2023 NFL Mock Draft 4.0 FINAL / www.NationalFanatic.com
4/27/2023 by James Fedewa
Took a long bit, and several versions (2.0 to 3.0 were never published), but I finalized it… There seems to be a lot of smoke-screens and decoys within the NFL media and circles, but it is normal (as it has been lying season for a while).
CHEERS! And enjoy the Draft…
| 1) Carolina Panthers (from Chicago) | Bryce Young QB Alabama | Young is the best college QB in this draft (best college QB), but his small frame & weight are a major concern. I can see him getting squashed in the NFL, but the Panthers are willing to roll the dice… (BLUE CHIP PROSPECT) |
| 2) Houston Texans | Will Anderson Jr. ED Alabama | Anderson is a beast and probably the safest pick in this draft. Houston passes on a QB for now, as their new Head Coach witnessed a QB selected very early a couple of years ago, who has not exactly panned out yet (Trey Lance). (BLUE CHIP PROSPECT) |
| 3) Arizona Cardinals | Tyree Wilson ED Texas Tech | The Cardinals passed on Nick Bosa when they drafted Kyler Murray five years ago, which I think was a BIG mistake. Murray is good, don’t get me wrong, but (IMO) Defense wins championships. Build the defense first, then worry about the QB. Tyree Wilson has tremendous upside, and all the tools to excel in the NFL. Wilson has the wingspan of a 7 foot man (86″) Freaky… |
| 4) Indianapolis Colts | Will Levis QB Kentucky | The Colts will take a QB here. CJ Stroud is the better prospect, who is available and should be the pick, but Stroud’s S2 intelligence testing leaks cause a slide (which is probably a false report anyway). |
| 5) Seattle Seahawks (from Denver) | Jalen Carter DI Georgia | Jalen Carter is the best player in this draft, and he really has not done anything wrong, as the media portrays. His pro day was a shit-show, but his game tape is incredible. Seattle is the perfect fit and culture for Carter. (BLUE CHIP PROSPECT) |
| 6) Detroit Lions (from L.A. Rams) | C.J. Stroud QB Ohio State | Stroud takes a mini-slide here. Once projected as the #1 pick, but some S2 intelligence testing numbers leaked out (bogus or not) and a he could fall a bit. Stroud could develop into a fantastic NFL QB, but he could also be very mediocre. |
| 7) Las Vegas Raiders | Paris Johnson Jr. OT Ohio State | The Raiders should be focusing on defense here, but the top tier OT falls into their lap. Johnson could be the Raiders left tackle for the next decade. |
| 8) Atlanta Falcons | Bijan Robinson HB Texas | Last year, Atlanta picked the first receiver in the first round (WR). The year before that, same thing (tight end). So why not add to their skill group? They would be loaded with very young offensive weapons. (BLUE CHIP PROSPECT) – If current QB Desmond Ridder doesn’t turn out, then 2024 free agent QB’s will be fighting to sign with the Falcons (based on firepower alone) |
| 9) Chicago Bears (from Carolina) | Nolan Smith ED Georgia | The Bears could be targeting a tackle here, but they should be able to find some quality o-linemen later. Bonus about mobile QB’s, they don’t need first round O-linemen. Chicago selects an edge-rusher with crazy speed and amazing leadership ability. The Bears need to find a defensive identity first. |
| 10) Philadelphia Eagles (from New Orleans) | Peter Skoronski OT Northwestern | Philly can draft ANYONE at this spot, and they go BPA. Skoronski can play all 5 OL positions, which is nice. Skoronski will start off playing OG, but could kickover to RT in a year or two, when Lane Johnson retires. |
| 11) Tennessee Titans | Jaxon Smith-Njigba WR Ohio State | The Titans need offensive playmakers, or just LOOK like they might pass the ball, instead of handing off to King Henry every down. The presence of two legit (and young) WR’s will open up running lanes too for Henry as well. I watched a lot more tape on JSN and now I’m a big fan. This guy is going to be a fantastic pro. Tennessee could go QB here too, but I think they stick with Malik Willis as their developmental QB, longer than one season. |
| 12) Houston Texans (from Cleveland) | Anthony Richardson QB Florida | I think Richardson is an amazing talent, but just because you are a great athlete, does not exactly mean you can play NFL QB. He will be a major development type of QB, and if the Texans get it right, he could be incredible. Highest Ceiling to all the QB’s in this draft. |
| 13) Green Bay Packers | Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia | Green Bay moved up two spots, with the Aaron Rodgers trade & swap with the Jets. Which made me think they wanted to get ahead of New England and the Jets because they knew a run on OT’s could happen right around here. Jones is nasty and I like him in both the running and passing game. I love this pick. |
