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Joe Nicely's NFL report card for the 2023 NFL Draft. He offers insightful analysis for all 32 NFL teams and assigns letter grades for each squad's draft results.
As we exit the weekend, there's been time to slowly start putting the 2023 NFL Draft into perspective. This year's edition of the draft was one marked by a diverse class of prospects. Uncertainty surrounding many players in this year's rookie crop led to some surprising picks and exciting trades.
With all seven rounds now officially in the books, football fans and analysts can let the debate begin about how each team fared. While every team will publicly declare themselves happy with the players they selected this year, every edition NFL Draft has both winners and losers.
In this article, we'll break down the draft results for all 32 teams by listing a quick draft summary of their 2023 picks, analyzing how their draft played out, discussing the impact it could have over both the long and short term, and finally, giving every NFL team a letter grade for their draft outcome.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:- 2025 fantasy football rankings (redraft)
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- Tight end fantasy football rankings
Arizona Cardinals
Draft Summary: OT Paris Johnson Jr., EDGE B.J. Ojulari, CB Garrett Williams, WR Michael Wilson, G Jon Gaines II, QB Clayton Tune, LB Owen Pappoe, CB Kei'Trei Clark, DT Dante Stills
Analysis: The Cardinals entered the 2023 NFL Draft with arguably one of the NFL's worst top-to-bottom rosters, as well as with brand new personnel in the GM and Head Coach positions. New Arizona GM Monti Ossenfort handled his first draft in commendable fashion considering the situation he's dealing with - an awkward one in which the team is trying to thread the needle of a soft rebuild, despite having just signed QB Kyler Murray to a huge contract.
The Cards traded back early and often, stockpiling picks for the future and getting an absolute haul for the No. 3 overall pick that included the Nos. 6 & 33 overall picks in this year's draft, as well as first and third-round picks in the 2024 draft. Arizona then flipped the No. 33 overall pick into the No. 41 pick this year and an additional third-rounder next year in a trade that allowed the Tennessee Titans to move up and grab Will Levis.
In addition to acquiring a bevy of picks, Arizona also managed to exit the draft with the best offensive tackle prospect of the class in Ohio State's Paris Johnson Jr., as well as filling a major team need with their second pick, taking B.J. Ojulari, a polished, high-motor EDGE rusher out of LSU, and grabbing one of Day Two's better values in Syracuse cornerback Garrett Williams, a player that would have gone much earlier if not for an ACL injury suffered last season.
Grade: A-
Atlanta Falcons
Draft Summary: RB Bijan Robinson, OT Matthew Bergeron, EDGE Zach Harrison, CB Clark Phillips III, S DeMarco Hellams, G Jovaughn Gwyn
Analysis: The Falcons and HC Arthur Smith obviously view Bijan Robinson as a generational talent and will try to replicate Smith's past offensive success with Derrick Henry in Tennessee by deploying Robinson in a similar workhorse fashion.
While most agree that the Texas back is a dynamite prospect - probably the best since Saquon Barkley - it's still somewhat tough to swallow using the No. 8 overall pick on a running back - especially when the Falcons had a 1,000-yard rusher last season with rookie Tyler Allgeier.
It's tough to argue with Atlanta's second-round selection of Syracuse offensive lineman Matthew Bergeron, a rock-solid prospect that profiles as a guard at the NFL level and can contribute right away.
Atlanta is starved for pass-rushing talent and took a swing on the 6'6" physical specimen Zach Harrison in the third round. Despite being a highly sought-after high-school prospect with NFL-ready size, Harrison failed to make a consistent impact off the edge at Ohio State.
It's tough to hate on the Robinson pick - and second-rounder Bergeron will be a steady pro for years - but it just feels like the Falcons got stronger in areas where they were already strong while doing little to address positional needs.
Grade: C
Baltimore Ravens
Draft Summary: WR Zay Flowers, LB Trenton Simpson, EDGE Tavius Robinson, CB Kyu Blu Kelly, OT Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, G/C Andrew Vorhees
Analysis: A great overall weekend for the Ravens, as they both locked in Lamar Jackson with a long-term extension and added an intriguing weapon for him in the first round of the draft by selecting Boston College burner Zay Flowers.
A multi-year producer at BC, Flowers is an undersized burner that can play both inside and out, while giving Jackson a legitimate downfield threat that boasts 4.42 speed.
Clemson linebacker Trenton Simpson was an "on brand" selection for the Ravens in the third round and will contribute right away as he joins perhaps the NFL's best linebacker corps. EDGE rusher Robinson is a physical freak that's a boom/bust prospect, though Baltimore is the landing spot for him and a terrific place for him to develop.
Kelly was a multi-year contributor in the defensive backfield for Stanford and was a worthy fifth-round stab by Baltimore at filling their needs at cornerback. Their final pick of the draft, offensive lineman Andrew Voorhees, suffered a torn ACL at the NFL Combine but was a two-year starter at USC and is a nice value selection.
