Analysis
2/20/23
12 min read
2023 NFL Mock Draft 3.2: Colts Move To No. 1, Four QBs In Top 10
The 2023 NFL Draft starts with the Chicago Bears, who will have a decision to make between selecting one of the top defensive players in the draft, selecting a new signal-caller to reset their timetable (and trading Justin Fields in the process), or committing to Fields and trading out of the top spot to acquire more draft capital.
This year's draft clearly goes through Chicago, and in this mock, the Indianapolis Colts — fresh off their hiring of coach Shane Steichen — make a blockbuster trade with the Bears to land their future franchise quarterback.
Led by T.J. McCreight, The 33rd Team Scouting Department has been hard at work evaluating the top prospects in this class. A former player personnel executive for the Philadelphia Eagles and former director of college scouting for the Colts, McCreight has nearly 25 years of NFL scouting experience.
He is joined in the department by three scouts:
- Kevin Cohn, a former scouting assistant for the Jacksonville Jaguars and assistant director of player personnel for the University of Connecticut.
- Justin Casey, who worked for the Arizona Cardinals in football administration and then as the senior player personnel executive for the Montreal Alouettes.
- Evan Pritt, a former scouting assistant for the Eagles and former player personnel assistant for the University of Maryland.
>>Full Big Board from The 33rd Team Scouting Dept.
Note: This year’s first round only has 31 picks because the Miami Dolphins forfeited their selection for tampering with Tom Brady.
The 33rd Team 2023 Mock Draft 3.2
1. Indianapolis Colts
Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
*PROJECTED TRADE WITH BEARS
- Indianapolis receives: 1-1
- Chicago receives: 1-4, 2-35, 3-79, Colts' 2024 1st
The Colts make the aggressive move up and pick their future franchise quarterback in Bryce Young (scouting report). "The Alabama guy doesn’t look bad," owner Jim Irsay said of Young last week. The Colts land a player who has been viewed as a future franchise savior since his Heisman Trophy-winning sophomore season.
2. Houston Texans
Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
The Texans select their quarterback of the future in Will Levis (scouting report). Levis could be the No. 1 passer on their board, so Houston still gets its guy despite not moving up to No. 1.
3. Arizona Cardinals
Jalen Carter, IDL, Georgia
Arizona takes a big, athletic presence in the middle to disrupt offenses in the NFC West. Jalen Carter (scouting report) adds a feared player to the middle of the Cardinals' defensive line.
4. Chicago Bears
Will Anderson Jr., Edge, Alabama
*PROJECTED TRADE WITH COLTS
The Bears bolster their pass rush with the best edge player in the draft. Chicago only registered 20 sacks in 2022, which was last in the NFL. Will Anderson Jr. (scouting report) had 17.5 of them by himself as a sophomore.
5. Seattle Seahawks
Tyree Wilson, Edge, Texas Tech
*FROM BRONCOS
Pete Carroll has vowed to improve the Seattle Seahawks' defense, which has been the franchise's cornerstone since he took over. Tyree Wilson (scouting report) goes a long way toward doing that.
6. Tennessee Titans
C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
*PROJECTED TRADE WITH LIONS, VIA L.A. RAMS
- Tennessee receives: 1-6
- Detroit receives: 1-11, 2-41
Mike Vrabel trades up and selects the Tennessee Titans' quarterback of the future from his alma mater. Pocket passer C.J. Stroud (scouting report) is a potential long-term solution at quarterback for the Titans.
7. Las Vegas Raiders
Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
Las Vegas bolsters its offensive line by selecting Broderick Jones (scouting report). The No. 2 player on our big board presents great value, and the Raiders will be able to pair Jones with former first-round tackle Kolton Miller to protect their future franchise quarterback. Miller remains under contract through 2025.
8. Atlanta Falcons
Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State
Atlanta wants to pound the ball, and Dawand Jones (scouting report) is a mauler who can help them in that area. His 6-foot-8, 360-pound frame comes with the longest wingspan measurement in Senior Bowl history (89 1/2 inches).
