Grading Each Selection of 2023 NFL Draft Round 1! Eagles, Seahawks, Texans Dominate, Lions Flop

 What a wild night! We knew this NFL draft would be more uncertain than past years, but man was it crazier than anyone could have imagined! I will grade each pick below!

1. Carolina Panthers - Bryce Young, Quarterback, Alabama
Grade: A-

This was not a shocker to anyone. We knew for some time that Young was going to be the pick. This is a great start for the Panthers who have been searching far and wide for a QB, now they have him. I don't doubt he will be a star, but I am a little worried about his size and frame being so slight, so we will see how it all pans out.

2. Houston Texans - CJ Stroud, Quarterback, Ohio State
Grade: A

It was a good call from Houston to officially take their franchise QB of the future. A lot of people thought this might be a defense pick (and while they still got their defense) it was wise to ensure they started by getting Stroud. While he doesn't have the biggest arm, there is a ton to love about Stroud. He is wildly accurate with great anticipation and is a vocal leader and a mobile QB. He has franchise QB written all over him. 

3. Houston Texans (via TRADE w/AZ) - Will Anderson Jr., Edge Rusher, Alabama
Grade: B

After getting their franchise QB at 2, the Texans shocked the NFL world by moving back up and then getting Will Anderson, the best player in the draft who we thought they officially had just passed on. Anderson is going to be a superstar perennial 10 sack guy. Houston just got its cornerstone offensive and defensive players in a matter of moments. Obviously the player is about as worth it as can be, but Houston just gave up SO much for him which is a tad bit risky because they are still in a rebuild. I think it can pay off and be worth it, but the grade is B due to the enormous risk they just took. 

4. Indianapolis Colts - Anthony Richardson, Quarterback, Florida
Grade: A+

Good on the Colts! It was heavily rumored that they would go with Kentucky's Will Levis over Richardson here. Richardson is clearly the better prospect in my eyes, and the Colts did not mess it up here. With Shane Steichen around as their new HC, Anthony Richardson is poised to succeed. Steichen has been a QB guru for some of the best signal callers in our game, most recently and notably Jalen Hurts. Richardson is like a bigger version of Hurts, and if Steichen can develop him, boy it will be scary. Perfect situation Richardson just landed in, A+!

5. Seattle Seahawks (via DEN) - Devon Witherspoon, Cornerback, Illinois
Grade: A

Per usual, the Seahawks shocked everyone with this pick. With Jalen Carter still on the board, everyone thought he would be the pick. Nope, but Seattle got a very Pete Carroll player that actually makes a ton of sense. Witherspoon is the best CB in the draft. He is a bone crushing hitter who plays physical and feisty man coverage. Pairing him up opposing Tariq Woolen in Seattle is going to be nasty. Is the LOB back in the PNW? This was a good pick.

6. Arizona Cardinals (via TRADE w/DET) - Paris Johnson Jr., Offensive Tackle, Ohio State
Grade: A

After trading down to to 12 initially, the Cardinals then used some picks to come back up to 6 and get the guy they had their eyes on all along. I really like this fit for Paris Johnson, as the Cardinals desperately needed more on the exterior of their O-line and Johnson is the highest potential tackle in the class. Kyler Murray got a win with this. Johnson is great, but the haul they got in all from the Houston trade makes this an easy A!

7. Las Vegas Raiders - Tyree Wilson, Edge Rusher, Texas Tech
Grade: B+

Really giving high marks across the board early. Everyone did pretty well. The Raiders were thrilled with Tyree Wilson falling out of the top 6 and into their laps. He must have been high up on their draft board all along. While I love the player and think he will do great things alongside Maxx Crosby in Vegas, I do feel like the Raiders had much bigger needs. Wilson is also a high risk, high reward pick which scares me a little with the state of the Raiders. Still, good pick.

8. Atlanta Falcons - Bijan Robinson, Running Back, Texas
Grade: B+

While others are giving this pick a D or even F, I love it. Bijan is a top 5 player in this class and the Falcons are loading up on offensive talent. Why not take the best RB prospect in the last decade? Atlanta can now see if Desmond Ridder is truly the guy, playing with Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts, and if not, they can drop a rookie QB in next off-season and give him an insane core to work with!

9. Philadelphia Eagles (via TRADE w/CHI) - Jalen Carter, Defensive Tackle, UGA
Grade: A+

Of COURSE bro...The Eagles got arguably the best player in the draft all the way down at 9. The rich get richer. Teams scared off by character issues of Carter let him float into the laps of the defending NFC champs. Their DL was already stacked, and now they added the game-wrecker from Georgia. If there is anywhere where he can succeed, its Philly. What a damn pick. Instant Javon Hargrave replacement. 

10. Chicago Bears (via TRADE w/PHI) - Darnell Wright, Offensive Tackle, Tennessee
Grade: B

I didn't like the trade down for the Bears when THEY could have gotten Jalen Carter who they were considering when they still had the no. 1 pick. They could have gotten that ransom from Carolina and STILL ended up with Carter. While I like Darnell Wright as an elite right side protector for Justin Fields, I feel like it was a bit of a reach. There were better players on the board in my opinion. Not a bad pick, but could have been better value for pick 10.

