The Serby Mock Draft 1.0 breaks with tradition, swinging three trades at the top of this quarterback-crazy 2023 draft, including a move from Jets general manager Joe Douglas to the top 10.
Mock 1 features picks 1-10 – plus Giants GM Joe Schoen with the 25th pick designing a downfield weapon for Daniel Jones.
1. Indianapolis Colts (by Bears)
CJ Stroud (QB, Ohio State)
Reminiscent of 1997 when Bill Parcells, then the Jets GM and with holes everywhere, passed OT Orlando Pace’s pick with the first overall pick and was traded down. Bears GM Ryan Poles is in a similar boat, answering Colts GM Chris Ballard’s call.
Jim Irsay has given up on the return of Andrew Luck or Jeff Saturday as quarterback, and the fanbase doesn’t care about another Carson Wentz or Matt Ryan. The Buckeyes’ first signal caller to be drafted into the top 10 since Art Schlicter in 1982 isn’t a gamble. He’s the most polished QB in the class and taller than Bryce Young, so Ballard skips the Texans to get his man.
Ohio State Quarterback CJ Stroud.USA TODAY Sports
2. Houston Texans
Bryce Young (QB, Alabama)
Fired head coach Lovie Smith will be forgiven for having the audacity to bet 2 to beat the Colts, giving up first overall pick in the process.
“We had Bryce at the helm of our board,” says GM Nick Caserio, of course. The kid is a sidekick and a winner, although some teams are put off by his overwhelming physical attributes (perhaps 6ft, 194lbs). The good news is they can load it up with breast enchiladas and tacos around town.
3. Arizona Cardinals
Will Anderson (OLB, Alabama)
JJ Watt has retired and Chandler Jones is working in Las Vegas these days so new GM Monti Ossenfort has a choice between this 6ft 4, 243lb pass rush demon and disruptive DT Jalen Carter, so his new head coach can work with him Unrestricted Free Agent DE Zach Allen once he is retained. Somebody’s gotta hunt down Brock Purdy, right?
4. Chicago Bears
Jalen Carter (DT, Georgia)
The Poles’ phone is still ringing because two seductive quarterbacks are still on the board. But Poles wisely stays in place, picking the best player in the draft — a 6-foot-3, 300-pound power player who could have started on the Bears defense in 1985. The 2022 Bears Defense? It was last in sacks (20) and ppg (27.2). A sobering day for NFC Central RB’s Dalvin Cook, Aaron Jones, AJ Dillon and D’Andre Swift.
Tennessee wide receiver Jalin Hyatt will join the Giants ranked 25AP
5. Carolina Panthers (from Seahawks)
Will Levis (QB, Kentucky)
Seattle GM Jon Schneider has never pecked this high, and in this taunt, he doesn’t like highs. He’s trading back to raise more funds for the rebuild that started last year with Russell Wilson’s trade. Carolina owner David Tepper isn’t the patient type, and he’s aware that the Lions, Raiders and Falcons could all have their eye on quarterbacks, so he does like Anthony Molina in “Draft Day” to beg GM Scott Fitterer to find his QB of the future. Sam Darnold can hold the line until the tool-strong 6-foot-3, 231-pound tower with the big arm is ready.
6. Detroit Lions
Devon Witherspoon (CB, Illinois)
Head coach Dan Campbell will see a path to a division title if Aaron Rodgers backs out, so GM Brad Holmes refuses to reach for QB Anthony Richardson and continues to ride or die with Jared Goff. Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn needs a cornerback more than another edge rusher since he has the luxury of unleashing Aidan Hutchinson, so we’re giving him a 6-foot-181-pounder that plays with the kind of knee-biting edge that will delight Campbell.
7. Las Vegas Robbers
Peter Skoronki (OT Northwest)
Owner Mark Davis spent most of the 2021 season icing in head coach Josh McDaniels’ hot seat. With Derek Carr gone, a McDaniels reunion with Tom Brady makes too much sense — especially Davante Adams, Josh Jacobs and Darren Waller. And Al Davis, the current owner’s legendary father, hired the oldest quarterback, 43-year-old George Blanda, to play in a championship game after the 1970 season. But 46-year-old statues demand protection, and 2021 first-round OT Alex Leatherwood was a bust. A bookend for LT Kolton Miller is a must.
8.Atlanta Falcons
Anthony Richardson (QB, Florida)
The positive side will prove irresistible to owner Arthur Blank, whose franchise passed to Justin Fields (and Mac Jones) two years ago and Kenny Pickett last year before third-round picking Desmond Ridder. Richardson (6-4, 231) is nearly as tall as Josh Allen, with a similarly suspect accuracy that goes into the draft. Head coach Arthur Smith needs a stallion to get the ball to TE Kyle Pitts and WR Drake London.
9. Seahawks (from Panthers)
Tyree Wilson (DE, Texas Tech)
“They” (not the ‘Hawks) wrote off Geno Smith. But he doesn’t write back. But you already knew that. What we don’t know is if he’ll get a lucrative extension as a free agent. If he stays head coach Pete Carroll’s type, then this is a 6-foot-6, 275-pound freak. Someone has to hunt down Brock Purdy, right? Uchenna Nwosu (9.5 sacks) can’t do it alone.
Ohio State Buckeyes running back Miyan Williams (3) celebrates his touchdown with offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr. (77) and tight end Gee Scott Jr. (88) against Iowa October.USA TODAY Sports
10. New York Jets (by Eagles)
Paris Johnson Jr. (OT, Ohio State)
Philly GM Howie Roseman is doing business with former teammate, Jets GM Joe Douglas – who is a go-getter and go-getter and feels an urgency to move up from 13th to overtake the Titans. Douglas handed OT Ikem Ekwonu to draft Sauce Gardner last season and wishes he could count on Mekhi Becton. Garrett Wilson can give him information about his athletic, 6ft 6, 310lb former teammate. Aaron Rodgers, Derek Carr or Jimmy Garoppolo would greet an Eiffel Tower in front of them.
25. New York Giants
Jalin Hyatt (WR, Tennessee)
A 6 foot, 185 pound deep threat at 4.3 speed for Daniel Jones. Hyatt would replace free agent Darius Slayton if he goes to the Ravens, for example. Modeled his game after Davante Adams. Head coach Brian Daboll can ask his old pal Nick Saban about Hyatt’s five TD catches that led to the Volunteers’ 52-49 win over Alabama. Would complement Isaiah Hodgins nicely.