I heard all the murmurs these last few days, weeks, months asking politely and angrily where the next Liam Blutman 2023 NFL Mock Draft is… here. It’s right here! I’m not a guy that likes doing 73 versions of a mock in one draft cycle, so I apologize for that. I really enjoy letting the weeks pass by, evaluating the talent, and firing off the next month when I’m most comfortable doing so. This allows for more movement on the board as well and I love that. 

For those unaware of how I conduct my mocks or for those who might have forgotten… just because I have Prospect A being drafted ahead of Prospect B doesn’t always mean I think A is better than B. As always, the mock is a mixture based off what I’m feeling, what I think will happen, who I can see rising up boards in the near future, and a few other things I shall not bore you with. 

Roger Goodell just told me to start the show so HERE WE GO! V2 of my 2023 NFL Mock Draft…

1. Houston Texans: Bryce Young QB – Alabama

Rank: QB1

BRYCE YOUNG IS A MAGICIAN

CHILLS 🥶 pic.twitter.com/Q62cmddP5n

— The Transfer Portal CFB (@TPortalCFB) November 6, 2022

Once upon a time, there was a belief that Davis Mills could prevent the Texans from taking a quarterback in 2023… lol. Houston should be thrilled to select the playmaker from Alabama who boasts such stellar creativity and poise. Bryce Young will be a 22-year-old rookie and is the ideal piece as the Texans look to revamp their offense. The next step is surrounding Bryce with quality pieces on and off the field. Don’t fail this kid.

2. Chicago Bears: Will Anderson Jr. EDGE – Alabama

Rank: EDGE1

Congrats to the Chicago Bears on finally finding the answer at quarterback. Kinda wild what Justin Fields was able to do the second the offense was catered to every single one of his strengths! Who would’ve thought? Okay now onto the second overall pick. Chicago needs help. And the Bears truly do need help at just about every position group. I’m not going to lie, the thought of a trade down here does interest me. The Bears could net a silly return from a team looking to select the quarterback of their dreams. No trades in my mocks though, sorry. Take the best player on the board in Will Anderson Jr. I call him the game wrecker. Haters will hate and point to a “down” 2022 season in which the 6-foot-4 nightmare collected just 10 sacks and 17 TFLs. It’s not easy to replicate or improve on a sophomore season that was highlighted by 17.5 sacks and 34.5 TFLs. This kid should have won the 2021 Heisman Trophy and I’m still salty about it. Will Anderson Jr. is a tank that screams off the edge like a homing missile as he locks in on the QB and blows up play after play. He’ll turn 22 next September, and it’s scary to think about what he could develop into as his innate blend of speed, power, and swiftness will only grow stronger.

3. Seattle Seahawks (via Broncos): Jalen Carter DT – Georgia

Rank: DT1

LOL! C’mon. It’s funny. Seattle absolutely fleeced Denver in the Russell Wilson trade and now it can add a prolific talent that will be on the top of everyone’s draft boards. While QB is an option here, Geno Smith has played at way too high of a level to think about anyone else at QB in Seattle right now. That could change down the road, but it’s Dec. 6, 2022 and Seattle should draft Jalen Carter. The positional value does worry me here, but when you’re getting a player of this magnitude, it’s alright! Many will say Jalen is the best player in this class, and I respect those opinions. He’s a beast in the trenches and displays superhuman strength that is complimented by jaw-dropping quickness and athleticism at a 6-foot-3, 300-pound stature. He’s a stud against the run and even against the pass. If Geno Smith is the answer to question one, Jalen Carter is the easy choice for question two.

