The NFL draft is an inexact science, which is a nice way of calling it an educated guessing game. Between mock drafts, smokescreens, TV analyst debates and social media reports, there is now so much draft information (and misinformation) out there that it can be excruciatingly difficult to decipher just how the event might actually play out.

So, who’s ready for one of the most interesting and unpredictable NFL drafts in recent memory? If anyone were to tell you that they have a pulse on how this year’s draft is going to unfold, they’d be lying. Let’s start with the logistics at the very top of the draft: Carolina has a new coaching staff, Houston has a relatively new GM and a rookie head coach, Arizona has a rookie general manager AND a rookie head coach, and Indianapolis has a first-year head coach. Seattle is in unfamiliar territory picking fifth, as the Seahawks haven’t picked this high since 2009. Then the next four teams (Lions, Raiders, Falcons and Bears) all have GM’s and head coaches in their second years of running a draft room.

But that’s just the beginning. Nobody (including the sportsbooks) seems to have a good read on a quarterback class filled with question marks, and let’s not even try to speculate when and where the first trades will occur. Fun fact: there hasn’t been a draft night trade in the top-nine picks in the past four years. However, I wouldn’t bet on that being the case tonight. Yes, the only thing crazier than considering all the possibilities is predicting how they will unfold.

As always, I am here to offer some insights and opinions on this year’s first round with the release of my 2023 final mock draft, which has become an annual staple of the Times News for the past 23 years and has been ranked as one of the most accurate mock drafts in the industry over the past 12 years according to www.thehuddlereport.com. So, without further ado, here is how I see things unfolding tonight (before the first trade blows it all up):

1. Carolina Panthers (from Chicago) –

Bryce Young (QB, Alabama)

When the Panthers gave up a king’s ransom to the Bears for the top overall draft pick, we knew they were trading up for their next franchise quarterback. In the weeks leading up to the draft, the Panthers organization fell in love with the Heisman Trophy winner, even though he’ll be the shortest first-round quarterback (5’10”) ever drafted in the Super Bowl era.

2. Houston Texans –

Will Anderson (DE, Alabama)

The Texans wanted Bryce Young all along, but they can only blame themselves for winning a meaningless Week 18 game last year that lost them the top pick in the draft. Quarterback makes the most sense, but I’m not sure they are in love with CJ Stroud. Don’t be surprised if they look to beef up their defense with a top pass rusher. Will Anderson and Tyree Wilson are the two considerations here, but I give the edge to Anderson due to his Alabama connection with new head DeMeco Ryans and the fact that Wilson is coming off foot surgery.

3. Arizona Cardinals –

Paris Johnson Jr. (OT, Ohio St.)

This pick will ultimately make or break mock drafts, as it will have a domino effect on the rest of the top 10. Arizona desperately wants to trade the pick to a quarterback-needy team looking to jump the Colts for a quarterback. However, since I don’t project trades in my mock draft, I think the three names on Arizona’s short list are Will Anderson, Tyree Wilson and Paris Johnson Jr. I think Wilson makes the most sense here based on need and scheme, but he has medical concerns with his surgically repaired foot that could facilitate caution. Johnson is the best tackle in this year’s draft who will help keep Kyler Murray upright.

4. Indianapolis Colts –

CJ Stroud (QB, Ohio St.)

This has to be a quarterback, right? Earlier in the draft process, it was thought that the Colts may have to trade up for one, but now I think they’ll have options sitting at No. 4. It’s been well publicized that the Colts love Will Levis, but if CJ Stroud were still on the board, I think Chris Ballard would have a big decision to make. I’m not sure how much I’m buying into all the Levis hype, but I think it will ultimately be Stroud or Levis to the Colts tonight.

5. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver) –

Jalen Carter (DT, Georgia)

Jalen Carter is a huge wildcard in this draft. Seattle wants nothing more than to beef up its defensive line, and I think they’re comfortable enough with Carter to take him here. Jalen Carter as a player is a stud; Jalen Carter as a person is a risk. The Seahawks aren’t afraid to take risks in the draft, and the reward could pay off handsomely.

6. Detroit Lions (from Los Angeles Rams) –

Devon Witherspoon (CB, Illinois)

The Lions traded away former No. 3 draft pick Jeff Okudah to the Falcons and revamped the cornerback position by signing Cam Sutton, C.J. Gardner Johnson and Emmanuel Mosely (the latter two on one-year deals). Detroit can still upgrade the secondary and Witherspoon is feisty and aggressive (in other words, a perfect Dan Campbell pick).

7. Las Vegas Raiders –

Christian Gonzalez (CB, Colorado)

A quarterback could be in play here, but I think the plan is to move forward with Jimmy Garopollo for the time being. They have to defend the passer instead of draft the passer. A cornerback like Devon Witherspoon or Christian Gonzalez would make a ton of sense since the Raiders have to play Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert and Russell Wilson twice a year. If Paris Johnson is still on the board at this point, he could also be a consideration at offensive tackle.

