2023 NFL Draft Order

With the 2022 NFL regular complete, the 2023 NFL Draft order is set for those teams not involved in the playoffs. 

1.   Chicago Bears

2.   Houston Texans

3.   Arizona Cardinals 

4.   Indianapolis Colts

5.   Seattle Seahawks (Denver Broncos)

6.   Detroit Lions (Los Angeles Rams)

7.   Las Vegas Raiders

8.   Atlanta Falcons

9.   Carolina Panthers

10. Philadelphia Eagles (New Orleans Saints)

11. Tennessee Titans

12. Houston Texans (Cleveland Browns)

13. New York Jets

14. New England Patriots

15. Green Bay Packers

16. Washington Commanders 

17. Pittsburgh Steelers

18. Detroit Lions

For most of the season, it felt like the Houston Texans had the top pick secured. Sitting Justin Fields for the season finale was a not so subtle that the Chicago Bears wanted that first pick. They lost. The Texans won. The Bears have the first pick. The question now is whether they actually use it. Personally, I’d rather they not draft Will Anderson Jr. or Jalen Carter. So, trade that pick Ryan Poles! Or use the Arizona Cardinals brilliant blueprint and draft a quarterback shortly after trading up for one. 

Thanks to trades of quarterbacks, the Seattle Seahawks, Houston Texans, and Detroit Lions will have two first round picks. The Texans are nicely set up at #2 and #12. The Lions at #6 and #18. The Seahawks at #5 and a yet-to-be determined pick. The Lions are in a great place. They just missed the playoffs. Over the last half of the season, they were easily one of the better 10-12 teams in the league. They are on the cusp of being a serious contender and they have the #6 and #18 picks. The same can be said of the Seahawks. The biggest question for both teams is probably whether the current quarterback is the answer. 

Without the #5 and #6 picks that they definitely earned, the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Rams, respectively, aren’t in a good place. The Broncos even fired the head coach that they just hired. Sean McVay will take some time to think about his future. Now might be a very good time for him to step away. Both teams very much need the first round picks that they don’t have. At least the Rams got a Super Bowl out of the deal. The Broncos have Russell Wilson. I’d rather have the draft picks. 

It must be nice to have the playoffs and a Top-10 pick. The Seahawks have that. So do the Philadelphia Eagles. Thanks to 2022 draft maneuvering, they have the #10 pick that the New Orleans Saints earned. 

It’s fun to see the Green Bay Packers sitting in a non-playoff draft spot.