2023 Sportskeeda NFL Mock Draft 1.0: Panthers make decision between C.J. Stroud and Bryce Young 

C.J. Stroud and Bryce Young are the consensus best two quarterbacks in the 2023 NFL Draft class. The Carolina Panthers will choose one of them to kickstart our NFL Mock Draft.

It has been a dramatic few days since it became clear that the Chicago Bears would definitely be trading their first-overall selection.

The Carolina Panthers jumped at the opportunity early and were able to structure a deal that gave up an awful lot, including D.J. Moore, in order to secure control of the board.

Whilst this won’t be the only trade to take place before we hit Draft Day, it has clearly had a huge impact on proceedings at the top end of the 2023 NFL Draft.

It is a far better quarterback class than in 2022, hence the push to secure the #1 selection, yet the talent runs deep throughout the first round.

Chris Winterburn’s Sportskeeda NFL Mock Draft 2023 1.0

1. Carolina Panthers: C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State, NFL Mock Draft 2023

Carolina moved into this position to take the starting quarterback. The choice is a direct contest between Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud. It is understood that the Panthers prefer the Ohio State Buckeye and will select him as their top choice to finally replace Cam Newton.

2. Houston Texans: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama, NFL Mock Draft 2023

Widely seen as the consensus best player in the 2023 NFL Draft, Bryce Young will fall to the Houston Texans, making it a dream night for a franchise that has struggled recently. In his final two college seasons, Young threw 79 touchdown passes. Houston’s lackluster offense needs that kind of production.

3. Arizona Cardinals: Will Anderson Jr., OLB, Alabama, NFL Mock Draft 2023

Arizona have their QB Kyler Murray and now need to start building a roster that he can compete alongside. The biggest area of need for the Cardinals heading into the draft is the edge rusher. Will Anderson Jr. is the best edge rusher in the class and has all the qualities to be a generation player in the position. Arizona will select him here without any hesitation. He'll be an opening day-ready stud.

4. Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida, NFL Mock Draft 2023

Richardson was of interest to the Panthers, who admired his skillset. It is expected that the Colts will select the Florida starter if they don’t move for Lamar Jackson. Richardson isn’t a guaranteed starter. He has inconsistent accuracy, but the Colts have to take a gamble here with Young and Stroud off the board.

5. Seattle Seahawks: Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia, NFL Mock Draft 2023

Seattle stunned fans in 2022 by how competitive they were. Pete Carroll trusts Geno Smith and is focused on building a dominant defense. There is a serious gap in the team’s DT corps. They will select Jalen Carter out of Georgia to fill it. Off-field concerns will be ignored due to Carter’s pro-bowl potential.

6. Detroit Lions: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois, NFL Mock Draft 2023

Devon Witherspoon is one of the best secondary defensemen in the class. He isn’t Sauce Gardner, but he produced the best tape at the cornerback position of any of the 2023 prospects. The Lions still realistically need a quarterback but will kick the can down the road by bolstering the quality of their roster instead here.

7. Las Vegas Raiders: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky, NFL Mock Draft 2023

Derek Carr’s departure frees up cap space. The Raiders will take the gamble on a rookie QB salary in the hope they can build a roster around him. Will Levis is a very talented QB with the cleanest throwing action in the class, but accuracy could be an issue.

8. Atlanta Falcons: Tyree Wilson, OLB, Texas Tech, NFL Mock Draft 2023

Despite not having a secure QB in the future, the Falcons won’t be able to believe their luck at Tyree Wilson falling to them at #8. He has a huge frame with a scary wingspan of 86 inches. Wilson will do damage when paired with Arnold Ebiketie, and the Falcons suddenly have one of the scariest one-two punches in QB pressure in the NFL.

9. Chicago Bears: Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern, NFL Mock Draft 2023

The Bears made their call on Justin Fields by trading their first-overall selection. They’ve put their faith in him and now they need to help him on the field. Peter Skoronski is a stud offensive tackle out of Northwestern with a burgeoning reputation over the course of the draft process. He’s big, strong, and has fantastic technique. Penalties aren’t a regular worry and he will keep Fields off the deck.

