NFL Mock Draft 2023: Derek Carr’s release prompts Raiders to trade for Aaron Rodgers; new head coaches get QBs

Keeping this selection from last week. It’s pretty perfect. It’s time to get a youthful passer in Indianapolis, and Levis, while far from perfect, has No. 1 overall pick traits.

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

Carter is the ideal replacement for the retiring J.J. Watt. He’s a long, hyper-athletic interior rusher who’s disruptive on three downs.

Anderson gives me serious Khalil Mack vibes, which makes this perfect for the Bears, particularly after trading back. In the trade, the Bears get this pick, the Colts’ selections in Round 2 and Round 4 along with a 2024 first-round pick and third-round pick, plus a 2025 second-round choice.

The Panthers roll the dice with Richardson instead of going the safer route with C.J. Stroud. They make the move up with the Seahawks to get this done.

Witherspoon looks like a supreme athlete, and his 2022 film was squeaky clean. He could ascend to the first cornerback off the board in this class.

The Packers move Rodgers to the Raiders and add a defensive backfield weapon with Branch. Green Bay’s secondary needs more youthful and talented pieces at safety. In this trade, Green Bay gets this selection, a 2023 third-round pick, plus the Raiders’ first-, second-, and fourth-round picks in 2024 if Rodgers plays that season.

Yes, the Falcons used a third-round pick on Desmond Ridder in 2022. But are they ready to hitch their wagon to him long-term? In this scenario they jump at the opportunity to pick Stroud.

The Seahawks are going to adore the draft profile of Wilson, a long, athletic, highly productive rusher.

Kancey can learn so much from Javon Hargrave early in his Eagles career, another undersized but explosive up-the-field defensive tackle.

I have an inkling Jones is going to fly up boards during the pre-draft process because of his size and how clean his film is.

Addison can either learn lots from the similarly sized Brandin Cooks in Year 1, or act as his instant replacement. With Young and Addison, this is a quality first-round haul for Houston.

The closer we get to the start of the offseason, the more and more it feels like Lamar Jackson has already played his last game in Baltimore. The Jets pounce. Meanwhile, Baltimore adds a very Ravens-like power blocker at right tackle in Wright. In the move, Baltimore gets two first-round picks — this one — and New York’s in 2024, plus a 2024 third-round pick, and 2025 second-round selection.

Yes, Bill Belichick dipping back into Round 1 wide receiver waters with the imposing, long-striding Johnston, who’ll instantly be a threatening deep threat in the NFL.

The Packers add to the pass-catching contingent with the big, super-fast Musgrave to threaten the seam.

Smith is an ultra-aggressive, ball-hawking outside cornerback who’ll be a welcomed addition to the Commanders secondary.

Another Joey Porter in Pittsburgh. This one is a lanky, twitched-up perimeter corner who plays the ball well in the air.

The Lions get an instant T.J. Hockenson replacement in Mayer, who joins a fun offense in Detroit.

Duncan is one of the more-gifted athletes at the offensive tackle spot in this class. The Buccaneers need to upgrade one of their tackle positions.

The Seahawks are in need of better interior offensive line play, and Schmitz is a squeaky clean center prospect with loads of experience. He’s ready to go from Day 1.

New offensive coordinator Kellen Moore will allow Justin Herbert to push the ball downfield more frequently than the QB did with Joe Lombardi. So it’s time to get Herbert a serious vertical weapon. That’s precisely what Hyatt is.

The Ravens add youth to their secondary with Gonzalez, whose film was super clean in 2022.

The Vikings dip into the receiver well to complement Justin Jefferson. Awesome value here for the Vikings given Smith-Njigba’s injury in 2022 pushes him down the board.

Jones isn’t a high-floor prospect. The ceiling is high though, and that’s precisely what GM Trent Baalke really likes.

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

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

Flowers is a receiver who can win at three levels who’d hit the ground running in Josh Allen’s offense with Stefon Diggs opposite him.

The Bengals go defensive back early in the draft again because Forbes is a big play waiting to happen at corner.

Van Ness is going to be a riser during the pre-draft process and is the exact type of edge rusher the Saints need up front.

Robinson running behind the league’s best offensive line? Sounds like a blast for Philadelphia. Not so much for Eagles opponents.

Skoronski is a gifted pass blocker at left tackle, and the Chiefs do need to add another piece to their offensive line.