2023 NFL Mock Draft

Landing Christian Gonzalez at this spot is a dream scenario for the Patriots. Although I have to say, with the way this night was going, it was looking like crazier things could happen than Gonzalez falling even further down the board. Most sharp mock drafters had Gonzalez going at 7 to the Raiders. Virtually none had him falling out of the top 10.

The Pats get him at 17, after getting draft capital from Pittsburgh in the trade down to boot. An absolute coup. The Patriots are getting a freak athlete with amazing instincts. While not as polished as Witherspoon, the first corner taken tonight, he has the chance to develop into an even better due to his untrainable traits. Belichick has found an impact player for his defense. Grade: A

The fit between Lions Coach Dan Campbell and their new linebacker Jack Campbell goes beyond a shared last name. Both are jumbo sized old-school football guys who exude grit and effort. Campbell is a sideline-to-sideline backer at 6'5" and 250 pounds who promises to help tighten up the Lions sometimes porous rush defense. He may not be a big asset to the team's pass coverage, so this pick feels like a bit of a reach. Grade: B-

--Jud Branam, Lions Analyst

It's hard to imagine Tampa Bay thought they'd get one of the "Big 4" QBs in this class, and an absolute shocker to do it while staying put. Still, the lure of Levis wasn't enough to get the Bucs to pull the trigger. This defense definitely needs to get younger, and Kancey brings an explosive (albeit small) player to the unit.



This defensive front has been built on two-gap power, and Todd Bowles may be finally shifting it to a scheme that covets more athleticism up front. Either way, this team's pass rush is getting better and this is a passing league. Grade: B+

~Austin Smith, DraftTek Senior Analyst

With their second pick of the night, Seattle addresses the other side of the passing game and takes the first WR of the draft. DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett are bona fide stars and playmakers, but the third receiver spot was in need of upgrading and it's a passing league.

Jaxon missed most of the 2022 season due to a hamstring injury, but during his sophomore season he tore up the Big Ten with 1606 yards and 9 touchdowns. Doing a significant amount of damage lining up in the slot, Jaxon easily slides right into the receiving core with a defined role. An offense with playmakers in Metcalf, Lockett, and Kenneth Walker III should have Geno Smith salivating.

The Seahawks still have multiple picks tomorrow and could make more splash plays in this draft.

Grade: A+

~Jeff Chapman, Seahawks Analyst

Adding youthful athleticism to a receiving corps that is getting a bit older and injury prone, the Chargers bring in a big receiver with speed in Quentin Johnston. The TCU star has been dinged for a few drops and uneven technique off the line of scrimmage, but his speed and catch radius make him an instant deep threat for Justin Herbert and a logical successor to Mike Williams. Grade: A-

--Jud Branam, Lions Analyst

The Ravens celebrate Lamar's return by giving their QB one of the draft's most explosive offensive weapons. Boston College's Zay Flowers should provide Lamar Jackson with the slot/underneath receiver that he's lacked -- and needed -- since entering the league.

Flowers combines speed, burst, and elusiveness. The 5'9" WR isn't just quick, he's tough too. As long as Bateman and OBJ can get, and stay, healthy, Baltimore will have one of the most complete receiving corps in the league. With Mark Andrews also fighting for targets, Todd Monken can get more balance between run and pass.

- David Payne, DraftTek Senior Analyst

Grade: A-

The Vikings were the subject of countless rumors as one of the teams that could possibly trade up for a top Quarterback. Due to the restructure of Kirk Cousins contract without any additional years beyond 2023, the speculation about the team being very interested in finding the next Quarterback was reasonable and possibly even expected by many in the fan base. But Kwesi Adofo-Mensah played his hand very cool and let the smokescreen have a life of it's own.

In he end, the Vikings select Jordan Addison, Wide Receiver, USC. Addison won the Biletnikoff Award as the nation's top receiver in 2021 while playing with Kenny Pickett at Pittsburgh after grabbing 100 receptions for 1,593 receiving yards and 17 receiving TD. In 2022, he went to USC and played with Caleb Williams and had 59 receptions for 875 yards and 8 TDs. He is a very efficient route runner and natural pass-catcher. Some people felt he was the top receiver in the draft.

