The 2023 NFL Draft is still a ways away, but mocking the event has been wildly popular so far this summer. As such, we hit the back-end data stream to see just who each team’s fanbase is selecting, and particularly how high they’re drafting each player. Using the Pro Football Network Mock Draft Simulator, here are each team’s highest-drafted players using their average draft placement by you, the fans.
2023 NFL Mock Draft | Picks 1-16
The data below comes from the PFN Mock Draft Simulator and looks at just picks made by users. Here are the selections based upon their highest draft position per team, per pick of the first round of a 2023 NFL Mock Draft.
1) Houston Texans: C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
In a shock to no one, the Houston Texans are selecting Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud with the highest ADP among all players. Stroud led the Buckeyes to the No. 1 overall offense and set 17 different school records last season alone. He’s got prototypical size and displayed linear growth as a starter last season. Stroud ushers in a new era for the Texans.
2) Atlanta Falcons: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
Despite drafting Desmond Ridder in the 2022 NFL Draft, Atlanta Falcons’ users are selecting Bryce Young nearly 10% of the time and taking him just slightly below Stroud in terms of ADP. Young won the Heisman Trophy and paced Alabama to ridiculous offensive output in seemingly every game. He elevates talent around him and plays incredibly well both inside and outside of the structure of the offense.
3) Detroit Lions: Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Alabama
Perhaps the best player of the draft — Will Anderson Jr. — is sliding to the Detroit Lions with the third-highest ADP among all users. More interesting than that, Lions fans are selecting Anderson with a higher ADP than either of the top quarterbacks, though each QB has been selected in more simulations. Anderson would have arguably been the top overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft had he been eligible, so him sliding to Detroit here at No. 3 is a steal.
4) New York Jets: Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
The big man on the inside for the nation’s top defense last year lands with the New York Jets on a regular basis in simulations. PFN Mock Draft Simulator users are selecting Jalen Carter a ridiculous 14% of the time to the Jets and with a significantly higher ADP than any other player. It seems that Jets fans want Carter to anchor what should be a much-improved defensive line in 2022 that would get exponentially better with Carter’s influence on the inside.
5) Jacksonville Jaguars: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
The highest-drafted player to any one team, Jaxon Smith-Njigba ranks as the fifth-highest ADP as well. Jacksonville Jaguars fans are clearly selecting JSN as the 2023 NFL Draft’s top wide receiver after he blew up during the Rose Bowl.
Smith-Njigba hails from a wide receiving corps that had two (or three depending on which side of the fence you’re on) receivers selected in the top half of last year’s draft but is considered to be a better prospect than Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, and Jameson Williams.
6) Carolina Panthers: Kayshon Boutte, WR, LSU
The second receiver in a row in terms of highest ADP, Kayshon Boutte is heading to the Carolina Panthers to give whoever is throwing passes for Carolina in 2023 a new weapon. Boutte is scheduled to battle it out with Smith-Njigba and USC’s Jordan Addison for top college WR and for the right to be the first receiver selected next April. The margin is slim, right now, but Boutte is sliding just behind Smith-Njigba by Panthers fans.
7) New York Giants: Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
The New York Giants are selecting Kelee Ringo at a staggeringly high amount. Through simulations, Ringo is drafted with the Giants’ seventh overall selection more than half the time that users stay put and don’t trade out. Ringo is long, possesses elite speed, and has terrific ball skills. He’ll be a candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year wherever he lands.
8) Detroit Lions: Noah Sewell, LB, Oregon
With the Lions’ second first-round pick, Detroit fans are selecting Noah Sewell from Oregon the highest among non-quarterbacks. After Stroud (or Young in other cases), the Lions are securing their second level of the defense with Sewell’s selection. Sewell is the younger brother of fellow first-round pick Penei Sewell and may even have as high of a ceiling as his brother. He’s as instinctual as they come and plays with terrific strength through everything he does.
9) Washington Commanders: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Grabbing a tight end in the top 10 is not something that you usually see. However, Washington Commanders fans are grabbing Notre Dame TE Michael Mayer with their first pick of the first round more than any other player. There are different directions Washington could go with this pick, but grabbing Mayer secures a true pass-catching threat for Carson Wentz or Sam Howell in the future.
10) Pittsburgh Steelers: Eli Ricks, CB, Alabama
The second CB selected in the top 10 lands with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Eli Ricks has transferred to Alabama after his stint at LSU saw him place his name among the top cornerback prospects for this draft.
Ricks is a talented cover corner with perhaps the best man coverage skills in the draft. Steelers fans clearly want a new cornerback to limit the talent they see at quarterback in the AFC North, and Ricks gives them high upside.
