Howies NFL Round 1 Mock Draft

Howies 2023 NFL Mock Draft 1.0

 

No Trades

  1. Chicago Bears: EDGE Will Anderson Jr.

Will Anderson Jr. will replace the sack production that the Bears lost when they traded away Khalil Mack. He is an immediate plug and play guy who will boost the front seven of a rather porous defense.

 

  1. Houston Texans: QB Bryce Young

With a new head coach and mediocre play from current QB Davis Mills, Bryce Young could be the QB of the future for the Texans. Young is a proven winner in college with excellent accuracy and decision making. His small stature is a bit concerning, but his athleticism should help overcome that obstacle.

 

  1. Arizona Cardinals: DT Jalen Carter

Jalen Carter would be a great replacement for now retired JJ Watt. He has the athleticism and skill set to move around the defensive line. With former Eagles Defensive Coordinator Jason Gannon taking over as head coach, they could try to rebuild the interior of the defensive line to help out their young, talented secondary.

 

  1. Indianapolis Colts: QB C.J. Stroud

 

Stroud had a prolific college career but struggled with the stigma of unperforming in big games. After putting on a passing clinic against the Georgia Bulldogs in the College Football Playoffs, Stroud now has the attention of teams with need at QB and should be off the board early on draft night.

 

  1. Seattle Seahawks: EDGE Tyree Wilson

Wilson is an athletic specimen at 6′ 6″ 276 pounds. Seattle hit home runs in last years draft by finding starters in the secondary. Now they will look to add to the trenches to round out their defense.

 

  1. Detroit Lions: DT Brian Bresee

The Lions were able to find quality players at all three levels of their defense last year in the draft. They will look to keep adding to their defense by bringing in Bresee. A rare combination of size and speed with a motor that never stops. His injury history may scare teams in the top 10, but when he is healthy, he is a force to be reckoned with.

 

  1. Oakland Raiders: QB Will Levis

This pick is pretty contingent on whether or not the Raiders can land Aaron Rodgers, but if they can’t they will look for an immediate upgrade from their current situation. With Carr recently being released, the Raiders will look to fill the void with one of the more interesting QB prospects in the draft. Levis has a lightning-fast release with a strong arm as well. His ability to make plays with his legs as well will make him tough to gameplan against.

 

  1. Atlanta Falcons: WR Quentin Johnston

Atlanta has been slowly rebuilding their offense after turning over the roster by moving on from Matt Ryan and Julio Jones. They addressed the QB need last year by taking Desmond Ridder. The Falcons will look to add a big-bodied weapon on the outside to compliment Kyle Pitts.

 

  1. Carolina Panthers: EDGE Myles Murphy

Carolina has slowly been piecing together a quality defense over the last few seasons. Murphy brings added size to the front seven and could compliment young stars Brian Burns and Derrick Brown along the defensive line.

 

  1. Philadelphia Eagles: CB Devon Witherspoon

Witherspoon is a physical corner with tremendous ball skills. The Eagles had one of the top defenses last year and could look to sure up the secondary by adding a young corner to the mix. Darius Slay is getting older and is coming to the end of his current contract. Witherspoon would be a perfect fit to groom with Slay before he departs.

 

 

  1. Tennessee Titans: T Paris Johnson Jr.

With current Titans Tackle Taylor Lewan as possible cut candidate, the Titans could look to fill the void immediately in the draft. Paris Johnson Jr. is a premier athlete and has the ability to play both guard and tackle. If the Titans decide to keep Lewan for the final year of his deal, Johnson would still probably rotate along the line and fill in for injuries when needed before taking over at left tackle in 2024.

 

  1. Houston Texans: WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Houston already filled the need at QB at #2 with Bryce Young. Star WR Brandin Cooks has made it very clear that he would like to move on from the team this offseason. JSN would be a day 1 starter for the Texans and give them a flexible receiver who can play outside as well as in the slot.

 

  1. New York Jets: T Broderick Jones

The Jets have struggled with bad QB play and injuries on the offensive line. They feel that Becton is a cornerstone piece on the line, but injuries have derailed his career early. The Jets have drafted well on offense and have the pieces in place to succeed. Bolstering the offensive line will help take the offense to the next level, even with mediocre QB play.

 

  1. New England Patriots: EDGE Andre Carter II

The Patriots are notorious for taking guys with high ceilings early in the draft. Carter would be no exception here. Not only is he physically intimidating, but also a dominant player on the field. With 19 career sacks in college, he would be a great addition to New England’s front seven and would complement Matt Judon nicely.

 

  1. Green Bay Packers: EDGE Lukas Van Ness

Green Bay always seems to avoid adding first round weapons, this year would be no different. Van Ness was a rotational player in college, but was still highly productive, registering 7 sacks last season. In a division that tends to favor the run, Van Ness would be a great addition to the Packers defensive line in both the pass rush as well as run defense.

