Seven-round 2023 NFL mock draft: Texans pick Will Levis 2nd; Vikings trade up for Anthony Richardson (2024)

Pick

1

Carolina Panthers

(from CHI)

Bryce Young

Alabama · QB · Junior

The Panthers choose an intelligent, humble leader in Young, who will make plays from the pocket despite his lack of size while also evading pressure and finding targets downfield on the run.

Pick

2

Houston Texans

Will Levis

Kentucky · QB · Senior (RS)

If Houston is more interested in Levis than C.J. Stroud or Anthony Richardson, then brass should select him at No. 2 instead of hoping he's available when the Texans come back on the clock with the 12th pick -- or using draft capital to move back into the top 10 for his services.

Pick

3

Arizona Cardinals

Will Anderson Jr.

Alabama · Edge · Junior

The Cardinals secure the pass rusher they desperately need. Anderson's strength at the point of attack and closing speed make him a formidable foe. A team may procure this pick in a trade with Arizona at some point between now and next Thursday, but in recent years, movement within the top-six selections has happened well in advance of the draft.

Pick

4

Indianapolis Colts

C.J. Stroud

Ohio State · QB · Sophom*ore (RS)

Stroud's accuracy and strength from the pocket should make him the young starter the Colts desire, but only if they improve their offensive-line play and receiving corps.

Pick

5

Seattle Seahawks

(from DEN)

Tyree Wilson

Texas Tech · Edge · Senior (RS)

Wilson's length, athleticism and versatility give him a chance to excel in a Seahawks defense that transitioned to a multiple-front scheme last year.

Pick

6

Detroit Lions

(from LAR)

Devon Witherspoon

Illinois · CB · Senior

Trading Jeffrey Odukah to Atlanta opens a spot for Witherspoon in a revamped Lions secondary in 2023. His competitive fire has to be appreciated by head coach Dan Campbell.

Pick

7

Las Vegas Raiders

Christian Gonzalez

Oregon · CB · Junior

See Also

NFL Mock Draft 2023: Complete 7-round edition gives Colts, Buccaneers, Lions new QBs after C.J. Stroud, Bryce Young | Sporting News2023 NFL mock draft: New 3-round projections with trades, comp picksSeven-round 2023 NFL mock draft: UCLA's Dorian Thompson-Robinson first of four QBs picked in Round 52024 NBA Mock Draft with Lottery Simulator | Tankathon

The Raiders have long been looking for a stopper in the secondary. Gonzalez's ball skills and supreme athleticism give him a chance to earn that title early in his NFL career.

Pick

8

Atlanta Falcons

Bijan Robinson

Texas · RB · Junior

General manager Terry Fontenot continues to draft offensive playmakers in the top 10, adding a star running back to complement tight end Kyle Pitts (No. 4 overall in 2021) and wide receiver Drake London (No. 8 overall in 2022).

Pick

9

Chicago Bears

(from CAR)

Jalen Carter

Georgia · DT · Junior

If the Bears can't move out of this pick, they may not be able to pass on Carter’s talent, though they will have to carefully weigh his off-field question marks.

Pick

11

Tennessee Titans

O'Cyrus Torrence

Florida · OG · Senior

Torrence provides brute force up front in the run game, which should intrigue the run-first Titans -- and yet, his nimble feet belie his 330-pound frame.

Pick

12

Houston Texans

(via CLE)

Nolan Smith

Georgia · Edge · Senior

Smith's speed made headlines at the NFL Scouting Combine, but his surprising power and ability to win with his hands are just as impressive. He'll be a leader and effective pass rusher and run defender for the Texans.

Pick

13

New York Jets

Peter Skoronski

Northwestern · OL · Junior

Skoronski lands in the same draft slot where his former Northwestern teammate, Rashawn Slater, was taken by the Chargers in 2021. The Jets will likely slide this Wildcat inside, however, if they believe second-year pro Max Mitchell is their right tackle of the future.

