NFL Mock Draft 2023: Cowboys, Bills bolster offenses after playoff disappointment; Giants, Jaguars keep building

Vinnie Iyer

NFL Mock Draft 2023: Cowboys, Bills bolster offenses after playoff disappointment; Giants, Jaguars keep building image

The complete order for the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft is almost set. Four more teams were eliminated with after the AFC and NFC divisional playoff games over the weekend, meaning now one knows what teams are selecting where from picks No. 1 through No. 28 overall.

The Jaguars and Giants joined the mix with their Saturday losses to take them out of Super Bowl 57 contention.The Cowboys and Bills, Sunday's losers, also know when they will be picking on the night of April 27 in Kansas City.

Here's Sporting News' updated mock draft that also covers the needs of those four games:

BIG BOARD: Ranking the top 70 prospects for 2023 NFL Draft

Jalen Carter-Will Anderson
(SN/Getty Images)

NFL mock draft 2023

1. Chicago Bears

  • Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Alabama (6-4, 235 pounds)

The Bears, picking first overall for the first time since 1947, shouldn't need to consider QB with the passing and running ceiling of big-armed Justin Fields. The ideal scenario is trading down for extra first-down selection power with a team looking to jump the Texans for a particular franchise QB. If the Bears stay, they should look to get familiar defensive pop.

Getting this cornerstone pass rusher and active all-around playmaker is great call. Anderson would give them a new Khalil Mack after also saying goodbye to Robert Quinn and Roquan Smith on the second level.

MORE: Breaking down the Bears' best options for No. 1 pick

2. Houston Texans

  • Bryce Young, QB, Alabama (6-0, 194 pounds)

The Texans, after seeing there's no solution between Davis Mills and Kyle Allen, quarterback must be the pick right away. Although they are no longer guaranteed to select their QB of choice, they must first answer the question of whether they prefer Young or Ohio State's C.J. Stroud. Here's thinking early that Young, with the pedigree that's helped Tua Tagovailoa, Jalen Hurts and Mac Jones become NFL starters, will provide the right combination of passing upside and little bust factor based on his intangibles and proven production.

MORE: Breaking down the Texans' best options after missing No. 1 pick

3. Arizona Cardinals

  • Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia (6-3, 310 pounds)

The Cardinals also would have an easy pick to make here with J.J. Watt retiring and Zach Allen heading into free agency. Carter is a dominant, disruptive force made to make a lot of plays as an NFL base 3-4 end. He possesses Watt-like upside with pass-rush potential.

4. Indianapolis Colts

  •  C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State (6-3, 215 pounds)

The Colts' reward for an absolute QB mess between Matt Ryan, Nick Foles and Sam Ehlinger in the final abbreviated season under Frank Reich is being bad enough to get in position to stop recycling veteran QBs. They can land Stroud, a smart pocket passer with the right accuracy and intangibles to thrive as their true delayed franchise replacement for Andrew Luck.

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5. Seattle Seahawks (from Broncos)

  • Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson (6-5, 275 pounds)

The Seahawks, after being eliminated in the wild-card round by the 49ers, should be thinking about boosting their defensive front seven with their extra higher first-rounder. Murphy has a great combination of explosiveness and instincts to maintain his pass-rush production in Pete Carroll's scheme.

6. Detroit Lions (from Rams)

  • Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia (6-0, 205 pounds)

The Lions got some improved play from 2020 first-rounder Jeff Okudah in coverage but struggled to find other answers on the perimeter. Ringo has the mentality they need as he translates his size well into physical, aggressive play.

7. Las Vegas Raiders

  •  Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina (6-0, 188 pounds)

The Raiders also would be in play for a quarterback here with Derek Carr set to be replaced, or they could look for more offensive skill help for Josh McDaniels' replacement veteran QB (Tom Brady?). But they also should about corner help with oft-injured Rock Ya-Sin heading into free agency and Nate Hobbs suited best for the slot. Smith is a physical, explosive cover man for his size with the potential to become more polished, well-rounded and consistent.

