2023 NFL Draft summary: Highlights, order of picks, players, teams, and trades | Round 1

Day one of NFL Draft over

That concludes the first day of the 2023 NFL Draft. This has been an interesting day. Three QBs went on the first five picks. With the Texans picking back to back after trading with the Cardinals. 

We suspected 5 QBs to go on the first day of the draft, and it was not the case. The league surely feels that there is a lack of depth in rosters. No major surprises happened today aside from maybe that Will Levis was not picked in today's draft.

Tough day for him. But Lamar Jackson went 32 and is now the best player in the league's history, so anything can happen. 

Chiefs get Felix Anudike-Uzomah - Pick 31

Anudike-Uzomah was a right end at Kansas State for two years and played in defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman's 3-3-5 system, where he was on the outside shoulder of the tackle.

Blueshirting at Kansas State was his only Power 5 offer out of high school, and he has since become one of the school's most decorated defenders (25 1/2 tackles for loss, 19 1/2 sacks, 8 forced fumbles over the last two seasons).
 

Eagles get Nolan Smith - Pick 30

In Georgia head coach Kirby Smart's 3-3-5 basic defense system, Smith started for two years at the "Jack" linebacker position. Even though he was the 2019 class's top recruit, he never had a season with more than four sacks while playing for the Bulldogs. Sack totals aren't always indicative of effect, as he was often asked to read or drop.
 

Saints get Bryan Bresee - Pick 29

Clemson's three-year starting defensive lineman, Bresee, also played the nose and 5-technique positions in coordinator Wes Goodwin's varied defensive schemes. Despite being the "best player" on the team as a freshman and the No. 1 overall recruit three years ago, he has struggled with injuries (an ACL tear and a kidney infection) and personal tragedy (the death of his younger sister after an 18-month battle with cancer) in each of the last two seasons.
 

Bengals get Myles Murphy - Pick 28

Over the course of his three years as a starter at Clemson, Murphy lined up anywhere from the 4i or three-technique to the wide nine-technique as part of defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin's varied defensive formations. He was a three-year starter for the Tigers and a former top-10 high school recruit nationwide, with double-digit tackles for loss each year.
 

Jaguars get Anton Harrison

Harrison started at left tackle for two years at Oklahoma in Jeff Lebby's quick-passing, RPO-based offense. As a sophomore, he earned a starting spot and eventually became regarded as one of the best left tackles in college football.

Cowboys get Mazi Smith - Pick 26

Smith started for two years as nose tackle for Michigan and was instrumental in defensive coordinator Jesse Minter's system. While his backfield performance is lackluster, he is a more effective pass rusher than his career sack total of 0.5 would imply (he was second on the team in pressures with 25 in 2022).
 

Bills get Dalton Kincaid - Pick 25

Kincaid played at Utah for two years and was a starter both times. He was a F tight end in Andy Ludwig's scheme. After Brant Kuithe was injured as a junior, the FCS transfer took over as the Utes' primary receiver as a senior and topped all FBS tight ends in receiving yards (74.2) and catches (5.8) per game. He was just ahead of Notre Dame's Michael Mayer (67.4 and 5.6, respectively).
 

Giants get Deonte Banks - Pick 24

Banks started all four years as outside cornerback for Maryland under defensive coordinator Brian Williams. After missing almost all of 2021 with a shoulder injury, he improved during 2022, highlighted by a standout effort against Ohio State and Marvin Harrison Jr.

According to PFF, CB Deonte Banks was tied for the fewest missed tackle attempts by a defensive back in FBS who played 500 or more plays last season with just one.
 

Vikings get Jordan Addison - Pick 23

Addison played inside and outside receiver in one season as a starter at USC under Lincoln Riley's Air Raid scheme. Sophomore year: Top receiver in the country.

Addison is able to generate separation and run-after-catch possibilities by combining his play speed, controlled suddenness, and thorough attention as a route runner. His drop percentage went from 14.3 percent as a freshman to 9.9 percent as a sophomore to 3.3 percent as a junior, showing he clearly improved his ball handling abilities in 2022.
 

Ravens get Zay Flowers - Pick 22

For three years, Boston College's offense revolved on Flowers, an inside/outside receiver who was often schemed across the field with moves and tight splits to exploit space.

