ThreeTechPod’s 2023 NFL Mock Draft 1.0

bijan robinson
Photo Credit: @TexasFootball on Twitter

1. Indianapolis Colts (TRADE via CHI): Bryce Young QB — Alabama

Bryce Young is the best playmaker in the draft, in my opinion. The Colts are in desperate need for a new franchise QB1, and they’re willing to trade up to get it by using their second, third, a late round pick, and the 2024 first. Young is on the smaller size at 5-foot-10 and 204 pounds. That size is being thrown around as scary hours on Twitter. The Colts, however, feel like he’s their guy, and Jim Irsay pulls the trigger.   

2.  Houston Texans: C.J. Stroud QB — Ohio State

C.J. Stroud is built like an NFL quarterback and has the arm talent to vaporize your secondary with his ball placement and precision if you let him. The Texans brought in a former QB in Jerrod Johnson to coach the quarterbacks…now they bring in their future QB1.   

3. Arizona Cardinals: Will Anderson Jr. EDGE — Alabama

Picking up arguably the best edge rusher in the class is a huge win for the Cardinals here. With the retirement of J.J. Watt, the Cards are in desperate need of game-changing pass rush off the edge. Roll Tide

4. Chicago Bears (via IND): Peter Skoronski OG — Northwestern

The Bears will look to trade down again, but since they already have three extra picks to play with in this draft, they end up taking a guy who could be the best OL of the bunch. Skoronski has tremendous technique and versatility, but he probably projects inside with the lack of true power in his game. That being said, there is All-Pro potential here.

5. Atlanta Falcons (TRADE via SEA): Anthony Richardson QB — Florida

The Falcons released Marcus Mariota and look to end the QB mediocrity by taking Richardson, who could have the highest ceiling if he puts it all together. He doesn’t have a ton of polished experience from college, but he showed flashes of brilliance. A freak athlete with a CANNON of an arm, if Richardson can polish up, he could be an All-Pro for years to come. The Falcons give up No. 8, No. 44, and No. 113 to move up three spots with the Seahawks who field multiple calls.

6. Carolina Panthers (TRADE via DET): Will Levis QB — Kentucky

The Panthers force their way into the top six to grab the final of the big four QBs and take Will Levis. Carolina has to give up 9, 61, and a fourth-round pick to beat Las Vegas, which is also working the phones, but the Panthers get it done and secure Levis’ huge arm and great frame. I don’t believe Levis is worth the hype personally, but Frank Reich gets his man to start his tenure in Carolina. 

7. Las Vegas Raiders: Tyree Wilson EDGE — Texas Tech

The Raiders get the short end of the stick again. Despite trying to move up multiple times, they get outbid and are now stuck at No. 7. Now, Raiders fans, don’t sweat, not all is lost in the QB wheel of fortune. They could easily pick up a QB in the second round with the likely availability of Hendon Hooker or Tanner McKee. The issue is the lack of clear star power in those two options, plus Hooker is coming off an ACL tear. Back on the actual draft pick, Tyree Wilson is a powerful force with a hunger to put your QB in the fetal position. I also love the way he pursues the ball carrier. In my opinion, I think Tyree ends up being the best edge rusher out of the group. 

8. Seattle Seahawks (via ATL): Broderick Jones OT — Georgia

The Seahawks could end up making this move and getting Jalen Carter, depending on the legal process. In this mock, they take Broderick Jones and look to boost the DL with their new draft capital later on. Jones is a nasty player out of Georgia who will continue to rebuild the OL for the Hawks. Geno Smith thanks you for your service. 

9. Detroit Lions (via CAR): Christian Gonzalez CB — Oregon

The Lions were happy to move back and still get their man. Let’s take our top available CB with ball skills that Dan Campbell will love. Gonzalez is long and a very solid athlete who shows good closing speed on the football. He was a standout at Colorado and Oregon, and he will now have a chance to make an impact in the Motor City. 