Pick

14

New England Patriots

Broderick Jones

Georgia · OT · Sophom*ore (RS)

New England needs a left tackle, and Jones is just scratching the surface of his potential on the outside. I project the Patriots to trade two fourth-round picks to the Rams (who currently do not possess a selection between Nos. 77 and 167) to snag Brian Branch in the second round if he falls out of the first, like other former Alabama safeties Landon Collins and Xavier McKinney.

Pick

15

Green Bay Packers

Paris Johnson Jr.

See Also

Seven-round 2023 NFL mock draft: Bucs draft TCU quarterback Max Duggan late in Round 7

Ohio State · OT · Junior

The Packers' offensive line must be at its best to protect quarterback Jordan Love and give him an effective running game. Johnson can play right guard (where he started in 2021) or tackle this fall if David Bakhtiari is able to play in 2023, then transition to the left side if the veteran moves on after the season. If the Packers aren't able to wrestle the 13th pick away from Jets GM Joe Douglas in a trade for Aaron Rodgers, they settle for New York's two second-rounders (Nos. 42 and 43) and add a pass catcher and defensive lineman.

Pick

16

Washington Commanders

Joey Porter Jr.

Penn State · CB · Junior (RS)

Head coach Ron Rivera finds an outside corner capable of locking down receivers on the perimeter -- ultimately helping the team's pass rush. Porter will also play a strong role in the run game.

Pick

17

Pittsburgh Steelers

Lukas Van Ness

Iowa · Edge · Sophom*ore (RS)

Van Ness' versatility means the Steelers could use him inside or outside. Sometimes he moves like T.J. Watt on the edge, and other times, his game mirrors that of former Pittsburgh star end Aaron Smith.

Pick

18

Detroit Lions

Calijah Kancey

Pittsburgh · DT · Junior (RS)

After passing on Jalen Carter at No. 6, the Lions find a difference-maker on the defensive line at this spot. The comparisons between Kancey and three-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald -- both former Pitt stars -- seem unfair, but I think Kancey has the juice to at least be a very good starter in the league.

Pick

19

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Darnell Wright

Tennessee · OT · Senior

Tristan Wirfs shifts to left tackle for 2023, allowing Wright to handle edge defenders on the right side, as he did last year for the Volunteers.

Pick

21

Los Angeles Chargers

Dalton Kincaid

Utah · TE · Senior

Justin Herbert played very well his rookie year when he had Hunter Henry as his safety valve at tight end. Kincaid has similar attributes as Henry, who has since moved on to New England, and will pressure defenses that are already worried about covering Keenan Allen and Mike Williams.

Pick

22

Baltimore Ravens

Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Ohio State · WR · Junior

Even after signing OBJ and Nelson Agholor this offseason, the Ravens can't pass up the value of Smith-Njigba at this spot. His crafty route-running, reliable hands and strength and elusiveness after the catch will supersede his average speed to make him an excellent NFL receiver.

Pick

25

New York Giants

Jalin Hyatt

Tennessee · WR · Junior

Daniel Jones gets a downfield weapon in Hyatt, who can work outside or slide inside, depending on how the Giants want to utilize him.

Pick

26

Dallas Cowboys

Trenton Simpson

Clemson · LB · Junior

Simpson excels in attacking plays from off the ball but also flashes the closing speed to chase quarterbacks, spelling Micah Parsons in that role if needed.

Pick

28

Cincinnati Bengals

Michael Mayer

Notre Dame · TE · Junior

Mayer will be an excellent pro, blocking well and providing Joe Burrow a reliable target in the short-to-intermediate passing game.

Pick

29

New Orleans Saints

(from SF through MIA, DEN)

Myles Murphy

Clemson · Edge · Junior

Murphy could very well be the Greg Rousseau of this draft class, possessing good overall athleticism but lacking the dominant play and pure twitch many teams want at the position. The Saints have picked similar defensive ends in the past, though, and Murphy would replace Marcus Davenport.