After nine trillion mock drafts since the start of the football season, I've reached the finish line with the 2023 NFL Draft. This is my final mock before Roger Goodell announces the Panthers' pick at No. 1 overall on Thursday night.
This mock isn't loaded with chalk picks because, you know by know, chalk picks are actually pretty rare during the draft, and this draft feels less chalky than I can remember.
Note: There are only 31 picks in the first round of this mock draft because the Dolphins were stripped of their first-round pick due to tampering.
Let's get to the selections!
For more 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. (Check out the latest episode below.)
NFL Mock Draft
Round 1
From
Chicago Bears
Round 1 - Pick 1
I want to believe the Redditor. It would be an amazing story. I just can't. The Panthers go with the selection we've all penciled in for a while now.
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Round 1 - Pick 2
DeMeco Ryan pounds the table for the super-long, bendy, athletic rusher over Will Anderson Jr. and a quarterback.
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Mock Trade from
Arizona Cardinals
Round 1 - Pick 3
The owner I believe in the most to make sure he gets the quarterback his team wants is Jim Irsay. While only a minor move, it ensures head coach Shane Steichen gets a big, hyper-athletic, high-upside passer in his offense.
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Mock Trade from
Indianapolis Colts
Round 1 - Pick 4
The Cardinals drop back one spot and land a stud, three-down pass-rusher and get picks No. 79 and No. 106 in the process. Win.
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From
Denver Broncos
Round 1 - Pick 5
The Seahawks would consider quarterback here but can't pass on Carter to boost the interior of their defensive front. Pete Carroll will feel comfortable dealing with any maturity issues Carter may have.
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From
Los Angeles Rams
Round 1 - Pick 6
This feels like a very Dan Campbell pick. Feisty, in-your-face cornerback who can lock down one side of the field.
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Round 1 - Pick 7
I don't think Josh McDaniels would want to immediately undermine his decision to add Jimmy Garoppolo.
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Mock Trade from
Atlanta Falcons
Round 1 - Pick 8
The Titans jump at the opportunity to move up for a potential franchise quarterback, and Mike Vrabel returns to his Ohio State roots here to get Stroud.
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Mock Trade from
Chicago Bears
Round 1 - Pick 9
The Texans get aggressive after passing on a quarterback at No. 2 overall. Levis has upside because of his physicality and arm talent.
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From
New Orleans Saints
Round 1 - Pick 10
The Eagles go with Haason Reddick 2.0 to pair with Haason Reddick 1.0. Smith has All-Pro upside. When in doubt, Howie Roseman goes into the trenches.
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Mock Trade from
Tennessee Titans
Round 1 - Pick 11
The Falcons feel better about picking Robinson after moving back to pick him. Atlanta gets No. 72 and No. 147 in the trade down.
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Mock Trade from
Houston Texans
Round 1 - Pick 12
The Bears moved all the way back from No. 1 overall, got a load of picks in the process -- including No. 73 and No. 161 here -- and still were able to pick Skoronski to add to the blocking unit in front of Justin Fields.
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From
New York Jets
Round 1 - Pick 13
Could totally see Mayer surprising the masses and being the first tight end off the board. High-floor, three-down player for Jordan Love's offense.
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Round 1 - Pick 14
Jones is a little bit of a project, yet he has massive upside at the left tackle spot.
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From
Green Bay Packers
Round 1 - Pick 15
The nasty demeanor of the Jets under Robert Saleh makes this a nice fit for Wright. He's that type of mauler, particularly in pass pro.
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Round 1 - Pick 16
The Commanders stop Gonzalez's slide. He's a long, smooth athlete on the perimeter. He's what the Commanders need.
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Round 1 - Pick 17
The Steelers make it happen, bringing Porter to Pittsburgh. He's the type of player this defense needs on the outside, and without a top offensive tackle on the board, this is a good choice.
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Round 1 - Pick 18
Kancey would round out the defensive outstandingly. He's the best pure pass-rusher in the class.
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Round 1 - Pick 19
Hooker would buy GM Jason Licht some job security, having a quarterback on the roster outside of Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask.
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Round 1 - Pick 20
Yes, the Seahawks dipped into the edge-rusher position last year, but they go that route again with Van Ness because of his athleticism and upside. Seattle likes to wait on the receiver spot.
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Round 1 - Pick 21
The Chargers don't hesitate here, picking Smith-Njigba to add a dynamic element to Keenan Allen and Mike Williams for Justin Herbert.
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Round 1 - Pick 22
The Ravens stop Kincaid's mini slide to give Lamar Jackson a premier receiving tight end.
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Round 1 - Pick 23
Banks is a super-athletic, long cornerback who feels like the prototypical defensive back for Brian Flores' system.
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Round 1 - Pick 24
The Jaguars desperately need playmakers in their secondary, and Branch is exactly that. He's also a ridiculously good tackler.
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Round 1 - Pick 25
Even though the Giants picked a small receiver early last year -- Wan'Dale Robinson in Round 2 -- they go that route again to give Daniel Jones another weapon.
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Round 1 - Pick 26
More outside pass rush talent in Dallas. McDonald is explosive and bendy around the corner.
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Round 1 - Pick 27
The Bills could go receiver here -- namely Quentin Johnston or maybe Josh Downs -- but instead they start the draft with a linebacker given the lack of depth at the position.
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Round 1 - Pick 28
The Bengals continue their revamping of the secondary with the playmaking Forbes.
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From
San Francisco 49ers
Round 1 - Pick 29
Murphy is the logical replacement for Marcus Davenport in the Saints defense. He's a big, physical, athletic, Davenport type.
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Round 1 - Pick 30
The Eagles love the value they get here with Gibbs, instead of going Robinson at No. 10 overall. Gibbs has a serious juice down the field and could thrive instantly behind Philadelphia's offensive line.
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Round 1 - Pick 31
The Chiefs go with another ultra-athletic, long defensive tackle to pair with Chris Jones on the interior.
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