2023 NFL Draft Team Grades

These are 2023 NFL Draft Team Grades. I’ll be posting them throughout Sunday. 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

Carolina Panthers: B Grade

Goals Entering the 2023 NFL Draft: The Panthers traded up to No. 1 overall to select a quarterback the coaches didn’t want. In doing so, the Panthers relinquished much of their draft capital. They still have some relevant picks, however, and they’ll have to use those to surround Bryce Young with talented receivers and blockers.

2023 NFL Draft Accomplishments: Two of the three picks used after Young were meant to help him in some way. Jonathan Mingo, the fifth receiver off the board, could end up Young’s No. 1 wideout, though it’s more likely that he’ll be the secondary option down the road. Chandler Zavala, taken in the fourth round, figures to provide an upgrade in the interior of the offensive line.

The Panthers also found some help defensively. Their pass rush regressed with Haason Reddick joining the Eagles, so that prompted the D.J. Johnson pick. Johnson is raw, however, so it’s unlikely that he’ll make a big impact this year. That’s not the end of the world, given that the Panthers are just beginning their rebuilding process.

Overall, Carolina had a fine draft. There was nothing exciting aside from the Young pick, but the Panthers did a solid job of addressing needs and adding quality prospects.

See NFL Draft Grades for every single Panthers pick.

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Houston Texans: A- Grade

Goals Entering the 2023 NFL Draft: The Texans lost the ability to obtain the quarterback of their choosing because they won a meaningless game at the end of the season. They’re still able to select C.J. Stroud if they want, but because general manager Nick Caserio appears to be a sleeper agent for the Colts, it seems as though Houston will pass on a franchise signal-caller and allow Indianapolis to draft him. If the Texans were to take C.J. Stroud, they’d obviously want to add plenty of receiving talent around him, all while improving their woeful defense.

2023 NFL Draft Accomplishments: For a while, the Texans looked to be the dumbest team in the NFL. I joked about Caserio being a sleeper agent working for the Colts and then the Titans, but even if that were true, Caserio proved to be a double-crosser. He betrayed his divisional opponents by fooling everyone, drafting Stroud after all, and then moving up for Will Anderson. Some will say that the Texans surrendered too much for a non-quarterback, yet they’d feel differently if Houston used the No. 2 pick on Anderson and then traded up for Stroud even though it would be the exact, same thing. The Texans had to do it in the Stroud-Anderson order to prevent another team from trading up to No. 3.

This wasn’t the only positive thing the Texans did during the 2023 NFL Draft, as they drafted some potential late-round gems. Henry To’o To’o was a steal in the fifth round, while the same could be said of Jarrett Patterson and Xavier Hutchinson in the sixth frame.

What I didn’t like, however, were some of the picks made on Day 2. I thought both Juice Scruggs and Tank Dell were major reaches, but at least they will potentially fill needs. The Texans could have secured an “A” draft had they made better choice at Nos. 62 and 69. Still, this was a strong haul for Houston.

See NFL Draft Grades for every single Texans pick.
Arizona Cardinals: A Grade

Goals Entering the 2023 NFL Draft: The Cardinals are arguably the worst team in the NFL, so they need to acquire the best player available at every position, all while trading down in the process. They won’t be competitive this year with Kyler Murray coming off a torn ACL, so obtaining prospects who can’t start in the short term but have high upside for the long haul would be ideal.

2023 NFL Draft Accomplishments: Arizona absolutely had to trade down, and that’s exactly what it did. It moved all the way from No. 3 to 12, but then shot up to No. 6 to obtain Paris Johnson. The Cardinals had to move to No. 6 in order to land Johnson, given that the Raiders were going to draft him. Johnson is essential to the Cardinals’ plans because Kyler Murray hasn’t been able to play a full season. Improved blocking is needed to make sure Murray can remain upright once he returns from his torn ACL.

With extra resources, the Cardinals made numerous, solid selections in the second round and beyond. In fact, all but one of the picks scored a “B” or higher. The lone exception was Michael Wilson, who was chosen at No. 94, but every team can have one dud pick, especially if they are able to obtain extra draft capital.

Of the Cardinals’ other picks, B.J. Ojulari and Kei’Terel Clark stick out as being the best. Both will help the defense, as Ojulari was a much-needed pass rusher, while Clark could start sooner rather than later because Arizona’s cornerback situation is a disaster. Numerous other selections stood out as being promising as well, so the Cardinals should be graded accordingly.

See NFL Draft Grades for every single Cardinals pick.

Indianapolis Colts: A Grade

Goals Entering the 2023 NFL Draft: Thanks to Houston’s incompetence, the Colts suddenly have a chance to land C.J. Stroud at No. 4. Once they secure their new franchise quarterback, they’ll have to add better protection for him. They’ll also need to fix some holes in their defense, which was 28th against the run and 23rd versus the pass last year.

2023 NFL Draft Accomplishments: The Colts had 12 picks in the 2023 NFL Draft. Their first seven selections scored an A- or higher. Some of the highlights include a franchise quarterback at No. 4; a talented cornerback obtained after trading down twice to open the second round; a receiver pegged in the second round obtained at No. 79; and a mega value in Ade Adebawore at No. 110.

