Last year, the New York Jets absolutely crushed their draft. Adding Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson helped transform the offense. Reigning Rookie of the Year Sauce Gardner led a defensive revival. This led to mediocrity thanks to the Zach Wilson of it all, but it was a clear example of how making the right moves in April can lay the foundation for playoff runs in winters to come.
We knew all about it that spring, too. It didn’t take a genius to determine the team taking the best players at positions of need was going to get the most from its players. As such, the Jets led the way in our immediate post-draft draft class rankings. The Raiders, who ranked last, backed that up with an underwhelming 2022.
Now we venture back into the breach with this year’s knee-jerk draft rankings. We’ll rate each team not just by the quality of players picked, but also by how they fit, their value relative to the rest of the draft board and, sure, the quantity of solid picks.
Let’s also throw out a disclaimer right now. We have no idea how this year’s draft classes are going to pan out. Most of them seem great, and the difference between, say, No. 22 and No. 10 is effectively a matter of opinion.
Now, on to the rankings. They’re great news for a rising tide in the AFC — and less so for the NFC West.
Also check out:
- The 13 winners and losers of the entire draft
- The way-too-early 2024 mock draft with QB Caleb Williams
- Unsigned veteran free agents who could help a team
32
San Francisco 49ers
Players drafted:
- S Ji’Ayir Brown (third round, 87th overall)
- K Jake Moody (third round, 99th overall)
- TE Cameron Latu (third round, 101st overall)
- CB Darrell Luter Jr. (fifth round, 155th overall)
- EDGE Robert Beal Jr. (fifth round, 173rd overall)
- LB Dee Winters (sixth round, 216th overall)
- TE Brayden Willis (seventh round, 247th overall)
- WR Ronnie Bell (seventh round, 253rd overall)
- LB Jalen Graham (seventh round, 255th overall)
Truthfully, the 49ers probably could’ve skipped the draft. Sans quarterback, this roster is ready to win a championship. But if you’re going to attend the proceedings in Kansas City, I don’t know, maybe don’t take a kicker in the third round? Maybe find more reasonable (and cheap) answers at cornerback?
A subpar interior offensive line with various turnstiles could’ve also used an injection of talent. The 49ers will suit up in September and win 12-13 games again. It’s the winter where the holes they left behind will become glaring issues again. — Robert Zeglinski
31
Miami Dolphins
Players drafted:
- CB Cam Smith (second round, 51st overall)
- RB Devon Achane (third round, 84th overall)
- WR Elijah Higgins (sixth round, 197th overall)
- OT Ryan Hayes (seventh round, 197th overall)
The Smith and Achane picks will have to suffice as the primary additions to a Dolphins squad that collapsed down the stretch last fall. Never mind that Mike McDaniel’s bunch is still top-heavy and built in a flawed manner around Tua Tagovailoa’s limitations. After the Dolphins put all of their eggs in the basket for Tyreek Hill (last year), Jalen Ramsey (this year), and tampered about with Tom Brady, all they could do was grasp at straws during this draft.
Hey, maybe it’ll be enough … eventually. — RZ
30
Los Angeles Rams
Players drafted:
- G Steve Avila (second round, 36th overall)
- EDGE Byron Young (third round, 77th overall)
- DT Kobie Turner (third round, 89th overall)
- QB Stetson Bennett (fourth round, 128th overall)
- EDGE Nick Hampton (fifth round, 161st overall)
- OT Warren McClendon (fifth round, 174th overall)
- TE Davis Allen (fifth round, 175th overall)
- WR Puka Nacua (fifth round, 177th overall)
- CB Tre’Vius Tomlinson (sixth round, 182nd overall)
- LB Ochaun Mathis (sixth round, 189th overall)
- RB Zach Evans (sixth round, 215th overall)
- P Ethan Evans (seventh round, 223rd overall)
- S Jason Taylor II (seventh round, 234rd overall)
- DE Desjuan Johnson (seventh round, 259th overall)
Avila will help keep Matthew Stafford upright and the other Byron Young is a pass-rushing tornado but, boy, don’t you think Les Snead really regrets his approach to draft picks right about now? [Counterpoint: he has a Super Bowl ring, so no. — CD] The Rams, after maybe adding a couple of solid contributors, remain a mess and they don’t have the requisite tools to dig out of their hole. With the 2023 acquisition period officially over, Los Angeles is on Caleb Williams Tank Watch. This team is bad. — RZ
29
Detroit Lions
Players drafted:
- RB Jahmyr Gibbs (first round, 12th overall)
- LB Jack Campbell (first round, 18th overall)
- TE Sam LaPorta (second round, 34th overall)
- S Brian Branch (second round, 45th overall)
- QB Hendon Hooker (third round, 68th overall)
- DT Brodric Martin (third round, 96th overall)
- OT Colby Sorsdal (fifth round, 152nd overall)
- WR Antoine Green (seventh round, 219 overall)
The Lions had a draft where they took multiple second-rounders … everywhere. Even in the first round. I don’t know what went through Brad Holmes’ mind to start this class, whether he was smelling the Honolulu Blue roses or whatever, but Gibbs, Campbell, and LaPorta are all drastic reaches. Positional value is overrated in some respects, but it’s still a vital way to build a team. You can’t abandon the thought process simply because you think your team is on the brink of greatness.
