The 2023 NFL Draft is underway. As the draft goes on, teams will be graded on how they have done. Here are the 2023 NFL Draft Grades.
Note: This post will be updated through draft weekend.
AFC East
Buffalo Bills: B+
Draft Picks: TE Dalton Kincaid, OG/C O’Cyrus Torrence, LB Dorian Williams, WR Justin Shorter, OG/C Nick Broeker, CB Alex Austin,
Buffalo traded up to get Kincaid, who is a good pass-catcher, but not a great run-blocker. Torrence was a big steal who fills a big need on the offensive line. Williams can help fill in for Tremaine Edmunds, who left in free agency.
Miami Dolphins: B+
Draft Picks: CB Cam Smith, RB Devon Achane, WR Elijah Higgins, OT Ryan Hayes,
The Dolphins have plenty of talented corners and now have a good value pick in Smith too. Achane was great value and provides a good weapon out of the backfield.
New England Patriots: B
Draft Picks: CB Christian Gonzalez, EDGE Keion White, LB Marte Mapu, OG/C Jake Andrews, K Chad Ryland, OG/C Sidy Sow, OG/C Atonio Mafi, WR Kayshon Boutte, P Bryce Barringer, WR Demario Douglas, CB Ameer Speed, CB Isaiah Bolden,
The Patriots traded down and still were able to get one of the best corners in the draft in Gonzalez. White gives them a versatile defensive lineman. The Patriots reached on Mapu and Andrews. The fourth round is too early for a kicker. Boutte was great value in the sixth-round.
New York Jets: C-
Draft Picks: EDGE Will McDonald IV, OG/C Joe Tippmann, OT Carter Warren, RB Israel Abanikanda, LB Zaire Barnes, S Jarrick Bernard-Converse, TE Zack Kuntz,
The Jets reached for McDonald after the top offensive tackles went off the board. Tippmann didn’t fill much of a need, but the Jets’ line has sustained plenty of injuries over the last few years. Warren was hurt in 2022 and didn’t show his full value,
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys: C-
Draft Picks: DL Mazi Smith, TE Luke Schoonmaker, LB DeMarvion Overshown, EDGE Viliami Fehoko, OT Asim Richards, CB Eric Scott, RB Deuce Vaughn, WR Jalen Brooks,
Dallas reached on Smith and will only be able to use him against the run. Schoonmaker was a reach. Overshown fills a need and gives them good value.
New York Giants: B
Draft Picks: CB Deonte Banks, OG/C John Michael Schmitz, WR Jalin Hyatt, RB Eric Gray, CB Tre Hawkins, DL Jordan Riley, S Gerrvarrius Owens
The Giants upgraded at corner, but traded up one spot to do it. Schmitz really improves the interior of the offensive line. Hyatt was good value and can stretch the field.
Philadelphia Eagles: A+
Draft Picks: DL Jalen Carter, EDGE Nolan Smith, OT Tyler Steen, S Sydney Brown, CB Kelee Ringo, QB Tanner McKee, DL Moro Ojomo
They had to trade up to get him, but the Eagles were able to get a top two player in the draft in Carter. The Eagles also got tremendous value in Carter. Smith was also a great value pick. Steen can develop behind a good starting line. Brown helps give depth at safety. Ringo was a steal of a pick on day three.
Washington Commanders: C+
Draft Picks: CB Emmanuel Forbes, S Jartavius Martin, OG/C Ricky Stromberg, OG/C Braeden Daniels, EDGE KJ Henry, RB Chris Rodriguez, LB Andre Jones,
Forbes has great ball skills, but is very undersized for the position. Martin was a little bit of a reach and doesn’t help the offense get better for next season. Stromberg helps the interior of the offensive line, along with Daniels.
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens: B
Draft Picks: WR Zay Flowers, LB Trenton Simpson, EDGE Tavius Robinson, CB Kyu Blu Kelly, OT Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, OG/C Andrew Voorhees,
The Ravens re-signed Lamar Jackson and now are giving him more weapons in Flowers. Simpson was a good value pick and could fill in if Patrick Queen leaves in free agency following the 2023 season.
