2023 NFL Mock Draft 9.0: Shocking Trade for Lamar Jackson

“Mock, mock til’ you drop. Mock, mock never stop!”

Alright, that’s not exactly how the old Def Leppard song goes. But it sure fits if you’re an NFL fan heading into the 2023 draft. I’ve been in the mock draft mood, too, with a fantasy players only first round NFL mock in addition to my latest one-man, five-round fantasy mock. In an effort to cover all of my bases, I figured I’d throw my hat into the ring and join the masses with my own “real” NFL mock in the first round.

This mock includes trades, which are destined to happen, including one deal that involves an elite quarterback moving north to play for a legendary head coach. That’s a tease, folks! NFL drafts are often unpredictable, so never say never on any of these moves. So, sit back, read, relax and agree, disagree and mostly … enjoy!

AP Photo/Butch Dill

1

Carolina Panthers (via CHI): Bryce Young, QB, Alabama 

Carolina will select their franchise quarterback, whether it’s Young or C.J. Stroud. I’m guessing Young, but neither would be a surprise. Regardless, a new Panthers era will begin.

2

Houston Texans: C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State

This pick will either be Young or Stroud depending on who Carolina takes, but it will be a quarterback. Whoever it is will be an upgrade over the disastrous situation Houston had since Deshaun Watson.

3

Tennessee Titans (projected trade with AZ): Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida

The Titans make a massive move to leap over their AFC South rivals and select Richardson. The trade would include the No. 11 overall selection, their 2023 second-round pick and their 2024 first-rounder (at least). Richardson would likely sit behind Ryan Tannehill and be groomed to become Tennessee’s future starter.

4

Indianapolis Colts: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky

The Colts lose Richardson but still land their new franchise quarterback. At 6’4” and 229 pounds, Levis would also be set to compete with Gardner Minshew to become their Week 1 starter.

5

Seattle Seahawks (via DEN): Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia

The Seahawks will have their choice of every defensive player in the draft, and I think they’ll pass on Alabama’s Will Anderson and take the most talented (but riskiest) defender.

6

Detroit Lions (via LAR): Will Anderson, Edge, Alabama

Christmas comes early for the Lions, who land arguably the best edge rusher in Anderson. Pairing him with Aidan Hutchinson sure sounds good, right coach Dan Campbell?

7

Las Vegas Raiders: Tyree Wilson, Edge, Texas Tech

The Raiders have a lot of needs on the defensive side of the football, but I have them going with one of the two top edge rushers in the class. Wilson would pair nicely opposite Maxx Crosby.

8

Atlanta Falcons: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois

In this draft scenario, the Falcons have their choice of the two best cornerbacks in the draft class. I have them going with wide receiver blanket Witherspoon over Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez.

9

Chicago Bears: Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State

The Bears have been busy this offseason, adding DJ Moore, D’Onta Foreman and Robert Tonyan to Justin Fields’s arsenal. Now, let’s give him a high-end tackle to help protect him.

10

Philadelphia Eagles (via NO): Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon

The Eagles lost C.J. Gardner-Johnson to the Lions as a free agent, so they’ll add their top cornerback left on the board in Gonzalez. I could also see them landing an edge rusher or adding to their offensive line, but this fills a more pressing need.

11

Arizona Cardinals (via TEN): Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State

It seems inevitable that the Cardinals are going to part ways with DeAndre Hopkins. Who knows, it might even happen during the draft. As a result, grabbing the most NFL-ready wideout in the 2023 draft class makes a whole lot of sense.

12

Houston Texans (via CLE): Nolan Smith, Edge, Georgia

With the Cardinals grabbing Smith-Njigba, I have the Texans going with a defensive pick in this spot. After all, that unit needs help everywhere and Smith is a future stud.

13

New York Jets: Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern

The Jets are in good shape at the offensive skill positions, but their line can use help. Mekhi Becton hasn’t been very durable, and Alijah Vera-Tucker missed 10 games last season.

