Categories: NFL Draft

2023 NFL Mock Draft: The Falcons Make a Massive Trade

This NFL mock draft is based on what I would do personally if I were the GM for each team drafting. Players are selected based on my own draft board and team needs while also considering where the players would realistically go in the draft. This is mock draft-2.0. The players with their links listed are the ones I’ve watched five-plus games on, while the rest I’ve watched two-three games on. Please use code TREYSCHNEIDER on Underdog Fantasy to match your deposit up to $100. Leave your feedback on Twitter @FBIntellect.


1. Atlanta Falcons (Trade W/ CHI) – QB Bryce Young

Draft Grade – 78.4

After Desmond Ridder proved to be nothing more than mediocre for Atlanta, it’s time they put these weapons to use and to draft Bryce Young. Young is, far and away, the number one QB this year and worth every draft pick it takes to trade up for. This trade took the eighth overall pick, the 44th pick, the 110th pick, a future first-rounder, and a future second in return for the first overall pick and pick 136. It may seem like a lot, but when in a position to win, it makes too much sense to take a sure-fire prospect like Young. He would start immediately, and Ridder could likely be swapped into another third-rounder.

2. Houston Texans – EDGE Will Anderson Jr.

Draft Grade – 82.1

Even with C.J. Stroud available, Will Anderson is still the pick, as a plan is in place for a QB later in the draft. Ultimately, you don’t need a new QB on day one, and Anderson Jr. would be a great cornerstone to build around. Anderson Jr. has an elite get-off paired with incredible raw power. Furthermore, he has the length to grow into an ideal frame. He could step in and immediately help this team and would be a great pairing with coach DeMeco Ryans.

3. Arizona Cardinals – IDL Jalen Carter

Draft Grade – 82.5

While a trade-down could be smart here, Arizona must land a genuine blue-chip prospect. Jalen Carter fits that billing and would add a level of toughness and physicality that they didn’t have before. Carter is the best defensive player in the class and would be worth taking over a trade-down option. We don’t know what scheme they will be running yet, but he would be a great fit no matter what. EDGE can be figured out later, and you get a future game-changer.

4. Indianapolis Colts – QB Will Levis

Draft Grade – 75.0

Will Levis oozes physical traits and would be a great option to try and develop. Levis has a rocket arm paired with excellent mechanics. He is good enough on day one to hold up in this Colts’ offense and could potentially give this team a shot at a super bowl one day. After missing on QB this past two times, they finally get a top-tier young rookie QB to develop.

5. Seattle Seahawks – EDGE Tyree Wilson

Draft Grade – 78.5

Trading down would be smart here, but no other team matches up well. With that being said, Tyree Wilson is still a very good option at pick five. Wilson has outstanding length and exceptional burst, allowing him to develop into a superstar. As mentioned in his scouting report, he flashed the ability to convert speed to power which is enormous for a prospect. At pick five, Seattle gets a potential cornerstone player on defense.

6. Detroit Lions – IDL Bryan Bresee

Draft Grade – 79.4

Bryan Bresee is precisely what the Lions on looking for on defense. An athletic freak of nature who embodies the qualities of this Detroit culture. It fills a position of need and gives this team a legit chance at developing an elite player. Bresee wouldn’t be the most popular pick, but people are overrating some of the inconsistency issues he showed. This would be an awesome player-team pairing.

7. Las Vegas Raiders – EDGE Myles Murphey

Draft Grade – 78.2

This pick is being made with the anticipation that Tom Brady still signs with the Raiders. Yes, he is retired, but who’s to say he won’t unretire twice? It would allow this team to build the defense, as they had an underwhelming season. Myles Murphey is a big-bodied, athletic EDGE who can rotate to the inside. He would be an immediate impact as a run defender and potentially grow into a remarkable number two pass rusher. Murphey would be an excellent selection and would fit this scheme to a tee.

8. Chicago Bears (trade w/ ATL) – CB Devon Witherspoon

Draft Grade – 78.4

After trading down to receive a ton of assets, Chicago is able to select a damn good corner in Devon Witherspoon. He’s no blue chipper, but he brings fantastic day-one value and fills an important position of need. He’s a highly heady corner with a desirable level of physicality. Witherspoon would pair very nicely in this balanced split safety scheme run by Matt Eberflus.

9. Carolina Panthers – QB C.J. Stroud

Draft Grade – 75.5

Carolina finally gets a safe, reliable Quarterback to become their franchise guy, likely. I say likely because he is not far off from being a high-end starter. He lacks elite physical tools and playmaking ability that could allow him to be elite. Despite that, he has a lot of day-one-plus traits. Even though Matt Corral is a solid guy to give a shot, you know Stroud has a floor that will work in an NFL offense.

