NFL mock draft: After Panthers commerce for No. 1, 4 quarterbacks go in high 4 picks

The scent of impatience wafted over the early picks within the 2023 NFL Draft even earlier than the Panthers determined final week they had been getting the primary selection at quarterback.

Carolina’s commerce up from No. 9 to No. 1 despatched a shockwave by means of the league due to each the ginormous haul shipped to the Bears and the timing. The deal occurred lower than 72 hours earlier than the unofficial begin of free company and just below seven weeks earlier than the draft — the earliest a staff has moved the No. 1 decide since a minimum of 1978.

Panthers proprietor David Tepper has been overt about addressing his staff’s long-running QB gap. His aggressive basic supervisor, Scott Fitterer, checked that field — and maybe set the tone for what’s to return …

Recency bias might be in play with the selection of Stroud over Bryce Young, because the two-time Big Ten offensive participant of the yr rocked the mix with a wildly spectacular passing show. There are additionally ongoing questions over whether or not groups are cool taking the 5-foot-10 Young in the event that they take into account different quarterbacks equally viable. This determination received’t come all the way down to top, however relatively the dimensions of the decision-makers’ collective consolation with this large determination.

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The Texans land a wizard within the pocket and a Heisman Trophy-winning face-of-the-franchise candidate. Perhaps there’s a world by which Houston waits on choosing a passer, understanding there are potential gems within the 2024 class, however all of the dropping with a scarcity of hope will get previous. Pairing Young with first-year head coach DeMeco Ryans adjustments that.

Projected commerce: Nos. 5, 52, 123 and a 2024 third-round decide to Arizona for No. 3

From the Seahawks’ perspective, Geno Smith’s new contract is about preserving a productive quarterback they know and profiting from a down NFC. The lengthy haul is probably one other story. While Smith leads the best way, Richardson can hone his quarterbacking abilities off-camera for a season with Seattle re-assessing issues in 2024, understanding it could transfer off Smith’s contract in 2025.

The two-spot transfer with out surrendering a future first-round decide permits them to have their cake and eat it, too, whereas avoiding one other staff leaping them for Richardson.

Whether or not the Colts could be touchdown on their fourth QB selection, Levis represents Indianapolis’ first younger building-block QB since Andrew Luck retired, and with out parting with commerce property. The two-year starter at Kentucky with a self-described “cannon” for a proper arm is the extra rapid match over the athletically beautiful however uncooked Richardson. Should the Colts’ more and more impatient proprietor Jim Irsay or basic supervisor Chris Ballard disagree, maybe they pursue a trade-up with the Cardinals — or name the Ravens about Lamar Jackson.

This QB-QB-QB-QB begin permits the Cardinals so as to add picks and choose arguably this yr’s high prospect at 5, one thing that wouldn’t be within the playing cards if swapping 3 for 7 with Las Vegas. Anderson, an explosive move rusher, completed with 34.5 sacks and 62 tackles for loss throughout his three seasons with the Crimson Tide.

Knowing the nook depth extends deep into the primary spherical and that they’ve No. 18 as effectively means the Lions may take a extra important swing right here and look ahead to a move defender. Or they take a 6-foot-1 nook with 4.38 pace and spectacular hops (41.5-inch vertical) who makes performs on the ball. That’s one thing a protection that ranked thirtieth in passing yards allowed final season wishes.

Christian Gonzalez appeared the a part of a first-round decide in the course of the Combine. 🔥@chrisgonzo28 | @OregonFootball

📺: #NFLCombine continues at 1pm ET on @nflnetwork
📱: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/HiuNb7FCsj

— NFL (@NFL) March 4, 2023

Not the best board for a staff that many see drafting a quarterback after releasing Derek Carr. Edge rusher isn’t a main concern with Maxx Crosby round, however discovering a tag-team companion stays a consideration after Chandler Jones’ unimpressive 2022 season. Wilson would possibly go high 5 if the QB run doesn’t materialize.

Carter’s draft vary is unclear following his arrest earlier this month. There’s no debating his pocket-collapsing expertise and three-down potential. The Falcons want an improve subsequent to Grady Jarrett and extra push up entrance. Atlanta ranked final within the proportion of opponents’ passes leading to sacks (3.7) in 2022, per TruMedia.

