2023 NFL Draft Recap: Who heard their name called on Night 1?

After months of evaluating draft prospects, studying college tape and taking measurements, the 2023 NFL Draft is finally here!

This year’s draft class will likely be headlined by Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, presumably going first to the Carolina Panthers tonight. But with other gunslingers on the board, and a few blue-chip defensive linemen, anything could happen in Kansas City.

But one thing is for sure, it’s a night that no one will want to miss.

Below you’ll find a recap of the events that transpired Thursday night, including who got selected to which team, and how the initial fit looks.

1.  QB Bryce Young – Carolina Panthers via Chicago Bears

College: Alabama

Grade: A

Surprise, surprise. All but confirmed earlier in the day, the Panthers take Bryce Young with the #1 overall pick.

Young was unbelievable for the Crimson Tide last year, willing them to victories with a far less talented roster than previous years. If not for close losses to Tennessee and LSU, Alabama would have been in the college football playoffs. Young still left college with a dominant performance however, tossing for 321 passing yards and five TDs in a rout of Kansas State in the Sugar Bowl.

Panthers’ general manager Scott Fitterer fell in love with Young’s intangibles, able to process the field quickly and accurately. While his height and weight are a concern, Carolina overlooks that, hoping he can be a franchise QB for years to come.

2.  QB C.J. Stroud – Houston Texans

College: Ohio State

Grade: B+

This almost got crazy, but the Texans realize they need to take their next franchise QB here, and do with C.J. Stroud.

Stroud is a polished passer, throwing for 8123 passing yards, 85 total TDs and only 12 INTs in two years as the starting QB. Past Buckeye QBs have not been success a the next level, with Chicago’s Justin fields being the one of the few to break the mold. It also didn’t help that he scored one of the lowest on the S2 Cognitive tests, calling into question his decision-making.

Thankfully, Houston looks past that and gets a guy who is doesn’t have the highest ceiling, but an incredible floor for DeMeco Ryans.

3.  LB Will Anderson Jr. – TRADE; Houston Texans via Arizona Cardinals

College: Alabama

Grade: A

Wow.

In a shocking move, the Texans have traded back up into the Top three to draft Will Anderson Jr. from Alabama.

Houston gives up the 12th and 33rd overall picks this year, plus a first and third-round pick in 2024 to get the best defensive player in college football last year.

Anderson has the makings of being an elite edge rusher at the next level, able to use quick-twitch abilities to get around offensive linemen. Playing outside linebacker at Bama, Anderson can come from the second level, and put his hand in the ground on the line, a rare trait to have.

In three years of college, Anderson racked up 34.5 sacks and 204 total tackles. With that being said, new coach DeMeco Ryans has the his franchise QB and his leading pass rusher for the next decade.

What a night for the Texans!

4. QB Anthony Richardson – Indianapolis Colts

College: Florida

Grade: A-

The Colts may be a winner jut for sitting pat, landing the QB with the most potential this year.

Anthony Richardson has the highest upside of any QB in this class, with comparisons to Cam Newton and Lamar Jackson flying around. But he also has the lowest floor and won’t be ready to start in the NFL until at least Year 2.

Nevertheless, new head coach Shane Steichen jut had Jalen  Hurts in Philadelphia, and we all saw how that turned out. Colts’ fans will be hoping for the same with the Florida alum.

5. CB Devon Witherspoon – Seattle Seahawks via Denver Broncos

College: Illinois

Grade: B

This is the first reach of the 2023 NFL Draft, plain and simple.

The Illinois alum had one of the best seasons for a collegiate corner in history. Consider the stats: Targeted 63 times, allowed 22 catches for 206 yards with three INTs and 14 pass breakups. That comes out to 3.3 yards per target. Unreal.

He’s also one of the feistiest players on defense, constantly talking smack to wideouts and offenses nationwide. That bodes well for members of the secondary, just look at Sauce Gardner with the Jets last season.

Not saying he’s a bad player, but Witherspoon was my second-ranked CB in this year’s class. It’s worth noting Seattle tired to trade back, couldn’t, so they take the guy they like the most.

6. OL Paris Johnson Jr. – TRADE; Arizona Cardinals via Detroit Lions via Los Angeles Rams

College: Ohio State

Grade: A-

Another trade!

After trading out at #3, the Cardinals are back in the Top-10 by giving Detroit the No. 12, 34 and 168 picks this year. AZ also gets No. 81 this year. And with the pick, they get Kyler Murray so protection.

Johnson has all of the makings of a starting left tackle from Day 1, standing 6-foot-6 and 310 pounds. Only playing one season at left tackle, he allowed a mere 14 pressures on 449-pass-blocking snaps.

Arizona needs a reboot on the offensive line and they got that with PJJ.

7. DE Tyree Wilson – Las Vegas Raiders

College: Texas Tech

Grade: B

The Raiders

Tyree Wilson finds himself in a great landing spot, opposite of DE Maxx Crosby on the line. A freak athlete, Wilson racked up 109 total tackles and 15.5 sacks at Texas Tech. he ‘s still a bit raw though, so don’t expect him to be a world-beater from the jump.

Wilson is coming off an injured foot, but the Raiders feel confident that he can tow the line for years to come. Personally, I would have taken a CB here for Las Vegas. But that’s just me.

8. RB Bijan Robinson – Atlanta Falcons

College: Texas

Grade: B

Oh this just got electric.

Despite having Cordarrelle Patterson, the Falcons take the best running back in the draft in Bijan Robinson.

