The 2023 NFL Draft is in the books! All 32 teams in the NFL have, hopefully, gotten better across the board. As we finish up recapping the event, it’s time for Brian Lamb to breakdown every team’s picks and assign a draft grade for all those in the 2023 NFL Draft.
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Arizona Cardinals
Rd 1 Pick 6 – Paris Johnson Jr, OT, Ohio State
Rd 2 Pick 41 – BJ Ojulari, EDGE, LSU
Rd 3 Pick 72 – Garrett Williams, CB, Syracuse
Rd 3 Pick 94 – Michael Wilson, WR, Stanford
Rd 4 Pick 122 – Jon Gaines II, IOL, UCLA
Rd 5 Pick 139 – Clayton Tune, QB, Houston
Rd 5 Pick 168 – Owen Pappoe, LB, Auburn
Rd 6 Pick 180 – Kei’Trel Clark, CB, Louisville
Rd 6 Pick 213 – Dante Stills, DT, West Virginia
2023 NFL Draft Grade: B-
Analysis: The Arizona Cardinals entered the first night of the 2023 NFL Draft with the 3rd overall pick. However, with the Houston Texans looking to move up from 12 for an EDGE rusher, the Cardinals seized the opportunity to obtain future draft capital. Arizona used the 33rd pick in that trade to move further back in the 2023 NFL Draft in a trade with the Titans.
I loved what they did in terms of moving down the draft board, while still finding their target. Paris Johnson Jr should be a lock at offensive tackle opposite of DJ Humphries. Additionally, I love the value that the Cardinals got by moving down the board to find BJ Ojulari. He was announced as a linebacker, which gives us some tremendous insight as to how he’ll be used there.
WR Michael Wilson looked amazing at the 2023 Reese’s Senior Bowl. If he can remain healthy, which he struggled with at Stanford, then they’re getting a big-bodied receiver that can dominate outside the numbers. He was drafted a bit earlier than I expected him to be, but I can’t fault the Cardinals given how the board played out in real-time.
The Cardinals bring in Clayton Tune into a crowded QB room, which could signal the end to Colt McCoy or Jeff Driskel. I thought they could bring in a backup with a similar makeup to starter Kyler Murray, but they opted to go in a different route.
Atlanta Falcons
Rd 1 Pick 8 – Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
Rd 2 Pick 38 – Matthew Bergeron, OT, Syracuse
Rd 3 Pick 75 – Zach Harrison, EDGE, Ohio State
Rd 4 Pick 113 – Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah
Rd 7 Pick 224 – DeMarco Hellams, S, Alabama
Rd 7 Pick 225 – Jovaughn Gwyn, IOL, South Carolina
2023 NFL Draft Grade: C+
Analysis: Bijan Robinson was a top ten player on my big board. However, given how bad this franchise has been over the years, I wouldn’t have made this pick. As mentioned on The Fired Up NFL Draft podcast, I didn’t think that the first round contained premium trade value.
With that being said, I did love the value that they got out of Matthew Bergeron and Zach Harrison. We saw a run on EDGE rushers throughout the first two rounds, so props to the Falcons for staying put and finding an impactful pass rusher.
They picked up some nice depth in their secondary later in the draft with Clark Phillips III and DeMarco Hellams.
Baltimore Ravens
Rd 1 Pick 22 – Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
Rd 3 Pick 86 – Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson
Rd 4 Pick 124 – Tavius Robinson, EDGE, Ole Miss
Rd 5 Pick 157 – Kyu Blu Kelly, CB, Stanford
Rd 6 Pick 199 – Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, OL, Oregon
Rd 7 Pick 229 – Andrew Vorhees, IOL, Southern California
2023 NFL Draft Grade: C
Analysis: Baltimore has always done really well at navigating the board to find value and impact. However, this year is very different. They entered the 2023 NFL Draft with just five draft picks, which doesn’t include a second round selection. Despite this, I love the thought of Zay Flowers in this offense, especially now that it’s guaranteed that Lamar Jackson will be the quarterback.
Later in this draft, I love the value that they got in finding CB Kyu Blu Kelly, who I have as a legitimate starter in the league. He’s likely to start out as a backup that provides depth on defense, but he has the tools to become a real player.
Perhaps the best value in the 2023 NFL Draft comes by way of Andrew Vorhees. He tore his knee at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, but returned to participate in the bench press. He’s undergone surgery and will likely miss the 2023 NFL season. However, I had a starting grade on him prior to the injury. The Ravens will have to wait a bit to get him onto the field, but they certainly got a stud and a competitor.
Buffalo Bills
Rd 1 Pick 25 – Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
Rd 2 Pick 59 – O’Cyrus Torrence, IOL, Florida
Rd 3 Pick 91 – Dorian Williams, LB, Tulane
Rd 5 Pick 150 – Justin Shorter, WR, Florida
Rd 7 Pick 230 – Nick Broeker, OT, Ole Miss
Rd 7 Pick 252 – Alex Austin, CB, Oregon State
2023 NFL Draft Grade: B-
Analysis: With Dawson Knox on the roster, selecting another tight end is a bit of a head scratcher. Perhaps they had one of these slot receivers in mind, such as Zay Flowers or Jordan Addison, but they didn’t make it to them at 25. Regardless, it’s clear that the front office is comfortable with their group of wide receivers, or at least they are for this season.
