With less than a week until the real thing commences, the 2023 Rayonsports NFL round one mock draft is here. There will only be 31 players chosen in the opening round this year, as the Miami Dolphins forfeited their pick due to some suspicious dealings. Compiled by expert analysts Connor Pohlman, Josh Pohlman, Scott Prelewicz and Ray Prelewicz, here are the choices, with trades not allowed:
- Carolina Panthers-from Chicago (Connor Pohlman) – Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
- Houston Texans (Josh Pohlman) – Will Anderson, Edge, Alabama
- Arizona Cardinals (Scott Prelewicz) – Tyree Wilson, Edge, Texas Tech
- Indianapolis Colts (Ray Prelewicz) – Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
- Seattle Seahawks-from Denver (CP) – Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
- Detroit Lions-from LA Rams (JP) – Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
- Las Vegas Raiders (SP) – Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
- Atlanta Falcons (RP) – Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
- Chicago Bears-from Carolina (CP) – Paris Johnson Jr., T, Ohio State
- Philadelphia Eagles-from New Orleans (JP) – Brian Branch, S, Alabama
- Tennessee Titans (SP) – C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
- Houston Texans-from Cleveland (RP) – Peter Skoronski, T, Northwestern
- New York Jets (CP) – Broderick Jones, T, Georgia
- New England Patriots (JP) – Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
- Green Bay Packers (SP) – Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
- Washington Commanders (RP) – Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
- Pittsburgh Steelers (CP) – Darnell Wright, T, Tennessee
- Detroit Lions (JP) – Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (SP) – Lukas Van Ness, Edge, Iowa
- Seattle Seahawks (RP) – Nolan Smith, LB, Georgia
- Los Angeles Chargers (CP) – Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee
- Baltimore Ravens (JP) – Jordan Addison, WR, USC
- Minnesota Vikings (SP) – Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee
- Jacksonville Jaguars (RP) – Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
- New York Giants (CP) – Joey Porter, Jr., CB, Penn State
- Dallas Cowboys (JP) – Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson
- Buffalo Bills (SP) – Kalijah Kansey, DT, Pitt
- Cincinnati Bengals (RP) – Will McDonald IV, Edge, Iowa State
- New Orleans Saints-from San Francisco/Miami/Denver (CP) – Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson
- Philadelphia Eagles (JP) – Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
- Kansas City Chiefs (SP) – Keion White, DT, Georgia
The national champion Georgia Bulldogs take the prize for the most first round players in our mock draft with 5, and they have a number of other prospects who could be considered first round material and will likely go high on day 2 of the draft. The power 5 conferences dominated the mock draft, with Alabama, Tennessee and Ohio State having 3 each. Alabama’s trio were all picked in the top 10.
COMING SOON: Our draft experts submit their seven round mock drafts for the local NFL franchise, the three-time reigning AFC East champion Buffalo Bills.