Now that the Carolina Panthers have jumped everyone else in the 2023 NFL draft following a massive trade with the Chicago Bears, it’s time to reset all our mock drafts and take a new look at the entire first round.
Based on my research, I think the Panthers moved up to take Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud, leaving Alabama’s Bryce Young to the Houston Texans with the second overall pick.
Since we’re re-setting the mock anyway, let’s throw in the Green Bay Packers/New York Jets trade that sends Aaron Rodgers to Gang Green, since that seems to be all but a formality at this point.
I asked Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy why they let the Jets talk with Aaron Rodgers.
“It’s a situation where I think we wanted to help Aaron achieve what he wanted, as well as the Packers. Hopefully it’ll create a situation where it’s a win for both sides.” pic.twitter.com/JNTOnO4VPv
— Adriana Torres (@TorresAdrianaTV) March 10, 2023
As part of that (for now) hypothetical trade, let’s give the Packers the Jets’ 13th overall pick as they head for their own big re-set with Jordan Love as their quarterback.
So… now that we have the ultimate NFL Friday News Dump, here’s how the first round might look under these particular circumstances.
(Note: The Miami Dolphins, who would have had the 21st overall pick in the first round, forfeited that pick as punishment from the NFL for tampering).
1. Carolina Panthers (from Chicago Bears): C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
2. Houston Texans: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
3. Arizona Cardinals: Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Alabama
4. Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
5. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver Broncos): Jalen Carter, DL, Georgia
6. Detroit Lions (from Los Angeles Rams): Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
7. Las Vegas Raiders: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
8. Atlanta Falcons: Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech
9. Chicago Bears (from Indianapolis Colts): Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State
10. Philadelphia Eagles (from New Orleans Saints): Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
11. Tennessee Titans: Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern
12. Houston Texans (from Cleveland Browns): Jordan Addison, WR, USC
13. Green Bay Packers (from New York Jets): Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
14. New England Patriots: Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
15. Green Bay Packers: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
16. Washington Commanders: Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
18. Detroit Lions: Bryan Bresee, DL, Clemson
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
20. Seattle Seahawks: Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
21. Los Angeles Chargers: Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee
22. Baltimore Ravens: Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson
23. Minnesota Vikings: Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland
24. Jacksonville Jaguars: Brian Branch, DB, Alabama
25. New York Giants: Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina
26. Dallas Cowboys: Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
27. Buffalo Bills: O'Cyrus Torrence, OG, Florida
28. Cincinnati Bengals: Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma
29. New Orleans Saints (from Denver Broncos): Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
30. Philadelphia Eagles: Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Antonio Johnson, S, Texas A&M
