2023 NFL Mock Draft: Mocking Without Trades

I’ve written four NFL mock draft posts already this cycle, but with the college football season and all-star circuit in the rearview mirror—as well as the underclassman list finalized—this edition will be my best one yet. In my new NFL mock draft, I introduce some names that didn’t make the last version as we have new clarity on players who had questions that needed to be answered. That’s the beauty of this process, it’s fluid and allows players to move up or fall down based on new information that’s provided to us.

Since I decided not to do trades in this version, I know this won’t be what happens come draft day. However, I wanted to show you what I would do for each team if this is how it all unfolded based on my personal view of these players. Like, love, or hate your team’s pick? Let me know on Twitter by reaching out at @Brentley12.

2023 NFL Mock Draft: Weissman 5.0

1. Chicago Bears

Will Anderson Jr. EDGE, Alabama

I elected not to do trades in this version of the NFL mock draft as I feel like by my next one, the trades will sort themselves out. So, with that said, the Bears are on the clock. Chicago needs help along both sides of the line of scrimmage so they decide to take the best player available and in my eyes, it’s Alabama’s Will Anderson Jr. Anderson is an explosive pass rusher who can win in many different ways.

2. Houston Texans

Bryce Young QB, Alabama

Houston gets their man here in Bryce Young. The team is desperate for a new face of their franchise and in Young, they are able to get that. Young may be undersized, but his instincts, accuracy, and intangibles make him the clear-cut QB1 in this class.

3. Arizona Cardinals

Jalen Carter IDL, Georgia

The Cardinals stand pat and get the player they likely are targeting most in Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter. Carter has outstanding size and pairs that size with rare explosiveness and flexibility for a defensive tackle. He is a do-it-all player who can be a penetrator in the pass game and a run stuffer as well.

4. Indianapolis Colts

Will Levis QB, Kentucky

Securing a quarterback of the future is priority No. 1 for Chris Ballard and Co. and they are very likely to do so in the draft as they have struck out on numerous free-agent options over the years. Will Levis is a toolsy prospect with outstanding size, arm talent, and athletic ability. He is a bit rough around the edges, but he is worth the gamble for this Colts team.

5. Seattle Seahawks (via DEN)

Tyree Wilson EDGE, Texas Tech

I feel like I have had Tyree Wilson go to the Seahawks in every NFL mock draft I have made this year and I see no reason to deviate from the plan now. Wilson fits the mold for a Seahawks edge defender and would give their pass rush a much-needed boost.

6. Detroit Lions

Devon Witherspoon CB, Illinois

Devon Witherspoon is a player I recently did a deep dive on and I came away super impressed. You don’t see many corners with the foot quickness and fluid hips to stay attached in man coverage while also displaying elite instincts and toughness. He is the total package at corner and his toughness and tenacity will be a welcomed addition to this hard-nosed Lions team.

7. Las Vegas Raiders

C.J. Stroud QB, Ohio State

Las Vegas is very much in the quarterback market and unless they land Aaron Rodgers, I believe they’ll look to find their guy in the draft. Stroud is an accurate passer who throws with outstanding touch and anticipation. He flashed an ability to make plays with his legs and be a playmaker, which the Raiders desperately need at that position.

8. Atlanta Falcons

Myles Murphy EDGE, Clemson

The Falcons haven’t had an impact pass rusher in more than a decade it feels like, and the team desperately needs one in order to field a competitive defense. There are mixed opinions about Myles Murphy, but I am still a big fan of his game and I think his best football is ahead of him.

9. Carolina Panthers

Anthony Richardson QB, Florida

Panthers fans are either going to love or hate this pick, but the fact of the matter is that this is a pick the team has to make. Similar to the Colts, the Panthers have tried to address their QB position through veteran free agents and trades and all of them have failed. It’s time to take a swing on a young quarterback in the draft and there is no bigger swing than Anthony Richardson. Richardson is by far the most physically-gifted quarterback in this class, showcasing rare athleticism and a huge arm. He hasn’t played a ton of football and needs some development, but his upside is higher than any other quarterback by a good margin.

10. Philadelphia Eagles (via NO)

Christian Gonzalez CB, Oregon

Philadelphia is set to lose James Bradberry in free agency and must look to add another starting corner opposite Darius Slay. Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez is a long and lean corner with fabulous movement skills and cover instincts. He and Slay together will form a very strong corner duo.

11. Tennessee Titans

Paris Johnson Jr. OT, Ohio State

The Titans need help on their offensive line and Paris Johnson Jr. is a nice start. Johnson can slide in and be a day-one starter at right tackle and bring a much-needed upgrade in athleticism to this unit.