As a senior, he was courted by multiple rich NIL offers to transfer, but he remained true to Boston College and went on to have a historic 2022 season, becoming the school's all-time top receiver in the process.
 

Chargers get Quentin Johnston - Pick 21

Johnston was an RPO-based offense at TCU under former offensive coordinator Garrett Riley's watch as an X wide receiver (Z receiver in 2021). During his three years at Fort Worth, he averaged 8.9 yards after catch per reception, good for second in the FBS. He also led the team in receiving yards each year.
 

Seahawks get Jaxon Smith-Njigba - Pick 20

Smith-Njigba, a two-year starter at Ohio State, earned his home as an inside receiver, 88.1 percent of his plays over the last two seasons came from the slot, in head coach Ryan Day's multiple spread system.

 After a record-setting 2021 season in which he set the Big Ten record for receiving yards in a season (1,606) and the NCAA bowl record for receiving yards in a game (347) in the Rose Bowl, 2022 was essentially a lost year for him due to a hamstring injury.
 

Christian Gonzales with the Colombian flag

The new Patriots player wanted to come up stage and represent his father country. The NFL just unlocked a new skill, South America. Maybe they should push this narrative and open new business down south! 

Bucks get Calijah Kancey - Pick 19

Kancey started all 48 games he played in during his three years at Pittsburgh as a three-technique lineman under head coach Pat Narduzzi's 4-3 foundation system. 

Almost half of Kancey's tackles (46.2%) in 2022 came from outside the offensive backfield, thanks to his ability to win the snap and disrupt the backfield rhythm with slants, stunts, and crosses.
 

Lions get Jack Campbell - Pick 18

Campbell, a two-year starter at Iowa, played "MIKE" linebacker in Phil Parker's 4-3 basic defense. Campbell fought to remain a linebacker even though head coach Kirk Ferentz wanted to switch him to defensive end or center due to his size.

Campbell made 27 starts at linebacker and averaged 10 tackles per game. 
 

Patriots get Christian Gonzales - Pick 17

Gonzalez, who started for Oregon for one season, was a cornerback who saw action inside the box and on the outside in man/zone defensive schemes. His first two years at Colorado were promising, so he transferred to Oregon for his junior year, when he immediately became the team leader in passes defended (11) and interceptions (4). In 2022, he and Utah's Clark Phillips III were the only Pac-12 defenders to have 11+ passes defended and 4+ interceptions.

Colombia in the house for the one of the latinos that are on deck for tonight’s NFL draft. 

Commanders get Emmanuel Forbes - Pick 16

Forbes has set a new record for the FBS with 14 interceptions since he first played collegiate football in 2020.

Throughout each of his three seasons, he led the club in pass deflections and interceptions. Even if he sometimes works like a free spirit he always plays on the tips of his toes to maintain his equilibrium and be ready for anything.
 

Jets get Will Mcdonald IV - Pick 15

His 34 career sacks are more than Von Miller's 33 and put him in a tie for first in Big 12 history. He didn't start playing football until his junior year of high school.

McDonald is able to avoid being stifled by blocks, sprint in, and finish in the pocket because to his height and quickness. Offenses aren't scared to attack him in the run game given his average play power, and he lacks optimal deception, force, and setup efficiency in his pass rush.
 

Is not a party in Kansas without a Kelce brother

Making an appearance in an oddly fashion is Jason Kelce. Baby Dolls over there and over here. This is now a party in Kansas. 

Steelers get Broderick Jones - Pick 14

Jones started for Georgia for one and a half years, replacing Jamaree Salyer at left tackle in 2021 and taking over the position permanently in 2022 under balanced offensive schemes implemented by former offensive coordinator Todd Monken. 

PFF found that Jones was the only SEC OT who allowed no sacks on 400 or more plays while also committing no more than two penalties in 2022.
 

Packers get Lukas Van Ness - Pick 13

Van Ness was mostly used as an edge rusher in defensive coordinator Phil Parker's four-man front when he entered the game off the bench for Iowa, but he also played a considerable number of plays inside over the B-gap.

Despite never starting a game, Lukas Van Ness had the third-most quarterback pressures (46) in the Big Ten in 2022.
 

What is going on with this kid?

Why is no one drafting this kid? Will Levis was a top QB last year and was predicted to go on the first five picks. NFL Draft for you. 

Lions get Jahmyr Gibbs - Pick 12

Gibbs started for the Tide in 2022 and was the team's primary back, although he only carried the ball 33 percent of the time.

