The Las Vegas Raiders hold the No. 7 overall pick in 2023, but here, they trade down in the first, while finding a trade partner late on Day 1 as well.
The 2023 NFL Draft is only a few weeks away, so teams like the Las Vegas Raiders are in the final stages of their draft process. Of course, a lot will change from now until Day 1 kicks off later this month, as draft orders can change, as well as positional needs.
However, with the first two waves of free agency in the books, team rosters already look a lot different than they did at the end of the 2022 NFL regular season. For the Raiders, 2023 will bring a ton of change, and after a strong showing in free agency, Day 1 of the 2023 NFL Draft cannot come fast enough.
Here, we go through a first-round mock draft using NFL Mock Draft Database's simulator, and the Raiders are more than active on Day 1.
2023 NFL Draft: Raiders pass on QB, move down, pick twice in full first-round mock
1. Carolina Panthers: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
The Carolina Panthers hold the No. 1 overall pick after a trade with the Chicago Bears, and with it, they add a franchise quarterback in Bryce Young from Alabama. CJ Stroud and Young are considered the QB1A and 1B in this year's class, and in the end, the Panthers go with Young.
2. Houston Texans: CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State
With pick No. 2 overall, the Houston Texans are able to find a long-term solution at the quarterback position, adding CJ Stroud from Ohio State. Stroud is considered the best quarterback in this draft class by many publications, and in Houston, they give the Texans their best solution at the position since Deshaun Watson.
2023 NFL Draft: Raiders pass on QB, move down, pick twice in full first-round mock
3. Arizona Cardinals: Will Anderson Jr., Edge, Alabama
The Arizona Cardinals brought in a defensive-minded head coach in Jonathan Gannon, so it would make sense for them to spend the No. 3 overall pick on that side of the ball. When it comes to the 2023 NFL Draft class, Anderson is the best overall defensive player, and Gannon could certainly find a way to exploit his strengths within the Cardinals defense in 2023.
4. Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
The Indianapolis Colts pick in the No. 4 spot this year, and with it, they select a quarterback who is rocketing up draft boards right now. Anthony Richardson is a player who has dominated the draft process, making himself a bonafide top-5 prospect, and he allows the Colts to hit the reset button at the quarterback position this offseason.
5. Seattle Seahawks: Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
One of the teams in great position during the 2023 NFL Draft is the Seattle Seahawks, who hold two first round picks on Day 1. Jalen Carter may be having a tough draft process, but there is no denying his talent, and Pete Carroll and his staff have never been afraid to shy away from a draft prospect with question marks.
6. Detroit Lions: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
The Detroit Lions pulled the trigger on a monster deal a few years back, sending Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams. Due to that trade, they hold the No. 6 overall pick this April, a pick they use on Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who could end up being a 1,000-yard receiver in Year 1 within the Lions offense.
2023 NFL Draft: Raiders pass on QB, move down, pick twice in full first-round mock
7. Tennessee Titans: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
In this mock draft, the Las Vegas Raiders decide to bypass on a first-round quarterback, trading down with the Tennessee Titans. With the pick, the Titans select Kentucky signal-caller Will Levis, who is having a rough draft process, but has enough talent to be a legitimate Day 1 pick this April.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Tyree Wilson, Edge, Texas Tech
The Atlanta Falcons hold the No. 8 overall pick in this year's first round, and with the selection, they pick Tyree Wilson from Texas Tech. Wilson would likely be the No. 1 edge rusher in most draft cycles, but here, he lands in the top-10 to a team in desperate need for help coming off the edge.
9. Chicago Bears: Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State
The Chicago Bears decided that Justin Fields will be their franchise quarterback moving forward, this after trading away the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. At pick No. 9, the one they got from Carolina, they decide to give Fields some elite protection, teaming back with a former Ohio State teammate in Paris Johnson Jr.
10. Philadelphia Eagles: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
The Philadelphia Eagles are not only the reigning NFC champions, but they also hold two first round picks in the 2023 NFL Draft. With a top-10 pick, they add Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez despite the fact they were able to come to terms on new deals with James Bradberry and Darius Slay this offseason.
