2023 NFL MOCK DRAFT - 1/4/23 - With Trades

Bowl season is over , and The College Football National Championship is coming on quick. To me that means DRAFT SEASON IS FINALLY HERE! That being said as long as the playoffs only include 4 teams , we can keep expecting a lot of draftable players to keep opting out . For those who did play in the Bowl games these last few games are of vital importance for many NFL hopefuls , and it also gives us insight into might be stepping up next year. This QB class looks drastically better at QB compared to last years , but it's starting to look like more quantity over quality for me as I watch more game tape.  Plus the transfer portal has drastically changed the face of college football. I had never previously had more than 14 QB'S on my pre-season watchlist of draft eligible QB's , but I had 19 this year before the season started. Now I have watched 29 of them, but only 3 ( Bryce Young ,  and a just snuck in CJ Stroud & Will Levis) with a current 1rst round grade , although I expect 4 to 6 to come off the board in round one because of need. Speaking of these potential draft eligible QB's , they are helped not only by the transfer portal, but surprisingly Covid as well. Too often these days QB's are rushing into the league with only a year or 2 of starting experience, but because of the extra year of eligibility granted due to Covid a lot of QB's are staying and getting a chance to polish & develop. Kenny Pickett wouldn't have been a 1rst rounder in 2022 without that extra year. At the very least it will help us to sort through their potential, and make the guys who end up making it in the NFL as backups more polished. The transfer portal has also thinned out this current draft as a whole because a lot of players are taking that NIL money to transfer & stay in school , or just stay put and come back for another season to try to improve their draft stock.  I see this as a defense heavy draft where there is quality at every position. It's especially strong at edge rusher & cornerback. The 2 clearly highest graded players that I have seen on tape so far are interior D-lineman Jalen Carter of Georgia & edge rusher Will Anderson of Alabama. On offense the depth of the RB , and TE classes are the 2 position groups that stand out. In fact RB Bijan Robinson is that rare elite duel threat prospect for the position , and while I wouldn't take a RB in the top 10 Robinson is the kind of high level prospect that could theoretically sneak into those heights. Also on the down side , and in a reverse of past few draft no WR looks like a top 10 pick to me right now , and it seems like a slot WR heavy class as far as depth. As a whole there haven't been many clear standouts at the position this season, but TCU's Quentin Johnston is my bet to be the top WR off the board , and could get into  the top 10 if he runs fast at the combine. Also, this draft is nowhere near as deep as last years ,where a lot of very talented players fell to day 3. Like always it is preferable to NFL teams that have the #1 pick that a QB goes at the top of the draft , even if the team that currently has the pick doesn't need a QB. As usual I think there is a good chance that a QB will go #1 overall this year , whether they deserve it or not, and even if it's another team trading up for their guy. Despite all that don't lose your minds if your team is picking high in this mock. I could be wrong, but this is my opinion about where the teams are at this moment , and major injuries have already affected my draft order throughout this season.  Sadly injuries will keep happening  throughout the playoffs , with those injuries causing few draft order variations before it's set , and also effecting team needs for the draft & free agency.  Also, Lamar Jackson could still theoretically be a trade candidate if they can't work out a contract, but I don't include trades in my mocks until draft season. Plus its hard for me to imagine the Ravens letting him go after Tyler Huntley bombed this year when Jackson was out. Possible veteran QB'S available this off season that might still have some demand are Derek Carr , Ryan Tannehill , Daniel Jones , Jimmy Garoppolo , Jared Goff , and even the GOAT Tom Brady. Then you have the recently highly drafted guys that might be available like Zach Wilson or Trey Lance who could be available , but I don't know how much you could get for either at this point , although if some desperate team offers either team a 1rst rounder for either guy I would take it . Mac Jones might be traded as well. The picks are all mine, and if you don't like them you are free to comment and let me know why. A lot of trades will probably happen in the actual draft too, and since it's finally  draft season again , I threw a couple in here today. Also , Miami forfeited their #1 pick because of tampering so there will only be 31 first round picks in this draft , but my projection of their draft position is clearly marked in red to make it know. Without further ado here it is. Agreeing or disagreeing is welcome, but please do it intelligently & respectfully or I just won't post it. so here it is. Enjoy.

