The top four QB prospects have headlined the 2023 NFL Draft cycle -- and deservingly so -- but in this mock draft, a current top NFL QB is involved in a trade. What if I told you that the San Francisco 49ers traded for Lamar Jackson? In return, the Baltimore Ravens get former No. 3 overall pick Trey Lance, this year's third-round pick (No. 99) and first-rounders in 2024 and 2025.
In my first mock draft of the year, I tried to make it as realistic as possible with unexpected surprises and impactful trades. After the Carolina Panthers take Bryce Young at No. 1, my mock heats up with the Houston Texans taking a player no one would have expected weeks ago and the Indianapolis Colts giving their fans either an "oh no" or "oh yes" moment. And what about the move the Arizona Cardinals made? See, I have you intrigued already.
My mock is filled with realistic actions we've all witnessed with past drafts that will keep you locked in until the final selection of the first round. Thanks for checking my mock out. Now let's get to it!
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For more extensive draft content, check out our latest prospect rankings and mock drafts, as well as our NFL Draft podcast, "With the First Pick," featuring former Vikings general manager Rick Spielman.
NFL Mock Draft
Round 1
From
Chicago Bears
Round 1 - Pick 1
Bryce Young
QB
Alabama
• Soph
• 5'10"
/ 204 lbs
The Panthers all along felt Young was the best QB in the draft.
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Round 1 - Pick 2
Will Levis
QB
Kentucky
• Soph
• 6'4"
/ 229 lbs
Houston decides to surprise us all by selecting Will Levis. No one saw this happening two weeks ago.
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Round 1 - Pick 3
Tyree Wilson
EDGE
Texas Tech
• Soph
• 6'6"
/ 275 lbs
The Cardinals believe Wilson is better suited for their new defensive scheme. This was the first surprise in my mock after Levis at No. 2, but it won't be the last.
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Round 1 - Pick 4
C.J. Stroud
QB
Ohio State
• Soph
• 6'3"
/ 218 lbs
Arguably the second-best QB was available at four. There was nothing to think about for Indy.
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From
Denver Broncos
Round 1 - Pick 5
Jalen Carter
DL
Georgia
• Soph
• 6'3"
/ 314 lbs
The Seahawks get arguably the best player in the draft at five. If he's dialed in and focused, this move could create a new Legion of Boom.
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From
Los Angeles Rams
Round 1 - Pick 6
Will Anderson Jr.
EDGE
Alabama
• Soph
• 6'4"
/ 243 lbs
This might be the easiest pick ever for the Lions.
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Round 1 - Pick 7
Oregon
• Soph
• 6'1"
/ 205 lbs
The top CB in the draft goes to a place where he's needed big time.
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Mock Trade from
Atlanta Falcons
Round 1 - Pick 8
Florida
• Soph
• 6'4"
/ 244 lbs
It's trade time! Atlanta trades the eighth pick to Tennessee. In return, the Falcons get No. 11 and a 2024 second-round pick. The Titans get their future QB, and he has the luxury of learning while watching the Ryan Tannehill farewell tour.
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Round 1 - Pick 9
Ohio State
• Soph
• 6'6"
/ 313 lbs
I love this pick. It fills a need, and with Teven Jenkins the Bears now have two bookend tackles.
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From
New Orleans Saints
Round 1 - Pick 10
Lukas Van Ness
EDGE
Iowa
• Soph
• 6'5"
/ 272 lbs
The Eagles need to add depth on the defensive front, and that's what they do in selecting Van Ness. He didn't start one game over the past two seasons but combined for double-digit sacks, so clearly his future is bright.
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Mock Trade from
Tennessee Titans
Round 1 - Pick 11
Illinois
• Soph
• 6'0"
/ 185 lbs
I love this move. Even with the Falcons trading for Jeff Okudah, who could depart after one year if the team doesn't pick up his fifth-year option, this selection makes sense.
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From
Cleveland Browns
Round 1 - Pick 12
Ohio State
• Soph
• 6'0"
/ 197 lbs
Houston drafts the replacement for Brandin Cooks, and he'll be catching passes from Levis.
