We are mere days away from the 2023 NFL Draft. This time of the year is one of my favorites, and attempting to predict which teams will draft what rookies is always a pretty fun game. Most of the time these mock drafts are put together but fans and experts alike are completely wrong. There is always that one pick that throws a wrench into the draft, causing complete turmoil between all 32 NFL teams. This year is much different, in my personal opinion I think this year’s NFL draft is one of the most unpredictable ones to date. Predictable or not, mock drafts are always fun to make, and with the draft taking place tonight the sports crew here at The Eagles Cry is throwing our hats into the mock draft ring, and commenting on our 31 predictions given the current draft positions. 

Pick 1 – Carolina Panthers: Bryce Young (QB, Alabama) 

The Alabama quarterback is the real deal. Despite his small-ish stature, Young is the complete package. He is very accurate, athletic, and is a good decision maker with a great arm. Young succeeded at all stages of his college career in the SEC, and will continue to do so in Carolina, where they have started to build an offense tailored for Young. 

Pick 2 – Houston Texans: C.J. Stroud (QB, Ohio State) 

I think the Texans would be very foolish to not select a quarterback with their second overall pick. At the end of the day, the quarterback is the most important position on the football field…and Davis Mills will only put the Texans back into this position in one year’s time. Forget Will Anderson Jr., quarterback is the only way to go. 

Pick 3 – Arizona Cardinals: Will Anderson Jr. (OLB, Alabama)

One of the more complete defensive prospects in a while, Anderson would be a number one overall pick if less teams needed a QB. Anderson will profile well in Arizona’s young defense and feast on opposing quarterbacks quickly into his NFL career. 

Pick 4 – Indianapolis Colts: Will Levis (QB, Kentucky) 

If Will Levis tried, I think he could throw the ball to the moon. This kid has one of the best arms I’ve seen throw a football, even when rolling away from his dominant side. I think scouts who underestimate Levis will be very disappointed in themselves when he inevitably becomes a star. I see it blossoming nicely inside Lucas Oil Stadium playing for the Indianapolis Colts. 

Pick 5 – Seattle Seahawks: Jalen Carter (DT, Georgia) As a wiseman named GM Rob once said Jalen Carter is a “no brainer” for the Seahawks. A defense that lacked star power last year needs a bully like Carter coming off of two national championships. The Seahawks need to hit on this pick that fell into their laps—thanks to Russel Wilson—and Carter is the right man at this pick. 

Pick 6 – Detroit Lions: Christian Gonzalez (CB, Oregon)

Pick 7 – Las Vegas Raiders: Anthony Richardson (QB, Florida) 

Richardson profiles as likely the most biologically gifted quarterback of all time, at 6’4 and 231 lbs, this Derrick Henry-sized quarterback can also throw the ball 80 yards and run a 4.4 forty. Unfortunately for Richardson, struggled with accuracy and decision making at Florida and found himself occasionally benched. Someone will take him early and hope they can figure it out. 

Pick 8 – Atlanta Falcons: Tyree Wilson (DE, Texas Tech)

Pick 9 – Chicago Bears: Peter “Hometown Kid” Skoronski (OT/OG, Northwestern) 

Skoronski grew up outside of Chicago and went to Northwestern. Now with Chicago desperately trying to give Justin Fields protection, they take a top lineman and figure out where he will play later. 

Pick 10 – Philadelphia Eagles: Devon Witherspoon (CB, Illinois)

Pick 11 – Tennessee Titans: Paris Johnson Jr. (OT, Ohio State)

Pick 12 – Houston Texans: Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR, Ohio State)

With this pick the Texans get to follow teams like the Eagles and Bengals who have paired up former college QB and WR duo and have found success. Houston could use just about every position on the field, so why not try and load up the newly led C.J. Stroud offense. 

Pick 13 – Green Bay Packers: Nolan Smith (OLB, Georgia) 

Pick 14 – New England Patriots: Jordan Addison (WR, Southern California)

All bias aside if Bill Belichick doesn’t draft Addison here he should retire. A very skilled wide receiver from a power 5 school paired up with a young QB has worked for almost every team that has tried it. The Patriots need to get with the times.

Pick 15 – New York Jets: Broderick Jones (OT, Georgia)

Pick 16 – Washington Commanders: Kelee Ringo (CB, Georgia)

Pick 17 – Pittsburgh Steelers: Joey Porter Jr. (CB, Penn State) 

Not only did he attend a school a little over 2 hours away from Heinz Field but he is also the son of Steelers legend Joey Porter, this one is a match made in heaven. Along with those fairytale statistics, Joey Porter Jr. possesses the skills to be an elite NFL corner. I think at 17 this is a no brainer for Mike Tomlin and his Steelers. 

Pick 18 – Detroit Lions: Michael Mayer (TE, Notre Dame) 

Brad Holmes should be ecstatic if he sees Michael Mayer still on the board at pick 18. Their most obvious need is a Tight end after trading away T.J Hockenson. And Mayer fills that need being the most complete Tight end in this draft. Detroit could seriously use some more offensive firepower. At 6’4 265 pounds Mayer could be the next George Kittle. 

Pick 19 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Deonte Banks (CB, Maryland)

Pick 20 – Seattle Seahawks: Myles Murphy (DE, Clemson)

Pick 21 – Los Angeles Chargers: Darnell Wright (OT, Tennessee)

Pick 22 – Baltimore Ravens: Quentin Johnston (WR, TCU) 

Johnston was a legend at TCU as the main threat of an offense that went to the National Championship game. The Ravens QB situation is murky but whether it’s Lamar or not they’ve needed weapons for years and Johnston with OBJ on the other side ain’t a bad combo. 

Pick 23 – Minnesota Vikings: Bijan Robinson (RB, Texas) 

Heralded as one of the most complete RB draft prospects of all time, Johnson is likely going to 

be drafted later than he is on big boards because GMs are hesitant to take running backs early on in the draft. Johnson is a worthy exception due to his ability to do anything at the running back position. With Dalvin Cook likely on his way out, the Vikings and their powerful offense would have no issue switching from the pro-bowler Cook to the rookie Robinson. 

Pick 24 – Jacksonville Jaguars: Brian Branch (S, Alabama)

Pick 25 – New York Giants: Cam Smith (CB, South Carolina)

Pick 26 – Dallas Cowboys: Bryan Bresee (DT, Clemson)

Pick 27 – Buffalo Bills: O’Cyrus Torrence (OG, Florida)

Pick 28 – Cincinnati Bengals: Lukas Van Ness (DE, Iowa)

Pick 29 – New Orleans Saints: Dalton Kincaid (TE, Utah)

29 is very far from the spot some have Kincaid going, but I think this is where he should be. Kincaid only recently began flying up draft boards and skyrocketing into the first round, so I think everyone should hold their horses on the Utah kid. Talented? 100%. But his experience within the game does scare me. I think late in the first round and to a team attempting to build a high powered offense is a great fit. 

Pick 30 – Philadelphia Eagles: Jahmyr Gibbs (RB, Alabama)

The next running back of a historically storied Alabama backfield, Gibbs is a compact runner with speed and agility to make defenders miss. His success in college and the Eagles strong running game will make him a perfect option to assist Rashaad Penny in the replacement of pro-bowler Miles Sanders, who signed in Carolina this offseason. 

Pick 31 – Kansas City Chiefs: Anton Harrison (OT, Oklahoma)