C.J. Stroud, the former Ohio State standout quarterback, is projected to be one of the top selections during the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Carolina, which has the No. 1 overall pick, is in need of a quarterback and is expected to use the first pick to select a QB.
Don Emmons
The first round of the 2023 NFL Draft is here!
The annual event is popular enough among football fans that it’s become a Prime Time television event that airs tonight on multiple TV networks, including ABC, ESPN and the NFL’s own network. It’s become a springtime ritual for avid NFL fans to get engaged in watching the selection of the next line of NFL Draft prospects.
A major part of pre-draft coverage involves NFL Draft experts and analysts predicting where players will be selected in the Draft. Some years it’s easier than others to predict what teams will do. That’s not the case for this year’s Draft. At least not when it comes to the first 10 picks for the first round.
Mock drafts for the first round are typically presented with listing the No. 1 pick right down to the last pick of the round. However, in this case, the Top 10 Draft selections are presented in reverse order in honor of The Top Ten List that was a popular regular segment on the late-night talk show Late Night with David Letterman.
So, here we go:
10. Philadelphia Eagles – Christian Gonzalez, DB, Oregon.
At 6-foot-1, 197 pounds, he’s fast (4.38 in the 40-yard dash) and physical, which makes him the perfect pick for a Philly team that likes hard-hitting secondary players.
9. Chicago Bears – Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State.
He’s the latest talented Buckeye pass-catcher to enter the NFL Draft in recent years and is expecting to make an immediate impact in the league. Injuries during his college career limited his time on the field, but his talent is too good for the Bears not to tale him and join forces with his former college teammate, Justin Fields.
8. Atlanta Falcons – Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College.
At 5-9, 182 pounds, he doesn’t intimidate defenders with his size, but his 4.42 speed is what makes him a Top 10 selection that the Falcons shouldn’t pass on as they push forward to improve their offense.
7. Las Vegas Raiders – Joey Porter Jr., DB, Penn State.
At 6-21/2, 193 pounds, put him in the can’t-miss category. The Raiders need to strengthen the backend of their defense and the Penn State product is ready to step right in and show he’s ready for action.
6. Detroit Lions – Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas.
Lions Hall of Fame halfback Barry Sanders has tweeted about him, so why wouldn’t Detroit use its Top 10 pick to select a 5-10, 215-pound running back that many think has the goods to be one of the league’s best ballcarriers? Robinson’s tough-and-sturdy running style would be applauded by loyal Lions fans in The Motor City.
5. Seattle Seahawks – Jalen Carter, DL, Georgia.
At 6-3, 314 pounds, his work on the frontline of the No. 1 Bulldogs defense makes him a no-brainer for defensive-minded Pete Carroll. His off-the-field issues won’t prevent him from being a Top 5 selection.
4. Indianapolis Colts – C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State.
Could easily be the top quarterback selected after a stellar career as the Buckeyes starting quarterback. Becoming the third QB to get selected could prove quite favorably for a Colts franchise that has spent nearly a decade trying to find another longterm franchise signal-caller.
3. Arizona Cardinals – Will Anderson Jr., DE, Alabama.
Hard to consider any other defensive player in this year’s Draft worthy of being the first defensive position player selected than this 6-4, 255-pound defender. He made his presence known as a solid run-stopper and highly effective pass rusher playing in the SEC.
2. Houston Texans – Will Levis, QB, Kentucky.
Mr. Muscle Beach among QBs available in this year’s Draft, Levis, at 6-4, 230 pounds, is an intriguing prospect that could make a team like the Texans look like geniuses if they select him and he turns out as the best QB in the bunch. He certainly has the physical tools to belong in the NFL
1. Carolina Panthers – Bryce Young, QB, Alabama.
Simply the most accomplished and ready quarterback in this year’s Draft, so it wouldn’t make any sense for the Panthers to select anyone other than Young with the No. 1 overall pick. He’s a proven winner and his 5-10 stature hasn’t hindered him from finding success in the pocket up to this point.
