The Good, The Bad, and The Meh
A look into a review of the 1st round of the NFL draft
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In this year’s draft, there was a fair mix of expected and unexpected picks, but how will these picks pan out for them? A few teams seemed to reach a little too far for talent, and some hit right on the dot for their pick. Today I evaluated the teams’ selections to explore the good, bad, and meh of the first 15 picks of the 2023 NFL draft.
#1 Pick: Carolina Panthers (Via Bears)
Pick: QB Bryce Young (Alabama)
Grade: Good
I think it’s a solid pick by the Panthers, however, Bryce Young may be running around for his life behind their horrendous O-Line. For the Panthers to give up so much for the pick, including star receiver D.J Moore, you would’ve expected them to take a QB to better fit their new system. I believe C.J Stroud would’ve been a slightly better pick for the Panthers, but regardless Bryce Young is still a great QB for the pick.
#2 Pick: Houston Texans
Pick: QB C.J Stroud (Ohio State)
Grade: Good
The Texans picked the next best option after Young had left the draft board in C.J Stroud. A very accurate passer and able to be mobile when he needs to be, Stroud should work well in the Texans system. Stroud definitely has the ability to be a starter in the NFL.
#3 Pick: Houston Texans (Via Cardinals)
Pick: Will Anderson Jr. (Alabama)
Grade: Good
For the Texans to give up so much to acquire this pick, they need to hope he becomes the next Von Miller. I feel this puts Houston in a difficult spot and really makes them have to rush the development of Anderson Jr. to make sure they get the full value for the pick. Overall, it is a great pick for a great player, they just have to hope he pans out.
#4 Pick: Indianapolis Colts
Pick: QB Anthony Richardson (Florida)
Grade: Good
I believe this pick should’ve been Will Levis, however, Richardson is still a high-upside QB that is very comparable to Lamar Jackson. The only issue with this pick is Richardson’s passing accuracy and football IQ, but if the Colts develop him right, he should be a very solid QB in the league.
#5 Pick: Seattle Seahawks (Via Denver)
Pick: CB Devon Witherspoon (Illinois)
Grade: Meh
It’s a somewhat surprising pick for the Seahawks, considering they may have been in the market more for a player like Jalen Carter of Georgia. Regardless, Witherspoon is still a great corner, however, he doesn’t really match the system of existing corners in Seattle, being that he is only 6 feet tall.
#6 Pick: Arizona Cardinals (Via Detroit)
Pick: OT Paris Johnson Jr. (Ohio State)
Grade: Good
The Cardinals trade up to acquire this pick and take arguably the best linemen in the draft. But where do you play him? He is usually playing Left Tackle, but you already have D.J Humphires in the position. This pick is very good, but the only concern is where to play him.
#7 Pick: Las Vegas Raiders
Pick: DE Tyree Wilson (Texas Tech)
Grade: Good
Another great pick in the 1st, however, Wilson has some mild injury concerns with his recovering foot injury. Tyree Wilson will fit in well with Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones and has the ideal traits for a great edge rusher.
#8 Pick: Atlanta Falcons
Pick: RB Bijan Robinson (Texas)
Grade: Bad
With how much depth there is at the Running back position going into the draft, there was no reason to take him this high. Along with this, Atlanta already has Tyler Allgier, who had a phenomenal first year in the league. This creates an abundance of offensive talent when they could’ve used a more defensive pick to help Jeff Okudah in the secondary. Very bad pick.
#9 Pick: Philadelphia Eagles (Via Chicago)
Pick: DT Jalen Carter (Georgia)
Grade: Good
The Eagles gave up a minimal amount to get one of the best defensive players in the draft. Jalen Carter now joins his fellow teammates from Georgia, Jordan Davis, and Nakobe Dean. Carter is a beast on the edge, being able to easily maneuver past linemen to the QB, recording 32 tackles this previous College Football season. Carter will fit in great in Philly.
#10 Pick: Chicago Bears (Via Philadelphia)
Pick: OT Darnell Wright (Tennessee)
Grade: Good
The Bears did exactly what they wanted, which was to draft someone to protect Justin Fields. Darnell Wright excels at that, being a unit of man at 6’6, 335 pounds. An example of his dominance at Tennessee is when Wright helped the Volunteers achieve 40 rushing touchdowns their previous season, along with 2,593 total rushing yards. Along with this, Darnell did not give up a single sack the whole college football season.
#11 Pick: Tennessee Titans
Pick: OT Peter Skoronski (Northwestern)
Grade: Good
The Titans select a great athlete who is a physical threat up front. He definitely fits Mike Vrabel’s tough style of play, which is why this pick is perfect to not only help the Titan’s offensive line needs but to also help Skoronski develop better in a system that fits him. The only reason this pick isn’t an A is due to Peter’s wingspan, but that can easily be resolved by him moving inside, but great pick regardless.
#12 Pick: Detroit Lions (Via Arizona)
Pick: RB Jahmyr Gibbs (Alabama)
Grade: Bad
Quite possibly the worst pick of the first round. The Lions selected Jahmyr Gibbs, despite them having two capable running backs already at the position DeAndre Swift and David Montgomery. Why would you take a running back when (Future Patriots Pick) Corner Christian Gonzalez is still on the board? Don’t get me wrong, Gibb’s is good, but not that good.
#13 Pick: Green Bay Packers (Via NYJ)
Pick: DE Lukas Van Ness (Iowa)
Grade: Meh
Lukas Van Ness is a player with a lot of upsides, but it’s whether or not he lives up to it. He was great for Iowa this previous season, but I believe he could’ve done more. It’s a great pick by the Packers from an opening perspective, but time will tell if Van Ness fully develops.
#14 Pick: Pittsburgh Steelers (Via Patriots)
Pick: OT Broderick Jones (Georgia)
Grade: Good
Despite his 6 ‘5, 311-pound build, Jones is surprisingly agile for his position and is probably the lineman with the highest upside in this year’s draft. Pittsburgh desperately needed an upgrade at the position, so they traded up and took a great lineman. A great move by the Steelers, led to a great player, not much more to be said.
#15 Pick: New York Jets (Via Green Bay)
Pick: DE Will McDonald IV (Iowa State)
Grade: Meh
McDonald is a great player don’t get me wrong, but I believe there were more urgent matters for the Jets. I would’ve preferred to see the Jets take a player like Anton Harrison (Later selected by Jacksonville at #24), who is a solid tackle who would help protect newly acquired QB Aaron Rodgers. Will McDonald is still a great player, but I believe this was a bit of a reach by the Jets.
Honorable Mention
#18 Pick: Detroit Lions
Pick: LB Jack Campbell (Iowa)
Grade: Good
Campbell is sure to instantly improve the Lions’ linebacker core. Campbell is a tackling beast, recording 128 tackles and winning the William V. Campbell Award. Along with his great athletic ability, he will only continue to improve in his coverage and become a threat in the Detroit defense.