All of these selections not only provided great value; they also filled major needs, including a potential franchise left tackle. Thus, the Colts did an amazing job of strengthening their roster in the 2023 NFL Draft. They deserve an “A” grade.

Obviously, if people aren’t as high on Anthony Richardson, they wouldn’t grade Indianapolis so favorably. What must be considered, however, is that after 2010, teams can freely take gambles on quarterbacks in the opening round. This is what the Cardinals did with Josh Rosen, selecting him No. 10 overall a year before drafting Kyler Murray. This could have a similar outcome, but Richardson has far more upside than Rosen. He also possesses a higher floor because he runs a 4.4 just like Justin Fields, so he’ll be able to pick up tons of rushing yardage at the very least.

See NFL Draft Grades for every single Colts pick.
Denver Broncos: C- Grade

Goals Entering the 2023 NFL Draft: The Broncos don’t have a pick in the first two rounds, but they have a pair of selections in the third frame. They did a good job of ensuring that Russell Wilson performs better this offseason with some of their free agent moves, but they can draft an insurance policy for Wilson. They can also use a pick or two to help their run defense, which ranked 20th last year.

2023 NFL Draft Accomplishments: With five selections, none of which were made prior to the final pick of the second round, the Broncos were going to be challenged to greatly improve their roster through the 2023 NFL Draft. What they could have done is trade down to acquire more resources, as they need all the help they can get as a result of residing in such a terrific division.

Instead the Broncos moved up a few spots in the 60s to draft a receiver despite there being so many wideouts available at that juncture. That wasn’t a wise move, and neither was selecting Riley Moss in the third frame. Moss was a fifth-round prospect at best, so that was a reach. Furthermore, the Broncos’ initial pick will not fill a need, as the team already has a crowded receiving corps.

If you couldn’t tell, I’m not a fan of what the Broncos accomplished. Granted, they didn’t have the ammunition to make a big splash, but they also could have done much better.

See NFL Draft Grades for every single Broncos pick.

Los Angeles Rams: B Grade

Goals Entering the 2023 NFL Draft: The Rams must upgrade their offensive line and pass rush. Both areas were incredibly weak last year. The Rams don’t have a first-round pick, but they still have three selections on Day 2.

2023 NFL Draft Accomplishments: The Rams’ front office agreed with my evaluation of their roster because they spent their first three selections on offensive linemen and pass rushers. I was a big fan of the Steve Avila and Byron Young picks. I did not feel nearly as optimistic about the Kobie Turner choice, however, as that was a major reach.

The Rams targeted other positions on Day 3. They found a potential franchise quarterback in Stetson Bennett and then acquired a versatile linebacker in Nick Hampton. They later drafted two late-round gems in Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson and Zach Evans.

Considering that the Rams didn’t have a first-round pick, they did quite well. Aside from one horrible selection, they drafted solid prospects and filled needs.

See NFL Draft Grades for every single Rams pick.
Las Vegas Raiders: B Grade

Goals Entering the 2023 NFL Draft: The Raiders have chosen not to rebuild despite being leagues behind the Chiefs. They paid Jimmy Garoppolo lots of money this offseason, so they’ll need to improve his pass protection. Otherwise, many improvements must be made to the defense, which was 27th against the pass and 23rd versus the run last year.

2023 NFL Draft Accomplishments: Las Vegas missed out on its preferred prospect at No. 7 when the Cardinals moved ahead of them to acquire Paris Johnson. The Raiders had to “settle” for Tyree Wilson as a result, but he’s not a bad consolation prize, as he’ll improve the defense if he can remain healthy. The Raiders made sure they were getting their man in the second frame when they were the ones who moved up for a prospect. They obtained Michael Mayer, who will give Jimmy Garoppolo a reliable intermediate target.

The Raiders made some solid picks during the rest of the draft, using five of their next seven selections on defensive players. Byron Young will fill a huge need at defensive tackle, while Amari Burney was a great value selection in the sixth round. In fact, of the Raiders’ nine picks, only one was graded worse than a C-. That was Tre Tucker, who was a slight reach at the end of the third frame and didn’t really fill a need.

I’d say the Raiders had a solid draft overall. It could have been better had they landed Johnson, but they did a good job of bolstering their defense with quality picks.

See NFL Draft Grades for every single Raiders pick.

Atlanta Falcons: B- Grade

Goals Entering the 2023 NFL Draft: The Falcons might be the best team in the NFC South, but they still need lots of help. The offensive line, receivers, linebackers and secondary are all underwhelming. They also could find someone to challenge Desmond Ridder. Worst of all, their pass rush has been ranked worst in pressure rate in each of the past two years.

2023 NFL Draft Accomplishments: I love Bijan Robinson as a prospect, but the Falcons should not have drafted him. First-round running backs make sense for teams that are Super Bowl contenders, but Atlanta doesn’t qualify as such. By the time the Falcons are ready to make a run deep into the playoffs, Robinson will have some mileage on his legs.

That said, the Falcons made some quality selections during the second and third days of the draft. Matthew Bergeron could have been chosen in the first round, yet Atlanta obtained him in the second frame to serve as a needed upgrade on the offensive line. Zach Harrison was a fine choice in the third round to provide some much-needed help to the pass rush. Clark Phillips was a steal in the fourth to help the secondary.

