Today, Ben Pawlak of The MVP Blog will be predicting all 31 first round picks of the 2023 NFL Draft. Normally, there would be 32 first round picks, but the Miami Dolphins – who were set to pick 20th overall – forfeited their first rounder after they were caught violating the NFL’s tampering rules.

For each player, Ben will be assigning a “Next Level Projection” to predict the career trajectory for that player, and this prediction is broken down into a few categories, ranked below from best to worst:

Perennial All-Pro: This player will make multiple NFL All-Pro teams over the course of their career and will likely become an NFL Hall of Famer.

Perennial Pro Bowler: This player will make multiple NFL Pro Bowl teams over the course of their career and will become a star player in the NFL.

Solid Starter: This player will enjoy a long, successful career as a starting caliber player in the NFL.

Boom or Bust: This player could become a very good player in the NFL, but they just as well could fail to make a significant impact in the NFL.

Bust: This player will not make a significant impact in the NFL.

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Without any further ado, here is The MVP Blog’s 2023 NFL Mock Draft.

1. Carolina Panthers – Bryce Young, QB, Alabama

The Carolina Panthers traded for the first overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft, sending star wideout D.J. Moore along with significant draft compensation to the Chicago Bears in exchange. The Panthers are obviously trading up to take their favorite QB prospect, and in my opinion, Bryce Young should be the pick here. Young is far and away the best signal-caller in this year’s draft class. He has the best processing speed and the most accurate arm in the class. He’s the most accomplished QB of the upper echelon of the class, with a legendary college career to show for it. He’s extremely reliable both in and out of the pocket, and his decision making is excellent. The only downside of Bryce Young is his body, since he isn’t even 6 feet tall and is very skinny. In my opinion, while he’s definitely at a greater risk of injury when taking sacks and hits due to his frame, as long as he’s behind a somewhat competent O-Line (which Carolina has), he’ll be fine.

Next Level Projection: Perennial Pro Bowler

2. Houston Texans – Will Anderson, EDGE, Alabama

The Texans might be intrigued to take a QB here if they don’t see Davis Mills as a franchise player (he probably isn’t), but they really shouldn’t. Houston has holes all over the roster, which means that taking the best player available should be the move at the second slot in the draft. Simply put, Will Anderson is the best prospect in this year’s draft class. He offers everything a team could want. He has an absurd frame with freakish athleticism. He is an incredibly intelligent rusher who makes life extremely difficult for any offensive lineman who dare stand in his way. He even has positional versatility, having played a high amount of snaps as both a pure pass rusher off the edge and as a blitz specialist at linebacker. His career at Alabama was incredible, and his production will absolutely translate to the NFL level.

Next Level Projection: Perennial All-Pro

3. Arizona Cardinals – Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech

Tyree Wilson is this year’s answer to Travon Walker. Like Walker, Wilson tested out of his skin at the NFL Combine, and as a result, he shot up draft boards. Like Walker, Wilson is an incredibly raw prospect who didn’t produce at the top-tier of college football. Like Walker, Wilson will be drafted towards the very top of the draft because NFL scouts will salivate over his limitless potential. I’m not sold on him as a prospect, but the Cardinals, who are in desperate need of pass rushing help with J.J. Watt having just retired, could end up taking him with the 3rd overall pick.

Next Level Projection: Boom or Bust

4. Indianapolis Colts – C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State

With their first round pick this year, the Indianapolis Colts will be taking a QB. The only question is who it will be. They might fall in love with the sky-high potential of Anthony Richardson, or they might opt to choose Will Levis because of his wide array of translatable tools. However, I think they’ll play it safe and take C.J. Stroud. The Ohio State product has been one of the best QB’s in the country for 2 straight seasons, and his floor is higher than any other signal caller in this draft class. He has a strong arm which is quite accurate as well, and his footwork is sound. If I’m honest, his lack of athleticism, limited mobility, and decision making outside of the pocket concern me (and limit his ceiling considerably), but I think that Stroud will still develop into a solid starting QB in the NFL fairly quickly.