Gibbs might be a good tailback, but the Lions needed a stud cornerback more. Campbell might be a good linebacker, but the Lions needed a receiver more. And so on and so forth. This was an overzealous Lions draft and I can’t but feel it set back the NFC North favorites. — RZ
28
Atlanta Falcons
Players drafted:
- RB Bijan Robinson (first round, eighth overall)
- OT/G Matthew Bergeron (second round, 38th overall)
- EDGE Zach Harrison (third round, 75th overall)
- CB Clark Phlllips III (fourth round, 113th overall)
- S DeMarcco Hellams (seventh round, 224th overall)
- G Jovaughn Gwyn (seventh round, 225th overall)
Consider this an “A” for concept and “C-” for pick value: a weird grade for a weird draft. Bijan Robinson is a perfect fit for a run-first offense … but so was Tyler Allgeier, who was a monster over the back half of the season as a rookie. Getting him at No. 8 instead of focusing on higher priority positions was certainly a choice. Matthew Bergeron as a tackle-turned-guard in the second round furthered this cause, showing the world Arthur Smith wants nothing more but to win the time of possession battle by 10 minutes every Sunday.
Zach Harrison is a nice edge rusher with upside who can help a veteran unit and Phllips is better than his combine numbers suggest. In five years we could be marking this draft as the moment the Falcons turned it all around. Or we could wind up laughing at it. — Christian D’Andrea
27
Jacksonville Jaguars
- OT Anton Harrison (first round, 27th overall)
- TE Brenton Strange (second round, 61st overall)
- RB Tank Bigsby (third round, 88th overall)
- LB Ventrell Miller (fourth round, 121st overall)
- DE Tyler Lacy (fourth round, 130th overall)
- EDGE Yasir Abdullah (fourth round, 135th overall)
- S Antonio Johnson (fifth round, 160th overall)
- WR Parker Washington (sixth round, 185th overall)
- DB Christian Baswell (sixth round, 202nd overall)
- DB Erick Hallett (sixth round, 208th overall)
- G Cooper Hodges (seventh round, 226th overall)
- DT Raymond Vohasek (seventh round, 227th overall)
- FB Derek Parish (seventh round, 240th overall)
Jacksonville had the NFL’s fifth-worst passing defense last season. Aside from giving Trevor Lawrence no consistent pocket, a shaky defensive backfield was what held the Jaguars back from a deeper playoff run. Armed with a full slate of draft picks for the future, Jacksonville added precisely zero impact defensive backs on paper.
Instead, it had to patch over a Cam Robinson suspension with Anton Harrison (sure), addressed tight end with Strange (OK?), and added a power back in Bigsby (uh-huh). Among other confusing selections, anyway. On the brink of becoming a genuine AFC heavyweight, the Jaguars threw darts at a board with a blindfold on. — RZ
26
Cleveland Browns
Players drafted:
- WR Cedric Tillman (third round, 74th overall)
- DT Siaki Ika (third round, 98th overall
- OT Dawand Jones (fourth round, 126th overall)
- QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson (fifth round, 142nd overall)
- C Luke Wypler (sixth round, 190th overall)
A top of the class of Tillman, Ika, and Jones would normally earn higher marks from me. I just knock Cleveland for having no top assets after its trade for Deshaun Watson — who once had more than 20 allegations of sexual misconduct and what the NFL would later characterize as “predatory behavior.”
