Live 2023 NFL Draft Grades: Round 5

These Live 2023 NFL Draft Grades will be posted minutes after each pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Follow @walterfootball for updates.

2023 NFL Draft Grades - Round: Picks 1-16 | Picks 17-32 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | NFL Draft Team Grades

Jacksonville Jaguars: Yasir Abdullah, DE/OLB, Louisville – C+ Grade
I didn’t have Yasir Abdullah in my mock draft, but he was in consideration for the final couple of rounds. Abdullah was productive as a pass rusher at Louisville, but he’s a bit small so he won’t be a full-time player.

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Washington Redskins: K.J. Henry, DE, Clemson – B+ Grade
There are rumors that one of the Redskins’ starting edge rushers might be traded, so this pick makes sense from a need and a range perspective. K.J. Henry is a quality player who performed better than his numbers indicate at Clemson.
Indianapolis Colts: Darius Rush, CB, South Carolina – A+ Grade
I love this pick. The Colts really needed another cornerback, and Darius Rush provides great value as a prospect I had in my third round. He’s a big and fast cornerback with plenty of potential.

Arizona Cardinals: Clayton Tune, QB, Houston – B Grade
The Cardinals needed to draft a quarterback to develop behind Kyler Murray and his albatross of a contract. Clayton Tune is an accurate quarterback who projects as a career backup. There’s not much upside here, but the pick had to be made.
Cleveland Browns: Dorian Thompson-Robinson, QB, UCLA – A- Grade
With Jacoby Brissett gone, the Browns needed to develop a young quarterback just in case Deshaun Watson gets more massages. Dorian Thompson-Robinson is a very mobile quarterback who provides some value in the fifth round.

Minnesota Vikings: Jaquelin Roy, DT, LSU – C Grade
I don’t think the Vikings needed to trade up for Jaquelin Roy. They at least had to find a replacement for Dalvin Tomlinson, and Roy has potential as an athletic player. However, he’s a raw player who needs to get stronger.
Cleveland Browns: Cam Mitchell, CB/S, Northwestern – A Grade
I had Cam Mitchell going in the third round, so I love this value. Cam Mitchell is a physical, versatile defensive back who can play all over the secondary. He’ll be needed versus the high-powered offenses in the AFC.

New York Jets: Israel Abanikanda, RB, Pittsburgh – C Grade
Jahmyr Gibbs was the Jets’ Plan D in the first round, as there are some major concerns with Breece Hall’s knee injury. The Jets eventually got their runner, but Israel Abanikanda is an underwhelming, late-round prospect.
New England Patriots: Atonio Mafi, G, UCLA – B Grade
This is a player who could have gone where the Patriots selected some of their other reaches. Another blocker makes sense, and Atonio Mafi is a powerful blocker who can blast open big running lanes for Rhamondre Stevenson.

Carolina Panthers: Jammie Robinson, S, Florida State – B Grade
Jammie Robinson is great in run support, but can be lost in coverage. The Panthers have struggled to stop the run in recent years, so this pick makes sense.
New Orleans Saints: Jordan Howden, S, Minnesota – B Grade
I had Jordan Howden going three picks later than this, so the range makes sense for the Saints, who needed to improve their secondary. Jordan Howden had lots of fans from the scouting departments even though his play didn’t show it at Minnesota.
Tennessee Titans: Josh Whyle, TE, Cincinnati – B Grade
Josh Whyle played well last year despite inconsistent quarterback play at Cincinnati in the wake of Desmond Ridder’s departure. Whyle makes sense at this selection, though this doesn’t exactly fill a big need.
Chicago Bears: Noah Sewell, LB, Oregon – A+ Grade
Noah Sewell doesn’t fill a need at all after the Bears spent so much capital on linebackers, but there’s no denying this great value. Sewell, a big linebacker who covers well for a player his size, should have been chosen on Day 2. This is a steal.

