2023 NFL Mock Draft 3.0! With the Super Bowl in the rear-view mirror, we are now in full-fledged rookie season, and I’m looking forward to the NFL Combine just two weeks from today. Since Mock Draft 2.0, I have traveled to Mobile, Alabama, for the Reese’s Senior Bowl with Alex Dunlap, The Podfather, and Trashman. After Mobile, I spent 7 days in Phoenix for Super Bowl media opportunities. Over the next three weeks, preliminary and official Breakout Finder Ratings will be released, the NFL Draft Rookie Guide v.1 will launch, and Mock Draft 3.0(Here) is being released, among other things.
Mock Draft 3.0 is unlike any other I have completed. Other mocks include data on the 31 players that are expected to be drafted in Round 1 of the 2023 NFL Draft. Mock Draft 3.0 is who I, Cody Carpentier, would draft if I was General Manager for EACH NFL team, no trades involved. If you enjoy it, feel free to share and leave a comment on Twitter @CarpentierNFL.
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Round 1 (Pick 1-32)
No. 1 – Chicago Bears – Jalen Carter, DL – Georgia
Chicago has nearly $100,000,000 in Cap Space, with three picks in the top 64. Carter is the BEST prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft, and the Bears need to load up on defensive talent.
No. 2 – Houston Texans – Will Anderson Jr, EDGE – Alabama
The Texans have two first rounds picks in the 2023 and 2024 NFL Drafts. Anderson fills a massive need on the EDGE, while many see Quarterback as the main need, the 2024 class has better options at Quarterback. Houston has 5 picks in the Top 75 for 2023, including Pick 12… the same spot they selected Deshaun Watson in 2017.
No. 3 – Arizona Cardinals – Tyree Wilson, EDGE – Texas Tech
This pick puts the plan to the test, if I was General Manager for the Cardinals, Kyler Murray wouldn’t have received a second contract. In turn, Murray tore his ACL during the 2022 season, and he now holds almost $100 million in dead cap.
No. 4 – Indianapolis Colts – Will Levis, QB – Kentucky
No. 5 – Seattle Seahawks(via DEN) – Myles Murphy, EDGE – Clemson
The two common projections for the Seahawks, are Myles Murphy and Tyree Wilson from Texas Tech. Both are high-level, long prospects that will fit right into a defensive line that needs a Day 1 starter.
No. 6 – Detroit Lions(via LAR) – C.J. Stroud, QB – Ohio State
Fans will hate this pick because they are content with Jared Goff. Goff carries a $30 million dollar cap hit each of the next two seasons, and while he was above average in 2022, there is a ceiling. Stroud elevates this offense to the next level, with the ability to take the over-the-top. Never be content with your current roster, and always look to upgrade when you can from a contractual and talent standpoint.
No. 7 – Las Vegas Raiders – Christian Gonzalez, CB – Oregon
With the first 6 picks all being Quarterback and EDGE, the Raiders are sitting in a great spot to draft their top Cornerback or Offensive Lineman on the board.
No. 8 – Atlanta Falcons – Joey Porter Jr, CB – Penn State
No. 9 – Carolina Panthers – Bryce Young, QB – Alabama
The reality of Bryce Young falling to No. 9 overall, is unlikely. But it needs to be thought about – most teams in the Top 10 want to throw a dependable dart on those picks, if Young weighs in at 194lbs, and many front offices believe he plays in the 180’s – his draft capital may tumble.
No. 10 – Philadelphia Eagles(via NO) – Calijah Kancey, DT – Pittsburgh
With Fletcher Cox, Javon Hargrave, Ndamukong Suh, and Linval Joseph all entering free agency, they need to add talent to the interior. The Eagles are currently over the cap, with other areas to focus on. After drafting Jordan Davis in Round 1 of 2022, and Milton Williams in Round 3 of 2021, If I’m Howie Roseman, adding the freaking interior monster from Pittsburgh.
No. 11 –Tennessee Titans – Paris Johnson Jr. OT – Ohio State
Taylor Lewan has a $0 in dead cap for 2023. Johnson plugs in on Day 1, as a prior projected Top 10 pick.
No. 12 – Houston Texans(via CLE) – Anthony Richardson, QB – Florida
Patience is a virtue, and taking Will Anderson at No. 2 overall is an EV+ move. Richardson + Anderson is preferred to Bryce Young + Round 2 Edge Rusher.
No. 13 – New York Jets – Drew Sanders, LB – Arkansas
Trading this pick for Aaron Rodgers seems to be the most likely, but if nothing happens and the move is to stick with Mike White and Zach Wilson, this is the pick.
No. 14 – New England Patriots – Devon Witherspoon, CB – Illinois
No. 15 – Green Bay Packers – Peter Skoronski, OT – Northwestern
No. 16 – Washington Commanders – Quentin Johnston, WR – TCU
The Commanders are turning to Sam Howell in 2023, with Eric Bienemy projected as the Offensive Coordinator – adding weapons will work wonders. Washington has an abundance of small shifty guys in Jahan Dotson, Terry McLaurin, and Curtis Samuel… but what about a BIG Fake Alpha?
