The NFL season came to an end a couple of weeks ago and we are just days away from the Scouting Combine. It begins on Feb. 28 and runs through Mar. 6.
Prior to the beginning of the “underwear olympics”, we are looking at what chaos could ensure if the league was a little trade happy during the first round of the NFL draft. After all, the NBA sure seems to enjoy a good amount of trades on draft night.
College Sports Wire takes a look at this mock draft with a plethora of trades throughout the first round. It begins with the Chicago Bears trading down and putting the Carolina Panthers on the clock.
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Here we have the Carolina Panthers trading up to No. 1 by giving up their No. 1 this year, a second-round pick, and next year’s No. 1 to grab C.J. Stroud. The Panthers are able to address their quarterback of the future and don’t have to hope that Sam Darnold eventually figures it out.
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While we contemplated the Texans potentially trading back, the team needs a quarterback and Bryce Young is ripe for the taking. He is an upgrade over Davis Mills and doesn’t have to be thrust into action immediately.
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Knowing full well that the Indianapolis Colts need a quarterback, we project a trade with the Arizona Cardinals for the Raiders to move up and get their guy. Richardson could be a bit of a project but he has the tools to make an impact. Plus this would infuse some excitement into the fanbase.
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Will Levis, QB: Kentucky Wildcats
Not able to work out a deal, the Colts stick at No. 4 and make it four straight quarterbacks to open the draft. Indianapolis needs a new quarterback and they land an intriguing player without giving up any draft capital.
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In the first of two picks in round one, the Seahawks address a major need with arguably the best player in the draft. Jalen Carter gives them a boost on the interior and he can slide outside on passing downs.
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Will Anderson Jr, Edge: Alabama Crimson Tide
The Falcons jump up a couple of spots to upgrade the pass rush. Here we have them snagging Will Anderson to rush from the edge. This should give the defense a real boost in the arm.
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Tyree Wilson, Edge: Texas Tech Red Raiders
After sliding down in the first round, the Cardinals pick up extra draft capital. Not to mention the team gets to upgrade the edge with one of the top rushers of the class.
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Devon Witherspoon, CB: Illinois Fighting Illini
The Lions slide back a couple of spots, add some capital, and still land their target in Devon Witherspoon. He could have the same level of impact that Trevon Diggs had in year two with the Cowboys.
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The Bears swapped first-round picks with the Panthers and still end up with a top-end pass rusher at No. 9. Murphy produced 34 total pressures for Clemson in 2022, 21 of those were quarterback hurries.
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The Eagles can make a serious upgrade at cornerback without having to look very far. They add former Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr to help the backend of the defense.
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Peter Skoronski, OT: Northwestern Wildcats
We finally have the first offensive tackle off the board when the Titans take Skoronski to help provide protection up front. This provides depth up front and could open up other players to kick inside to upgrade the interior.
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The Texans added their quarterback of the future and with their second pick on day one, the team adds a red zone weapon. This also fills a potential hole at the position with a pair of tight ends that could leave in free agency.
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Brian Branch, DB: Alabama Crimson Tide
The Jets could go in plenty of directions with the No. 13 pick but we project Branch to be the pick this time around. The passing defense was among the top half of the NFL but Branch can be a plus in the run game as well.
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Paris Johnson Jr, OT: Ohio State Buckeyes
The Patriots could lose Isaiah Wynn in free agency and adding Johnson could soften the blow for New England. Johnson could be a plug-and-play addition as early as year one.
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Quentin Johnston, WR: TCU Horned Frogs
Whether or not Aaron Rodgers returns to the team in 2023 isn’t relevant for this pick. The Packers need help in the passing game whether it is Rodgers or Jordan Love under center and Johnston is a reliable target that can stretch the field.
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O’Cyrus Torrence, OL: Florida Gators
Upgrading the offensive line, especially in the interior should be a priority for Washington. The Commanders could lose Wes Schweitzer in free agency. Torrence would give the team an absolute mauler up front.
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The Steelers need to address the cornerback position and Gonzalez fills that void. Gonzalez should help a defense that surrendered the fourth-most passing touchdowns last season.
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Dalton Kincaid, TE: Utah Utes
The Lions addressed cornerback with their first selection, with the second pick they look to the offense. Kincaid can be a matchup weapon as an inline tight end or a big slot receiver for the offense.
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Bryan Bresee, DT: Clemson Tigers
The Bucs could use help on the interior and Bresee can be disruptive in the middle of the defense. The Bucs could use secondary help but this draft is deep at cornerback, which is why we roll with Bresee at No. 19.
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The Seahawks need to address their defense and they can land one of the top linebackers in the class here. Sanders can drop into coverage, play the run, and rush the passer. It should help their No. 25-ranked scoring defense.
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Upgrading the offensive line for the Chargers should be a priority but Addison sliding to No. 21 would be a blessing. They give quarterback Justin Herbert a new weapon that should help the offense tremendously. They can focus on the offensive line in later rounds.
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It is clear that the Bills need to give Josh Allen some help on that side of the ball. Hyatt can step in and become a big-play weapon for the team. This will also take some of the pressure off of Stefon Diggs.
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Emmanuel Forbes, CB: Mississippi State Bulldogs
The Vikings have a clear need at cornerback, which is why we have them taking Emmanuel Forbes out of Mississippi State. He hauled in 14 interceptions over three seasons and scored six defensive touchdowns.
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Broderick Jones, OT: Georgia Bulldogs
Should the Jaguars fail to sign Jawaan Taylor to a long-term deal, they will need a replacement plan. Jones would likely slide in as a day-one starter for Jacksonville.
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Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR: Ohio State Buckeyes
The Chiefs have two wide receivers that are set to become free agents with Juju Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman. For that reason, we have Kansas City jumping Dallas to snag Smith-Njigba to help out their offense.
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Cam Smith, CB: South Carolina Gamecocks
The Cowboys could go in a variety of directions, depending on how they want to address their team’s needs. Among the top is finding a CB2 to play opposite Trevon Diggs. Smith can fill that void.
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The Ravens slid down a few spots to allow the Bills to address wide receiver. Baltimore adds a weapon in Bijan Robinson, the clear No. 1 running back in the draft.
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Darnell Wright, OT: Tennessee Volunteers
Protecting Joe Burrow is among the key points for the Bengals to return to the Super Bowl after narrowingly missing the big game this past season. Wright can help solidify the edge.
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Jahmyr Gibbs, RB: Alabama Crimson Tide
The Saints can upgrade the offense with the addition of Jahmyr Gibbs. He can be an elite runner, pass catcher, and return specialist for New Orleans. Especially considering there are legit questions about Alvin Kamara’s future in the Big Easy.
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Hendon Hooker, QB: Tennessee Volunteers
We have four quarterbacks going in the first four selections, so why not a fifth quarterback? We project a trade for the Seahawks getting a third first-round pick and using it on Hendon Hooker. This gives them five years of control, while they figure out the quarterback situation.
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Kelee Ringo, CB: Georgia Bulldogs
The Giants are finally on the board with the last pick and address a need at cornerback with Kelee Ringo. The defense needs a boost in the secondary, they produced the second-fewest interceptions in the NFL.
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