The Bills got three playmakers on the first two days of the 2023 NFL Draft. Despite not loving the pick, I can’t overlook how strong of a player Dalton Kincaid is. I really thought there was a chance that O’Cyrus Torrence could come off the board in the first round, but his slide plays right into Buffalo’s hands.
Carolina Panthers
Rd 1 Pick 1 – Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
Rd 2 Pick 39 – Jonathan Mingo, WR, Ole Miss
Rd 3 Pick 80 – DJ Johnson, EDGE, Oregon
Rd 4 Pick 114 – Chandler Zavala, G, NC State
Rd5 Pick 145 – Jammie Robinson, S, Florida State
2023 NFL Draft Grade: B
Analysis: The Panthers zeroed in on their quarterback and moved up to the first overall pick to go get him. I still have concern over Bryce Young’s size and durability in a full season in the NFL. However, they have a solid foundation around him, so it’s now up to Bryce Young and HC Frank Reich to go out and execute.
Outside of Young, they’ve done a nice job of finding complimentary pieces on both sides of the ball. I wasn’t as high on Jonathan Mingo as where he came off the board, but given how the board played out at the position, I think it was solid value.
Chicago Bears
Rd 1 Pick 10 – Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
Rd 2 Pick 53 – Gervon Dexter Sr, DT, Florida
Rd 3 Pick 56 – Tyrique Stevenson, CB, Miami (FL)
Rd 3 Pick 64 – Zacch Pickens, DT, South Carolina
Rd 4 Pick 115 – Roschon Johnson, RB, Texas
Rd 4 Pick 133 – Tyler Scott, WR, Cincinnati
Rd 5 Pick 148 – Noah Sewell, LB, Oregon
Rd 5 Pick 165 – Terell Smith, CB, Minnesota
Rd 7 Pick 218 – Travis Bell, DL, Kennesaw State
Rd 7 Pick 258 – Kendall Williamson, S, Stanford
2023 NFL Draft Grade: C+
Analysis: I loved what the Bears did during free agency, and that’s carried over to the 2023 NFL Draft. They’ve gotten dependable starters on the offensive and defensive lines. However, one of my favorite picks from their draft is Miami CB Tyrique Stevenson. I had him ranked 59th on my board, which is about where he came off the board. In my opinion, he’s a pro-ready man corner that can be left out on an island.
According to reports, the Bears considered taking a running back in the first round. Instead, they found Bijan Robinson’s teammate Roschon Johnson in the 4th round. He likely would have had an excellent showing at the 2023 Reese’s Senior Bowl, but broke his hand during practice.
Cincinnati Bengals
Rd 1 Pick 28 – Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson
Rd 2 Pick 60 – DJ Turner II, CB, Michigan
Rd 3 Pick 95 – Jordan Battle, S, Alabama
Rd 4 Pick 131 – Charlie Jones, WR, Purdue
Rd 5 Pick 163 – Chase Brown, RB, Illinois
Rd 6 Pick 206 – Andre Iosivas, WR, Princeton
Rd 6 Pick 217 – Brad Robbins, P, Michigan
Rd 7 Pick 246 – DJ Ivey, CB, Miami (FL)
2023 NFL Draft Grade: B
Analysis: There were a few boxes to check for the Bengals in the 2023 NFL Draft, in my opinion. I thought they needed to find an offensive tackle to replace Jonah Williams after he requested a trade. Additionally, I thought they needed to find a playmaker at receiver to offset upcoming expiring contracts.
They really didn’t do either of those, but instead, focused on defense. It’s clear that their plan was to get better against other top teams in the AFC. I love the value they got in Myles Murphy, a top fifteen player on my board. chase Brown and Andrei Iosivas were some of my favorite day three prospects, too. Even though they didn’t address some of my identified team needs, I thought they still did a solid job of navigating the board and finding impactful prospects.
Cleveland Browns
Rd 3 pick 74 – Cedric Tillman, WR, Tennessee
Rd 3 Pick 98 – Siaki Ika, DT, Baylor
Rd 4 Pick 111 – Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State
Rd 4 Pick 126 – Isaiah McGuire, DE, Missouri
Rd 5 Pick 140 – Dorian Thompson-Robinson, QB, UCLA
Rd 5 Pick 142 – Cameron Mitchell, CB, Northwestern
Rd 6 Pick 190 – Luke Wypler, IOL, Ohio State
2023 NFL Draft Grade: C
Analysis: It’s hard to get better when your first pick is in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. They used their first pick on Tennessee WR Cedric Tillman, who will join a very crowded group of wide receivers. Siaki Ika is a giant of a man on the defensive front. I’m not sure if he was the perfect fit for Jim Schwartz’s defense, He’s likely to start as a backup this season, but with Jordan Elliott in the final year of his rookie contract, Siaki Ika has an opportunity to compete for the starting job.
