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Mel Kiper releases full mock draft 3.0, changes up multiple key spots

On3 imageby:On3 Staff Report•03/21/23
NFL Draft
Mel Kiper and others man the set at the 2008 NFL Draft on April 26, 2008. (Jim McIsaac / Getty Images)

The 2023 NFL Draft promises plenty of action as there’s already been one blockbuster trade to move up in the draft. Things are likely to ebb and flow over the next couple months as certain prospects pick up steam or lose it in various mock drafts.

There remains some disagreement even among ESPN analysts on which quarterback will be selected first.

But here are the players ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper has being selected in his newest mock draft, NFL Mock Draft 3.0. Check it out below.

Mel Kiper’s updated first-round mock draft

1. Carolina Panthers (via Chicago Bears) — C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State

Although reports have surfaced saying the Panthers might not know which quarterback they’ll take atop the draft after trading for the No. 1 pick, Kiper projects they settle on Stroud, one of the most accurate quarterbacks of the bunch. Given Frank Reich’s history, the former Ohio State star could fit the mold as Carolina’s quarterback of the future.

2. Houston Texans — Bryce Young, QB, Alabama

Kiper has his top quarterback in the draft going No. 2 overall after the Panthers seemingly take Stroud. Houston has been busy as of late to revamp its roster, notably adding tight end Dalton Schultz, wide receiver Robert Woods and running back Devin Singletary to help raise the floor of the offense. However, as Kiper noted, the Texans traded Brandin Cooks, which takes away a key weapon.

3. Indianapolis Colts (mock trade with Arizona Cardinals) — Will Levis, QB, Kentucky

The Colts missed out on a potential trade to No. 1, but Kiper projects them to trade with the Arizona Cardinals to get up to No. 3 and select Levis out of Kentucky. One of the more intriguing prospects in the draft, Levis had a strong performance at the NFL Combine and has been high on Kiper’s draft board for some time now. After Stroud and Young went off the mock board, the Colts could land on Levis as their franchise quarterback.

4. Arizona Cardinals (via mock trade with Indianapolis Colts) — Will Anderson, LB, Alabama

As a result of the mock trade with the Colts, Kiper has the Cardinals taking a standout defender at No. 4. Arizona is losing J.J. Watt to retirement, and Anderson could be called upon to help replace that production.

5. Seattle Seahawks (via Denver Broncos) — Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida

Although the Seahawks signed Geno Smith to a new contract, Kiper still has them taking a quarterback — and one of the more polarizing prospects, at that. Richardson raised eyebrows at the combine with his athleticism, but his accuracy remains a question after his lone year as a starter at Florida. A proven dual-threat, a year behind Smith could help further his development.

6. Detroit Lions (via Los Angeles Rams) — Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia

Kiper’s ESPN colleague, Todd McShay, has Carter outside the top 10 after legal issues created question marks about how far he’d fall after that. However, Kiper has the former Georgia standout going to No. 6 to help anchor the defense.

7. Las Vegas Raiders — Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon

It looked like the Raiders could be in the market for a quarterback before signing Jimmy Garoppolo, which means Kiper has them going with defense in his mock draft. He has them landing the top cornerback available in Gonzalez and fill a glaring hole in the secondary.

8. Atlanta Falcons — Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois

Witherspoon is up there with Gonzalez as one of the draft’s top cornerbacks, and Kiper projects him to wind up in Atlanta. That pick would allow the former Illinois standout to jump in to a defense that has plenty of new faces coming in via free agency.

9. Chicago Bears (via Carolina Panthers) — Paris Johnson Jr., OL, Ohio State

The Bears traded down to No. 9 overall and general manager Ryan Poles has hinted they could trade down again if the opportunity presents itself. For now, Kiper has them taking Johnson as part of the quest to protect Justin Fields. Chicago signed Nate Davis this offseason, but still need to add to the offensive line Johnson could be a strong starting point, especially because of his familiarity with Fields.

10. Philadelphia Eagles (via New Orleans Saints) — Peter Skoronski, OL, Northwestern

Another offensive lineman rounds out the top 10 in Skoronski, who was one of the lone bright spots of a 1-11 season for Northwester in 2022. Philadelphia got some good news when Jason Kelce announced he was coming back, so Skoronski could be a good fit alongside him on the Eagles’ line in front of Jalen Hurts.

Mel Kiper’s Picks 11-31

  1. Tennessee Titans – Tyree Wilson, DE, Texas Tech
  2. Houston Texans (via Cleveland) – Nolan Smith, OLB, Georgia
  3. New York Jets – Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
  4. New England Patriots – Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
  5. Green Bay Packers – Lukas Van Ness, DL, Iowa
  6. Washington Commanders – Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State
  7. Pittsburgh Steelers – Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland
  8. Detroit Lions – Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
  9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
  10. Seattle Seahawks – Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
  11. Los Angeles Chargers – Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
  12. Baltimore Ravens – Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
  13. Minnesota Vikings – Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
  14. Jacksonville Jaguars – Will McDonald IV, DE, Iowa State
  15. New York Giants – Jordan Addison, WR, USC
  16. Dallas Cowboys – Adettomiwa Adebawore, DE, Northwestern
  17. Buffalo Bills – Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
  18. Cincinnati Bengals – Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
  19. New Orleans Saints (via Denver/Miami/San Francisco) – Byran Bresee, DT, Clemson
  20. Philadelphia Eagles – Calijah Kancey, DT, Pitt
  21. Kansas City Chiefs – Felix Anudike-Uzomah, DE, Kansas State