Cincinnati Bengals: B
Draft Picks: EDGE Myles Murphy, CB DJ Turner, S Jordan Battle, WR Charlie Jones, RB Chase Brown, WR Andrei Iosivas, P Brad Robbins, CB DJ Ivey
Cincinnati said they were going to take best player available and took Murphy, who was a solid value. Turner is a great athlete who can play in the slot or outside. Battle is good value and could develop into a starter.
Cleveland Browns: B
Draft Picks: WR Cedric Tillman, DL Siaki Ika, OT Dawand Jones, EDGE Isaiah McGuire, QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson, CB Cameron Mitchell, OG/C Luke Wypler,
The Browns needed a good option outside of Amari Cooper on the outside and got him in Tillman. Ika will help stop the run. Jones was great value for the Browns as well. McGuire was a good value.
Pittsburgh Steelers: A+
Draft Picks: OT Broderick Jones, CB Joey Porter Jr., DL Keeanu Benton, TE Darnell Washington, LB Nick Herbig, CB Cory Trice, OT Spencer Anderson,
The Steelers traded up for Jones, who was at a solid value, but needs to work on his technique. Porter Jr. was a steal at the top of the second round. Benton was also good value and fits a need on the interior of the defensive line. Washington gave the Steelers great value.
NFC North
Chicago Bears: C
Draft Picks: OT Darnell Wright, DL Gervon Dexter, CB Tyrique Stevenson, DL Zacch Pickens, RB Roschon Johnson, WR Tyler Scott, LB Noah Sewell, CB Terrell Smith, OT Travis Ball,
The Bears get credit for trading down, but they reached on Wright. Dexter was a huge reach in the second read. Stevenson is an athletic corner who can help right away. Taking two interior defensive linemen on day two seemed excessive. Johnson can help split carries with Khalil Herbert. Scott can stretch the field for the Bears.
Detroit Lions: C
Draft Picks: RB Jahmyr Gibbs, LB Jack Campbell, TE Sam LaPorta, S Brian Branch, QB Hendon Hooker, DL Broderic Martin, DL Colby Sorsdal, WR Antoine Green, S Kendall Williamson,
The Lions get credit for trading down, but didn’t have a need at running back and took Gibbs. They also reached on Campbell, even with having a need at the position. Drafting LaPorta fills a need, but they could’ve had a better player at the position. Branch was one of the best value picks in the draft. Hooker is just a few years younger than Goff, but has good value. Martin was picked too soon.
Green Bay Packers: C-
Draft Picks: EDGE Lukas Van Ness, TE Luke Musgrave, WR Jayden Reed, TE Tucker Kraft, DL Colby Wooden, QB Sean Clifford, WR Dontayvion Wicks, DL Karl Brooks, K Anders Carlson, CB Carrington Valentine, RB Lew Nichols III, S Anthony Johnson Jr., WR Grant DuBose,
Green Bay could’ve helped their new starting quarterback, but instead went with an edge rusher. Musgrave filled a need and gives Jordan Love a new weapon. The Packers took a receiver to help Love, but reached on Reed. They got good value in Kraft, but taking two tight ends is confusing. Wooden was decent value.
Minnesota Vikings: B-
Draft Picks: WR Jordan Addison, CB Mekhi Bleckmon, S Jay Ward, DL Jaquelin Roy, QB Jaren Hall, RB DeWayne McBride,
They got good value in Addison, but their defense needs a lot more work for them to be competitive. Blackmon was a slight reach, but fills a need. Ward gives them a player who can learn behind Harrison Smith.
