Có bao nhiêu đánh giá về Dự thảo NFL 2023?
|
The 2023 National Football League (NFL) Draft saw its increase by 12 per cent year-over-year (YoY) across US broadcasters ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes, as well as on the NFL Network and ESPN’s digital channels Show
Confirmed
ContextThe strong ratings for the draft emphasise the enormous appeal the NFL has, even for an event held in the offseason. As well as fans, brands are evidently interested in the league’s young newcomers, with this year’s number one draft pick Bryce Young signing an endorsement deal with Jordan Brand prior to the event Uncertainty reigned supreme as the 2023 NFL draft in Kansas City approached and, true to form, the first round was all over the place Unlike last year, the quarterbacks drove the conversation. The top four options—Alabama's Bryce Young, Ohio State's C. J. Stroud, Florida's Anthony Richardson and Kentucky's Will Levis—were all graded as first-round picks Ultimately, the Carolina Panthers chose Young. Stroud went to the Houston Texans. The Indianapolis got their guy in Richardson. Meanwhile, Levis surprisingly fell out of the first round altogether The surprises shouldn't have been that eye-opening considering how the league felt upon entering this year's event "People think … the decision's made, or decision-makers aren't telling anyone," Colts owner Jim Irsay told ESPN's Stephen Holder. "That's not true a lot of times. Honestly, this is as much intrigue and as much debate [as I've seen]. You have four guys and they're all worthy of being the No. 1 pick in the draft. Any of the four you take at [No. ] 1, people can't slam anyone for it. " Bleacher Report provided analysis and grades for every selection based on talent, fit and the team's decision-making process 1. Carolina Panthers (via Chicago)1 of 31 Bryce Young, QB, Alabama Strengths. Creativity within and outside pocket, decision-making and ball placement, adept at finding passing lanes and adjusting arm angles, fearless despite small stature Weaknesses. Outlier in terms of size, good but not great natural arm talent, sometimes leaves pocket prematurely Bryce Young embodies the spirit of Yoda as he enters the professional ranks. "Size matters not. Look at me. Judge me by my size, do you? And well you should not. " Every discussion regarding Young comes down to one simple understanding. He's under 5'11" and weighs 204 pounds (though his actual playing weight might be lower than the number from the NFL Scouting Combine) An entire evaluation will be built around the fact that certain organizations and evaluators won't be able to get past his stature. Even so, Young is considered a legitimate top-end talent and arguably the most natural at playing quarterback in this year's class In truth, the sport continues to evolve. More of an emphasis has been placed on the creativity of an individual at the game's most important position. Young extends plays. He works in traffic and converts from odd angles. He's magical in how he can make a play come together despite his stature Two things are true. First, quarterbacks are more protected than ever. Even so, all quarterbacks get dinged, no matter their size. What truly matters is how those individuals can change the course of a franchise Despite being the ultimate outlier, Young is a Jedi within the pocket, as he can overcome dire situations One league executive described the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner as a "mental savant," per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler An AFC personnel evaluator added. "Most pro-ready. Sees the whole field better than anyone. " The Carolina Panthers finally pulled the trigger on the franchise quarterback they've been searching for since Cam Newton's body began to break down and he left prior to the 2020 campaign To get their man, they had to trade up to the No. 1 overall pick by sending this year's ninth overall pick, a second-round selection, next year's first and a 2025 second, as well as wide receiver DJ Moore, to the Chicago Bears Young lands in a situation where he'll have former NFL quarterbacks as his head coach in Frank Reich and quarterbacks coach in Josh McCown. Those guys saw how Young conducted himself, absorbed information and played the game. When all of those factors were taken into consideration, his size didn't matter Grade. A 2. Houston Texans2 of 31 C. J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State Strengths. Precision passer, deadly from a clean pocket, gets the ball out quickly, takes what's available and doesn't force passes Weaknesses. Muddied pockets limit effectiveness, athleticism was never on full display at collegiate level, can be fooled by post-snap coverage realignments C. J. Stroud's game feels like watching smooth jazz being played out on the field yet, ironically, it sometimes lacks the creativity often found within the musical discipline Everything comes easily. Stroud's mechanics are compact. His throwing stroke is tight and efficient. His footwork in his drops is quick and on point. The two-time Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year thrives when working in rhythm and on time The biggest concern throughout his evaluation is how he handles pressure and what occurs when the structure of a play breaks down around him While those perceived issues persisted through two seasons despite an 85-to-12 touchdown-to-interception ratio, Stroud's performance against the Georgia Bulldogs in the College Football Playoff semifinal put most of them to rest In arguably the best single-game effort from any prospect in this year's draft class, Stroud deftly navigated the pressure and overwhelming state of the Bulldogs' vaunted defense. The quarterback made play after play to keep his team in the game when the Buckeyes had no right to be. Ultimately, he threw for 348 yards and four touchdowns in the 42-41 loss The Houston Texans made the logical choice by addressing the game's most important position With all of the predraft bluster of the team bypassing a quarterback, someone in the organization understood the franchise's previous standing with Davis Mills as its top quarterback option Stroud emerged as QB1 in this year's class, according to Bleacher Report's Scouting Department. League evaluators loved his makeup, too. "Might be the cleanest prospect," an NFL exec told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. "Prototypical size (6'3", 214), arm, accuracy. Maybe not a premium athlete but might be a little underrated in that regard. He's impressive. " The Texans needed a quarterback since they decided to move on from Deshaun Watson, and Stroud can immediately thrive in an offense with a strong offensive line and Dameon Pierce behind (or beside him). Plus, the Texans have another first-round selection to further address roster concerns Grade. A 3. Houston Texans (via Arizona)3 of 31 Will Anderson Jr. , Edge, Alabama Strengths. Quick first step, heavy hands, physical at the point of attack, equally good in both phases of the game, disciplined defender, excellent when stunting and on slants thanks to elite lateral ability, high motor Weaknesses. Not quite as flexible off edge as some elite pass-rushers Alabama's Will Anderson Jr. is a historically good prospect, hence why he's the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's No. 1 overall player in the class. When compared to some of the best defenders of the last 15 years, Anderson has them all beat. The two-time SEC Defensive Player of the Year proved to be more productive than fellow early entrants Jadeveon Clowney, Myles Garrett and Travon Walker–all of whom went No. 1 overall in their respective draft classes Anderson, who played three seasons for the Crimson Tide, even posted more career sacks than Aaron Donald and tackles for loss than Ndamukong Suh when both of those dominant collegiate defenders played four years. A certain level of intimidation exists because Anderson is such a well-rounded prospect "He's like Derrick Thomas. He has great get-off and length," an anonymous coach told The Athletic's Bruce Feldman "When we played against Myles Garrett, we said, 'Let's run right at him. ' The thing with Will is he's equally good against the run. He's hard to chip. You try to put two guys on him, and he does just as good a job of twisting and moving. " The Houston Texans are not messing around one bit. First, the organization lands its franchise quarterback in Ohio State's C. J. Stroud. Then, it doubles back by trading to the third overall pick to get its defensive centerpiece in Anderson. Arizona received this year's 12th overall pick, the 33rd overall selection, next year's first- and third-round picks DeMeco Ryans made a massive statement that the Texans are no longer rebuilding. They're here to compete for the AFC South. A better start can't be imagined after landing the class' QB1 and No. 1 overall prospect Cue the video, "I want you to put the word out there, that we back up. " Grade. A+ 4. Indianapolis Colts4 of 31 Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida Strengths. Immediate difference-maker as a runner/athlete, prototypical build, ample arm strength to spare, excellent feel in the pocket Weaknesses. Inconsistent mechanics and accompanying accuracy, lack of experience The following statement isn't hyperbolic in any sense of the word. Florida's Anthony Richardson is the most athletic quarterback to ever enter the NFL ranks. He's faster than Cam Newton, bigger than Lamar Jackson and more powerful than Michael Vick Again, these aren't outlandish statements. As Pro Football Network's Kent Lee Platte noted, Richardson's workout at the NFL Scouting Combine led to a perfect relative athletic score, which would make him the most athletic quarterback prospect of the last 37 years The early entrant is a 6'4", 244-pound titan with a 4. 