With the Shrine Bowl and Senior Bowl in the books, it’s time for another 2023 NFL Mock Draft. To shake things up this time, we will be looking at the fantasy football impact of the selections in addition to breaking down why each team made their respective choices.
2023 NFL Mock Draft
As we go through the picks in this mock draft, we will consider how the landing spot impacts the fantasy value of each player. This will include the impact of offensive line selections on their respective offenses and IDP-based analysis of defensive selections.
1) Carolina Panthers (from CHI): Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
Trade Compensation: Carolina Panthers receive pick No. 1; Chicago Bears receive 9, 39, 93, 2024 first-round pick, and 2024 third-round pick.
As it stands, the Carolina Panthers do not have a definitive answer at quarterback. Matt Corral did not feature as a rookie, and pinning the success of a new regime to the third-round selection from last year would be a bold start to the Frank Reich era.
The Panthers make a big move to go and get the top QB option available in Bryce Young. They have good pieces scattered across the roster and can afford to pay up to go from ninth to first in this 2023 NFL Mock Draft.
This would be a solid landing spot for Young’s fantasy value. The offensive line isn’t perfect, but it has some good pieces. In DJ Moore, Terrace Marshall Jr., Shi Smith, Laviska Shenault, and Tommy Tremble, there are at least some capable weapons. Young may not deliver huge production as a rookie, but he has a QB-friendly head coach, and the Panthers could add some pieces in free agency.
2) Houston Texans: C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
Where things will get interesting this year is if the Houston Texans find they have a preference for either Young or C.J. Stroud. If that’s the case, then we could see them in the discussions as a team to trade up to the No. 1 spot. Given that the Bears could then hold the No. 2 pick for ransom, that might even be Chicago’s ideal scenario.
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The upside for Stroud in Houston is really enticing. In Nico Collins, they have a promising receiver, and if they can keep Brandin Cooks, Stroud would have a superb pair of weapons. Add in the potential return of John Metchie III, and Houston starts looking like a strong landing spot. If the Texans make some offensive line upgrades in free agency, you could make the case that Stroud would be the top QB to target in rookie drafts.
3) Arizona Cardinals: Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Alabama
The pass rush situation is not a screaming need for the Arizona Cardinals, and they could be a candidate to move down if there is a big market for Anthony Richardson or Will Levis at third overall. However, Will Anderson Jr. is such a talented player and could be such a difference-maker that passing up the chance to get him might come back to bite the Cardinals.
In this landing spot, Anderson would likely be a rotational piece in the first year or two alongside a handful of other talented pass-rush options on the roster. However, he should quickly establish himself as the top pass rusher and could be a force at the position. The biggest question for his value will be around whether he gets classified as a DL or LB.
4) Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
The potential with Richardson is hard to deny, and we have seen how teams can fall in love with tools and potential at the QB position. With uncertainty surrounding Levis, Richardson has a great chance to be the third QB off the board and would bring a new element to the Indianapolis Colts offense.
Given his ability to make plays with his legs and exciting arm, Richardson is a mouth-watering fantasy option. With the potential to start in his rookie year and the upside his play teases, fantasy managers could certainly talk themselves into Richardson as the top QB in rookie drafts.
5) Seattle Seahawks (from DEN): Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson
The Seattle Seahawks are a really intriguing team this offseason. If they don’t bring Geno Smith back, they could be in the shakeup for a QB here. If they do bring Smith back, then they need to build around him. Of their main needs this offseason, EDGE is the best value proposition right now, with Myles Murphy the clear top option if Anderson is off the board.
The Seahawks have some other talented pass rushers, but Murphy could be a regular starting option as a rookie. In fantasy drafts, Murphy has a chance to play plenty as a rookie and should get a DL designation with the way the Seahawks tend to set up.
6) Detroit Lions (from LAR): Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
The Detroit Lions are building a really nice roster under head coach Dan Campbell. They had their trouble at times on defense and need to be competitive in that line battle. There are some other needs on the defense, but the value here is not right at those spots, and passing up a talent like Jalen Carter would not be a wise move.
From a fantasy perspective, the value of DTs is somewhat limited. However, Carter has the talent level to be a dominant option. In IDP formats, spending a mid-round pick on him could mean you have a guaranteed contributor. In leagues that use the DT position, his value creeps up as high as third-round consideration.
7) Green Bay Packers (from LV): Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
Trade Compensation: Green Bay Packers receive pick No. 7 and a 2024 second-round selection; Las Vegas Raiders receive Aaron Rodgers.
The irony of the idea that the Green Bay Packers use a first-round pick acquired in a trade for Aaron Rodgers on an offensive weapon should not be lost on anyone. If the Packers go down the route of trading Rodgers, they could be a candidate to try and move up for Young or Stroud.