AFC South
Houston Texans: A
Draft Picks: QB C.J. Stroud, EDGE Will Anderson, OG/C Juice Scruggs, WR Nathaniel Dell, EDGE Dylan Horton, LB Henry To’o To’o, OG/C Jarrett Patterson, WR Xavier Hutchinson, S Brandon Hill,
The Texans got their signal caller and didn’t have to move up to get him. They also traded up for the best player in the draft. Scruggs was a reach. Dell gives them a good slot receiver for Stroud to utilize in year one. Horton can be a situational pass rusher.
Indianapolis Colts: B+
Draft Picks: QB Anthony Richardson, CB Julius Brents, WR Josh Downs, OT Blake Freeland, EDGE Adetomiwa Adebawore, CB Darius Rush, S Daniel Scott, TE Will Mallory, RB Evan Hull, LB Titus Leo, CB Jaylon Jones, OT Jake Witt,
Indianapolis took a project in Richardson, but he has the upside to be a good NFL quarterback. Brents gives them a big corner to fill in after trading Gilmore. Downs helps fill in for Parris Campbell, who left in free agency. Freeland can provide good depth and maybe develop into a starter at tackle. Adebawore is a versatile defensive lineman who was taken at great value.
Jacksonville Jaguars: C+
Draft Picks: OT Anton Harrison, TE Brenton Strange, RB Tank Bigsby, LB Ventrell Miller, DL Tyler Lacy, LB Yasir Abdullah, S Antonio Johnson, WR Parker Washington, CB Christian Braswell, S Erick Hallett, OG/C Cooper Hodges, DL Raymond Vohasek, DL Derrick Parrish,
After losing Jawaan Taylor, the Jaguars have a new starting tackle in Harrison. There was better value at tight end than Strange. Bigsby can handle a heavy workload behind Travis Etienne.
Tennessee Titans: A
Draft Picks: OT Peter Skoronski, QB Will Levis, RB Tyjae Spears, TE Josh Whyle, OT Jaelyn Duncan, WR Colton Dowell,
The Titans needed to improve their offensive line and got a great player in Skoronski. They moved up to get Levis to build with for the future. Spears provides a good change of pace to Derrick Henry.
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons: B+
Draft Picks: RB Bijan Robinson, OT Matthew Bergeron, EDGE Zach Harrison, CB Clark Phillips, S DeMarcco Hellams, OG/C Jovaughn Gwyn,
Atlanta added to their defense this offseason and now got a blue-chip running back in Robinson. Bergeron doesn’t fill a need, but presented average value. Harrison has good physical tools and will provide some depth. Phillips was a great value pick that could play in the slot or outside.
Carolina Panthers: B-
Draft Picks: QB Bryce Young, WR Jonathan Mingo, EDGE D.J. Johnson, OG/C Chandler Zavala, S Jammie Robinson,
The Panthers traded a decent amount to move up, but they got their quarterback. They reached on receiver in the second round in Mingo. Johnson was a reach. Zavala could develop into a starter with time.
New Orleans Saints: B-
Draft Picks: DL Bryan Bresee, EDGE Isaiah Foskey, RB Kendre Miller, OT Nick Saldiveri, QB Jake Haener, S Jordan Howden, WR AT Perry,
Bresee was a good value pick and fills a need for the Saints. The Saints got decent value in Foskey, even if it wasn’t the biggest need. There were plenty of better running backs than Miller on the board. Saldiveri provides good depth. Haener can be a good backup in the NFL with some development.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: B
Draft Picks: DL Calijah Kancey, OG/C Cody Mauch, LB Sir’Vocea Dennis, CB Josh Hayes, WR Trey Palmer, EDGE Jose Ramirez
The Bucs could’ve had a quarterback or taken a bigger position of need, but got decent value in Kancey. Mauch presented good value and will help an offensive lineman improve.
AFC West
Denver Broncos: B-
Draft Picks: WR Marvin Mims, LB Drew Sanders, CB Riley Moss, S JL Skinner, OG/C Alex Forsythe,
There were better receivers available than Mims and it didn’t really fit a need. Sanders was great value in the third round. Moss was a reach considering there were better corners on the board.