43-second 40-yard dash and record-breaking efforts for a quarterback of 40. 5 inches in the vertical and 10 feet, 9 inches in the broad jump Aside from those gifts, Richardson has a howitzer strapped to his shoulder. The ease with which he generates velocity and spins the ball is stunning But obvious questions exist regarding his development. He started all of 13 games and threw only 393 passes during his collegiate career. The mega-athlete clearly needs time because his mechanics are highly inconsistent, though he does show clear signs of competently playing the position The entire package screams "the greatest upside in the entire class," but it will only be realized if the potential is properly harnessed Imagine the Indianapolis Colts sitting in the four hole and hearing everyone tell them that they need to trade up to the No. 1 or 3 overall pick. They stand pat and still land the prospect with the most upside in this year's draft class In the meantime, Gardner Minshew is on the roster, which should allow Richardson to ease his way into the lineup when he's ready. The final point is vitally important. Richardson should play only when he proves he's ready. No sooner General manager Chris Ballard stresses high-end traits. He just drafted the traitsiest quarterback prospect of all time, and Richardson has been placed in the right situation under the tutelage of new head coach Shane Steichen, who previously mentored Jalen Hurts and Justin Herbert Grade. A 5. Seattle Seahawks (via Denver)5 of 31 Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois Strengths. Fluid through his backpedal, excellent break on the ball, plus ball skills and timing, quick to read and play physical against run Weaknesses. Cushion can be eaten up in off-coverage, can be too physical at top of receiver's routes A standout athletic profile and certain attitude is necessary to excel at cornerback, where a player comes back time and again with the belief that he'll shut down his assignment Illinois' Devon Witherspoon fulfills both qualifications Witherspoon ran a reported 4. 42-second 40-yard dash at Illinois' pro day, according to Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network, after dealing with a tweaked hamstring during his predraft preparation. The consensus All-American is fluid in his lower body and has excellent change-of-direction movement. But his alpha personality is what makes him a true No. 1 corner "What I learned about Devon is he's not a cookie cutter," Illinois defensive coordinator Aaron Henry told the Champaign News-Gazette's Scott Richey. "Devon is completely different than every other DB I've ever had. Why? One, Devon knows he's good. Devon knows he's talented. If you ask Devon could he cover Randy Moss in his heyday, he'd tell you, 'Hell yeah. ' "He's just wired that way. He came out of the womb like that. Because he's wired that way, I think everything that he does he has that confident mindset. " That attitude also comes across when Witherspoon plays the run. He closes ground in a hurry and finishes plays Originally, Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider built a team with the Legion of Boom secondary as its backbone. Apparently, the organization is going back to its previous formula Last year, the Seahawks struck gold by selecting Tariq Woolen and Coby Bryant on Day 3 of the draft. Both were instant contributors, with Woolen playing well enough to warrant Defensive Rookie of the Year consideration However, Bryant is primarily a slot defender. Mike Jackson is a solid option as a starter on the outside, but he doesn't bring anything comparable to Witherspoon's skill set. The Illinois product is CB1 in this class. He along with Woolen and Bryant now form the identity of Seahawks football Grade. A 6. Arizona Cardinals (via Detroit)6 of 31 Paris Johnson Jr. , OT, Ohio State Strengths. Ideal size and length, light on his feet, good balance, nimble pass-blocker, fantastic run-blocker on the move Weaknesses. Needs to get stronger, hand usage and overall placement are inconsistent He entered the collegiate ranks as a 247Sports 5-star recruit and the No. 1 tackle in the nation. The consensus All-American is now the top-ranked pure tackle prospect in this year's draft class Between those points, the Ohio State Buckeyes took their time in developing the uber-talented blocker. Johnson didn't become a full-time starter until his second season, and he did so at right guard. Upon Thayer Munford's graduation, Johnson finally returned to his natural position, where he excelled and became a consensus All-American Johnson looks and moves like an NFL left tackle. He's 6'6" and 313 pounds with 36⅛-inch arms. Throughout his entire collegiate career, the 21-year-old allowed a single quarterback hit, according to Pro Football Focus. As good as the previous stat is, Johnson excels as a run-blocker. His length and natural agility allow him to thrive in zone schemes, in getting to the second level and when playing in space He may be naturally gifted, but he still presents significant upside with only one collegiate season at left tackle. All the necessary tools are present for him to become a premier blindside protector Well, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray got exactly what he wanted According to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, Murray really liked Johnson "a lot" and his preference was known throughout the organization After trading down from the third overall pick, the Cardinals felt compelled to trade back to the sixth overall pick and surrendered this year's 34th overall pick to get a deal done. Essentially, they moved down three slots and still added future first- and third-round selections What Arizona just pulled off is called manipulating the draft to your liking, and it did so by adding valuable future assets and getting the top-rated tackle prospect in this class New general manager Monti Ossenfort is dealing in his first draft leading the franchise Grade. A 7. Las Vegas Raiders7 of 31 Tyree Wilson, DL, Texas Tech Strengths. Ideal frame/length to play all over line of scrimmage, powerful at point of attack, uses length and good bend to gain leverage, consistent motor Weaknesses. Middling burst off snap, doesn't corner particularly well to turn edge, limited pass-rush repertoire The idea of Tyree Wilson is almost better than the reality, and the reality is pretty good Wilson is a first-team All-American who managed 14 tackles for loss and seven sacks in 10 games this past season. But the upside found within his skill set is the most intriguing aspect of his evaluation The 6'6", 271-pound lineman has 35⅝-inch arms and a pterodactyl-like 84½ -inch wingspan. His size and length, coupled with the power to play up and down the line of scrimmage, make him a fascinating projection. Technically, Wilson is an edge-defender. But he should be at his best as a 5-technique or reduced down over the offensive interior in defensive sub-packages "I feel like I'm a different pass-rusher," Wilson told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine. ". I'm not just committed to power. I feel like I can do power and speed and be effective inside and outside. … Really just being that dominant dude on the field. "The first-team All-Big 12 defender improved every season on campus. The fractured foot that he suffered in November was the only thing to derail Wilson. Still, his upward trajectory is baked into his evaluation With the Las Vegas Raiders deciding not to select a quarterback, their concentration turned to the defensive side of the ball, with Wilson coming in to complement Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones. But the latter turned 33 earlier this year and the team can save $12. 