NFL Draft 2023 Predictions: Ranking the Top Landing Spots for Quarterbacks and Players in the First Round

In the NFL Draft 2023, as in almost every year, the quarterbacks are the focus. Your landing spots will set off a chain reaction in the decisions of the next teams. That makes it particularly difficult this year to predict which player will end up in which franchise in the first round. Still, I’d like to try it the morning before the draft, out of a tradition that I’ve grown fond of and that I’ve often been quite good at over the past few years.

Will CJ Stroud or Bryce Young be the first quarterback to hear his name on the stage in front of Union Station in Kansas City? The answer will decide whether the Houston Texans in second place simply pick the next best playmaker on their board or then go for a defender? The wildest trades are also possible from this position.

NFL Mock Draft 2023

While I’m following the NFL Draft 2023 as a director on RTL and giving a hand to the team of moderators Jan Stecker, Markus Kuhn and Sebastian Vollmer, we can all look forward to a spectacular evening.

1. Carolina Panthers: Bryce Young / Quarterback, Alabama

There is no longer a mock draft anywhere that sees CJ Stroud in the first place. Bryce Young may have questions about his physical build. But he convinced his new team owner David Tepper and head coach Frank Reich of his abilities during the drafting process.

2. Houston Texans: Will Anderson / Edge, Alabama

At the end of the day, the Houston Texans need massive reinforcements at multiple positions. If they’re not convinced by a specific post-Bryce Young quarterback, they go with the best player of that year. And that’s not Tyree Wilson, despite his potential.

3. Tennessee Titans +++ TRADE +++ : C.J. Stroud / Quarterback, Ohio State

Arizona wants to trade back and Mike Vrabel is convinced by CJ Stroud. The trade will be final if the Texans don’t draft for Stroud. This puts the second quarterback off the board in third position.

4. Indianapolis Colts: Will Levis / Quarterback, Kentucky

Owner Jim Irsay likes Will Levis. He sure has pressured General Manager Chris Ballard to take a quarterback with the first pick. Although Ballard is not completely convinced, Irsay will prevail, as in the last few months.

5. Seattle Seahawks: Jalen Carter / Defensive Line, Georgia

It’s not as obvious as many would like to see that the Seattle Seahawks would be the first team to pick Jalen Carter. But it’s just too obvious not to make this pick due to the need and experience with difficult characters.

6. Detroit Lions: Devon Witherspoon / Cornerback, Illinois

Devon Witherspoon has suddenly blossomed into the first draft cornerback in the bookmaker’s draft class and the reason for that is the interest of the Detroit Lions. He is the ideal man markr who can defend his matchups in one-on-ones alone. There is no better scheme fit for head coach Dan Campbell and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.

Last night was the first time 2 Michigan HS graduates were drafted in the top 5 of the NFL Draft.

Aidan Hutchinson #2 and Ahmad Gardner #4

— The D Zone (@TheD_Zone) April 29, 2022

7. Las Vegas Raiders: Peter Skoronski / Offensive Tackle, Northwestern

The Las Vegas Raiders need an offensive line boost, and they need it now. Also, Josh McDaniels needs some good guys for the locker room. In the case of Peter Skronski, from the Raiders’ point of view, it almost doesn’t matter whether he has to switch to guard later. You can use any help.

8. Atlanta Falcons: Tyree Wilson / Edge, Texas Tech

Atlanta is looking for an edge defender with potential. Tyree Wilson is still there. He’s a bit of a project, but that’s what new defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen is into.

Bears traden First Overall

9. Chicago Bears: Paris Johnson Jr. / Offensive Tackle, Ohio State

In this scenario, Tyree Wilson and Jalen Carter are long off the board. So the Chicago Bears are going with Paris Johnson Jr. and drafting the best offensive tackle of his year. Quarterback Justin Fields can’t wait to greet his former teammate. Its potential is enormous.

10. Philadelphia Eagles: Nolan Smith / Edge, Georgia

Howie Roseman might try to pre-trade for Jalen Carter. But whichever way we look at it, chances are the Eagles will reunite three terrific Georgia Bulldogs defensemen. Jordan Davis and Nakobe Dean await the arrival of Nolan Smith.

11. Arizona Cardinals: Lukas Van Ness / Edge, Iowa

Also, a project that fits Lukas Van Ness to the Arizona Cardinals’ approach to roster refreshment. Following the retirement of JJ Watt, Van Ness is a new physical presence who is setting the tone.

12. Houston Texans: Bijan Robinson / Runningback, Texas

Bijan Robinson may be a running back, but he’s one of the most talented players in this draft class. A reinforcement the Houston Texans won’t sneeze at.

13. Green Bay Packers: Jaxon Smith-Njigba / Wide Receiver, Ohio State

In addition to Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs, the Green Bay Packers urgently need more receivers. It would also be a sign of the football gods if they drafted a pass receiver in round one of all things after Aaron Rodgers’ departure. JSN is on the level of his former teammates Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson. Green Bay has to strike for Jordan Love.

14. New England Patriots: Christian Gonzalez / Cornerback, Oregon

Christian Gonzalez falls surprisingly because teams simply serve different needs and the cornerback class is so strong. At this point, the New England Patriots just can’t help it and need to get Gonzalez.