2023 NFL Draft: Raiders pass on QB, move down, pick twice in full first-round mock
11. Las Vegas Raiders: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
In our latest mock draft, the Las Vegas Raiders will not pick until the No. 11 selection on Day 1, as they traded back with the Tennessee Titans. The Titans are rumored to be out on Malik Willis as their long-term starter, and with the Raiders possibly waiting on bringing in their franchise guy this offseason, they bolster a position of need here.
When it comes to the cornerback position, there is basically a tie atop the group in Christian Gonzalez from Oregon and Devon Witherspoon from Illinois. Gonzalez goes at No. 10 overall to the Philadelphia, so here, Las Vegas adds Witherspoon, a punishing defensive back that would slide into the CB1 role on this Raiders defense.
Witherspoon may not have the elite speed that Gonzalez does, but he is a menacing presence on the outside, as well as elite cover skills. He can be a plus-defender in both man and zone coverages, and playing in the AFC West, Las Vegas needs as much help as they can get in the secondary this season, and moving forward.
2023 NFL Draft: Raiders pass on QB, move down, pick twice in full first-round mock
12. Houston Texans: Lukas Van Ness, Edge, Iowa
The Houston Texans hold two of the first 12 picks in the 2023 NFL Draft, this after the Deshaun Watson trade with the Cleveland Browns last year. After adding their franchise quarterback at No. 2 overall, they bolster the pass rush here at No. 12, bringing in a versatile defender in Lukas Van Ness from Iowa.
13. New York Jets: Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern
It appears that the New York Jets are zeroing in on finishing up the trade for Aaron Rodgers, so they do not need a quarterback in this mock draft. Instead, they bolster the offensive line in front of him, adding Peter Skoronski, a punishing offensive tackle from Northwestern.
14. New England Patriots: Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
It was a down year for the New England Patriots this past season, but a franchise like them are not going to stay down for long. The Patriots have their issues on both sides of the ball, but after losing some elite talent from their defense this offseason, they add a ballhawking cornerback in Joey Porter Jr. from Penn State.
15. Green Bay Packers: Myles Murphy, Edge, Clemson
The time for Jordan Love to lead this Green Bay Packers franchise has arrived, and with that, it ushers in a new era of football for the Cheeseheads. Despite the fact Love needs some help around him, Myles Murphy is too good of an edge rusher to pass up here in the middle of the first round, and as we know, every rookie quarterback needs a great defense.
16. Washington Commanders: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
The Washington Commanders are turning to Sam Howell to be their starting quarterback in 2023, but they also have brought in a capable backup in Jacoby Brissett. The Commanders do need help along the offensive line no matter who the signal-caller is this season, and Broderick Jones should be one of the top-3 offensive tackles off the board this April.
2023 NFL Draft: Raiders pass on QB, move down, pick twice in full first-round mock
17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Calijah Kancey, DT, Pittsburgh
The Pittsburgh Steelers hold the No. 17 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, and with the selection, they add a local product in Calijah Kancey from Pitt. Kancey did a tremendous job during the draft process bolstering his draft status, and he finds a comfortable home landing with the Steelers.
18. Detroit Lions: Nolan Smith, Edge, Georgia
The Detroit Lions are in a great spot to set their franchise up for success in the long haul, as they hold two of the first 18 picks this April. After going offense at No. 6 overall, they add an elite defender here at No. 18, bringing in Georgia edge rusher Nolan Smith.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers appear to be rolling with Baker Mayfield as their starting quarterback in 2023, so they better get him some help along the offensive line. With pick No. 19, Tampa Bay adds Tennessee mauler Darnell Wright, giving Mayfield the kind of protection he is going to need to succeed with the Bucs.
20. Seattle Seahawks: Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
The Seattle Seahawks are another strong NFC team that owns two first-round picks this April, and they can bring in two elite talents with the selections. After getting the best defensive tackle in the class in Jalen Carter at No. 5, they get one of the top-2 wideouts in the class in Quentin Johnston here at No. 20, giving Geno Smith another tremendous weapon.
