FPC 2023 NFL Mock Draft 3.0: Does Free Agency Change Things?

It’s time for Full Press Coverage’s third NFL mock draft in our series of mocks leading up to the genuine article on April 27th. The first two, brought to you by Braden Holacek and Kyle Senra respectively, were great early glimpes into how things could shake out on draft night. But now that the NFL’s free agency period has largely come and gone, we have a clearer picture of the needs teams will likely look to the address in the draft.

We’re still over a month away from the draft, so plenty can change with rumors swirling and many college’s pro days still to come. But with the major checkpoint of free agency now mostly behind us, let’s dive into FPC’s third 2023 NFL mock draft.

1. Carolina Panthers (via Chi): QB Bryce Young, Alabama (5’10”, 204 pounds)

It’s no secret the Panthers traded up to first overall with the intention of taking a quarterback. Which quarterback that is, however, is still an unknown. New Carolina head coach Frank Reich has a history of working with bigger, taller, more prototypically sized quarterbacks, so some are concluding that Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud will be the pick here. But Carolina’s general manager, Scott Fitterer, comes from the Seattle Seahawks, where the 5’11” Russell Wilson thrived for many years. Young has the pocket presence, mobility, accuracy, and playmaking ability to be a franchise quarterback in the NFL. As long as the Panthers’ braintrust isn’t scared away by his diminutive stature, he’ll be their guy.

Read: Bryce Young’s Prospect Profile

2. Houston Texans: QB C.J. Stroud, Ohio St. (6’3″, 214 pounds)

Houston’s Week 18 come-from-behind win over the Indianapolis Colts last year means they won’t get first choice of quarterback in this year’s draft. But they shouldn’t fret too much, as they’re still able to land one of the two clear-cut high-level quarterback prospects available. Stroud has everything you look for in a pocket passer, including size, arm talent, accuracy, and touch. He won’t be a major rushing threat at the next level, but he’s far from a statue. Give Stroud a solid offensive line and receiving corps, and he projects as an excellent operator of an NFL offense.

Read: C.J. Stroud’s Prospect Profile

3. Arizona Cardinals: EDGE Will Anderson Jr., Alabama (6’3″, 253 pounds)

This is a potential trade-down spot for Arizona if there’s a team willing to come up for one of the remaining first-round-calibre quarterback prospects. It’s important to remember, though, that quarterbacks often get overhyped ahead of the draft, and there’s a good chance the NFL is a little cooler on the likes of Will Levis and Anthony Richardson than the draft media is. With that said, the Cardinals will stick and pick Anderson here, the best non-quarterback prospect available. Arizona’s front-seven is in serious need of a talent infusion, and Anderson will come in and be their top pass rusher immediately. He has the frame, athleticism, and resume of production befitting an elite EDGE prospect.

Read: Will Anderson Jr.’s Prospect Profile

4. Indianapolis Colts: QB Anthony Richardson, Florida (6’4″, 244 pounds)

Unless the Colts shock the world and successfully acquire Lamar Jackson, they’ll be in desperate need of a franchise quarterback. They’ve been in need of one, frankly, ever since Andrew Luck retired ahead of the 2019 season. After filling the position with multiple veteran retreads, Indy is finally in a position to draft their “quarterback of the future” if they so choose. New head coach Shane Steichen came from the Philadelphia Eagles, where he successfully built an offense around a rushing quarterback in Jalen Hurts. One could easily imagine him doing the same with Richardson, who ran an absurd 4.43-second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine. There are concerns with Richardson’s consistency and accuracy, but rocket-armed quarterbacks built like a linebacker don’t come around often. The Colts take their opportunity to grab one here.

Read: Anthony Richardson’s Prospect Profile

5. Seattle Seahawks (via Den): DT Jalen Carter, Georgia (6’3″, 314 pounds)

Carter’s arrest for reckless driving on March 1st threatened to plummet his draft stock. Now that he’s been sentenced to 12 months of probation, teams at least know there’s closure on the situation. Carter’s unimpressive pro day can be partially attributed to him having to deal with his legal issues, too. From a strictly on-the-field perspective, there’s no better prospect in this draft than Carter. He’s the type of interior disruptor that has become so valuable in today’s NFL. If Carter can keep his head on straight and realize his potential, the Kansas City Chiefs’ Chris Jones is a realistic comparison for him. With long-time head coach Pete Carroll, Seattle has the well-established culture that can take in a player with some character concerns.

6. Detroit Lions (via LAR): EDGE Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech (6’6″, 271 pounds)

Assuming Detroit sticks with Jared Goff at quarterback, this draft should be focused on helping a defense that finished dead last in yards allowed last season. The Lions could stand to improve on multiple defensive positions, but an old-school coach like Dan Campbell figures to prioritize building through the trenches. Enter Wilson, whose absurd length and athleticism could make him an imposing defensive lineman for years to come. He may lack the bend and burst to become a top-tier pass rusher, but he should become a three-down disruptor at the next level. Adding him to recent draft picks Aidan Hutchinson and Alim McNeill should give the Lions a good, young defensive line.