Next Level Projection: Solid Starter

5. Seattle Seahawks – Jalen Carter, DL, Georgia

Without delving into off-field issues, let’s take a look at Jalen Carter’s prospect profile:

• Five-star prospect
• Developed alongside Georgia’s assembly line of defensive talent
• Won 2 national titles with the Bulldogs
• Posted ridiculous numbers in college, showing off immense talent as a pass rusher as well as positional versatility (he played both EDGE and DT in college effectively)

Carter needs to keep his head on straight and overcome his off-field issues. If he does, he’ll be one of the best players in this draft class.

Next Level Projection: Boom or Bust

6. New England Patriots (via Mock Trade with the Detroit Lions) – Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida

It’s clear that Mac Jones and Bill Belichick are not on the same page, as Jones felt threatened by the presence of Bailey Zappe while Belichick was obviously disappointed by Jones’ poor play in 2022. There’s no clear solution at QB for the Pats, and they won too many games to have a shot at taking a top QB, as they secured the 14th pick. With all of this being said, it’s been an awfully quiet in New England. Too quiet.

I’m predicting that the Patriots swing a big trade with the Lions to move up to the 6th pick. It wouldn’t shock me to see the Lions move down in the draft, as they’re already a very solid team which doesn’t have a lot of glaring team needs, including at QB.

With that out of the way, let’s talk about Anthony Richardson. The Florida product has more potential than just about any player in the draft. He has a cannon for an arm, is a truly unreal athlete (his NFL Combine was the stuff of legend), and is the best runner out of any QB in the class. The most obvious weakness with Richardson is his accuracy, which was flat out bad at Florida, particularly in short-yardage situations. Case in point, Richardson is the newest beneficiary of what I like to call “The Josh Allen Effect”, which occurs when an inaccurate college gunslinger who showed flashes of translating their freakish athleticism into world-class QB play is drafted within the top 10 picks of the draft. Richardson is being drafted for what he CAN BE, not what HE IS in the present, and that’s fine with me, but let’s remember that the odds of hitting a home run with a prospect like Richardson (or Josh Allen, or Lamar Jackson) are pretty slim. It’ll take lots of development and perseverance through teachable moments for Richardson to fulfill his potential, but if he does, he can be one of the best QBs in the NFL one day.

Next Level Projection: Boom or Bust

7. Oakland Raiders – Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon

Christian Gonzalez is an extremely athletic defensive back who is more of a playmaker/ball hawk than an old-school lockdown corner. In other words, he’s more Trevon Diggs than he is Sauce Gardner. However, his wiry strong 6’1″ frame (which he could potentially add more weight to in the pros), impressive college production as both a tackler and in pass coverage, and his clean injury record make him an obvious first round quality talent. The Raiders have desperately needed to add young talent to their secondary for years now, and selecting a player like Gonzalez in the draft is long overdue for that franchise.

Next Level Projection: Perennial Pro Bowler

8. Atlanta Falcons – Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas

Many people are against the idea of drafting a running back this high. Yes, it’s true that the modern NFL is extremely pass heavy, and many bell cow backs don’t have the shelf life to justify how early they’re picked in the draft. However, not every running back has the talent that Bijan Robinson has. Simply put, Robinson is the best running back prospect I have seen since Saquon Barkley, with the frame (and quads) to match. His trademark blend of speed and power is absolutely astonishing. He plows through the first two levels of opposing defenses, breaking tackles from giant defensive linemen and hard-hitting linebackers alike. Yet, even after contact, Robinson has the wheels to take the top off a defense. He is an every-down type of back who may not be ideal in the pass game, but I’m sure he can make it work. He’s just that talented. He’s just as much of a threat in the red zone or on the goal line as he is on 1st and 10. His college production was off the charts good and the Falcons – who quietly became one of the top buyers in the free agent market this offseason and clearly want to start winning more games sooner rather than later – could help him translate that production to the NFL level by making Robinson their feature back for the present and future.

Next Level Projection: Perennial All-Pro

9. Chicago Bears – Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State

Paris Johnson excelled at Ohio State for many reasons, chief among them being his fantastic work ethic (both in the classroom and on the field), his linear improvement as a lineman, and his massive frame. It’s crazy to think that the 6’6″, 313 pound blocker played as a guard for the entirety of the Buckeyes’ 2021 season. In my mock draft, the Bears snap up one of the best left tackle prospects in this year’s draft class and reunite him with his former college teammate Justin Fields. Fields has been under siege ever since he took over as Chicago’s full-time starter under center, and the Bears desperately need to protect him if he is to fulfill his potential and develop into one of the league’s best QBs. Taking Johnson with the 9th pick to cover his blind side would go a long way in that regard.

