2023 NFL Mock Draft: Raiders trade with Bears to pick C.J. Stroud; Seahawks use both firsts to bolster D-line

The Raiders maybe could land Stroud at No. 7, but when you love a quarterback you can’t just hope he falls to you. Stroud is a high-caliber pocket passer who’d thrive with Davante Adams and Co. immediately.

The Texans upgrade the quarterback position in a big way with Young, who has all the improvisational brilliance to succeed in today’s NFL.

Carter is the ideal replacement for the retiring J.J. Watt. He’s a long, hyper-athletic interior rusher who’s disruptive on three downs.

The Colts are ecstatic to pick Levis, who’s a big-armed, highly athletic quarterback ready to lead the team in its next chapter.

Anderson is one of the best edge-rushing prospects over the last decade, and is the exact type the Seahawks defense needs.

Witherspoon looks like a supreme athlete, and his 2022 film was squeaky clean. He could ascend to the first cornerback off the board in this class.

Simpson can become the quarterback of the Bears defense. He has that type of high-end athletic skill set. In the trade back, the Bears get this pick from the Raiders along with their 2023 picks in Round 2, Round 3 and Round 5, a 2024 first and third, plus a 2025 first and fourth.

Wilson is a long, athletic pass-rushing specialist. Music to the ears of GM Terry Fontenot.

Richardson is a project-type prospect, but being an All-Pro is his upside, and he doesn’t have to start immediately.

Van Ness is going to be a major riser during the pre-draft process. He’s long, plays with a non-stop motor and has pass-rush moves to go along with smooth athleticism. The Eagles have to reload along the defensive line.

The Titans want to control the line of scrimmage and had problems doing that this season. Skoronski is one of the safer prospects in this class.

Addison can either learn lots from the similarly sized Brandin Cooks in Year 1, or act as his instant replacement.

Could the Jets be major players on the veteran QB market? I think they will. So for the draft, they build the offensive line with Johnson, a super-steady tackle prospect.

Mayer isn’t a big-time athlete,but he does everything well at the position. Safe selection here for the Patriots.

Branch did everything on the back seven of Alabama’s defense this past season. He’ll be a welcomed addition to the Packers roster.

The Commanders have to get better play out of the outside cornerback position. Smith is a big, physical, dynamic athlete at the position.

Another Joey Porter in Pittsburgh. This one is a lanky, twitched-up perimeter corner who plays the ball well in the air.

Kincaid has a first-round athletic profile and awesome film at Utah. He steps into the vacancy filled by the T.J. Hockenson trade.

Jones isn’t ready to be a high-caliber NFL blocker right now. He has to get stronger and play with better balance. His movement skills give him plenty of upside.

He’s not consistent, but Bresee’s flashes are jaw-dropping. He’s the big-body type the Seahawks need along their defensive line. Anderson and Bresee in Round 1 for Seattle? Giddy up.

Johnston is a long-striding vertical weapon who’d pair perfectly with the cannon-armed Justin Herbert. Here’s to hoping the Chargers let Herbert show off his arm talent more frequently in 2023.

The Ravens add youth to their secondary with Gonzalez, whose film was super clean in 2022.

Murphy has an NFL body and stars against the run. He can learn the intricacies of rushing the passer from Za’Darius Smith and Danielle Hunter early in his NFL career.

The Jaguars add to the offensive front to protect Trevor Lawrence. Harrison is a masher on the outside.

The Giants added in the trenches early in the 2022 draft. This time, they go receiver in Round 1. Smith-Njigba is a deceptive YAC type when healthy.

The Cowboys could be extremely multiple with Sanders on the defense next to Micah Parsons. Sanders is a long, athletic off-ball/edge hybrid.

The Bengals dip into the defensive back well early in the draft again because Forbes is a big play waiting to happen at corner.

The Broncos add another outside pass-rushing weapon in the refined, athletic and strong Ojulari.

Washington, the Nittany Lions’ leading receiver in 2022, adds a much-needed YAC weapon to Josh Allen’s arsenal.

The Chiefs again pick a late first-round edge in hopes of eliminating some pressure from Chris Jones on the inside.

Robinson running behind the league’s best offensive line? Sounds like a blast for Philadelphia. Not so much for Eagles opponents.