The 2023 NFL draft season is in full swing, with the scouting combine starting up next week. It’s time to start taking a look at some mock drafts and getting an idea of how the first round could play out. Charles McDonald recently released his 2023 NFL mock draft 4.0, and it includes four quarterbacks in the top seven picks.
At the number one spot, the Houston Texans could go with Jalen Carter, a defensive tackle out of Alabama. He has the potential to be one of the best in the league as a rookie and is the best player in the draft. With the second pick, the Jacksonville Jaguars could go with C.J. Stroud, a quarterback out of Ohio State. Stroud has a high ceiling and a clean floor, making him an ideal fit for the Texans.
At number three, the New York Jets could go with Jonathan Gannon, a defensive lineman out of Minnesota. Gannon will need to upgrade the defensive line talent if he wants to replicate the success he had in Philadelphia. The fourth pick, held by the Atlanta Falcons, could be used to pick Myles Murphy, a pass rusher out of Clemson. He might not project to be a leadoff pass rusher, but he has high upside.
The fifth pick goes to the Carolina Panthers, who could select Devon Witherspoon, a defensive back out of Clemson. Witherspoon is a highly talented defensive back who could give the Panthers a hellacious young secondary for Ejiro Evero to work with. The sixth pick could be used by the Philadelphia Eagles to take Anthony Richardson, a quarterback out of Texas. Richardson has a massive skill set that needs some time to marinate, and this is the ideal spot for him to compete with veteran Jared Goff while he tweaks his game a bit.
At number seven, the Detroit Lions could go with Will Anderson, a defensive tackle out of Ohio State. Anderson is a great start for Jonathan Gannon to build up the defensive line talent, but he’ll need some help from free agency and later rounds of the draft. The eighth pick, held by the New England Patriots, could be used to take Jordan Addison, a wide receiver out of Pitt. Addison would fit well in the offenses that Bill O’Brien has run in the past and would give the Patriots a much-needed boost at the wide receiver position.
The rest of the top 20 picks could include Taylor Lewan, a left tackle out of Michigan, going to the Tennessee Titans, Grady Jarrett, a defensive tackle out of Clemson, going to the Denver Broncos, Michael Mayer, the best tight end in the draft, going to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Quentin Johnston, a wide receiver out of South Carolina, going to the Green Bay Packers.
The NFL draft season is always exciting, and the 2023 draft should be no different. With four quarterbacks potentially going in the top seven, it will be interesting to see how teams address their needs and make their picks. Be sure to stay up to date with all the latest news and rumors leading up to the draft!
