NFL DRAFT WATCH: POST-COMBINE MOCK DRAFT (MON.03.13.23)

The Carolina Panthers traded with the Chicago Bears receiving the first pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, signaling the potential selection of one of the top QB prospects 
(Photo Credit: Yahoo Sports)

Over a full week has elapsed since the completion of the NFL Scouting Combine, allowing for some time to evaluate and bring an amount of understanding to the actions that occurred at the most prominent evaluation event ahead of the NFL Draft. As is often the case annually, numerous prospects produced optimal performances providing positive trajectory for their draft stock. 

Projected first round picks quarterback Anthony Richardson and cornerback Christian Gonzalez seemed to heighten their potential draft selection into the top 10. Linebacker Nolan Smith and cornerback Deonte Banks, who were seen as possible fringe first/second round choices, may have solidified having their name called on the first night of the draft, Thursday, April 27th. 

A few of the consensus top 5 prospects had varying experiences surrounding their time at the combine. Defensive lineman Jalen Carter, viewed as a legitimate potential first overall pick, had to depart from Indianapolis for a day due to him having to return to Georgia. Having to turn himself into law enforcement in question to a fatal car accident that resulted in the loss of life of his former college teammate Devin Willock and staff member of the program Chandler Louise LeCroy— putting his potential draft range into question. 

Bryce Young, quarterback from Alabama, chose to forgo participating in any of the field drills and athletic testing, but did have his physical measurements taken. Answering some of the questions surrounding him being what is considered to be a diminutive size for a potential franchise quarterback by some coaches and front office officials. 

His former teammate with the Crimson Tide Will Anderson, also considered as a potential top 5 pick, did partake in the athletic testing and field drills, performing reasonably which reflected upon his reputation prior to entering the event. 

Beyond certain individuals enlightening evaluators of the various front offices across the league, certain position groups as a collective proved they have the the physical attributes and prowess that should provide discernible depth for teams to choose from should they feel the want to address those areas. 

Offensively, plenty of prospects at tight end displayed different distinctions and numerous names that could be of impact immediately, as well as to develop into difficult matchups for future opponents to have to defend during their career. On the defensive side, the combination of size and speed by way of the supplement of cornerbacks signals an elite group of athletes prepared to enter the league to take on the task of the growing amount of playmakers in their counterparts at wide receiver. 

If that weren't enough, over the weekend the Carolina Panthers acquired the first overall pick from the Chicago Bears for which they traded this year's 9th overall pick, a second round pick (61st overall), a 2024 first round pick, 2025 second round pick, and wide receiver DJ Moore. Meanwhile, the recent confirmation of compensatory picks by the league set in stone the total number of selections that will be available in the 2023 NFL Draft. 

Having distinguishable data and increasing information to assess from the aforementioned occurrences offers an opportunity to compile a draft projection of multiple rounds. Envisioning what the first two days of the draft could look like if it were to take place currently. 

With that being said, Matt's Draft Journal delivers its Post-Combine Mock Draft encompassing the first three rounds. 

1st Round

1. Carolina Panthers (via CHI): CJ Stroud, QB (Ohio State)
2. Houston Texans: Bryce Young, QB (Alabama)
3. Arizona Cardinals: Will Anderson Jr, ED (Alabama)
4. Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Richardson, QB (Florida)
5. Seattle Seahawks (via DEN): Jalen Carter, DL (Georgia)
6. Detroit Lions (via LAR): Christian Gonzalez, CB (Oregon)
7. Las Vegas Raiders: Tyree Wilson, ED (Texas Tech)
8. Atlanta Falcons: Bijan Robinson, RB (Texas)
9. Chicago Bears (via CAR): Peter Skoronski, OT (Northwestern)
10. Philadelphia Eagles (via NO): Devon Witherspoon, CB (Illinois)
11. Tennessee Titans: Lukas Van Ness, DL (Iowa)
12. Houston Texans (via CLE): Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR (Ohio State)
13. New York Jets: Darnell Wright, OT (Tennessee)
14. New England Patriots: Darnell Washington, TE (Georgia)
15. Green Bay Packers: Dalton Kincaid, TE (Utah)
16. Washington Commanders: Will Levis, QB (Kentucky)
17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jordan Addison, WR (USC)
18. Detroit Lions: Bryan Breese, DL (Clemson)
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Paris Johnson Jr, OT (Ohio State)
20. Seattle Seahawks: Deonte Banks, CB (Maryland)
n/a. Miami Dolphins: (Pick Forfeited due to violation of NFL policy)
21. Los Angeles Chargers: Zay Flowers, WR (Boston College)
22. Baltimore Ravens: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB (Alabama)
23. Minnesota Vikings: Emmanuel Forbes, CB (Mississippi State)
24. Jacksonville Jaguars: Broderick Jones, OT (Georgia)
25. New York Giants: Quentin Johnston, WR (TCU)
26. Dallas Cowboys: Nolan Smith, LB (Georgia)
27. Buffalo Bills: Brian Branch, DB (Alabama)
28. Cincinnati Bengals: Michael Mayer, TE (Notre Dame)
29. New Orleans Saints (via SF, via MIA, via DEN): Myles Murphy, ED (Clemson)
30. Philadelphia Eagles: Calijah Kancey, DL (Pittsburgh)
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Will McDonald IV, ED (Iowa State)

