Matching elite NFL prospects with team needs and putting together a mock draft is an exercise that can look like a mess after a few picks.
The normally heightened level of guesswork is even greater this year, when it seems like Bryce Young will be the top pick by the Carolina Panthers but at least some doubt remains.
Few positions outside of running back (Texas’ Bijan Robinson) have a consensus best player, adding to the questions. One team’s top offensive lineman might be fourth on another team’s board and vice versa. There isn’t a dominant wide receiver in this class, and it’s possible — maybe even likely — one isn’t selected in the top 10.
Speculation is the Houston Texans won’t select a quarterback at No. 2. If true, that makes selling the pick more difficult and it’s fair to assume the Texans would want a big package to trade down. If the Texans struggle to trade out of No. 2, the Arizona Cardinals might have similar issues at No. 3.
Or there could be a quick run on quarterbacks, with some teams — such as the Indianapolis Colts at No. 4 — clearly in need. Here’s some infotainment in the form of mock draft 3.0 with the real thing only a day away.
Chicago Bears picks in 2023 NFL draft (April 27-29)
- Round 1: No. 9
- Round 2: Nos. 53 and 61
- Round 3: No. 64
- Round 4: Nos. 103 and 133
- Round 5: Nos. 136 and 148
- Round 7: Nos. 218 and 258
1. Carolina Panthers (from Chicago Bears): Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
If GM Scott Fitterer and coach Frank Reich are putting the greatest weight on game tape, Young has to be the selection with the pick acquired from the Bears.
2. Houston Texans: Tyree Wilson, Edge, Texas Tech
At 6-foot-6, 271 pounds, Wilson is a powerful man with great explosive traits and the ability to play a variety of roles on the defensive line.
3. Arizona Cardinals: Will Anderson Jr., Edge, Alabama
The Cardinals have a host of holes on a roster that needs serious work to compete in the NFC West. Getting a premier edge rusher is a good start for the new power structure in Arizona.
4. Indianapolis Colts: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
Accuracy is a bit of a question mark for Levis. That was one of the knocks on Josh Allen when he was coming out of Wyoming. Imagine what Levis would look like if he had been surrounded by top-tier SEC talent.
5. Tennessee Titans* (from Seattle Seahawks via Denver Broncos): C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
The Seahawks re-signed Geno Smith and could be looking to move down to acquire draft capital in the event they want to pick a quarterback a year from now. The Titans, meanwhile, have been rumored to be ready to move on from Ryan Tannehill since the end of the season.
*-projected trade
6. Detroit Lions (from Los Angeles Rams): Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
The Lions would love to add to their defensive front, but with Wilson and Anderson off the board, they can fill a need in the secondary with a physical cornerback.
7. Las Vegas Raiders: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
The Raiders could be in the quarterback market or they could choose to wait a year and work to improve the roster elsewhere. Cornerbacks are in demand in the AFC West when facing Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert twice a season.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
The Falcons spent big in free agency on the defensive side. The best way to give young QB Desmond Ridder a chance to succeed is to have a powerful ground attack. Enter Robinson.
9. Bears (from Panthers): Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
Some believe Carter will be in jeopardy of sliding out of the top 10 because of questions about his makeup. The Bears have a serious need on the defensive line, and the gamble could be worth it if they believe he’ll come in with a chip on his shoulder.
10. Philadelphia Eagles (from New Orleans Saints): Nolan Smith, Edge, Georgia
Howie Roseman always seems to be collecting offensive and defensive linemen. Smith would give the Eagles a dynamic pass rusher along the lines of Haason Reddick, who had 16 sacks for them last season.
11. Seahawks* (from Titans): Peter Skoronski, OL, Northwestern
The Seahawks need to get better up front on both sides of the line, and Skoronski would be a foundational piece for years to come no matter where they start him.
*-projected trade
12. Texans (from Cleveland Browns): Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
The Texans seem unlikely to select a quarterback at No. 2, but if the uber-talented Richardson slides this far, his upside could be too much to pass up.
13. Green Bay Packers (from New York Jets): Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
GM Brian Gutekunst needs to outfit young QB Jordan Love with pass-catching help or protection, and the Packers have a history of waiting until Day 2 to start looking for wide receivers.
14. New England Patriots: Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland
A lot of questions about how Year 3 will shake out for QB Mac Jones. There are also questions about the secondary, and Banks has been a hot name the last two months.
15. Jets (from Packers): Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State
Now that the Jets have landed Aaron Rodgers, they need to add protection for the quarterback they hope turns the club’s fortunes around.
16. Washington Commanders: Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
Ron Rivera needs to add front-line help to the secondary. The Commanders might like Banks here, but if he’s gone, Porter offers good size and strength.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Lukas Van Ness, Edge, Iowa
The Steelers figure to stick on one side of the trenches, and there are rumors they would like to move up. Van Ness would help immediately.
18. Lions: Myles Murphy, Edge, Clemson
GM Brad Holmes would love one of the top defensive linemen to fall into his lap at No. 6. If that doesn’t happen, he can get Murphy here and address another need on defense.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
The Bucs have needs across the board as that roster has been old for a while. The offensive line has to be rebuilt, and Wright projects as a front-line right tackle with a chance of moving to the left side.
20. Seahawks: Will McDonald IV, Edge, Iowa State
The Seahawks need some juice for the defensive front, and there aren’t many prospects with greater athletic ability on the edge than McDonald.
(Miami Dolphins forfeited the 21st pick)
21. Los Angeles Chargers: Jordan Addison, WR, USC
Justin Herbert has some nice targets on the outside, but the Chargers lack speed. Addison has production to go with a 4.49 time in the 40-yard dash.
22. Baltimore Ravens: Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State
If the Ravens believe they can get a healthy and productive season from wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., they can turn their attention to the secondary. Forbes’ ability in man coverage makes him an ideal target.
23. Minnesota Vikings: Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee
The Vikings need a plan to move on at some point from Kirk Cousins, who will turn 35 before the season. Hooker could continue to mend from an ACL injury and learn from the sidelines for a year or two.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
A hamstring injury that kept Smith-Njigba out for the majority of the 2022 season dings his stock a little bit. The Jaguars can pounce on him here and add to Trevor Lawrence’s options.
25. New York Giants: Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
For Daniel Jones to build off a decent 2022 season, he has to get more help on the outside. The Giants will have their pick of some solid options, and Flowers runs well.
26. Dallas Cowboys: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Mayer has been compared to former Cowboys star Jason Witten. This is an ideal fit with Dalton Schultz having departed via free agency.
27. Buffalo Bills: Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson
The Bills lack size and power on the interior of both lines. Bresee would help the defense immediately.
28. Cincinnati Bengals: Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
The Bengals could seek some interior protection for Joe Burrow or provide him with another weapon in an already robust passing game.
29. Saints (from Broncos via Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers): Calijah Kancey, DT, Pittsburgh
The Saints have needs all over the place, and they’re especially deficient on the interior of the defensive line. Kancey is undersized but disruptive.
30. Eagles: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama
The Eagles got major production from Miles Sanders last year and can replace him with a back who would be more productive between the tackles.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
The Chiefs could look for an edge rusher here to mitigate the loss of Frank Clark, or an offensive-minded team could provide Patrick Mahomes with another big weapon with playmaking ability.
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