NFL Draft Grades 2023

These 2023 NFL Draft Grades will be posted minutes after each pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Keep in mind that these NFL Draft Grades are based on team needs, player value, positional value, and any trade implications. Follow @walterfootball for updates.

2023 NFL Draft Grades - Round: Picks 1-16 | Picks 17-32 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | NFL Draft Team Grades

2023 NFL Draft Grades for Picks 1-16:

Carolina Panthers: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama - B+ Grade
This can't be graded poorly because the Panthers finally have a franchise quarterback for the first time since Cam Newton's first stint with the team. However, it worries me that Carolina selected Bryce Young when the coaches preferred C.J. Stroud instead. Young is a terrific quarterback prospect, but he has some major injury concerns because of his Kyler Murray-type build.

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Houston Texans: C.J. Stroud, QB, Texans - A+ Grade
Stock down to everyone who derailed the projection for this pick, but bravo to the Texans for actually making the right move. It appeared as though Houston was going to be the laughing stock of the NFL for passing on a franchise quarterback and handing him to one of their divisional rivals, but that's apparently not the case. The Texans stole C.J. Stroud away from either the Colts or Titans.
Houston Texans: Will Anderson, DE, Alabama - A+ Grade
Nick Caserio is not a sleeper agent for the Colts or Titans. If he pretended to be, then he double-crossed them! The Texans traded up from No. 12 to 3 to land what they think is the best defensive player in this class, and they could be correct. Will Anderson would have been a poor choice at No. 2 because that would have involved passing on a franchise quarterback, but getting Anderson and Stroud is unbelievable. Caserio for general manager of the year?

Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida - A- Grade
Many had Will Levis mocked to the Colts, but Charlie Campbell reported that Indianapolis wasn't really interested. Anthony Richardson is a better fit for the Colts' offense. He also has a higher floor because of his Justin Fields-type rushing ability. The Colts had to draft a franchise quarterback, and Richardson is a far superior choice compared to Levis.
Seattle Seahawks: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois - D Grade
Uhh, what? Did the Seahawks forget that they're experts at drafting cornerbacks in the middle and late rounds? Did they also fail to remember that they have a talented No. 1 cornerback? Seattle really needed to improve its pass rush. Picking Witherspoon here over Jalen Carter seems ridiculous.

Arizona Cardinals: Paris Johnson, OT, Ohio State - A Grade
The Cardinals had to move up ahead of the Raiders to draft Paris Johnson. This is the prospect Kyler Murray wanted, so it's hard to hate this selection. Arizona had to find someone to protect Murray, given that Murray hasn't been able to play a full season in the NFL yet. No one could have hated the Cardinals for picking Johnson at No. 3, so moving down three spots for him was great management.
Las Vegas Raiders: Tyree Wilson, DE, Texas Tech - B Grade
There was some concern with Tyree Wilson's health, but the Raiders are obviously OK with it. Defensive end was not a big need at the moment because the Raiders have Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones on the roster, but you can never have too many talented pass rushers. I think this is a solid pick, but the injury and age problems with Wilson may make the Raiders regret this selection in the future.

Atlanta Falcons: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas - C Grade
Bijan Robinson was tabbed as the most talented prospect in this class by numerous teams Charlie Campbell talked to during the pre-draft process. Thus, I can't hate on this pick very much. However, I'm not a big fan. Teams that aren't instant Super Bowl contenders should not use first-round picks on running backs because by the time they're good enough to make a run deep into the playoffs, the running back they chose in the opening round will have too much wear and tear on his body. That will be the case with the Falcons, who should have focused on obtaining a player at another position.
Philadelphia Eagles: Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia - A Grade
Charlie Campbell reported that the Eagles would trade up into the 6-9 range for Jalen Carter if he got past Seattle. Once the Seahawks made their strange Devon Witherspoon pick, the opportunity was there because the teams drafting 6-9 didn't like Carter very much because of his off-the-field concerns. Those are definite worries, but Carter's upside is enormous. Carter is arguably the best prospect in this class, and outside of Bijan Robinson, no player who was going to be available for the Eagles was going to help them win a Super Bowl this year more than Carter.

Chicago Bears: Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee - A Grade
Drafting Darnell Wright over Peter Skoronski is interesting, as it means the Bears really didn't think he could play left tackle for them. Wright certainly can. He's an athletic tackle who didn't surrender a sack to Hendon Hooker last year. He also shut down Will Anderson. Justin Fields has to be thrilled about this selection.
Tennessee Titans: Peter Skoronski, G/OT, Northwestern - A+ Grade
Paris Johnson is the best tackle in this class, but it could be argued that Peter Skoronski is the No. 1 offensive lineman. He was docked for his short arms, but he's going to be an elite guard for Tennessee over the next decade. The Titans desperately needed blocking help after losing three offensive linemen this offseason, and Skoronski will provide a huge boost.

