NFL Draft 2023: Get to know the top 10 Draft prospects
The NFL Draft is nearly here and there is a nice mix of talent to choose from on offense and defense with three QB in the top 10 prospects.
The 2023 NFL Draft is just around the corner and this year, the Carolina Panthers will get the first pick after trading with the Chicago Bears. Of course, the order can still change at any point before or during the draft. This year’s draft begins tomorrow, Thursday, April 27 with Round 1. Rounds 2 and 3 will be on Friday, April 28 and Rounds 4-7 will be on Saturday, April 29. The draft will be held in Kansas City, MO, home of the Super Bowl champion Chiefs at Union Station.
2023 NFL Draft order: First Round
| Order | Team | 2021-22 Record (W-L-T) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carolina Panthers (from Bears) | 7-10 |
| 2 | Houston Texans | 3-13-1 |
| 3 | Arizona Cardinals | 4-13 |
| 4 | Indiana Colts | 4-12-1 |
| 5 | Seattle Seahawks (from Broncos) | 9-8 |
| 6 | Detroit Lions (from Rams) | 9-8 |
| 7 | Las Vegas Raiders | 6-11 |
| 8 | Atlanta Falcons | 7-10 |
| 9 | Chicago Bears (from Panthers) | 3-14 |
| 10 | Philadelphia Eagles (from Saints) | 14-3 |
| 11 | Tennessee Titans | 7-10 |
| 12 | Houston Texans (from Browns) | 3-13-1 |
| 13 | Green Bay Packers (from Jets) | 8-9 |
| 14 | New England Patriots | 8-9 |
| 15 | New York Jets (from Packers) | 7-10 |
| 16 | Washington Commanders | 8-8-1 |
| 17 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 9-8 |
| 18 | Detroit Lions | 9-8 |
| 19 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 8-9 |
| 20 | Seattle Seahawks | 9-8 |
| 21 | Los Angeles Chargers | 10-7 |
| 22 | Baltimore Ravens | 10-7 |
| 23 | Minnesota Vikings | 13-4 |
| 24 | Jacksonville Jaguars | 9-8 |
| 25 | New York Giants | 9-7-1 |
| 26 | Dallas Cowboys | 12-5 |
| 27 | Buffalo Bills | 12-4 |
| 28 | Cincinnati Bengals | 12-4 |
| 29 | New Orleans Saints (from 49ers via Dolphins and Broncos) | 7-10 |
| 30 | Philadelphia Eagles | 14-3 |
| 31 | Kansas City Chiefs | 14-3 |
2023 top NFL Draft prospects
1. Bryce Young - QB - Alabama
Bryce Young won the Heisman Trophy in 2021 as the quarterback for the Alabama Crimson Tide. He’s an accurate passer who rarely chokes under pressure. He can also effectively scramble and get out of the pocket if necessary, but it’s not his go-to move to run the ball. He’s 6′0″ and 194 pounds. He finished the 2022 season with 3,328 yards, 32 touchdowns, and just five interceptions.
2023 NFL Draft prospects: Meet Bryce Young
Who’s taking him?
Likely the Carolina Panthers will take him with the No. 1 overall pick.
2. Bijan Robinson - RB - Texas
Bijan Robinson finished the 2022 season with 1,580 yards and 18 touchdowns with Texas. He’s a big guy at 6 feet tall and 220 pounds and he’s aggressive at getting past defenders and uses his size to burst through, but he also has the speed to keep the momentum going after. He’s also got the benefit of being a good pass-catcher, able to make catches even on poorly-thrown passes. And once the ball is in his hands, he’s hard to take down.
Who’s taking him?
Since running backs have dropped some in importance in the NFL, Robinson is likely not getting taken as high as his stats and talent would assume. Still, he’ll likely be the only RB selected in the first round. It could be the Dallas Cowboys taking him at No. 26 or possibly the Buffalo Bills at 27.