Grade: B
Buffalo Bills
Draft Summary: TE Dalton Kincaid, G O'Cyrus Torrence, LB Dorian Williams, WR Justin Shorter, G Nick Broeker, CB Alec Austin
Analysis: The perennial title contenders made the most of their 2023 NFL Draft, making a small but impactful jump up to grab Utah tight end Dalton Kincaid with the 25th overall pick while picking up excellent value with their second and third-round selections.
Kincaid is perhaps the best pass-catching TE in what was a very deep 2023 class at the position and was almost certainly a target of the Dallas Cowboys at No. 26. A nice move by Buffalo GM Brandon Beane to be selectively aggressive and grab a potentially high-impact offensive weapon. 12 personnel with Kincaid and Dawson Knox will be fun.
Offensive guard O'Cyrus Torrence is a physical, run-blocking beast that was one of the better interior linemen in this draft class. Buffalo stole him with the 59th pick. The same can be said for their selection of linebacker Dorian Williams in the third round, another spot where Beane traded up to ensure getting his man. The Bills' final three picks of Shorter, Broeker, and Austin could also turn out to be contributors.
Grade: A
Carolina Panthers
Draft Summary: QB Bryce Young, WR Jonathan Mingo, EDGE D.J. Johnson, G Chandler Zavala, S Jammie Robinson
Analysis: The Panthers secured the top overall QB in this year's draft, taking Alabama's Bryce Young with the No. 1 overall pick. However, the Panthers gave up the farm to so, send star wideout D.J. Moore and a host of picks to Chicago in the trade that brought them 2023's top pick. That said, if Young pans out to be a franchise quarterback, the ransom Carolina paid will be worth it.
Mingo is an interesting receiver prospect with size and speed. The Ole Miss product was an uneven producer in college but certainly has the potential to turn into a dynamic battery mate with Young. Carolina's third-round pick, D.J. Johnson, is similar to Mingo in that he's a physical freak whose college production failed to match his athletic measurables.
Young is a great pick - though one not without concerns surrounding his size - with the rest of Carolina's 2023 draft geared towards athletically-gifted players that have big potential but limited college production.
Grade: B-
Chicago Bears
Draft Summary: OT Darnell Wright, DT Gervon Dexter Sr., CB Tyrique Stevenson, DT Zacch Pickens, RB Roschon Johnson, WR Tyler Scott, LB Noah Sewell, CB Terell Smith, DT Travis Bell. WR Kendall Williamson
Analysis: Thanks to Justin Fields' emergence in 2022, the Chicago Bears were in a unique position to trade the 2023 No. 1 overall pick. Bears GM Ryan Pohles appears to have atoned for a less-than-stellar trade deadline deal for Chase Claypool that sent this year's No. 32 overall pick to Pittsburgh by fleecing the QB-desperate Panthers for D.J. Moore and a cavalcade of draft picks.
Chicago picked up another 2024 fourth-rounder on a draft night pick swap with the Philadelphia Eagles in which they went from the ninth pick to the 10th, a selection that they used on Tennessee Volunteers offensive tackle Darnell Wright, a player whose 2022 season was as impressive as any player's in this draft on tape.
This Bears organization appears content to build from the inside out. In addition to Wright with their top pick, Chicago grabbed a pair of big defensive linemen in Rounds 2 & 3 with Gervon Dexter Sr. and Zacch Pickens, addressing a big area of need. Rock-solid RB Roschon Johnson should help soften the blow of David Montgomery's departure and serve as an immediate backfield mate for Khalil Herbert.
Grade: A
Cincinnati Bengals
Draft Summary: EDGE Myles Murphy, CB D.J. Turner, S Jordan Battle, WR Charlie Jones, RB Chase Brown, WR Andre Iosivas, P Brad Robbins, WR D.J. Ivey
Analysis: Long a fixture at the front of NFL Drafts, this Bengals organization adapted well to on-field success that led to them picking at the tail end of the first round this year. Cincinnati exited the 2023 edition of the draft with a handful of quality players, a few of which could turn out to be legit steals from this draft. In short, the Bengals got a lot of bang for the buck.
It isn't hard to squint your eyes and view Clemson EDGE Myles Murphy as a top-10 type of talent and the Bengals rightfully pegged him as the best available player on the board at pick 28. They also found terrific value in both Michigan CB D.J. Turner and Alabama safety Jordan Battle, proven producers at the collegiate level that could help solidify Cincy's secondary right away.
Charlie Jones is an intriguing receiver prospect that will look to get some slot work in this explosive passing attack, while Chase Brown was an elusive, big-play back at Illinois that could fill the void left by the departed Samaje Perine.
Grade: A
Cleveland Browns
Draft Summary: WR Cedric Tillman, DT Siaka Ika, OT Dawand Jones, EDGE Isaiah McGuire, QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson, CB Cameron Mitchell, G/C Luke Wypler
Analysis: Still paying the price for the Deshaun Watson deal, Cleveland entered the 2023 Draft without a first-round pick and didn't make their first selection until the third round. Despite that handicap, the Browns should feel pretty darn good about how they left the weekend, as they made the most of their mid-round picks.