7. Las Vegas Raiders: QB Will Levis, Kentucky (6’4″, 229 pounds)

The Raiders’ decision to move on from Derek Carr has left a glaring void at quarterback. They signed Jimmy Garoppolo to a relatively cheap deal this offseason, but nobody’s mistaking Jimmy G as Vegas’ next franchise quarterback. Levis has the size, athleticism, and arm strenght any team could want from their quarterback. Much like Richardson, he can be spotty with his accuracy and decision making, but the Raiders would be banking he can iron out his flaws under head coach Josh McDaniels. Levis had a poor supporting cast with Kentucky last season, so there’s a belief he’ll improve with NFL talent around him.

Read: Will Levis’ Prospect Profile

8. Atlanta Falcons: EDGE Nolan Smith, Georgia (6’2″, 238 pounds)

Atlanta has used a top-ten pick on a pass catcher in each of the last two drafts. Now it’s time to add talent to a defense that finished 26th in yards allowed last season. The Falcons took pass rusher Arnold Ebiketie in the second round of last year’s draft, but must continue to supplement an otherwise lackluster EDGE group. Smith is an undersized but speedy rusher that can beat tackles around the corner. He’s also very comfortable dropping into coverage, and should be perfect fit for Atlanta’s 3-4 defense.

9. Chicago Bears (via Car): CB Devon Witherspoon, Illinois (5’11”, 181 pounds)

The Bears drop down to ninth overall in their trade with the Panthers, but are still able to land their top choice at a position of dire need in cornerback. Recent second-round picks Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon figure to start at outide corner and slot corner, respectively, but Chicago still needs another outside corner to round out their secondary. Witherspoon is a sticky coverage player that plays with a feistiness that Bears fans should love, and he should fit well in head coach Matt Eberflus’ defense. It doesn’t hurt that he’s a local product out of Illinois.

10. Philadelphia Eagles (via NO): EDGE Myles Murphy, Clemson (6’5″, 268 pounds)

You may find it strange that a team that just led the league in sacks would feel the need to use a top-ten pick on a pass rusher. But the Eagles know the value of continuously adding to the defensive line more than anyone. Plus, Brandon Graham is entering his mid-thirties and will need to be replaced soon. Murphy is a big, long defensive end with a quick first step. He’ll need to develop a broader pass-rush plan in the NFL, but he has excellent traits to work with.

11. Tennessee Titans: OT Peter Skoronski, Northwestern (6’4″, 313 pounds)

The Titans are a hard team to figure out. Are they planning on taking a step back to rebuild for the long term? Or are they still looking to win now? Either way, they’re going to need offensive line help, and soon. They just released long-time left tackle Taylor Lewan and still have question marks along the rest of the offensive line. They did sign Andre Dillard to be Lewan’s replacement at left tackle, but he was a backup in Philadelphia and is far from a sure thing. The great thing about Skoronski is he can play anywhere along the offensive line. If Dillard pans out at left tackle, Skoronski can play right tackle, or even guard. If Dillard flops, Skoronski can start right away at left tackle.

Read: Peter Skoronski’s Prospect Profile

12. Houston Texans (via Cle): CB Christian Gonzalez, Oregon (6’1″, 197 pounds)

Now that Houston has it’s franchise quarterback in Stroud, they can go in several different directions here at 12th overall. They could take the first receiver off the board to pair with their new young signal caller, but instead they grab the best player available in Gonzalez. The Oregon product has the length and speed to be a top-notch cover man, and he also has good ball skills with four interceptions in his 2022 season. Pairing him with last year’s third-overall pick Derek Stingley Jr. could give the Texans an elite young cornerback duo.

13. New York Jets: OT Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio St. (6’6″, 313 pounds)

Once the seemingly inevitable happens and the Jets trade for Aaron Rodgers, they’ll need to keep their 39-year old quarterback upright. Even if the oft-injured Mekhi Becton comes back and starts at left tackle, New York will still need a replacement for Max Mitchell at right tackle. Johnson didn’t play right tackle in college, but he did play right guard as a sophomore which provides some confidence he can move to the right side. Johnson is a fluid, athletic tackle that should fit well in the Jets’ offensive scheme.

14. New England Patriots: CB Joey Porter Jr., Penn St. (6’2″, 193 pounds)

It’s always hard to project what Bill Belichick and the Patriots will do in the draft. What we do know is that Belichick prefers to play man coverage on defense when he has the personnel. The departures of Stephon Gilmore and J.C. Jackson in recent years have made it difficult for him to do so. Porter is probably the best press-man corner in the draft, so his fit in New England is natural. Him and Jack Jones could make for the Patriots’ next great young set of cornerbacks.

