Expert Analysis
3/10/23
10 min read
2023 NFL Mock Draft 4.1: Who Did Panthers Move Up to Pick at No. 1?
The Carolina Panthers are officially on the clock after acquiring the No. 1 overall pick from the Chicago Bears. The Panthers sent the No. 9 and No. 61 overall picks in this year's draft, along with a 2024 first-round pick, a 2025 second-round pick and wide receiver D.J. Moore to the Bears in exchange for the No. 1 overall selection.
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 4.1
1. Carolina Panthers
*FROM BEARS
C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
After the Panthers blockbuster trade with Chicago, Frank Reich lands his new franchise quarterback, C.J. Stroud (scouting report) from Ohio State. The Panthers coaching staff got a good look at him during the NFL Combine.
>> READ: Panthers Underpaid for No. 1 Overall
2. Houston Texans
Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
The Texans will have to wait and hope their preferred quarterback isn't the selection at No. 1. With the second pick, they take Bryce Young (scouting report), a point guard who can deliver the ball to all three levels, but the questions about his size are real.
3. Indianapolis Colts
*PROJECTED TRADE WITH CARDINALS
- Indianapolis receives: 1-3
- Arizona receives: 1-4, 2-35
Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
The Indianapolis Colts have to be nervous that a team will move up to No. 3 and take their quarterback, so they make the move themselves and take uber-talented QB Anthony Richardson (scouting report). Richardson is a high-risk, high-reward pick. He's a good fit with new coach Shane Steichen, who will try to do what he did with Jalen Hurts in Philadelphia.
4. Arizona Cardinals
Will Anderson, Edge, Alabama
The Arizona Cardinals break the run on quarterbacks and select a marquee prospect to bolster their pass rush. Will Anderson (scouting report) will fit nicely into Jonathan Gannon's fresh, new defense.
5. Seattle Seahawks
Tyree Wilson, Edge, Texas Tech
*FROM BRONCOS
The Seattle Seahawks get an explosive rusher who will help their defense get to the passer. Tyree Wilson (scouting report) can also play stout vs. the run.
6. Detroit Lions
Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
The Detroit Lions need help in the back end and select the top corner in the draft. The explosive Christian Gonzalez (scouting report) will make a difference for this defense and give them a big, athletic corner who can fit in any scheme.
7. Las Vegas Raiders
Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
The Las Vegas Raiders sit at No. 7 and take their franchise quarterback. Head coach Josh McDaniels can groom the big-armed Will Levis (scouting report) into his ideal passer.
8. Atlanta Falcons
Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
The push is on to be the top offensive lineman drafted from this class — Broderick Jones (scouting report) still holds the top spot, but it is getting closer between he, Dawand Jones and Paris Johnson. Scouts love Jones' run blocking and pass blocking, as will the Atlanta Falcons.
9. Chicago Bears
*FROM PANTHERS
Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
Jalen Carter (scouting report) drops, but the Bears still get the player they wanted all along at No. 9, as well as a boatload of additional picks to help build out their roster.
>> READ: Carter Made Critical Mistake with Far-Reaching Effects
10. Philadelphia Eagles
Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
*FROM SAINTS
The Philadelphia Eagles are thrilled to pick the most physical, tough corner in the draft. They could potentially be losing both corners this offseason, and Devon Witherspoon (scouting report) is the obvious choice to fill one of those spots.
>> READ: Darius Slay Seeking Trade
11. Tennessee Titans
Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State
Dawand Jones (scouting report) fits how the Tennessee Titans want to play. They get a giant man (6-foot-8, 374 pounds) to push the front and create room in the run game. He can protect the passer as well with his rare length.
12. Houston Texans
Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
*FROM BROWNS
The Texans get a tall, long, fast wide receiver in Quentin Johnston (scouting report) to help their new rookie quarterback.
13. New York Jets
Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State
The New York Jets are in need of help at offensive tackle, and they get the super athletic Paris Johnson (scouting report) to protect the quarterback.
14. New England Patriots
Peter Skoronski, OL, Northwestern
The New England Patriots will like the position flexibility of Northwestern's Peter Skoronski (scouting report). Many NFL scouts believe that he is a five-position player.