10. Philadelphia Eagles (via NO): Joey Porter Jr. CB — Penn State

This pick makes way too much sense for me. Physical player with a chip on his shoulder, from Penn State, at a position of need. Eagles lock up a fan favorite for the next five years who will instantly improve that secondary. 

11. Tennessee Titans: Paris Johnson Jr. OT — Ohio State

The Titans get my favorite tackle in the draft. Johnson is a massive human and a commanding presence on the edge of the line. He’s powerful and has solid enough hand placement to make a difference on day one for whoever starts at QB.

12. Houston Texans (via CLE): Myles Murphy EDGE — Clemson

High floor, the question will be where his ceiling goes. Murphy is athletic with good bend, but he needs more than one or two pass rush moves to develop. Still, a fantastic piece to pair with a lack of current pass rush that the Texans have. 

13. New York Jets: Brian Branch SAF — Alabama

The third Tide player to go in the top 15, Brian Branch is the best safety in the group. Branch could spin down the nickel and will be an asset to the run game with his above average tackling. His coverage skills were great at Alabama and should translate.

14. New England Patriots: Devon Witherspoon CB — Illinois

Witherspoon can instantly upgrade the secondary as New England tries to build back toward championship contention. I love Devon’s ball skills and how aggressive he plays. While New England needs WR help too, we’ve watched the team prioritize defense in the past. That being said, would anyone be shocked to see Cody Mauch go here? Absolutely not.

15. Green Bay Packers: Jordan Addison WR — USC

The Packers are likely moving forward without Aaron Rodgers. While WR isn’t a position that Green Bay EVER drafts highly, the team desperately needs to set Jordan Love up with new weapons. Addison can play the slot and be a new dynamic weapon right away. 

16. Los Angeles Chargers (TRADE via WSH): Quentin Johnston WR — TCU

The Chargers have so many injury concerns with their current WRs that they’re willing to give up a third-round pick to trade with Washington. For Johnston, he’s not polished yet, but with his size, sneaky athletic ability, and knack for throwing DBs off balance at or beyond the line, I’ve got QJ as my top WR. He can high point the ball and is physical at the catch point. He really needs to work on his route tree and separation, but he can be the next great bully of a WR if he develops. Oh, and he’s hell after the catch.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Drew Sanders LB — Arkansas

The Steelers got cleaned out of their top players at CB and OT. The price to move up was likely too much, so they sit pat and draft the top pass-rushing LB in Drew Sanders. Sanders is likely a three-down LB who can aid in the run stopping on early downs as well. To me, he fits the Steelers mold nicely. 

18. Detroit Lions: Trenton Simpson LB — Clemson

The Lions would have loved to decide between Sanders and Simpson, but they’re very happy selecting the 6-foot-3 backer who has nice upside. The Lions can look to upgrade at offense at 48, 55, 61 (CAR), etc. 

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: O’Cyrus Torrence OG — Florida

Torrence was a massive winner of the Senior Bowl in Mobile. He showed power and athleticism that, in some minds, make him the top available guard in the entire draft. If the Bucs can’t find a way to trade up or down for a new QB, they can at least address their glaring weakness along the OL. 

20. Seattle Seahawks: Lukas Van Ness EDGE — Iowa

The Hawks had Tyree Wilson go right in front of them to the Raiders, so they took their favorite OL prospect on the board. Now, they are able to add a versatile piece to their pass rush. Van Ness wasn’t a “starter” at Iowa, but he actually played more snaps than any other DL player for the Hawkeyes in the regular season. 

21. Washington Commanders (via LAC): Emmanuel Forbes CB — Mississippi State

The Commanders have a variety of needs, and QB is chief among them. If Washington can’t move back again, I’d imagine that Tanner McKee (or Hendon Hooker if healthy) would be in play here. Instead, the Commanders go with one of the fastest rising CB prospects this year. Forbes had six pick-sixes during his career, an FBS record. He’s a ball hawk, great athlete, and will help Washington counter a build-up of elite weapons in the NFC East.

