We The Champz 2023 NFL Mock Draft First round.
The Draft is upon us and it is time for all of us analyst to dish out our halfway correct predictions of our NFL Mock Draft.
1.Carolina Panthers- Bryce Young Alabama QB
No surprise, the most talented quarterback in Alabama history will be the first player taken here. The Panthers need a quarterback after being in quarterback purgatory for so many years. Trading up to the number one spot was solely to get the most polished and mature quarterback in this draft.
2. Houston Texans- C.J Stroud Ohio State QB
Ok we all have heard the rumors about the Texans not being too fond of C.J Stroud. Demeco Ryans is a young defensive minded head coach and has seen the mistakes of his predecessors. Just ask Brandon Staley, when things are sour a talented quarterback can save your job. Picking a quarterback here is the top priority in building the Texans to a respectable team. Draft C.J Stroud and get him a weapon with the number 12 pick.
3.Arizona Cardinals- Will Anderson Alabama EDGE
The edge rusher from Alabama is likely the safest pick for the Cardinals. Top end talent on a defensive line where the Cardinals have dealt with extreme lost. He brings leadership to the table. The Cardinals lack this with the retirement of J.J Watt and having an unpopular quarterback at the helm.
4. Indianapolis Colts- Anthony Richardson Florida QB
Like the Panthers the Colts have been shopping with veteran quarterbacks for some years now. Some were good and a few were not so good. With a fresh start it is fair to give Shane Steichen his signal caller to grow. Jalen Hurts has a somewhat similar skill set as Richardson. So with Steichen being the former Eagles offensive coordinator this seems like a pair to optimize Richardson’s sky high ceiling.
5. Seattle Seahawks- Jalen Carter Georgia DT
Jalen Carter is the best interior defensive line prospect we have seen in some time. Pete Carrol loves his defensive blue chips so lets tighten up this side of the ball so they don’t wither away like last season. Carters off field issues are a minus but I truly believe this kid will tighten up and embrace the life of being a professional.
6. Detroit Lions- Tyree Wilson Texas Tech Edge
That explosive factor off the edge can give this Lions a boost they desperately need. Long and strong, pairing Wilson with Aiden Hutchinson coming off the edge is a luxury the secondary. With less times for opposing quarterbacks to hold the ball the new free agent cornerbacks will thrive in this chained defense.
7. Las Vegas Raiders- Christian Gonzalez Oregon CB
The Raiders need help all over this defense outside of pass rusher. Taking the best defensive player with the 7th spot is the obvious pick here. Gonzalez has all the play making potential in a pro bowl corner. Speed, length, ball instincts, and open field tackling.
8. Atlanta Falcons- Devin Witherspoon Illinois CB
The second cornerback off the board. Let’s give A.J Terrell a teammate to compete with on the other corner of the field. Devin Witherspoon is a competitive smart player and that is exactly what the Falcons need here going forward.
9. Chicago Bears- Peter Skoronoski Northwestern OT
Chicago is all in on Justin Fields being their Franchise quarterback. We’re going to bolster up this offensive line with the best tackle prospect in this draft. The defensive players early on are higher rated but the Bears must cater to their most important commodity. Peter Skoronoski has experience at tackle and guard. Top notch talent with versatility gives the Bears more flexibility along that offensive line.
10. Philadelphia Eagles- Nolan Smith Georgia Edge
Freakish athlete, motor, and a dog. Go get him! Lets add more monsters on this defense here. The Eagles team needs are S,RB,DT,OG. Those are positions you can sign decent talent on free agency. A player such as Nolan Smith will not be available on the free agent market this off season.
11. Tennessee Titans-Will Levis Kentucky QB
It is time for succession in Tennessee. Ryan Tannehill has gotten the Titans as far as he can take them. Levis has the arm talent to make every needed throw. Sit behind Tannehill in the last year of his contract and learn what it takes to become a productive quarterback in the NFL.
12. Houston Texans- Jaxson Smith-Njigba Ohio State WR
This is not a receiver heavy draft. With that being said the most talented receiver will still go towards the top. Let C.J Stroud bring one of his playmates to the pros with him. The skills and production are there. The experience of playing together already shows a strong rapport of confidence and trust. Lets make C.J comfortable.
13. New York Jets – Paris Johnson Ohio State OT
The Jets need the big guys stable now. Especially if they plan on keeping Aaron Rodgers upright. The tools are apparent as well as the versatility with Paris Johnson. Robert Salah is very defensive savvy, but lets keep the talent accumulating on offense as well.
14. New England Patriots – Zay Flowers Boston College WR
The Patriots have seen what having a lack of offensive skill players does to your offense and young quarterback. They need some kind of juice on this side of the ball. If spending money on big free agents still is not the answer then lets draft a high rated talented that you are still not paying. Zay Flowers is explosive, has YAC potential in every reception. He is ready to produce from day one and help elevate Mac Jones.
15. Green Bay Packers- Dalton Kincaid Utah TE
Green Bay is in the process of giving the keys over to Jordan Love. Lets help this young quarterback by giving him a security blanket he can learn and grow with. Kincaid is a strong and polished route runner who can create yards after catch. That ability can help simplify a lot of plays and progressions for the quarterback.
