The Bears and Panthers agreed to a blockbuster deal on Friday afternoon, with Chicago sending the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft to Carolina for picks 9 and 61 in 2023, a first-rounder in 2024, a second-rounder in 2025 and wide receiver D.J. Moore.
After the swap, how might the top 10 in this year’s draft unfold?
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The Panthers did it. It was expensive, but they made the move they had to make. Now, the question: Which quarterback did they trade up for?
In my opinion, Alabama’s Bryce Young is still the best pure quarterback in this draft, but Frank Reich said it himself at the combine: Young’s size “is a concern.” Enough to pass on him? Maybe.
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Both Florida’s Anthony Richardson and Kentucky’s Will Levis have tantalizing traits, and there is plenty of smoke connecting Richardson to Carolina (beyond just the Cam Newton comparisons). If you’re going to trade the farm for the top pick, why not swing for the fences? Richardson has sky-high potential with his rare size/speed profile and promising passing traits. A possible Jacoby Brissett-Richardson pairing in the quarterback room makes sense.
I’ve also heard, though, that Reich really likes Levis, based on his tools and the time the two spent together at the combine.
But I keep coming back to Stroud, who I think is the new favorite to be the No. 1 pick. He is the quarterback that everyone in the room should be able to agree on because of one main factor: accuracy. His maturation at moving the pocket and creating second-chance plays might be what ultimately determines his ceiling, but Stroud has a very high floor in the NFL because of his natural throwing skills from the pocket.
Panthers made a bold move and gave up a lot for the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft. They better be right.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) March 11, 2023
Most expect this pick to be a quarterback, but there is plenty of chatter from other clubs who think Houston might go a different direction.
Young would be a tough quarterback to pass on, even if he lacks the desired size. His point-guard instincts, vision and processing skills are the types of traits you bet on at QB.
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3. Arizona Cardinals: Will Anderson Jr., Edge, Alabama
The Cardinals are open for business. With quarterbacks likely to go 1 and 2, and the quarterback-needy Colts at No. 4, Arizona is now operating with leverage. Maybe the Raiders jump up four spots. Could Indianapolis give up a pair of third-rounders to climb from 4 to 3?
If the Cardinals are stuck with this pick, that would work just fine. They’d have their choice of whichever non-quarterback is atop their board.
Read more: 2023 NFL Mock Draft: What would an imminent Lamar Jackson move mean for Round 1?
4. Baltimore Ravens (via Indianapolis)*: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
(*Proposed transactions: Colts sign Lamar Jackson, Ravens acquire two first-round picks.)
Let’s have some fun. The Colts are in the unenviable position of having everyone know they need to take a mighty swing at quarterback. And waiting to see which quarterback falls to them at No. 4 feels like the type of conservative move that might cost GM Chris Ballard his job.
“Trading” for Lamar Jackson by signing him to an offer sheet that the Ravens don’t match would be an expensive proposition, obviously, but Jackson is a proven commodity who would be a ton of fun in Shane Steichen’s offense. He’d make the Colts immediate contenders for a deep playoff run.
As for the Ravens, they’d swap a proven playmaking talent at quarterback for a potentially playmaking talent. But they’d also reset their quarterback clock and maintain financial flexibility to build up the rest of the roster, which is a priority for the organization. Tyler Huntley would be the Ravens’ new starting quarterback in 2023, with Richardson mixed in throughout his rookie season until he’s ready to take over.
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Did Anthony Richardson's NFL combine workout put him in play for the draft's No. 1 pick?
Asking around the league, most believe Carter will still be drafted in the top seven picks, despite last week’s legal developments. His talent belongs in that range. He is one of the few blue-chippers in this draft with the ability to become an All-Pro. But each team will feel differently about the maturity questions.
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The Seahawks have taken chances before. It is realistic that they would do it again with Carter.
Read more: 2023 NFL Mock Draft: How each team should attack Rounds 1-3
6. Detroit Lions: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
No change here from my post-combine mock. From the Lions’ perspective, the need is there, and Gonzalez is one of the best talents in the draft. While last year’s class produced a number of quality rookie cornerbacks, Gonzalez would have been my No. 2 prospect in that CB group, behind only Sauce Gardner.
7. Las Vegas Raiders: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
Levis has the most uncertainty in terms of where he will land on draft weekend. He could be drafted top three or fall out of the top 10, and I don’t think either scenario would be shocking.
There is no doubt that Josh McDaniels and the Raiders will be interested in Levis’ package of skills. Enough to draft him here? Time will tell.
All signs point to the Falcons staying put and riding out the 2023 season with Desmond Ridder. If the “right” quarterback falls out of the top five, however, could they be a surprise trade partner? It can’t be ruled out.
Should the Falcons stay at No. 8, Wilson would give them a promising defensive lineman who can create disruption from different alignments.
9. Chicago Bears (via Carolina): Peter Skoronski, OT/G, Northwestern
After going with Lukas Van Ness at No. 9 to Chicago in my post-combine mock, I’m swapping him out for a different Chicago-area son (even if this particular local product grew up a Packers fan because of his family ties to Green Bay).
Skoronski doesn’t have ideal left-tackle arm length, but he has left-tackle feet, technique and the processing ability to help compensate for his lack of inches. For Chicago, he could be a plug-and-play guard or right tackle and also the long-term answer at left tackle. Regardless, Skoronski would give Chicago flexibility and instantly upgrade its offensive line.
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With Lamar Jackson now tagged, which teams could make sense for the Ravens QB?
The Eagles are going to address the trenches in some form or fashion early in the draft. With his high-end athletic traits, pass-rush potential and run-stopping instincts, Smith should check a lot of boxes for GM Howie Roseman. Philadelphia went with a promising and unique front-seven prospect out of Georgia in last year’s first round (Jordan Davis) and could do the same this year.
(Photo: David J. Griffin / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
