2023 NFL mock draft 6.0: Trenton Corn’s final mock draft
Trenton Corn gives you his final mock draft of the year, as he tries to accurately predict what will happen in Kansas City on draft night.
Welcome to my sixth and final mock draft of the year! It’s officially draft week, which means that I will bring you guys my final mock draft of the season! In this mock draft, I’m going to try to accurately predict each and every pick in the first round WITH TRADES, to give you guys an idea of what it could look like on draft night. Obviously the draft has taught us to expect the unexpected, so I tried to keep that mindset a little when performing this mock, without getting too crazy. Hope you enjoy.
1. Panthers: Bryce Young, QB
Like I predicted in my last mock, I believe Bryce Young is the player Carolina traded up to first overall for. Although he’s small in stature, his improvisational skills and anticipation when throwing the ball will lead him to have success at the next level if he can stay healthy.
2. Texans: Will Anderson, EDGE
I mentioned it briefly in my mock draft 5.0 that it could be a possibility, but rumor around the block is that Houston isn’t sold on any of the other QB’s in the draft outside of Bryce Young with their second overall selection. Additionally, new head coach DeMeco Ryans reportedly loves Will Anderson, as it’s a stronger likelihood that he’s the Texans selection pick two overall.
3. Cardinals: Tyree Wilson, DL
It’s looking as if Arizona won’t be able to find a trade partner for their third overall selection, as it appears teams aren’t as hot and bothered at this years quarterback class, despite what many in the media may have thought, according to Adam Schefter. My opinion? Don’t expect QB’s to go 1,2,3 like we saw in the 2021 draft. There’s been many reports coming out of late that many scouts believe Wilson is the better prospect between himself and Will Anderson. Needless to say, we could have another Travon Walker and Aidan Hutchinson situation, as it wouldn’t shock me if Houston selected Wilson ahead of Anderson pick two overall.
4. Colts: Will Levis, QB
Matt Miller has reported that the Colts appear to be zeroed in on Will Levis being their selection at four overall, over Anthony Richardson if available, due to him being more ready year one. Although Stroud has now fell lower than expected, I believe Indy will have their mind made up heading into the draft and will still be committed to Levis.
5. Seahawks: Jalen Carter, DT
I understand Seattle did their due diligence on the quarterback position, but the Seahawks won’t let the most talented prospect in the draft drop any further. I understand there’s off field questions, but Pete Carroll isn’t getting any younger and with the team extending Geno Smith this summer, I suspect they select a player to help him win now. There’s not many locker room’s in the league that would be better for Jalen Carter.
6. Lions: Devon Witherspoon, CB
Detroit made some moves this offseason to address their secondary, but one of those moves included trading Jeff Okudah to Atlanta. Needless to say, I’m not writing off Detroit taking a corner here at pick six. Devon Witherspoon has all the momentum to be this years CB1 and Is a player Dan Campbell would love to have in the locker room.
7. Raiders: Peter Skoronski, OL
Quarterback is a “sexy” selection here and CJ Stroud is available, but Jimmy Garoppolo buys the Raiders, who’s in win now mode, time. Las Vegas pounces on the opportunity to select the drafts best offensive lineman in Peter Skoronski, who should be able to start at Right Tackle year one, but offers the positional flexibility to be able to kick inside if needed.
8. Titans: Anthony Richardson, QB
Rumor has it that Tennessee has been looking for a team to trade up with for a QB in the draft and a top 30 draft visit with Anthony Richardson all but confirms that interest. Tennessee ultimately partners with Atlanta here to select the toolsy Anthony Richardson. In my opinion, he’s this years QB1. I was too scared to project it, but I think there’s a chance Carolina shocks the world and selects him first overall.
9. Bears: Jaxson Smith-Njigba, WR
Chicago gets Justin Fields some help.. but not in the form of a pass protector, as the Bears takes a play out of the Cincinnati Bengals playbook and takes a pass catcher. This draft class is deep at defensive and offensive line prospects, so Chicago can address those positions of need later, but in a weaker WR class, the value of JSN is just too much to pass up on.
10. Eagles: Paris Johnson Jr, OL
This is a Howie Roseman draft selection if I’ve ever seen one, as Johnson can step in and start day one at Right Guard in place of Isaac Seumalo and can be groomed to be the teams Right Tackle of the future when Lane Johnson decides to hang it up.