12. Houston Texans (via CLE)

Jordan Addison WR, USC

It’s highly likely that the Texans will look to move Brandin Cooks at some point this offseason. In that event, the team will need to find a new No. 1 receiver. Jordan Addison is the best pass-catcher in this class and wins with excellent route-running, speed, and ball-tracking ability.

13. New York Jets

Broderick Jones OT, Georgia

New York has to get better up front, specifically at offensive tackle. Lucky for them, perhaps the best tackle in the class falls right to their lap. Broderick Jones is a very good athlete and has excellent length. He is a powerful player in the run game and will be a day-one starter.

14. New England Patriots

Quentin Johnston WR, TCU

I debated going tackle here but instead, I gave the Patriots a big-time playmaker for Mac Jones to throw to. I actually like the Patriots’ offense to surprise some people next year now that they have a real coordinator, and I think Bill O’Brien will know how to put Quentin Johnston in a position to succeed.

15. Green Bay Packers

Michael Mayer TE, Notre Dame

This just feels like a match made in heaven. The Packers are likely to lose Robert Tonyan in free agency, leaving a void at the tight end position. Mayer is the best in a loaded tight end class and would fit in very nicely with the Packers.

16. Washington Commanders

Joey Porter Jr. CB, Penn State

Washington is in need of a star corner and this is quite the draft for cover corners. Joey Porter Jr. has rare size and length for the position and offers tremendous ball skills.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers

Peter Skoronski OT, Northwestern

The Steelers have needed help on their offensive line for the last few seasons and they finally get a difference-making player here in Peter Skoronski. Skoronski may lack length but he offers good power, balance, and technique. He would be the best player on this offensive line almost instantly.

18. Detroit Lions

Bijan Robinson RB, Texas

In every NFL mock draft I write, I struggle to find a place for Bijan Robinson—a player who, as it stands, is my highest-graded prospect in this class. I get running backs usually don’t go in the top 10 and this year’s running back free-agent pool is quite strong. With that said, Robinson is special and any team that has the conviction to take him will be rewarded. The Lions make a ton of sense as they love to run the football and Jamaal Williams may leave in free agency.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Brian Branch SAF, Alabama

Tampa Bay could go a lot of ways here. They have needs on both sides of the line of scrimmage, could use another receiver and even a running back. In the end, the team elects to take Brian Branch, a versatile chess piece in the secondary who can start at either safety position and play nickel for the Buccaneers’ defense.

20. Seattle Seahawks

John Michael Schmitz IOL, Minnesota

Seattle nailed the draft last year by securing multiple starters on both sides of the football. They continue the trend with their first two picks in this year’s draft as both Tyree Wilson and now John Michael Schmitz will start from day one. Schmitz is a rock-solid center prospect with excellent size, hand use, and awareness.

21. Miami Dolphins

[Pick forfeited]

22. Los Angeles Chargers

Dalton Kincaid TE, Utah

The Chargers are a team that is right on the cusp of being a real contender but they are just missing one or two key pieces on both sides of the football. The team has never really replaced the production they lost when Hunter Henry left in free agency a few years back and adding a young pass-catching tight end to work the middle of the field alongside Keenan Allen and Mike Williams makes a lot of sense. Dalton Kincaid is a fluid athlete who runs excellent routes and has outstanding hands and ball skills.

23. Baltimore Ravens

Jalin Hyatt WR, Tennessee

The storyline this offseason for the Ravens obviously will revolve around the contract dispute between the team and Lamar Jackson. Assuming they can find a resolution to bring Jackson back, finding him some more weapons is priority No. 1. Jackson had a ton of success with the speedy Hollywood Brown before he was traded and giving him another burner makes sense here. Jalin Hyatt has legit vertical speed and can provide good spacing for this Ravens offense.

24. Minnesota Vikings

Emmanuel Forbes CB, Mississippi State

A tale as old as time, mocking the Vikings a corner. In all seriousness, the team does need more help at corner and we know new DC Brian Flores values man-cover defenders. Emmanuel Forbes is thin and a tad undersized, but he offers very good cover quickness and instincts to excel as a man defender. His ball skills are also outstanding.

25. Jacksonville Jaguars

Luke Musgrave TE, Oregon State

The Jaguars are poised to be one of the better teams in the NFL next season and the job that coach Doug Pederson did this year is nothing short of phenomenal. The team would be wise to continue to surround Trevor Lawrence with an abundance of pass-catchers and Oregon State’s Luke Musgrave is a great option at this point in the draft. The success Evan Engram had in this offense this year was remarkable and if he leaves in free agency, Musgrave can step in and fill that void.

