First Round of the 2023 NFL Draft
1. Carolina Panthers: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
2. Houston Texans: C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
3. Houston Texans (via Ari): Will Anderson Jr., Edge, Alabama
4. Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
5. Seattle Seahawks: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
6. Arizona Cardinals (via Det): Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State
7. Las Vegas Raiders: Tyree Wilson, Edge, Texas Tech
8. Atlanta Falcons: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
9. Philadelphia Eagles (via Chi): Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
10. Chicago Bears (via Phi): Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
11. Tennessee Titans: Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern
12. Detroit Lions (via Ari): Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama
13. Green Bay Packers (via NY Jets): Lukas Van Ness, Edge, Iowa
14. Pittsburgh Steelers (via NE): Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
15. New York Jets (via GB): Will McDonald IV, Edge, Iowa State
16. Washington Commanders: Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State
17. New England Patriots (via Pitt): Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
18. Detroit Lions: Jack Campbell, LB, Iowa
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Calijah Kancey, DT, Pittsburgh
20. Seattle Seahawks: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
21. Los Angeles Chargers: Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
22. Baltimore Ravens: Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
23. Minnesota Vikings: Jordan Addison, WR, USC
24. New York Giants (via Jags): Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland
25. Buffalo Bills (via Jags): Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
26. Dallas Cowboys: Mazi Smith, DT, Michigan
27. Jacksonville Jaguars (via Buf): Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma
28. Cincinnati Bengals: Myles Murphy, Edge, Clemson
29. New Orleans Saints: Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson
30. Philadelphia Eagles: Nolan Smith, LB, Georgia
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Kansas State
***
At least my dream of the Minnesota Vikings trading up to select Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson was dashed early. I was convinced that the Vikings were poised to pounce if Richardson was still on the board as the 10th pick approached. Each pick would’ve been excruciating. Instead, he didn’t make it to #5. The Indianapolis Colts were probably locked on their quarterback of the present and future from the start.
Jordan Addison. He’ll pair nicely with Justin Jefferson. If the Vikings hadn’t pursued a quarterback, he was among my favorites for the 23rd pick. The Vikings needed to replace the steady receiving presence of Adam Thielen. Addison should do just that. He’s younger, quicker, more versatile. The Vikings offense got much more explosive, more varied. Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, K.J. Osborn, T.J. Hockenson, Josh Oliver, Jalen Nailor, Jalen Reagor. That’s a lot of “Js” and a lot of pass-catching options for Kirk Cousins.
The Carolina Panthers made the right choice.
When NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah had the Houston Texans maneuvering into position to select at #2 and #3 in his final mock, it looked like he’d lost his mind. Instead of far-fetched he was on top of Houston’s plans. The Texans had the draft capital to make the top of the draft their own. Why not use it? They needed a quarterback and a high-end defensive talent. There was so damn much pre-draft chatter that the Texans would get the defensive player with the second pick and deal with the quarterback issue with the 12th pick. Instead, they were smart. They took Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud with second pick. With the popular QB off the board, the market for the Arizona Cardinals’ #3 pick dried up. The Texans were the only team interested in the pick. With the opportunity and the means, they easily moved back into the top-5 for their top defensive player, Alabama edge Will Anderson Jr. The Texans have been a poorly run franchise for the entirety of the existence. This felt so different.
Best 1st Round:
It’s a tie.
Houston Texans
1a. C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
1b. Will Anderson Jr., Edge, Alabama
The Texans used means and opportunity to bend the top of the draft in their favor.
Philadelphia Eagles
1a. Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
1b. Nolan Smith, LB, Georgia
The Eagles really had no business collecting the two Georgia defensive starts. Jalen Carter should not have been available at #9. Nolan Smith should not have been available at #30. The Texans bent the draft their way. The Eagles simply let the draft fall their way.
Honorable Mention:
Seattle Seahawks
1a. Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
1b. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
The Seahawks surprised some (and possibly the Detroit Lions) when they passed over Jalen Carter in favor of Devon Witherspoon. Collecting the best cornerback and best receiver is a very productive first round. The Seahawks had a terrific draft last year. This is a terrific start this year.
It helps to have multiple first round picks.
Surprises of the 1st Round:
Detroit Lions
1a. Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama
1b. Jack Campbell, LB, Iowa
It’s fairly safe to say that the Lions didn’t use their two first round picks as well as the Texans, Eagles, and Seahawks. It was widely expected that the Lions were fond of Witherspoon. Perhaps reeling from the Seahawks selection of the cornerback, the Lions traded out of the top-10 with the Cardinals. The biggest surprise of the first round was easily the Lions selection of Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs with the 12th pick. It even surprised Gibbs. If the Lions had selected Gibbs with their second pick in the round (#18), it still would’ve been a surprise. At #12, it was shocking. If the Lions were so enamored with adding a running back, they could’ve selected Bijan Robinson at #6. Anyway, trading the #6 pick wasn’t the problem. That was a productive trade. The Lions didn’t drop back too far and received the #34 pick in return. I’m sure that they are thrilled with Gibbs with Jack Campbell. It just feels like they could’ve selected Oregon corner Christian Gonzalez at #12, Gibbs at #18, and Campbell at #34.
The fall of Christian Gonzalez.
Christian Gonzalez was my favorite cornerback in the draft. He’s so smooth. I was stunned that he fell to the New England Patriots at #17.
The fall of Nolan Smith.
I still can’t believe that Smith fell into the laps of the Eagles at #30.
The fall of Will Levis.
This one doesn’t actually feel that surprising. Perhaps that’s hindsight. Pre-draft expectations consistently had him as a top-10 pick. Some even had him as a solid top-5. It never felt right. He’s still in the Green Room on Day #2.
It’s on to Day 2.
The Vikings don’t pick until the third round (#87). That’s going to be a long, excruciating wait. With players like Joey Porter Jr., Brian Branch, Cam Smith, Adetomiwa Adebawore, Keeannu Benton, and Daiyan Henley still available, it’s painful to not have an early Day 2 pick. Will the Vikings find a way to move into Round 2? With only four remaining picks, that’ll be tough. Maybe they’ll trade a player. Who knows? Quarterback? The Vikings clearly didn’t see Hendon Hooker or Will Levis as first round options. Maybe they are more attractive on Day 2. Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Jalen Hall, Tanner McKee…
The 2023 NFL Draft continues.
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