As a result of these solid selections, Atlanta made up for its first-round blunder. Still, this draft class could have been so much better had the Falcons focused more on improving their team for the long haul, especially given that running back wasn’t even a need for them.

See NFL Draft Grades for every single Falcons pick.
Chicago Bears: A- Grade

Goals Entering the 2023 NFL Draft: The Bears obtained lots of draft capital by trading out of the No. 1 pick. This was essential because they had tons of holes on their roster. Aside from finding a better left tackle to protect Justin Fields, Chicago must acquire the best player available with all of their selections.

2023 NFL Draft Accomplishments: Chicago did a masterful job during the 2023 NFL Draft. In addition to trading down twice in the first round, the front office scored a “B” or higher on all seven of its selections prior to No. 165. The Bears obtained quality prospect while filling their many needs. This includes left tackle with Darnell Wright at No. 10 overall and defensive tackle with Gervon Dexter in the second frame.

My favorite value pick of Chicago’s didn’t fill a need, as the team acquired Noah Sewell at No. 148. Linebacker is a rare position of strength on Chicago’s roster, but Sewell was a steal. He was once considered a first-round pick before a down 2022 campaign.

The Bears made a couple of sketchy picks late in the draft, but those didn’t have much of an impact on this final grade. Chicago deserves to be praised for what it accomplished during the 2023 NFL Draft.

See NFL Draft Grades for every single Bears pick.

New Orleans Saints: B Grade

Goals Entering the 2023 NFL Draft: The Saints traded away this year’s first-round pick, so they won’t be in a position to obtain a franchise quarterback. They still have a opening-round selection from the Sean Payton trade, however, so they can focus on fixing some of their glaring holes on their defense. They were 25th against the run last year, and they were also ranked in the bottom 10 in pressure rate.

2023 NFL Draft Accomplishments: Most of the Saints’ picks were hit or miss. Some of their hits include Isaiah Foskey, a very athletic pass rusher taken in the second round, and Kendre Miller, a third-round running back. The Saints had a dreadful pass rush last year, so Foskey will certainly help in that department. Miller, meanwhile, could be the Saints’ lead back if Alvin Kamara is suspended.

The misses include the first-round pick, Bryan Bresee. The Clemson defensive tackle is very talented, but didn’t live up to his potential in college. He also has a very dubious injury history. I also wasn’t a fan of Nick Saldiveri, as there was no reason to trade up for him atop the fourth round.

The Saints had an average draft overall. Though they reached at times, they at least focused on their primary needs, and they also obtained some quality prospects.

See NFL Draft Grades for every single Saints pick.
Tennessee Titans: A- Grade

Goals Entering the 2023 NFL Draft: The Titans are in a complete rebuild. They lost their three best offensive linemen and a talented linebacker this offseason. There are talks of them trading Derrick Henry and Kevin Byard as well. Tennessee has to find a new franchise quarterback and acquire new pieces for the future, which includes a starting receiver, several blockers and a successor for Henry.

2023 NFL Draft Accomplishments: It appears as though the Titans agree that they are in a complete rebuild. Two of their first three selections were used on players who will potentially replace their backfield tandem of Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry. Tennessee traded up for Will Levis in the second round to be the successor for Tannehill. I’m not a fan of Levis as a prospect because of his horrible accuracy and lack of touch, but he was at least worth a gamble in the second fame. Henry’s replacement, meanwhile, could be Tyjae Spears, taken in the third round. Spears is a talented back, but has no ACL in one knee, so his career could be brief.

Of course, it doesn’t matter who the quarterback and running back are if there’s no offensive line in front of them. That’s where the first-round pick comes in, as Peter Skoronski has the potential to be a perennial Pro Bowl guard over the next decade. Sixth-round pick Jaelyn Duncan, meanwhile, is raw, but has very high upside. It shouldn’t surprise anyone if he develops into a starting left tackle.

Aside from the Spears pick – and only because of his worrisome knee – I’m a fan of what the Titans accomplished in the 2023 NFL Draft. They’re officially in their rebuild, but it’s a promising start to a new era at the very least.

See NFL Draft Grades for every single Titans pick.
Cleveland Browns: A Grade

Goals Entering the 2023 NFL Draft: The Browns don’t pick until the middle of the third round, so it’ll be difficult for them to make significant upgrades to their roster. However, they have five picks across the third and fourth frames, so they’ll be able to bolster their depth. They should focus on the defense, which had severe issues getting off the field last year.

2023 NFL Draft Accomplishments: Like the Broncos, the Browns didn’t have a pick until the third round. However, they had many other selections at their disposal, so they didn’t need to move down like Denver did. Instead, they made the most of what they had, using the majority of their picks on terrific selections.

It’s hard to believe that Cedric Tillman and Siaki Ika fell to Cleveland in the third round. Tillman is a talented receiver who projects to be a solid No. 2 possession player, while Ika is a monstrous nose tackle. Ika fell because of injury concerns, but he was well worth the bargain toward the end of the third round. Dawand Jones was also a steal in the fourth frame.

The Browns continued to draft extremely well on Day 3, with terrific choices being made on Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Cam Mitchell, and Luke Wypler. All three picks scored an A- or higher. In fact, six of Cleveland’s seven draft choices were at least an A-. This was amazing drafting by the front office despite having no resources in the first two rounds.

