Joe Douglas & Robert Saleh just had a brief discussion with receiver Odell Beckham Jr. here in the corridor of the Biltmore
2023 NFL mock draft: Mike Tannenbaum's GM first-round picks.
In a few weeks, all 32 franchises will be adding new playmakers in the 2023 NFL draft, although just 27 of them are set to pick in the first round. It's no easy process, and I know firsthand. It wasn't that long ago that I was making draft selections as a general manager and executive with the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets.Well, I'm giving it another go with a twist on the traditional mock draft style. Draft analysts' mocks are true projections of what they believe will happen based on what they're hearing -- my colleague Mel Kiper Jr. just unveiled his newest last week -- but I'm going a different route with my third annual GM mock. I'm sliding into the general manager chair for each team with a first-rounder and making my own picks. This isn't what I'm expecting but rather how I'd personally approach each Day 1 selection. And what follows is based off my own evaluations, preferences and philosophies
1. Carolina Panthers (from CHI)
Bryce Young, QB, AlabamaAfter several years of uncertainty and stop-gap options at the quarterback position, the Panthers have to find a long-term answer. And after trading up to No. 1, I'd be going all-in on Young. It was a tough call for me, and I just narrowly picked him over Ohio State's C.J. Stroud. But while Young's 5-foot-10, 204-pound size is a concern, his talent is unquestionable. He's the guy I'd lean on to turn the passing game around in Carolina. Since 2019, no Panthers QB has thrown more than 17 touchdown passes in a season. That would change in 2023 with Young, who had 79 TD passes over the past two seasons, tossing precision passes.
2. Houston Texans
C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio StateNo sweat for Houston after Young came off the board. I have Young a sliver ahead of Stroud, but when you consider Stroud's outstanding performance against Georgia in the Peach Bowl, his tremendous throwing performance at the combine and his overall college tape, it wouldn't shock me if the Texans wind up with the best quarterback in this draft.
Davis Mills has had a chance to take the reins under center, but in two seasons, he has thrown 33 touchdown passes and 25 interceptions while failing to produce more than 3,200 yards in either campaign. Stroud, meanwhile, threw 75 touchdown passes and 11 interceptions and had more than 7,200 yards across two seasons as the Buckeyes' starter.
3. Arizona Cardinals
Will Anderson Jr., OLB, AlabamaThe Cardinals ranked 19th in pressure rate (29%) and 23rd in sacks (36) last season. After they lost Zach Allen to free agency and J.J. Watt to retirement, this is an easy decision for me. Anderson is a long, quick pass-rusher who shows shades of Von Miller in his game. No player has had more sacks (34.5) or pressures (134) in the FBS over the past three years.
Alternatively, I could see Arizona moving back a spot in a trade with the Colts. And if I'm GM Monti Ossenfort, I'm taking phone calls right up until I have to turn the pick in, seeking the best possible deal.
4. Indianapolis Colts
Will Levis, QB, KentuckyThe Colts are starved for stability at quarterback. Since losing Andrew Luck to an unexpected early retirement, they have failed to find a long-term option, trying Jacoby Brissett, Philip Rivers, Carson Wentz and Matt Ryan over four seasons. They will be looking to the draft for their next signal-caller, though, and I'm giving them Levis.
Although we saw inconsistency last season at Kentucky, Levis' physical traits and upside remind me of Ben Roethlisberger when he came out of Miami (Ohio) in 2004. He threw 19 touchdown passes last season playing in a pro-ready scheme
5. Seattle Seahawks (from DEN)
Hendon Hooker, QB, TennesseeOK, this one might raise some eyebrows, but hear me out. I think Hooker is really under-scouted right now, largely because he's coming off the torn ACL in his left knee. But I love his strong arm and 6-3 frame. Before the injury, Hooker looked great for the Vols. He led the nation in yards per attempt (9.5), threw two interceptions over 11 starts and was a top-10 passer in terms of completion percentage (69.6%). I see a potential franchise quarterback and someone who can lead an offense. Go watch his performance against Alabama if you disagree.
The Seahawks recently re-signed Geno Smith, but this is an excellent opportunity to draft and develop Hooker while also letting him rehab the knee. Smith turns 33 this season, and his new contract offers Seattle various outs over the next three seasons.
6. Detroit Lions (from LAR)
Tyree Wilson, DE, Texas TechThe Lions allowed the second-most yards per pass (7.9) last season and ranked 20th in sacks per dropback (6.1%). They added Cam Sutton, C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Emmanuel Moseley through free agency, and I thought about another defensive back here. But Wilson had an outstanding career at Texas Tech after transferring from Texas A&M and logged 14 sacks over the past two seasons. He's long and plays with heavy hands. Wilson paired with Aidan Hutchinson provides Detroit an outstanding duo of pass-rushers for the next decade.
7. Las Vegas Raiders
Christian Gonzalez, CB, OregonWith the top four quarterbacks off the draft board and Jimmy Garoppolo now their starter, the Raiders can attack another weakness. Last season, the Raiders ranked 30th in defensive efficiency and 25th in yards allowed per pass (7.3). Gonzalez, a transfer from Colorado, is long and can play in man and zone coverages. He intercepted four passes last season. I love his length and quickness, and I think he has all the makings of a star CB1.