Arguably the best player in college football last season, Robinson’s unique blend of speed and elusiveness is something to behold. Throw in some serious strength and get the hell out of his way. The Texas alum had an incredible 2022 season, running for 1580 yards and 18 TDs.

It’s a little high for a halfback though, which is why they get a lower grade than others.

9. DL Jalen Carter – TRADE; Philadelphia Eagles via Chicago Bears via Carolina Panthers

College: Georgia

Grade: A-

Philly is making moves!

The Eagles move up one spot, trading #10 and a fourth-round pick next year for #9 overall this year. They will be taking another Georgia Bulldog in Jalen Carter.

Carter comes in with a slew of questions, including a reckless driving incident early this year. He didn’t workout at the combine and then had a lackluster Pro Day. Nevertheless, his tape is what will save his draft stock, going for 83 total tackles and six sacks on the way to two national championships.

It’ll be interesting to see what he becomes with the Eagles, but he has all the traits to be a Pro-Bowl talent.

10. OT Darnell Wright – Chicago Bears via Philadelphia Eagles via New Orleans Saints

College: Tennessee

Grade: B+

It’s all about protecting QB Justin Fields now, and what better way to do that than draft him a stud offensive tackle.

Darnell Wright is a four-year starter for the Vols, hitting his stride in his final collegiate season. In 2022, Wright went up against edge rushers, like Will Anderson Jr., and held his own. He only allowed one pressure in that game, and only eight all season.

The NFC North is wide open now, getting Fields some pass protection is a big get for Chicago.

11. OT Peter Skoronski – Tennesse Titans

College: Northwestern

Grade: B+

Rated as the No. 1 OT by Pro Football Focus, Peter Skoronski lands with the Titans because of physical traits, specifically his sub 33-inch arms. While that isn’t a make-or-break aspect, it does leave teams wary of what position he can play at the next level.

Tennessee doesn’t care about that though, taking talent over everything here.

Whether Skoronski plays tackle or guard remains to be seen, but the tape doesn’t lie. He finished with only six pressures on 474 pass-blocking snaps in his third season as Northwestern’s starting left tackle. Three seasons!!!

Point being: All head coach Mike Vrabel needs is talent, he can figure out the fit later.

Subnote: Will Levis is dropping.

12. RB Jahmyr Gibbs – Detroit Lions via Arizona Cardinals via Houston Texans via Cleveland Browns

College: Alabama

Grade: B-

Holy reach.

Love Jaymyr Gibbs, but what are the Lions doing here? They already have David Montgomery and DeAndre Swift on the roster.

Dan Campbell continues to go against the grain as the head coach of the Lions. Absolutely feels like a big swing, but the value is terrible here.

13. DE Lukas Van Ness – Green Bay Packers via New York Jets

College: Iowa

Grade: A-

Nicknamed “Hercules”, Van Ness is a specimen to say the least, able to overpower offensive linemen to get to the backfield. Playing all across the defensive line, he’s a nightmare for offenses and a dream for defensive coordinators.

He finished his collegiate career with 70 total tackles and 13 sacks in two seasons.

The Packers may have found their next Clay Matthews.

14.  OT Broderick Jones– TRADE; Pittsburgh Steelers via New England Patriots

College: Georgia

Grade: A

Another trade!

New England moves back to #17, also getting #120 in this year’s draft. The Steelers take a sure-fire left tackle in Broderick Jones, stealing him from the New York Jets a pick later.

Jones was a beast at Georgia, standing 6’4″, 315 pounds. Quite literally an immovable object, your best chance is to go around him in the NFL. In his lone year at left tackle, Jones had an 84.1 pass-blocking grade for the Bulldogs. All those traits bond nicely for his play at the next level.

Mike Tomlin gets Kenny Pickett some help in the trenches, very smart move by a smart head coach.

15. LB Will McDonald IV – New York Jets via Green Bay Packers

College: Iowa State

Grade: C+

Let’s put it this way: He wasn’t a first-round pick in my eyes.

16. CB Emmanuel Forbes – Washington Commanders

College: Mississippi State

Grade: A-

17. CB Christian Gonzalez – New England Patriots via Pittsburgh Steelers

College: Oregon

Grade: A+

Maybe the steal of the draft so far, what a great pick for New England.

18. LB Jack Campbell – Detroit Lions

College: Iowa

Grade: B+

19. DT Calijah Kancey – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

College: Pittsburgh

Grade: B

20. WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba – Seattle Seahawks

College: Ohio State

Grade: B+

21. WR Quentin Johnston – Los Angeles Chargers

College: TCU

Grade: B-

22. WR Zay Flowers – Baltimore Ravens

College: Boston College

Grade: A-

23. WR Jordan Addison – Minnesota Vikings

College: USC

Grade: B+

24. CB Deonte Banks – TRADE; New York Giants via Jacksonville Jaguars

College: Maryland

Grade: A-

25. TE Dalton Kincaid – TRADE; Buffalo Bills via Jacksonville Jaguars via New York Giants

College: Utah

Grade: B

26. DT Mazi Smith – Dallas Cowboys

College: Michigan

Grade: B+

27. OT Anton Harrison – Jacksonville Jaguars via Buffalo Bills

College: Oklahoma

Grade: A-

28. DE Myles Murphy – Cincinnati Bengals

College: Clemson

Grade: B+

29. DL Bryan Breese – New Orleans Saints via San Francisco 49ers

College: Clemson

Grade: B+

30. DE Nolan Smith – Philadelphia Eagles

College: Georgia

Grade: A

31. DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah – Kansas City Chiefs

College: Kansas Satte

Grade: B

 

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