NFL Mock Draft 2023: Lions trade back, get Quentin Johnston, Bijan Robinson; Commanders move up for Will Levis

While I still like Anthony Richardson going No. 1 overall more than anything else, it’s time to explore a different avenue to observe the ripple effect on the first round. Stroud would also be a fantastic selection for the Panthers here.

The Texans upgrade the quarterback position in a big way with Young, who has all the improvisational brilliance to succeed in today’s NFL. This feels like it’s becoming more and more accepted as to where Young will land if he’s not the first pick.

Maybe the Cardinals don’t trade down at all, instead giving their young defensive-minded head coach a blue chip edge-rushing prospect in Anderson.

Glorious development for the Colts. They don’t have to move up to land Richardson and get a big, ultra-athletic quarterback for Shane Steichen.

The Seahawks landed stud interior pass-rusher Dre’Mont Jones in free agency and pair him with the long, bendy, athletic edge-rusher Wilson at No. 5 overall.

The Commanders see a Levis fall materializing and trade with the Lions. Current Washington GM Martin Mayhew was the Lions GM from 2008 to 2015.

The Raiders still have to add pieces to the secondary and Gonzalez has the length, burst and speed to be the first corner off the board.

Witherspoon is ultra feisty at the line and plays the ball fantastically in the air. The Falcons have to tighten things up in their defensive backfield.

Van Ness is a young, long and athletic outside pass rusher with plenty of size. Perfect addition to the Bears defense.

This isn’t a massive need for the Eagles — or one at all. But with Carter’s teammates Jordan Davis and Nakobe Dean already on the roster, they could feel more comfortable with picking Carter at the tail end of the top 10.

Jones is super strong and athletic with his best football in front of him. After his combine workout, he probably solidified himself as OT1 in this class.

The Texans go with Smith here because of the immense upside he possesses due to his ridiculous athletic profile.

Kincaid can instantly connect with Jordan Love as a trusty, YAC specialist over the middle.

The Patriots have to get more dynamic at receiver and Smith-Njigba is exactly that type of wideout, particularly in space. Bill Belichick will love his short-area quickness and how well he tested in the agility drills at the combine.

Skoronski’s likely positional versatility at the next level makes him a priority for the Packers, who like to move their blockers all around the line.

The Lions get their outside, go-up-and-get-it receiver after a trade back and net Washington’s third-round pick (No. 97) plus a 2024 first-round selection in the move. Win!

Kancey is the Javon Hargrave replacement the Steelers have missed for the past few seasons.

The Lions are the club that snags Robinson in Round 1, and they can accentuate his early prime years with the awesome blocking unit they have in Detroit.

With this selection, the Buccaneers can flip Tristan Wirfs to left tackle and stay very good at the right tackle spot with the strong and advanced Wright.

How about a Tyler Lockett-type wideout to learn from … Tyler Lockett in Seattle?

The Chargers add a long, springy, ultra-athletic cornerback to the secondary in Banks. Good value here, too.

Porter’s length and man-coverage capabilities are too tantalizing for the Ravens to pass on the Penn State product at this juncture of Round 1.

The Vikings have other needs, but instead of hoping to bottom out or attempt to a glut of extra picks to move up in next year’s draft to pick a quarterback, they pick Hooker and get him with the fifth-year option.

More supreme athleticism up front for the Jaguars with Adebawore, who ran 4.49 at 282 pounds in Indianapolis. He can win as an edge rusher or inside.

The Giants are figuratively thin on the interior of their offensive line, and Tippmann is a highly athletic blocker from Wisconsin with big-time upside.

Washington is a sixth offensive lineman every time he’s on the field and has monster upside as a receiver at this size and with his athleticism.

Campbell has Tremaine Edmunds size and awesome coverage chops. Immediate Edmunds replacement for Buffalo.

Another well-rounded weapon for Joe Burrow in Cincinnati. Targeting this position early came into focus after the loss of Hayden Hurst in free agency.

Gibbs has Alvin Kamara-like explosiveness and receiving capabilities, and while maybe not the best allocation of a first-round draft pick from a long-term perspective, it helps the Saints offense right now.

Branch is a do-everything slot defender/safety with awesome tackling reliability. He would be an instant star in Philadelphia.

The Chiefs have to get better at edge rusher, even after picking George Karlaftis in Round 1 a year ago. McDonald has serious juice around the corner.