In 2022, he topped the team in all-purpose yards per game (135.7), including rushing, receiving, and kick-return yards. His 44 catches that year were the second-most ever by a running back for Alabama.
 

Titans get Peter Skoronski - Pick 11

Skoronski started every game as a true freshman, sophomore, and junior under offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian's run-based approach after Rashawn Slater opted out in 2020. By the end of the 2022 season, he had been the school's first unanimous All-American and the Big Ten's inaugural Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year after being the first offensive lineman in college football to play 830 or more plays while allowing six or less pressures.
 

Is all about defense

The addition of Jalen Carter makes the Eagles a dominant force in defense. This is what they were looking for last year. Let’s remember they took the best defender of last year’s class and now they seems to do it again. 

The Bears get Darnell Wright - Pick 10

Wright started at right tackle for four years at Tennessee under head coach Josh Heupel's fast-paced, spread system. He failed to live up to expectations in his first three years in Knoxville after switching to offensive line as a sophomore.

When he switched to right tackle as a senior, things finally started to click, particularly in pass pro, and he was able to silence Will Anderson on the Alabama video without giving up a single sack that year.
 

Philadelphia Eagles get Jalen Carter - Pick 9

Carter, a one-year starter for the Bulldogs, was a force to be reckoned with inside the defensive line in Georgia's 3-4 base defense under co-defensive coordinator Will Muschamp.

PFF reports that Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter had 32 quarterback pressures in 2017 and was not penalized once.

Atlanta Falcons get Bijan Robinson - Pick 8

Texas running back Bijan Robinson led the FBS with 157.8 combined rushing and receiving yards per game last season.

With 3,410 all-purpose yards, he ranks fourth in school history after Ricky Williams, Cedric Benson, and Earl Campbell. He also became the first Longhorn to dash for more than 1,500 yards and record more than 300 receiving yards in a same season.
 

Someone is going to break this man one day

Who is this man’s doctor? He must go regularly after the draft. I wouldn’t want to be this man on this day just because of this. 

Raiders get Tyree Wilson - pick 7

Tyree Wilson seems to be a wonderful choice for the Raiders with the seventh overall pick, since several reliable evaluators rated him as one of the best two players available. Las Vegas needed some help in defense and this might be what puts them over the edge to compete for more than being a good team. 

Arizona Cardinals get Paris Johnson Jr - pick 6

After Devon when on the 5 pick the cardinals had to trade down from 12 to 6 to get Paris. They needed a defender. 

OT Paris Johnson Jr. allowed a sack on just 0.2 percent of his pass-block snaps as a starter at Ohio State (2 of 910), per PFF.

This is a move to help their QB Kyler Murray when he gets healthy. A player they needed for sure. 

The emotions of the NFL Draft

With only 13 games this 2022 it is a gamble for the Colts. And it shows, because even though he is a great prospect there is a lot of doubt about him. It will be interesting to see what he can do in Indiana. 

Seattle Seahawks pick Devon Witherspoon - pick 5

CB Devon Witherspoon is an amazing player with a 92.5 PFF rating. 17 passes defended in 2022 and 14 pass breakups in 2022, leading his team. He has 159 tackles and 11 sacks. 

He has a very outgoing personality that will shine when he is on the line talking to his teammates. He is one of those guys that unifies a team. 

The Colts get Anthony Richardson - pick 4 - round 1

Another QB! We had predicted that 5 QB will go on the first 10 picks of the first round. This is a kid who is similar to Cam Newton. He is a running QB. He will be a pain for many defenses in the NFL. He only has 13 starts so far in 2022, 176 yards completed and 17 completed TD passes, he also has a 59% completion rate. 

Not much to go on, but the Colts feel safe with their choice. 

Will Anderson Jr. is a Texans

This is the first defense player of the night. The Texans will be happy to get him. They are are a team that really needs to shape things around. And their Deshaun Watson is paying off. 

What do you guys think of their first draft picks? 

Texans trade for the first round third pick

On another shock! The Texans trade with the Cardinals their third pick on the first round and they select Will Anderson Jr. QB, QB and an edge. This is a great move by the Texans who had the most first round picks of any team. 

This is a team that has had 3 coaches in the last 3 seasons and they will be looking to change things around with these moves. 

