Connect with us

Football

Lincoln Heimbach’s 2023 NFL Mock Draft — 4.0

ROUND ONE MOCK DRAFT (w/TRADES AND EXPLANATIONS)

It’s Draft Day!!! This is obviously my final mock draft complete with 3 trades and explanations for every pick. To clarify once again, this mock is where I think each player will go, NOT how I rank players.

Remember: The Miami Dolphins were forced to forfeit their 21st overall pick in this years draft. the NFL announced that Miami would have to forfeit their first round selection, along with its 2024 fourth-round pick, after an investigation into the team revealing that it had violated league policies.

With that being said, lets dive in!

Trades:

  • Tennessee (#11 –> #7) sees an opportunity to grab their QB of the future. Las Vegas (#7 –> #11) can afford to drop back and grab some extra capital.
  • Minnesota (#24 –> #12) finds chance to snag a big faller that’s been on their radar. Houston (#12 — #24) OK with dropping down to receive some extra picks.
  • New England (#14 –> #19) not finding what their looking for, finds suitor to trade down with to acquire some extra capital. Tampa Bay (#19 –> #14) finds chance to jump up and snag a player that may not have been there at pick 19.

Pick 1 – CAR – Bryce Young – QB – Alabama

Pick Breakdown – At this point, its not too clear as to who the Carolina Panthers are pick at the #1 spot. There have been rumors around literally all top-4 quarterbacks going here, but Bryce Young could be the best player in this draft, and I can’t see how the Panthers take anyone else. 

Pick 2 – HOU –  Will Anderson Jr. – EDGE – Alabama

Pick Breakdown – This pick has also been questionable over the last few weeks especially since the growing rumor is that Houston will not be taking a quarterback at #2. This does make sense for first year HC, Demeco Ryans, to take a defensive guy because he is one himself. Anderson is a monster and is also in the debate to be the best player in the class.

Pick 3 – ARI – Tyree Wilson – EDGE – Texas Tech

Pick Breakdown – Tyree Wilson is an athletic freak show. His wingspan is ridiculously long and makes getting around the edge very easy. This pick would fill a major hole in this Cardinals’ defense who lost many major pieces in the last few offseasons.

Pick 4 – IND – Wil Levis – QB – Kentucky

Pick Breakdown – More and more smoke and mirrors surrounding Levis who seems to have the biggest range of anyone in the first round. Some have take him at #1 while others have him falling out of the first round. Levis fits in a pro-style Shane Steichen offense and will be coached to his playbook. If Levis knows what to do before the ball is even snapped, he will have a good time with the Colts.

Pick 5 – SEA – Jalen Carter – DL – Georgia

Pick Breakdown – Carter has had some legal issues as of late, and some questions about his work ethic. Though, these things wont take away from some of the best defensive film of anyone in this class. He’s a great athlete, but what will the risk be come draft night?

Pick 6 – DET – Devon Witherspoon – CB – Illinois

Pick Breakdown – Witherspoon just fits in Dan Campbells defense. Hes aggressive, physical, ad completely erases receivers from the game. I saw a really good quote that sums up the Witherspoon vs Gonzalez debate: “Gonzalez is a stat-padder, Witherspoon is a stat-eraser.”

Pick 7 – TEN (Mock Trade w/LV) – CJ Stroud – QB – Ohio State

Pick Breakdown – Tennessee sees the slide of Stroud and pounces on it. Not knowing how much more quarterback Ryan Tannehill has in the tank, and losing faith in Malik Willis, the Titans see the opportunity to grab their quarterback of the future.

Pick 8 – ATL – Christian Gonzalez – CB – Oregon

Pick Breakdown – We’ve been seeing running back, Bijan Robinson, taken a lot here, but I just don’t know if the value is there for him to be taken that early. With that being said, Gonzalez does have the value at this spot. Gonzalez has the size, speed, length, and technique to be an All-Pro corner in the National Football League.

Pick 9 – CHI – Broderick Jones – OL – Georgia

Pick Breakdown – The Bears are in dire need to lock down their offensive line. GM Ryan Poles was able to string together a very successful off-season and an o-lineman here at pick 9 would only continue that success.