I wasn’t completely in love with the film for Dawand Jones. I thought there were some clear inconsistencies in his game. If you watch the film, he struggled to attack and establish leverage versus defenders off the edge, especially when there’s some distance between the two.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson was an absolute steal for the Browns. I think there’s potential for him to win the backup position behind QB Deshaun Watson. In my opinion, he has a high long-term upside, and we could potentially see some sort of package for him to get onto the field sooner, rather than later.
I just wish the rest of their draft was as good.
Dallas Cowboys
Rd 1 Pick 26 – Mazi Smith, DT, Michigan
Rd 2 Pick 58 – Luke Schoonmaker, TE, Michigan
Rd 3 Pick 90 – DeMarvion Overshown, LB, Texas
Rd 4 Pick 129 – Viliami Fehoko Jr, DE, San Jose State
Rd 5 Pick 169 – Asim Richards, OT, North Carolina
Rd 6 Pick 178 – Eric Scott Jr, CB, Southern Mississippi
Rd 6 Pick 212 – Deuce Vaughn, RB, Kansas State
Rd 7 Pick 244 – Jalen Brooks, WR, South Carolina
2023 NFL Draft Grade: C-
Analysis: We all know that Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys love to make a splash at the NFL Draft. However, in my opinion, their haul in the 2023 NFL Draft lacks that oomph. Mazi Smith and Luke Schoonmaker are likely instant starters for the Cowboys, but I thought they could have done better. It’s as simple as that.
Denver Broncos
Rd 2 Pick 63 – Marvin Mims Jr, WR, Oklahoma
Rd 3 Pick 67 – Drew Sanders, LB, Arkansas
Rd 3 Pick 83 – Riley Moss, CB, Iowa
Rd 6 Pick 183 – JL Skinner, S, Boise State
Rd 7 Pick 257- Alex Forsyth, IOL, Oregon
2023 NFL Draft Grade: D+
Analysis: The Broncos didn’t have a lot of ammunition in the 2023 NFL Draft, but I thought that they could get better overall as a team with the picks they had. With that being said, I don’t think that happened. Marvin Mims Jr is a solid receiver, but I had better players at the position on the board.
We all know the struggles that the Broncos went through last season, as it’s been well documented. I thought they might spend more than one pick on a playmaker on offense. If anything, I would have moved down the board to obtain some much needed draft capital.
Detroit Lions
Rd 1 Pick 12 – Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama
Rd 1 Pick 18 – Jack Campbell, LB, Iowa
Rd 2 Pick 34 – Sam LaPorta, TE, Iowa
Rd 2 Pick 45 – Brian Branch, S, Alabama
Rd 3 Pick 68 – Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee
Rd 3 Pick 96 – Brodic Martin, DL, Western Kentucky
Rd 5 pick 152 – Colby Sorsdal, OL, William & Mary
Rd 7 Pick 219 – Antoine Green, WR, North Carolina
2023 NFL Draft Grade: B-
Analysis: The Lions were in the headlines leading up to the 2023 NFL Draft after several players, including Jameson Williams, was suspended for gambling. I thought they could use one of their first round picks on a wide receiver, but instead, they moved back for Jahmyr Gibbs. I’m not going to knock the player because I like Gibbs’ upside, but I really don’t understand the pick.
I had a mid-second grade on LB Jack Campbell, so I thought Detroit could have gotten him at 34th overall. Instead, they go with Sam LaPorta, an undersized tight end. He’s a monster in the passing game though, and will have the opportunity to replace TJ Hockenson, who was traded to Minnesota last season.
Hendon Hooker is great value, too. He’s recovering from a knee injury, so he likely won’t be a day one starter. However, if the Lions struggle this season, he could get an opportunity to get onto the field as a starting quarterback.
Green Bay Packers
Rd 1 Pick 13 – Lukas Van Ness, EDGE, Iowa
Rd 2 Pick 42 – Luke Musgrave, TE, Oregon State
Rd 2 Pick 50 – Jayden Reed, WR, Michigan State
Rd 3 Pick 78 – Tucker Kraft, TE, South Dakota State
Rd 4 Pick 116 – Colby Wooden, DL, Auburn
Rd 5 Pick 149 – Sean Clifford, QB, Penn State
Rd 5 Pick 159 – Dontayvion Wicks, WR, Virginia
Rd 6 Pick 179 – Karl Brooks, DL, Bowling Green
Rd 6 Pick 207 – Anders Carlson, K, Auburn
Rd 7 Pick 232 – Carrington Valentine, CB, Kentucky
Rd 7 Pick 235 – Lew Nichols III, RB, Central Michigan
Rd 7 Pick 242 – Anthony Johnson Jr, S, Iowa State
Rd 7 Pick 256 – Grant DuBose, WR, Charlotte
2023 NFL Draft Grade: C+
Analysis: I absolutely loved the fit for Lukas Van Ness and the Packers. Jayden Reed really helped his case at the 2023 Reese’s Senior Bowl when he topped the speed MPH charts. With Jordan Love taking over on offense, it’s clear to me that the Packers wanted to surround him with playmakers. They did so in Reed, Luke Musgrave, Tucker Kraft, Dontayvion Wicks, and Grant DuBose.
