The 2023 NFL Draft is now over, and with it comes everybody’s favourite train: draft grades!
Probably not although, we gained’t be handing out a grade for each single workforce right here. What’s going to occur as a substitute is highlighting a few of our favourite draft courses, from groups that executed each on Day 1 and Day 3, and have allowed followers and media members to see the imaginative and prescient behind what’s being constructed. If you happen to’re in search of draft grades, I already graded each decide in spherical one, in addition to graded each decide in spherical two and spherical three. I additionally have you ever coated on a way-too-early 2024 NFL mock draft.
So, let’s discuss just a few NFL groups who’s draft courses knocked it out of the park.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts had a heck of a draft from prime to backside, and it begins with standing pat at quantity 4 and deciding on Florida’s Anthony Richardson. For the Colts (hypothetical) offense to work beneath new HC Shane Steichen, a cell QB with the flexibility to power defenses into including on within the run recreation is essential. Richardson will do this, whereas additionally getting extra reps within the Colts offense. On Day 2, the Colts added CB Julius Brents and WR Josh Downs from North Carolina. Brents is one in every of my favourite DBs on this class, and his athletic profile and magnificence of play make him an ideal match within the Colts’ protection. Downs is a a lot smaller, shiftier variation of the Colts wideouts which are already on the roster, and he’ll present a a lot completely different fashion of play, whereas solely being a slot defender. A number of of my favourite Day 3 provides: DL Adetomiwa Adebawore, CB Darius Rush, and S Daniel Scott. All Senior Bowl alums who will add to that protection, particularly Rush.
Most significantly, they added athletes:
This has the potential to be an ideal foundational draft class, one that would preserve GM Chris Ballard with a job.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals didn’t wow anybody with their picks, however crucial factor is that they stocked up on their future defensively, whereas getting strong function gamers for the current.
EDGE Myles Murphy might not be a famous person, however he’s a protracted, robust and bodily defender who matches the Bengals physique kind on the sting. They will kick him inside on passing downs and he’ll trigger havoc. On Day 2, the Bengals added Michigan DB DJ Turner, who can finally fill within the spot for Mike Hilton because the nickel or be depth on the surface. Nonetheless, my favourite decide of theirs was Alabama S Jordan Battle within the third spherical. Battle isn’t going to wow followers along with his athleticism, however he’s all the time in the best spot on the proper time, and performs very instinctively. The Bengals received loads youthful on protection, whereas they nonetheless should pay their stars on offense.
Talking of the offensive facet of the ball, on Day 3 the Bengals added Illinois RB Chase Brown, Princeton WR Andrei Iosivas, and Purdue WR Charlie Jones. Brown is a pleasant complement to RB Joe Mixon, whereas Iosivas and Jones present extra pace to the Bengals wideout group, Jones a bit extra nuanced in his route operating. General, the Bengals had a very nice draft, and ensured the way forward for their protection.
New England Patriots
Invoice Belichick labored his voodoo magic as soon as once more within the first spherical, buying and selling again from 14 to 17, and nonetheless drafting one of many prime gamers within the draft in Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez. Gonzalez is a protracted, fluid and athletic nook who matches the Pats protection like a glove. On Day 2, the Patriots added a flexible defensive lineman in Keion White who can play on early downs towards the run, then kick inside in passing conditions so New England can have White, Matt Judon and Josh Uche on the sector collectively. Plus, they drafted one in every of my favourite gamers on this draft cycle, Sacramento State LB Marte Mapu. He’s a bit undersized as a real LB (he performed security in school), however he’s fluid and instinctive in protection, and comes downhill with dangerous intentions. Sub packages with he and Kyle Dugger on the sector on the identical time will trigger plenty of issues for opposing offenses.
On Day 3, they addressed the offense with including guards Sidy Sow and Antonio Mafi, each highly effective gamers who match the New England offensive line completely. In addition they swung for upside in LSU WR Kayshon Boutte within the sixth spherical. If all of it works out, Boutte is a superb complement to the Pats receivers, along with his capacity after the catch. The Patriots wanted to get youthful and extra explosive on each side of the ball, and on this draft they did simply that.
The #Patriots prioritized excessive #RAS gamers in 2022, and so they did the identical in 2023. Their prime two gamers had been each 99th percentile athletes and their one under common participant was solely 0.01 under common, thought-about a faller within the draft. pic.twitter.com/6O54TS3r75
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 29, 2023
Pittsburgh Steelers
If that is what NFL Draft courses are like for the following few years beneath GM Omar Khan, the Steelers are in good palms. Pittsburgh traded up over the New York Jets to go get mauling offensive lineman Broderick Jones within the first spherical, participant who will set the tone bodily on that offensive line for a very long time. Then, on Day 2 the Steelers chosen CB Joey Porter Jr. (sure, the son of Steeler nice Joey Porter Sr.), who’s physicality and talent in press ought to assist the Steelers protection out loads. Wisconsin DT Keeanu Benton is a typical Steeler defensive lineman, with large, robust palms that dislodge lineman on the level of assault.
Maybe the most important decide was taking Georgia TE Darnell Washington within the third spherical. Washington fell resulting from considerations about his knee, but when his medicals take a look at and he’s wholesome, the one factor stopping that offense is offensive coordinator Matt Canada. Cory Trice and Nick Herbig will each play loads as rookies with the prospect to become starters as nicely. The Steelers knocked this draft class out of the park.
Draft season by no means ends. Take a look at my first 2024 NFL Draft large board if you’re prepared to maneuver onto subsequent yr’s class.