11. Falcons: Christian Gonzalez, CB
After acquiring Jeff Okudah from the Detroit Lions, many may think the Falcons are now focusing on an edge rusher with their first round selection. However, Christian Gonzalez is simply the best player available and will provide good competition for Okudah who’s coming into a “prove it” season and a solid three headed monster at Cornerback for the Falcons, who has AJ Terrell in the fold as well.
12. Texans: CJ Stroud, QB
After waiting on QB and going Anderson pick two, I think Houston stops CJ Stroud’s draft day fall here at 12. Strouds draft day slide stems from an absolutely bombed S2 cognition test, as similar to my early mock drafts where I predicted it, I think Stroud gets selected below Young, Levis and Richardson. A draft day haul of Will Anderson and CJ Stroud should excite Texans fans, however.
13. Jets: Broderick Jones, OT
Although I don’t think it’ll cost them pick 13 overall in this years draft, the Jets need to make this selection with Aaron Rodgers in mind, as Broderick Jones should be able to play at either tackle spot and help keep him standing.
14. Patriots: Myles Murphy, EDGE
New England brought in Murphy to be a top 30 visit, but they also got up close a personal with him at Clemson’s pro day, where he put up Travon Walker esque testing numbers. Due to those numbers, I’m expecting him to be a top 15 selection.
15. Jaguars: Lukas Van Ness, EDGE
Jacksonville trades pick 24 overall and edge rusher Josh Allen to Green Bay for picks 15 and 45 (second round selection) overall. For the Packers, they receive needed immediate pass rush help, with the ability to extend Allen after this season. Jacksonville, who’s probably thinking about cap space down the road with Trevor Lawrence in mind, trades Allen and his future contract, but replaces him with a prospect that General Manager Trent Baalke would like from a traits standpoint. Van Ness is one of my favorite prospects in this years class, as I’d argue I had him as a first round selection before anyone in the industry. He’s raw, but is a safe floor, high ceiling prospect in my opinion.
16. Commanders: Brian Branch, DB
Washington played nickel coverage over 70 percent of the time last season, a position the versatile Brian Branch will likely play from day one at the next level. I don’t understand why Branch is falling out of the first round in some mocks. He’s arguably the best player available outside of Bijan Robinson at this point in the draft.
17. Steelers: Joey Porter Jr, CB
This seems almost too good to be true, but if Joey Porter is still available when it’s Pittsburgh’s time to pick, I find it very hard for the team to let a Steeler legacy, who’s oozing with upside and fills a positional need, get past them.
18. Lions: Bijan Robinson, RB
Lions GM Brad Holmes, who was in the Rams front office when they selected Todd Gurley 10th overall in the 2015 draft, defended the early RB strategy in the draft in a recent interview, which makes some wonder if he’s willing to do it again this year with two first round picks to work with. Although Detroit signed David Montgomery this offseason and still has DeAndre Swift on the roster, adding a special talent like Robinson was just too much to pass up on at this point in the draft.
19. Buccaneers: Darnell Wright, OT
No matter who’s in at Quarterback for the Buccaneers in the future, Tampa Bay needs to revamp their offensive line to protect them. With Tristan Wirfs potentially moving to Left Tackle, Darnell Wright, who projects to be more successful on the right side in the NFL, should be able to start at Right Tackle from day one. Wright has been a draft riser, as I wouldn’t be shocked to see him go off the board sooner.
20. Bills: Zay Flowers, WR
Buffalo has been rumored to move up the draft board in this years draft and if their top 30 visits tell me anything, I’d say it’s probably for one of the top wideouts. Zay Flowers has received a lot of buzz as of late, as it appears he will be the second wideout off the board. With two first round selections and Jalen Carter already selected earlier in the draft, I can see Seattle trading down and getting more draft capital.
21. Chargers: Adetomiwa Adebawore, DL
A lot of people are mocking offense here, but I think Adebawore is going to go higher than many think and he fills a team need, as the Chargers needs added depth along the defensive line, especially when you consider Khalil Mack being a potential cap casualty next offseason.
