NFL Mock Draft Shapes the Future of Franchises, GMs, Coaches and Players – No Big Deal

The most important weekend of the NFL season is almost here. The 2023 season, careers of GMs and coaches, the fate of franchises can be determined on April 28^, 29 and 30, by how a team performs in the NFL Draft.

My mock draft considers a team’s needs, a player’s potential, the importance of the position and how a prospect performed at the NFL Combine.

There is usually one team that makes a move and alters the course of the selections. This year (and in many prior ones) that team is the Raiders. Las Vegas is desperate for a quarterback and a face of the franchise who can change to perception of the Raiders which has been sullied by former picks Damon Arnette and Henry Ruggs III. The draft is in Sin City, giving the Raiders a chance to do some serious sport washing.

We want to hear from you. My not-so-esteemed colleague Anthony Licciardi and I have wagered a considerable number of adult beverages on our mock drafts, even though Anthony on drinks skim milk. Tell us whose draft you think is more accurate or favor and why.

Post NFL Combine 1st Round Mock Draft

Mock Draft Analysis

1. COLTS (via Bears): Carson Wentz? Nope. Matt Ryan? Nope. New coach who was an offensive coordinator? Yes. What Young lacks in height he more than compensates for in IQ, anticipation, and placement.
2. TEXANS: New coach DeMeco Ryans is a defensive guy, so he knows firsthand the important of having a franchise QB. No way the Texans are going into 2023 with Davis Mills and Jeff Driskel.
3. RAIDERS (via Cards): There is only one rogue NFL franchise with the DNA to make this bold move and in the process, completely wreak havoc in the draft. Richardson, like the Raiders, is the wildcard in this draft.
4. PANTHERS (Bears and Colts): Bears have a lot of needs, especially on defense. Panthers have a pressing need – QB. Bears trade back twice. Blame the Raiders for the first four picks.
5. SEAHAWKS: We are not sold on Geno Smith and don’t think the Seahawks are, too. But with the top QBs gone, Anderson is the 1^st college player to conjure hints of LT. The ‘Hawks trade down if not for Anderson.
6. LIONS: Detroit believes it has the offense to win the NFC North but not the defense. Carter has been charged with reckless driving and racing in the deaths of two. They are misdemeanors which means he’s still too good to pass up.
7. JETS (via Cards): OT Peter Skoronski, Northwestern – Rightfully fearing the run on offensive tackles is about to start, the Jets move boldly (not a misprint) and take the best O-lineman in the draft. (Pick possibly made by Aaron Rodgers).
8. FALCONS: Not sure what the Falcons’ thoughts are about their QB position (Caleb Williams is 2024?) but the O-Line is a mess. Johnson is a massive man (6-6, 310) who walls off one side of the line.
9. BEARS (via Colts and Panthers): These were not Mike Ditka’s Bears. Chicago was last in sacks (16) and pressures (70). The Eagles had 70 sacks! Love the way Wilson plays every down. Bears add two No.1s next season and multiple Nos.2s & 3s this year.
10. EAGLES: Howie Roseman does it again. He traded one of the three No.1s he had in last year’s draft to the Saints for this pick and gets the best corner in this draft. Philly will probably lose one of their starters.
11. TITANS: The Titans will go as far as their defense and Derrick Henry and the run game take them. They just cut Taylor Lewan. Jones, a sophomore, will take some lumps. He’ll also dole some out.
12. TEXANS: Last year’s 2^nd-round pick John Metchie III is recovering from ACL surgery and leukemia. Nico Smith is serviceable and Brandin Cooks’ bags are packed. Houston has 1^st dibs on the WR market
13. CARDINALS: The Cardinals are going to lose Patrick Peterson leaving them without a No.1 corner. Cards have a lot of needs and could trade down but if Gonzalez is available, it would be hard to say, ‘No.’
14. BUCS (via Pats): The Bucs will likely lose one corner and perhaps a safety in free agency. Defense will have to carry Tampa Bay until a QB is found because Tom Brady is not unretiring again.
15. PACKERS: Now that Aaron Rodgers has emerged from the from darkness, Green Bay fans hope to move forward with Jordan Love and an NFL-ready tight end. Rodgers, said of his decision, “I don’t make it lightly.” Oy!
16. COMMANDERS: The question, of course, is at QB. Is Sam Howell the answer? Commanders have stacked the D-line with high picks but ended the season w just 1 starter (G Trai Turner) drafted in the first three rounds.
17. STEELERS: Nolan Smith was the former No.1 high school recruit in the nation. A torn pec cost him the last third of the season. But he showed he was more than healthy at the combine. He is a stud.
18. LIONS: Oh yes we did! The best defenses in the NFL rotate defensive linemen, keeping perpetual stress on the QB. We gave the Lions Carter at No.6 and now adding a pass-rushing end in Murphy to pair with Aidan Hutchinson.
19. PATRIOTS (via Bucs): Wes Welker meets Julian Edelman meets Zay Flowers. QB Mac Jones was frustrated with the Pats offense last season. Enter new OC Bill O’Brien and the Pats may look like an NFL offense.
20. SEAHAWKS: As long as Pete Carroll is the main Seahawk, running the ball will always be a priority. Torrance is a nasty man. Is tackle a higher-rated position? Sure. But Torrance is by far the best guard in this draft.
21. CHARGERS: Was really tempted to go WR here but the Priority I, II and II in L.A. has to be protecting QB Justin Herbert. He was sacked 41 times last season. In comes Harrison, a beast of tackle who could go higher.
22. RAVENS: There’s been a lot of finger-pointing in Baltimore as to why the passing offense has underperformed. Assuming Lamar Jackson resigns, WR Rashod Bateman and Johnston give the Ravens a vertical game.
23. VIKINGS: The Vikes just released Eric Kendricks. Za’Darius Smith could be next for a team that wasn’t very good at getting to the QB. Van Ness, known as Hercules to his Iowa teammates, should have a lot of opportunities to be a Greek God.
24. JAGUARS: The former No.1 high school career dealt with injuries and the death of his younger sister in college. But when healthy, Bresee is one of the few run stoppers who can also penetrate.
25. GIANTS: Every year 1 team lucks out. Addison shouldn’t be here. Imagine QB Daniel Jones, who turned in his best season without Nos. 1 or 2 WR, and RB Saquon Barkley who bounced back despite defenses stocking the box. Addison!
26. COWBOYS: There’s a strong case to be that he’s the best TE in the draft. A former hoops star, Kincaid played just 1 season of prep football. Boys aren’t likely to retain Dalton Shultz. Kincaid is the complete package, starting with hands.
27. BILLS: The Bills can no longer go with running back by subcommittee. Josh Allen needs a legit RB to take some of the load. Robinson is the best RB prospect since Barkley.
28. BENGALS: We were set to give the Striped Cats a tight end but Ringo’s fall changed that. Cincy has to make a decision on Eli Apple, one of the most polarizing corners in the league.
29. COLTS (via Saints): Colts rightfully believe they can win the AFC South, even with a rookie QB. They can’t, however, with the 20^th-ranked rush defense so they trade back into the first round and nab this dynamic force up front.
30. EAGLES: The Birds make no secret about it. Their defense believes in getting to the QB, as the 70 sacks last season attested to. McDonald wowed at the combine. He is the most athlete true edge rusher behind Anderson.
31. CHIEFS: The Chiefs have terrific young talent up front. Chris Jones was the most dominant defensive force in the playoffs. DC Steve Spagnuolo knows the importance of having depth up front to keep the pressure on.