Cody Carpentier’s 2023 NFL Mock Draft – Three Rounds

NFL Draft

The Most Controversial NFL Mock Draft of 2023

2023 NFL Mock Draft 5.0 (Post-Pro Day Edition)! After a month of a consistent C.J. Stroud drum beat, many big named Draft analysts knew the Bryce Young smoke screen was coming, and one of my favorites, Lance Zierlein was ahead of this. Despite being ahead and knowing it was coming down the hatch, Lance still moved Bryce Young up to No.1 overall in his most recent NFL Mock Draft. “Not so fast, my friend” – Coach Lee Corso. My last NFL Mock Draft featured a trade-up to No.1 for C.J. Stroud, because that was the immediate buzz, while in Indianapolis. It just happened to be Carolina, not Las Vegas that moved up to No. 1.

Since my last Mock Draft in early April, I attended the South Carolina, Clemson, Virginia, and Georgia Pro Days to see prospects like Jalen Carter, Dontayvion Wicks, Darius Rush, and Trenton Simpson, to name a few. The 2023 NFL Draft Rookie Guide is also available now at www.playerprofiler.com/2023-rookie-guide-scouting-report/ for just $10, with 120 Prospect write-ups, grades, comps and workout metrics at QB, RB, WR, and TE.

You can find the 2023 D.A.W.G. Ratings on Patreon. I have since teamed up with Matty Kiwoom, and he has joined my Patreon, patreon.com/Executives for the D.A.W.G. Ratings, exclusive opportunities to mock draft with us, Cornerstone Rankings (2022-2024 classes), and a weekly podcast, “The Executives of.”

Mock Draft 5.0 has the biggest cojones of them all. I will be going three rounds deep, including Comparables across the board via PlayerProfiler.com This mock includes data on the 31 players that are expected to be drafted in Round 1 of the 2023 NFL Draft. If you enjoy it, feel free to share and leave a comment on Twitter @CarpentierNFL, Join Patreon, or Download the Rookie Guide.

Round 1 (Pick 1-32)

No. 1 – Carolina Panthers(via CHI) – Bryce Young, QB – Alabama

Best Comparable – Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M

Factoid – The Panthers have drafted a Quarterback in Round 1 just twice, Cam Newton 1st overall in 2011, and Kerry Collins 5th overall in 1995.

Notes – The trade was made after the NFL Combine and all of the conversation was centered around C.J. Stroud. Both players hosted Pro Days and met with the Panthers but only smoke has come from it. Sportsbooks have moved on from Stroud to favoring Bryce Young as the No.1 overall pick. But both prospects are still planning to meet with the Panthers in Charlotte over the next two weeks. Don’t be surprised when the tide turns again, in favor of Stroud. However, for this iteration, I’m taking the bait and drafting Bryce Young.

No. 2 – *Las Vegas Raiders(via HOU)Anthony Richardson, QB – Florida

Best Comparable – Josh Allen, Wyoming

FactoidTrey Lance had 318 career pass attempts at North Dakota State, and was drafted at No. 3 overall to eventually overtake Jimmy Garoppolo. Richardson isn’t far ahead, with just 393 career pass attempts at Florida. Rankings No.1 All-Time in Athleticism Score among 272 Quarterbacks on PlayerProfiler.com

Notes – The Texans have two first rounds picks in each of the 2023 and 2024 NFL Drafts, and after this trade down with Las Vegas, they have three in 2024. Richardson is just 20.9 years old, and cemented behind Garoppolo in 2023, just as Mahomes did behind Alex Smith. The ideal scenario for these hyper-upside Quarterbacks that need TIME!! Garoppolo has an out in his contract after the 2023 season with just $18.7 million in dead cap.

Trade – Las Vegas gives No. 7 Overall in 2023, 2024 1st, and 2025 1st for the Houston Texans No. 2 Overall Pick.

No. 3 – *Indianapolis Colts(via ARI) – Will Levis, QB – Kentucky

Best Comparable – Jay Cutler, Vanderbilt

Factoid – It’s only the THIRD time in NFL History that each of the first three picks were Quarterback, 1999 (Couch, McNabb, Smith), and 2021 (Lawrence, Wilson, Lance).

Notes – The defacto starter on Day 1 for Shane Steichan and the Indianapolis Colts. Steichen coached Justin Herbert – 6’6 237 lbs (64.0% College Passing), and Jalen Hurts – 6’1 222 lbs (65.1% College Passing) over the last three seasons. Will Levis enters at 6’4 229 lbs (64.9%).