It’s hard to beat finding a possession receiver, a run-stuffer, and a mammoth-sized offensive lineman on Day 2 and 3. These were Cleveland’s biggest needs on a roster in need of a touchup should Watson rebound. At any rate, a solid way to rebound for the Dawg Pound. — RZ
25
Kansas City Chiefs
Players drafted:
- EDGE Felix Anudike-Uzomah (first round, 31st overall)
- WR Rashee Rice (second round, 55th overall)
- OT Wanya Morris (third round, 92nd overall)
- CB Chamarri Conner (fourth round, 119th overall)
- EDGE BJ Thompson (fifth round, 166th overall)
- DT Keondre Coburn (sixth round, 194th overall)
- CB Nic Jones (seventh round, 250th overall)
Picking at the tail end of each round was always going to hamstring the Chiefs’ draft haul. Rather than reach for sliding prospects, GM Brett Veach appeared content to stick to his plan and draft the targets he’d written in ink earlier in the week. That meant opting for the proven production of Anudike-Uzomah, Rice and Morris when there were more intriguing targets still available. Those guys should each find roles this season for a winning team, but Kansas City might look back at this draft board in the future and regret not taking bigger risks. — CD
24
Minnesota Vikings
- WR Jordan Addison (first round, 23rd overall)
- CB Mekhi Blackmon (third round, 102nd overall)
- CB Jay Ward (fourth round, 134th overall)
- DT Jaquelin Roy (fifth round, 141st overall)
- QB Jared Hall (fifth round, 164th overall)
- RB DeWayne McBride (seventh round, 222nd overall)
The Vikings executed to the best of their abilities thanks to limited draft stock — just two selections in the top 133 picks thanks to a 13-4 (mirage of a) record and dealing away a second-rounder for T.J. Hockenson. Addison will take an immediate role in the offense and Blackmon fills a need, though time will tell if he was worth a trade up when cornerbacks like Kelee Ringo, Darius Rush and Terell Smith were still available.
Ward also went before Rush and Smith, suggesting his versatility as a potential corner or safety is something head coach Kevin O’Connell values more than straight-away upside as a prospect. — CD
23
Buffalo Bills
- TE Dalton Kincaid (first round, 25th overall)
- G O’Cyrus Torrence (second round, 59th overall)
- LB Dorian Williams (third round, 91st overall)
- WR Justin Shorter (fifth round, 150th overall)
- G Nick Broeker (seventh round, 230th overall)
- CB Alex Austin (seventh round, 252nd overall)
The Kincaid selection still puzzles me. I understand the Bills want their own Travis Kelce, but it’s not like you can simply recreate a dynamic Hall of Fame tight end’s impeccable spacing ability. I would’ve preferred another receiver for Josh Allen while simply giving the ball more to Dawson Knox.
That said, Torrence is a great value for Buffalo and fills a huge (no pun intended) chasm on a porous interior offensive line. Getting linebacker depth like Dorian Williams is also an admirable way to fill a void left behind by Tremaine Edmunds — RZ
22
Arizona Cardinals
- OT Paris Johnson Jr. (first round, sixth overall)
- EDGE BJ Ojulari (second round, 41st overall)
- CB Garrett Williams (third round, 72nd overall)
- WR Michael Wilson (third round, 94th overall)
- G Jon Gaines II (fourth round, 122nd overall)
- QB Clayton Tune (fifth round, 139th overall)
- LB Owen Pappoe (fifth round, 168th overall)
- CB Kei’Trei Clark (sixth round, 180th overall)
- DT Dante Stills (sixth round, 213th overall)
2023 was just about amassing talent; trading back from No. 3 accelerated that, picking up future first and third round picks in the process. But the picks the Cardinals made were slightly questionable. Trading back up for Paris Johnson Jr. when offensive tackle talent lasted into the teens? Interesting. BJ Ojulari in the second round over Keion White and Tuli Tuipulotu? Iffy. Michael Wilson in the third over A.T. Perry? We’ll see. But hey, this was about amassing talent and the best way to do that is with a boatload of picks. In that regard, Arizona’s draft was a success. — CD
21
Carolina Panthers
- QB Bryce Young (first round, first overall)
- WR Jonathan Mingo (second round, 39th overall)
- EDGE DJ Johnson (third round, 80th overall)
- G Chandler Zavala (fourth round, 114th overall)
- S Jammie Robinson (fifth round, 145th overall)