26. New York Giants

Jaxon Smith-Njigba WR, Ohio State

New York was one of the better stories in the NFL this year and could be even more competitive next year if they make some strategic moves this offseason. One thing they must do is add more talent to their receiving room as they fielded arguably the least talented receiver unit in the league. Jaxon Smith-Njigba is a polarizing player but I can’t forget what I watched last year when he was healthy. His route-running, separation quickness, body control, and hands are all outstanding. He knows how to get open and that usually translates to the NFL.

27. Dallas Cowboys

Jahmyr Gibbs RB, Alabama

This is a new team/player fit that I really enjoy. The team is set to lose Tony Pollard in free agency and Ezekiel Elliott is just a shell of what he used to be. It was clear that this offense was at its best when Pollard was on the field, as he provided much-needed juice to their running game. Well, I could argue that Jahmyr Gibbs is even more explosive than Pollard and could provide just as much, if not more juice to this running game.

28. Buffalo Bills

Joe Tippmann OC, Wisconsin

Buffalo will need to begin planning for a Mitch Morse replacement and they do so here with Wisconsin’s Joe Tippmann. Tippmann has excellent size for the position and is an excellent athlete, showing the ability to get out in space while also having the power to displace in the run game.

29. Cincinnati Bengals

Zay Flowers WR, Boston College

This is a bit of shot in the dark here but I do think its a real possibility that the Bengals trade Tee Higgins this offseason as they simply can’t afford to pay him like a top-10 receiver as they need to brace themselves for Joe Burrow’s massive contract extension. Even if they can work the cap and get both deals done, I think trading Higgins still makes sense because Burrow is the type of QB who elevates receivers and he would be able to thrive with other options. In this scenario, giving the team a speedy receiver like Zay Flowers to pair with Ja’Marr Chase would continue to make this offense one of the best in the NFL.

30. New Orleans Saints (via DEN)

O’Cyrus Torrence IOL, Florida

New Orleans has seen its offensive line play diminish in recent seasons and would be wise to add more talent to this unit—especially with Cesar Ruiz’s fifth-year option on the horizon. O’Cyrus Torrence is a big, strong, and physical offensive guard who is dominant in the run game and has a strong anchor in pass pro.

31. Philadelphia Eagles

Lukas Van Ness EDGE, Iowa

Howie Roseman does it again. Lukas Van Ness is a player I’m a tad cooler on the most but he does have very good pro potential as he is a long, powerful, and technically sound defensive lineman. The Eagles are set to lose some members of their defensive line and Van Ness is a versatile player with inside/outside flexibility that can step in and play meaningful snaps in a rotation.

32. Kansas City Chiefs

Bryan Bresee IDL, Clemson

Bryan Breese falls a bit here, but not for a lack of talent. Breese is a long and explosive athlete who creates a ton of mismatches inside the defensive line. Inserting him into a unit with Chris Jones, Frank Clark, and George Karlaftis is an exciting proposition.

NFL Mock Draft: Round 2

33. Pittsburgh Steelers (via CHI)

Cam Smith CB, South Carolina

Pittsburgh needs a legit lockdown corner and they get a potential one here as Cam Smith is a dog on the outside.

34. Houston Texans

Keion White EDGE, Georgia Tech

Keion White is a fast-rising edge rusher who offers outstanding length and explosiveness.

35. Arizona Cardinals

Steve Avila IOL, TCU

The Cardinals need to solidify the interior of their offensive line and Steve Avila is a plug-and-play starter.

36. Indianapolis Colts

Darnell Wright OT, Tennessee

Now that the Colts got their future quarterback earlier in this NFL mock draft, let’s add to their offensive line to protect him.

37. Los Angeles Rams

Derick Hall EDGE, Auburn

The Rams have seen their pass rush diminish in recent years, so it should be a priority to get better at EDGE.

38. Seattle Seahawks (via DEN)

Trenton Simpson LB, Clemson

Adding an athletic second-level defender will go a long way to ensuring that Seattle’s defense takes the next step.

39. Las Vegas Raiders

Dawand Jones OT, Ohio State

The right side of the Raiders’ offensive line is a mess and adding big Dawand Jones to play right tackle makes a lot of sense.

40. Carolina Panthers

Rashee Rice WR, SMU

The Panthers need another receiver opposite D.J. Moore and Rashee Rice is an excellent route-runner who can win at all three levels of the field.