Kansas City Chiefs: C
Draft Picks: EDGE Felix Anudike-Uzomah, WR Rashee Rice, OT Wanya Morris, S Chamarri Conner, LB BJ Thompson, DL Keondre Coburn, CB Nic Jones,
The Chiefs needed an edge rusher and were able to get Anudike-Uzomah, but it was a little bit of a reach. There were better receivers on the board than Rice, although he fills a need. Morris helps replenish depth on the offensive line. Conner was a reach, but gives them much-needed depth in the secondary.
Las Vegas Raiders: B-
Draft Picks: EDGE Tyree Wilson, TE Michael Mayer, DL Byron Young, WR Tre Tucker, CB Jakorian Bennett, QB Aidan O’Connell, S Christopher Smith, LB Amari Burney, DL Nesta Jade Silvera,
Las Vegas didn’t need an edge rusher, but got decent value in Wilson. Mayer was a great value pick and also fills a need. Young was selected a few round too early. Tucker was an extreme reach. Bennett is a very athletic corner.
Los Angeles Chargers: A
Draft Picks: WR Quentin Johnston, EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu, LB Daiyan Henley, WR Derius Davis, OT Jordan McFadden, DL Scott Matlock, QB Max Duggan,
The Chargers have needed a third wide receiver for a while and Johnston can play on the outside. Tuipulotu may be a tweener, but the Chargers should be able to get good production out of him. Henley is a good athlete, but needs better awareness. Davis will provide good special teams value.
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals: B+
Draft Picks: OT Paris Johnson, EDGE B.J. Ojulari, CB Garrett Williams, WR Michael Wilson, OG/C Jon Gaines II, QB Clayton Tune, LB Owen Pappoe, CB Kei’Trel Clark, DL Dante Stills,
The Cardinals traded down and were able to get a great left tackle in the process. They also got good value in Ojulari. Williams is coming off a torn ACL, but had a good college career. Wilson was picked too early, but has potential if he stays healthy.
Los Angeles Rams: B
Draft Picks: OG/C Steve Avila, EDGE Byron Young, DL Kobie Turner, QB Stetson Bennett, EDGE Nick Hampton, OT Warren McClendon, TE Davis Allen, WR Puka Nacua, CB Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, EDGE Ochaun Mathis, RB Zach Evans, P Ethan Evans, S Jason Taylor II, DL Desjuan Johnson
Los Angeles needed offensive line help and took a versatile player in Avila. Young filled a big hole at pass rusher and was good value. They also had good value in Turner. The Rams needed quarterback depth, so taking Bennett was a necessity.
San Francisco 49ers: D
Draft Picks: S Ji’Ayir Brown, K Jake Moody, TE Cameron Latu, CB Darrell Luter, EDGE Robert Beal, TE Brayden Willis, WR Ronnie Bell, LB Jalen Graham
Brown is a good safety who isn’t afraid to help against the run. Taking a kicker in the third round is asinine. Latu was a reach as well.
Seattle Seahawks: B+
Draft Picks: CB Devon Witherspoon, WR Jaxson Smith-Njigba, EDGE Derick Hall, RB Zach Charbonnet, OG/C Anthony Bradford, DL Cameron Young, EDGE Mike Morris, OG/C Olusegun Oluwatimi, S Jerrick Reed, LB Dee Winters, RB Kenny McIntosh,
The Seahawks took a good player in Witherspoon, but he may not fit their system that well. They also drafted a great slot receiver in Smith-Njigba. Hall will help fill a pass-rushing need that was huge. The Seahawks didn’t need a running back, but took Charbonnet anyways. Bradford provides depth.
Make sure to check out our brand new NFL Draft page for more content like 2023 NFL Draft Grades!
You can like The Game Haus on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for more sports and esports articles from great TGH writers!
1 Comment
Great analysis. My only comment would be that the Seahawks actually did need a running back. They only had two running backs on their roster until this pick. That represents a need, in my opinion and Charbonnet was their best possible option for obtaining a third running back.