8. Atlanta Falcons

  • Isiaah Foskey, EDGE, Notre Dame (6-4, 257 pounds)

The Falcons must invest in revving up their 3-4 pass rush and Foskey can fit the bill with his powerful, explosive and technically sound game. He also has the potential to become more well-rounded for the NfL as he further develops as a run defender.

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9. Carolina Panthers

  • Will Levis, QB, Kentucky (6-3, 232 pounds)

The Panthers need to clean up their QB situation after going from Baker Mayfield to P.J. Walker before circling back to Sam Darnold in a run-heavy offense. Levis represents a solid pocket passer with the arm, accuracy and quick release to thrive with the right support system.

10. Philadelphia Eagles (from Saints)

  •  Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson (6-3, 225 pounds)

The Eagles should need to replace pending free agent Kyzir White and Simpson would be the ideal addition to support T.J. Edwards and Haason Reddick, both coming off terrific regular seasons. Simpson would complement them with his tough, speedy playmaking vs. run and pass.

11. Tennessee Titans

  • Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame (6-4, 251 pounds)

The Titans need get some big, physical mismatch-created receiving help for Treylon Burks in their new offense. Mayer has the makeup coach Mike Vrabels should love with his moxie and toughness and can be his version of George Kittle.

12. Houston Texans (from Browns)

  • Jordan Addison, WR, USC (6-0, 175 pounds)

The Texans need to pair a dynamic pass-catcher with their new franchise QB. Addison has a nice blend of field-stretching speed and after-the-catch quickness to quickly develop into the go-to guy for Young.

Jordan Addison-JaTravis Broughton
(Getty Images)

13. New York Jets

  • Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State (6-6, 310 pounds)

The Jets will hope Mekhi Becton comes back healthy and effective at left tackle, but at right tackle, makeshift veterans George Fant and Mike Remmers are pending free agents. Johnson is a nimble pass protector with the strong mentality to improve his run blocking in the NFL.

14. New England Patriots

  • Quinton Johnston, WR, TCU (6-4, 215 pounds)

The Patriots need to try again to get a bona fide No. 1 wideout for the sake of Mac Jones with Jakobi Meyers and others heading into free agency and DeVante Parker not being reliable with his health ahead of his Age-30 season. Johnston is ideal size-speed prospect for the outside in the vein of Mike Evans and Mike Williams and also offers route-running savvy and good hands.

15. Green Bay Packers

  • Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State (6-0, 197 pounds)

The Packers know much of their future at the position is tied to now second-year flashy playmakers Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs but they also know Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb are free agents. They can use this pick to give Aaron Rodgers a reliable, smooth weapon a la former Buckeyes Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave to be his versatile No. 1 in what may be his final season in Green Bay.

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16. Washington Commanders

  • Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson (6-5, 300 pounds)

Daron Payne is a pending free agent and the Commanders should look for a new complement to Jonathan Allen to help Chase Young and Montez Sweat up front. Bresee offers good technique and nimble feet as a run-stopper and also can boost the inside pass rush.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers

  • Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern (6-4, 315 pounds)

Dan Moore Jr. has been one of the league's shakiest left tackles, especially in pass protection. The Steelers need a long-term rock in front of Kenny Pickett's blind side and Skoronksi can deliver with his smooth quickness and athleticism on the edge.

Peter Skoronski
(Getty Images)

18. Detroit Lions

  • Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech (6-6, 275 pounds)

The Lions could use a rangy bookend for 2022 No. 2 overall pick Aidan Hutchinson. Wilson is explosive and versatile for his size, capable of playing multiple impact positions along a front seven.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

  • Antonio Johnson, S, Texas A&M (6-3, 195 pounds)

The Buccaneers lost Jordan Whitehead next to Antoine Winfield Jr. in last year's free agency and now Mike Edwards isn't under contract. At the moment, they should table QB to see what's happening with Tom Brady and for now, need a rangy playmaking cover man for the middle who also can thump a little vs. the run.

