Which teams land Bryce Young, Will Levis and C.J. Stroud? Which defensive players can crack the top 10? Dane Brugler makes his picks.
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I can't see that, but I know some of you can and have, in the past, been so kind as to repost. I understand one or more developmental players was mocked to NE...
Here you go. Will be multiple posts.
The underclassman deadline has come and gone, so we now know the official pool of players available for the 2023 NFL Draft. We also have the official draft order for the first 23 selections. Picks 24 through 31 will come into focus throughout the playoffs (remember, the Dolphins
forfeited their first-rounder, so there will be only 31 picks in Round 1 this year).
Normally, I hate projecting trades this early in the process, but the overwhelming odds say the Bears will trade out of the No. 1 spot. I’ve also added two more first-round trades as teams look to jump up for quarterbacks.
Mock 2.0:
Round 1
1. Indianapolis Colts (via Chicago): Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
Projected trade: No. 1 for Nos. 4, 35 and a 2024 first-round pick
This trade makes sense for both sides. The Colts have a clear need at quarterback, with an owner and general manager who are motivated to get it right. Colts GM Chris Ballard, who was previously a scout in Chicago, is very familiar with Bears GM Ryan Poles — the two worked together for four years in the Chiefs’ front office. This would mark the third time over the last 25 years that the Colts held the No. 1 pick. It worked out well the other two times: Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck.
Bryce Young is a complete outlier from a size perspective and would be somewhat off-type for Ballard, but Young’s instincts, vision and accuracy as a passer are the traits worth betting on at the position. It won’t be a driving reason behind a trade up, but sniping Young ahead of division foe Houston would be an added benefit.
2. Houston Texans: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
Obviously, this selection will be heavily influenced by the Texans’ new hire at head coach. It wouldn’t be a surprise, however, if Houston’s key decision-makers wind up with Will Levis atop their draft board. The Kentucky passer is built for the
NFL game and checks numerous boxes with his size, mobility, arm strength, intelligence and competitive toughness.
Levis didn’t have the senior season many expected, with a new play caller and a subpar supporting cast compared to the previous year. Some evaluators will say those are excuses; others see it more as an explanation. Regardless, the traits — both physical and mental — are impressive and will lead several NFL teams to believe he is QB1 in this class.
3. Arizona Cardinals: Will Anderson Jr., Edge, Alabama
Since
Kyler Murray isn’t going anywhere, Arizona’s new general manager and head coach will be hoping that quarterbacks come off the board with the first two selections, which would give the Cardinals the opportunity to draft the top non-QB.
An outstanding pass rusher and run defender, Will Anderson Jr., has a bendy, flexible frame with explosiveness in his upper half to attack from different positions. His junior season (10 sacks, 17 tackles for loss, one interception) didn’t quite live up to his remarkable sophomore year (17.5 sacks, 31 tackles for loss), but he still ranked top five in the nation in quarterback pressures.
J.J. Watt’s retirement means that the Cardinals are losing one of the best pass rushers in NFL history, but adding Anderson would give the franchise a new defensive cornerstone for the future.
4. Chicago Bears (via Indianapolis): Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
For the next few months, Bears fans will be debating between Anderson and Jalen Carter. In this scenario, the decision is made for them. Carter is young, which is evident in several areas of his game, but it is also clear how uniquely talented he is with his combination of body control and power. His block destruction and disruption are special.
For Bears fans screaming that the return in this trade scenario (this pick, No. 35 and a future first) isn’t enough, there would be added value in trading back with the Colts, as opposed to the Raiders (No. 7 overall), Panthers (No. 9 overall) or another team. The opportunity to stay within striking distance of the two “elite” defensive prospects in this draft should give the Colts a hypothetical advantage if the Bears have multiple offers to consider.
5. Carolina Panthers (via Seattle): C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
Projected trade: No. 5 for Nos. 9, 93 and a 2024 first-round pick
Two years ago, the Panthers decided to pass on an Ohio State quarterback (
Justin Fields). In this draft, they might be trading up for a different Buckeye. Regardless of Carolina’s head coach hire, we know ownership will heavily influence what the team does with this top-10 pick, and it is fair to assume David Tepper is tired of the quarterback carousel of veteran washouts.
With his accuracy and ability to read the field, C.J. Stroud can carve up defenses if given time to operate from the pocket. Although it came in a playoff-semifinal loss to
Georgia, Stroud had a career performance in his final college game (348 yards passing, four touchdowns). On that tape, Stroud showed an improved comfort level when he was required to create outside of structure, which will only help him throughout the draft process.
6. Detroit Lions (via L.A. Rams): Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
After Anderson and Carter, there is a clear drop-off to the next tier of non-quarterback prospects in this class.
Christian Gonzalez flashed enough at Colorado to earn the No. 9 spot on
my summer top-50 board, and he lived up to that hype in his one season at Oregon. With his speed/length athletic profile and the Lions’ need at cornerback, Gonzalez (the brother-in-law of former Lions’ backup quarterback
David Blough) should be on Detroit’s short list for its first of two Round 1 picks.
7. Las Vegas Raiders: Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State
With
Derek Carr on his way out the door, we know the Raiders will be doing their homework on this quarterback class. They might not be in a position to get their top-ranked guy, though.
The Raiders got better-than-expected play this season from right tackle
Jermaine Eluemunor, but he is a free agent, and investing in the offensive line is never a bad way to go. Paris Johnson Jr. is a fluid big man with length and power and the gifts to recover when he misfires his punch.