In Cedric Tillman, Cleveland nabbed a legitimate weapon for Watson and the passing attack with the 74th overall pick. He's a physical receiver with prototypical NFL size that slid in this draft due to an injury-plagued 2022 campaign with the Tennessee Vols.
Cleveland also grabbed Baylor's Siaka Ika in the third round. He's a 350lb.+ monster that will be in instant contributor in the middle of the defensive line.
The Browns' pair of fourth-round selections might take a bit longer to contribute, but both offensive tackle Dawand Jones and EDGE Isaiah McGuire possess NFL size and could develop into contributors.
Grade: B-
Dallas Cowboys
Draft Summary: DT Mazi Smith, TE Luke Schoonmaker, LB DeMarvion Overshown, EDGE Viliami Fehoko Jr., G/OT Asim Richards, CB Eric Scott Jr., RB Deuce Vaughn, WR Jalen Brooks
Analysis: Normally one of the most exciting teams to track in the NFL Draft, Dallas was content to stand pat while everyone else made moves this year. It resulted in an overall result that can best be described as "meh".
The Cowboys were most likely sniped in the first round, as the Buffalo Bills traded up to grab Utah TE Dalton Kincaid - and potential Dalton Schultz replacement - ahead of the 'Boys with the 25th pick. With Kincaid off the board, Dallas elected to tab Michigan defensive lineman Mazi Smith at 26, in what can be considered a solid selection.
Dallas did go TE with the 58th overall pick, though many consider Michigan's Luke Schoonmaker to be a reach that doesn't differ much from the tight ends already on the team's roster.
Texas linebacker DeMarvion Overshown made leaps during the 2022 campaign and is a nice third-round addition, while the selection of San Jose St. EDGE Viliami Fehoko Jr. will add some depth. Overall, this draft feels like a solid, if unspectacular, haul for the Cowboys.
Grade: C+
Denver Broncos
Draft Summary: WR Marvin Mims, LB Drew Sanders, CB/S Riley Moss, S JL Skinner, C Alex Forsyth
Analysis: The Broncos were without a first-round pick in 2023 due to the Russell Wilson deal and didn't get involved until the end of the second round. However, Denver made the most of the weekend despite that handicap in new head coach Sean Peyton's first draft with the organization.
Denver broke the ice with Oklahoma wide receiver Marvin Mims with the 63rd pick, an explosive, big-play threat that averaged nearly 20 yards per catch during his college career. The Broncos grabbed do-it-all Arkansas linebacker Drew Sanders with the 67th pick in what profiles as an outstanding value pick for a player that was much higher on most draft boards. Sanders could be a Day One contributor for this Denver defense.
Grade: B
Detroit Lions
Draft Summary: RB Jahmyr Gibbs, LB Jack Campbell, TE Sam LaPorta, S Brian Branch, QB Hendon Hooker, DT Brodric Martin, OT Colby Sorsdal, WR Antoine Green
Analysis: Whew...there's a lot to unpack here, as Detroit had perhaps the most fascinating draft of the year. GM Brad Holmes, HC Dan Campbell, and the Lions organization continued to display their willingness to target "their type of guys" in this draft, no matter where those players may be slotted on other draft boards around the league.
At the end of the day, Detroit ultimately got a lot of good football players that profile as great fits for their blossoming culture, though not everyone will agree on the route they took to get there.
Alabama's Jahmyr Gibbs entered this draft as the consensus RB2 behind Bijan Robinson and was expected to go off the board near the tail-end of the first round. However, the Lions tabbed Gibbs with the 12th overall pick of the draft, investing a ton of draft capital into a back that will replace the now-traded D'Andre Swift but will still share Detroit's backfield workload with newly-signed David Montgomery.
The Lions continued to show that they "ain't scared" with the selection of Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell with the 18th overall pick of the draft. Like Gibbs, Campbell was a player that ranked near the top of most draft boards at his position, but the Lions could have likely traded back here and still got their man due to the positional value that most organizations place on linebackers.
Detroit continued to surprise in the second round, selecting Iowa TE Sam LaPorta over the higher-ranked Michael Mayer. While most teams likely had Mayer ahead of LaPorta, it's tough to argue with the George Kittle clone's physical style that fits perfectly with the Lions culture.
Unlike some of their other selections, landing Alabama safety Brian Branch with the 45th overall pick was a universally-loved value selection, as some experts had Branch going late in the first round.
Tennessee Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker was another prospect that some had pegged as a first-rounder, though the Lions were able to grab him in the third. Coming off an ACL tear, it's the perfect landing spot for Hooker, who should be able to sit behind incumbent starter Jared Goff for a year. Goff has just two years left on his current contract, so this is a nice forward-looking pick by Holmes and company that could ultimately pay huge dividends.
It was a wild and circuitous route to a haul that ended up being good with the potential to be great. Gibbs and Campbell - and to a lesser extent, LaPorta - could fairly be labeled as "reaches" by draftniks thanks to the perceived value of their positions. While the Lions likely still could have landed their guys and picked up some additional picks with a couple of calculated trades, it's becoming increasingly clear that the decision-makers in Detroit are comfortable doing things their own way. This Lions draft class will be a fun one to track over the next few years.
