2023 NFL Draft: What college football players should be first-rounders?

Kansas City, Missouri - Will your favorite college football player be selected in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft?

Will your favorite college football player be selected in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft?
Will your favorite college football player be selected in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft?  © David Becker / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

Just days before NFL commissioner Roger Goodell takes the stage in Kansas City to announce the start of the 2023 NFL Draft, there are still many uncertainties regarding what players will be selected and when.

During the offseason, the Carolina Panthers traded with the Chicago Bears to claim the No. 1 overall pick.

However, they have yet to publicly affirm who they will select to open this year's draft.

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The Houston Texans, who lost out on the top selection, add to the mystery with the second overall pick. The Texans' selection may send bigger shockwaves than Carolina's.

The Arizona Cardinals, who own the third overall pick, could still trade down with a team in need of a quarterback or they may select the best defensive player available.

No matter happens on Thursday night, there are a handful of players who deserve to be selected as first round picks.

From 2021 Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young to Ohio State's charmed Paris Johnson, here's a list of elite players who should hear their names called in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Top College football players with first-round draft potential

  • Bryce Young, Quarterback - Alabama
  • CJ Stroud, Quarterback - Ohio State
  • Will Levis, Quarterback - Kentucky
  • Anthony Richardson, Quarterback - Florida
  • Will Anderson Jr., Linebacker - Alabama
  • Jalen Carter, Defensive Lineman - Georgia
  • Devon Witherspoon, Cornerback - Illinois
  • Christian Gonzalez, Cornerback - Oregon
  • Joey Porter Jr., Cornerback - Penn State
  • Tyree Wilson, Edge Rusher - Texas Tech
  • Lukas Van Ness, Edge Rusher - Iowa
  • Bijan Robinson, running back - Texas
  • Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Wide Receiver - Ohio State
  • Quentin Johnston, Wide Receiver - TCU
  • Darnell Wright, Tackle - Tennessee
  • Michael Mayer, Tight End - Notre Dame
  • Nolan Smith, Edge - Georgia


The 2023 NFL Draft will kick off on Thursday at 8 PM ET and will air on NFL Network, ESPN, and ABC.

Cover photo: David Becker / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

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