15. Green Bay Packers
Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
Utah tight end Dalton Kincaid (scouting report) has mismatch qualities at tight end and is a quarterback-friendly option for whoever is under center for the Green Bay Packers in 2023.
>> READ: Packers Excited About Jordan Love
16. Washington Commanders
Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
Last season, the Washington Commanders picked wide receiver Jahan Dotson in the first round, and this year they look to fix the corner position with Joey Porter Jr. (scouting report)
17. Pittsburgh Steelers
Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
The Pittsburgh Steelers are very happy to land Darnell Wright (scouting report), who has the size (6-foot-5, 333 pounds), length and toughness to play right tackle in this offense. He can also play some guard and brings an element of toughness to the offensive line.
18. Detroit Lions
Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
The Lions run this pick in to get the best running back in the draft, Bijan Robinson (scouting report). Robinson is not only a runner but can be dynamic in the passing game.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Lukas Van Ness, Edge, Iowa
Never a full-time starter at Iowa, Lukas Van Ness (scouting report) has the size (6-foot-5, 272 pounds), speed and length to help the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' defense defend the run as well as get to the passer.
20. Seattle Seahawks
Jordan Addison, WR, USC
There are some questions about the speed and overall movement skills of Jordan Addison (scouting report), but his tape is really good, and he is a polished wide receiver that coach Pete Carroll will love to have in the Seahawks' offense.
21. Los Angeles Chargers
Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee
The Los Angeles Chargers have a need for speed, and they pick Jalin Hyatt (scouting report) to take the top off opposing defenses. Hyatt has rare explosiveness and hits his top speed quickly.
22. Baltimore Ravens
Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland
The Baltimore Ravens ranked 26th in passing yards allowed last season, and they look to bolster their secondary by adding Deonte Banks (scouting report). Banks has the burst you look for in an NFL corner and top-level size (6 feet, 197 pounds) to mix it up in the run game.
23. Minnesota Vikings
Brian Branch, DB, Alabama
The Minnesota Vikings are in need of a safety, and Brian Branch (scouting report) makes a lot of sense. Branch has ball production, solid size and speed, and the versatility to handle multiple spots.
>> READ: Vikings Defense Needs Overhaul
24. Jacksonville Jaguars
Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Michael Mayer (scouting report) will fit nicely in this offense, and be productive in the passing and running games for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Mayer ran a 4.70-second 40 at 249 pounds. He has the ball skills and body control to beat linebackers in the passing game.
25. New York Giants
Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson
The New York Giants pick the top inside linebacker in the draft to be the quarterback of their defense. Trenton Simpson (scouting report) can play the run and also cover backs and tight ends down the field.
26. Dallas Cowboys
Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
The Dallas Cowboys will love what they will be getting from Darnell Washington (scouting report). His combination of size, athleticism and ability to block in the run game is a great fit for their offense. The 6-foot-7 Washington ran sub-4.65 at 264 pounds at the combine.
27. Buffalo Bills
Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina
The Buffalo Bills give Josh Allen another weapon at wide receiver. Josh Downs (scouting report) plays bigger than his 5-foot-9 size, and he has a very good burst to separate. He will be a nice fit for the Bills' offense.
28. Cincinnati Bengals
Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma
Anton Harrison (scouting report) has good length, and he moves well for the position. He is an instinctive player that will do a nice job picking up stunts and games facing the complex defenses in the AFC North.
29. New Orleans Saints
Myles Murphy, Edge, Clemson
The New Orleans Saints land a pass rusher that has talent and upside to develop. Myles Murphy (scouting report) did not work out at the combine, so his pro day will be very important to showcase his abilities.
30. Philadelphia Eagles
Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State
Only 166 pounds at the combine, Emmanuel Forbes (scouting report) has very good height (6-foot-1) and length for the position but lacks bulk, which is why he falls to the end of Round 1. The Eagles will love his hands, ball skills and overall ball production.
>> READ: Eagles Must Keep Roster Core Together
31. Kansas City Chiefs
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
There are serious questions about the speed of Jaxon Smith-Njigba (scouting report), but it is difficult to argue with results. The talented receiver posted 95 receptions, 1,606 yards, and nine touchdowns as a true sophomore while sharing the field with first-round picks Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson. This could be a sneaky good pick, and should work well with Patrick Mahomes.
