The 2023 NFL draft is finally here!
In front of a massive crowd in Kansas City, Alabama’s Bryce Young became the first overall selection on Thursday night as the Panthers took their quarterback of the future.
CJ Stroud and Anthony Richardson soon followed within the first four picks, but Kentucky’s Will Levis slid out of the first round entirely, and will be on the top of most big boards as the second round begins on Friday.
Keep it locked here as we give you instant grades and analysis for every selection as it happens:
1. Carolina Panthers: QB Bryce Young, Alabama
The Panthers traded up and got their guy. It’s been quite some time since Carolina has had a competent quarterback, and now Young is in the most ideal situation playing under new head coach Frank Reich, who has a proven track record of producing signal-callers. While Young’s size might be an outlier and he doesn’t have the biggest arm, his passing instincts and off-platform ability are second to none. Now we wait and see how the Panthers will attack the rest of the draft to improve his supporting cast.
Grade: A
2. Houston Texans: QB C.J. Stroud, Ohio State
Will Anderson had been heavily favored to be the Texans’ pick for the past month. But it made sense to get a new signal-caller to begin the Demeco Ryans era. Put the test scores aside, Stroud can play football. Stroud is a proven passer with the ability to make throws to all levels of the field, great pocket awareness and can come up big in clutch situations.
Grade: A
3. Houston Texans (via Arizona Cardinals): EDGE Will Anderson, Alabama
After landing their quarterback of the future, they jumped up to still land a cornerstone of the future Texans’ defense. With an explosive first step and powerful and crafty hands, Anderson should aid a struggling pass rush from the jump. He had 27.5 sacks over the past two years at Alabama.
Grade: A+
4. Indianapolis Colts: QB Anthony Richardson, Florida
With Young and Stroud gone, Indianapolis decided between Richardson and Kentucky’s Will Levis and went with the former Gator. While he is raw and needs to improve his accuracy, Richardson has the strongest arm in the class and is electric as a runner. With the guidance of head coach Shane Steichen, who worked with and helped Jalen Hurts blossom, the sky is the limit for Richardson.
Grade: A+
5. Seattle Seahawks: CB Devon Witherspoon, Illinois
Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter was a popular pick here. Instead, Seattle lands a blue-chip shutdown cornerback. Witherspoon’s physicality, instincts and ball skills in coverage are top-tier. He and Tariq Woolson will be a dangerous tandem for years to come.
Grade: B+
6. Arizona Cardinals (via Detroit Lions): OT Paris Johnson, Ohio State
After trading back, Arizona moved back up to take their left tackle of the future. With Kyler Murray returning from an ACL injury, it’s imperative that he is kept upright upon return, which is why the offensive line was the top priority, even with Carter still on the board. Johnson has the size, length and athleticism to be a mainstay at the position.
Grade: B+
7. Las Vegas Raiders: EDGE Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech
Many speculated Las Vegas would select an offensive lineman or cornerback here. Instead, they’re adding another premier EDGE opposite Maxx Crosby. Wilson needs to improve his pass-rush plan, but he has the length, speed and power to put blockers on skates. Wilson can also play inside in certain situations with Crosby and Chandler Jones on the outside.
Grade: B+
8. Atlanta Falcons: RB Bijan Robinson, Texas
Robinson was a wild card because of his positional value, but the talent was too good to pass up. He is a patient and physical runner with great vision and burst, and can impact the passing game as a receiver. Pairing Robinson with tight end Kyle Pitts and wide receiver Drake London is going to be fun for an ascending offense.
Grade: A
9. Philadelphia Eagles (via Chicago Bears): DT Jalen Carter, Georgia
It’s been a roller coaster of a ride for Carter over the past few months as his draft stock fell after a few issues. He pleaded not guilty to a pair of misdemeanor charges. Problems aside, Philadelphia is adding a talented player with the quickness and power to cause problems for offensive linemen. Carter reunites with his former Georgia teammates Jordan Davis and Nakobe Dean.
Grade: A
10. Chicago Bears (via Philadelphia Eagles): OT Darnell Wright, Tennessee
One of Chicago’s priorities was adding protection for quarterback Justin Fields, and they fulfilled that with Wright, who should be their starting right tackle from the get-go. Wright has the foot quickness and body control to keep rushers at bay and is one of the most imposing run defenders with physical hands.
Grade: B
11. Tennessee Titans: OT Peter Skoronski, Northwestern
Tennessee was in consideration to take a quarterback. Instead, they fill an immediate need, as their pass protection was leaky last season. Skoronski’s shorter arm length means he might kick inside to guard at the next level. But I believe he has the skill set as both a pass-protector and a run-blocker to stay outside.
Grade: B+
12. Detroit Lions (via Houston Texans): RB Jamyr Gibbs, Alabama
When Dan Campbell is the head coach of your team, it’s never too early to take a running back. Gibbs has the open-field elusiveness, pass-catching skills and speed to boost Detroit’s offense. But this is still a bit of reach. The Lions could’ve just stayed put at No. 6 and taken Robinson.
Grade: D
13. Green Bay Packers (via New York Jets): EDGE Lukas Van Ness, Iowa
Green Bay goes with Van Ness, with Rashan Gary coming off his ACL injury. Van Ness will bring an element of explosiveness and power. He didn’t start at Iowa but still had 14 sacks over two seasons. This would have been a good spot for a weapon for new starting quarterback Jordan Love, though.