41. New Orleans Saints

Josh Downs WR, North Carolina

Josh Downs is a speedy receiver with excellent stop/start quickness to create easy separation—he will bring some much-needed juice to the Saints’ passing attack.

42. Tennessee Titans

Nolan Smith EDGE, Georgia

Mike Vrabel loves him some war daddies on defense and that’s exactly what he is getting here in the former Bulldog.

43. Cleveland Browns

Siaki Ika NT, Baylor

The Browns must improve their run defense and adding the mammoth Siaki Ika will make it very difficult to run on them moving forward.

44. New York Jets

Cody Mauch IOL, North Dakota State

The Jets already added to their offensive line earlier in this NFL mock draft with the addition of Broderick Jones and they decide to double down here with the athletic and versatile Cody Mauch.

45. Atlanta Falcons

Kelee Ringo CB, Georgia

Atlanta keeps the Georgia corner home and adds a talented corner opposite A.J. Terrell.

46. Green Bay Packers

Will McDonald IV EDGE, Iowa State

Green Bay has done a nice job injecting young talent into this defense and they continue to do so here by adding the long and explosive Will McDonald IV.

47. New England Patriots

Drew Sanders LB, Arkansas

Drew Sanders is an athletic linebacker who flashes good instincts and take-on ability as a run defender.

48. Washington Commanders

Andrew Vorhees IOL, USC

Washington has a big need inside their offensive line and Andrew Vorhees has starting-level ability and can play early.

49. Detroit Lions

Darnell Washington TE, Georgia

The Lions stop the slide of Darnell Washington and select him to be their tight end of the future who can help in both phases of the offensive game.

50. Pittsburgh Steelers

Tyler Scott WR, Cincinnati

Pittsburgh has been excellent at drafting receivers in the second round and they take another one here in the speedy Tyler Scott. He can fit in nicely opposite George Pickens.

51. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Calijah Kancey IDL, Pitt

Calijah Klancey has an explosive first step and the ability to win inside, which is what the Buccaneers need on their defensive line.

52. Miami Dolphins

Zach Charbonnet RB, UCLA

The Dolphins are set to lose Raheem Mostert in free agency so they decide to secure their RB of the future in UCLA’s Zach Charbonnet.

53. Seattle Seahawks

Kayshon Boutte WR, LSU

Kayshon Boutte is a high-risk, high-reward player who has first-round ability but just needs to be more consistent.

54. Chicago Bears (via BAL)

Jaelyn Duncan OT, Maryland

Jaelyn Duncan has the makings of an early contributor and he should see the field as a rookie in Chicago.

55. Los Angeles Chargers

BJ Ojulari EDGE, LSU

The Chargers’ pass rush was a disappointment this year and they need some more help behind Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack.

56. Detroit Lions (via MIN)

Noah Sewell LB, Oregon

Having two Sewells is better than one and Noah is an excellent fit in this tough and attacking-style defense.

57. Jacksonville Jaguars

Clark Phillips III CB, Utah

Clark Phillips III falls a bit here, but his instincts and ball skills will make him a difference-maker in Jacksonville.

58. New York Giants

Deonte Banks CB, Maryland

The Giants desperately need a starting corner this offseason and Deonte Banks has high potential as a cover man at the next level.

59. Dallas Cowboys

Xavier Hutchinson WR, Iowa State

Dallas’ passing offense severely missed Amari Cooper and the team would be wise to add another pass-catcher opposite CeeDee Lamb.

60. Buffalo Bills

Antonio Johnson SAF, Texas A&M

The Bills may have a hole at safety depending on whether or not Jordan Poyer comes back. Adding a young playmaker in the defensive backfield would be wise.

61. Cincinnati Bengals

Sydney Brown SAF, Illinois

The Bengals will likely be without Vonn Bell next season and Sydney Brown is a heck of a replacement.

62. Carolina Panthers (via SF)

Tucker Kraft TE, South Dakota State

Carolina hasn’t had a good tight end in quite some time and the athletic Tucker Kraft could be the answer at the position.

63. Philadelphia Eagles

Daiyan Henley LB, Washington State

While the Eagles may not value linebackers high in the draft, adding a rangy second-level defender like Daiyan Henley will continue to make sure this defense plays at a high level.

64. Kansas City Chiefs

Christopher Smith SAF, Georgia

Christopher Smith is an instinctive safety who could thrive in the Chiefs’ defense.

 

What did you think of the fifth edition of Brentley Weissman’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 and stay tuned next week for the next edition of TDN’s 2023 NFL Mock Draft series.