11) Chicago Bears: Jordan Addison, WR, USC
The reigning Biletnikoff Award winner heads to the Chicago Bears in a bevy of simulations. Jordan Addison is landing with the Bears to give Justin Fields an incredibly talented option at wide receiver. Addison blew up last season for Kenny Pickett at Pittsburgh and will have a fellow future NFL signal-caller in Caleb Williams throwing for him at USC in Lincoln Riley’s wide-open offense this fall.
12) Philadelphia Eagles: Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia
The Philadelphia Eagles have two draft picks in Round 1 yet again, and users are pretty concise about who and what they want to address. With the highest ADP, Eagles fans are grabbing Nolan Smith from Georgia just ahead of Myles Murphy from Clemson. Smith, a former five-star recruit, has done nothing but impress during his time at Georgia. He’s got a high motor and is technically refined on the pass rush.
13) New England Patriots: Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson
A big man on the edge for the New England Patriots, Myles Murphy is among the highest-drafted players for several teams around this spot. However, New England users are grabbing him more often, and with a higher ADP. Murphy stands 6’5″ and tips the scales at 276 pounds. He’s a massive man to contain and uses great play strength and a surprising speed to win in every facet.
14) Philadelphia Eagles: Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State
Eagles fans are selecting two of the top pass rushers as their No. 1 priority it seems, but very close behind is addressing the offensive line. Paris Johnson Jr. ranks third among Eagles’ users in terms of ADP but is one of the most-drafted players by Philadelphia fans. Johnson is switching to left tackle ahead of the 2022 college football season and will bring with him versatility on the offensive line.
15) Las Vegas Raiders: Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma
A surprise pick as the second tackle off the board comes by the way of the Las Vegas Raiders. No surprise that they’d take a surprise pick, but the fans are seemingly torn between two OT prospects: Anton Harrison and Peter Skoronski.
Though Skoronski may be the player drafted more, Harrison comes in with a much higher ADP from Raiders users. Harrison is a relative newcomer to the scouting community, but he’s been dominant over the past two seasons at Oklahoma, including a stalwart performance in pass protection last year.
16) Miami Dolphins: Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern
The Miami Dolphins are using their highest average draft position to address arguably their biggest need: offensive line. The Dolphins are grabbing Skoronski with the highest ADP among their draft picks, though Skoronski isn’t the most drafted player from Miami fans (more on him later).
Skoronski doesn’t quite possess elite LT size but plays with a terrific base and contact balance. The recent success of his former teammate Rashawn Slater should drive Skoronski’s value through the roof, as they’re very similar prospects.
2023 NFL Mock Draft | Picks 17-32
17) Tennessee Titans: Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson
Bryan Bresee to the Tennessee Titans makes for another Clemson defensive lineman selection. Bresee has remarkable strength and speed for a man his size. He somehow is able to get under offensive linemen’s pads with his leverage despite standing 6’5″ himself, uprooting linemen and throwing them away from the point of attack with what seems like the slightest touch.
18) Indianapolis Colts: Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah
The third cornerback selected in the first round of this 2023 NFL Mock Draft is Clark Phillips III from Utah. The Indianapolis Colts fans aren’t drafting Phillips the most, but he checks in as the highest player selected in terms of ADP. Phillips has great speed, sticky coverage skills, and a knack for finding the football either in the air or in ball carriers’ arms.
19) Minnesota Vikings: BJ Ojulari, EDGE, LSU
The Minnesota Vikings are selecting a variety of players, none more than Will Levis, but BJ Ojulari comes in with their highest ADP. Ojulari represents a challenging force to try and contend with off the edge, as he’s big and fast, long and strong. The Vikings need to get younger on the defensive line, and it appears Minnesota fans are simulating the 2023 NFL Mock Drafts with that understanding.
20) Seattle Seahawks: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
There are multiple teams grabbing Will Levis with either their second of two first-round picks or right around the middle of Round 1. No team, however, is drafting Levis more — or with a higher ADP — than the Seahawks.
Seattle users are selecting Levis more than any other player, clearly grabbing him with their second of two first-round picks. Levis showed terrific growth in his first season as a starting QB in major college football. His proverbial ceiling is incredibly high.
21) Arizona Cardinals: Malachi Moore, CB, Alabama
The Arizona Cardinals haven’t quite figured out their secondary since Patrick Peterson left. Sure, that wasn’t that long ago, but finding an adequate replacement for one of the all-time greats was never going to be easy.
Malachi Moore is being drafted by Cardinals users in over 10% of their simulations. The Alabama cornerback brings terrific ball skills and the ability to match up against any potential WR1 across the line.
22) Baltimore Ravens: Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
Gone are the days when random Baltimore Ravens fans are going to yell at me to stop mocking receivers in the first round. Apparently, it’s not just yours truly who wants the Ravens to get Lamar Jackson some top-notch help on the outside — it’s the fans.
