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Thursday marks the arrival of my final mock draft of the 2023 NFL Draft cycle but today is unique. Instead of making selections based on what teams are expected to do, the selections are solely based on how I would handle each situation. When the dust cleared, 30 of my top-31 prospects were taken in today's thought exercise. 

The draft order below is now the official order based on team records and tiebreakers. There are only 31 picks as a result of the Dolphins' pick being forfeited due to tampering violations. 

Without further ado, let's kick this off!

For more draft content, check out our latest prospect rankings and mock drafts, as well as our new weekly podcast, "With the First Pick," featuring former Vikings general manager Rick Spielman. (Check out the latest episode below.)

NFL Mock Draft
Round 1
Round 1 - Pick 1
Alabama • Soph • 5'10" / 204 lbs
Projected Team
Carolina
PROSPECT RNK
2nd
POSITION RNK
1st
Carolina is not going to pass on a quarterback in this situation and Bryce Young is my favorite of the class. What he lacks in height and weight, he makes up for with decision-making.
Round 1 - Pick 2
Ohio State • Soph • 6'3" / 218 lbs
Projected Team
Houston
PROSPECT RNK
4th
POSITION RNK
2nd
I liked Davis Mills coming out of college but do not view him as a franchise quarterback. C.J. Stroud is my second favorite quarterback in this class and I believe he represents an upgrade over Mills.
Round 1 - Pick 3
Alabama • Soph • 6'4" / 243 lbs
Projected Team
Arizona
PROSPECT RNK
1st
POSITION RNK
1st
As the general manager for every other team, I decided not to trade up. The Seahawks wanted to move up but Arizona was not dealing to deal within the division. Detroit was another consideration but elected against it. The Cardinals would love to trade down but the options were not there. I stayed put and took the best player on my board.
Round 1 - Pick 4
Kentucky • Soph • 6'4" / 229 lbs
Projected Team
Indianapolis
PROSPECT RNK
5th
POSITION RNK
3rd
Will Levis is the third-ranked quarterback for me and Indianapolis needs a long-term solution at the quarterback position. Shane Steichen has worked with Jalen Hurts but he is also worked with Justin Herbert. Steichen has been a net positive for Herbert and Hurts so perhaps that continues with Levis.
Round 1 - Pick 5
Florida • Soph • 6'4" / 244 lbs
Projected Team
Seattle
PROSPECT RNK
9th
POSITION RNK
4th
If I am Seattle, I do not know when I will be picking this high and in position to take a quarterback again. Geno Smith played better than anyone could have expected last season but he will turn 33 this season and most quarterbacks start declining around this time. I am taking Richardson with the understanding that he will sit and learn behind Smith for a year.
Round 1 - Pick 6
Georgia • Soph • 6'3" / 314 lbs
Projected Team
Detroit
PROSPECT RNK
3rd
POSITION RNK
1st
Jalen Carter is my top available prospect at a position of need and value. There will be discussions about whether the support system is in place to help him make the transition to the NFL, but I am not scared away by what I've heard about him.
Round 1 - Pick 7
Northwestern • Soph • 6'4" / 313 lbs
Projected Team
Las Vegas
PROSPECT RNK
6th
POSITION RNK
1st
Las Vegas may be competitive for the upcoming season but this is a franchise that really needs to start thinking about its future. They have several needs on both sides of the ball and two of their best players -- Chandler Jones and Davante Adams -- are over 30. I'm building the offensive and defensive lines before I worry about skill players.
Round 1 - Pick 8
Illinois • Soph • 6'0" / 185 lbs
Projected Team
Atlanta
PROSPECT RNK
9th
POSITION RNK
2nd
Two running backs are the only remaining players ranked higher than Devon Witherspoon. Atlanta is not a running back away from contention so it takes the next best player, which happens to be Witherspoon.
Round 1 - Pick 9
Texas Tech • Soph • 6'6" / 275 lbs
Projected Team
Chicago
PROSPECT RNK
8th
POSITION RNK
2nd
Tyree Wilson is not the best player on my board but he is close and Chicago needs some pass rush help. I am looking for a pass rusher with the upside to become one of the best in the league and Wilson offers that possibility.