# Is for a player for with reported character or maturity concerns.

** Is for a player with reported injury concerns.

1.TEXANS - BRYCE YOUNG - QB - ALABAMA

2.BEARS - WILL ANDERSON  - OLB/DE - ALABAMA

3.SEATTLE- (denv) - JALEN CARTER - ** - DT - GEORGIA

4.COLTS - WILL LEVIS - QB - KENTUCKY

5.ARIZONA - MYLES MURPHY - DE/DT - CLEMSON

6.LIONS- (rams) - BRYAN BRESEE - DT - CLEMSON

7.RAIDERS -  PETE SKORONSKI - T/G - NORTHWESTERN

8.TEXANS- (clev) -  TYREE WILSON - DE - TEXAS TECH

9.CAROLINA - CJ STROUD - QB- OHIO ST.

10.ATLANTA - PARIS JOHNSON - T/G - OHIO ST.

11.EAGLES- (NO) - BIJAN ROBINSON - RB - TEXAS

12.TITANS - MICHAEL  MAYER - TE - N. DAME

***TRADE***The PACKERS trade their 1rst (#18) and their 2nd ROUNDER to the STEELERS for their 1rst ROUNDER(#9) and 3rd ROUNDER***TRADE***

13.PACKERS-(pitt)-  QUENTIN JOHNSTON - WR - TCU

14.PATRIOTS - CHRISTIAN GONZALEZ - CB - OREGON

16.WASHINGTON - TANNER MCKEE - QB - STANFORD

17.JETS - ANTON HARRISON - OT - OKLAHOMA

15.LIONS - JOEY PORTER JR. - CB - PENN ST.

18.STEELERS-(gb)- BRODERICK JONES - OT - GEORGIA

MIAMI - Pick FORFEITED for TAMPERING

19.SEATTLE - JARED VERSE-DE/OLB-FLORIDA ST.

20.TAMPA BAY -  BRYAN BRANCH - S/CB - ALABAMA

21.JAGUARS - DEVON WITHERSPOON - CB - ILLINOIS

22.NY GIANTS - JORDAN ADDISON - WR - USC

23.CHARGERS - ZAY FLOWERS - WR - BOSTON COLLEGE

24.RAVENS - CAM SMITH - CB - S. CAROLINA

***TRADE***The CHIEFS trade their 1rst (#30) and their 3rd ROUNDER to the VIKINGS for their 1rst ROUNDER(#25) ***TRADE***

25.CHIEFS-(minn)- JALIN HYATT - WR - TENNESEE

26.BILLS - TRENTON SIMPSON - LB - CLEMSON

27.DENVER-(49ers,mia)- O'CYRUS TORRANCE - G - FLORIDA

28.BENGALS -  ANTONIO JOHNSON - CB/S - TEXAS A&M

29.DALLAS -  SIAKI IKA - DT - BAYLOR

30.VIKINGS-(kc)- KELEE RINGO - CB - GEORGIA

31.EAGLES - NOLAN SMITH - ** - OLB/DE - GEORGIA

OTHERS ON MY WATCH LIST

ANDRE CARTER - OLB/DE - ARMY

ISACC COCHRAN - G - AIR FORCE

KALEB HOLCOMB - OT/TE - AIR FORCE

KYLE PATTERSON - TE - AIR FORCE

JORDAN BATTLE - S - ALABAMA

JERMAINE BURTON - WR- ALABAMA

EMIL EKIYOR - G - ALABAMA

JAHMYR GIBBS - ** - RB - ALABAMA

DEMARCO HELLAMS - S - ALABAMA

CAMERON LATU - TE - ALABAMA

MALACHI MOORE - S/CB - ALABAMA

ELI RICKS - CB - ALABAMA

TYLER STEEN - OT - ALABAMA

HENRY TO'O  TO'O - LB - ALABAMA

BYRON YOUNG - DT - ALABAMA

JORDAN MORGAN - OT - ARIZONA

LADARIUS HENDERSON - G - AZ. ST.

JALEN CATALON - S - ARKANSAS

BEAUX LIMMER - G - ARKANSAS

DREW SANDERS - LB/EDGE - ARKANSAS

RICKY STROMBERG - C -  ARKANSAS

JOSH LINGENFELTER - TE - ARMY

TANK BIGSBY - RB - AUBURN

DERICK HALL - DE - AUBURN

OWEN PAPPOE - LB - AUBURN

NEHEMIAH PRITCHETT - CB - AUBURN

COLBY WOODEN - DE - AUBURN

AVERY YOUNG - OT - AUBURN

CONNOR GALVIN - OT - BAYLOR

JAXSON PLAYER - DT - BAYLOR

AL WOLCOTT - S - BAYLOR

EZEKIAL NOAH - LB - BOISE ST.

JL SKINNER - S - BOISE ST.

