The 2023 NFL draft is just about a week away, and rumors continue to swirl, including potential trade-up scenarios and a new QB1 atop the draft.
There are plenty of storylines to monitor over the next week, including a new consensus top quarterback in Bryce Young and whether Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter will actually fall to ninth overall, where the Bears will have a big decision to make about whether to take Carter or possibly find a trade partner.
With the NFL draft just days away, we have put together our latest two-round NFL mock draft, where there’s some shake-up among the top quarterbacks and a pair of trades inside the top 10.
1
Carolina Panthers (from CHI): QB Bryce Young, Alabama
Reports say that the Panthers are keyed in on Young, and he is likely to be the top pick in the draft.
2
Houston Texans: QB Anthony Richardson, Florida
I don’t buy any report of the Texans not taking a quarterback. Richardson’s ceiling is too high to pass on.
3
Indianapolis Colts (projected trade with Cardinals): QB C.J. Stroud, Ohio State
The Colts trade up to ensure they get Stroud as three quarterbacks kickoff the draft.
4
Arizona Cardinals (projected trade with Colts): EDGE Will Anderson, Alabama
The Cardinals gain extra draft capital and get the top edge rusher in the class.
5
Seattle Seahawks (from DEN): EDGE Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech
The Seahawks hit the draft lottery last year with several mid-round picks panning out in their secondary, as well as their offensive line. They tend to their front seven with Wilson.
6
Detroit Lions (from LAR): CB Devon Witherspoon, Illinois
The Lions have bulked up their secondary, but are still a young pillar away at cornerback.
7
Las Vegas Raiders: OT Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio State
The Raiders need to bring in a franchise tackle to protect Jimmy Garoppolo.
8
Atlanta Falcons: OT Peter Skoronski, Northwestern
The Falcons have done well at beefing up their defense, which gives them the flexibility to get stronger up front.
9
Pittsburgh Steelers (projected trade with Bears): DT Jalen Carter, Georgia
Peter King reported that a trade to watch would be the Steelers to move up if Carter was available. They make another move with the Bears, sending a package that features the No. 17 and No. 49 picks to move up for the dynamic defensive tackle.
10
Philadelphia Eagles (from NO): RB Bijan Robinson, Texas
This may be the best match of any in the draft. The Eagles offense is a hand in glove fit, and they need a feature back after Miles Sanders left for Carolina.
11
Tennessee Titans: QB Will Levis, Kentucky
The Titans are reportedly out on Malik Willis, and they may move on from Ryan Tannehill sooner than later. Levis is a boom or bust prospect, and Tennessee will be hoping for the former.
12
Los Angeles Chargers (projected trade with Texans): WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State
Putting Smith-Njigba in this offense would open up a lot of space in Kellen Moore’s offense alongside Mike Williams and Keenan Allen
13
Green Bay Packers (projected trade with Jets): TE Michael Mayer, Notre Dame
In terms of sure things, this is as close to one as you’ll find in the NFL Draft. Everyone is writing Mayer’s name in pen to go to Green Bay.
14
New England Patriots: WR Zay Flowers, Boston College
It’s the worst kept secret in the NFL that the Pats love Flowers. They’ll take him if he’s there.
15
Green Bay Packers: WR Jordan Addison, USC
Getting two legit targets and weapons in the first round would set up Jordan Love for success.
16
Washington Commanders: CB Christian Gonzalez, Oregon
Kicking Benjamin St-Juste to the permanent spot in the slot and having Gonzalez and Kendall Fuller man the perimeter would give Washington a very good defensive backfield.
17
Chicago Bears (projected trade with Steelers): OT Broderick Jones, Georgia
Keeping Justin Fields upright needs to be the Bears’ top priority.
18
Detroit Lions: TE Dalton Kincaid, Utah
Kincaid is a legit field-stretcher. He could potentially become better than what T.J. Hockenson was while in Detroit.
19
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: EDGE Myles Murphy, Clemson
The Bucs are aging and thin in the trenches.
20
Seattle Seahawks: OC John Michael Schmitz, Minnesota
The Seahawks are set at tackle- they need to get stronger on the interior.
21
Houston Texans (projected trade with Chargers): WR Quentin Johnston, TCU
Johnston gets paired with Richardson, and Houston hopes to have found their QB-WR combo of the future.
