Drafts That I Liked

The 2023 NFL Draft is done. Here are some of the drafts that I liked. It starts, of course, with the Minnesota Vikings. 

Minnesota Vikings 

1. Jordan Addison, WR, USC

3. Mekhi Blackmon, CB, USC

4. Jay Ward, CB, LSU

5. Jaquelin Roy, DT, LSU

5. Jaren Hall, QB, BYU

7. DeWayne McBride, RB, UAB

Jordan Addison should pair nicely with Justin Jefferson. The Vikings added a difference-making receiver, three versatile defenders for the versatile defense of Brian Flores, a developmental quarterback, and an explosive running back. The Vikings entered the draft with only five picks. They added six players that should help the team. 

Baltimore Ravens

1. Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College

3. Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson

4. Tavius Robinson, Edge, Mississippi

5. Kyu Blu Kelly, CB, Stanford

6. Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, OT, Oregon

7. Andrew Vorhees, G, USC

I feel like I annually like the draft of the Baltimore Ravens. I like this draft mostly for Zay Flowers, Trenton Simpson, and the seventh-round flyer on Andrew Vorhees. 

Carolina Panthers

1. Bryce Young, QB, Alabama

2. Jonathan Mingo, WR, Mississippi

3. DJ Johnson, Edge, Oregon

4. Chandler Zavala, G, North Carolina State

5. Jammie Robinson, S, Florida State

I often like the drafts of other teams when they include players that I hoped would be selected by the Vikings. I would’ve happily taken all five of the Panthers picks for the Vikings.

Houston Texans

1. C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State

1. Will Anderson Jr., Edge, Alabama

2. Juice Scruggs, C, Penn State

3. Tank Dell, WR, Houston

4. Dylan Horton, Edge, TCU

5. Henry To’oto’o, LB, Alabama

6. Jarrett Patterson, C, Notre Dame

6. Xavier Hutchinson, WR, Iowa State

7. Brandon Hill, S, Pittsburgh

I liked every pick that the Texans made. 

Indianapolis Colts

1. Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida

2. Julius Brents, CB, Kansas State

3. Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina

4. Blake Freeland, OT, BYU

4. Adetomiwa Adebawore, DL, Northwestern

5. Darius Rush, CB, South Carolina

5. Daniel Scott, S, Cal

5. Will Mallory, TE, Miami

5. Evan Hull, RB, Northwestern 

6. Titus Leo, Edge, Wagner

7. Jaylon Jones, CB, Texas A&M

7. Jake Witt, OT, Northern Michigan

My draft day dream was the Vikings somehow trading up to select Anthony Richardson. That Colts crushed that dream as well as several later-round dreams. Josh Downs, Adetomiwa Adebawore, and Darius Rush were three of my favorites. Plus, the Colts selected a Cal player. 

New England Patriots

1. Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon

2. Keion White, Edge, Georgia Tech

3. Marte Mapu, S/LB, Sacramento State

4. Jake Andrews, C, Troy

4. Chad Ryland, K, Maryland

4. Sidy Sow, G, Eastern Michigan 

5. Atonio Mofi, G, UCLA

6. Kayshon Boutte, WR, LSU

6. Bryce Baringer, P, Michigan State

6. Demario Douglas, WR, Liberty

6. Ameer Speed, DB, Michigan State

7. Isaiah Bolden, CB, Jackson State

The Patriots got my attention when they lucked into Christian Gonzalez. Keion White as well. Marte Mapu emerged through he evaluation process as one of my favorites. I like the way the Patriots re-crafted their interior offensive line with Jake Andrews, Sidy Sow, and Atonio Mofi. Plus, they selected their kicker and punter. 

Pittsburgh Steelers

1. Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia

2. Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State

2. Keeanu Benton, DT, Wisconsin

3. Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia

4. Nick Herbig, LB, Wisconsin

7. Cory Trice Jr., CB, Purdue

7. Spencer Anderson, G, Maryland

Joey Porter Jr was one of my first-round favorites. Keeanu Benton was the main reason I hated that the Vikings didn’t have a second-round pick. I really liked the selections of Nick Herbig and Cory Trice Jr.

Seattle Seahawks

1. Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois

1. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State

2. Derick Hall, Edge, Auburn

2. Zach Charbonnet, RB, UCLA

4. Anthony Bradford, G, LSU

4. Cameron Young, DT, Mississippi State

5. Mike Morris, DE, Michigan

5. Olu Oluwatimi, C, Michigan

6. Jerrick Reed II, S, New Mexico

7. Kenny McIntosh, RB, Georgia

The Seahawks followed their very productive 2022 draft with another fine draft. As much as I hate to admit it, this team is heading in a frightening direction. Geno Smith should do his best to keep them mediocre. The Seahawks added the draft’s top corner in Devon Witherspoon and top receiver in Jaxon Smith-Njigba. I really like Derick Hall. Zach Charbonnet should pair well with Kenneth Walker. The Seahawks sure like their running tandems.

Then there’s the draft:

Philadelphia Eagles

1. Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia

1. Nolan Smith, Edge, Georgia

3. Tyler Steen, OT, Alabama

3. Sydney Brown, S, Illinois

4. Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia

6. Tanner McKee, QB, Stanford

7. Moro Ojomo, DT, Texas

Eagles GM Howie Roseman is getting rave reviews for his drafting. What did he actually do? He had outstanding Georgia defenders fall into his lap. Jordan Davis and Nakobe Dean last year. Jalen Carter, Nolan Smith, and Kelee Ringo this year. Roseman didn’t have to do anything but make ridiculously easy decisions. I did like the selection of Sydney Brown. I like it more than the easy selection of Ringo.