Trade – Indianapolis gives No. 4 & No. 79 Overall in 2023, and 2024 4th for the Arizona Cardinals No. 3 Overall Pick.

No. 4 – *Arizona Cardinals(via IND) – Will Anderson, EDGE – Alabama

Best Comparable – DeMarcus Ware, Troy

FactoidWill Anderson is the only Player in College Football History to win the Bronko Nagurski Trophy twice. The Nagurski Trophy started in 1993 and is given to the best defensive players in college football.

Notes – The Cardinals gain the Colts’ 2024 4th, and the No. 79 overall pick while getting the player they want all along in Will Anderson. The Cardinals are a year away with a new coaching staff, and Kyler on the mend, so bolstering this defense has to be Goal No. 1 for first-year coach Jonathan Gannon.

No. 5 – Seattle SeahawksC.J. Stroud, QB – Ohio State

Best Comparable – Joe Burrow, LSU

Factoid – Ohio State hasn’t had a Quarterback taken in the Top-5 since 1982, The Colts took Art Schlichter at No. 4 overall.

Notes – The Seahawks love Geno Smith, but Smith is 32 years old, and coming off a career year. Over the final 5 games of 2022, Smith completed just 63%. of passes with 8 touchdowns and 5 interceptions.

No. 6 – Detroit Lions(via LAR) – Jalen Carter, DL – Georgia

Best Comparable – Da’Ron Payne, Alabama

Factoid – The Lions selected Defensive Lineman in the Top 15 back-to-back years in 2010, and 2011 (Fairley, Suh) – The Rams did the same in 2011, and 2012 (Quinn, Brockers) with one special National Scout in the room, Brad Holmes. One season later, he was named Director of College Scouting.

Notes – On paper, Christian Gonzalez is a great pick after the Jeff Okudah trade. Detroit needs help on the back end, but there is depth at Cornerback and the Lions also pick at No. 18 in Round 1, I think Cornerback makes sense later.

No. 7 – *Houston Texans(via LV)Myles Murphy, EDGE – Clemson

Best Comparable – Jermaine Johnson, Florida State

FactoidMyles Murphy was a pitcher in high school and according to Dane Brugler, threw 90 MPH at age 14. Murphy also went to the same High School as Dolphins Edge Rusher, Bradley Chubb.

Notes – Over the last two seasons, Houston has 71 total defensive sacks. DeMeco Ryans enters the building after leading the 49ers’ defense to back-to-back Top 10 finished and 92 total sacks.

No. 8 – Atlanta Falcons – Bijan Robinson, RB – Texas

Best Comparable – Marshawn Lynch, California

Factoid – During General Manager Terry Fontenot’s career with the New Orleans Saints as a Scout, Director of Pro Scouting, and Assistant General Manager. The Saints selected Reggie Bush as No. 2 overall in 2006, Mark Ingram as No. 28 overall in 2011, and Wide Receiver twice in Round 1. Since joining Atlanta, he has taken Tight End and Wide Receiver in the Top 10.

Bijan Robinson Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile

No. 9 – Chicago Bears(via CAR)Paris Johnson Jr, OT – Ohio State

Best Comparable – Dion Dawkins, OT – Temple

Notes – The Bears pick again at 53, 61, and 64 overall on Day 2, and this draft has depth on the Defensive side of the ball. With Teven Jenkins moving to Left Guard this offseason, the Bears need a tackle to protect the young Konami legend, Justin Fields.

No. 10 – Philadelphia Eagles(via NO) – Nolan Smith, EDGE – Georgia

Best Comparable – Bruce Irvin, West Virginia

Factoid – Georgia has never had two defenders go in the Top-10 of the same Draft. It would be the first instance since 2020 that two defenders from the same team go inside the Top 10 (Ohio State) with Chase Young and Jeff Okudah.

Notes – With Fletcher Cox, Javon Hargrave, Ndamukong Suh, and Linval Joseph all entering free agency, they need to add talent to the interior. The Eagles are currently over the cap with other areas to focus on. After drafting Jordan Davis in Round 1 of 2022 and Milton Williams in Round 3 of 2021, the Eagles need to continue to add to the defensive line. Lukas Van Ness is another option, but the allure of adding Nolan Smith to a defense that already features Jordan Davis and Nakobe Dean from the 2021 Georgia defense, is rather exciting!

No. 11 –Tennessee Titans – Lukas Van Ness, EDGE – Iowa

Best Comparable – Trey Hendrickson, Florida Atlantic

FactoidLukas Van Ness never started a game at the University of Iowa.

