Tag: 2023 nfl mock draft

UNC receiver Josh Downs mocked in first round of 2023 NFL draft

UNC football wide receiver Josh Downs lands in the first round of this very early 2023 NFL mock draft by the Touchdown Wire.

The 2022 NFL draft is in the books and while teams open up rookie minicamps this week, some are already thinking about the 2023 NFL draft.

And by some, I mean those who love mock drafts.

One of the first 2023 mock drafts comes from Doug Farrar of the Touchdown Wire, who has his first “Are you kidding me?” very early mock draft. Farrar went through the entire first round of the draft and within the first 32 picks, one UNC player was selected.

Farrar has wide receiver [autotag]Josh Downs[/autotag] mocked to Green Bay at pick No. 29 overall, a good landing spot for the talented receiver.

Downs is the fourth receiver selected in the first round in Farrar’s mock draft, behind only a few other talented players at his position. The good news is that Downs has a whole year to improve his stock and potentially climb even higher in the first round.

And if Downs has a season close to what he had last year, he will certainly improve that stock.

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Latest way-too-early 2023 NFL mock draft is loaded with Alabama stars

The 2023 NFL draft is expected to have a Crimson Tide overload!

The 2022 NFL draft may have just concluded and we may still be a few months away from the 2022 college football season, but that doesn’t stop the football world from looking ahead.

ESPN’s Todd McShay released his latest 2023 way-too-early NFL mock draft and it is loaded with six Crimson Tide players. Having that many in the first round would tie the 2004 Miami Hurricanes for most players selected in the first round. Some believe Alabama could have seven and break the record next year, however.

Whether it be the team’s Heisman-winning quarterback, or a few first-year players who are joining via the transfer portal, the Crimson Tide is expected to be very well-represented in next year’s draft.

Anton Harrison getting 2023 first round buzz in Pro Football Focus’ way-too-early mock draft

In Pro Football Focus’ way-too-early 2023 NFL mock draft, offensive tackle Anton Harrison is selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round.

The Oklahoma Sooners haven’t had a first-round pick in the NFL draft since [autotag]CeeDee Lamb[/autotag] and [autotag]Kenneth Murray[/autotag] were selected by the Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Chargers. Over the last two draft cycles, their highest selections with the last pick in the second round with [autotag]Creed Humphrey[/autotag] and [autotag]Nik Bonitto[/autotag] going to the Kansas City Chiefs and the Denver Broncos at No. 64 overall.

This time last year, it was looking like the [autotag]2022 NFL draft[/autotag] would be another huge boon for the Oklahoma Sooners as [autotag]Spencer Rattler[/autotag] was projected to be the first overall pick. Just goes to show how much can change in one offseason.

In way-too-early season for the [autotag]2023 NFL draft[/autotag] however, it’s looking like the Sooners might break their first round pick drought. After [autotag]Marvin Mims[/autotag] was selected in the first round of the CBS Sports‘ and Fox Sports 2023 mock drafts, Anton Harrison is receiving some first-round love from Mike Renner of Pro Football Focus. Harrison is selected No. 11 overall to the Pittsburgh Steelers in this mock draft.

Harrison is an athletic 6-foot-5, 309-pounder who has already shown well in pass protection. In his first year as a full-time starter, Harrison earned an 85.6 pass-blocking grade. – Renner, PFF

What’s notable about this is that Harrison is the first offensive lineman taken in the draft and the sixth offensive player selected, four of which are quarterbacks.

There are tools that stand out for Harrison as an offensive tackle. He’s got good size, speed, and agility and improved a lot from his 2020 season when he was a rotational tackle to becoming a full-fledged starter in 2021.

If he can improve yet again in the 2022 season, it’s not outside the realm of possibility to see the talented offensive tackle taken in the first round. Harrison plays a premier position and has the requisite size and ability to be a difference-maker for an NFL offense.

It’s incredibly early to make any kind of proclamations, but this provides an idea of where Harrison stands in the eyes of NFL draft analysts.

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2023 NFL mock draft: Never-too-early 1st-round projections

Draft Wire editor Luke Easterling looks ahead to the 2023 NFL draft with his initial first-round projections

Hopefully, we’ve all gotten at least a little sleep at this point, now that the current NFL draft cycle has officially come to a close.

Now that every team’s draft class for this year is complete, and the undrafted free agent frenzy has run its course, it’s time to take an early look into the future.

At this point, projections for the 2023 NFL draft are more about forecasting potential needs for every team, and matching them up with the eligible prospects we expect to be among the best in college football this upcoming season. Obviously, much will change over the next 11 months, but these early mock drafts are a fun way to start getting to know those names ahead of the 2022 season.

So, here’s our never-too-early look at how first round of next year’s draft could turn out:

Cincinnati Bengals 7-round 2023 NFL mock draft: Way-too-early edition

Mock draft seasons starts again for the Cincinnati Bengals.

The 2022 NFL Draft is officially in the books. So what better way to close the weekend for the Cincinnati Bengals than with a nice seven-round mock for 2023? We’re all football nerds, after all.

Obviously, this is all a shot in the dark, but at least we can get an early jump on a couple of names for next season. We’ll be using the Mock Draft Simulator over at Pro Football Network for this exercise (mainly because they’re the only ones as of this writing that have already updated their simulator for 2023). Let’s get started.

DRAFT STOCK: Where does Bryce Young currently rank on 2023 NFL mock drafts?

Bryce Young isn’t eligible for another two years, but his stock is on the rise!

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young had quite the debut as the Crimson Tide starting quarterback against the Miami Hurricanes. Young broke the record for most touchdowns thrown in a debut start with four, and managed to throw for 344 yards.

He saw action in nine games in 2020 as a true freshman under Mac Jones; but now as a starter, the football world is getting a clean look at the young star.

Because he’s only a junior, Young still has to wait one more season after 2021 before he can declare for the NFL draft. Meaning, he’ll be eligible for the 2023 draft.

Here’s where Young stands on current 2023 NFL mock drafts:

Fueled By Sports – Atlanta Falcons, No. 1 overall

Pro Football Network – Houston Texans, No. 2 overall

Draft Countdown – Pittsburgh Steelers, No. 3 overall

EatDrinkAndSleepFootball – Chicago Bears, No. 9 overall

Walter Football – Denver Broncos, No. 26 overall

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Bryce Young’s draft stock as he continues to perform throughout his sophomore season.

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