See NFL Draft Grades for every single Browns pick.
Green Bay Packers: C Grade

Goals Entering the 2023 NFL Draft: The Packers will be moving on without Aaron Rodgers. With Rodgers no longer on the team, Green Bay can no longer count on its quarterbacking turning water into wine in regard to its receivers and tight ends. I’d expect the Packers to load up on those positions. They also need to address the offensive line and pass rush.

2023 NFL Draft Accomplishments: The Packers made 13 picks in the 2023 NFL Draft, and yet only one was graded higher than a B+. That was the second-round selection used on Luke Musgrave, who should give No Cookie Jordan Love a reliable intermediate threat.

There were some other solid picks. Lukas Van Ness at No. 13 didn’t blow me away, but he should help a pass rush that had to rely on the blitz far too often last year. Tucker Kraft is another quality tight end, while Colby Wooden will also get to the quarterback from the interior.

However, the Packers also made some very dubious choices. For instance, they reached on Jayden Reed in the middle of the second frame when far better receivers were available. They wasted a pick on Sean Clifford. Even worse, they gave the Lions a talented safety in Brian Branch, who might snatch some interceptions from Love.

I don’t know how closely Love was following the draft as it unfolded, but he might now have an idea of how it felt to be Aaron Rodgers. The Packers didn’t have a terrible draft by any means, but it was very underwhelming.

See NFL Draft Grades for every single Packers pick.
New England Patriots: B- Grade

Goals Entering the 2023 NFL Draft: The Patriots are the worst team in the division, as they have many holes on their roster. This includes the receiving corps, linebacking corps, and secondary. Worst of all, however, are the quarterback and offensive line situations. There’s talk that the Patriots will move Mac Jones. Either way, they’ll need to radically bolster the blocking for whomever is under center next year.

2023 NFL Draft Accomplishments: Bill Belichick is more than willing to acquire third-round prospects in the opening frame, so everything was possible when New England came on the clock at No. 14 overall. The Patriots traded back a few spots, and then selected Christian Gonzalez at No. 17. This was a terrific pick, as Gonzalez was a top-10 prospect. He dropped because some teams soured on his lack of toughness, but he’s still incredibly talented.

I loved the Patriots’ initial two selections, as Keion White provided value as a skilled pass rusher in the middle of the second round. That, however, was the beginning of the end of the Patriots’ positives. Belichick likely ran out of players he liked, so he began picking UDFA-type prospects as early as the third frame. Even worse, he traded up for a kicker in the fourth round!

When the Patriots went Gonzalez-White to start the draft, I never imagined that I wouldn’t grade their overall class very favorably, but I’m left with no choice. New England squandered way too many selections following such a great start.

See NFL Draft Grades for every single Patriots pick.
New York Jets: C+ Grade

Goals Entering the 2023 NFL Draft: The Jets will be one of the top teams in the NFL once they finalize the Aaron Rodgers trade. It’ll be essential not to surrender any significant picks for Rodgers in this year’s draft because every selection will matter when it comes down to battling the Bills, Bengals, and Chiefs. If the Jets keep their selections, they’ll need to focus on improving the offensive line, linebacking corps, and secondary.

2023 NFL Draft Accomplishments: The poor Jets had four potential realistic targets at No. 15, and all of them went off the board between picks 10-14. This is why they spent nearly the entire 10 allotted minutes, as they were likely calling teams to trade out of desperation. They couldn’t find any takers, so they had to settle for Will McDonald. The Iowa State product is a talented edge rusher, but he’s undersized, so he belonged in the second round.

I don’t know why the Jets didn’t have Jaxon Smith-Njigba as a Plan E, but that’s whom I would have drafted. I doubt Aaron Rodgers would have complained! Regardless, the Jets got back on track in the second round with a solid pick in Joe Tippman, who will provide a needed upgrade in the interior of the offensive line. Another blocker, Carter Warren, was a mediocre pick in Round 4. Their highest-rated selection was a sixth-round pick used on Jarrick Bernard-Converse. He’s a talented cornerback, but doesn’t fill a need.

Had the Jets not swapped picks with the Packers, they would have obtained one of their desired prospects. That aspect of the deal backfired, causing the Jets to have a disappointing draft.

See NFL Draft Grades for every single Jets pick.

Washington Redskins: B Grade

Goals Entering the 2023 NFL Draft: The Redskins seem set on giving Slingin’ Sammy Howell a chance to quarterback the team next year. They’ll need to give him better protection, but the greater priority is finally addressing the secondary and linebacking corps, which have been huge areas of need for many years.

2023 NFL Draft Accomplishments: The Redskins have dealt with major problems in their secondary for quite some time, so they wanted to resolve those issues because they didn’t stand a chance against the Eagles and their dual dynamic receivers. Washington consequently spent its first two picks on defensive backs. Emmanuel Forbes is a ballhawking cornerback, while Quan Martin is a versatile player capable of starting at safety or nickel corner. Both were solid selections.

Some energy was spent on upgrading the offensive line after that, as the next two selections were used on blockers. Ricky Stromberg was a reach in the third round, but the Redskins got back on track with Braeden Daniels in the fourth. Daniels will likely have to move to guard in the NFL, so he can fill a need in the interior of the offensive line.

