NFL Mock Draft 2023: Panthers take Anthony Richardson with newly acquired No. 1 pick from trade with Bears

NFL Mock Draft 2023: Panthers take Anthony Richardson with newly acquired No. 1 pick from trade with Bears
NFL Mock Draft 2023: Panthers take Anthony Richardson with newly acquired No. 1 pick from trade with Bears

Round 1 - Pick 1

Florida • Soph • 6'4" / 232 lbs

Projected Team
Carolina
PROSPECT RNK
9th
POSITION RNK
4th

Reich coached the large and deceptively athletic Andrew Luck in Indianapolis and has assembled a star-studded cast of veteran assistant coaches, all of which creates a cushy landing spot for Richardson.

Round 1 - Pick 2

Alabama • Jr • 6'0" / 194 lbs

Projected Team
Houston
PROSPECT RNK
2nd
POSITION RNK
1st

The Texans upgrade the quarterback position in a big way with Young, who has all the improvisational brilliance to succeed in today's NFL.

Round 1 - Pick 3

Texas Tech • Sr • 6'6" / 275 lbs

Projected Team
Arizona
PROSPECT RNK
6th
POSITION RNK
2nd

The Cardinals opt for Wilson's length and overall size over Will Anderson Jr. here at No. 3 overall. Wilson's a darn-good rusher too.

Round 1 - Pick 4

Ohio State • Jr • 6'3" / 218 lbs

Projected Team
Indianapolis
PROSPECT RNK
4th
POSITION RNK
2nd

Ideal scenario for the Colts. They don't have to trade up and can still land the highly polished Stroud at No. 4.

Round 1 - Pick 5

Georgia • Jr • 6'3" / 300 lbs

Projected Team
Seattle
PROSPECT RNK
3rd
POSITION RNK
1st

The Seahawks can't pass on Carter here, even with the off-field concerns. They have a dire need at defensive tackle.

Round 1 - Pick 6

Kentucky • Sr • 6'3" / 232 lbs

Projected Team
Detroit
PROSPECT RNK
8th
POSITION RNK
3rd

Here's how I'd link Levis to the Lions: Detroit's GM Brad Holmes was with the Rams organization forever -- dating back to the St. Louis days -- before taking the job in the Motor City. Guess who he spent three years with in Los Angeles? Liam Coen. Who's Liam Coen? Levis' former offensive coordinator at Kentucky. [Michael Scott voice]: Boom. Roasted.

Round 1 - Pick 7

Alabama • Jr • 6'4" / 243 lbs

Projected Team
Las Vegas
PROSPECT RNK
1st
POSITION RNK
1st

Does this fill the most immediate need on the Raiders roster? Absolutely not -- hello, Maxx Crosby -- but Anderson is too talented and was too productive in college for Las Vegas to pass on him here.

Round 1 - Pick 8

TCU • Jr • 6'4" / 215 lbs

Projected Team
Baltimore
PROSPECT RNK
9th
POSITION RNK
1st

The Ravens move Jackson and start building around Tannehill, their bridge guy, in 2023. Johnston is a big, long, physical, YAC specialist with serious vertical ability. In the Lamar Jackson trade, the Ravens get this selection, 2024 first-round and second-round picks from Atlanta along with 2025 second-round and fourth-round picks.

Round 1 - Pick 9

Ohio State • Jr • 6'1" / 200 lbs

Projected Team
Chicago
PROSPECT RNK
25th
POSITION RNK
4th

The Bears aren't playing around -- they're loading up on weapons for Fields entering Year 3, and rightfully so. After what will likely be a sub 4.40 40-yard dash at his pro Day, Smith-Njigba going top 10 won't be considered crazy.

Round 1 - Pick 10

Iowa • Soph • 6'5" / 275 lbs

Projected Team
Philadelphia
PROSPECT RNK
18th
POSITION RNK
3rd

Van Ness is a long, very athletic rusher who'll formulate an awesome duo with Josh Sweat in Philadelphia for years.

Round 1 - Pick 11

Georgia • Soph • 6'4" / 310 lbs

Projected Team
Tennessee
PROSPECT RNK
31st
POSITION RNK
5th

Jones is super strong and athletic with his best football in front of him. After his combine workout, he probably solidified himself as OT1 in this class.

Round 1 - Pick 12

Northwestern • Jr • 6'4" / 315 lbs

Projected Team
Houston
PROSPECT RNK
12th
POSITION RNK
1st

After going blocker in Round 1 last year, the Texans do it again after selecting Young at No. 2 overall. Prudent selection.

