How are we in Week 11 of college football? It felt like it was just August, and now I’m writing a 2023 NFL Mock Draft heading into the final month of the greatest sport. Fans continue changing up their selections, but this mock saw the most change of any we’ve seen this season.
2023 NFL Mock Draft | Round 1
The NFL draft order for this 2023 mock is taken from the current NFL standings as of November.
We’ve added in the appropriate trades and subsequently removed the Miami Dolphins’ first-round selection. This order, like the order on the Pro Football Network Mock Draft Simulator, will change with the results of each week of action in the NFL.
Check the PFN Mock Draft Simulator after every NFL game to see the most up-to-date draft order, and each subsequent mock draft will indicate the rapidly changing environment that is the 2023 NFL Draft.
Here’s what you, the fans, have done as the most picked players for your specific favorite franchise.
1) Houston Texans: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
For the first time in a few months, the Houston Texans take Bryce Young. C.J. Stroud’s been the top pick by the Texans fans for a while, but his struggles have raised some concerns. Young’s team is reeling right now, but it’s not because the offense is struggling.
Young’s frame sparks plenty of conversation, but the man can play. Some are worried about his desire to work outside the system, but he’s so talented that sometimes it’s hard to see the downside. As clutch as they come, Houston would love to bring him in to take over the offense.
2) Carolina Panthers: C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
Fans didn’t expect a 76-yard performance against Northwestern, but C.J. Stroud still led the Buckeyes to a win. Stroud and Young compete for the QB1 spot, and it’s been a tight race all year.
The Panthers still must find a new long-term coaching staff, but they’ll love having the option to draft Stroud. His frame gives him the edge over Young, and one game shouldn’t scare teams away from taking him in the top five.
3) Las Vegas Raiders: Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Alabama
Alabama’s defense continues holding the Tide back, but certain players like Will Anderson Jr. aren’t the concern. He’s an explosive player that commands plenty of attention, and he adds to a Raiders defense that could use some help on the edge. His motor reaches a level that most of his opponents can’t replicate, requiring extra help sent his way.
4) Pittsburgh Steelers: Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
The more I watch Jalen Carter, the less I’m convinced that anyone can block him consistently. I mean, Tennessee looked like they were putting toddlers up against him this weekend, and they paid dearly for it.
Carter brings a great blend of power, suddenness, and athleticism to his game. Interior offensive linemen must come prepared when they face him because he has a great skill set that requires their best performance.
5) Detroit Lions: Noah Sewell, LB, Oregon
Dan Campbell still has a ton of work to do with Detroit, even after beating Green Bay this weekend. A player that will quickly rise up his list of favorites is Noah Sewell. The Oregon linebacker is a menace on the field, and it’s tough to keep him out of the picture on any given play. Lions fans also reunite Sewell with his brother, offensive tackle Penei, giving the Lions two players that will impose their will on anyone they face.
6) Jacksonville Jaguars: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
Jaguars fans add some help for Trevor Lawrence in this 2023 NFL Mock Draft, but it remains to be seen if Jaxon Smith-Njigba will go in the top 10. Injuries and a lack of production keep teams wary of his stock, but a healthy Smith-Njigba brings excitement. He’ll more than likely be a late first-round pick, but Jacksonville fans don’t want to wait.
7) Arizona Cardinals: Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson
Clemson suffered their first loss of the 2022 season, but it wasn’t because their defensive line struggled. Myles Murphy continues to be a focus of opposing offensive coordinators, and his size and length make him a nightmare to block. The tools jump out on tape, and the Cardinals’ fan base rushes to add him to their defense.
8) Chicago Bears: Kayshon Boutte, WR, LSU
Before analysts put him in the first round, Kayshon Boutte needs to show something. With just 34 catches for 339 yards and 1 touchdown, the LSU receiver’s stock is headed in the wrong direction.
Chicago needs help at receiver, even with the addition of Chase Claypool. Nonetheless, there are better options at this pick. At this rate, Boutte would be lucky to sneak in the first round, so this doesn’t seem like the best pick by Bears fans.
9) Green Bay Packers: Jordan Addison, WR, USC
While Aaron Rodgers and Matt LaFleur work out who’s actually running the offense and simplifying it, Packers fans add a big-time weapon for their star quarterback. Jordan Addison missed last week’s game against Cal, but he’s still a beast. A master at separating from his defender, Green Bay could get back to the Davante Adams days with their rookie wide receiver.