8. Atlanta Falcons
Myles Murphy, DE, ClemsonAtlanta needs help up front after fielding a moribund pass rush last year. In 2022, the Falcons ranked last in sacks per dropback (3.5%) and pressure rate (20.2%). They signed defensive tackle David Onyemata and returned edge rusher Lorenzo Carter, but they need someone like Murphy off the edge. Murphy had 18 sacks and 31 tackles for loss over three seasons at Clemson.
9. Chicago Bears (from CAR)
Peter Skoronski, OT/G, NorthwesternI loved what Bears GM Ryan Poles did in maximizing the value of the first overall pick with his trade with Carolina, and he has spent well in free agency. But the Bears still have a ton of holes on their roster. Rebuilding always starts up front for me when developing a young quarterback, so I am going with a tough, dependable and local offensive lineman in Skoronski, widely considered the most refined pass-protector in this class. After all, the Bears allowed the fourth-most sacks last season with 58. I'd start him at guard and then slide him to tackle down the road, similar to what we did with Laremy Tunsil after drafting him in Miami.
10. Philadelphia Eagles (from NO)
Broderick Jones, OT, GeorgiaPhiladelphia remarkably held on to both starting cornerbacks and already has replacements for linebacker T.J. Edwards (Nakobe Dean) and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (Jordan Davis). But the Eagles lost two offensive linemen in Andre Dillard and Isaac Seumalo. Jones was nearly flawless last year at Georgia, and he is a plug-and-play guy at guard in Year 1 who could slide out to his natural tackle position when Lane Johnson moves on.
11. Tennessee Titans
Anthony Richardson, QB, FloridaRyan Tannehill turns 35 years old in July, and the early returns on 2022 third-rounder Malik Willis haven't been encouraging. The Titans make a lot of sense for Richardson. He has compelling upside but needs more time to develop, and Tennessee wouldn't have to rush him with Tannehill under contract for another year.
Richardson started one full season in college, and his 53.8% completion percentage ranked 116th in the country last season. That must greatly improve for him to be an effective NFL quarterback. No college quarterback, however, broke more tackles as a runner in 2022 than Richardson (22), and he showed off 4.43-second speed in the 40-yard dash at the combine. Plus, he has a huge arm. Richardson's ceiling is as high as that of any prospect in this class.
12. Houston Texans (from CLE)
Quentin Johnston, WR, TCUI got the Texans their quarterback of the future at No. 2, but who would be catching Stroud's passes next season? Although they should get John Metchie III back after he missed last season while undergoing treatment for leukemia and they signed Dalton Schultz, Robert Woods and Noah Brown, the Texans still need receivers. That's especially true after they traded Brandin Cooks to Dallas. Johnston reminds me of Mike Evans because of his 6-3 size and solid speed. He was eighth in the country in 2022 in yards per route run (3.0) and went over 1,000 yards. Johnston could become Stroud's go-to pass-catcher right out of the gate.
12. Houston Texans (from CLE)
Quentin Johnston, WR, TCUI got the Texans their quarterback of the future at No. 2, but who would be catching Stroud's passes next season? Although they should get John Metchie III back after he missed last season while undergoing treatment for leukemia and they signed Dalton Schultz, Robert Woods and Noah Brown, the Texans still need receivers. That's especially true after they traded Brandin Cooks to Dallas. Johnston reminds me of Mike Evans because of his 6-3 size and solid speed. He was eighth in the country in 2022 in yards per route run (3.0) and went over 1,000 yards. Johnston could become Stroud's go-to pass-catcher right out of the gate.
13. New York Jets
Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio StateThe Jets allowed a sack on 7.1% of their dropbacks last season, which was the 10th most in the league. Assuming Aaron Rodgers becomes a Jet at some point, selecting an offensive lineman in Round 1 is a no-brainer. Mekhi Becton and Alijah Vera-Tucker have dealt with various injuries, so the Jets have to bolster their offensive line, and Johnson -- who has 26 career starts -- allowed pressure on 2.4% of his snaps last season with Ohio State.
14. New England Patriots
Darnell Wright, OT, TennesseeI was impressed with Wright's tape, especially when the 6-5, 333-pounder faced Will Anderson Jr. and neutralized him in Tennessee's huge win over Alabama. Wright allowed just one sack all season and also excelled during Senior Bowl week. The Patriots allowed a sack on 8.0% of their pass snaps, which was the third-highest mark in the NFL last season.
New England has not been the same on the offensive front, and although it has signed Riley Reiff, he is not a long-term answer. The Pats have to do a better job of protecting Mac Jones, and Wright would help.
15. Green Bay Packers
Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio StateA 25-game starter, Jones measured in at 6-8 and 374 pounds with an 87⅞-inch wingspan. He allowed pressure on 1.2% of his snaps during his college career and gave up zero sacks over 12 games in 2022. The Packers' current left tackle, David Bakhtiari, turns 32 in September and has missed 26 games since 2020.
There is no better way for the Packers to build around a young quarterback in Jordan Love (assuming Rodgers does end up in New York) than with a young, powerful offensive tackle. I see some Jones comparisons to Orlando Brown Jr. because of their similar size and versatility.