22
Baltimore Ravens: CB Joey Porter Jr., Penn State
Papa bear, Joey Porter Sr., is going to have some conflicts of interest when it comes to his playing days and whom his son suits up for.
23
Minnesota Vikings: EDGE Lukas Van Ness, Iowa
The Vikings are going to draft defense heavy throughout the draft. Van Ness gives them a threat off the edge.
24
Jacksonville Jaguars: S Brian Branch, Alabama
Jacksonville’s biggest weakness is their secondary, and Branch would be a day one starter.
25
New York Giants: CB Cam Smith, South Carolina
It was painfully obvious how thin the Giants were at cornerback last season. Smith becomes an immediate impact player.
26
Dallas Cowboys: DT Bryan Bresee, Clemson
After acquiring Brandin Cooks, the Cowboys’ need for a receiver goes down, and they get stronger in the trenches.
27
Buffalo Bills: LB Jack Campbell, Iowa
Those Iowa linebackers are just built differently. Campbell is an athletic freak, and would fill the shoes of Tremaine Edmunds.
28
Cincinnati Bengals: OT Dawand Jones, Ohio State
If the Bengals had two tackles standing at 6-foot-8, Joe Burrow would have enough time to stand in the pocket and Google a fun fact about every opposing defender while throwing for 300 yards per game.
29
New Orleans Saints (from SF): EDGE Nolan Smith, Georgia
The Saints defense played very well in 2022, but they are aging and need fresh legs.
30
Philadelphia Eagles: EDGE B.J. Ojulari, LSU
Brandon Graham is 35 — Philadelphia needs another young pass rusher opposite of Haason Reddick.
31
Kansas City Chiefs: TE Darnell Washington, Georgia
How would you stop the Chiefs if they selected Washington? If you double Kelce, you’re leaving a 6-foot-7 tight end in single coverage. If you double Washington, you’re leaving arguably the best tight end ever in single coverage. Good luck, defensive coordinators. Have fun trying to sleep while you shake your fist at the sky asking God why he allowed this to happen.
32
Pittsburgh Steelers (from CHI): CB Deonte Banks, Maryland
33
Houston Texans: EDGE Will McDonald IV, Iowa State
34
Arizona Cardinals: CB Kelee Ringo, Georgia
35
Indianapolis Colts: OT Darnell Wright, Tennessee
36
Los Angeles Rams: OT Anton Harrison, Oklahoma
37
Seattle Seahawks (from DEN): OG O’Cyrus Torrence, Florida
38
Las Vegas Raiders: CB Emmanuel Forbes, Mississippi State
39
Carolina Panthers: WR Josh Downs, North Carolina
40
New Orleans Saints: DT Calijah Kancey, Pittsburgh
41
Tennessee Titans: WR Jalin Hyatt, Tennessee
42
Green Bay Packers (projected trade with Jets): EDGE Isaiah Foskey, Notre Dame
43
New York Jets: OT Cody Mauch, North Dakota State
44
Atlanta Falcons: EDGE Adetomiwa Adebawore, Northwestern
45
Green Bay Packers: LB Trenton Simpson, Clemson
46
New England Patriots: QB Hendon Hooker, Tennessee
47
Washington Commanders: LB Drew Sanders, Arkansas
48
Detroit Lions: DT Mazi Smith, Michigan
49
Chicago Bears (projected trade with Steelers): CB Julius Brents, Kansas State
50
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: OG Steve Avila, TCU
51
Miami Dolphins: OC Joe Tippmann, Wisconsin
52
Seattle Seahawks: WR Cedric Tillman, Tennessee
53
Chicago Bears (from BAL): RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama
54
Los Angeles Chargers: RB Tyjae Spears, Tulane
55
Detroit Lions (from MIN): WR Rashee Rice, SMU
56
Jacksonville Jaguars: CB DJ Turner, Michigan
57
New York Giants: LB Daiyan Henley, Washington State
58
Dallas Cowboys: EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu, USC
59
Buffalo Bills: CB Darius Rush, South Carolina
60
Cincinnati Bengals: CB Tyrique Stevenson, Miami (FL)
61
Chicago Bears (from SF via CAR): DT Siaki Ika, Baylor
62
Philadelphia Eagles: LB Noah Sewell, Oregon
63
Kansas City Chiefs: EDGE Keion White, Georgia Tech
