2023 NFL mock draft: Only the past 32 first-overall picks

Welcome to the third edition of our NFL mock draft: Mocking The Mocks. In this take, teams can only select the last 32 first-overall picks.

We’re back, baby. It’s the third edition of Mocking The Mocks.

If you missed the first two, no worries. We’ve got you covered in the links here and here. So what is this nonsense? Instead of a boring, regular mock draft, I’m having fun.

In this series, every team has its original pick. For example, the Denver Broncos will draft No. 5 overall.

Thirty-two picks. Thirty-two clubs. No trades. No holds barred.

This week, we have the last 32 No. 1 overall picks available to be selected. Let’s say the first and last choices aren’t surprising.

Everything else? Chaos.

2023 NFL Mock Draft: Picking the last 32 No. 1 overall picks

With all due respect to Justin Fields, it’s time to trade Justin Fields in this case. Manning is arguably a top-five quarterback of all time.

Burrow is potentially closing in on a second consecutive Super Bowl appearance. The Texans would be lucky to have him.

A franchise left tackle to protect Kyler Murray? Absolutely. The Cardinals need to upgrade their front in the worst way.

The Colts landing Andrew Luck. Who could imagine? Hopefully, he plays into his 30s this time around.

Can you imagine how far Vick would throw the ball in thin air? Also, a reprieve from Russell Wilson with Vick on a rookie deal? Yes, please.

Fancy seeing Stafford here, but it’s the right spot. The Rams get their man, but about a dozen years younger.

Lawrence doesn’t exactly fit the Raiders’ swashbuckling mentality, but he would be a Godsend in a division loaded with young quarterback talent.

Manning would immediately make the Falcons a playoff team, especially in the worst division the league has to offer.

Newton goes back to where it all began, and where he claimed the 2015 NFL MVP. The perfect situation on a grown team.

Another quarterback? You bet. The Saints are in cap hell and they escape with a Heisman Trophy winner at No. 10 overall.

Bledsoe was one of the more underrated players of his era. The man threw for more than 44,000 yards and 251 touchdowns. Not a bad career.

Again, another fit with his real-life team. Garrett is on a Hall of Fame track, and the Browns could certainly use a pass-rusher.

Smith is perfect for the Jets. He stabilizes the situation and instantly makes New York a quality team in the AFC East.

Nobody needs a weapon more than the Patriots, and Johnson would certainly provide that.

Williams was a force with the Bills and Texans, racking up 97.5 career sacks as a four-time Pro Bowler. He’d be a nice fit opposite Rashan Gary.

Goff isn’t spectacular, but he’s a good player who could really upgrade Washington’s offense. The big key here is getting him a smart offensive mind to run the show.

Pittsburgh has needed to upgrade the offensive line for years. Why not give Kenny Pickett a stud to protect him in the AFC North?

Clowney never lived up to the hype of being a No. 1 overall pick, but he was a good player. He’d be a nice piece for Detroit in the front seven.

Tampa Bay is about to need a quarterback, and Murray makes plenty of sense. Some might be surprised to see him this far down the list, but do we know if he’s going to be a success yet?

So much unknown about Walker, but the upside is there. If you’re the Seahawks, you’re taking this chance.

Miami needs answers along the line, and Fisher provides one either at left or right tackle. He had a nice career with the Chiefs, earning two Pro Bowl trips.

Wilkenson was a solid player who stayed in the NFL for more than a decade. He’d be an upgrade on the interior for Los Angeles.

Bradford was just a guy, but he could be a bridge if the Ravens decide to move on from Lamar Jackson this offseason.

Winston and Kirk Cousins. Can you imagine two quarterbacks who play more different styles? Just a fascinating battle.

Maryland wasn’t great, but he did a nice job for that dynastic Cowboys team of the 1990s. Certainly a respectable body on the interior.

Mayfield in New York might be a disaster, but the Giants go from Daniel Jones to Mayfield, lose nothing in talent, and save money.

Hey, we’re to the rough part of this draft. Everybody needs a backup — or a third-string –quarterback, right?

Buffalo could roll with a backup quarterback to replace Case Keenum, or someone who can rotate on the line and play special teams. We went with the latter.

Carr or Brandon Allen? Let’s live a little and put Carr in Cincinnati.

If there is any team, and any coaching staff, that could get the best out of Brown, this is it.

Carter is a football tragedy. So much talent only to be cut down by a horrid knee injury in the preseason as a rookie. If he stayed healthy, he’d be incredible in Kansas City.

Well, Philadelphia, things happen.