PHIL JURKOVEC - QB - BOSTON COLLEGE

CHRISTIAN MAHOGANY - G - BOSTON COLLEGE

KARL BROOKS - DT/SE - BOWLING GREEN

CLARK BARRINGTON - G - BYU

BLAKE FREELAND - OT - BYU

JAREN HALL - QB - BYU 

DALLIN HOLKER - TE - BYU

PUKA NACUA - WR - BYU

KEENAN PILI - LB - BYU

DANIEL SCOTT - S - CAL

DONTAY CORLEONE - DT - CINCINNATTI

IVAN  PACE - LB - CINCINNATTI

TYLER SCOTT - WR - CINCINNATTI

JOSH WHYLE - TE - CINCINNATTI

TYLER DAVIS - DT - CLEMSON

KJ HENRY - DE/OLB - CLEMSON

JORDAN MCFADDEN - OT - CLEMSON

RUKE ORHORHORO - DT - CLEMSON

WALKER PARKS - OT - CLEMSON

GRAYSON MCALL - QB - C. CAROLINA

WILLIE LAMPKIN - C - C. CAROLINA

GRAHAM BARTON - OL - DUKE

BRENTON COX JR. - # - OLB/DE - FLORIDA

MOHAMOUD DIABATE - LB - FLORIDA

GERVON DEXTER - DT - FLORIDA

XZAVIER HENDERSON - WR - FLORIDA

ANTHONY RICHARDSON - QB - FLORIDA

RASHAD TORRENCE - S - FLORIDA

PRINCELY UMANMIELEN - OLB/DE - FLORIDA

AKEEM DENT - CB/S - FLORDA ST.

FABIEN LOVETT - DT - FLORIDA ST.

JAMMIE ROBINSON - S - FLORIDA ST.

ROBERT SCOTT - OT - FLORIDA ST.

JOHNNY WILSON - WR/TE - FLORIDA ST.

JAKE HAENER - QB - FRESNO ST.

ROBERT BEAL - LB - GEORGIA

STETSON BENNETT- QB - GEORGIA

DAIJUN EDWARDS - RB - GEORGIA

ARIK GILBERT - TE - GEORGIA

KENNY MCINTOSH - RB - GEORGIA

WARREN MCLENDON - G/T - GEORGIA

KENDALL MILTON - RB - GEORGIA

TATE RUTLEDGE - G - GEORGIA

CHRISTOPHER SMITH - S/CB - GEORGIA

TYKEE SMITH - S- GEORGIA

SEDRICK VAN PRAN - C - GEORGIA

DARNELL WASHINGTON - TE - GEORGIA

QUIN WILLIAMS - DE - GEORGIA S.

LAMILES BROOKS - S - GEORGIA TECH

KEION WHITE - DE/DT - GEORGIA TECH

NATHANIEL DELL - WR - HOUSTON

D'ANTHONY JONES - DE - HOUSTON

DEREK PARRISH - DE - HOUSTON

CLAYTON TUNE - QB - HOUSTON

CHASE BROWN - RB - ILLINOIS

QUAN MARTIN - S/CB - ILLINOIS

JER'ZHAN NEWTON - DT - ILLINOIS

DEVON WITHERSPOON - CB - ILLINOIS

LUKE HAGGARD - OT - INDIANA

CAM JONES - LB - INDIANA

TIAWAN MULLEN - CB - INDIANA

JACK CAMPBELL - LB - IOWA

SAM LAPORTA - TE - IOWA

RILEY MOSS - CB - IOWA

LUCAS VAN NESS - DE/OLB - IOWA

XAVIER HUTCHINSON - WR - IOWA ST.

WILL MCDONALD -  DE - IOWA ST.

TODD CENTEIO - QB - JAMES MADISON

KENNY LOGAN - S - KANSAS

FELIX ANUDIKE - UZOMAH - DE/OLB - KANSAS ST.

COOPER BEEBE - G - KANSAS ST.

DEUCE VAUGHN - RB - KANSAS  ST.

