First-round NFL mock draft: Four QBs selected in the top 10

Widely regarded as the best player in the draft class, Alabama QB Bryce Young heads to the Carolina Panthers. Sure, there are questions about Young’s size, but aside from that, there are few questions about his ability. The Panthers made a big trade to move up to No. 1, and hope he is as advertised from day one. 

C.J. Stroud showed a bit of regression with his accuracy and benefitted from the elite talent around him last season at Ohio State. Still, he also threw for 85 touchdowns over the last two seasons with very good accuracy and ample mobility and will be a great fit for new head coach DeMeco Ryans.

Replacing J.J. Watt and possibly Zach Allen is no small task, but Anderson has the upside to be an elite player. Anderson appears to be a generational prospect, with 27.5 sacks over the last two seasons.

There isn’t an athlete in the draft with more upside that Richardson, but turning him into an NFL quarterback will take coaching and patience. Richardson is a risky prospect, but has all the physical tools despite lacking college production. Richardson will need time after completing only 54% of his passes last season, but the upside for the Colts could be worth it.

Seattle has been lacking elite defensive line talent since losing Frank Clark five years ago, but Carter would be an answer. Carter has a chance to be an elite interior pass rusher at the next level and showed off in his final college season with three sacks and seven tackles for loss in 13 games. There’s a possibility that Carter drops in the draft due to legal troubles.

The Lions found a keeper on the edge last year in Aidan Hutchinson, and Wilson could man the opposite end. He has great size as a 4-3 defensive end and recorded seven sacks in each of the last two seasons for the Red Raiders.

The Raiders have failed multiple times in their quest to draft secondary help in recent years, but this is a new front office and coaching regime. Witherspoon built first-round stock after a great season for the Illini, with 41 tackles and three picks, along with 14 passes defensed.

The Falcons have sent mixed signals about 2022 draftee Desmond Ridder, and likely wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to take a promising quarterback eighth overall. Levis has elite tools with a rocket arm and plus mobility, though he struggled with injuries and a suspect supporting cast in 2022.

Chicago addressed their wide receiver corps after trading the first overall pick, but still need to protect Justin Fields’ blindside. Johnson could be an answer at either tackle spot next year.

The Eagles have an excellent cornerback pairing in Darius Slay and James Bradberry, but could still use more depth. Gonzalez recorded four interceptions and 50 tackles during the 2022 season for the Ducks.

Tennessee has remade their offensive line already this offseason, and could opt to move free agent addition Andre Dillard to the right side in favor of a top pick. Skoronski has the potential to shore up the left side of the line for years to come. 

After trading Brandin Cooks, Houston is in the market for a top wideout. Smith-Njigba has played only three games due to injuries this season but had over 1,600 yards in 2021.

Green Bay addressed the front seven in last year’s draft, but could go back to the well this year in an effort to complete an elite defense. Murphy recorded 18.5 sacks in three seasons for the Tigers.

Bill Belichick seems to effortlessly rebuild his secondary, but it remains to be seen how comfortable the team is with Jack Jones. Porter Jr. a seasoned performer after three years at Penn State.

Mekhi Becton’s struggles to stay on the field could necessitate another look at the offensive line prospects for the Jets. Jones is slightly undersized at 6-foot-4, but could still be a plug-and-play tackle.

Washington needs a long-term left tackle prospect, and Wright can fill that void. The massive 6-foot-6 tackle has seen his stock rise during the draft process and can play either tackle spot.

The loss of Cameron Sutton and struggles in Pittsburgh’s secondary put cornerback near the top of their needs. Branch has been an excellent performer at Alabama, including 90 tackles and two picks this season.

Detroit needs to continue building around Aidan Hutchinson as they try to replicate the dominance they have on the offensive line. Bresee has limited games over the last two seasons due to injury and personal tragedy, but he has big upside as an interior pass rusher.

The Bucs need to get younger in all areas, including the defensive line. Van Ness has led Iowa’s elite defensive over the last two seasons, with a combined 13 tackles and 19 tackles for loss.

After an impressive performance at the combine, Smith has rightfully shot up draft boards. He’d make quite a tandem rejoining Georgia teammate Jalen Carter in Seattle after recording 12.5 sacks in four seasons for the Bulldogs.

Torrence has extensive experience at guard, an area where the Chargers need help. He is a mammoth former transfer from Louisiana who would do well helping to protect Justin Herbert.

Regardless of what happens with Lamar Jackson, the Ravens need to continue improving their receiver corps. Johnston could be another deep threat on top of Rashod Bateman, averaging 19.2 yards per reception during his career with his 6-foot-4 length.

The loss of Adam Thielen should put wideout at the top of Minnesota’s wish list. Addison’s numbers declined with the move from Pitt to USC last season, but he’s still put up huge numbers in college, with 30 touchdowns in three seasons.

Jacksonville has seen some turnover in the secondary during the offseason, and could use another developmental prospect behind young Tyson Campbell and Andre Cisco. Banks had a tremendous combine after a great final year at Maryland.

The Giants did their best with what they had at wideout last season, but it was a weakness by the end of the season. Flowers is a similar profile to some of the team’s current wideouts under six feet tall, but he has the speed to spread the fall and was extremely productive last season with over 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns.

The loss of Dalton Schultz creates a big need for Dallas at tight end. Mayer had back-to-back seasons with more than 800 yards receiving and recorded nine touchdowns in 12 games during 2022.

Buffalo needs help at linebacker and in the pass rush, two areas Sanders can be a difference maker. Sanders is coming off a huge season at Arkansas, with 103 tackles and 9.5 sacks.

Running back could be at the top of Cincinnati’s needs list if they cut Joe Mixon, adding to Samaje Perine’s free agency. Robinson appears to be the top back available, with nearly 1,900 yards from scrimmage and 20 touchdowns during the 2022 season.

The Saints went to free agency to help their defensive line, though the loss of Marcus Davenport puts their pass rush in a bind. Kancey had 14.5 sacks over the last two seasons and has picked up steam following the combine.

Philly is seemingly always on the lookout for young defensive linemen, and Adebawore has seen his stock rise after running a sub-4.5 40 at the combine. He recorded five sacks in 12 games for the Wildcats last season.

Kansas City has a need at tackle, an area the massive Jones could fill immediately. He’s similar to former starter Orlando Brown Jr. in terms of size and athleticism, meaning that he probably fits best on the right side.