Speaking of Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft, I thought it was a bit puzzling to see them draft both players, especially with Josiah Deguara on the roster.
Houston Texans
Rd 1 Pick 2 – CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State
Rd 1 Pick 3 – Will Anderson Jr, EDGE, Alabama
Rd 2 Pick 62 – Juice Scruggs, IOL, Penn State
Rd 3 Pick 69 – Tank Dell, WR, Houston
Rd 4 Pick 109 – Dylan Horton, EDGE, TCU
Rd 5 Pick 167 – Henry To’oto’o, LB, Alabama
Rd 6 Pick 201 – Jarrett Patterson, IOL, Notre Dame
Rd 6 Pick 205 – Xavier Hutchinson, WR, Iowa State
Rd 7 Pick 248 – Brandon Hill, S, Pitt
2023 NFL Draft Grade: B+
Analysis: I think we need to have two different discussions about the Texans. One about their moves on the first night of the 2023 NFL Draft, and another about the rest of their draft.
First off, I thought the right move was to target a quarterback with their 2nd overall pick. By doing so, however, it sent the rest of the draft into a spiral. They were then able to use some of their draft capital to move up from 12 to 3 for EDGE Will Anderson Jr. I thought Tyree Wilson would have been valued higher by the Texans, especially considering his versatility. Regardless, while it was a lot to give up for a team that isn’t going to be Super Bowl bound in 2023, I liked the move up.
Next up, I thought the Texans were tremendous throughout the rest of the draft. They did a solid job to move around the board, target players that they liked, and even recover some of the draft capital that they gave up for Anderson Jr. Henry To’oto’o didn’t have great film in 2022, but he’s a smart linebacker that processes and reads plays quickly, which HC DeMeco Ryans, a former linebacker himself, is looking for.
Indianapolis Colts
Rd 1 Pick 4 – Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
Rd 2 Pick 44 – Julius Brents, CB, Kansas State
Rd 3 Pick 79 – Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina
Rd 4 Pick 106 – Blake Freeland, OT, BYU
Rd 4 Pick 110 – Adetomiwa Adebawore, EDGE, Northwestern
Rd 5 Pick 138 – Darius Rush, CB, South Carolina
Rd 5 Pick 158 – Daniel Scott, S, Cal
Rd 5 Pick 162 – Will Mallory, TE, Miami (FL)
Rd 5 Pick 176 – Evan Hull, RB, Northwestern
Rd 6 Pick 211 – Titus Leo, LB, Wagner
Rd 7 Pick 221 – Jaylon Jones, CB, Texas A&M
Rd 7 Pick 236 – Jake Witt, OT, Northern Michigan
2023 NFL Draft Grade: A
Analysis: This is a ‘Make It Or Break It’ year for GM Chris Ballard, in my opinion. With Houston taking CJ Stroud, and moving up for Will Anderson Jr, the Colts were in a fantastic position to find a young franchise QB. Anthony Richardson had limited starts at the collegiate level, but was still able to make the most of them. If HC Shane Steichen can develop him as he did with Eagles QB Jalen Hurts, then this team is well on their way back to playing competitive football.
Julius Brents, Adetomiwa Adebawore, and Darius Rush were three of my 2023 NFL Draft crushes. With these players, they got three impactful players on day one. All in all, the Indianapolis Colts had 12 picks in the 2023 NFL Draft, and I think they nailed nearly every one of them.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Rd 1 Pick 27 – Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma
Rd 2 Pick 61 – Brenton Strange, TE, Penn State
Rd 3 Pick 88 – Tank Bigsby, RB, Auburn
Rd 4 Pick 121 – Ventrell Miller, LB, Florida
Rd 4 Pick 130 – Tyler Lacy, DL, Oklahoma State
Rd 5 Pick 136 – Yasir Abdullah, LB, Louisville
Rd 5 Pick 160 – Antonio Johnson, S, Texas A&M
Rd 6 Pick 185 – Parker Washington, WR, Penn State
Rd 6 Pick 202 – Christian Braswell, DB, Rutgers
Rd 6 Pick 208 – Erick Hallett II, DB, Pitt
Rd 7 Pick 226 – Cooper Hodges, OT, Appalachian State
Rd 7 Pick 227 – Raymond Vohasek, DL, North Carolina
Rd 7 Pick 240 – Derek Parish, EDGE, Houston
2023 NFL Draft Grade: C+
Analysis: It wasn’t sexy, but I still believe that it was a solid haul for the Jacksonville Jaguars. I like Tank Bigsby a ton, but with a third round selection, I thought it was too early for a backup running back. Another player that I really liked was Parker Washington, but had they used an earlier pick, such as the third rounder that they used on Bigsby, they could have found an impact player.