8. Atlanta Falcons –

Bijan Robinson (RB, Texas)

My head tells me the Falcons should look to address their defense with this pick (either edge rusher or cornerback), but my gut is telling me the Falcons aren’t afraid to make a splash play with the best non-premium position player on the board. Their last two first-round picks were spent on Kyle Pitts and Drake London, and Bijan would make Atlanta’s offense scary good. Now, if only they had a better quarterback than Desmond Ridder.

9. Chicago Bears (from Carolina) –

Peter Skoronski (OT/G, Northwestern)

This could be another Jalen Carter landing spot, but when the Bears traded back from No. 1 to No. 9, I think they did so with the intention of protecting Justin Fields who was under siege last year. The Bears offensive line needs some work and they should have a few good ones available here to choose from. Paris Johnson Jr. makes sense as Fields’ former teammate in college, but Skoronski is a homegrown product who played his entire football career in the Chicago area.

10. Philadelphia Eagles (from New Orleans) –

Nolan Smith (DE/LB, Georgia)

In typical Eagles fashion, I would look for Howie Roseman to beef up the trenches with this pick. Philadelphia needs to reload, especially on the defensive line. I think the Eagles like Jalen Carter and wouldn’t be afraid to take him as a replacement for Javon Hargrave, but I think this pick comes down to Nolan Smith or Lukas Van Ness. Last year, they went into the Georgia pipeline with Jordan Davis and Nakobe Dean, so spending another early round pick on a Bulldog wouldn’t be far-fetched.

11. Tennessee Titans –

Zay Flowers (WR, Boston College)

The Titans are clearly rebuilding with a new general manager, and new regimes usually mean new quarterbacks. I originally mocked Anthony Richardson here, but I’m starting to get a feeling Tennessee may pass on a signal caller unless they trade up for one. This would be two straight first round wide receivers for the Titans, but consider this: Zay Flowers took his last official visit to Tennessee, the Titans were super impressed with him, and there’s chatter out there that he was told to “Get used to Nashville” before he left.

12. Houston Texans (from Cleveland) –

Will Levis (QB, Kentucky)

Will Levis is one of the most polarizing prospects in this year’s draft. He can be taken as high as second overall or he could tumble deep into the first round. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder here. You have to put Levis somewhere though, and I think the Texans like him, so I’ll hedge by slotting him into one of their two first-round picks. I mean, Houston can’t really afford another year of Davis Mills, can they?

13. Green Bay Packers (from New York Jets) –

Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR, Ohio St.)

Aaron Rodgers was never given any first-round help in the form of pass catchers, but the Packers could look to change their tune with first-year starter Jordan Love now assuming the reigns. After losing Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb and Robert Tonyan, I have to believe this pick boils down to either Smith-Njigba or tight end Dalton Kincaid.

14. New England Patriots –

Tyree Wilson (DE, Texas Tech)

If you’re trying to accurately predict what Bill Belichick and the Patriots are going to do in the draft, you might be better off throwing darts at a dart board. Offensive line, defensive line, cornerback, Bijan Robinson – just pick one. Tyree Wilson is a top-5 pick, but I’m starting to hear red flags about his surgically repaired foot. I’m not sure if his stock is dropping or to what extent, but I find it hard to invest in an early pick with questionable medicals.

15. New York Jets (from Green Bay) –

Broderick Jones (OT, Georgia)

When you invest in a 39-year-old All Pro quarterback (Aaron Rodgers), you’re going to do everything in your power to make sure he is properly protected. The jury is still out on an injury-prone Mekhi Becton, so I would be very surprised if this pick wasn’t used on an offensive tackle. Broderick Jones and Darnell Wright make the most sense.

16. Washington Commanders –

Emmanuel Forbes (CB, Mississippi St.)

The Commanders really can’t cover anybody thanks in large part to William Jackson being a complete bust in free agency. Washington should have some options here with Forbes, Joey Porter Jr. and Brian Branch still on the board. Forbes (while small in stature) is one of the biggest ballhawks and playmakers in this year’s draft, and I think he’ll be selected a lot earlier than people expect.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers –

Darnell Wright (OT, Tennessee)

Everybody is connecting Joey Porter Jr. to the Steelers here (and for obvious reasons), and while cornerback could definitely be a logical selection, don’t sleep on the possibility of an offensive tackle. With talk of Pittsburgh possibly wanting to trade up, that screams to me that they are trying to get ahead of the Jets (and possibly the Patriots) for a tackle.

18. Detroit Lions –

Jahmyr Gibbs (RB, Alabama)

For weeks, I’ve had the Lions as an ideal landing spot for Bijan Robinson, and it would no doubt be a home run pick for them. However, I have a feeling he might go a little earlier in the first round than many expect. There is chatter about Detroit wanting to move on from D’Andre Swift. Two running backs in the top 20 might seem ludicrous, but with Detroit having two first round picks, I feel this can be used as a luxury selection for a team that is in “win now” mode.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers –

Myles Murphy (DE, Clemson)

In a dream scenario, I think Tampa Bay would hope one of the top offensive tackles would fall to them as it would address their biggest need. However, that not being the case, they have been bringing in numerous edge rushers in the pre-draft process, so where there’s smoke, there’s usually fire. You can’t dismiss a quarterback like Anthony Richardson here either if he were to fall.

