2023 NFL Mock Draft: What Happens in Round 1 with Derek Carr Released?

The Raiders will release Derek Carr instead of trading the veteran QB—one large domino of many set to fall this offseason

The Super Bowl is over. The Combine is this month—just three weeks away—and the NFL Draft season is officially hot for all 32 fanbases. There’s no better day, in my opinion, to drop this TWO ROUND mock draft for the good people of The Draft Scout.

Let’s dig in.

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ROUND ONE

1.1 Chicago Bears — Will Anderson, DE, Alabama

In a mock with no trades, the Bears simply draft the best player in the 2023 class. Anderson was uber productive on the field and is a super clean prospect off it. He’s a high-character player who head coach Nick Saban raves about.

1.2 Houston Texans — Will Levis, QB, Kentucky

No, Levis is not my top-ranked quarterback, but this is a prediction of what NFL teams will do. Houston general manager Nick Caserio is rumored to favor the traits of Levis over the smaller Bryce Young. Something to keep an eye on.

1.3 Arizona Cardinals — Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia

The Cardinals are in position to simply draft the best defensive player on the board. More importantly, this team needs a head coach before we can really make predictions about the roster.

1.4 Indianapolis Colts — Bryce Young, QB, Alabama

I do expect the Colts will try and trade up for a quarterback, but in a no-trade mock draft one falls to them at No. 4 overall. Could Indy sit tight and wait on a quarterback? Yes, especially if the front office isn’t sold on one passer being outright better than the others.

1.5 Seattle Seahawks (from Denver) — Tyree Wilson, DE, Texas Tech

A hot riser this past season, Wilson has everything teams look for at defensive end and should be a top 10 lock. In Seattle, with few real needs on the roster, a trade down could be in play.

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1.6 Detroit Lions (from LA Rams) — Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois

You’re going to see this pick a lot in mock drafts. Witherspoon is sticky good in coverage and the Lions have a real need after missing on Jeff Okudah as a top pick.

1.7 Las Vegas Raiders — Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern

Another popular pick, for good reason. The Raiders are highly unlikely to draft and play a first round quarterback. Instead, I believe they’ll re-sign Jarrett Stidham and draft a quarterback in Round 2 as a developmental piece.

1.8 Atlanta Falcons — Myles Murphy, DE, Clemson

Murphy is set to burn up the NFL Scouting Combine with his overall athletic ability. He’s a productive, high-potential pass-rusher and that’s exactly what Atlanta needs if the team is set on Desmond Ridder getting a starting shot in 2023.

1.9 Carolina Panthers — C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State

The Panthers are another team widely expected to trade up to secure a quarterback, but these scenarios are fun to see how far the passers could fall without trades. Stroud would work wonders in Frank Reich’s offense with a good offensive line in place.

1.10 Philadelphia Eagles (from New Orleans) — Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon

Gonzalez is the type of long, rangy, fast cornerback the Eagles really lack. With Darius Slay and James Bradberry getting older and with the salary cap always in mind for Philly, Gonzalez fills a huge need at a premium position.

**Want the latest rumors from around the league? We’re dropping those in the rest of this mock draft. Subscribe today for the real truth around the NFL offseason from The Draft Scout team.*