Kansas City Chiefs
Rd 1 Pick 31 – Felix Anudike-Uzomah, EDGE, Kansas State
Rd 2 Pick 55 – Rashee Rice, WR, SMU
Rd 3 Pick 92 – Wanya Morris – OT, Oklahoma
Rd 4 Pick 119 – Chamarri Connor, S, Virginia Tech
Rd 5 Pick 166 – BJ Thompson, S, Stephen F Austin
Rd 6 Pick 194 – Keondre Coburn, DL, Texas
Rd 7 Pick 250 – Nic Jones, CB, Ball State
2023 NFL Draft Grade: C+
Analysis: The Kansas City Chiefs didn’t have a ton of holes on either side of the ball, which is why they’re such a sound football team. Felix Anudike-Uzomah was a fringe first rounder on my board, so going to the Chiefs to end the round was a bonus for me.
I thought there were several players that were better overall than Rashee Rice. In my opinion, there’s nothing that he does that stands out on this roster. I was really anticipating the Chiefs to use their draft capital to move up for a wide receiver.
Los Angeles Chargers
Rd 1 Pick 21 – Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
Rd 2 Pick 54 – Tuli Tuipulotu, DL, Southern California
Rd 3 Pick 85 – Daiyan Henley, LB, Washington State
Rd 4 Pick 125 – Derius Davis, WR, TCU
Rd 5 Pick 156 – Jordan McFadden, IOL, Clemson
Rd 6 Pick 200 – Scott Matlock, DL, Boise State
Rd 7 Pick 239 – Max Duggan, QB, TCU
2023 NFL Draft Grade: B
Analysis: The Los Angeles Chargers came into the 2023 NFL Draft with needs at wide receiver and in the trenches on both sides of the ball. They were able to grab Quentin Johnston, my top wide receiver in this draft, with the 21st pick. This class, aside from Johnston, was full of smaller slot receivers. I feel in love with how physical he is outside the numbers.
Tuli Tuipulotu and Daiyan Henley were value picks for me. I thought we might see them take an EDGE rusher to alleviate some of the pressure on Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa, but the board really didn’t do them any favors as it played out.
Los Angeles Rams
Rd 2 Pick 36 – Steve Avila, IOL, TCU
Rd 3 Pick 77 – Byron Young, EDGE, Tennessee
Rd 3 Pick 89 – Kobie Turner, DL, Wake Forest
Rd 4 Pick 128 – Stetson Bennett, QB, Georgia
Rd 5 Pick 161 – Nick Hampton, EDGE, Appalachian State
Rd 5 Pick 174 – Warren McClendon, OT, Georgia
Rd 5 Pick 175 – Davis Allen, TE, Clemson
Rd 5 Pick 177 – Puka Nacua, WR, BYU
Rd 6 Pick 182 – Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, CB, TCU
Rd 6 Pick 189 – Ochaun Mathis, EDGE, Nebraska
Rd 6 Pick 215 – Zach Evans, RB, Ole Miss
Rd 7 Pick 233 – Ethan Evans, P, Wingate
Rd 7 Pick 234 – Jason Taylor II, S, Oklahoma State
Rd 7 Pick 259 – Desjuan Johnson, DL, Toledo
2023 NFL Draft Grade: C
Analysis: If my research is correct, the Los Angeles Rams set a record this weekend with 14 selections in an NFL Draft.
However, with that being said, I don’t think they used them very well. Steve Avila is an interior offensive lineman that I really liked, as was CB Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson. You can even look further down the board to RB Zach Evans, who some draft analysts had projected as a day two selection, as a really valuable pick.
But I think that’s where it ends, in my opinion. The rest of these picks are nice, but nothing really blows me away, which is why they’ve ended up with an average 2023 NFL Draft grade.
Las Vegas Raiders
Rd 1 Pick 7 – Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech
Rd 2 Pick 35 – Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Rd 3 Pick 70 – Byron Young, DL, Alabama
Rd 3 Pick 100 – Tre Tucker, WR, Cincinnati
Rd 4 Pick 104 – Jakorian Bennett, CB, Maryland
Rd 4 Pick 135 – Aidan O’Connell, QB, Purdue
Rd 5 Pick 170 – Christopher Smith, S, Georgia
Rd 6 Pick 203 – Amari Burney, LB, Florida
Rd 7 Pick 231 – Nesta Jade Silvera, DL, Arizona State
2023 NFL Draft Grade: B+
Analysis: The Las Vegas Raiders have really needed to find someone capable of taking pressure off of Maxx Crosby. I think they hit a homerun there with Tyree Wilson. He’s a versatile defensemen that can play DT, DE, or OLB.
They also went out and found help for new QB Jimmy Garoppolo with Michael Mayer and Tre Tucker. Furthermore, they may have even found his eventual successor with Purdue’s Aidan O’Connell. He really shined at the Shrine Bowl, which is why I think the Raiders traded up to go and get him. All in all, I think they drastically improved as a team with this year’s draft class.
