Lots has changed since we last visited the hypothetical draft board. See which rookie hopefuls improved their draft stock, and whose fell as a result of poor Pro Days, combine results or off field issues.
- CAROLINA PANTHERS (from CHI)
CJ STROUD (QB, OHIO STATE)
Although Bryce Young has been a trendy pick as of late, CJ Stroud still gives the Panthers everything they are looking for at the Number 1 spot. His accuracy is what will make him successful at the next level, especially playing in Frank Reich’s West Coast system.
Previous Mock Selection: CJ Stroud
- HOUSTON TEXANS
BRYCE YOUNG (QB, ALABAMA)
Regardless of who ends up going where, these two Quarterbacks are fairly locked in as 1 and 2. Young provides the dynamic playmaking ability that coaches love, and he processes the game faster than 99% of past, present and future College Quarterback prospects.
Previous Mock Selection: Bryce Young
- ARIZONA CARDINALS
WILL ANDERSON (DE, ALABAMA)
Arizona will do everything possible to leverage this pick to Quarterback needy teams looking to jump ahead of the Colts, Seahawks, Lions and Raiders (if one of them don’t trade up themselves). If they ultimately don’t get the offer that moves their needle enough, Will Anderson is an automatic double digit sack artist that can change the complexion of a defense in a heartbeat.
Previous Mock Selection: Will Anderson
- INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
ANTHONY RICHARDSON (QB, FLORIDA)
Prior to Free Agency and Pro Days, I had the Colts passing on a Quarterback here and trading up when one of the top guys fell. Well, all of that has changed with how things have shaken out and the price of these top signal callers keeps going up and up the closer we get to the draft.
By signing Gardner Minshew to a 1 year deal, the Colts are opening the door to have Richardson walk in and not have the pressure right away to be the starter. This is a home run swing for the Quarterback beleaguered franchise, but with the potential Richardson possesses, it could make this look like a steal if he develops properly.
Previous Mock Selection: Paris Johnson Jr.
- SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (from DEN)
JALEN CARTER (DT, GEORGIA)
Carter’s offseason just keeps making him look worse and worse. From arrests, to not finishing his Pro Day, to now apparently not meeting with teams outside of the top 10. There’s no denying that Carter is an elite prospect, but how much is he damaging his own brand? Pete Carroll doesn’t mind bringing in these types of prospects, so look for Seattle to maximize his ability and keep his nose clean.
Previous Mock Selection: Jalen Carter
- TENNESSEE TITANS (Trade w/Detroit) *
WILL LEVIS (QB, KENTUCKY)
And here’s the first big trade of Draft Day! There have been rumblings of the Titans sniffing around to acquire Arizona’s pick at #3, but unless a deal is struck before the draft, the Cardinals will settle for a franchise defender. Knowing they’ll always be competitive under Mike Vrabel, new GM Ran Carthon will look to make an impression in his first draft and get their Quarterback on the future (he has no ties to Malik Willis and will not hesitate to cut bait).
Levis is the top guy on some people’s boards and possesses a lot of the high-end characteristics that make a good field general. Getting Ryan Tannehill’s contract off the books seems like a good idea too.
Previous Mock Selection: Detroit- Anthony Richardson
- LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
DEVON WITHERSPOON (CB, ILLINOIS)
The biggest need the Raiders have to address this offseason is cornerback. Given their recent track record of missed draft picks and free agent busts, they need to hit on this one. Enter Devon Witherspoon, the uber physical Corner with a linebacker mentality.
Previous Mock Selection: Devon Witherspoon
- ATLANTA FALCONS
TYREE WILSON (DE, TEXAS TECH)
The Falcons still need a top tier Defensive end, and nothing has changed Wilson’s stock to let them pass on a potential star. With a 6’11 wingspan, Wilson has the long arms that make him a nightmare to lock on to for opposing offensive linemen.
Previous Mock Selection: Tyree Wilson
- CHICAGO BEARS (from CAR)
PARIS JOHNSON JR. (OT, OHIO STATE)
The Bears have done a ton of work in Free Agency to improve their roster, but they’re still missing a franchise Left Tackle for Justin Fields. Paris Johnson Jr is a top 3-5 prospect, and if they can get him at #9, GM Ryan Pace has absolutely nailed this offseason.