9. Carolina Panthers
Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
The Panthers and new coach Frank Reich decide to draft and develop Anthony Richardson (scouting report). Richardson is a talented, young passer from Florida. He is a project but has a high ceiling.
10. Philadelphia Eagles
Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
*FROM SAINTS
The Eagles take the best corner on the board. Devon Witherspoon (scouting report) is a player who will come in and help them immediately with his physical play style. James Bradberry is a pending free agent, so Witherspoon could see early playing time if Bradberry leaves.
11. Detroit Lions
Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
*PROJECTED TRADE WITH TITANS
Detroit needs help in the secondary. Christian Gonzalez (scouting report) gives them length, athletic ability, and speed. He would pair nicely with former top-5 pick Jeff Okudah.
12. Houston Texans
Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
*FROM BROWNS
The Texans, who selected Levis earlier, now add the top wide receiver in the draft in Quentin Johnston (scouting report). This offense will look completely different in 2023 with Levis and Johnston leading the way.
13. New York Jets
Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State
The Jets pick an athletic offensive tackle in Paris Johnson Jr. (scouting report). Offensive tackle was a big hole for the Jets in 2022 and they hope to get a bigger contribution from this pick than they did from Mekhi Becton, whom they selected in the first round in 2020.
14. New England Patriots
Brian Branch, DB, Alabama
New England picks a versatile, smart, and tough defensive back in Brian Branch (scouting report). Branch is a good fit in their defense. He could play early for the Patriots.
15. Green Bay Packers
Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Michael Mayer (scouting report) could help the Green Bay Packers as both a pass catcher and a run blocker. He has the potential to be a security blanket for whoever their quarterback ends up being in 2023.
>> READ: Packers Excited About Jordan Love
16. Washington Commanders
Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
Dalton Kincaid (scouting report) has some mismatch qualities in the passing game. The Washington Commanders can get the most out of his ability. Pairing him with Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson would be a boost to the Commanders' passing offense.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers
Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
Joey Porter Jr. (scouting report) was waving a Terrible Towel from his crib while his dad was making Pro Bowls with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pittsburgh jumps at a chance to bolster a position of need with a player who has family ties to the organization.
18. Detroit Lions
Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson
The Lions pick another defensive player to upgrade one of the worst units in the league in 2022. Trenton Simpson (scouting report) is a versatile chess piece on defense who can do a lot of different things on the field with his speed and movement skills.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jordan Addison, WR, USC
Tampa Bay picks the most polished wide receiver in the draft in Jordan Addison (scouting report). Addison is someone who could be a possible replacement for Mike Evans.
20. Seattle Seahawks
Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Miss. State
Seattle lands a ball hawk who plays with confidence and swagger in Emmanuel Forbes (scouting report). Forbes would give the Seahawks one of the NFL's best young secondaries (after adding Tariq Woolen and Coby Bryant in last year's draft).
21. Los Angeles Chargers
Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee
The Chargers select the most explosive player in the draft, Jalin Hyatt (scouting report). He is one of the fastest players in the class and can take the top off of any NFL defense. Justin Herbert and new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore would celebrate this pick.
22. Buffalo Bills
Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
* PROJECTED TRADE WITH RAVENS
- Buffalo receives: 1-22, 5-148
- Baltimore receives: 1-27, 3-91
The Bills go all-in and jump up five slots to pick the best running back in the class. Bijan Robinson (scouting report) is one of the best prospects at the position in some time.
23. Minnesota Vikings
Myles Murphy, Edge, Clemson
Minnesota's pass rushers are starting to age, so they pick a young, talented one in Myles Murphy (scouting report). Murphy should help new defensive coordinator Brian Flores improve a defense that was suspect vs. the pass last season.
>> READ: Vikings Defense Needs Overhaul
24. Jacksonville Jaguars
Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
The Jaguars are a height/weight/speed team. With this pick, they land an explosive cornerback from Georgia in Kelee Ringo (scouting report). Ringo is someone who should test well at the NFL Combine.
25. New York Giants
Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
The Giants are lacking a speedy, over-the-top, explosive receiver despite recent investments in the position. They find one here in Boston College's Zay Flowers (scouting report).