16. Washington Commanders – Joey Porter JR Penn State CB
The Commanders have what they need on offense if you believe in Sam Howell as I do. Ron Rivera loves his defensive players and Joey Porter is the corner that they need to have that attitude and competitive spirit thriving on that side of the ball. Long, athletic, and contests a lot of balls.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers – Broderick Jones Georgia OT
We have another Bulldog here. The Steelers need offensive tackle here and Jones is one of two of the best OT prospects left. He’s physically gifted and with the level of competition he will see in the AFC North he will definitely develop the technique needed to protect Kenny Picket.
18. Detroit Lions- Deonte Banks Maryland CB
Banks is fast and very explosive with a 4.35 40 dash, 42 inch vert, and 11ft 4in broad jump. With the pass rushing duo coming off the edge, this long athletic corner won’t have any issues denying passes coming his direction. Also missed only one tackle this season. The Lions are building something here.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Darnell Wright Tennessee OT
The Buccaneers need oline help desperately. The last top offensive tackle Wright is the pick here for a team that will likely be rebuilding in the near future. If that’s the case then they can focus on drafting their quarterback in a later round or early in next years draft.
20. Seattle Seahawks- Hendon Hooker Tennessee QB
Ok so I really wanted Anthony Richardson to go here but he was taken early by the Colts. Geno Smith is a short term deal for the Seahawks so planning a succession with the 20th pick can totally be a win. Hendon Hooker is smart accurate, and comes with loads of experience. Learning behind Geno Smith will have him more than ready when the time comes.
21. Los Angeles Chargers- Luka Van Ness Iowa Edge
There’s a lot of predictions for a receiver here. Herbert can get the job done regardless of who is catching the ball. Joey Bosa stays injured so it is time to stack at this position. Very dynamic off the ball. You can never have too much ammo to rush against Patrick Mahomes in that division.
22. Baltimore Ravens- Quentin Johnson TCU WR
Many believe Johnson to be the top receiver in this draft. Ya hear them Ravens. We are trying to keep Lamar in business. The Ravens do not like paying a lot of money for receivers. We will definitely see them take one in the first round if Johnson is available. Big target that can swiftly get yards after the catch.
23. Minnesota Vikings- Bryan Breese Clemson DL
I don’t want to see any offense right here. The Vikings bought in Brian Flores so lets give this man something to work with after an atrocious defensive season. Football starts in the trenches, so what’s a better way to get that side right than get an athletic big man with versatility all across the defensive line.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars- Myles Murphy Clemson Edge
The Jags took an edge rusher with the first pick last year. I love getting two possible premier athletes working the outside of the trenches. Murphy is a strong and fast guy who can be what you need him to be when it is time. Remember we are in the AFC where we need rushing guns against the top quarterbacks.
25. New York Giants- Marcus Addison USC WR
We need to get Daniel Jones all the help we can. The giants were limited on offense for much of last year with the exception being two matchups against the Vikings. Addison is a smaller but smooth seperator that can give Danny dimes many easy looks .
26. Dallas Cowboys- Michael Mayer Notre Dame TE
Oh I know you all wanted to see Bijan right here. The Cowboys have learned their lesson after releasing Zeke. However a running back is still possible later in the draft. Lets get a tight end here who can help us in the receiving game and in the blocking game.
27. Buffalo Bills- Bijan Robinson Texas RB
The Bills have been deprived of a quarterbacks best friend (rushing attack) for some time now. The Bills priority must be to protect Josh Allen, and keep him off the ground. Bijan being the prospect with comparisons to Saquon Barkley is enough to steal him here late in the first round.
28. Cincinnati Bengals- Kelee Ringo Georgia CB
Maybe I am the one planning an attack against Patrick Mahomes. Yet again we need to draft a player at a premiere position to combat all of the great quarterbacks in the American Football Conference. This is luxury pick territory for the top contenders minus the saints. Kelee Ringo has all the measurables you would want from a man playing corner. Let his physicality and championship pedigree set the tone for you. Oh and he is a dog.
29. New Orleans Saints- Darnell Washington Georgia TE
Yes we have another championship dog going in the first round. This massive tight end is highly recognized for his blocking ability. He hold massive upside and can become a great weapon for new quarterback Derek Carr down in Louisiana.
30. Philadelphia Eagles- Jahmyr Gibbs Alabama RB
The Eagles let go of Miles Sanders and picked Rashaad Penny after he injured his ankle and fractured his Fibula. Gibbs brings a versatile dimension to this Philly backfield attack. He has spectacular speed and elite pass catching out of the backfield. This diversity will keep Jalen Hurts and this Eagles offense running up the scoreboard.
31. Kansas City Chiefs- Jalin Hyatt Tennessee WR
This is luxury territory guys. Andy Reid has seen Hyatt’s ability to stretch the field and that is all she wrote. Keep the bullets reloading in the chamber and Kansas City will continue to score the most points and win championships.