Grade: A

Mark P, Vikings Analyst

I loved the fit of Deonte Banks and the Giants, and it came true. He's physical and excels in man coverage. There are a lot of great pass catchers in the NFC East, and New York is now better equipped to handle that. Banks will won't shy away from sticking his nose in against the run, either. He could very well be the best CB in this class early in year one, and that could help this defense take big jump forward. Grade: A

~Austin Smith, DraftTek Senior Analyst

Hey Bills fans, you got your wish! It was clear at the end of the season that Josh Allen was carrying far too much of the burden on offense. The stark contrast of Joe Burrow being able to lean on his weapons and make easy plays vs Allen having to try to be Superman on every play is burned into all of our minds.

Dalton Kincaid was a top 10 talent on multiple media boards, and the Bills grab him at 24. He's a dominant slot receiver that has potential as a blocker on the edge. I do think this team still needs help in both trenches, but adding such a versatile weapon to this offense is exciting moving forward.

Grade: A

-Kennedy Paynter, Senior Draft Analyst (@Kennedy_Paynter on Twitter)

The narrative at the trade deadline last year was how bad Dallas needed a run-stuffer, but that was only partially true. We needed several run-stuffers. The NFC East just saw two team give extensions to quarterbacks who excel at running the ball on designed plays. This may be a reach, but this defense needed someone like Mazi Smith. He's got raw athleticism that could help him develop into a complete player, but I'm most interested in him plugging up the middle of the field. Grade: B+

~Austin Smith, DraftTek Senior Analyst

Anton Harrison is a good player. I thought the Jaguars would look to upgrade the interior of their offensive line before the tackle position, but this is the right part of RD1 for Harrison to go. Maybe I just wanted them to stay in state and take Florida Guard O'Cyrus Torrence. However, Harrison will come in and compete for a starting RT spot immediately. He also provides insurance for Cam Robinson's expected PED suspension. The Jaguars need to protect Trevor Lawrence, that's all that matters.

Jonah Anderson Senior Drafttek Analyst

Grade: B+

The Bengals make a value selection here in the first. They look past some quality TE and S prospects to bolster an already strong edge group. Murphy should be a quality rotational player, perhaps slotting in to replace Hendrickson in a couple years.

Murphy was a force off the edge for the tigers with 6.5 sacks and 40 tackles in 2022. He pairs an already impressive and improving array of counters with a long physique and lightning quick hands to torment opposing tackles. He's a consistent high effort defender whose game is still very much improving. The Bengals should be looking for a TE and a Safety heading into day 2.

Using the pick acquired from the Broncos in exchange for the rights to (almost retired) head coach Sean Payton, the Saints grab a great fit for the black-and-gold defense. Bryan Bresee started games in all 3 years he was at Clemson. The disruptive D-lineman recorded 15 TFLs, including 9 sacks in 25 games. Still only 21 years old, Bresee could provide a significant upgrade to the interior of New Orleans' defensive line. An excellent blend of size, athleticism, and competitive toughness, Bresee is also a versatile player who lined up all over the front line at Clemson.

Once Derek Carr was signed to take over the reins of the offense it was clear that GM Mickey Loomis' next mission was to fix the D-line which last season ranked 27th in run defense and lost starting defensive tackles David Onyemata and Shy Tuttle in free agency. The tenacious Bresee will join free agent additions Khalen Saunders and Nathan Shepherd on the DL.

~DatBudMan, Saints Analyst

The rich get richer as the Eagles continue their collection of former Georgia Bulldogs, adding pass rusher Nolan Smith. After being connected to the Eagles at pick 10, Smith ends up with a longer wait, but still lands in the perfect spot. Joining a pass rush rotation with Brandon Graham, Josh Sweat, and Haason Reddick, gives Smith a great group of mentors, and offensive coordinators another nightmare to keep them up at night.

Grade: A+

Why not end the hometown draft with the hometown kid?!

Considered one of the purest pass rushers in the draft Felix Anudike-Uzomah, was the key component of the Kansas State defense and catapulted the Wildcats to a Big 12 championship. He was extremely productive in what was essentially only 2 years of football. Anudike-Uzomah tallied 97 total tackles, an incredible 26.5 TFLs, including 20.5 sacks. He finished 2022 with a PFF pass-rush grade of 74.2. The Lee's Summit High School product had the most defensive stops in a season for a Big 12 edge rusher since 2014.

My preferred trade-up for OT was not in the cards, but FAU fills a big need and this player will make the defense so much stronger. This is a Steve Spagnuolo kind of guy all the way - he has good length, long arms, a great bend off the edge, and a motor that doesn't top. Good news! There are several talented OTs, WRs, plus the top TEs available in RD2. Day 2 is going to be an interesting day. (Finally... Way to represent KC fans!)

Grade: A-

~KCBudMan, Chiefs Analyst