Would the Chicago Bears really consider trading with the Packers and giving them a chance to get a franchise QB? They might, but only if the price was high enough. With the Panthers being the one to trade up and get Young and two other QBs off the board, the Packers’ options are a little limited.
Allen Lazard is set to be a free agent in 2023, so putting Quentin Johnson alongside the duo of Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs is extremely enticing. It would certainly give Jordan Love a talented group of pass catchers for his one- or two-year audition as Green Bay’s starter.
From a fantasy perspective, the uncertainty of Love would lower the immediate upside of Johnston. Opportunities to really stand out could be somewhat limited with an unproven QB, a strong run game, and two other talented receivers around him. Johnston would still be a first-round rookie pick, but maybe not a top-five option, especially for a team looking to contend in 2023.
8) Atlanta Falcons: Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State
With Kaleb McGary set to be a free agent in 2023, offensive tackle is a position the Atlanta Falcons have to consider addressing. The other areas of concern are QB, WR, and EDGE. Unless they really like Levis, the top QB options are gone, and there is some nice second- and third-round depth at the WR and EDGE positions this year.
It would also not be a surprise to see the Falcons trade this pick if they aren’t enamored with Levis and he has suitors elsewhere.
Therefore, Paris Johnson Jr. is the right direction for the Falcons at eighth overall. He would provide a nice bookend to Jake Matthews and be a potential replacement for the veteran left tackle down the line. This addition would be a nice boost to the fantasy values of Tyler Allgeier, Cordarrelle Patterson, and Desmond Ridder in what should be a run-heavy offense.
9) Chicago Bears (from CAR): Jordan Addison, QB, USC
Dropping this far down the top 10 is a risk for the Bears. If there are offers on the table from the Colts or Lions, then staying in the top four or six might be tempting. Staying in that region would give them a shot at Anderson, Carter, Murphy, Johnston, and Johnson, all at positions that can be considered needs. It would also be intriguing to see if the Bears would drop back further if there is someone still clamoring for Levis here.
If they stay here, with the board how it is, then getting another pass-catching weapon for Justin Fields is a smart move, and Jordan Addison is a nice complement to Darnell Mooney and Chase Claypool. Addison is a multi-dimensional pass catcher who could very easily be the WR1 on this team.
This landing spot is not ideal from a fantasy perspective. Not only is the situation crowded with Mooney, Claypool, and Cole Kmet, but the offense will likely lean more towards being run-heavy with Fields under center. In this landing spot, Addison’s value in rookie drafts could drop outside the top five, depending on other players’ landing spots.
10) Philadelphia Eagles (from NO): Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson
The Philadelphia Eagles have a handful of places to address this offseason, with a number of starters on defense potentially heading to free agency. We have seen the Eagles look to build their defense around a strong defensive line rotation, and there is certainly a case to be made they will need reinforcements if Fletcher Cox and Javon Hargrave both head to free agency.
Adding a player like Bryan Breese to a rotation of Milton Williams, Marlon Tuipulotu, and Jordan Davis would make for a fantastic young rotation of defensive tackle options. From a fantasy perspective in IDP formats, as with Carter, this is a little bit irrelevant outside of DT-heavy leagues. Defensive linemen, especially ones in a rotation, can be tough to trust from a fantasy perspective.
11) Tennessee Titans: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
The Tennessee Titans have the option to cut bait with Ryan Tannehill this offseason, and if they do, it will be intriguing to see what they do at QB. Would they consider searching for a veteran on the open market, buying more time for Malik Willis to develop, or will they accept a rebuild and look to the draft?
In this scenario, they take the draft route and take advantage of Levis falling into their lap at 11th overall in this 2023 NFL Mock Draft.
From a fantasy perspective, the Titans getting Levis would be a huge boost for the value of Robert Woods and Treylon Burks. Willis is a huge unknown, and Levis is expected to be an upgrade as a passer. As for Levis’ value, he would likely be the fourth QB off the board in rookie drafts as well.
The landing spot puts him with a talented coaching staff and decent enough weapons, but his upside is not quite as enticing as those of Young, Stroud, and Richardson.
12) Houston Texans (from CLE): Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech
Starting the 2023 NFL Draft with Stroud and Tyree Wilson would address the Texans’ top two offseason needs as they stand now. New head coach DeMeco Ryans comes from a defense built around a strong and versatile pass rush. Wilson would be a wonderful piece to build that defensive line around going forward.
In terms of fantasy value, Wilson would be an intriguing later-round selection in IDP leagues. His ability to play on the EDGE and rotate inside could see him as a three-down player, which increases his chances to rack up stats over other EDGE rushers. With Ryans likely to use a 4-3 defense, Wilson should get a DE or DL assignment, which is crucial for his value.
13) New York Jets: Brian Branch, S, Alabama
There is certainly a need for the New York Jets along their offensive line, but the value is not right at 13th overall. If they love Peter Skoronski, then he would certainly make sense in this spot. However, they also have a major need at safety, with Lamarcus Joyner set to be a free agent and a weakness in terms of positional depth.