Grade: B
14. Pittsburgh Steelers (via New England Patriots): OT Broderick Jones, Georgia
Getting protection for quarterback Kenny Pickett was imperative and Pittsburgh got that with the best remaining offensive lineman. Jones has the size, length and quickness to step in as their starting left tackle from Day 1. Despite being a starter for one season at Georgia, Jones didn’t allow a single sack in 15 starts in 2022.
Grade: A
15. New York Jets (via Green Bay Packers): EDGE Will McDonald, Iowa State
There’s no denying that McDonald knows how to get to the quarterback, amassing 16.5 sacks and 63 pressures since 2021. But with Georgia’s Nolan Smith still available, this is a bit of a reach. Nonetheless, this will be a good piece for head coach Robert Saleh’s defense.
Grade: C-
16. Washington Commanders: CB Emmanuel Forbes, Mississippi State
Washington’s cornerback room is thin and Kendall Fuller will be a free agent after this season. With their zone-heavy scheme, Forbes is a good fit because he thrived in that coverage in college. For a defense that struggled to get their hands on the football, Forbes’ ball-hawking skills should help. He had 14 interceptions and six pick-sixes.
Grade: B
17. New England Patriots (via Pittsburgh Steelers): CB Christian Gonzalez, Oregon
The Patriots traded down and still got the best cornerback in the draft in the back half of the first round. Gonzalez has great size, speed and length to stick with receivers. This is a dream scenario for head coach Bill Belichick.
Grade: A+
18. Detroit Lions: LB Jack Campbell, Iowa
Detroit reached for a position with low value with their first pick in Gibbs and they do so again with the second position the NFL doesn’t seem to value in Round 1. Campbell is a prototypical Dan Campbell player with the kneecap-biter mentality, athleticism and instincts for the position, but it is just rich here.
Grade: D
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: DL Calijah Kancey, Pitt
The Buccaneers are in a rebuild position with an aging defense and uncertainty at the quarterback position. They took a dominant interior rusher who can ensure a consistent pass rush in the middle of the defense and whose athletic profile projects well to the next level in Calijah Kancey. It is difficult to justify taking a player who will need to come off the field on running downs, but his pass-rushing presence should offset the downside.
Grade: B-
20. Seattle Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State
The Seahawks nab their starter at the slot position in Ohio State’s Smith-Njigba who is the top receiver on most team’s boards. He had a dominant 2021 season and proved he had elite route running ability, soft hands, explosive ability, and a unique way of working himself open in the middle of the defense. Njigba will pair well with DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett as Seattle will look to open up an already top-tier offense.
Grade: A
21. Los Angeles Chargers - WR Quentin Johnston, TCU
The run on wide receivers continues with the Chargers landing a big receiving target who does just about everything right. Quentin Johnston needs to be more consistent with his hands but his route-running and skills in the open field were just too enticing to pass up. Johnston gives Justin Herbert a big weapon he has been missing downfield.
Grade: B+
22. Baltimore Ravens: WR Zay Flower, Boston College
Fresh off of the announcement of a massive new contract for quarterback Lamar Jackson, the Ravens chose Boston College wide receiver Zay Flowers to give him an additional deep threat in the passing game. The Ravens haven’t had the best of luck in trying to draft receivers early but Flowers speed and acceleration should give them everything they hoped to get with Hollywood Brown but didn’t.
Grade: B+
23. Minnesota Vikings: WR Jordan Addison, USC
It’s four in a row for wide receivers in the round as the Vikings land USC wide receiver Jordan Addison. Addison didn’t wow in offseason workouts but his film tells a different story. He has a rare ability to get open and beat coverages and impressive hands. He will have to show at the next level he can push defenses with his speed to keep clear of press coverage.
Grade: B-
24. New York Giants: CB Deonte Banks, Maryland
The Giants made a quick trade to go up one spot and draft perhaps the most athletic cornerback in the entire draft. Maryland’s Deonte Banks is a freakish athlete who excels in man coverage and shows an impressive nose for the football. This was a huge get for the Giants and should be a day-one starter.
Grade: A
25. Buffalo Bills: TE Dalton Kincaid, Utah
When you have a franchise quarterback like Josh Allen, there’s nothing better you can do than give him a player like former Utah tight end Dalton Kincaid. Kincaid is a natural route runner and receiver, showing impressive hands and the ability to rack up yards after the catch.
Grade: A-
26. Dallas Cowboys: DT Mazi Smith, Michigan
27. Jacksonville Jaguars: OT Anton Harrison, Oklahoma
The Jaguars made a couple of trades back just being patient and waiting for the opportunity to draft the offensive tackle they wanted. Oklahoma’s Anton Harrison is a dominant run blocker who needs to show he can pass protect at a pro level. Overall a solid value late in the round and fills a significant need for the Jags.
Grade: B+
28. Cincinnati Bengals: EDGE Myles Murphy, Clemson
While so many teams were making trades, the Bengals sat back, stayed patient and ended up getting huge value in Clemson defensive end Myles Murphy. Murphy is a great combination of size and speed who can set the edge against the run and finishes plays with authority.
Grade: A
29. New Orleans Saints: DT Bryan Bresee, Clemson
The Saints got real value with former Clemson defensive tackle Bryan Bresee late in the first round. Bresee has never been able to recreate the success of his freshman season thanks to injuries but when healthy he’s practically unblockable on the interior. This pick is based on the potential and the health of Bresee.
Grade: B+
30. Philadelphia Eagles: EDGE Nolan Smith, Georgia
The Eagles made themselves a haul in the first round and getting Georgia EDGE Nolan Smith might be the biggest steal of the first round. Smith is an explosive edge rusher who blows plays up with his burst, balance and closing speed.
Grade: A
