In this exercise, my first mock draft involves a number of hypothetical moves in free agency for each team, while taking into consideration their respective cap situations and draft positions. Trades are also considered for teams with extra draft capital and pressing needs.

1. Indianapolis Colts – (Trade w/ Chicago Bears) – Bryce Young – (QB-Alabama) – Jumping a division rival, and landing their future quarterback after years of patching together the position with veterans makes too much sense for Indy. Jim Irsay’s public affection for Young is no smokescreen, and while it will cost the Colts future capital, this team is in a position to win now. Young has everything it takes to succeed; his frame, however, may prohibit him from having a lengthy NFL career.

2. Houston Texans – Will Levis – (QB-Kentucky) – Houston surprises here, drafting a guy who has question marks but all of the capabilities to be a quality starter in the pros. Built like an NFL quarterback, Levis has impressive torque and can let it rip. He excelled with a solid supporting cast at Kentucky in 2021, and, while he has to improve on his decision making, the Texans are thrilled to have their guy.

3. Carolina Panthers – (Trade w/ Arizona Cardinals) – CJ Stroud – (QB-Ohio State) – The Panthers refuse to be left out of the quarterback shuffle in this year’s draft. With this trade, the 2023 class is shaping up to resemble the 2021 class, when three QBs went off the board with the top 3 picks. The Panthers, who passed on Justin Fields that year, get another Ohio State product who can sling it. Stroud has room to grow, but he could help Carolina jump start this offense immediately.

4. Chicago Bears – (Trade w/ Indianapolis Colts) Jalen Carter – (DT-Georgia) – After day-one of the draft, this organization is sitting pretty, with a haul of future draft capital and the top non-quarterback in this class, who also happens to play a very important position in Matt Eberflus’ defense. Carter is built to play at the next level, and he is a no-brainer for Chicago as they fortify the trenches.

5. Seattle Seahawks – Tyree Wilson – (Edge-Texas Tech) – Another organization that just struck gold here, Seattle gets their pick at a top defensive player that will help bolster their pass rush. Wilson may not have the production of Will Anderson, but he is oozing with potential, and screams Seattle with his set of traits and frame.

6. Detroit Lions – Will Anderson – (Edge-Alabama) – Even with a stable of young, talented pass rushers, you can never have enough. Adding Anderson gives Detroit a tantalizing arsenal of guys that can get after the quarterback, and that’s not a bad place to start when you’re a front office trying to fix a porous defense. Anderson made a name living in backfields in college football, and he has all the tools to become an All-Pro at the next level.

7. Tennessee Titans – (Trade w/ Las Vegas Raiders) – Anthony Richardson – (QB-Florida) – This reflects a decision by the team to move on from Ryan Tannehill. Other teams come calling for this pick, and the Titans could perhaps also jettison Malik Willis before the season starts, but Richardson gives them the sort of upside they sought in Willis. He certainly is raw – only 13 career starts – but the flashes have been impressive. Moving ahead of Atlanta is also a motive here.

8. Atlanta Falcons – Peter Skoronski – (OT-Northwestern) – If Arthur Smith continues to build this thing out the way he has, the Falcons will be looking to add quality players up front to help this young offense continue to make strides, and do what they do best, by wearing teams down. This team is also flush with cash, so they should focus on improving the defense with a few notable free agents.

9. Arizona Cardinals – (Trade w/ Carolina Panthers) – Myles Murphy – (DL-Clemson) – A perfect scenario for Arizona, with Murphy falling into their lap here. The Cardinals need to replace a lot of production up front, and Murphy can be a cornerstone; plus, they pick up extra picks from their trade with Carolina. Murphy plays with a high-motor, and knows how to close on the quarterback. 

10. Philadelphia Eagles – Cam Smith – (CB-South Carolina) – Replacing what is expected to be a void at cornerback, with James Bradbury set to cash out elsewhere, the Eagles use this luxury pick to fill an important need. Smith is a lockdown corner, and would help shore up this secondary opposite Darius Slay.

