The 2023 NFL Draft already has had multiple trades to change the first-round order. Six picks don't belong to the original teams that had them thanks to deals that happened well before the draft.
The biggest deal went down last month, when the Bears traded the No. 1 overall pick to the Panthers to move down to No. 9 and stockpile more selections. While the Texans, Seahawks, Lions and Eagles all pick twice for now, the Browns, Broncos, Rams and 49ers are set to be off the clock on April 27. They are joined by the Dolphins, who forfeited their pick.
With the exception of this article's exercise, Sporting News mock drafts are written trade-free to avoid a whole new level of speculation. But taking into account which teams may want to move up or down and considering the classic Jimmy Johnson draft trade value chart, here's our look at how six more trades can shake up the first round:
MORE NFL DRAFT: Ranking top 140 prospects overall, positional rankings
NFL mock draft with trades 2023
1. Carolina Panthers (from Bears)
- C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State (6-3, 214 pounds)
Stroud is looking like the QB of choice for the Panthers vs. high-floor Bryce Young and high-ceiling Anthony Richardson. Stroud is the happy medium in between who fits the offense of Frank Reich and Thomas Brown as a polished, smooth, pocket passer with the right dash of athleticism.
2. Houston Texans
- Bryce Young, QB, Alabama (5-10, 204 pounds)
The Texans should now have a no-brainer pick based on what the Panthers do. They could think about Richardson's upside here but, should Stroud come off the board, Young's intangibles, leadership, pedigree on top of arm and athleticism gives him more can't-miss qualities than Richardson and Will Levis.
TRADE: 3. Detroit Lions (from Cardinals)
- Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida (6-4, 244 pounds)
The Lions can move up from No. 6 for the price of their top second-rounder (No. 48 overall) and third-rounder (No. 81 overall). This would be somewhat of a shocker, only because Detroit would be so aggressive for a young QB who may not start for it until 2024. But from a different perspective, the Lions should shoot for the moon and look to save from paying Jared Goff soon to further raise their ceiling. There's one thing to turn the corner and make the playoffs. There's another to have a QB with tremendous arm and athletic upside who can put them on a short list to get a ring in near future.
MORE: Grading NFL free agency moves for all 32 teams from best (Bears) to worst (Packers)
4. Indianapolis Colts
-
Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Alabama (6-3, 253 pounds)
The Colts won't force the issue on a quarterback and settle for Will Levis should Stroud, Young and Richardson all end up going ahead of them. They could wait and think about Hendon Hooker in the second round (No. 35 overall) while just taking a game-changing, potential dominant defender and best available overall player here.
5. Seattle Seahawks (from Broncos)
- Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia (6-3, 314 pounds)
The Seahawks have a history of taking calculated draft risks under Pete Carroll and John Schneider. They will feel comfortable with Carter despite the off-field concern that developed at the Combine and the underwhelming pro day. Focusing on his tape at Georgia, Carter can be a dominant disruptor who fills a big need to help newcomer Dre'Mont Jones in Seattle's three-man front.
TRADE: 6. Arizona Cardinals (from Rams through Lions)
- Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech (6-6, 275 pounds)
If Arizona slides a few sports down, it still should go with the most disruptive defensive player on the board. With Anderson and Carter gone, it would make sense for them to go after the freakish and versatile Wilson to create havoc up front post J.J. Watt's retirement.
MORE: Biggest winners & losers from 2023 free agency
7. Las Vegas Raiders
- Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon (6-1, 197 pounds)
The Raiders should think more about immediate impact defender in the Sauce Gardner mold early after doing a lot of good offensive work in NFL free agency for Josh McDaniels, including landing Jimmy Garoppolo for QB. Gonzalez went gangbusters at the Combine to confirm his status as the top corner in the class. He has great athletic pedigree and made sure to remind everyone about his playing speed and quickness for such a big cover man.
TRADE: 8. Pittsburgh Steelers (from Falcons)
- Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern (6-4, 313 pounds)
The Steelers need to replace Dan Moore Jr. and give Kenny Pickett a long-term sound pass-protecting left tackle. There's a chance they get aggressive so they can take the first crack, given Paris Johnson Jr might project on the right side. Skoronski gets the edge over Broderick Jones for his can't-miss smooth quickness and athleticism.
