It’s by no means too early to sit up for the NFL Draft, particularly if you happen to’re a soccer sicko like I’m. I do know this entire train is a little bit foolish with a whole faculty soccer season to play out, nevertheless it’s attention-grabbing to see the tendencies change from now till the pre-draft interval subsequent 12 months.
As an illustration, we knew the 2022 class was going to be weak at quarterback from the bounce. In pre-season mocks a 12 months in the past it was broadly agreed that Sam Howell and Matt Corral could be on the prime, then no one else. Clearly that didn’t happen, however we did know that it was going to be a poor class for passers.
Earlier than anybody will get indignant concerning the draft order: That is the reverse order of Tremendous Bowl odds over at DraftKings Sportsbook. It’s probably the most goal factor now we have to go off proper now.
2023 NFL Mock Draft
| Choose | Staff | Participant | Place | Faculty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Choose | Staff | Participant | Place | Faculty |
| 1 | Houston Texans | Bryce Younger | QB | Alabama |
| 2 | Detroit Lions | C.J. Stroud | QB | Ohio State |
| 3 | New York Jets | Will Anderson Jr. | EDGE | Alabama |
| 4 | Atlanta Falcons | Paris Johnson Jr. | OT | Ohio State |
| 5 | Jacksonville Jaguars | Bryan Bresee | DT | Clemson |
| 6 | Carolina Panthers | Jaxon Smith-Njigba | WR | Ohio State |
| 7 | New York Giants | Tyler Van Dyke | QB | Miami |
| 8 | Chicago Bears | Myles Murphy | DT | Clemson |
| 9 | Seattle Seahawks | Spencer Rattler | QB | South Carolina |
| 10 | Washington Commanders | Bijan Robinson | RB | Texas |
| 11 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Michael Mayer | TE | Notre Dame |
| 12 | New Orleans Saints | B.J. Olulari | EDGE | LSU |
| 13 | Minnesota Vikings | Phil Jurkovec | QB | Boston School |
| 14 | New England Patriots | Malachi Moore | S | Alabama |
| 15 | Philadelphia Eagles | Jalen Carter | DT | Georgia |
| 16 | Las Vegas Raiders | Jahmyr Gibbs | RB | Alabama |
| 17 | Miami Dolphins | Kelee Ringo | CB | Georgia |
| 18 | Tennessee Titans | Nolan Smith | EDGE | Georgia |
| 19 | Arizona Cardinals | Isaiah Foskey | DT | Notre Dame |
| 20 | Baltimore Ravens | Kayshon Boutte | WR | LSU |
| 21 | Indianapolis Colts | Hendon Hooker | QB | Tennessee |
| 22 | Cincinnati Bengals | Eli Ricks | CB | Alabama |
| 23 | Dallas Cowboys | Trenton Simpson | LB | Clemson |
| 24 | Houston Texans | Marvin Mims | WR | Oklahoma |
| 25 | Seattle Seahawks | Brandon Joseph | S | Notre Dame |
| 26 | Los Angeles Chargers | Byron Younger | DT | Alabama |
| 27 | Miami Dolphins | Will Levis | QB | Kentucky |
| 28 | Inexperienced Bay Packers | Joey Porter Jr. | CB | Penn State |
| 29 | Kansas Metropolis Chiefs | Henry To’oto’o | EDGE | Alabama |
| 30 | Detroit Lions | Clark Phillips II | CB | Utah |
| 31 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Zach Evans | RB | Ole Miss |
| 32 | Buffalo Payments | Jordan Addison | WR | Pitt |
These are the large issues to search for in the course of the faculty season and what we will anticipate a 12 months from now.
The 12 months of the quarterback
In case you puzzled why numerous QB-needy groups waited to take passers, or didn’t tackle the place in any respect, right here’s your reply. 2023 has been circled as an enormous 12 months for quarterbacks, and whilst I mock seven within the first spherical, I can’t assist however marvel if we received’t see one other sneak in.
Proper now, Bryce Younger and C.J. Stroud look pretty much as good as any participant we’ve seen on the place previously three years. Nevertheless, the depth of this class at passer is what’s outstanding. I might completely see any of those guys (in addition to Florida’s Anthony Richardson if he progresses) turn into beginning quarterbacks within the NFL, and plus-level starters at that.
Maintain up … operating backs?
We’ve turn into conditioned to the concept no operating again is price a primary spherical decide to the purpose that the place has been devalued far too low. Loads of groups have drafted effectively and invested cash into their want positions to the purpose now the place operating again is the lacking piece of the puzzle.
The upcoming draft has elite expertise at RB. Texas’ Bijan Robinson is a drive who ought to construct off his 1,127-yard, 15-touchdown 12 months as a junior showcasing unreal dimension and athleticism on the place. Jahmyr Gibbs transferred to Alabama for a greater alternative to showcase his skill, and appears like a lock to be the very best all-purpose again within the class.
We nonetheless see RBs go within the first spherical in 2023, and it’ll be a stark departure from latest tendencies.
Vast receiver would be the huge wild card
As we noticed this 12 months, there’s an ongoing reckoning taking place at WR. Groups are taking into account future contractual obligations with the place, and selecting to lock up extra expertise on rookie offers — then jettison them down the highway. This offseason we noticed Davante Adams, Amari Cooper, Tyreek Hill, A.J. Brown and Marquise Brown all get traded due to this, and it’s not going to vary any time quickly.
My mock is receiver-light, however I absolutely anticipate we might see many extra bounce up into the primary spherical if we don’t see some large wage cap modifications to permit for the fast inflation we’re seeing in wage on the WR place.