DAE HUNTER - RB - LIBERTY

KAM PEDESLEAUX - S - LOUISIANA

YASIR ABDULLAH - LB - LOUISVILLE

MALIK CUNNINGHAM - QB - LOUISVILLE

KEI-TREL CLARK - CB - LOUSVILLE

YAYA DIABY - DE - LSU

KAYSHON BOUTTE - WR - LSU

JERRICK BERNARD-CONVERSE - CB - LSU

JAYDEN DANIELS - QB - LSU

MEKHI  GARNER - CB - LSU

BJ OJULARI - OLB/DE - LSU

JAQUELIN ROY - DT - LSU

JAY WARD - S/CB LSU

STEVEN GILMORE - CB - MARSHALL

DONTAY DEMUS - WR - MARYLAND 

JAELYN DUNCAN - OT - MARLAND

RAKIM JARRETT - WR - MARYLAND

ZION NELSON - OT - MIAMI

AKHEEM MESADOR - DE - MIAMI

TYRIQUE STEVENSON - CB - MIAMI

TYLER VAN DYKE - QB - MIAMI

RONNIE BELL - WR - MICHIGAN

BLAKE CORRUM - RB - MICHIGAN

RYAN HAYES - OT - MICHIGAN

CORNELIUS JOHNSON - WR - MICHIGAN

MIKE MORRIS - DT/DE - MICHIGAN 

EYABI OKIE - OLB/DE - MICHIGAN

OLUSEGUN OLUWATIMI - C - MICHIGAN 

LUKE SCHOONMAKER - TE - MICHIGAN

MAZI SMITH - DT - MICHIGAN

DJ TURNER - CB - MICHIGAN

MIKE MORRIS - DE /DT- MICHIGAN 

ZAK ZINTER - G - MICHIGAN

CAL HALADAY - LB/S - MICHIGAN ST.

JAYDEN REED - WR - MICHIGAN ST.

JOHN MICHAEL SCHMITZ - C - MINNESOTA

TYLER NUBIN - S - MINNESOTA

BREVYN SPANN-FORD - TE - MINNESOTA

EMMANUEL FORBES - CB - MISSISSIPPI ST.

KRIS ABRAMS-DRAINE - CB- MISSOURI

JAYLOB CARLIES - S - MISSOURI

JAVON FOSTER - OT - MISSOURI

ISAIAH MCGUIRE - DE - MISSOURI

TREY PALMER - WR - NEBRASKA

DOM PETERSON - DT - NEVADA

AJ HAULCY - S - NEW MEXICO

JOSH DOWNS - WR - N. CAROLINA

TONY GRIMES - CB - N. CAROLINA

STORM DUCK - S/CB - N. CAROLINA

DRAKE THOMAS - LB - NC ST. 

PAYTON WILSON - LB - NC ST.

HUNTER LUEPKE - FB/TE - N. DAKOTA ST.

CODY MAUCH - OT - N. DAKOTA ST.

ISAIAH FOSKEY - DE - N. DAME

BRANDON JOSEPH - S - N. DAME

JACK KISER - LB - N. DAME

JARRETT PATTERSON - C/G - N. DAME

EVAN HULL - RB - N. WESTERN

ADETOMIWA ADEBAWORE - DT/DE - N. WESTERN

CAM MITCHELL - CB - N. WESTERN

KURTIS ROURKE - QB - OHIO

CAMERON BROWN - CB - OHIO ST.

TOMMY EICHENBERG - LB - OHIO ST. 

ZACH HARRISON - DE  OHIO ST.

DAWAND JONES - OT- OHIO ST.

MATTHEW JONES - G - OHIO ST.

JAXON SMITH-NJIGBA - ** - WR - OHIO ST.

LATHAN RANSOM - S- OHIO ST.

CADE STOVER - TE - OHIO ST.

LUKE WYPLER - C - OHIO ST.

DILLON GABRIEL - QB - OKLAHOMA

ERIC GRAY - RB - OKLAHOMA

MARVIN MIMS - WR - OKLAHOMA

WANYA MORRIS - OT - OKLAHOMA

ALI JENNINGS - WR - OLD DOMINION

AUSTIN KEYS - LB - OLE  MISS

ZACH EVANS - RB - OLE MISS

JJ PEGUES - DT - OLE MISS

MICHAEL TRIGG - TE - OLE MISS

JONATHAN MINGO - WR - OLE MISS

KHARI COLEMAN- DE - OLE MISS

MALAESALA AUMAEAE-LAULU - OT - OREGON

BRANDON  DORLUS - DT - OREGON

JUSTIN FLOWE -  LB - OREGON

ALEX FORSYTH - C - OREGON

DJ JOHNSON - OLB/DE - OREGON

BO NIX - QB - OREGON

NOAH SEWELL - LB - OREGON

LUKE MUSGRAVE - TE - OREGON ST.

JI'AYIR BROWN - S - PENN ST.

PARKER WASHINGTON - WR - PENN ST.

