We made it, friends. At long last, Draft Week is upon us. Thursday night, 27 teams (no, not you Miami) will write a name on a card and turn it in, all the while hoping that player is the one to help them win a championship. We in the collective sports media have spent months prognosticating about who your team should take and who your team will take. Fortunately, all of that talking is about to come to an end. The chatter and static of sports radio stations is about to give way to the buzz and electricity in Kansas City. There will be plenty of time to break all of that down in due time, but for one last time this cycle, let’s set our final 2023 NFL Mock Draft as a podcast.

*Author’s Note – mocked trades are delineated by (Trade with X team), picks that have already swapped hands are noted with the (via X team) marker.

1. Carolina Panthers (via CHI): Bryce Young QB — Alabama

I still believe C.J. Stroud is a better fit for what the Panthers’ staff historically goes for, but I won’t argue with taking my QB1 in Bryce Young. Young is the best playmaker, save only Bijan Robinson, in the entire draft. Carolina’s search for a franchise quarterback ends here.

2. Houston Texans: Tyree Wilson EDGE — Texas Tech

There. It. Is. My top edge in this draft has been climbing inside the top five for weeks now in other mock drafts, and now, there are numerous reports that the Red Raider could be the top pass rusher taken. If Houston is serious about passing on Stroud, it can lock up an X-factor off the edge.

3. Las Vegas Raiders (Trade with Arizona Cardinals): Will Levis QB — Kentucky

While I think a franchise QB probably should have shown that he could win in college, the pro scouts and media continue to drool over Levis. His measurables are tantalizing enough for the Raiders to move up with the Cardinals for pick seven, their third-round pick, and next year’s second-rounder.

4. Indianapolis Colts: C.J. Stroud QB — Ohio State

I don’t know how much of the S2 testing scores I buy into. There have been a number of Twitter reports that are pure fabrication or rumors to get Stroud to slide. The Colts nearly traded up but stood firm at number four and got a proven winner with the ability to throw the ball through any window.

5. Seattle Seahawks: Jalen Carter DL — Georgia

Seattle needs defensive line help in the worst way. Carter seems to have dodged the legal troubles for now, so let’s give the stamp of approval to a union that will make Hawks fans happy. Carter’s power and ability to win using his leverage will be put to great use out west.

6. Detroit Lions: Will Anderson Jr. EDGE — Alabama

Anderson is on the board far longer than many expected, but he finds a great fit with a young and upcoming Lions team. If I had to guess, I’d take Detroit to win the NFC North this year if the offense continues to produce. The Lions need receiver help, but they can address that later on down the board.

7. Arizona Cardinals (via LV): Christian Gonzalez CB — Oregon

The Cardinals were desperate to get out of the third pick and found a dance partner in Las Vegas. Now, they can focus on entirely rebuilding a depleted roster, accruing more draft capital, and finding a new franchise QB next year. Gonzalez instantly makes their secondary better and will give them a new potential superstar now that Budda Baker wants out.

8. Atlanta Falcons: Nolan Smith EDGE — Georgia

Atlanta, don’t you dare take Bijan here. Your team has SO many needs that are far more important than running back. The Falcons’ pass rush has been dreadful and lacks talent. Nolan Smith won’t bring the power that Wilson or Anderson will, but his bend and explosion makes him a terror for tackles to deal with.

9. Chicago Bears (via CAR): Peter Skoronski OL — Northwestern

My top-ranked offensive lineman in the draft, Skoronski could likely kick inside and be an All-Pro at guard. That being said, Chicago could also play him at left tackle, his position at Northwestern.

10. Philadelphia Eagles (via NO): Lukas Van Ness EDGE — Iowa

Life must be sweet for Howie Roseman. He’s brilliantly put together a championship-caliber roster AND secured elite draft capital. He will have the ability to move up or down on draft day, but here we’ll give him a premium edge player who could benefit from time to develop and season in a veteran rotation.

11. Tennessee Titans: Anthony Richardson QB — Florida

The Titans originally were going to take an offensive lineman here, but they get their quarterback of the future and get to punt on an aging Ryan Tannehill and stash Malik Willis for another day. Richardson is a freak athlete, but I wonder if his accuracy can be consistent at the pro level. If he finds his final form, Tennessee could rule the AFC South for a long time.

12. Houston Texans (via CLE): Jaxon Smith-Njigba WR — Ohio State

Houston could go with another pick in the trenches here, but with Smith-Njigba on the board, I can’t imagine too many more teams passing on him. If the Texans don’t take my WR1, I’d like to see them trade back and keep the rebuild going strong.

13. Green Bay Packers (via NYJ): Jordan Addison WR — USC

Extreme irony aside, Green Bay needs weapons if it expects Jordan Love to compete in his first full year as a starter. Addison can be an athletic safety blanket for Jordan as he navigates a potentially lethal NFC North. While Addison isn’t the biggest receiver in the draft, he is a playmaker with “make-you-miss” stuff down the field. 

14. New England Patriots: Devon Witherspoon CB — Illinois

The Patriots are getting an extremely physical and tenacious defender in Witherspoon. He’ll get in trouble at times for how aggressive he is with his hands, but the ball skills are there. New England will look to rebuild a formerly terrifying secondary with Witherspoon in the boat for the next five seasons. 

15. Minnesota Vikings (Trade with NYJ): Hendon Hooker QB — Tennessee

Minnesota sees its opportunity to get my personal QB3. Hooker, 25, is older than most, but he has an electric arm and the athleticism to be just what Minnesota needs in a post-Kirk Cousins world. The Vikings could draft a corner or even help along the defensive line, but ultimately success at this level requires a quarterback that can win. For Minnesota, it’s worth giving up the 87th selection in the third round for it and a future third to boot. 