Next Level Projection: Perennial Pro Bowler

10. Washington Commanders (via Mock Trade with the Philadelphia Eagles) – Will Levis, QB, Kentucky

The Philadelphia Eagles are in current possession of the 10th overall pick, but it’s widely expected that they trade back in the draft. The Eagles just made the Super Bowl (and came agonizingly close to winning it), so it’s not like they need to address any gaping holes on their roster with this pick. Instead, they opt to trade back in the draft to receive ample compensation from a QB-hungry team, in this case, the Washington Commanders.

The Commanders are trading up to select Will Levis because of his obvious potential. There are obvious comparisons to be made between Levis and Anthony Richardson as prospects. Levis has the prototypical frame for a QB, and while he’s not exactly the same alien-like athlete that Richardson is, he’s an above average athlete who has shown great instincts and strength as a runner. His arm talent is ridiculous, but like Richardson, he struggled with accuracy, pocket patience, and decision making under pressure. Unlike Richardson, Levis has a few red flags, including sloppy footwork, an inconsistent throwing motion, trouble reading defenses, and poor body language. In my opinion, that’s just too many obstacles for Levis to overcome, especially considering he’ll probably be thrown into the fire as a starter in his rookie season.

Next Level Projection: Bust

11. Tennessee Titans – Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, or JSN as he’s more informally known, is the best wide receiver prospect in this year’s draft. His hands are as reliable as they come. His footwork when running routes is sublime. He is an absolute jitterbug after the catch, making defenders miss in tight situations to evade tackles and burst into the open field. He is just as comfortable turning on the burners as he is using his insane agility to stop and start. The only knock on JSN is his size and how that relates to his potential fit in an NFL offense. His slim frame and relatively small stature makes him more ideal as a slot receiver rather than lining up on the outside, this despite the fact that he excelled in both spots in college. I’m not sure whether that positional versatility will entirely translate to the pros, but I am sure everything else about his game will. Long story short, JSN is going to be a stud right out of the gate, and with the offensively challenged Tennessee Titans in the midst of a painful rebuild, adding a top quality receiver with the 11th pick would make a lot of sense.

Next Level Projection: Perennial Pro Bowler

12. Houston Texans – Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU

Quentin Johnston has all of the tools to become one of the best pass catchers in the NFL. He has the ideal body to become a #1 wideout for an offense, standing a muscular 6’3″. He also poses unique challenges for opposing defensive backs, boasting a truly frightening blend of straight-line speed and jump-out-the-gym athleticism. He is aggressive at the catch point and routinely shows an adept understanding of how to bring in catches through contact. He posted absurd numbers at TCU, and his performance against Michigan in the Fiesta Bowl (College Football Playoff Semifinal) was the stuff legends are made of. His abilities after the catch are underrated, and he can break tackles to gain extra yards as well. The only concern I have with Johnston is his body language. His tape shows examples of him giving up on active plays when he wasn’t targeted, which is a red flag that could be indicative of other issues. The Texans need a new top wideout, and Johnston could be their guy at pick 12.

Next Level Projection: Boom or Bust

13. Green Bay Packers – Lukas Van Ness, EDGE, Iowa

With Aaron Rodgers out of the picture, the Packers can finally hit the reset button and begin rebuilding. Green Bay has shown a propensity to take defensive players with their first-round draft picks, and I don’t think that will change this year. Their pass rush was extremely underwhelming last season, and getting younger and more athletic at that position will be addressed in this year’s draft. With this being said, enter Lukas Van Ness, nicknamed Hercules by his Iowa Hawkeye teammates. In just two seasons at Iowa, he was incredibly productive, while at the NFL Combine, he flashed his freakish athletic traits and superhuman strength. He plays a little stiff, and he struggled against the best offensive lines in the Big Ten due to his raw repertoire of pass rush moves, so there will definitely be a learning curve for Van Ness. However, he’s still a closer comparison to George Karlaftis than he is to A.J. Epenesa, meaning that his status as a true edge rusher won’t change at the next level, and he should be allowed to develop at that position with a significant number of snaps as a rookie.

