NFL Mock Draft 2023: Panthers trade up for QB; Ravens deal Lamar Jackson, snag C.J. Stroud as replacement

I think Richardson is going to emphatically remove the lid from Lucas Oil Stadium at the NFL combine. That will lead to the Colts taking a chance on him, given the hiring of former Eagles Shane Steichen as head coach. Richardson has similarities to Jalen Hurts and All-Pro upside.

The Texans upgrade the quarterback position in a big way with Young, who has all the improvisational brilliance to succeed in today’s NFL.

Levis has big-time upside because of his athleticism and arm talent and his time spent with NFL offensive coordinator Liam Coen is music to the ears of new Panthers coach Frank Reich.

Anderson gives me serious Khalil Mack vibes, which makes this perfect for the Bears, particularly after trading back. In the trade, the Bears get this pick, the Colts’ selections in Round 2 and Round 4 along with a 2024 first-round pick and third-round pick, plus a 2025 second-round choice.

Pete Carroll rips his shirt off when he realizes Carter is still on the board at No. 5 overall and this pick is in instantaneously. Carter is precisely the type of disruptive interior player Seattle needs.

Instead of picking another long, athletic outside cornerback early, the Lions opt to go with Wilson, a super long, bendy outside rusher.

Branch is a do-everything defensive back who tackles extraordinarily well. He’s an instant star in Green Bay.

The Ravens move Jackson in a blockbuster with the Falcons and are still able to land Stroud inside the top 10. More brilliant GMing from Eric DeCosta. In the deal, the Ravens get this selection, 2024 first-round and second-round picks from Atlanta along with 2025 second-round and fourth-round picks.

New Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon knows the importance of having quality outside corners in today’s NFL so is happy to land Gonzalez here. In the trade back the Cardinals get this selection, the No. 34 overall pick and a 2024 first-round pick from Carolina.

Van Ness is a long, highly productive rusher who’ll formulate an awesome duo with Josh Sweat in Philadelphia for years.

Johnson is a large, athletic, well-balanced blocker equally as impressive paving lanes for the run game as he is protecting the quarterback.

Addison can either learn lots from the similarly sized Brandin Cooks in Year 1, or act as his instant replacement. With Young and Addison, this is a quality first-round haul for Houston.

In this scenario, the Jets land Derek Carr on the open market and grab a pass-pro wizard in Skoronski to protect one of the edges of the Gang Green offensive line.

Jones is somewhat of a work in progress technique-wise but he comes with high-level athleticism and strength.

Kincaid has ridiculously good hands and is a YAC demon. He’d a stud in Green Bay instantly.

Ringo doesn’t always find the ball in the air, but his athletic prowess is off the charts. He should have a monster workout in Indy that’ll boost his stock after a 2022 season that left a little to be desired.

The Steelers miss Javon Hargrave and get a very comparable type up-the-field interior rusher in Kancey.

Maybe a touch smaller and not quite as athletic as the other marquee corners in this class, Witherspoon sinks a bit and the Lions are happy to grab someone with as clean of film as the Illinois star.

With this selection, the Buccaneers can flip Tristan Wirfs to left tackle and stay very good at the right tackle spot with the strong and advanced Wright.

The Seahawks can’t pass on Johnston here, who’d bring another big specimen to the receiver position for Geno Smith.

New offensive coordinator Kellen Moore will allow Justin Herbert to push the ball downfield more frequently than the talented QB did with Joe Lombardi. So it’s time to get Herbert a serious vertical weapon. That’s precisely what Hyatt is.

Smith is the press-man cornerback the Ravens will gravitate to during the pre-draft process. They have to get younger at that position with a supreme talent.

If length and man-coverage capabilities are what the Vikings are after with Brian Flores calling the defense, Banks is the ideal pick here.

Duncan didn’t have a tremendous 2022 but has first-round feet and room to grow into his frame. Protecting Trevor Lawrence is the utmost priority.

Torrence is an NFL-ready guard the Giants can plug in immediately. He’ll improve the run and pass game for the G-Men.

The Cowboys could be extremely multiple with Sanders on the defense next to Micah Parsons. Sanders is a long, athletic off-ball/edge hybrid.

The Bills jump at the value pick here with Njigba, who almost assuredly would’ve gone higher had he played a full season in 2022 at Ohio State. He’s not a freaky athlete but glides after the catch.

The Bengals add more youth to the secondary with Porter, a big-time athlete from Penn State who got better every year in college.

The Saints are the club that goes running back in Round 1 with the uncertain future of Alvin Kamara. Robinson has it all.

The Eagles love building in the trenches and double dip up front in the first round with Bresee, a former No. 1 overall recruit in the country with his best football in front of him.

The Chiefs have to bolster the outside pass rusher and do it with a youthful option. If he fully accentuates his skill in the NFL, Murphy can be an All-Pro type playing on the same line as Chris Jones.