10) Philadelphia Eagles (from NO): Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
A big weekend for Kelee Ringo put the spotlight squarely on him. The Bulldogs cornerback did not disappoint. Georgia stifled an explosive Tennessee offense, and Ringo led the way. A big interception in front of Volunteers wide receiver Cedric Tillman was the highlight, but anyone Ringo faced was better off sitting on the bench.
From one title contender to another, the Eagles add a future star of their secondary. Ringo doesn’t have to worry about helping a team rebuild — he might be joining a Super Bowl contender if this 2023 NFL Mock Draft comes true.
11) Seattle Seahawks (from DEN): Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson
Fluidity, agility, and power all highlight Trenton Simpson’s game, and Seattle’s fan base didn’t want to wait to add his talent to their defense. Pairing Simpson with Jordyn Brooks gives the Seahawks two high-flying, athletic linebackers that love making plays all over the field, and it gives them two players to build around for the future.
12) Detroit Lions (from LAR): Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
After adding another Sewell to the roster, the Lions get their quarterback of the future. Jared Goff wasn’t going to be the franchise quarterback, so Lions fans took matters into their own hands to add a player with tremendous potential. The tools are there in Will Levis’ game, and he can learn a lot by joining a team with a veteran quarterback already in place.
13) Houston Texans (from CLE): Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
One thing Bryce Young hasn’t seen this year is an elite wide receiver that he can throw to consistently. Imagine what he could do with a 6’4″ Quentin Johnston. A quarterback that’s cool in the clutch throwing to a big wide receiver that comes down with everything is a combination that Texans fans want in this 2023 NFL Mock Draft. The future’s bright with those two running the offense.
14) Indianapolis Colts: Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State
A new coaching staff might want to address the quarterback position, but if not, they can add to their offensive line in the meantime. Paris Johnson Jr. can dominate at times, which gives the Colts an exciting future with Johnston joining Quenton Nelson up front. Once they have that kind of a line, the quarterback can become the focus.
15) Atlanta Falcons: BJ Ojulari, EDGE, LSU
BJ Ojulari doesn’t get the attention he deserves, but that should change soon enough. LSU’s big win over Alabama made a big statement, and it’s because they’re getting great play from several different positions.
Ojulari’s a great athlete on the edge. His explosiveness gets him off to a good start, and the agility and ability to use his length put tackles in poor positions. Atlanta needs help on the edge of their defense, and they get an infusion of talent and youth with the LSU star.
16) Washington Commanders: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
If Washington wants a preview of how to use Michael Mayer, they can watch how Notre Dame utilized him this weekend. The biggest threat in the Notre Dame offense, Mayer can do it all.
Washington’s offense is full of big-time playmakers, and Mayer gives them a unique threat that can take pressure and attention away from the receivers. He can also be a factor in the rushing attack as a blocker who’s always looking for work.
17) New England Patriots: Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson
Patriots fans take a different approach in this 2023 NFL Mock Draft. Instead of drafting a relatively unknown player from a smaller school, they draft a monster. Bryan Bresee brings elite size, power, and athleticism to the defensive tackle position, and the pick almost seems too flashy because of it.
18) Cincinnati Bengals: Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
Lately, Bengals fans are addressing the cornerback position, and they’re getting a good one in Cam Smith. The South Carolina corner has been great this year, and his above-average skill set makes him a good first-round selection.
Smith brings an intriguing blend of physicality and agility to cover great athletes, which should translate well to the next level. At the end of Round 1, there are plenty of options at the position, and Cincinnati’s fan base decided that Smith is their guy.
19) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee
Move over Tom Brady, there’s a new senior citizen in town. Hendon Hooker took college football by storm this year, and now he’s in the conversation for QB3. His age could be a concern and move him back to Day 2, but the talent is there.
His experience in a quarterback-friendly system could also be a concern. Plenty of things are going against him, but the man can throw the football. Bucs fans are betting on the upside they see in him and hope they get their quarterback of the future.
20) Denver Broncos (from MIA): Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
Good news, Broncos fans — if Mr. Unlimited can’t get the job done, you can always let Bijan Robinson run Wildcat all game. After all, there aren’t many superlatives that analysts haven’t used to describe the Texas superstar.
Bijan Robinson can do it all. He’s as solid a running prospect as you can find, and the Broncos add an instant-impact player to their offense. At 6’0″, 220 pounds, Robinson brings power, speed, and agility to the running back position. He’s also a threat as a pass catcher, putting him in space against smaller defenders, too.
