2023 NFL Draft Re-Grades

2023 NFL Draft Grades for Picks 1-16:

1. Carolina Panthers: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama – B+ Grade
   One-Year Grade: F Grade
   
   I’m ashamed of myself that I gave this a B+ grade when the writing was on the wall. The Panthers coaches wanted C.J. Stroud. In fact, they thought they were getting Stroud when the trade with the Bears was made. Owner David “Axe” Tepper, however, had other ideas. He thought he knew more about football than the coaches he hired, so he demanded Young instead. Tepper has paid the price as a result.
   
   Original Write-up:
   
   This can’t be graded poorly because the Panthers finally have a franchise quarterback for the first time since Cam Newton’s first stint with the team. However, it worries me that Carolina selected Bryce Young when the coaches preferred C.J. Stroud instead. Young is a terrific quarterback prospect, but he has some major injury concerns because of his Kyler Murray-type build.
   
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2. Houston Texans: C.J. Stroud, QB, Texans – A+ Grade
   One-Year Grade: A+ Grade
   
   Remember when all the reports said that the Texans weren’t going to draft C.J. Stroud? Fortunately for the Texans, they didn’t listen to the people in the media. Instead, they obtained a quarterback who had one of the best rookie campaigns ever among players at his position, leading his team into the second round of the playoffs.
   
   Original Write-up:
   
   Stock down to everyone who derailed the projection for this pick, but bravo to the Texans for actually making the right move. It appeared as though Houston was going to be the laughing stock of the NFL for passing on a franchise quarterback and handing him to one of their divisional rivals, but that’s apparently not the case. The Texans stole C.J. Stroud away from either the Colts or Titans.
   
   
3. Houston Texans: Will Anderson, DE, Alabama – A+ Grade
   One-Year Grade: A+ Grade
   
   The Texans walked away with the offensive and defensive rookies of the year, so how can I give them anything but A+ for both of their selections? Will Anderson deserved the award with his incredible play in his first season.
   
   Original Write-up:
   
   Nick Caserio is not a sleeper agent for the Colts or Titans. If he pretended to be, then he double-crossed them! The Texans traded up from No. 12 to 3 to land what they think is the best defensive player in this class, and they could be correct. Will Anderson would have been a poor choice at No. 2 because that would have involved passing on a franchise quarterback, but getting Anderson and Stroud is unbelievable. Caserio for general manager of the year?
   
   



4. Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida – A- Grade
   One-Year Grade: B Grade
   
   This is a tough grade because Anthony Richardson barely played. That can be chalked up to bad injury luck, but there were durability issues with Richardson entering the NFL. However, Richardson looked excellent in his limited action as a rookie, so I wouldn’t go below a “B” grade at the moment.
   
   Original Write-up:
   
   Many had Will Levis mocked to the Colts, but Charlie Campbell reported that Indianapolis wasn’t really interested. Anthony Richardson is a better fit for the Colts’ offense. He also has a higher floor because of his Justin Fields-type rushing ability. The Colts had to draft a franchise quarterback, and Richardson is a far superior choice compared to Levis.
   
   
5. Seattle Seahawks: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois – D Grade
   One-Year Grade: B- Grade
   
   This pick may confuse some because Devon Witherspoon had an excellent rookie campaign. So, why the B-? It’s because the Seahawks gave up their leverage. Seattle is so good at finding great cornerback talent in the middle rounds, making it a mistake to spend an early pick on the position. Also, consider that Seattle passed on Jalen Carter. Getting Carter and a talented corner in the middle rounds would have been ideal, but I can’t hate on this choice too much.
   
   Original Write-up:
   
   Uhh, what? Did the Seahawks forget that they’re experts at drafting cornerbacks in the middle and late rounds? Did they also fail to remember that they have a talented No. 1 cornerback? Seattle really needed to improve its pass rush. Picking Witherspoon here over Jalen Carter seems ridiculous.
   
   



6. Arizona Cardinals: Paris Johnson, OT, Ohio State – A Grade
   One-Year Grade: B Grade
   
   This is looking like a fine pick at the moment. Paris Johnson began his rookie season slowly, but improved as his rookie year progressed. There’s a chance this will be an “A” grade again when we reevaluate in four years, but for now, it’s a “B.”
   