Grade: B+
Green Bay Packers
Draft Summary: EDGE Lukas Van Ness, TE Luke Musgrave, WR Jayden Reed, TE Tucker Kraft, DT Colby Wooden, QB Sean Clifford, WR Dontayvion Wicks, DT Karl Brooks, K Anders Carlson, CB Carrington Valentine, RB Lew Nichols III, S Anthony Johnson Jr., WR Grant DuBose
Analysis: I'll give it to the Green Bay Packers front office...at least they're consistent. Green Bay never drafted a wide receiver in the first round during Aaron Rodgers' 18-year tenure with the franchise (they haven't drafted a WR in the first round since 2002!) and the organization gave expected 2023 starter Jordan Love the same treatment in this year's draft.
The Packers went defense in the opening round, eschewing the draft's top wide receiver, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, with the 13th overall pick by electing to go with Iowa EDGE Lukas Van Ness in what could fairly be labeled a mini reach.
Green Bay did target some pass-catching weapons for Love as the draft progressed, locking in a pair of tight ends with Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft. Musgrave missed the majority of the 2022 season at Oregon St. with a knee injury but possesses sky-high potential, while Kraft proved he can both block and catch during his tenure at South Dakota St.
The franchise addressed the wide receiver position with Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, and Grant DuBose. Reed was the 50th overall pick of the draft and will be the wideout most likely to make a noticeable impact right away. He was a solid producer throughout his career at Michigan St. and could handle punt return duties for the Pack in 2023.
Though understandably searching for depth behind Love, taking Penn St. QB Sean Clifford in the fifth round remains something of a head-scratcher. All told, it's tough not to ding the Pack for passing on a prospect like Smith-Njigba in the first when their receiving corps is so thin, but they did attempt to rectify that in later rounds.
Grade: C+
Houston Texans
Draft Summary: QB C.J. Stroud, EDGE Will Anderson Jr., C Juice Scruggs, WR Tank Dell, DT Dylan Horton, LB Henry To'oTo'o, G/C Jarrett Patterson, WR Xavier Hutchinson, S Brandon Hill
Many wondered what the rebuilding Houston Texans would do with the No. 2 overall pick. The struggling franchise played it pretty straight with their selection of Ohio St. quarterback C.J. Stroud at two but decided to get aggressive by moving up to the third spot in a trade with Arizona to also grab Alabama EDGE Will Anderson Jr., the consensus top defensive player available in this year's draft.
In Stroud and Anderson, Houston has locked in potential franchise cornerstones on both sides of the football as they are set to begin the DeMeco Ryans era. The Texans did pay a huge price, sending the Cardinals the 12th and 33rd picks in this year's draft, as well as first and third-rounders in the 2024 draft.
It's inarguably a big swing for a franchise that's been in football purgatory since the Deshaun Watson debacle, but one they could afford to make thanks to the bevy of draft picks they received from the Cleveland Browns as compensation for the disgraced QB.
Houston tried to address some other areas of need in the draft, picking up center Juice Scruggs, as well as a pair of receivers in Tank Dell and Xavier Hutchinson. However, the franchise will ultimately be judged by how well Stroud and Anderson perform.
Grade: A
Indianapolis Colts
Draft Summary: QB Anthony Richardson, CB Julius Brents, WR Josh Downs, OT Blake Freeland, DT Adetomiwa Adebawore, CB Darius Rush, S Daniel Scott, TE Will Mallory, RB Evan Hull, LB Titus Leo, CB Jaylon Jones, OT Jake Witt
Analysis: A QB-starved franchise since Andrew Luck's shocking retirement in 2019, Indy has fielded six different starting QBs since Luck's departure. Owners of the No. 4 pick in this year's draft, the Colts were almost assuredly taking a QB but were limited to a certain extent by what the teams in front did at the position. With Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud off the board ahead of them, Indy elected to gamble on the huge upside of Anthony Richardson over Will Levis with the fourth pick.
It appears to be the perfect landing spot for the raw, but physically gifted Richardson, a quarterback who started just 13 games at the University of Florida but possesses a rocket arm and measurables the likes of which have never really been seen at the position. New Colts HC Shane Steichen helped to develop Jalen Hurts during his time in Philly and will have the same opportunity with Richardson.
In addition to Richardson, the Colts landed some more athletic freaks in this year's draft, headed by CBs Julius Brents, Darius Rush, and Jaylon Jones, as well as NFL Combine darlings Blake Freeland and Adetomiwa Adebawore.
Ultimately, it was a massive 12-pick haul for the retooling Colts with the vast majority of their picks oozing massive athletic upside. This is a boom/bust group that could be special.
Grade: A
Jacksonville Jaguars
Draft Summary: OT Anton Harrison, TE Brenton Strange, RB Tank Bigsby, LB Ventrell Miller, EDGE Tyler Lacy, EDGE Yasir Abdullah, S Antonio Johnson, WR Parker Washington, CB Christian Braswell, S Erick Hallett II, G Cooper Hodges, DT Raymond Vohasek, FB/EDGE/DT Derek Parish
Analysis: Lots of quantity here for the trending Jags, as they left the 2023 NFL Draft with a massive 13 draftees. As for the quality, it appears to be a mixed bag on the surface, as few of these picks really blow you away.
