2023 NFL Mock Draft: Panthers land franchise QB at No. 1, but it’s not who you think

April is here, so it’s time to get really serious with our 2023 NFL mock drafts. With just three weeks to go before the Carolina Panthers are on the clock, uncertainty remains in the top 10.

I only made two trades in this mock draft. The Indianapolis Colts trade up with the Arizona Cardinals to ensure they get their franchise quarterback, and the Chicago Bears trade back with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who also move up to land Tom Brady’s replacement.

I’m also assuming that we don’t get a Lamar Jackson trade.

And remember: The Miami Dolphins forfeited their first-round selection.

Now let’s get to those picks.

1. Carolina Panthers: Anthony Richardson – Quarterback, Florida

A surprise pick to kick off the draft, the Panthers decide to bet on Richardson’s sky-high upside and make him the first overall selection. He won’t even have to play right away if they decide he’s not ready, thanks to the signing of steady veteran Andy Dalton.

2. Houston Texans: Bryce Young – Quarterback, Alabama

Despite losing their first overall pick in the final game of 2022, the Texans get the guy they probably wanted all along. Young is the most pro-ready quarterback in this draft and has the makings to bring the Texans back to the playoffs.

3. Indianapolis Colts (via ARI): CJ Stroud – Quarterback, Ohio State

With Stroud slipping past the top two selections, the Colts make a trade to get their quarterback of the future before anyone else can. Four years and six quarterbacks after Andrew Luck’s retirement, the Colts finally get their guy, and suddenly the AFC South has a good-looking group of quarterbacks.

4. Arizona Cardinals (via IND): Will Anderson Jr. – Edge, Alabama

The Cardinals acquire a little extra draft capital and still get the best non-quarterback in the draft, an ideal scenario for them. They’ve got a long road back to the playoffs, but adding the back-to-back winner of the Bronko Nagurski Trophy makes it a little less daunting.

5. Seattle Seahawks (via DEN): Tyree Wilson – Edge, Texas Tech

If not for a season-ending injury in 2022, Wilson would probably be fighting Anderson for the best non-quarterback crown in this draft. A freak athlete with a sky-high upside, the Seahawks lay the foundation to revive the Legion of Boom with this pick.

6. Detroit Lions (via LAR): Jalen Carter – Defensive Tackle, Georgia

Jalen Carter and Aiden Hutchinson on the same line? Offensive lines in the NFC North will not enjoy seeing this happen. With his legal issues settled, Carter becomes a safe pick again and an absolute steal at six. Bet on Dan Campbell getting the most out of Carter.

7. Las Vegas Raiders: Paris Johnson Jr. – Offensive Tackle, Ohio State

After signing Jimmy Garoppolo, the Raiders now focus on building an offensive line in front of him to rival what he had in San Francisco. While there are quite a few offensive tackles with elite traits in this draft, Johnson seems to be the consensus top tackle, and for good reason.

8. Atlanta Falcons: Christian Gonzalez – Cornerback, Oregon

The Falcons go with the best player available here and get a cornerback who could make an even bigger rookie splash than Ahmad Gardner did in 2022. The Falcons can set him in their secondary and forget about it for the next ten years with this pick.

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (via CHI): Will Levis – Quarterback, Kentucky

Despite losing Tom Brady, the Bucs appear unwilling to hit a full reset on the roster, so when a talented quarterback falls to the back end of the Top 10, they pounce. They trade up ten spots to select Levis, and with the bounty of weapons available in the Bay, Levis could have a shot at the best season of all rookie quarterbacks in 2023.

10. Philadelphia Eagles (via NO): Devon Witherspoon – Cornerback, Illinois

The NFC champs lost a lot of talent this offseason, so they’re going best player available with this pick, which also happens to fill a position of need. If it weren’t for Gonzalez, Witherspoon would be the clear CB1 of this draft. In 2022, he allowed less than 30% of his targets to be completed and just a 1.0 QBR. Yes, you read that right. One-point-oh.

11. Tennessee Titans: Peter Skoronski – Offensive Tackle, Northwestern

Arguably the safest prospect in this draft, the floor for Skoronski is where you place the ceiling of many offensive lineman. He has been a stud left tackle for Northwestern but could probably play any spot on the line at a Pro Bowl level.

12. Houston Texans (via CLE): Jaxon Smith-Njigba – Receiver, Ohio State

The Texans get their quarterback and immediately arm him with the best receiver in this draft. If the Texans can walk away from the first night of the draft with Young and JSN, they might as well start popping champagne.

13. New York Jets: Broderick Jones – Offensive Tackle, Georgia

Let’s assume that Rodgers is already a Jet. That gives Gang Green almost everything they need to make a Super Bowl run. Now they need to solidify the offensive line, and Jones is the answer. A hyper-athletic tackle who is young and likely hasn’t even hit his ceiling yet, Jones could continue the recent trend of 13th-overall picks producing at elite levels.

14. New England Patriots: Myles Murphy – Edge, Clemson

Matt Judon will be 31 when the 2023 season starts and the Patriots need to think about who will replace his production. Enter Murphy. In three years at Clemson, he put up 18.5 sacks and 36 tackles for loss and only just turned 21.

15. Green Bay Packers: Michael Mayer – Tight End, Notre Dame

The tight end cupboard in Green Bay is empty with the departure of Robert Tonyan, so the Packers select the far-and-away best tight end in this draft class. While not as athletic or speedy as a couple of his peers, Mayer does everything expected of a tight end at a high level and will be an immediate impact player.