Green Bay Packers: Sean Clifford, QB, Penn State – D Grade
It’s the quarterback who beat out Will Levis in college. That said, Sean Clifford seemed like a seventh-round prospect at best, so I don’t know why the Packers drafted him this early.
Buffalo Bills: Justin Shorter, WR, Florida – C Grade
Justin Shorter is a massive receiver (6-4, 229), but didn’t play to his size at Florida. He also dealt with some injuries. The Bills needed a receiver, but they could have gotten someone better than this.
Seattle Seahawks: Mike Morris, DE, Michigan – A- Grade
Mike Morris isn’t a high-upside player, but is a powerful end who can stuff the run and get to the quarterback. He should have been chosen earlier than this, so I love the pick.
Detroit Lions: Colby Sorsdal, OT, William & Mary – C+ Grade
This is a bit early for Colby Sorsdal, whom I never had in my mocks. However, Sorsdal was a solid right tackle and a team captain. He could provide good depth on the offensive line.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: SirVocea Dennis, LB, Pittsburgh – C Grade
SirVocea Dennis is not someone I considered for my mock draft. He’s an athletic player, but he’s a small player who doesn’t really have a natural position. Maybe he can play special teams well.
Seattle Seahawks: Olusegun Oluwatimi, C, Michigan – A Grade
Olusegun Oluwatimi is a solid center prospect and I thought he would be chosen earlier than this, perhaps late third or early fourth. The Seahawks needed a center, and they’re getting great value.
San Francisco 49ers: Darrell Luter, CB, South Alabama – B Grade
The 49ers needed cornerback depth, and Darrell Luter is someone I had slotted 12 picks later than this. Luter was excellent at South Alabama, but we’ll have to see how he performs with far better athletes.
Los Angeles Chargers: Jordan McFadden, OT/G, Clemson – A- Grade
I had Jordan McFadden in the fourth round, so I like this value. The need also makes sense, as the Chargers had to find better interior line depth. Jordan McFadden played tackle at Clemson, but will probably have to move inside due to athleticism limitations.
Baltimore Ravens: Kyu Blu Kelly, CB, Stanford – B Grade
Baltimore needed cornerback help, so it makes sense that it took a player who fits the range with Kyu Blu Kelly. I had Kelly at No. 167, so the value is fine. Kelly is a tall cornerback with some potential, but he was torched at times last year.
Indianapolis Colts: Daniel Scott, S, California – A- Grade
Daniel Scott is an athletic player with good size, but the production didn’t match at California. Perhaps the Colts can get him to live up to his potential. I like the value for Scott, whom I had in the fourth round.
Green Bay Packers: Dontayvion Wicks, WR, Virignia – B Grade
The Packers obviously needed a receiver, and they’re getting a decent prospect in Dontayvion Wicks. The Virginia product has some speed concerns, but he’s a tall, lengthy receiver who could be a good weapon in the red zone.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Antonio Johnson, S/CB, Texas A&M – A Grade
I’ve had Antonio Johnson in the third or fourth round of most of my mock draft updates, so I love the value with this pick. Antonio Johnson doesn’t have great athleticism, but he’s a tall cornerback who was productive at Texas A&M. He may have to move to safety in the NFL.
Los Angeles Rams: Nick Hampton, LB, Appalachian State – B+ Grade
Nick Hampton is a versatile linebacker I had in the fourth round. The Rams needed a linebacker after losing Bobby Wagner, so perhaps Hampton can challenge for playing time right away.
Indianapolis Colts: Will Mallory, TE, Miami – C Grade
It makes sense that the Colts would add a tight end to provide competition at the position. Will Mallory is a gifted athlete, but disappointed during his time in Miami. Perhaps the Colts can coach him up.
Cincinnati Bengals: Chase Brown, RB, Illinois – B+ Grade
The Bengals needed a running back with Joe Mixon declining and Samaje Perine gone. Chase Brown is a quality power back with plus receiving ability. I had him in the fourth round, so I’m a fan of this value.
