NFL Mock Draft 2023: Panthers take Anthony Richardson with newly acquired No. 1 pick from trade with Bears

Florida
• Soph
• 6’4″
/ 232 lbs
Projected Team | PROSPECT RNK | POSITION RNK |
Reich coached the large and deceptively athletic Andrew Luck in Indianapolis and has assembled a star-studded cast of veteran assistant coaches, all of which creates a cushy landing spot for Richardson.
Alabama
• Jr
• 6’0″
/ 194 lbs
Projected Team | PROSPECT RNK | POSITION RNK |
The Texans upgrade the quarterback position in a big way with Young, who has all the improvisational brilliance to succeed in today’s NFL.
Texas Tech
• Sr
• 6’6″
/ 275 lbs
Projected Team | PROSPECT RNK | POSITION RNK |
The Cardinals opt for Wilson’s length and overall size over Will Anderson Jr. here at No. 3 overall. Wilson’s a darn-good rusher too.
Ohio State
• Jr
• 6’3″
/ 218 lbs
Projected Team | PROSPECT RNK | POSITION RNK |
Ideal scenario for the Colts. They don’t have to trade up and can still land the highly polished Stroud at No. 4.
Georgia
• Jr
• 6’3″
/ 300 lbs
Projected Team | PROSPECT RNK | POSITION RNK |
The Seahawks can’t pass on Carter here, even with the off-field concerns. They have a dire need at defensive tackle.
Kentucky
• Sr
• 6’3″
/ 232 lbs
Projected Team | PROSPECT RNK | POSITION RNK |
Here’s how I’d link Levis to the Lions: Detroit’s GM Brad Holmes was with the Rams organization forever — dating back to the St. Louis days — before taking the job in the Motor City. Guess who he spent three years with in Los Angeles? Liam Coen. Who’s Liam Coen? Levis’ former offensive coordinator at Kentucky. [Michael Scott voice]: Boom. Roasted.
Alabama
• Jr
• 6’4″
/ 243 lbs
Projected Team | PROSPECT RNK | POSITION RNK |
Does this fill the most immediate need on the Raiders roster? Absolutely not — hello, Maxx Crosby — but Anderson is too talented and was too productive in college for Las Vegas to pass on him here.
TCU
• Jr
• 6’4″
/ 215 lbs
Projected Team | PROSPECT RNK | POSITION RNK |
The Ravens move Jackson and start building around Tannehill, their bridge guy, in 2023. Johnston is a big, long, physical, YAC specialist with serious vertical ability. In the Lamar Jackson trade, the Ravens get this selection, 2024 first-round and second-round picks from Atlanta along with 2025 second-round and fourth-round picks.
Ohio State
• Jr
• 6’1″
/ 200 lbs
Projected Team | PROSPECT RNK | POSITION RNK |
The Bears aren’t playing around — they’re loading up on weapons for Fields entering Year 3, and rightfully so. After what will likely be a sub 4.40 40-yard dash at his pro Day, Smith-Njigba going top 10 won’t be considered crazy.
Iowa
• Soph
• 6’5″
/ 275 lbs
Projected Team | PROSPECT RNK | POSITION RNK |
Van Ness is a long, very athletic rusher who’ll formulate an awesome duo with Josh Sweat in Philadelphia for years.
Georgia
• Soph
• 6’4″
/ 310 lbs
Projected Team | PROSPECT RNK | POSITION RNK |
Jones is super strong and athletic with his best football in front of him. After his combine workout, he probably solidified himself as OT1 in this class.
Northwestern
• Jr
• 6’4″
/ 315 lbs
Projected Team | PROSPECT RNK | POSITION RNK |
After going blocker in Round 1 last year, the Texans do it again after selecting Young at No. 2 overall. Prudent selection.
Ohio State
• Jr
• 6’6″
/ 310 lbs
Projected Team | PROSPECT RNK | POSITION RNK |
Johnson is a super-long, athletic blocker who feels very NFL ready at the left or right tackle spot.
Alabama
• Jr
• 6’0″
/ 193 lbs
Projected Team | PROSPECT RNK | POSITION RNK |
Branch will get the thumbs up from Nick Saban to Bill Belichick, as the star defensive back was everywhere at Alabama during his illustrious career with the Crimson Tide.