Previous Mock Selection: Peter Skoronski
- PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (from NO)
NOLAN SMITH (OLB, GEORGIA)
The closer we get to the draft, the more it seems like the Eagles will stick with tradition and build out from the trenches with this pick. With their roster turnover happening, Philly would be wise to replenish their stable of Quarterback hunters, and Nolan Smith is exactly the type of player who will thrive with the Eagles pressure scheme.
Previous Mock Selection: Calijah Kancey
- DETROIT LIONS (Trade w/Tennessee) *
CHRISTIAN GONZALEZ (CB, OREGON)
The Lions traded down to take advantage of antsy teams looking to get one of the top 4 Quarterbacks. Gonzalez is a fantastic prospect who can instantly replace Jeff Okudah. He possesses everything you would want in a potential shutdown corner, and who better to learn from than former Pro Bowl Corner Aaron Glenn.
Previous Mock Selection: Myles Murphy
- HOUSTON TEXANS (from CLE)
JAXON SMITH-NJIGBA (WR, OHIO STATE)
Another mock, and another Young/Smith-Njigba partnership. Houston traded away their top guy in Brandin Cooks, and John Metchie still hasn’t been cleared to play, which leaves Nico Collins atop the podium for now. JSN bears a resemblance to current Bengals star Ja’Marr Chase when the pads are on and can instantly become an Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate by the time he reports to camp.
Previous Mock Selection: Jaxon Smith-Njigba
- NEW YORK JETS
PETER SKORONSKI (OT, NORTHWESTERN)
Will the Jets get Aaron Rodgers or not? Best case scenario is they do and have Skoronski step in to shore up the protection around him. Worst case scenario, New York bolsters their offensive line to run a more ball control style offense and minimize the usage of Zach Wilson.
Previous Mock Selection: Bryan Bresee
- NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
LUKAS VAN NESS (DE, IOWA)
Hybrid defenders are always the calling card of a Bill Belichick defense, and Lukas Van Ness is a defensive line unicorn who can play inside and out. The best part about him is he’s one of the youngest players in the draft and has all the tools to become an unblockable force.
Previous Mock Selection: Jordan Addison
- GREEN BAY PACKERS
BRODERICK JONES (OT, GEORGIA)
As a wise man once said, “New Quarterback eras require a new dance partner at Left Tackle”. Broderick Jones is a certified DAWG (and not just because of his Alma Mater) and can protect Jordan Love for the next decade.
Previous Mock Selection: Broderick Jones
- WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
JOEY PORTER JR (CB, PENN STATE)
Porter almost made it to the Steelers, but he may be even more of a fit with the Commanders defense. The press coverage specialist is exactly what a pressure based defense needs to maximize a strong defensive line.
Previous Mock Selection: Christian Gonzalez
- PITTSBURGH STEELERS
DARNELL WRIGHT (OT, TENNESSEE)
The Steelers are in a great spot here as the draft is deep at cornerback, and with 4 picks in the top 80 selections to address it, they can take a high upside Tackle here to complete their offensive line transformation. Wright is a huge man with outstanding athleticism who can become an all-pro with his skillset.
Previous Mock Selection: Joey Porter Jr.
- DETROIT LIONS
BRYAN BRESEE (DT, CLEMSON)
Detroit needs as many playmakers on defense as humanly possible, and if they can improve on that side of the ball then they will truly be ready to compete for a deep playoff run next season. Bresee is a young, athletic defensive tackle who will fit in perfectly with Aidan Hutchinson and Co.
Previous Mock Selection: Kelee Ringo
- TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
MYLES MURPHY (DE, CLEMSON)
After seeing what has happened on the Pro Day circuit, Myles Murphy is a fantastic value at this point. Tampa Bay needs to hit the reset button on their once dominant pass rush, and Myles Murphy gives off plenty of Shaq Barrett vibes.
Previous Mock Selection: Indianapolis- Will Levis
- NEW YORK GIANTS (Trade w/Seattle*)
JORDAN ADDISON (WR, USC)
The Giants and Seahawks seem like they’re destined to swap picks here as New York sees all four teams ahead of them who will potentially be targeting a Wide Receiver. With Jordan Addison still on the board here, Brian Daboll can get a Stefon Diggs clone and duplicate the successful Buffalo passing attack when he was calling plays for the Bills.
Previous Mock Selection: New York Giants- Quentin Johnston
- LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
DARNELL WASHINGTON (TE, GEORGIA)
The last time the Chargers were making deep playoff runs they had a dominant Tight End who created mismatches on every play. Darnell Washington was underutilized at Georgia with the depth they had at the position, but with his incredible athleticism and blocking ability, he can become a Gronk-esque weapon for Justin Herbert and crew.