14

Baltimore Ravens (projected trade with NE): Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee

You want to get nuts? Let’s get nuts! The Patriots, who have 11 total selections in this draft, trade the No. 14 overall pick, the No. 46 pick and a first-rounder in 2024 (plus more) to get Lamar Jackson! As part of the deal, the Ravens draft their new franchise quarterback, Hooker, who is rising up draft boards.

15

Green Bay Packers: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame

The Packers lost Tonyan as a free agent, so Mayer would come right in and be a nice option for new starter Jordan Love. I could also see this pick being Utah’s Dalton Kincaid.

16

Washington Commanders: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia

The new-look Commanders have a new starting quarterback in Sam Howell and will need to protect him at all costs. Adding Jones certainly fits the bill for coach Ron Rivera.

17

Pittsburgh Steelers: Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee

Pittsburgh fans would be thrilled to get Wright, who will come right in and become an impact player on what should be an improved offensive line. That’s good news for QB Kenny Pickett.

18

Dallas Cowboys (projected trade with DET): Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas

Jerry Jones loves to make big splash moves on the offensive side of the ball, and he won’t be able to resist moving ahead of Tampa Bay and Los Angeles to grab Robinson. It’ll cost Dallas its first- and second-round selections in this draft plus more.

19

New York Giants (projected trade with TB): Jordan Addison, WR, USC

Godofredo A. Vásquez/AP Photo

The Bucs add draft picks from the Giants to help them “rebuild,” and New York moves ahead of Seattle and the Chargers to land their new top wideout, Addison.

20

Seattle Seahawks: Myles Murphy, Edge, Clemson

The Seahawks could go with a wideout here, but I have them passing since Addison went ahead of them. Instead, they’ll have a strong edge rusher in Murphy to pair with Carter in the middle.

21

Los Angeles Chargers: Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College

Rumors abound that the Chargers are targeting a wide receiver, and they’ll be thrilled to get Flowers. His impact won’t be immediate, unless the Bolts decide to move Keenan Allen.

22

Baltimore Ravens: Joey Porter, Jr., CB, Penn State

The son of former NFL linebacker Joey Porter, the standout Nittany Lion would come in and be an impact maker for a Ravens team that needs some help in their defensive backfield.

23

Minnesota Vikings: Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU

Johnston’s stock seems to be sliding, but he’ll remain a first-rounder in this mock. With Adam Thielen no longer on the roster, the Vikings select Johnston to play alongside Justin Jefferson.

24

Jacksonville Jaguars: Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson

Jacksonville will select either a defender or offensive lineman with this selection, and I have them deciding on the former. Bresee makes a line with Travon Walker and Josh Allen even better.

25

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (via NYG): Lukas Van Ness, Edge, Iowa

The Buccaneers could go anywhere with this pick, but they’re going to need defense to help win games without Tom Brady under center. Van Ness is a versatile addition.

26

Detroit Lions (via DAL): Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah

The Lions trade down with the Cowboys and still land the player I would have mocked for them at No. 18. Kincaid would come right in and fill the void left by the T.J. Hockenson trade in 2022.

27

Buffalo Bills: Drew Sanders, LB, Arkansas

The Bills will be looking for help at linebacker after letting Tremaine Edmunds leave for Chicago as a free agent. Sanders had 9.5 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss for the Razorbacks last season.

28

Cincinnati Bengals: Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland

With Mayer and Kincaid off the board among tight ends, the Bengals call an audible and take a defender. Banks looked great at the NFL Scouting Combine and helps fill a need on defense.

29

New Orleans Saints (via SF): Calijah Kancey, DT, Pittsburgh

The Saints have a lot of question marks on the defensive side of the football, and Kancey would help to shore up the middle of the line. He’s a bit undersized at 6’1” and 281 pounds, but Kancey is explosive and should be an NFL sack man.

30

Philadelphia Eagles: Mazi Smith, DT, Michigan

The Eagles continue to focus on defense in this round, following up the selection of Gonzalez with Smith. He’ll help shore up the defensive line at 6’3” and more than 320 pounds.

31

Kansas City Chiefs: Will McDonald IV, Edge, Iowa State

The Chiefs could go offensive line or edge rusher here, and I have them taking the latter. McDonald or Kansas State’s Felix Anudike-Uzomah will likely be the best two options left.