For that reason, Brian Branch would make plenty of sense in this spot as a versatile safety option. He has the ability to play close to the line of scrimmage in run support or backed off in pass coverage. His ability to play in different roles would make Branch a mid-round pick in rookie fantasy drafts.
14) New England Patriots: Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
The New England Patriots have a couple of potential directions here. There are a handful of solid CB options and an intriguing WR option, filling two of their biggest needs. The direction they go will likely depend on how they feel about the depth of both positions.
With more enticing WRs at the top of the second round than CBs, they go for the top CB on my board in this 2023 NFL mock draft, Joey Porter Jr. You could make the case for three or four different corners here, so which one the Patriots take will be personal preference. All of them can fit into their versatile ways of using corners. Fantasy-wise, it’s hard to trust any CBs as more than a late-round dart throw.
15) Green Bay Packers: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
The Packers go back to the offensive well with this selection as they add the top tight end of the class in Michael Mayer. With Robert Tonyan potentially departing in free agency, they need to get a pass-catching option to replace him.
Mayer would be immediately relevant in fantasy coming in with a young QB. His ability to hold his own as a blocker should help him stay on the field as a rookie, and he could be an instant impact player, making him an intriguing mid-first-round fantasy option in rookie drafts.
16) Washington Commanders: Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson
The Washington Commanders are a real wild card this offseason. They have said that Sam Howell will have the chance to start for them this year, but they could still be in the QB market at some point. If they do stick with Howell, then the defense comes into the frame in the middle of the first round.
While they could go for a CB here, Trenton Simpson is enticing, especially given the team’s likely turnover at LB this offseason. Simpson is a very versatile player who can contribute in a number of different roles. He could easily be an every-down player and the first IDP player selected in rookie drafts wherever he lands.
17) Pittsburgh Steelers: Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern
The Pittsburgh Steelers have other needs on their offensive line, but the best value here is at OT. The decision between Skoronki and Broderick Jones will be an interesting one for the Steelers. Skoronski is the more nimble, East-West option, and Jones has more of a bulldozer feel about him.
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In this 2023 NFL Mock Draft, I have given the nod to the slightly more versatile Skoronski, but whichever way the Steelers go would not be a surprise. The fantasy value for Najee Harris would perhaps be boosted a little more by having the mass of Jones to work behind, but Skoronski’s ability to get out in space is also good for Harris’ value.
18) Detroit Lions: Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
I really wanted to give the Lions Bijan Robinson here because an offensive combination of Robinson, D’Andre Swift, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Jameson Williams is mouth-watering. However, I ultimately believe the Lions bring back Jamaal Williams and therefore expect their draft focus to be on defense.
This is another one of those situations where it depends on which style the Lions like as to which corner they go for. I personally give the slight edge to Kelee Ringo, but if it were Cam Smith or Christian Gonzalez here, I would not be surprised.
19) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina.
You could certainly make the case that we see the Tampa Bay Buccaneers try to go and get a rookie QB if one falls a little, but with their roster, I believe they address the position in free agency and try to stay at least a little competitive.
With that in mind and a couple of CB options potentially heading to free agency, Smith or Gonzalez make a lot of sense for the Buccaneers. The other top options would be addressing the pass rush with Isaiah Foskey or B.J. Ojulari or safety with Antonio Johnson.
20) Seattle Seahawks: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
Having added a talented defensive player earlier in the round, the Seahawks could look to use this pick to add another playmaker for their QB. One option would be Robinson to form a one-two punch with Kenneth Walker III, but with Tyler Lockett now 31, adding a third receiving option as talented as Jaxon Smith-Njigba is fun to consider for the firepower of the offense.
From a fantasy perspective, Smith-Njigba in Seattle is a little deflating. He would fairly clearly be the third option behind Lockett and DK Metcalf, limiting his fantasy upside early in his career. However, with Lockett’s cap hit set to explode in the next few years, Smith-Njigba could have tremendous value as the team’s WR2 in his second or third season in the NFL.
21) Los Angeles Chargers: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
This is another team that could be a fun destination for Robinson as a complement to Austin Ekeler. However, adding to their offensive line could have a bigger overall impact on the offense, especially if it’s a player with the skill set of Jones.
Putting Jones at RT alongside Zion Johnson, Corey Linsley, and Rashawn Slater would give the Los Angeles Chargers a strong offensive line group. The result would be a boost in value for both Ekeler and the main components of the passing game.
22) Baltimore Ravens: Kayshon Boutte, WR, LSU
It didn’t feel that long ago we were crowning Kayshon Boutte as the clear number one of this class. Some concerns have crept in, more so off the field than on it. Putting Boutte on this offense alongside Rashod Bateman and Mark Andrews could take the Baltimore Ravens to a new level.