Washington had a solid draft overall, as all but two of its picks scored in the B+ to B- range. There were no grades above B+, but the Redskins did well outside of the Stromberg pick, filling needs with quality prospects.

See NFL Draft Grades for every single Redskins pick.
Pittsburgh Steelers: A Grade

Goals Entering the 2023 NFL Draft: The Steelers figure to make a big leap in Kenny Pickett’s second year. However, this would require the team to plug some big holes, including left tackle and cornerback. Some other defensive upgrades would be welcome as well.

2023 NFL Draft Accomplishments: Excluding their final pick, the Steelers had six selections. All six of those picks scored a “B” grade or higher. This included their initial choice, Broderick Jones, whom Pittsburgh traded up for in the opening round. The Steelers had no choice but to do so, given that the Jets would have selected him at No. 15. Jones has a low floor, but he also possesses great upside to be a franchise left tackle. He could be essential to Kenny Pickett’s development.

The Steelers had a great Day 2, opening up the proceedings by selecting Joey Porter Jr., whom they easily could have taken at No. 17. Keeanu Benton was another strong pick, as he’ll help a poor run defense. The final second-day choice was used on Darnell Washington, an extremely talented tight end. Washington dropped because several teams flunked him medically, but he was well worth the risk toward the end of the third frame.

Pittsburgh completed its very strong draft class with two solid picks on Day 3. This was a terrific haul for the Steelers, who undoubtedly improved their chances of qualifying for the playoffs despite being in a very tough conference.

See NFL Draft Grades for every single Steelers pick.
Detroit Lions: A- Grade

Goals Entering the 2023 NFL Draft: The Lions have the tools to make a Super Bowl run this year, so they need to acquire players who can help them win this year. This includes an elite running back, a talented cornerback, and an upgrade at linebacker. Going with the best player available in early rounds makes the most sense.

2023 NFL Draft Accomplishments: Detroit’s draft class was panned by clueless members of the media, but I thought Brad Holmes did a terrific job of navigating through the 2023 NFL Draft. The Lions were set on Devon Witherspoon at No. 6, but after the Seahawks unexpectedly drafted him, Holmes did a good job of moving down to No. 12. The Lions then shocked everyone who doesn’t read WalterFootball.com by selecting Jahmyr Gibbs. While this was seen as a reach, Gibbs was projected as a top-five prospect in this class by several teams, as he possesses Jamaal Charles- and Alvin Kamara-type upside. The Jets would have drafted Gibbs if the top four tackles were off the board, which turned out to be the case.

I think the Lions went a bit early on Jack Campbell, but then again, the Iowa linebacker had suitors in the 20s, as Charlie Campbell reported that the Giants had interest in Campbell if the top four receivers were gone, which was also the case. It would have been ideal had the Lions traded down a few spots and then gotten Campbell, but Detroit traded plenty of times on Day 2, acquiring numerous extra resources in the process. As for the actual picks, they obtained a talented tight end (Sam LaPorta), a gifted, versatile defensive back (Brian Branch), and a quarterback of the future (Hendon Hooker). The three picks scored “B,” A+ and A+. Branch and Hooker were absolute steals.

I didn’t like a couple of picks the Lions made in the late rounds, but that won’t hurt their overall score very much. The draft didn’t quite fall Detroit’s way, but Holmes still acquired talented prospects and extra picks with some timely trades.

See NFL Draft Grades for every single Lions pick.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: B- Grade

Goals Entering the 2023 NFL Draft: It would be in the Buccaneers’ best interest to tank for the 2024 NFL Draft, where they can potentially obtain either Caleb Williams or Drake Maye. With Tom Brady and some other veterans gone, Tampa Bay won’t be competitive this year, so the front office should be focusing on high-upside players for the long haul.

2023 NFL Draft Accomplishments: The Buccaneers made eight picks in the 2023 NFL Draft, and all of them scored between B+ and “C.” This includes their opening-round choice of Calijah Kancey, who reminds many of Aaron Donald even though he wasn’t nearly as productive at Pittsburgh. Still, it was a fine selection, as was Cody Mauch, a rock-steady guard who was a much-needed upgrade on the offensive line.

The pick I liked the least of Tampa Bay’s was SirVocea Dennis, who was taken in the fifth round. He was a reach and drew the worst grade, but given where he was drafted, he won’t make or break Tampa’s class.

Overall, I’d say this is a pretty mediocre output. The Buccaneers did well with some picks, but they did nothing overly exciting. Their total grade reflects that.

See NFL Draft Grades for every single Buccaneers pick.
Seattle Seahawks: B- Grade

Goals Entering the 2023 NFL Draft: The 49ers lost some talent this offseason, so the Seahawks might be able to make a run and challenge them for the divisional title. To do so, they’ll need to make huge upgrades to their pass rush, which was very weak last year. Finding other defensive linemen to help in run support would be crucial as well.

2023 NFL Draft Accomplishments: The Seahawks made a couple of strange picks to kick off the 2023 NFL Draft. It was shocking to see them take Devon Witherspoon at No. 5 overall. Witherspoon was the top cornerback in this class, but Seattle does so well with drafting corners in the middle and late rounds. It’s such a huge advantage for them, so it was disappointing to see them ruin their great leverage like that. They must have really soured on Jalen Carter in the final hours leading up to the draft.

