Courtesy Photo/Steve Schulwitz Quintin Kelly, left, and The Alpena News reporter Steve Schulwitz pose next to a large replica of a Detroit Lions helmet while at the NFL Draft in Las Vegas last year.

Last April, I allowed Jonny Zawacki to tag along with me to the NFL draft in Las Vegas last year where he proved he may be younger than I, but he wasn’t ready for the bright lights of Sin City.

Seeing him starstruck when we met Matthew Stafford and Aiden Hutchinson was worth the plane ticket, as was hearing the zingers he tossed in fun at my nephew Quintin Kelly, who has a habit of losing winning sportsbook tickets worth hundreds of dollars.

Check out the video below. Viewing on mobile? Turn your device horizontally for the best viewing experience. Story continues below the video.

Jonny did have a strong showing at the NFL Experience by kicking an extra point on his third try, running a 40-yard dash in 1.46 minutes, and posting a perfect score in the throwing accuracy drill, which caused him to break out into an awkward version of the Griddy.

So without further ado, let the 2023 NFL Draft commence and the Carolina Panthers are on the clock.

With the first pick of the NFL Draft, the Carolina Panthers select:

In the hours leading up to the draft, the odds in Vegas seemed to indicate that the Panthers may pivot from young to fellow quarterback Will Levis. Vegas has taken my money too often to fall for its shenanigans, so they choose….

∫ Bryce Young, QB, Alabama

2- Houston Texans

The draft really begins at pick number two, as the Texans could move in many directions. They need a QB, but have a new defensive-minded coach who may want to strengthen that side of the ball first and wait until later in the draft or next year to draft a single caller.

In the end, the Texans fill its biggest position of need.

∫ C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State

3- Arizona Cardinals

I believe the team will trade out of this pick to a team in need of a quarterback (Colts? Titans?) but I’ll keep things simple. The Cards need everything but quarterback and are going to stink this year because their quarterback is out for the season and they have little on defense. To win, they have to keep their opponent out of the endzone consistently, this may help.

∫ Tyree Wilson, Edge, Texas Tech

4- Indianapolis Colts

Saying the Colts need a quarterback is like saying my nephew Quintin needs a better wallet to house his winning ticket. I believe the team picks another strong-armed gunslinger who played in a pro-style offense in college.

∫ Will Levis, QB, Kentucky

5- Seattle Seahawks

Will the Legion of Boom get a new playmaker on its defense, or will it plan for the future under center? The team seems to be enamoured with Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter, but its current quarterback is on a short contract.

Check out the video below. Viewing on mobile? Turn your device horizontally for the best viewing experience. Story continues below the video.

∫ Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida

6- Detroit Lions

The Motor City Kitties were one bad call in the Rams-Seahawks game away from making the playoffs last season. Do not be shocked if the Eagles move up with Detroit for Carter, but for this draft, the Lions draft someone who can, and will, bite kneecaps.

∫ Will Anderson, Edge, Alabama

7- Las Vegas Raiders

The team plays in the vaunted AFC West and faces Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, and Russell Wilson twice a year. To help slow them down, they draft the player many consider the best cover corner in the draft.

∫ Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon

8- Atlanta Falcons

I believe the Lions could sacrifice some of its draft capital to move up from 18 to the eighth spot to draft the best running back coming out of college in years. But the Falcons take the player the Lions desire.

∫ Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas

9- Chicago Bears

The Bears traded out of the first draft slot, where they may have had their eye on Carter. The move may prove to be brilliant, as Carter’s stock may have dropped and Chicago welcomes the risk and selects him anyway.

∫ Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia

10- Philipalphia Eagles

I would not be shocked if the Super Bowl runner-up traded up (Lions?) to nab Carter or draft Robinson. With those two players off the board, the Eagles diverts its attention to the offensive side of the ball and adds depth to the ageing O-line.

∫ Peter Skoronski, OL, Northwestern

11- Tennessee Titans

This is another team who may be inclined to trade up and snag a quarterback. Instead, I believe they will stay put and take a quarterback next year.

∫ Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois

12- Houston Texans

The top rated receiver is a former teammate of Stroud and it seems to make sense to reunite them.

∫ Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State

13- Green Bay Packers

The Packers do something they didn’t do often for former quarterback Aaron Rogers, they draft him a weapon.

∫ Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame

14- New England Patriots

It is always hard to predict what Bill Belichick and the Patriot brass will do on draft day. My guess is they focus on protecting their young quarterback, or possibly adding a weapon for him.

∫ Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia

15- New York Jets

After acquiring Aaron Rogers, it is critical the team makes sure he stays on his feet in the pocket. They draft perhaps the best blocker in the draft.

∫ Paris Johnson, OT, Ohio State

16- Washington Commanders

If I’m the general manager I take the best available player on my big board. That could be a young man who may have the best bloodline in the draft.

∫ Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State

17- Pittsburgh Steelers

This is another team that would benefit drafting an offensive lineman, but with many of the top prospects at that position off the board, the team could pivot and strengthen its defense. In the end protecting the QB is too important.

∫ O’Cyrus Torrence, OL, Florida

18- Detroit Lions

After choosing Anderson with the sixth pick, the team chooses to add depth to its defensive backfield.

∫ Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland

19- Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bucs seem to be in rebuild mode. They choose to add to the defensive side of the ball this year and seek a QB next draft.

∫ Nolan Smith, Edge, Georgia

20- Seattle Seahawks

After betting on the future with the rawness of Richardson early in the draft, the team takes a more polished prospect to add talent on defense.

∫ Miles Murphy, Edge, Clemson

21- Las Angeles Chargers

The team has an ageing receiving corps and faces the potential loss of Pro Bowl running back Austin Ekeler. To be sure Herbert is able to continue to score points, a new weapon is drafted.

Check out the video below. Viewing on mobile? Turn your device horizontally for the best viewing experience. Story continues below the video.

∫ Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU

22- Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens are known for its defensive moxy and for mixing it up in the trenches. They continue that tradition with this year’s pick.

∫ Bryan Bresee, DL, Clemson

23- Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings have already chosen not to pick up the team option on current quarterback Kirk Cousins. The team will look for a new leader on offense.

∫ Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee

24- Jacksonville Jaguars

The offense took a stride forward last year and I’m sure the staff knows in order to compete with the likes of the Chiefs, Bengals, Chargers, and Dolphins they will need to score often.

∫ Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah

25- NY Giants

The Giants need to improve their wide receiver room. This year they try again to reel in another number-one pass catcher.

∫ Jordan Addison, WR, USC

26- Dallas Cowboys

America’s Team needs to add bulk to protect Dak Prescott and open up holes for the running backs.

∫ Darnell Wright, OL, Tennessee

27- Buffalo Bills

Like the other contenders in the AFC, the Bills will need to fill the scoreboard with points to have a chance to fulfil its Super Bowl ambitions.

Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College

28-Cincinnati Bengals

One of the draft’s premier prospects talents slipped down draft boards and the Bengals jump to acquire him when he falls into their lap.

∫ Brian Branch, S, Alabama

29- New Orleans Saints

The Saints may have the best QB in their division, so the team’s goal will be to apply pressure on whoever is under center for their foes.

∫ Lukas Van Ness, DL, Iowa

30- Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles add to their pass rush to continue to build on its nearly top-ranked defense.

∫ Calijah Kancey, DL Pittsburgh

31-Kansas City Chiefs

Tight end Travis Kelce isn’t a spring chicken and it’s time to groom his eventual replacement.

∫ Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia