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2023 NFL Draft: Mel Kiper shakes things up in big way with updated Mock Draft

ns_headshot_2024-clearby:Nick Schultz•02/28/23•

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Ric Tapia | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

It’s NFL combine week, which means 2023 NFL Draft prospects can increase their draft stock. Ahead of the event, ESPN’s Mel Kiper released his second mock draft — and he shook things up in a big way.

Atop the board, Kiper projected some major changes. For starters, he has the Chicago Bears trading down from the No. 1 overall pick not once, but twice. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Chicago is “leaning toward” trading the top pick and sticking with Justin Fields at quarterback rather than take one of the top quarterback prospects on the board. That’s why Kiper has the Houston Texans taking Bryce Young atop the board and the Indianapolis Colts moving up to take C.J. Stroud at No. 2.

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After the mock trade, Kiper projects the Bears to take Jalen Carter with the No. 4 overall pick after Will Anderson goes to the Arizona Cardinals at No. 3 overall.

The NFL scouting combine is taking place this week in Indianapolis as draft prospects will work out for teams and conduct interviews as the draft picture starts to come into focus. But, as Kiper noted, free agency also gets underway in a few weeks. That means each team’s draft needs will become more apparent in the weeks to come.

This year’s NFL Draft is set for April 27-29 in Kansas City.

Here’s Kiper’s second mock draft:

2023 NFL Draft: Mel Kiper Mock Draft 2.0:

  1. Houston Texans (projected trade with Chicago Bears) — Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
  2. Indianapolis Colts (projected trade with Chicago) — C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
  3. Arizona Cardinals — Will Anderson, EDGE, Alabama
  4. Chicago Bears (projected trade with Indianapolis) — Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
  5. Carolina Panthers (projected trade with Seattle Seahawks/Denver Broncos) — Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
  6. Detroit Lions — Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
  7. Las Vegas Raiders — Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
  8. Atlanta Falcons — Will McDonald IV, DE, Iowa State
  9. Seattle Seahawks (projected trade with Carolina) — Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
  10. Philadelphia Eagles — Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern

Click here for Mel Kiper’s full Mock Draft 2.0.