NFL Mock Draft 2023: Panthers take Anthony Richardson with newly acquired No. 1 pick from trade with Bears

Florida • Soph • 6’4″ / 232 lbs

Projected Team Carolina PROSPECT RNK 9th POSITION RNK 4th

Reich coached the large and deceptively athletic Andrew Luck in Indianapolis and has assembled a star-studded cast of veteran assistant coaches, all of which creates a cushy landing spot for Richardson.

Alabama • Jr • 6’0″ / 194 lbs

Projected Team Houston PROSPECT RNK 2nd POSITION RNK 1st

The Texans upgrade the quarterback position in a big way with Young, who has all the improvisational brilliance to succeed in today’s NFL.

Texas Tech • Sr • 6’6″ / 275 lbs

Projected Team Arizona PROSPECT RNK 6th POSITION RNK 2nd

The Cardinals opt for Wilson’s length and overall size over Will Anderson Jr. here at No. 3 overall. Wilson’s a darn-good rusher too.

Ohio State • Jr • 6’3″ / 218 lbs

Projected Team Indianapolis PROSPECT RNK 4th POSITION RNK 2nd

Ideal scenario for the Colts. They don’t have to trade up and can still land the highly polished Stroud at No. 4.

Georgia • Jr • 6’3″ / 300 lbs

Projected Team Seattle PROSPECT RNK 3rd POSITION RNK 1st

The Seahawks can’t pass on Carter here, even with the off-field concerns. They have a dire need at defensive tackle.

Kentucky • Sr • 6’3″ / 232 lbs

Projected Team Detroit PROSPECT RNK 8th POSITION RNK 3rd

Here’s how I’d link Levis to the Lions: Detroit’s GM Brad Holmes was with the Rams organization forever — dating back to the St. Louis days — before taking the job in the Motor City. Guess who he spent three years with in Los Angeles? Liam Coen. Who’s Liam Coen? Levis’ former offensive coordinator at Kentucky. [Michael Scott voice]: Boom. Roasted.

Alabama • Jr • 6’4″ / 243 lbs

Projected Team Las Vegas PROSPECT RNK 1st POSITION RNK 1st

Does this fill the most immediate need on the Raiders roster? Absolutely not — hello, Maxx Crosby — but Anderson is too talented and was too productive in college for Las Vegas to pass on him here.

TCU • Jr • 6’4″ / 215 lbs

Projected Team Baltimore PROSPECT RNK 9th POSITION RNK 1st

The Ravens move Jackson and start building around Tannehill, their bridge guy, in 2023. Johnston is a big, long, physical, YAC specialist with serious vertical ability. In the Lamar Jackson trade, the Ravens get this selection, 2024 first-round and second-round picks from Atlanta along with 2025 second-round and fourth-round picks.

Ohio State • Jr • 6’1″ / 200 lbs

Projected Team Chicago PROSPECT RNK 25th POSITION RNK 4th

The Bears aren’t playing around — they’re loading up on weapons for Fields entering Year 3, and rightfully so. After what will likely be a sub 4.40 40-yard dash at his pro Day, Smith-Njigba going top 10 won’t be considered crazy.

Iowa • Soph • 6’5″ / 275 lbs

Projected Team Philadelphia PROSPECT RNK 18th POSITION RNK 3rd

Van Ness is a long, very athletic rusher who’ll formulate an awesome duo with Josh Sweat in Philadelphia for years.

Georgia • Soph • 6’4″ / 310 lbs

Projected Team Tennessee PROSPECT RNK 31st POSITION RNK 5th

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.

Northwestern • Jr • 6’4″ / 315 lbs

Projected Team Houston PROSPECT RNK 12th POSITION RNK 1st

After going blocker in Round 1 last year, the Texans do it again after selecting Young at No. 2 overall. Prudent selection.

Ohio State • Jr • 6’6″ / 310 lbs

Projected Team N.Y. Jets PROSPECT RNK 14th POSITION RNK 2nd

Johnson is a super-long, athletic blocker who feels very NFL ready at the left or right tackle spot.

Alabama • Jr • 6’0″ / 193 lbs

Projected Team New England PROSPECT RNK 21st POSITION RNK 1st

Branch will get the thumbs up from Nick Saban to Bill Belichick, as the star defensive back was everywhere at Alabama during his illustrious career with the Crimson Tide.

