The 2022 NFL Draft has come and gone, so it’s time to look ahead to next year’s draft. By all indications, it’s a much stronger class, especially at the top.
There are two bonafide franchise quarterbacks and a pass rusher who is a generational prospect.
So how could the top 10 shake out 12 months from now? Here is a look at our first 2023 NFL Mock Draft.
2023 NFL Mock Draft: Round 1
1. Seattle Seahawks: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
The Seahawks are entering the 2022 season with Drew Lock and Geno Smith as their quarterbacks. That’s a sure-fire way to pick inside of the top three in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Bryce Young is the best quarterback prospect in this class despite not having ideal size (listed at 6-foot). Still, he’s incredibly accurate and knows how to throw on time with anticipation.
NFL Draft Bet: Bryce Young 2023 No. 1 Pick
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2. Atlanta Falcons: C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
The Falcons selected Desmond Ridder in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, but that certainly won’t stop them from taking a much better quarterback prospect in C.J. Stroud.
During the 2022 season, Stroud threw 44 touchdowns while completing nearly 72% of his passes. He needs to speed up his game, but he is a fantastic quarterback prospect who could easily be picked at No. 1.
NFL Bet of the Day: C.J. Stroud No. 1 Pick in 2023 NFL Draft
3. Houston Texans: Will Anderson, EDGE, Alabama
Will Anderson would be the No. 1 pick in most drafts despite being an EDGE rusher. He’s truly one of the most dominant pass rushers we’ve ever seen come out of college.
During the 2021 season, he led the SEC in tackles for a loss with 31 and had 17.5 sacks. That was the most sacks ever in one season by an SEC player as he was nearly unblockable.
Anderson also had an insane 55 hurries last year, leading all of college football.
While he might not have the same size as a Myles Garrett or a Jadeveon Clowney entering the NFL, he’s just a far better player. Picking him at No. 3 would be a massive steal for the Texans.
C.J. Stroud, Ohio State QB, has a solid chance to be picked No. 1 in the 2023 NFL Draft that sportsbooks peg as equal to Alabama QB Bryce Young. (Image: USA TODAY Sports)
4. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
Jalen Carter was the best defensive tackle on Georgia last season and is a true pass-rush star. He totaled 8.5 tackles for loss on just 396 defensive snaps last year.
Even more impressive were his 24 quarterback hurries. To put that into perspective, Jordan Davis (pick No. 13 in 2022) totaled just 14 hurries on a similar number of snaps.
Carter has all the tools to be an All-Pro defensive tackle in the NFL.
5. Chicago Bears: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
The Bears didn’t get Justin Fields much help this offseason, so look for them to select a No. 1 receiver in Round 1 of the 2023 draft. The top wideout in this class is Field’s former Ohio State teammate Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Despite playing with Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave (both top 12 selections in 2022), Smith-Njigba was the No. 1 receiver on that team. He led the Buckeyes in receptions (95) and yards (1,606), and he’s incredibly dynamic after the catch.
He would be a perfect fit with Fields in Chicago, should he fall to No. 5.
6. Carolina Panthers: Tyler Van Dyke, QB, Miami (FL)
Matt Rhule has had back-to-back five-win seasons to start his NFL coaching career. If he has a third, look for the Panthers to move on.
And despite them taking Matt Corral in the latter part of the third round in 2022, don’t be surprised if they use their top pick on a quarterback.
One quarterback to keep an eye on during this college football season is Tyler Van Dyke from Miami. He ended up starting over D’Eriq King for most of last season, and that was the wise move.
Van Dyke played exceptionally well in the final six games of the campaign, throwing 20 touchdowns and just three interceptions. He led Miami to a 5-1 record during that time, picking up wins over Pittsburgh, Georgia Tech, and Virginia Tech.
If he can continue to improve, he’ll have a shot at being the No. 3 quarterback off the board in 2023.
7. New York Jets: Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State
The Jets hope Mehki Becton can come back healthy for the 2022 season. If he can’t, don’t be surprised if they move on next offseason and search for additional offensive line help.
One name to keep an eye on is Paris Johnson Jr. from Ohio State. He’s only played guard so far in his college career but is expected to move out to left tackle in 2022.
