The NFL season is already over for 28 of the 32 teams, with the Cincinnati Bengals, Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, and Philadelphia Eagles as the ones still in contention.
So, the other 28 teams have one focus and one focus only right now, and that’s the upcoming NFL Draft.
With that in mind, NFL insider Mel Kiper has released his first Mock Draft of the season, with the Chicago Bears holding on to that first-overall pick instead of trading it and using it to improve their defense.
Moreover, that means that the Houston Texans would finally land their franchise quarterback, as Ohio State standout C.J. Stroud would fall right into their laps.
Moreover, four other teams, including the Indianapolis Colts, Seattle Seahawks, and Carolina Panthers would also land their gunslingers of the future in Bryce Young (Alabama), Will Levis (Kentucky), and Anthony Richardson (Florida), respectively.
Here, we share the top 10 picks from Kiper’s mock:
1. Jalen Carter (DT) – Chicago Bears
2. CJ Stroud (QB) – Houston Texans
3. Will Anderson Jr. (CB) – Arizona Cardinals
4. Bryce Young (QB) – Indianapolis Colts
5. Will Levis (QB) – Seattle Seahawks
6. Tyree Wilson (DT) – Detroit Lions
7. Peter Skoronski (OT) – Las Vegas Raiders
8. Myles Murphy (DE) – Atlanta Falcons
9. Anthony Richardson (QB) – Carolina Panthers
10. Calijah Chancey (DT) – Philadelphia Eagles
Of course, that’s assuming the Bears indeed decide to keep the pick.
🚨 @MelKiperESPN's mock draft 1.0 🚨
Here's how the top 10 shake out: pic.twitter.com/UuWwOHsNuL
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) January 25, 2023
They could take a chance and draft Stroud despite Justin Fields‘ impressive sophomore season or trade back to address multiple positions, which would perhaps be the safest and smartest choice, all things considered.
