NFL MOCK DRAFT: Three Rounds Post-Free Agency

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

Free agency is one week old and that means we’re only getting closer and closer to the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

We’re no doubt one step closer to understanding what each NFL team needs and will do in the early stages of the draft. With no trades predicted—including Mr. Rodgers—here’s how we see the first round of the draft shaking out.

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1) Carolina Panthers (from Chicago) — QB CJ Stroud, Ohio State

Who will the Panthers draft at quarterback? No one knows right now, and if they say they do they’re probably exaggerating to you or straight up lying. I do think, however, that there is a leader in the Panthers’ clubhouse. That leader is Stroud, whose accuracy and sturdy body type are better suited for Frank Reich’s system than Bryce Young.

2) Houston Texans — QB Bryce Young, Alabama

The Texans are in position to truly draft the best quarterback available and should feel no pressure to move up the board for Stroud, Young or anyone else. Sit tight, draft QB2—which might be QB1 on your board anyway—and don’t give away draft capital that’s desperately needed to flip this roster. 

3) Arizona Cardinals — DE Will Anderson, Alabama

I do think the Cardinals will try to trade out of this pick and will likely have suitors as teams try to come up the board for a quarterback. That said, staying at pick No. 3 and drafting Will Anderson, Jr. is a really good overall plan for a team in a major rebuild mode. 

4) Indianapolis Colts — QB Will Levis, Kentucky

The Colts are the team most likely to trade up in the draft, as they’ll want to make sure they’re drafting QB3 and not QB4. In a mock draft with no trades, the Cardinals draft Anderson and the Colts get the quarterback I believe they like most in this draft and also a quarterback who is ready to play right away.