22. Baltimore Ravens: Jaxon Smith-Njigba WR — Ohio State

The social media sniping between the Ravens GM and WR Rashod Bateman was very public right before the combine. If the Ravens extend Lamar Jackson, it’s undeniable that he needs more true weapons. The Ravens haven’t had a Pro Bowl WR in years, and JSN could be just the fix with his elite ability to get open. 

23. Minnesota Vikings: Bryan Bresee DT — Clemson

The Vikings need someone to help plug the interior of their DL, and Bresee could be the man for the job. Again, if Jalen Carter is still on the board, he could be the pick, but it’s impossible to place him right now. Bresee is fierce, but his injury history clouds what his exact ceiling could be. 

24. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Mayer TE — Notre Dame

Two TEs are about to come off the board, and Michael Mayer is the most complete prospect in this year’s draft. He terrorized LBs and safeties alike in South Bend. Now, with an actual QB, his future could be extremely special.

25. New York Giants: Dalton Kincaid TE — Utah

Dalton Kincaid is a tweener prospect. He’s too big for your traditional slot WR and too small for your traditional TE. This could be perfect for the Giants who need both desperately to continue pushing this offense forward. Kincaid has great route-running skills and buttery soft hands that Giants fans will love.

26. Dallas Cowboys: Bijan Robinson RB — Texas

Perhaps the most controversial pick in this draft…if Bijan is on the board, the Cowboys need to draft him. He is a top five talent in the entire class, and there isn’t a prospect who provides more value than Robinson could bring. I would like to see the Cowboys trade down here if the board looks like it does, but drafting the most special RB prospect we’ve seen in several years cannot be considered a miss at 26. His ability to run through tackles, run routes, and catch the ball make him the perfect three-down back for Mike McCarthy’s new offense. 

27. Buffalo Bills: Antonio Johnson SAF — Texas A&M

I covered Johnson’s recruitment and early career, and I know what many are finding out: he’s a special hybrid player who could have a fantastic NFL career. The Bills could use his versatility as an athletic safety or a big nickel. Johnson also performed well at the combine, running a 4.52 in the 40-yard dash.

28. Cincinnati Bengals: Cam Smith CB — South Carolina

Cam could have a tremendously high ceiling, but some will drop him out of the first round due to motor concerns. With Forbes off the board, the Bengals choose Smith over Kelee Ringo to bolster their secondary. 

29. New Orleans Saints (via DEN): Nolan Smith EDGE — Georgia

No one won the combine more than Nolan Smith. With incredible speed and a burst that makes him a coveted edge-rushing prospect, Nolan Smith is a great piece the Saints can add to replace Marcus Davenport if he’s lost to free agency. 

30. Philadelphia Eagles: Zay Flowers WR — Boston College

The Eagles already took a great CB, and now they can add a dynamic slot receiver in Zay Flowers. Flowers would be the perfect addition to a WR core that already has A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith

31. Kansas City Chiefs: Darnell Wright OT — Tennessee

One of my favorite prospects rounds out the first round. Wright is a physical run blocker and did a heck of a job on Will Anderson Jr. in the win over Alabama. He’s a great second level run-blocker. If there is a knock on Wright, it’s that he relies on power instead of technique, which could get him in trouble with finesse rushers.

* Miami forfeited its first-round pick.

** With Jalen Carter’s outstanding legal situation, I felt like it would be inappropriate for me to speculate where he falls without more information coming out first. He was left out of the first mock draft.

About the author

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I've spent the majority of the last decade cutting my teeth in college sports, covering athletics for three separate universities and spent 2021 as an Assistant Athletic Director. I graduated from Texas A&M in 2019 and got my Masters from Dallas Baptist University two years later. My favorite CFB memory will always be Texas A&M's dramatic 7OT win over LSU in 2018, my final game as a student. My passion is telling stories and helping fans get to know their favorite athletes on a personal level, whether that be through articles or a broadcast.