This was a varied, but reasonable draft for the Panthers. Carolina took the most accomplished quarterback available with the top overall pick. It opted for size and potential by landing Jonathan Mingo over guys like Jalin Hyatt or Marvin Mins in Round 2. Chandler Zavala is a fourth round pick who could start immediately in that revamped offense, clearing space for Miles Sanders. Carolina walked a line between guys who can play immediately and higher-ceiling prospects knowing there’s a chance to win the NFC South this fall. — CD
20
Denver Broncos
- WR Marvin Mims Jr. (third round, 63rd overall)
- LB Drew Sanders (third round, 67th overall)
- S Riley Moss (third round, 83rd overall)
- S JL Skinner (sixth round, 183rd overall)
- C Alex Forsyth (seventh round, 257th overall)
After giving up the farm and then another farm for Russell Wilson, the Broncos had little recourse this draft weekend. They were backed up against a wall. But getting a stretch receiver like Mims, one of the top off-ball linebackers available in Sanders, and a smart defensive back in Moss has Sean Payton’s fingerprints all over it. That’s three Day 2 selections who could each be Day 1 starters on a playoff-contending squad. Suffice it to say: The systems are coming back online on the Colorado Front Range. — RZ
19
Dallas Cowboys
- DT Mazi Smith (first round, 26th overall)
- TE Luke Schoonmaker (second round, 58th overall)
- LB DeMarvion Overshown (third round, 90th overall)
- DE Viliami Fehoko Jr. (fourth round, 129th overall)
- OT Asim Richards (fifth round, 169th overall)
- CB Eric Scott Jr. (sixth round, 178th overall)
- RB Deuce Vaughn (seventh round, 244th overall)
- WR Jalen Brooks (seventh round, 244th overall)
Jerry Jones resisted temptation and didn’t reach for flashy players. Instead, he got high level athletes who can fill positions of need. Smith can step right into the starting lineup as nose tackle and provide an upgrade even with his growing pains. Schoonmaker can provide a lot of the same two-way tight end play Dalton Schultz did.
Overshown was electric to watch at Texas and provides some needed insurance at linebacker. Deuce Vaughn is electric but undersized and a lottery ticket with a massive potential payoff. None of this was sexy at the moment (OK, maybe Vaughn), but it was necessary. Dallas continues to trend upward in a soft NFC. — CD
18
Green Bay Packers
- EDGE Lukas Van Ness (first round, 13th overall)
- TE Luke Musgrave (second round, 42nd overall)
- WR Jayden Reed (second round, 50th overall)
- TE Tucker Kraft (third round, 78th overall)
- DE Colby Wooden (fourth round, 116th overall)
- QB Sean Clifford (fifth round, 149th overall)
- WR Dontayvion Wicks (fifth round, 179th overall)
- DT Karl Brooks (sixth round, 179th overall)
- K Anders Carlson (sixth round, 207th overall)
- CB Carrington Valentine (seventh round, 232nd overall)
- RB Lew Nichols (seventh round, 235th overall)
- S Anthony Johnson Jr. (seventh round, 242nd overall)
- WR Grant DuBose (seventh round, 256th overall)
Green Bay kicked off its draft with a very Packers pick (high ceiling defender) between staring toward New York and taking a hard turn. Dalton Kincaid is a field-stretching seam-busting threat at tight end who can work from the slot. Tucker Kraft is a more accomplished blocker who can thrive alongside Kincaid in two-TE sets.
Jayden Reed is … fine (there were likely better options on the board), Dontavious Wicks is a nice fifth round lottery pick and Sean Clifford could be Danny Etling with the right coaching. Jordan Love’s cupboard isn’t full, but it’s certainly a little less bare after investing heavily in the passing game this spring. — CD
17
New York Jets
- EDGE Will McDonald IV (first round, 15th overall)
- C Joe Tippmann (second round, No. 43 overall)
- OT Carter Warren (fourth round, 120th overall)
- RB Israel Abanikanda (fifth round, 143rd overall)
- LB Zaire Barnes (sixth round, 184th overall)
- CB Jarrick Bernard-Converse (sixth round, 204th overall)
- TE Zack Kuntz (seventh round, 220th overall)
Between the underrated McDonald and a new middle-of-the-line anchor for Aaron Rodgers, New York could’ve left this draft there. Yep, that’s it, they’re done! It’s tough to beat a haul of a bendy edge rusher and polished Wisconsin lineman.