No. 12 – Houston Texans(via CLE) – Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR – Ohio State

Best Comparable – Jerry Jeudy, Alabama

FactoidJaxon Smith-Njigba would be the fourth former Buckeye Wide Receiver drafted in the Top-15 in the last two drafts. Marvin Harrison Jr. could be No. 5 in 2024.

No. 13 – New York Jets – Darnell Wright, OT – Tennessee

Best Comparable – Donovan Smith, Penn State

Notes – Draft Media is incredibly low on Darnell Wright, and him going to the Jets at 13 is my favorite low-key selection.

No. 14 – New England Patriots – Tyree Wilson, EDGE – Texas Tech

Best Comparable – Alex Okafor, Texas

FactoidTyree Wilson will become the first Texas Tech Defensive Lineman taken in Round 1, since 1983 when Gabriel Rivera was taken by the Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 21 overall.

No. 15 – Green Bay Packers – Will McDonald, EDGE – Iowa State

Best Comparable – Randy Gregory, Nebraska

Factoid – General Manager Brian Gutekunst was elevated from Scout to Director of College Scouting in 2012 for the Gren Bay Packers, in 2018 he was elevated to General Manager. Since 2012, Green Bay has used 11 of 12 Round 1 selections on Defense.

No. 16 – Washington Commanders – Peter Skoronski, OL – Northwestern

Best Comparable – Alex Leatherwood, Alabama

Factoid – Before Rashawn Slater in 2021, Northwestern hadn’t had an offensive lineman drafted in the first round since Chris Hinton in 1983. Skoronski and Slater would be the only two Wildcats drafted in Round 1 over the last 40 years.

No. 17 – Pittsburgh Steelers – Christian Gonzalez, CB – Oregon

Best Comparable – Marshon Lattimore, Ohio State

Factoid – Both of Christian Gonzalez‘s sisters are on the Columbian national track team, and Melissa is married to NFL quarterback David Blough.

No. 18 – Detroit Lions – Joey Porter Jr, CB – Penn State

Best Comparable – A.J. Terrell, Clemson

Factoid – Penn State is it has never had a defensive back drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft.

No. 19 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Broderick Jones, OT – Georgia

Best Comparable – D.J. Humphries, Florida

Broderick Jones Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile

No. 20 – Seattle Seahawks – Quentin Johnston, WR – TCU

Best Comparable – Alec Pierce, Cincinnati

Factoid – Since 2016, TCU has had two wide receivers taken in Round 1. Josh Doctson went No. 22 overall in 2016, and Jalen Reagor went No. 21 overall in 2020.

No. 21 – Los Angeles Chargers – Devon Witherspoon, CB – Illinois

Best Comparable – Adoree Jackson, USC

Factoid – Witherspoon is one of three Illinois defensive backs projected to be drafted on the first two days of the 2023 NFL Draft.

No. 22 – Baltimore Ravens – Deonte Banks, CB – Maryland

Best Comparable – Ronald Darby, Florida State

No. 23 – *Houston Texans(via MIN) – Hendon Hooker, QB – Tennessee

Best Comparable – Geno Smith, West Virginia

FactoidPeyton Manning 1998 is the last Tennessee Quarterback to be drafted before Round 5 of the NFL Draft.

TradeHouston gives No. 33, 73, and 188 Overall in 2023 for Minnesota’s No. 23 Overall Pick.

No. 24 – Jacksonville Jaguars – Brian Branch, S – Alabama

Best Comparable – Jaquan Brisker, Penn State

Notes – The Jacksonville Jaguars moved on from C.J. Henderson, and have recently released Shaquill Griffin. They need bodies, but not only bodies, they need Talent at the Cornerback position. Branch can play hybrid, as the best safety in the draft with the ability to play outside and inside.

No. 25 – New York Giants – Darius Rush, CB – South Carolina

Best Comparable – William Jackson, Houston

Factoid – Rush transitioned from WR to DB midway through the 2019 season, 21 starts later he may land in Round 1 of the NFL Draft.

No. 26 – Dallas Cowboys –  Felix Anudike-Uzomah, EDGE – Kansas State

Best Comparable – Everson Griffen, Texas

No. 27 – Buffalo Bills – Cody Mauch, OL – North Dakota State

Best Comparable – Ali Marpet, Hobart

FactoidCody Mauch played all 5 offensive line positions at the 2023 Reeces Senior Bowl to show versatility, he also transitioned from Tight End as a Freshman at NDSU.

No. 28 – Cincinnati Bengals – Jahmyr Gibbs, RB – Alabama

Best Comparable – C.J. Spiller, Clemson

Factoid – Alabama has 41 Running Backs drafted all-time, Jahmyr Gibbs would be the fifth since 2011 and third since 2019.

