Cowboys Wire’s final 2023 1st-round mock draft: 5 QBs, 4 WRs, 3 trades
2023 feels like it’s going to be a draft full of surprises. There’s always some differences between mocking and reality, quite a lot actually. But this year’s draft feels like an argument about ice cream flavors. To borrow the analogy from Cowboys radio personality and former scout Bryan Broaddus, there seems to be a wide variety of names which could populate the first round.
This year’s QB class feels like a precursor to a historic one next year, but can GMs and coaches really wait it out? The top tier of talent seems a little thin compared to other years. Does that lead teams to move around a lot of does it afford them sitting and allowing their guy to reach them? In our latest first-round mock, the final one for the 2023 draft season, it’s a little bit of everything.
We know, it’s probably all bad, but it feels good at this juncture.
Five QBs go in the first round with four in the top 10. Despite acknowledging that WR grades are lower than in year’s past, four of them go here. Check out how we see Thursday’s first round unfolding, then come back to laugh at all of the mistakes.
1. Carolina Panthers: QB Bryce Young, Alabama
Dec 31, 2022; New Orleans, LA, USA; Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) goes through his pregame warmup routine before the Crimson Tide faced Kansas State in the 2022 Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports
2. Houston Texans: Edge Will Anderson, Jr., Alabama
Oct 8, 2022; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Will Anderson Jr. (31) reacts after a sack against the Texas A&M Aggies during the first half at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports
3. Arizona Cardinals: OT Paris Johnson, Jr., Ohio State
Team Buckeye offensive guard Paris Johnson Jr. (77) leaves the field following the Ohio State Buckeyes football spring game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Saturday, April 17, 2021.
Ohio State Football Spring Game
4. Indianapolis Colts: QB Will Levis, Kentucky
Nov 19, 2022; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Will Levis (7) passes the ball during the third quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports
5. Seattle Seahawks: DL Jalen Carter, Georgia
Nov 19, 2022; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Jalen Carter (88) celebrates during the second quarter against the Kentucky Wildcats at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports
6. TRADE -- Tennessee Titans: QB Anthony Richardson, Florida
Nov 25, 2022; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson (15) throws the ball during the second half against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports
7. Las Vegas Raiders: OT Peter Skoronski, Northwestern
Oct 22, 2022; College Park, Maryland, USA; Northwestern Wildcats offensive lineman Peter Skoronski (77) prepares to block against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
8. Atlanta Falcons: QB C.J. Stroud, Ohio State
Dec 31, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) throws a pass during the second half of the Peach Bowl in the College Football Playoff semifinal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Ohio State lost 42-41. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch
Ncaa Football Peach Bowl Ohio State At Georgia
9. Chicago Bears: OT Broderick Jones, Georgia
Jan 9, 2023; Inglewood, CA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Broderick Jones (59) against the TCU Horned Frogs during the CFP national championship game at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
10. Philadelphia Eagles: Edge Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech
Sep 10, 2022; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Houston Cougars offensive tackle Reuben Unije (74) blocks Texas Tech Red Raiders defensive back Tyree Wilson (19) as he applies pressure to Houston Cougars quarterback Clayton Tune (3) in the first half at Jones AT&T Stadium and Cody Campbell Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
11. TRADE -- Detroit Lions: WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State
Sep 3, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) is tackled on a kick return by Notre Dame Fighting Irish cornerback TaRiq Bracy (28) during the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-USA TODAY Sports
12. Houston Texans: CB Devon Witherspoon, Illinois
Nov 6, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Devon Witherspoon (31) celebrates a win against the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
13. Green Bay Packers: TE Dalton Kincaid, Utah
Syndication The Register Guard
14. New England Patriots: CB Christian Gonzalez, Oregon
Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez hauls in an interception as the No. 9 Oregon Ducks take on the No. 21 Oregon State Beavers at Reser Stadium in Corvallis, Ore. Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022.