21. Los Angeles Chargers: Jordan Addison, WR, USC
The Miami Dolphins were supposed to hold the No. 21 overall pick this April, but after having to forfeit it, this selection belongs to the Los Angeles Chargers. With the pick, Jordan Addison is the selection, giving them another elite option on the outside for their generational quarterback, Justin Herbert.
2023 NFL Draft: Raiders pass on QB, move down, pick twice in full first-round mock
22. Baltimore Ravens: Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
The Baltimore Ravens incredibly have still not made a long-term commitment to Lamar Jackson, and recent reports stated they tried to bring in Baker Mayfield this offseason. Jackson should be under center in Week 1 of the 2023 NFL season for the Ravens, and adding Zay Flowers to the mix is an excellent choice at No. 22.
23. Minnesota Vikings: Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland
The Minnesota Vikings have their issues on both sides of the ball, but it was clear during their playoff run that they need help on defense. Deonte Banks is one of the better cornerbacks in this draft class, and fills an immediate need for this Vikings secondary.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
The Jacksonville Jaguars did bring back Evan Ingram in free agency, but that does not mean they should pass on Notre Dame star tight end Michael Mayer. Mayer is the No. 1 player at his position group in this draft class, and gives Trevor Lawrence another long-term offensive weapons.
25. New York Giants: O'Cyrus Torrence, IOL, Florida
The New York Giants have decided to bring Daniel Jones back on a long-term deal, and for him to succeed, they need to stack some talent in front of him. O'Cyrus Torrence from Florida should be the first interior offensive lineman off the board this April, and he would be an instant starter for the G-Men.
2023 NFL Draft: Raiders pass on QB, move down, pick twice in full first-round mock
26. Dallas Cowboys: Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
The Dallas Cowboys hold the No. 26 overall pick this April, and with the selection, they should look to add a talented tight end to the mix. Dalton Kincaid is considered the TE2 in this draft class, but he is a bonafide first-round talent, and fills a big need in Dallas.
27. Buffalo Bills: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
The Buffalo Bills have one of the better young quarterbacks in the NFL, and an elite wide receiver, but they still have yet to find the formula to get to the Super Bowl. With pick No. 27, they bring in a running back that could help them in Bijan Robinson, widely considered the only legit Day 1 running back prospect in this draft class.
28. Cincinnati Bengals: Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
The Cincinnati Bengals are a team that is going to be very good as long as Joe Burrow is their quarterback, and here, they get him a talented weapon at tight end. Darnell Washington has the size, speed, and hands to be a real menace at the next level, and Burrow needs a weapon like that at tight end after losing Hayden Hurst.
29. New Orleans Saints: Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson
The New Orleans Saints added former Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr this offseason, and based on the talent on offense, they could be very explosive in a wide-open NFC South. However, the defense still has issues, and with the No. 29 pick, they add Bryan Bresee, a talented defensive tackle from Clemson.
2023 NFL Draft: Raiders pass on QB, move down, pick twice in full first-round mock
No. 30 Las Vegas Raiders: Mazi Smith, DT, Michigan
The Las Vegas Raiders decide to dip their feet back in the Day 1 waters, trading No. 38 and 100 to the Phladelphia Eagles for pick No. 30 overall. With the pick, the Raiders add Michigan star defensive tackle Mazi Smith, a mauler of a prospect who fills one of the biggest voids on this Raiders roster.
By selection Smith and Devon Witherspoon, the Raiders fill two big needs on the defensive side of the ball, bolstering two levels of their defense. Las Vegas has the offensive talent to succeed in 2023, and with two first-round defenders, the defense gets a big shot in the arm.
No. 31 Kansas City Chiefs: Will McDonald IV, Edge, Iowa State
The Kansas City Chiefs will close out the first-round of the 2023 NFL Draft, and with the pick, they add a player to take the place of Chris Jones coming off the edge. The Chiefs won another Super Bowl with Patrick Mahomes under center this past season, and that could be a common theme throughout his career.