11. Tennessee Titans - Peter Skoronski, Offensive Line, Northwestern
Grade: B

Like the player a lot again, don't love the team taking him. Skoronski was my no. 1 OL in this class, but a lot of teams project him more as a guard at the next level, and for the Titans who have holes everywhere, I'm not sure taking a guard at 11 was the smartest move. I think WR, a true OT, or even a trade down would have made more sense here. They got an elite guard prospect, but that is not what they really needed right now.

12. Detroit Lions (via TRADE w/AZ) - Jahmyr Gibbs, Running Back, Alabama
Grade: D

Yikes Detroit. While I love Jahmyr Gibbs, this was just not the place he should have gone. Gibbs was heavily projected to go within picks like 21-31, if that, and the Lions took him at 12. Not to mention, they already have a great RB duo in D'Andre Swift (now likely to be traded) and David Montgomery. While Gibbs is an elite prospect who profiles in to be like an Alvin Kamara level player, Detroit had so many bigger needs and probably still could have gotten Gibbs with their second 1st-rounder at 18. Good player who should succeed in Detroit, but a real head-scratcher.

13. Green Bay Packers (via NYJ) - Lukas Van Ness, Edge Rusher, Iowa
Grade: C

Classic Packers pick here. This is a pattern of me liking the player, but hating the landing spot. Van Ness is a super exciting edge rushing prospect who brings crazy power and athleticism off the edge, but the Packers just did not need him that badly. With a good defense already including stud Rashan Gary, the Packers could have focused on improving the offensive side of the ball around young new QB Jordan Love. WR/TE/OL were all much bigger needs, and Green Bay took Van Ness. Don't love it.

14. Pittsburgh Steelers (via TRADE w/NE) - Broderick Jones, Offensive Tackle, UGA
Grade: A

Love this one for the Steelers! In my final mock draft I almost predicted this correctly as I had Pittsburgh trading up with NE for 14 for an OT, but I had it being Skoronski and not Jones. With the run on OTs earlier on, the Steelers were clearly very interested in getting Kenny Pickett's blindside blocker of the future. With Broderick Jones as the final blue chip OT prospect left, they made a great decision to move up a few spots, ahead of teams like the Jets and Commanders to get their guy. Jones is a mauler and has one of the highest upsides in this class. Pittsburgh probably just found one of its OTs for the next decade. Kenny Pickett is seriously getting some nice pieces around him.

15. New York Jets (via GB) - Will McDonald IV, Edge Rusher, Iowa State
Grade: C

Not a fan of this one for the Jets. They did get screwed as all the OTs they surely wanted went right before them, but in that case, they should have just traded down if possible if they were gonna reach so heavily here. McDonald is an alright edge rusher, but I feel like he was more of a second round talent. If they were gonna stick and pick, I think even having their choice of the WRs or even an LB would have been a lot better here. Not a big fan of this one for the Jets.

16. Washington Commanders - Emmanuel Forbes, Cornerback, Mississippi State
Grade: B

Don't LOVE it, don't HATE it. Forbes is a great ball-hawking prospect with elite length and good speed. The Commanders needed CB badly, so it is a good fit. However, with Christian Gonzalez somehow still available at 16, they should have taken him. Gonzalez is a blue-chip prospect and basically everything Forbes is and more. I think Forbes has high potential to do well in Washington, but with Gonzalez right there, I would have gone that route.

17. New England Patriots (via TRADE w/PIT) - Christian Gonzalez, Cornerback, Oregon
Grade: A+

Rare Patriot first round masterclass. I'm sure they disappointed some fans when they traded down like they usually do at 14, but then with more picks at 17 they were able to snag an easy top 10 talent in the class in Christian Gonzalez. Gonzalez was the no. 1 CB on the board for a lot of people and somehow the Pats got him here. He is an instant CB1 and landed in no better place to develop. The Patriots just got an unreal talent at an unreal value, and he should be a beast in NE.

18. Detroit Lions - Jack Campbell, Linebacker, Iowa
Grade: B-

Just like their earlier first, like the player, don't like the value. Campbell was projected a late first/early second prospect, and the Lions took him well within the top 20. If you don't care about value, this pick seems a little better. Campbell was my top LB in this class and he fits the Lions and their culture perfectly. I think if they wanted Campbell this bad, they could have easily moved down, acquired more capital, and still landed him. Odd night 1 for the Lions.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Calijah Kancey, Defensive Tackle, Pitt
Grade: B-

I love Calijah Kancey, but I do not love him going to Tampa. They do not need more DTs in South Florida. The team has superstar Vita Vea already AND used the first pick of round 2 last year on Logan Hall. I get that Kancey brings rare juice from that spot to the table, but they had much bigger needs and even could have lucked their way into a QB that no one thought they'd have the chance to get. Kancey will probably be great aside Vea, but Tampa has bigger needs to fill.

