5 key moves that could alter course of 2023 NFL Draft 

The 2023 NFL Draft is shaping up to be one of the most exciting events of the year, but there are still some moves to be made which will influence proceedings.

Trading away the first overall selection was always going to be a move pursued by the Chicago Bears. It came on Thursday when they allowed the Carolina Panthers to move up from ninth to first.

The expectation is that the Panthers will draft one of the best available quarterbacks, but there are still a lot of potential twists and turns along the way to the 2023 NFL Draft.

5 key moves that could alter the course of the 2023 NFL Draft

#5 - Chicago Bears trade back into top 5

It was clear that the Bears weren’t going to keep the No. 1 pick. They have their quarterback in Justin Fields. However, some have argued that they may have allowed themselves to fall too far down the order.

It must be remembered that this isn’t a classic Bears team right now. There are many roster holes that need to be addressed. The best way to do that is at the top end of the draft, especially when so many teams around that region need a QB.

Chicago’s front office is known to be enamored with some of the stronger talent in this class. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see them move back into the top 5.

They have gained valuable draft capital from Carolina, which they can use, especially if the Colts/Seahawks aren’t solidified in their place ahead of the draft.

#4 - Carolina moves back down from No. 1

This may seem like a counter-productive move, but the Carolina Panthers control the nature of the 2023 draft by holding the first pick.

They know they are going to draft a quarterback, but if they get wind that the Houston Texans want a different player from them, they can afford to let them move back up above them and secure the player of their choosing.

This would allow the Panthers to recoup some much-needed draft capital after their trade with the Bears. It entirely depends on who the Panthers believe is their guy in the draft, but they’re in a position of strength.

#3 - Aaron Rodgers greenlights trade to the New York Jets

According to Connor Hughes, all the details of a trade that would send Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets have been agreed on.

The only thing left is for Rodgers to agree to the move and waive his no-trade clause.

If this occurs, then the 2023 NFL Draft changes significantly. All of a sudden, the Green Bay Packers have a lot more draft selections than they thought, and there will be a desperate need to assist Jordan Love by drafting offensive weapons.

It also likely moves the Jets away from the 13th overall selection, which brings another team into play for a higher-tier talent.

#2 - Jameis Winston goes back to Tampa

Tom Brady’s retirement is for real this time. He isn’t returning. This decision has left the Buccaneers with Kyle Trask and Blaine Gabbert as their quarterback options.

In the NFL, the more things change, the more they tend to stay the same. After moving Jameis Winston on in favor of TB12, the prodigious thrower could return to his former team.

The New Orleans Saints signed Derek Carr to be their new starting QB, which leaves Winston in an awkward position.

They’ve already offered him a restructured contract, which he is unlikely to accept, and Tampa wouldn’t hesitate to bring him back.

Such a move would also take Tampa out of the running to move up into the top 5 in the hope of selecting one of the better QBs in the class.

#1 - Colts move for Lamar Jackson

One of the biggest mysteries left ahead of the NFL Draft is just what Jim Irsay and the Indianapolis Colts will do.

For the fourth successive offseason, they are expected to make a move which will land them a new starting quarterback.

Philip Rivers came and went, as did Carson Wentz. Then, Matt Ryan proved to be a hugely disappointing signing by the Colts.

Sitting at No. 4 in the draft isn’t a disaster for the Colts, although it puts them just out of reach of both Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud.

As such, there is a genuine belief that the Colts may instead look to secure a guaranteed source of quality. Enter Lamar Jackson.

The former MVP has a non-exclusive franchise tag with the Baltimore Ravens, which means teams can offer him a deal, and the Ravens have a chance to match it.

Jackson is one of the best QBs in football. Signing him would represent a major move. It would, though, likely send the fourth overall pick away from Indianapolis and bring another team into play for one of the star talents on offer.