The Jets still have significant questions at tackle and probably could’ve used another difference-making off-ball linebacker, but this roster is as complete as it gets. You can’t address everything in one class. Those problems are a bridge to cross on another day, like next January. — RZ
16
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Players drafted:
- DT Calijah Kancey (first round, 19th overall)
- OG Cody Mauch (second round, 47th overall)
- DE YaYa Diaby (third round, 82nd overall)
- LB SirVocea Dennis (fifth round, 153rd overall)
- TE Payne Durham (fifth round, 171st overall)
- DB Josh Hayes (sixth round, 181st overall)
- WR Trey Palmer (sixth round, 191st overall)
- EDGE Jose Ramirez (sixth round, 196th overall)
Fortifying both sides of the line was imperative to the Buccaneers’ success going forward. Not only did they get a defensive tackle with Aaron Donald traits to pair with Vita Vea up front (Kancay) but also added an All-American tackle who can be a bruising interior lineman at the next level (Mauch). Adding Diaby to the mix in the third round is great value for a strong edge rusher coming off a nine-sack season at Louisville. While some quarterback help would have been nice, Tampa Bay took care of the staples in a potentially boring but vitally important draft. — CD
15
Las Vegas Raiders
- EDGE Tyree Wilson (first round, seventh overall)
- TE Michael Mayer (second round, 35th overall)
- DT Byron Young (third round, 70th overall)
- WR Tre Tucker (third round, 100th overall)
- CB Jakorian Bennett (fourth round, 104th overall)
- QB Aidan O’Connell (fourth round, 135th overall)
- S Christopher Smith (fifth round, 170th overall)
- LB Amari Burney (sixth round, 203rd overall)
- DT Nesta Jade Silvera (seventh round, 231st overall)
I loved Las Vegas’s approach to this draft from the jump. Tyree Wilson is a project and the medical concerns seem valid, but the Raiders are one of the teams who can afford to keep him as a temporary rotational piece as long as Chandler Jones and Maxx Crosby are still around. Michael Mayer was the top tight end in the draft by my estimation and will be an instant favorite target for Jimmy Garoppolo.
Meanwhile, cogs like Byron Young should give the Raiders a little more disruptive “oomph” to prevent their defense from being pushed around. A few quality brush strokes from Josh McDaniels and Co. earn a stellar evaluation from me. — RZ
14
Baltimore Ravens
- WR Zay Flowers (first round, 22nd overall)
- LB Trenton Simpson (third round, 86th overall)
- LB Tavius Murphy (fourth round, 124th overall)
- CB Kyu Blu Kelly (fifth round, 157th overall)
- OT Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu (sixth round, 199th overall)
- G Andrew Vorhees (seventh round, 229th overall)
Lamar Jackson’s previously contentious contract situation aside, the Ravens had two huge holes entering this draft: receiver and inside linebacker. Zay Flowers was one of the most explosive weapons available and should be instant BFFs with Baltimore’s talisman quarterback.
Meanwhile, Trenton Simpson is a plug-and-play off-ball player and the clear replacement plan for Patrick Queen as he enters a contract year. These two gentlemen alone (in combination with Jackson) should help vault Baltimore back to the top of the AFC. — RZ
13
New Orleans Saints
- DT Bryan Bresee (first round, 29th overall)
- EDGE Isaiah Foskey (second round, 40th overall)
- RB Kendre Miller (third round, 71st overall)
- OG Nick Saldiveri (fourth round, 103rd overall)
- QB Jake Haener (fourth round, 127th overall)
- S Jordan Howden (fifth round, 146th overall)
- WR A.T. Perry (sixth round, 195th overall)
New Orleans didn’t reach for potential; it saw an opportunity to win a disheveled South (further bolstered by the addition of Derek Carr) and picked players who can contribute immediately. Bresee is the kind of force who doesn’t rack up big numbers but makes everyone better. Foskey has NFL size and had 20.5 sacks the last two seasons at Notre Dame. Miller played a starring role in TCU’s revival.
