The Sportsletter’s Mock Draft 2.0
04/26/2023
By: Jeff Yoder
Get Ready For Your Franchise to Pick Their Next Superstar (NFL Draft: Thursday, 7:00 pm ET)
It’s that time! The NFL Draft is upon us and we’re just 36 hours and change away from the No. 1 overall pick. Our second rendition of the mock draft features collective guesswork after reviewing hundreds of mock drafts across the internet, as well as our own research, combine grades, and intuition. We’re not factoring in potential trades or funny business. Five quarterbacks go in the first round, including four in the top 11, and we’ve got a run of four receivers, two tight ends, and two running backs in a weapons-heavy lineup from picks 10-31.
Your team is about to fill in some gaps. And more than 250 college football stars are about to have their lifelong dream come true.
Let’s do it. The Carolina Panthers are on the clock…
The Sportsletter’s Mock Draft 2.0
1. Panthers: QB Bryce Young (Alabama)
2. Texans: QB C.J. Stroud (Ohio State)
3. Cardinals: EDGE Will Anderson Jr. (Alabama)
4. Colts: QB Will Levis (Kentucky)
5. Seahawks: EDGE Tyree Wilson (Texas Tech)
6. Lions: DT Jalen Carter (Georgia)
7. Raiders: CB Christian Gonzales (Oregon)
8. Falcons: CB Devon Witherspoon (Illinois)
9. Bears: OT Peter Skoronski (Northwestern)
10. Eagles: RB Bijan Robinson (Texas)
1-10 Analysis: Will Levis has climbed into the conversation for the No. 2 pick, but most believe it’s still Bryce Young at No. 1 overall. With quarterbacks dominating three of the first four picks, don’t be surprised if the top defensive studs in the draft go 5-8. We expect the Bears to go offensive line, whether that’s Peter Skoronski or Paris Johnson Jr., and in an unlikely move for Howie Roseman and the Eagles, Philly shoots big with a running back at No. 10.
Picks 11-20
11. Titans: QB Anthony Richardson (Florida)
12. Texans: WR Jaxson Smith-Njigba (Ohio State)
13. Packers: WR Zay Flowers (Boston College)
14. Patriots: OT Paris Johnson Jr. (Ohio State)
15. Jets: EDGE Lukas Van Ness (Iowa)
16. Commanders: CB Deonte Banks (Maryland)
17. Steelers: DT Calijah Kancey (Pittsburgh)
18. Lions: LB Nolan Smith (Georgia)
19. Buccaneers: TE Dalton Kincaid (Utah)
20. Seahawks: OT Darnell Wright (Tennessee)
11-21 Analysis: The Titans and Anthony Richardson could be a match made in heaven. Even though Tennessee might have to move up to get him, we have him landing in Nashville one way or another. Combining Ohio State teammates C.J. Stroud and Jaxson Smith-Njigba could restart the new era in Houston. The Packers add another weapon for the Jordan Love era. And the Lions grab their second player from the Georgia defense in the first round.
Picks 21-31
21. Chargers: CB Joey Porter Jr. (Penn State)
22. Ravens: WR Jordan Addison (USC)
23. Vikings: QB Hendon Hooker (Tennessee)
24. Jaguars: S Brian Branch (Alabama)
25. Giants: EDGE Myles Murphy (Clemson)
26. Cowboys: TE Michael Mayer (Notre Dame)
27. Bills: WR Jalin Hyatt (Tennessee)
28. Bengals: RB Jahmyr Gibbs (Alabama)
29. Saints: OT Broderick Jones (Georgia)
30. Eagles: EDGE B.J. Ojulari (LSU)
31. Chiefs: OL O’Cyrus Torrence (Florida)
21-31 Analysis: The Dolphins were stripped of their first-round pick this year, so there are only 31 selections on Thursday night. That doesn’t mean there’s any shortage of talent at the end of Round 1. The Vikings take a shot at quarterback with Kirk Cousins turning 35. The Bengals find their replacement for Joe Mixon at running back. And the Cowboys replace Dalton Shultz with a young tight end.
2023 NFL Draft: Thursday (8:00 pm ET)
Additional Storylines
The Ringer: The Ringer’s 2023 NFL Draft Guide
Sporting News: NFL Mock Draft 3-Round Edition
NFL: Top 150 Prospects of the 2023 NFL Draft Class
USA Today: 7 College Football Stars Who Could Face Long Wait in NFL Draft
Yahoo! Sports: Will Levis Odds to be Drafted by Panthers at No. 1 Shift Due to Reddit Thread
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