Jacksonville did well by moving back in the first round, picking up picks, and still getting some protection for superstar-in-the-making Trevor Lawrence by selecting rock-solid o-line prospect Anton Harrison at No. 27, who will add some depth with current Jaguar Cam Robinson reportedly facing a suspension.
Although Evan Engram produced a monster season for the Jags in 2022, he is injury prone, to put it mildly, and the organization added some nice depth at the TE position with Penn State's Brenton Strange, who profiles as a true pass-catching weapon. Stud Auburn running back Tank Bigsby in the third will complement Travis Etienne in the Jags' backfield.
Grade: C+
Kansas City Chiefs
Draft Summary: EDGE Felix Anudike-Uzomah, WR Rashee Rice, OT Wanya Morris, CB/S Chamarri Conner, EDGE B.J. Thompson, DT Keondre Coburn, CB Nic Jones
Analysis: The defending Super Bowl champs are well-versed in picking at the end of the first round. KC appears to have hit a home run with the hometown K-State product Felix Anudike-Uzomah, a productive EDGE rusher that tallied 89 QB pressures over his last two college seasons and should work into the Chiefs' defensive rotation right away.
The hunt for a true Tyreek Hill replacement continues and the Chiefs will see what do-it-all wideout Rashee Rice can do. It's a fit that makes sense and Rice has real potential to help this dynamite passing attack, though I was yelling at the TV screen for KC to take Tennessee's Jalin Hyatt with their second-round pick.
Ultimately, this proved to be a classic Kansas City draft...they addressed some areas of need in a solid, if unspectacular, fashion.
Grade: C
Las Vegas Raiders
Draft Summary: EDGE Tyree Wilson, TE Michael Mayer, DT Byron Young, WR Tre Tucker, CB Jakorian Bennett, QB Aidan O'Connell, S Christopher Smith, LB Amari Burney, DT Nesta Jade Silvera
Analysis: Many suspected the Raiders might be in play for a QB, but Las Vegas was content to grab some great value at areas of need with their first two picks.
The Silver & Black struggled to get to the quarterback last year, finishing 30th in the NFL in team sacks. By grabbing prototypical EDGE Tyree Wilson with the seventh overall pick, the Raiders will inject some much needed juice into their pass rush.
Vegas also filled the void left by an offseason trade that sent Darren Waller to the NY Giants, trading up to the No. 35 spot and using that selection on TE Michael Mayer, a player that shined as an offensive centerpiece for Notre Dame in 2022. Mayer is equally talented as a blocker and receiver. He was a steal in the second round.
The Raiders went back to work on the defensive line in Round 3, taking solid interior defender Byron Young out of Alabama. Josh McDaniels' squad then addressed the deficiencies in their secondary by trading up for Maryland's Jakorian Bennett in the fourth round. Bennett is a speedster at the CB spot that clocked a 4.30 40-yard dash. Las Vegas then grabbed a run-stopping safety in the fifth round with Georgia's Christopher Smith.
Grade: B
Los Angeles Chargers
Draft Summary: WR Quentin Johnston, DT Tuli Tuipulotu, LB Daiyan Henley, WR Derius Davis, G Jordan McFadden, DT Scott Matlock, QB Max Duggan
Analysis: With a wide receiver corps that was a walking MASH unit for the majority of 2022, targeting a WR at the end of the first round made sense for the Justin Herbert-led Chargers offense.
L.A. got their man, selecting TCU's Quentin Johnston with the 21st overall pick. Johnston is one of the few top-tier WRs in this year's class that possesses protypical NFL size at 6'3", 208lbs. They also grabbed Johnston's TCU teammate Derius Davis in the fourth round, a 4.36 blazer that profiles as a field stretcher for this passing attack.
The Chargers went to the defensive side of the ball with their next two picks, scooping up versatile 20-year-old USC EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu in the second round and high-motor LB Daiyan Henley in the third.
Grade: B+
Los Angeles Rams
Draft Summary: G Steve Avila, EDGE Byron Young, DL Kolbie Turner, QB Stetson Bennett, EDGE Nick Hampton, OT/G Warren McLendon, TE Davis Allen, WR Puka Nacua, CB Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, EDGE Ochaun Mathis, RB Zach Evans, P Ethan Evans, S Jason Taylor II, DT Desjuan Johnson
Analysis: Still paying for their Super Bowl victory, the Rams were without a pick in the first round. After fielding one of the NFL's worst offensive lines in 2022, L.A. sensibly selected TCU guard Steve Avila, a rock-solid pass protector that can, hopefully, help to keep Matthew Stafford upright and healthy in 2023.
Tennessee's Byron Young is an explosive EDGE that could be dynamic in a role around Aaron Donald, while L.A.'s other third-round selection, Kolbie Turner, will also add some defensive line depth.
