It’s an exciting week for football fans, as Week 1 of the 2022 college football season took place this weekend, including several thrilling games such as Florida’s epic win over Utah, Ohio State’s defeat over Notre Dame, and Florida State’s last-second win against LSU. The NFL season is also right around the corner, with an exciting Buffalo Bills vs. Los Angeles Rams matchup opening the season on September 8th. While some NFL fans have their sights set on their team contending for the Super Bowl, others know their team might be picking at the top of the 2023 NFL Draft order. Who are the top prospects in next year’s draft class and what are some teams they could be heading to next spring? Conducting a mock draft is always an inexact science, especially with an entire season of college football left to play. But everyone loves mock drafts, and they are a fun exercise to engage in. Thus, we bring you our “way too early” 2023 NFL Mock Draft. Note that the draft order is taken from tankathon.com and not based on my projections for the 2022 NFL season.
1. Atlanta Falcons: C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
Projecting quarterbacks a year away from the NFL Draft is quite the challenge, as attested by Spencer Rattler and Sam Howell’s fall from grace during the 2021 NFL season. Nonetheless, Stroud is a quarterback prospect I’m particularly confident in because of how refined his game is after just one year of starting experience in college football. If the Falcons are picking first in 2023, they are likely looking to find their long-term plan at quarterback, and Stroud offers a well-rounded skillset to develop.
2. Houston Texans: Will Anderson Jr., DE, Alabama
If you had to ask me to give one name I believe most strongly will be drafted in the top five of the 2023 NFL Draft, I would tell you Will Anderson Jr. The star Alabama pass rusher led the nation with 17.5 sacks in 2021. Anderson checks every box: his size, strength, athleticism, and technique are all elite.
3. Seattle Seahawks: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
The Seahawks chose to pass on quarterbacks in the 2022 NFL Draft and now enter the 2022 season with Geno Smith as their starter. Smith is a fine choice in the short-term, but the 31-year-old NFL journeyman is obviously not the Seahawks’ quarterback of the future. On the other hand, Heisman winner Bryce Young certainly could be. Young is remarkably accurate, and I expect him to improve regarding the nuances of the position (such as his internal clock) to earn a high selection in the 2023 NFL Draft.
4. Chicago Bears: Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
Travon Walker was the first pick of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Georgia, and what if I told you that he wasn’t the best player on Georgia’s defensive line? In my opinion, Georgia’s best defensive lineman actually wasn’t draft-eligible yet, and his name is Jalen Carter. Carter has the ability to become one of the best pass rushers from the interior in the NFL.
5. New York Jets: Myles Murphy, DE, Clemson
The Jets’ defense took another step forward this past off-season, but I would be surprised if they declined another infusion to their pass-rush in 2023. Murphy is a strong, athletic pass rusher with a sky-high upside. If he can improve on his consistency in deploying pass-rush moves in 2022, expect him to come off the board this early next April.
6. Detroit Lions: Isaiah Foskey, DE, Notre Dame
The Lions solidified one end of their defensive line for the next decade by selecting Aidan Hutchinson in the 2022 NFL Draft and could have the opportunity to form an elite young duo at the position for a long time next spring. Foskey is a high-effort player with an expansive arsenal of pass-rush tools.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Tight ends rarely go this high in the NFL Draft, but the value of having an elite tight end is enormous and can be seen in the offensive successes of the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers in recent years, in large part led by their premier tight ends, Travis Kelce and George Kittle, respectively. A terrific receiver and blocker, Mayer can reach the same level in the NFL.
8. Carolina Panthers: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
The Panthers should continue to build their roster before making a significant investment in their long-term quarterback. The next step could be finding a top wide receiver to pair with D.J. Moore. Smith-Njigba is set to shine in 2022 with an increased target share following the departures of teammates Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave to the NFL, and he brings elite route-running to the table.
9. New York Giants: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
In 2018, a raw quarterback with elite physical traits from Wyoming named Josh Allen made his way to Buffalo to work with offensive coordinator Brian Daboll. After struggling as a rookie, Allen remarkably improved with each season to come and is now one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. Daboll is now the head coach for the Giants and could be looking for his next star quarterback in 2023. I could see him opting for Richardson, who is inexperienced and unrefined but possesses similar size, athleticism, and arm strength as Allen.
10. Washington Commanders: Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern
By becoming a Pro-Bowler as a rookie, Rashawn Slater showed that high-level athleticism and elite technique can overcome a lack of length at the offensive tackle position. His former teammate at Northwestern, Peter Skoronski, fits the same mold and is a rock-solid pass protector who I expect will shine at left tackle in the NFL.
11. Pittsburgh Steelers: Brian Bresee, DT, Clemson
The Steelers’ longtime quality defensive line is aging and could use an infusion of young talent. If he can show a full recovery from his torn ACL in 2021, the former 5-star recruit Bresee can go this high in the 2023 NFL Draft.
12. Philadelphia Eagles: Andre Carter II, DE, Army
Due to his unique physical traits, production, and competitiveness, the 6’7” 260 lb. Andre Carter is one of my favorite prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft class. His technique is still a work in progress and may not drastically improve until he obtains NFL coaching, but NFL scouts are known to value traits and Carter’s are to fall in love with.
13. Minnesota Vikings: Jordan Addison, WR, USC
The 2022 NFL Draft featured six wide receivers in the first eighteen selections, yet none was named the best receiver in the nation in 2021. The Biletnikoff Winner was actually Jordan Addison, who transferred from Pittsburgh to USC this off-season. Addison is a skilled route-runner with big-play ability.
