Let’s grade every first round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Folks we’ve finally made it.
The 2023 NFL Draft is set to get underway, and we’re going to be grading every pick and trade as it happens on night one. Grades will be based on our top-200 big board, which lists the best 200 prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft.
It’ll be interesting to see where these guys end up, especially as the night goes on. We have a pretty good feeling about who’s going to go first overall, but once that hat drops, everything else is still very unclear. The Cardinals have been busy this entire week, aiming to trade back and accumulate more picks or take an offensive tackle to protect QB Kyler Murray. One spot before them, the Houston Texans have also been the subject of a lot of rumors, circling around what they do with the 2nd overall pick. Will they take a QB, such as Ohio State’s CJ Stroud or Kentucky’s Will Levis? Or will they buck conventional wisdom and go with an edge rusher at 2 instead? We’ll soon find out!
In addition, where RB Bijan Robinson will go is an interesting thing to keep an eye on. He’s a surefire talented player, our 5th-rated prospect in the draft. However, the positional value of running backs plus the run that’ll happen on offensive linemen could push Robinson down the board to the point where a team could possibly get him in the teens.
Either way it goes, we’re in for an exciting few hours, so strap in and let’s do some instant grades.
1. Carolina Panthers (via Chicago Bears): QB Bryce Young, Alabama
Grade: B+
This has been in the books since essentially late February, but Young is the first Alabama player to go number one overall. I have some very real concerns about Young’s size and stature and how he gets himself into trouble when navigating pressure, but under Panthers HC Frank Reich and the braintrust they have in Carolina, they can craft an RPO-based offense built around Young’s quick release and spatial awareness. They traded up to get their guy, and Young is their guy. Whether or not his size will be an impediment is something to monitor this season.
2. Houston Texans: QB CJ Stroud, Ohio State
Grade: A-
Stroud was my QB1 for the draft process for his clean style of play as a pocket passer, with a higher ceiling than people realize. His ability to throw with touch and accuracy to all levels of the field is much like a golfer, dropping passes into the laps of receivers in tight windows. He can improve out of structure, yes, but in an offense that will more than likely be similar to the 49ers zone, boot-action offense, Stroud will thrive. The Texans got my top QB in the class.
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