11. Las Vegas Raiders – (Trade w/ Tennessee Titans) – Joey Porter Jr. – (CB-Penn State) – This pick is predicated on the Raiders likely making a move for a veteran quarterback in March. Not only would Porter fit the persona of this organization, but the Raiders have three cornerbacks entering free agency. Porter is punishing as a tackler, and he could start week-one. Las Vegas is happy with their extra draft capital they picked up here, as well.

12. New England Patriots – Broderick Jones – (Trade w/ Houston Texans) – (OT-Georgia) – Two old friends talk shop, and that’s how the Patriots jump the rival Jets for a player that both teams could be targeting. Having found success with Isaiah Wynn, New England goes back to the well in Athens to grab Jones, who could help stabilize the line. The Pats have the capital to make this happen.

13. New York Jets – Dawand Jones – (OT-Ohio State) – After nailing many of their early-round picks as of late, the Jets can afford to draft here based on need. Plus, with one of the marquee veteran quarterbacks likely to land in New York, the Jets are in a position to win now; adding an offensive lineman with Jones’ upside would help solidify what is a young group on offense. He is the sort of enormous anchor that they were hoping Mekhi Becton would be for them.

14. Houston Texans – Quentin Johnson – (Trade w/ New England Patriots) – (WR-TCU) – By keeping Johnson in-state, the Texans supply a strong-armed Will Levis with a large, imposing target. Johnson would compliment the current corp of receivers, and give this offense a boost as they transition into a new era of football. His drops are a point of concern, but his physical skillset is too hard too pass up. Adding a few extra picks doesn’t hurt either.

15. Green Bay Packers – Michael Mayer (TE-Notre Dame) – A tight end with Mayer’s athletic ability makes this offense instantly better on paper; losing Robert Tunyan appears to be in the future for Green Bay, and it’s no guarantee that Mercedes Lewis will return, either. Mayer can make the tough catch, and he is the most complete tight end in the class. He could play immediately.

16. Washington Commanders – Bryan Bresee – (DT-Clemson) – With Da’Ron Payne playing his way into a massive contract—

quite likely from another team—

Washington will need to fill a void up front. Breese has the frame and physical gifts to play in the NFL, and he has showed in flashes that he can dominate the competition; plus, few teams emphasize building up front as much as the Commanders.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers – Keion White – (DL-Georgia Tech) – White is a big, ferocious edge defender who can get into the backfield. The Steelers never shy away from adding premier talent on defense, and they are needing to rebound after being especially vulnerable against the pass in 2022. Inserting White into the lineup would help free up TJ Watt, too.

18. Detroit Lions – Bijan Robinson – (RB-Texas) – Another pick that seems like luxury, but actually helps this team immediately. Assuming the Lions let Jamaal Williams walk, they’ll be needing another reliable runner to carry the load, especially since D’Andre Swift has proven he cannot stay healthy. Robinson is a home-run hitter, and his rare blend of power, speed and balance gives Detroit a bonafide weapon.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Christian Gonzalez – (CB-Oregon) – Unless Tampa Bay goes fishing for a big-name quarterback in March, it appears 2023 will be something of a rebuilding year for them; perhaps no position group is set to get hit harder by free agency than the secondary. By drafting Gonzalez, the Bucs get a physical corner with coveted length. With Todd Bowles, Gonzalez will be under strong tutelage; he could excel early.

20. Minnesota Vikings – (Trade w/ Seattle Seahawks) – Kelee Ringo – (CB-Georgia) – General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has already showed that he’s willing to move around the board. By trading with Seattle here, the Vikings can secure a player who could be a fixture on this defense for some time. Ringo has proven he can step up in big moments, and, while not perfect as a prospect, he could learn from the veterans in this locker room.