16. Washington Commanders: Bijan Robinson – Running Back, Texas

Unable to get a quarterback this year, the Commanders instead draft the best player available, who happens to be the most electric playmaker in this draft, regardless of position. Running backs are devalued in the modern NFL, but Robinson should be considered an exception. He’s a Saquon Barkley without the injury history and will make life for quarterback Sam Howell much easier in 2023.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Brian Branch – Safety, Alabama

The safety class is relatively weak this year, with Branch providing the only blue-chip talent at the position group. The Steelers need help badly in their secondary, and adding a highly intelligent, versatile, freakish athlete should go a long way to improving their pass defense.

18. Detroit Lions: Jack Campbell – Linebacker, Iowa

I’m not sure why Campbell isn’t getting first-round talks yet. He’s easily the most talented linebacker in this draft. He has a prototypical build for his position and can do everything a defensive coordinator may ask of him at a high level. After signing some solid free agents for the secondary and drafting the top defensive tackle in this draft, the Lions now go for the trifecta by bolstering their linebacker corps. With a draft class like this, don’t be surprised if the Lions end their 30-year draught in the playoffs.

19. Chicago Bears (via TB): Darnell Wright – Offensive Tackle, Tennessee

After trading back from nine, the Bears still get a top offensive lineman to fill a desperate position of need. He may be a little heavier than the other linemen in Chicago, but there’s no doubting Wright’s abilities in pass protection. Cut on the tape from the Tennessee/Alabama game, and you’ll see him stonewalling renowned pass rusher Will Anderson Jr.

20. Seattle Seahawks: Bryan Bresee – Defensive Tackle, Clemson

Due to injuries and some issues in his family life, Bresee was never able to hit the ceiling that many have projected for him. But he’s got all the tools and the talent to be a top defensive tackle in the league, especially when paired with his fellow rookie Tyree Wilson.

21. Los Angeles Chargers: Quentin Johnston – Receiver, TCU

The Chargers need to get ready to replenish their wide receiver room, and Johnston is a terrific start. He’s tall, fast, and has an insane catch radius. He’s got a few things to improve in his game, but there’s no reason to believe he’s already hit his limits.

22. Baltimore Ravens: Zay Flowers – Receiver, Boston College

After retaining Jackson, the Ravens decide to throw him a bone and draft arguably the best route runner in this draft. Flowers has been rocketing up draft boards since January and falls into a perfect spot here for Baltimore.

23. Minnesota Vikings: Jordan Addison – Receiver, USC

Addison’s Combine performance didn’t do him any favors, but his tape from college is still incredible to watch. The Vikings need to give Justin Jefferson some help now that Adam Thielen has departed, and not having to be the WR1 on his new team will help Addison acclimate to the NFL better.

24. Jacksonville Jaguars: Joey Porter Jr. – Cornerback, Penn State

The Jaguars’ offense is firing on all cylinders, now they need their defense to match that energy. Porter Jr. played against Ohio State and their corps of NFL-caliber receivers twice and allowed just 45 total yards. That’s for both games. He’s got the goods to be a starting cornerback.

25. New York Giants: Dalton Kincaid – Tight End, Utah

The Giants need pass catchers but can’t get one of the best receivers, so they go with one of the best tight ends. Kincaid is probably a better route runner than Mayer and is faster, too. Jones needs someone to catch the ball, at least for now, he’ll have one reliable option.

26. Dallas Cowboys: Darnell Washington – Tight End, Georgia

With the departure of Dalton Schultz, the Cowboys need a new tight end. Washington lit up the combine with his ridiculous measurables, and his tape from Georgia looks like a super-sized wide receiver.

27. Buffalo Bills: Jahmyr Gibbs – Running Back, Alabama

Josh Allen is an alien, but he needs help, specifically in the backfield. The Bills can’t get Robinson in this mock, but Gibbs is one heck of a silver medal in that regard. He’s electric, whether carrying the ball himself or catching it as a receiver and would take a gigantic load off of Allen.

28. Cincinnati Bengals: Dawand Jones – Offensive Tackle, Ohio State

Despite pouring tons of money into their offensive line last year, the Bengals still gave up 44 sacks in 2022. For this mock, they select the behemoth Buckeye to try to solve that problem once and for all. Standing six-foot-eight and possessing a ridiculous 89.5” wingspan, Jones should anchor their line for the next ten years.

29. New Orleans Saints (via SF): Nolan Smith – Edge, Georgia

Another potential Top 10 pick who’s stock was hurt by a season-ending injury. Smith put on a show at the Combine, registering a 4.39-second 40-yard dash, a ten-foot-eight broad jump, and a 42” vertical. An explosive athlete with the numbers to match, he could be an immediate starter for the Saints.

30. Philadelphia Eagles: Calijah Kancey – Defensive Tackle, Pittsburgh

Despite a lot of Top 10 noise, I don’t think Kancey cracks that list when the draft rolls around. But at the end of the first round, the Eagles pounce on a prospect like this, especially after losing Javon Hargrave in free agency. With two first-round picks, the Eagles in this mock do a good job of making up for lost talent over the last month.

31. Kansas City Chiefs: Josh Downs – Receiver, North Carolina

Patrick Mahomes has proven he doesn’t need a stud wide receiver to win championships, but why not give him one anyway? Downs is fairly small for a receiver, but I remember a small yet explosive athlete having recent success in Kansas City.