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Scott Bair’s First Mock Draft Has Us Taking..


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NFL Mock Draft: Jalen Carter, Bryce Young taken atop the first round, Falcons find help at edge rusher

Clemson alum Myles Murphy won't have to travel far to join Falcons in Atlanta

Jan 18, 2023 at 10:02 AM
 

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Scott Bair

Falcons Digital Managing Editor

 
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Let's make one thing crystal clear before we move forward: This is way too early for an NFL mock draft. I mean, the full draft order isn't even set.

Yet here we are, with tons and tons of them available via a few search terms and a quick click. We figured we might as well join the masses and offer one up to those dying to know exactly how the first 23 picks will play out. I've got that on lock. Well, sort of. But not really.

A few notes before we begin: 1. The Dolphins forfeited a pick, so there are only 31 in the first round. 2. We don't make picks for teams without a draft slot. That's just silly. What Jacksonville could get at 24 or 31 would be wildly different. 3. There won't be trades at this point. That's why Bryce Young isn't the first pick. And, 4. This is meant to be fun. Let's not take ourselves too seriously at this stage of the offseason. Deal? Deal.

Let's get to the bold predictions:

 
CHI
1
 

Bears.png Bears

Jalen Carter
DT | Georgia

Biggest needs (via NFL.com): Edge, DL, OL

Analysis: Sure seems like the Bears will eventually trade out of the top spot, considering the QB-starved teams out there and Chicago's seeming comfort with Justin Fields calling signals. They can also probably get Carter a bit later. But, again, no trades. So the Bears get the guy (I think) they really, really want.

 
HOU
2
 

af_22_nfl_club-logo_0000s_0019_texansTexans

Bryce Young
QB | Alabama

Biggest needs (via NFL.com): QB, OL, DL

Analysis: You'll see folks overthink things and make Will Levis the first player off the board. Don't do that, no matter what Bryce Young's height/weight comes in at during the combine.

 

ARI
3
 
af_22_nfl_club-logo_0000s_0030_cardinalsCardinals 
Will Anderson
EDGE | Alabama

Biggest Needs (via NFL.com): Edge, CB, OL

Analysis: Cardinals may well have gotten the best player regardless of position at the third spot. Good haul.

 
IND
4
 
Colts.pngColts
C.J. Stroud
QB | Ohio State

Biggest needs (via NFL.com): QB, OL, WR

Analysis: Colts stop the cycle of veteran quarterbacks with this pick. P.S. C.J.'s performance in that semifinal game vs. Georgia made him some cold hard cash.

 
SEA
5
 
Seahawks.png Seahawks 
Tyree Wilson
EDGE | Texas Tech

Via Denver

Biggest needs (via NFL.com): Edge, DL, QB

Analysis: No offense to Bruce Irvin, but the Seahawks brought him back for a third stint with the team because they were desperate for help off the edge. They try to remedy the issue by getting a pass-rusher with freak traits. Something tells me he's going to wow at the Senior Bowl and again at the combine.

 

DET
6
 
af_22_nfl_club-logo_0000s_0021_lionsLions
Christian Gonzalez
CB | Oregon

via L.A. Rams

Biggest needs (via NFL.com): DB, DL, LB

Analysis: Lions keep stacking on defense, where they need some help if they're going to turn into a playoff team after coming so close in 2022.

 
LV
7
 
Raiders.pngRaiders 
Peter Skoronski
OL | Northwestern
 

Biggest needs (via NFL.com): QB, OL, Edge

Analysis: The Raiders need tons of help up front. The Silver and Black snag the best offensive lineman on the board, someone versatile enough to help where the Raiders need it most.

 
ATL
8
 
af_22_nfl_club-logo_0000s_0029_falconsFalcons
Myles Murphy
DL/EDGE | Clemson

Biggest needs (via NFL.com): QB, Edge, WR

Analysis: The Falcons address the biggest area of concern. No, it isn't quarterback. It's the pass rush. Murphy, a Marrieta native, is a massive human with massive potential, someone who can play in whatever front the new DC implements.

 

 

 
CAR
9
 
af_22_nfl_club-logo_0000s_0026_panthersPanthers
Will Levis
QB | Kentucky

Biggest needs (via NFL.com): QB, CB, TE

Analysis: The Panthers need a new quarterback after using three different passers in 2022. They need stability and get it with the third QB taken in the top 10.

 
PHI
10
 
Eagles.png Eagles
Bryan Bresee
DL | Clemson

via Saints

Biggest needs (via NFL.com): Edge, DB, DL

Analysis: Eagles add more firepower to their defensive front, as if they weren't hard enough to handle already.


 

 

 

 

Edited by TheRisen999
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  • TheRisen999 changed the title to Scott Bair’s First Mock Draft Has Us Taking..
4 minutes ago, PokerSteve said:

I have no problem with Myles Murphy as our first pick. He would really fit in well with the all the guys we've gotten in the past couple of drafts. Let's not overthink this, as the man said. 😆

Right .. Murphy, A.K., Malone, Carter, and Ogundeji that’s a nice rotation. Well, even though I’m not sold on Ogundeji at this point.

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1 hour ago, dirtybirds233 said:

Murphy is my (realistic) #1 choice. Of course that can change over the coming months, but as of now I'd be over the moon with that pick. 

My #2 choice is that Stroud falls to our pick and someone gives us a ransom for it. 

My new favorite poster. My thoughts exactly.

Murphy realistic best option. CJ is the best QB option for the team.

Opinion subject to change after more information becomes available. 

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55 minutes ago, falconzfan4ever said:

I don't love this pick. If the board fell like this, I'd rather sell the pick to someone that wants Murphy, Levis, Johnston and get a guy like Joey Porter Jr. + picks.

This would be an amazing start to our draft if we could trade back and still get porter jr. I really hope he has the same nasty streak his dad had! 

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29 minutes ago, red falcon said:

What if they arent the best player and are a reach? Scheme fit?

I guess at this time, we don't know for sure what our scheme will be. But if we're talking about this draft, this year, we're talking about Murphy, Carter, Anderson, Wilson... all those guys would be close enough to be in the argument of best player at 8 in a position group of dire neglect. Wilson might be a tiiiny bit of a reach as it stands today. And I think each of those guys would be pretty scheme neutral.

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2 minutes ago, rugger8 said:

I guess at this time, we don't know for sure what our scheme will be. But if we're talking about this draft, this year, we're talking about Murphy, Carter, Anderson, Wilson... all those guys would be close enough to be in the argument of best player at 8 in a position group of dire neglect. Wilson might be a tiiiny bit of a reach as it stands today. And I think each of those guys would be pretty scheme neutral.

Im the same on wilson. Only time will tell.

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3 minutes ago, rugger8 said:

I guess at this time, we don't know for sure what our scheme will be. But if we're talking about this draft, this year, we're talking about Murphy, Carter, Anderson, Wilson... all those guys would be close enough to be in the argument of best player at 8 in a position group of dire neglect. Wilson might be a tiiiny bit of a reach as it stands today. And I think each of those guys would be pretty scheme neutral.

 

I don't think Anderson will be available, but I wouldn't mind it if he was and the Falcons ended up with Fangio as DC.

 

Fangio would make him a star.

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