Assuming that goes well, he could easily be the first offensive tackle off the board in 2023. He’s got the size, power, and length to be a star at nearly any position in the NFL.
- Keep track of the best NFL betting tips and college football bets of the day.
8. Detroit Lions: Kayshon Boutte, WR, LSU
The Lions would love to draft one of the top three quarterbacks here at No. 8, but none are available. So, don’t be surprised if they are very aggressive trying to trade up next year to find their next franchise quarterback.
If that doesn’t happen, look for the Lions to continue to rebuild their wide receiver group. D.J. Chark is on a one-year deal and we’ll see how Jameson Williams turns out.
LSU’s Kayshon Boutte only played six games in 2021, but he had multiple outings over 120 yards. He’s extremely young and raw, but he should have a monster season in Baton Rouge this year.
9. Washington Commanders: Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern
Washington didn’t do much to help their offensive line this offseason as they opted to trade for Carson Wentz and pick wide receiver Jahan Dotson in the first round. The Commanders have one of the worst offensive lines in the league and could use a player like Peter Skoronski.
He has already had two full seasons of experience, and his play just keeps getting better and better. He projects as a left tackle in the NFL and compares favorably to his former teammate Rashawn Slater, now with the Chargers.
10. New York Giants: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Tight ends usually aren’t picked in the first round, but most tight ends aren’t like Michael Mayer.
During his freshman season, he caught 42 passes for 450 yards and two touchdowns while playing with Tommy Tremble (third-round pick of the Panthers in 2021). This year, he saw his role and production increase massively as he caught 71 passes for 840 yards and seven touchdowns.
Not only is Mayer a receiving weapon, but he is a useful blocker that can be moved across all formations. With another strong season, “Baby Gronk" could find himself inside the top 10 of the 2023 NFL Draft.
2022 NFL Draft Picks & Mock Draft Results
| Pk | Team | Player | Mocked | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jaguars | Travon Walker | Walker | ✔️ |
| 2 | Lions | Aidan Hutchinson | Hutchinson | ✔️ |
| 3 | Panthers | Derek Stingley Jr. | Ahmad Gardner | ❌ |
| 4 | Jets | Ahmad Gardner | Kayvon Thibodeaux | ❌ |
| 5 | Giants | Kayvon Thibodeaux | Evan Neal | ❌ |
| 6 | Panthers | Ikem Ekwonu | Ekwonu | ✔️ |
| 7 | Giants (via Bears) | Evan Neal | Jermaine Johnson II | ❌ |
| 8 | Falcons | Drake London | Jameson Williams | ❌ |
| 9 | Seahawks (via Broncos) | Charles Cross | Cross | ✔️ |
| 10 | Jets (via Seahawks) | Garrett Wilson | Drake London | ❌ |
| 11 | Commanders | Chris Olave | Garrett Wilson | ❌ |
| 12 | Lions (via Vikings) | Jameson Williams | Derek Stingley Jr. | ↔️ |
| 13 | Eagles (via Texans) | Jordan Davis | Chris Olave | ↔️ |
| 14 | Ravens | Kyle Hamilton | Jordan Davis | ❌ |
| 15 | Texans (via Eagles) | Kenyon Green | Malik Willis | ↔️ |
| 16 | Commanders (via Saints) | Jahan Dotson | Kenny Pickett | ↔️ |
| 17 | Chargers | Zion Johnson | Trevor Penning | ❌ |
| 18 | Titans (via Eagles) | Treylon Burks | Kyle Hamilton | ↔️ |
| 19 | Saints (via Eagles) | Trevor Penning | Quay Walker | ❌ |
| 20 | Steelers | Kenny Pickett | Trent McDuffie | ❌ |
| 21 | Chiefs (via Patriots) | Trent McDuffie | Zion Johnson | ↔️ |
| 22 | Packers (via Raiders) | Quay Walker | Kenyon Green | ❌ |
| 23 | Bills (from Cardinals via Ravens) | Kaiir Elam | Tyler Smith | ↔️ |
| 24 | Cowboys | Tyler Smith | Treylon Burks | ❌ |
| 25 | Ravens (via Bills) | Tyler Linderbaum | Devonte Wyatt | ↔️ |
| 26 | Jets (via Titans) | Jermaine Johnson II | Andrew Booth Jr. | ↔️ |
| 27 | Jaguars (via Buccaneers) | Devin Lloyd | Kaiir Elam | ↔️ |
| 28 | Packers | Devonte Wyatt | George Pickens | ❌ |
| 29 | Patriots (from Dolphins via 49ers and Chiefs) | Cole Strange | Jahan Dotson | ↔️ |
| 30 | Chiefs | George Karlaftis | Daxton Hill | ❌ |
| 31 | Bengals | Daxton Hill | Tyler Linderbaum | ❌ |
| 32 | Vikings (from Rams via Lions) | Lewis Cine | Desmond Ridder | ↔️ |
Read our full 2022 NFL Draft Picks Recap.