Round 1 - Pick 10
Texas • Soph • 5'11" / 215 lbs
Projected Team
Philadelphia
PROSPECT RNK
5th
POSITION RNK
1st
I do not believe in taking a running back in the first round unless that player could be the missing piece to a Super Bowl. Philadelphia has a very talented roster and the running back position is left to Kenneth Gainwell and Rashaad Penny, who was unable to stay healthy in Seattle. Bijan Robinson is the No. 4 player on my board so I am getting value at a difference-making position.
Round 1 - Pick 11
Ohio State • Soph • 6'6" / 313 lbs
Projected Team
Tennessee
PROSPECT RNK
13th
POSITION RNK
2nd
Tennessee needs to upgrade the offensive line before concerning itself with replacing Ryan Tannehill. At that point, the Titans will probably be looking for a Derrick Henry replacement and doing some soul-searching on offense. I am not confident in Andre Dillard so get the best five on the field.
Round 1 - Pick 12
Clemson • Soph • 6'5" / 270 lbs
Projected Team
Houston
PROSPECT RNK
20th
POSITION RNK
4th
Myles Murphy is a top-10 prospect on my board and that is largely because of his athletic testing. He has ideal size to play in that role but the athletic profile suggests he could become more at the next level.
Round 1 - Pick 13
Ohio State • Soph • 6'0" / 197 lbs
Projected Team
Green Bay
PROSPECT RNK
19th
POSITION RNK
2nd
I want to support Jordan Love and allow him to build confidence in his first season so I am adding an accountable wide receiver to pair with Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs.
Round 1 - Pick 14
Oregon • Soph • 6'1" / 205 lbs
Projected Team
New England
PROSPECT RNK
7th
POSITION RNK
1st
New England has taken some smaller, less-heralded cornerbacks but Bill Belichick has always favored long boundary cornerbacks. An offensive tackle would be ideal here but it would be a stretch to take one over Christian Gonzalez, who has the traits to earn a lot of money over the course of his NFL career.
Round 1 - Pick 15
Alabama • Soph • 6'0" / 203 lbs
Projected Team
N.Y. Jets
PROSPECT RNK
21st
POSITION RNK
3rd
New York upgraded its secondary a year ago with the additions of cornerbacks D.J. Reed and Sauce Gardner. Brian Branch may not have the athletic skill set that Gardner possesses but he is a smart, accountable safety with strong leadership skills.
Round 1 - Pick 16
South Carolina • Soph • 6'1" / 186 lbs
Projected Team
Washington
PROSPECT RNK
32nd
POSITION RNK
5th
I am higher on Cam Smith than most. He might be physical in coverage but he is intelligent and made a lot of progress from 2021 to 2022. I want to see if that trajectory continues in the Commanders' revamped secondary.
Round 1 - Pick 17
Georgia • Soph • 6'5" / 311 lbs
Projected Team
Pittsburgh
PROSPECT RNK
23rd
POSITION RNK
3rd
Pittsburgh needs to upgrade at offensive tackle to protect its investments of Kenny Pickett and Najee Harris over the past two years. Broderick Jones is a young player who can play whichever side the Steelers believe is the bigger liability.
Round 1 - Pick 18
Maryland • Soph • 6'2" / 200 lbs
Projected Team
Detroit
PROSPECT RNK
32nd
POSITION RNK
5th
Best player available intersects with position of need here as Detroit adds a lengthy boundary cornerback with speed to serve as its long-term solution.
Round 1 - Pick 19
Georgia • Soph • 6'2" / 238 lbs
Projected Team
Tampa Bay
PROSPECT RNK
22nd
POSITION RNK
5th
Tampa Bay needs to get younger and more inexpensive. Nolan Smith is arguably the best player available and he provides Tampa Bay with an off-ramp in Shaq Barrett's contract after the season.
Round 1 - Pick 20
Clemson • Soph • 6'5" / 305 lbs
Projected Team
Seattle
PROSPECT RNK
27th
POSITION RNK
2nd
Seattle continues investing in the defensive line this offseason. After signing Dre'Mont Jones in free agency, they turn around and draft Bryan Bresee in the first round. The Seahawks still need to identify some pass-rush help but they have upgraded both sides of the ball significantly over a two-year period and now have a potential future at quarterback.
