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ESPN's Mel Kiper reveals first 2023 NFL Mock Draft

On3 imageby:Steve Samra•01/25/23•

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NFL Draft
(Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Mel Kiper of ESPN has revealed his first 2023 NFL Mock Draft.

It’s that time of the year again, and draft season is in full swing for most of the franchises in the NFL. As four teams remain in the hunt for a Super Bowl, the rest wonder what they can do to make it next season.

Prior, Kiper prefaced his mock draft by explaining that he’s not going to be projecting trades, even though the likeliest scenario for the Chicago Bears with the first pick seems to be working out a deal.

“Let’s get into my early projections for the first round of April’s draft,” started Kiper. “I’m not going to project any trades here — it’s still a little bit early to assess which teams could move up and what it would take to get there. As I’ve said before, this is merely an exercise to show you all what I’m thinking three months out from the draft, based on my Big Board rankings and what I’m hearing from execs, scouts and coaches in the league. Everyone is now gearing up for the Senior Bowl next week and the combine in early March.

“Here we go, starting with Chicago at No. 1. I’m going to use ESPN’s Football Power Index to project pick Nos. 28-31, and that model has the Chiefs beating the Eagles in the Super Bowl.”

Here’s Mel Kiper’s first 2023 NFL Mock Draft, which is bound to be polarizing as ever.

Mel Kiper: 2023 NFL Mock Draft 1.0:

  1. Chicago Bears — Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
  2. Houston Texans — CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State
  3. Arizona Cardinas — Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Alabama
  4. Indianapolis Colts — Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
  5. Seattle Seahawks (via DEN) — Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
  6. Detroit Lions (via LAR) — Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech
  7. Las Vegas Raiders — Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern
  8. Atlanta Falcons — Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson
  9. Carolina Panthers — Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
  10. Philadelphia Eagles (via NO) — Calijah Kancey, DT, Pittsburgh
  11. Tennessee Titans — Paris Johnson, OT, Ohio State
  12. Houston Texans (via CLE) — Lukas Van Ness, DE, Iowa
  13. New York Jets — Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
  14. New England Patriots — Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
  15. Green Bay Packers — Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
  16. Washington Commanders — Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
  17. Pittsburgh Steelers — Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
  18. Detroit Lions — Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
  19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Deion White, DL, Georgia Tech
  20. Seattle Seahawks — Byron Young, DE/LB, Tennessee
  21. Los Angeles Chargers — Tuli Tuipulotu, DT, USC
  22. Baltimore Ravens — Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
  23. Minnesota Vikings — Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State
  24. Jacksonville Jaguars — Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland
  25. New York Giants — Jordan Addison, WR, USC
  26. Dallas Cowboys — Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
  27. Buffalo Bills — Derick Hall, DE/LB, Auburn
  28. Cincinnati Bengals — Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
  29. Denver Broncos (via MIA/SF) — Isaiah Foskey, DE/LB, Notre Dame
  30. Philadelphia Eagles — Brian Branch, S/CB, Alabama
  31. Kansas City Chiefs — Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College