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USA Today Sports Media Group

Sport

Luke Easterling

2023 NFL mock draft: 3-round projections after Senior Bowl week

NFL USA TODAY Sports Senior Bowl Christian Gonzalez Jalen Carter Will Levis Anthony Richardson Bijan Robinson Brian Branch Broderick Jones

Every year, the Senior Bowl gives some of the top NFL draft hopefuls an opportunity to improve their stock with a strong performance in front of league coaches and decision-makers, and this year’s edition was no exception.

A handful of players made the most of their trip to Mobile, and that’s sure to he reflected in the updated mock drafts that will start pouring out in the coming weeks.

As we leave the Senior Bowl in the rearview mirror, and look ahead to the NFL Scouting Combine, here’s an updated look at how the first three rounds of the 2023 NFL draft could shake out (draft order, with projection compensatory picks, courtesy of Tankathon):

NOTE: The Miami Dolphins forfeited their first-round pick in next year’s draft as a result of the NFL’s investigation into tampering violations.

*projected compensatory pick

1. Chicago Bears | Alabama EDGE Will Anderson

The Bears are in a perfect spot here, with the No. 1 overall pick, no need at quarterback, and multiple prospects at other positions of need who are worthy of this selection. If they don’t trade down, I think Anderson gets the nod over Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter, but Chicago really can’t go wrong either way here.

2. Houston Texans | Alabama QB Bryce Young

The dream scenario for the Texans, who get the best quarterback in the draft, despite losing out on the No. 1 pick in the last week of the regular season. If nobody jumps ahead of them for Young, Houston would be making a huge upgrade at the game’s most important position to usher in a new era.

3. Arizona Cardinals | Georgia DL Jalen Carter

There might be bigger needs elsewhere for the Cards, but the talent is just too much to pass up here. Carter is a dominant interior presence with a rare blend of size, athleticism and power, and could easily make a strong case to be the No. 1 overall pick.

4. Indianapolis Colts | Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud

This pick has to be a quarterback, whether the Colts trade up to No. 1 or stay here. Kentucky’s Will Levis will get some consideration here, but Stroud is easily the more complete, pro-ready prospect, with a level of polish that should allow him to be successful as a Week 1 starter in his rookie season.

5. Seattle Seahawks (from DEN) | Texas Tech EDGE Tyree Wilson

This defensive front needs help across the board, so this pick is about finding the best talent for that unit. Wilson has rare athleticism, explosiveness and versatility for defender with his frame, and his skill set would be a perfect fit in Pete Carroll’s defense.

6. Detroit Lions (from LAR) | Illinois CB Devon Witherspoon

The Lions could be a trade-back candidate here, but if they stick and pick, Witherspoon represents the best marriage of need and value in this scenario. His film shows a polished cover man who can excel in either man or zone, with the instincts and ball skills to be a big-play magnet.

7. Las Vegas Raiders | Kentucky QB Will Levis

Aaron Rodgers rumors notwithstanding, the Raiders will obviously have a gaping hole at quarterback once they move on from Derek Carr this offseason. Levis didn’t show the kind of progression many were hoping for in 2022, and there are still some concerning flaws in his game, but he’s got some traits that teams fall in love with this time of year.

8. Atlanta Falcons | Clemson EDGE Myles Murphy

Another defensive front that needs help all over the place, the Falcons need will be looking for the best value, either along the interior or on the edge. In this scenario, the latter gets the nod, with a well-rounded prospect in Murphy who can make an instant impact against both the run and pass.

9. Carolina Panthers | Florida QB Anthony Richardson

If the Panthers don’t regret passing on Justin Fields, they definitely should at this point. They’d be wise not to make the same mistake twice, and though Richardson isn’t anywhere near the level of prospect Fields was coming out, he’s still got sky-high potential that could make him a superstar down the road.

10. Philadelphia Eagles (from NO) | Oregon CB Christian Gonzalez

Despite being the best team in the league this year, the Eagles still scored a top-10 pick thanks to last year’s draft-day trade with the Saints. Corner makes the most sense for them in this situation, and Gonzalez has a fantastic blend of size, length, athleticism and ball skills.

11. Tennessee Titans | Northwestern OT Peter Skoronski

This offense isn’t going anywhere without some serious upgrades in the trenches. Skoronski might be smaller than most teams would like a tackle to be, but regardless of where he lines up, he’s a Day 1 starter with the polish, power and technique to help get this unit back on track.

12. Houston Texans (from CLE) | Georgia Tech EDGE/DL Keion White

Wide receiver is a strong possibility here, but don’t be surprised if DeMeco Ryans wants to use this pick on his side of the ball after grabbing his franchise quarterback earlier. One of this year’s fastest-rising prospects, White is a versatile defender with a massive frame and impressive athleticism who could line up anywhere in the trenches.

13. New York Jets | Ohio State OT Paris Johnson Jr.

Regardless of who ends up throwing passes for the Jets next year, that quarterback will need some improved protection, and the biggest need is at tackle. Johnson has played both tackle spots (as well as guard) at a high level against top competition, and would be a Day 1 starter.

14. New England Patriots | TCU WR Quentin Johnston

Offensive tackle might be the bigger need here, but the value at receiver is too much to pass up, with no pass-catchers off the board yet. Johnston isn’t a finished product, but his combination of size, length, athleticism and ball skills give him limitless upside this offense just doesn’t have at the position right now.