No. 17 – Pittsburgh Steelers – Jordan Addison, WR – USC
Jordan Addison Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
No. 18 – Detroit Lions – Cam Smith, CB – South Carolina
No. 19 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Bryan Bresee, DL – Clemson
No. 20 – Seattle Seahawks – Trenton Simpson, LB – Clemson
No. 21 – *Forfeited by the Miami Dolphins*
No. 22 – Los Angeles Chargers – Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR – Ohio State
Sometimes you have to do things you prefer not to do, the Chargers are $22 Million over the cap. Releasing/Trading Keenan Allen enables them to try doing what Minnesota did with Stefon Diggs and Justin Jefferson.
No. 23 – Baltimore Ravens – Jalin Hyatt, WR – Tennessee
Baltimore has been trying to fill the speed role ever since the departure of Hollywood Brown and they have failed at every step. Time will only tell if the 2022 Biletnikoff award winner will elevate this offense.
No. 24 – Minnesota Vikings – Tyrique Stevenson, CB – Miami (FL)
No. 25 – Jacksonville Jaguars – Kelee Ringo, CB – Georgia
No. 26 – New York Giants – O’Cyrus Torrence, OL – Florida
The Giant’s offseason focus is as straightforward as any. Franchise and Re-Sign Saquon Barkley, and Daniel Jones. Continue building the Offense.
No. 27 – Dallas Cowboys – Bijan Robinson, RB – Texas
If you thought Jerry Jones had money, how about the Texas Longhorn boosters… they want Bijan to stay in Texas, as much as anyone. Ezekiel Elliott has taken his last snaps in a Dallas uniform.
No. 28 – Buffalo Bills – Brian Branch, S – Alabama
No. 29 – Cincinnati Bengals – Michael Mayer, TE – Notre Dame
Hayden Hurst enters free agency, and the Best Tight End over the last three seasons falls to pick no.29 – NICE!
No. 30 – New Orleans Saints(via DEN via SF) – Keeanu Benton, DL – Wisconsin
No. 31 – Philadelphia Eagles – Emmanuel Forbes, CB – Mississippi State
No. 32 – Kansas City Chiefs – Zay Flowers, WR – Boston College
The JuJu Smith-Schuster experience was a good one, ending in a Super Bowl and Smith-Schuster will all but receive the 3-year deal he was hoping for. Zay Flowers, on the other hand, becomes plug-and-play with Patrick Mahomes.
Round 2 (Pick 33-64)
No. 33 – Pittsburgh Steelers(via CHI) – Clark Phillips, CB – Utah
No. 34 – Houston Texans – Broderick Jones, OT – Georgia
No. 35 – Arizona Cardinals – Anton Harrison, OT – Oklahoma
No. 36 – Indianapolis Colts – Josh Downs, WR – North Carolina
No. 37 – Los Angeles Rams – B.J. Ojulari, EDGE – LSU
No. 38 – Seattle Seahawks(via DEN) – Hendon Hooker, QB – Tennessee
Hendon Hooker Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
No. 39 – Las Vegas Raiders – Cody Mauch, OL – North Dakota State
No. 40 – Carolina Panthers – Jahmyr Gibbs, RB – Alabama
No. 41 – New Orleans Saints – Kyu Blu Kelly, CB – Stanford
No. 42 – Tennessee Titans – Nolan Smith, EDGE – Georgia
No. 43 – Cleveland Browns – John Michael Schmitz, OC – Minnesota
No. 44 – New York Jets – Mazi Smith, DT – Michigan
No. 45 – Atlanta Falcons – Dawand Jones, OT – Ohio State
No. 46 – Green Bay Packers – Rashee Rice, WR – SMU
No. 47 – New England Patriots – Kayshon Boutte, WR – LSU
No. 48 – Washington Commanders – Julius Brents, CB – Kansas State
No. 49 – Detroit Lions – Luke Musgrave, TE – Oregon State
No. 50 – Pittsburgh Steelers – Isaiah Foskey, DL – Notre Dame
No. 51 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Lukas Van Ness, EDGE – Iowa
No. 52 – Miami Dolphins – Devon Achane, RB – Texas A&M
No. 53 – Seattle Seahawks – Tuli Tuipulotu, DL – USC
No. 54 – Chicago Bears(via BAL) – Darnell Wright, OT – Tennessee
No. 55 – Los Angeles Chargers – Jaelyn Duncan, OT – Maryland
No. 56 – Detroit Lions(via MIN) – Keion White, EDGE – Georgia Tech
White will more than likely end up in Round 1 when it’s all said and done, but a reminder – this Mock 3.0 is based on “What Cody would do as the GM of each team” – so Keion is one of the guys that falls through the cracks.