Baltimore fans are selecting Quentin Johnston (and two other receivers) at the top of their mock drafts on a collective 30% of simulations. Johnston comes in at No. 1 on that list as the Ravens would get one of the best this class has to offer in terms of contested-catch ability and perhaps the best red-zone threat.
23) Cincinnati Bengals: Henry To’oTo’o, LB, Alabama
After addressing their offensive line this past offseason, it appears Cincinnati Bengals fans are ready to figure out other positions come the 2023 NFL Draft. As such, Bengals users are grabbing Alabama LB Henry To’oTo’o the highest among those drafted. To’oTo’o has terrific sideline-to-sideline ability and would be a massive boost for Cincinnati’s linebacking corps.
24) Miami Dolphins: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
Here we are. The Dolphins’ most-drafted player, but coming in with clearly their second-highest ADP. By grabbing Bijan Robinson in the first round more than any other team, it appears Miami fans are not afraid of the “don’t draft RBs in the first round” mantra. Robinson does have the requisite traits to break through as a first-round RB. He’s got great speed and terrific vision as well as a knack for finding big plays when his offense needs them.
25) Dallas Cowboys: Emil Ekiyor Jr., G, Alabama
The Dallas Cowboys are selecting help on the interior of the offensive line with three of their top six picks. Emil Ekiyor Jr. is the most drafted among that group. The big man from Alabama presents a potentially younger version of Zack Martin to pair next to the all-time great. Ekiyor is massive and has equally impressive tape in both pass protection and on the ground.
26) Los Angeles Chargers: Justin Flowe, LB, Oregon
He hasn’t played a full season yet, but it seems Los Angeles Chargers fans are willing to buy into Justin Flowe‘s potentially high ceiling. Chargers users are selecting Flowe more than any other player and with a higher ADP than anyone else. Coming as a surprise, sure, but not when you look at the athletic profile Flowe possesses and the clear need that Los Angeles has at linebacker in this upcoming draft.
27) Seattle Seahawks: Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson
An athletic monster, Trenton Simpson excels in every facet on defense. Seattle users are selecting two quarterbacks ahead of Simpson, but after taking Levis with pick No. 20 above, it’s clear that Simpson is the preferred choice with their second first-round pick. He’s a terrific LB in coverage and possesses elite run-stuffing capabilities. Simpson is also a very talented blitzer when the play calls for it.
28) Houston Texans: Jaxson Kirkland, OT, Washington
Though health remains the mystery for Jaxson Kirkland, it appears that Texans fans are sold on the Washington tackle. Kirkland, who was set to enter the 2022 NFL Draft, had to have offseason surgery and will return this fall.
If all goes to plan and he can play at a high level in 2022, Kirkland is a surefire first-round pick. The Texans would grab a terrific complement to Laremy Tunsil for their new quarterback (Stroud).
29) Green Bay Packers: Jordan Battle, S, Alabama
No one team is more concise with their first-round pick than the Green Bay Packers. If it isn’t Quentin Johnston, it’s Jordan Battle for them on nearly half of all the PFN Mock Draft Simulator simulations.
Battle comes in with nearly the same ADP as Johnston as well. It’s safe to say that Green Bay fans want one of two things as the rest of their picks also hails from either the secondary or at WR with this pick.
30) Kansa City Chiefs: Marvin Mims, WR, Oklahoma
Marvin Mims enters the first round thanks in part to Kansas City Chiefs fans grabbing him with a higher ADP than Notre Dame EDGE Isaiah Foskey. Mims has some of the best body control and perhaps the safest hands of the top wideouts at this spot. This move gives Patrick Mahomes ample talent for not only the 2023 season but for years beyond, as Mims has a high ceiling as a pro prospect.
31) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tyler Van Dyke, QB, Miami (FL)
The heir apparent to Tom Brady is being selected by Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans right at No. 31. Their highest ADP and the most picked player is the same, as Tyler Van Dyke has become increasingly popular among Bucs fans it appears.
Van Dyke has a chance to rewrite the Miami record books with his ability to hit every level of the field. It appears that Bucs fans aren’t sold on Kyle Trask and are ready to move on from one in-state quarterback to another as the favorite to take over for Brady … whenever that happens.
32) Buffalo Bills: Brandon Joseph, S, Notre Dame
The final pick of this 2023 NFL Mock Draft is almost a no-brainer. Brandon Joseph was dominant during the 2020 COVID season at Northwestern. Now at Notre Dame, Joseph has a chance to cement himself as a first-round pick at safety.
The Buffalo Bills need a plan for life after Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde at safety, and it appears Bills fans are sold on Joseph here. He isn’t their most-drafted player (that’s Battle), but Joseph is clearly their highest when it comes to ADP.