Minnesota Vikings: Jaren Hall, QB, BYU – B+ Grade
Kirk Cousins is entering the final year of his contract, so the Vikings had to find a quarterback to groom as a potential successor. We’ll have to see if Hall can develop, but he at least has plus mobility. His arm is fine as well.
Chicago Bears: Terell Smith, CB, Minnesota – C Grade
Adding another cornerback makes sense, but I never had Terell Smith in my mock drafts. He’s an athletic cornerback with upside, but wasn’t a very good player at Minnesota. The Bears might be able to turn him into a decent player, but I have my doubts.
Kansas City Chiefs: B.J. Thompson, DE, Stephen F. Austin – B- Grade
Adding to the pass rush makes sense, given the high-octane passing attacks in the AFC. B.J. Thompson was a highly productive pass rusher at Stephen F. Austin, but we’ll have to see if he can perform better against far superior competition.
Houston Texans: Henry To’o To’o, LB, Alabama – A+ Grade
I can’t believe Henry To’o To’o lasted this long. He’s a very instinctive linebacker I had in the second or third round in my mocks. He fills a need and provides amazing value. I love this pick.
Arizona Cardinals: Owen Pappoe, LB, Auburn – B Grade
It’s a new regime in Arizona, but the team still loves its linebacker-safety tweeners. Owen Pappoe is a gifted athlete, but I’m not sure if he has a natural position. You have to love his upside though.
Dallas Cowboys: Asim Richards, OT, North Carolina – C Grade
The Cowboys needed some offensive line depth, so Asim Richards is a logical pick from that perspective. However, I never had him in any of my mock drafts. He’s limited as an athlete, so I don’t think the upside is there.
Las Vegas Raiders: Christopher Smith, S, Georgia – B Grade
The Raiders snatched a Georgia player away from the Eagles. Christopher Smith was very productive at Georgia, but possesses limited athleticism and upside. Still, he could emerge as a starter down the road.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Payne Durham, TE, Purdue – B Grade
I had Payne Durham slotted 10 picks later than this, so the range makes sense. Payne Durham should be the Buccaneers’ blocking tight end and a potential red zone threat. There’s limited upside, but Durham should be a solid player for the Buccaneers.
New York Giants: Eric Gray, RB, Oklahoma – B+ Grade
I mocked Eric Gray nine picks earlier than this, so he makes sense as a fifth-round pick. The Giants needed someone like him, as they didn’t have much behind Saquon Barkley. Gray has quality receiving skills.
San Francisco 49ers: Robert Beal, DE, Georgia – B- Grade
Robert Beal surprised a bit in his workouts, as there seemed to be limited upside with him. Perhaps he’ll surprise everyone in the NFL. I didn’t have him drafted, but this pick makes sense. The 49ers needed to add depth to their defensive front after losing some players in free agency.
Los Angeles Rams: Warren McClendon, OT/G, Georgia – C Grade
Warren McClendon is a limited athlete, so he may have to move to guard. However, he’s a versatile player and could fight for a starting spot in the interior of the Rams’ dreadful offensive line.
Los Angeles Rams: Davis Allen, TE, Clemson – B Grade
Davis Allen fell because of speed concerns, but he has nice receiving and blocking potential for the next level. The Rams needed another tight end, so Allen is a solid choice at thsi juncture.
Indianapolis Colts: Evan Hull, RB, Northwestern – B- Grade
I don’t think the Colts really needed another running back, but Evan Hull is a solid prospect at this spot of the draft. He’s a tough runner who will give maximum effort. Perhaps he’ll be able to emerge as a No. 2 back one day.
Los Angeles Rams: Puka Nacua, WR, BYU – C- Grade
I didn’t have Puka Nacua as a draftable prospect. He has separation issues and isn’t a very good route runner. He also missed some time with an injury last year. Receiver was a need though.