4. Detroit Lions: C.J. Stroud QB – Ohio State

Rank: QB2

So… If you want to make the argument against taking a QB here, I’ll hear you out. But if it’s from a Lions fan who also happens to be a Michigan fan and is outraged their team might just take an Ohio State QB… I ain’t hearing that out. I like Jared Goff, but he isn’t a gamechanger. He isn’t taking this team to the next level. I think Dan Campbell is building a strong team. They have so many great pieces. Let’s do the thing and hope to strike gold with a franchise QB. The 2022 season wasn’t a memorable one for C.J. Stroud, and he did underperform but let me protect this guy right now. Ryan Day was sabotaging Stroud’s mission. The absurd amount of screens, swings, dinks, and dunks that Day was demanding has actually brainwashed people into thinking that’s Stroud’s game… unreal. This dude doesn’t turn 22 until October. He’s young and he’s showed so much promise throughout his collegiate career. My favorite Stroud moment thus far was when he went “rogue” against Penn State and took matters into his own hands. The offense wasn’t clicking under Day, so Stroud took control of things and started changing plays at the line of scrimmage. He and Marvin Harrison Jr. were working an elite two-man game that afternoon. I wish we saw more of that from Stroud. He can be the alpha leader. He’s shown it but that comes with growth of a prospect, the highs and lows. I love when this dude sits in the pocket and throws strikes on vertical routes and especially to the sideline. I truly believe that there’s a bit of similarity (not a player comparison) here to Justin Herbert coming out of Oregon. I and so many others feared Herbert due to his less than ideal play in 2019. He threw so many short, quick throws that didn’t move the needle. Then that lad got into the NFL and started firing beams all over the field. I’m sure C.J. Stroud will do the same. Once he’s out of this garbage Ryan Day offense, expect Mt. Stroud to erupt as he throws with precision accuracy all over the yard. I’ll move onto the next pick before I salivate too much over the thought of Stroud throwing to Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams.

5. Philadelphia Eagles (via Saints): Cam Smith CB – South Carolina

Rank: CB1

Some teams just need to hire me and some of my friends as advisors for trades that go down during the draft cycle. I had no idea what on earth New Orleans was thinking at that moment, and that trade somehow finds a way to look worse with every passing day. Now here we are, looking at a team that not only has a great shot at winning the Super Bowl but will also possess a top tier pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Now I do think this is a prime opportunity for the Eagles to trade down and aim to finesse another poor franchise, but we must make a selection. I went a bit off the mainstream road here and honed in on my favorite corner in the class. Sometimes you just gotta “Drop yo nuts.” The wise words that Cam Smith proudly said after beating Tennessee. This is one of my favorite players in the class and I’m projecting a big rise for Cam in the pre-draft process. The soon to be 22-year-old stands at 6-foot and 188 pounds and is a versatile piece that lines up outside and in the nickel. Like most top corners, Cam has that dawg in him as he’s uber confident and is begging his coaches to let him shadow the opposing team’s WR1. If the Eagles held onto this pick, why not go and add the aggressive cover corner with stellar ball-hawking skills?

6. Carolina Panthers: Myles Murphy EDGE – Clemson

Rank: EDGE2

Myles Murphy with the sack 👀👀 pic.twitter.com/OPKB9DkhyM

— The Transfer Portal CFB (@TPortalCFB) October 2, 2022

While Panthers fans are begging for a QB… I can see Carolina opting out of QB on Day 1 if Young and Stroud are off the board. With so many holes to fill and my belief that team needs aren’t the end all be all, I opted for Myles Murphy at six. We simply took the best player available and have just created a gargantuan issue for opposing offensive lines. Myles Murphy and Brian Burns, WHEW! I think the first thing I need to point out about Murphy is that he doesn’t turn 21 until January! We’re looking at a 6-foot-5, 275-pound monster that hasn’t even gotten close to touching the ceiling and has produced at an elite level in the ACC for three years! Murphy will continue to evolve into a feared EDGE rusher as he wins with long arms and a ferocity that is difficult to compete with. He’s got so much raw power man I’m telling you he’s going to be SCARY in a few years. He’s still adding to his pass rushing moves, and he’s a goon in run support too. Murphy is someone I am begging others to invest in, and he’d be a slam dunk pick for Carolina at six. Let’s just remove QBs from the big board and I can confidently say Myles Murphy is my third-ranked player in the class behind just Will Anderson Jr. and Jalen Carter. This kid is special folks.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jordan Addison WR – USC