Sure, a high profile tight end would have been nice, but the Saints got the horses they need to pull ahead in the race for a weak division this fall. And they got a developmental QB prospect in Haener and a solid WR3 type in A.T. Perry at a decent value so … pretty good. — CD
12
New England Patriots
- CB Christian Gonzalez (first round, 17th overall)
- EDGE Keion White (second round, 46th overall)
- S/LB Marte Mapu (third round, 76th overall)
- C Jake Andrews (fourth round, 107th overall)
- K Chad Ryland (fourth round, 112th overall)
- G Sidy Sow (fourth round, 117th overall)
- G Atonio Mafi (fifth round, 144th overall)
- WR Kayshon Boutte (sixth round, 187th overall)
- P Bryce Baringer (sixth round, 192nd overall)
- WR Demario Douglas (sixth round, 210th overall)
- CB Ameer Speed (sixth round, 214th overall)
- CB Isaiah Bolden (seventh round, 245th overall)
The Patriots badly needed a big, athletic cornerback to handle shutdown duties on the outside. Somehow Gonzalez, a top 10 prospect on most evaluators’ boards, slid all the way to No. 17. White was another player whose fortunes fell after being invited to the green room in Kansas City. His athleticism and versatility up front could make him a Bill Belichick favorite. Mapu is more of a wild card after starring at Sacramento State, but he’s more of the same — athletic and versatile for a defense that won’t be forced into any one box in 2023.
Then Belichick beefed up his offensive line and traded up for a kicker who made 75 percent of his field goals at Eastern Michigan in the fourth round. Weird, but not unexpected. — CD
11
Tennessee Titans
- OL Peter Skoronski (first round, 11th overall)
- QB Will Levis (second round, 33rd overall)
- RB Tyjae Spears (third round, 81st overall)
- TE Josh Whyle (fifth round, 147th overall)
- OT Jaelyn Duncan (sixth round, 186th overall)
- WR Colton Dowell (seventh round, 228th overall)
A long rebuild awaits Mike Vrabel’s Titans after everyone in his immediate purview was fired. Starting the climb back up with the draft’s best lineman on paper in Skoronski and quarterback to potentially build around in Levis was prudent. Is Skoronski a guard or a tackle? It doesn’t matter. He’ll bully everyone anyway. Is Levis a viable franchise signal caller? It doesn’t matter. He’ll get a better chance to develop than most.
And if the Titans really want to start preparing for life without Derrick Henry, the uber-productive Tyjae Spears is a phenomenal chess piece. A tip of the cap to Ran Carthon for sewing parts of Tennessee back together quite well. — RZ
10
Houston Texans
Players drafted:
- QB C.J. Stroud (first round, second overall)
- EDGE Will Anderson Jr. (first round, third overall)
- C Juice Scruggs (second round, 62nd overall)
- WR Tank Dell (third round, 69th overall)
- DE Dylan Horton (fourth round, 109th overall)
- LB Henry To’oto’o (fifth round, 167th overall)
- C Jarrett Patterson (sixth round, 201st overall)
- WR Xavier Hutchinson (sixth round, 203rd overall)
- S Brandon Hill (seventh round, 248th overall)
We can talk about Nick Caserio abandoning his groceries budget for Anderson another time; he and DeMeco Ryans hit two Texans home runs between C.J. Stroud and the prolific Alabama pass rusher Will Anderson. A long rebuild was supposed to await the Texans. If Stroud and Anderson both hit their marks, they already have their two faces of the franchise. Throw in a productive weapon like Dell and the center of the future in Scruggs and Houston seems to have a sturdy foundation in place. — RZ
9
Washington Commanders
- CB Emmanuel Forbes (first round, 16th overall)
- S/CB Jartavius Martin (second round, 47th overall)
- C Ricky Stromberg (third round, 97th overall)
- G Braeden Daniels (fourth round, 118th overall)
- EDGE KJ Henry (fifth round, 137th overall)
- RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. (sixth round, 193rd overall)
- EDGE Andre Jones Jr. (seventh round, 233rd overall)
Will the Commanders regret passing on Will Levis or Hendon Hooker? I don’t think that’ll be the case, and their strategy of targeting dynamite defensive backs and road-grading offensive linemen makes sense. Washington’s pass defense ranked behind its run defense (13th vs. eighth) and was in need of cornerback help — Forbes, with 14 interceptions at Mississippi State and six pick-sixes, can fill that role immediately.