2 million next offseason by releasing the veteran edge-rusher, per Spotrac Until then, Wilson couldn't ask for a better mentor with a similar skill set. Jones came into the league as a raw pass-rusher whose length and size allowed him to develop into one of the game's best edge-defenders Wilson presents the same type of potential, though he can be immediately used all over the defensive front, particularly in sub-packages with all three of the aforementioned disruptive defenders on the field at the same time The Raiders won't finish bottom three in sacks for a second straight season with that trio hunting quarterbacks Grade. B 8. Atlanta Falcons8 of 31 Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas Strengths. Instant acceleration to reach top speed off handoffs and coming out of cuts, contact balance to play through traffic, can run full route tree Weaknesses. Can be overly patient instead of just sticking a foot in the ground and going, willing blocker but needs to improve overall protection Forget about positional value for a second, because Texas' Bijan Robinson is an elite talent Sure, the devaluation of running backs undercuts the caliber of player Robinson is and the skill set he presents. Still, the reigning Doak Walker Award winner is a true three-down back The 5'11", 215-pound Robinson said when asked by reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine why he's RB1 "At the size that I'm at and the things I can do on the field–whether it's pass-catch, line up at receiver, line up at slot, just pretty much line up anywhere you need me to be–it [adds] value if you got a guy that can run routes and then the next play will go back there and run in between the tackles and try to make as much of a difference as possible. … When I'm at receiver, they just have to account for me. I think that's just a difference-maker in the whole offense and for the whole team. " Over the last two seasons, the early entrant accumulated 3,316 yards from scrimmage and 35 total touchdowns. He also forced the most missed tackles (183) during that stretch, according to Pro Football Focus Robinson is a dynamic runner and a skilled receiver who should be viewed more as a weapon than just a running back The Atlanta Falcons aren't afraid to go against the grain Two years ago, the franchise made Kyle Pitts the highest-drafted tight end of all time. Last year, Drake London heard his name called with the eighth overall pick. Now, Robinson is added to the mix The trio gives the Falcons legitimate weapons for Desmond Ridder, though questions need to be raised as to why the team passed on a quarterback yet again As talented as Pitts is, Justin Fields would have been a better decision at the time. A potential trade down last year could have brought Kenny Pickett instead of Ridder Atlanta bypassed Kentucky's Will Levis Thursday. If Ridder doesn't pan out, all of these electric offensive options won't matter Grade. B 9. Philadelphia Eagles (via Chicago)9 of 31 Jalen Carter, DL, Georgia Strengths. Unblockable talent because of a rare combination of size, strength, quickness, lateral agility and pad level Weaknesses. Commitment concerns, hand usage could be better Absolutely nobody questions Jalen Carter's on-field abilities. The defensive tackle has been the most talented player on back-to-back national championship teams with the Georgia Bulldogs, even when they featured the likes of Outland Trophy, Butkus Award and John Mackey Award winners. Oh, last year's No. 1 overall pick, Travon Walker, came from the same program too Many pegged Carter as the future No. 1 overall selection until the Chicago Bears traded out of the slot. But Carter was sentenced to 12 months' probation for racing and reckless driving prior to a car crash that killed teammate Devin Willock and recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy shortly following the Georgia Bulldogs' latest championship victory. Willock and LeCroy were traveling in a separate vehicle, and Carter was not accused of causing the crash Then during Georgia's pro day, the defensive lineman showed up nine pounds heavier than his combine weight just two weeks earlier, and he couldn't finish his positional workout Obvious questions about commitment arose. According to Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, at least a couple of teams he knew of took the megatalented defender off their draft boards The situation invokes Warren Sapp's draft-day tumble to the 12th pick in 1995, even though everyone involved knew he was one of, if not the, most talented prospect in that particular class Good teams make smart moves The Philadelphia Eagles are led by a two-time NFL Executive of the Year in Howie Roseman. He knows value when he sees it, hence why he made sure to secure Carter's service by trading up one spot to the ninth overall pick by giving up a future fourth-round selection to land arguably the class' best overall talent The Eagles' defensive approach is predicated on coming at opposing quarterbacks in waves. Brandon Graham and Fletcher Cox are aging. Jordan Davis' injury last season helped lead to the signings of Linval Joseph and Ndamukong Suh Carter can team up with Davis again and give the Eagles a dominant interior. Furthermore, the Eagles locker room and overall team culture are counted among the league's best. Any potential concerns over Carter's work ethic should be put to rest with his new team The rich just got richer, because the Eagles know how to manipulate the draft to their advantage Grade. A 10. Chicago Bears (via Philadelphia)10 of 31 Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee Strengths. Big, powerful run-blocker with impressive balance in pass set, strong punch with ability to quickly reestablish hands Weaknesses. Can be a little sluggish with movement, tendency to lunge and play a little wide with hands and feet Tennessee's Darnell Wright is the top right tackle in this year's draft class The designation used to be a slight when compared to the historically more valuable spot on the left side. But today's NFL is different. A team must be able to protect its quarterbacks on both sides, since premium pass-rushers move up and down the line of scrimmage to expose weaknesses Lane Johnson signing a one-year, $33. 5 million contract extension generates more value for the position than ever. Granted, Johnson is the best at his specific spot. Even so, his value to the Philadelphia Eagles based on an elite performance shows how the position can affect roster construction Wright excelled last season when he moved back to his natural spot and didn't allow a single sack, per Pro Football Focus. The 6'5", 333-pound blocker covered the Volunteers' blind side the previous year, but he's better on the strong side. He's big, powerful and good at using his length to run defenders around and past his quarterback "I've had more experience on that side," Wright explained. "I've been through two full training camps at right tackle. It's just what I've done the most. " Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles almost certainly heard what everyone said during last year's draft when he chose to bypass offensive help for quarterback Justin Fields to select a cornerback and safety with the team's top two draft picks Unsurprisingly, the Bears offense struggled and Fields tried to shoulder the entire unit. To be fair, Kyler Gordon and Jaquan Brisker turned out to be excellent players. Yet, prioritization is important when building a roster After moving back for a second time in this year's draft, the former owners of the No. 1 overall pick were finally comfortable enough to select Wright, who should immediately take over at right tackle to help protect Fields, open holes in the run game and serve as a tone-setter for the entire offense A ripple effect occurs, too. Teven Jenkins doesn't need to move to right tackle. He can stay at right guard. Thus, the starting five should be set and could finally come together and make life a little easier on Fields Grade. B+ 11. Tennessee Titans11 of 31 Peter Skoronski, IOL, Northwestern Strengths. Technician, explosive off the snap, understands angles and what defenses are trying to do, finishes blocks Weaknesses. Lacks length, overaggressive at times Northwestern's Peter Skoronski is the best offensive lineman in this year's draft class. As good as he is, where he'll play remains a mystery. Skoronski started three seasons at left tackle for the Wildcats after Rashawn Slater opted out of the 2020 COVID-19 year. The incoming prospect immediately became one of the nation's top blockers as a true freshman. But Skoronski doesn't meet certain thresholds for the position when it comes to how some teams evaluate it At 6'4" with 32¼-inch arms, Skoronski almost reaches outlier status for an offensive tackle. In fact, his height, arm length and wingspan are all among the bottom 10 percent for the position, according to Mockdraftable. Bleacher Report's Scouting Department grades Skoronski as its No. 1 blocker but lists him as an interior lineman. Can he play and potentially thrive at offensive tackle? Absolutely. He graded as the best pass-protecting tackle in the nation last season, per Pro Football Focus. Even so, some teams almost certainly projected him as a guard during the evaluation process