2nd Round

32. Pittsburgh Steelers (via CHI): Cody Mauch, OT (North Dakota State)
33. Houston Texans: Keion White, ED (Georgia Tech)
34. Arizona Cardinals: O'Cyrus Torrence, OL (Florida)
35. Indianapolis Colts: Josh Downs, WR (North Carolina)
36. Los Angeles Rams: Kelee Ringo, CB (Georgia)
37. Seattle Seahawks (via DEN): John Michael Schmitz, OL (Minnesota)
38. Las Vegas Raiders: Steve Avila, OL (TCU)
39. Carolina Panthers: Jalin Hyatt, WR (Tennessee)
40. New Orleans Saints: Mazi Smith, DL (Michigan)
41. Tennessee Titans: Luke Musgrave, TE (Oregon State)
42. Cleveland Browns: Siaki Ika, DL (Baylor)
43. New York Jets: Joe Tippman, OL (Wisconsin)
44. Atlanta Falcons: Felix Anudike-Uzomah, ED (Kansas State)
45. Green Bay Packers: BJ Ojulari, ED (LSU)
46. New England Patriots: Dawand Jones, OT (Ohio State)
47. Washington Commanders: Matthew Bergeron, OT (Syracuse)
48. Detroit Lions: Tuli Tuipulotu, DL (USC)

49. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jack Campbell, LB (Iowa)

50. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Hendon Hooker, QB (Tennessee)
51. Miami Dolphins: Zach Charbonnet, RB (UCLA) 
52. Seattle Seahawks: Drew Sanders, LB (Arkansas)
53. Chicago Bears (via BAL): Isaiah Foskey, ED (Notre Dame)
54. Los Angeles Chargers: Anton Harrison, OT (Oklahoma)
55. Detroit Lions (via MIN): Antonio Johnson, DB (Texas A&M)
56. Jacksonville Jaguars: Keeanu Benton, DL (Wisconsin)
57. New York Giants: Christopher Smith, DB (Georgia)
58. Dallas Cowboys: Julius Brents, CB (Kansas State)
59. Buffalo Bills: Derick Hall, ED (Auburn)
60. Cincinnati Bengals: Ji'Ayir Brown, DB (Penn State)
61. Chicago Bears (via SF, via CAR): Tyjae Spears, RB (Tulane)
62. Philadelphia Eagles: Zack Kuntz, TE (Old Dominion)
63. Kansas City Chiefs: Gervon Dexter, DL (Florida) 

3rd Round 

64. Chicago Bears: Nick Herbig, ED (Wisconsin)

65. Houston Texans: Henry To'o To'o, LB (Alabama)

66. Arizona Cardinals: Cam Smith, CB (South Carolina)

67. Denver Broncos (via IND): DJ Turner, CB (Michigan)

68. Denver Broncos: Sam LaPorta, TE (Iowa)

69. Los Angeles Rams: Adetomiwa Adebawore, DL (Northwestern)

70. Las Vegas Raiders: Clark Phillips, CB (Utah)

71. New Orleans Saints: Cedric Tillman, WR (Tennessee)

72. Tennessee Titans: Luke Wypler, OL (Ohio State)

73. Houston Texans (via CLE): Eli Ricks, CB (Alabama)

74. New York Jets: Trenton Simpson, LB (Clemson)

75. Atlanta Falcons: Darius Rush, CB (South Carolina)

76. New England Patriots (via CAR): Marvin Mims, WR (Oklahoma)

77. Los Angeles Rams (via NE, via MIA): Jaelyn Duncan, OT (Maryland)

78. Green Bay Packers: Sydney Brown, DB (Illinois)

79. Indianapolis Colts (via WSH): Jordan Battle, DB (Alabama)

80. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jammie Robinson, DB (Florida State)

81. Detroit Lions: Kendre Miller, RB (TCU)

82. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Daiyan Henley, LB (Washington State)

83. Seattle Seahawks: AT Perry, WR (Wake Forest)

84. Miami Dolphins: Jayden Reed, WR (Michigan State)

85. Los Angeles Chargers: Devon Achane, RB (Texas A&M)

86. Baltimore Ravens: Tyrique Stevenson, CB (Miami)

87. Minnesota Vikings: Tyler Scott, WR (Cincinnati)

88. Jacksonville Jaguars: Tucker Kraft, TE (South Dakota State)

89. New York Giants: Olu Oluwatimi, OL (Michigan)

90. Dallas Cowboys: Keondre Coburn, DL (Texas)

91. Buffalo Bills: Eric Gray, RB (Oklahoma)

92. Cincinnati Bengals: Karl Brooks, DL (Bowling Green)

93. Carolina Panthers (via SF): Noah Sewelll, LB (Oregon)

94. Philadelphia Eagles: Jartavis Martin, DB (Illinois)

95. Kansas City Chiefs: Charlie Jones, WR (Purdue)

96. Arizona Cardinals (comp pick): Rashee Rice, WR (SMU)

97. Washington Commanders (comp pick): Josh Whyle, TE (Cincinnati)

98. Cleveland Browns (comp pick): Isaiah McGuire, ED (Missouri)

99. San Francisco 49ers (comp pick): Zach Harrison, ED (Ohio State)

100. New York Giants (comp pick via KC): Mike Morris, DL (Michigan)

101. San Francisco 49ers (comp pick): Blake Freeland, OT (BYU)

102. San Francisco 49ers (comp pick): Garrett Williams, CB (Syracuse)