Utah
• Sr
• 6’4″
/ 240 lbs
Projected Team | PROSPECT RNK | POSITION RNK |
Kincaid is the most gifted pure receiving tight end in this class, and he’ll be an immediate favorite target for Jordan Love.
Oregon
• Soph
• 6’2″
/ 201 lbs
Projected Team | PROSPECT RNK | POSITION RNK |
The Commanders jump at this opportunity to get a star outside cornerback onto this roster.
Pittsburgh
• Jr
• 6’0″
/ 280 lbs
Projected Team | PROSPECT RNK | POSITION RNK |
Kancey is the Javon Hargrave replacement the Steelers have missed for the past few seasons.
Maryland
• Jr
• 6’2″
/ 205 lbs
Projected Team | PROSPECT RNK | POSITION RNK |
Another tall, highly talented cornerback to the Lions, a team that has so many fun young pieces.
Tennessee
• Sr
• 6’6″
/ 335 lbs
Projected Team | PROSPECT RNK | POSITION RNK |
With this selection, the Buccaneers can flip Tristan Wirfs to left tackle and stay very good at the right tackle spot with the strong and advanced Wright.
Iowa
• Sr
• 6’4″
/ 249 lbs
Projected Team | PROSPECT RNK | POSITION RNK |
No team likes throwing a wrench in mock drafts quite like the Seahawks, and they add the YAC-brilliant LaPorta to provide more weaponry for Geno Smith.
Boston College
• Sr
• 5’10”
/ 172 lbs
Flowers didn’t run in the 4.30s at the combine, but he still feels like a first-round pick. The Chargers add more weaponry for Justin Herbert.
Illinois
• Jr
• 6’0″
/ 180 lbs
Projected Team | PROSPECT RNK | POSITION RNK |
Witherspoon fits what the Ravens want out of their cornerbacks. He’s ultra-feisty with polished man-coverage skills.
Penn State
• Jr
• 6’2″
/ 194 lbs
Projected Team | PROSPECT RNK | POSITION RNK |
Porter has offensive tackle arm length and plus man coverage ability. The Vikings again go to the secondary well early in the draft.
Oklahoma
• Jr
• 6’5″
/ 315 lbs
Projected Team | PROSPECT RNK | POSITION RNK |
This pick is to better protect Trevor Lawrence and to fill in the spot likely vacated by impending free agent Jawaan Taylor.
Florida
• Jr
• 6’5″
/ 347 lbs
Projected Team | PROSPECT RNK | POSITION RNK |
Torrence is an NFL-ready guard the Giants can plug in immediately. He’ll improve the run and pass game for the G-Men.
Arkansas
• Jr
• 6’5″
/ 233 lbs
Projected Team | PROSPECT RNK | POSITION RNK |
The Cowboys could be extremely multiple with Sanders on the defense next to Micah Parsons. Sanders is a long, athletic off-ball/edge hybrid.
SMU
• Sr
• 6’2″
/ 203 lbs
Projected Team | PROSPECT RNK | POSITION RNK |
The Bills opt with Rice over Jordan Addison because of size and explosiveness. Rice can win on the perimeter and after the catch. Plus he stars in combat-catch situations.
Texas
• Jr
• 6’0″
/ 220 lbs
Projected Team | PROSPECT RNK | POSITION RNK |
This selection comes after the Bengals move Joe Mixon this offseason. Wouldn’t be totally crazy. More firepower in Joe Burrow’s offense.
Alabama
• Jr
• 5’11”
/ 200 lbs
Projected Team | PROSPECT RNK | POSITION RNK |
Shades of the 2021 NFL Draft, when Travis Etienne and Najee Harris went back-to-back late in the first round. Gibbs has Kamara-like explosiveness and receiving capabilities.
Northwestern
• Sr
• 6’2″
/ 280 lbs
Projected Team | PROSPECT RNK | POSITION RNK |
The Eagles love building the trenches early in the draft and high-caliber athletes. Adebawore and Milton Williams on the same defensive line would represent loads of athleticism.
USC
• Jr
• 6’0″
/ 175 lbs
Projected Team | PROSPECT RNK | POSITION RNK |
The Chiefs jump at the opportunity to add Addison to their offense, even after a disappointing combine.
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/nfl-mock-draft-2023-panthers-take-anthony-richardson-with-newly-acquired-no-1-pick-from-trade-with-bears/ NFL Mock Draft 2023: Panthers take Anthony Richardson with newly acquired No. 1 pick from trade with Bears