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.
April 27, 2023
#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.
- Carolina Panthers – Bryce Young QB Alabama
- Houston Texans – CJ Stroud QB Ohio State
- Arizona Cardinals – Will Anderson Jr. DE Alabama
- Indianapolis Colts – Will Levis QB Kentucky
- Seattle Seahawks – Jalen Carter DT Georgia
- Detroit Lions – Devon Witherspoon CB Illinois
- Las Vegas Raiders – Tyree Wilson DE Texas Tech
- Atlanta Falcons – Bijan Robinson RB Texas
- Chicago Bears – Paris Johnson Jr. OT Ohio State
- Philadelphia Eagles – Christian Gonzalez CB Oregon
- Tennessee Titans – Anthony Richardson QB Florida
- Houston Texans – Jaxon Smith-Njigba WR Ohio State
- Green Bay Packers – Quentin Johnson WR TCU
- New England Patriots – Peter Skoronski OT Northwestern
- New York Jets – Broderick Jones OT Georgia
- Washington Commanders – Joey Porter Jr. CB Penn State
- Pittsburgh Steelers – Myles Murphy DT Clemson
- Detroit Lions – Deonta Banks CB Maryland
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Nolan Smith DE Georgia
- Seattle Seahawks – Lukas Van Ness DE Iowa
- Los Angeles Chargers – Zay Flower WR Boston College
- Baltimore Ravens – Andre Carter DE Army
- Minnesota Vikings – Emmanuel Forbes CB Mississippi State
- Jacksonville Jaguars – O’Cyrus Torrence OG Florida
- New York Giants – Jared Verse DE Florida State
- Dallas Cowboys – Michael Mayer TE Notre Dame
- Buffalo Bills – Jordan Addison WR USC
- Cincinnati Bengals – Dalton Kinkaid TE Utah
- New Orleans Saints – Keion White DE Georgia Tech
- Philadelphia Eagles – Adetomiwa Adebawore DT Northwestern
- Kansas City Chiefs: Felix Anudike-Uzomah DE Kansas State