The selection of Stetson Bennett in the fourth round is interesting, especially considering Sean McVay's history of developing QBs. The Georgia signal caller will fight to earn the back-up job behind Stafford, a veteran that suffered numerous injuries and concussions last season.
Los Angeles had a stockpile of late-round picks which they used to add much-needed depth to a roster that was glaringly depleted and decimated by injuries in 2022. Georgia's Warren McLendon could be a quick contributor to the ailing offensive line, while TE Davis Allen, WR Puka Nacua, and RB Zach Evans could earn roles in 2023.
Grade: C
Miami Dolphins
Draft Summary: CB Cam Smith, RB Devon Achane, WR Elijah Higgins, OT Ryan Hayes
Analysis: The loss of a first-round pick due to a tampering violation is a huge hole to dig out of, especially when Miami was also minus some picks to due to previous trades. Despite those obstacles, the Dolphins gave it a spirited effort over the weekend, and have to walk away feeling good about what they were able to pull off.
South Carolina defensive back Cam Smith was a late faller in the draft process and a slam-dunk value pick at 51 that could prove to be a strong addition to Miami's secondary. If scooping up Smith in the second round was a 9/10 score on the draft value scale, landing Texas A&M running back Devon Achane in the third round ranks at around a 17/10.
A lightning-in-a-bottle back, Achane gets a dream landing spot in Mike McDaniel's rushing scheme and has the potential to be a game-breaker right out of the gate. Personally, this is one of my favorite picks of the entire draft.
Grade: B
Minnesota Vikings
Draft Summary: WR Jordan Addison, CB Mekhi Blackmon, CB Jay Ward, DT Jaquelin Roy, QB Jaren Hall, RB DeWayne McBride
Analysis: Landing former Biletnikoff Award winner Jordan Addison with the 23rd overall pick feels like a match made in heaven. Addison is an elite route runner that should immediately fill the void left by the now-departed Adam Thielen. The trio of Addison, Justin Jefferson, and T.J. Hockenson in this explosive Minnesota offensive scheme will make opposing defensive coordinators lose a lot of sleep in the coming years.
The Vikings secondary was routinely torched in 2022, finishing the season ranked 30th in the NFL in Pass Defense. They attempted to address those problems by going cornerback with their next two selections, targeting USC's Mekhi Blackmon and LSU's Jay Ward in Rounds 3 and 4 with Blackmon being the most exciting prospect of the two.
Still searching for a dependable backup QB behind Kirk Cousins, the Vikes took a reasonable flyer on athletic BYU signal caller Jaren Hall in the fifth round, who will battle Nick Mullens for the right to back up Cousins.
Grade: B
New England Patriots
Draft Summary: CB Christian Gonzalez, EDGE Keion White, S Marte Mapu, C Jake Andrews, K Chad Ryland, G Sidy Sow, G Atonio Mafi, WR Kayshon Boutte, P Bryce Baringer, WR Demario Douglas, CB Ameer Speed, CB Isaiah Bolden
Analysis: It was a classic "Patriots Way" draft for the storied New England franchise. Bill Belichick and company traded back in the first round, yet still landed one of the night's biggest steals in Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez with the 17th overall pick.
The Pats' good fortune continued into the second and third rounds, as they were able to add Georgia Tech's versatile Keion White to their defensive line and heavy-hitting safety Marte Mapu to their secondary.
From there it was a cavalcade of mercurial picks that had Belichick-ian fingerprints all over them and included a kicker, a punter, and a talented, but troubled, wide receiver in LSU's Kayshon Boutte.
Grade: A
New Orleans Saints
Draft Summary: DT Bryan Bresee, EDGE Isaiah Foskey, RB Kendre Miller, G Nick Saldiveri, QB Jake Haener, S Jordan Howden, WR A.T. Perry
Analysis: The Saints attempted to revamp their defensive line with their first two picks of the 2023 NFL Draft, taking Clemson tackle Bryan Bresee in the first round and Notre Dame EDGE Isaiah Foskey in the second.
Bresee is an intriguing, uber-talented prospect that was plagued by obstacles throughout his collegiate career, including ACL and shoulder surgeries, a serious kidney infection, and the tragic 2022 death of his little sister. He's the former No. 1 high school prospect in the country and profiles as a true boom/bust project.
Despite possessing textbook size, Foskey isn't as exciting a prospect. His production at Notre Dame just leaves you wanting more. New Orleans grabbing TCU's Kendre Miller in with the 71st overall pick shouldn't go overlooked, as incumbent Saints superstar Alvin Kamara and the team appeared to drift apart in 2022 and has an assault-related suspension looming in 2023. Miller was very productive at TCU and clawed his way up the Horned Frogs depth chart over the highly-recruited Zach Evans. He could be an instant producer depending on Kamara's status.
Grade: C
New York Giants
Draft Summary: CB Deonte Banks, C John Michael Schmitz, WR Jalin Hyatt, RB Eric Gray, CB Tre Hawkins III, DT Jordon Riley, S Gervarrius Owens
Analysis: It feels like the Dave Gettleman-less Giants entered the 2023 NFL Draft with a plan and executed it flawlessly. Maryland's Deonte Banks was one of the top cover corners in this year's class and a rock-solid selection that will improve Big Blue's secondary immediately at 24th overall.