Pick 10 – PHI – Bijan Robinson – RB – Texas

Pick Breakdown – Originally, I had Philadelphia trading down to receive some extra capital later in the draft (PHI does not have a 4th, 5th, or 6th round pick in this years draft). It’s hard too see the Eagles pass up on Robinson if he’s still available at pick 10. This pick would ultimately create one of, if not, the most explosive offenses in the National Football League.

Pick 11 – LV (Mock Trade w/TEN) – Paris Johnson Jr. – OL – Ohio State

Pick Breakdown – After trading back with the Titans, the Raiders are still able to grab what will be a major contributing factor to a lacking offensive line. While they could take a quarterback to sit behind Jimmy Garapolo for a half or full year, they’re going to need someone to protect that guy first.

Pick 12 – MIN (Mock Trade w/HOU) – Anthony Richardson – QB – Florida

Pick Breakdown – The Vikings have been a dark horse candidate to sneak up and snag Anthony Richardson for a while. I think this would be a scary pairing even if Richardson doesn’t start right away. Being able to learn behind Kirk Cousins and then stepping into an offense with Justin Jefferson, TJ Hockenson, and Dalvin Cook (for now) would help a young, developing quarterback immensely.

Pick 13 – GB – Jaxon Smith-Njigba – WR – Ohio State

Pick Breakdown – A post-Aaron Rodgers age will be a lot different for the Packers but it seems as through they believe in quarterback Jordan Love. So, with that, Green Bay doesn’t balk and take one of the teams biggest needs at wide receiver. JSN is a strong route runner with some solid hands that could end up being Jordan Love’s favorite target.

Pick 14 – TB (Mock Trade w/NE) – Darnell Wright – OL – Tennessee

Pick Breakdown – Tampa Bay trades up here for an offensive tackle in Darnell Wright from Tennessee. Wright had a really good season for the Vols’ and will surly protect whoever lines up at quarterback for the Bucs’ whether it be Baker Mayfield or Kyle Trask. While Tristan Wirfs proved to be one of the best tackles in the league, to have Wright line up at the opposite bookend would be ideal for the pass protection that Tampa Bay needs.

Pick 15 – NYJ – Peter Skoronski – OL – Northwestern

Pick Breakdown – With some age increasing on the interior offensive line, New York could use some extra protection for newly acquired veteran QB, Aaron Rodgers. Skoronski is the best offensive guard in the class and possibly the best overall lineman. In this mock, he slides a little bit simply because of need at other positions.

Pick 16 – WAS – Joey Porter Jr. – CB – Penn State

Pick Breakdown – To this point, Porter Jr. is the best defensive back on the board and I would be surprised if he made it passed the Commanders. In need of some help in the secondary, Washington should be very happy that Porter fell to them.

Pick 17 – PIT –  Deonte Banks – CB – Maryland

Pick Breakdown – Banks has been on a slow rise the entire offseason and this is as high as most having him go. Of course, the Steelers did acquire cornerback, Patrick Peterson in the offseason which takes away from the urgency to get a corner, but that doesn’t mean they can’t take someone to work opposite Pat-Pete. Banks is a very sticky corner with amazing ball skills. May need some coaching in the down-field-tracking department but overall, a very good defensive back.

Pick 18 – DET – Nolan Smith – EDGE – Georgia

Pick Breakdown – Smith is an a ridiculous athlete that would make for a pretty scary front in Detroit. This pick would very quickly make the Lions my favorites for the winners of the draft — With Smith lining up opposite defensive end, Aiden Hutchinson, and Witherspoon lining up in the same secondary as C.J. Gardner-Johnson — Head Coach, Dan Campbell’s defense would be completely revamped.

Pick 19 – NE (Mock Trade w/TB) – Lukas Van Ness – EDGE – Iowa

Pick Breakdown – Van Ness is a monster and would add some ridiculous strength to the Pats’ pass rush. He’s big, long, and strong. With some heavy hands, Van Ness caused disturbance play after play for the Hawkeyes’ opponents. He’s a guy that just fits in New England’s defense.

