You know it’s officially draft season when the entire NFL universe descends upon Mobile for the Senior Bowl, and that’s where we find all the action again this week, as many of this year’s draft hopefuls test their mettle against top competition.
After a few days of practice, with NFL coaching and pro decision-makers in the audience, we’ll no doubt see many prospects sending their draft stock in either direction.
Taking all that into consideration, here’s an updated look at how the first two rounds of the 2023 NFL draft could shake out:
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.
1. Indianapolis Colts (from CHI)* | Kentucky QB Will Levis
The Colts still make the most sense as a trade partner for the Bears, as they could fall in love with one of this year’s top quarterback prospects, and want to jump the division-rival Texans (with at least an additional first-round pick and second-round pick going to the Bears, and likely more) to make sure they get their man. While that should be Bryce Young or C.J. Stroud, it won’t surprise me if the become enamored with Levis’ physical tools, looking past his flaws and inconsistencies in favor of the upside.
2. Houston Texans | Alabama QB Bryce Young
This would be a massive win for the Texans, who lost out on the No. 1 pick at the last second, but still end up with the best quarterback prospect in the draft. Whatever Young might lack in ideal size, he more than makes up for by passing every other franchise quarterback test with flying colors.
3. Arizona Cardinals | Alabama EDGE Will Anderson
This is the ideal scenario for the Cardinals, who see two quarterbacks come off the board before their pick, leaving them to choose between the two best overall prospects in the entire draft at No. 3 overall. They can’t go wrong either way, but we’ll give Anderson the nod here over Jalen Carter.
4. Chicago Bears (from IND)* | Georgia DL Jalen Carter
What a win for the Bears, who move down three spots, load up on additional pick, and still land one of this year’s top overall prospects at a huge position of need. Carter is a disruptive force at the point of attack, and would give the Bears an immediate cornerstone around whom they can rebuild their once proud defense.
5. Seattle Seahawks (from DEN) | Texas Tech EDGE Tyree Wilson
The Russell Wilson trade is the gift that keeps on giving for the Seahawks, who are headed to the playoffs, and still have a top-five pick at their disposal. This is a perfect spot for them to help out their defensive front, either along the interior or on the edge, and Wilson is a high-upside prospect who is a perfect fit for what Seattle wants at the position.
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from LAR via DET)* | Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud
Tom Brady’s finally retiring (for real, this time), and the Bucs’ brass won’t be interested in a full rebuild. What they could do, should a polished, pro-ready franchise quarterback like Stroud make it to this spot, strike a deal to move up ahead of the equally QB-needy Raiders and Panthers to snatch him. It’ll likely cost at least next year’s 1st-round pick and this year’s third-round pick (probably more), but it would give the Bucs a quality restart at the game’s most important position, on a cheap rookie deal.
7. Las Vegas Raiders | Florida QB Anthony Richardson
Derek Carr is obviously on his way out, but even if the Raiders bring in a veteran quarterback, spending this pick on a high-upside passer wouldn’t be a bad idea. Richardson may take some patience, but he’s got many of the same traits that eventually made Josh Allen a superstar.
8. Atlanta Falcons | Clemson EDGE Myles Murphy
This is a great scenario for the Falcons, who need help along the entire defensive front, and have multiple options from the same program that could fill that need in different ways. We’ll have them go with the edge player in Murphy, giving them a complete defender who can anchor against the run as well as rush the passer.
9. New England Patriots (from CAR)* | Northwestern OT Peter Skoronski
With all four of this year’s top quarterback prospects already off the board, the Panthers take a couple of mid-round picks from the Pats to move down five spots to regroup. New England fills their biggest need with this year’s most pro-ready offensive line prospect, jumping ahead of multiple teams that could be targeting a versatile, plug-and-play blocker like Skoronski.
10. Philadelphia Eagles (from NO) | Illinois CB Devon Witherspoon
After landing a top-10 pick from last year’s draft-day deal with the Saints, the Eagles get to fill their biggest need with the top prospect at the position in this year’s class. Witherspoon checks every box from a physical standpoint, and his film shows a polished cover man ready to make an immediate impact from Day 1.
11. Tennessee Titans | Ohio State OT Paris Johnson Jr.
This offensive line desperately needs help, both inside and out. With Skoronski off the board, the Titans opt for a battle-tested prospect who has played both tackle spots as well as guard, all with a track record of success against top competition.
