First-round NFL mock draft: Which three QBs go in the top 5?

There’s a strong possibility Chicago trades down, but if they don’t, the choice is likely between Carter and Will Anderson. The team can’t go wrong either way. Carter has a chance to be an elite interior pass rusher at the next level and showed off in his final college season with three sacks and seven tackles for loss in 13 games.

Houston desperately needs to find their quarterback of the future. Young could be that prospect if the team isn’t too concerned about his lack of size and past injury issues. Young failed to repeat as a Heisman winner due in part to injury, but he remained terrific with over 3,300 yards passing and 32 touchdowns in 12 games. 

Replacing J.J. Watt is no small task, but Anderson has the upside to be a similar player. Anderson appears to be a generational prospect, with 27.5 sacks over the last two seasons.

The Colts haven’t been able to settle on a quarterback since Andrew Luck’s retirement, but they’re in a position to find their man. Stroud showed a bit of regression with his accuracy and benefitted from the elite talent around him last season. Still, he also threw for 85 touchdowns over the last two seasons with very good accuracy and ample mobility.

Seattle could opt to keep Geno Smith, but it remains to be seen if he’s good enough to win a Super Bowl. Levis has elite tools with a rocket arm and plus mobility, though he struggled with injuries and a suspect supporting cast in 2022.

The Lions found a keeper on the edge last year in Aidan Hutchinson, and Wilson could man the opposite end. He has great size as a 4-3 defensive end and recorded seven sacks in each of the last two seasons for the Red Raiders.

The Raiders could be in blow-up mode, and the offensive line should be one of the first areas they address. Skoronski has the potential to shore up the left side of the line for years to come. The team could also look at quarterback with Derek Carr likely gone, though it remains to be seen if Josh McDaniels and owner Mark Davis have the patience for a rebuild.

The Falcons saw some potential in Desmond Ridder, but Richardson’s upside could be too great to pass up. He’s an incredibly mobile quarterback with a strong arm, though Richardson will need time after completing only 54% of his passes last season.

The Panthers opted to keep Brian Burns at the trade deadline and could continue to build out their elite front seven with another pass rusher. Murphy recorded 18.5 sacks in three seasons for the Tigers.

The pending free agency of James Bradberry puts the Eagles in a position to address the position in a deep cornerback class. Witherspoon built first-round stock after a great season for the Illini, with 41 tackles and three picks, along with 14 passes defensed.

The offensive line has deteriorated in Tennessee recently, particularly at the tackle spots. Johnson could be an answer at either tackle spot next year.

Houston has the draft capital to not only improve the quarterback spot but build around their new signal caller. Smith-Njigba has played only three games due to injuries this season but had over 1,600 yards in 2021.

Tackle was an issue for the Jets this season, as Mekhi Becton was lost in training camp and veteran Duane Brown struggled. Jones is slightly undersized at 6-foot-4, but could still be a plug-and-play tackle.

Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith haven’t exactly given the Patriots what they paid for two years ago, and the return of Bill O’Brien likely means that tight end will be a big part of the offense again. Mayer had back-to-back seasons with more than 800 yards receiving and recorded nine touchdowns in 12 games during 2022.

Regardless of what happens with Aaron Rodgers, the Packers need to continue improving their receiver corps. Johnston could be another deep threat on top of Christian Watson, averaging 19.2 yards per reception during his career with his 6-foot-4 length.

Washington needs more depth in the secondary, and Gonzalez is a fine option. He recorded four interceptions and 50 tackles during the season for the Ducks.

Porter Jr. could go where his father played most of his career, as there is a clear need at corner for the Steelers. He’s a seasoned performer after three years at nearby Penn State.

The Lions need to improve all three levels of the defense and could use a No. 2 corner. Branch has been an excellent performer at Alabama, including 90 tackles and two picks this season.

The Bucs need to get younger in all areas, including the defensive line. Van Ness has led Iowa’s elite defensive over the last two seasons, with a combined 13 tackles and 19 tackles for loss.

Seattle could use more interior pass rush, and Bresee is very capable. Bresee has limited games over the last two seasons due to injury and personal tragedy, but he has big upside as an interior pass rusher.

The Chargers wideout depth was tested throughout the 2022 season due to injuries to Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. With Allen aging, it could be time to address the area. Addison’s numbers declined with the move from Pitt to USC last season, but he’s still put up huge numbers in college, with 30 touchdowns in three seasons.

With Marcus Peters and Marlon Humphrey aging, cornerback could be in play for the Ravens. Ringo has plenty of size at 6-foot-2 and has been a playmaker for Georgia over the last two seasons.

Minnesota’s defense was exposed in the passing game on multiple occasions this season, including the Wild Card Round. Smith has plenty of size and good ball skills, recording six picks over the last three seasons.

Even before the late-season injury to Cam Robinson, the offensive line was a weakness for the Jags. Torrence is a mammoth former transfer from Louisiana who would do well helping to protect Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne.

The Giants did their best with what they had at wideout this season, but it was a weakness by the end of the season. Flowers is a similar profile to some of the team’s current wideouts under six feet tall, but he has the speed to spread the fall and was extremely productive last season with over 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Dallas is always in the market for pass rushers, and the team’s pass rush slowed late in the season as Micah Parsons wore down. Ojulari could add an immediate boost, recording 16.5 sacks in three seasons at LSU.

The Bills lack of pass rusher was exposed after Von Miller was lost for the season. Young is slightly undersized but a capable edge rusher with 12.5 sacks over the last two seasons.

Hayden Hurst was productive in 2022, but a more explosive receiving tight end could help the Bengals offense even more. Kincaid had a breakout season at Utah, with 70 catches for 890 yards and eight scores.

The losses of Von Miller and Bradley Chubb have created a need for Denver. Foskey recorded 20.5 sacks over the last two seasons and has plenty of size at 6-foot-4.

The possible loss of free agent Miles Sanders could leave Philly’s run-heavy offense with a huge void. Robinson appears to be the top back available, with nearly 1,900 yards from scrimmage and 20 touchdowns during the 2022 season.

The possible losses of Frank Clark and Geno Atkins make defensive end a possible first-round target for the second straight season in KC. Hall was a highly productive pass rusher at Auburn, with 19.5 sacks over the last three seasons.