Another odd selection was Zach Charbonnet in the second round. The Seahawks had tons of success with Kenneth Walker last year, so wasting such an early selection on a running back was not wise, especially with so many other glaring needs.

That said, the Seahawks also had some stellar picks. Jaxon Smith-Njigba was a steal at No. 20. Anthony Bradford provided great value at the beginning of Day 3, and he should offer an upgrade in the interior of the offensive line. Mike Morris and Olu Oluwatimi were also steals in the fifth frame.

There was some good and some bad for the Seahawks in this draft class. While it was disappointing to see them commit a couple of blunders in the early stages, they did well to make up for those errors with some other selections.

See NFL Draft Grades for every single Seahawks pick.
Miami Dolphins: C- Grade

Goals Entering the 2023 NFL Draft: The Dolphins are capable of winning the Super Bowl if Tua Tagovailoa can stay healthy. That’s a big “if,” however. To make sure Tagovailoa stays on the field, Miami will need to continue to improve its offensive line. Some defensive help is needed as well, but the pass protection trumps everything.

2023 NFL Draft Accomplishments: The Dolphins had just four picks in the 2023 NFL Draft, so there’s not much to analyze. Their two picks on Day 2 were scored as a B+ and a “B.” I thought both provided great value, but neither filled much of a need. Cam Smith is a talented cornerback who fell due to character concerns, while Devon Achane is a talented runner who will be fighting for touches with Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr.

It was disappointing to see the Dolphins fail to address their offensive line until their seventh-round pick. Protecting Tua Tagovailoa is paramount, so the argument could be made that the Dolphins should have eschewed value and just drafted a blocker. Besides, it’s not like there wasn’t value with any of the offensive linemen available.

See NFL Draft Grades for every single Dolphins pick.
Los Angeles Chargers: A Grade

Goals Entering the 2023 NFL Draft: The Chargers didn’t improve their coaching staff this offseason, so another disastrous finish seems like it’s in the cards. To prevent this from happening, the Chargers will need to find depth behind players who spent way too much time on the injury report last year, namely Joey Bosa and the two receivers. The Chargers must also finally fix their defensive tackles and linebacking corps so their run defense doesn’t struggle again (28th in 2023).

2023 NFL Draft Accomplishments: The Chargers were apparently in love with the TCU passing attack. They used their first-round pick on Quentin Johnson, who has drawn comparisons as a poor man’s Julio Jones. A fourth-round selection was then used on Derius Davis to further strengthen the receiving corps. And if that wasn’t enough, the final selection was used on a backup quarterback of the future, Max Duggan.

I liked all three of these picks, and I was also a fan of the Day 2 choices. Tuli Tuipulotu and Daiyan Henley were great bargains, and they should both provide a much-needed boost to the front seven. Meanwhile, Jordan McFadden was a solid blocker to add in the fifth frame.

Six of the seven Chargers’ selections scored a “B” or higher, and five of them were A- or better. This was an excellent draft for the Chargers, who obtained good values and filled needs.

See NFL Draft Grades for every single Chargers pick.
Baltimore Ravens: A- Grade

Goals Entering the 2023 NFL Draft: The Ravens signed Odell Beckham Jr., but that can’t be the only upgrade they make to their receiving corps this offseason. Fixing that position is the greatest priority, but the Ravens have plenty of other glaring needs, as they’ve lost talent on the offensive line, defensive line and secondary this offseason.

2023 NFL Draft Accomplishments: Baltimore didn’t expect Zay Flowers to drop to them, yet the dynamic receiver was sitting on the board at No. 22. This was a no-brainer pick for the Ravens, who were desperate for receiving help. Flowers has Steve Smith-type upside, so it’s shocking that he slipped into the 20s.

The Ravens were able to secure two other great values: Trenton Simpson in the third round and Andrew Vorhees in the final frame. Both will potentially fill big holes on the roster, so these were tremendous selections. Conversely, the Ravens reached on Tavius Robinson in the fourth round.

Despite the Robinson blunder, the Ravens were able to put together an outstanding draft. I wish they would have traded down because they had just six picks, but they did extremely well with what they had otherwise.

See NFL Draft Grades for every single Ravens pick.
Minnesota Vikings: B+ Grade

Goals Entering the 2023 NFL Draft: Minnesota’s front office must focus on upgrading receiver, linebacker, and cornerback. The rest of the roster has loads of talent, but these three areas are hurting in the wake of recent departures. Also, the Vikings must refrain from making trades after last year’s debacle.

2023 NFL Draft Accomplishments: The Vikings really needed receiving help, so I imagine the front office was hoping someone like Jordan Addison would fall to them. That ended up happening, as Addison was the fourth consecutive receiver off the board. Addison could easily be the best of the group, so you have to like the value Minnesota obtained at No. 23.

Minnesota lacked resources after that, so it wisely traded down in the third round to acquire more assets. Despite doing so, the Vikings were still able to obtain a great value with the final selection of the second day in Mekhi Blackmon, who will fill a big need at cornerback. The Vikings also made some solid choices on Day 3, including Jay Ward to help at safety, and Jaren Hall, who might be able to develop as the quarterback of the future.