The hits kept coming for New York in Rounds 2 & 3. The G-Men landed the best center in the draft with the 57th pick in John Michael Schmitz, a four-year starter at Minnesota that will be a Day One starter for the Giants.
Brian Daboll and company traded up to the 73rd overall pick to grab some offensive help with reigning Biletnikoff Award winner Jalin Hyatt. His slim frame and lack of proven route running in the University of Tennessee's offensive system caused him to slide a bit, but he's a legitimate big-play beast that can provide Daniel Jones with a downfield threat.
Fifth-round RB Eric Gray will add immediate depth behind the often-injured Saquon Barkley, while CB Tre Hawkins III and DT Jordon Riley could also evolve into contributors.
Grade: A
New York Jets
Draft Summary: EDGE Will McDonald IV, C Joe Tippmann, OT Carter Warren, RB Israel Abanikanda, LB Zaire Barnes, CB Jerrick Bernard-Converse, TE Zach Kuntz
Analysis: After smashing the 2022 NFL Draft, the Jets failed to repeat that sterling effort this year, although they did finally swing a trade that brought Aaron Rodgers to the Big Apple.
Iowa State's Will McDonald IV will likely be a solid contributor, but his upside feels limited, which makes him a reach with the 15th overall pick. Along with John Michael Schmitz (who ended up going to the other New York team), Joe Tippmann was the top center in this year's draft. Gang Green nabbed the Wisconsin product with the 43rd overall pick of the draft.
Pitt's Israel Abanikanda is a nice running back prospect, though I didn't see the need for the Jets to go there with an already-talented backfield that includes Breece Hall, Michael Carter, and Zonovan Knight.
Grade: D+
Philadelphia Eagles
Draft Summary: DT Jalen Carter, EDGE Nolan Smith, OT Tyler Steen, S Sydney Brown. CB Kelee Ringo, QB Tanner McKee, DT Moro Ojomo
Analysis: Philadelphia GM Howie Roseman is playing the game on a different level than anyone else in the NFL and this year's draft was just a nice reminder of that fact.
The Eagles landed Georgia mega-talent Jalen Carter - a player that many considered the top defensive prospect in this year's draft - with the ninth overall pick after a trade swap with the Bears. Roseman and the Eagles didn't rest there, and pulled off an encore that was almost as impressive, scoring another Bulldog - EDGE Nolan Smith - at the end of the first round.
Smith was another slider that ranked much higher on the majority of draft boards than his eventual selection spot would indicate. Many pundits had speculated the Eagles would grab Smith with their 10th overall pick - the pick they eventually leveraged into Carter. Instead, they stole an elite talent at a premium position with the 30th overall pick.
Just for good measure, Philly snagged Georgia CB Kelee Ringo - a player many projected to go off the board much earlier - in the fourth round and paid a pittance to acquire former Bulldog RB D'Andre Swift via a trade with the Detroit Lions. Ladies and gentlemen...the Philadelphia Bulldogs.
Oh by the way, Roseman also stockpiled offensive line talent in the form of Tyler Steen and filled a defensive backfield gap with safety Sydney Brown in the third round. It almost feels unfair.
Grade: A+
Pittsburgh Steelers
Draft Summary: OT Broderick Jones, CB Joey Porter Jr., DT Keeanu Benton,TE Darnell Washington, LB Nick Herbig, CB Cory Trice, G/OT Spencer Anderson
Analysis: The Steelers were one of the few teams that nearly matched the aforementioned Eagles in this year's draft, as new Pittsburgh GM Omar Khan pitched a perfect game in his first NFL Draft at the helm of the storied franchise.
The Steelers entered the draft with their sights set on an elite offensive lineman. They gave up a fourth-round pick in order to move up three slots and get their man - Georgia's Broderick Jones - with the 14th overall pick.
Pittsburgh then opened Day 2 of the draft with a legacy pick in Joey Porter Jr., the son of the longtime Steeler of the same name. Porter Jr. was very productive during his time at Penn State and was expected by many prognosticators to go in the first round.
Later in the second round, Pittsburgh added some needed depth to their interior defensive line with Wisconsin's Keeanu Benton. They stopped the puzzling slide of physical freak Darnell Washington - the big Georgia tight end that plays a physical brand of football that suits the Steelers perfectly - in the third round, while also adding explosive pass rusher Nick Herbig in the fourth.
Grade: A+
San Francisco 49ers
Draft Summary: S Ji'Ayir Brown, K Jake Moody, TE Cameron Latu, CB Darrell Luter Jr., EDGE Robert Beal Jr., LB Dee Winters, TE/FB Brayden Willis, WR Ronnie Bell, LB Jalen Graham
Analysis: Thanks to deals that included Trey Lance and Christian McCaffrey, the Niners didn't own a pick in this year's draft until the third round.
When San Fran finally got a pick, they spent it wisely on Penn State's do-everything safety Ji'Ayir Brown, a player that should be a contributor right away. I understand the Niners needed to replace Robbie Gould, but taking a kicker in the third round is just something I can't ever wrap my head around.