21) Los Angeles Chargers: Brandon Joseph, S, Notre Dame
Notre Dame’s riding high recently, including ending undefeated seasons for both Syracuse and Clemson. Brandon Joseph keeps playing well too, and the Fighting Irish secondary continues improving week in and week out. The Chargers need to add someone to help Derwin James, and the former freshman All-American gives them exactly that.
22) Baltimore Ravens: Antonio Johnson, CB, Texas A&M
Here’s another player that can learn a lot from the veteran leadership on their new team. Baltimore’s full of talent and knowledge in the secondary. Antonio Johnson could be a great fit for the Ravens.
Johnson’s played all over the field for the Texas A&M defense, and Baltimore is hoping to find a way to utilize that in this 2023 NFL Mock Draft. His new coaching staff has some flexibility to move him all over the field with experience in the secondary and trenches.
23) Tennessee Titans: Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern
We’ve seen how head coach Mike Vrabel appreciates tough and talented offensive linemen. Peter Skoronski continues keeping his game at a first-round level on a team that may not win more than one game this year.
Arm length will affect what position he plays, but Skoronski is a winner. It won’t matter where he plays with Tennessee because he knows how to dominate his opponent, even if his frame is the inferior one in the matchup.
24) Seattle Seahawks: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
Anthony Richardson must address some issues if he wants to be in the NFL for long, but the upside continues to be tough to ignore. From the arm talent to the athleticism, it’s going to be tough for teams to pass on him in the first round. Seattle needs to address the quarterback position, and this pick could be the perfect time to add a player that could be the future of the franchise.
25) New York Jets: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
Broderick Jones continues fluctuating within the first round, so it might be tough to see him fall this far. Luckily for Jets fans, they were able to add him late in the first round of this 2023 NFL Mock Draft.
Jones has great potential, and the Jets’ staff will work with him to iron out the few things he struggles with on the field. Given Georgia’s trajectory, he’ll get plenty more high-quality opportunities to face future draft prospects this year.
26) Dallas Cowboys: Jordan Battle, S, Alabama
Jordan Battle‘s another player that might fall out of the first round, but the Cowboys’ fan base likes what they see from him. Alabama’s secondary has been a liability this year, but it’s not because of their star safety. His comfort near the line of scrimmage, paired with his size, would give them some flexibility to move him around the field at multiple positions.
27) New York Giants: Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah
Size will always be the first thing brought up when discussing Clark Phillips III. However, the second thing brought up is his competitive nature. Phillips doesn’t rely on his natural frame to win matchups. Nonetheless, there aren’t many that bring the fire he does to the field — and it’s his biggest asset.
He refuses to lose, and most wide receivers he faces aren’t ready for that level of competition. He’ll stick with his matchup thanks to his quickness, and from there, it comes down to who wants the ball more. Typically, it’s the Utes’ star corner.
28) Kansas City Chiefs: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama
Step aside Clyde Edwards-Helaire, the upgrade has arrived. At times, Jahmyr Gibbs is Bryce Young’s most reliable threat as a pass catcher. Shoot, there are times when many don’t realize a running back just caught the ball.
Gibbs continues getting Alvin Kamara comparisons, and it’s easy to see why. Kansas City is loaded with explosive weapons, and Gibbs has the potential to be their most explosive yet.
29) Minnesota Vikings: Isaiah Foskey, EDGE, Notre Dame
Danielle Hunter put in work this weekend against Washington, but he’ll need some help in the future. Minnesota adds a rising prospect in Isaiah Foskey.
A linebacker who’s spent plenty of time at defensive end, Isaiah Foskey has plenty of experience within the front seven. That’s a skill set that any team would love to add in this 2023 NFL Mock Draft.
30) Buffalo Bills: Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
Joey Porter Jr. learning from the Bills’ secondary sets up that unit for success in the future. From Tre’Davious White to Dane Jackson, he can shadow many experienced and talented players. Porter already has the family name to help him, but joining the right team adds to his value.
31) Philadephia Eagles: Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia
Smith’s season-ending injury could impact his draft stock. Even without him, Georgia was dominant this weekend. However, his absence could affect the Dawgs later this season. Even with his injury, a first-round selection is still possible.
Nolan Smith brings plenty of length and explosiveness to the edge of the Georgia defense, and he can do the same for the Eagles. How he heals will ultimately affect his rookie season, but the upside remains despite that adversity.