   Original Write-up:
   
   The Cardinals had to move up ahead of the Raiders to draft Paris Johnson. This is the prospect Kyler Murray wanted, so it’s hard to hate this selection. Arizona had to find someone to protect Murray, given that Murray hasn’t been able to play a full season in the NFL yet. No one could have hated the Cardinals for picking Johnson at No. 3, so moving down three spots for him was great management.
   
   
7. Las Vegas Raiders: Tyree Wilson, DE, Texas Tech – B Grade
   One-Year Grade: D Grade
   
   The Cardinals sniped Paris Johnson from the Raiders. This pick has to make the Raiders even more upset because Tyree Wilson hardly did anything as a rookie. He had just a few sacks and was playing about half the snaps by the end of the year.
   
   Original Write-up:
   
   There was some concern with Tyree Wilson’s health, but the Raiders are obviously OK with it. Defensive end was not a big need at the moment because the Raiders have Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones on the roster, but you can never have too many talented pass rushers. I think this is a solid pick, but the injury and age problems with Wilson may make the Raiders regret this selection in the future.
   
   



8. Atlanta Falcons: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas – C Grade
   One-Year Grade: C Grade
   
   I stand by what I originally said about the pick. This grade has nothing to do with Bijan Robinson as a talent, but more so with the Falcons using a first-round pick on a running back when they’re not a Super Bowl contender. Year one of Robinson’s career was wasted, and I’m not even talking about Arthur Smith and his intergalactic mustache giving Cordarrelle Patterson carries instead.
   
   Original Write-up:
   
   Bijan Robinson was tabbed as the most talented prospect in this class by numerous teams Charlie Campbell talked to during the pre-draft process. Thus, I can’t hate on this pick very much. However, I’m not a big fan. Teams that aren’t instant Super Bowl contenders should not use first-round picks on running backs because by the time they’re good enough to make a run deep into the playoffs, the running back they chose in the opening round will have too much wear and tear on his body. That will be the case with the Falcons, who should have focused on obtaining a player at another position.
   
   
9. Philadelphia Eagles: Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia – A Grade
   One-Year Grade: A+ Grade
   
   Though Jalen Carter hit a rookie wall at the end of the year, he was incredible for most of the season. It’s astonishing that so many teams passed on such a superb talent. The Eagles definitely deserve an A+ re-grade.
   
   Original Write-up:
   
   Charlie Campbell reported that the Eagles would trade up into the 6-9 range for Jalen Carter if he got past Seattle. Once the Seahawks made their strange Devon Witherspoon pick, the opportunity was there because the teams drafting 6-9 didn’t like Carter very much because of his off-the-field concerns. Those are definite worries, but Carter’s upside is enormous. Carter is arguably the best prospect in this class, and outside of Bijan Robinson, no player who was going to be available for the Eagles was going to help them win a Super Bowl this year more than Carter.
   
   



10. Chicago Bears: Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee – A Grade
    One-Year Grade: B Grade
    
    Darnell Wright had a fine rookie season. He had some poor performances toward the beginning of the year, but he also had some great games as well. There’s a chance Wright could make a big leap soon and be re-graded as an A+ in four years.
    
    Original Write-up:
    
    Drafting Darnell Wright over Peter Skoronski is interesting, as it means the Bears really didn’t think he could play left tackle for them. Wright certainly can. He’s an athletic tackle who didn’t surrender a sack to Hendon Hooker last year. He also shut down Will Anderson. Justin Fields has to be thrilled about this selection.
    
    
11. Tennessee Titans: Peter Skoronski, G/OT, Northwestern – A+ Grade
    One-Year Grade: B Grade
    
    Like the other offensive linemen discussed already, Peter Skoronski had a decent, but not great rookie year. He was inconsistent, but that is par for the course for most first-round rookie offensive linemen. It wouldn’t surprise me if this is an A+ re-grade in four years.
    
    Original Write-up:
    
    Paris Johnson is the best tackle in this class, but it could be argued that Peter Skoronski is the No. 1 offensive lineman. He was docked for his short arms, but he’s going to be an elite guard for Tennessee over the next decade. The Titans desperately needed blocking help after losing three offensive linemen this offseason, and Skoronski will provide a huge boost.
    