Rank: WR1

The Jaguars are showing such promise and you just love to see it. My priority is to find Trevor Lawrence a phenomenal WR1, a gamechanger. Jordan Addison is just that, and I believe his fit with Lawrence would be exquisite. Addison broke out at the remarkable age of 18 years and six months. He’ll be a 21-year-old rookie, and boy does he do so many things so well on the field. He crushes press coverage thanks to high-flying speed. I like to say he doesn’t run, he flies, so high-flying speed really fits the bill. His movement is something you can’t teach. I think his movement can only be compared to the quickness of a Pikachu quick attack after using double team a few times. Excuse me for making a Pokémon reference, but that’s part of the Liam brand. If I’m in the Jacksonville front office, I am just ecstatic about the opportunity we have to draft this all-around wideout with wicked skills and pair him with our franchise QB whose development we are over the moon about! When you look around the league right now there are fantastic QB/WR duos all around. Add Trevor Lawrence and Jordan Addison to that list. Chills.

8. Arizona Cardinals: Peter Skoronski OT – Northwestern

Rank: OT2

The Arizona Cardinals stink. The offensive line is absolutely horrendous and desperately needs help. That unit is in dire need of someone that can help impact in a positive way from the second they are drafted. Peter Skoronski is the play here. He’s an absolute menace that creates gaps larger than the talent gap between Bishop Sycamore and IMG Academy. At 6-foot-4 and 315 pounds, this beast displays amazing aggressiveness and athleticism. His footwork is outstanding as well as his fundamentals and hand placement to be specific. I think he’s the top target here for Arizona because of what he’ll be able to do in the run game from day one, as well as his stellar work downfield in the short passing/screen game. 

9. Indianapolis Colts: Will Levis QB – Kentucky

Rank: TBD

Welp. Here we are. Let me address the TBD ranking first… I thought it was kinda funny so I rolled with it but it’s also the truth as I’m waiting to see what this class consists of as so many guys are still making their decision of whether to enter the draft or not. It’s no secret that I’m not high on Will Levis at all. This is not someone I’d be comfortable drafting with high draft capital for a variety of reasons. In V1 of my mock, Levis went 18th overall to… you guessed it! The Colts. In V2 we see Levis go ninth (!!!) overall to the Colts. I just have one of those feelings man. Will Levis is going to be a Colt and I fear for them. So why am I skeptical? There are so many cases of lazy footwork over the last few years. That stuff should be getting fixed if you’re truly a high-caliber prospect. The amount of turnover-worthy plays I witness while watching his games leave me speechless, and this happens because he doesn’t process things well at all. That’s a major red flag for me, just throwing the ball to your number one option without assessing the situation and seeing a defender right there ready to blow the play up. The inability to work well on the fly when a play breaks down is frightening too. You’re investing in Levis for his great 6-foot-3, 232-pound frame and the big-time arm strength he boasts. But what else is there? What am I missing? This is a guy that is in dire need of elite coaching and has a long way to go in his development. It’s very difficult for me to hand the keys to my franchise to a 24-year-old rookie that isn’t pro ready…

10. Atlanta Falcons: Tyree Wilson EDGE – Texas Tech

Rank: EDGE4

I had a lot of fun thinking about where the Falcons could go with the 10th overall pick and came to the decision… Tyree Wilson no matter what! The Falcons don’t have a threat off the edge. There isn’t anybody keeping quarterbacks up late at night wincing at the thought of getting hit by… enter Tyree Wilson. He stands at 6-foot-6, weighs about 275 and comes off the edge with SPEED and FORCE! Our guy Eric Edholm called the rapid rise of Tyree way back in Week 1 of the regular season! He’s a fan of Tyree’s length and great weight distribution. He’ll measure in as one of the longest players in the class; his reach is jaw-dropping. The 23-year-old rookie is a disruptor and a highly-coveted prospect due to his freakish traits. Why not make this pick if you’re Atlanta?