The Niners spent the rest of their draft accumulating depth and rotational players with few picks that stand out as impact prospects.
Grade: D+
Seattle Seahawks
Draft Summary: CB Devon Witherspoon, WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, EDGE Derick Hall, RB Zach Charbonnet, G Anthony Bradford, DT Cameron Young, EDGE/DT Mike Morris, C Olusegun Oluwatimi, S Jerrick Reed II, RB Kenny McIntosh
Analysis: Longtime Seattle GM has long been considered one of the best executives in NFL and he reminded everyone why in the first round of this draft.
In a mild surprise, the Seahawks locked in the best cornerback in the 2023 class with the fifth overall pick by selecting Illinois' Devon Witherspoon, an alpha, lockdown cover corner that plays a physical style that would have fit right in with the Legion of Boom.
Seattle also broke the ice on the wide receiver position, kickstarting a WR run with the selection of Jaxon Smith-Njigba at the No. 20 spot. In a draft class without a clear-cut WR1, the Ohio State receiver was atop most draft boards at the position and should fit nicely with a receiving corps that features DK Metcalf and an aging Tyler Lockett.
While they had an excellent draft overall, the Seahawks are gonna Seahawk on occasion, and their weakness for running backs reared its head in this draft. First in the second round, when Seattle took UCLA's Zach Charbonnet off the board with the 52nd overall pick, and then in the seventh when they snagged Georgia's Kenny McIntosh. Charbonnet is a legit prospect that possesses an intriguing blend of speed and power, but did they really need to spend a second rounder on the position when they already have Kenneth Walker III on a rookie deal?
The Seahawks added more potential impact contributors in Auburn EDGE Derick Hall, LSU guard Anthony Bradford, and Mississippi State d-lineman Cameron Young. In addition to the solid talent they picked up in 2022, Seattle's well-rounded 2023 draft also helped to solidify them as the clear-cut winner of the Russell Wilson trade.
Grade: A
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Draft Summary: DT Calijah Kancey, OT Cody Mauch, EDGE YaYa Diaby, LB SirVocea Dennis, TE Payne Durham, CB Josh Hayes, WR Trey Palmer, EDGE Jose Ramirez
Draft Summary: Just like Giselle, the Bucs are now living life without Tom Brady. Despite having a QB depth chart that currently consists of Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask, Tampa Bay elected not to go after a signal caller, despite a sliding Will Levis being available to them at No. 19.
Instead, the Bucs focused on the trenches, selecting defensive tackle Calijah Kancey with their first-round pick, offensive lineman Cody Mauch in the second, and EDGE YaYa Diaby in the third.
While it's a solid approach that Tampa Bay backed up with good players across their early-round picks, their QB issues will apparently go unsolved for at least another year.
Grade: B-
Tennessee Titans
Draft Summary: OT Peter Skoronski, QB Will Levis, RB Tyjae Spears, TE Josh Whyle, OT Jaelyn Duncan, WR Colton Dowell
Analysis: Thought to be a possible mover in search of a QB in the first round, the Titan decided to stand pat on the opening night of the draft, selecting the high floor of Northwestern offensive lineman Peter Skoronski with the 11th overall pick. Skoronski is a rock-solid tackle that might slide to guard in the NFL and likely has a long, successful career ahead of him.
Things got interesting on the second night of the draft, as Kentucky's Will Levis, a quarterback the Titans had been linked to in the first round, was still available at the start of Round 2. First-year Tennessee GM Ran Carthon traded up to pick No. 33 to end Levis' slide and give the Titans a potential replacement for an aging - and expensive - Ryan Tannehill.
While we can debate why so many teams ultimately passed on Levis, he's a legitimately good QB prospect with prototypical size and skills. Whether he pans out or not, I love the value of getting him here and Tennessee's aggressiveness in moving up.
It was offense the rest of the way for the Titans with Tulane RB Tyjae Spears being another strong addition to an already-stacked backfield. Except for a seventh-round flyer on Colton Dowell from tiny Tennessee-Martin, the organization frustratingly failed to address their Grand Canyon-size hole at the wide receiver position.
Grade: A-
Washington Commanders
Draft Summary: CB Emmanuel Forbes, S Jartavius Martin, G Ricky Stromberg, OT Braeden Daniels, EDGE K.J. Henry, RB Chris Rodriguez Jr., EDGE Andre Jones
Analysis: With detested owner Dan Snyder seemingly on the way out the door, the Commanders feel like a franchise in transition, as 2023 will likely be a make-or-break campaign for head coach Ron Rivera before new ownership eventually takes over and looks to install a front office and coach of their choosing.
It doesn't appear as though Rivera will get much help from Washington's 2023 draft haul, as there doesn't appear to be a true difference-maker in the bunch. The Commanders spent their first two selections on the defensive backfield, where Emmanuel Forbes and Jartavius Martin will likely be solid additions and sound producers. With second-year QB Sam Howell set to lead the offense into the 2023 season, it could be a long one for this once-proud franchise that hopes better days lie ahead.
Grade: D+
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