You can never fault NFL teams for being aggressive, especially when it comes to the quarterback position.
Just look at the two clubs we saw playing in the Super Bowl a few weeks ago. Back in 2017, the Chiefs swung for the fences and hit a home run by trading multiple picks (including two first-rounders) to get to No. 10 overall to select Patrick Mahomes. With the Eagles, they continued taking stabs at the position even after signing Carson Wentz to a big extension that included over $100 million in guaranteed money in 2019. That very next offseason, they drafted Jalen Hurts in the second round, and the former Oklahoma signal-caller just finished up an MVP-caliber season in 2022. Each of those were bold moves that ultimately had them playing for a championship.
So, the moral to that story is that teams should push the envelop at the position, and I have two clubs doing just that in this mock draft. First, the Indianapolis Colts vault up to the No. 1 overall pick in a trade with the Chicago Bears, who are likely to move this pick when its all said and done, according to CBS Sports NFL Insider Jonathan Jones. Indy gets its franchise quarterback in Alabama's Bryce Young while giving up a slew of picks, including No. 4 overall, a 2024 first and a few more Day 2 selections sprinkled between this draft and next year.
Next up, the Detroit Lions pull off the stunner of this mock by going with a quarterback at No. 6 overall, taking Florida's Anthony Richardson. As CBS Sports NFL Draft analyst Ryan Wilson and others note, Richardson is raw but has a tremendous ceiling. Isn't that perfect for a team like Detroit with an established veteran quarterback in Jared Goff? Richardson would be afforded the necessary time to develop, while the Lions contend in 2023 with Goff as its starter. Because Detroit is building a solid foundation, its no guarantee that it will be in a position to take a quarterback this high again. I have the Lions taking a big swing early in the first.
With those notable moves fleshed out, let's get to the full first-round mock.
NFL Mock Draft
Round 1
Mock Trade from
Chicago Bears
Round 1 - Pick 1
Indianapolis finally gets off the veteran QB carousel and makes a big move up to No. 1 for Bryce Young. If not for his size, Young would be the clear choice here. The Colts disregard those concerns about him being undersized and opt to look at the upside we've seen at Alabama. The pairing of Young with new head coach Shane Steichen -- who has already helped develop both Justin Herbert and Jalen Hurts -- will be fascinating.
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Round 1 - Pick 2
The Texans watched Young get snatched up by their AFC South rival, but do still come away with a quarterback at No. 2 by selecting Stroud. The Ohio State QB was sensational during the College Football Playoff, and if that's the quarterback Houston is getting, DeMeco Ryans should be thrilled.
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Round 1 - Pick 3
GM Monti Ossenfort gives his defensive-minded head coach Jonathan Gannon an elite defensive prospect right out of the gate. Gannon led one of the most lethal defensive lines in the league last season in Philly and Carter could be one of the main pieces as he tries to create another in Arizona.
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Mock Trade from
Indianapolis Colts
Round 1 - Pick 4
The Bears are able to stockpile draft assets by giving up the No. 1 pick and still come away with one of the better defensive players in the draft. Chicago ranked dead-last in pressures in 2022, so Anderson is a welcomed sight on Matt Eberflus' defense off the edge.
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From
Denver Broncos
Round 1 - Pick 5
While there's a case to be made for Seattle to go with a quarterback here, it feels more likely Pete Carroll and the organization does figure out an extension with Geno Smith, kicking that need down the road a bit. Instead, they get a fascinating edge rusher in Wilson, who may be a bit raw but has a tremendously high ceiling.
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From
Los Angeles Rams
Round 1 - Pick 6
As we noted in the intro, Detroit likely won't have many cracks at finding a franchise QB inside the top 10 by looking at how its rebuild is going, so the Lions are proactive and bring aboard Richardson. With Goff established, the Lions can allow Richardson to develop for a season before possibly handing him the keys to the franchise.
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Round 1 - Pick 7
The Raiders are starting over at quarterback after releasing Derek Carr and decided to go young by selecting Will Levis rather than dipping their toe into the veteran QB market. Josh McDaniels was able to contend with a rookie quarterback in New England as the OC, so he likely has plenty of confidence that he can develop Levis quickly.
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Round 1 - Pick 8
Do you know which team had the lowest pressure rate in the NFL last season? You guessed it! Atlanta is a team that has plenty of needs, and the defensive line is near the top of the list. The Falcons begin to address that by adding a strong pass rusher like Murphy.
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Round 1 - Pick 9
The Panthers miss out on the QB rush in this mock, but do help out whoever will be under center for them in 2023 by continuing to bolster the offensive line. Skoronski can play opposite of last year's sixth overall pick Ikem Ekwonu and create a tremendous foundation along the O-line.
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From
New Orleans Saints
Round 1 - Pick 10
The Eagles have both C.J. Gardner-Johnson and James Bradberry set to hit free agency this offseason. Odds are they won't be able to retain both of them, so there's a need to add some young cornerback talent early in this draft. Gonzalez has good size and is arguably the top cornerback in this class.
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Round 1 - Pick 11
The need for an offensive tackle is obvious in Tennessee after the club released Taylor Lewan. Johnson is an athletic and versatile lineman who was able to kick inside at guard along with the tackle spot at Ohio State.