MORE: Biggest risers, fallers from 2023 NFL Draft pro days
9. Chicago Bears (from Panthers)
- Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State (6-6, 313 pounds)
The Bears can simply pivot from local in Skoronski to futher out in the Big Ten to provide Justin Fields with a major pass protection upgrade after already getting him a new No. 1 wide receiver in D.J. Moore. They should like Johnson's combination of power and and athleticism to keep up their strong run blocking while also helping to keep Fields upright.
10. Philadelphia Eagles (from Saints)
- Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson (6-5, 268 pounds)
The Eagles are bringing back Brandon Graham after his career-high sack season, but he just turned 35 in April. Like they did with Jordan Davis and Nakobe Dean in last year's draft, they need to stash a top-flight future starter. Murphy fits the bill as an explosive talent who can be productive situationally at first.
TRADE: 11. Baltimore Ravens (from Titans)
-
Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State (6-2, 198 pounds)
This is also mocking a blockbuster trade that sends Lamar Jackson to the Titans in exchange for multiple first-rounders, including this selection. The Ravens shouldn't be interested much in the misfit Levis at QB here and instead go for the best corner in a size-heavy class for the position. It might be weird for the Ravens to land the son of a rival Steelers pass-rush legend, but he's a good fit outside with shutdown potential replacing Marcus Peters.
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 opened the door for others to be the first wide receiver drafted after measuring a little shorter and running a little slower than expected at the Combine, but specific to what Houston needs, he has a nice blend of field-stretching speed and after-the-catch quickness to quickly develop into the go-to guy.
13. New York Jets
- Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU (6-4, 215 pounds)
The Jets will try to hold on to this pick in the looming Aaron Rodgers trade with the Packers. There's talk of them jumping on an offensive lineman here should they stay put, but they also can make an easy cut of Corey Davis and give Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard help with an outside vertical threat. Johnston is that classic speedster with ideal size with which to stretch the field, an ideal complement to Wilson.
TRADE: 14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from Patriots)
-
Will Levis, QB, Kentucky (6-3, 229 pounds)
The Buccaneers can use the Patriots again to get their next franchise QB as Jason Licht and Bill Belichick should think about dealing. Should Levis slide in the first round behind the other three QBs as some expect, Tampa Bay is the neediest team picking in the back half. It could be prompted to make this move more should Indianapolis and Baltimore develop QB needs after this pick. Levis' strong "cannon" arm can play well off a new run-oriented offense to take advantage of wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin downfield.
15. Green Bay Packers
-
Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame (6-5, 249 pounds)
Mayer didn't run the fastest and didn't blow anyone away with his capped athleticism in the agility drills, but he made his mark as a complete, classic in-line player for the position in the gauntlet and other pass-catching testing. The Packers need an impact tight end for Jordan Love with Robert Tonyan leaving for the Bears in free agency.
MORE: The biggest busts in NFL Draft history
16. Washington Commanders
-
Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois (6-0, 181 pounds)
Witherspoon, continuing the agility and size combination theme for corners in this class, positioned himself to be a top-half pick with Cam Smith and Kelee Ringo slipping on boards in relation. The Commanders need to lock into the best corner available for them after their disaster on the back end with William Jackson Jr., Kendall Fuller and others.
TRADE: 17. Atlanta Falcons (from Steelers)
-
Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina (6-1, 180 pounds)
Should the Falcons trade down like in this mock, it means they like the depth at edge pass rusher to tap into that position later in the draft. But they can still help their pass defense well with a smooth cover corner who has higher first-round value. Smith just slipped a little in relation to the rise of Gonzalez, Porter and Witherspoon.
18. Detroit Lions
-
Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas (5-11, 215 pounds)
The Lions have grown weary of D'Andre Swift's durability issues and that's why they got a more well-rounded back in David Montgomery to replace Jamaal Williams. That could be setting them up to also move on from Swift, with Montgomery settling into a pure backup role. Robinson is a terrific power back who has special three-down skills. His explosiveness behind their elite line to complement a downfield passing game would be game-changing for an already loaded offense.
TRADE: 19. New England Patriots (from Buccaneers)
- Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia (6-4, 310 pounds)
The Patriots have been rumored to be shopping Mac Jones but assuming with they stick with their third-year starting QB, they could use to upgrade what's in front of him. Veteran addition is a shaky 34-year-old stopgap opposite Trent Brown, who himself struggled last season. It make sense for them to target Jones' quickness and agility for a pass-protecting left tackle and kick Brown back to the right side.