16. Washington Commanders: Joey Porter Jr. CB — Penn State

Washington nearly pulls the trigger on Bijan but opts for a potentially elite corner to help provide much-needed secondary help in a division that is stockpiling weapons on the outside.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Paris Johnson Jr. OT — Ohio State

I cannot believe that my best tackle has slid all the way down the board to the Steelers, who should be in love with this pick, by the way. Paris is my top-rated tackle by a long way and a nasty dude to line up from across. In over 900 pass-blocking reps last season, he gave up just two sacks. TWO.

18. Detroit Lions: Michael Mayer TE — Notre Dame

Trading T.J. Hockenson to the division rival Vikings seems like it was the right move, but it created a hole in the roster that Mayer must fill. Not only will Mayer provide a new weapon for Jared Goff in the passing game, but his style of play in blocking will fit in well with Dan Campbell‘s culture.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Calijah Kancey DL — Pittsburgh

Kancey is undersized, but explosive and an absolute game wrecker in the interior. The Bucs have a proven force in Vita Vea, and pairing him with a Pitt Panther who has drawn comparisons to one Aaron Donald (fairly or not) could be a big win for a Bucs team in search of a defensive identity.

20. Seattle Seahawks: Myles Murphy EDGE — Clemson

Myles Murphy has quietly slid down the draft boards over the last two months, and I’m not entirely sure why. Murphy is not the complete player that the very top edge guys are, but he’s still very solid. He needs to develop a more versatile portfolio of moves to get to the passer, but I’m confident he can do just that and enjoy a long NFL career.

21. Los Angeles Chargers: Bijan Robinson RB — Texas

Placing Bijan is a little challenging. According to insiders from all over the country, you can expect the former Longhorn to go anywhere from ninth to the end of the first round. With the Chargers (and the rest of the market) refusing to pay Austin Ekeler, Kellen Moore could be in search of his new bell cow.

22. Baltimore Ravens: Quentin Johnston WR — TCU

Whether or not Johnston will catch passes from Lamar Jackson remains to be seen, but the need for a dominant pass catcher in this offense remains regardless. Johnston’s ability to catch the ball in traffic was elite at TCU, and he’ll need to bring those talents to the next level to survive in one of the most hard-nosed divisions in football.

23. New York Jets (via MIN): Darnell Wright OT — Tennessee

Darnell Wright had a coming-out party in his final year at Tennessee. He manhandled Will Anderson Jr. in that win over Alabama. He showed great development all season long and the consistency to become a franchise right tackle.

24. Jacksonville Jaguars: Dalton Kincaid TE — Utah

Dalton Kincaid dominated at Utah and was one of the most unique offensive weapons in the country when healthy, but it is worth noting he is recovering from a back injury. Still, Kincaid is the most athletic tight end prospect in a deep draft class. He shows amazing hands and an ability to create yards after the catch. With Evan Engram re-upping for just a one-year deal in 2023, Kincaid could be a long-term solution to top the tight end room for Trevor Lawrence.

25. New York Giants: Zay Flowers WR — Boston College

The Giants have been desperate to find a dominant pass catcher since trading Odell Beckam Jr. Flowers’ college production speaks for itself, but like many receivers in this class, his size could prevent him from being a dominant force at the next level. He certainly projects to be a strong contributor to an NFL receiver room, though, and most fans in blue and red will be doing cartwheels for someone described that way.

26. Dallas Cowboys: Will McDonald IV EDGE — Iowa State

Where there is smoke, there is fire. Will was brutally misused in Ames, lining up in a three-man front when he’s a natural edge rusher. Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn worked him out as one of the Cowboys’ 30 visit guys. If the Cowboys’ favorite tight end isn’t available, expect them to take their favorite player on the board.

27. Buffalo Bills: Drew Sanders LB — Arkansas

Drew Sanders is a three-down linebacker who can provide ample pass rush off the edge for a Bills team who needs to find a new starting backer after Tremaine Edmunds left for Chicago. Still, it’s the ability to help defend the run that surprised many who weren’t familiar with his work at Alabama and Arkansas. Sanders can help fill two needs at once for a Bills team who is eager to fulfill their potential and reach the Super Bowl.

28. Cincinnati Bengals: Broderick Jones OT — Georgia

Broderick Jones was a brick wall on the left side of the Bulldogs line in college. Offensive line has been an issue for the Bengals for years, so let’s go ahead and give a great player to a great team.

29. New Orleans Saints (via DEN): Mazi Smith DL — Michigan

Mazi Smith is one of the strongest prospects in the entire draft class, registering an impressive 34 reps on the bench press at the NFL combine. His blend of size and speed is enough to make front offices dream of a dominant defensive line unit, but he will need to become more consistent before he can be named the best interior lineman in this draft. Still, New Orleans needs interior help as it tries to rebuild the defense from the inside out. 

30. Philadelphia Eagles: Deonte Banks CB — Maryland

Philadelphia brought Darius Slay and James Bradberry back on one-year deals. Still, Banks is a fluid athlete who could play coverage safety while he waits for a corner spot to open. This is another luxury pick for Philadelphia.

31. Kansas City Chiefs: Dawand Jones OT — Ohio State

Dawand Jones is a mountain of a man at 6-foot-8 and 371 pounds. There is a noticeable lack of bend in his game (again, he’s 6-foot-8!), but he’s shown an ability to flash in pass protection as well as run blocking. With Andrew Wylie leaving a gaping hole at right tackle, Dawand can step right in from day one. The pop in his hands and his surprising ability to slide along with the edge rusher secure him the final spot in our first-round mock.