26. Dallas Cowboys
Peter Skoronski, OL, Northwestern
Peter Skoronski (scouting report) would allow the Cowboys to have even more versatility on their offensive line. Skoronski has the flexibility to move to guard, something we already saw 2021 first-round pick Tyler Smith do last season.
27. Baltimore Ravens
Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
*PROJECTED TRADE WITH BILLS
The Ravens move back and still land a terrific cornerback prospect in Cam Smith (scouting report). He's an excellent athlete with man coverage skills. Smith could replace free-agent cornerback Marcus Peters.
28. Cincinnati Bengals
Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma
The No. 1 goal for the Bengals should be to protect Joe Burrow. Anton Harrison (scouting report) is a nice investment to bolster an offensive line that gave up 44 sacks last season.
29. New Orleans Saints
Lukas Van Ness, Edge, Iowa
*FROM SAINTS THROUGH BRONCOS
Lukas Van Ness fits New Orleans' profile for a pass rusher with his size and length. This would give Cameron Jordan a partner to help produce on the other side of the line.
30. Philadelphia Eagles
Bryan Bresee, IDL, Clemson
Bryan Bresee (scouting report) has some medical concerns, but he could be a force up front with some development. The Eagles have a number of key free agents on their defensive line, including Fletcher Cox and Javon Hargrave.
>> READ: Eagles Must Keep Roster Core Together
31. Kansas City Chiefs
Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
The Chiefs add a Senior Bowl standout in offensive tackle Darnell Wright (scouting report). Wright gives them someone who can slide in at tackle, particularly with the potential departure of Orlando Brown Jr.
Round 2
32. Pittsburgh (from Chicago): B.J. Ojulari, Edge, LSU (scouting report)
33. Houston: Nolan Smith, Edge, Georgia (scouting report)
34. Arizona: Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland (scouting report)
35. Chicago (projected trade with Colts): Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State (scouting report)
36. L.A. Rams: Carter Warren, OT, Pittsburgh (scouting report)
37. Seattle (from Denver): Josh Downs, WR, UNC (scouting report)
38. Las Vegas: Antonio Johnson, S, Texas A&M (scouting report)
39. Carolina: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama (scouting report)
40. New Orleans: Kayshon Boutte, WR, LSU (scouting report)
41. Detroit (projected trade with Titans): Luke Musgrave, TE, Oregon State (scouting report)
42. Cleveland: Keeanu Benton IDL, Wisconsin (scouting report)
43. N.Y. Jets: Jammie Robinson, S, Florida State (scouting report)
44. Atlanta: Will McDonald, Edge, Iowa State (scouting report)
45. Green Bay: Andre Carter, Edge, Army (scouting report)
46. New England: Isaiah Foskey, Edge, Notre Dame (scouting report)
47. Washington: Noah Sewell, LB, Oregon (scouting report)
48. Detroit: Garrett Williams, CB, Syracuse (scouting report)
49. Pittsburgh: Olusegun Oluwatimi, C, Michigan (scouting report)
50. Tampa Bay: Clark Phillips, CB, Utah (scouting report)
51. Miami: Josh Whyle, TE, Cincinnati (scouting report)
52. Seattle: Byron Young, Edge, Tennessee (scouting report)
53. Chicago (from Ravens): Zion Nelson, OT, Miami (FL)
54. L.A. Chargers: Zach Harrison, Edge, Ohio State (scouting report)
55. Detroit Lions (from Minnesota): Sydney Brown, S, Illinois
56. Jacksonville: O'Cyrus Torrence, OG, Florida (scouting report)
57. N.Y. Giants: DeMarvion Overshown, LB, Texas (scouting report)
58. Dallas: Rashee Rice, WR, SMU (scouting report)
59. Buffalo: Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Edge, Kansas State (scouting report)
60. Cincinnati: Jakorian Bennett, CB, Maryland (scouting report)
61. San Francisco (from Carolina): Jonathan Mingo, WR, Ole Miss (scouting report)
62. Philadelphia: Derick Hall, Edge, Auburn (scouting report)
63. Kansas City: Gervon Dexter, IDL, Florida (scouting report)