No. 29 – New Orleans Saints(via DEN via SF) – Adetomiwa Adebawore, DL – Northwestern

Best Comparable – Ed Oliver, Houston

Notes – Multiple sources inside organizations, prefer Adebawore to Calijah Kancey… take that for what you will.

No. 30 – Philadelphia EaglesJordan Addison, WR – USC

Best Comparable – Diontae Johnson, Toledo

Factoid – Addison played with the first Quarterback drafted in 2022 (Kenny Pickett), and potentially the first Quarterback drafted in 2024 (Caleb Williams), in a matter of two seasons.

No. 31 – Kansas City Chiefs – Anton Harrison, OT – Oklahoma

Best Comparable – Cedric Ogbuehi, Texas A&M

Round 2 (Pick 32-63)

No. 32 – Pittsburgh Steelers(via CHI) – Trenton Simpson, LB – Clemson

Best Comparable – Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Notre Dame

No. 33 – *Minnesota Vikings(via HOU) – Zay Flowers, WR – Boston College

Best Comparable – Jahan Dotson, Penn State

No. 34 – Arizona Cardinals – Steve Avila, OL – TCU

Best Comparable – Cam Robinson, Alabama

No. 35 – Indianapolis Colts – O’Cyrus Torrence, OL – Florida

Best Comparable – Mike Iupati, Idaho

No. 36 – Los Angeles Rams – Cam Smith, CB – South Carolina

Best Comparable – Sauce Gardner, Cincinnati

No. 37 – Seattle Seahawks(via DEN) – Bryan Bresee, DL – Clemson

Best Comparable – Kevin Williams, Oklahoma State

No. 38 – Las Vegas Raiders – Tyrique Stevenson, CB – Miami (FL)

Best Comparable – Noah Igbinoghene, Auburn

No. 39 – Carolina Panthers – Dalton Kincaid, TE – Utah

Best Comparable – Isaiah Likely, Coastal Carolina

No. 40 – New Orleans Saints – Emmanuel Forbes, CB – Mississippi State

Best Comparable – Demarcus Van Dyke, Miami

No. 41 – Tennessee Titans – Jack Campbell, LB – Iowa

Best Comparable – Leighton Vander Esch, Boise State

No. 42 – *Green Bay Packers(via NYJ) – Michael Mayer, TE – Notre Dame

Best Comparable – Zach Ertz, Stanford

TradeThe move everyone has been waiting for, Aaron Rodgers goes to the Jets for No. 42 overall and a conditional 2024 selection.

No. 43 – New York Jets – Jalin Hyatt, WR – Tennessee

Best Comparable – Dyami Brown, North Carolina

No. 44 – Atlanta Falcons – Calijah Kancey, DL – Pittsburgh

Best Comparable – Grady Jarrett, Clemson

No. 45 – Green Bay Packers – Matthew Bergeron, OT – Syracuse

Best Comparable – Christian Darrisaw, Syracuse

No. 46 – New England Patriots – Drew Sanders, LB – Arkansas

Best Comparable – Tremaine Edmunds, Virginia Tech

No. 47 – Washington Commanders – Julius Brents, CB – Kansas State

Best Comparable – Byron Jones, Connecticut

No. 48 – Detroit Lions – Josh Downs, WR – North Carolina

Best Comparable – Wan’Dale Robinson, Kentucky

No. 49 – Pittsburgh Steelers – Dawand Jones, OT – Ohio State

Best Comparable – Orlando Brown, Oklahoma

No. 50 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Kelee Ringo, CB – Georgia