2022 NFL Mock Draft Pick Prediction Results (Correct-Incorrect-Traded): 4-16-12
2022 NFL Mock Draft Pick Prediction Results (Team-Position Match): 9-23
2021 NFL Draft Picks & Mock Draft Results
| Pk | Team | Player | Mocked | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jaguars | Trevor Lawrence | Lawrence | ✔️ |
| 2 | Jets | Zach Wilson | Wilson | ✔️ |
| 3 | 49ers | Trey Lance | Lance | ✔️ |
| 4 | Falcons | Kyle Pitts | Pitts | ✔️ |
| 5 | Bengals | Ja'Marr Chase | Chase | ✔️ |
| 6 | Dolphins (from PHI) | Jaylen Waddle | DeVonta Smith | ❌ |
| 7 | Lions | Penei Sewell | Sewell (LAC) | ↔️ |
| 8 | Panthers | Jaycee Horn | Justin Fields | ❌ |
| 9 | Broncos | Patrick Surtain II | Micah Parsons | ❌ |
| 10 | Eagles | DeVonta Smith | Jaylen Waddle | ❌ |
| 11 | Bears (via NYG) | Justin Fields | Rashawn Slater (NYG) | ❌ |
| 12 | Cowboys | Micah Parsons | Patrick Surtain II | ❌ |
| 13 | Chargers | Rashawn Slater | Kwity Paye (DET) | ❌ |
| 14 | Jets (from MIN) | Alijah Vera-Tucker | Christian Barmore (MIN) | ❌ |
| 15 | Patriots | Mac Jones | Jones | ✔️ |
| 16 | Cardinals | Zaven Collins | Jaycee Horn | ❌ |
| 17 | Raiders | Alex Leatherwood | Christian Darrisaw | ❌ |
| 18 | Dolphins | Jaelen Phillips | Alijah Vera-Tucker | ❌ |
| 19 | Washington | Jamin Davis | Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah | ❌ |
| 20 | Giants (from CHI) | Kadarius Toney | Teven Jenkins (CHI) | ❌ |
| 21 | Colts | Kwity Paye | Liam Eichenberg | ❌ |
| 22 | Titans | Caleb Farley | Samuel Cosmi | ❌ |
| 23 | Vikings (from NYJ thru SEA) | Christian Darrisaw | Greg Newsome (NYJ) | ❌ |
| 24 | Steelers | Najee Harris | Travis Etienne | ❌ |
| 25 | Jaguars (from LAR) | Travis Etienne | Trevon Moehrig | ❌ |
| 26 | Browns | Greg Newsome II | Azeez Ojulari | ❌ |
| 27 | Ravens | Rashod Bateman | Caleb Farley | ❌ |
| 28 | Saints | Payton Turner | Zaven Collins | ❌ |
| 29 | Packers | Eric Stokes | Elijah Moore | ❌ |
| 30 | Bills | Greg Rousseau | Rousseau | ✔️ |
| 31 | Ravens (from KC) | Odafe Oweh | Rashod Bateman (Pick 27) | ↔️ |
| 32 | Buccaneers | Joe Tryon | Jaelan Phillips | ❌ |
2021 NFL Mock Draft Pick Prediction Results: 7-23-2
2021 NFL Mock Draft Pick Prediction Results (Team-Position Match): 12-20