22. Ravens: Jordan Addison, WR
At this point I think Lamar Jackson ends up playing out this upcoming season with the Ravens and the team surrounds him with enough quality weapons for him to prove himself worthy of the size of a contract that he’s looking for. Addison, Odell Beckham Jr, Rashod Bateman and Mark Andrews creates the most talented supporting cast the Quarterback has ever had since being in the league.
23. Chiefs: Nolan Smith, EDGE
Whether it’s moving up for Patrick Mahomes or Trent McDuffie, it’s no secret that Brett Veach isn’t shy to pull the trigger on a trade if a certain prospect is available that Kansas City wants. With that being said, that’s exactly what I have him doing, as I’m predicting the Chiefs will trade the draft pick hungry Minnesota Vikings picks 31, 95 (3rd) and 134 (4th) for the 23rd overall pick to select Nolan Smith. A deal similar to the one Kansas City did with the Patriots last year, when they traded New England picks 29, 94 and 121 to the Patriots for Trent McDuffie. Nolan Smith isn’t exactly a Steve Spagnuolo guy, but the team has brought in a similar prospect in Will McDonald & Smith is far and away the best player available at this point in the draft. A player worth trading up for.
24. Packers: Michael Mayer, TE
There’s not a bigger “screw you” to Aaron Rodgers as he’s out the door than drafting Jordan Love a pass catcher in the first round. Mayer is getting lost in the shuffle of Dalton Kincaid & Darnell Washington, but I believe he’s TE1 in this years class and one of the safest prospects overall. This would be a perfect scenario for Packer fans, as trading down nets them an offensive weapon in Michael Mayer & a pass rusher in Josh Allen.
25. Giants: Deonte Banks, CB
New York needs to address their Cornerback position opposite of Adoree Jackson, especially in a division with an expanding weaponry that includes AJ Brown, DeVonta Smith, Ceedee Lamb, Brandin Cooks and Terry McLaurin. Banks went bonkers at the draft combine, solidifying himself as one of the top cornerbacks in the draft and a sure fire first round selection.
26. Cowboys: Darnell Washington, TE
Dallas has been rumored to draft the Tight End position to replace Dalton Schultz and Darnell Washington was a recent top 30 visit with the team. The league has simply never seen a prospect like Washington when it comes to his athletic profile, as outside of Anthony Richardson, he’s arguably the best athlete in this years draft. Remember when Jerry Jones was “infatuated” with Kyle Pitts in 2021? Washington is arguably a better athlete and should help Dallas not only in the ground game, but by moving the sticks as well.
27. Seahawks: Tyler Steen, OL
There’s always that one head scratching, unexpected pick, so I’m going to take my shot in the dark with Tyler Steen here. Seattle is very comfortable drafting Senior Bowl standouts, as they have drafted TWELVE players that were on Senior Bowl rosters in the last three years. Steen was a Senior Bowl standout, a top 30 visit with the organization and has the positional versatility to move inside to guard, an area of need for the Seahawks, who continues to re-tool their offensive line.
28. Bengals: Dalton Kincaid, TE
Here’s your Hayden Hurst replacement, Bengals fans. This years Tight End class is one of the best we have ever seen, as there’s strong odds that we will see three come off the board in the first round. Kincaid is arguably the most talented of the bunch and very well could be the first one off the board, but I think his back injury will scare a few teams away.
29. Saints: Keion White, DL
Keion White’s invitation to the NFL draft tells me the league is higher on him that the media. A top 30 visit and playing a position of need, White makes a lot of sense here at 29 for the Saints.
30. Eagles: Calijah Kancey, DL
After addressing their offensive line with the 10th overall pick, Philly selects the explosive Kancey to add some youth to their defensive line. Kancey is getting some unfair comparisons to Aaron Donald because of where he went to school, but I expect him to have a solid career in the NFL, even if he can’t reach THAT level of production.
31. Vikings: Hendon Hooker, QB
Minnesota is in an awkward position when it comes to how they’re looking at their team internally. In my opinion, the team is going to enter a little rebuild, or reload if you would, starting with drafting Kirk Cousins replacement, Hendon Hooker. Look for Hookers name to be called at some point in round one, as that appears to be a very real possibility.
1 Peter 5:7
“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”