Round 1 - Pick 13

Ohio State • Jr • 6'6" / 310 lbs

Projected Team
N.Y. Jets
PROSPECT RNK
14th
POSITION RNK
2nd

Johnson is a super-long, athletic blocker who feels very NFL ready at the left or right tackle spot.

Round 1 - Pick 14

Alabama • Jr • 6'0" / 193 lbs

Projected Team
New England
PROSPECT RNK
21st
POSITION RNK
1st

Branch will get the thumbs up from Nick Saban to Bill Belichick, as the star defensive back was everywhere at Alabama during his illustrious career with the Crimson Tide.

Round 1 - Pick 15

Utah • Sr • 6'4" / 240 lbs

Projected Team
Green Bay
PROSPECT RNK
24th
POSITION RNK
2nd

Kincaid is the most gifted pure receiving tight end in this class, and he'll be an immediate favorite target for Jordan Love.

Round 1 - Pick 16

Maryland • Jr • 6'2" / 205 lbs

Projected Team
Washington
PROSPECT RNK
33rd
POSITION RNK
6th

The Commanders stay local with Banks, a tall, hyper-explosive cornerback, to help round out the secondary.

Round 1 - Pick 17

Pittsburgh • Jr • 6'0" / 280 lbs

Projected Team
Pittsburgh
PROSPECT RNK
40th
POSITION RNK
4th

Kancey is the Javon Hargrave replacement the Steelers have missed for the past few seasons.

Round 1 - Pick 18

Illinois • Jr • 6'0" / 180 lbs

Projected Team
Detroit
PROSPECT RNK
5th
POSITION RNK
1st

Maybe a touch smaller and not quite as athletic as the other marquee corners in this class, Witherspoon sinks a bit, and the Lions are happy to grab someone with as clean of film as the Illinois star.

Round 1 - Pick 19

Tennessee • Sr • 6'6" / 335 lbs

Projected Team
Tampa Bay
PROSPECT RNK
30th
POSITION RNK
4th

With this selection, the Buccaneers can flip Tristan Wirfs to left tackle and stay very good at the right tackle spot with the strong and advanced Wright.

Round 1 - Pick 20

Iowa • Sr • 6'4" / 249 lbs

Projected Team
Seattle
PROSPECT RNK
52nd
POSITION RNK
3rd

No team likes throwing a wrench in mock drafts quite like the Seahawks, and they add the YAC-brilliant LaPorta to provide more weaponry for Geno Smith.

Round 1 - Pick 21

Boston College • Sr • 5'10" / 172 lbs

Flowers didn't run in the 4.30s at the combine, but he still feels like a first-round pick. The Chargers add more weaponry for Justin Herbert.

Round 1 - Pick 22

South Carolina • Jr • 6'0" / 188 lbs

Projected Team
Baltimore
PROSPECT RNK
12th
POSITION RNK
2nd

Smith is the press-man cornerback the Ravens will gravitate to during the pre-draft process. They have to get younger at that position with a supreme talent.

Round 1 - Pick 23

Penn State • Jr • 6'2" / 194 lbs

Projected Team
Minnesota
PROSPECT RNK
16th
POSITION RNK
3rd

Porter has offensive tackle arm length and plus man coverage ability. The Vikings again go to the secondary well early in the draft.

Round 1 - Pick 24

Oklahoma • Jr • 6'5" / 315 lbs

Projected Team
Jacksonville
PROSPECT RNK
25th
POSITION RNK
3rd

This pick is to better protect Trevor Lawrence and to fill in the spot likely vacated by impending free agent Jawaan Taylor.

Round 1 - Pick 25

Florida • Jr • 6'5" / 347 lbs

Projected Team
N.Y. Giants
PROSPECT RNK
22nd
POSITION RNK
1st

Torrence is an NFL-ready guard the Giants can plug in immediately. He'll improve the run and pass game for the G-Men.

Round 1 - Pick 26

Arkansas • Jr • 6'5" / 233 lbs

Projected Team
Dallas
PROSPECT RNK
38th
POSITION RNK
1st

The Cowboys could be extremely multiple with Sanders on the defense next to Micah Parsons. Sanders is a long, athletic off-ball/edge hybrid.

Round 1 - Pick 27

SMU • Sr • 6'2" / 203 lbs

Projected Team
Buffalo
PROSPECT RNK
85th
POSITION RNK
10th

The Bills opt with Rice over Jordan Addison because of size and explosiveness. Rice can win on the perimeter and after the catch. Plus he stars in combat-catch situations.

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