10. Philadelphia Eagles: Nolan Smith, OLB, Georgia, NFL Mock Draft 2023

Philly returns to the well, plucking another defensive talent out of Georgia after Jordan Davis in 2022. Nolan Smith is a pro-ready linebacker who can get to the quarterback. He’ll be paired alongside Josh Sweat and Haason Reddick to make the Eagles defense even stronger.

11. Tennessee Titans: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia, NFL Mock Draft 2023

The Titans need to build their offensive line, and with Broderick Jones, there is a chance they are taking the best performing tackle in the class right now. Jones is a great athlete and showed as much during an impressive combined display.

12. Houston Texans: Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State, NFL Mock Draft 2023

With the Texans taking their franchise quarterback earlier in the 2023 NFL Draft, they will then turn to protecting him with this pick. The Texans were awful in both passing and rushing offense last year. Paris Johnson Jr. helps with both. He is athletic and long, making it difficult for rushers to get around him. He will be a steady hand next to Bryce Young.

13. New York Jets: Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma, NFL Mock Draft 2023

If the Jets manage to tempt Aaron Rodgers to become their starting QB, they will not make the same mistake as the Packers. They will base their draft strategy around helping him. They may be tempted to take one of the most talented receivers at the top end of the class, but Anton Harrison at tackle is too good to pass up. He ran a 4.98-second 40m time and looks to be an incredible athlete for the position.

14. New England Patriots: Quentin Johnson, WR, TCU, NFL Mock Draft 2023

The Bull Frogs were the Cinderella story of the collegiate season. Quentin Johnson was a monster, receiving 1,069 yards. Bill Belichick was always envious of Calvin Johnson and he will not miss the chance to have the potential second coming of Megatron in Quentin Johnson.

15. Green Bay Packers: Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah, NFL Mock Draft 2023

Kincaid is the archetypal receiving tight-end. He may need to improve on his blocking, but there isn’t a more reliable catcher anywhere in the draft. Jordan Love is going to be under enormous pressure to replace Rodgers, and nothing will help him more than a big, reliable TE to lean on.

16. Washington Commanders: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon, NFL Mock Draft 2023

Christian Gonzalez should never have been this low in the draft, but circumstances play in the Commanders’ favor as they get to take a top-10 talent way down at 16th overall. Gonzalez is a wonderful cornerback who is remarkably quick. Not only does he have speed, but he’s long, too. If he can improve his defensive IQ, he could be a pro-bowler for years to come.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers: O’Cyrus Torrence, G, Arkansas, NFL Mock Draft 2023

Torrence is NFL-ready at the guard position and would improve almost any offensive line in the league. He’s a man-mountain who relies on natural skill as much as physical dominance. Good luck getting past him.

18. Detroit Lions: Calijah Kancey, DT, Pittsburgh, NFL Mock Draft 2023

Detroit allowed teams to run all over them in 2022, allowing 2,491 rushing yards. They will try to rectify this in the draft by bringing in powerhouse DT Calijah Kancey out of Pittsburgh. This is a steal. Whilst Aaron Donald's comparisons may be unrealistic, he is quick and able to switch between run-stopping and pass rushing with ease.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Brian Branch, S, Alabama, NFL Mock Draft 2023

Todd Bowles will not be able to resist defense here. With the QB issue likely to be resolved via a trade or free-agency, the Bucs will take the standout safety in the class in Branch. Whilst not lightning quick, Branch is a presence in the secondary and sets the tone with hard hits and discipline. He’s a defensive leader.

20. Seattle Seahawks: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State, NFL Mock Draft 2023

With a defensive selection in the bag, the Seahawks will give Geno Smith an additional weapon at #20. Smith-Njigba could be the quickest receiver in the class. He ran a 3.93 20-yard shuttle at the combine, which has boosted his stock.

