CBS Sports releases updated 2023 NFL Mock Draft ahead of Week 6 of college football
With Week 6 of the college football season approaching, conversation about the 2023 NFL Draft is starting to pick up. NFL teams are now about a quarter of the way through their schedules, and CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson released an updated 2023 NFL Mock Draft this week.
What’s unique about CBS Sports’ latest mock is it doesn’t have the Chicago Bears in the top two slots. That’s because Wilson went based on the favorites to win the Super Bowl, according to Caesars, and the Arizona Cardinals have the worst odds to do so. They hold the first two picks in this mock while the Bears hold the next two because both made big trades last year.
Of course, there’s still time for players across the country to improve their stock and get into the first round. Early on, though, there are quite a few who have made strong impressions through the first half of college football.
1. Arizona Cardinals: Caleb Willams, QB, USC
Caleb Williams, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, has been seen as the potential No. 1 overall pick since winning the award. He’s a virtual consensus to go atop the board, no matter who’s picking, because of his diverse skillset.
Williams is coming off one of his biggest games of the year, throwing for 403 yards and six touchdowns to help USC past Colorado last week. He enters Week 6 leading the nation with 21 touchdowns while averaging 320.6 yards per game — remaining a popular pick atop 2023 NFL Mock Drafts.
2. Arizona Cardinals (via Houston Texans): Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
If a team has the top two picks back-to-back, the plan could be to pair the best quarterback in the country with the nation’s best receiver. If Arizona can pull that off, the Cardinals would take Marvin Harrison Jr., according to CBS Sports’ 2023 NFL Mock Draft.
Harrison is the latest in a long line of impressive Ohio State receivers and has 336 yards to his name through four games this year. He’s one of the most electric players in the country, and with Big Ten play in full swing, he’ll try to keep improving his stock.
3. Chicago Bears (via Carolina Panthers): Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
Drake Maye is widely viewed as the No. 2 quarterback in this year’s class behind Williams, and CBS Sports projects the Bears to select him with the No. 3 overall pick. Chicago could be facing a big decision at quarterback, and Maye could give the franchise an opportunity to reset the rookie contract clock while landing an impressive talent.
Maye ranks 11th in the nation with 296.8 passing yards per game entering Week 6, and his draft stock will be interesting to follow as North Carolina dives in to ACC play. He’s putting together an impressive follow-up to last season’s breakout.
4. Chicago Bears: Olu Fashanu, OL, Penn State
The Bears addressed the offensive line last year by adding Darnell Wright, and they could have the opportunity to land another top tackle. Olu Fashanu likely would’ve been a top-10 pick last year, but opted to run it back at Penn State this year and will undoubtedly find himself toward the top of the board agian.
Fashanu is one of the best offensive linemen in the country and has anchored a unit that has allowed just three sacks this year. He’ll be a hot commodity come draft time as teams look to add to their offensive lines.
5. Las Vegas Raiders: Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
Jared Verse burst onto the scene last year at Florida State after transferring from Albany and hasn’t let up this year. He’s put himself into the top-five conversation, with CBS Sports projecting him to go to the Las Vegas Raiders in its latest 2023 NFL Mock Draft.
Verse has 11 tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss and 0.5 sack through four games this year to help lead the Florida State pass rush. Pairing him with Maxx Crosby would be an intriguing opportunity for the Raiders if they’re in position to select him.
6. Denver Broncos: Jer’Zhan Newton, DL, Illinois
Jer’Zhan Newton was a critical part of a strong Illinois defense a year ago and is again wreaking havoc on opposing offenses this year. He and his “law firm” partner, Keith Randolph, are quite the one-two punch for the Fighting Illini, and Newton is squarely in the mix to be a top-10 pick.
Newton is following up last year’s monster season with more big numbers. He has 20 tackles, including 3.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks, to serve as a bright spot for the Fighting Illini as they look to see another top pick off the defense.
7. New York Jets: Joe Alt, OL, Notre Dame
Sam Hartman gets plenty of attention for leading the Notre Dame offense, and rightfully so. But the Fighting Irish have dominated up front this year — and Joe Alt is a key part of that.
The Jets clearly have a need at left tackle, as was the case this year even after landing Aaron Rodgers. They’d be able to easily address a need if Alt, an All-American last year, is still on the board when they pick.
8. Washington Commanders: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
Dallas Turner is considered one of the best EDGE prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft, and CBS Sports projects him to be the next great pass rusher for Washington in its latest mock draft. Turner is in the midst of a huge 2023 season to lead the Alabama defense into SEC play.
Through four games, Turner’s 5.5 sacks are already more than last year and he has 7.5 tackles for loss on the year, as well. His stock is on the rise, which is sure to be a big storyline as the season goes along.
9. New York Giants: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
Harrison is the biggest name at Ohio State, but Emeka Egbuka is also an ultra-talented receiver who’s worthy of a top-10 pick. Although the Giants might be facing a quarterback question, a top-notch receiver could be another needed weapon for Daniel Jones.
Egbuka is tied for the team lead with three touchdowns while adding 263 receiving yards, as well. He’d be able to contribute right away in the NFL, and an opportunity in New York would be interesting.
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: JC Latham, OL, Alabama
Alabama’s offensive line might not have performed the way many thought to start the year, but JC Latham is still a force to be reckoned with. Although the Buccaneers could be in the market for a quarterback depending on how Baker Mayfield’s season shakes out, offensive line help would go a long way toward helping whoever ends up under center.
Latham allowed only two sacks last year to anchor the Alabama offensive line. His toughness would be huge for any team, and pairing him with Tristan Wirfs would make for a talented duo for Tampa Bay.
No. 11-25
11. Los Angeles Rams: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
12. Indianapolis Colts: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
13. Tennessee Titans: Amarius Mims, OL, Georgia
14. New England Patriots: Patrick Paul, OL, Houston
15. Minnesota Vikings: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
16. Green Bay Packers: Kingsley Suamataia, OL, BYU
17. Atlanta Falcons: Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
18. Jacksonville Jaguars: Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State
19. Seattle Seahawks: Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
21. New Orleans Saints: Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
23. Houston Texans (via Cleveland Browns): Bralen Trice, EDGE, Washington
24. Cincinnati Bengals: Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
25. Baltimore Ravens: Kalen King, CB, Penn State
26. Detroit Lions: J.T. Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State
27. Dallas Cowboys: Josh Newton, CB, TCU
28. Buffalo Bills: Leonard Taylor III, DL, Miami
29. Miami Dolphins: Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas
30. Philadelphia Eagles: Barrett Carter, LB, Clemson
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota
32. San Francisco 49ers: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
The 2023 NFL Draft is shaping up to be one of the deeper drafts in recent memory, particularly at quarterback and on the EDGE. With conference play fully underway across the country, fans and NFL teams will be able to learn more about the top players in the country as the race to the national championship heats up.