NFL Mock Draft 2023: April Is Here!

With less than a full month until the 2023 NFL Draft, things are becoming clearer. Prospects are separating themselves, either for good or bad. NFL teams are finishing their draft prep on prospects to ensure the right decision will be made.

Now that April has arrived, buckle up and enjoy my latest 2023 NFL Mock Draft.

The Panthers need to find stability at the most important position in football, quarterback. C.J. Stroud is the best quarterback and purest passer in the class. Stroud’s accuracy and ball placement fit this offense well. Completing the build around Stroud could make them favorites in the NFC South in the near future.

The Texans have a lot of needs on this roster. Is this a roster that is ready for a quarterback to succeed? Not really, but here we are. Bryce Young is the best QB mentally to enter this less-than-ideal situation. His poise, leadership, and overall game can help change the culture in Houston.

Unless the Cardinals find a trade partner, drafting one of the three blue-chip prospects in the class is never a bad thing. Will Anderson Jr. gives them a “go-to” edge rusher for years to come. His play strength, elite short-area quickness, and motor cannot be taught. Head coach Jonathan Gannon could have fun scheming around Anderson’s skill set.

General manager Chris Ballard finds his quarterback of the future staying put at the fourth spot. Anthony Richardson has elite-level physical tools and traits. He lacks experience and refinement. Head coach Shane Steichen knows the return on investment when properly developing a toolsy quarterback. I expect him to be patient and help usher Richardson along to become the dangerous quarterback he can be.

Some teams reportedly have Jalen Carter off their boards. One thing about Pete Carroll is that he zigs while everyone else zags. Since Richardson was selected right before them in this NFL mock draft, I expect Carter to be in play. The physically gifted defensive tackle is as disruptive as they come on tape. He is still growing into his game as well. At a position of need, there is no better player to add to this defensive line.

Tyree Wilson may have the highest ceiling of all the edge defenders due to his physical build and athletic gifts. I love the idea of adding him to juice up the Lions’ run defense and pass rush. Facing Wilson aligned inside of Aidan Hutchinson should give offensive coordinators a lot to think about for the game week.

Jimmy Garoppolo is not the future of the Raiders. If any of these talented quarterbacks fall within their grasp, I expect them to make a move. Will Levis, similar to Richardson, has incredible physical tools but lacks polish. A year sitting behind Garoppolo would allow Josh McDaniels to get Levis up to speed with the playbook and tailor the offense to his big-armed, mobile quarterback.

A.J. Terrell is a legit CB1 and one of the best young CBs in the league. That said, he needs help across the field. Christian Gonzalez is my CB1 and would allow the Falcons to trout out two athletic, easy-moving cover corners. If Desmond Ridder is the starter for 2023, the best way to help him is with a competent, reliable defense. Terrell and Gonzalez have the potential to be a special CB tandem for offenses to hate throwing against.

General manager Ryan Poles has done a great job addressing key needs for the Bears’ roster. Continuing to build this defensive line is pivotal. Myles Murphy can rush from the inside and outside. He combines length, power, and quickness to collapse the edges on opposing quarterbacks. The Bears’ pass rush ranked dead last with 20 sacks in 17 games. This has to improve and Murphy can help further this number along.

The Eagles have to replace defensive line talent from free agency. In this NFL mock draft, I decided to go back to Athens, Georgia to nab edge rusher Nolan Smith. The explosive, physical, and bendy defender would bring leadership and game-changing potential to this defensive front. Pairing back up with former teammates Jordan Davis and Nakobe Dean, Smith has everything you want in a three-down edge defender.

Long-tenured left tackle Taylor Lewan is no longer a Titan, leaving a void at an important spot. Broderick Jones brings a similar physical attitude and play style. He is an outstanding athlete with power, arm length, and a championship pedigree. Whoever is taking snaps under center will need to have a blindside protector. Jones offers that and more.

Bringing Young to Houston almost guarantees an upgrade to the weapons at his disposal. Quentin Johnston would give him a height, weight, and speed wide receiver to grow within the NFL. Johnston is dynamic and dangerous after the catch. With a timing and rhythm passer like Young, he could be a hassle for opposing defenses over time.

Aaron Rodgers will be a Jet at some point. Regardless, this team needs help on the offensive line鈥攊n multiple spots, to be honest. Paris Johnson Jr. is an athletically gifted and high-ceiling OT. His versatility at left tackle and right guard gives hope to him playing right tackle if Becton is healthy and given the nod at LT. This pick makes a lot of season for the Jets.

Bill Belichick is supposedly out on trading for Lamar Jackson but has yet to commit to Mac Jones as his 2023 starting quarterback. Regardless of who is under center, this wide receiver room needs a substantial boost in talent. Zay Flowers would give them a dynamic run-after-catch threat. His ability to win post-catch would benefit the offense as a potential moveable chess piece.

With Jordan Love set to take over as the starting quarterback, adding more weapons seems to be an ideal next step. Jaxon Smith-Njigba would be a perfect fit with Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs. Smith-Njigba is an outstanding route-runner with quickness in and out of his breaks. He’s a chain-mover with yards-after-the-catch skills for Love to take advantage.