Next Level Projection: Solid Starter

14. Detroit Lions (via Mock Trade with the New England Patriots) – Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois

The Lions traded down in this mock draft, but even if they don’t in real life, Devon Witherspoon could very well be headed to Detroit as a first-round selection. Witherspoon is my top cornerback prospect in this year’s class, and it’s easy to see why. Simply put, Witherspoon is a lockdown corner who makes life absolutely miserable for opposing wideouts. Having played extensive snaps in four straight seasons at Illinois, Witherspoon was battle tested in the Big Ten, and in particular, his exemplary performances against Michigan and Ohio State prove that he is able to elevate his play against top competition. He’s a little undersized at just 6’0″ and possesses underwhelming physical traits, but he plays with immense physicality and an unmatched work rate to compensate. His combination of quickness and intelligence makes him a nightmare no-fly zone, and the QB’s in the NFC North should be wary if Witherspoon ends up with Dan Campbell as his head coach. With the similar mentalities in the way those two approach the game of football, Witherspoon to the Lions would be a match made in heaven.

Next Level Projection: Perennial All-Pro

15. New York Jets – Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee

Mekhi Becton has not panned out at offensive tackle for the New York Jets, and with the team having just acquired Aaron Rodgers, I expect them to select his replacement with their first round pick in the draft. Darnell Wright offers a lot of experience at the position. A former five-star recruit, Wright played four seasons at Tennessee, totaling almost 3000 snaps for the Vols. He’s versatile, having played well as both a left tackle and a right tackle. His footwork and balance isn’t quite NFL level, but his massive frame and heavy hands combined with his extensive experience playing against top edge rushers in the SEC make him a tantalizing talent. I expect Wright to become an instant starter at the NFL level, even if his upside is somewhat limited.

Next Level Projection: Solid Starter

16. Philadelphia Eagles (via Mock Trade with the Washington Commanders) – Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia

It’s hard to mock what the Eagles are going to do with their first round pick. I have them trading down, but it’s hard to predict the pick for a team which has no pressing needs. Getting younger at defensive end and cornerback is definitely a priority, so I expect them to take either Nolan Smith or Joey Porter Jr., and I’ve decided that Smith makes the most sense here. The Eagles love to draft defenders from Georgia with immense athletic talent (Jordan Davis and Nakobe Dean were both drafted to the Eagles from that school last season), and Smith fits that mold perfectly. Smith tested above the 90th percentile of five different measurables at the NFL Combine, most notably posting an absurd 4.39 second 40-yard dash. He was a five-star recruit out of high school, but his development as a pass rusher was somewhat stunted by the Bulldogs flexing him between defensive end and outside linebacker. Regardless, Smith’s four seasons at Georgia included two national championships, and he played a huge role for the team during his time in college. There are some flaws in his game and he’s still very raw, but that makes him an ideal candidate to develop behind the Eagles’ strong defensive front as Philly’s first round selection in this year’s draft.

Next Level Projection: Boom or Bust

17. Pittsburgh Steelers – Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State

The Pittsburgh Steelers is the strongest, oldest, and most successful example of a “boy’s club” in the NFL. With that being said, Joey Porter Jr. would still be a great pick for the Steelers with the 17th overall pick. The Steelers secondary was atrocious last season, and I have no doubt that they’ll pick Porter – the son of retired Steelers star outside linebacker Joey Porter Sr. – to address that issue. Porter Jr. projects as a player more than capable of matching up with the opposition’s top wideout, as he stands 6’2″ with long arms and posted very strong measurables at the NFL Combine. His four seasons of college production showed continuous improvement, and Porter Jr.’s tape showcases his impressive football IQ. He is a very strong tackler who can impact the run game at a much greater level than most cornerback prospects, while his fluidity and body control allow him to flip his hips with the best of them in pass coverage. Joey Porter Jr. is going to be a very good defensive back for a long time in the pros.