Alright now I’ll keep the words to a minimum and let you get on with your day!

11. Green Bay Packers: Bryan Bresee DT – Clemson

Rank: DT2

The positional value will always make me cringe a bit, but the Packers get a dawg in Bryan Bresee who helps with an extreme need of stuffing the run and adds quality pass-rushing skills.

12. Las Vegas Raiders: Paris Johnson Jr. OT – Ohio State

Rank: OT1

I have a strong belief that Paris Johnson Jr. will be a day one starter. It might not be at LT, but a background that features play at RT as well as RG will make him a hot commodity. Will turn 22 in July.

13. Houston Texans (via Browns): Kelee Ringo CB/S – Georgia

Rank: TBD

Kelee Ringo… I believe is better suited to play safety as opposed to cornerback. It would be unfair to rank him at either position and with a strong belief that there will be chatter surrounding Ringo moving to safety during the pre-draft process, I will continue to label him as a CB/S.

14. Pittsburgh Steelers: Joey Porter Jr. CB – Penn State

Rank: CB3

The 23-year-old rookie will head to Pittsburgh where his dad was a Super Bowl champion. What a moment this would be for Joey Porter Jr. and his father.

15. Detroit Lions: Trenton Simpson LB – Clemson

Rank: LB1

Trenton Simpson showcases supreme versatility as he can line up at EDGE, nickel, and ILB. Heck even safety. Much like the queen piece in chess, Simpson will scare your opponent with every move.

16. Los Angeles Chargers: Jaxon Smith-Njigba WR – Ohio State

Rank: WR2

JAXON SMITH-NJIGBA FOR THE LEAD!!

THIS MAN CAN'T BE STOPPED pic.twitter.com/AgDWhFSas6

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 2, 2022

I’m still all in on Jaxon Smith-Njigba. With Keenan Allen and Mike Williams aging and often hurt, I think now is the time to find that potential superstar receiver for Justin Herbert. JSN is going to be a 21-year-old rookie and would have been a top 10 pick if he wasn’t hurt all season.

17. New England Patriots: Jared Verse EDGE – Florida State

Rank: EDGE3

I’m a huge fan of this EDGE class, and I think Jared Verse is being massively underappreciated by draft fanatics. Verse has a stupendous combination of speed and power, and his get off is also mad quick.

18. Washington Commanders: Clark Phillips III CB – Utah

Rank: CB2

The Commanders would benefit greatly from a stud corner. Clark Phillips III is a big-time player with great physical tools and elite closing speed. 

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Broderick Jones OT – Georgia

Rank: OT6

I’m certain that Tampa Bay will be selecting an offensive lineman on April 27, 2023. Broderick Jones has climbed up draft boards thanks to his stellar play in the trenches for Georgia. He’s a strong dude and hasn’t allowed a sack or even a QB hit all year, according to PFF. 

20. Seattle Seahawks: Antonio Johnson S – Texas A&M

Rank: S1

The Seahawks have a rare opportunity to create a wildly talented secondary consisting of great youth. Add Antonio Johnson and let the 21-year-old become a part of something special. He’s got crazy range and can blow your play up in a nano-second.

21. Tennessee Titans: Dawand Jones OT – Ohio State

Rank: OT3

Mike Vrabel’s offensive line needs some help, so I’ll send him a 22-year-old rookie who has been super impressive at Ohio State. I expect the powerful tower of terror Dawand Jones to be a draft riser!

22. New York Jets: Isaiah Foskey EDGE – Notre Dame

Rank: EDGE5

You know me. I won’t lie to ya. This Jets selection took me well over an hour as I was trying to formulate the perfect selection. Isaiah Foskey is yet another fantastic EDGE prospect in this class. He forced six fumbles in 2021 thanks to aggressive and well-placed strikes with his arms.