because of his relative lack of length and All-Pro potential at the position The Tennessee Titans have so many concerns along the offensive line that Skoronski could literally play anywhere, and he's capable of doing so Last season, the unit finished dead last among Pro Football Focus' offensive line rankings. Tennessee did bring in Andre Dillard and Daniel Brunskill to fill two spots, though those are questionable signings at best, particularly Dillard after being a first-round bust for the Philadelphia Eagles Skoronski can immediately take over the blind side. But Tennesse did sign Dillard to a three-year, $29 million free-agent contract. He'll likely get the first shot at left tackle with Skoronski bookending Brunskill at guard Even at guard, Skoronski brings All-Pro potential. Considering how the Titans love to play bully ball, they desperately needed the bodies up front to accomplish that approach. Skoronski just happened to be the class' top-ranked offensive line prospect Grade. A 12. Detroit Lions (via Houston)12 of 31 Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama Strengths. Premier pass-catcher, elite top-end speed, effortlessly changes direction Weaknesses. Plays hard but not a powerful back, can be overly patient when running between tackles The evaluation of Alabama's Jahmyr Gibbs is yet another example of looking at a running back prospect and seeing more value than the position traditionally warrants. Gibbs is a legitimate three-down back. He's even more valuable as a pass-catcher than a runner, though his ability to slice through traffic and accelerate can't be dismissed The 5'9", 199-pound Gibbs isn't as big as Texas' Bijan Robinson, and the SEC product never ran for more than 1,000 yards during his collegiate career, either. However, he never carried the ball more than 151 times in a season His 103 receptions over three years coupled with 4. 36-second 40-yard-dash speed make him a serious threat and a major headache for opposing defenses. His 18 forced missed tackles going into Alabama's last four games led all running backs, per Pro Football Focus. He also posted the highest receiving grade among Power Five backs since the start of the 2020 campaign Gibbs knows the value he'll bring the moment he steps onto a professional football field "We do the most stuff on the field, as in running, blocking and catching, and sometimes special teams, too," Gibbs told reporters of the position at the NFL Scouting Combine. "We do a lot on an NFL roster. " The Detroit Lions made a baffling selection in Gibbs The forthcoming grade isn't an indictment of Gibbs' talent. As previously stated, he's an electric offensive threat. At the same time, the Lions already have D'Andre Swift in the backfield. The organization also signed David Montgomery this offseason While a player like Gibbs should be considered a general weapon, much like Bijan Robinson earlier, he's going to be a part-time player based on the current lineup Swift is a free agent after this season. But it's an overpay to use a first-round pick to replace a starting running back in 2024. Even when Swift's previous injuries are taken into account, the organization could have just re-signed Jamaal Williams, who ran for 17 touchdowns last season Multiple options existed for the Lions, and they chose the most baffling of the bunch Grade. D 13. Green Bay Packers (via New York Jets)13 of 31 Lukas Van Ness, Edge, Iowa Strengths. Has heavy hands and is powerful at the point of attack, shows position versatility, ideal size/length combo Weaknesses. Limited pass-rush repertoire beyond a bull rush, lacks starting experience, not a flexible edge-rusher Upon hearing the name of Iowa's Lukas Van Ness being called in this year's draft, fans should respond like the momma from Eddie Murphy's The Nutty Professor. "Hercules. Hercules. Hercules. " Why? "He looks like a mini-Hercules if you ask me," defensive tackle Noah Shannon said last summer, per The Athletic's Scott Dochterman. "A six-pack, and he's like 275. " The nickname stuck. Technically, Van Ness is 6'5" and 272 pounds. But the moniker is appropriate beyond his impressive physique and clean injury history. Van Ness plays with rare strength, especially for a 21-year-old prospect The second-team All-Big Ten selection didn't start a game at the collegiate level. However, He worked as part of the Hawkeyes rotation, beginning at defensive tackle before bumping out to end "I had two upperclassmen in front of me. That's just the way the University of Iowa does things," Van Ness told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine. "Regardless, I still had some of the higher snaps on the defensive line, and I learned through this process that every time I step on the field, I have an opportunity to prove myself. " Van Ness' previous experience playing multiple positions fits well into the Green Bay Packers' setup. The incoming rookie can either contribute as a 5-technique or bookend Rashan Gary off the edge. He's strong and athletic enough to do either Gary is a free agent after this season, too. On top of that, Preston Smith turns 31 later this year Van Ness can serve in multiple roles as a rookie before the Packers coaching staff is forced to make a decision on where he'll ultimately play. Considering the incoming defender's history, he'll fit right into Green Bay's rotation Grade. B 14. Pittsburgh Steelers (via New England)14 of 31 Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia Strengths. Powerful and nasty, superb when working in space, natural mover Weaknesses. Poor technician, loses leverage, allows defenders into his body A video of Georgia left tackle Broderick Jones pulling as a lead blocker is worthy of being in the Louvre. All a person needs to do is search "Broderick Jones space" on Twitter and find highlight after highlight of the talented blocker claiming the souls of downfield defenders For many, offensive line play isn't sexy. Jones' athleticism, potential and desire to finish plays bucks that trend. He's the type of prospect who can be a perennial All-Pro with right coaching and proper development. It'll take time, though Obviously, the 21-year-old is naturally gifted. He's a 6'5", 311-pound left tackle with 34¾-inch arms and 4. 97-second 40-yard-dash speed. Jones is such an easy mover But the redshirt sophomore has plenty of room to improve after starting only one full season with the Bulldogs. Everything about his technique–his footwork, angles, hand placement and timing–needs refinement. His physical tools allowed him to get by without the consistency in his fundamentals that are vital against professional pass-rushers Consistent, repeatable technique is what takes talented offensive linemen and turns them into great blockers The Pittsburgh Steelers have been uncharacteristically aggressive this offseason, particularly with addressing their offensive line. The organization already signed Isaac Seumalo to serve as one starting lineman and also brought in Nate Herbig, who can either start along the interior or serve as the team's sixth lineman Head coach Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan in his first draft as general manager clearly didn't like the protection Kenny Pickett endured during his rookie season Jones is young, but he can immediately step into the starting left tackle spot and displace Dan Moore Jr. after two admirable but replacement-level seasons This selection is as much about Pickett's development as it is getting a very talented blocker with All-Pro potential if developed correctly. Both points made a trade-up necessary and worthwhile Grade. B+ 15. New York Jets (via Green Bay)15 of 31 Will McDonald IV, Edge, Iowa State Strengths. Gumby-like lower-body flexibility, good pass-rush plan with multiple moves, nose for the ball to create fumbles Weaknesses. Long, lithe frame creates issues at point of attack, can't get off blocks once engaged Will McDonald IV's film became a fascinating process of parsing skill set from scheme Iowa State utilizes a 3-3-5 variant, with three safeties on the field to offset college football's high-octane passing games while maintaining the ability to attack downhill. As a result, the defensive ends don't often line up wide on the outside to attack. Instead, they could be head-up or moving along the front But the 239-pound McDonald is a true rush-end. He'll be at his best in the NFL aligned as a 7-technique or even Wide 9, where he'll be given some run outside the offensive tackle to bend the edge and get after opposing quarterbacks To be fair, the three-time All-Big 12 performer still managed 33. 5 tackles for loss and 27 sacks over the last three seasons. While McDonald is a slightly older prospect–he'll turn 24 before the start of his rookie campaign–the defensive end can immediately contribute as a pass-rush specialist thanks to his natural gifts McDonald's explosiveness was seen at the NFL Scouting Combine when he tied for first and finished sixth in the broad jump and vertical, respectively. He also has exceptional bend off the edge and lateral quickness The New York Jets were jumped by the Pittsburgh Steelers, who drafted the final offensive tackle prospect carrying a solid first-round grade To call this particular selection a panic move is a bit of an overstatement. But it's clear the Jets expected one of the tackles to be available to help protect new quarterback Aaron Rodgers Instead, general manager Joe Douglas dipped into the second tier of prospects and chose McDonald. While the fit makes sense for New York's defensive scheme, the Jets already have significant investments in Carl Lawson, John Franklin-Myers and Jermaine Johnson Where the Jets were picking worked against them, as one of the higher-graded offensive tackles didn't fall into their lap, but there were multiple better options at other positions Grade. C 16. Washington Commanders16 of 31
Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State Strengths. Excellent in man coverage, quick trigger to make plays on ball and in the run game, elite top-end speed, uses length well Weaknesses. Very thin, can be bodied by bigger receivers, tendency to go low to offset weight when tackling Mississippi State's Emmanuel Forbes might have been among this year's top-ranked cornerbacks if not for one detail. He weighed only 166 pounds at the NFL Scouting Combine. "A lot of teams just try to knock me for my weight," the 6'1" Forbes told reporters. "I feel like if they're not going to pick me for my weight, they're just making a mistake. " The consensus All-American did weigh 170 pounds at the Bulldogs' pro day, according to the Mississippi Clarion Ledger's Stefan Krajisnik Forbes started all three years in the SEC and was the conference's highest-graded cornerback last year, according to Pro Football Focus. His six interceptions in man coverage during the 2022 campaign doubled the next-best cornerback, per PFF Let's count the ways the Washington Commanders made a mistake by drafting Forbes with the 16th overall pick Ron Rivera's squad did need an upgrade at cornerback. Forbes has a good skill set. But too many other questions come into play for this pick to make any sense, especially with Gonzalez coming off the board one selection later Grade. F 17. New England Patriots (via Pittsburgh)17 of 31 Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon Strengths. Big, long, athletic and physical, smooth transition through backpedal, non-scheme-specific skill set Weaknesses. Overly handsy/potential pass interference magnet, gets caught looking in the backfield Among a deep cornerback class, Oregon's Christian Gonzalez is right there with Illinois' Devon Witherspoon and Penn State's Joey Porter Jr When taking a look at those top three, according to the B/R Scouting Department's positional rankings, the 6'1", 197-pound Gonzalez is bigger than Witherspoon and more explosive than Porter with his 4. 38-second 40-yard dash, 41. 5-inch vertical and 11'1" broad jump Where Gonzalez really excels is beating up opposing wide receivers "There aren't a lot of cornerbacks my size that can run like I can," Gonzalez said in an interview with the Draft Network's Justin Melo. "I can run with speedy receivers. Having a track background, having run speed drills my entire life, that helps a lot with overall makeup. I know I'm strong and long. I use my arms in press man-to-man coverage. I love being physical with receivers. " That approach can be a double-edged sword, though. Gonzalez will need to adjust in the NFL, where he can't be as handsy when working down the field. However, his size and athleticism should allow him to play both outside and nickel corner, depending on the situation Bill Belichick and his staff will know exactly how to utilize the talented corner The New England Patriots defense has benefited from the likes of Ty Law and Stephon Gilmore beating up and locking down wide receivers When looking at the current composition of the Patriots' cornerback room, Gonzalez is the perfect injection of what's needed. Myles Bryant, Jonathan Jones, Jack Jones and Marcus Jones are all 6'0" or under and under 195 pounds Originally projected as a top-10 talent, Gonzalez went to the best possible situation Grade. A 18. Detroit Lions18 of 31 Jack Campbell, LB, Iowa Strengths. Quick to recognize and trigger, physical downhill defender to stack and shed blockers, consistent tacklers, excels in zone coverage Weaknesses. Stiffness in hips limits man-coverage ability, can be fooled by misdirection, adds little as blitzer/pass-rusher Some prospects are so consistently good that they're almost overlooked or even downplayed to a certain degree Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell plays a devalued position. He did so at a midtier pipeline program. Yet everything about his profile screams he's an elite defender Production? 271 total tackles over the last two seasons. Athleticism? He's 6'5" and 249 pounds with a nearly perfect relative athletic score, per Pro Football Network's Kent Lee Platte. Intelligence? He's the reigning William V. Campbell Trophy winner, aka the academic Heisman Campbell also received the highest overall and pass-coverage grades from Pro Football Focus for any linebacker this past season Is he a perfect prospect? Of course not. Campbell is a little stiff, and he isn't going to lock down tight ends in coverage. But he's so smart that he excels as a zone-coverage defender No one else in this year's linebacker class has the same overall skill set, hence why he graded as the B/R Scouting Department's LB1. The unanimous All-American and reigning Butkus Award winner has almost everything he needs to excel in the NFL and continue his productive ways He had a Dan Campbell favorite written all over him. So it should be no surprise whatsoever that the Detroit Lions took the nation's best linebacker with the 18th overall pick. After the head-scratching pick of Jahmyr Gibbs earlier in the first round, Campbell's addition makes perfect sense He can immediately step into the lineup as the starting Mike backer, with Malcolm Rodriguez at Will and James Houston used as a situational Sam/hybrid edge-defender Now, all three levels of the Lions defense have significant investments. Last year, the franchise chose Aidan Hutchinson with the second overall pick. This offseason, the team beefed up its secondary with the free-agent additions of Cameron Sutton and Emmanuel Moseley. Campbell can slide in and be the field general for the entire unit Grade. B 19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers19 of 31 Calijah Kancey, DL, Pittsburgh Strengths. Explosive upfield disruptor, lethal pass-rusher along interior, uses hands well Weaknesses. Undersized, doesn't have the heft or strength to consistently hold the point of attack, tendency to freelance when trying to make plays Calijah Kancey is an outlier and should be viewed as such. He's a sawed-off 6'1", 281-pound defensive tackle with 30⅝ -inch arms. He's also one of the most athletic prospects we've ever seen at the position Based purely on traits, Kancey's numbers stack up favorably with another former Pitt Panther, Aaron Donald Kancey posted a 4. 67-second 40-yard dash (a combine record for defensive tackles), with a 33. 5-inch vertical, 9'4" broad jump, 4. 36-second short shuttle and 7. 00-second 3-cone drill During Donald's historic predraft workout performance, he recorded a 4. 68-second 40-yard dash along with a 32-inch vertical, 9'8" broad jump, 4. 39-second short shuttle and 7. 11-second 3-cone drill Granted, everything Kancey did beyond his 40-yard dash came at Pittsburgh's pro day. Still, those figures are staggering when placed into context It's unfair to compare the two players, since Donald should be a first-ballot Hall of Famer upon his retirement. But Kancey is an athletically gifted defensive tackle who should immediately make an impact as an interior pass-rusher. However, his run defense leaves a lot to be desired Clearly, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are now building a roster in Todd Bowles' image With Tom Brady retired (for good, we think) and questions about the offense, the Bucs' calling card is now defense. Kancey is a fascinating fit next to Vita Vea, who is such a powerful and overwhelming 1-technique Kancey can immediately slot into 3-technique and provide the perfect complementary piece along the defensive interior. Furthermore, the incoming rookie's abilities as a consistent disruptive force will make life easier on Tampa Bay's talented edges. Shaquil Barrett and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka should be more effective if quarterbacks can't step up in the pocket While so much attention was paid to Tom Brady's final Super Bowl victory, the Buccaneers beat the Kansas City Chiefs in Super LV because of the constant pressure applied by their defense Grade. B 20. Seattle Seahawks20 of 31 Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State