20. Seattle Seahawks

  • Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida (6-4, 232 pounds)

The Seahawks may still bring back Geno Smith on a reasonable deal, but he's also 32 and likely has a capped ceiling in their offense. They are thinking more about whether to take a high-upside all-around QB with one of their two first-rounders. Richardson could benefit from a year of NFL sitting to further develop and put his big arm and athleticism together into a polished product.

21. Miami Dolphins (pick forfeited)

22. Los Angeles Chargers

  • Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia (6-4, 310 pounds)

The Chargers will get Rashawn Slater back at left tackle but Trey Pipkins and Storm Norton are pending free agents and Jamaree Salyer might be better suited for the inside. Jones is a very agile as a natural pass protector and can also work to get stronger in the running game.

23. Baltimore Ravens

  •  Kayshon Boutte, WR, LSU (6-0, 190 pounds)

The Ravens need to get some potential big impact to help a healthy Rashod Bateman and Mark Andrews to get more out of their passing game minus Greg Roman, whether it's with Lamar Jackson or another QB. Boutte would be a versatile option as the latest standout Tiger, with a good blend of perimeter field-stretching and inside route toughness.

24. Minnesota Vikings

  • Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State (6-2, 198 pounds)

The Vikings need to give Cam Dantzler better help on the back end with Patrick Peterson and Chandon Sullivan heading into free agency. They could use some of Porter's size, speed and physicality to make more plays on the ball in coverage.

25. Jacksonville Jaguars

  • Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma (6-5, 315 pounds)

The Jaguars should get left tackle Cam Robinson back healthy but right tackle Jawaan Taylor is heading into free agency. Harrison can be a steady replacement to help Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne Jr. He has natural strength for the running game and can also become a pass-protecting ace by refining his technique.

26. New York Giants

  • Noah Sewell, LB, Oregon (6-3, 250 pounds)

The Giants were left with an absolute mess at linebacker away from their edge rush and it cost them mightily in the end. They should then welcome Sewell's reliable tackling and playmaking vs. the run plus high upside in coverage.

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27. Dallas Cowboys

  • Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas (6-0, 215 pounds)

With the possibilities of Tony Pollard exploring free agency after his breakout season and Ezekiel Elliott being cut for salary-cap purposes, Jerry Jones might be interested in replacing them with a potential superstar from down the road in Austin. Robinson is a three-down back with explosive qualities including vision, quickness, determination and open-field burst as a runner and receiver.

28. Buffalo Bills

  • O'Cyrus Torrence, G, Florida (6-5, 347 pounds)

The Bills need interior offensive line help around Mitch Morse following a disappointing season from Rodger Saffold and Ryan Bates. Torrence has the power, nastiness, hands and feet they could use to become smoother inside.

Vinnie Iyer

Vinnie Iyer Photo

Vinnie Iyer, has been with TSN since 1999, not long after graduating from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. He has produced NFL content for more than 20 years, turning his attention to full-time writing in 2007. A native of St. Louis, Mo. but now a long-time resident of Charlotte, N.C. Vinnie’s top two professional sports teams are Cardinals and Blues, but he also carries purple pride for all things Northwestern Wildcats. He covers every aspect of the NFL for TSN including player evaluations, gambling and fantasy football, where he is a key contributor. Vinnie represents TSN as host of the “Locked On Fantasy Football” podcast on the Locked On network. Over his many years at TSN, he’s also written about MLB, NBA, NASCAR, college football, tennis, horse racing, film and television. His can’t-miss program remains “Jeopardy!”, where he was once a three-day champion and he is still avid about crossword puzzles and trivia games. When not watching sports or his favorite game show, Vinnie is probably watching a DC, Marvel or Star Wars-related TV or movie.