The first week of free agency has come and gone, and draft needs are becoming more and more clear. Here is my first NFL mock draft, with zero trades, following free agency. 

 

1- Carolina Panthers: C.J. Stroud, Quarterback, Ohio State

I, personally, would take Bryce Young here. However, all signs point towards Stroud being the top pick in the draft. You’re really splitting hairs when choosing between Stroud and Young. 

 

2- Houston Texans: Bryce Young, Quarterback, Alabama

The Texans still get their franchise quarterback despite winning their final game last season. The only question for Young is his size. If the Texans can get beyond that, he’s a slam dunk choice for them at two. 

So you're telling me Bryce Young was only 5-10 and 1/8th of an inch when he went 25-43 for 412 yards and 3TDs to beat the best collegiate defense of the past decade? https://t.co/TwiqJD2oUk pic.twitter.com/Ed0rUL0JcD

— Mike Renner (@PFF_Mike) March 4, 2023

3- Arizona Cardinals: Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Alabama

In a perfect world, the Cardinals can find a trade partner and move out of this pick. If not, they get their choice at their top non-quarterback player in the NFL draft. Losing both J.J. Watt and Zach Allen has left the defensive line cabinet pretty bare, so Anderson Jr. fills a massive hole for Jonathan Gannon’s defense. 

 

4- Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Richardson, Quarterback, Florida

I have Will Levis ranked higher than Richardson, and I think some in the Colts front office may agree with me. However, seeing what Shane Steichen did with Jalen Hurts in Philadelphia leads me to believe that Anthony Richardson will, indeed, be the pick at four for the Colts. He may need time to develop in the NFL, but he has all the potential in the world. 

5- Seattle Seahawks: Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech

This could certainly be a Jalen Carter pick here. With all the off-field issues surrounding Carter at this moment, I believe the Seahawks will pass and take Tyree Wilson. Wilson is a freak of an athlete and will provide much needed firepower to a currently lackluster edge group in Seattle. 

 

6- Detroit Lions: Christian Gonzalez, Cornerback, Oregon

Like Seattle, I have Detroit also passing on Jalen Carter in favor of Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez. Gonzalez is another freakish athlete, posting a 4.38 40-yard dash and 41.5-inch vertical at the combine. Adding Gonzalez would give Detroit phenomenal depth in the secondary and a shutdown boundary corner for the future.  

 

7- Las Vegas Raiders: Will Levis, Quarterback, Kentucky

Las Vegas is the perfect spot for Anthony Richardson, but it looks more and more like he will be off the board by pick seven. The next quarterback on the board is Kentucky’s Will Levis. Despite signing Jimmy Garoppolo in free agency, the Raiders still need their future franchise quarterback. Levis can learn behind Garoppolo for a year or two before finally taking over in Sin City. 

 

8- Atlanta Falcons: Lukas Van Ness, EDGE, Iowa

Atlanta doesn’t have much depth nor talent at the edge spot, and Lukas Van Ness will fill a need that has hampered the Falcons for years. The former Iowa Hawkeye is big, strong, and explosive. He’s the perfect addition to this Falcons defense. 

 

9- Chicago Bears: Paris Johnson Jr., Offensive Tackle, Ohio State

After adding D.J. Moore and a haul of picks for the number one overall selection, the Bears move back and select offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr. at nine. The Bears are moving into year three with Justin Fields, and it is time to solidify that line. 

 

10- Philadelphia Eagles: Jalen Carter, Defensive Tackle, Georgia

Here is where the slide for Jalen Carter ends. The Eagles have lost an abundance of defensive talent in free agency and Javon Hargrave is among said talent. Not only is Hargrave gone, but Fletcher Cox is getting up there in age. Reuniting Carter with fellow Georgia Bulldog Jordan Davis is like a dream come true for the Eagles. 

 

11- Tennessee Titans: Peter Skoronski, Offensive Lineman, Northwestern

The Titans offensive line may be the worst position group in the NFL. Skoronski could play tackle for Tennessee, but most view him as a guard. He would fit like a glove at left guard for the Titans.

 

12- Houston Texans: Devon Witherspoon, Cornerback, Illinois 

Frankly, this is a steal for Houston. Witherspoon could very easily be off the board by this point, but if he is there, the Texans should pull the trigger. Steven Nelson is 30 and Desmond King is entering his final year on his deal. Witherspoon can play inside or outside and pairing him with Derek Stingley Jr. could create one of the more fun, young corner duos in the NFL. 

*turns on the devon witherspoon tape* pic.twitter.com/HrVyCbho19

— Austin Gayle (@austingayle_) December 16, 2022

13- New York Jets: Broderick Jones, Offensive Tackle, Georgia

The Jets roster is pristine, but there is still room for improvement on the offensive line. Duane Brown is 38 and nobody knows what to expect from Mekhi Becton, who has only played in one game in the last two seasons. Broderick Jones should provide stability at left tackle as the Jets move into their Super Bowl window. 

 

14- New England Patriots: Joey Porter Jr., Cornerback, Penn State

The Patriots could go in a few different directions. However, the Patriots’ success starts and ends with Bill Belichick’s defense. They have been missing a lockdown boundary corner since Stephon Gilmore and J.C. Jackson have moved on. When you play in the AFC East, you need a lockdown corner and Joey Porter Jr. will provide the Patriots with the necessary size, length, and physicality that is missing from their current cornerback back room. It is a match made in heaven. 

Jalen Mills being cut by the #Patriots immediately brings me to Joey Porter Jr.

6’2” would make him the tallest CB in a room that desperately needs length.

He allowed ZERO TD’s in 275 coverage snaps in 2022 (@PFF). A real option at pick 14 now. pic.twitter.com/ABO110HHQc

— Mike Kadlick (@mikekadlick) March 17, 2023

15- Green Bay Packers: Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson

I would say the Packers should take an offensive weapon here at 15, but we all know better than that, right? Current Packer, Rashan Gary, is a pending free agent and Myles Murphy is a nearly perfect replacement. Green Bay loves those big, explosive edge players and Murphy fits the bill. He just feels like a Packer.