Strengths. Ideal slot receiver, exemplary short-area quickness, creates added separation with savvy route running Weaknesses. Hamstring injury cost him most of 2022 season, limited route tree, may not provide much when working outside the numbers The 2022 campaign was a disaster for Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba after he finished the previous season with one of the best single-game performances ever During the Rose Bowl in Jan. 2022, Smith-Njigba outshone some of the best talents in the nation when he set an FBS bowl-game record with a staggering 347-yard performance against the Utah Utes. The effort allowed him to break the Buckeyes' single-season record with 1,606 receiving yards Smith-Njigba accomplished this breakout campaign while playing alongside Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson, who is the reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. This past season, the spotlight was supposed to fall fully on the returning target However, a nagging hamstring injury cost Smith-Njigba all but three games, in which he provided a paltry five receptions for 43 yards. Instead, teammate Marvin Harrison Jr. emerged as the megastar-in-waiting The combine process reawakened the preseason hype surrounding Smith-Njigba when the 6'1", 196-pound target posted a top-five all-time short shuttle effort (3. 93) for a wide receiver and the best three-cone time (6. 57) at the position in the last five years. He can scoot, even if he had to be overly cautious because of his previous injury While the incoming wide receiver class as a whole is considered down compared to recent groups, the Seattle Seahawks had their choice of targets, with Smith-Njigba being a legitimate first-round talent Interestingly, Smith-Njigba joins a roster that already features DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. A bit of redundancy can be found with the rookie and Lockett, who served as the Seahawks' primary slot receiver But the Seahawks should be able to switch Lockett and JSN back and forth and work them inside or outside the numbers, while Metcalf does what he does Furthermore, Seattle continues to add talent around the resurgent Geno Smith. Kenneth Walker III emerged as a 1,000-yard back as a rookie. The team found bookend offensive tackles in last year's draft class. Smith-Njigba creates a fantastic trio to make the Seahawks a dangerous offense, as long as Smith continues to play like he did a year ago Grade. A 21. Los Angeles Chargers21 of 31 Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU Strengths. Ideal size and length, smooth route-runner, explosive top-end speed, tough to tackle in open field Weaknesses. Disappearing acts, inconsistent hands, false steps in initial release The best way to describe Quentin Johnston's standing as B/R's WR1 is by looking at what he can be. In a class chock full of talented yet undersized targets, Johnston is an old-school, true-blue X receiver in the mold of an A. J. Green as a long, athletic target who works outside the numbers and has the potential to serve as a vertical threat thanks to his speed and ability to high-point the ball However, what made Green special extended beyond the typical assets often associated with the position and a prospect of his stature. The same applies to Johnston, who shows far more nimble feet than most 6'3", 208-pound targets with his creativity after the catch The two-time first-team All-Big 12 selection doesn't lumber. He sinks his hips and gets in and out of routes quickly. Once the ball is in his hands, he's deadly. His missed tackle rate soars over wide receiver prospects in this year's class, per Pro Football Focus. His 45 forced missed tackles since the start of the 2020 campaign led all Big 12 wide receivers Still, the talented target was taken out of certain games. He needs to be more consistently present The size now found among the Los Angeles Chargers' wide receiver corps is staggering Keenan Allen is 6'2" and 211 pounds. Mike Williams is 6'4" and 218 pounds. The team just added Johnston to the bunch. But what makes the fit so interesting is the way the rookie can win for the Chargers, which is desperately needed Williams is already a vertical threat thanks to his size and ball skills. Johnston should be placed in a position to create after the catch. He can be used on quick hitters. As long as he's hit in stride by quarterback Justin Herbert, Johnston will create chunk plays, even on short throws The Chargers are making sure Herbert has enough talent around him by bringing in Bleacher Report's WR1 Grade. B+ 22. Baltimore Ravens22 of 31 Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College Strengths. Elite acceleration to create separation and pull away from defenders, creates after the catch, excellent route running Weaknesses. Small frame, not strong attacking the ball in coverage, blocking leaves something to be desired When it comes to pure juice among this year's top wide receivers, Boston College's Zay Flowers brings the most to a lineup. A handful of other receivers may have run a faster time than Flowers' official 4. 42-second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, but his pull-away speed is apparent all over the Eagles' film Interestingly, some may pigeonhole the 5'9", 182-pound target as yet another slot receiver and repeat the same mistake as last year when Jahan Dotson received the same label, even though the majority of his work and effectiveness came from outside the numbers A small frame doesn't automatically mean a receiver must become an inside target. The best at the position can work from multiple alignments. Flowers brings a dynamic presence to create big plays, as evidenced by a career average of 15. 3 yards per reception despite a run-first offense with suspect quarterback play Flowers isn't just a straight-line speedster, either. He knows how to throttle down and keep defensive backs off balance. He creates after the catch or when things break down for his quarterback Boston College's all-time leading receiver may not have been in the best situation to fully spotlight his skill set, but it still became apparent over time He'll be in a far better situation with a happy Lamar Jackson leading the way for the Baltimore Ravens The Ravens organization have made significant changes to their offense this offseason. Greg Roman is out as offensive coordinator. Todd Monken is in. Odell Beckham Jr. and Flowers have been added to what was the league's worst wide receiver corps Rashod Bateman will be healthy after last year's season-ending foot injury And Jackson is with these guys for the long haul after agreeing to a record-setting five-year, $260 million contract extension Baltimore's run game will still be deadly, but the passing attack is now a legitimate threat with all the Ravens' newfound talent at wide receiver Grade. A 23. Minnesota Vikings23 of 31 Jordan Addison, WR, USC Strengths. Supreme separator, outstanding route-runner, excellent at turning underneath routes into big plays Weaknesses. Slight frame, struggles against press coverage, lacks top gear No prospect in this year's class creates separation quite like USC's Jordan Addison. That seems somewhat obvious considering Addison won the Biletnikoff Award as a true sophomore and a member of the Pitt Panthers in 2021 before transferring to the West Coast. He's impossible to cover when working off his stem Today's game is all about being able to play in space and creating opportunities for the quarterback. As good as Addison is at getting open, no one can overlook the fact that he's a 173-pound target who dealt with a nagging ankle injury during his final season on campus He's also a marginal athlete. None of his testing numbers at the NFL combine even reached the 60th percentile among wide receivers, according to Mockdraftable. Despite being lighter, Addison barely cracked a 4. 5-second 40-yard dash But the evaluation centers on what Addison can do. He can get open. He knows how to pace his routes and set up defenders. He's a reliable pass-catcher. He can create after the catch. In his last 25 appearances, the first-team All-Pac-12 and All-ACC performer caught 159 passes for 2,468 yards and 25 touchdowns The Minnesota Vikings feature the league's reigning Offensive Player of the Year in Justin Jefferson. Jefferson led the team with 128 receptions and 1,809 yards. Adam Thielen finished second with 70 receptions for 716 yards, but he's no longer with the team K. J. Osborn is the team's second-leading returning receiver after grabbing 60 balls for 650 yards. Basically, the Vikings' second-best returning target didn't even produce half of what Jefferson did a year ago Thus, Addison gives Minnesota a legitimate threat to complement Jefferson. Much like when the 2020 first-round pick entered the league, the incoming rookie is projected as a slot receiver. Jefferson grew into a dominant receiver from any alignment. Addison is smaller, but he simply knows how to get open With Aaron Rodgers now out of the NFC North, the division is there for the Vikings to take yet again. Jefferson and Addison can maximize what could be Kirk Cousins' final season with the organization Grade. B 24. New York Giants (via Jacksonville)24 of 31 Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland Strengths. Elite athlete with blazing speed, very physical at the jam, can overwhelm receivers, easily transitions through his backpedal Weaknesses. Needs to trust his technique when initially beaten or not facing throw, limited ball production Track speed and play speed are different, unless you're Maryland's Deonte Banks. He translates his track-caliber athleticism to the field. From a purely athletic standpoint, Banks is different. The 6'0" cornerback ran a 4. 