Next Level Projection: Perennial Pro Bowler

18. Detroit Lions – Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson

Bryan Bresee should be a top 10 pick in the NFL Draft. If not for an ACL tear he suffered two seasons ago, he might even be a top 5 pick. His production for the Clemson Tigers last season was underwhelming, but that shouldn’t scare off teams on draft night. Bresee has all of the tools to become one of the best nose tackles in the NFL. At 6’6″, 300 pounds, he is a physical force. His NFL Combine was extremely impressive, and he proved that his ACL injury didn’t zap him of his athletic gifts. He does need to add muscle to beef up his power at the point of attack, but with a year of seasoning in the pros, Bresee can become a sack machine at the next level. With Bresee, it’s just a matter of falling into the right system on draft night, and the Lions could select him at 18 to help him fulfill his immense potential, as it’s a risk they can afford to take given their recent success.

Next Level Projection: Boom or Bust

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson

Myles Murphy is a stiff athlete who used his straight-line speed and massive frame to torment college-level offensive tackles off the edge. That won’t work in the NFL. In my opinion, Murphy doesn’t have the strength in his hands or his lower body to translate his strong college production to the NFL. He lacks explosiveness and polish, and I don’t think he should be a first round selection. With that being said, the Bucs will definitely be looking to draft an edge rusher early in the draft this year, and Murphy will definitely be on their radar at the 19th pick.

Next Level Projection: Bust

20. Seattle Seahawks – Jordan Addison, WR, USC

Jordan Addison has been one of the best receivers in college football for two different programs. First, Addison formed a lethal partnership with Kenny Pickett at Pitt in 2021. Then, Addison transferred to USC for the 2022 season, and put up video game numbers with Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams tossing him the rock. Addison’s college production for a wideout is matched only by Jaxon Smith-Njigba, but despite the obvious comparisons between the two in terms of their frame, Addison doesn’t have the same abilities after the catch. He is a bit stiff as a route runner, but his dependable hands and strong athletic traits make him a surefire first round selection. He doesn’t have the ceiling of other top wideouts in this draft class, but for a team like the Seahawks who are in need of more offensive firepower despite already having a top wideout (DK Metcalf) and slot wideout (Tyler Lockett) in tow, Addison projects as a reliable #2 option.

Next Level Projection: Solid Starter

21. Los Angeles Chargers – Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College

Zay Flowers is my personal favorite prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft class. Flowers possesses absolutely everything a team could ask for. You want college production? Flowers racked up 192 catches for 29 TD’s in his four seasons at Boston College. You want yards after catch? Flowers can go toe-to-toe with JSN in terms of vision and improvisation in the open field. You want versatility? Flowers can run any route from any spot on the field, and his lightning-quick footwork burns defenders to provide elite separation for the quarterback. You want straight-line speed? Flowers posted a 4.42 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. His 5’9″ frame is misleading, since Flowers has put on a ton of muscle in the past 12 months and has shown a remarkable ability to break tackles both in tight spaces and in the open field. Pair all of this with some of the best hands of any receiver in the draft and you get a future Pro Bowl caliber receiver who will contribute to an NFL offense immediately as a “QB’s best friend” type of player. With Keenan Allen and Mike Williams starting to regress in a noticeable way, Flowers would be the perfect pick for the LA Chargers with the 21st overall pick.

Next Level Projection: Perennial Pro Bowler

22. Baltimore Ravens – Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland

Ah, yes. Another prospect set to be overdrafted on Thursday based on freakish physical traits rather than college production. Yes, Banks’ combine measurables were incredible. Yes, he showed flashes of brilliant play at Maryland, particularly as a run stopper and in man coverage. However, Banks lacks the instincts and polish to become an impact player right out of the gate. He only registered 2 interceptions in his 4 seasons with the Terrapins, and for a guy who stands 6’2″ (and therefore will be asked to cover his fair share of #1 wideouts), that is simply not good enough at the next level. Banks can become a quality corner if he’s given time to develop in the right coaching scheme, ideally one which plays a press-man scheme which has a star cover safety to protect against the deep ball. In Baltimore, they do just that on defense, with star rookie Kyle Hamilton acting as the safety valve. The Ravens do have other needs, but taking the hometown kid with immense upside wouldn’t surprise me.