10. Philadelphia Eagles – OT Peter Skoronski

Draft Grade – 78.2

Despite already having an incredible offensive line unit, Peter Skoronski would bring tremendous value to this team. Skoronski is a Tackle who can convert to the interior and possibly move outside once Lane Johnson retires. He would replace the loss of Isaac Seumalo, a free agent who would likely be an upgrade. It might be overkill, but you may as well do everything possible to help keep this O-line at a dominant level.

11. Tennessee Titans – WR Quentin Johnston

Draft Grade – 79.0

Again, this pick is a no-brainer, as Quentin Johnston is just what this offense needs after losing A.J. Brown last off-season. Tennessee only had three receivers finish the season with 100 receiving yards, and their leader, Robert Woods, only had 527 yards. Johnston is that physical type of mold who can block and make plays after the catch. He’d be a perfect fit with the Titans.

12. Houston Texans – QB Anthony Richardson

Draft Grade – 73.4

After selecting Will Anderson Jr. with the second pick, why not try to swing for the fences at QB with this pick? Anthony Richardson has a rare upside that only comes around every few years. They may never have a top pick soon, and Richardson wouldn’t be forced to start for one to two years. The franchise LT is already in place, and receivers can be found in the next round. This wouldn’t pay dividends for a while, but this special type of talent is hard to pass up.

13. Green Bay Packers (trade W/ NYJ) – WR Jordan Addison

Draft Grade – 78.4

With the writing on the wall, it is looking likely Aaron Rodgers will be traded to the New York Jets if he doesn’t retire. Besides the cold weather, it makes too much sense. Jordan Addison would be an excellent pairing with this play-action-heavy offense. Addison is a great player to motion around and use creatively, which is perfect for coach LeFleur. He’d add a level of explosiveness they didn’t have out of the slot and would help Jordan Love have an easier time in his first season as a starter.

14. New England Patriots – OT Parris Johnson

Draft Grade – 77.8

With Isaiah Wynn ready to hit free agency, it is in New England’s best interest to take a potential franchise LT if available. Parris Johnson is a complete Tackle with prototypical traits. He is a stellar all-around athlete with great length. In addition, he excelled as a run blocker but can easily grow into a good pass-protector. With many different options to choose from, not many stand out better than this one for New England.

15. Green Bay Packers – TE Michael Mayer

Draft Grade – 79.3

In addition to landing Jordan Addison, Michael Mayer would be the perfect counterpart. He is a stellar run blocker who gives it his all every game. It would allow for another needed receiving threat and bring value to this run game. Mayer may never be a superstar receiving threat, but he will likely be a well-balanced and consistent player for a long time.

16. Washington Commanders – CB Christian Gonzalez

Draft Grade – 77.9

I went back, watched some more all-22 Washington defense, and came away realizing they run a more balanced scheme. Nonetheless, there will be plenty of opportunities in press coverage where Christian Gonzalez excels. He is a fantastic athlete and is a scheme-versatile guy. They’d be lucky to see him here, and this would be a slam-dunk pick for Washington.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers – CB Joey Porter

Draft Grade – 77.2

Joey Porter could very well not be available this late, but this is an ideal landing spot. Porter would be an excellent scheme fit as he’s long and physical. He is a phenomenal press corner with great ball skills. Additionally, he has some of the best man coverage skills in this class. Pittsburgh’s corners gave up more than 1800 yards in coverage last season, and it is time they finally get a true number one guy.

18. Detroit Lions – HB Bijan Robinson

Draft Grade – 83.6

Detroit has a good enough built roster to afford to take a guy like Bijan Robinson in the first. Ultimately you can win without an elite back, but Robinson will bring value that very few backs bring. He is the ultimate package as a running back but also can be a massive problem as a pass-catcher. The list of traits and areas where Robinson excels is astonishing. Detroit doesn’t exactly need a halfback, but getting one, would just put the cherry on top of these playmakers.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – OT Broderick Jones

Draft Grade – 76.1

Based on what we all saw from Tampa Bay on offense last year, they could really use an offensive lineman. Broderick Jones can play guard in year one and hopefully move to LT in the future. This is right around the time it’s typically seen to take a project O-lineman. Jones is an excellent all-around athlete and balanced between pass-pro and run-blocking. This would be an excellent pick.

20. Seattle Seahawks – OG O’Cyrus Torrence

Draft Grade – 76.7

O’Cryus Torrence is a stud of a Guard and would be an excellent fit in this Seattle culture. The playmakers are already great in this offense, and the interior offensive line was an issue for them last season. The big man dominated elite college competition and continuously improved throughout his career. Torrence can plug right in and be a solid run blocker and has the traits to develop into a fantastic pass protector.

