NFL mock draft: Carolina Panthers pick Young, Tenn. Titans trade for Stroud

In my final first-round NFL mock draft, which includes two trades, Bryce Young is selected first, followed by Will Anderson Jr., C.J. Stroud, Will Levis, and Tyree Wilson.

In Kansas City, Missouri, from Thursday through Saturday will be the 2023 NFL Draft. ESPN, ABC, and NFL Network will all carry it.

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Thursday’s first-round coverage will begin at 8 p.m. EDT. At 7 o’clock on Friday, coverage of the second and third rounds will begin. Saturday at noon will mark the commencement of third-day coverage, which will include the last four rounds.

I think Young will be chosen by the Carolina Panthers, who in March exchanged selection No. 1 with the Chicago Bears. With the No. 2 pick, I anticipate the Houston Texans to select great edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. instead of a quarterback.

If the Texans decide not to draft a quarterback, other NFL teams may contact the Arizona Cardinals. The team that secures a deal is likely to be the Tennessee Titans.

The Indianapolis Colts, who have the No. 4 pick, are the Titans’ AFC South divisional rivals. After that trade is completed, I anticipate the Titans to sign Stroud.

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The Colts, who selected former Kentucky quarterback, Will Levis, ought to have the same chance.

I also anticipate that Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker and Florida’s Anthony Richardson will both be selected in the first round as quarterbacks.

The No. 13 overall pick is now owned by the Green Bay Packers, who recently reached an agreement to trade quarterback Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets. Jaxon Smith-Njigba of Ohio State is the wide receiver I anticipate them to pick first overall in the draft.

In his first season as a full-time starter for the Packers, quarterback Jordan Love should find the former Buckeyes standout to be a welcome addition to the offence.

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My mock draft has Tyree Wilson as the fifth overall pick. The former Texas Tech edge rusher will likely be selected by the Seattle Seahawks. My other anticipated cast members are Jalen Carter, Devon Witherspoon, Richardson, Peter Skoronski, and Nolan Smith.

2023 Mock Draft 3.0

1. Carolina Panthers

Bryce Young, QB, Alabama

2. Houston Texans

Will Anderson Jr., Edge, Alabama

3. Tennessee Titans (trade with Arizona Cardinals)

C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State

4. Indianapolis Colts

Will Levis, QB, Kentucky

5. Seattle Seahawks

Tyree Wilson, Edge, Texas Tech

6. Detroit Lions

Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia

7. Las Vegas Raiders

Devon Witherspoon, DB, Illinois

8. Washington Commanders (trade with Atlanta Falcons)

Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida

9. Chicago Bears

Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern

10. Philadelphia Eagles

Nolan Smith, Edge, Georgia

11. Arizona Cardinals (trade with Tennessee Titans)

Lukas Van Ness, Edge, Iowa

12. Houston Texans

Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee

13. Green Bay Packers

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State

14. New England Patriots

Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State

15. New York Jets

Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia

16. Atlanta Falcons (trade with Washington Commanders)

Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas

17. Pittsburgh Steelers

Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon

18. Detroit Lions

Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee

20. Seattle Seahawks

Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State

21. Los Angeles Chargers

Micheal Mayer, TE, Notre Dame

22. Baltimore Ravens

Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland

23. Minnesota Vikings

Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College

24. Jacksonville Jaguars

Myles Murphy, Edge, Clemson

25. New York Giants

Will McDonald IV, Edge, Iowa State

26. Dallas Cowboys

Calijah Kancey, DL, Pittsburgh

27. Buffalo Bills

Jordan Addison, WR, USC

28. Cincinnati Bengals

Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State

29. New Orleans Saints

Jack Campbell, LB, Iowa

30. Philadelphia Eagles

Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama

31. Kansas City Chiefs

Keion White, Edge, Georgia Tech