Miami Dolphins
Rd 2 Pick 51 – Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
Rd 3 Pick 84 – Devon Achane, RB, Texas A&M
Rd 6 Pick 197 – Elijah Higgins, WR, Stanford
Rd 7 Pick 238 – Ryan Hayes, OT, Michigan
2023 NFL Draft Grade: C+
Analysis: Without a first round draft pick, and only four totals selections in the 2023 NFL Draft, it’s going to be difficult for any team to find value players. However, I thought they did pretty well overall. Cam Smith was someone that I didn’t expect to fall into the second round, much less the back half. Devon Achane was good value, and a good fit on this team.
Minnesota Vikings
Rd 1 Pick 23 – Jordan Addison, WR, Southern California
Rd 3 Pick 102 – Mekhi Blackmon, CB, Southern California
Rd 4 Pick 134 – Jay Ward, CB, LSU
Rd 5 pick 141 – Jaquelin Roy, DL, LSU
Rd 5 Pick 164 – Jaren Hall, QB, BYU
Rd 7 Pick 222 – DeWayne McBride, RB, UAB
2023 NFL Draft Grade: B-
Analysis: QB Kirk Cousins is entering the final year of his contract, so I think we all expected the Vikings to use an early draft pick on a replacement. This was especially the case once Will Levis started to slide further and further down in the 2023 NFL Draft.
However, they instead looked to replace WR Adam Thielen, who was released in March. Then, they found a really solid backup corners in Mekhi Blackmon and Jay Ward. Jaren Hall might be able to develop into an eventual starter, but I think a backup role is more likely for him long-term.
One of their best moves, in my opinion, was finding DeWayne McBride in the seventh round. He was a dominant runner at UAB, even though it was against lesser competition. I think there’s a legitimate chance that the Vikings can use him as a spell RB for Dalvin Cook.
New England Patriots
Rd 1 Pick 17 – Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
Rd 2 Pick 46 – Keion White, EDGE, Georgia Tech
Rd 3 Pick 76 – Marte Mapu, S, Sacramento State
Rd 4 Pick 107 – Jake Andrews, IOL, Troy
Rd 4 Pick 112 – Chad Ryland, K, Maryland
Rd 4 Pick 117 – Sidy Sow, IOL, Eastern Michigan
Rd 5 Pick 144 – Atonio Mafi, IOL, UCLA
Rd 6 Pick 187 – Kayshon Boutte, WR, LSU
Rd 6 Pick 192 – Bryce Baringer, P, Michigan State
Rd 6 Pick 210 – Demario Douglas, WR, Liberty
Rd 6 Pick 214 – Ameer Speed, CB, Michigan State
Rd 7 Pick 245 – Isaiah Bolden, CB, Jackson State
2023 NFL Draft Grade: B
Analysis: It’s always difficult to try and predict what the Patriots will do in the NFL Draft. Despite this, it’s clear that they wanted to address several needs in this year’s event. The Patriots moved back in the first round with Pittsburgh, who moved up for OT Broderick Jones, but were still able to grad a star in Christian Gonzalez. I had the Keion White pick at 46th overall listed as a high value selection, as well.
New England has never had a ton of luck in finding wide receivers in the NFL Draft, but I think that could change this year. There were some character concerns over Kayshon Boutte, but he’s going into a building that’s built to overcome that. He slid all the way to the 6th round, but I thought he was a 2nd round talent.
New Orleans Saints
Rd 1 Pick 29 – Bryan Bresee, DL, Clemson
Rd 2 Pick 40 – Isaiah Foskey, EDGE, Notre Dame
Rd 3 Pick 71 – Kendre Miller, RB, TCU
Rd 4 Pick 103 – Nick Saldiveri, IOL, Old Dominion
Rd 4 Pick 127 – Jake Haener, QB, Fresno State
Rd 5 Pick 146 – Jordan Howden, S, Minnesota
Rd 6 Pick 195 – AT Perry, WR, Wake Forest
2023 NFL Draft Grade: A-
Analysis: Myles Murphy came off the board a pick earlier in the first round to the Cincinnati Bengals, who I thought was a better fit for the Saints. Instead, they grabbed his teammate Bryan Bresee. They came back in the second round to select Notre Dame’s Isaiah Foskey. The only puzzling decision for me was drafting Kendre Miller in the third round, a player that I thought they could get much later in the 2023 NFL Draft. However, they also had Devon Achane and Tank Bigsby still on the board at that position.
Jake Haener is a solid backup for Derek Carr. I don’t see a lot of differences in their game, which should mean for a smoother transition should Carr have to miss any time. AT Perry in the sixth round is also a way smarter decision than I think draft analysts are giving them credit for.