12. Houston Texans (from CLE) | TCU WR Quentin Johnston
After landing this year’s top quarterback prospect at No. 2, the Texans grab the best pass-catcher in this year’s draft to help him out. Even with a new head coach in DeMeco Ryans who comes from a defensive background, Houston could still give Bryce Young a massive target with tons of length, athleticism and big-play ability.
13. Washington Commanders (from NYJ)* | Oregon CB Christian Gonzalez
The Jets’ biggest need is offensive tackle, but with both Skoronski and Johnson already off the board, they take a mid-round pick from Washington to move down a few spots and get better value. The Commanders know the Panthers might be targeting a top corner at No. 14, so they jump ahead to grab this Colorado transfer with and elite combination of size, length, and ball skills.
14. Carolina Panthers (from NE)* | Penn State CB Joey Porter Jr.
After trading back and adding some extra picks, the Panthers are still able to address a big need on defense with a perfect fit, and get better value in the process. Porter has the same kind of size/length/physicality combo that made Carolina spend a top-10 pick on Jaycee Horn two years ago, and they’d make a dominant tandem.
15. Green Bay Packers | Iowa DL Lukas Van Ness
It’s easy to keep mocking pass-catchers here, but at some point, we’ve got to realize the Packers tend to prioritize other positions in the first round, particularly on the other side of the ball. Van Ness is a versatile defender who can line up all over the trenches, with impressive physical traits that give him a sky-high ceiling.
16. New York Jets (from WAS)* | Georgia OT Broderick Jones
After sliding back a few spots, the Jets are able to get better value while filling their biggest need at offensive tackle. Jones has a great blend of athleticism, physicality, and polished technique, and would bring plenty of championship experience to a promising roster.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers | Georgia CB Kelee Ringo
Offensive tackle is the bigger need, but the value’s just not there in this scenario, and this Steelers regime just don’t spend first-round picks at that position. They do invest in corners from powerhouse programs who bring the kinds of physical tools that Ringo does to the table.
18. Detroit Lions | Alabama DB Brian Branch
Detroit’s defense already has some promising young weapons, but they could still use a hybrid defender with the versatility to line up in the slot or at either safety spot. Branch is the perfect fit, having handled a similar role in Nick Saban’s defense with great success.
19. Detroit Lions (from TB)* | Clemson DL Bryan Bresee
After getting another first-round pick in next year’s draft (and more) to drop out of the top 10, the Lions are still able to get solid value at a position of need here. Bresee’s injury history and consistency might give some teams pause, but his upside is too much to pass up here.
20. Kansas City Chiefs (from SEA)* | USC WR Jordan Addison
Patrick Mahomes didn’t need Tyreek Hill to have another MVP season, but free agency could leave the receiver cupboard bare heading into next season. The Seahawks have a history of trading down in the first round, and the Chiefs are more than willing here to send their second-rounder to Seattle in return for jumping ahead of multiple WR-needy teams to grab an explosive playmaker in Addison.
21. Los Angeles Chargers | Tennessee WR Jalin Hyatt
Justin Herbert already has a pair of big, physical receivers who can win in contested-catch situations all day long (Keenan Allen, Mike Williams), but he could use one who can separate consistently. Hyatt’s breakout season was fueled by his explosive, big-play ability, which is exactly what this offense needs.
22. Baltimore Ravens | Boston College WR Zay Flowers
The Ravens’ offense isn’t doing Lamar Jackson any favors these days, both in terms of their limited scheme that lacks balance, and the absence of explosive weapons in the passing game. Flowers may be undersized, but he’s a polished pass-catcher with elite quickness and route-running ability that could instantly help Jackson take this passing game to another level.
23. Minnesota Vikings | South Carolina CB Cam Smith
Minnesota’s terrible defense eventually caught up with them in the postseason, sending them to an early exit. They need to address it at just about every level this offseason, and the best value in this scenario comes at corner. Opposing quarterbacks learned quickly to test Smith at their own risk, and he dominated despite facing top competition on a weekly basis in the SEC.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars | Notre Dame TE Michael Mayer
There are bigger needs on defense, but even if Evan Engram re-signs, giving Trevor Lawrence another weapon for the passing game wouldn’t hurt. In addition to his receiving ability, Mayer’s blocking prowess would also bring an element to the offense it doesn’t currently have in Engram.