21. Miami Dolphins *Forfeited Pick*

As a result of an NFL disciplinary charge, the Miami Dolphins have had their first pick in the 2023 NFL Draft removed.

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas, NFL Mock Draft 2023

Rocked by Austin Ekeler’s demand for a trade, the Chargers will look to make an immediate statement by selecting his replacement. Robinson is a speed demon who can’t be tackled. He’s going to be a star.

23. Baltimore Ravens: Lukas Van Ness, DE, Iowa, NFL Mock Draft 2023

Baltimore has a long history of bringing the best out of the physical forces of nature. Van Ness is another such player. His 4.58 40-yard dash time whilst weighing 272lbs was a jaw-dropping feat. He will bully offensive linemen and get to quarterbacks, which is key as the Ravens will need a good defense in 2023.

24. Minnesota Vikings: Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland, NFL Mock Draft 2023

Banks emerged as one of the stars from the combine, showcasing a brilliant set of physical attributes. Not only is his lightning pace proven by his 4.35 40-yard dash time, but he also has a 42-inch vertical. The Vikings are very happy to boost their ailing secondary here.

25. Jacksonville Jaguars: Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson, NFL Mock Draft 2023

Whilst not having built on the momentum of his 2020 ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year award, Bresee is still a dominant defensive presence. Jacksonville was ranked 21st in pass defense in 2022. The Clemson star will be tasked with adding sacks and putting the entire O-line under pressure. He isn’t bad against the run, which is an added bonus.

26. New York Giants: Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College, NFL Mock Draft 2023

Flowers is a receiving talent, albeit one who lacks natural speed. Brian Daboll has the tools to make the offense better. He would hope to do exciting things with Flowers.

27. Dallas Cowboys: Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State, NFL Mock Draft 2023

Dallas is comfortable with the front-end defenders, but there is still an issue in the backfield. Joey Porter Jr. is perhaps too good of a player to end up here, but the Cowboys will gladly take him. He is a press coverage specialist, which is exactly what they need.

28. Buffalo Bills: Myles Murphy, DE, Clemson, NFL Mock Draft 2023

Whilst not the most immediate need, the Bills know they have to plan for life after Von Miller. Murphy is a strong edge rusher and has a huge physical upside. He would be a development pick for a team already built to contend.

29. Cincinnati Bengals: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama, NFL Mock Draft 2023

This pick hinges on Joe Mixon’s future. If the Bengals part ways with their starting running back, Jahmyr Gibbs stands as the perfect replacement. Fixes to the offensive line haven’t stopped Joe Burrow from being sacked. They need to make the run-game more dynamic. Gibbs’ comparisons to Alvin Kamara mark him out as the perfect candidate to do just that.

30. New Orleans Saints: Drew Sanders, LB, Arkansas, NFL Mock Draft 2023

Sanders is raw, having only played at linebacker for a single year in Arkansas. However, scouts liked what they saw. He has the agility of a receiver and hasn’t shown any notable strength issues. His production was immense, registering 103 tackles and 9.5 sacks. He is similar in style to Micah Parsons, which is likely to tempt the Saints to reach.

31. Philadelphia Eagles: Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina, NFL Mock Draft 2023

Darius Slay’s age is a concern for the Eagles, who can afford to draft for the future. There aren’t too many big playmakers left on the board who could start on such a strong roster. Smith isn’t blessed with great height, but is a physical corner that would fit right in in Philly. He makes every down a slog for receivers and wears them down. Expect penalties, but he will develop into a starter.

32. Kansas City Chiefs: Jordan Addison, WR, USC, NFL Mock Draft 2023

Losing Tyreek Hill and still producing a Super Bowl winning offense is quite the achievement, yet Andy Reid still isn’t fully comfortable with his receiving corps. His poor combine has seen teams cool on Addison, but he’s a top-20 talent. He will stand out in an offensive scheme that is built to rack up numbers.