20. Seattle Seahawks - Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Wide Receiver, Ohio State
Grade: A+

Unreal night 1 for Seattle. They get CB1 in Devon Witherspoon and then sit at pick 20 and get WR1 of the class as well. JSN has been rapidly rising up boards of late and many thought he was a surefire top 10-13 pick. Somehow he lasted til 20 where Seattle scooped him up quickly. This might be the best WR core in the league now. DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett outside, and now JSN in the slot where he plays best. Geno has WEAPONS. With those 3, Ken Walker, and Noah Fant, it is going to be hard to slow down these guys. People seem to forget that JSN was the most productive wideout by a bunch in an OSU core that featured Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson too in 2021. Hats off to Seattle.

21. Los Angeles Chargers - Quentin Johnston, Wide Receiver, TCU
Grade: B

Everyone knew LA needed another receiver, and while I like Quentin Johnston, I don't know about the fit. Johnston is a huge, X receiver but he isn't the best hands catcher of the ball. With a huge WR already in the fold in Mike Williams, I feel like Jordan Addison or Zay Flowers might have been the best complement to Williams and Keenan Allen. However, Johnston is really exciting as a prospect and if he can stay on the field, this Charger WR group with Justin Herbert is loaded.

22. Baltimore Ravens - Zay Flowers, Wide Receiver, Boston College
Grade: B+

Love this fit. Zay Flowers in the ultimate weapon and he fits in perfectly to this Raven offense. OBJ and Rashod Bateman are the outside guys with Flowers working in the slot. Lamar Jackson officially has a receiving core now. Flowers is electric with the ball in his hands and in an offense that already features the skillset of Jackson, teams will have to account for Flowers. I love this fit. 

23. Minnesota Vikings - Jordan Addison, Wide Receiver, USC
Grade: A-

With Adam Thielen gone, the Vikings needed a consistent WR2 behind All-World Justin Jefferson. They officially got that guy here in Jordan Addison. What a duo Minnesota now has, with Jefferson who can do everything and then the elusive, elite route runner Addison to complement him. Kirk Cousins is absolutely set for next season and this could be one of, if not the most, productive WR duos in all of football for 2023.

24. New York Giants (via TRADE w/JAX) - Deonte Banks, Cornerback, Maryland
Grade: A-

The Giants probably wanted a wideout but with the big 4 going directly ahead of them, they went for their second biggest need: cornerback, and boy they got a good one. Banks has elite length and speed and is going to complement Adoree Jackson very well. This is a great scheme fit for Wink Martindale's defense. Great value here for the Giants who barely had to spend anything to move up a spot here and secure him. 

25. Buffalo Bllls (via TRADE w/JAX) - Dalton Kincaid, Tight End, Utah
Grade: B

Great player here who should have big time success in Buffalo, but I'm not quite sure why they went TE here. They already paid Dawson Knox last off-season. However, you can never have too many weapons and Josh Allen will be able to get the most out of Kincaid. Kincaid is more like a big slot receiver so he and Knox should be able to share the field. I don't hate this pick, but I feel like Buffalo had slightly bigger needs.

26. Dallas Cowboys - Mazi Smith, Defensive Tackle, Michigan
Grade: B

All the players who Dallas wanted clearly went ahead of them, so they settled for Mazi Smith. Not a bad pick, but nothing crazy. Smith will be a nice run stopping cog in the middle of that Dallas defense, certainly filling a need, but I had Smith as more of a second round player personally.

27. Jacksonville Jaguars (via TRADE w/BUF) - Anton Harrison, Offensive Tackle, Oklahoma
Grade: B-

Slight reach here for the Jags, but they traded down twice so not awful here. This fills a need along the OL, but I am not the biggest fan of Harrison. Still, I like the Jags doing everything they can to protect Trevor Lawrence here.

28. Cincinnati Bengals - Myles Murphy, Edge Rusher, Clemson
Grade: B-

Not the biggest fan of Myles Murphy and I feel like there were better players on the board for Cinncy. Decent value here for the Bengals though.

29. New Orleans Saints (via DEN) - Bryan Bresee, Defensive Tackle, Clemson
Grade: B+

Love this pick for the Saints. They stayed put at 29 and got a guy I know they would have taken had they could earlier. Bresee is a great athlete with a ton of upside, and it fills a big need along the interior of the aging Saints' DL. Bresee should have big time success under Dennis Allen. 

30. Philadelphia Eagles - Nolan Smith, Edge Rusher, UGA
Grade: A+

Philly just stays winning. Insane value here. This is a guy they would have considered at 10 who is close to a top 10 player in this class. Insane athlete with unreal upside. Smith ran a 4.39 forty at 240 pounds off the edge. He brings crazy juice and finesse to the position, and is already a great run defender with high pass rush upside. Smith joins a loaded DL that features multiple of his former Georgia teammates in Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter. Unfair.

31. Kansas City Chiefs - Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Edge Rusher, Kansas State
Grade: C+

Fills a need here for KC, but I feel like it was kind of a reach and with better edge rushers on the board. This is a productive, athletic player who should succeed in KC with all the talent they have there, but again, I feel like it was a bit of a reach.