Best Comparable – Dee Milliner, Alabama

No. 51 – Miami Dolphins – Zach Charbonnet, RB – UCLA

Best Comparable – Demarco Murray, Oklahoma

Zach Charbonnet Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile

No. 52 – Seattle Seahawks – B.J. Ojulari, EDGE – LSU

Best Comparable – Kwity Paye, Michigan

No. 53 – Chicago Bears(via BAL) – Cedric Tillman, WR – Tennessee

Best Comparable – Zach Pascal, Old Dominion

No. 54 – Los Angeles Chargers – Rashee Rice, WR – SMU

Best Comparable – Terrace Marshall, LSU

No. 55 – Detroit Lions(via MIN) – Keion White, EDGE – Georgia Tech

Best Comparable – Travon Walker, Georgia

No. 56 – Jacksonville Jaguars – Mazi Smith, DL – Michigan

Best Comparable – Dontari Poe, Memphis

No. 57 – New York Giants – Jonathan Mingo, WR – Ole Miss

Best Comparable – Allen Lazard, Iowa State

No. 58 – Dallas Cowboys – Kendre Miller, RB – TCU

Best Comparable – Javonte Williams, North Carolina

No. 59 – Buffalo Bills – Antonio Johnson, S – Texas A&M

Best Comparable – Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Alabama

No. 60 – Cincinnati Bengals – D.J. Turner, CB – Michigan

Best Comparable – Donte Jackson, LSU

No. 61 – Chicago Bears (via CAR) – Keeanu Benton, DL – Wisconsin

Best Comparable – Sebastian Joseph-Day, Rutgers

No. 62 – Philadelphia Eagles – Roschon Johnson, RB – Texas

Best Comparable – Josh Jacobs, Alabama

No. 63 – Kansas City Chiefs – Marvin Mims, WR – Oklahoma

Best Comparable – Darnell Mooney, Tulane

Round 3 (Pick 64-102)

No. 64 – Chicago Bears – Darnell Washington, TE – Georgia

No. 65 – Houston Texans – Jartavius Martin, S – Illinois

No. 66 – Arizona Cardinals – Clark Phillips III, CB – Utah

No. 67 – Denver Broncos (via IND) – Trey Palmer, WR – Nebraska

No. 68 – Denver Broncos – John Michael Schmitz, OL – Minnesota

No. 69 – Los Angeles Rams – Joe Tippmann, OL – Wisconsin

No. 70 – Las Vegas Raiders – J.L. Skinner, S – Boise State

No. 71 – New Orleans Saints – Kayshon Boutte, WR – LSU

No. 72 – Tennessee Titans – Jaelyn Duncan, OL – Maryland

No. 73 – Minnesota Vikings (via HOU) – Isaiah Foskey, DL – Notre Dame

No. 74 – Cleveland Browns – Gervon Dexter, DL – Florida 

No. 75 – Atlanta Falcons – Derick Hall, EDGE – Auburn

No. 76 – New England Patriots (via CAR) – Devon Achane, RB – Texas A&M

No. 77 – Los Angeles Rams – Michael Wilson, WR – Stanford 

No. 78 – Miami Dolphins(via GB) – Sam LaPorta, TE – Iowa (Proj. Trade)

No. 79 – Indianapolis Colts (via WAS) – Wanya Morris, OT – Oklahoma

No. 80 – Pittsburgh Steelers – Jayden Reed, WR – Michigan State

No. 81 – Detroit Lions – Luke Musgrave, TE – Oregon State

No. 82 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Tuli Tuipulotu, DL – USC

No. 83 – Seattle Seahawks – Kyu Blu Kelly, CB – Stanford

No. 84 – Green Bay Packers – A.T. Perry, WR – Wake Forest (Proj. Trade)

No. 85 – Los Angeles Chargers – Byron Young, EDGE – Tennessee

No. 86 – Baltimore Ravens – Tyler Scott, WR – Cincinnati

No. 87 – Minnesota Vikings – Chris Smith II, S – Georgia

No. 88 – Jacksonville Jaguars – Andrei Iosivas, WR – Princeton

No. 89 – New York Giants – Chandler Zavala, OL – North Carolina State

No. 90 – Dallas Cowboys – Nathaniel Dell, WR – Houston

Nathaniel Dell Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile

No. 91 – Buffalo Bills – Israel Abanikanda, RB – Pittsburgh

No. 92 – Cincinnati Bengals – Tyler Steen, OT – Alabama

No. 93 – Carolina Panthers(via SF) – Xavier Hutchinson, WR – Iowa State

No. 94 – Philadelphia Eagles – Cory Trice, CB – Purdue

No. 95 – Kansas City Chiefs – Isaiah McGuire, DL – Missouri

No. 96 – *Arizona Cardinals – Dontayvion Wicks, WR – Virginia

No. 97 – *Washington Commanders – Zack Kuntz, TE – Old Dominion

No. 98 – *Cleveland Browns – YaYa Diaby, EDGE – Louisville

No. 99 – *San Francisco 49ers – Sydney Brown, S – Illinois

No. 100 – *Las Vegas Raiders – Luke Wypler, OL – Ohio State

No. 101 – *Los Angeles Chargers(via SF) – Tank Bigsby, RB – Auburn

Trade – The Chargers give up No. 125 and 2024 4th for San Francisco’s No. 101 overall selection.

No. 102 – *San Francisco 49ers – Zach Harrison, EDGE – Ohio State

No. 103 – *Chicago Bears – Terell Smith, CB – Minnesota

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