabama
Brian Branch worked out as a CB in Indianapolis but projects best as a versatile safety in the NFL. The Buccaneers have a handful of players in the secondary with expired contracts and have a lot of work to do to get their defense to a point where they can win games without Tom Brady.
20. Seattle Seahawks
Nolan Smith EDGE, Georgia
While he is not yet fully developed as a pass-rusher, Nolan Smith has just about everything you want. He has size, speed, athleticism, value on all three downs, and plenty of leadership qualities. Smith was an NFL Combine winner and will help the Seahawks continue to build their defense into a young juggernaut.
21. Miami Dolphins
[Pick forfeited]
22. Los Angeles Chargers
Dalton Kincaid TE, Utah
Losing Hunter Henry turned out to be more detrimental than many thought. While having a chance at WR1 here was tempting, maybe they get something worked out with Keenan Allen and can keep the trio of Allen, Mike Williams, and Joshua Palmer together. Dalton Kincaid fills a need at TE as a dynamic pass-catching weapon.
23. Baltimore Ravens
Jaxon Smith-Njigba WR, Ohio State
There are a lot of good WR prospects this year, but they don’t hold up to the top-end quality we’ve seen the last couple of seasons. However, Baltimore needs to upgrade its WR corps even without Jackson. Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s 2022 season did not go as planned, to put it kindly, but it’s hard to get the highlights from 2021 out of your head. He’s more agile than fast and can win quickly off the line of scrimmage.
24. Minnesota Vikings
Deonte Banks CB, Maryland
The Vikings must add to their CB room in the 2023 NFL Draft and Deonte Banks is a great fit. Banks’ size, length, and ability to press give him the ability to be a starter early in his career.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars
Kelee Ringo CB, Georgia
Jacksonville is expected to cut Shaquill Griffin, opening up room to add another CB for significant snaps. Kelee Ringo, who met with the Jaguars at the NFL Combine, can fill that hole. The former 5-star recruit has the height/weight/speed and instincts you look for at the position.
26. New York Giants
Bijan Robinson RB, Texas
So, what if the Giants aren’t able to re-sign Saquon Barkley? With Daniel Jones becoming more and more expensive to bring back, New York may not be able to give Barkley the contract he desires. Bijan Robinson is one of the best overall players in this class, met with the Giants in Indianapolis, and would allow the Giants’ rushing offense to operate at max capacity sans Barkley.
27. Dallas Cowboys
Emmanuel Forbes CB, Mississippi State
The Cowboys have some promising pieces in the secondary but finding a true CB2 to pair with Trevon Diggs on the outside could be high on Dallas’ priority list. Rumor has it that Dallas is very interested in Emmanuel Forbes, who had a solid showing at the NFL Combine this past week.
28. Buffalo Bills
John Michael Schmitz IOL, Minnesota
John Michael Schmitz was a star at the Senior Bowl and would be a phenomenal addition to the interior of the Bills’ offensive line. Schmitz probably starts at guard if he goes to Buffalo, but he’s a center by trade and has the versatility to move throughout the interior.
29. Cincinnati Bengals
Darnell Washington TE, Georgia
The Bengals have had success against the Chiefs in the past but need to keep up the firepower to knock them off their throne on a consistent basis. Darnell Washington fills a need at TE as an imposing blocker with a ton of pass-catching upside to be the ultimate mismatch in an offense full of playmakers.
30. New Orleans Saints (via DEN)
Quentin Johnston WR, TCU
Quentin Johnston has the size to be a true X receiver at the NFL level and will be a great complement to Chris Olave. Assuming the Saints move on from Michael Thomas via a post-June-1 trade, the duo of Johnston and Olave can dominate for the Saints moving forward.
31. Philadelphia Eagles
Calijah Kancey DL, Pitt
Sit back and think about pairing Calijah Kancey with Jordan Davis on the defensive front and what that means for opposing offensive lines. Yeah, that’s exciting. Kancey would see a ton of one-on-one blocks and can use his athleticism to the fullest extent.
32. Kansas City Chiefs
Zay Flowers WR, Boston College
Zay Flowers is an electric playmaker all over the field and constantly creates space for himself. He deserves all the first-round buzz he’s getting. The Chiefs need to add to and improve their WR corps to give Patrick Mahomes as many weapons as possible.
What did you think of the third edition of Jaime Eisner’s 2023 NFL Mock Draft? Let us know what you think about this or any edition of our NFL Mock Draft series on Twitter and Instagram and stay tuned next week for the next edition of TDN’s 2023 NFL Mock Draft series.
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