The enjoyable (good?) transfer could be going all-in on the bottom recreation by taking Texas RB Bijan Robinson. The Bears may nonetheless snag a move rusher right here. Instead, they veer towards defending quarterback Justin Fields with Skoronski, who performed simply 21 miles from Halas Hall in Evanston. Affixing the three-year starter at left deal with for the Wildcats and huge receiver D.J. Moore to this offense boosts Fields’ possibilities of a breakout passing season.

The Eagles’ wants may shuffle relying on which of their high-priced gamers stay and which coveted free brokers, reminiscent of DT Javon Hargrave, return. But they’ll doubtless lose one among their beginning cornerbacks — free agent James Bradberry or Darius Slay ($26.1 million cap hit) — which slants the present pondering that manner. Witherspoon skipped mix exercises and final week’s professional day due to a hamstring damage. He’ll have a solo exercise on April 5 to verify his spectacular tape.

11. Tennessee Titans: Paris Johnson, OT, Ohio State

Significant upheaval on the Titans’ line means including huge males in entrance of Derrick Henry and, presumably, Ryan Tannehill. The excellent news is the board falls completely with Johnson, who has expertise at left deal with and proper guard.

There’s a best-player-available high quality to this choice. No superior diploma in roster-building could be required to know if the Texans offered their new quarterback with a possible WR1, which appears to be a mock draft fixed. But viable WRs will probably be obtainable on Day 2, whereas the listing of move rushers within the second and third rounds shrinks. Smith, a possible edge-rushing freak whom DeMeco Ryans would take pleasure in, ran a 4.39 40 and broad-jumped 10-foot-8 at 238 kilos on the mix.

Nolan Smith’s big-time athleticism is throughout his tape.

This isn’t only a “workout warrior.” pic.twitter.com/ajFusLRjex

— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) March 2, 2023

The hole between Jones and Skoronski/Johnson feels larger when talking with scouts or inspecting public huge boards than it seems to be in most mock drafts, which frequently slot the trio within the 7 to 13 vary. Regardless, the Jets have a deal with want, and including a promising prospect right here is sensible, no matter who’s beneath middle.

It appears like projecting any huge receiver to the Patriots locations a curse on the incoming pass-catcher. Therefore, fingers crossed for Smith-Njigba, who flourished within the agility drills in Indianapolis and would be a part of a staff identified for productive slot threats. New England will want extra at huge receiver if free agent Jakobi Meyers strikes on.

Yes, the Packers don’t take huge receivers within the first spherical. That’s why this spot initially had Notre Dame tight finish Michael Mayer as an improve/attainable substitute totally free agent Robert Tonyan. But Green Bay can dip into the TE depth in later rounds. Here, the Packers take a playmaker who had 100 catches for 1,593 yards and 17 TDs with Kenny Pickett at Pitt in 2021 earlier than transferring to USC.

Projected commerce: Nos. 31, 63, 134, 217 and 2024 fourth to Washington for Nos. 16 and 150

The Chiefs’ entrance workplace unearthed viable assist all through the 2022 draft and would possibly decide they need as many turns at bat as attainable. But on this case, Kansas City strikes a few of its 11 picks on this yr’s draft for a bodily specimen who aced the mix earlier than a drop-off amongst edge rushers later within the spherical.

The legacy angle is cool, however the Steelers wouldn’t seize the son of a former star only for headlines. Porter Jr.’s inventory may not be as near Gonzalez and Witherspoon as some assume, per some expertise evaluators, however he’ll match the invoice for groups wanting an aggressive press nook.

18. Detroit Lions: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas

Multiple scouts instructed The Athletic final week they don’t see a dynamic runner reminiscent of Robinson slipping exterior the primary 15 picks regardless of the devaluing of the place. But there isn’t an apparent staff that’s a working again away from contending in that vary until the Eagles dropped from 10. The Lions are run-oriented and would possibly lose free agent Jamaal Williams. Adding Robinson to D’Andre Swift and their different playmakers may take the offense to contender degree.

Choosing for the Buccaneers within the post-Tom Brady period could be simpler if we knew whether or not the plan is extra of a rebuild or a retool. Addressing the offensive line works both manner, and Tampa Bay launched beginning left deal with Donovan Smith. Tristan Wirfs might be a candidate to maneuver to the left aspect, opening a spot for Wright on the proper, the place he was wonderful in 2022.