21. Los Angeles Chargers – WR Zay Flowers

Draft Grade – 77.3

Zay Flowers would be a match made in heaven with Justin Hebert. Flowers is a burner with astonishing lateral quickness and change of direction ability. With the long speed to take the top off the defense and the RAC ability to make a huge impact, it would make this offense a very difficult opponent. He has a tremendous ball-tracking ability, which would bode well with Justin Herbert. Not many other picks make as much sense as this one.

22. Baltimore Ravens – WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Draft Grade – 77.0

The Ravens proved they needed a new wide receiver this past season, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba is the fourth-best one this year. He is one of the most pro-ready receivers but is less valued due to being a slot. Despite lacking speed, he is a refined route runner. Moreover, he does his job as a run blocker and makes plays after the catch. In an offseason where they likely bring back Jackson, they also land a top-viewed receiver.

23. Minnesota Vikings – CB Cam Smith

Draft Grade – 76.8

Minnesota struggled severely in coverage in 2022, and Patrick Peterson is reaching his final years. As previously mentioned, The three starting corners gave up over 1800 yards through the air. This team should go corner, and Cam Smith is a great option to play this off-coverage system. He is a confident, long, and aggressive guy with a remarkable ability to stick in the receiver’s hip pocket.

24. Jacksonville Jaguars – WR Josh Downs

Draft Grade – 76.7

While the receiving group was a massive improvement this past season, it could certainly still be better. Josh Downs is a twitched-up slot who possesses stellar ball skills. Downs is elusive with plus vision and has a deep route running prowess. He would be a threat after the catch and on draw-up deep shots. This pick would get fans excited and get Trevor Lawrence fired up for the season.

25. New York Giants – TE Darnell Washington

Draft Grade – 77.8

With the receiving threats being a weak spot on this Giants’ roster, Darnell Washington would be an exciting player to land. Washington is a big-bodied, athletic, and versatile Tight End. He would add great value as a run blocker and be a massive threat on play-action roll-outs. Even with an interior offensive line as a need, it can be found in the second round.

26. Dallas Cowboys – IDL Calijah Kancey

Draft Grade – 78.5

Calijah Kancey is one of the many draft sleepers this draft season. It would actually be no surprise to see the Cowboys take him here as he is we add tremendous value to this team. Kancey is undersized at 6’0″, 280 lbs, but he is a total technician in the trenches. He would be a fantastic rotational piece and help this continue to be one of the best pass rushes in football.

27. Buffalo Bills – OT Darnell Wright

Draft Grade – 74.8

The offensive line was not exactly a strength of Buffalo this past season. Darnell Wright is a near plug-in play Tackle with a solid upside. He will enter the league with a tremendous anchor in pass pro. As a run blocker, he is solid but has a lot of room to grow. Getting any offensive lineman in the first round will help make this offense much more functional.

28. Cincinnati Bengals – CB Kelee Ringo

Draft Grade – 77.7

Cornerback is needed for Cincinnati, and CB Kelee Ringo would be a steal of a pick. He isn’t high up on consensus boards, but his theoretical potential is absurd. Ringo, at 6’2″, 210, is a physical corner with elite top-end speed. He isn’t the most agile but makes up for it with his press ability. Even though Eli Apple is here, it makes sense to grab someone with a much better upside.

29. New Orleans Saints – EDGE Lukas Van-Ness

Draft Grade – 76.5

This is a faller some may be surprised to see. Admittedly, I’ve only seen two games of this guy so far, and they weren’t the best games. Lukas Van-Ness is a long, powerful, and explosive player. Playing out of position at Iowa, he was still a very efficient player and racked up a solid amount of pressure. He would be a great long-term replacement for Cam Jordan and would immediately be a good role player.

30. Kansas City Chiefs – TE Luke Musgrave

Draft Grade – 77.4

With Travis Kelce turning 34 next season, it’s time to plan for his replacement. Luke Musgrave would be a great option to eventually take over, as he has elite speed paired with ideal size. We didn’t get to see much of him in 2022 because he went down to an injury in week two. Despite that, he showed enough and has the athletic traits to develop into a superstar Tight End.

31. Philadelphia Eagles – EDGE Nolan Smith

Draft Grade – 77.8

This would be another potential all-time steal from GM Howie Roseman. Nolan Smith would be a great guy to mold into a hybrid linebacker role. This would allow him, at 6’3″, 235 lbs, to be an impact in coverage and then be a dominant force on drawn-up blitzes. Furthermore, he’d be able to take snaps as a true EDGE if they needed him to, as he is incredibly strong. If he is available here, it will take a heck of a player to be a better selection than Smith.

Trey Schneider

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