Martin is more of a wild card, but he’s a ballhawk who can play safety or corner and crash to the ball with reckless abandon. Stromberg is one of 2023’s best centers and Daniels is an athletic project who could earn starts at tackle or guard in time. This is a high-upside draft class that fills present needs and it’s a rare common sense win for a franchise not known for them. — CD
8
Chicago Bears
- OT Darnell Wright (first round, 10th overall)
- DT Gervon Dexter (second round, 53rd overall)
- CB Tyrique Stevenson (second round, 56th overall)
- DT Zachh Pickens (third round, 64th overall)
- RB Roschon Johnson (fourth round, 115th overall)
- WR Tyler Scott (fourth round, 133rd overall)
- LB Noah Sewell (fifth round, 148th overall)
- CB Terrell Smith (fifth round, 165th overall)
- DT Travis Bell (seventh round, 218th overall)
- S Kendall Williamson (seventh round, 258th overall)
Chicago entered this draft with a Grand Canyon-sized hole at right tackle and multiple bottomless pits on its defensive line. It leaves with the arguable top book-end in the class in Wright, two hopeful long-term starters in Dexter and Pickens, and great values at corner and receiver in the sticky Stevenson and big-play Scott.
Provided Justin Fields takes a big step forward, this team should be an NFC playoff contender in the fall. If the Bears of 2022 really were tanking (wink, wink), then general manager Ryan Poles has executed his plan to a tee. — RZ
7
Los Angeles Chargers
- WR Quentin Johnston (first round, 21st overall)
- EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu (second round, 53rd overall)
- LB Daiyan Henley (third round, 85th overall)
- WR/KR Derius Davis (fourth round, 125th overall)
- G Jordan McFadden (fifth round, 156th overall)
- DT Scott Matlock (sixth round, 200th overall)
- QB Max Duggan (seventh round, 239th overall)
I absolutely love this Chargers draft. Johnston has all the chops to team with Keenan Allen and Mike Williams and then take the torch from them in the near future. Tuipulotu is a monster with the size and speed to crunch pockets up front as a 4-3 end or from the second level as a 3-4 linebacker (13.5 sacks, 22 tackles for loss last year).
Henley is a speedy inside linebacker who can make stops and run with slot receivers over the middle when needed. Davis is a multi-tool offensive coordinator Kellen Moore can deploy all over the field. This is gonna be a fun year in LA. — CD
6
Cincinnati Bengals
Players drafted:
- EDGE Myles Murphy (first round, 28th overall)
- CB D.J. Turner II (second round, 60th overall)
- S Jordan Battle (third round, 95th overall)
- WR Charlie Jones (fourth round, 131st overall)
- RB Chase Brown (fifth round, 163rd overall)
- WR Andrei Iosivas (sixth round, 206th overall)
- P Brad Robbins (sixth round, 217th overall)
- CB D.J. Ivey (seventh round, 246th overall)
The Bengals didn’t overthink their first pick and took a proven pass rusher in Murphy, who can threaten double-digit sacks alongside Trey Hendrickson as a rookie. Then they took on their weaknesses by bolstering the secondary with Turner and Battle — two more college studs who can step into starting roles right away. That’s vital, considering Jessie Bates III, Vonn Bell and Eli Apple are no longer on the roster.
Jones feels more like a luxury pick, especially when a tight end may have made more sense, but getting a guy coming off a 110-catch season in the fourth round still feels pretty good. And Chase Brown as Joe Mixon’s eventual replacement is … (chef’s kiss). — CD
5
New York Giants
- CB Deonte Banks (first round, 24th overall)
- C John Michael Schmitz (second round, 57th overall)
- WR Jalin Hyatt (third round, 73rd overall)
- RB Eric Gray (fifth round, 172nd overall)
- CB Tre Hawkins III (sixth round, 209th overall)
- DT Jordon Riley (243rd overall)
- S Gervarrius Owens (seventh round, 254th overall)
The draft board was cruel to the Giants in the first round, creating a run of wideouts just before New York’s pick. No matter, that allowed Brian Daboll to add an elite cornerback talent in Banks before adding arguably 2023’s top center 23 picks later. Gray balled out at Oklahoma last season and is a useful low-cost Saquon Barkley contingency.