New York Giants
Rd 1 Pick 24 – Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland
Rd 2 Pick 57 – John Michael Schmitz, IOL, Minnesota
Rd 3 Pick 73 – Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee
Rd 5 Pick 172 – Eric Gray, RB, Oklahoma
Rd 6 Pick 209 – Tre Hawkins III, CB, Old Dominion
Rd 7 Pick 243 – Jordan Riley, DL, Oregon
Rd 7 Pick 254 – Gervarrius Owens, S, Houston
2023 NFL Draft Grade: C+
Analysis: I really loved what the New York Giants did on the first two days on the 2023 NFL Draft. They found three day one starters at three different positions. Jalin Hyatt was someone that I thought had an outside shot of coming off the board in the first round. Instead, he slips into the third and the Giants get excellent value there.
Eric Gray is a solid backup for Saquon Barkley, should the New York Giants find a way to workout a contract for Barkley. However, if they’re unable to do so, I don’t envision Gray as a starting running back.
New York Jets
Rd 1 Pick 15 – Will McDonald IV, EDGE, Iowa State
Rd 2 Pick 43 – Joe Tippmann, IOL, Wisconsin
Rd 4 Pick 120 – Carter Warren, OT, Pitt
Rd 5 Pick 143 – Israel Abanikanda, RB, Pitt
Rd 6 Pick 184 – Zaire Barnes, LB, Western Michigan
Rd 6 Pick 204 – Jarrick Bernard-Converse, CB, LSU
Rd 7 Pick 220 – Zack Kuntz, TE, Old Dominion
2023 NFL Draft Grade: C-
Analysis: With the Aaron Rodgers trade now complete, it was time for the Jets to focus on the NFL Draft and get better as a team. I liked Will McDonald’s upside in the NFL, although I do think that they could’ve moved back about 10 spots and still have grabbed him. Next up, their clear priority was to protect Rodgers and keep him upright. Did they get the best available at those two positions at that point in the Draft? I don’t think so.
For me, the Jets were really up and down in this year’s NFL Draft. They made some really good selections, but also left me scratching my head at other points.
Philadelphia Eagles
Rd 1 Pick 9 – Jalen Carter, DL, Georgia
Rd 1 Pick 30 – Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia
Rd 3 Pick 65 – Tyler Steen, OT, Alabama
Rd 3 Pick 66 – Sydney Brown, S, Illinois
Rd 4 Pick 105 – Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
Rd 6 Pick 188 – Tanner McKee, QB, Stanford
Rd 7 Pick 249 – Moro Ojomo, DL, Texas
2023 NFL Draft Grade: A
Analysis: Take away the helmet and I still think the Eagles found three top-tier talents in Jalen Carter, Nolan Smith, and Kelee Ringo. It’s clear now that Howie Roseman loves what they’re doing down in Athens. Outside of the Georgia players, I loved seeing them nab Sydney Brown, who will likely become the starter for them at FS.
Tanner McKee is going to come in to immediately battle it out for the third QB slot with Ian Book. I think McKee has the edge there, but I’m not sure if he can go toe-to-toe with Marcus Mariota. If I had to guess, I’d say that a year on the practice squad would be likely for him.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Rd 1 Pick 14 – Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
Rd 2 Pick 32 – Joey Porter Jr, CB, Penn State
Rd 2 Pick 49 – Keeanu Benton, DL, Wisconsin
Rd 3 Pick 93 – Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
Rd 4 Pick 132 – Nick Herbig, EDGE, Wisconsin
Rd 7 Pick 241 – Cory Trice, CB, Purdue
Rd 7 Pick 251 – Spencer Anderson, OT, Maryland
2023 NFL Draft Grade: C+
Analysis: Let’s just talk about what the Steelers were able to accomplish. They moved up for Broderick Jones, who I thought could come off the board to the Jets at 15th overall. According to reports, their asking price to trade out of the 32nd overall pick was too high. I would have taken the best deal I could and moved out, but instead, they selected Joey Porter Jr, a team that his father played and coached for.
Keeanu Benton and Darnell Washington were two prospects that I thought were selected much later than they should have been. Washington should open up the passing game for QB Kenny Pickett, although I think they should be exploring options for a playmaker at wide receiver, too.
Seattle Seahawks
Rd 1 Pick 5 – Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
Rd 1 Pick 20 – Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
Rd 2 Pick 37 – Derick Hall, EDGE, Auburn
Rd 2 Pick 52 – Zach Charbonnet, RB, UCLA
Rd 4 Pick 108 – Anthony Bradford, IOL, LSU
Rd 4 Pick 123 – Cameron Young, DL, Mississippi State
Rd 5 Pick 151 – Mike Morris, EDGE, Michigan
Rd 5 Pick 154 – Olusegun Oluwatimi, IOL, Michigan
Rd 6 Pick 198 – Jerrick Reed II, S, New Mexico State
Rd 7 Pick 237 – Kenny McIntosh, RB, Georgia
2023 NFL Draft Grade: B
Analysis: Devon Witherspoon and Derick Hall selections make it clear that the Seahawks want to get back to a strong identity on defense. I loved the way that Devon Witherspoon plays, but I didn’t think the Seahawks would pull the trigger. I thought Jalen Carter was an option here, but his off-field issues could have been a deciding factor.