An emotional CJ Stroud

This kid has heard it all. That he has no intelligence, that he is not a leader and that he was going to go seven on the first round. Here he goes to Texas and they will be happy to have have him. His accuracy and arm are amazing. Yes he needs to work on the pocket but he is young. 

The Texans are on the clock! And they pick CJ Stroud

The Texans are about to reveal their pick. As no one really knows who the will pick. 

CJ Stroud!! The first shock of the night! They take a QB. And stay tuned guys because we predict 5 Qb’s going on the first round of this year’s NFL draft. 

They needed this as they traded Deshaun Watson. Stroud as a lock for the Panthers a couple of months ago but it shows you how fast things can change in the NFL. 

Bryce Young to the Panthers by Roger Goodell

What can Bryce bring to the Panthers is amazing. This might be a QB for years to come. 

-23-4 record
-2020 national champ
-2021 Heisman Trophy winner
-2x All-SEC honors
-2021 AP Player of the Year
-Only Bama QB to throw for 3,000+ YDS in two seasons
-Nick Saban’s first No. 1 overall pick

Bryce Young goes first !

As Bryce Young goes first for the Carolina Panthers, what do you guys think of this comparison with Drew Brees? Does this kid have what the HOF had? The size is correct. Young is not a big guy and apparently his hands are not too big either. So those things he does have in common with Drew.

Only time will tell!

A QB for a QB? Mahomes to Young or Stroud?

The Panthers are on the clock and Mahomes is signaling to Carolina the path. A good QB can change everything for them. It is predicted that tonight 5 QBs will go on the first round. 

With no Brady and with Rodgers moving to NY, there is space for new blood to come to the league and change everything around. 

This promises to be a good draft class!

CJ Stroud and Jaxon Smith are two of the most promising players of this year’s draft class. The both come from Ohio State. Great program for guys looking to make it to the NFL. Stroud is a favorite to go first pick on the draft this year by the Panthers. 

Stay tuned as the draft is about to start in less than ten minutes!

Another latino going to the NFL

This is historic! The NFL is about to draft three latinos. 

Gonzalez was born into a Colombian family. Hector, his father, is 6-foot-9 and played collegiate basketball at the University of Texas at El Paso before playing semi-professionally in Colombia. He has three sisters, Melissa, Samantha, and Lily. Melissa (University of Texas) and Samantha (University of Miami) were both two-time All-Americans in track and field and now represent Colombia in international competitions.

Talk about a family who was born to be athletes. Gonzales will join Chris Rodriguez Jr as the other latino possible NFL draft hopeful for today. 


 

Latinos in the house this NFL draft!

Moreno-Cropper, a four-star prospect with multiple collegiate possibilities, chose Fresno State over Utah, Oregon, Cal, Nebraska, and Boise State to remain near to home.

He started five of 10 games as a true freshman in 2019 and was very efective. In 2020, Moreno-Cropper led the Bulldogs with 37 receptions, 520 receiving yards (14.1 per), and five touchdowns in six games (4-27-6.8 rushing, 9-184-20.4 kick returns).

League coaches named him honorable mention All-Mountain West Conference. In 2021, he led the Bulldogs in receiving (85-899-10.6, 11 TDs) and rushing (19-76-4.0) in 13 games with 10 starts.

In his last season, Moreno-Cropper again led FSU with 83 catches, 1,086 yards (13.1 per), and five touchdowns in 14 starts, earning first-team all-conference honors.

What do you guys think?

Do you guys agree? 

Ravens! Its getting scary!

This lineup for Baltimore is scary! Come on!

No agent no problem for Lamar

Every agent must be worried about now. If Lamar was able to do this, then imagine what Mahomes could get next time. 

This will be a big surprise

Bryce Young or CJ Stroud? Who should they go for? 

NFL Draft or Oscars?

It’s getting out of hand guys! Yeah these last NFL Drafts have been all about the bling. The guys are dropping names of who dressed them and all!

Why the doubt?

Why is there so much doubt on CJ Stroud? Why is he not getting the respect? 

Some mock drafts have him going on the fifth pick. A guy that the Panthers told him that they would probably go for him. 

Where should these guys go?

Who should get these guys? Packers? No need anymore, no? 

Possible Ravens draft options

With the team signing Lamar to a $260 million deal. Baltimore now has a clearer vision on what to pick this year. 