21. Los Angeles Chargers – Jaxon Smith-Njigba – (WR-Ohio State) – While the Chargers are in the middle of an arms race in the AFC, they need the firepower to contend with other high-flying offenses around the conference. Adding Smith-Njigba gives them a vertical threat who can stretch the field; he’s smooth as a route-runner and can find space over the middle. 

22. Baltimore Ravens – Jalin Hyatt – (WR-Tennessee) – A true wildcard at this point, with the looming decision on Lamar Jackson, the Ravens could go a multitude of ways. Let’s say they move Jackson and roll into 2023 with Tyler Huntley. With Todd Monken running the show, the Ravens will want to find ways to open up this offense, and what better way than adding a talent like Hyatt. His long strides and strong hands make Hyatt a threat to score from any point on the field.

23. Seattle Seahawks – (Trade w/ Minnesota Vikings) – Jordan Addison – (WR-USC) –  Adding a slot receiver makes sense for the Seahawks, who appear ready to invest in Geno Smith—

for at least the next few years. Maximizing the talent around Smith, while continuing to build out their defense means Seattle can remain in contention for the division. Addison won’t break a lot of tackles, but he can get open, and he would carve out a role right away in this offense.

24. Jacksonville Jaguars – Dalton Kincaid – (TE-Utah) – With Evan Engram set to be a free agent, the Jaguars grab Kincaid, who they can line up in similar ways as Engram and deploy him as a receiver. Kincaid can go up and get the ball, and, while he might not have breakaway speed, he can help move the chains and grow in this young nucleus on offense.

25. New York Giants – Darnell Washington – (TE-Georgia) – It is all but imminent that the Giants bolster their wide receiver corp in free agency, which means they can turn their attention to the tight end position here. At 6′ 8″, Washington’s frame and catch-radius would make him a contender for immediate playing time. This pick would help open up the offense as the Giants build around Daniel Jones.

26. Dallas Cowboys – Jahmyr Gibbs – (RB-Alabama) – There is a world where the Cowboys go into 2023 without both Ezekiel Elliot and Tony Pollard. By adding a cheap, dynamic player like Gibbs at the position, Dallas then has the opportunity to pay some of its other premier players. Gibbs is a tripe-threat as a receiver, runner, and returner, and he can break a big play at any time. He is electric.

27. Buffalo Bills – Zay Flowers – (WR-Boston College) – Elusive with the ball in his hands, Flowers also has strong hands. Buffalo does not have many glaring holes on their roster, so they capitalize on the talent and draft a player who can contribute early. Flowers could be the sort of slot receiver that would help open up this offense. 

28. Cincinnati Bengals – Darnell Wright – (OT-Tennessee) – While the Bengals have important players in their secondary hitting free agency, they could come up with the money to pay players like Vonn Bell and Eli Apple with the money they can save by cutting La’el Collins. With Wright in the fold, this offensive line can help keep Joe Burrow and company humming.

29. New Orleans Saints – Hendon Hooker – (QB-Tennessee) – With Andy Dalton likely on his way out the door, and Jameis Winston still under contract, drafting Hooker here could suit the Saints in that, while he is still recovering from a torn ACL, the former Vol could challenge Winston for the starting spot once he gets healthy. The team also gets the luxury of Hooker’s fifth-year option, which means more time for him to grow into this offense. Hooker could end up being one of the top players in this class.

30. Philadelphia Eagles – Nolan Smith – (OLB-Georgia) – Though the depth of their front-seven helped propel the Eagles to a Super Bowl run in 2022, they are dealing with both expiring contracts and aging veterans on that same unit. Replenishing the pass rush with Smith makes sense; he has the speed and intangibles to make in impact early.

31. Kansas City Chiefs – Lukas Van Ness – (DL-Iowa) – With aging and underperforming veterans like Frank Clark and Carlos Dunlap seemingly nearing the end of their time with the Chiefs, adding a player like Van Ness would allow Kansas City to stock an important position. Van Ness offers the upside of fellow Chief George Karlaftis, and pairing the two could give Kansas City young, versatile defenders on the edge going forward.