TRADE: 20. Baltimore Ravens (from Seahawks)
-
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State (6-1, 195 pounds)
The Ravens, after reaping the early benefits of the Jackson trade in this draft with Porter for cornerback, can move up a little again from their original first-rounder to get Smith-Njigba to help their new starting QB, which for the moment might be Tyler Huntley. The Ravens could use Smith-Njigba to boost the passing game away from Mark Andrews, Rashod Bateman and newly-signed Odell Beckham Jr.
(Note: The Miami Dolphins' pick was forfeited)
21. Los Angeles Chargers
-
Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College (5-9, 182 pounds)
The Chargers can boost their offense with a third receiver, for Justin Herbert and new coordinator Kellen Moore. Keenan Allen will turn 31 on draft night and Mike Williams' durability issues are well documented. Flowers compares very much to Lockett with his speed and versatility to be effective making big plays outside or in the slot.
TRADE: 22. Seattle Seahawks (from Ravens)
-
Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia (6-2, 207 pounds)
The Seahawks are interested in pairing Ringo with their steal of a top-flight cornerback in last year's draft. With Ringo playing outside opposite Tariq Woolen and Coby Bryant the slot, a reboot of the Legion of Doom would be in progress. Ringo is the big, physical aggressive playmaking corner they love.
23. Minnesota Vikings
-
Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson (6-3, 235 pounds)
The Vikings have a big void in the middle of their defense. They should covet Simpson's toughness and speed with which to cover a ton of ground and make plenty of plays in coverage and against the run.
TRADE: 24. Buffalo Bills (from Jaguars)
- Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama (5-9, 199 pounds)
The Jaguars don't have any glaring short-term needs anymore with their recent draft hauls so it would be smart for them to trade down and get some extra capital. The Bills might be a willing partner to make sure they jump ahead of the Eagles to land Gibbs, whom Buffalo loves as a potential lead back with Damien Harris and James Cook in complementary roles. Gibbs is good enough to see three-down work with them being his situational power and receiving backups, respectively.
25. New York Giants
- Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson (6-6, 298 pounds)
The Giants need a relentless and versatile disruptor for their three-man front to help replace Dalvin Tomlinson next to Dexter Lawrence and Leonard Williams. Bresee is an ideal means to that end.
26. Dallas Cowboys
-
O'Cyrus Torrence, G, Florida (6-5, 330 pounds)
The Cowboys lost Connor McGovern in free agency and needed to upgrade at left guard between the Tylers, Smith and Biadasz, anyway. Torrence gives them that run-blocking behemoth to boost the new offense of Brian Schottenheimer.
MORE: Each team's worst NFL Draft regret
TRADE: 27. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Bills)
- Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia (6-2, 238 pounds)
The Jaguars got Travon Walker from the Bulldogs dominant back-to-back national championship defense at the top of the 2022 draft. They are an ideal team to feature Smith as a speed, quick situational rusher at first with the potential to displace another first-rounder, Josh Allen, who may be too expensive to keep soon.
28. Cincinnati Bengals
-
Brian Branch, S, Alabama (6-0, 190 pounds)
The Bengals have safety as a high priority after losing starters Jessie Bates III (Falcons) and Vonn Bell (Panthers) in free agency. Newcomer Nick Scott needs help and Branch, should he fall because of his position, would be an awesome get. Branch is a terrific natural cover man with some upside in run support, too.
29. New Orleans Saints (from 49ers through Broncos)
-
Drew Sanders, LB/S, Arkansas (6-4, 235 pounds)
The Saints need to replace the upfield playmaking of Kaden Elliss, who left for the rival Falcons in free agency. Sanders excels at flying around vs. the run and also getting to the quarterback. He would be a great fit should the Bills go in a different direction (like here) a few picks earlier.
30. Philadelphia Eagles
- Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma (6-4, 315 pounds)
The Eagles will keep on stashing for the future with multiple first-rounders for the second consecutive year. After taking rock of a right tackle Lane Johnson out of Oklahoma 10 years ago, they can tap into the Sooners again to replace him in the near future, given Johnson turns 33 in May. Harrison is a reliable run blocker who is getting more attention for his plus athleticism.
31. Kansas City Chiefs
- Isaiah Foskey, EDGE, Notre Dame (6-5, 264 pounds)
The Chiefs are in the process of rebuilding their outside pass rush after drafting George Karlaftis last year and releasing Frank Clark this year. Foskey, with his well-rounded powerful and sometimes explosive moves, would be the ideal bookend to produce quickly for Steve Spagnuolo.