 

  1. Washington Commanders: CB Christian Gonzalez

The Commanders were able to get help on offense last year in the draft, but defensive-minded head coach Ron Rivera will be looking to sure up the secondary this year. Gonzalez is one of the top corners in this year’s draft and should be an immediate upgrade to a rather soft secondary.

 

  1. Pittsburgh Steelers: T Peter Skoronski

 

The Steelers struggled to get anything going on offense last season due to horrendous offensive line play. I would expect the Steelers to make as many moves as possible to change that this season starting with drafting some help up front.

 

  1. Detroit Lions: CB Joey Porter Jr.

Doubling down on defense after taking Bresee at #6, the Lions look to add help in the secondary, which has been historically bad over the last few seasons. Detroit has gotten inconsistent play from first round pick Jeff Okudah and it has been a revolving door of other corners opposite him. Porter bringing size and tenacity and should be a plug-and-play guy from Day 1.

 

  1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: DT Calijah Kancey

Tampa Bay is in pretty good position with Tom Brady retiring to be able to land a free agent QB to keep the championship window open. Kancey should be able to step into the defensive line rotation and bring a pass rush presence to complement Vita Vea in the middle of Tampa’s defense.

 

  1. Seattle Seahawks: IOL O’Cyrus Torrence

Seattle was able to land two starting tackles in last year’s draft. Torrence, an All-American guard, will be an upgrade to the interior of Seattle’s line and help create running lanes for young star Kenneth Walker.

 

  1. Los Angeles Chargers: WR Jordan Addison

The Chargers could look to move on from oft-injured receiver Keenan Allen this offseason which would create a need at receiver. Second year receiver Josh Palmer took a nice leap in production last year, but the Chargers will still look for added weapons in what should be a highly competitive AFC West.

 

  1. Baltimore Ravens: EDGE Nolan Smith

It wouldn’t surprise me if the Ravens took a receiver here, but John Harbaugh will probably look to get his notoriously daunting defense back in shape after a disappointing season full of injuries. Smith’s value this late in the first round was too good to pass on and with the midseason addition of Roquan Smith, Nolan Smith will complete an already impressive linebacker room.

 

  1. Minnesota Vikings: CB Deonte Banks

Minnesota seemed to fall apart defensively down the stretch. The offense still has all of it’s weapons with most players under contract still. With aging members of the secondary, they could use some fresh legs on the backend.

 

  1. Jacksonville Jaguars: IOL Luke Wypler

The Jaguars were definitely must-watch football down the stretch last year, but it always seemed like Trevor Lawrence was running for his life trying to make plays. Upgrading the offensive line is a must for Jacksonville this offseason.

 

  1. New York Giants: IOL John Michael Schmitz

The Giants have spent draft capital over the last two drafts to improve their offensive line for running back Saquon Barkley, but the interior of that line is still a work in progress. Schmitz should improve that line that is anchored on the outside by tackles Andrew Thomas and Evan Neal.

 

  1. Dallas Cowboys: T Anton Harrison

Harrison is a mammoth of a man. Tyron Smith has battled injuries and it seems to be pretty apparent that the Cowboys offense struggles when the offensive line isn’t healthy. Dak Prescott and the running backs will appreciate some added help up front.

 

 

  1. Buffalo Bills: IOL Steve Avila

The Bills have struggled to run the ball which has made the offense very one-dimensional. Playing in Buffalo, the late season games have seemed to more of a disadvantage for them, even as the home team, forcing them to throw the ball in bad weather games. Adding some beef up front should help open holes in the run game for the stables of backs they platoon on a weekly basis.

 

  1. Cincinnati Bengals: T Dawand Jones

The Bengals invested heavily in the offensive line last year in free agency, but lost most of the players down the stretch leading into the playoffs. Look for the Bengals to reload at offensive line to protect their young franchise QB Joe Burrow.

 

  1. New Orleans Saints: TE Michael Mayer

All the Saints seem to be missing is a QB, which I think they will address in free agency. New Orleans has fielded a plethora of tight ends over the last few seasons and Michael Mayer would be an immediate upgrade and potential long term answer at that position.

 

  1. Philadelphia Eagles: RB Bijan Robinson

After limited touches in the Super Bowl, it seems likely that the Eagles will move on from Miles Sanders. Bijan Robinson is a well-rounded back who should be able to step into the starting role and help the Eagles running game both on the ground and receiving out of the backfield.

 

  1. Kansas City Chiefs: DB Brian Branch

The Kansas City Chiefs defied odds this year by winning another Super Bowl, even after trading away their number one receiver. It seems likely that they will run with what they have in the receiver room. With additions to the offensive line last offseason and most of their defense still intact, the Chiefs may look to upgrade their secondary by taking arguably the best safety in the draft.