Next Level Projection: Boom or Bust

23. Minnesota Vikings – Brian Branch, DB, Alabama

The Minnesota Vikings desperately need young talent to add to their secondary, and I’d be shocked if they didn’t address that need with the 23rd overall pick. Brian Branch would be the perfect pick for them at this spot. Branch can line up anywhere in the secondary, but he thrives as a slot cornerback and as a free safety. He’s a little too small and too thin to dominate at outside corner the way he did in college, and while just one season of elite college production might scare off some teams, this is Alabama we’re talking about. The fact Branch was able to make the most of his snaps and emerge as one of the best DB’s in the nation last season makes him first-round worthy on its own. Branch doesn’t have the ceiling of other DB prospects in this draft class, but the Vikes need an immediate impact player for their secondary, so Branch absolutely fits the bill in that regard.

Next Level Projection: Solid Starter

24. Jacksonville Jaguars – Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern

Peter Skoronski has slid down draft boards recently, and there’s no real reason why. Offensive lineman are the least flashy pick a team can make, but there’s no denying the fact that a team needs a strong, reliable O-Line to compete for a Super Bowl. Last season, the Jags emerged from the doldrums of Urban Meyer to earn a Wild Card victory in a crazy comeback over the Chargers, and they played a damn good game in Arrowhead before being eliminated by the eventual Super Bowl Champions. With Calvin Ridley coming into the fold at wide receiver, the time is now for Jacksonville to protect their golden goose in Trevor Lawrence, who showed off his limitless potential last season and cemented himself as the franchise guy for years to come in Duval. Skoronski was outstanding in college, and the only real flaw in his game is posting relatively underwhelming physical measurables at the NFL Combine. Regardless, Skoronski is a no-nonsense, old-school bulldozer who could transition inside the line to play guard if it becomes clear he can’t function as a tackle. Whatever happens with him at the next level, I predict he’ll be a successful offensive lineman.

Next Level Projection: Solid Starter

25. New York Giants – O’Cyrus Torrence, G, Florida

In my opinion, O’Cyrus Torrence is far and away the best guard prospect in this class. The New York Giants just extended Daniel Jones to a mega-deal, and they need to protect him if they want him to keep improving as a passer. This makes Torrence, who should still be available when the Giants pick rolls around, an ideal candidate to be taken, especially if all of the top wide receivers are already off the board. In my mock draft, they are, so the Giants make the obvious choice with the Florida product who is an absolute wrecking ball in both the run game and as a pass protector. He humiliates opponents in the open field with pancake blocks that’ll make Betty Crocker blush and possesses anchors for feet against the most menacing of pass rushers. His tape against Georgia was absolutely phenomenal.

Next Level Projection: Perennial Pro Bowler

26. Dallas Cowboys – Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah

In a draft class which is unusually loaded at the tight end position, I predict the first one off the board will be Dalton Kincaid. I also predict that Kincaid will be by far the most productive receiver of any of the tight end prospects who will be taken in this year’s draft. Kincaid is a ridiculous athlete who has the hands of a wide receiver and the height of a tight end. He definitely needs to add muscle to his frame, but when that happens, I doubt his speed and agility will be affected. He’s a natural in the open field with remarkable instincts after the catch, and his route running is the best in the class by far. The Cowboys desperately need to restock their arsenal of weapons around Dak Prescott, and with Dalton Schultz having left for Houston in free agency, Kincaid would be a shrewd selection with their first round pick.

Next Level Projection: Perennial Pro Bowler

27. Buffalo Bills – Jack Campbell, LB, Iowa

It’s weird to say out loud, but the Bills have a lot of pressing needs. Buffalo’s playoff implosion against the Bengals put all of the team’s holes on full display, plus some coaching incompetence (time will tell if the coordinators or head coach Sean McDermott is to blame) for good measure. The Bills have a shoddy, aging offensive line in both the run and the pass game. The defensive backs are also aging, and there’s very little depth at that position. The defensive line was inconsistent and sometimes completely unproductive, but a lot of that can be chalked up to Von Miller’s ACL tear in the middle of their season. Finally, and probably most importantly, Josh Allen doesn’t have enough weapons on offense to work with. Devin Singletary just signed for the Texans, so questions arise as to whether a backfield led by James Cook can be successful. Gabe Davis regressed hard as a #2 receiver behind Stefon Diggs, while the slot receiver role was a carousel with McKenzie (left for Indy in free agency), Crowder (injured most of the year), and Shakir (rookie, the Bills hate giving rookies extended snaps).