O’Cyrus Torrence, Guard, Florida

Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland

Myles Murphy, Edge, Clemson

What do you think of these guys? Do they have a chance? 

Who remembers this draft day?

Talk about changing a franchise history. The thing is, this guy is just getting started. Pat can become the best QB in NFL history.

Overkill withe Ravens!

If they are able to get DeAndre Hopkins and pair him up with Lamar uff!! Steam will come out. Immediate title contender team! 

What do you guys think? 

CJ Stroud and his best QBs in the league

What do you guys think? Who is your favorite? 

Who has the most draft picks? 

With 12 each, the Texans and Raiders are in first place.

In comparison to the Raiders, Houston has the most first-round options, with two in the first round, 2 and 12. The latter of those picks was obtained in last year's blockbuster deal that sent quarterback Deshaun Watson to Cleveland.

For Watson and a 2024 sixth-round selection, the Browns gave up first- and fourth-round picks in both 2022 and 2024, as well as their first- and third-round choices (Nos. 73) this year.

On Day 3 of the draft, the Texans have seven, beginning with No. 104 in Round 4 and ending with No. 259

$260 million for Lamar Jackson!

Big news is coming out of Ravens camp just before the draft is said to take place. In the end, Lamar Jackson will get what he wanted, $260 million from the Baltimore franchise

What do you guys think? How is this going to affect their draft? 

Baltimore is in search of a wide receiver, and with the news of Lamar staying with the team, keep an eye for them drafting someone to help the QB. 

Don’t miss tonight’s NFL draft

This year promises to be an interesting draft. More than ever, teams are in dire need of new blood. 2023 is said to be a very good class that can make history in years to come. 

Who is your favorite player to be drafted? 

What does each team need in this draft?

This is what each team will be looking to draft if they want to cover their biggest needs. This is not by order of draft. 

List of needs

1. Bengals: Offensive guard

2. Browns: Defensive tackle

3. Chargers: Linebacker

4. Chiefs: Defensive line

5. Colts: Quarterback

6. Dolphins: Offensive guard (note the Dolphins will not be picking tonight in the first round as they have been punished by the NFL for various rule breaches)

7. Jaguars: Cornerback

8. Jets: Interior offensive line

9. Patriots: Offensive tackle

10. Raiders: Defensive tackle

11. Ravens: Wide receiver

12. Steelers: Offensive tackle

13. Texans: Quarterback

14. Titans: Offensive line

15. 49ers: Interior offensive line

16. Bears: Edge rusher

17. Buccaneers: Offensive tackle

18. Cardinals: Defensive tackle

19. Commanders: Cornerback

20. Cowboys: Defensive tackle

21. Eagles: Safety

22. Falcons: Quarterback

23. Giants: Cornerback

24. Lions: Defensive tackle

25. Packers: Wide receive

26. Panthers: Quarterback

27. Rams: Interior offensive line

28. Saints: Defensive tackle

29. Seahawks: Edge rusher

30. Vikings: Wide receiver

The 2023 NFL Draft is upon us! The three-day event is set to start tonight when the league's commissioner Roger Goodell commences the ceremony. This year's host city is Kansas City, and the party will take place at Union Station, starting at 8:00 PM ET. 

The Carolina Panthers will make the first pick as they acquired this coveted position by trading with the Bears. 

The Panthers are in dire need of a quarterback, and they will be looking to draft CJ Stroud. The organization approached him at the combine, and reportedly, they told the young QB that he was a lock for them. So look for the team to offer him a $41 million deal. 

This year there will be only 31 picks in the first round after the Miami Dolphins were stripped of their first-round selection due to multiple violations of NFL rules.

NFL Draft Order: 

1. Panthers (via Bears)

2. Texans

3. Cardinals

4. Colts

5. Seahawks (via Broncos)

6. Lions (via Rams)

7. Raiders

8. Falcons

9. Bears (via Panthers)

10. Eagles (via Saints)

11. Titans

12. Texans (via Browns)

13. Jets

14. Patriots

15. Packers

16. Commanders

17. Steelers

18. Lions

19. Buccaneers

20. Seahawks

21. Chargers

22. Ravens

23. Vikings

24. Jaguars

25. Giants

26. Cowboys

27. Bills

28. Bengals

29. Saints (via Broncos)

30. Eagles

31. Chiefs