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NFL Draft 2023 Mock Draft: Top 10 Picks by Beat Writers
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NFL Draft 2023 Mock Draft: Top 10 Picks by Beat Writers

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Most years, it doesn’t matter if a quarterback run happens in the NFL Draft, it’s when it happens. Looking ahead, it could happen as early as 2023.

That is, unless the defensive potential elite population (and perhaps a handful of players in offensive tackle or skill positions) have a say. So we asked our team of beat writers and draft experts how the Top 10 plays out. The Texans are number one and will he go to QB, should the Seahawks or Lions also rely on that position?

Our best guess right now is:

1. Houston Texans: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama

Young’s size (listed at 6-foot-0 and 194 pounds) is one reason why there’s no consensus top quarterback prospect in this draft. But there’s little argument that the Texan should address the position here, and if Houston decides Davis his 24 starting appearances in his Mills career, he’ll have his 2 quarterback offense. is most effective in Jeff Driskeland Mills, a 2021 third-round pick, is clearly not the long-term answer.

The Texans and GM Nick Caserio aren’t afraid to go against conventional wisdom (see their last two head coach hires), but they’ve adopted a relatively obvious choice here. increase. Young is the highest rated prospect for the position of draft pundit Dane Brugler and the third overall. — Aaron Rice

2. Chicago Bears: Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia

Listen to Bears first-year coach Matt Eberflus and you’ll find out just how important the three-technical defensive tackle position is to his defensive scheme. Just last week, Eberflus described his three techniques as “the engine that drives everything.” Passing Alabama’s pass rusher Will Anderson Jr. won’t be easy, but Carter could be a powerhouse in the Bears’ defense in the future. He’s a nasty, do-it-all lineman in the mold of Hall of Famer Warren Sapp. They actually went to the same high school (Apopka) in Florida. Carter is also the best player on college football’s best teams, and has arguably been so for the past two years. — Adam Jans

3. Seattle Seahawks (via Broncos): Will Anderson Jr. (Edge, Alabama)

The Seahawks desperately need a game-changing pass rusher. No sacker has reached double figures since Frank Clark in 2018. Outside His linebacker Uchenanuwos (he has nine sacks in 15 games) should be at that level by the end of the year, but his presence alone puts Seattle under pressure on passers. The Seahawks are desperate for a dominant player to partner with Nuwos, and the 35-year-old Bruce is looking to start Irvin. To be fair, he played well, but the fact that he had to call Irvin from his couch to play 54% of his defensive snaps shows just how much plug-and-play talent he has on the edge. It tells us how seriously it is necessary. Michael Sean Dugar

4. Arizona Cardinals: Keeley Ringo, CB, Georgia

Since Cliff Kingsbury took over as head coach, only one of Arizona’s first-round picks has gone to a premium-position player (2019 No. 1 Kyler Murray). With a general manager change on the horizon, it’s time for the Cardinals to stop messing with high-value draft opportunities, and Ringo is the best non-quarterback available here.

Over the last four seasons, Arizona ranks 25th in defensive pass EPA, 29th in opponent passer rating, 28th in first downs allowed per pass, and 30th in touchdowns allowed per pass. Ranked in Ringo will give this defense a lockdown corner that has been missed since Patrick Peterson’s heyday. It is very useful for fixing the defense that tried to gimmick the. Diante Lee

5. Indianapolis Colts: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky

The Colts must make a decision: Is Levi the top-tier quarterback prospect that scouts were drooling over early in his Kentucky career, or a struggling player in 2022? A prototype with size, arm strength and mobility. But that inconsistent tape could put some scouts on hold, and Levi, though he lost his top target in 2022, most of his offensive line, and offensive coordinator Also note that he only had one game of 250+ yards in 15 starts against the SEC defense. Still, he’s been on the top 10 track for quite some time as he has all the attributes. — Bob Kravitz

6. Atlanta Falcons: Miles Murphy, Edge, Clemson

Everything in Atlanta depends on Desmond Ridder’s improvement in the final two games. The Falcons don’t need to add another young player to the position if the rookie quarterback has shown (at least) to be the man of the job in 2023. ) and a third-round pick (D’Angelo Malone) as an edge rusher, but still haven’t done much. He’s only had six teams with a low sack rate in the last five years, one of which was the Falcons last year (3.1%). Again, his defensive tackles and cornerbacks are attractive. — Josh Kendall

7. Detroit Lions (via Rams): Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon

This is…not an ideal board for Lions. I wish Ringo was here, but he wasn’t. Murphy was also an option, as was Clemson’s defensive tackle his Brian Briesey. But the emergence of rookie James Huston reduced the need for another pass rusher, and GM Brad Holmes kept 2021 second-round pick DT Levi Onzrike, who failed to stay healthy. I appreciate it. Lions are stuck because there is no trade scenario here. But corner kicks are a clear and obvious need, so Gonzalez is chosen because he fits what defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn likes. — Colton Pouncey

8. Carolina Panthers: CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State

The Panthers remain in the playoff hunt thanks to the horrendous state of the NFC South and despite a shortage of franchise quarterbacks. Sam Darnold is his third QB to start in Carolina this year, after Baker Mayfield and PJ Walker. And while Darnold played better and defended the ball, his four games with no turnovers His stretch was the longest of his career, putting the Panthers back in his QB market. should enter. If they take the division, it could get trickier, dropping the Panthers to 19th in the draft order (or lower if they win a playoff game).

The Panthers passed Ohio QB in 2021 and acquired Jaycee Horn at No. 8 when Justin Fields was available. It is inconceivable that they would make the same decision again. — Joe Parson

9. Las Vegas Raiders: Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina

We were a little tempted by Florida QB Anthony Richardson. But despite all his physical skills, he’s not accurate enough on short and medium-distance routes.

Deeper

Deeper

Reed: Derek Carr depressed, but pressure on Raiders’ brass

Smith, on the other hand, checks all the boxes with his size (6-1, 187 pounds), long arms, tenacious covering, ball skills and positional versatility. Smith played outdoors, indoors and even safe in college. Opposing teams have shunned him this season — he’s only allowed 15 catches against 32 targets for his 184 yards — but the energy and leadership he plays is still there. jumping out — Vic Tahoor

10. Philadelphia Eagles (via Saints): Brian Bresey, DT, Clemson

The Eagles believe in building along the line of scrimmage. Twelve of the last 17 first-round picks rushed passers or protected QBs. You might be tempted to go for an offensive tackle here to find a final replacement for Lane Johnson, but Brezet would be a compelling option. Brugler also let the Eagles take Clemson DT with the 6th pick in his latest mock draft, and for good reason. Combining Bressey and Jordan Davis allows the Eagles to put a building block in the middle of their defensive line. This is especially valuable given that both Javon Hargrave (who turned 30 in February) and Fletcher Cox (who is 32 as of December 13) are both imminent frees. Agent.

Bresee hasn’t necessarily done much with Clemson, tearing his ACL in 2021, but the former top recruit has a type of physical and athletic profile rarely seen. He also brings a variety of schemes to play in various placements for the Eagles. Zach Berman

(Illustration: Sean Riley / athletic;
Photo: Jay Biggerstaff, Kevin C. Cox, Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)



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