15. Green Bay Packers: TE Michael Mayer, Notre Dame (6’4″, 249 pounds)

The irony would be oh so rich if the Packers finally spent a first-round pick on a receiver the year Aaron Rodgers left the team. That’s certainly an option here given they’s have their pick of the entire class, but instead they opt for the two-way tight end in Mayer. The Notre Dame product provides the best combination of blocking and receiving of any tight end in this draft, which should fit head coach Matt LaFleur’s run and play-action heavy offense. With first-year starter Jordan Love likely taking over at quarterback, it only makes sense to give him a reliable target like Mayer over the middle of the field.

Read: Michael Mayer’s Prospect Profile

16. Washington Commanders: OT Broderick Jones, Georgia (6’5″, 311 pounds)

Quarterback is still the glaring question mark in Washington, but they’re out of range to draft one here and they seem prepared to let Jacoby Brissett and Sam Howell battle for the starting job in training camp. Instead, they address the offensive line by taking the highly athletic Jones. Current left tackle Charles Leno and right tackle Andrew Wylie are both passable starters, but neither are long-term fixtures. Jones has the frame and movement skills you look for in an NFL tackle, but still needs time to be a finished product. The Commanders can afford to draft him and sit him for a year. If he wins a starting job right away, all the better.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers: OT Darnell Wright, Tennessee (6’5″, 333 pounds)

The Steelers need to find their long-term answer at both tackle spots. By taking Wright here, they look to sure up their right tackle spot for years to come. Wright is a mammoth, mauling right tackle who excels in the run game at the next level. He’s not a great pass blocker, but has good enough feet to develop into an adequate one at the next level. His aggressive style should fit in very well with Pittsburgh.

18. Detroit Lions: CB Deonte Banks, Maryland (6’0″, 197 pounds)

Detroit grabbed their defensive lineman early. Now, they’re able to use their second first-round pick on the cornerback they still need. The Lions signed a few defensive backs in free agency, but none on extensive deals. They still need their long-term starter at outside cornerback opposite 2020 third-overall pick Jeff Okudah. If Okudah doesn’t improve in his fourth season, they may need to replace him, too. Banks has ideal size, athleticism, and footwork to be strong NFL cover man. His great showing at the NFL combine will only boost his stock.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: RB Bijan Robinson, Texas (5’11”, 215 pounds)

Ah yes, the hotly debated merit of drafting a running back in the first round. We’ve come to the point, now in the back half of the first, where taking a running back makes more sense. When that running back is a rare prospect like Robinson, it becomes almost too tempting to pass up. It would’ve been unsurprising had the Buccaneers entered a rebuilding phase after the retirement of Tom Brady, but that hasn’t seemed to be the case. They re-signed cornerback Jamel Dean to a sizeable contract, and have held onto receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Tampa Bay has signaled they plan to stay competitive, and taking an instant-impact player like Robinson falls in line with that plan.

Read: Bijan Robinson’s Prospect Profile

20. Seattle Seahawks: WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio St. (6’1″, 196 pounds)

The Seahawks swung for the fences by taking Carter fifth-overall. Now, they can trot into second base with a stand-up double by taking Smith-Njigba, one of the safest prospects in the draft. The Ohio St. product had an insanely productive sophomore season, catching 95 balls for 1606 yards in 13 games. He was slowed last season by a hamstring injury, but his strong showing at Ohio St.’s pro day has restored confidence in his health and speed. Some have suggested he can only play from the slot, but that’s no problem in Seattle where D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett play on the outside. Smith-Njigba should give the Seahawks a fearsome receiving trio.

21. Los Angeles Chargers: OT Dawand Jones, Ohio St. (6’8″, 374 pounds)

The Chargers have done a pretty good job adding talent to their offensive line the last couple of years, but a big hole still exists at right tackle. A hole so big, in fact, that even the gargantuan Jones can fit into it. The Ohio St. product’s sheer proportions (over 36″ arms and 11″ hands) make him a fascinating prospect, but he can move his feet pretty well for a big man, too. He should fit nicely in offensive coordinator Kellen Moore’s scheme, which doesn’t rely on outside-zone running.

22. Baltimore Ravens: WR Quentin Johnston, TCU (6’3″, 208 pounds)

With the resignation of long-time offensive coordinator Greg Roman after last season, the Ravens will likely look to expand their passing game. The problem, as it currently stands, is that their receiving corps leaves much to be desired. Rashod Bateman and Nelson Agholor are the only receivers on their roster that can pass as starters. So Baltimore opts for Johnston, the type of size/speed athlete the NFL always falls for. His field-tilting ability should pair nicely with Bateman’s intermediate route-running prowess.

