2023 NFL Mock Draft: Predicting Three Rounds Post-Combine

The NFL Scouting Combine plus free agency moves have already changed our mock draft. See who's moving up and who's moving down

With the combine in the rearview, franchise tags handed out, and the movement of quarterback Derek Carr to the New Orleans Saints, it’s time to take a fresh look at the 2023 NFL draft.

But not just the first round. Because you can read a one sentence description of picks on NFL.com or ESPN. We won’t do that to you here. Instead, jump in for a breakdown of every pick in the first two rounds with rumors we’re hearing from each team; as well as a prediction for every pick through Round 3.

Let’s get it.

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Round One

1.1 Chicago Bears — Will Anderson, DE, Alabama

The Bears are 99 percent likely to trade this draft pick, and trade it very soon, as the team doesn’t need a quarterback and will want to move down the board to add draft capital in the next two classes. Anderson is an elite pass-rusher with first-step dominance and great hand-usage. Whether the Bears stay at No. 1 or move down, he should be the target.

1.2 Houston Texans — Bryce Young, QB, Alabama

I continue to hear that the Texans aren’t sold on drafting a quarterback at No. 1 overall and could instead pursue Jimmy Garoppolo in free agency. Let’s remember that Garoppolo is connected to general manager Nick Caserio, head coach DeMeco Ryans and offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik. It just makes sense. The smart move would be to sign Jimmy and draft a quarterback to develop.

1.3 Arizona Cardinals — Jalen Carter, DL, Georgia

Carter’s legal situation is unprecedented—he was arrested and released on bond with two misdemeanor charges stemming from the accident that took the lives of teammate Devin Willock and football staffer Chandler LeCroy. Teams are now scrambling to find out how involved Carter was and what his future holds off the field. The Cardinals would have to be very comfortable with Carter off the field to make this pick, but his on-field talent is good enough that there will be a club that overlooks his uncertainty.