Ncaa Football Uo Vs Osu Rivalry Game University Of Oregon At Oregon State
15. New York Jets: OT Darnell Wright, Tennessee
Tennessee offensive lineman Darnell Wright (58) during football game between Tennessee and Ball State at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022.
Kns Utvbs0901
16. Washington Commanders: CB Joey Porter, Jr., Penn State
Oct 23, 2021; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (9) gestures to the crowd against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the second half at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
17. Pittsburgh Steelers: CB Deonte Banks, Maryland
Oct 15, 2022; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Maryland Terrapins defensive back Deonte Banks (3) intercepts a ball meant for Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver Andison Coby (10) during the second half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
18. Detroit Lions: TE Michael Mayer, Notre Dame
Sep 3, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish tight end Michael Mayer (87) runs after the catch as Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (35) defends during the third quarter at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: RB Bijan Robinson, Texas
Nov 25, 2022; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns running back Bijan Robinson (5) runs during the second half against the Baylor Bears at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports
20. Seattle Seahawks: DT Calijah Kancey, Pittsburgh
Hendon Hooker (5) of the Tennessee Volunteers gets sacked by Calijah Kancey (8) of the Pittsburgh Panthers during the second half at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA on Spetmebr 10, 2022.
Pittsburgh Panthers Vs Tennessee Volunteers
21. Los Angeles Chargers: WR Jordan Addison, USC
Sep 10, 2022; Stanford, California, USA; USC Trojans wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) catches the ball during the third quarter against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
22. Baltimore Ravens: Edge Nolan Smith, Georgia
COLUMBIA, MO – OCTOBER 01: Brady Cook #12 of the Missouri Tigers is tackled by Nolan Smith #4 of the Georgia Bulldogs during the second half at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on October 1, 2022 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images)
23. Minnesota Vikings: Safety Brian Branch, Alabama
Sep 17, 2022; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Brian Branch (14) sacks Louisiana Monroe Warhawks quarterback Chandler Rogers (6) at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
24. Jacksonville Jaguars: Edge Myles Murphy, Clemson
Oct 8, 2022; Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive end Myles Murphy (98) moves to bring down Boston College Eagles wide receiver Zay Flowers (4) during the second half at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
25. New York Giants: WR Quentin Johnston, TCU
Sep 2, 2022; Boulder, Colorado, USA; TCU Horned Frogs wide receiver Quentin Johnston (1) stiff arms Colorado Buffaloes safety Isaiah Lewis (23) in the second quarter at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
26. TRADE -- New Orleans Saints: WR Zay Flowers, Boston College
Nov 26, 2022; Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA; Boston College Eagles wide receiver Zay Flowers (4) signals first down after a catch against the Syracuse Orange during the second half at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
27. Buffalo Bills: OG O'Cyrus Torrence, Florida
Feb 4, 2023; Mobile, AL, USA; American offensive lineman O’Cyrus Torrence of Florida (56) looks to block National defensive lineman Karl Brooks of Bowling Green (13) during the second half of the Senior Bowl college football game at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
28. Cincinnati Bengals: RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama
Dec 31, 2022; New Orleans, LA, USA; Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs (1) attempts to evade a tackle by Kansas State defensive back Drake Cheathum (21) during the 2022 Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports
29. TRADE -- Dallas Cowboys: CB Emmanuel Forbes, Mississippi State
Nov 19, 2022; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs cornerback Emmanuel Forbes (13) returns an interception for a touchdown against the East Tennessee State Buccaneers during the second quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
30. Philadelphia Eagles: DT Bryan Bresee, Clemson
Clemson defensive lineman Bryan Bresee (11) wams up before the game with Wake Forest at Truist Field in Winston-Salem, North Carolina Saturday, September 24, 2022.
Ncaa Football Clemson At Wake Forest
31. TRADE -- Houston Texans: QB Hendon Hooker, Tennessee
Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) looks for an open receiver during the NCAA college football game against Missouri on Saturday, November 12, 2022 in Knoxville, Tenn.
Ut Vs Missouri
