First Round Reaction
Impossible to give accurate letter grades at this point, and it is silly to try, but most teams addressed apparent needs, and those who missed have two days and college-free agents to fill those still open needs. Here is my initial reaction to day one of the 2023 NFL Draft
1. Carolina Panthers: Bryce Young, QB Alabama
The most can’t-miss prospect in the draft. Now they need to build around him and watch the team succeed.
2. Houston Texans: C.J Stroud QB Ohio State
Stroud showed what he could do in the college playoffs and should be a day-one starter and offensive leader for years.
3. Houston Texans: Will Anderson Edge Alabama
Stud a great pick. Soon to be a superstar in the league.
4. Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Richardson QB Florida
Like I mentioned when I mocked him to the Colts a few days ago, while the other QBs remaining might be more day one ready, he is a perfect fit for the scheme coming to Indy.
5. Seattle Seahawks: Devon Witherspoon, CB Illinois
I like the player but not sure about the spot or team. I would have preferred a defensive lineman here and a corner later, but Seattle front office likes what they like.
6. Arizona Cardinals: Paris Johnson OT Ohio State
What Kyler wants Kyler gets in Arizona. They need to protect the franchise QB when he returns, and Johnson is a day-one starter
7. Las Vegas Raiders: Tyree Wilson Edge Texas Tech
He is a talented player; just concerned he will be 100%. Have to trust your medical staff.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Bijan Robinson RB Texas
Great player but not sure of the best use of this resource in Atlanta. It will likely become even more ground-game-focused.
9. Philadelphia Eagles: Jalen Carter DT Georgia
Probably the top pick before the off-the-field stuff started coming out. Now joins some of his friends in Philly, hoping to end the off-the-field and become known as a dominating force next to last year’s number pick, fellow defensive linemen Jordan Davis
10. Chicago Darnell Wright OT Tennessee
I like it to get protection for Justin Fields
11. Tennessee Titans: Peter Skoronski OL Northwestern
Surprised Levis did not go here; instead, they get a Zack Martin-type guard for the next 12 years.
12. Detroit Lions: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB Alabama
Great player, but this early, not like the selection for Detroit, with the stable of running backs already on the roster. They are trading one of them, but it still seemed very early.
13. Green Bay Packers: Lukas Van Ness Edge Iowa
I can’t understand why they refuse to draft offense, but they have been winning. Now with Rodgers gone will see if that comes back on them. I would have taken JSN here, but that’s just me
14. Pittsburgh Steelers: Broderick Jones OT Georgia
Nice moving to get him, and now Pickett gets a protector/security for year 2.
15. N.Y. Jets: Will McDonald IV Iowa State
I did not expect this, but when all the offensive linemen are gone, adding the underrated McDonald makes sense since you can never have enough guys to get the QB.
16. Washington Commanders: Emmanuel Forbes CB Mississippi State
Good player. I would have rather Porter if you were going that way at this spot. You must think Rivera and the staff are coaching for their future. My favorite team for the Caleb Williams sweepstakes.
17. New England Patriots: Christian Gonzalez CB Oregon
A potential steal in round one. Gonzalez is that long CB that teams need to lock in on the number one WR. I like this pick a lot.
18. Detroit Lions: Jack Campbell, LB Iowa
Surprised by this pick which makes both Lions picks a bit of a head-scratcher, but Campbell is a talented dude who will help the franchise.
19. Tama Bay Buccaneers: Calijah Kancey, DL Pittsburgh
Very nice sneaky pick who should help rebuild the defense in Tampa.
20. Seattle Seahawks: Jaxon Smith-Njigba Ohio State
A great addition to the team this late in round one should make Geno even better in 2023.
21. Los Angeles Chargers: Quentin Johnston WR TCU
Kellen Moore gets a big man to add to the offense and Herbert. He reminds me of Dez.
22. Baltimore Ravens: Zay Flowers WR Boston College
As I projected, Flowers makes so much sense in Baltimore and will be a future #1 WR in the league.
23. Minnesota Vikings: Jordan Addison WR USC
A great addition to pair with Justin Jefferson.
24. NY Giants: Deonte Banks CB Maryland
I would have gone WR, but the clear 1st round guys were gone. I might have added linebacker instead, but Banks is a perfect corner for the system.
25. Buffalo Bills: Dalton Kincaid TE Utah
Buffalo needs a few more options for Allen, and Kincaid is a great receiver and an excellent overall tight end. Assuming his back is good, this is a perfect addition, but I don’t think they needed to move up as the Cowboys’ tight end story was a smokescreen, but it didn’t cost much.
26. Dallas Cowboys: Mazi Smith, DT Michigan
The four most significant need areas are RB, OG, DT, and TE. Running back or offensive guard was not worth this slot, so they added an actual nose tackle who would immediately impact the run defense. They lost Watkins, and Hankins is on a 1-year deal. This is a perfect pick at this point, no question.
27. Jacksonville Jaguars: Anton Harrison OT Oklahoma
Cam Robinson’s story was coming to light the day before the draft worked out as they got Harrison, who can step in immediately and has some ability to kick inside down the road.
28. Cincinnati Bengals: Myles Murphy Edge Clemson
That is an excellent addition at this point in the draft. I might have considered a tight end, but as I said before, can you ever have enough pass rushers?
29. New Orleans Saints: Bryan Bresee DL Clemson
This is an underrated prospect in my book that will get plugged in immediately and be a solid contributor for the next ten years.
30. Philadelphia Eagles: Nolan Smith Edge Georgia
The media is gushing over this pick, and Nolan is a great pass rusher, but I would have been seriously considering Branch for Alabama or Porter Jr from Penn State. They lost Gardner-Johnson, and Branch would have been a terrific replacement, or with two corners at 30 or older, Porter would have been great, but until proven wrong, no one dares question, Howie.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Felix Anudike Uzomah Edge Kansas State
Not surprisingly, they added to the defense with Frank Clark gone, and I see the logic of them wanting Mazi Smith too, but this is a grand consolation prize and should immediately impact the defense.
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