    
12. Detroit Lions: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama – A- Grade
    One-Year Grade: A- Grade
    
    The difference between the Falcons selecting Bijan Robinson and the Lions picking Jahmyr Gibbs was that Detroit, unlike Atlanta, is a Super Bowl contender and Gibbs was someone who almost put the team over the top. Some scoffed at the notion that the Lions should have been regarded as a Super Bowl contender, but Detroit nearly pulled the upset over the 49ers in the NFC Championship.
    
    Original Write-up:
    
    I think the Lions could have gotten Jahmyr Gibbs at No. 18, but you never know. Thus, I don’t hate this value, especially because Detroit moved down in the first place. Gibbs has drawn comparisons to Jamaal Charles and Alvin Kamara, so Gibbs will help the Lions win the Super Bowl. Yes, the Super Bowl. Unlike the Falcons, the Lions are a legitimate Super Bowl contender, so I really like this selection.
    
    
13. Green Bay Packers: Lukas Van Ness, DE, Iowa – B+ Grade
    One-Year Grade: B- Grade
    
    Lukas Van Ness showed nice pass-rushing ability at times as a rookie. However, he was a part-time player, as he was on the field for fewer than 20 snaps in too many games to be graded anything higher than a B-. Still, the potential is certainly there, and Van Ness could easily have a great sophomore campaign.
    
    Original Write-up:
    
    Lukas Van Ness was all over the place. Some considered him a possibility at No. 10, while the Bengals thought he would fall to them at No. 28. This is probably the right range. Van Ness is very athletic, so he fits what Green Bay looks for in its prospects. The Packers had to blitz very frequently last year in order to get to the quarterback, so taking Van Ness makes sense.
    
    
14. Pittsburgh Steelers: Broderick Jones, OT/G, Georgia – B Grade
    One-Year Grade: B Grade
    
    Broderick Jones began the year on the bench, which was a huge mistake. He entered the starting lineup in the second half of the season and was able to improve Pittsburgh’s blocking. Jones wasn’t great, but he showed some potential.
    
    Original Write-up:
    
    Mike Tomlin wanted to upgrade his secondary. The front office wanted to solidify the offensive line. The front office wins. Maybe. Broderick Jones has huge upside, but he has a much lower floor than the other three offensive linemen selected so far. This is a risky move, especially given the trade up, but I don’t blame the Steelers for making the pick because Kenny Pickett needed better protection to take the next step.
    
    
15. New York Jets: Will McDonald, DE, Iowa State – D Grade
    One-Year Grade: D Grade
    
    The Jets panicked when all the offensive tackles were taken off the board. They reached for Will McDonald, who played fewer than 200 snaps in his rookie season. McDonald had a few nice moments, but it wasn’t often that he did anything of note.
    
    Original Write-up:
    
    Wow, what a reach! The Jets wanted Darnell Wright, Peter Skoronski, and Broderick Jones, and all of them went off the board at 10, 11, and 14, respectively. The poor Jets then had to panic and go for Will McDonald, who was widely considered a second-round prospect. I like McDonald, and getting a pass rusher seems significant in the passing-stacked AFC, so I’m not going to fail the Jets. However, the Jets should have been able to trade down 10-15 spots. They could have gotten McDonald in the 20s.
    
    
16. Washington Redskins: Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State – B Grade
    One-Year Grade: F Grade
    
    This pick has to earn a failure grade at the moment. Not only was Emmanuel Forbes one of the worst starting cornerbacks in the NFL; the Redskins also passed on Christian Gonzalez, who looked terrific for the Patriots.
    
    Original Write-up:
    
    Credit Charlie Campbell for reporting that the Redskins loved Emmanuel Forbes, who fits Ron Rivera’s defense so well as a ball-hawking cornerback. I wondered if the Redskins would draft a falling prospect like Christian Gonzalez or Nolan Smith, but they stuck with their guy, which is fine. Forbes is going to fill a huge need at cornerback, which has been a big problem area for many years in Washington.
    
    
2023 NFL Draft Grades - Round: Picks 1-16 | Picks 17-32 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | NFL Draft Team Grades