Utah • Sr • 6’4″ / 240 lbs

Projected Team Green Bay PROSPECT RNK 24th POSITION RNK 2nd

Kincaid is the most gifted pure receiving tight end in this class, and he’ll be an immediate favorite target for Jordan Love.

Maryland • Jr • 6’2″ / 205 lbs

Projected Team Washington PROSPECT RNK 33rd POSITION RNK 6th

The Commanders stay local with Banks, a tall, hyper-explosive cornerback, to help round out the secondary.

Pittsburgh • Jr • 6’0″ / 280 lbs

Projected Team Pittsburgh PROSPECT RNK 40th POSITION RNK 4th

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

Illinois • Jr • 6’0″ / 180 lbs

Projected Team Detroit PROSPECT RNK 5th POSITION RNK 1st

Maybe a touch smaller and not quite as athletic as the other marquee corners in this class, Witherspoon sinks a bit, and the Lions are happy to grab someone with as clean of film as the Illinois star.

Tennessee • Sr • 6’6″ / 335 lbs

Projected Team Tampa Bay PROSPECT RNK 30th POSITION RNK 4th

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.

Iowa • Sr • 6’4″ / 249 lbs

Projected Team Seattle PROSPECT RNK 52nd POSITION RNK 3rd

No team likes throwing a wrench in mock drafts quite like the Seahawks, and they add the YAC-brilliant LaPorta to provide more weaponry for Geno Smith.

Boston College • Sr • 5’10” / 172 lbs

Flowers didn’t run in the 4.30s at the combine, but he still feels like a first-round pick. The Chargers add more weaponry for Justin Herbert.

South Carolina • Jr • 6’0″ / 188 lbs

Projected Team Baltimore PROSPECT RNK 12th POSITION RNK 2nd

Smith is the press-man cornerback the Ravens will gravitate to during the pre-draft process. They have to get younger at that position with a supreme talent.

Penn State • Jr • 6’2″ / 194 lbs

Projected Team Minnesota PROSPECT RNK 16th POSITION RNK 3rd

Porter has offensive tackle arm length and plus man coverage ability. The Vikings again go to the secondary well early in the draft.

Oklahoma • Jr • 6’5″ / 315 lbs

Projected Team Jacksonville PROSPECT RNK 25th POSITION RNK 3rd

This pick is to better protect Trevor Lawrence and to fill in the spot likely vacated by impending free agent Jawaan Taylor.

Florida • Jr • 6’5″ / 347 lbs

Projected Team N.Y. Giants PROSPECT RNK 22nd POSITION RNK 1st

Torrence is an NFL-ready guard the Giants can plug in immediately. He’ll improve the run and pass game for the G-Men.

Arkansas • Jr • 6’5″ / 233 lbs

Projected Team Dallas PROSPECT RNK 38th POSITION RNK 1st

The Cowboys could be extremely multiple with Sanders on the defense next to Micah Parsons. Sanders is a long, athletic off-ball/edge hybrid.

SMU • Sr • 6’2″ / 203 lbs

Projected Team Buffalo PROSPECT RNK 85th POSITION RNK 10th

The Bills opt with Rice over Jordan Addison because of size and explosiveness. Rice can win on the perimeter and after the catch. Plus he stars in combat-catch situations.

Texas • Jr • 6’0″ / 220 lbs

Projected Team Cincinnati PROSPECT RNK 7th POSITION RNK 1st

This selection comes after the Bengals move Joe Mixon this offseason. Wouldn’t be totally crazy. More firepower in Joe Burrow’s offense.

Alabama • Jr • 5’11” / 200 lbs

Projected Team New Orleans PROSPECT RNK 14th POSITION RNK 2nd

Shades of the 2021 NFL Draft, when Travis Etienne and Najee Harris went back-to-back late in the first round. Gibbs has Kamara-like explosiveness and receiving capabilities.

Northwestern • Sr • 6’2″ / 280 lbs

Projected Team Philadelphia PROSPECT RNK 89th POSITION RNK 15th

The Eagles love building the trenches early in the draft and high-caliber athletes. Adebawore and Milton Williams on the same defensive line would represent loads of athleticism.

USC • Jr • 6’0″ / 175 lbs

Projected Team Kansas City PROSPECT RNK 15th POSITION RNK 2nd

The Chiefs jump at the opportunity to add Addison to their offense, even after a disappointing combine.