Detroit Lions: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama - A- Grade
I think the Lions could have gotten Jahmyr Gibbs at No. 18, but you never know. Thus, I don't hate this value, especially because Detroit moved down in the first place. Gibbs has drawn comparisons to Jamaal Charles and Alvin Kamara, so Gibbs will help the Lions win the Super Bowl. Yes, the Super Bowl. Unlike the Falcons, the Lions are a legitimate Super Bowl contender, so I really like this selection.

Green Bay Packers: Lukas Van Ness, DE, Iowa - B+ Grade
Lukas Van Ness was all over the place. Some considered him a possibility at No. 10, while the Bengals thought he would fall to them at No. 28. This is probably the right range. Van Ness is very athletic, so he fits what Green Bay looks for in its prospects. The Packers had to blitz very frequently last year in order to get to the quarterback, so taking Van Ness makes sense.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Broderick Jones, OT/G, Georgia - B Grade
Mike Tomlin wanted to upgrade his secondary. The front office wanted to solidify the offensive line. The front office wins. Maybe. Broderick Jones has huge upside, but he has a much lower floor than the other three offensive linemen selected so far. This is a risky move, especially given the trade up, but I don't blame the Steelers for making the pick because Kenny Pickett needed better protection to take the next step.
New York Jets: Will McDonald, DE, Iowa State - D Grade
Wow, what a reach! The Jets wanted Darnell Wright, Peter Skoronski, and Broderick Jones, and all of them went off the board at 10, 11, and 14, respectively. The poor Jets then had to panic and go for Will McDonald, who was widely considered a second-round prospect. I like McDonald, and getting a pass rusher seems significant in the passing-stacked AFC, so I'm not going to fail the Jets. However, the Jets should have been able to trade down 10-15 spots. They could have gotten McDonald in the 20s.

Washington Redskins: Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State - B Grade
Credit Charlie Campbell for reporting that the Redskins loved Emmanuel Forbes, who fits Ron Rivera's defense so well as a ball-hawking cornerback. I wondered if the Redskins would draft a falling prospect like Christian Gonzalez or Nolan Smith, but they stuck with their guy, which is fine. Forbes is going to fill a huge need at cornerback, which has been a big problem area for many years in Washington.

2023 NFL Draft Grades - Round:

NFL Draft Team Grades

2023 NFL Mock Draft | 2023 NFL Mock Draft

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NFL Power Rankings - June 2

Fantasy Football Rankings - June 1

2024 NFL Mock Draft - May 30

NFL Picks - Feb. 14

NFL Draft Links:

My 2003 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/24): Round 1 / Round 2/ Round 3
2003 NFL Draft Grades (Re-graded 6/8/08)
My 2004 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/24): Round 1 / Round 2/ Round 3
2004 NFL Draft Prospects/ 2004 NFL Draft Grades (Re-graded 6/6/08)
My 2005 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/23): Round 1 / Round 2/ Round 3
2005 NFL Draft Prospects
2005 NFL Draft Grades (Re-graded 6/4/08)
My 2006 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Round 1 / Round 2/ Round 3
2006 NFL Draft Prospects (UPDATED 4/28)
2006 NFL Draft Grades (Re-graded on 7/3)
My 2007 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Round 1 / Round 2/ Round 3/ Round 4/ Round 5/ Round 6/ Round 7
Other 2007 Mock Drafts:April Fools
2007 NFL Draft Prospects (UPDATED 4/24)/Kenny Ortiz's Top 40 Prospects
2007 NFL Combine and Pro Day Results
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2008 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/26): Round 1 / Round 2/ Round 3/Round 4/Round 5/Round 6/Round 7
Alternative 2008 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/7): Round 1 /Round 2
2008 NFL Re-Draft - Round 3 (UPDATED 4/27)
2008 NFL Draft Prospects (UPDATED 8/5)
Other 2008 Mock Drafts: Matt McGuire (4/25)/ Craig Smith (4/22)/ Emmitt Smith (4/21)/ Matt McGuire Shocker (4/21)/ Matt McGuire Backwards (4/19)/ Forum Mock (4/15)/ April Fools (4/1)
2009 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/25): Round 1 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
Other 2009 Mock Drafts: Re-Draft (4/26) /Matt McGuire (4/25) /Reader Mock (4/25) /Hunter Ansley (4/24) /Backward Mock (4/19) /Emmitt Smith (4/16) /Celebrity Mock (4/9) /April Fools (4/1) /Experts (3/30) /KFFL (3/14)
2010 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/22): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2010 NFL Mock Re-Draft Day 3 (4/24): Round 4 (Walt's) / Round 4 (Matt's)
2010 NFL Mock Re-Draft Day 2 (4/23): Round 2 (Walt's) / Round 3 (Walt's) / Round 2 (Matt's) / Round 3 (Matt's)
Other 2010 Mock Drafts: Matt McGuire (4/22) /Backward Mock (4/20) /Emmitt Mock (4/17) /Celebrity Mock (4/8) /Experts (3/17) /Reader (4/13) /Consensus (2/25)
2011 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2011 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/30): Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 2 /Round 3
Other 2011 Mock Drafts: Free Agency (5/9) /Greg Cox (4/28) /Backward Mock (4/22) /Emmitt Mock (4/21) /Team Big Boards (4/21) /Celebrity Mock (4/13) /Experts (4/7) /Not Mock (4/6) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Greg Cox's 2012 Mock (2/22) /Matt McGuire (1/8)
2012 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/26): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2012 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2012 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/26) /Pick History (4/23) /Emmitt Mock (4/19) /Not Mock (4/19) /Backward Mock (4/17) /Celebrity (4/15) /Goals (4/10) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Reader Mock (4/1) /Free Agent Mock (3/6) /Greg Cox (9/9)
2013 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/25): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2013 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/27): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2013 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/25) /GM Mock (4/21) /Charlie's Trade Mock (4/20) /Goals (4/19) /Rapid Reader Mock (4/18) /Emmitt Mock (4/14) /Not Mock (4/13) /Pick History (4/5) /Backward Mock (4/4) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Reader Mock /Free Agent Mock (3/7) /Archived 2013 NFL Mock Drafts
2014 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATE 5/8): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2014 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 5/10): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2014 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (5/8) /Goals (5/3) /Not Mock (4/27) /Emmitt Mock (4/20) /Trades Mock (4/13) /Celebrity Mock (4/11) /Backward Mock (4/4) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Reader Mock /Free Agent Mock (3/6) /Overreaction Mock (12/30)
2015 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/30): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2015 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 5/2): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2015 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/30) /Goals (4/25) /Not Mock (4/19) /Emmitt Mock (4/17) /Trades Mock (4/12) /Celebrity Mock (4/10) /Backward Mock (4/3) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Free Agent Mock (3/5) /Overreaction Mock (12/29)
2016 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2016 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/30): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2016 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/28) /Combo (5/8) /Goals (4/23) /Not Mock (4/22) /Emmitt Mock (4/17) /Trades Mock (4/16) /Celebrity Mock (4/10) /Backward Mock (4/7) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Reader Mock /Free Agent Mock (3/6) /Overreaction Mock (1/4)
2017 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/27): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2017 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/29): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2017 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/27) /Combo (5/7) /Goals (4/22) /Not Mock (4/21) /Emmitt Mock (4/16) /Backward Mock (4/9) /Celebrity Mock (4/7) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Reader Mock /Free Agent Mock (3/7) /Overreaction Mock (1/2)
2018 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/26): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2018 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2018 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/26) /Combo (5/6) /Goals (4/21) /Not Mock (4/20) /Emmitt Mock (4/15) /Trades Mock (4/13) /Backward Mock (4/8) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Reader Mock /Free Agent Mock (3/11) /Senior Bowl (1/27)
2019 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/25): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2019 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/27): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2019 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/25) /Combo (5/5) /Goals (4/20) /Not Mock (4/18) /Witten Mock (4/14) /Trades Mock (4/12) /Emmitt Mock (4/7) /Backward Mock (4/5) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Free Agent Mock (3/10) /Senior Bowl Mock (1/26) /Video Mock (1/8) /Overreaction Mock (12/31)
2020 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/23): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2020 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/25): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2020 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/23) /Combo (5/3) /Goals (4/18) /Emmitt Mock (4/12) /Trades Mock (4/8) /Backward Mock (4/5) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Free Agent Mock (3/16) /Corey Long (3/13) /Senior Bowl Mock (1/27) /Overreaction Mock (12/30)
2021 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/29): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2021 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 5/1): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2021 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (5/17) /Goals (4/23) /Backward Mock (4/18) /Emmitt Mock (4/11) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Senior Bowl Mock (1/30) /Overreaction Mock (1/4)
2022 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2022 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/30): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2022 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/28) /Goals (4/22) /Backward Mock (4/20) /Emmitt Mock (4/15) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Senior Bowl Mock (2/5) /Overreaction Mock (1/10)
2023 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/27): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2023 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/29): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2023 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/27) /Backward Mock (4/19) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Senior Bowl Mock (2/4) /Overreaction Mock (1/9)
2024 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 5/30): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2
Other 2024 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (5/29)
2018 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2017 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2016 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2015 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2014 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2013 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2012 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2011 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2010 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2009 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2008 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2007 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2006 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2005 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2004 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2003 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2002 NFL Draft Re-Mock

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