Previous Mock Selection: Bijan Robinson
- BALTIMORE RAVENS
QUENTIN JOHNSTON (WR, TCU)
Baltimore has to be happy with how the draft board has fallen. They have their pick of Johnston and Zay Flowers, but I think they’ll opt for the big body WR because of the failed Hollywood Brown experiment.
Previous Mock Selection: Nolan Smith
- MINNESOTA VIKINGS
DEONTE BANKS (CB, MARYLAND)
Even after Free Agency, Minnesota hasn’t done enough to bolster their defensive backfield. Banks is an athletic freak who can only get better from this point on and hopefully become the face of their defense for the long haul.
Previous Mock Selection: Deonte Banks
- JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
BRIAN BRANCH (S, ALABAMA)
The Alabama Swiss army knife is a perfect fit with a young Jacksonville defense. He can play on the outside, in the slot and either safety position. People are scared off because of a mediocre 40 time, but put on the film and watch the definition of versatility.
Previous Mock Selection: Brian Branch
- SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (Trade w/NY Giants*)
O’CYRUS TORRENCE (OG, FLORIDA)
With Seattle landing the top interior defensive line prospect in the draft with Jalen Carter, they’ll want to match it on the offensive side with a big road grader from Florida. Torrence can instantly help Kenneth Walker and Geno Smith take the Seahawk offense to another level in 2023.
Previous Mock Selection: Lukas Van Ness
- DALLAS COWBOYS
BIJAN ROBINSON (RB, TEXAS)
Jerry Jones loves to make a splash. Even with a bigger need at Tight End and two of the top prospects still on the board with Kincaid and Mayer, they won’t be able to let Robinson slide any further down the board. Zeke is gone and Tony Pollard is on a 1-year Franchise tag, so bringing Robinson in will be a great short- and long-term pick to sell jerseys and anoint their next Emmitt Smith.
Previous Mock Selection: Michael Mayer
- BUFFALO BILLS
ZAY FLOWERS (WR, BOSTON COLLEGE)
The rich get richer here for Josh Allen and the crew as they add the tremendously versatile WR from Boston College. Flowers was a one-man band for the Eagles, and with the talent in Buffalo’s offense there to take some heat off of him, look for Zay to become Allen’s new best friend over the middle.
Previous Mock Selection: O’Cyrus Torrence
- CINCINNATI BENGALS
DALTON KINCAID (TE, UTAH)
The Hayden Hurst loss was bigger than most people realized. Joe Burrow gets the ball out quick and having a big target they can move around can create mismatches all over the field. Kincaid is the most athletic tight end in this year’s class, and really showed his worth as a Move-style Tight End for the Utes over the last 2 seasons.
Previous Mock Selection: Jahmyr Gibbs
- NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (from PHI via SF)
MICHAEL MAYER (TE, NOTRE DAME)
Enough with the different experiments in this offense. When the Saints were at their peak under Sean Payton, they had a Pro-style Quarterback (Drew Brees) and a top-level Tight End (Jimmy Graham). By bringing in a veteran like Derek Carr and a supremely talented prospect like Michael Mayer, the Saints passing attack can really make some noise and make a run at the NFC South title in 2023.
Previous Mock Selection: BJ Ojulari
- PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
KELEE RINGO (CB, GEORGIA)
The Eagles are going to stick with their defensive replenishment and select a two-time national champion in Ringo to stock up their secondary. Having a big bodied press corner has worked out for them with Darius Slay, and Ringo knows how to play in big games against big time players.
Previous Mock Selection: Emmanuel Forbes
- DETROIT LIONS (Trade w/Kansas City*)
HENDON HOOKER (QB, TENNESSEE)
When you’re close to contending and already have a stocked draft pick pool, you have to use your assets to trade up and get your guy. With their corner and defensive tackle already in tow, the Lions get their long-term signal caller here with Hendon Hooker.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, teams who pay their Quarterbacks more than their entire offensive line will not compete. With a rookie contract and a 5th year option, Jared Goff can be allowed to hit Free Agency ahead of his massive pay raise. This is the cost of doing business for Detroit if they want to win that ever-elusive championship.
Previous Mock Selection: Kansas City- Jalin Hyatt
-Kyle Kirkwood
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