20. Seattle Seahawks –

Anthony Richardson (QB, Florida)

I can see Seattle going one of three ways with this pick. They can take an edge rusher, they can take a wide receiver (and I think they really would consider Zay Flowers if he were here), or they can roll the dice with a quarterback who is a physical specimen with out-of-this-world athleticism. Sounds to me like a Pete Carroll kind of guy. Sure, he has flaws in his game, but he can sit for a year behind Geno Smith and grow into the position.

21. Los Angeles Chargers –

Dalton Kincaid (TE, Utah)

The Chargers are built to pass the football, but all of their weapons are starting to get long in the tooth. Depending on how the board falls, I can see Los Angeles zeroing in on wide receivers and tight ends here. Kincaid may be the top tight end in this year’s draft, but an argument could be made that he’s also the second-best “receiver” in the draft.

22. Baltimore Ravens –

Deonte Banks (CB, Maryland)

It’s looking like this selection will either boil down to the best wide receiver or cornerback available when the Ravens are on the clock. Zay Flowers is a popular name being connected to Baltimore, but having just signed Odell Beckham Jr., I’m going to lean more toward cornerback and the hometown talent in Deonte Banks from Maryland.

23. Minnesota Vikings –

Quentin Johnson (WR, TCU)

With Kirk Cousins entering the final year of his contract, this could definitely be a quarterback landing spot (Hendon Hooker?). However, Minnesota lost Adam Thielen in the offseason and the wide receiver cupboard is pretty bare. If Justin Jefferson goes down, K.J. Osborn assumes the role of No. 1 wideout, which is scary. The Vikings secondary was gashed in its playoff loss, so cornerback makes a lot of sense, too.

24. Jacksonville Jaguars –

Brian Branch (CB/S, Alabama)

After picking first overall in the past two drafts, Jacksonville has made major strides as a football team over the past year. However, there are still major issues in the secondary that need to be addressed. The Jaguars should have some quality options to choose from here in a deep cornerback class (Banks, Forbes, Branch, Ringo).

25. New York Giants –

Jordan Addison (WR, USC)

When you sign Daniel Jones to a $160-million contract, you better make sure you surround him with weapons. Darren Waller will surely help, but I think the Giants are still looking for wide receiver upgrades. While any of the top four in this draft would suffice, I hear they really like Jordan Addison. Depending on how the board fell, cornerback could also be a priority.

26. Dallas Cowboys –

Michael Mayer (TE, Notre Dame)

The Cowboys filled their need at receiver by trading for Brandin Cooks, but they still need to replace Dalton Schultz. With Mike McCarthy looking to run the ball more this season, Mayer is especially appealing since he not only provides a downfield weapon for Dak Prescott, but he’s also one of the best blocking tight ends in the draft.

27. Buffalo Bills –

O’Cyrus Torrence (G, Florida)

A luxury pick for the Bills might be a running back or wide receiver here, but when it all gets down to it, I believe Buffalo wants to get bigger, stronger and nastier in the trenches. Torrence would be a “massive” addition to the interior of the offensive line and would be a human bulldozer for James Cook, Damien Harris and Josh Allen.

28. Cincinnati Bengals –

Joey Porter Jr. (CB, Penn St.)

So many people are mocking one of the top tight ends to the Bengals, but I just don’t see that happening considering the wide receiver-centric offense that Cincinnati employs. Cornerback and edge rusher are two positions I believe to be on Cincy’s radar. For someone named “Joey Porter” to be wearing orange and black instead of black and gold would sure be something.

29. New Orleans Saints (from San Francisco) –

Calijah Kancey (DT, Pittsburgh)

New Orleans lost David Onyemata and Shy Tuttle in free agency, and completely turned over their interior defensive line. The Saints have been doing a ton of homework on Kancey (an undersized game-wrecker similar to Aaron Donald), and this pick would make so much sense if he’s still available. I expect this pick to be used on the defensive line.

30. Philadelphia Eagles –

Lukas Van Ness (DE, Iowa)

This pick warrants a disclaimer, as I’m kind of cheating the system. I originally had running back Jahmyr Gibbs slotted here, but I made a last-minute change to hedge my bet on what I think the Eagles will do with their earlier pick. Provided Philly doesn’t try to trade up for Jalen Carter, I really believe their pick at No. 10 will come down to either Nolan Smith or Lukas Van Ness. Van Ness will never drop this far, but slotting him here increases my odds of Philadelphia landing one of the two edge rushers. A few names under consideration for this pick include: Gibbs, Calijah Kancey (DT) and O’Cyrus Torrence (G).

31. Kansas City Chiefs –

Will McDonald (DE, Iowa State)

The Chiefs lost All-Pro offensive lineman Orlando Brown Jr. and edge rusher Frank Clark from last year’s Super Bowl championship team, so I would expect Kansas City to take a hard look at reinforcements for one of those two positions. With the offensive line well running dry at this point in the draft, the Chiefs may look for another pass rusher to create more pressure on all of the stud quarterbacks in the AFC.