The Vikings had a quality draft overall. They did a good job of acquiring resources and filling needs. Of their six picks, only one scored higher than a B+, but they also had only one grade worse than a “B.”

See NFL Draft Grades for every single Vikings pick.
Jacksonville Jaguars: C Grade

Goals Entering the 2023 NFL Draft: The Jaguars made a big leap in Doug Pederson’s first year. They’re now in full control of the division, but they must look past the AFC South and focus on how to defeat the Chiefs, Bills, and Bengals. Fixing their defense is a must, especially when it comes to the secondary and pass rush. Finding some offensive line help to protect Trevor Lawrence will be essential as well.

2023 NFL Draft Accomplishments: Jacksonville came out of the 2023 NFL Draft with 13 picks, thanks to their willingness to trade down twice in the first round. The team ultimately landed Anton Harrison, which was a terrific selection when factoring in the trades and also the need. With Jawaan Taylor gone and Cam Robinson facing suspension, the Jaguars desperately needed better blocking. Harrison could have easily been chosen a bit earlier, so I liked the value as well.

While the Jaguars began the draft well, things quickly took a turn for the worse. They failed to address their poor defense until the latter stages of the fourth round when they selected Ventrell Miller. I liked the pick, but hated everything in between Harrison and Miller. Brenton Strange was a colossal reach and didn’t fill a need as a tight end, while Tank Bigsby was a waste as a third-round running back.

Jacksonville at least spent most of its third-day assets on defensive players, but the team squandered an opportunity to bolster its stop unit with more substantial resources earlier in the draft. I can’t grade the Jaguars favorably because of this.

See NFL Draft Grades for every single Jaguars pick.
New York Giants: B+ Grade

Goals Entering the 2023 NFL Draft: The Giants are dying for one of the top four receivers to fall to them at No. 25. That’s unlikely to happen, so they may have to trade up. If they don’t, they can settle on a back-seven player and one of the lesser wideouts in the second round. They also must improve their mediocre offensive line.

2023 NFL Draft Accomplishments: The poor Giants saw all four receivers go off the board just directly in front of them. This must have been heartbreaking for them, yet they still were eager to trade up for Deonte Banks. The talented cornerback is raw, however, so he may not fill the need right away.

A disappointing first round gave way to a terrific second day. John Michael Schmitz figures to be a huge improvement at center, while Jalin Hyatt was a steal in the third round. Hyatt was arguably the fifth-best receiver prospect, so it’s shocking that the Giants were able to land him at No. 73.

The Giants made seven selections in total, and all of them scored a B- or higher. Two of the seven choices were graded as an A+ or an “A.” This was a successful draft overall for New York, despite what transpired with the first-round receivers.

See NFL Draft Grades for every single Giants pick.
Dallas Cowboys: D Grade

Goals Entering the 2023 NFL Draft: The Cowboys lost Amari Cooper and Dalton Schultz recently, so they need to acquire some play-makers to help Dak Prescott. Otherwise, they have some holes to plug in their defense, primarily at defensive tackle, linebacker, cornerback, and safety.

2023 NFL Draft Accomplishments: When the Cowboys made their initial selection, I saw “Smith” on the screen and figured they drafted Nolan Smith. Either he or Michael Mayer would have been outstanding at No. 26. Instead, Dallas opted for Mazi Smith, which allowed Nolan Smith to fall to the Eagles. This was a grave blunder that will have horrible ramifications in the coming years.

The Cowboys compounded errors by reaching on Luke Schoonmaker in the second round. Had they drafted Mayer, they wouldn’t have been forced into this second mistake. This was poor drafting by Jerry Jones.

I liked some of Dallas’ picks made in Rounds 3-6, particularly DeMarvion Overshown. However, this was a very disappointing output by the Cowboys, who reached for players and handed a Pro Bowl-caliber pass rusher to their biggest rival.

See NFL Draft Grades for every single Cowboys pick.
Buffalo Bills: B+ Grade

Goals Entering the 2023 NFL Draft: The Bills need to do two things in order to prevent another major letdown in the playoffs. The first is to add some firepower around Josh Allen to improve their red-zone offense. The second is to find some depth behind Von Miller because the pass rush fell apart once Miller got hurt last year. Otherwise, the Bills need to improve their interior offensive line and linebacking corps.

2023 NFL Draft Accomplishments: I loved what Buffalo accomplished in the first two rounds of the draft. Dalton Kincaid is a very talented tight end who easily could have been chosen in the teens, yet he was available at No. 27. He’ll be a great weapon for Josh Allen. After that, the Bills used their second-round choice on O’Cyrus Torrence, who was a potential first-round prospect. Torrence will provide some much-needed protection for Allen.

The Bills had four other selections remaining in the 2023 NFL Draft. I was a fan of their seventh-round choices, but Dorian Williams and Justin Shorter, taken in the third and fifth rounds, respectively, were both reaches. I was also disappointed that the Bills didn’t address their pass rush.

Despite some mistakes, the Bills came away with a great haul. There’s little doubt that they strengthened their roster and gave themselves a better chance to win the Super Bowl this upcoming season.

