ESPN's Todd McShay 2023 Post Combine Mock

[Lucky]

1. Colts - Bryce Young
2. Texans - CJ Stroud

Houston still has a lot of homework to do on the quarterbacks, and we aren't sure how its internal board sets up, but the projected Colts-Bears trade might not ruin its first night of the draft. Stroud could be the Texans' answer after they turned in the league's worst QBR last season (26.0). He threw 41 touchdown passes in 2022 and ended his college career with perhaps his best game. Stroud has terrific touch and can make all of the NFL-level throws, and we saw it again on Saturday when he put together an outstanding throwing session at the combine.

Can GM Nick Caserio and first-year head coach DeMeco Ryans get Stroud some help, though? The Texans pick again at No. 12 and then have a trio of Day 2 selections.

3. Cardnails - Will Anderson
4. Raiders - Anthony Richardson
5. Seahawks - Tyree Wilson
6. Lions - Christian Gonzalez
7. Bears - Peter Skoronski
8. Falcons - Nolan Smith
9. Panthers - Will Levis
10. Eagles - Bijan Robinson
11. Titans - Paris Johnson
12. Texans - Jalen Carter

I'll start by stressing that Carter's draft range is an unknown right now. He was arrested last week on charges of reckless driving and racing in connection with a crash that killed a Bulldogs teammate and a recruiting staff member, and teams are doing their due diligence as they sort through the situation. No one I've spoken to around the league knows how it will impact his stock or what comes next. It's likely Carter will fall a bit, but we don't know how far -- so take this projection with that context.

As for the fit, drafting a wide receiver would obviously be tempting, but Houston is only on offense for half the game and has some issues on defense, too. It gave up 5.1 yards per rush last season (29th) and was middle-of-the-pack in most pass-rush statistics. A top-three prospect in the class on talent alone, Carter plays with power and burst, and he has the traits to emerge as a disruptor on this defensive line.

2023 NFL mock draft: Todd McShay's first-round pick predictions (espn.com)

 

[santo]

Jalen Carter at 12:

 

[xtruroyaltyx]

Wouldn't complain about that at all.

 

[dannyre]

Sounds good to me....

 

[Decim8]

I’d be stoked with that haul

 

[OptimisticTexan]

I’d be tempted to draft DT- Mazi (Michigan) before rolling the dice on Carter.

 

[thunderkyss]

I’d be tempted to draft DT- Mazi (Michigan) before rolling the dice on Carter.

Rolling the dice on a top two Athlete in the draft? That's silly.

 

[OptimisticTexan]

Rolling the dice on a top two Athlete in the draft? That's silly.

What’s coming to light in regards to Carter…..he’s obviously immature and doesn’t take his highly paid future NFL prospects very seriously.

 

[beerlover]

Rolling the dice on a top two Athlete in the draft? That's silly.

Not Texan worthy