Tony Mario's 2023 NFL Mock Draft: Final Mock 7 Rounds

Round 1 Picks 1-16

Find out why Alabama quarterback Bryce Young is the front runner to go first overall to the Carolina Panthers.

Tony Mario Last Updated: April 26, 2023.

1. Chicago Bears: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
   
   
   Carolina gave up a lot to move up to the first overall pick. That means they must have a quarterback in the 2023 NFL Draft graded higher than USC quarterback Caleb Williams.
   
   
   
   The Carolina Panthers get the only Heisman Trophy Winner from the past two years in this draft class with the first overall pick. Bryce Young, the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner, finally gives the Carolina Panthers the franchise quarterback that their franchise has desperately lacked.
   
   
   
   Carolina goes Alabama quarterback Bryce Young whose now the favorite. At this point, I think Carolina has more interest in C.J. Stroud, especially after Carolina Panthers owner Dave Tepper said that GM Scott Fitterer and HC Frank Reich could pick the quarterback they wanted at 1. To be honest I'm still torn on C.J. Stroud and Bryce Young at 1. All these rumors about Bryce Young being the favorite could be bullshit to drive up the price of the number one pick. At the same token, Bryce Young's 98% S2 score clearly separates him from C.J. Stroud.
   
   
   
2. Houston Texans: C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
   
   
   Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud posted a much bigger threat to Georgia during their back-to-back National Championships than Alabama did. C.J. Stroud also has the prototypical size you want in an NFL quarterback.
   
   
   
   
   
3. Arizona Cardinals: Will Anderson Jr., RE, Alabama
   
   
   Arizona is switching from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defense. Will Anderson Jr. gives Arizona a pass rusher that makes opposing left tackles quiver in fear. He had more quarterback hurries than any pass rusher dating back to the 2017 NFL Draft and that includes Myles Garrett. Will Anderson Jr. and Cameron Thomas will make things difficult for offensive tackles in the NFC West Division.
   
   
   
4. Indianapolis Colts: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
   
   
   Indianapolis sent their GM, HC, OC and QBs coach to Kentucky when working out with Will Levis on his top 30 visit. I think the Colts are locked in on Anthony Richardson or Will Levis at 4 and will draft their future starting quarterback at 4. My intuition tells me that the Colts have Levis higher on their board than Anthony Richardson from how many people went to the top 30 visit at Kentucky where Will Levis performed in front of the Indianapolis Colts staff.
   
   
   
   
   
5. Seattle Seahawks: Jalen Carter, NT, Georgia
   
   
   Seattle cut their nose tackle Al Woods. Drafting Jalen Carter whose the consensus best defensive player not named Will Anderson Jr. despite his character concerns makes the most sense.
   
   
   
6. Detroit Lions: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
   
   
   The Detroit Lions signed Cameron Sutton and Emmanuel Moseley in Free Agency. Moseley only got a one year deal. Oregon Ducks cornerback Christian Gonzalez has been the most consistent cornerback throughout this entire draft process and becomes Detroit's new number one cornerback after Brad Holmes shipped Jeffery Okudah Matata to Atlanta to pair with A.J. Terrell.
   
   
   
   Detroit now has Christian Gonzalez at field cornerback, Cameron Sutton at boundary cornerback, and Emmanuel Moseley as their nickel cornerback. Detroit also has Will Harris, Jerry Jacobs, and Chase Lucas for depth behind their top three cornerbacks. That's pretty freaking scary. A cornerback room with this much depth makes GM Brad Holmes and HC Dan Campbell roar like Mufassa in the Lion King. If Brad Holmes is the Mufassa of General Managers that makes Matt Millen the Scar of General Managers.
   
   
   
   
   
7. Las Vegas Raiders: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
   
   
   Las Vegas picks Anthony Richardson. The Florida Gators quarterback gets to develop under Jimmy Garoppolo and Brian Hoyer. Anthony Richardson had a new quarterbacks coach in each of his three seasons at Florida. He would learn under Jimmy Garoppolo for a year or two before taking over as the Las Vegas Raiders quarterback in 2024 or 2025.
   
   
   
8. Atlanta Falcons: Myles Murphy, 3-4 ROLB, Clemson
   
   
   Atlanta gets a pass rusher here. Atlanta retained all four pass rushers. None of their 3-4 outside linebackers have the explosiveness off the edge and sack artist ability you want. Myles Murphy has that and is the pick for Atlanta at 8.
   
   
   
   
   
9. Chicago Bears: Tyree Wilson, RE, Texas Tech
   
   
   Tyree Wilson was once a top 5 player. He ends up dropping to 9 because of his medicals. He hasn't worked out at the combine or Pro Day. If he makes it to nine, I expect Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles to pull the trigger. Tyree Wilson would start at 4-3 right end with Demarcus Walker complimenting him at 4-3 left end.
   
   
   
10. Philadelphia Eagles: Lukas Van Ness, LE, Iowa
    
    
    Philadelphia has Josh Sweat and Brandon Graham back. Someone to groom behind Graham at defensive end is needed since Graham only returned on a one year deal.
    
    
    
    
    
11. Tennessee Titans: Peter Skoronski, LT, Northwestern
    
    
    Tennessee drafts the top pass blocking left tackle according to Pro Football Focus to be Ryan Tannehill's blindside. Having Peter Skoronksi at left tackle and Nicholas Petit-Friere at right tackle gives Ryan Tannehill two competent offensive tackles that can pass block. Skoronski was quite the run blocker for Derrick Henry.
    
    
    
12. Houston Texans: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
    
    
    The Houston Texans get C.J. Stroud a number one target at wide receiver. Jaxon Smith-Njigba is going to be the first wide receiver drafted despite hardly playing in 2022 due to injuries. His teammates Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave said Jaxon Smith-Njigba is better than them. Next year Ohio State has a wide receiver better than Jaxon Smith-Njigba in Marvin Harrison Jr. For now, Houston gets Jaxon Smith-Njigba as a number one target.
    
    
    
    
    
13. Green Bay Packers: Brian Branch, SS, Alabama
    
    
    Green Bay failed to live up to the preseason hype that many expected for them. This felt like a Super Bowl or bust team that crashed and burned. Green Bay now has a safety tandem of Brian Branch at strong safety and Darnell Savage at free safety moving forward.
    
    
    
14. New England Patriots: Paris Johnson Jr., LT, Ohio State
    
    
    New England's offensive line gets upgraded. Now New England will have Paris Johnson Jr. at left tackle, Cole Strange at left guard, David Andrews at center, Michael Onwenu at right guard, and Trent Brown at right tackle. You'll also have Riley Reiff as the backup right tackle to Trent Brown too. Mac Jones will have no more excuses in year three with this offensive line. Neither will the backfield of Rhamdonre Stevenson, Pierre Strong Jr. and James Robinson.
    
    
    
    
    
15. New York Jets: Broderick Jones, LT, Georgia
    
    
    New York gets a blindside for Aaron Rodgers. Drafting Broderick Jones allows you to move Duane Brown over to right tackle. New York would have Broderick Jones at left tackle, Laken Tomlinson at left guard, Wes Schweitzer at center, Alijah Vera-Tucker at right guard, and Duane Brown at right tackle.
    
    
    
16. Washington Commanders: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
    
    
    Washington gets their number one field cornerback here with Devon Witherspoon and moves Kendall Fuller who did well at against number one receivers at times over to a number two cornerback role where he should have more success against NFL wide receivers.