Latest mock draft has surprising prediction for the top three selections

In a trade with Chicago, Indianapolis receives the first overall pick and selects 2021 Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young from Alabama. 

Sikkema notes Colts owner Jim Irsay's praise of the QB earlier this month as a reason for the selection. Young threw for 3,328 yards, 32 touchdowns, and five interceptions last season. 

The likelihood of such a scenario unfolding at the top of the draft is high. 

Adam Schefter of ESPN reported Monday that Chicago is "leaning toward" trading down. Indianapolis aims to draft a QB to develop under new HC Shane Steichen, and Young would be an excellent choice. 

With the second pick in his mock draft, Sikkema projects Houston taking Ohio State's C.J. Stroud, the fifth-ranked prospect on PFF's big board. 

Stroud, the most accurate quarterback in this year's class, threw for 3.688 yards, 41 touchdowns and six interceptions last season, completing 66.3% of his passes. 

Sikkema writes that Stroud's 348-yard, four-touchdown performance against Georgia in the College Football Playoff makes him a worthy selection.

To pair with Stroud (or any QB), the Texans could use their 12th overall pick on a wide receiver. However, it's possible that Houston doesn't take a QB second overall and opts to draft the best player available, as it has many holes to fill. 

Sikkema then has Carolina selecting the polarizing Anthony Richardson out of Florida third overall following a trade with Arizona. The Cardinals move back to the ninth pick and receive additional draft compensation.

Richardson's stock is surging as more teams are buying the hype of his seemingly limitless potential, despite his 53.8% completion percentage last season. Perhaps the most intriguing player in the draft, he could take the NFL by storm or be why his future team's front office gets fired. 

The 6-foot-4, 232-pound athletic specimen has a rocket arm and can make dynamic plays with his legs. Richardson threw for 2,549 yards, 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions last season, adding 654 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on the ground. 

"High-end play wins Super Bowls, and no one has a higher end in this class than Richardson," PFF's lead draft analyst Mike Renner wrote of the prospect in his 2023 draft guide. "Now, what are the chances he reaches that or even comes close?" 

Carolina's new coaching staff can maximize Richardson's potential, Sikkema believes, but he recommends the team sign a veteran signal-caller as Richardson develops.

Richardson will throw at the NFL Scouting Combine this week and participate in other drills, per NFL insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero. Stroud plans to throw, while Young will not. Instead, Young will throw at his pro day. It'll be fascinating to see how much the draft rankings change by the end of the week.