To start the draft season for LWOSports, this mock will only be the projected top 10 picks. Not to worry though, as the draft process ramps up, so will the length and frequency of these mocks. Without further ado, let’s jump right into it.
2023 NFL Mock Draft 1.0 – Top 10
1. Atlanta Falcons (Trade with Chicago)
Chicago receives Picks 9, 41, 2024 1st and 2nd round picks. OT Jake Matthews.
Atlanta receives Picks 1, 147.
Caleb Williams QB, USC
As of late, Justin Fields looks to be the Chicago Bears’ franchise quarterback. After a shaky start to the season, Fields has his stride to end the year on a positive note. He’s done enough at the very least to secure at least one more year at the helm.
For the Atlanta Falcons, they desperately need to find a franchise quarterback. They have the makings of an elite offense, they just need a strong signal caller to lead them. Williams has Mahomes-like tendencies and is an underrated runner. Although slightly undersized, he has the makings of a future top 10 quarterback.
2. Washington Commanders
Drake Maye QB, UNC
Similarly to the Falcons, the Washington Commanders have long been without a top starting quarterback in the league. Even on the surface, they look comparable, having a great offensive cast around their quarterback with underrated pieces on defense.
While Sam Howell has looked the part at times, he’s also led the league in interceptions through 17 weeks with 19 total. Howell has been the most sacked quarterback in the league, thanks to having a terrible offensive line. Starting over with Maye would be ideal, as the prototypical 6’4 225 pound quarterback can develop while throwing to quality offensive weapons like Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson and Curtis Samuel, assuming he’s resigned.
3. New England Patriots
Michael Penix Jr QB, UW
It may come as a shock to some, but Penix Jr. is currently shooting up draft boards. It comes after an unbelievably poised performance, dicing the Longhorns’ defense to the tune of 430 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions on a 76.3% completion percentage. The lefty can sling it all around the field and may have the quickest release out of any quarterback this year.
As for Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe, their time as starting quarterbacks for the New England Patriots will likely end after this season. The whole Patriots organization needs a hard reset and selecting Penix Jr. would be a fantastic start.
4. Arizona Cardinals
Marvin Harrison Jr WR, OSU
Possibly the best player in the draft falls to four after a run on the top quarterbacks. This selection is the most simple in the top 10. With Marquise Brown set to hit free agency, the Arizona Cardinals desperately need weapons for Kyler Murray, who head coach Jonathon Gannon anointed as their starting quarterback for 2024.
Arizona would be getting a bonafide No. 1 receiver who could easily make the Pro Bowl as a rookie.
5. New York Giants
Malik Nabers WR, LSU
Although some would like to see the Giants start over in the quarterback department, they likely won’t with so much money being tied to Daniel Jones. Instead, it makes sense to try to make the best out of him. To do that, Darius Slayton should no longer be a WR1. Instead, it’ll be the rookie Nabers, who broke multiple LSU Tiger receiving records, including the most yards in a season (1,569.)
6. Los Angeles Chargers
Joe Alt OT, ND
The Chargers will go into this offseason with plenty of questions, but one of the main ones will likely be how to better protect Justin Herbert. Herbert consistently gets hurt, highlighted this past season by a broken finger and a broken rib the season before that. While they have invested multiple first-round picks in their offensive line, it isn’t enough. With one of the top tackles still on the board, it makes too much sense to plug him in on the right side for Trey Pipkens III.
7. Tennessee Titans
Jer’Zhan Newton DL, Illinois
At first, this may seem like an odd pick with what Tennessee needs. Both offensive tackle and wide receiver are positions of need. However, when looking at the Titans’ roster, there’s a clear and wide talent gap between Jeffrey Simmons Jr. and any other Tennessee defensive lineman. In a class that lacks thorough defensive tackle talent, the disruptive Newton could be an amazing value pick. Plus, paring him with Simmons Jr., would give the young AFC South quarterbacks nightmares for years to come.
8. New York Jets
Brock Bowers TE, UGA
The New York Jets are in an odd spot. With a Super Bowl-caliber roster and a former MVP quarterback, they look bound to take the league by storm in 2024. There aren’t many holes on the roster, which is why taking a luxury pick such as a tight end makes sense for them. Current starter Tyler Conklin is an above-average pass catcher at his position, but Bowers can be elite. He’s a top-five talent in the draft and would make for a great safety blanket for Aaron Rodgers.
9. Chicago Bears (Trade with Atlanta)
Chicago receives Picks 9, 41, 2024 1st and 2nd round picks. OT Jake Matthews.
Atlanta receives Picks 1, 147.
Laiatu Latu EDGE, UCLA
The Bears currently have 29 sacks in the league, tied for the second worst. They made a deal at midseason for Montez Sweat, who has carried the pass rush thus far. He can’t do it alone, however. The Bears would be wise to pair him with Latu, who has one of the highest pass-rush win rates at 24.7% and an overall pass-rush grade of 94.4. At this point, the value of Latu is too good to pass up.
10. Chicago Bears
Rome Odunze WR, UW
Capping off the top 10 is perhaps the most electric wide receiver of this past season in college football. This past year he surpassed 1,000 yards for the second straight year, gaining over 1,500 yards and posting 13 touchdowns as the primary target for Penix Jr. It would be a great get for Chicago, as they’re receiver depth is lacking, to say the least. If Darnell Mooney leaves in free agency, they’ll be left with very little production outside of D.J. Moore.
Main Image: © Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports
