2023 NFL Mock Draft, The Krupa Edition

The NFL draft is here and although it’s sure to be full of surprising choices. I’ve done my best to predict the outcome of the first round of the draft in advance based on player value and team needs.

Alabama teammates Will Anderson Jr. (left) Jordan Battle (middle) and Bryce Young (Right) celebrate 2022 Sugar Bowl victory.

Hayden Krupa, MHS News Writer

#1 Carolina Panthers (via Chicago Bears)

Bryce Young

The Panthers recently took part in a blockbuster trade to receive the first overall pick from the Bears including their 9th overall pick and star receiver DJ Moore. It can only be assumed that the Panthers will be drafting one of the big four potentially generational quarterbacks available.   Those QBs being Bryce Young, CJ Stroud, Anthony Richardson, and Will Levis.  Although some rumors have floated around, I find Carolina will likely stick with reigning Heisman Winner and consensus first overall Bryce Young.

#5 Seattle Seahawks (via Denver Broncos)

Jalen Carter

Seattle is in a strange spot with their draft pick. Although I project Anthony Richardson to still be on the board, and if not him, then at least Will Levis will still be available.  The Seahawks just had their quarterback Geno Smith have a career year, making the Pro Bowl and winning comeback player of the year which will likely lead to Seattle passing on QB to fill other holes in their roster. Which leads to Jalen Carter; nobody is too sure on where Carter will go based on his behavior off the field, but his skill is undeniable and I believe he stays a top 5 pick, landing himself with the 12th man in Seattle.

#9 Chicago Bears (via Carolina Panthers)

Paris Johnson Jr.

Our hometown Chicago Bears managed to finish dead last in last year’s NFL season acquiring them the first overall pick in which they promptly traded back with Carolina to pick 9. The Bears have plenty of holes to fill in their roster and many rumors floating around surrounding names such as Jalen Carter or Bijan Robinson.  However, we suspect the Bears will pick Jalen Carter if still available we find it much more likely Carter to be off the board, and for Chicago to begin building up their offensive line with Justin Field’s former teammate Paris Johnson Jr.

 

  1. Carolina Panthers – Bryce Young QB Alabama
  2. Houston Texans – CJ Stroud QB Ohio State
  3. Arizona Cardinals – Will Anderson Jr. DE Alabama
  4. Indianapolis Colts – Will Levis QB Kentucky
  5. Seattle Seahawks – Jalen Carter DT Georgia
  6. Detroit Lions – Devon Witherspoon CB Illinois
  7. Las Vegas Raiders – Tyree Wilson DE Texas Tech
  8. Atlanta Falcons – Bijan Robinson RB Texas
  9. Chicago Bears –  Paris Johnson Jr. OT Ohio State
  10. Philadelphia Eagles – Christian Gonzalez CB Oregon
  11. Tennessee Titans – Anthony Richardson QB Florida
  12. Houston Texans – Jaxon Smith-Njigba WR Ohio State
  13. Green Bay Packers – Quentin Johnson WR TCU
  14. New England Patriots – Peter Skoronski OT Northwestern
  15. New York Jets – Broderick Jones OT Georgia
  16. Washington Commanders – Joey Porter Jr. CB Penn State
  17. Pittsburgh Steelers – Myles Murphy DT Clemson
  18. Detroit Lions – Deonta Banks CB Maryland
  19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Nolan Smith DE Georgia
  20. Seattle Seahawks – Lukas Van Ness DE Iowa
  21. Los Angeles Chargers – Zay Flower WR Boston College
  22. Baltimore Ravens – Andre Carter DE Army
  23. Minnesota Vikings – Emmanuel Forbes CB Mississippi State
  24. Jacksonville Jaguars – O’Cyrus Torrence OG Florida
  25. New York Giants – Jared Verse DE Florida State
  26. Dallas Cowboys – Michael Mayer TE Notre Dame
  27. Buffalo Bills – Jordan Addison WR USC
  28. Cincinnati Bengals – Dalton Kinkaid TE Utah
  29. New Orleans Saints – Keion White DE Georgia Tech
  30. Philadelphia Eagles – Adetomiwa Adebawore DT Northwestern
  31. Kansas City Chiefs: Felix Anudike-Uzomah DE Kansas State