HABAKKUK BALDANADO - DE - PITTSBURGH

SIRVOCEA DENNIS - LB  - PITTSBURGH

CALIJAH KANCEY - DT - PITTSBURGH

KEDON SLOVIS - QB - PITTSBURGH

CARTER WARREN - OT - PITTSBURGH

ANDREI IOSIVAS - WR - PRINCETON

JALEN GRAHAM - S/LB - PURDUE

CHARLIE JONES - WR - PURDUE

CORY TRICE - CB - PURDUE

VILIAMI FEHOKO - OLB/DE - SAN JOSE ST.

JALEN WAYNE - WR - S. ALABAMA

ZACCH PICKENS - DT - S. CAROLINA

CAM SMITH - CB - S. CAROLINA

SPENCER RATTLER - QB - S. CAROLINA

TUCKER KRAFT - TE - S. DAKOTA ST.

FRANK GORE JR. - RB - S. MISSISSIPPI

TANNER MORDECAI - QB - SMU

RASHEE RICE - WR - SMU

ELIJAH HIGGINS - WR - STANFORD

KYU BLU KELLY - CB - STANFORD

MATTHEW BERGERON - OT - SYRACUSE

SEAN TUCKER - RB - SYRACUSE

GARRETT WILLIAMS - CB - SYRACUSE

STEVE AVILA - C/G - TCU

NOAH DANIELS - CB - TCU

DERIUS DAVIS - WR - TCU

MAX DUGGAN - QB - TCU

TRE'VIUS HODGES-TOMLINSON - C - TCU

KENDRE MILLER - RB - TCU

JEREMY BANKS - LB - TENNESEE

TYLER BARON - DE/OLB - TENNESSEE

JEROME CARVIN - G - TENNESEE

PRINCETON FANT  - TE - TENNESEE

TREVON FLOWERS - S - TENNESEE

HENDON HOOKER - ** - QB - TENNESEE 

COOPER MAY - C - TENNESEE

CEDRIC TILLMAN - WR - TENNESEE

DARNELL  WRIGHT - OT - TENNESSEE

BYRON YOUNG - OLB/DE - TENNESSEE

MCCLENDON CURTIS - G - TENN. CHATTANOOGA

JAHLEEL BILLINGSLEY - # - TE - TEXAS

KEONDRE COBURN - NT - TEXAS

ROSCHON JOHNSON - RB - TEXAS

MORO OJOMO - DT - TEXAS

DEMARVION  OVERSHOWN - LB - TEXAS

DEVON ACHAME - RB - TEXAS A&M

JAYLON JONES - CB - TEXAS A&M

DEMANI RICHARDSON - S - TEXAS A&M

LAYDEN ROBINSON - G - TEXAS A&M

ANAIS SMITH - WR - TEXAS A&M

KORDELL ROGERS - CB - TEXAS ST.

TYJAE SPEARS - RB - TULANE

KAZMEIR ALLEN - WR - UCLA

JAKE BOBO - WR - UCLA

ZACH CHARBONNET - RB - UCLA

LAIATU LATU - ** - OLB/DE - UCLA

DARIAN THOMPSON-ROBINSON - QB - UCLA

CHRISTIAN HAYNES - G - UCONN

NOEL OFORI-NYADU - G - UCONN

MEKHI BLACKMON - CB - USC

TRAVIS DYE - RB - USC

TULI TUIPULOTU - DT/DE - USC

ANDREW VORHEES - G/T - USC

TAHJ WASHINGTON - WR - USC

BRAEDEN DANIELS - T/G - UTAH

DALTON KINCAID - TE - UTAH

CLARK PHILLIPS - CB - UTAH

BRENNAN ARMSTRONG - QB - VIRGINIA

CHICO BENNETT JR. - OLB/DE - VIRGINIA

KEYTAON THOMPSON - WR - VIRGINIA

DONTAYVION WICKS - WR - VIRGINIA

NICK ANDERSEN - S - WAKE FOREST

JAHMAL BANKS - WR - WAKE FOREST

SAM  HARTMAN - QB - WAKE FOREST

AT PERRY - WR - WAKE FOREST

KOBIE TURNER - DT - WAKE FOREST

JAXSON KIRKLAND - T/G - WASHINGTON

ZION TUPUOLA-FETUI - OLB/DE - WASHINGTON

DAIYAN HENLEY - LB - WASHINGTON ST.

CAMERON WARD - QB - WASHINGTON ST.

ZION TUPUOLA-FETUI - ** - OLB/DE - WASHINGTON

JT DANIELS - QB - W. VIRGINIA

KEEANU BENTON - DT - WISCONSIN

JACK NELSON - OT - WISCONSIN

JOE TIPPMAN - C - WICONSIN

JOHN TORCIO - S - WISCONSIN