The Commanders need a legitimate CB1 in Ron Rivera’s defense. Devon Witherspoon is one of the best in the class. He is undoubtedly the most physical corner and it is not close. Witherspoon is a talented coverage defender that will make plays as a force defender in the run game. He’s near complete caliber cornerback that teams should covet.

Like father, like son! Joey Porter Jr. follows his father’s footsteps to become a Pittsburgh Steeler. Porter Jr. has the arm length, physicality, and athleticism at his size to develop into a reliable outside cornerback in the league. The flashes of instincts in zone coverage to bait QBs into dangerous throws are enticing. Physically, he matches up well with those high-octane receivers in the AFC North.

Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn needs as much help as possible. The defensive secondary needs a boost and Deonte Banks is a great fit. Banks has the height, weight, and explosiveness to live on an island at the NFL level.

Baker Mayfield versus Kyle Trask is the mid-off of NFL quarterbacks. The best way to ensure this is not a disaster is to build up the offensive line. Tristan Wirfs stays at right tackle while Peter Skoronski gives it a shot at left tackle. Skoronski has the quickness and technical refinement to become a reliable OT. His arm length is the reason he will be forced inside at guard if it happens. Either way, he would be a part of the best-five OL for the Buccaneers’ offense.

The loss of Austin Blythe at the center creates a glaring hole on the offensive. John Michael Schmitz is one of the best interior offensive linemen in the draft. His ability to get out of the gate and reach defenders at different areas on the field is impressive. Schmitz would give Geno Smith a quarterback of the offensive line and interior protection for the foreseeable future.

[Pick forfeited]

Justin Herbert got a taste of the NFL postseason in 2022. The weapons are great when healthy but that is not reliable. Luke Musgrave would give Herbert a big and athletic playmaker at the tight end that can press defenses vertically on all three levels of the field. Musgrave looks like he was built in a lab and has the highest ceiling in the draft.

Let’s assume Lamar Jackson remains a Raven in 2023. If so, adding wide receiver talent is important. Jordan Addison would be a nice complement to Rashod Bateman and Devin Duvernay at the wide receiver position. His route-running and ability to find soft spots in zone as a quick passing option would benefit this offense.

Cameron Dantzler is a Commander and the Vikings’ secondary is in need of talent. Kelee Ringo is a talented and athletic cornerback. Ringo allowed 147 yards in man coverage in 2022. I believe he is versatile to operate in both man and zone. New DC Brian Flores should enjoy coaching up this toolsy cover corner.

The Jaguars finished the season strong in Doug Pederson’s first year as the head coach, providing the promise and hope fans look for. Adding talent on defense and in the secondary can help extend those hopes further along. Julius Brents is a tall, long, and physical cornerback. He creates difficult passing lanes for opposing quarterbacks. I believe he complements Tyson Campbell well. This would allow the Jaguars to mix and match their coverage assignments based on the best matchups.

Daniel Jones received his payday and the Giants should not have their eyes set on a quarterback early in the draft. Their needs at wide receiver and cornerback remain glaring. Cam Smith brings swag, NFL size, and athleticism to the Big Apple. He is a sticky cornerback in coverage and is battle-tested in the SEC.

The Cowboys were the sixth-worst run defense in the league last season, allowing nearly 2,200 yards and 4.4 yards per carry. This must be corrected if they hope to make a deeper playoff run. Mazi Smith is strong at the point of attack and gives this defensive line more juice to fix their horrendous run defense.

Losing Tremaine Edmunds is difficult at the linebacker position, but they replace him in this NFL mock draft with another athletic and coachable ball of clay for Sean McDermott to mold in his vision. Drew Sanders can play off-ball and rush off the edge. I believe that is his best trait, attacking the quarterback downhill. This addition gives Buffalo pass-rush flexibility.

Losing Hayden Hurst to the Panthers leaves an open spot at tight end. Michael Mayer is a good option that will look to control the middle of the field with those explosive receivers surrounding him. He can block as well, making him a candidate to be on the field for the majority of offensive snaps. I would not be surprised if the season ends and he is one of the leading receiving tight ends in the league in this offense.

Alvin Kamara has some legal issues to work through and a potential suspension. That said, Bijan Robinson gives the Saints a complete player at the RB position for much less. He can help make Derek Carr’s transition to the Bayou easier. Robinson and Kamara could share the field together early in his career. Making this pick would signal a potential separation between Kamara and the Saints in the future.

Chauncey Gardner-Johnson reportedly overvalued himself along with his agent. Brian Branch has the ability to fill that void left. Branch is a safety that can play in two-high safety coverages but specializes in playing in the nickel versus the run and pass. Leadership and high instincts go a long way, and Branch has them both.

Jawaan Taylor signed and is slated to take over the left tackle position. Andrew Wylie signed with the Washington Commanders, leaving the starting right tackle position up for grabs. Dawand Jones is a mountain of a man with unreal height, weight, arm length, and nimble feet. The rich get richer by adding Jones to protect Patrick Mahomes and bring even more power to their running attack. See you in the AFC Championship game again? More than likely.

What did you think of the seventh edition of Damian Parson’s 2023 NFL Mock Draft? Let us know what you think about this or any edition of our NFL Mock Draft series on Twitter and Instagram聽and stay tuned next week for the next edition of TDN’s 2023 NFL Mock Draft series.