From a fantasy perspective, the concern here will be whether Lamar Jackson and the offense can support three pass-catchers. Will Boutte get enough targets to be a consistent top-24 WR? That uncertainty could depress his value into the back half of the first round, but it’s hard to see him dropping any further with so much talent.
23) Minnesota Vikings: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
The Minnesota Vikings desperately need to address their defense in a number of ways this offseason. Regardless of how they approach the CB position in free agency, there will always be the need to add more talent. Gonzalez definitely brings that talent and has a chance to be a starter immediately for a Vikings defense that needs immediate help.
24) Jacksonville Jaguars: Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma
The Jaguars are an interesting team this offseason. They spent a lot of money last year and made some major upgrades. Their main need offensively is either to address their right tackle situation or tight end. The better play here is to grab the right tackle and make sure the offensive line stays stable. Getting a blocker like Anton Harrison can really help the fantasy value of Travis Etienne Jr. while also securing the passing game.
25) New York Giants: Antonio Johnson, S, Texas A&M
The Giants have a lot of things to address this offseason. Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley are pending free agents, and the WR position is screaming out for another difference-maker. However, the secondary cannot be overlooked, especially at safety. Assuming the rumors prove correct that Jones and Barkley are coming back to the Giants, it comes down to safety or WR as the top need.
This pick of Johnson adds value to the secondary and gives the defense security on the back end. He has the ability to play as an in-the-box safety, which could provide tremendous fantasy value. He should be a late-second or early-third-round selection in rookie drafts.
26) Dallas Cowboys: Noah Sewell, LB, Oregon
The sexy pick here is for the Dallas Cowboys to take an RB or WR. However, the smart pick with the best value is to get a middle-of-the-field difference-maker at linebacker. Noah Sewell is a versatile player who can reinforce a linebacker spot that has struggled to live up to the hype of the surrounding positions.
In fantasy drafts, Sewell will be a much sought-after asset. His ability in the run game and in pressuring QBs could very quickly make him one of the best LB options in the game. The only downside is that his pass coverage needs some work and could prevent him from being a three-down player.
27) Buffalo Bills: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
Adding Robinson to the Buffalo Bills’ offense will have a lot of people very excited. Devin Singletary is set to leave as a free agent, and Robinson would be the perfect foil to James Cook and Josh Allen.
In what should be a high-scoring offense, this landing spot has pros and cons from a fantasy perspective. There should be plenty of opportunities to find the end zone, but his ceiling will be hurt by the fact Allen likes to run the ball and is especially a threat around the goal line. Even so, this landing spot would not stop Robinson from being the top choice in non-Superflex rookie drafts.
28) Cincinnati Bengals: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
The Cincinnati Bengals have a number of areas they could address in the draft. They may look to add an RB to replace Joe Mixon or a TE if Hayden Hurst leaves. However, in an AFC full of potent offenses, reinforcing their secondary with another talented CB is the smart move. It isn’t a “sexy” pick, especially from a fantasy perspective, but it would be a smart move from the Bengals.
29) New Orleans Saints (from SF via MIA & DEN): Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee
The New Orleans Saints take the draft pick they acquired in the Sean Payton trade and use it to invest in their QB of the future. We have seen the Saints try the veteran route, and it has not worked. With their cap situation a disaster in 2023, they need to look at rebuilding, and Henden Hooker is the best way to do that.
Hooker’s gameplay style makes him exciting from a fantasy angle. He certainly has the talent to be a real-life top-12 QB and even a potential future top-10 fantasy QB. If he lands in New Orleans, Hooker should be a first-round Superflex selection and a late second-round pick in non-Superflex.
30) Kansas City Chiefs: Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina
I don’t think it is a surprise to say the Kansas City Chiefs need a WR this offseason, and Josh Downs is the top one available on the board at this pick. The likes of Rashee Rice, Zay Flowers, and Jalin Hyatt could all be in play at this pick if the Chiefs prefer their play styles.
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If the Chiefs go for a WR at 30 or 31, then they will almost certainly be valued highly in rookie drafts. The thought of getting the next big talent in the Chiefs’ offense will have fantasy managers excited, and there is every chance his price will rise to a point where the risk outweighs the reward, as happened with Skyy Moore last year.
31) Philadelphia Eagles: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama
If the Philadelphia Eagles allow Miles Sanders to leave in free agency, then they will be in the market for securing a running back, and the draft is the best place to do that in terms of value. After Jahmyr Gibbs, there is a big drop-off at the position, so grabbing him with the final pick of the first round certainly makes sense.
In terms of fantasy value, Gibbs could easily be a direct replacement for Sanders. That has its value, but it also comes with inconsistency in terms of output. Gibbs would still be a top-five pick in non-Superflex, but any idea of him going over Robinson would be squashed with this landing spot.