- jhunter2
- Apr 14, 2023
- 6 min read
Josh H.
1. Carolina Panthers (via CHI): Bryce Young - QB, Alabama
Carolina ignores concerns about Young's size and takes the best overall quarterback prospect in the draft. Grade: B+
2. Houston Texans: C.J. Stroud - QB, Ohio State
The two-time Heisman finalist signal caller finds a new home in Texas under first-year HC DeMeco Ryans. Grade: A
3. Arizona Cardinals: Will Anderson Jr. - EDGE, Alabama
I wouldn't be surprised if the Cards opted to trade back from here (for the right price), but landing the most dominant player in college football at #3 may still be the biggest steal in the draft. Grade: A+
4. Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Richardson - QB, Florida
Richardson is far from a finished product, but his potential is limitless. Expect the Colts to take a swing at the Florida product and give new HC Shane Steichen a record-breaking athlete with a rocket arm to build an offense around. Grade: B
5. Seattle Seahawks (via DEN): Tyree Wilson - EDGE, Texas Tech
Wilson is one of my favorite players in the whole draft, and the Seahawks could use his monstrous presence as they rebuild their defensive front. Grade: A
6. Detroit Lions (via LAR): Jalen Carter - DL, Georgia
As debatably the biggest question mark in the 2023 NFL Draft due to off-field legal issues and a disappointing pro day, Carter could slide much further than this. However, the Lions have a glaring need on the front lines of their defense, and Carter is the best player available to fill this need. Grade: C
7. Las Vegas Raiders: Will Levis - QB, Kentucky
The Raiders don't need a starting quarterback for this season, but Jimmy Garoppolo isn't a long-term solution under center. Levis is unpolished, and giving him a year to develop behind a veteran before taking the reins of a franchise may be the ideal course of action. Grade: C-
8. Atlanta Falcons: Nolan Smith - EDGE/LB, Georgia
Nolan Smith is a freak athlete. Grade: B
9. Chicago Bears (via CAR): Lukas Van Ness - EDGE, Iowa
The Bears have had one of the more impressive offseasons in the NFL to this point, but their roster still has plenty of holes. Van Ness is an impressive athlete for his size and a powerful pass-rusher, and would significantly upgrade a defense that was league-last in sacks in 2022. Grade: A-
10. Philadelphia Eagles (via NO): Christian Gonzalez - CB, Oregon
The Falcons take potentially the best of the bunch in a strong cornerback class. Gonzalez's combination of size, speed, and fluidity is rare, and he should be a great addition to an already awesome defense. Grade: A
11. Tennessee Titans: Paris Johnson Jr. - OT, Ohio State
The Titans are on the verge of a full-scale rebuild, and drafting a high-upside left tackle that excels in pass protection is a great place to start. Grade: A
12. Houston Texans (via CLE): Jaxon Smith-Njigba - WR, Ohio State
Despite not being on the field much of last season, Smith-Njigba's impressive offseason and unbelievable production in 2021 have established him as the top receiver of this class. He's an amazing route runner who can create after the catch, and already has proven chemistry with Stroud, the Texans' new QB. Grade: A+
13. New York Jets: Broderick Jones - OT, Georgia
Jones is a beast, and could develop into the best offensive tackle in this class. If the Jets do end up trading for Aaron Rodgers and are able to retain this pick, protecting him with it should be the top priority. Grade: A-
14. New England Patriots: Devon Witherspoon - CB, Illinois
Witherspoon may not be the biggest corner left on the board, but he's one of the toughest and most aggressive ball-hawks in the draft, and should help fill in the need the Patriots have in the secondary. Grade: A-
15. Green Bay Packers: Myles Murphy - DL/EDGE, Clemson
The Packers could very easily take an offensive weapon here to help new starting QB Jordan Love, but the potential and inside-outside versatility Murphy brings to the table could be too good to pass up. Grade: A-
16. Washington Commanders: Peter Skoronski - OL, Northwestern
The Commanders could use help along the whole of the offensive line, and Skoronski is widely considered the best offensive lineman in the draft. Grade: A
17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Darnell Wright - OT, Tennessee
Kenny Pickett may be the future of the Steelers franchise, and investing a top 20 pick in protecting him is never a bad idea. Darnell Wright didn't allow a sack last year while playing in the SEC. Grade: A-
18. Detroit Lions: Joey Porter Jr. - CB, Penn State
