***FINAL EDITION ***

This is version 4 of the final edition. I’m publishing now hoping nothing happens in the next 3 days.

I want to make a couple points before getting into the mock.

QUARTERBACKS

• There was a time I thought the QBs would go 1-4. Not anymore. Unless Houston at #2 or Arizona at #3 move back (and I think only one of them may be able to) I only see 2 going in the top 5.
• Bryce Young going #1 is the only guarantee of this draft.
• I do not think Will Levis is QB2, but I think Colts GM, Chris Ballard does. I think the Colts have been locked on Levis since the offseason began.
• My personal order of QBs is Stroud, Young, Richardson, Levis. Some see Levis as another Josh Allen: great tools & measurables without the college production, that blossoms in the NFL. I see him as more of a Mitch Trubisky: never quite makes it over the hump.
• I think a team will move up from the early second round to the late first for Hendon Hooker.

WILDCARDS

• Jalen Carter is a top 2 or 3 talent, there’s arguments to be made that he’s the best player in the draft. But, there’s red flags. Will talent trump those concerns? If Carter makes it past #5, that throws the whole first round off kilter (as far as my mock goes).
• Bijan Robinson is also a top 5 talent, but running back is not a premium position. If some team takes him in the top ten, that will also throw things off.
• What happens with Lamar Jackson? Does Baltimore move on? If so, that will cause total chaos.

Mocking the NFL Draft isn’t an exact science. It’s all about making an educated guess. NFL front offices always have differing opinions on some players than professional analysts, pundits and amateurs like myself.

Players will go higher and lower than anybody could predict. It’s always a wild ride and one I thoroughly enjoy.

Anyway, here’s my best guess:

#1

BRYCE YOUNG, QB, ALABAMA

Size concerns aside, Young is the most polished QB in this class.

#2

WILL ANDERSON, EDGE, ALABAMA

Anderson is, arguably, the best overall prospect in the draft.

#3

TYREE WILSON, EDGE, TEXAS TECH

Wilson has ideal size, length and bend for an NFL edge rusher.

#4

WILL LEVIS, QB, KENTUCKY

Levis has prototypical measurables for an NFL QB, and a cannon for a right arm.

#5

JALEN CARTER, IDL, GEORGIA

Red flags aside, Carter has too much talent to fall very far.

#6

CHRISTIAN GONZALEZ, CB, OREGON

Gonzalez has ideal size, speed and athleticism to be a top corner in the NFL.

#7

DEVON WITHERSPOON, CB, ILLINOIS

Witherspoon and Gonzalez are interchangeable as the top corner in the draft.

#8

NOLAN SMITH, EDGE, GEORGIA

Smith is the most athletic edge rusher in this class.

#9

Projected trade with Chicago

PARIS JOHNSON JR, OT, OHIO STATE

Johnson is the best pure tackle in the draft.

#10

Projected trade with Philadelphia

ANTHONY RICHARDSON, QB, FLORIDA

Richardson is raw, but has the most upside of any QB in this class.

#11

CJ STROUD, QB, OHIO STATE

Something that we can’t see on tape is driving Stroud down the board.

#12

JAXON SMITH-NJIGBA, WR, OHIO STATE

Despite an injury marred 2022 season, Smith-Njigba is the best receiver in this class.

#13

LUKAS VAN NESS, EDGE, IOWA

Van Ness is a bit raw, but a physical specimen with major upside.

#14

JOEY PORTER JR, CB, PENN STATE

Porter is a tough, physical corner with an excellent pedigree.

#15

PETER SKORONSKI, OT, NORTHWESTERN

Skoronski may end up kicking inside to guard, but he’s the most polished offensive lineman in the draft.

#16

Projected trade with Washington

BIJAN ROBINSON, RB, TEXAS

Robinson is the best RB prospect since Saquon Barkley, and a top five talent in this draft.

#17

Projected trade with Pittsburgh

BRODERICK JONES, OT, GEORGIA

Jones is a bit raw, but has tremendous upside as an offensive tackle.

#18

MYLES MURPHY, EDGE, CLEMSON

Murphy is an extremely talented edge rusher who may be more scheme dependent than those that went before him.

#19

Projected trade with Tampa Bay

JORDAN ADDISON, WR, USC

Addison is a well rounded, highly productive wide receiver.

#20

Projected trade with Seattle

CALIJAH KANCEY, IDL, PITTSBURGH

Kancey is undersized for a defensive tackle, but he’s very quick and tenacious, much like another Pittsburgh alum, Aaron Donald.

#21

Projected trade with LA Chargers

DEONTE BANKS, CB, MARYLAND

Banks is a smart, fast and fearless cornerback.

#22

ZAY FLOWERS, WR, BOSTON COLLEGE

Flowers is a small, but explosive WR with tremendous RAC ability.

#23

Projected trade with Minnesota

DARNELL WRIGHT, OT, TENNESSEE

Wright is the best pure right tackle in the draft. Will Anderson called him his toughest collegiate opponent.

#24

BRIAN BRANCH, S, ALABAMA

Branch is easily the top safety in the draft. Has the versatility to play nickel.

#25

O’CYRUS TORRENCE, IOL, FLORIDA

Torrence is, arguably, the top interior offensive lineman in the draft.

#26

MICHAEL MAYER, TE, NOTRE DAME

Mayer is an excellent pass catching TE with great size.

#27

QUENTIN JOHNSTON, WR, TCU

One of the bigger receivers in the class, Johnston has great contested catch ability.

#28

DARNELL WASHINGTON, TE, GEORGIA

For my money, Washington is the most electric TE in the draft.

#29

BRYAN BRESEE, IDL, CLEMSON

Bresee has the size and speed to be a very good defensive lineman in the NFL. His troubling injury history pushes him down the board.

#30

Projected trade with Philadelphia

HENDON HOOKER, QB, TENNESSEE

Hooker is older, and recovering from a torn ACL, but the talent is obvious. Some team will move up to get that extra year of team control.

#31

JALIN HYATT, WR, TENNESSEE

Hyatt has blazing speed, should contribute right away with room to grow into a more complete receiver.