15. Green Bay Packers | Iowa DL Lukas Van Ness

Every year, pass-catchers are the popular pick to project here, but it never happens in real life. At some point, we have to admit that the Packers value other positions in the first round, particularly on defense. Van Ness didn’t start for the Hawkeyes for some strange reason, but his physical traits and versatility should make him a much more productive pro.

16. Washington Commanders | Penn State CB Joey Porter Jr.

The offensive line needs help, but in this scenario, the value at corner is just too good for the Commanders to pass up. A big, long corner who excels in man coverage, Porter plays his position with the same physicality and competitiveness that made his dad a Pro Bowl defender in his day.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers | Georgia OT Broderick Jones

This offense has some talented playmakers, but they’re not going anywhere if they don’t fix things in the trenches. Jones is a powerful blocker who helped lead the Bulldogs to back-to-back national titles, and he’d be a solid value here, even for a team that never spends first-round picks on offensive tackles.

18. Detroit Lions | Texas RB Bijan Robinson

Sometimes, you just have to throw needs out the window and draft the best available player on the board. The Lions have way bigger needs elsewhere, but the value just isn’t there at any of them. D’Andre Swift has struggled to stay healthy, Jamaal Williams is a free agent, and Robinson is a top-five talent in this class.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Alabama DB Brian Branch

The Bucs are set to lose two of their top three corners (Jamel Dean, Sean Murphy-Bunting), as well as three of their top four safeties (Mike Edwards, Logan Ryan, Keanu Neal) to free agency. Why not spend their top pick on a player who can line up at corner on the outside, in the slot, or on the back end? Branch did all of that at a high level in Nick Saban’s defense, and would be a perfect fit for Todd Bowles’ scheme.

20. Seattle Seahawks | Notre Dame TE Michael Mayer

The Seahawks could go a bunch of different directions here, but the best match of need and value comes at tight end, where they’re able to take the best player in this year’s class. Mayer is a complete prospect who can create matchup problems in the passing game, while lending a hand on the ground as a steady blocker.

21. Los Angeles Chargers | USC WR Jordan Addison

This pick has to be something to help Justin Herbert, and in this scenario, the choice is clear. Addison could make a strong case to be the best pass-catcher in this year’s class, so to land him outside the top 20 would be a huge win for the Chargers, even if they have to wait on addressing the offensive line.

22. Baltimore Ravens | Tennessee WR Jalin Hyatt

Syndication: The Knoxville News-Sentinel

The Ravens’ offensive scheme isn’t doing Lamar Jackson any favors, and if they’re going to commit to him long-term, they need to expand the playbook and get him more weapons for the passing game. Hyatt exploded onto the scene with a dominant 2022 season, and would bring more explosiveness and big-play ability to Baltimore’s aerial attack.

23. Minnesota Vikings | South Carolina CB Cam Smith

If the Vikings hadn’t had one of the league’s worst defenses, they might have been able to make a deep playoff run. New defensive coordinator Brian Flores should make a huge difference, but he’ll need some help in term of personnel, particularly in the secondary. Smith is a complete player who could step into the starting lineup as an immediate upgrade.

24. Jacksonville Jaguars | Mississippi State CB Emmanuel Forbes

The Jaguars proved this season what a difference a head coach can make, and they’re only a few pieces away from being genuine contenders, even in a loaded AFC. They could use another talented outside corner to pair with Tyson Campbell, and Forbes was a big-play machine for the Bulldogs this year.

25. New York Giants | Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Daniel Jones and the Giants offense put together an impressive season despite a skeleton crew at wide receiver, and that unit has to be addressed in a big way this offseason. Smith-Njigba missed most of 2022 due to injury, but his 2021 tape was good enough to warrant first-round consideration.

26. Dallas Cowboys | Arkansas LB Drew Sanders

Free agency could leave the Cowboys having to replace all of their starters at linebacker, and this scenario gives them the chance to reload. Sanders is a versatile playmaker who can line up on the edge or off the ball, giving Dallas yet another weapon to pair with Micah Parsons in the front seven.

27. Buffalo Bills | Boston College WR Zay Flowers

This pick has to be spent giving Josh Allen more help, whether that’s in the trenches, or in terms of adding playmakers to the offense. In this scenario, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Bills opt for another explosive pass-catcher to pair with Stefon Diggs. Despite his small frame, Flowers is a precise route-runner who creates consistent separation and makes big plays after the catch.

28. Cincinnati Bengals | Georgia CB Kelee Ringo

There might be more glaring holes on offense, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Bengals opt for some secondary help here. Ringo’s 2022 film was a roller-coaster, but he’s still got top-end physical traits, and his skill set would be a great fit in this defense.

29. New Orleans Saints (from SF via MIA, DEN) | Florida OL O'Cyrus Torrence

After getting back into the first round courtesy of the Sean Payton trade, the Saints are able to fill one of their biggest needs with the top prospect at his position. Torrence is a plug-and-play starter at guard, and without a quarterback worthy of this spot still on the board, the Saints would be wise to address the offensive trenches instead.

30. Kansas City Chiefs | Ohio State OT Dawand Jones

The interior of this offensive line is solid, but the tackle spots will be a huge concern again this offseason. Jones is a massive mauler with rare length, and the physicality you’d expect from someone with his frame. He’d be an instant upgrade for Kansas City, particularly on the right side.

31. Philadelphia Eagles | Alabama RB Jahmyr Gibbs

An edge rusher would make a ton of sense here, but with Miles Sanders headed for free agency, it’s just too much fun to think about what Gibbs’ do-it-all skill set could do in this star-studded offense. He can line up anywhere and create mismatches, giving Jalen Hurts yet another dynamic weapon.