3. C.J. Stroud - QB - Ohio State
C. J. Stroud is 6′3″ and 218 pounds of durability. He was also up for the Heisman Trophy twice as the QB with the most passing TDs two years in a row. He also has the advantage of good decision-making and accurate passing. The problem with Stroud is performing under pressure. When he’s forced to reset, he a less accurate thrower. However, his quickness allows him to do well when he needs to scramble.
2023 NFL Draft prospects: Meet C.J. Stroud
Who’s taking him?
If the Panthers go with Young, and no one else takes him before, then it’s likely the Indianapolis Colts are taking Stroud at No. 4. However, it’s very possible the Houston Texans decide he’s a good fit for them and snatch him up at No. 2.
4. Will Anderson Jr. - EDGE - Alabama
In 41 games with Alabama, Will Anderson Jr. had 58.5 tackles for a loss, including 34.5 sacks. He was fifth in voting for the Heisman Trophy in 2021. He’s fast and powerful and can break through tackles if he gets out early enough. At 6′4″, he takes advantage of his length to get to the ball.
Who’s taking him?
There’s been a lot of talks about the Seattle Seahawks trading up to get Anderson, even with the No. 5 pick available to them.
5. Jalen Carter - DT - Georgia
Jalen Carter is a versatile defender who can play at pretty much any position with success. He’s explosive, fast, strong, and unpredictable on the field. All of that has kept him in the top 10 talks despite his off-field issues. In March, Carter was arrested for reckless driving and racing after he was involved in a race in which the other car saw two people killed.
Who’s taking him?
If Seattle doesn’t trade up, they could be interested in Carter at No. 5. If not them, the Detroit Lions at No. 6 or Chicago Bears at No. 9 could be good fits for him as well.
6. Tyree Wilson - DE - Texas Tech
Tyree Wilson has a combined 27.5 tackles for a loss, including 14 sacks over the last two seasons. At 6′6″, he’s big, explosive, and fast, and uses his height to get to the offense and take them down.
Who’s taking him?
With the Texans at No. 2, they’ll have to decide if they go with Wilson or the QB option. If they choose not to take the QB, they’re taking Wilson. If they choose to go the QB route, it would likely be the Arizona Cardinals at No. 3 taking Wilson.
7. Devon Witherspoon - CB - Illinois
In his college career, Devon Witherspoon has deflected 25 passes. That, plus his speed and quick instincts make him a top cornerback in the draft. In 2022, he was one of the top defenders, named Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year after finishing with 17 passes defended, three interceptions, and 41 tackles (2.5 for a loss) in 12 starts.
Who’s taking him?
Witherspoon is believed to be going to the Detroit Lions at No. 6 overall.
8. Christian Gonzalez - CB - Oregon
Gonzalez is another top CB in the 2023 Draft. He has the rare combination of being both big and quick. He’s 6′2″ and 201 pounds, but he’s fast - he ran a 4.38-second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine and impressed with the same ball skills he showed throughout his time at Oregon.
Who’s taking him?
Depending on when the quarterbacks go and where, it could be the Las Vegas Raiders who take on Gonzalez at No. 8 overall.
9. Peter Skoronski - OT - Northwestern
Skoronski is tall (6′4″), but he doesn’t have the desired arm length of an NFL tackle. Despite that, he is quick and agile and able to get to the edge rushers to block. He is a better pass-blocker than run-blocker and is quick to recover. Depending on who chooses him, he could move in to play at guard or stay at tackle.
Who’s taking him?
The Chicago Bears could be looking at Skoronski to try at different positions and see where he fits.
10. Anthony Richardson - QB - Florida
Anthony Richardson is less experienced than Young and Stroud, but has proven to be an athletic and talented quarterback with excellent arm strength and explosiveness. His inexperience shows in his decision-making, but with some coaching and a bit of time in the big league, Richardson could polish his run skills, arm strength, and speed, and make a great long-term investment for some team.
2023 NFL Draft prospects: Meet Anthony Richardson
Who’s taking him?
Richardson will likely go to either the Atlanta Falcons at No. 8 or the Seattle Seahawks at No. 5.