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From
Cleveland Browns
Round 1 - Pick 12
Houston gets its franchise quarterback at No. 2 and now the club gives him one of the best receivers in the NFL Draft. Johnston is a big body that Stroud will be able to look for on the outside, and the Texans could form a strong young wide receiver duo with John Metchie III set to return.
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Round 1 - Pick 13
The Jets will be in the veteran quarterback market this offseason, so creating a sturdy offensive line will be imperative after a tumultuous 2022 season where 11 different linemen started. Jones could come in and be the team's left tackle while Mekhi Becton is situated on the right side and Alijah Vera-Tucker is on the interior.
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Round 1 - Pick 14
The Patriots have a big need at offensive tackle, so seeing the Jets snag Johnson does sting, but Porter is one heck of a consolation prize. New England drafted well at this position a year ago, but with Jonathan Jones hitting free agency and Devin McCourty mulling retirement, they need top-tier talent in the secondary. Porter gives them a physical corner who Bill Belichick should have a field day with.
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Round 1 - Pick 15
You may think that the Packers don't need another receiver with the emergence of Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs, but they are still pretty thin outside of those two. Whether it's Aaron Rodgers or Jordan Love under center, Addison is someone who can line up all over the field and is a crisp route runner and could see plenty of volume.
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Round 1 - Pick 16
Witherspoon addresses a big need for the Commanders with Kendall Fuller entering the final year of his contract. The Illinois standout can play in both zone and man coverage and has the upside of being a true No. 1 corner.
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Round 1 - Pick 17
Wright is coming off a showing at the Senior Bowl that reportedly left many across the league impressed. The former five-star recruit could come in as Pittsburgh's right tackle as the club gears up for Kenny Pickett's sophomore season.
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Round 1 - Pick 18
Detroit made its move for the future with Richardson and comes back around to build on one of its strengths by taking a pass rusher to complement Aidan Hutchinson. Van Ness did not start at Iowa, but has the physical tools that allow him to have a high ceiling at the next level.
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Round 1 - Pick 19
The Bucs have a ton of needs and probably find a quarterback here in an ideal world, but address the secondary with the addition of Banks. The Maryland product has good size and is physical, which could be a much-needed addition with Jamel Dean and Sean Murphy-Bunting both slated to be free agents.
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Round 1 - Pick 20
Seattle gets itself a top-tier pass rusher at No. 9 and helps solidify the offensive line for Geno Smith at No. 20 with Torrence. The Florida product is widely looked at as the best interior lineman in this draft and that just so happens to be one of the team's biggest needs. Gabe Jackson will be 32 by the start of next season and both he and Damien Lewis are entering the final year of their deals.
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Round 1 - Pick 21
The wheels fall off whenever Keenan Allen and/or Mike Williams miss time, which only further highlights the need to deepen the wide receiver room. That's especially true when you consider that Allen will be 31 by the start of next season and L.A. could clear $14.8 million by releasing him. Smith-Njigba could slot in as either a solid complement or ideal replacement for Allen as a high-volume option for Justin Herbert.
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Round 1 - Pick 22
Even if the Ravens can ink Lamar Jackson to a lucrative extension, he still needs someone to throw the ball to and Baltimore has one of the thinnest receiver rooms in the league. Flowers would give them a speedy option who could be a fun piece for new OC Todd Monken to utilize.
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Round 1 - Pick 23
The top safety in the class goes to a Vikings team that desperately needs secondary help. New defensive coordinator Brian Flores should love all the tools that Branch brings to the table. He's physical, has good ball skills and can blitz off the edge.
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Round 1 - Pick 24
Evan Engram is set to hit free agency, which could leave Jacksonville with a hole at tight end. Mayer would give them an all-around tight end who could prove to be a reliable outlet for Trevor Lawrence over the middle.
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Round 1 - 25
The Giants need wide receiver help in the worst way and find themselves a legit deep threat in Hyatt. The Tennessee product could be exactly the type of explosive pass-catching option this offense has been looking for.
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Round 1 - Pick 26
Robinson could end up being the star of this entire class. He has all the skill that you'd want out of a workhorse back, and could be an opportunity for Dallas to reset its backfield. Tony Pollard is coming off an injury and is set to be a free agent, while the Cowboys can finally get out from under Ezekiel Elliott's contract.
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Round 1 - Pick 27
If the Bills get outpriced and lose Tremaine Edmunds in free agency, Sanders would be a logical fit at this spot.
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Round 1 - Pick 28
You can make a strong case that Kincaid is the more explosive tight end in this class. Cincinnati will happily take a top-tier pass-catching option for Joe Burrow with Hayden Hurst looking at free agency and wideout Tee Higgins possibly a trade candidate if they're unable to extend him.
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From
San Francisco 49ers
Round 1 - Pick 29
White was a standout at the Senior Bowl and could help cushion the blow if New Orleans loses Marcus Davenport in free agency.
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Round 1 - Pick 30
With Javon Hargrave and Fletcher Fox facing free agency, GM Howie Roseman continues to add youth along the defensive line, bringing aboard the former No. 1 overall recruit
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Round 1 - Pick 31
Another Senior Bowl star and a behemoth to boot. With Orlando Brown looking at the open market, the Chiefs snag Jones -- who has been compared to Brown during the pre-draft process -- and his massive frame to help solidify the offensive line.
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