Read: Quentin Johnston’s Prospect Profile

23. Minnesota Vikings: WR Jordan Addison, USC (5’11”, 173 pounds)

Despite winning 13 games last season, the Vikings have quite a few holes on their roster to fill. They can go a number of directions with this pick, but they opt to replace the departed Adam Thielen at the receiver spot opposite Justin Jefferson. Addison is a silkly-smooth route runner who operates at all three levels of the field with equal ability. He’ll make an ideal number-two option behind a star like Jefferson, and should keep Minnesota’s offense rolling.

Read: Jordan Addison’s Prospect Profile

24. Jacksonville Jaguars: CB/S Brian Branch, Alabama (6’0″, 190 pounds)

After multiple years of picking at the top of the draft, the Jaguars have themselves a talented overall roster. One area that still needs work is their defensive secondary, where they could use an upgrade at multiple spots. Branch is the type of versatile defensive back that can play safety or nickel corner and do a very good job at both. In Jacksonville, he could either replace Tre Herndon at nickel corner or Rayshawn Jenkins at strong safety. Branch is simply too good and adaptable to not see the field.

Read: Brian Branch’s Prospect Profile

25. New York Giants: CB Kelee Ringo, Georgia (6’2″, 207 pounds)

If there’s one thing we know about Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, it’s that he loves to blitz. Blitzing is hard to do, though, when you can’t play man coverage on the back end. Right now, New York just doesn’t have the talent at cornerback to consistently hold up in man coverage. So it makes sense the Giants would target a player like Ringo, who has the size and speed to cover outside receivers man to man. Ringo brings rare physicality for a cornerback, too.

26. Dallas Cowboys: TE Dalton Kincaid, Utah (6’4″, 246 pounds)

The Cowboys just lost tight end Dalton Schultz in free agency, but here they turn around and replace him with another Dalton. Kincaid offers more as a receiver than Schultz, though, as his smooth route-running and great ball skills should make him a quarterback’s best friend in the NFL. Adding Kincaid to an already very talented Cowboys offense is a scary proposition for the rest of the NFC.

27. Buffalo Bills: LB Trenton Simpson, Clemson (6’2″, 235 pounds)

Buffalo saw linebacker Tremaine Edmunds leave in free agency and sign a lucrative deal with the Bears. There’s no better linebacker in this year’s draft to fill Edmunds’ shoes than Simpson. The Clemson product has blazing, sideline-to-sideline speed and a great burst when blitzing. Matt Milano is the heady captain of the Bills’ defense, so putting an athlete like Simpson next to him could be very beneficial.

28. Cincinnati Bengals: OG O’Cyrus Torrence, Florida (6’5″, 330 pounds)

The Bengals have done well turning a weakness into a strength when it comes to their offensive line, but the job isn’t done yet. Cordell Volson starting at left guard is less than ideal, and Cincinnati has a chance here to take the top interior offensive lineman off the board. Torrence is a huge, smothering guard that moves people in the run game and takes very few penalties. He has the hand technique and anchor to do well in pass protection, too.

29. New Orleans Saints (via SF): CB Cam Smith, South Carolina (6’1″, 180 pounds)

Marshon Lattimore remains one of the best cornerbacks in football, but the Saints don’t have a viable starter opposite him. 2021 third-round pick Paulson Adebo has struggled as New Orleans’ number-two corner, so they look to Smith as their solution at the position. Smith has the requisite physical traits, but he shines with his anticipation and a route recognition. He’s the type of well-rounded corner that head coach Dennis Allen should love.

30. Philadelphia Eagles: TE Darnell Washington, Georgia (6’7″, 264 pounds)

The Eagles’ entire organizational approach appears to be to bully their opponents into submission. If true, there’s no more perfect player to further that plan than Washinton. The super-sized tight end is a tenacious run blocker and major red-zone threat. Two tight-end sets with him and Dallas Goedert would give Philadelphia lethal run/pass optionality.

31. Kansas City Chiefs: WR Jalin Hyatt, Tennessee (6’0″, 176 pounds)

Kansas City lost two of the fastest receivers in football, Tyreek Hill and Mecole Hardman, in back-to-back offseasons. Andy Reid won’t just sit around and watch all this speed leave his offense without doing something about it. Hyatt is the best pure deep threat in this draft, as his 4.4-second 40-yard-dash speed completely translates to the football field. Hyatt’s vertical ability combined with shiftiness of Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore, not to mention the route-running brilliance of Travis Kelce, is nightmare fuel for AFC defenses.

– Ryan Cuneo is the Managing Editor of Full Press Giants. He covers the New York Giants. Like and follow on Follow @ryan_cuneo Follow @FullPressGiants and Facebook.