2023 NFL Draft: Top 10 mock draft with a huge trade

The 2023 NFL Draft is just weeks away. In our recent top 10 mock draft, a huge trade sets a team up nicely for the future and four QBs get taken.  No one truly knows how an NFL Draft will go, not even the teams themselves.

The modern-day NFL is a QB-driven league, and over the last few years, we’ve been more urgency from teams in trying to find their QB of the future.  This includes teams trading for already established veterans, but for teams who don’t have that option, taking a swing on a quarterback high in the NFL Draft is usually the best path forward.

Let’s take a peek at this most recent top 10 mock draft.

2023 NFL Draft: Top 10 mock draft with a huge trade

The Carolina Panthers have the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft after a trade with the Chicago Bears.  They are obviously taking a QB, and I think the pick is CJ Stroud.  Stroud is a well-rounded prospects who should be able to come into the league and start right away on this Panthers’ squad, who should be contending for a division title in 2023.

The Houston Texans end up drafting Bryce Young with their second overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.  Young’s prospect profile is outstanding, but he’s literally the size of a slot cornerback.  That isn’t good.  Valid concerns about his frame and durability in the NFL prevent him from going first overall.

(Projected trade with the Arizona Cardinals)

The Tennessee Titans, in their first year with new General Manager Ran Carthon, make a huge trade up to the third overall pick to select alien-QB prospect Anthony Richardson.  Ironically enough, Carthon was in the San Francisco 49ers’ front office when they made a huge trade up to the third overall pick in 2021 to select Trey Lance.

Richardson’s tape is questionable, but the occasional “pop” we see with his insane arm strength, various arm angles, and damage done on the ground makes him the highest ceiling QB in this year’s class.

The third straight QB pick from an AFC South team is the Indianapolis Colts selecting Will Levis with the fourth overall pick in 2023.  Levis is an interesting prospect.  He’s more of a prototypical passer, much different than the QBs that are considered elite in today’s game, but he’s got the size and a bazooka for an arm, which is something that Colts’ head coach Shane Steichen might enjoy working with.

Picking fifth overall by way of the Russell Wilson trade, the Seahawks set themselves up nicely for the future by picking the best defensive player in the 2023 NFL Draft in Will Anderson.  Anderson has the athleticism and power and should quickly become a top-15 edge rusher in the NFL.

Improving the defense has been the theme of the Seahawks’ offseason, and Anderson is the icing on the cake for Seattle.

Capping of a near perfect offseason for the Detroit Lions, they take Jalen Carter with the sixth overall pick.  Carter’s off-field concerns are valid, but the hard-nosed culture and togetherness that Dan Campbell has established in Detroit will keep Carter on the right path and give a huge boost to the Lions’ league-worst defense from 2022.

Christian Gonzalez is the best cornerback in the 2023 class, and the Raiders’ have to fix their defense.  The additions of Jimmy Garoppolo and Jakobi Meyers should keep their offense competent, but giving attention to their defense is a must.

Gonzales is a week one starter and should be a long-term fixture on the outside.

The Atlanta Falcons have given a ton of attention to their defensive line in 2023, and will continue that with Tyree Wilson.  Combining Wilson with the additions of Calais Campbell, David Onyemata, and Grady Jarrett still playing well in the NFL, the Falcons’ defensive front could be truly lethal in 2023.

I like what Arthur Smith has done on offense.  Their bruising running game should wear down teams and their tough rebuilt defensive front should easily be able to get to the QB.

Paris Johnson Jr is going to be a week one starter for the Chicago Bears on the left side of the offensive line.  Johnson is 6’6″ and has arms measuring over 36 inches.  He’s also got the versatility to play on the inside, which he could slide into in case of an emergency in him not working out at left tackle.

An offensive line featuring Johnson, Nate Davis, and Teven Jenkins is just what Justin Fields needs to be successful in year three in the NFL.

Devon Witherspoon’s aggression, confidence, and toughness will make him a seamless fit in Philadelphia.  Honestly, the Eagles can go in multiple directions with this pick.  Their offense is mostly in tact from 2022 and does not present a first round need, but they could benefit from adding to their defense, which is on the older side.

Witherspoon will eventually take over as a full-time starter for either James Bradberry or Darius Slay.