No. 57 – Jacksonville Jaguars – Dalton Kincaid, TE – Utah
A lower-body injury derailed his spring draft prep, from the Senior Bowl to the Combine. We are in wait-and-see mode for Kincaid’s medicals to come back.
No. 58 – New York Giants – Noah Sewell, LB – Oregon
No. 59 – Dallas Cowboys – Darius Rush, CB – South Carolina
No. 60 – Buffalo Bills – Siaki Ika, DL – Baylor
No. 61 – Cincinnati Bengals – Sydney Brown, S – Illinois
No. 62 – Carolina Panthers(via SF) – Adetomiwa Adebawore, DL – Northwestern
No. 63 – Philadelphia Eagles – Jordan Battle, S – Alabama
No. 64 – Kansas City Chiefs – Antoine Johnson, S – Texas A&M
Round 3 (Pick 65-103)
No. 65 – Chicago Bears – Derick Hall, EDGE – Auburn
No. 66 – Houston Texans – Jayden Reed, WR – Michigan State
No. 67 – Arizona Cardinals – Joe Tippman, OL – Wisconsin
No. 68 – Denver Broncos (via IND) – J.L. Skinner, S – Boise State
No. 69 – Denver Broncos – Felix Anudike-Uzomah, EDGE – Kansas State
No. 70 – Los Angeles Rams – Steve Avila, OL – TCU
No. 71 – Las Vegas Raiders – Matthew Bergeron, OT – Syracuse
No. 72 – New Orleans Saints – Roschon Johnson, RB – Texas
Roschon Johnson Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
No. 73 – Tennessee Titans – Daiyan Henley, LB – Washington State
No. 74 – Houston Texans (via CLE) – Eli Ricks, CB – Alabama
No. 75 – New York Jets – Brandon Joseph, S – Notre Dame
No. 76 – Atlanta Falcons – Nathaniel “Tank” Dell, WR – Houston
Damiere Byrd, Olamide Zaccheaus…. meet Tank Dell. Pulling Safeties deep, will allow Drake London and Kyle Pitts a little more separation underneath, giddy up!
No. 77 – New England Patriots (via CAR) – McClendon Curtis, OL – Chattanooga
No. 78 – Miami Dolphins (via NE) – Deonte Banks, CB – Maryland
No. 79 – Green Bay Packers – Zach Harrison, DL – Ohio State
No. 80 – Indianapolis Colts (via WAS) – Will McDonald, EDGE – Iowa State
No. 81 – Pittsburgh Steelers – Jarrett Patterson, OL – Notre Dame
No. 82 – Detroit Lions – Jack Campbell, LB – Iowa
No. 83 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – D.J. Turner, CB – Michigan
No. 84 – Seattle Seahawks – Trey Palmer, WR – Nebraska
No. 85 – Miami Dolphins – Tucker Kraft, TE – South Dakota State
No. 86 – Los Angeles Chargers – Andre Carter, EDGE – Army
No. 87 – Baltimore Ravens – Andrew Vorhees, OL – USC
No. 88 – Minnesota Vikings – Zach Evans, RB – Ole Miss
No. 89 – Jacksonville Jaguars – Wanya Morris, OT – Oklahoma
No. 90 – New York Giants – Dontayvion Wicks, WR – Virginia
No. 91 – Dallas Cowboys – DeMarvion Overshown, LB – Texas
No. 92 – Buffalo Bills – Xavier Hutchinson, WR – Iowa State
The Buffalo Bills have been trying to find someone to elevate the slot, since Cole Beasley departed. There was nobody better in College Football in 2022, than Xavier Hutchinson.
No. 93 – Cincinnati Bengals – Riley Moss, CB – Iowa
No. 94 – Carolina Panthers(via SF) – Marvin Mims, WR – Oklahoma
No. 95 – Philadelphia Eagles – Tyler Steen, OL – Alabama
No. 96 – Kansas City Chiefs – Gervon Dexter, DL – Florida
No. 97 – *Arizona Cardinals – Zach Charbonnet, RB – UCLA
No. 98 – *Washington Commanders – Blake Freeland, OT – BYU
No. 99 – *Cleveland Browns – Isaiah McGuire, DL – Missouri
No. 100 – *San Francisco 49ers – Ali Gaye, EDGE – LSU
No. 101 – *New York Giants – Tyjae Spears, RB – Tulane
No. 102 – *San Francisco 49ers – Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, CB – TCU
No. 103 – *San Francisco 49ers – Michael Wilson, WR – Stanford
Look for more Mock Drafts in the Dynasty Deluxe section under NFL Mock Draft Index. Aside from NFL Mock Draft Data, you can find 2023 Rookie Mock Draft ADP (SuperFlex and 1QB) as well as Dynasty Mock Draft ADP (SuperFlex and 1QB), a Dynasty League Trade Finder App, Rankings, Trade Analyzer, and the Brand New Dynasty Dominator Reloaded.