The Seahawks waited on fortifying their move rush — and probably changing free agent Poona Ford — by passing on Jalen Carter. Here, they nonetheless land a front-seven prospect whom some mocks have within the high 10.

More assist for quarterback Justin Herbert. I debated going with the hulking Darnell Washington as a de facto sixth offensive lineman however as a substitute selected Mayer, the very best all-around tight finish within the draft. However, all three ranges of the Chargers’ protection need assistance, and this decide may mirror that concern, relying on how L.A. handles free company.

Cornerback might be the proper name right here with Marcus Peters coming into free company and Baltimore’s public fondness for the incoming class. But after all, there’s at all times a receiver want in Charm City. The 6-foot-3 Johnston, the top-rated WR on some boards, is accessible, and strong corners will probably be gettable on Day 2, so the Ravens give new coordinator Todd Monken (and possibly QB Lamar Jackson) a brand new toy.

Allowing the third-most web passing yards per try is one statistical instance of why the Vikings’ secondary requires a expertise infusion. Banks, a bodily 6-foot, 197-pound nook, strengthened his first-round hopes with an all-time athletic exhibiting on the mix, together with a 4.35 within the 40 and a 42-inch vertical.

Branch is a plug-and-play prospect with management abilities and powerful instincts. The 6-foot, 190-pounder ran a meh 4.58 40, which could knock him exterior the highest 20 picks and into the ready arms of the rising Jaguars.

Having stored their beginning quarterback and working again, the Giants now search for assist at a place that required loads of teaching up final season. The 5-foot-9, 182-pound Flowers makes up for his restricted dimension with beautiful route-running and competitiveness.

26. Dallas Cowboys: Austin Kincaid, TE, Utah

The temptation to commerce up for Robinson and take into account releasing Ezekiel Elliott crossed my thoughts usually. But right here’s a chance to interchange free agent Dalton Schultz with the tight finish some analysts rank first on this yr’s class.

Not hyperbole to say Dalton Kincaid has a number of the finest ball abilities I’ve ever seen from a TE prospect

– 2 drops on 108 catchable final two seasons
– 16/27 in contested conditions

Legit 1st Round expertise at a place I do not usually advocate for that early pic.twitter.com/Ju1RPtJJpO

— Mike Renner (@PFF_Mike) February 26, 2023

The Bills have extra rapid issues at huge receiver, and Florida guard O’Cyrus Torrence is engaging. But Buffalo’s 4 main defensive tackles will probably be free brokers by 2024, together with Jordan Phillips this yr. Though undersized for the place, Kancey drew consideration with Pitt (14.5 sacks over the previous two seasons) and on the mix after working a 4.67 40-yard sprint, the quickest time for a DT since 2006.

Only Patrick Mahomes ranks definitively forward of Joe Burrow in any credible quarterback rankings, however preserving the Bengals’ main man upright stays an issue. Harrison’s capacity to play on both the left or the proper aspect offers Cincinnati an opportunity to make use of him instantly whereas seeing if left deal with Jonah Williams can reduce on sacks allowed.

Signing quarterback Derek Carr tackled the Saints’ main concern. Now they’ll discover a lineman to assist deal with ball carriers after New Orleans allowed 130.5 yards on the bottom per recreation in 2022.

Keeping Brandon Graham bolsters Philly’s possibilities of defending its NFC title, however the deal was for only one yr and the Eagles’ D-line is full of free brokers, all of their 30s. It received’t be stunning if a staff selecting within the teenagers falls for the flexible and versatile White’s potential.

31. Washington Commanders (from Kansas City): O’Cyrus Torrence, G, Florida

Last yr, the Commanders’ first-round commerce down netted wideout Jahan Dotson, working again Brian Robinson and potential 2023 beginning quarterback Sam Howell. With cornerbacks Gonzalez and Witherspoon and three offensive tackles off the board at 16, Washington goes for a repeat with a extra appreciable drop. The OL revamping is coming, and the Commanders have choices right here with the large however uncooked Ohio State deal with Dawand Jones or a mauling inside lineman in Torrence.

(Illustration: Sean Reilly / The Athletic; Photos: Stacy Revere and Justin Casterline / Getty Images)