The off-season has arrived for more than half of the league, which means many fans will be turning their attention to the 2023 NFL Draft and preparations for it. There are a few quarterbacks who could go through in the first round, but a couple of defensemen have a great chance to start the celebrations with the first overall pick.
Here’s a draft layout for you that will no doubt be torn to shreds by the time the draft actually rolls.
1 Chicago Bears
Alabama EDGE Will Anderson Jr.
The Bears will consider all options here, but turning down Justin Fields right now doesn’t make much sense. There can be nothing wrong with Will Anderson Jr. or Jalen Carter of Georgia, but Crimson Tide’s extreme rusher starts here. He has a chance to immediately become the dominant player in the NFL.
2. Houston Texans
Ohio QB CJ Stroud
CJ Stroud may have cemented his QB1 status after his incredible run against Georgia in the college football playoffs. The Texans desperately need to find a stabilizing presence as a quarterback, and Stroud has all the tools to be that guy.
3. Arizona Cardinals
Georgia DL Jalen Carter
The Cardinals just have to pick who the Bears don’t pick. They could use Anderson or Carter, but here Carter gets into their hands. He is a dominant player in the position of necessity, easy selection.
4. Indianapolis Colts
Kentucky QB Will Lewis
That’s probably a little high for Lewis given what he accomplished last season, but the NFL will hold him in high esteem once the draft season actually gets underway. He has the physical advantages of being the long-term starter that the Colts desperately need.
5. Seattle Seahawks (via Denver Broncos)
Clemson EDGE Miles Murphy
The Seahawks can bolster their defensive line with a pick from the Russell Wilson trade. Miles Murphy is giving their defensive line another promising youngster to develop alongside the likes of Tarik Wulen and Jordin Brooks.
6. Detroit Lions (via Los Angeles Rams)
Alabama QB Bryce Young
Jared Goff has performed well enough as a Lions quarterback, but they need a little more to really enter the NFL’s elite. Bryce Young is small for a quarterback prospect, but he has all the skills that teams look for in a franchise quarterback.
7. Las Vegas Raiders
Ohio State OT Paris Johnson Jr.
With the top three quarterbacks on the board, the Raiders have one more place to improve their offense. Paris Johnson Jr has all the qualities to be a starter and can start right away with the right tackle.
8. Atlanta Falcons
Texas Tech Edge Tyree Wilson
No team has had fewer sacks than the Atlanta Falcons over the past two seasons. Their pass rush has been a problem for almost a decade, and it’s time to get serious about fixing it. Tyree Wilson is an extravagant jock who can play a couple of defensive positions, but he’ll make the cut in the NFL.
9. Carolina Panthers
Georgia CB Keli Ringo
The Panthers could have played quarterback with Anthony Richardson, but instead they took the top quarterback in Georgia’s Keli Ringo off the board. Ringo and Jaycee Horne will give the Panthers the ultimate cornerback duo to grow with over the next few years.
10. Philadelphia Eagles (via New Orleans Saints)
South Carolina CC Cam Smith
Philadelphia has this choice thanks to the Saints, and they can further bolster their defenses. James Bradbury and Darius Slay have been incredible in 2022, but they are both senior cornerbacks and it never hurts to have young talent in this position. Enter Cam Smith.
11. Tennessee Titans
Northwestern OT Piotr Skoronski
The Titans may use some insurance on the tackle, depending on what happens to Taylor Levan. They can cut him pretty easily and need a long-term left tackle to replace him at some point. Peter Skoronski could be that guy for them.
12. Houston Texans (via Cleveland Browns)
TCU WR Quentin Johnston
Brandin Cooks wants out of Houston, which means they’ll need a new top defenseman for their new quarterback. Quentin Johnson has had a quiet national title game like the rest of TCU, but he’s talented and would be a great fit for Stroud as the Texans create a supporting cast for him.
13. New York Jets
Alabama CB/S Brian Branch
The Jets might be tempted to take quarterback Anthony Richardson here, but they could opt for a veteran over another young passer who needs time to develop. So here’s Brian Branch, who can provide a lot of versatility as a slot and safety cornerback for head coach Robert Saleh.
14. New England Patriots
Georgia OT Broderick Jones
Broderick Jones can bring some stability to the Patriots’ attacking situation. He is a stubborn run blocker who can fit in any New England grab point.