14. Houston Texans: Kayshon Boutte, WR, LSU
Similarly to Addison, Boutte is a big play waiting to happen who shines after the catch. The Texans will need to add talent and get younger at the wide receiver position next off-season. Boutte didn’t have his best outing against Florida State on Sunday, but I expect him to bounce back.
15. Las Vegas Raiders: Eli Ricks, CB, Alabama
The Raiders are still without a premier cornerback on the perimeter and could place a high priority on finding one next off-season after playing against the high-powered offenses of the Chiefs, Broncos, and Chargers six times in 2022. Ricks needs to stay healthy and clean on and off the field in 2022, but he has the tools and the coaching at Alabama to become a first-round pick next year.
16. New England Patriots: Jordan Battle, S, Alabama
The Patriots are known to shop at Alabama, and to prioritize selecting safeties in the early rounds of the NFL Draft. The next player in line to join the Patriots from the Crimson Tide could be Battle, whose man-coverage ability from the position is highly valuable.
17. Tennessee Titans: Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson
The NFL values linebackers with pass-rush potential, and Simpson’s remarkable athleticism certainly offers him that.
18. Philadelphia Eagles: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
The Eagles ran the ball more than any other team in the NFL in 2021 and did so without a star running back. Given his running-oriented mindset, head coach Nick Sirianni could seize the opportunity to pick Robinson, the next running back in line to shine early in his NFL career.
19. Baltimore Ravens: Jermaine Burton, WR, Alabama
The Ravens’ wide receiver corps currently leaves a lot to be desired and upgrading the position will likely be a focal point next off-season. Burton could be the next in a long line of Alabama wide receivers to be drafted in the first round.
20. Arizona Cardinals: Felix Anudike-Uzomah, DE, Kansas State
Anudike-Uzomah is one of the most underrated players in this draft class who I believe will hear his name called in the first round next year. The Cardinals are always looking to add athletic pass-rushers, and Anudike-Uzomah certainly falls into that category.
21. Seattle Seahawks: B.J. Ojulari, DE, LSU
The Seahawks could also use an infusion of youth and athleticism at the defensive end position. Ojulari is a constant presence in opponents’ backfields.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Noah Sewell, LB, Oregon
Noah’s brother, Penei, was the seventh overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and had a good rookie season for the Lions. Noah looks set to follow in his footsteps to NFL stardom. While he doesn’t offer much pass-rush ability, Sewell’s athleticism, play diagnosis, and effort make him one of the best run defenders in the country.
23. Miami Dolphins: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
Broderick Jones’ combination of size and athleticism is quite rare and highly touted by NFL scouts.
24. Indianapolis Colts: Mekhi Garner, CB, LSU
Garner, a transfer from Louisiana, is currently flying under the radar but at 6’2” 217 lbs. and with the quickness and fluidity to turn and run with receivers, he won’t be kept a secret for long. Except Garner to be in the conversation to be the first cornerback off the board next spring.
25. Dallas Cowboys: Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
Smith is actually my top-ranked cornerback heading into the season due to his high level of refinement. Smith excels especially in press coverage, showing the physicality, technique, and athleticism to lock down SEC receivers.
26. Cincinnati Bengals: Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
In what looks like a strong cornerback class, a third one comes off the board in a row with Joey Porter, whose size will be quite enticing to scouts much like Garner’s.
27. Detroit Lions: Grayson McCall, QB, Coastal Carolina
McCall is my sleeper at the quarterback position, and I think his fiery competitiveness makes him a good fit with Dan Campbell’s Lions. McCall is really accurate and a good decision-maker who takes care of the football, in addition to checking the boxes of size, arm strength, and athleticism. He almost leaves me wondering what I’m missing given his lack of NFL Draft buzz. Coastal’s offense is quite simplistic and will result in a tough adjustment to the NFL for McCall, but he has plenty of ability to become a franchise quarterback.
28. Green Bay Packers: Brandon Joseph, S, Notre Dame
After Kyle Hamilton became the first safety drafted in 2022, Brandon Joseph, a transfer from Northwestern, could make it another Fighting Irish safety drafted in the first round.
29. Kansas City Chiefs: Parker Washington, WR, Penn State
One of my favorite things as a scout is when players catch my eye while scouting their teammates. That is exactly what happened with Washington, who popped off the tape while watching 2021 first-rounder Jahan Dotson. Washington is a similar receiver as Dotson who wins with quick and sudden route-running.
30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
Unless you believe in Kyle Trask’s potential, the Buccaneers look to be without a long-term plan at quarterback. In what is extremely likely to be their first full off-season in the post-Brady era, the Bucs could look to Kentucky to select a quarterback with alluring physical tools. Levis needs to take a step forward regarding his decision-making, among other areas, but his NFL potential is real.
31. Buffalo Bills: Mazi Smith, DL, Michigan
Every year, Bruce Feldman’s Freak List compiles the most athletic college football players relative to size. It’s a great read that I recommend, and guess who topped the list this year? Michigan’s Mazi Smith, who has bench-pressed 22 reps of 325 pounds and made a 44-inch vertical jump. He will blow the roof off the NFL Combine.
If you are interested in hearing Alex and Kosta further break down this mock draft, check out their latest podcast episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_K_OsdqDI6k&t=749s