Pick 20 – SEA – Jordan Addison – WR – USC

Pick Breakdown – Addison would have the ability to add a new depth to this Seahawks offense who just signed quarterback Geno Smith to a 4 year deal. Addison would add speed and route running to an offense that bolsters the strength of DK Metcalf and the hands of Tyler Lockett.

Pick 21 – MIA – Forfeited (See Beginning)

Pick 22 – LAC – Jahmyr Gibbs – RB – Alabama

Pick Breakdown – If a trade for Austin Ekeler is to happen (It could even happen on draft night), the Chargers would automatically be in need of a new running back. Many scouts believe that as soon as Gibbs is drafted, he will become one of the best pass-catching running backs in the league, which I’m sure sounds very nice to LA.

Pick 23 – BAL – Emmanuel Forbes – CB – Mississippi State

Pick Breakdown – Forbes, while small, makes up for it in his quick instincts and smooth technique. Forbes measured in at 6’1” 166 lbs at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine which does not seem very attractive to NFL head coaches, but his speed and playmaking ability will.

Pick 24 – HOU (Mock Trade w/MIN) – Hendon Hooker – QB – Tennessee

Pick Breakdown – Many sources within the organization believe they will see Hendon Hooker in a Texans jersey by the 2023 season. Hooker made some incredible throws with the Volunteers and will bring his arm talent and smooth instincts to Houston for a new era.

Pick 25 – JAX – OCyrus Torrence – OL – Florida

Pick Breakdown – Jacksonville, lacking on the interior, grab Torrence who is my iOL2 right behind Peter Skoronski. Torrence is a wide-bodied wrecking ball with some very impressive torque in the run game and solid weight distribution in pass-pro.

Pick 26 – NYG – Zay Flowers – WR – Boston College

Pick Breakdown – The G-men are in need of some new weapons for quarterback, Daniel Jones, who just signed a 4-year deal with New York. Flowers is a very good route runner and knows how to get open and would most likely serve as WR1 first day on the job.

Pick 27 – DAL –  Calijah Kancey – DL – PITT

Pick Breakdown – Tight end is certainly an option here for the Cowboys, and they would have their choice at one with none going thus far. But I think the biggest need exists on the defensive line. Kancey is an athletic, quick and stocky interior defensive lineman who will add some much needed pass rush and take some pressure off of EDGE, Micah Parsons.

Pick 28 – BUF – Drew Sanders – LB – Arkansas

Pick Breakdown – Linebacker, Tremaine Edmunds, is now with the Chicago Bears meaning the Bills need some reloading at that position. Sanders was a monster for the Razorbacks. He made play after play for Arkansas and earned himself a possibility of a first round draft choice.

Pick 29 – CIN – Dalton Kincaid – TE – Utah

Pick Breakdown – Kincaid was the best receiving tight end in college football which will fit very well in this Bengals offense with quarterback, Joe Burrow, and wide receiver, Jamar Chase. Kincaid uses his body to box out defenders and long arms to haul in footballs that are anywhere near his radius.

Pick 30 – NO – Keion White – EDGE – Georgia Tech

Pick Breakdown – The Georgia Tech standout gets taken at the backend of the first round here by the Saints who could possibly even trade up for White come draft night. White is a very strong fit for New Orleans who needs to figure out their aging defense.

Pick 31 – PHI – Brian Branch – DB – Alabama

Pick Breakdown – Philadelphia has the opportunity to take an interior offensive lineman (John Michael-Schmitz, Joe Tippman, Steve Avila) or defensive end (Adetomiwa Adeboware, Felix Anudike-Usomah, BJ Ojulari) here but instead, grab the classes best safety in Branch, upgrading the secondary in Philadelphia

Pick 32 – KC – Anton Harrison – OL – Oklahoma

Pick Breakdown – Offensive tackle, Orlando Brown Jr., left for Cincinnati in free agency which leaves Kansas City needing for a bookend to protect quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, in the future — Harrison is a big and long offensive tackle with good base and hands who will do just that for the Chiefs.

Related Topics
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement

Must See

More in Football