Clearly, the Bills can go a lot of different directions with their first round selection. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them trade up or down (probably down), but I have them standing pat and taking a linebacker. Tremaine Edmunds, who was a team captain and enjoyed his best season with the Bills last year, was signed to a huge deal by the Chicago Bears in free agency, leaving a huge hole in the middle of the starting linebacker core in Buffalo. Unless the Bills are confident that either of their pair of rising sophomores, Terrel Bernard and Baylon Spector (who both got very few snaps last season), can fill that hole in 2023/24, I expect them to take Edmunds’ replacement with the 27th pick. Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell is a “can’t miss” type of prospect. Campbell possesses everything necessary to be a successful linebacker at the NFL level. He was awarded the Butkus award as the best linebacker in the nation last season at Iowa, showed an impressive nose for the ball in college, and he was an on-field leader for the Hawkeyes who set the tone with a fast, physical play style which will immediately translate to the next level.

Next Level Projection: Solid Starter

28. Cincinnati Bengals – Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame

The Bengals will be drafting a tight end in the first round. The only question is who, and my money is on Michael Mayer out of Notre Dame. Cincy can kill two birds with one stone here, as Mayer is a great blocker in addition to his prowess as a pass catcher. He’s not a very fluid athlete, but his massive frame, straight-line speed, and his ability to make catches through contact (especially in the red zone) make him a perfect fit for the Burrow-led offense in the jungle. He’ll be productive as soon as he touches the gridiron in the NFL.

Next Level Projection: Solid Starter

29. New Orleans Saints – Calijah Kancey, DT, Pitt

Calijah Kancey’s college production was astounding, as he racked up 8 sacks in his Junior season at Pitt and won the ACC’s Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2022 as a result. He is an absolute brute at nose tackle who knows how to use his low center of gravity to push-and-pull opposing lineman at will. However, in the pros, those lineman are going to push-and-pull Kancey all over the place, since Kancey is just 6’0″ tall and 280 pounds. I want to see Kancey succeed, as it would be an incredible success story of an undersized, underrated prospect following in the footsteps of fellow Pitt DT Aaron Donald. However, I’m betting against that happening here. I just can’t see a guy that small translating his production from college when he matches up against bigger, stronger, and more polished offensive lineman in the NFL.

Next Level Projection: Bust

30. Philadelphia Eagles – Broderick Jones, T, Georgia

The Eagles take an ultra-athletic, tremendously accomplished offensive lineman from Georgia because they’re the Eagles and Broderick Jones is an offensive tackle from Georgia. A very safe pick which helps an aging offensive line get younger and adds yet another Bulldog to the Philly locker room. Some people believe Jones is the best offensive tackle in this year’s class. I am not one of those people, but I do believe that he has the tools and frame to eventually become a decent starting tackle in the NFL.

Next Level Projection: Solid Starter

31. Kansas City Chiefs – Will McDonald IV, EDGE, Iowa State

The Chiefs are probably still hungover from their Super Bowl celebrations, so I bet they already know who they’re going to take, and if that player isn’t on the board when their pick rolls around, they’ll just trade down to keep the party going. In all seriousness, the Chiefs don’t have any pressing needs, and they take the best player available here in Will McDonald IV. McDonald is a ridiculous athlete who had a great NFL Combine. However, his game is incredibly polished, and in his final three seasons with the Cyclones, he used his incredible array of moves in his pass rushing repertoire to record 105 pressures and 28 sacks. He offers very little as a run stopper, and he will turn 24 during his rookie season, but those concerns are minimal for a team like the Chiefs when his ability to pressure the QB is taken into consideration. The Kansas City Chiefs play in an AFC which is absolutely loaded with great QB play, so if they are to defend their Lombardi Trophy next season by going back-to-back, selecting McDonald to close out the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft would be a wise decision.

Next Level Projection: Boom or Bust

Who is your favorite prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft? Let us know in the comments below!

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Author: Ben Pawlak

Published: 4/27/22 at 12pm EST

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Sources/Works Cited:

Google Images, Google, https://images.google.com/imghp?hl=en.

“Official Site of the National Football League.” NFL.com, https://www.nfl.com/combine/.

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