15. Green Bay Packers
Florida QB Anthony Richardson
The Packers have to sort out their situation again after the murder of Aaron Rodgers. Keeping Jordan Love could create a tough cap situation for them, so they could restart their rookie quarterback contract hours. Richardson is in the top 1 percent in physicality, but he needs time before he becomes the face of the franchise. Sitting behind Rogers might be good for him.
16. Washington Commanders
Clemson D.L. Brian Breeze
As Daron Payne is about to hit agent freedom, here’s another first-round quarterback to potentially replace him. Breeze would fit in well with Commander’s defensive line, which already has a lot of talent.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers
Oklahoma OT Anton Harrison
Kenny Pickett and Naji Harris need help up front. Anton Harrison is a talented offensive player with enough athleticism to turn into a beast for the Steelers.
18. Detroit Lions
Penn State CB Joey Porter Jr.
The Lions got their quarterback and, thankfully, strong support from a young quarterback. They can now turn their attention to a defense that has been among the worst in the league, adding Joey Porter Jr as a cornerback.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Notre Dame EDGE Isaiah Fosky
There aren’t really any quarterbacks left here, so the Pirates can step up their power on the edge with Notre Dame’s Isaiah Foskey. Fosky and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka could offer the Buccaneers two solutions for the rim rusher.
20. Seattle Seahawks
Ohio State WR Jackson Smith-Njigba
Tyler Lockett won’t play forever, and the Seahawks can use a talented third receiver to make their offense really popular anyway. Jackson Smith-Njigba hasn’t played much this season with Ohio State due to a hamstring injury, but he’s still considered one of the best wide receivers in the upcoming draft.
21. Jacksonville Jaguars
Utah CB Clark Phillips
After spending the first overall pick on quarterback last year, here’s a cornerback to help stabilize the back of Jacksonville’s defense. Clark Phillips has a “click and close” option to play a slot for the Jaguars if they need it.
22. New York Giants
USC WR Jordan Addison
Brian Daboll and Mike Kafka steered the Giants offense in the right direction, but they still could use a wide receiver. Jordan Addison is a talented, experienced wide receiver who could jump straight into playing for the Giants.
23. Baltimore Ravens
Florida G. O’Cyrus Torrens
Lamar Jackson’s future at the Ravens is up in the air, but they still need to improve some of their offense. Here they select Florida’s O’Cyrus Torrance to give Tyler Linderbaum a long-term interior partner.
24. Los Angeles Chargers
Notre Dame TE Michael Mayer
It would be tempting to up the run defense here, but the Chargers have a gift in Michael Mayer. Justin Herbert could use a solid weapon in the tight end and got it here.
25. Dallas Cowboys
Oregon CB Christian Gonzalez
The Cowboys need to find someone to play Trevon Diggs, and Christian Gonzalez has the height and height that Dan Quinn likes in prospective cornerbacks — assuming he’s still coaching with Dallas next season. .
26. Cincinnati Bengals
Clemson LB Trenton Simpson
Cincinnati doesn’t have many needs, so you have the opportunity to go even faster on defense with the addition of Trenton Simpson. Simpson and Germaine Pratt would complement each other perfectly.
27. Minnesota Vikings
Michigan D.L. Maisie Smith
Mazi Smith may not be bullying that much in the first round right now, but he’s a great athlete for his size and should take off on the board after the NFL unifies. Smith did List of freaks by Bruce Feldman before the start of the season and looks set to be the next jock freak Michigan will field in the NFL from their defensive line.
28. Denver Broncos (via San Francisco 49ers)
LSU EDGE BJ Ojulari
A pass rusher paired with Randy Gregory next season will give the Broncos perhaps the most complete defense in the NFL.
29. Buffalo Bills
Texas RB Bijan Robinson
Another year, another runner ridiculed by the bills. However, Bizhan Robinson is probably one of the 10 most talented players in the entire draft. The only reason it falls here is because of the positional value.
30. Kansas City Chiefs
North Carolina WR Josh Downes
The Chiefs need another talented, cheaper wide receiver contract. Josh Downes can provide that along with Toney Kadarius as the Chiefs continue to figure out what their future looks like in this position.
31. Philadelphia Eagles
Arkansas LB Drew Sanders
Midfielder for…
Source: sports.yahoo.com