| 14) New England Patriots | Darnell Wright OT, Tennessee | The Patriots could target some defensive stars with this pick, but getting an amazing pass protecting OL might be the best long-term solution for Mac Jones. A CB can wait, even if Gonzales and Witherspoon are still available. |
| 15) New York Jets | Anton Harrison OT Oklahoma | The current Jets O-Line has talent, but can Mekhi Becton stay healthy? Doubt it, but hopefully… Harrison is a great looking LT. Rodgers should be in safe hands. |
| 16) Washington Commanders | Christian Gonzalez CB Oregon | The Commanders could also draft an OT, but most of the tier-one OT’s are gone. Gonzalez is a fantastic pick here, as he could go as early as 6th overall. He’s too good to pass up. BPA |
| 17) Pittsburgh Steelers | Dawand Jones T Ohio State | BIG BIG BIG right tackle. He can pick up pass rusher with one hand and toss him aside like a piece to trash. The Steelers have lacked talent on the OT for a couple years now, so this is a major upgrade for QB Kenny, plus help out the run game too. |
| 18) Detroit Lions | Myles Murphy ED Clemson | They got their edge opposite of Hutch. I think Murphy is going to be a very good edge rusher in the NFL, but in most mock drafts, he is all over the place. I think he could go as high as #8 overall. |
| 19) Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Devon Witherspoon CB Illinois | Can’t believe he’s still available. Witherspoon can play any DB position, and would be nasty at it too. Can’t believe he slid, but Tampa might have the steal of the draft. |
| 20) Seattle Seahawks | Joey Porter Jr CB, Penn State | Seattle needs a DT and CB with their first two picks and Porter looks like a great piece for the Seahawks. He has the length of a Pete Carroll CB, and the bloodlines to succeed. |
| 21) Los Angeles Chargers | Lukas Van Ness ED Iowa | The Chargers are built very well as-is, so they are really looking for depth pieces. They have a history of multiple injuries on this team, and depth is critical for a quick run for the Super Bowl. LVN will flourish with Bosa and Mack teaching him the ropes, plus he has the versatility to line up anywhere on the DL. In a nickel package, imagine Joey Bosa, Mack, Joseph-Day and LVN lining on on the DL, attacking opposing QB’s. That’s just fierce! Many fans predict WR or TE with this pick, which I understand, but Telesco has drafted offense (in the first round) three of the last four seasons (and the last first round defender has already been cut). |
| 22) Baltimore Ravens | Deonte Banks CB Maryland | Banks falls right into their neighbors’ laps. He’s tall and fast, and the Ravens need some new CB talent. |
| 23) Minnesota Vikings | Quentin Johnston WR, TCU | Johnston is one of my favorite player in this draft. He’s being picked on because of some teachable technique deficiency, but I think he’s a fantastic WR1. Johnston and Jefferson paired up just sounds nasty. |
| 24) Jacksonville Jaguars | Brian Branch DB, Alabama | Easiest pick in the draft. The Jags have holes everywhere in their secondary and Branch can play in any vacant spot they have (Nickle, FS or CB). |
| 25) New York Giants | Michael Mayer TE, Notre Dame | NYG fans are looing for a CB or WR here, but none are as good as the next three TE’s available. I had Kinkaid here, as he’s more of a receiving TE, but so is Waller. Mayer if the full package, who would compliment the OL, WR and Waller. |
| 26) Dallas Cowboys | Dalton Kincaid TE, Utah | Kincaid could be the next Travis Kelce, nuff said. |
| 27) Buffalo Bills | Darnell Washington TE Georgia | Buffalo really needs an OT here, but they could also take a WR here. Why not take the hybrid of both and take a 270 lbs. TE? Washington helps with the passing game, running game and receiving game. He’s massive! LOVE THIS PICK! |
| 28) Cincinnati Bengals | Bryan Bresee DI Clemson | 2nd easiest pick in all mock drafts, lol. He’s a leader, heart of gold and an immense talent. |
| 29) New Orleans Saints (from San Francisco through Miami and Denver) | Will McDonald IV ED Iowa State | Bendy pass rushers are always in need. The Saints defense lost some key pass rushers over the last two years. Time to replenish. McDonald is a fantastic addition. |
| 30) Philadelphia Eagles | Calijah Kancey DI Pittsburgh | A bit of a slide for Kancey, just because he is more of a situational pass rusher. But a great fit in Philly. Imagine Kancey and Jordan Davis lining up next to each other (complete opposites, or perfect compliments). |
| 31) Kansas City Chiefs | Emmanuel Forbes CB Mississippi State | I could go WR here, but Forbes has such a nose for interceptions. He’s very slim, but who cares if you lead the SEC with pick-sixes. |
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