15. New York Jets: Darnell Wright / Offensive Tackle, Tennessee

The New York Jets desperately need a tackle. In principle, it does not matter whether this is found for the right or left side. In a win-now window, however, they need an immediate starter and that’s why Darnell Wright is the pick.

Trade compensation, per sources:

Jets get:
🏈Aaron Rodgers, pick No. 15, a 2023 5th-rd pick (No. 170).

Packers get:
🏈Pick No. 13, a 2023 2nd-rd pick (No. 42), a 6th-rd pick (No. 207), a conditional 2024 2nd-rd pick that becomes a 1st if Rodgers plays 65 percent of the plays. pic.twitter.com/Q2vUMfyZGH

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 24, 2023

16. Washington Commanders: Joey Porter Jr. / Cornerback, Penn State

Head Coach Ron Rivera loves tall cornerbacks who can play physically. I think they’re going to give Sam Howell a shot at quarterback. Though Anthony Richardson is within tempting reach.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Deonte Banks / Cornerback, Maryland

Deonte Banks played for Maryland for three seasons with Mike Tomlin’s son. He also has the athletic profile favored by Pittsburgh’s head coach. When all the good tackles are off the board, the Steelers go with banks here.

With the First Pick…

18. Detroit Lions: Michael Mayer / Tight End, Notre Dame

Michael Mayer was the best tight end in college last season. It’s going to be hard to drop an excellent blocker and good receiver any further. Especially since head coach Dan Campbell indicates that he prefers the classic tight end for his offense.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Broderick Jones / Offensive Tackle, Georgia

Like Tristan Wirfs at the time, Broderick Jones is questionable as to whether he can start reliably right away. In a transition year, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers can put up with that.

20. Seattle Seahawks: Anthony Richardson / Quarterback, Florida

The Seattle Seahawks have yet to silence a few critics in the War Room before they actually draft Anthony Richardson as a hope for the future. If he’s still there at 20, Pete Carroll will rip his shirt off again.

21. Los Angeles Chargers: Jordan Addison / Wide Receiver, USC

Chris Beatty is now the receiving coach for the Los Angeles Chargers. He was previously with the Pittsburgh Panthers and watched first hand Jordan Addison play together for a stellar season that earned him the Bilentikoff Award. Beatty won’t have the final say in choosing a first-rounder. But when Zay Flowers is on par with him, his rating can tip the scales.

22. Baltimore Ravens: Emmanuel Forbes / Cornerback, Mississippi State

The Baltimore Ravens will draft a defensive back early. Emmanuel Forbes needs to build more mass. But his instinctive play could convince the team.

23. Minnesota Vikings: Hendon Hooker / Quarterback, Tennessee

I’ve been trying to tell the football world since last October that Hendon Hooker belongs in the first batch of quarterbacks in this draft class. Just three places behind Richardson and with an optimal landing spot, Hooker has what it takes to surprise some critics early on.

24. Jacksonville Jaguars: Bryan Bresee / Defensive Line, Clemson

The Jacksonville Jaguars hardly have any gaps in their roster, but they can improve in many positions. Bryan Bresee is a physical and versatile defensive tackle that fits General Manager Trent Baalke’s requirements well.

The instincts. The bend. The catch. The stiff arm on the run back.

This is a #1 overall pick in the NFL Draft play by Travon Walker in his very first NFL regular season game. pic.twitter.com/XouiEdkwwW

— Jon Tweets Sports (@jontweetssports) September 12, 2022

25. New York Giants: Myles Murphy / Edge, Clemson

The New York Giants aren’t warming up to this year’s receivers, which are still around at this point. They either keep trading ahead or settle for Myles Murphy, whom they even met privately.

26. Dallas Cowboys: Will McDonald IV / Edge, Iowa State

The Dallas Cowboys need relief at the edge position. DeMarcus Lawrence will be 31 tomorrow and the pass rush cannot rest on his shoulders like Micah Parsons alone. McDonald still needs to be built up, but offers enormous potential.

Two tight ends in round one

27. Buffalo Bills: Quentin Johnston / Wide Receiver, TCU

What the Buffalo Bills and quarterback Josh Allen have been missing for years is a physical wideout that can be a pass station on almost every play on the wing. Quentin Johnston can let the offense play more controlled.

28. Cincinnati Bengals: Calijah Kancey Jr. / Defensive Line, Pittsburgh

The Cincinnati Bengals can certainly go on running back here. But Calijah Kancey’s potential outweighs it. He brings them a long-sought Interior Pass Rush.

29. New Orleans Saints: Sam LaPorta / Tight End, Iowa

Sam LaPorta has received a powerful boost in terms of draft stock in the last few weeks. He is considered a leader with a first class work ethic. Not only the New Orleans Saints liked it, which is why he goes into round one.

30. Philadelphia Eagles: Jahmyr Gibbs / Runningback, Alabama

The Philadelphia Eagles rated Jahmyr Gibbs pretty highly. Gibbs, like Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Charles, can play an important snap-heavy role in this offense. Together with Jalen Hurts, such a dynamic in the backfield would be difficult to defend.

31. Kansas City Chiefs: Anton Harrison / Offensive Tackle, Oklahoma

The choice falls on Anton Harrison. Athletic tackle will fall a little further than many thought it would a few weeks ago. That’s a blessing for the Chiefs.

Currently no first-round picks are available to the Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns and Denver Broncos. Subject to possible trades of course.