The real jewel, however, may be Hyatt — a dynamite deep threat who can stretch the field. If he lives up to his potential, he’ll unlock new pages in Daniel Jones’ playbook one year after this team pushed its way into the playoffs with one of the league’s worst receiving corps. — CD
4
Philadelphia Eagles
- DT Jalen Carter (first round, ninth overall)
- EDGE Nolan Smith (first round, 30th overall)
- OT Tyler Steen (third round, 65th overall)
- S Sydney Brown (third round, 66th overall)
- CB/S Kelee Ringo (fourth round, 105th overall)
- QB Tanner McKee (sixth round, 188th overall)
- DT Moro Ojomo (seventh round, 249th overall)
Yes, right, get all those “Philadelphia Bulldogs” jokes out of your system now because they’re going to get old fast. Howie Roseman isn’t just taking players from one of the best defenses in NCAA history, however; he’s also taking guys with absurd physical traits and the room to grow into absolute studs in the NFL. Jalen Carter was arguably 2023’s top prospect and the Eagles got him at No. 9. Nolan Smith is an athletic marvel and a perfect punch-up to an aging pass rush.
Kelee Ringo is a big cornerback with elite traits who shows up in big moments. Sydney Brown was my favorite safety prospect whose effort and big hits can invoke memories of Brian Dawkins. My god, that’s so much talent and we haven’t even run down the whole class or the D’Andre Swift trade yet… — CD
3
Pittsburgh Steelers
- OT Broderick Jones (first round, 14th overall)
- CB Joey Porter Jr. (second round, 32nd overall)
- DT Keeanu Benton (second round, 49th overall)
- TE Darnell Washington (third round, 93rd overall)
- EDGE Nick Herbig (fourth round, 132nd overall)
- CB Cory Trice Jr. (seventh round, 241st overall)
- G Spencer Anderson (seventh round, 251st overall)
The Steelers addressed their biggest needs on the first two days of the draft and every threw in a high value lottery pick. Broderick Jones is a plug-and-play upgrade at left tackle (and wasn’t expensive to trade up and acquire). Joey Porter Jr. is a physical cornerback who can replace Cam Sutton. Keeanu Benton brings youth and power to an aging defensive line.
Darnell Washington could be a secret transformer but is, at the very least, a high-ceiling TE2 behind Pat Freiermuth. Adding Herbig in the fourth round to increase the Wisconsin quotient on defense? Awesome. — CD
2
Seattle Seahawks
- CB Devon Witherspoon (first round, fifth overall)
- WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba (first round, 20th overall)
- EDGE Derick Hall (second round, 37th overall)
- RB Zach Charbonnet (second round, 52nd overall)
- G Anthony Bradford (fourth round, 108th overall)
- DT Cameron Young (fourth round, 123rd overall)
- EDGE Mike Morris (fifth round, 151st overall)
- C Olusegun Oluwatimi (fifth round, 154th overall)
- S Jerrick Reed II (sixth round, 198th overall)
- RB Kenny McIntosh (seventh round, 237th overall)
John Schneider is a team-building magician. There’s no other way to describe adding a lockdown “island” corner like Witherspoon, a guy who can be the league’s best slot weapon in Smith-Njigba, and a dynamite edge rusher in Hall. Oh, and Charbonnet joins a suddenly loaded backfield while Bradford should help keep a cleaner interior pocket for Geno Smith.
There was a time, for about a half-decade or so, where the Seahawks started to flub draft after draft. That’s no longer the case. This Seattle class is a grand slam. — RZ
1
Indianapolis Colts
- QB Anthony Richardson (first round, fourth overall)
- CB Julius Brents (second round, 44th overall)
- WR Josh Downs (third round, 79th overall)
- OT Blake Freeland (fourth round, 106th overall)
- EDGE Adetomiwa Adebawore (fourth round, 110th overall)
- CB Darius Rush (fifth round, 138th overall)
- S Daniel Scott (fifth round, 158th overall)
- TE Will Mallory (fifth round, 162nd overall)
- RB Evan Hull (fifth round, 176th overall)
- EDGE Titus Leo (sixth round, 211th overall)
- CB Jaylon Jones (seventh round, 221st overall)
- OT Jake Witt (seventh round, 236th overall)
The Colts needed to nail this draft to put their rebuild on the fast track. And, thus, the Colts nailed this draft. Getting Richardson without having to trade up was a win in and of itself. Bolstering his roster with well regarded prospects throughout the middle rounds.
Indianapolis got Downs, Rush and Adebawore all roughly one round later than pundits expected. Brents was a potential first round corner who slid to the mid-second and Freeland is an athletic tackle with room to grow who made my top 75 big board before dropping to the 106th pick. If half these guys live up to their potential the Colts are going to be back in the playoff hunt faster than anyone expected. — CD