Round 1 - Pick 21
Penn State • Soph • 6'2" / 194 lbs
Projected Team
L.A. Chargers
PROSPECT RNK
12th
POSITION RNK
4th
J.C. Jackson missed some time last season and Los Angeles does not have answers without him. If Joey Porter Jr. and Jackson are both on the field, then Asante Samuel Jr. could theoretically play the slot.
Round 1 - Pick 22
TCU • Soph • 6'4" / 215 lbs
Projected Team
Baltimore
PROSPECT RNK
10th
POSITION RNK
1st
At this point, I do not know what version of Odell Beckham Jr. will take the field this season and Rashod Bateman has not been totally trustworthy either. Quentin Johnston gives me the size and ball-winning capabilities I have been missing. The Ravens may not be able to get DeAndre Hopkins but Johnston is a nice consolation prize.
Round 1 - Pick 23
USC • Soph • 5'11" / 175 lbs
Projected Team
Minnesota
PROSPECT RNK
25th
POSITION RNK
4th
Jordan Addison is one of the best available players and Minnesota is able to pair him with Justin Jefferson. The Vikings have their dynamic duo of the future.
Round 1 - Pick 24
Notre Dame • Soph • 6'4" / 265 lbs
Projected Team
Jacksonville
PROSPECT RNK
21st
POSITION RNK
1st
Michael Mayer is the best prospect on the board. Evan Engram is playing on the franchise tag so the Jaguars could still theoretically opt to move on after the year and carry on with Mayer after a cheaper rate.
Round 1 - Pick 25
Clemson • Soph • 6'2" / 235 lbs
Projected Team
N.Y. Giants
PROSPECT RNK
56th
POSITION RNK
4th
Trenton Simpson is an athletic linebacker and the best prospect on the board. New York signed Bobby Okereke but Simpson is a great fit for what Wink Martindale wants to do with the defense.
Round 1 - Pick 26
Utah • Soph • 6'4" / 240 lbs
Projected Team
Dallas
PROSPECT RNK
31st
POSITION RNK
2nd
Dallas replaces Dalton Schultz with Dalton Kincaid. Kincaid is a really dynamic talent in the pass game. Dallas' defense was much improved last season but the Cowboys should be able to put up some points with CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks and Kincaid.
Round 1 - Pick 27
Boston College • Soph • 5'9" / 175 lbs
Projected Team
Buffalo
PROSPECT RNK
24th
POSITION RNK
3rd
The world saw the impact of adding a quality slot receiver to the Buffalo offense. By adding a player of Zay Flowers' caliber, it upgrades the floor of the Bills' offense drastically. Offensive guard was also a consideration but Flowers was the best player available.
Round 1 - Pick 28
Florida • Soph • 6'5" / 347 lbs
Projected Team
Cincinnati
PROSPECT RNK
33rd
POSITION RNK
1st
Cincinnati has taken some shots at upgrading the offensive line in free agency. Some of those attempts have panned out and others have not. After signing Orlando Brown Jr. in free agency, the Bengals identify an interior lineman in the first round.
Round 1 - Pick 29
Kansas State • Soph • 6'4" / 255 lbs
Projected Team
New Orleans
PROSPECT RNK
49th
POSITION RNK
9th
New Orleans lost Marcus Davenport in free agency and retains depth at edge rusher by taking the best player available: Felix Anudike-Uzomah.
Round 1 - Pick 30
Syracuse • Soph • 6'5" / 323 lbs
Projected Team
Philadelphia
PROSPECT RNK
45th
POSITION RNK
7th
After taking running back Bijan Robinson at No. 10 overall, Philadelphia adds a versatile lineman at No. 30 overall. Matthew Bergeron has played left tackle but also has the frame to slide inside. He may not be called upon as a rookie but his value is his versatility until one day settling into a starter's role.
Round 1 - Pick 31
Alabama • Soph • 5'9" / 200 lbs
Projected Team
Kansas City
PROSPECT RNK
14th
POSITION RNK
2nd
Jahmyr Gibbs is my eighth-ranked player so Kansas City is getting great value. Isiah Pacheco is a bigger back so they bring in Gibbs to complement him. Gibbs has elite receiving ability so Andy Reid will be able to move him around the formation.