The Lions need long-term help in the secondary, and landing a big, physical corner in Porter at 18 would be the best-case scenario for them in my opinion. This could hypothetically set up a longtime rivalry between him and Ohio State standout Marvin Harrison Jr. in the NFC North if Chicago is able to land Harrison in next year's draft, and I'm all for it. Grade: A+
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Calijah Kancey - DL, Pittsburgh
The Bucs are scrambling to stay relevant following Tom Brady's retirement, so I could see a big-time offensive talent like Bijan Robinson go off the board here. However, Kancey is an awesome interior pass-rusher that could be a lethal addition to Tampa's interior alongside VIta Vea. Grade: B
20. Seattle Seahawks: O'Cyrus Torrence - IOL, Florida
With Wilson now solidifying the defensive edge, the Hawks take arguably the best interior OL prospect not named Peter Skoronski to add yet another young talent in the trenches on offense. Grade: B+
21. Los Angeles Chargers: Jalin Hyatt - WR, Tennessee
Tough. Fast. Explosive. Grade: A-
22. Baltimore Ravens: Deonte Banks - CB, Maryland
Although Odell Beckham Jr. isn't a long-term answer at receiver, he is a short-term one, and his signing may encourage Lamar Jackson and the Ravens to agree on something. It also opens the door for Baltimore to take a swing at a high-upside cornerback here, and Deonte Banks is exactly that. Grade: B+
23. Minnesota Vikings: Jordan Addison - WR, Southern Cal
Justin Jefferson is the best receiver in the NFL, but if the Vikings want to remain relevant in what could soon become a highly-competitive NFC North, they need more weaponry alongside him. Addison is a clean route-runner who has been highly productive over the past two seasons and could form an elite offensive trio with Jefferson and tight end T.J. Hockenson. Grade: B+
24. Jacksonville Jaguars: Anton Harrison - OT, Oklahoma
After an outstanding second half of last season, it's clear that Trevor Lawrence is the future in Jacksonville. However, after losing starting right tackle Jawaan Taylor in free agency, the Jags would be wise to invest their first-round pick in keeping him upright. Harrison is the best option available, and could be an immediate impact player up front. Grade: B
25. New York Giants: Quentin Johnston - WR, Texas Christian
Ideally, the Giants would address their dire need for a true boundary cornerback here, but after seeing all of the top-tier prospects at the position taken ahead of them, they settle for a high-upside option at another position of need in Johnston. (Note: the outcome of Saquon Barkley's contract situation could drastically change not only this pick but the entire second half of the first round) Grade: C-
26. Dallas Cowboys: Bijan Robinson - HB, Texas
Bijan Robinson is widely considered one of the best players in the draft regardless of position, but his position may be the most important thing to consider when analyzing his draft outlook and positioning. But even though halfback isn't valued very highly in the NFL, there isn't a better move the Cowboys can make at this spot in my opinion. Grade: A+
27. Buffalo Bills: Brian Branch - DB, Alabama
A similar situation here as the last pick in terms of positional value; however, although Branch isn't as highly touted of a prospect as Robinson, he's a high-level, highly versatile secondary defender that brings tremendous value to the Buffalo defense. Grade: A+
28. Cincinnati Bengals: Darnell Washington - TE, Georgia
Three straight A+ picks toward the end of the first round as Cincinnati takes the first (and my personal favorite) of a wide selection of high-end talents at tight end. Grade: A+
29. New Orleans Saints (via SF): Keion White - DL/EDGE, Georgia Tech
I toyed with the idea of the Saints taking Hendon Hooker here, but I don't think this is the time or place for them to draft their potential QB of the future, especially considering that QB is an unfinished product that's already older than NFL MVP runner-up Jalen Hurts and less than three years younger than 2017 draftee and future Hall-of-Famer Patrick Mahomes. White immediately replaces Marcus Davenport on the defensive front. Grade: B-
30. Philadelphia Eagles: Adetomiwa Adebawore - DL/EDGE, Northwestern
Let me throw down a quick equation for the math lovers out there:
Aging defensive front + versatile high-upside rookie DL = Success
Adebawore ran a 4.49 40-yard dash at the combine, and can become an All-Pro defender if developed right. Grade: B+
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Zay Flowers - WR, Boston College
I stole this pick from FOX Sports commentator Joel Klatt's podcast (S/O @JoelKlattShow) because I love the idea of pairing a fast receiver with Patrick Mahomes. Grade: A-