35-second 40-yard-dash and also posted a 42-inch vertical and 11'4" broad jump at the combine Do you know how many cornerbacks besides Banks have hit all three of those marks in the modern era (since the NFL began posting combine numbers)? Zero. Byron Jones came the closest, but he didn't crack the 4. 4 barrier in the 40-yard dash during his pro day According to Pro Football Network's Kent Lee Platte, Banks posted the second-best relative athletic score of any cornerback over the last 37 years On the field, Banks is a feisty press-man cover corner who can mirror wide receivers from their release throughout their entire routes. However, he needs to do a better job with his overall recognition in all phases The New York Giants wanted their guy and made sure to get him by trading up one pick and surrendering fifth- and seventh-round picks to address a premium position Banks can immediately step in as a starting outside corner opposite Adoree' Jackson The strength of the G-Men's defense is still the line, with Leonard Wiliams and Dexter Lawrence leading the way. But Banks has the athletic profile for New York to play an aggressive style of defense and leave the rookie on an island As said earlier, Banks is a unique athlete based on predraft testing. He has the potential to thrive in Wink Martindale's scheme because his physical traits make him an ideal fit Grade. B 25. Buffalo Bills (via Jacksonville)25 of 31 Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah Strengths. Smooth route-runner, physical demeanor to fight for passes, create after the catch and block in space, excellent body control, versatile and productive from multiple alignments Weaknesses. Not the biggest frame, lacks power when asked to drive-block What type of player will an NFL team get in Utah's Dalton Kincaid? The kind who played through a small fracture in his back during the Pac-12 Championship Game "That's the reason I came back [for another season] was to win another Pac-12 championship," Kincaid told NFL Network's Omar Ruiz. "And we were able to do that, so I wasn't going to miss that game for anything. " Kincaid has been medically cleared, and he'll resume normal football activity shortly after the draft. But his team-first mentality radiates when watching his game The first-team All-Pac-12 performer is fearless and physical when working down the seam and after the catch. He works harder to finish blocks than a typical 6'4", 246-pound tight end normally does Kincaid is going to claw for every yard he can get in both phases of the game Purely as a receiver, Kincaid proved to be a difference-maker. In the four games he participated in against ranked opponents, including the aforementioned conference championship, the tight end caught 35 passes for 440 yards, including a 234-yard effort in the first meeting with the USC Trojans In a shrewd move by the Buffalo Bills, they traded ahead of the Dallas Cowboys to select Kincaid. The Cowboys don't have a starting-caliber tight end on their roster after Dalton Schultz left in free agency. Thus, the Bills moved up two spots and gave up a fourth-round pick to make sure they got the tight end of their choice After the unprecedented run of wide receivers earlier in the first round, the Bills still needed someone to contribute from the slot and in the red zone. The team had to re-sign Cole Beasley last season because it was lacking in both areas Kincaid is an instant upgrade in both instances. Technically, he's a tight end. But he's at his best when working as a detached option. His catch radius and toughness over the middle of the field cannot be questioned. Josh Allen should be one of the happiest guys in the league right now based on what the Bills accomplished in the first round Grade. A 26. Dallas Cowboys26 of 31 Mazi Smith, DL, Michigan Strengths. Rare athlete for his size, dynamite in his hands to shock blockers, absorbs and sheds blocks, good base Weaknesses. Slow off the ball, plays too high, unpolished pass rush Great athleticism brings certain expectations When The Athletic's Bruce Feldman named Michigan's Mazi Smith as the top athletic standout entering this past collegiate season, the defensive tackle automatically turned into a highly regarded prospect, even though his play didn't warrant elite status The last six athletes to top Feldman's lists–Evan Neal, Kwity Paye, Tristan Wirfs, Rashan Gary, Saquon Barkley and Myles Garrett–found their way into their respective class' first round. In fact, Paye fell the furthest in the opening frame as the 21st selection in the 2021 draft In Smith's case, his performance hasn't matched his potential. The 6'3", 323-pound defender flashes his natural athleticism and power at the point of attack. He can be an overwhelming presence when his motor runs hot and he plays with proper leverage Unfortunately, too many instances can be found when Smith played too high, got caught peeking into the backfield and made little impact The Dallas Cowboys missed on the opportunity to possibly select their preferred tight end target in Dalton Kincaid and pivoted to Smith Two factors play into this pick's favor First, the Cowboys were soft at the point of attack. They needed size and strength. Smith brings both in spades to play alongside a one-gapper in Osa Odighizuwa Second, the incoming rookie's upside is immense. With his combination of athleticism and bulk, he has the potential to dominate opposing centers However, the inconsistencies seen on tape need to be eradicated. Smith can't continue to play as high as he regularly does or his greatest assets won't mean anything against professional blockers The idea of Smith is currently better than the reality Grade. C- 27. Jacksonville Jaguars (via Buffalo)27 of 31 Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma Strengths. Easy mover, vice-like hands, strong at the point of attack Weaknesses. Pad level, aiming points, technique is a little rough around the edges Draft evaluation is a traits-based business. It's less about what a player is at the collegiate level and more about what he can become Oklahoma's Anton Harrison is already a solid offensive tackle prospect, but he has a chance to be even better in the NFL Harrison will be only 21 years old throughout the entirety of his rookie season. Yet the left tackle surrendered only one sack and no other quarterback hits last season, according to Pro Football Focus, en route to first-team All-Big 12 honors What comes next is based on how he's developed. The 6'4", 315-pound Harrison is already a smooth operator with basketball-like footwork. His long arms (34⅛ inches) and powerful hands allow him to control defenders once he's latched onto their frames Harrison's biggest issue at this juncture is to continue honing his technique and being more consistent in all phases. That's where NFL coaching will come into play Jacksonville Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke did an excellent job working the phones, adding fourth- and fifth-round picks as part of two minor trade-downs and still filling the biggest need on the roster Right tackle was already a potential issue with Jawaan Taylor leaving in free agency to join the Kansas City Chiefs. But Cam Robinson reportedly facing a suspension for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing drug policy made Harrison's addition an absolute necessity Harrison and Walker Little will likely be the Jaguars' starting tackles to open the 2023 campaign Grade. B 28. Cincinnati Bengals28 of 31 Myles Murphy, Edge, Clemson Strengths. Instant contributor as a run defender, brings flexibility along defensive front, powerful frame with tremendous athletic upside Weaknesses. Lacks pass-rushing polish, doesn't consistent threaten edge in passing game, inconsistent technique Potential can be a dangerous term. Sometimes, teams are so distracted by potential they overlook possible concerns. Other times, potential propels a prospect to the top of the draft board, because the upside is so ridiculously high and deserving of a significant investment Last year, Travon Walker went No. 1 overall based on the latter. Clemson's Myles Murphy may not be quite in the same range, but he's not far behind Murphy entered the Tigers program as a 247Sports 5-star recruit and immediately contributed. He became a Freshman All-American, according to multiple outlets. Despite being named a first-team All-ACC performer this past season, the defensive lineman never quite lived up to his billing as an elite talent Well, a better assessment is that he didn't become a dominant force in both phases of the game. Murphy is at his best against the run, where he graded as the ACC's best defender over the last three seasons, per Pro Football Focus. He managed 18. 