The NFL Divisional round is this weekend but that doesn’t mean it isn’t time for mock drafts. Instead of attempting just a first round mock, I’ll be starting out with a two round prediction with trades. There are definitely going to be surprise names on here that are bound to rise during the next couple months and I predict them too as well. Lets jump into it: 

1 – Indianapolis Colts (via Bears): QB Will Levis, Kentucky

Colts Receive: 2023 1st overall pick 

Bears Receive: 2023 1st overall (4th), 2023 2nd rounder (35th), 2023 5th rounder, 2024 1st round, 2024 3rd round, 2025 1st round, 2025 5th round

Chris Ballard got this off-season but he won’t get one much longer if they can’t resolve a QB issue. Levis is a shocking pick at first overall but it’s clear the Colts like taller pocket passing QBs with a strong arm (Nick Foles, Matt Ryan, Carson Wentz) and that trend continues with Levis. He’s not the most polished QB but in 2021 under an NFL caliber scheme and coach Levis looked good. The Colts get their guy and it’ll be an interesting development track to watch

2 – Houston Texans: QB Bryce Young, Alabama

The Texans luck out and get their guy that they likely would’ve taken at first overall. There’s concerns over Young’s size and weight but he has the NFL caliber arm, mobility, and pocket awareness. The Texans are a mess but hopefully Young can help turn it around. 

3 – Arizona Cardinals: DT Jalen Carter, Georgia

The Cardinals get what I believe to be the best player in the class, at third overall. Carter is an elite pass rusher who just moves blockers off the line like it’s nothing. He has an elite blend of power, twitch, speed and strength that is something we’ve almost never seen in a prospect. The Cardinals need almost everything but adding Carter helps their defense especially the EDGE rush. 

4 – Chicago Bears (via Colts): EDGE Will Anderson, Alabama

Colts Receive: 2023 1st overall pick 

Bears Receive: 2023 1st overall (4th), 2023 2nd rounder (35th), 2023 5th rounder, 2024 1st round, 2024 3rd round, 2025 1st round, 2025 5th round

The Bears trade down and still get a premium pass rusher. Anderson isn’t the elite prospect he’s made out to be and his pre-season hype is still holding him over right now but he’s a dominant player as well. The Bears pass rush was near the bottom quarter of the league this season and Anderson should help improve that. 

5 – Seattle Seahawks: QB CJ Stroud, Ohio State

The Seahawks have Geno Smith and it’s likely he re-signs but if the board falls this way you have to grab your potential franchise quarterback. Seattle doesn’t have a ton of needs and Stroud can sit for a year to develop behind Geno before taking over. He has the arm strength, accuracy, and pocket mobility that teams will covet. 

6 – Detroit Lions: EDGE Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech

The Lions got the best of both worlds this season, they nearly made the playoffs and have a top eight pick. Wilson is a different force off the EDGE. He can slide into the interior as well, has high end strength and a great first step. Wilson paired with Hutchinson would form one of the most diverse and dominant young pass rush duo’s in the NFL. 

7 – Las Vegas Raiders: CB Devon Witherspoon, Illinois

This is the first shocking pick, Witherspoon isn’t regarded by most as the CB1 in the class but I can see him end up being the first one off the board. He’s a physical rangy defender who plays elite bump and run coverage. The Raiders secondary was bad, like really bad and Witherspoon can help jumpstart that. 

8 – Atlanta Falcons: EDGE Myles Murphy, Clemson

Murphy fits the Falcons perfectly, he’s explosive and strong plus has the flexibility to rush from a two or four point stance which Atlanta swaps between. The Falcons defense has talent but another pass rusher will help a good amount. Ade Ogundji, Lorenzo Carter, TaQuon Graham and Matt Dickerson don’t exactly pop off tape. 

9 – Carolina Panthers: WR Quentin Johnston, TCU

As a Panthers fan told me they really can’t go wrong with a pick, almost every position is a need. Johnston is the best receiver in the class. At 6-4, 210+ he has elite route running and deep speed with the ability to make the majority of defenders miss after the catch. With no clear cut QB option here the Panthers surround their future guy with DJ Moore and now Johnston. 

10 – Philadelphia Eagles: CB Christian Gonzalez, Oregon

James Bradberry is a free agent and I don’t think he’ll be back. The Eagles also have a lot of pending free agents and not a lot of cap space to retain or bring in new guys. In a pass heavy NFC East, the priority should be corner, especially with the replacement to Bradberry being Josh Jobe. Gonzalez is tall, fast and a freak athlete. He plays good coverage and is a really good all around prospect.

11 – Tennessee Titans: T Paris Johnson Jr, Ohio State

Taylor Lewan is likely bound for retirement or being a cap casualty which opens a large hole. Dennis Daley got a chance this year and didn’t prove he can be a starter. Johnson has history at LT and guard, both needs for the Titans which allows them to plug and play him. The 6-6, 320 pounder only allowed a sack and 23 pressures in 814 attempts. 

12 – Houston Texans: T/G Peter Skoronski, Northwestern

The Texans grabbed their franchise quarterback ten picks earlier and now land someone to protect him. Laremy Tunsil wants to reset the tackle market and while he’s worth it, the Texans aren’t in a spot to be giving him that contract right now. Tytus Howard is playing decent at right tackle but can always slide into guard. Skoronski is strong, athletic and agile plus has the ability to slide into guard if needed. 

13 – New York Jets: T Anthon Harrison, Oklahoma

This is one of the real shockers. Harrison is going to rise up quickly, he has a career 82.4 pass blocking grade after allowing only 4 sacks and 28 pressures in 967 pass block attempts for the Sooners. Harrison is incredibly strong, athletic and has a massive 6-6, 324 pound frame. The Jets have a mess at tackle and with Mekhi Becton possibly on his way out plus George Fant being a free agent they’ll look to address the position. 

14 – New England Patriots: CB Cam Smith, South Carolina

The Patriots drafted well with Jack Jones and he looks to be a future starter. The rest of their corner room is a mess right now. Jonathan Jones is a pending free agent, and given the Patriots philosophy of paying players I doubt Jones is back. Smith is a physical defender who loves to play man coverage and defend the run. He’s 6-1, 190 with ball hawking skills, all of which the Patriots look for. 

15 – Green Bay Packers: WR Jordan Addison, USC

Will the Packers draft a receiver in the first round, probably not. Will I still mock them as a receiver first rounder? Yup. Addison is elite, he fell off after transferring to USC but still showed the same playmaking traits as he did at Pittsburgh. He’s explosive after the catch, runs elite routes and moves in space extremely well. Assuming Rodgers returns he’ll love throwing to Addison and Watson.