25. New York Giants | Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba
If there’s a worse receiver situation in the NFL right now, I’d love to see it. The Giants desperately need an infusion of talent here, and despite missing most of the 2022 season due to injury, Smith-Njigba’s 2021 tape was impressive enough to warrant first-round consideration.
26. Dallas Cowboys | Arkansas LB Drew Sanders
Free agency could deplete the Cowboys’ starting lineup at the second level of the defense, so linebacker could be an early-round target in this draft. A former five-star recruit and Alabama transfer, Sanders has the versatility and athleticism to line up all over the defense, and making big plays from any spot.
27. Buffalo Bills | Texas RB Bijan Robinson
The offensive line is a bigger issue, but if Robinson falls to this spot, the Bills might not be able to pass him up. He’s in the same echelon of prospect as Saquon Barkley was coming out of college, and if Buffalo can bolster the offensive trenches in free agency or later in the draft, he could immediately bring much-needed balance to this offense.
28. Cincinnati Bengals | Georgia TE Darnell Washington
It feels unfair to give Joe Burrow another weapon, but most of this tight end room is headed for free agency this offseason, and the position is vital when it comes to taking advantage of the attention paid to Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Washington’s massive frame, rare athleticism, and blocking ability would make him an instant-impact playmaker in this offense.
29. New Orleans Saints (from SF via MIA, DEN) | Florida OL O'Cyrus Torrence
I’ve been projecting this trade for weeks now, and it finally came to pass, with Sean Payton heading to Denver in return for a package that includes this pick. The Saints need a franchise QB, but without one available, they’ll bolster the offensive line instead with this year’s top interior prospect.
30. Seattle Seahawks (from KC)* | Utah CB Clark Phillips III
After moving back and adding another second-round pick, the Seahawks continue their defensive rebuild/reload with one of the most pro-ready defenders in the entire draft. Phillips may be undersized, but he’s got all the makings of a dangerous nickel/slot weapon, something this defense needs to take their unit to the next level.
31. Philadelphia Eagles | Alabama RB Jahmyr Gibbs
I’ve been mocking this pick for a while now, and I don’t think I’ll stop anytime soon. This offense is already one of the most dominant and entertaining in the league, so adding a versatile weapon like Gibbs would just make it downright unfair.
32. Pittsburgh Steelers (from CHI) | Baylor DL Siaki Ika
33. Houston Texans | Georgia EDGE Nolan Smith
34. Arizona Cardinals | Mississippi State CB Emmanuel Forbes
35. Chicago Bears (from IND)* | Ohio State OT Dawand Jones
36. Los Angeles Rams | LSU EDGE BJ Ojulari
37. Seattle Seahawks (from DEN) | Clemson LB Trenton Simpson
38. Las Vegas Raiders | North Dakota State OL Cody Mauch
39. Carolina Panthers | Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker
40. New Orleans Saints | Stanford QB Tanner McKee
41. Tennessee Titans | North Carolina WR Josh Downs
42. Cleveland Browns | Georgia Tech EDGE/DL Keion White
43. New York Jets | Texas A&M S Antonio Johnson
44. Atlanta Falcons | Maryland CB Deonte Banks
45. Green Bay Packers | Alabama S Jordan Battle
46. New England Patriots | SMU WR Rashee Rice
47. Washington Commanders | Oklahoma OT Anton Harrison
48. Detroit Lions | Utah TE Dalton Kincaid
49. Pittsburgh Steelers | Maryland OT Jaelyn Duncan
50. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Auburn EDGE Derick Hall
51. Miami Dolphins | Oregon State TE Luke Musgrave
52. Seattle Seahawks | Wisconsin DL Keeanu Benton
53. Chicago Bears (from BAL) | Kansas State EDGE Felix Anudike-Uzomah
54. Los Angeles Chargers | Tennessee OT Darnell Wright
55. Detroit Lions (from MIN) | Oregon LB Noah Sewell
56. Jacksonville Jaguars | Michigan DL Mazi Smith
57. New York Giants | Washington State LB Daiyan Henley
58. Dallas Cowboys | Texas A&M CB Jaylon Jones
59. Buffalo Bills | LSU WR Kayshon Boutte
60. Cincinnati Bengals | Syracuse OL Matthew Bergeron
61. Carolina Panthers (from SF) | Oklahoma WR Marvin Mims Jr.
62. Seattle Seahawks (from KC)* | Tennessee WR Cedric Tillman
63. Philadelphia Eagles | Notre Dame EDGE Isaiah Foskey