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Round 1 - Pick 13
Georgia
• Soph
• 6'5"
/ 311 lbs
Mekhi Becton hasn't shown the ability to stay healthy, so it's smart to prepare for another injury with a potential future Pro Bowler.
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Round 1 - Pick 14
Tennessee
• Soph
• 6'6"
/ 333 lbs
With Riley Reiff turning 35 this year, the Patriots grab the best RT in the draft.
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Mock Trade from
Green Bay Packers
Round 1 - Pick 15
Northwestern
• Soph
• 6'4"
/ 313 lbs
The Buccaneers swap first-round picks and send a third-rounder this year to the Packers to move up four spots to select Skoronski. With the departure of Donovan Smith, the Bucs draft his replacement while keeping Tristan Wirfs on the right side.
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Round 1 - Pick 16
Penn State
• Soph
• 6'2"
/ 194 lbs
The NFC East is loaded with WRs, so Porter is a necessity for the Commanders.
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Round 1 - Pick 17
Deonte Banks
CB
Maryland
• Soph
• 6'2"
/ 200 lbs
Mike Tomlin loves athletic CBs with swag, and Banks has that.
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Mock Trade from
Detroit Lions
Round 1 - Pick 18
Texas
• Soph
• 5'11"
/ 215 lbs
The teams swap first-round picks with the Lions getting a third-rounder and the Chargers adding a fifth and a sixth. Austin Ekeler is mad, wants a new contract and asked to be traded. The Chargers answer his requests by selecting the most talented RB since Saquon Barkley.
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Mock Trade from
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Round 1 - Pick 19
TCU
• Soph
• 6'4"
/ 215 lbs
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Round 1 - Pick 20
USC
• Soph
• 5'11"
/ 175 lbs
The former Biletnikoff Award winner would fit in nicely with Seattle's balanced offense.
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Mock Trade from
Los Angeles Chargers
Round 1 - Pick 21
Mississippi State
• Soph
• 6'0"
/ 180 lbs
Forbes is the best ball-hawking DB in the draft, with 18 interceptions and six pick-sixes in the three years at Mississippi State. Detroit is winning in my mock draft.
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Round 1 - Pick 22
Nolan Smith
EDGE
Georgia
• Soph
• 6'2"
/ 238 lbs
The Ravens really value edge rushers. If Smith can refine his pass-rushing skills, look out!
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Round 1 - Pick 23
Zay Flowers
WR
Boston College
• Soph
• 5'9"
/ 175 lbs
The Vikings lost Adam Thielen, so WR depth is needed.
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Round 1 - Pick 24
Kelee Ringo
CB
Georgia
• Soph
• 6'2"
/ 207 lbs
A secondary that was last in the NFL in pass defense last year desperately needs an upgrade. Ringo is a prototypical CB who could become a better pro than college player.
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Round 1 - Pick 25
Cam Smith
CB
South Carolina
• Soph
• 6'1"
/ 186 lbs
A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson. Need I say more?
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Round 1 - Pick 26
Notre Dame
• Soph
• 6'4"
/ 265 lbs
The best TE in the draft will fit in nicely with Dak Prescott.
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Round 1 - Pick 27
O'Cyrus Torrence
IOL
Florida
• Soph
• 6'5"
/ 347 lbs
The best guard in the draft will provide an attitude of toughness for the Bills.
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Round 1 - Pick 28
Utah
• Soph
• 6'4"
/ 240 lbs
Joe Burrow gets another weapon to throw to. Kincaid is a mixture of Zach Ertz and Todd Heap.
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From
San Francisco 49ers
Round 1 - Pick 29
Pittsburgh
• Soph
• 6'0"
/ 280 lbs
Defensive interior help is the biggest defensive need for the Saints, and they answer that need with Kancey.
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Round 1 - Pick 30
Alabama
• Soph
• 6'0"
/ 203 lbs
The Eagles lost their Swiss Army knife, C.J. Gardner Johnson, via free agency, but by adding Branch, they add a younger Swiss Army knife.
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Round 1 - Pick 31
Oklahoma
• Soph
• 6'5"
/ 315 lbs
The two starting offensive tackles from last year's team are gone, so solidifying protection for Patrick Mahomes is a priority.
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