Trying to predict what the Steelers will do with the 241st and 251st picks in the NFL draft? That’s a fool’s errand. But taking a crack at the entire first round across the NFL? Well ... even harder.
And this, two days before the NFL draft, is the time that the rumors are flying the most. You’d think the picture around the league would be clearing up, but actually, it might be getting murkier. No matter: We’re here to deliver a full first-round mock draft for 2023. It’s fascinating to see how different the order is since the Super Bowl.
This is merely speculation and the product of reading, listening to and watching draft experts across the country for the last few months. It would’ve been great if Bill Belichick picked up his phone and gave me a call over the weekend to discuss the Patriots’ strategy, but alas, he did not. Regardless, it will be fun to see how many of these picks hit Thursday night and how many whiff badly.
1. Panthers — Bryce Young, Alabama quarterback. Thank you to Carolina, where it appears owner David Tepper is happy to hand the keys to the franchise to the highly successful Young (unless they have a curveball up their sleeve).
2. Texans — Will Levis, Kentucky quarterback. One pick in and it’s already chaotic to try to forecast what Houston is thinking. Chalk that up to the late-building buzz that C.J. Stroud is not the Texans’ guy, despite long being viewed as one of the two best prospects in this draft.
3. Titans (projected trade with Cardinals) — CJ Stroud, Ohio State quarterback. It just feels right for Mike Vrabel to be the head coach who trades up to save Stroud from one of those curious draft-day falls.
4. Colts — Anthony Richardson, Florida quarterback. I know, I know. Seemingly every year (except last year) we hear that the top of the draft will revolve around the QBs. But that could actually be the case this season, much like 2021 when the top three picks were passers. Let’s make it four in a row this time, given how difficult it is to separate the top half-dozen defensive prospects in this class.
5. Seahawks — Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech edge defender. Not a huge name — or at least he wasn't until this draft cycle began — but Seattle is steadily building without making splashy moves.
6. Lions — Will Anderson, Alabama edge defender. Anderson and Aidan Hutchinson would give Detroit college football’s Lombardi Award winner in back-to-back drafts.
7. Raiders — Christian Gonzalez, Oregon cornerback. Fast, tall, much-needed in the same division as Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert (Russell Wilson also exists).
8. Falcons — Jalen Carter, Georgia defensive lineman. Super agent Drew Rosenhaus insists Carter won’t fall out of the top 10. Atlanta’s defense is so bad that it should take the chance despite the red flags.
9. Bears — Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio State offensive tackle. Justin Fields can be reunited with his fellow Buckeye.
10. Patriots (projected trade with Eagles) — Devon Witherspoon, Illinois cornerback. Witherspoon is the kind of feisty, versatile corner that could entice New England to trade up (and you know Philadelphia is always looking to extract value from its draft capital).
11. Cardinals (from Titans) — Joey Porter Jr., Penn State cornerback. Arizona moves out of the quarterback realm and still lands a player to bolster the secondary. Porter lands with one of his dad’s NFL teams after all.
12. Steelers (projected trade with Texans) — Broderick Jones, Georgia offensive tackle. As spoiled by my own Steelers-centric mock Monday, Omar Khan sees how the board is unfolding and makes his move with a franchise that got its QB at the top.
13. Packers — Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State wide receiver. Jordan Love gets the first-round receiver help that always eluded Aaron Rodgers (in a pick acquired thanks to Rodgers).
14. Eagles (from Patriots) — Nolan Smith, Georgia edge defender. There’s something about Bulldogs going to Philly ...
15. Jets — Peter Skoronski, Northwestern offensive lineman. Color me surprised if the Jets don’t immediately try to add help for Rodgers. Trying to keep the 39-year-old upright would be a good place to start.
16. Commanders — Darnell Wright, Tennessee offensive tackle. The run on O-linemen continues.
17. Texans — Lukas Van Ness, Iowa defensive lineman. Levis and Lukas have the potential to be foundational pieces on both sides of the ball for new head coach DeMeco Ryans.
18. Lions — Deonte Banks, Maryland cornerback. More reinforcements on defense for a team that recently traded 2020 third overall pick Jeff Okudah, who could never find his footing at corner.
19. Buccaneers — Bijan Robinson, Texas running back. Their first pick of the post-Tom Brady era signals a new direction for the offense.
20. Seahawks — Jordan Addison, USC wide receiver. A player often compared to Tyler Lockett can learn from Lockett himself while giving Geno Smith another target.
21. Chargers — Dalton Kincaid, Utah tight end. Justin Herbert, meet your new best friend.
22. Ravens — Bryan Bresee, Clemson defensive lineman. There seems to be a consensus that Baltimore goes wide receiver or cornerback, but Calais Campbell isn’t coming back.
23. Vikings — Brian Branch, Alabama defensive back. Brian Flores, Brian Branch — Brians (and a Bryan) all over the place.
24. Jaguars — Myles Murphy, Clemson edge defender. They have a thing for Clemson guys in Jacksonville.
25. Giants — Quentin Johnston, TCU wide receiver. Daniel Jones has speed and shiftiness in his receiving corps, so it’s time to add a bigger body.
26. Cowboys — Michael Mayer, Notre Dame tight end. Jerry Jones let Dalton Schultz walk in free agency, which might be a good call when you look at the playmakers at this position.
27. Bills — Zay Flowers, Boston College wide receiver. A slot guy who can get open in a phone booth? Perfect for Josh Allen.
28. Bengals — Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama running back. Yes, Joe Mixon is still around, but he can’t keep his name out of the headlines and his salary might even make him a cap casualty.
29. Saints — Jalin Hyatt, Tennessee wide receiver. Chris Olave looks like a hit and Hyatt would give Derek Carr even more to work with in his new home.
30. Eagles — Darnell Washington, Georgia tight end. The runner-ups try to get over the hump by going back to the national champs twice over.
31. Chiefs — Anton Harrison, Oklahoma offensive lineman. Round 1 ends with a run on seven consecutive offensive players, a bunch of playoff teams (minus New Orleans) building around their franchise quarterbacks.
Bonus Round 2 pick
32. Steelers — Keion White, Georgia Tech defensive end. Long, lean and athletic, just the sort of prospect with a high floor but even higher ceiling, thanks to his traits and relative late arrival to the defensive side of the ball.
Brian Batko: bbatko@post-gazette.com and Twitter @BrianBatko.
First Published: April 25, 2023, 12:50 p.m.