5 career sacks in three seasons The 6'5", 268-pound defender is a powerful prospect who can play from 3-technique out to a Wide 9 and presents significant growth potential as a pass-rusher The Cincinnati Bengals acquired the No. 3 overall talent on the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's big board with the 28th overall pick. Those within the organization should be ecstatic to get such tremendous value this late into Day 1 Cincinnati is already extremely talented at defensive end with Trey Hendrickson, Sam Hubbard, Joseph Ossai and Cam Sample. But the beauty of the Murphy selection is that he won't be rushed into a primary role at the onset of his career since he needs further development time and he can add to specific sub-packages at multiple different spots NASCAR pressure packages featuring Hendrickson, Hubbard, Ossai and Murphy should wreak havoc and make life miserable for opposing quarterbacks Grade. A 29. New Orleans Saints (via Denver)29 of 31 Bryan Bresee, DL, Clemson Strengths. Brings juice as an interior pass-rusher, quick with hands and technique, strong at the point of attack, can work in multiple alignments Weaknesses. Extensive injury history, tendency to play high, shorter than ideal arm length Bryan Bresee is another example of a player whose ability isn't the primary concern. He entered the Clemson Tigers program as a 247Sports 5-star recruit and the nation's No. 1 overall prospect. He played like it, too, when he was healthy On the field, the defensive lineman is a disruptive force who can contribute up and down the line of scrimmage. He's at his best at 3-technique, but Clemson's coaching staff even lined him up as a true edge in certain situations After earning ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year after his freshman campaign, Bresee's last two seasons have been marred by injuries and personal loss In 2021, Bresee suffered a torn ACL that cost him all but the first four games. Tragedy struck less than a year later when Bresee's youngest sister, Ella, died of an aggressive form of brain cancer. Shortly thereafter, the defensive lineman suffered a kidney infection, which cost him games as well "We also love seeing him healthy," former Clemson teammate K. J. Henry told reporters at the Tigers' pro day. "I know a lot of people have wanted to see that version of him for a while. " If the New Orleans Saints get a full-time Bresee on the field, he's exactly what their defense lacked. The team's defensive front lost David Onyemata, Shy Tuttle, Marcus Davenport and Kentavius Street in free agency General manager Mickey Loomis did sign Nathan Shepherd and Khalen Saunders to offset the interior losses, but the incoming duo shouldn't be viewed as a strong starting pair Bresee can immediately bring some explosivity to the group and regularly collapse the pocket. Again, he needs to remain healthy, but he has the talent of a top-10 prospect in this class. The Saints are taking a chance, but it's one well worth it late in the first round Grade. B+ 30. Philadelphia Eagles30 of 31 Nolan Smith, Edge, Georgia Strengths. High-end athleticism, explosive first-step quickness, more powerful than frame indicates, excellent change-of-direction quickness to be used in pressure packages Weaknesses. Can be locked up in run game, lacks comfort working in space, coming off season-ending injury Georgia's Nolan Smith isn't built like a traditional edge-defender. That's both a positive and a negative At 6'2" and 238 pounds, Smith doesn't look like many others at his position. According to Mockdraftable, Barkevious Mingo is his closest comparison who was a first-round draft pick. Even Mingo was a couple of inches taller and a few pounds heavier, but the two are similar athletes From a pure size perspective, the two-time national champion can be compared to Haason Reddick or Dee Ford. However, Smith's natural athleticism is staggering. His 41. 5-inch vertical and 4. 39-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine rank first and second, respectively, for edge-defenders since 2013 The explosivity seen in his testing translates to the field in his upfield burst and pop at the point of attack despite a lack of size But he did miss seven games this past season because of a torn pectoral muscle. Also, his build and athleticism don't necessarily impart a comfort level when working in space. Smith is lighting quick when asked to work laterally on stunts and blitzes. But he won't add much regarding coverage responsibilities Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman may be a two-time NFL Executive of the Year, but it doesn't take a mastermind to build a roster by selecting multiple talents from college football's back-to-back champions Jordan Davis and Nakobe Dean joined the team last year. The Eagles already chose Jalen Carter earlier in the first round. Then, Nolan Smith fell into the team's proverbial lap with the 30th overall selection While Carter can eventually replace Fletcher Cox, Smith is an edge to take over once Brandon Graham finally calls it a career. Technically, this year's penultimate first-round draft pick is more in the mold of Haason Reddick, but the speed and ferocity Smith brings gives the Eagles yet another option in pressure packages The combination of Carter and Smith is a home run of a first round for the Eagles. Everything from this point is icing on the cake Grade. A 31. Kansas City Chiefs31 of 31 Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Edge, Kansas State Strengths. Quick and flexible pass-rusher to gain edge and turn corner, varied pass-rush approach, plays physically despite being a small-ish end Weaknesses. Play strength and run keys are marginal, inconsistent pad level and hand placement, can be overwhelmed at point of attack Kansas State's Felix Anudike-Uzomah saw a dip in production between his sophomore and junior campaigns, yet league coaches deemed him worthy of winning the 2022 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year The respect was real, and it showed on film Anudike-Uzomah told the Draft Network's Justin Melo in November "I had a lot of one-versus-one opportunities last season. Going into this season, we had to cultivate a different approach because we knew I was going to be double-teamed a lot more this year "I had to switch up my pass-rushing moves as a result. I had to start winning the inside shoulder with more consistency instead of just threatening that outside shoulder with speed. I had to work the insides more. Once you do that, you locate a quicker path to the pocket. It's easier to record sacks and pressures that way. " The growth found in the edge-defender's game and a more well-rounded approach will help a prospect who's generally considered undersized at 255 pounds A smaller edge-rusher shouldn't matter as much for the Kansas City Chiefs, because the plan should be to have their defensive ends pin their ears back and get after opposing quarterbacks once Patrick Mahomes and Co. establish a lead, which feels almost as inevitable as Thanos at times With the Chiefs finally moving on from Frank Clark, a bookend is necessary to last year's first-round pick, George Karlaftis Kansas City finished second in the NFL last season with 55 sacks, and it made sense to bolster the pass rush so it remains a major strength How many total picks are in the 2023 NFL Draft?Below are all 259 picks and traded selections in all seven rounds of the 2023 NFL Draft, including compensatory picks (denoted with an asterisk *).
What team has had the best draft 2023?NFL Draft grades 2023. Ranking the best & worst classes . Pittsburgh Steelers. Grade. A+ . Philadelphia Eagles. Grade. A+ . Indianapolis Colts. Grade. A+ . New York Giants. Grade. A. . Chicago Bears. Grade. A. . Detroit Lions. Grade. A. . Cincinnati Bengals. Grade. A. . Kansas City Chiefs. Grade. A What are the results of the 2023 NFL Draft?1 (1) Bryce YoungAlabama. QB 2 (2) C. J. StroudOhio State. QB 3 (3) Will Anderson Jr. Alabama. OLB 4 (4) Anthony RichardsonFlorida. QB 5 (5) Devon WitherspoonIllinois. CB 6 (6) Paris Johnson Jr. Ohio State. OT 7 (7) Tyree WilsonTexas Tech. DE 8 (8) Bijan RobinsonTexas. RB Who was Mr irrelevant 2023?Desjuan Johnson is Mr. Irrelevent in 2023. Johnson is a defensive lineman who played his college ball at Toledo. The 6-2, 285-pounder played five years for the Rockets and was a monster in his final two seasons with the team. |