23. New York Giants: Zay Flowers WR – Boston College

Rank: WR3

I fully expect to get hate for this but I don’t really care. Zay Flowers is so dang underrated and I don’t get it. I believe he’s a surefire prospect and will prove to be a positive impact from day one. He’s got wicked acceleration and burst plus carves up defenses with extremely impressive route-running thanks to phenomenal footwork. I expect Zay to rise in the pre-draft process. 

24. Miami Dolphins: Forfeit

Rank: N/A

At least the Dolphins are having a good season and don’t have to forfeit a top pick.

25. Denver Broncos (via 49ers): Quentin Johnston WR – TCU

Rank: WR8

This spot for this player will shock many. I get it. But I think Quentin Johnston could end up being the most polarizing player in the class. My worries lie with the fear of the 6-foot-4 wideout being one-dimensional and a great measure of inconsistency. Being soft vs. press man has scared me a bit as well. It’s hard for me to see him as a top 10 pick like many believe. However, I do of course see the intrigue. He’s got a stellar blend of size and speed paired with sick twitch.

26. Baltimore Ravens: Cody Mauch OT – North Dakota State

Rank: OT4

I would still like to see the Ravens add to the offensive line, and this is just a no-brainer fit. As my colleague Andrew Wilson said, “Cody Mauch is the best run blocking tackle in the class.” I fully agree and would love to see this behemoth do excellent work in the Ravens scheme.

27. Cincinnati Bengals: Michael Mayer TE – Notre Dame

Rank: TE1

Why not give Joe Burrow another weapon? It’s about time we got Michael Mayer off the board as his favorite team drafts him! This kid is the unanimous TE1 and seems to be a very safe pick. 

28. Dallas Cowboys: Christian Gonzalez CB – Oregon

Rank: CB5

I would be shocked if the Cowboys didn’t address the corner position with a first- or second-rounder in 2023. Christian Gonzalez has seen his stock skyrocket thanks to an exquisite 2022 season in which he’s come up with four interceptions. Gonzalez has played so well in the Pac-12 for three seasons now and he doesn’t turn 21 until late June! He’s an incredible athlete with a strong 6-foot-2, 201-pound frame and rare instincts.

29. Kansas City Chiefs: Rashee Rice WR – SMU

Rank: WR4

I’ve been preaching the good word of Rashee Rice since 2020 and the agenda continues to thrive. The Chiefs should look for a true WR1 that possesses elite physical tools and runs an array of routes at a high level. Rice played the 2022 season on a broken toe and still accumulated 96 catches, 1,355 receiving yards, and 10 touchdowns.

30. Minnesota Vikings: Devon Witherspoon CB – Illinois

Rank: CB4

OH MY DEVON WITHERSPOON YOU SERIOUS??? WHAT. A. HIT. pic.twitter.com/B1mJNV9XF7

— The Transfer Portal CFB (@TPortalCFB) September 3, 2022

The Vikings will be drafting a corner early on in 2023. Devon Witherspoon has blossomed into a seriously good corner that will hit you HARD and HEAVY! I think it’s vital that the Vikings add a 21-year-old with elite physical tools and dominant coverage skills to the secondary.

31. Buffalo Bills: Felix Anudike-Uzomah EDGE – Kansas State

Rank: EDGE6

Dude. The fact that a player as good as Felix Anudike-Uzomah is ranked as my sixth-best EDGE in the class really shows how insane this class is! The Bills happily take the powerful edge rusher and soon to be 21-year-old.

32. Philadelphia Eagles: Bijan Robinson RB – Texas

Rank: RB1

This RB class is also absurd. Bijan Robinson headlines the list thanks to his incredible footwork, great patience, and top-tier burst. Bijan’s cuts are as fluid as can be, he has great hop in his step, and his ability to create and escape is nuts. This is a luxury pick, not a value pick.