See NFL Draft Grades for every single Bills pick.
Cincinnati Bengals: B+ Grade

Goals Entering the 2023 NFL Draft: The Bengals have a great roster without many holes. They’ll be looking for a tight end, cornerback and another offensive lineman, but otherwise, Cincinnati should draft the best player available to help put it over the top compared to the Chiefs and Bills.

2023 NFL Draft Accomplishments: Cincinnati wanted Luke Van Ness to fall to them, but that did not happen. Instead, the Bengals targeted Myles Murphy, who happens to be a similar, albeit slightly worse prospect. This was a solid pick, and it was the first of three that Cincinnati that spent on the defensive side of the ball during the first two days of the draft. The other two choices were used on secondary help, as D.J. Turner and Jordan Battle could fight for playing time this year. Turner was the fastest player at the combine, and he earned the highest grade (A-) of the first three selections. Jordan Battle, conversely, was a bit of a reach.

I really liked what the Bengals did on the third day of the draft. They finally began mixing in some offensive prospects, including Charlie Jones, who was a steal in the fourth round. The same can be said of another receiver, Andrei Iosivas, who was chosen in the sixth frame. The Bengals also secured a potential replacement for Joe Mixon in Chase Brown, who was selected in the fifth round.

Though the Bengals didn’t land the prospects they realistically coveted the most at No. 28, they were able to put together a quality draft class. Of their eight selections, seven of them scored a “B” grade or better.

See NFL Draft Grades for every single Bengals pick.
San Francisco 49ers: B Grade

Goals Entering the 2023 NFL Draft: The 49ers won’t be on the clock until the 99th-overall pick, so they won’t be able to land a great prospect. What they’ll be able to do is replenish the depth they lost this offseason. Finding a new right tackle is essential as well because Mike McGlinchey was lost in free agency.

2023 NFL Draft Accomplishments: Talk about consistency: Of the 49ers’ nine picks, seven of them happened to fall in the B+ to B- range. As it so happened, all seven of those were the final seven selections, as the two outliers were San Francisco’s initial two third-round choices.

There was a great dichotomy between those two picks. I loved the Ji’Ayir Brown selection. Brown is an extremely instinctive safety who is always at the right place at the right time. He could emerge as a turnover machine for the 49ers. Conversely, San Francisco wasted a third-round pick on a kicker. Jake Moody is a promising kicker prospect, but kickers should never be chosen in the first four rounds unless they have a bionic leg and can consistently nail 80-yard attempts.

Aside from the Moody selection, the 49ers put together a quality draft class. This was impressive, considering that they weren’t slated to pick prior to No. 99.

See NFL Draft Grades for every single 49ers pick.
Philadelphia Eagles: A+ Grade

Goals Entering the 2023 NFL Draft: The Eagles’ Super Bowl window is wide open right now, so acquiring players who can help them win now is essential. Some positions they’ll be targeting are running back, defensive line, guard, and linebacker.

2023 NFL Draft Accomplishments: Wow. I don’t understand how Howie Roseman accomplished what he did. Had the Eagles drafted Nolan Smith at No. 10, no one would have batted an eye. Yet, Roseman was somehow able to obtain both Jalen Carter and Smith, two of the best defensive players in this class, with his first two selections. Adding Carter and Smith to the best pass rush in the NFL will be devastating for any passing attack that crosses paths with Philadelphia.

If the Eagles’ draft class concluded with the Carter and Smith picks, they would have earned high marks, but Roseman continued his great drafting beyond the first night. Tyler Steen was an outstanding value to begin the third round. He’s a rock-steady offensive lineman who can play both guard and tackle. He’ll project as a great replacement for Isaac Seumalo. Kelee Ringo was a steal to begin Day 3. I wasn’t as crazy about Sydney Brown, but he was still a solid choice.

Philadelphia made seven picks, and all but one scored A- or better. The lone exception was the Brown selection, which earned a “B” grade. The Eagles emerged with the best class in the 2023 NFL Draft, drastically improving their roster despite already being a top-tier Super Bowl contender.

See NFL Draft Grades for every single Eagles pick.
Kansas City Chiefs: C Grade

Goals Entering the 2023 NFL Draft: Coming off a Super Bowl victory, the Chiefs need to add the best players possible in order to repeat. They specifically need a receiver to replace JuJu Smith-Schuster, and a right tackle to go along with newly acquired Jawaan Taylor.

2023 NFL Draft Accomplishments: No one should be surprised that Andy Reid addressed the pass rush with two of his first three selections. Felix Anudike-Uzomah was a bit strange, however, given that the Chiefs used last year’s first-round pick on an edge rusher, so re-signing both him and George Karlaftis could be a headache in a few years. Still, the Kansas State product will help the team win now, which is important. The same can be said of third-rounder Wanya Morris, who could claim the right tackle job as a rookie.

I gave both the Anudike-Uzomah and Morris selections grades in the “B” range, but I wasn’t as high on the Chiefs’ other picks. Kansas City reached a bit on Rashee Rice in the second round when there were better receivers available. Fourth-rounder Chamarri Connor was also a major reach.

Aside from the Morris pick, none of the Chiefs’ seven selections scored higher than a B-. Then again, nothing was graded worse than a C-. This appears to be a rather sub-par draft class for Kanas City.

See NFL Draft Grades for every single Chiefs pick.

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