NFL mock draft 2023: Where do Anthony Richardson, Will Levis land in pre-combine look?
The Miami Dolphins were stripped of their first-round pick as part of their penalty for owner Stephen Ross’ tampering with Tom Brady and Sean Payton.)Ezekiel Elliott, Dalvin Cook among veterans on shaky ground
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1. Chicago Bears – Will Anderson, OLB/DE, Alabama
Still seems like we’re waiting for the first domino to fall with the Bears moving this pick to a quarterback-hungry outfit. Wherever Chicago does end up picking, though, Anderson figures to be an extremely appealing option for a defense that registered a league-worst 20 sacks. One of several considerations for Ryan Poles and Co. in a potential trade-back scenario should be how far they’re willing to move given the dropoff from Anderson and Jalen Carter to the next tier of defensive linemen.
2. Houston Texans – Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
Houston’s Week 18 win over Indianapolis continues to loom large, as the Texans might need to trade up to fend off the likes of the Colts and others if they truly zero in on one quarterback as their long-awaited passer of the future. Young certainly makes sense for this group, especially given his ability to hang in the pocket under pressure and create on his own. At the combine, though, all the buzz will be about his size measurements.
3. Arizona Cardinals – Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
The importance of a prolific pass rush isn’t lost on new Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon, whose Eagles defense notched a league-best 70 sacks last year before stalling out in the playoffs. Carter might not routinely post the sack totals of an edge rusher, but he should create consistent havoc on the interior.
4. Indianapolis Colts – C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
Colts owner Jim Irsay teased his interest in Young by saying earlier in February the Alabama signal-caller “doesn’t look bad,” but don’t get carried away just yet. In many ways, Stroud fits the bill of what Indianapolis has recently sought behind center: a well-built (6-3, 218 pounds), decisive distributor.
5. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver Broncos) – Tyree Wilson, DE, Texas Tech
Still waiting on that Geno Smith extension, but there’s little reason to believe the Seahawks are in the market to make a splash with a first-round quarterback. Instead, Seattle has a prime opportunity to fortify its fronts with a top-tier talent. A rangy defender (6-6, 275 pounds) with an all-out approach that should only grow more imposing if properly refined, Wilson is Pete Carroll’s type of edge presence to his core.
6. Detroit Lions (from Los Angeles Rams) – Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
A cornerback with a linebacker’s mentality sounds exactly like the kind of player for whom Dan Campbell would rush the podium to select. That description, of course, shortchanges Witherspoon’s immaculate coverage skills, which will be of immediate use to the league’s 30th-ranked pass defense.
7. Las Vegas Raiders – Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
While Josh McDaniels and GM Dave Ziegler might resolve the quandary behind center via trade (Aaron Rodgers?) or free agency (Jimmy Garoppolo?), let’s entertain a fix through the draft. At 6-3 and 232 pounds, Levis boasts the arm strength to attack defenses downfield and the athleticism to keep them off base as a scrambler. Levis’ body of work after an injury-riddled 2022, however, is underwhelming, and he still must prove he can find a consistent rhythm as a pocket passer.
8 Atlanta Falcons – Myles Murphy, DE, Clemson
The Falcons’ defense could use upgrades at every level, but there are only so many opportunities to bring aboard top-tier athletes at edge rusher. That dynamic might point them toward Murphy, who should be a high-level run stuffer from Day 1 as he works on developing a more comprehensive plan as a pass rusher.
9. Carolina Panthers – Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
Perhaps no other prospect enters the combine with as much buzz as Richardson, the rifle-armed, 6-4, 232-pound signal-caller with a rare blend of speed and power as a runner. Many parts of his game are either under development or essentially unknown given that he has fewer than 400 career pass attempts, but there would be a significant payoff for the coaching staff that can iron out his footwork lapses.
10. Philadelphia Eagles (from New Orleans Saints) – Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
James Bradberry seemingly played his way out of the Eagles’ spending range, and his departure would create a significant void opposite Darius Slay. While Howie Roseman could wait to address the position with the Eagles’ second first-round selection at No. 31, Gonzalez should be a compelling choice as a dynamic athlete with the physical profile to handle a variety of coverage assignments.
11. Tennessee Titans – Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State
Though three-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle Taylor Lewan’s cut was expected, the move spotlighted what dire condition Tennessee’s line finds itself in. Several steps will need to be taken to resolve the problem, but a good starting point would be taking the best available blocker here. Johnson has the physical makeup to be a long-term starter at left tackle, though he might be in for some growing pains as he sorts out his hand usage.
12. Texans (from Cleveland Browns) – Brian Branch, S, Alabama
DeMeco Ryans has his work cut out for him to turn around a defense in dire need of difference-makers. Ryans can find one by tapping into his alma mater’s talent pipeline with Branch, a sublimely versatile chess piece who would slide in nicely next to rookie standout Jalen Pitre.