QB Geno Smith gets an impact player in the slot with Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the first receiver off the board in 2023. He also gets a speedy runner in the backfield with Zach Charbonnet. However, it’s a bit of an odd move given how good Kenneth Walker III has been for them.
San Francisco 49ers
Rd 3 Pick 87 – Ji’Ayir Brown, CB, Penn State
Rd 3 Pick 99 – Jake Moody, K, Michigan
Rd 3 Pick 101 – Cameron Latu, TE, Alabama
Rd 5 Pick 155 – Darrell Luter Jr, CB, South Alabama
Rd 5 Pick 173 – Robert Beal Jr, EDGE, Georgia
Rd 6 Pick 216 – Dee Winters, LB, TCU
Rd 7 Pick 247 – Brayden Willis, TE, Oklahoma
Rd 7 Pick 253 – Ronnie Bell, WR, Michigan
Rd 7 Pick 255 – Jalen Graham, LB, Purdue
2023 NFL Draft Grade: C
Analysis: The 49ers didn’t have a pick in the first or second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. However, with three picks in the third, and six additional later round selections, I thought they could get some really nice players.
I really liked the Ji’Ayir Brown pick, especially at 87th overall. However, I think that’s kind of where things end for me. I don’t really understand taking a kicker at 99 when you have other needs on the team. They’re getting a slightly below average grade from me. I just thought that they could’ve done better with the picks that they had.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Rd 1 Pick 19 – Calijah Kancey, DL, Pitt
Rd 2 Pick 48 – Cody Mauch, IOL, North Dakota State
Rd 3 Pick 82 – YaYa Diaby, EDGE, Louisville
Rd 5 Pick 153 – SirVocea Dennis, LB, Pitt
Rd 5 Pick 171 – Payne Durham, TE, Purdue
Rd 6 Pick 181 – Josh Hayes, S, Kansas State
Rd 6 Pick 191 – Trey Palmer, WR, Nebraska
Rd 6 Pick 196 – Jose Ramirez, EDGE, Eastern Michigan
2023 NFL Draft Grade: B
Analysis: There’s no denying the presence of Calijah Kancey on the defensive line. However, the arm length and weight is really what pushed him down the draft board here. I thought there was a shot that he could fall out of the first round, but I was wrong. Still, he’s a bit of a tweener in the NFL, so it’ll be interesting to see where he’s used. Cody Mauch is a really fun prospect to watch. I think he can play inside or outside on the offensive line, so there’s a level of versatility there.
Another pick that I liked is Payne Durham in the fifth round. He’s a more conventional-style tight end, especially when compared to those at the top of the class. When I watched him live at the 2023 Reese’s Senior Bowl, I thought he was a bit of a stiff runner beyond the line of scrimmage. However, he was able to make some plays in practice. The Buccaneers moved on from Cameron Brate after nine seasons, so finding a suitable TE 2 was a priority for them.
Tennessee Titans
Rd 1 Pick 11 – Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern
Rd 2 Pick 33 – Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
Rd 3 Pick 81 – Tyjae Spears, RB, Tulane
Rd 5 Pick 147 – Josh Whyle, TE, Cincinnati
Rd 6 pick 186 – Jaelyn Duncan, OT, Maryland
Rd 7 pick 228 – Colton Dowell, WR, Tennessee-Martin
2023 NFL Draft Grade: C
Analysis: Much like what they did with QB Malik Willis, patience paid off for the Titans. They found themselves in a position to draft Will Levis in the second round. He’s going to have an opportunity to win the starting job there, so it’ll be interesting to see if he can put everything together and improve daily. Peter Skoronski was drafted as an offensive tackle, but looking at their depth chart, a move inside to guard is almost a certainty. Either way, I think both of those positions are ones that Skoronski can play at a high level.
I loved the film on Tyjae Spears, as well as his performance at the Senior Bowl. However, I know that several teams had taken him off of their draft board over his knee issues. There is no ACL in one of his knees, as well as arthritis. He’s a really impactful runner, however, so there is massive upside there.
But to use a third round pick on a running back that might not make his second contract is puzzling, at best.
Washington Commanders
Rd 1 Pick 16 – Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State
Rd 2 Pick 47 – Jartavius Martin, S, Illinois
Rd 3 Pick 97 – Ricky Stromberg, IOL, Arkansas
Rd 4 Pick 118 – Braeden Daniels, OT, Utah
Rd 5 Pick 137 – KJ Henry, EDGE, Clemson
Rd 6 Pick 193 – Chris Rodriguez Jr, RB, Kentucky
Rd 7 Pick 233 – Andre Jones, EDGE, Louisiana
2023 NFL Draft Grade: C-
Analysis: It’s ‘Put Up Or Shut Up’ time for Ron Rivera and the Washington Commanders, and quite frankly, I don’t think this draft class was a good indication that they realize that.
Emmanuel Forbes wasn’t a first round prospect on my board, nor was he the best available at the position. Honestly, looking at their list of drafted players, and I have a difficult time finding someone that was the best available.